Compact multiple beam type vehicle light system

• US 8,256,941 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumileds LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Hikmet, Rifat A. M., Van Bommel, Ties
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US13/059,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20110141754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 362/464, 362/507, 362/540, 362/543, 362/259, 362/513, 340/471, 340/479
• US Class Current: 362/513
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/16 Laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/176 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/60 characterised by a variable light distribution
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/645 by electro-optic means, e.g. liquid crystal or electrochromic devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle light system comprising a laser device for generating a laser beam, further comprising a light output module provided with a phosphor element for emitting a light beam upon incidence of the generated laser beam and provided with an optical element associated with the phosphor element for producing a light output beam. Furthermore, the light system comprises a further light output module provided with a corresponding further phosphor element and a second optical element. The laser device is arranged to switch between a first state, in which the generated laser beam is directed to the phosphor element, and a second state in which the generated laser beam is directed to the further phosphor element.

Claims

1. A vehicle light system, comprising

a laser device for generating a laser beam,

a light output module provided with a phosphor element for emitting a light beam upon incidence of the generated laser beam and provided with an optical element associated with the phosphor element for producing a light output beam,

a further light output module provided with a corresponding further phosphor element and a further optical element,

wherein the laser device is arranged to switch between a first state, in which the generated laser beam is directed to the phosphor element, and a second state in which the generated laser beam is directed to the further phosphor element.

2. A vehicle light system according to claim 1, wherein the laser device comprises an optical switch for changing the direction and/or position of the laser beam.

3. A vehicle light system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of light output modules provided with a phosphor element for emitting a light beam upon incidence of the generated laser beam and provided with an optical element associated with the phosphor element for producing a light output beam, wherein the laser device is arranged to switch the direction and/or position of the generated laser beam towards a phosphor element of a selected light output module.

4. A vehicle light system according to claim 1, comprising a single laser device.

5. A vehicle light system according to claim 1, wherein the phosphor element of an output module is arranged to emit a yellow-orange broadband light beam upon incidence of a blue light laser beam leading to white light.

6. A vehicle light system according to claim 1, wherein the phosphor element of an output module is arranged to emit red, green and blue light upon incidence of a blue, violet or UV laser beam.

7. A vehicle light system according to claim 1, wherein the output beam shape of the optical element provided with a first light output module differs from the output beam shape of the optical element provided with a second light output module.

8. A vehicle light system according to claim 1, wherein the output beam direction of the optical element provided with a first light output module differs from the output beam direction of the optical element provided with a second light output module.

9. A vehicle light system according to claim 1, further comprising an automotive control system.

10. An illumination system for a vehicle, comprising a control system, a vehicle light system and a sensor connected to the control system, wherein the control system is arranged to generate a vehicle light system control signal in dependence upon a parameter measured by the sensor.

11. A method of controlling a vehicle light system, the method comprising the steps of:

switching a laser device between a first state, in which a laser beam generated by the laser device is directed to a phosphor element provided in a first light output module, and a second state, in which the generated laser beam is directed to the phosphor element provided in a second light output module, the phosphor elements being arranged to emit a light beam upon incidence of the generated laser beam, and the light output modules being further provided with an optical element for producing a light output beam.