Hybrid taillight article

• US 9,599,308 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2013
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Ender, David A., Larsen, Jeremy K., Sahlin, Jennifer J., Griffin, Michael E., Vick, Karl A., Hao, Bing, Schnobrich, Scott M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BANNAN, JULIE A
• Application Number:
  US14/649,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20160215950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0058 Stacked, i.e. one lamp located behind the other in the optical axis direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2615 mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/239 plate-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/33 characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings

Abstract

A taillight article (100) including an optically clear light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and an opposing rear surface (114) and a side surface (118) separating the front surface (112) and the rear surface (114) is described. A first light source (120) is configured to direct light into the side surface (118) and indicate a first signal-function. A plurality of light extraction features (116) are on or within the optically clear light guide (110) and are configured to direct light from the first light source (120) out through the emission surface (112). A light reflection element (130) is spaced apart from the rear surface (114) and defines a cavity (135) that is observable by a viewer.

Claims

1. A taillight article comprising:

an optically clear light guide having a light emission front surface and an opposing rear surface and a side surface separating the front surface and the rear surface;

a first light source configured to direct light into the side surface, the first light source indicating a first signal function;

a plurality of light extraction features on or within the optically clear light guide, the light extraction features configured to direct light from the first light source out through the emission surface, each light extraction feature being a wedge having a cylindrical light reflection face; and

a light reflection element spaced apart from the rear surface of the optically clear light guide and defining a cavity that is observable by a viewer, wherein the light reflection element comprises indicia or a graphical element that is observable by a viewer.

2. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light extraction features are disposed on or adjacent to the rear surface of the optically clear light guide.

3. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a thickness in a range from 1 to 50 mm.

4. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is configured to direct colored light into the side surface.

5. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the optically clear light guide is curved.

6. A taillight article according to claim 5, wherein a portion of the light extraction features is disposed on or adjacent to the front surface of the optically clear light guide.

7. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light extraction features have a feature size in a range from 5 to 750 micrometers.

8. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive is disposed on a rear surface of the taillight article, the adhesive being configured to fix the taillight article to a vehicle.

9. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light reflection element is colored.

10. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the taillight article has a total thickness in a range from 2 to 30 cm.

11. A taillight article according to claim 1, further comprising a second light source providing a second signal function disposed within the cavity.

12. A taillight article according to claim 11, further comprising a third light source indicating a third signal function disposed within the cavity, wherein the first signal function, second signal function and third signal function are all different signal functions.

13. A taillight article according to claim 11, wherein the second light source or third light source direct light through the optically clear light guide.

14. A taillight article according to claim 11, wherein the first signal function is a running light function or a turning signal function and the second signal function is a braking signal function or back-up signal function.

15. A taillight article according to claim 12, further comprising a fourth light source indicating a fourth signal function, the fourth light source disposed within the taillight article, wherein the first signal function, second signal function, third signal function and fourth signal function are a combination of a running light function, a braking light function, a back-up light function and a turning signal function.

16. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light reflection element reflects at least 70% of incident light.

17. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light reflection element reflects at least 90% of incident light.

18. A taillight article according to claim 1, wherein the light extraction features form a pattern that illuminates as indicia or graphical elements that are observable by a viewer.