Indicator optic for vehicle lighting module

• US 10,215,359 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2017
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Lisowski, Michael F., Minikey, Jr., Danny L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eide, Eric T
• Application Number:
  US15/417,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20170219181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 362555
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/241 of complex shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/243 emitting light from one or more of its extremities
• 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 43/315 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/40 characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors

Abstract

A lighting module for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting module comprises a light source configured to generate a light emission in an emission direction substantially along a forward operating direction of the vehicle. A circuit is in connection with the light source. The lighting module further comprises an optic device comprising a body forming a receiving surface. The receiving surface is configured to receive an input emission of the light emission. The optic device is configured to transmit the input emission through the body, emit a first portion of the input emission along a primary path directed toward a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and emit a second portion of the input emission along a stray light path into a light trap formed by the body and arranged substantially opposite the light extraction surface.

Claims

1. An optic device for a vehicle indicator light comprising a body configured to transmit light, the device comprising:

a receiving surface configured to receive an input emission from a light source in an emission direction;

a first internal reflective surface extending at an acute angle from the light receiving surface and configured to direct the input emission substantially perpendicular to the emission direction;

an intermediate surface extending from the first internal reflective surface, the intermediate surface configured to receive the input emission from the receiving surface and the first internal reflective surface, and direct the input emission along a primary path through the body;

a light extraction surface extending substantially parallel to the receiving surface and configured to emit the input emission outward from the body along the primary path;

a second internal reflective surface extending from the light extraction surface; and

a light steering surface extending from the intermediate surface and extending substantially parallel to the light extraction surface, wherein the light steering surface is configured to reflect stray light through the body beyond the primary light extraction surface and toward a light trap formed between a distal end portion of each of the second internal reflective surface and the light steering surface relative to the light receiving surface, wherein the light trap is configured to capture the stray light.

2. The optic device according to claim 1, wherein the light steering surface is configured to reflect the stray light through the body beyond a distal extent of the primary light extraction surface relative to the receiving surface and toward the light trap.

3. The optic device according to claim 1, wherein the light extraction surface is offset from the light receiving surface.

4. The optic device according to claim 3, wherein the offset is configured to form a gap between the light extraction surface and the light receiving surface, wherein the gap is configured to accommodate a height of the light source.

5. The Optic device according to claim 1, wherein the second internal reflective surface forms a curve configured to direct the stray light from the light steering surface away from the light extraction surface and toward the light trap.

6. The optic device according to claim 1, wherein the light trap forms a protrusion extending from the light steering surface and away from the light extraction surface.

7. The optic device according to claim 6, wherein the protrusion of the light trap comprises a light extraction feature formed on a distal surface of the protrusion.

8. The optic device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving surface is formed on an opposite side of the body from the light trap.

9. The optic device according to claim 1, wherein the light trap is configured to capture the stray light such that the stray light is not reflected outward through the light extraction surface.

10. An optic device for a vehicle indicator light comprising a body configured to transmit light, the device comprising:

a receiving surface configured to receive an input emission from a light source in an emission direction;

a first internal reflective surface extending from the light receiving surface and configured to direct the input emission substantially perpendicular to the emission direction;

an intermediate surface extending from the first internal reflective surface, the intermediate surface configured to receive the input emission from the receiving surface and the first internal reflective surface, and direct the input emission along a primary path through the body;

a light extraction surface extending substantially parallel to the receiving surface and configured to emit the input emission outward from the body along the primary path;

a second internal reflective surface extending from the light extraction surface, wherein the second internal reflective surface forms a curve configured to direct the stray light from the light steering surface away from the light extraction surface and toward the light trap; and

a light steering surface extending from the intermediate surface and extending substantially parallel to the light extraction surface, wherein the light steering surface is configured to reflect stray light through the body beyond the primary light extraction surface and toward a light trap formed between a distal end portion of each of the second internal reflective surface and the light steering surface relative to the light receiving surface.