Dimpled manifold optical element for a vehicle lighting system

• US 6,036,340 A
• Filed: 03/03/1998
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Marinelli, Michael Anthony, Fohl, Timothy, Remillard, Jeffrey Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): HUSAR, STEPHEN F
• Application Number:
  US09/033,757
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 362/511, 362/558, 362/554, 362/551, 362/31
• US Class Current: 362/511
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• 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: 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: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0048 with stepwise taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0066 characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide

Abstract

A vehicle lighting system includes a light source for generating light and a unitary optical element having a light collimating surface, a plurality of stepped surfaces projecting from the collimating surface, each stepped surface having a reflective surface angled with respect to the collimating surface for receiving collimated light, a dispersal surface angled with respect to the stepped surfaces, the dispersal surface having a plurality of dimples aligned with respect to the reflective surfaces for dispersing collimated light, and a kicker adjacent the surface having a plurality of reflective facets adapted to receive and redirect the dispersed light.

Claims

1. A lighting system for use in an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a light source for generating light; and

a unitary optical element having;

a light collimating surface adjacent the light source;

a plurality of stepped surfaces projecting from the collimating surface, each stepped surface having a reflective surface angled with respect to the collimating surface for receiving the collimated light;

a dispersal surface angled with respect to the stepped surfaces, the dispersal surface having a plurality of dimples aligned with respect to the reflective surfaces for dispersing the collimated light received from the reflective surfaces; and

a kicker having a front surface and a back surface with a plurality of reflective facets adapted to receive and redirect the dispersed light through the front surface.

2. A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the dispersed light reflects off the front surface before being directed to the plurality of reflective facets.

3. A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the unitary optical element is comprised of a polymeric transparent optical material.

4. A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the kicker has a thickness between 10 μ

m-6 mm.

5. A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a diode laser.

6. A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of dimples are substantially spherical.

7. A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of dimples are substantially cylindrical.

8. A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the unitary optical element is an outer lens for a vehicle lamp.

9. A lighting system for use in an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a light source for generating light; and

a unitary optical element having;

a curved surface, having a focal axis, adjacent the light source for collimating light;

a plurality of stepped surfaces projecting from the curved surface, each stepped surface having a reflective surface angled with respect to the focal axis for receiving the collimated light;

a dispersal surface angled with respect to the stepped surfaces having a plurality of dimples aligned with respect to the reflective surfaces for dispersing the collimated light received from the reflective surfaces; and

a kicker having a front surface and a back surface with a plurality of reflective facets adapted to receive and redirect the dispersed light through the front surface.

10. A lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the dispersed light reflects off the front surface before being directed to the plurality of reflective facets.

11. A vehicle lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the unitary optical element is comprised of a polymeric transparent optical material.

12. A vehicle lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the kicker has a thickness between 10 μ

m-6 mm.

13. A vehicle lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the remote light source is a diode laser.

14. A lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of dimples are substantially spherical.

15. A lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of dimples are substantially cylindrical.

16. A lighting system for use in an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a remote light source for generating light;

at least one light guide for transmitting light from the remote light source, the light guide having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the remote light source; and

a unitary optical element having;

a curved surface, having a focal axis, adjacent the second end for receiving and collimating the transmitted light;

a plurality of stepped surfaces projecting from the curved surface in ascending fashion, each stepped surface having a reflective surface angled with respect to the focal axis for receiving the collimated light;

a dispersal surface angled with respect to the stepped surfaces, the dispersal surface having a plurality of dimples aligned with respect to the reflective surfaces for dispersing the collimated light received therefrom; and

a uniform thickness kicker having a front surface and a back surface with a plurality of reflective facets adapted to receive and redirect the dispersed light through the front surface.

17. A vehicle lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the unitary optical element is comprised of a polymeric transparent optical material.

18. A vehicle lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the remote light source is a diode laser.

19. A lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of dimples are substantially spherical.

20. A lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of dimples are substantially cylindrical.