Light guide based side lighting assembly, slender reinforcement structure and container

Abstract

A side lighting assembly based on an optical waveguide has: an elongated side-emitting optical waveguide; an optical protective coating surrounding the waveguide; an elongated base to which the waveguide is longitudinally attached via the optical protective coating along the elongated base; a reflector between the optical protective coating and the elongated base and extending longitudinally along the base; and an elongated reinforcement structure embedded in the elongated base or attached to an outer surface of the elongated base and extending longitudinally along the elongated base. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Description

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of the earlier filing dates of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 952,065, filed on December 20, 2019, and entitled “OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE-BASED SIDE ILLUMINATING ASSEMBLY AND RECEPTABLE,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 952,082, filed on December 20, 2019, and entitled “OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE-BASED SIDE ILLUMINATING ASSEMBLY HAVING ELONGATED REINFORCING STRUCTURE.”

[0002] The subject matter described in this patent application is related to the material disclosed in the published international applications PCT / IB2012 / 000617 entitled “Waveguide apparatus for illumination systems,” PCT / IB2014 / 065386 entitled “Holder and Systems for Waveguide-Based Illumination,” and PCT / IB2016 / 057738 entitled “Optical fiber lightsource with composite overcoating structure.”

[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure is a light guide based side lighting assembly and receptacle that protects the assembly and makes it easier to handle during manufacture as part of a larger or more complex lighting device or system. Background Art

[0004] Optical fibers are known to transmit optical signals from one fiber end to another without significant losses. In other cases, optical fibers are designed to leak optical signals in a direction substantially transverse to the propagation direction of the optical signals. This effect is usually the result of the interaction of light (optical signals) with integrated scattering structures in the fiber, or the result of a specific fiber design. Scattering elements can be implemented by adding elements such as impurities when the fiber is drawn, by machining holes in the fiber, or by mechanical, laser, or chemical processing of the fiber.

[0005] In some cases, the luminescent material is integrated inside the fiber core material, inside the cladding, or inside a coating covering the outer surface of the fiber. The luminescent material partially or completely converts the propagating wavelength to a lower or higher wavelength, thereby producing the desired illumination and wavelength, which originates from the side of the fiber.

[0006] The above illumination scheme may need to be controlled, adjusted or accommodated by a suitable waveguide holder which conforms to the side surface of the waveguide (which may be an optical fiber) and may exhibit selected reflective, absorptive or transmissive properties to produce appropriately shaped side illumination. The optical fiber coated with luminescent material may be embedded in a plastic outer coating structure of the holder having a polygonal bottom portion, the latter enabling the holder or waveguide holder assembly as a whole to be assembled into a matching key container of a larger or more complex system. Summary of the invention

[0007] In several aspects a lighting device is described which may provide mechanical improvements in how its components are handled and then assembled, (mechanically) strengthen the side lighting assembly device, and provide electrical and optical signals regarding the status of the lighting device.

[0008] In one aspect, the device has a container with an elongated recess formed therein, wherein the container has a first magnetic component thereon, e.g., embedded in the container or attached to a surface of the container, such as an outer surface defining the elongated recess. The device also has a side lighting assembly, the assembly comprising: an elongated side emitting optical waveguide; an elongated base to which the waveguide is longitudinally attached; and a second magnetic component on the base, e.g., embedded in the elongated base or attached to a surface of the elongated base, such as an outer surface closest to the outer surface of the container.

[0009] The first magnetic component located on the container can be one or more permanent magnetic elements, such as strips embedded in or attached to the surface of the container and extending or forming a sequence along the elongated grooves of the container, magnetic particles embedded in (e.g. dispersed in) the container, or electromagnets embedded in or attached to the surface of the container. The second magnetic component located on the base can be at least one ferromagnetic wire extending longitudinally (along the length of the base), a permanent magnetic strip extending longitudinally (along the length of the base), or magnetic particles embedded in the base, for example as a composite of magnetic particles in a polymer.

[0010] The groove has a certain cross-sectional size or shape so that it can accommodate the elongated base therein at a certain position and then maintain this position by magnetic attraction between a first magnetic component on the container and a second magnetic component on the base. In the case where the second magnetic component is one or more ferromagnetic wires, these are used to increase the mechanical strength of the side lighting assembly, as well as to enable magnetic attraction, which helps to "automatically" align and secure the side lighting assembly to the container. The one or more ferromagnetic wires can also be used to transmit analog or digital electrical signals, such as data signals, control signals, power or power return, from one end of the side lighting assembly to its other end, or they can be used as mechanical gauges for measuring, for example, temperature or strain.

[0011] In another aspect, a side lighting assembly includes: an elongated side-emitting optical waveguide; an elongated base to which the waveguide is longitudinally connected; and an elongated reinforcing structure that is longitudinally embedded in or attached to a surface of the base and is used to mechanically strengthen the side lighting assembly. Instead of a magnetic component on the base, an elongated reinforcing structure can be provided and used to reduce mechanical or thermal stresses that may otherwise occur during manufacture of the side lighting assembly or when the side lighting assembly is handled (e.g., bent) and assembled to a container. Such stresses may otherwise damage elements of the side lighting assembly, such as the optical waveguide, any coating on the optical waveguide, or a reflector. Alternatively, an elongated reinforcing structure can be provided in addition to a second magnetic component on the base to further mechanically or thermally strengthen the base.

[0012] The elongated reinforcing structure may be one or more flexible rods made of polymer or metal (e.g., wire) that extend longitudinally along the base. In another aspect, the elongated reinforcing structure may be one or more optical fibers, and these optical fibers may have a dual purpose to transmit analog or digital optical signals, such as data signals or control signals, from one end of the side lighting assembly to the other end thereof, or they may be used as mechanical gauges for strain or position measurement, such as fiber Bragg grating sensors. Such dual purpose is also possible if the elongated reinforcing structure is one or more wires that may transmit analog or digital electrical signals, or they may be used as mechanical gauges to measure temperature, such as thermistors.

[0013] The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the present disclosure includes all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above and all systems and methods of implementation disclosed in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the claims filed with the present application. Such combinations have specific advantages not specifically listed in the above summary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The various aspects disclosed herein are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to "one" or "an" aspect in the present disclosure are not necessarily references to the same aspect, and they mean at least one. In addition, a given figure may be used to illustrate features of more than one aspect of the present disclosure, and all elements in the figure may not be required for a given aspect.

[0015] Figure 1 Depicted is an end view of a cross section taken in a transverse plane of an example illumination device based on a side-emitting light guide.

[0016] Figure 2 is a top view of the lighting device, which also depicts the photo sensor, light source and electrical detector circuit.

[0017] Figure 3 The coupling between the photosensor and the optical waveguide is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 4 is an end view at a cross section taken in a transverse plane of another example illumination device based on a side-emitting light guide.

[0019] Figure 5 is an end view at a cross section taken in a transverse plane of another example illumination device based on a side-emitting light guide.

[0020] Figure 6 is an end view at a cross section taken in a transverse plane of yet another example illumination device based on a side-emitting light guide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Several embodiments of the present invention are now explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the embodiments are not clearly defined, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the parts shown, which are only used for illustrative purposes. In addition, although many details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments of the present invention can be implemented without these details. In other examples, well-known structures and technologies have not yet been shown in detail to avoid blurring the understanding of this description.

[0022] According to several aspects of the present disclosure herein, and now with reference to Figure 1 , shows an end view of an example lighting device, the end view being located at a cross section taken along a transverse plane. The lighting device includes a side lighting assembly 2, the side lighting assembly 2 including an elongated side-emitting optical waveguide 9 (e.g., an optical fiber) surrounded by an optical protective coating 15, the optical protective coating 15 being elongated in the length direction, such as in Figure 2As best seen in the top view shown in . Figure 2 1 is an example, which is part of an automotive headlight, where the side lighting assembly 2 forms a serpentine pattern that lies substantially in the plane as shown, extending from a light source 12 at one end to a photosensor 11 at the other end. The light source 12 is configured to inject light into one end of the waveguide 9, which becomes propagating light that is coupled out of the waveguide 9 along the side of the waveguide 9 at a downstream position of the light source 12. This is the illumination light, which then passes through the outer surface of the optical protective coating 15 and emerges from the outer surface (as shown by Figure 1 ). The photosensor 11 detects light propagating further downstream (e.g., at the other end of the waveguide 9). The photosensor 11 may detect light "at the end" of the waveguide 9, which is propagating light that has not yet been emitted from the sides of the waveguide 9 as the intended illumination. The photosensor 11 may be omitted.

[0023] The lighting device also includes a container 4 in which an elongated groove is formed. The outer surface 7 of the container 4 defines the elongated groove and its cross-sectional shape. The elongated groove is sized or shaped to accommodate the base 10 of the side lighting assembly 2 therein. The groove in this example has a generally U-shaped cross-section (taken in a transverse plane), but the cross-section can alternatively be generally V-shaped or have another generally polygonal shape that can be more complex than the U-shape or V-shape and can laterally support the base 10. In one aspect, the groove and in particular its cross-section can be keyed to (or matched with) the cross-section of the base 10 so that the base 10 can be accommodated in the groove only in one orientation (around the central axis of the waveguide 9). The container 4 can be made of a harder material than the base 10 so that the base 10 and the side lighting assembly 2 as a whole can be bent to conform to the shape or longitudinal profile of the groove. This helps to assemble the side lighting assembly and the container (into the lighting device). The container can be made of a polymer (such as plastic), a composite material or a metal, and it can be a harder material than the base 10, which can also be made of a polymer.

[0024] The first magnetic component 5 may be embedded in the container 4, or (in the example shown) it may be attached to an outer surface 7 of the container 4 defining the elongated groove, or it may be attached to another surface of the container. In one aspect, the first magnetic component 5 extends longitudinally along the elongated groove and may be composed of one or more magnetic elements, such as one or more permanent magnetic strips, which form a sequence or otherwise extend along the length of the groove. Figure 1 In the aspect illustrated in FIG. 5 , one or more magnetic elements constituting the first magnetic member 5 are positioned along the bottom of the U-shaped cross-section of the container 4. This is similar to Figure 4 In contrast to the aspects illustrated in Figure 4In the aspect illustrated in , one or more magnetic elements (which constitute the first magnetic component 5) are positioned along the sides of the U-shaped cross-section.

[0025] The side lighting assembly 2 includes an elongated side-emitting optical waveguide 9, an elongated base 10 to which the waveguide 9 is longitudinally attached via a protective coating 15, and a second magnetic component, which in a specific example is composed of a first ferromagnetic wire 6a and a second ferromagnetic wire 6b. The base 10 can be made of a polymer (e.g., plastic). The wires 6a, 6b are embedded in the elongated base 10 as shown, or they can be attached to the outer surface of the elongated base, and in either case extend longitudinally as shown. The side lighting assembly 2 can be assembled or placed into a groove of the container 4, and then held in position in the length direction by the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic component 5 and the second magnetic component. In other words, the movement of the side lighting assembly 2 in the length direction is constrained by magnetic attraction. In the specific example shown, the side lighting assembly 2 is held in place or constrained in the width (lateral or transverse) direction because the base 10 abuts the left and right side walls of the groove. In other words, the movement of the side lighting assembly in the width direction is constrained by the base 10, which is sized and shaped to abut the left and right walls of the groove. The magnetic attraction enables the side lighting assembly 2 to move freely in the lateral direction when outside the groove before being guided into the container, at which point the side lighting assembly 2 can be "automatically" pulled further down into the groove by the magnetic attraction until a stop is reached. In the example shown in the figure, the stop is when the bottom of the base 10 abuts the bottom of the groove. Once in this final position, the side lighting assembly 2 is longitudinally held or constrained by magnetic attraction.

[0026] The ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b increase the strength of the side lighting assembly, wherein such reinforcement may reduce mechanical or thermal stresses that may otherwise occur during the manufacture of the side lighting assembly or when the side lighting assembly is handled and assembled to the container, which stresses may otherwise damage components of the side lighting assembly, such as the optical waveguide, any coating on the optical waveguide, or a reflector. In addition, the wires 6a, 6b enable magnetic attraction, which helps to "automatically" align and secure the side lighting assembly 2 to the container. In other aspects described below, the ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b can also transmit analog or digital electrical signals, such as data signals, control signals, power supply, or power supply return, from one end of the side lighting assembly to the other end thereof.

[0027] Still refer to Figure 1In the particular example shown, the first magnetic component 5 includes or can be composed of one or more magnetic elements. The ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b are magnetically attracted to the one or more magnetic elements of the first magnetic component 5. In this example, the first ferromagnetic wire 6a is positioned to the left of the vertical longitudinal center plane 14 of the side lighting assembly 2, while the second ferromagnetic wire 6b is positioned to the right of the vertical longitudinal center plane 14. The vertical longitudinal center plane 14 runs longitudinally along the side lighting assembly 2. This positioning of the wires 6a, 6b helps to effectively utilize the available volume in the base 10 and also balance the magnetic attraction.

[0028] In one aspect of the disclosure herein, the ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b are multipurpose so as to also serve as an electrical path from one end of the side lighting device to the other, as described below. Each of the ferromagnetic wires extends longitudinally and continuously from a first end of the waveguide 9 to a second end of the waveguide 9 and is electrically conductive and therefore capable of conveying electrical signals, such as a "feedback signal" indicating how the lighting device is likely to perform. More specifically, in the first end, as Figure 2 As seen in the example of FIG. 1 , a photosensor 11 (such as a photodiode or phototransistor) may be added that is configured to detect propagating light in the waveguide 9. The first ferromagnetic wire 6a is coupled to an electrical terminal of the photosensor 11 at one end and to an electrical detector circuit 13 at the other end. Similarly, the second ferromagnetic wire 6b is coupled to another electrical terminal of the photosensor 11 at one end and to the electrical detector circuit 13 at the other end. The electrical detector circuit may be an analog comparator, or it may include an analog-to-digital converter as part of a digital comparison function, which compares the signal generated by the photosensor 11 and transmitted through one or more of the wires 6a, 6b to a set of one or more thresholds. Some action may then be taken based on the result of the comparison. For example, an electrical control circuit (not shown) may be coupled to the light source 12 and may control how much light the light source injects into the waveguide 9 in response to the output of the electrical detector circuit 13 (e.g., the result of the comparison performed by the electrical detector circuit 13). For example, if the signal is below a minimum threshold, some optical aspect of the side-illuminating waveguide 9 may have failed, in which case the control circuit turns off the light source 12. If the signal is above the minimum threshold but below the intermediate threshold, there may not be enough side illumination power, in which case the control circuit signals the light source 12 to increase its output optical power. If the signal is above the maximum threshold, there may be too much side illumination power, in which case the control circuit signals the light source 12 to reduce its output optical power. Other types of analog or digital electrical signals may be transmitted by the ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b, for example, where the photosensor 11 is omitted but the electrical signals transmitted by the ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b are generated by another type of sensor or electrical signal generating circuit.

[0029] and Figure 1 More generally, the second magnetic component on the side lighting assembly 2 can be one or more (including two or more) ferromagnetic wires, each of which extends longitudinally along the base 10. For example, there may be only a single ferromagnetic wire, which may be centered along the vertical plane 14, or there may be three wires (for example, one wire in the center, and one on the left, and one on the right, preferably symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane 14. Figure 1 In another aspect not shown in the figure, the second magnetic component can be one or more magnetic elements, such as permanent magnetic elements (embedded in the base 10 or attached to its surface), which form a sequence or otherwise extend longitudinally along the base 10. Such a solution can also provide the advantage of mechanical reinforcement of the side lighting assembly 2 provided by the ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b. In yet another alternative ( Figure 1 In the embodiment not shown in the figure, the second magnetic component on the side lighting assembly 2 can be an electromagnet (having, for example, a coil formed in the base 10), or it can be magnetic particles dispersed in the base 10, such as where the base 10 is made of a composite of magnetic particles in a polymer.

[0030] Regarding the first magnetic component 5 on the container 4, it can be one or more magnetic elements embedded in the container 4 or attached to its surface (e.g., outer surface 7), such as forming a sequence or otherwise extending longitudinally along the base 10. One or more magnetic elements can be permanent magnetic elements, or they can be electromagnets. In another aspect, the first magnetic component 5 can be magnetic particles embedded in the container 4 (e.g., dispersed therein).

[0031] It should be noted that although Figure 1 The side lighting assembly 2 is shown as being comprised of an optical protective coating 15 attached to a base 10, but those two elements may be made of the same material, such as a transparent polymer, and may be integrally formed as one piece, such as by an extrusion process. This may be viewed in another way, as the base 10 being an extension of the optical protective coating 15 that fits into a recess in the container 4, or the elongated reinforcing structure 20 being embedded in or attached to the outer surface of the optical protective coating.

[0032] Reference now Figure 4 , which is an end view at a cross section taken in a transverse plane of another example lighting device, which is also based on a side-emitting light waveguide 9. Figure 1 All arrangements and variations of the components apply to Figure 4 The same reference elements shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Any aspects described also apply to Figure 4, except for the following. Here, the first magnetic component 5 includes one or more magnetic elements that are located along the sides of the U-shaped cross-section (of the container 4) instead of along the bottom. In addition, the first ferromagnetic wire 6a is now located above the horizontal longitudinal plane 17 of the base 10 (which is of course part of the side lighting assembly 2), while the second ferromagnetic wire 6b is located below the horizontal longitudinal plane 17. Figure 1 This may be referred to as a vertical or stacked arrangement of wires 6a, 6b, as compared to the horizontal or flat arrangement seen in FIG. A vertical arrangement may have some advantages over a horizontal arrangement in that the diameter of wires 6a, 6b may be chosen to be larger (for the same width of base 10) with greater stability and orientation adjustability. Note also that in Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the first magnetic component 5 is partially embedded in the container. Alternatives include completely embedding the component 5 (e.g., below the surface 7), or attaching the component to the surface 7 so that it is completely outside the container 4, such as Figure 1 As seen in.

[0033] Now go to Figure 5 , which is an end view at a cross section taken in a transverse plane of another example lighting device. Several aspects are shown in this figure. In one aspect, the elongated reinforcing structure 20 is located on the base 10, such as embedded in the elongated base 10, as shown, or alternatively attached to the outer surface of the elongated base 10. The elongated reinforcing structure 20 is seen to extend longitudinally along the elongated base 10 and can be in addition to or in place of the ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b. In other words, in Figure 5 In a variation of what is shown in FIG. 1 , the ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b (as in the above combination) are omitted from the side lighting assembly 2. Figure 1 6a, 6b). This is possible because the elongated reinforcement structure 20 can be designed to mechanically reinforce the side lighting assembly by itself (independent of the additional reinforcement provided by the ferromagnetic wires 6a, 6b). Such reinforcement can reduce mechanical or thermal stresses that might otherwise occur during manufacture of the side lighting assembly 2 shown, or when the side lighting assembly is handled and assembled to the container 4, which stresses might otherwise damage elements of the side lighting assembly, such as the optical waveguide 9, the optical protective coating 15, any other coating on the optical waveguide, such as the luminescent layer 8 described below, or the reflector 16 also described below.

[0034] The elongated reinforcing structure 20 may be one or more flexible rods extending longitudinally along the base 10. Figure 5As seen in the example of the embodiment of the present invention, there are two rods, which are symmetrically positioned to the left and right of a vertical longitudinal center plane 14 extending longitudinally along the base 10. However, more generally, there may be one or more of such rods on the base 10. The rods may be optical fibers, composite rods, metal rods (wires), or rods made of polymers. In the case of optical fibers, the rods may be dual-purpose (in addition to providing mechanical strength to the assembly 2) to transmit analog or digital optical signals, such as data signals, control signals, from one end of the side lighting assembly 2 along its length and to its other end, or be part of a mechanical gauge such as for strain measurement or for position or orientation measurement, such as a fiber Bragg grating sensor. This dual purpose is also possible if the elongated reinforcement structure 20 is one or more wires (for example, which may transmit analog or digital electrical signals or be used as part of a mechanical gauge, such as for making temperature measurements or strain measurements).

[0035] Combined with the above Figure 1-4 Most of the descriptions given apply to Figure 5 Similar elements appearing in the embodiment include a base 10 and an optical protective coating 15. For example, Figure 5 The optical protective coating 15 in the example of can be co-extruded with the base 10 and the elongated reinforcing structure 20 embedded therein. Figure 5 Another method for attaching the optical protective coating 15 to the base 10 is also depicted, that is, by bonding the two to each other using an adhesive layer 18 (e.g., glue). This bonding operation may follow a separate operation in which the optical protective coating 15 is formed on the outer surface of the waveguide 9 or the outer surface of the light emitting layer 8. Note here that in the case where the reflector 16 is to be included as shown, one face of the reflector 16 may have been fixed to the outer surface of the protective coating 15 in a separate operation before the opposite face of the reflector 16 is bonded to the base 10 via the adhesive layer 18.

[0036] Reference now Figure 6 , shows another aspect of the present disclosure, which features an elongated reinforcing structure 20. In this case, the structure 20 is added to a similar Figure 1 The base 10 of the version of the side lighting assembly 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a side lighting assembly 2 in which the ferromagnetic wires 6 a, 6 b are laid flat (rather than as Figure 4 and Figure 5 stacked as in ). Figure 5 Some of the advantages shown in the aspects also appear in Figure 6In the embodiment, the "coated waveguide" (the integrated combination of the waveguide 9, the optional luminescent layer 8 and the optical protective coating 15) can be formed separately from the base 10 and can then be bonded to the base 10 via the bonding layer 18 (e.g. using glue). This results in the lighting device (side lighting assembly 2 and container 4) being easier to assemble from the perspective of orientation and position due to the magnetic attraction, and being more stable and stronger in mechanical aspects due to the addition of the slender reinforcement structure 20. Given Figure 6 The same reference numerals used in Figure 1 The described variations (eg, variations regarding the first magnetic component 5 on the container 4, and variations regarding the second magnetic component on the base 10) also apply to Figure 6 aspects shown in .

[0037] In all of the above aspects, and for example now referring to Figure 1 , the side lighting assembly 2 may further include a luminescent layer 8 surrounding the waveguide 9 and a reflector 16 between the protective coating 15 and the base 10. This combination produces side lighting as follows. The waveguide 9 may be an optical fiber having a core and a cladding, and wherein the primary propagating light is generated by a light source 12, such as a laser or a light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the optical fiber. The primary light propagates along the central longitudinal axis of the optical fiber in a downstream direction as shown until it is scattered out of the optical fiber by a scattering region (e.g., formed in the core of the optical fiber) on the side of the optical fiber. Note that the light source 12 may be positioned away from the illumination space (which is illuminated by the side lighting assembly) because the primary light from the light source may be effectively delivered to the scattering structure via propagation through the upstream portion of the optical fiber. The scattered radiation or out-coupled light occurs in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber in a directional manner (forming a light cone or light lobe having a radial span of less than 360°) or in an isotropic or omnidirectional manner (radiating with equal intensity around the optical fiber). Examples of scattering regions that may produce such results may be found in International Patent Application No. PCT / IB2012 / 000617 (WAVEGUIDE APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS) filed on March 28, 2012. In cases where directional side emission is particularly effective, reflector 16 may be omitted. Other types of side emission optical fibers may be used instead.

[0038] The optical fiber has formed thereon a luminescent layer 8, which may be a coating formed on the outer surface of the waveguide 9 and made of a photoluminescent material that performs wavelength conversion upon primary propagating light to secondary light to produce side-emitted light including secondary light having a different wavelength than the primary light. The resulting side-emitted light may exhibit a broader spectrum, such as white light produced by a combination of unabsorbed primary light and secondary light, as compared to the primary light. Alternatively, the photoluminescent material in layer 8 and the wavelength of the primary light may be selected so that very little primary light is left unabsorbed (e.g., as detected by the photosensor 11), resulting in the side-emitted light emerging from the optical fiber being dominated by secondary light (e.g., red or infrared light).

[0039] In another aspect, there is no luminescent layer 8 as a coating formed on the outer surface of the waveguide because the photoluminescent material has been incorporated directly into the waveguide 9, or it has been positioned outside the side lighting assembly 2. In yet another aspect, there is no photoluminescent material inside the waveguide 9 or as an outer coating, so that the side emitted light from the side lighting assembly 2 is entirely primary light.

[0040] The light source 12 can be any suitable radiation source having one or more emitters. The source can have an incoherent, relatively broad spectrum, such as a spectrum from a discharge lamp or a light emitting diode LED. It can also be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or a source based on quantum dots. Alternatively, the source can alternatively be a coherent, sharp spectrum light source, such as a laser emitting a single wavelength (also referred to herein as a quasi-single wavelength), or it can be a plurality of single wavelength lasers. The source is not limited to a particular portion of the spectrum. Examples include sources that emit substantially in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared portions of the spectrum.

[0041] The optical fiber may be any suitable optical fiber, such as a single-clad optical fiber, a multi-dad optical fiber, a photonic crystal optical fiber, or a microstructured optical fiber. The optical fiber may be passive, i.e., light propagates along the optical fiber at substantially the same wavelength, or it may be active, i.e., the propagating light is transmitted by a wavelength in the optical fiber core, within the cladding, or in a coating of the optical fiber (e.g., Figure 1 The luminescent substance or material shown in the luminescent layer 8) is partially or completely converted.

[0042] In yet another aspect, the optical fiber may be replaced by another suitable waveguide, such as a light pipe having a core medium but no cladding, eg, a transparent rod.

[0043] The scattering structures may be particles, impurities or holes that are directly integrated during the fabrication of the waveguide (e.g. during the drawing of the optical fiber). The scattering structures may be continuous or discontinuous laser-induced structures; these may be formed by applying an external strong laser to selected locations in the waveguide. By adjusting the focus, intensity and position of the external processing laser, the position, shape, size, scattering intensity, tilt or orientation and periodicity of the scattering structures along and across (transverse to) the propagation direction of the light guided in the waveguide (the longitudinal axis) may be selected. In particular, these parameters may be adapted to obtain a desired radiation pattern. The scattering structures may also be mechanical taps that are chemically or mechanically processed on the fiber cladding.

[0044] In another embodiment, the outcoupled light may follow a leakage mode of propagation in the waveguide 9. The leakage mode may occur due to the interaction of the propagating light with variations in the refractive index of the fiber waveguide (such as a gradient) or variations in the radius or geometry of the fiber (which may have been induced when drawing the fiber, for example).

[0045] The luminescent or photoluminescent substance or material, which may be within the waveguide itself or within the luminescent layer 8, may be any material that absorbs light of a particular wavelength and in response re-emits light at another wavelength. For example, these materials may be one or more phosphors that re-emit light at a longer wavelength (down-conversion phosphors) or phosphors that re-emit light at a shorter wavelength (up-conversion phosphors). These substances may also be one or more types of quantum dots. In one aspect, the addition of the photoluminescent material is designed to effectively produce white illumination light suitable for illuminating a sample for quality inspection, where the white light is a combination of scattered and outcoupled "primary" light that has been wavelength converted into "secondary" light plus any portion of the primary outcoupled light that has not been wavelength converted.

[0046] The protective coating 15 and base 10 together hold the optical fiber in place and can allow the assembly to be clamped. In one aspect, the base 10 and the optical protective coating 15 can be made of the same material, such as a light-transmitting polymer, such as a transparent polymer. The base 10 and the protective coating 15 (which surrounds the optical waveguide 9 and, if used, the light-emitting layer 8) can be co-extruded so as to be formed together as a single piece, with the reflector 16 (if selected to be included) embedded between the base and the optical protective coating 15. Alternatively, for example, Figure 5 As seen in FIG. 1 , an adhesive layer 18 (eg, glue) may be used to bond the protective coating 15 or reflector 16 to the base 10 .

[0047] The optical protective coating 15 may play an active role, i.e. directly or indirectly influence the shape, spectrum and / or polarization of the illumination pattern and its spatial distribution. In another embodiment, parts of the protective coating 15 may be made of an absorptive material, so that it selectively suppresses or blocks one or more parts of the out-coupled light (i.e. in a spatial sense). Alternatively, the absorptive material may be designed to selectively suppress or block parts of the spectrum of the out-coupled light, so that, for example, the resulting illumination pattern contains only selected wavelengths or colors. This may be combined with the reflection of the out-coupled light by the reflector 16.

[0048] The reflector 16 may be made partly or completely of a reflective or diffusive material, such that it diffuses or redirects a portion of the outcoupled light, or a portion of the spectrum of the outcoupled light, which is scattered from the sides of the waveguide 9, such as e.g. Figure 1 as shown in .

[0049] Although certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of the broad invention and not restrictive, and that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the description is to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A side lighting assembly based on an optical waveguide, comprising: an elongated side-emitting optical waveguide; an optical protective coating surrounding the waveguide; an elongated base to which the waveguide is attached longitudinally along the elongated base via a protective optical coating; a reflector positioned between the protective optical coating and the elongated base and extending longitudinally along the base; as well as An elongated reinforcing structure is embedded in the elongated base or attached to an outer surface of the elongated base and extends longitudinally along the elongated base.

2. The side lighting assembly of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer bonding the protective coating or reflector to the base.

3. The side lighting assembly of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the base and the protective coating are made of the same material.

4. The side lighting assembly of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the base and the protective coating are different materials.

5. The side lighting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The elongated reinforcement structure includes a first flexible rod extending longitudinally along the base.

6. The side lighting assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The elongated reinforcement structure includes a second flexible rod extending longitudinally along the base, and the first flexible rod and the second flexible rod are symmetrically positioned on the left and right sides of a longitudinally extending vertical longitudinal center plane, respectively.

7. The side lighting assembly of claim 6, wherein the first flexible rod and the second flexible rod are optical fibers.

8. The side lighting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The base and the protective optical coating are made of one or more polymers and are co-extruded.

9. A side lighting assembly based on an optical waveguide, comprising: an elongated side-emitting optical waveguide; an elongated top portion that completely surrounds the waveguide; as well as an elongated base including a first flexible rod and a second flexible rod, both of which are embedded in and extend longitudinally along the elongated base; The elongated top and the elongated base are integrally formed of the same material. Wherein, at least one of the first and second flexible rods is an optical fiber.

10. The side lighting assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The other of at least one of the first and second flexible rods is a metal rod, and the same material is a light-transmitting polymer.

11. The side lighting assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The first flexible rod and the second flexible rod are symmetrically positioned at a left side and a right side of a vertical longitudinal center plane extending longitudinally along the side lighting assembly, respectively.

12. The side lighting assembly of claim 11, wherein the first flexible rod and the second flexible rod are optical fibers.

13. The side lighting assembly of any one of claims 9-12, further comprising a magnetic component embedded in the elongated base and extending along the elongated base.

14. The side lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the magnetic component comprises magnetic particles embedded in or dispersed in an elongated base.

15. The side lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein magnetic attraction between the magnetic component and another magnetic component on the container holds the elongated base against the container.

16. A lighting device, comprising: a container in which an elongated groove is formed; a first magnetic component on the container; and A side lighting assembly comprising An elongated side-emitting optical waveguide, an elongated base to which the waveguide is longitudinally attached, and a second magnetic component on the base, The elongated recess is dimensioned to receive the elongated base therein in a position held by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component.

17. The lighting device according to claim 16, wherein: The first magnetic component includes one or more magnetic elements embedded in the container or attached to a surface of the container, and the second magnetic component includes one or more ferromagnetic wires extending longitudinally along the base.

18. The lighting device according to claim 17, wherein: The one or more magnetic elements are one or more permanent magnets.

19. The lighting device according to claim 17, wherein: The second magnetic component includes a first ferromagnetic wire and a second ferromagnetic wire, both of which extend longitudinally and continuously from a first end of the waveguide to a second end of the waveguide.

20. The lighting device according to claim 19, further comprising: a photosensor configured to detect propagating light in the first end of the waveguide; as well as Electrical detector circuit, Wherein the first and second ferromagnetic wires are coupled at one end to first and second electrical terminals of the photosensor and at another end to an electrical detector circuit.

21. The lighting device according to claim 20, further comprising: a light source configured to inject light into the second end of the waveguide; as well as An electrical control circuit is coupled to the light source for controlling how much light is injected into the waveguide by the light source.

22. The lighting device of claim 19, further comprising an electrical detector circuit coupled to the first and second ferromagnetic wires at the second end of the waveguide to measure temperature or strain using the first or second ferromagnetic wire as a mechanical gauge.

23. The lighting device according to claim 16, further comprising: a photosensor configured to detect light in the first end of the waveguide; as well as Electrical detector circuit, wherein the second magnetic component comprises a first ferromagnetic wire and a second ferromagnetic wire, each ferromagnetic wire extending longitudinally and continuously from a first end of the waveguide to a second end of the waveguide, One end of the first ferromagnetic wire is coupled to a first electrical terminal of the photosensor, One end of the second ferromagnetic wire is coupled to a second electrical terminal of the photosensor, The other end of the first ferromagnetic wire at the second end of the waveguide is coupled to an electrical detector circuit, and The other end of the second ferromagnetic wire at the second end of the waveguide is coupled to an electrical detector circuit.

24. The lighting device according to claim 23, further comprising: a light source configured to inject light into the second end of the waveguide; as well as An electrical control circuit is coupled to the light source for controlling how much light is injected into the waveguide by the light source in response to the output of the electrical detector circuit.

25. The lighting device according to any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein: The groove has a generally U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section taken in a transverse plane.

26. The lighting device according to claim 25, wherein: The first magnetic component on the container includes one or more magnetic elements positioned along the bottom of the U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section.

27. The lighting device according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein: The first ferromagnetic wire is positioned to the left of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the side lighting assembly and the second ferromagnetic wire is positioned to the right of the vertical longitudinal center plane.

28. The lighting device according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein: A first ferromagnetic wire is positioned above a horizontal longitudinal plane of the side lighting assembly and a second ferromagnetic wire is positioned below the horizontal longitudinal plane.

29. The lighting device according to claim 28, wherein: The one or more magnetic elements are one or more permanent magnetic strips.

30. The lighting device according to any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein: The side lighting assembly further comprises: a light emitting layer surrounding the waveguide; an optical protective coating surrounding the light emitting layer; and A reflector is provided between the optical protective coating and the base.

31. A side lighting assembly based on an optical waveguide, comprising: an elongated side-emitting optical waveguide; as well as an elongated base to which the waveguide is longitudinally attached; Wherein, the elongated base includes a pair of ferromagnetic wires, which are embedded in the elongated base and extend along the length of the elongated base, wherein the pair of ferromagnetic wires are in a stacked arrangement so that one ferromagnetic wire is positioned above a horizontal longitudinal plane of the elongated base and the other ferromagnetic wire is positioned below the horizontal longitudinal plane.

32. The side lighting assembly of claim 31, wherein the pair of ferromagnetic wires extend longitudinally and continuously from a first end of the waveguide to a second end of the waveguide.

33. The side lighting assembly of claim 32, further comprising A photosensor is configured to detect propagating light in the first end of the waveguide, the pair of ferromagnetic wires being coupled at one end to first and second electrical terminals of the photosensor.

34. The side lighting assembly of claim 32 or 33, further comprising: An electrical detector circuit to which the pair of ferromagnetic wires are coupled at the other end.

35. The side lighting assembly of claim 34, further comprising: a light source configured to inject light into the second end of the waveguide; as well as An electrical control circuit is coupled to the light source for controlling how much light is injected into the waveguide by the light source.

36. A side lighting assembly as recited in any one of Claims 31-33, wherein the base has a polygonal cross-section taken in a transverse plane.

37. The side lighting assembly of claim 31, wherein: The pair of ferromagnetic wires are multi-purpose.

38. The side lighting assembly of any one of claims 31-33, further comprising: an optical protective coating surrounding the waveguide; as well as A reflector is attached to the outer surface of the protective optical coating and between the protective optical coating and the base.

39. The side lighting assembly of claim 38, further comprising a luminescent layer surrounding the waveguide, wherein the protective coating surrounds the luminescent layer.

40. The side lighting assembly of claim 9, wherein: The first flexible rod and the second flexible rod are dual purpose.

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