Bidirectional light guide system for vehicle

Abstract

A lighting system comprising: a first light guide blade (30); a second light guide blade (50); a plurality of first light sources (34) that direct light in a first direction into the first light guide blade; a plurality of second light sources (54) directing light into the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both such that light exiting the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both extends away from the vehicle housing the lighting system in a second direction substantially normal to the first direction; wherein the plurality of first light sources (34) and the plurality of second light sources (54) provide a lighting function; and wherein the plurality of first light sources, the plurality of second light sources, or both are configured to illuminate sequentially such that the first light guide blade (30), the second light guide blade (50), or both are illuminated from the first edge towards the second edge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present teachings relate to a lighting system that provides light in two or more directions, and the light is configured to illuminate such that the light in the two or more directions appears to move. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles include many different types of lights. Some types of lights included on a vehicle are low beam headlights, high beam headlights, taillights, turn signal lights, fog lights, running lights, or a combination of the above. Each of these lights extends out of the exterior surface of the vehicle so that they provide light to the driver or provide notification to surrounding drivers. These lighting systems typically direct light outward from the vehicle.

[0003] Examples of lighting systems can be disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009 / 0051523 and 2010 / 0327747, and International Patent Application No. WO2012005412, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Therefore, there is a need for a lighting system in which a lamp is illuminated in two or more directions. There is a need for a system in which a single lens is illuminated in two planes. There is a need for a system in which a lamp is animated in two different directions, either sequentially or simultaneously. It would be desirable to have a lighting system in which multiple different light colors can extend through a single lens in multiple directions. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present teachings provide: a lighting system, the lighting system comprising: a first light blade (thick-walled light guide); a second light blade; a plurality of first light sources, the plurality of first light sources directing light into the first light blade in a first direction; a plurality of second light sources, the plurality of second light sources directing light into the first light blade, the second light blade, or both, such that light leaving the first light blade, the second light blade, or both extends away from a vehicle housing the lighting system in a second direction substantially normal to the first direction; wherein the plurality of first light sources and the plurality of second light sources provide a lighting function; and wherein the plurality of first light sources, the plurality of second light sources, or both are configured to illuminate sequentially such that the first light blade, the second light blade, or both are illuminated from a first edge toward a second edge.

[0005] The present teaching provides: a lighting system, the lighting system comprising: a first light guide blade; a second light guide blade; a plurality of first light sources, the plurality of first light sources directing light into the first light guide blade in a first direction; a plurality of second light sources, the plurality of second light sources directing light into the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both, such that light leaving the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both extends away from a vehicle housing the lighting system in a second direction substantially normal to the first direction; and a controller, the controller communicating with the plurality of first light sources, the plurality of second light sources, or both, wherein the plurality of first light sources and the plurality of second light sources provide a lighting function; and wherein the plurality of first light sources, the plurality of second light sources, or both illuminate in two different directions.

[0006] The present teachings provide a lighting system in which two or more lighting functions are combined adjacent to each other and one lighting function can operate without any light being visible through an adjacent lighting function. The present teachings provide a system in which light is prevented from bleed through a textured cutoff region and does not extend through a textured region. The present teachings provide a system in which each portion of the lighting system is distinctly separate so that light from one portion does not illuminate another portion. The present teachings provide a lighting system including a textured cutoff that prevents flare during manufacturing and does not emit light that passes through a textured portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1A is a side view of a vehicle including a lighting system.

[0008] Figure 1B is a close-up view of the lighting system.

[0009] Figure 2A is a front isometric view of a bidirectional lighting system.

[0010] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Front view of the bidirectional lighting system.

[0011] Figure 2C yes Figure 2A Side view of a bidirectional lighting system.

[0012] Figure 3A It is a stereogram of a bidirectional lighting system.

[0013] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A Front view of the bidirectional lighting system.

[0014] Figure 3C yes Figure 3A Side view of a bidirectional lighting system.

[0015] Figure 4A It is a stereogram of a bidirectional lighting system.

[0016] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A Front view of the bidirectional lighting system.

[0017] Figure 4C yes Figure 4A Side view of a bidirectional lighting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The explanations and descriptions presented herein are intended to familiarize other persons skilled in the art with the present invention, its principles, and its practical applications. Those skilled in the art may adjust and apply the present invention in various forms of the present invention, such as the form that may best suit the requirements of a particular application. Accordingly, as described, the specific embodiments of the present invention are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of these teachings. Therefore, the scope of these teachings should not be determined with reference to the above description, but should be determined instead with reference to the full range of equivalents enjoyed by the attached claims and such claims. The disclosures of all articles and references including patent applications and publications are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible, as will be collected from the attached claims, which are also incorporated by reference into this written specification.

[0019] The present teachings relate to a lighting system. The lighting system is located in a vehicle. Preferably, the lighting system is part of a vehicle, such as a car, motorcycle, bus, truck, semi-truck, SUV, XUV, four-wheel vehicle, off-road vehicle, tractor, combine harvester, heavy equipment, agricultural equipment, industrial equipment, commercial equipment, or a combination thereof. The lighting system can project light from the front to the rear, from the rear to the front, or a combination thereof in a forward direction, a rearward direction, a lateral direction, a vertical direction (e.g., a z-axis). Preferably, the lighting system projects light from the outer surface of the vehicle to a position in front of the vehicle or a position at an angle relative to the front or rear of the vehicle. The lighting system can direct some light to the ground. The lighting system can direct some light above the ground. The lighting system can be integrated into the front end, the rear end, or the front end and the rear end of the car. The lighting system can be a component. The lighting system can be a sealed lighting system integrated into the vehicle. The lighting system can be a subassembly included in a larger lighting system. The lighting system can be integrated into another lighting system and can be used as a part of the lighting system. The lighting system can project light out of the vehicle. The lighting system may be multiple lighting systems or light sources stacked on top of each other, stacked side by side, in different planes, in the same plane and projecting in different directions, integrated into a single lighting system, or a combination of the above. The lighting system may have multiple smaller lighting systems or light sources. Multiple lighting systems may be located in one lighting system. Multiple lighting systems may operate independently of each other so that one lighting system may not affect another lighting system or another part of the lighting system. The lights of the vehicle may be two or more, three or more, or four or more lighting systems positioned adjacent to each other. The lighting system may be or include one or more bidirectional lighting systems.

[0020] The effect of a bidirectional lighting system is to project light in at least two directions or in two planes. A bidirectional lighting system can provide a single lighting function. A bidirectional lighting system can provide light from multiple light sources in two directions at the same time. The light extending in these two directions can extend at a certain angle relative to each other. The angle can be about 15 degrees or more, about 30 degrees or more, about 45 degrees or more, about 60 degrees or more, about 75 degrees or more, or about 90 degrees or more. The angle can be about 180 degrees or less, about 175 degrees or less, about 160 degrees or less, about 145 degrees or less, about 115 degrees or less (e.g., about 90 degrees). For example, light can be guided in the x direction and the z direction at the same time. The light source and the light direction can be coplanar (e.g., the light guide blade does not reflect, refract, bend, or a combination of the above light from the light source).

[0021] The role of a light source is to generate light. A light source may be one or more devices that create light, and the light extends outward from the light source. A light source may generate a high beam, a low beam, a mixed beam, a running light, a daytime running light, a turn signal, a brake light, or a combination thereof. A light source may have different functions. For example, one light source may provide a running light, while another light source may be a turn signal. A light source may include multiple lights or may be a single light source within a group of light sources. Multiple lights may be in a group or a group of light sources. A light source may be a single light that projects light. In another example, a light source may direct light in a first direction, and a second light source may direct light in a second direction different from the first direction. The first direction may be along the z-axis within a coordinate system. The second direction may be along the x-axis within a coordinate system. Two different light sources may be components of a single lighting system or a part of a single lighting system. Two different light sources may be combined to form a bidirectional lighting system. A light source may include a laser diode, a luminescent phosphor, a filament bulb, a light emitting diode, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or a combination thereof. One or more light sources may generate a lighting function, and one or more second light sources may generate a second lighting function, a third lighting function, or both. For example, the lighting function may be daytime running lights, turn signals, personalized lighting, or a combination thereof.

[0022] The first lighting function and the second lighting function may be different functions. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may operate at the same time. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may operate at different times. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may be optically isolated. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may be mechanically connected. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may be located on the same side of the vehicle or on adjacent sides of the vehicle. Both the first lighting function and the second lighting function may be located in front of the vehicle or in the rear of the vehicle. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may provide light of different colors. The system may be located in the corner of the vehicle (e.g., in front of the driver's side and in front of the passenger's side). The first lighting function may be a daytime running light. The second lighting function may be a turn signal. Each of the lighting functions may include an independent light source. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may extend through the same lens, a single lens, or a plurality of lenses.

[0023] The light source may be any type of lighting device that generates light, such as an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a compact fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a high intensity discharge lamp (HID); a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a laser diode, a phosphor lamp, or a combination thereof. The light source may be a single lamp or bulb. Preferably, the light source is part of a group of light sources that includes a plurality of lamps, bulbs, diodes, or a combination thereof. The light source may be part of a group of light sources that includes 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 7 or more, 9 or more, or 11 or more light sources that generate light and are combined together to form light extending from the lighting system. These groups of light sources may include 20 or less, 18 or less, 16 or less, or 14 or less devices that generate light (e.g., each group may include 8 light sources, or alternatively, all of the groups in the groups may include 8 light sources or 2 light sources when combined together). For example, the group of light sources may be the contents of a single printed circuit board that performs the same lighting function, and the group of light sources may be 8 light sources. The number of light sources in a portion of a lamp may depend on the size of the illuminated area or the size of the illuminated area. For example, a daytime running light may have eight or more light sources, and a turn signal may have five or more light sources. Thus, the light source may be one or more lights, two or more lights, or three or more lights. The light source may be static. The light source may be free to move. The light source may be fixed. The light source may be static and may be manually or physically adjusted so that the light source is directed to a desired position. The light source may be fixed, and the light from the light source may be moved, bent, guided, or a combination thereof by an optical element, a textured portion, a micro-optical device, or a reflector (e.g., a light guide). Each device (e.g., a lamp or LED) of the light source may be turned on and off. The light source may be illuminated in sequence. For example, the light source may be turned on in a certain order so that the light appears to move in a certain direction (e.g., from the center of the vehicle to the edge of the vehicle). The light source may be located at a certain position relative to the light guide within the lighting system. Two or more light sources may be combined together to form a two-way system. Each light guide may receive light from a single light source. These light sources may work together as a group of light sources to produce light.

[0024] The effect of this group of light sources is to utilize lamp to fill light bar, lens, housing, external lens, light guide blade, or above combination, so that light bar, lens, housing, light guide blade, or above combination projects light to perform certain function.This group of light sources can be single function (for example, high beam, low beam, mixed beam, running light, daytime running light, turn signal, brake light, or above combination).Each group of light sources can perform single function.Preferably, some in lighting system can comprise two or more groups of light sources, three or more groups of light sources, or even four or more groups of light sources that provide two light directions, three light directions, or four light directions respectively.For example, light can extend in two directions (for example, x direction and z direction).The light source can extend in the form of row, in the form of column, or the combination of both.Each group in these light source groups can perform different functions or provide different types of light.All lamps in one group of light sources can provide the same light (for example, color, color temperature or wavelength). For example, one group of light sources may be yellow, orange, or red, and a second group of light sources may be white (e.g., OEM white, off-white, pure white, or crystal white (e.g., having a color temperature between 4300K ​​and 6000K)). The color, intensity, temperature, or a combination of the above may vary between groups depending on the function of the group of light sources. For example, if one group of light sources is for turn signals, the color may be orange, while if the group of light sources is for brake lights, the color may be red. Light from the lighting system may be directed to predetermined locations depending on the function of the light from the group of light sources. For example, the running lights may be directed outward in front of the vehicle, while the turn signals may be directed at a 45 degree angle so that a portion of the light is visible in front of the vehicle and a portion of the light is visible from the side of the vehicle.

[0025] Light from each of the light sources may extend outward from the light source at an angle toward the inboard side and the outboard side of the cabin. Each of these groups of light sources or functions of light sources may be spaced apart by an axis. For example, a first function may extend along a first side of the axis and a second function may extend along a second side of the axis. The angle at which the light extends on the inboard side and the outboard side of the optical axis may vary based on the shape of the reflector.

[0026] Light from the first lighting function and light from the second lighting function may extend through the lens. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may have discrete lenses spaced apart. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may have lenses that are mechanically connected. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may have optically separated lenses. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may each have a lens with a transparent portion, a textured portion, a textured cutoff, a portion of a blocker, or a combination of the above. The first lighting function and the second lighting function may each have one or more lenses (e.g., an internal lens), one or more light guide blades, or both.

[0027] The light guide blade may be a lens that allows light to extend in two or more directions. The light guide blade may extend along the x-axis, along the y-axis, and along the z-axis. The light guide blade may be substantially square, rectangular, cube, cuboid, rectangular prism, or a combination thereof. The light guide blade has an x-direction length along the x-axis, a y-direction length along the y-axis, and a z-direction length along the z-axis. The length in the x-direction and the y-direction may be greater than the length in the z-direction. The light guide blade may be substantially planar in the z-direction. The light guide blade may allow light to extend through it in two or more directions. For example, light may extend through the light guide blade in the x-direction and the z-direction. The light guide blade may be substantially transparent. The light guide blade may be covered by a baffle or blocking portion on one or more sides. The baffle or blocking portion may prevent light from extending into the light guide blade or in the region of the light guide blade. The baffle or light blocker may be opaque. The baffle or light blocker may include a recess that allows light to extend through it into the light guide. A baffle or light blocker may be located between the light guiding blade and the light source (eg, a lamp) so that light extends into the light guiding blade only in a single direction or through a single surface.The light blocker may be positioned internally within the light guiding blade.

[0028] The light guide blade may have 6 or more surfaces. The light guide blade may have a top, a bottom, a left portion, a right portion, a front portion, and a rear portion. Light may extend through the light guide blade in a first light direction and extend out of the light guide blade in a first direction or in a second direction. Light may extend out of the first surface of the light guide blade in a first light direction, a second light direction, a third light direction, or a combination thereof. A single light may extend out of each light guide blade. Two or more lights may extend out of a single light guide blade. Three or more lights may extend out of a single light guide blade. Each light may extend out of its own light guide blade. For example, a first light may extend out of a first light guide blade and a second light may extend out of a second light guide blade. Light may extend orthogonally between two surfaces of the light guide blade. For example, light may extend orthogonally relative to a top surface and a bottom surface, a left surface and a right surface, or a front surface and a rear surface and between a top surface and a bottom surface, a left surface and a right surface, or a front surface and a rear surface.

[0029] The light can extend out of the light guide blade so that the light appears to move in one or more directions, two or more directions, or even three or more directions. The lamp can illuminate from a first side to a second side when illuminated (e.g., lit). The lamp can illuminate along two surfaces simultaneously when illuminated. For example, the light can extend through a first surface (e.g., the front of the light guide blade) and a second surface (e.g., the top of the light guide blade) at the same time, and the lamp can be illuminated in sequence or one by one so that the light appears to move. The lamp can be illuminated from left to right, from right to left, from front to back, from back to front in the form of a line, in the form of a row, or in a combination of the above. The lamp can make the light guide blade or the lighting system appear to move, dance, form a pattern, form a sequence, or in a combination of the above when illuminated. The lamp can be controlled by one or more controllers.

[0030] The role of the controller is to control the lights individually. The controller can be part of the vehicle, part of the lighting system, or both. A single controller can control all the lights. The controller can illuminate (e.g., light) the lights in sequence, individually, in a pattern, in a predetermined manner, in a predetermined order, randomly, or a combination of the above. The controller can illuminate the lights so that the light extends in two or more directions. The controller can be programmable, include preset programs, or both. The controller can be accessed from the interior of the vehicle so that the user can change the lighting settings of the lighting system. The controller can control the lights so that the lights are guided through the light guide blades in two or more directions. The controller can control the first light source and the second light source.

[0031] The light can extend at an angle relative to the road surface. When the light extends out of the first surface (e.g., the top), the light can be projected at an angle both upward and outward (e.g., in the front direction) relative to the road surface. The first surface and the second surface of the light guide blade can be perpendicular to each other or substantially perpendicular. The angle relative to the road surface can be about 5 degrees or more, about 10 degrees or more, about 15 degrees or more, or about 25 degrees or more. The angle relative to the road surface can be about 90 degrees or less, about 75 degrees or less, about 60 degrees or less, about 45 degrees or less, or about 30 degrees or less. The light can illuminate the light guide blade through the first surface so that the first surface is illuminated in the front and rear directions. The light can extend through the first surface so that the light extends through the top in the front direction and the z-axis direction. For example, the light on the front side of the light guide blade can be illuminated first, and then the light in the rear direction can be illuminated. The light can extend at an angle between the z-axis and the road surface to illuminate the items in front of the vehicle, provide notifications, or both. Multiple lights from multiple light sources can extend through the first surface. Multiple lights may be visible through the first surface simultaneously. Light may extend through the first surface in rows and columns. Light from the first surface may appear as a solid beam. Light from the first surface may extend in a first light direction that is different from light extending from the second surface in a second light direction.

[0032] The second surface may be located adjacent to the first surface.The second surface and the first surface may be at a right angle relative to each other.

[0033] The second surface may generally face in a forward direction (or towards the front of the vehicle).The second surface may be a front surface.

[0034] The second surface can be directly opposite to the rear surface, the left surface or the right surface. The second surface can be parallel to the opposite surface. For example, if the second surface is the front surface, the front surface is opposite to the rear surface, and the front surface and the rear surface can be generally parallel to each other. The light extending in the second light direction can extend out of the second surface at a certain angle. The angle can be any angle that makes the second light direction generally parallel to the driving surface. The second surface (and the second light direction) can be angled toward the road surface. The angle relative to the road surface can be about 1 degree or more, about 5 degrees or more, about 10 degrees or more, or about 15 degrees or more. The angle relative to the road surface can be about 90 degrees or less, about 75 degrees or less, about 60 degrees or less, about 45 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, or about 20 degrees or less. The angle can be an angle that makes light project outward from one or more lenses and contact with the road surface.

[0035] A single light guide blade may provide two or more lights extending in two or more directions. Multiple light guide blades may be combined. One light guide blade may provide a first light and a second light guide blade may provide a second light. For example, the first light may produce a primary light and the second light may produce a secondary light, or vice versa. The first light guide blade and the second light guide blade may be spaced apart. The first light guide blade and the second light guide blade may be mechanically connected together. The first light guide blade and the second light guide blade may be an integral piece. The first light guide blade may extend in a first plane and the second light guide blade may extend in a second plane. The first light guide blade may guide light in a first direction and the second light guide blade may guide light in a second direction. The first light guide blade may extend from an edge or side of the second light guide blade, or vice versa. The first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both may be aligned with one or more lenses so that light may be directed outward from the lighting system.

[0036] The function of one or more lenses is to guide light from the reflector, the light guide blade, or both to the position to be illuminated. The external lens can extend over the internal lens (e.g., the light guide blade). The function of the lens can be to protect the light emitting portion, the light guide blade, or both. The lens can bend the light. The lens can refract the light. The lens can collimate the light, the lens can diffuse the light, mix the light, spread the light, guide the light to a predetermined position, create one or more hot spots, create a uniform lighting appearance, prevent hot spots, or a combination of the above. The lens can be located in front of a portion of the transmitted light of the light emitting portion or the light guide blade. The lens can cover all or part of the lighting system, the light source, the light bar, or the combination of the above. Each lighting system can include a lens. The lighting system can include a single external lens that covers each of the light bar, the light source, the light guide blade, the internal lens, or the combination of the above, each of which provides or performs a different function. The lens can cover the light bar, the light source, the light guide blade, the internal lens, or the combination of the above, so that light, direct light, reflected light, or the combination of the above extends through the lens. The lens can be one or more lenses. The lens can be multiple lenses. The lens (e.g., a main lens or an internal lens) can be a single lens. One or more lenses can have a shape that directs light to a predetermined location. One or more lenses can be flat, planar, biconvex, plano-convex, positive meniscus, negative meniscus, plano-concave, biconcave, biconvex, converging, diverging, or a combination of the above. Each lens can be a single lens. Each lens can be a composite lens (e.g., there can be more than one lens). Each lens has a forward side (or forward surface) and a rearward side (or rearward surface). The lens can change the color or wavelength of light extending through the lens. For example, a light source can produce white light, and when the light extends through the lens, the white light can be converted to orange light. The lens (e.g., a light guide blade) can include one or more textured portions (e.g., micro-optical devices).

[0037] The role of the textured portion is to prevent hot spots, provide a uniform light pattern, a uniform amount of light, spread the light, prevent overlap of light from the light source, or a combination of the above. When the light is viewed from an external position of the vehicle, an internal position of the vehicle, or both, the textured pattern can provide a uniform lighting appearance. The textured portion can be added to the lens. For example, the texture can be sprayed on the lens, etched into the lens, mechanically added, mechanically formed, added during molding, or a combination of the above. The textured portion can be on the outer surface, the inner surface, a position between the inner surface and the outer surface, or a combination of the above. The textured portion can guide the light out of the lens as the light travels through the lens. The textured portion can be formed while the lens is formed. Some lenses can include textured portions on or in the outer and inner surfaces. The textured portion (e.g., micro-optics) can be located in the light guide blade, on the light guide blade, in the inner surface of the light guide blade, on the outer surface of the light guide blade, or a combination of the above. The textured portion can allow light to extend out of the light guide blade, change the direction within the light guide blade, or both. The textured portion can allow light to leave the light guide blade in a predetermined direction at a predetermined position. The textured portions on the opposing surfaces may extend in substantially parallel directions, in directions complementary to the shape of the lens, or both. The textured portions may have a shape that is a pyramid, a semicircle, a square, a rectangle, a zigzag pattern, a line, a cylinder, a tetrahedron, a cube, a hexagon, an icosahedron, a prism, a pentagonal pyramid, a cone, a cuboid, a symmetrical shape, an asymmetrical shape, a geometric shape, a non-geometric shape, or a combination of the above. The textured portion may form an outer surface or a lens. The textured portion may substantially extend the length, width, or both of the lens. For example, the textured portion may terminate at a texture cutoff portion such that the textured portion does not extend the length and / or width of the texture cutoff portion.

[0038] The textured cutoff may prevent light from traveling between two locations of the lens or light guide blade. The textured portion may be the only portion of the lens through which light extends. The textured portion may be free of hot spots. The textured portion may not contact the blocker. The textured portion of the lens may stop before the blocker. A portion of the blocker may extend behind the textured portion, but may not contact. The textured portion may terminate at the textured cutoff. The textured portion may be positioned opposite one or more printed circuit boards including one or more light sources.

[0039] The light source can be located on one or more printed circuit boards. A printed circuit board (PCB) can provide power, signals, support, or a combination thereof to one or more light sources. The PCB can be fixed within a lighting system. Each PCB can be connected to multiple light sources. The PCB can be electrically connected, mechanically connected, or both to one or more light sources discussed herein. The PCB can aim the light from the light source. The PCB can align the light source with the light guide.

[0040] The role of the light guide is to guide light from the light source into the light guide blades. The light guide can be an edge or light guide. The light guide can guide light into the light guide blades. The light guide can guide light, spread light, angle light, or a combination of the above. The light guide can be a collimator. The light guide can collect light from the light source and guide the light into the light guide blades so that the light guide blades distribute the light to the location of interest. The light guide can guide the light into the first light guide blade, and then the first light guide blade can guide the light into the second light guide blade. The light guide can guide the first light in a first direction. The second light can extend in a second direction. The second light can extend around the light guide, at a location other than passing through the light guide, or both.

[0041] Figure 1A A side view of a vehicle 2 including a lighting system 10 is shown. The lighting system 10 includes a first lighting function 20 and a second lighting function 24. A bidirectional lighting system 12 providing the first lighting function 20 is located in front of the vehicle 2 and is shown as a headlight and / or a daytime running light 22. The second lighting function 24 is shown as a turn signal 26. The vehicle 2 and the lighting system 10 include a front portion 4 and a rear portion 6. A controller 8 is connected to the lighting system 10 to control the lighting system 10.

[0042] Figure 1B is an isometric view of the lighting system 10. The lighting system 10 includes an outer lens 14. A primary light 42 is provided through the outer lens 14 in a primary light direction 40 substantially in the x-direction, such that the primary light 42 extends out of the vehicle 10. A secondary light 62 is provided through the outer lens 14 in a secondary light direction 60 (substantially the Z-direction), thereby extending out of the vehicle 10.

[0043] Figure 2A is an isometric view of a bidirectional lighting system 12 portion of the lighting system 10. The bidirectional lighting system 12 includes a first light guide blade 30 extending in a first direction (in a first plane). The first light guide blade 30 generally extends in a front-to-rear direction, and secondary light 62 extends in the secondary light direction 60, which is the z-direction. The secondary light 62 is directed into the first light guide blade 30 from the first direction in the secondary light direction 62, wherein the first printed circuit board 32 includes first light sources 34 that each direct the secondary light 62 into the first light guides 36. Each of the first light sources 34 directs the secondary light 62 into one of the first light guides 36, and then the secondary light 62 extends out of the first light guide blade 30 at an area having a first blade surface 38. The first blade surface 38 (e.g., a textured portion or a micro-optical device) directs the secondary light 62 out of the first light guide blade 30 in the secondary light direction 60, so that the light is visible outside the vehicle and the lighting system 10.

[0044] The bidirectional lighting system 12 includes a second light guide blade 50. The second light guide blade 50 extends in a different direction (in a different plane) than the first light guide blade 30. The second light guide blade 50 is aligned with a second printed circuit board 52, which includes second light sources 54 along the second printed circuit board 52. Each of the second light sources 54 is aligned with a second light guide 56, which guides the primary light 42 from the second light source 54 into the second light guide blade 50. The second light guide blade 50 includes a second blade surface 58, which guides the primary light 42 out of the second light guide blade 50 in a primary light direction 40. The primary light direction 40 extends outward from the lighting system 10 and a corresponding vehicle (not shown). As shown, the primary light direction 40 and the secondary light direction 60 are normal to each other and extend along different axes.

[0045] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A 1 is a front view of a bidirectional illumination system 12. A first light guide blade 30 is aligned with a first printed circuit board 32, which includes a first light source 34 having a first light guide 36. The first light guide 36 guides secondary light 62 from the first light source 34 into the first light guide blade 30, and the light then extends out of the first light guide blade 30 through a first blade surface 38 in a secondary light direction 60. A second light guide blade 50 is aligned with a second printed circuit board 52 including a second light source 54. The second light source 54 is aligned with a second light guide 56. Primary light 42 from the second light source 54 extends out of the second light guide blade 50 through a second blade surface 58 in a primary light direction 40.

[0046] Figure 2C yes Figure 2A 1 is a side view of a bidirectional illumination system 12. As shown, primary light 42 extends from a first light source 34 on a printed circuit board 32 into a first light guide 36 into a first light guide blade 30. The first light guide blade 30 includes a first blade surface 38 that redirects light from the z direction to the x direction through the external lens 14, the x direction being the primary light direction 40. Light extends from a second light source 54 located on a second printed circuit board 52 into a second light guide 56 on a second light guide blade 50. Secondary light 62 extends in the y direction, contacts the second blade surface 58, and extends out of the second light guide blade 50 in the z direction in the secondary light direction 60.

[0047] Figure 3A is an example of a first light guide blade 30 comprising light extending in a first light direction 32 , wherein the light extends through the first light guide blade 30 such that the light is visible outside the lighting system 10 .

[0048] Figure 3Bis a side view of a bidirectional lighting system 12. The bidirectional lighting system 12 includes a first light guide blade 30 adjacent to a first printed circuit board 32, the first printed circuit board including a first light source 34 that provides secondary light 62 into a first light guide 36. The first light guide 36 guides the secondary light 62 into the first light guide blade 30, which is a collimator as shown. The first light guide blade 30 includes a first blade surface 38 (e.g., a textured portion or micro-optical device) that guides the secondary light 62 into a second light guide blade 50 in which the light is distributed.

[0049] Figure 3C 1 is a second side view of the bidirectional illumination system 10 positioned adjacent to the external lens 14. The bidirectional illumination system 12 includes a first light guide blade 30 positioned below a second light guide blade 50. The first light guide blade 30 is positioned adjacent to a first printed circuit board 32, which includes a first light source 34 positioned adjacent to and aligned with a first light guide 36. The light guide 36 guides secondary light 62 into the first light guide blade 30. The first light guide blade 30 acts as a collimator, emitting the secondary light 62 in the y-direction until the secondary light 62 contacts the first blade surface 38, where the secondary light 62 extends in the secondary light direction 60 through the first blade surface, in the z-direction into the second light guide blade 50. The second printed circuit board 52 includes a second light source 54, which guides the primary light 40 along a primary light direction 40 in the x-direction.

[0050] Figure 4A is an isometric view of the first light guide blade 30 of the bidirectional lighting system 12 , wherein light extends in a primary light direction 40 and a secondary light direction 60 .

[0051] Figure 4B is a side view of a bidirectional illumination system 12, showing a first light guide blade 30 and a second light guide blade 50 adjacent to each other. The first light guide blade 30 is adjacent to a first printed circuit board 32, which includes a first light source 34 that directs secondary light 62 into a first light guide 36. The secondary light 62 extends from the first light source 34 into the first light guide blade 30, which is shown as a collimator. The first light guide blade 30 includes a first blade surface 38 that allows the secondary light 62 to extend from the first light guide blade 30 into the second light guide blade 50. The secondary light 62 extends through the second light guide blade in a secondary light direction 60 (e.g., z-direction).

[0052] Figure 4Cis a second side view of the bidirectional lighting system 12. The bidirectional lighting system 12 has a first light guide blade 30 adjacent to a first printed circuit board 32. The first printed circuit board 32 includes a first light source 34 adjacent to a first light guide 36. The first light guide 36 guides secondary light 62 from the light source 34 into the first blade. The secondary light 62 exits the first light guide blade 30 through the blade surface 38 and enters the second light guide blade 50 in a secondary light direction 60.

[0053] The bidirectional lighting system 12 includes a second printed circuit board 52 including a second light source 54. The second light source 54 directs the primary light 42 into the first light guide blade 30. The first light guide blade includes a blade surface 38 (e.g., a textured portion or micro-optics) that directs light along the z-axis in a primary light direction 40. The primary light direction 40 as shown is along the z-direction.

[0054] The lighting system 10 further comprises a third printed circuit board 80 comprising a plurality of third light sources 82. The third light sources 82 project third light 86 through the second light guide blade 50 in a third light direction 84 substantially in the x-direction.

[0055] Any numerical value cited herein includes all values ​​from a lower value to a higher value in increments of one unit, provided that there is an interval of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. For example, if the value of the amount or process variable (e.g., temperature, pressure, time, etc.) of the description component is, for example, 1 to 90, preferably 20 to 80, more preferably 30 to 70, then it is intended to explicitly list values ​​such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc. in this specification. For values ​​less than 1, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 (as the case may be). These are merely examples of specific intent, and all possible numerical combinations between the lowest and highest values ​​listed will be considered to be explicitly stated in a similar manner in this application.

[0056] Unless otherwise specified, all ranges include endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of "about" or "approximately" in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, "about 20 to 30" is intended to cover "about 20 to about 30", including at least the specified endpoints.

[0057] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term "consisting essentially of..." to describe a combination shall include the identified elements, ingredients, components, or steps, and include such other elements, ingredients, components, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel features of the combination. The use of the terms "comprising" or "including" to describe a combination of elements, ingredients, components, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments consisting essentially of or even consisting of the elements, ingredients, components, or steps.

[0058] Multiple elements, ingredients, parts or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, part or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, part or step can be divided into separate multiple elements, ingredients, parts or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "an" describing an element, ingredient, part or step is not intended to exclude additional elements, ingredients, parts or steps.

[0059] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. After reading the above description, many embodiments and many applications other than the examples provided will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be determined with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the following claims is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be considered that the inventor does not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0060] Feature List

[0061] 2 Vehicles

[0062] 4 Front

[0063] 6 Rear

[0064] 8 Controller

[0065] 10. Lighting System

[0066] 12. Two-way lighting system

[0067] 14 External lens

[0068] 20 First lighting function

[0069] 22 Headlights / Daytime Running Lights

[0070] 24 Second lighting function

[0071] 26 Turn signal

[0072] 30 First light guide blade

[0073] 32 First Printed Circuit Board

[0074] 34 First Light Source

[0075] 36 First Light Guide

[0076] 38 First blade surface

[0077] 40 Main light direction

[0078] 42 Main Light

[0079] 50 Second light guide blade

[0080] 52 Second printed circuit board

[0081] 54 Second Light Source

[0082] 56 Second Light Guide

[0083] 58 Second blade surface

[0084] 60 Secondary light direction

[0085] 62 Secondary Light

[0086] 70 Light guide blades

[0087] 72 light direction

[0088] 80 Third printed circuit board

[0089] 82 The third light source

[0090] 84 The Third Light Direction

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising: a first light guide blade; a second light guide blade; a plurality of first light sources, the plurality of first light sources directing light into the first light guide blade in a first direction; a plurality of second light sources that direct light into the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both such that light exiting the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both extends away from a vehicle housing the lighting system in a second direction that is substantially normal to the first direction; wherein the plurality of first light sources and the plurality of second light sources provide lighting functions; and The plurality of first light sources, the plurality of second light sources, or both are configured to illuminate sequentially, such that the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both are illuminated from a first edge toward a second edge.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The second direction is substantially the z-direction of the vehicle.

3. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The first light guiding blade is substantially perpendicular to the second light guiding blade.

4. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The first light guiding blade is substantially parallel to the second light guiding blade.

5. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of second light sources guide light into the second light guide blade.

6. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The first light guiding blade is a collimator that guides light passing through the first light guiding blade.

7. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both comprise a blade surface.

8. The lighting system according to claim 7, wherein: The blade surface is a texture at which light exits the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both.

9. The lighting system according to claim 8, wherein: The texture is a surface texture that does not reflect light when contacted by light from the plurality of first light sources, the plurality of second light sources, or both.

10. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of first light sources provide a portion of light to form a daytime running light.

11. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of second light sources provide a portion of the light to form daytime running lights.

12. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein: The plurality of third light sources provide light in a third light direction.

13. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein: The plurality of first light sources direct light into the first light guide blade at a first angle, and the plurality of second light sources direct light into the first light guide blade at a second angle different from the first angle.

14. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein: The first angle and the second angle are 90 degrees relative to each other.

15. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein: The first angle and the second angle intersect within the first light guide blade.

16. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein: The first light guide blade includes a plurality of first light guides aligned with each of the plurality of first light sources.

17. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein: The lighting system comprises an external lens, the first light guide blade is an integral piece, or both.

18. The lighting system of claim 2, wherein: The plurality of second light sources extend along an x-direction of the vehicle.

19. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein: The blade surface forms a line within the first light guiding blade, the second light guiding blade, or both.

20. A lighting system comprising: a first light guide blade; a second light guide blade; a plurality of first light sources, the plurality of first light sources directing light into the first light guide blade in a first direction; a plurality of second light sources that direct light into the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both such that light exiting the first light guide blade, the second light guide blade, or both extends away from a vehicle housing the lighting system in a second direction that is substantially normal to the first direction; as well as a controller in communication with the plurality of first light sources, the plurality of second light sources, or both; wherein the plurality of first light sources and the plurality of second light sources provide lighting functions; and The plurality of first light sources, the plurality of second light sources, or both illuminate in two different directions.

Images