Lamp having illuminating light pipe with axially aligned prism optics

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a lamp having an illuminating light pipe with axially aligned prism optics. A lamp includes a light source and a light guide including a light transmissive medium having an elongate body extending along an axial axis. The light guide has an input end for receiving light from the light source and a plurality of prism optics extending into an outer surface of the elongate body in a direction of the axial axis, wherein the plurality of prism optics each have an angle in a range of about 115 degrees to 145 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a lighting device, and more particularly, to a lamp having a light guide with prism optics to achieve uniform angular luminance of light. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are typically equipped with various lighting devices. For example, exterior vehicle lights can include daytime running lights, brake lights, signal lights, tail lights, and other lighting devices. It may be desirable to provide a lamp that provides uniform angular luminance of light, particularly for use on a vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lamp having a light source and a light guide, the light guide having a light-transmissive medium with an elongated body extending along an axial axis, the light guide having an input end for receiving light from the light source and a plurality of prism optics extending into the outer surface of the elongated body in a direction of the axial axis, wherein each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle in the range of about 115° (degrees) to 145° (degrees).

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - The input end is provided at one end of the light guide;

[0006] - Each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle in the range of about 120° (degrees) to 140° (degrees);

[0007] - Each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle in the range of approximately 130° (degrees);

[0008] - Each of the plurality of prism optics is formed with a generally V-shaped groove having an angle as the tilt angle;

[0009] - Each prism optic has a V-shaped groove formed in a front surface of the light guide, wherein additional prism optics have V-shaped grooves formed on a rear surface of the light guide that are orthogonal to the axial axis;

[0010] - The lamp includes a connector configured to be mounted on a motor vehicle;

[0011] - The lamp is configured to be mounted on the motor vehicle as a daytime running light; and

[0012] - The light-transmissive medium includes at least one of PMMA and polycarbonate.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle lamp has: a connector configured to connect to a vehicle; a light source; and a light guide having a light transmissive medium with an elongated body extending along an axial axis, the light guide having an input end for receiving light from the light source and a plurality of prism optics extending into the outer surface of the elongated body in a direction of the axial axis, wherein each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle in a range of about 115° (degrees) to 145° (degrees).

[0014] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0015] - The input end is provided at one end of the light guide;

[0016] - Each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle in a range of about 120° (degrees) to 140° (degrees);

[0017] - Each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle of approximately 130° (degrees);

[0018] - Each of the plurality of prism optics is formed with a substantially V-shaped groove having an angle as an inclined angle;

[0019] - Each prism optic has a V-shaped groove formed in a front surface of the light guide, wherein additional prism optics have V-shaped grooves orthogonal to the axial axis and on a rear surface of the light guide;

[0020] - The lamp is configured to be mounted on a front side of the vehicle;

[0021] - The lamp is configured to be mounted on the vehicle as a daytime running light; and

[0022] - The light guide includes at least one of PMMA and polycarbonate.

[0023] Those skilled in the art will further understand and appreciate these and other features, advantages, and objectives of the present disclosure by reference to the following specification, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1A is a front perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior lamp including a daytime running light according to an example;

[0026] Figure 1B is a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with an exterior lamp including a tail lamp;

[0027] Figure 2 Front view of a daytime running light having a first light guide according to an embodiment, the first light guide having a prism optics configured with V-shaped prisms extending along an axial axis;

[0028] Figure 3A Front perspective view of the first light guide showing the axially extending prism optics;

[0029] Figure 3B Is through Figure 3A Cross-sectional view of the first light emitting duct taken along line IIIB-IIIB;

[0030] Figure 3C Is Figure 3B End view of the first light guide shown in;

[0031] Figure 4A Is Figure 3A Rear perspective view of the front light-emitting side of the first light guide shown in;

[0032] Figure 4B Is through Figure 4A Rear cross-sectional perspective view of the rear side of the first light guide taken along line IVB-IVB;

[0033] Figure 4C Is through Figure 4B Cross-sectional view of a portion of the first light guide taken; and [[ID=3,7]]

[0034] Figure 5 Rear cross-sectional perspective view of the second light guide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the structural elements depicted are not drawn to scale, and for purposes of emphasis and understanding, certain components are enlarged relative to other components.

[0036] For the purposes of the description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it should be understood that unless explicitly specified to the contrary, the said concepts may assume various alternative orientations. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, unless the claims otherwise explicitly state, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0037] The presently disclosed embodiments are directed primarily to a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to lights and vehicle lights with light pipes having axially aligned prism optics. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are relevant to an understanding of the disclosed embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings denote like elements.

[0038] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be employed alone or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain: only A; only B; only C; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0039] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "comprising …" does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0040] As used herein, the term "about" means that the quantity, size, formulation, parameter, and other quantities and characteristics are not exact and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement error, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the endpoints of a value or range, the disclosure is to be understood as including the specific value or endpoint recited. Whether or not the numerical or range endpoints in the specification are recited with "about," the endpoints of the numerical or range are intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about." It should also be understood that each endpoint of a range is significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0041] As used herein, the terms "substantially", "essentially" and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "essentially" is intended to mean that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "essentially" may indicate that the values are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0042] Unless explicitly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the", "a", or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one". Thus, for example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, a reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a motor vehicle 10 is generally shown as being equipped with a plurality of lighting lamps 20, which are generally shown as being located externally at the front end 16 and the rear end 18 of the motor vehicle 10. According to one example, the plurality of lamps 20 in the example shown at the front end 16 of the motor vehicle 10 are configured as daytime running lamps (DRLs), which may be located within or near the headlamps 22, which are located at opposite front corners of the motor vehicle 10. The lamps 20 shown at the rear end 18 of the motor vehicle 10 may be located within or near the tail lamps 24, which are located at opposite rear corners of the motor vehicle 10. Additionally, it should be understood that the motor vehicle 10 may have a plurality of other lamps, including brake lamps, signal lamps, tail lamps, etc., which may be configured as shown and described herein. Each lamp 20 is configured as a lighting lamp so as to advantageously provide lighting having substantially uniform light brightness when viewed from various perspectives or directions, such as during the day or during dark times. For example, the daytime running lamps may provide continuous lighting, which can generally be observed from different angles, including the left and right perspectives when observing the motor vehicle 10.

[0044] Each lamp 20 may be configured to be associated with Figure 2is the same as or similar to the daytime running lights shown. Each light 20 may include an illumination optical light guide system that includes a vertical or first light guide 30 that is generally shown as being vertically oriented along at least a portion of the lateral side of the light 20, and a horizontal or second light guide 50 that generally extends horizontally along the top side of the light 20. In the example shown, the first light guide 30 extends vertically, but in accordance with various other examples, it may also extend in other directions. In the example shown, the second light guide 50 extends horizontally, but in accordance with various other examples, it may also extend in other directions. The first light guide 30 and the second light guide 50 are positioned within a housing that is in turn connected to the motor vehicle 10. Each of the first light guide 30 and the second light guide 50 is a light guide that has an input operatively coupled to a light source for receiving light that is transmitted through and emitted from the light guide. It should be understood that the light source may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). According to one example, the light emitting diodes may include RGB (red - green - blue) diodes that may generate any one of a variety of light colors.

[0045] Figure 2 The light 20 shown generally has a housing that includes a first side housing 62 on the left side and a second side housing 64 on the right side that are connected together to define an interior. Disposed within the housing are a vertical first light guide 30 and a horizontal second light guide 50. The first light guide 30 and the second light guide 50 are light transmission and illumination light guides that generally distribute and emit light from the front side along their entire length portions. In the example shown, the first light guide 30 is shown as extending generally vertically, and the second light guide 50 is shown as extending generally horizontally. The first light guide 30 is connected to a first bracket 36 at the lower portion and a second bracket 38 at the upper portion. The first bracket 36 and the second bracket 38 support the first light guide 30 and may connect the light 20 to the motor vehicle 10. The first light guide 30 has a first end 32 coupled near the second bracket 38 and a second end 34 coupled near the first bracket 36. A first light source 40 that may include a light emitting diode (LED) or a plurality of LEDs is optically coupled to the first end 32 of the first light guide 30 to input light into the first end 32 of the first light guide 30, and then the light is transmitted through the first light guide 30 and emitted substantially uniformly along the length of the first light guide.

[0046] The second light guide 50 includes a first end 52 coupled near the first bracket 58 and a second end 54 coupled near the second bracket 56. The first bracket 58 and the second bracket 56 support the second light guide 50 and may connect the lamp 20 to the motor vehicle 10. A second light source, such as a light emitting diode 60 or a plurality of LEDs, is optically coupled to the first input end 52 to input light into the second light guide 50 for transmission through the second light guide 50 and emission from the front side along the length of the second light guide.

[0047] The first light source 40 and the second light source 60 may be mounted on a printed circuit board 42. The printed circuit board 42 may include circuitry for receiving electrical power, converting the electrical power into a suitable voltage (such as a pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage), and supplying the converted electrical power at a suitable voltage to the corresponding first light source 40 and second light source 60 to power the first light source 40 and the second light source 60 to generate light.

[0048] In the illustrated example, the first light guide 30 extends generally vertically along the left side of the lamp 20, and the second light guide 50 extends generally horizontally along the top side of the lamp 20. It should be understood that, according to other examples, the first light guide 30 and the second light guide 50 may be oriented in other ways along different axes in different directions.

[0049] Reference Figures 3A to 3C , the first light guide 30 is shown as extending generally along an axial axis 35 that extends longitudinally between the first end 32 and the second end 34. The axial axis 35 may vary in the direction along the length of the first light guide 30 because the first light guide 30 may have at least one bend. The first light guide 30 includes a generally cylindrical body that is typically made of a light transmissive medium that is operatively configured to receive light and transmit and distribute reflected and refracted light throughout the first light guide 30. The first light guide 30 has a length that extends along the axial axis 35 and a width that may vary depending on the diameter of the first light guide 30. According to one example, the first light guide 30 will be made of a light transmissive medium having a high refractive index in the range of about 1.4 to 1.7. According to one example, the light transmissive medium may include a transparent and rigid plastic, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is a synthetic resin produced by the polymerization of methacrylate and has a refractive index of about 1.49. According to another example, the light transmissive medium may include a thermoplastic polymer, such as polycarbonate, having a refractive index of about 1.59. The light guide 30 may be formed in a mold using injection molding and may be rigid or flexible depending on the thickness.

[0050] The first light guide 30 is formed to include a series of parallel-aligned prism optics 70 that typically extend along an axial axis 35 in a periodic arrangement over a portion of the outer surface of the first light guide 30. The first light guide 30 has a generally cylindrical body with a series of V-shaped grooves forming the prism optics 70 on a front first side 72 of its outer surface. The V-shaped grooves result in a serrated configuration being formed in the outer surface of the first light guide 30. According to one embodiment, the V-shaped grooves forming the prism optics 70 have an angle θ in the range of 115 degrees to 145 degrees. According to a specific exemplary embodiment, the plurality of V-shaped prisms 70 each have an angle θ in the range of approximately 130 degrees. By providing an angle θ in the range of 115 degrees to 145 degrees or more specifically approximately 130 degrees, light transmitted from a light source towards the prism optics 70 is emitted from the front side surface with substantially uniform luminance, passing through a wide range visible at different angles deviating from the central viewing angle of the first light guide 30. When viewed from a deflection angle, the luminance from the first light guide 30 can be comparable or matched to the luminance from the second light guide 50.

[0051] Reference Figures 4A to 4C , opposite the front first side 72 of the first light guide 30 is a rear second side 74 that has a plurality of horizontal prism optics 80 formed therein. The horizontal prism optics 80 extend orthogonally to the axial axis 35 and may be formed with V-shaped grooves formed in the outer surface of the light guide body, the grooves extending continuously along the length of the first light guide 30. The horizontal prism optics 80 may have an angle φ in the range of approximately 30 degrees to 90 degrees and more specifically in the range of approximately 45 degrees to 75 degrees. It should be understood that light transmitted through the first light guide 30 is redirected from the rear second side 74 via the horizontal prism optics 80 to the front first side 72 having axially-aligned prism optics 70.

[0052] According to one example, Figure 5The second light guide 50 shown in [Fig.] can similarly be made of a light-transmitting medium having a high refractive index in the range of about 1.4 to 1.7. According to one example, the light-transmitting medium can include a transparent and rigid plastic, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is a synthetic resin produced by the polymerization of methacrylate and has a refractive index of about 1.49. According to another example, the light-transmitting medium can include a thermoplastic polymer, such as polycarbonate with a refractive index of about 1.59. The light guide 50 can be formed in a mold using injection molding. Similar to the first light guide 30, the second light guide 50 has a plurality of horizontal prism optical devices 80 that are orthogonal to the axial axis 35 and are generally formed in the rear side 174 of the second light guide 50. The horizontal prism optical devices 80 redirect the light transmitted through the second light guide 50 forward to the front surface that can be observed from the front side 172 of the second light guide 50. It should be understood that, according to one example, the horizontal prism optical devices 80 can similarly have V-shaped grooves, and the angle φ between the grooves is in the range of 30 degrees to 90 degrees, more specifically in the range of about 45 degrees to 75 degrees.

[0053] It should be understood that the lamp 20 advantageously employs a first light guide 70 having a plurality of axially aligned prism optical devices 70 to advantageously distribute light with uniform brightness from different viewing angles. The lamp 20 can advantageously be used on a motor vehicle 10, such as a daytime running light. The lamp 20 can also be used in other areas of the motor vehicle 10, such as taillights. It should be understood that the lamp 20 can also be installed at other positions on and outside the motor vehicle 10.

[0054] It should be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the structures mentioned above without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it should also be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by these claims unless the appended claims state otherwise explicitly in their language.

[0055] According to the present invention, there is provided a lamp having: a light source; and a light guide having a light-transmitting medium with an elongated body extending along an axial axis, the light guide having an input end for receiving light from the light source and a plurality of prism optical devices extending into the outer surface of the elongated body in the direction of the axial axis, wherein each of the plurality of prism optical devices has an angle in the range of about 115° (degrees) to 145° (degrees).

[0056] According to an embodiment, the input end is provided at one end of the light guide.

[0057] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of prism optical devices has an angle in the range of about 120° (degrees) to 140° (degrees).

[0058] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of prism optical devices has an angle in the range of approximately 130° (degrees).

[0059] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of prism optical devices is formed with a substantially V-shaped groove, and the V-shaped groove has the angle as an inclination angle.

[0060] According to an embodiment, each prism optical device has a V-shaped groove formed in the front surface of the light guide.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by an additional prism optical device, which has a V-shaped groove orthogonal to the axial axis and formed on the rear surface of the light guide.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the lamp includes a connector configured to be mounted on a motor vehicle.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the lamp is configured to be mounted on the motor vehicle as a daytime running lamp.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the light-transmitting medium includes at least one of PMMA and polycarbonate.

[0065] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle lamp, which has: a connector configured to be connected to a vehicle; a light source; and a light guide having a light-transmitting medium with an elongated body extending along an axial axis, the light guide having an input end for receiving light from the light source and a plurality of prism optical devices extending into the outer surface of the elongated body in the direction of the axial axis, wherein each of the plurality of prism optical devices has an angle in the range of about 115° (degrees) to 145° (degrees).

[0066] According to an embodiment, the input end is provided at one end of the light guide.

[0067] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of prism optical devices has an angle in the range of about 120° (degrees) to 140° (degrees).

[0068] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of prism optical devices has an angle in the range of approximately 130° (degrees).

[0069] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of prism optical devices is formed with a substantially V-shaped groove, and the V-shaped groove has the angle as an inclination angle.

[0070] According to an embodiment, each prism optical device has a V-shaped groove formed in the front surface of the light guide.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by an additional prism optical device having a V-shaped groove orthogonal to the axial axis and on the rear surface of the light guide.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the lamp is configured to be mounted on the front side of the vehicle.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the lamp is configured to be mounted on the vehicle as a daytime running light.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the light guide comprises at least one of PMMA and polycarbonate.

Claims

1. A lamp, comprising: a light source; and a light guide having a light-transmissive medium with an elongated body extending along an axial axis, the light guide having an input end for receiving light from the light source and a plurality of prism optics extending into an outer surface of the elongated body in a direction of the axial axis, wherein each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle in the range of about 115° (degrees) to 145° (degrees).

2. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the input end is provided at one end of the light guide.

3. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle in the range of about 120° (degrees) to 140° (degrees).

4. The lamp according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of prism optics has an angle of approximately 130° (degrees).

5. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of prism optics is formed with a substantially V-shaped groove having the angle as an inclination angle.

6. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein each prism optic has a V-shaped groove formed in a front surface of the light guide.

7. The lamp according to claim 6, further comprising additional prism optics having a V-shaped groove orthogonal to the axial axis and formed on a rear surface of the light guide.

8. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lamp includes a connector configured to be mounted on a motor vehicle.

9. The lamp according to claim 8, wherein the lamp is configured to be mounted on the motor vehicle as a daytime running light.

10. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmissive medium includes at least one of PMMA and polycarbonate.

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