GB2451125A - A solid light conduit - Google Patents

A solid light conduit Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2451125A
GB2451125A GB0714122A GB0714122A GB2451125A GB 2451125 A GB2451125 A GB 2451125A GB 0714122 A GB0714122 A GB 0714122A GB 0714122 A GB0714122 A GB 0714122A GB 2451125 A GB2451125 A GB 2451125A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
light
conduit
conduits
end module
lamp cluster
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0714122A
Other versions
GB0714122D0 (en
GB2451125B (en
Inventor
Martin Uhlarik
Joe Molloy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd filed Critical Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority to GB0714122A priority Critical patent/GB2451125B/en
Publication of GB0714122D0 publication Critical patent/GB0714122D0/en
Publication of GB2451125A publication Critical patent/GB2451125A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2451125B publication Critical patent/GB2451125B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0029—Spatial arrangement
    • B60Q1/0041—Spatial arrangement of several lamps in relation to each other
    • B60Q1/0047—Signalling unit mounted on a headlamp unit
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0011—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/28—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating front of vehicle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/13—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S43/14—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235—Light guides
    • F21S43/236—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide
    • F21S43/241—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide of complex shape
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235—Light guides
    • F21S43/242—Light guides characterised by the emission area
    • F21S43/245—Light guides characterised by the emission area emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235—Light guides
    • F21S43/247—Light guides with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/30—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
    • F21S43/33—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2400/00—Special features or arrangements of exterior signal lamps for vehicles
    • B60Q2400/30—Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/005—Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
    • B60R19/48—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds
    • B60R19/50—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds with lights or registration plates
    • B60R2019/505—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds with lights or registration plates with lights
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
    • F21W2102/20—Illuminance distribution within the emitted light

Abstract

A solid light conduit (2) is provided for use as part of a vehicle lighting module. The light conduit (2) comprises at least one transmissive surface extending along at least one edge of the conduit, and a plurality of reflective surfaces. The conduit is configured so that light input at one end of the conduit travels along the conduit by reflecting off the reflective surfaces and is then emitted from the conduit through the transmissive surface.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VEHICLE LIGHTING
The present invention relates to an improved exterior lighting system for a vehicle and, in particular, to a light conduit that channels light emitted from a point source.
All motor vehicles require effective lighting on the front and the rear of the vehicle. As vehicle engineering has advanced, it has been possible to provide improved lighting for the front of a vehicle in order to enhance the driver's visual experience, especially when driving after dark. However, the comfort of fellow road users has been compromised as increasingly bright and focused front vehicle lighting has become available. In particular, bright front lighting can cause glare for an on-coming road user which may reduce his
field of view or even confuse him.
In order to mitigate the effect of glare, it is known to provide a secondary light course which is configured to provide a diffuse light surrounding the bright primary light source.
As a result of the softening of the contrast between dark and light, the glare is reduced.
A further problem that is well known in the field of vehicle lighting is that of reliability of light clusters. Exterior lighting clusters, both on the front and on the rear of the vehicle, are exposed to the elements and therefore have to be very robust.
Typically a light cluster consists of a lens or cover, a lumière, which may be a bulb or an LED; and a reflector. If moisture, either in the form of rain water or condensation, penetrates the cover and collects within the light cluster, it can cause a degradation in the quality of the light emitted. If the water forms as condensation on the inner face of the lens or cover, the percentage of the emitted light which is transmitted from the light cluster is reduced. Furthermore, if the moisture penetrates the housing of the lumière it can damage the lumiere itself. If there is only one lumière performing a specific function within a cluster, then this function will no longer operate and the vehicle owner will be forced to replace at least the lumière, but possibly the whole cluster.
It is known to provide vehicle lighting clusters in the form of a multiple light sources arranged in a row or strip, typidally LEDs. The intention of these strips of light is to provide the impression of a single elongate light. Systems of this type are used as high level centre mount brake lights or as daylight running lights on the front of a vehicle.
The problem with providing a plurality of small light sources is that, when one of the light sources fails, the overall impression given by the light cluster as a whole is uneven or possibly disjointed. This can be confusing or distracting for the driver of another vehicle who has to try to react to, for example, a high level centre mount brake light that has an uneven appearance.
The present invention intends to address the aforementioned problems.
According to the present invention there is provided a solid light conduit for use as part of a vehicle lighting module, the light conduit comprising: at least one transmissive surface extending along at least one edge of the conduit, and a plurality of reflective surfaces, wherein the conduit is configured so that light input at one end of the conduit travels along the conduit by reflecting off the reflective surfaces and is then emitted from the conduit through the transmissive surface.
The provision of a single light source, albeit possibly provided by a plurality of bulbs localized together, addresses the problem of uneven lighting that arises when one of a plurality of discrete light sources fails. The light enters the conduit at one end and bounces between the reflective surfaces, undergoing total internal reflection, until it is incident on the transmissive surface and is emitted from the conduit. As different photons enter the conduit at different angles, they travel different distances along the conduit before they are emitted. The resulting glow from the conduit lessens in intensity as the distance from the source increases.
The light conduit is fabricated from a translucent polycarbonate which may be colourless.
The material from which the light conduit is fabricated must be capable of being ground to provide the one transmissive edge. Polycarbonate materials combine the required optical characteristics with sufficiently robust physical characteristics for use in the automotive industry.
By providing a colourless conduit the light emitted from the conduit will closely match the colour of the light source itself.
Alternatively, the reflective surfaces of the light conduit may be coloured in order to impart a specific colour to the light transmitted through the light conduit, in use.
One of more of the light conduits according to the present invention can be combined with two lamp clusters in order to form a front end module. The light conduits provide a diffuse light that diminishes in intensity with distance from the source. This helps to reduce the glare experienced by other road users as a result of the light emitted directly from the two lamp clusters.
The front end module may further comprise a dedicated light source for illuminating the or each conduit. The conduit or conduits may therefore be illuminated using a different colour of light from the vehicle headlights. Furthermore, each conduit may be illuminated using a different colour of light. Furthermore, by providing a dedicated light source for the conduits, separate from the lamp clusters, it is possible to run the dedicated light source and therefore to illuminate the conduits when the lamp clusters are not activated.
Therefore the light conduits may provide, or form a part of, a system of daylight running lights.
The dedicated light source may be substantially equidistant between the lamp clusters.
This configuration enables a single dedicated lights source to provide illumination to light conduits on either side of the front end module. This ensures that there is no disparity in colour or brightness of the light emitted from the light conduits resulting from a separate source being used for each side.
The dedicated light source may be configured so that substantially all of the emitted light enters at least one of the light conduits and a housing may be provided that is configured to mask any light that does not enter one of the light conduits. Most vehicles display the brand owner's emblem in the centre of radiator grill on the front of the vehicle. The mount for emblem provides a convenient housing for the dedicated light and the emblem itself provides the mask.
Alternatively, the lamp clusters may be configured to supply light to the or each conduit, in use. In this alternative embodiment, the light conduits provide a diffuse light in the immediate vicinity of the lamp cluster and thereby reduce considerably the glare caused by the lamp cluster. This alternative embodiment utilizes the light conduits with a minimum number of additional parts and could easily be retrofitted to an existing vehicle.
The or each light conduit may be elongate and may extend from the vicinity of the lamp cluster and may extend to the dedicated light source, if one is provided. The or each light conduit may also extend beyond the lamp cluster towards the side of the vehicle.
One of more of the light conduits according to the present invention can be combined with a first light source and a second light source in order to form a rear lamp cluster.
The or each light conduit may be shaped as a spherical section or petal-shape.
The lamp cluster may be provided with three light conduits. The provision of multiple light conduits within a single lamp cluster allows the total area of transmissive surface to be increased without providing a very thick conduit which may be subject to unacceptable levels of losses.
Each of the light conduits may be shaped as a spherical section with a different radius.
The first light source may be configured to illuminate the conduits. The first light source may therefore consist of a number of different point sources all of which supply light to the conduits. As a result of the complex shape of the conduit, even if one of the point sources of light fails the uniformity of the resultant illumination will not be affected.
Furthermore, if all of the individual light sources are powered from a light source, then when one source fails, each of the other individual sources will be slightly brighter and the conduits will ensure that the light is evenly distributed.
The first light source may be a different colour from the second light source. Providing different light colours from the first and second light sources enables the lamp cluster to perform more than one function. For example, if the first light source is red and the second light source is amber, then the lamp cluster can operate as a brake light and an indicator.
The present invention will now be descried, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a front end module incorporating six light conduits according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the front end module shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a rear 3/4 view of the front end module shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a cross sectional view along the line a-a shown in Figure 1, Figure 5 is a side view a lamp cluster and three light conduits according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a front % view of the front end module shown in Figure 1 in the context of the front of a vehicle, Figure 7 is a plan view of the front end module shown in Figure 1 in the context of the front of the vehicle; Figure 8 is a front view of the front end module shown in Figure 1 in the context of the front of the vehicle; Figure 9 is a side view of the front end module shown in Figure 1 in the context of the front of the vehicle; Figure 10 shows a side view of a rear lamp cluster, and Figure 11 shows a plan view of the rear lamp cluster shown in Figure 10.
A light conduit 2 is a solid transparent or translucent piece of polycarbonate. One face of the conduit 2 has been treated in order to maximize the emission of light incident on that face from within the conduit 2. The surface is ground to create these characteristics.
The surfaces that are not treated reflect a high percentage of the light incident on them and therefore emit only a small proportion of the light that is incident on them.
As a result of this juxtaposition of optical properties, light entering the end of the conduit will travel along the conduit by bouncing off one or more of the comparatively reflective surfaces until it is incident on the transmissive surface. When the light is incident on the transmissive surface it is emitted from the conduit. Light enters the conduit at a variety of different angles, and therefore the length of the conduit that it travels along before it is transmitted also varies.
The light conduit can be formed in a shape appropriate for its intended use on a vehicle.
For example, the light conduits shown in Figures 1 to 9 are elongate and curve to follow the contours of the grille. In contrast, the light conduits shown in Figures 10 and 11 are part-spherical sections or petal-shaped.
The light conduits 2 are substantially colourless. Therefore, the light that is emitted from the conduit is substantially the same colour as the light that is introduced into the end of the conduit.
In order to modify the colour of the light that is emitted, a coloured layer is applied to the outer surface of one or more of the reflective surfaces. In order to maximize the effect of the coloured layer, the surface area of the coloured layer should be large compared to the surface area of the transmissive edge. For example in Figures 10 and 11 the inner face of each of the petals has a coloured layer applied so that it alters the colour of the light that is introduced to the conduits.
Figures 1 to 5 show a front end module 1 of a vehicle. The module 1 has two lamp clusters 20; six light conduits 2, a centre boss 3, a liner 4 and a front grille obscuration panel.
The light conduits 2 are elongate and are curved to follow the contours of the liner 4.
The light conduits are secured to the centre boss 3 and to the lamp clusters 20. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 4, which is a cross section through the line a-a in Figure 1, the light conduits do not contact the liner 4 directly.
The central boss 3 is used as a mount for a logo representative of the vehicle's brand.
The boss 3 also provides a housing for the light source or light sources for the light conduits. The light sources are white LEDs. LEDs are chosen because they are more efficient light producers than incandescent bulbs, including gas discharge and HID lamps, which produce considerably more heat than LEDs. A fan is also provided within the central boss 3 in order to draw any heat that is produced away from the central boss 3.
The light conduits 2 terminate in the vicinity of the lamp cluster 20. As shown in Figure 5, the conduits are shaped to curve around the lumière assembly 21. In addition to providing an aesthetically pleasing feature, this configuration enables the light conduits to receive light from the lamp clusters in addition to or instead of receiving light from the light sources located in the central boss 3.
In an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the light conduits extend beyond the lamp clusters onto the sides of the vehicle.
The liner 4 is provided with a matt finish metallic graphite coloured paint in order to reflect any light that is emitted through the reflective surfaces of the light conduits. The graphite colour of the liner strikes a balance between, on the one hand, maintaining the definition of conduits individual light conduits 2 which might be lost if the liner was painted in too light a colour and, on the other hand, avoiding absorbing too much light as might be the case if the liner was too dark. The diffuse glow that emanates from the liner enhances the feeling of depth.
The obscuration panel 9 helps to enclose the front end module 1 and delineate it from the front of the vehicle as a whole. It also prevents the user from seeing beyond the liner to the bonnet latch and other functional items that are positioned in the vicinity of the front end module 1.
Figures 6 to 9 show the front end module 1 in the context of the front end of a vehicle.
The front end module 1 is bounded by a bonnet or hood panel 6 and a front bumper fascia 10.
Figures 10 and 11 show side and plan views of a rear lamp cluster 80. The rear lamp cluster 80 has a central lumière assembly 81, a perimeter lumière assembly 82; a lamp cluster base 83, a lamp cluster cover 84, and a plurality of light conduits 85, 86, 87, 88.
In addition, a reflector may be provided. The central lumière assembly 81 comprises a central lumière 81a and a central lumière cover 81b. The perimeter lumière assembly 82 comprises a plurality of point sources 82a that combine to illuminate the light conduits.
Because the light from the perimeter lumière assembly 82 is emitted via the light conduits, the conduits act to spread the light so that, if one point source 82a fails the overall impression given by the perimeter lumière assembly 82 is unaffected. The rear lamp cluster 80 is mounted in a lamp cluster mounting aperture 90 which is positioned adjacent the outer surlace 91 of the closure panel 15.
Each of the light conduits 85, 86, 87 88 and 89 is petal-shaped and comprises a first surface reflective 85a, 86a, 87a, 88a, 89a that faces the central lumière assembly 81 and a second reflective surface 85b, 86b, 87b, 88b, 89b that faces the outside of the vehicle. Between the respective first and second surfaces is an edge that is polished in order to provide a transmissive surface.
The first surface of each of the light conduits is provided with a coloured layer that influences the colour of the light transmitted through the transmissive edge.

Claims (19)

1. A solid light conduit for use as part of a vehicle lighting module, the light conduit comprising: at least one transmissive surface extending along at least one edge of the conduit, and a plurality of reflective surfaces, wherein the conduit is configured so that light input at one end of the conduit travels along the conduit by reflecting off the reflective surfaces and is then emitted from the conduit through the transmissive surface.
2. The light conduit according to claim 1, wherein the light conduit is fabricated from a translucent polycarbonate.
3. The light conduit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the light conduit is colourless.
4. The light conduit according to claim 3, wherein the reflective surfaces of the light conduit are coloured in order to impart a colour to the light transmitted through the light conduit, in use.
5. A front end module for a vehicle, the module comprising: at least one light conduit according to any one of claims I to 4, and two lamp clusters.
6. The front end module according to claim 5, further comprising a dedicated light source for illuminating the or each conduit.
7. The front end module according to claim 6, wherein the dedicated light source is substantially equidistant between the lamp clusters.
8. The front end module according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the dedicated light source is configured so that substantially all of the emitted light enters at least one of the light conduits.
9. The front end module according to claim 8, wherein the dedicated light source is provided with a housing that is configured to mask any light that does not enter one of the light conduits.
10. The front end module according to claim 5, wherein the lamp clusters are configured to supply light to the or each conduit, in use.
11. The front end module according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the or each light conduit is elongate and extends from the vicinity of the lamp cluster.
12. A front end module substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
13. A rear lamp cluster for use on a vehicle, the lamp cluster comprising: a first light source and a second light source at least one light conduit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
14. The rear lamp cluster according to claim 13, wherein the or each light conduit is shaped as a spherical section.
15. The rear lamp cluster according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the lamp cluster is provided with three light conduits.
16. The rear lamp cluster according to claim 14, wherein each of the light conduits is shaped as a spherical section with a different radius.
17. The rear lamp cluster according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first light source is configured to illuminate the conduits.
18. The rear lamp cluster according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the first light course is a different colour from the second light source.
19. A rear lamp cluster substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
GB0714122A 2007-07-20 2007-07-20 Improvements in or relating to vehicle lighting Expired - Fee Related GB2451125B (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0714122A GB2451125B (en) 2007-07-20 2007-07-20 Improvements in or relating to vehicle lighting

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0714122A GB2451125B (en) 2007-07-20 2007-07-20 Improvements in or relating to vehicle lighting

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GB0714122D0 GB0714122D0 (en) 2007-08-29
GB2451125A true GB2451125A (en) 2009-01-21
GB2451125B GB2451125B (en) 2012-05-23

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EP2338732A1 (en) * 2009-12-16 2011-06-29 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH Motor vehicle lighting device with a light guide and light sources of different colours
DE102010008334A1 (en) * 2010-02-17 2011-08-18 GM Global Technology Operations LLC, ( n. d. Ges. d. Staates Delaware ), Mich. Front grill for vehicle, such as electric vehicles or electrical hybrid vehicles, has electrical or electronic display, where limiting portion of front grill serves for admission of fresh air
WO2012113502A1 (en) * 2011-02-23 2012-08-30 Daimler Ag Lighting device for a vehicle
DE102014110348A1 (en) * 2014-07-23 2016-01-28 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Tail light assembly for a motor vehicle
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US10870404B2 (en) 2016-01-11 2020-12-22 SMR Patents S.à.r.l. Elongate illuminated automotive design element, injection molded vehicle parts, and methods of manufacturing same
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FR3104237A1 (en) * 2019-12-10 2021-06-11 Valeo Vision Light set of a vehicle
WO2022105995A1 (en) * 2020-11-18 2022-05-27 Psa Automobiles Sa Cladding device for a motor vehicle
EP3196074B1 (en) * 2010-12-10 2023-11-01 SMR Patents S.à.r.l. Lighting module for a vehicle
WO2023209168A1 (en) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-02 Valeo Vision Removable lighting assembly
FR3135030A1 (en) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-03 Valeo Vision DEMOUNTABLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY

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EP2338732A1 (en) * 2009-12-16 2011-06-29 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH Motor vehicle lighting device with a light guide and light sources of different colours
DE102010008334A1 (en) * 2010-02-17 2011-08-18 GM Global Technology Operations LLC, ( n. d. Ges. d. Staates Delaware ), Mich. Front grill for vehicle, such as electric vehicles or electrical hybrid vehicles, has electrical or electronic display, where limiting portion of front grill serves for admission of fresh air
EP3196074B1 (en) * 2010-12-10 2023-11-01 SMR Patents S.à.r.l. Lighting module for a vehicle
WO2012113502A1 (en) * 2011-02-23 2012-08-30 Daimler Ag Lighting device for a vehicle
DE102014110348A1 (en) * 2014-07-23 2016-01-28 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Tail light assembly for a motor vehicle
EP3741619A1 (en) * 2016-01-11 2020-11-25 SMR Patents S.à.r.l. An elongate illuminated automotive design element
US10870404B2 (en) 2016-01-11 2020-12-22 SMR Patents S.à.r.l. Elongate illuminated automotive design element, injection molded vehicle parts, and methods of manufacturing same
WO2021048128A1 (en) * 2019-09-09 2021-03-18 Psa Automobiles Sa Optical device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle body having such an optical device
WO2021115828A1 (en) * 2019-12-10 2021-06-17 Valeo Vision Vehicle light unit
US11796149B2 (en) 2019-12-10 2023-10-24 Valeo Vision Vehicle light unit
FR3104237A1 (en) * 2019-12-10 2021-06-11 Valeo Vision Light set of a vehicle
WO2022105995A1 (en) * 2020-11-18 2022-05-27 Psa Automobiles Sa Cladding device for a motor vehicle
WO2023209168A1 (en) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-02 Valeo Vision Removable lighting assembly
FR3135030A1 (en) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-03 Valeo Vision DEMOUNTABLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY
FR3135129A1 (en) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-03 Valeo Vision DEMOUNTABLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY

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