MXPA00002421A - Optics for separation of high and low intensity light - Google Patents

Abstract

A separation optics structure (10) comprising a transparent unitary body portion extending between a first wide end (23) and a second distal end (25) defines a wedge-shaped structure. The body portion (14) includes a front portion defining a generally planar front illumination surface (22), a back portion (12) having a plurality of beveled redirecting facets (20) spaced apart by intermediate areas (18), and a plurality of optics elements (60) disposed within the intermediate areas (18). A first light source (26) is coupled at the wide end (23) to transmitted light longitudinally through the body portion toward the redirecting facets (20). The redirecting facets (20) having reflective surfaces (30) transverse to the planar front illumination surface (22) to reflect and scatter the light (28) toward the front surface in a relatively low intensity light distribution. A second light source (34) is coupled adjacent the back portion (12) behind the intermediate areas (18). The optics elements (60) transmit the light (38) directly through the intermediate areas (18) toward the front surface (14) in a relative high intensity light distribution. The optics elements (60) may also include concave, convex and/or facet for shaping the direct light toward the front illumination surface (22).

Description

OPTICAL SEPARATION OF HIGH AND LOW INTENSITY LIGHT The subject invention relates to a structure for optical separation for the separation and distribution of high and low intensity light in a lighting surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional light management systems for headlights, sidelights, and tail lights typically include a filament bulb inserted in the box of a reflector behind a lens cover. The light emitted from the bulb filament is reflected from the reflector box outward through the lens cover to form a flat light beam or image. The lens cover configures the light in the desired pattern, that is, it focuses the beam of the headlights, shapes the pattern of lights and rear signal. However, the conventional bulb and the light reflector systems are disadvantageous in terms of stylization and size flexibility. The bulb and the reflector require a significant depth and width to achieve the focus and desired dispersion through the lens, therefore limiting the ability to improve the efficiency and shape the lighting system.

REF .: 32845 Other systems have been developed to provide alternatives to the conventional bulb filament and the reflector system using a light tube and a collimator to direct the light to a reflection emitter having a plurality of facets to redirect the light in the trajectory and desired pattern. These systems are exemplified in U.S. Patents 5,434,754 to Li et al., Published July 18, 1995 and 5,197,792 to Jiao et al., Exceeded on March 30, 1993.

However, these alternatives are deficient in the separation of high and low intensities of light through the lenses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The subject invention is an optical separation structure comprising a transparent unitary body extending between a first end and a second end. The body portion has a front portion defining a front illumination surface, a back portion that includes a plurality of beveled redirection facets separated by intermediate areas, and an optical element with at least one of the intermediate areas. The facets direct and scatter the light received from one of the first and second ends toward the front illumination surface and the optical element transmits the light received from the intermediate area directly towards the frontal illumination surface.

The facets redirect light through the portion of the body towards the frontal illumination surface causing a low intensity of the light distribution while the optical element transmits the light directing it to the frontal surface of lighting causing a high light distribution. intensity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated when they are understood by reference to the following description and when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rear part of a structure for optical separation according to the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial view of the cross section of a structure for optical separation according to the principles of the present invention seen in the direction "II-II" in Figure 1 shown with orthogonal light sources, - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of one aspect of the optical separation structure, including a series of beveled redirect facets and a plurality of concave direct transmission intermediate potions, - Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an aspect of an optical separation structure, including a series of beveled facets of redirection and a plurality of convex intermediate portions of direct transmission; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of one aspect of an optical separation structure, including a series of beveled facets of redirection and a plurality of convex-concave intermediate portions of direct transmission.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an aspect of an optical separation structure, including a series of beveled facets of redirection and a plurality of intermediate direct-drive Fresnel portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, an optical separation structure, generally indicated as 10, is illustrated in Figure 1, concealing the principles of the present invention. The optical separation structure 10 comprises a transparent unitary body portion extending between a first broad end 23 and a second remote end 25. The body portion includes a rear portion 12 having a plurality of redirect facets 20 and intermediate areas 18 formed therein and a front portion 14 having a front lighting surface 22. The optical structure 10 separates light emitted from orthogonally directed light sources, represented schematically by the arrows "A" and "B", in light of relatively low intensity reflected outside the redirect facets 20 and across the front surface 22 and relatively high intensity light transmitted directly through the front surface 22 of the structure 10 in the intermediate areas 18.

The optical separation structure 10 is preferably molded by injection of a transparent plastic. The totality of the height, length, and thickness of the optical separation structure is variable depending on the design of the lighting requirements and / or the restrictions in the packaging of the lighting systems.

As shown more particularly in Figure 1, the rear portion 12 of the optical structure 10 includes a plurality of beveled redirect facets 20 with intermediate areas 18 disposed between adjacent facets 20. The front portion 14 includes a front lighting surface 22 which is preferably planar and may also include a lens cover 24 disposed directly on the front surface 22. Extending from left to right in Figure 1, the thickness of the optical structure 10 defined between the front surface 22 and the rear portion 12 is progressively smaller. That is, the intermediate areas 18 extend from a leading edge of a facet 20 to an exit edge of an adjacent facet 20 to define a wedge-shaped body portion extending longitudinally of the first broad end 23 to the second remote end. 25 The basic operation of the optical structure 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. A light source, such as a light emitting diode ("LED") or other conventional light source, is coupled at the wide end of the structure of the light source. optical separation 10 so that the light 28 emitted from the source 26 is transmitted substantially longitudinally through the optical structure 10 towards the redirect facets 20. The transmitted light passes longitudinally through the optical structure 10 essentially without obstruction until contacting a redirect facet 20. The redirect facets 20 define interior reflection surfaces 30 to incite light therein such that the longitudinally transmitted light 28 encountering a redirect facet 20 is reflected off the reflection surface 30 and is redirected transversely to and through the front illumination surface 22 of the optical separation structure 10.

Therefore, the light 28 emitted by a source 26 mounted on an edge is redirected by a plurality of facets 20 and is thus emitted from the front surface 22 of the optical structure 20 over a relatively large area. Because the light 28 is scattered by the plurality of facets 20, the resulting light emitted from the front surface 22 effects a light distribution of relatively low intensity.

The reflection surfaces 30 of the redirection facets 20 preferably reflect incident light by internal total reflection. Alternatively, or, in addition, the redirect facets 20 may be covered with a reflection cover, such as an aluminum cover deposited under vacuum, to enhance the reflection properties of the facet.

The redirection facets 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprise uniformly spaced parallel facets of uniform angular size and orientation extending continuously from the upper to the lower part along the rear portion 12 of the optical separation structure 10. The redirection facets may, however, be of various sizes and angular orientations, may not be mutually parallel or uniformly spaced, or may not extend continuously along the rear portion of the optical structure. Some facets may be covered with reflection coverage and others may not. The size, orientation, etc., of the facets can be varied to make the optical separation structure achieve the desired lighting objectives more efficiently.

The light source 26 may be coupled with the edge of the optical separation structure 10 by means of the optical junction 32, such as Fresnel collimated lens elements and / or a light concentrating reflection cone, schematically shown as 33, as to condition that the light is directed inside the optical separation structure 10.

Another light source 34 can be placed behind the intermediate area 18 of the optical separation structure 10. The intermediate area 18, as defined by the dashed lines 36, represents the available surface areas for optical transmission, such as the elements 60 shown in Figure 1. It can be appreciated that additional sources of light can be mounted behind a multiplicity of intermediate areas 18 or that more than one light source can be placed between two adjacent facets of redirection.

The light emitted 38 by the light source 34 is transmitted directly through the intermediate area 18 of the optical separation structure 10. The optical treatments, such as a reflection cone schematically represented by 35 for concentration and focusing of the light , can be used in conjunction with the source 34. "> 5 Because a relatively small light scattering occurs in the intermediate area 18, the light 38 transmitted through the intermediate area 18 gives rise to illuminated regions of relatively bright and high intensity, viewed along the front surface 22 of the optical structure 10. These high intensity regions can be oriented and placed to create the desired surface light patterns, such as designs, logos, ad text, or signs of high and follow and / or directional signs for car signal lamps.

As noted, a cover element 24 can be disposed on the front surface 22. The cover element 24 can comprise translucent colored lenses to produce a colored light output from the optical structure 10. The lens cover 24 can also include diffusive elements to disperse plus the light transmitted through the front surface 22, as shown at 25, thereby providing a large effective area illuminated.

The optical elements 60 on the intermediate areas 18 can be configured in several different ways or in various combinations in order to produce the desired high intensity effects. More specifically, and as shown in Figures 3-6, the intermediate areas 18, as part of the optical separation structure 10, may be of concave, convex, Fresnel or holographic optics, or any combination thereof. The type of optical treatment provided in the intermediate areas affects the specific transmission of high intensity light 38 through the intermediate areas 18 of the optical structure 10, thus making possible a variety of visible patterns.

As shown in Figure 3, the rear portion 320 of the optical separation structure 310 includes a series of concave surfaces 40 disposed between the adjacent beveled redirect facets 20. The concave surfaces 40 will cause the light transmitted there to propagate while It is transmitted.

The concave surfaces 40 may consist of discrete circular concave lens elements, or may comprise an elongated arcuate surface representing a sector to a cylindrical surface. In addition, the radius of the curvature of the surface 40 can be adjusted to meet emission distribution and light intensity requirements.

As shown in Figure 4, the rear portion 412 of the optical separation structure 410 may comprise a plurality of convex surfaces 41 disposed between the adjacent redirect facets 20. The convex surfaces 41 may result in the light transmitted therein being focus while it is transmitted.

Again, the convex surfaces 41 may consist of discrete circular convex lens elements or may comprise an elongated arcuate surface representing a sector of a cylindrical surface. In addition, the radius of the curvature of the surface 41 can be adjusted to meet emission distribution and light intensity requirements.

As shown in Figure 5, the rear portion 512 of the optical separation structure 510 may comprise a plurality of direct transmission optical surfaces defined by combinations of convex surfaces 42 and concave surfaces 44 disposed between the adjacent redirect facets 20. In the aspect shown in Figure 5, the concave surfaces 44 are arranged centrally on the convex surfaces 42, and each concave surface 44 has a smaller diameter of curvature than the convex surface 42 in which it is superimposed.

Concave and convex surfaces can be interchanged, if desired lighting patterns require it. That is, a convex surface of a relatively small radius can be arranged on a concave surface of greater radius of curvature. In addition, two or more concave surfaces 44 may be combined with the simple convex surface 42 (or two or more convex surfaces may be combined with a simple concave surface).

The concave surface 44 scatters the light transmitted through it, and the surface 42 focuses the light transmitted therein.

The concave surface 44 and the convex surface 42 may comprise discrete circular lens elements or may comprise elongated arcuate surfaces representing the sectors of the cylindrical surfaces.

As shown in Figure 6, the rear portion 612 of the optical separation structure 610 may comprise a plurality of direct transmission Fresnel surfaces 46 disposed between the adjacent redirect facets 20. Each Fresnel surface 46 comprises a plurality of facets that can be rotate about a common axis, i.e., the optical axis of the surface, or may comprise parallel linear facets that extend through the intermediate area between the redirect facets 20.

The invention has been described in an illustrative form, and it should be understood that the terminology that has been employed is intended to be in the sense of description rather than limitation.

It can now be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in view of the above description. Therefore, it should be understood that according to the scope of the claims, the invention may be practiced differently than as specifically described.

It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS An optical separation structure comprising a transparent unitary body portion extending between the first and second ends, said body portion having a front portion defining a front illumination surface, a back portion including a plurality of redirect facets bevels separated by intermediate areas, and an optical element disposed in at least one of said intermediate areas, characterized in that said facets redirect and scatter the light received from one of said first and second end toward said illumination surface and said optical element directs the light received from said intermediate area directly towards said front lighting surface. An optical separation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a plurality of optical elements arranged in each of said intermediate areas to direct the light to said frontal illumination surface. An optical separation structure according to claim 2 characterized in that said front illumination surface is generally planar, said intermediate areas are generally spaced parallel to said frontal flat surface of illumination and said redirection facets spaced from one another by said areas and having a reflection surface generally transverse to said front surface and said intermediate areas. An optical separation structure according to claim 3 characterized in that said intermediate areas extend from a leading edge of one of said facets to an exit edge of said adjacent facets defining a longitudinally extending wedge-shaped body portion of a first wide end to a second far end. An optical separation structure according to claim 4 characterized in that said front illumination surface includes a covered lens for shaping the directed light from said facets and said optical elements in a predetermined pattern. An optical separation structure according to claim 4 characterized in that said redirection facets include an aluminum cover deposited under vacuum. An optical separation structure according to claim 4 characterized in that said optical elements include a concave surface extending between said adjacent redirection facets. An optical separation structure according to claim 4 characterized in that said optical elements include a convex surface extending between said redirection facets. An optical separation structure according to claim 4 characterized in that said elements include a convex surface portion and a concave surface portion extending between said redirect facets. An optical separation structure according to claim 4 characterized in that said optical elements include a plurality of facets disposed transverse to said frontal flat surface of illumination between said adjacent redirect facets. OPTICAL SEPARATION OF HIGH AND LOW INTENSITY LIGHT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An optical separation structure (10) comprising a transparent unitary body portion extending between a first wide end (23) and a second remote end (25) define a wedge-shaped structure. The portion of the body (14) includes a frontal portion defining a generally flat front illumination surface (22), a rear portion (12) having a plurality of beveled redirect facets (20) spaced apart by intermediate areas. (18), and a plurality of optical elements (60) arranged in the intermediate areas 18). A first light source (26) is placed on the cyclic extremity (23) to transmit light longitudinally through the body portion toward the facets of the reci- tive network (20). The redirect facets (20) have reflection surfaces (30) transverse to the front flat surface d illumination (22) to reflect and disperse the light, 28 to the frontal area in a relatively low intensity light distribution. A second light source (34) was placed adjacent the rear portion (12) behind the intermediate areas (18). The optical elements (60) transmit the light (38) directly through the intermediate areas (18) the front surface (14) was born in a lu distribution of relatively high intensity. The optical elements (60) may also include concave, convex and / or facet shapes to direct light towards the front surface and illumination (22).