WO2003081300A1 - Conduit optique acrylique d'une diode electroluminescente - Google Patents

Conduit optique acrylique d'une diode electroluminescente Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003081300A1
WO2003081300A1 PCT/US2002/007929 US0207929W WO03081300A1 WO 2003081300 A1 WO2003081300 A1 WO 2003081300A1 US 0207929 W US0207929 W US 0207929W WO 03081300 A1 WO03081300 A1 WO 03081300A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
lighting assembly
conduit
light dispersing
led
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/007929
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William J. Grothe
Jianli Ren
Paul E. Robbins
Peter Mcnicol
Original Assignee
Lumenyte International Corporation
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 Lumenyte International Corporation filed Critical Lumenyte International Corporation
Priority to AU2002252362A priority Critical patent/AU2002252362A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2002/007929 priority patent/WO2003081300A1/fr
Publication of WO2003081300A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003081300A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4298—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers
    • 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
    • B60Q1/32—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 vehicle sides, e.g. clearance lights
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to improvements in the field of fiber optic accessory lighting in which the appearance and visibility of light emitted along a length of linear acrylic fiber optical conduit, illuminated by an LED light source, is rendered more uniform and well defined.
  • Lighting assemblies for vehicle exterior accent lighting typically employ standard incandescent bulbs or soft fiber optic conduits illuminated by a variety of light sources.
  • Incandescent bulbs typically have a relatively limited service life and therefore require more frequent maintenance than longer lived light sources such as LED's.
  • fiber optic conduits typically have "notches” cut into the conduit, which "notches” serve to reflect light from the light source through the side of the conduit opposite the "notch.” The resulting lighting typically has a "beaded” appearance, and the intensity of the light emanating from the fiber optic conduit tends to diminish rapidly outside a relatively narrow angular field of view.
  • the present invention is directed to solving these problems by providing a long lived relatively high intensity LED light source, together with a hard acrylic optical conduit in which is embedded light dispersing elements which provide a linear rather than "beaded” visual appearance in which the light intensity does not vary perceptibly with the angle of view.
  • the present invention improves the appearance and visibility of light emitted from a linear optical conduit accessory lighting assembly illuminated by an LED used as accent lighting mounted on the exterior body panels of vehicles.
  • a hard acrylic optical conduit containing an array of longitudinal light dispersing elements is placed within a transparent acrylic lens assembly adapted to receive and precisely position an LED light source.
  • the lens assembly in turn is mounted within a cover having an opening conformed to the size and shape of the lens assembly through which a portion of the lens assembly containing the optical conduit projects.
  • the acrylic optical conduit When illuminated by the LED light source, the acrylic optical conduit emits light along its length with contrastingly bright lines of light from each internal light dispersing element.
  • a reflective coating or layer applied to the end of the optical conduit distal from the LED light source, or a mirror positioned proximate to said distal end functions to reflect light back along the optical conduit to increase the intensity and uniformity of the light emitted along the length of the optical conduit.
  • an LED light source may be used at both ends of the acrylic optical conduit to further enhance the intensity and uniformity of the light emitted.
  • the preferred light source is a recently developed relatively powerful LED, such as those manufactured by Hewlett- Packard, Everlight or Nichia.
  • the Nichia High Power NSPW 500 BS is the most preferred LED for use in any present invention.
  • Various cross-sectional shapes for the pattern of light dispersing elements within the conduit may be used.
  • a plurality of light dispersing elements arrayed in a circular cross-section pattern is preferred.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the LED acrylic optical conduit assembly.
  • Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the Figure 1 assembly disassembled.
  • Figure 3 is a top, partially disassembled perspective view of a portion of the lens and LED assemblies of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through the Figure 1 assembly of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention in the plane of the LED receptacle.
  • FIG 1 is a perspective view of the LED acrylic conduit assembly 10 fully assembled.
  • the cover 20 of assembly 10 includes top end portion 28 and bottom end portion 26 having similar and generally uniform radii of curvature in planes orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of cover 20.
  • Cover 20 has a generally crescent shaped cross section, as shown in Figure 5.
  • Disposed in cover 20 at the apex of its crescent shaped cross section is a longitudinal cover opening 22 which extends along the longitudinal axis of cover 20.
  • longitudinal cover opening 22 is disposed centered midway between bottom end 26 and top end 28 of cover 20.
  • Perimeter wall 24 is formed around the perimeter of longitudinal cover opening 22.
  • cover 20 is fabricated of moldable polymeric material, although other materials having equivalent or greater rigidity and strength may be used.
  • lens 32 is fabricated of transparent polymeric material.
  • lens 32 is fabricated of Mitsubishi IR-D-70 acrylic or its equivalent.
  • Lens 32 is adapted to snugly friction fit within longitudinal cover opening 22.
  • Lens 32 includes longitudinal lens cavity 64 adapted to receive optical conduit 40.
  • Lens flange 34 and 35 extend longitudinally along lens cavity 64.
  • front surface 46 of base 44 includes a base cavity 66 adapted to conform with the size and shape of lens 32 including lens flanges 34 and 35.
  • lens 32 includes LED positioning receptacle
  • LED 58 is positioned in LED positioning cavity 38 of positioning receptacle 36.
  • LED 58 and LED associated circuitry 60 is positioned on front surface 46 of base 44 near the top end 62 of base 44.
  • Base 44 includes mounting collars 50 and 54 which surround mounting holes 52 and 56, respectively.
  • the conduit assembly 10 is mounted to a substrate surface by means of screws or other mechanical fasteners through mounting holes
  • optical conduit 40 is adapted to snugly friction fit at the full depth of lens cavity 64. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that acrylic optical conduit 40 may also be maintained in position in lens cavity 64 by means of projections from the surface of lens cavity 64 or by means of other mechanical fasteners or heat or chemical bonding.
  • Acrylic optical conduit 40 includes one or more light dispersing elements 42 arrayed in a predetermined pattern within the matrix of optical conduit 40. Light dispersing elements 42 extend along the length or longitudinal axis of conduit 40. In a first preferred embodiment, 15 light dispersing elements 42 are arrayed in a radially symmetric circular pattern centered upon the central longitudinal axis of conduit 40. Each light dispersing element 42 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of conduit 40.
  • each light dispersing element 42 has an elliptical cross section as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of conduit 40.
  • the minor axis of the elliptical cross section of each light dispersing element 42 is aligned with a radial extending orthogonally from the central longitudinal axis of conduit 40.
  • the number of light dispersing elements 42 included within optical conduit 40 may be varied, as may the patterns in which the light dispersing elements 42 are arrayed. It will similarly be understood by one skilled in the art that the size and cross-sectional shape of each light dispersing element 42 may also be varied.
  • base 44 is adapted to the size and shape of cover 20 such that cover 20 containing lens 32 and optical conduit 44 snugly friction fits over base 44.
  • Cover 20, lens 32 and optical conduit 40 are removably affixed to base 44 by coupling between cover tab 82 (not shown) and base groove 84 (not shown), positioned within the top end 28 of cover 20 and top end 62 of base 44, respectively.
  • the cover 20 containing lens 32 and acrylic optical conduit 40 is further removably affixed to base 44 by means of screw 86 (not shown) inserted through cover screw opening 30 in bottom end 26 of cover 20 to engage base assembly screw receptacle 48.
  • Cavity 78 of cover 20 is adapted to receive LED positioning receptacle 36 of lens 32, upon assembly of lens 32 and cover 20.
  • LED 58 When assembled, LED 58 is positioned within LED positioning cavity 38 of lens 32 such that LED 58 is adjacent acrylic optical conduit 40 and emits light into conduit 40 when powered on by an external power supply.
  • lower surface 72 of perimeter wall 24 of cover opening 22 contacts and applied compression force to upper surface 70 of flanges 34 and 35 of lens 32 which serves to maintain a seal between lens 32 and base 44.
  • LED acrylic conduit assembly 10 includes mounting gasket 74 adapted to the size and shape of base 44.
  • Mounting gasket 74 is affixed to base 44 and cover 20 by conventional adhesive suitable for use in an outdoor environment.
  • Mounting gasket 74 includes gasket mounting holes 88 and 90 (not shown) which align with mounting holes 52 and 56, respectively of base 44.
  • the mounting gasket 74 includes gasket slot 76 which extends longitudinally a predetermined distance. Gasket slot 76 provides a channel for electrical wiring extending from the substrate surface to the LED circuitry 60 through wiring opening 92 (not shown) in base 44.
  • the present invention is affixed in a generally vertical orientation to the exterior of a vehicle to provide pleasant and attractive accent lighting.
  • a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is described by reference to Figures 1 and 2.
  • a reflective layer 94 (not shown) is applied to the distal end 100 of optical conduit 40.
  • a mirror 96 (not shown) is positioned proximate to distal end 100 of optical conduit 40. Reflective layer 94 or mirror 96 function to reflect light reaching the distal end 100 of conduit 40 from LED 58 back into conduit 40 to enhance uniformity and intensity of illumination emitting from conduit assembly 10.
  • a third preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporates two LED light sources positioned at opposite ends conduit 40.
  • the opposite ends of lens 32 are symmetric and each such end includes an LED positioning receptacle 36 and LED positioning cavity 38 together with light attenuating elements 80.
  • cover 20 includes cavity 78 near each end of cover opening 22 to accept LED positioning receptacles 36.
  • a base 44 includes an LED 58 and LED circuitry 60 adjacent to mounting collar 50 in similar configuration, including wiring opening 92, as is shown with respect to mounting collar 54 in Figure 3.
  • gasket slot 76 extends between and joins gasket mounting holes 88 and 90 (not shown).
  • the two LED light sources 58 of the third preferred embodiment function to provide increased intensity and uniformity of illumination emitting from LED acrylic conduit assembly 10.
  • lens 32 and optical conduit 40 may be formed as a single integrated structure. However, for ease and economy in manufacture, an assembly of separate components is preferred.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un ensemble d'éclairage extérieur de véhicule comprenant un conduit optique acrylique dans lequel des éléments dispersant la lumière sont disposés en jeux ordonnés. Lorsque ces éléments dispersant la lumière sont éclairés par une source électroluminescente, ils produisent un éclairage d'accentuation uniforme, bien défini et attrayant. Cet ensemble d'éclairage comprend un conduit optique acrylique contenu dans un ensemble qui positionne le dispositif électroluminescent de façon qu'il éclaire efficacement le conduit optique et qui constitue un ensemble qui empêche l'entrée de débris et d'humidité excessive.
PCT/US2002/007929 2002-03-16 2002-03-16 Conduit optique acrylique d'une diode electroluminescente WO2003081300A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002252362A AU2002252362A1 (en) 2002-03-16 2002-03-16 Led acrylic conduit
PCT/US2002/007929 WO2003081300A1 (fr) 2002-03-16 2002-03-16 Conduit optique acrylique d'une diode electroluminescente

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2002/007929 WO2003081300A1 (fr) 2002-03-16 2002-03-16 Conduit optique acrylique d'une diode electroluminescente

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003081300A1 true WO2003081300A1 (fr) 2003-10-02

Family

ID=28452130

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/007929 WO2003081300A1 (fr) 2002-03-16 2002-03-16 Conduit optique acrylique d'une diode electroluminescente

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002252362A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003081300A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9254785B2 (en) 2013-02-14 2016-02-09 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Extruded light pipe carrier

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4763984A (en) * 1987-01-02 1988-08-16 Awai George K Lighting apparatus and method
US5122933A (en) * 1991-02-11 1992-06-16 Johnson Glenn M Perimeter message and clearance lighting for cargo vehicle container body
US5400225A (en) * 1993-10-06 1995-03-21 Currie; Joseph E. Optical fiber illumination device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4763984A (en) * 1987-01-02 1988-08-16 Awai George K Lighting apparatus and method
US5122933A (en) * 1991-02-11 1992-06-16 Johnson Glenn M Perimeter message and clearance lighting for cargo vehicle container body
US5400225A (en) * 1993-10-06 1995-03-21 Currie; Joseph E. Optical fiber illumination device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9254785B2 (en) 2013-02-14 2016-02-09 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Extruded light pipe carrier

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002252362A1 (en) 2003-10-08

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