Patent Application
20190078753
Motor vehicles contain numerous lighting devices for both interior and exterior illumination. For example, exterior vehicle lighting devices may perform stop lamp functions, tail lamp functions, headlamp functions, signaling, parking, and fog lamp functions.
It is prudent for vehicle manufacturers to design vehicle lighting devices which meet the technical requirements of various standards around the world and in particular, in their associated marketing regions. In recent years, vehicle lighting has also become important for its aesthetic appeal to consumers. Thus, vehicle manufacturers have made an effort to design vehicle lighting devices in consideration of the styling of the vehicle on which the lighting devices are mounted. Further, vehicle manufacturers can provide optional lighting effects (in addition to the required lighting functionality) to enhance a vehicle's illumination performance and styling.
It may be technically challenging to provide aesthetically appealing vehicle lighting devices while also meeting the necessary cost, technology, and regulatory requirements. For example, it may be difficult to center the maximum region of a light distribution about an intended center of light distribution.
The “background” description provided hers in is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as conventional art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as conventional art against the present disclosure.
Embodiments described herein include the following aspects.
(1) A light module includes a plurality of optic fibers configured as an optic fiber panel, wherein a mounting axis is positioned parallel to the optic fiber panel, a normal axis is positioned perpendicular to the optic liber panel, a light axis is positioned in line with a targeted light transmission direction, and a material bias axis representing an actual light transmission direction is positioned a predetermined radial amount from the normal axis; and a first light source coupled to a first end of the optic fiber panel, wherein a direction and power of transmitted light rays from the first light source through the optic fiber panel are adjustable to align the material bias axis with the light axis.
(2) The light module of (1), wherein the material bias axis comprises a primary light transmission axis about which the transmitted light rays are centered.
(3) The light module of either one of (1) or (2), w herein the material bias axis is positioned the predetermined radial amount front the normal axis in a first direction when the light rays are transmitted through the optic fiber panel in the first direction, and the material bias axis is positioned the predetermined radial amount from the normal axis in a second direction when the light rays are transmitted through the optic fiber panel in the second direction.
(4) The light module of any one of (1) through (3), further includes a second light source coupled to a second end of the optic fiber panel.
(5) The light module of any one of (1) through (4), wherein a position of the material bias axis is adjusted via one or more adjustments to a power level of the first light source and to a power level of the second light source.
(6) The light module of any one of (1) through (5), wherein a maximum region of illumination of the light module approaches a central targeted region when the material bias axis approaches the light axis.
(7) The light module of any one of (1) through (6), wherein a position of the material bias axis is determined by aberrations within the optic liber panel or a geometry of the optic fiber panel.
(8) The light module of any one of (1) through (7), wherein a position of the material bias axis is determined by a number of light sources.
(9) The light module of any one of (1) through (8), wherein a position of the material bias axis is determined by a mounting angle of the light module.
(10) A method of aligning a transmitted light, including transmitting light rays from a first light source through an optic fiber panel, wherein the first light source is coupled to a first end of the optic fiber panel; emanating the light rays from the optic fiber panel along a material bias axis, wherein the material bias axis represents an actual light transmission direction and is positioned a predetermined radial amount from an axis normal to a mounting axis of the optic fiber panel; and adjusting a position of the material bias axis to align with a light axis positioned in line with a targeted light transmission direction.
(11) The method of aligning a transmitted light of (10), further including transmitting the light rays through the optic fiber panel in a first direction; and adjusting the position of the material bias axis by the predetermined radial amount in the first direction.
(12) The method of aligning a transmitted light of either one of (10) or (11), further including transmitting the light rays through the optic fiber panel in a second direction, via a second light source coupled to a second end of the optic fiber panel; and adjusting the position of the material bias axis by the predetermined radial amount in the second direction.
(13) The method of aligning a transmitted light of any one of (10) through (12), further including transmitting the light rays through the optic fiber panel in the first direction via the first light source and in the second direction via the second light source; and adjusting a power level of one or more of the first light source and the second light source to align the position of the material bias axis with the light axis.
(14) The method of aligning a transmitted light of any one of (10) through (13), further including adjusting the position of the material bias axis via adjusting a power level of the first light source or adjusting a power level of the second light source.
(15) The method of aligning a transmitted light of any one of (10) through (14), further including adjusting the position of the material bias axis via adjusting aberrations within the optic fiber panel or adjusting a geometry of the optic fiber panel.
(16) The method of aligning a transmitted light of any one of (10) through (15), further including adjusting the position of the material bias axis via adjusting a number of light sources.
(17) The method of aligning a transmitted light of any one of (10) through (16), further including adjusting the position of the material bias axis via adjusting a mounting angle of the light module.
(18) The method of aligning a transmitted light of any one of (10) through (17), wherein the material bias axis comprises a primary light transmission axis about which the transmitted light rays are centered.
(19) A product formed by any one of (10) through (18).
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof w ill be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following descriptions are meant to further clarify the present disclosure by giving specific examples and embodiments of the disclosure. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. The full scope of the disclosure is not limited to any particular embodiment disclosed in the specification, but rather is defined by the claims.
In the interest of clarity, not all of the features of the implementations described herein are shown and described in detail. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another.
Embodiments described herein provide lighting modules having one or more solid state light sources. As used herein, a solid state light source refers to a type of light source using an electroluminescence phenomenon in which a material emits light in response to passage of an electric current or in response to a strong electric field. Examples of light sources include, but are not limited to semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), and monolithic light-emitting diodes (MLEDs). Lighting modules described herein can also include one or more bulb sources, such as a halogen light source or a high intensity discharge (HID) light source.
Most states, countries, or regions winch utilize motor vehicles have various requirements and standards that a vehicle must adhere to in order to legally use roadways. For example, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 specifies various maximum and minimum photometric intensity values (based on angle) for headlamps on vehicles operated within the Unites States. In addition to these requirements, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United Stales has its own set of tests and ratings (Headlight Test and Rating Protocol) for headlamp performance. The IIHS tests and ratings seek to encourage manufacturers to improve the illumination performance in actual on-road use. IIHS evaluations have shown that the on-road illumination provided by vehicle headlamps varies widely. In addition, IIHS has rated the majority of headlamps in a poor category (e.g. insufficient illumination, excessive glare, etc.).
Point 305 in
In
In
A light axis 730 is a vertical axis with respect to a targeted light emission direction. The light axis 730 represents the desired direction in which light is transmitted from an automotive lamp. A normal axis 740 is perpendicular to the mounting axis 710. An angle between the light axis 730 and the normal axis 740 is equal to the mounting angle 720. When the mounting axis 710 is completely horizontal, the normal axis 740 is aligned with the light axis 730.
A first light source direction 750 is illustrated as being transmitted from a light source towards the left in
In
In one embodiment, abrasions or other aberrations within the optic fiber panel 510 or 610 can be adjusted to obtain a variation in the radial angle of the material bias axis 760 with respect to the normal axis 740. For example, shallower abrasions may increase the radial angle of the material bias axis 760 with respect to the normal axis 740, while deeper abrasions may decrease the radial angle of the material bias axis 760 with respect to the normal axis 740.
A light axis 830 is a vertical axis with respect to a targeted light emission direction. The light axis 830 represents the desired direction in which light is transmitted from an automotive lamp. A normal axis 840 is perpendicular to the mounting axis 810. An angle between the light axis 830 and the normal axis 840 is equal to the mounting angle 820. When the mounting axis 810 is completely horizontal, the normal axis 840 is aligned with the light axis 830.
A second light source direction 850 is illustrated as being transmitted from a light source towards the right in
In
A power level of the light source can also be adjusted to align the material bias axis 860 closer to or in alignment with the light axis 830. In
In
A first material bias axis 1050 is positioned a predetermined radial amount from the light axis 1040 by a first radial angle 1060. Light rays from the first light source 1020 are transmitted to the left in
A second material bias axis 1070 is positioned a predetermined radial amount from the light axis 1040 by a second radial angle 1080. Light rays from the second light source 1030 are transmitted to the right in
The positions of the first material bias axis 1050 and the second material bias axis 1070 are adjusted such that the first radial angle 1060 is equal to the second radial angle 1080 to produce a region of maximum intensity centered about the light axis 1040. Stated another way, the first material bias axis 1050 and the second material bias axis 1070 are positioned a same predetermined radial amount and in opposite radial directions from the light axis 1040. In another embodiment, when the first radial angle 1060 is not equal to the second radial angle 1080, i.e. a position of the first material bias axis 1050 is not equal to and symmetrical with a position of the second material bias axis 1070, a power level of either or both of the first light source 1020 and the second light source 1030 can be adjusted, such that the first radial angle 1060 is equal to the second radial angle 1080. As a result, the net light distribution from both light sources aligns with the light axis 1040.
A second set of light sources includes a left first light source 1130 and a right second light source 1140. The left first light source 1130 creates a material bias axis 1135 positioned a predetermined radial amount to the right of a light axis 1138. The light axis 1138 is a vertical axis with respect to a targeted light emission direction. The right second light source 1140 creates a material bias axis 1145 positioned a predetermined radial amount to the left of light axis 1138.
Hybrid fiber optic panel 1105 includes a first fiber optic panel for the first set of light sources and a second fiber optic panel for the second set of light sources. In one embodiment, the hybrid fiber optic panel 1105 includes a separate layer for each set of light sources. For example, the first fiber optic panel with the top first light source 1110 and the bottom second light source 1120 are positioned at a first layer, and the second fiber optic panel with the left first light source 1130 and the right second light source 1140 are positioned at a second layer. The first layer could be positioned either above or below the second layer, and the second layer could be positioned either above or below the first layer.
Light module 1100 provides a combination of two sets of light sources in perpendicularity. This provides full mobility in all directions. In one embodiment, the light module 1100 can be used for interior lighting of an automobile in which light transmission may be desired in multiple directions. For example, an automotive interior light can provide light in a direction towards various console controls, and also provide light in another direction towards a passenger seat. A dome light could also be implemented light module 1100 in which light is directed in multiple directions.
It should be noted that while
In step 1320, the light rays are emanated from the optic fiber panel along a material bias axis. The material bias axis is positioned a predetermined radial amount from an axis normal to a mounting axis of the optic fiber panel.
In step 1330, a position of the material bias axis is adjusted to align with a light axis positioned in line with a targeted light transmission direction. The material bias axis can be adjusted in multiple ways, such as adjusting a number of light sources, adjusting a direction of light transmission from one or more light sources, adjusting a power level of one or more light sources, and adjusting a mounting angle of the optic fiber panel.
Embodiments described herein provide several advantages. Light transmitted from the optic fiber panel can be redirected to achieve a maximum light intensity at the centroid of the intended direction. Variable features include the direction of a light source transmission through the optic fiber panel, using multiple light sources with variable power levels, and adjusting a mounting angle of the fiber optic panel. These advantages provide several avenues to adjust the direction of light transmission without changing the geometry of the lamp.
Embodiments described herein can be implemented in automotive lamps, such as front and rear signaling or front and rear lamps. In addition, embodiments can also be implemented in interior automotive lighting, as described herein.
While certain embodiments have been describe herein, these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Using the teachings in this disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in the art can modify and adapt the disclosure in various ways, making omissions, substitutions, and/or changes in the form of the embodiments described herein, without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications, as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
