Vehicle exterior lighting systems

A vehicle exterior lighting system includes, among other things, a lens assembly, a light diffusing fiber enclosed within the lens assembly, a light source connected to a first portion of the light diffusing fiber, and a prismatic device connected to a second portion of the light diffusing fiber.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to vehicle exterior lighting systems. An exemplary vehicle exterior lighting system includes a light diffusing glass fiber that can be illuminated for achieving both a parking light function and a side marker light function at the vehicle exterior.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle exterior lighting systems include a multitude of lighting and signaling devices for illuminating the vehicle and alerting other drivers/pedestrians to both the vehicle's presence and to the driving intentions of the vehicle. These lighting systems are typically required to include parking lights and side marker lights. The parking lights mark the position of the vehicle to the front and rear of the vehicle, whereas the side marker lights indicate the position of the vehicle to the sides of the vehicle. The functions of the parking lights and the side marker lights are most commonly achieved using some combination of lightbulbs and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

SUMMARY

A vehicle exterior lighting system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a lens assembly, a light diffusing fiber enclosed within the lens assembly, a light source connected to a first portion of the light diffusing fiber, and a prismatic device connected to a second portion of the light diffusing fiber.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting system, the lens assembly includes a first lens section and a second lens section.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, at least a portion of each of the first lens section and the second lens section is clear or translucent.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light diffusing fiber is trapped between the first lens section and the second lens section.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light diffusing fiber is received within a groove formed in one of the first lens section and the second lens section.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light source is adapted to illuminate the light diffusing fiber for simultaneously creating both a parking light function and a side maker light function of the vehicle exterior lighting system.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light diffusing fiber establishes a geometric pattern within the lens assembly.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light diffusing fiber extends along a circuitous path inside the lens assembly.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light diffusing fiber includes a plurality of bends for establishing the circuitous path.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light source is a laser.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light source is a light emitting diode.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the prismatic part is embedded within the lens assembly.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the prismatic part is tinted.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the prismatic part includes a textured surface.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle exterior lighting systems, the light diffusing fiber is routed around a void space of the lens assembly to establish a geometry within the lens assembly.

A method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, illuminating a light diffusing fiber of a vehicle exterior lighting system to simultaneously create both a parking light function and a side maker light function at an exterior of the vehicle.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing methods, the method includes, prior to illuminating the light diffusing fiber, enclosing the light diffusing fiber within a lens assembly.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the foregoing methods, enclosing the light diffusing fiber includes positioning the light diffusing fiber at a geometric location of the lens assembly for achieving both the parking light function and the side marker light function.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, enclosing the light diffusing fiber includes arranging the light diffusing fiber to extend along a circuitous path.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the method includes redirecting the light emitted by the light diffusing fiber with a prismatic device to create the side marker light function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure details vehicle exterior lighting systems for illuminating a vehicle exterior and alerting others of the vehicle's presence. An exemplary vehicle lighting system includes a lens assembly, a light diffusing fiber positioned inside the lens assembly, a light source at a first end portion of the light diffusing fiber for illuminating the light diffusing fiber, and a prismatic device at a second end portion of the light diffusing fiber for projecting the light outwardly from the lens assembly. The light diffusing fiber may be illuminated to simultaneously achieve both a parking light function and a side marker function of the vehicle lighting system. These and other features of this disclosure are described in greater detail below.

FIG. 1illustrates a vehicle10including an exterior lighting system12. The vehicle10ofFIG. 1is depicted as a car in this non-limiting embodiment. However, trucks, vans, or any other automotive vehicles could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure. Moreover, although specific component relationships are illustrated in the figures of this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit this disclosure. In other words, the placement and orientation of the various components of the exterior lighting system12of the vehicle10are shown schematically and could vary within the scope of this disclosure.

The exterior lighting system12may include one or more lighting assemblies14F located at a front portion16of the vehicle10, and one or more lighting assemblies14R located at a rear portion18of the vehicle10. Each lighting assembly14F,14R of the exterior lighting system12may include a multitude of lamps and signaling devices for illuminating the vehicle10and alerting other drivers and/or pedestrians of the vehicle's10presence and to the driving intentions of the vehicle10. In an embodiment, each lighting assembly14F,14R is capable of achieving both a parking light function20and a side marker light function22of the exterior lighting system12. As shown schematically, for example, the parking light function20marks the position of the vehicle10to the front and rear of the vehicle10when the lighting assemblies14F,14R are illuminated, and the side marker light function22indicates the position of the vehicle10to the sides of the vehicle10when the lighting assemblies14F,14R are illuminated.

FIG. 2illustrates the lighting assembly14F ofFIG. 1in greater detail. The lighting assembly14F is located at the front portion16of the vehicle10and therefore may be referred to as a front lighting assembly of the exterior lighting system12.

In an embodiment, the lighting assembly14F includes a lens assembly24F and one or more light diffusing fibers26F housed within the lens assembly24F. The light diffusing fibers26F may be relatively thin, flexible glass optical fiber strands that are capable of emitting continuous, uniform light as that light travels through a core of the fiber.

The light diffusing fiber26F may be embedded or otherwise enclosed within the lens assembly24F to create a geometrical pattern28F that is unique to the design of the vehicle10. The specific geometrical pattern28F shown inFIG. 2is exemplary and not intended to limit this disclosure. The light diffusing fiber26F may then be illuminated to create a uniformly lit appearance at the front portion16of the vehicle10.

In an embodiment, the light diffusing fiber26F can be arranged within the lens assembly24F and illuminated to simultaneously create both the parking light function20and the side marker light function22. The light diffusing fiber26F may be illuminated in a first color, such as white or amber, to create the parking light function20and the side marker light function22at the front portion16of the vehicle10. The areas of the lighting assembly14F that may be illuminated using the light diffusing fiber(s)26F include to the right and left of headlights30and between the headlights30.

FIG. 3illustrates the lighting assembly14R ofFIG. 1in greater detail. The lighting assembly14R is located at the rear portion18of the vehicle10and therefore may be referred to as a rear lighting assembly of the exterior lighting system12.

The lighting assembly14R may include a lens assembly24R and one or more light diffusing fibers26R housed within the lens assembly24R. The light diffusing fibers26R may be embedded or otherwise enclosed within the lens assembly24R to create a geometrical pattern28R that is unique to the design of the vehicle10. The specific geometrical pattern28R shown inFIG. 3is exemplary and not intended to limit this disclosure. The light diffusing fiber26R may then be illuminated to create a uniformly lit appearance at the rear portion18of the vehicle10.

In an embodiment, the light diffusing fiber26R can be arranged within the lens assembly24R and illuminated to simultaneously create both the parking light function20and the side marker light function22. The light diffusing fiber26R may be illuminated in a second color, such as red, to create the parking light function20and the side marker light function22at the rear portion18of the vehicle10. The areas of the lighting assembly14R that may be illuminated using the light diffusing fiber(s)26R include to the right and left of taillights32and between the taillights32.

FIG. 4is an exploded view of an exemplary vehicle lighting assembly50. The vehicle lighting assembly50may be utilized as either a front lighting assembly (similar to that shown inFIG. 2) or a rear lighting assembly (similar to that shown inFIG. 3) of a vehicle, such as the vehicle10ofFIG. 1, for example.

The vehicle lighting assembly50includes a lens assembly52, a light diffusing fiber54, a light source56, and a prismatic device58. The light source56is connected at a first end portion60of the light diffusing fiber54, and the prismatic device58is connected at a second end portion62of the light diffusing fiber54. The light diffusing fiber54can be illuminated to simultaneously create both a parking light function and a side marker light function at a vehicle exterior that is equipped with the vehicle lighting assembly50.

The lens assembly52may include a first lens section64and a second lens section66. In an embodiment, the first lens section64and the second lens section66are made of plastic materials and are at least partially clear or translucent. This permits light from the light diffusing fiber54to emit through the lens assembly52. The size and shape of each lens section64,66is vehicle dependent and is not intended to limit this disclosure.

The light diffusing fiber54may be embedded or otherwise enclosed within the lens assembly52to create the unique effect of thin, precision lines that are suspended/floating in a medium. In an embodiment, the light diffusing fiber54is trapped between the first lens section64and the second lens section66. In another embodiment, the light diffusing fiber54is laminated between the first lens section64and the second lens section66. In yet another embodiment, one of the first and second lens sections64,66includes a groove68that receives the light diffusing fiber54(see, e.g.,FIG. 5). The other of the first and second lens sections64,66may then be attached to or injected over the lens section64,66that includes the groove68to encase the light diffusing fiber54within the lens assembly52.

In another embodiment, the light diffusing fiber54is positioned to take advantage of void spaces99of the first lens section64and the second lens section66. The light diffusing fiber54can be routed around these void spaces99to create a geometry unique to the vehicle10. The light diffusing fiber54can additionally be routed around and away from primary vehicle lighting elements (i.e., low beam, high beam, turn, stop, etc.) so as not to impede their functions.

The light diffusing fiber54is arranged in the correct geometric space of the lens assembly52for creating both the parking light and side marker light functions of an exterior lighting system. The light diffusing fiber54may be arranged to extend along a circuitous path70within the lens assembly52. A plurality of bends72may be formed in the light diffusing fiber54to create the circuitous path70.

Light generated by the light source56may travel through a core of the light diffusing fiber54for uniformly illuminating the light diffusing fiber54. In an embodiment, the light source56is a laser. In another embodiment, the light source56is an LED. Other light sources could also be utilized within the scope of this disclosure. The light source56may be mounted at any non-visual location of the vehicle lighting assembly50.

The prismatic device58may be embedded within the lens assembly52, such as between the first and second lens sections64,66. In an embodiment, the vehicle lighting assembly50includes at least two prismatic devices58for providing the side marker light function at both sides of the vehicle. The prismatic devices58may be arranged in the correct geometric spaces of the lens assembly52for creating the side marker light function, for example, within the outer peripheral regions76of each lens section64,66. In an embodiment, each prismatic device58is a plastic, prismatic part fitted to the second end portions62of the light diffusing fiber54for capturing the light that escapes from the second end portions62and directing the light for creating the side marker light function.

Referring now primarily toFIG. 6, the prismatic device58includes a geometry for redirecting the light L that exits from the light diffusing fiber54at an angle A that is necessary for achieving the side marker light function. The specific angle of the angle A is vehicle dependent and is not intended to limit this disclosure. In an embodiment, the prismatic device58includes a textured surface74which aids in projecting the light L from the prismatic device58.

The prismatic device58may additionally be adapted to alter a color of the light L emitted by the light diffusing fiber54. For example, the prismatic device58may be tinted (shown schematically at78) to alter the color of the light L that projects from the prismatic device58. In an embodiment, the light L from the light source56is white or amber and is changed to a different color, such as red, as the light L passes through the prismatic device58.