Patent Description:
It is known in the art to incorporate light blocking or filtering with a vehicle indicator or other lights. See, e.g., <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT> For example, the earlier Feger publication shows the use of an internal carrier disc that includes lenses intended to refract a maximum of the light emitted by the lamp through gaps created through opaque stripes. When the lamp is dark, the stripes create a diffuse effect, and the hue of the glass cover is reinforced by making it darker. The later Feger publication and the Duflos publication each disclose light filtering arrangements that take collimated light sources and then use optical elements to accomplish different objectives. <CIT> discloses a lighting system, particularly a vehicle taillight system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. This document shows the basic principle of such a system having a light source directed into a plurality of optical elements on a first side that faces the light source and an opaque or translucent covering on an opposite side, a plurality of apertures being formed in the opaque or translucent covering, and the plurality of optical elements being configured to direct light through each of the plurality of apertures, respectively. According to this document, the apertures can be configured to yield graphical presentations of different patterns, designs, logos, symbols, numbers, letters or surface effects or even photographic illustrations. <CIT> discloses a lighting system, particularly a vehicle taillight system also making use of the basic principle of focusing light by means of optical elements into apertures of an opaque covering. Similar solutions are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

The present invention provides a vehicle taillight system according to claim <NUM>. Embodiments include a system having a light source directed into a light modifier where a plurality of optical elements on the side of the modifier that facing the light source. An opaque or translucent covering on an opposite side of the modifier and a plurality of diversely-configured apertures located on the opposite side of the modifier. In embodiments, each aperture has a width, and the plurality of diversely-configured optical elements configured to direct light through each of the plurality of diversely-configured apertures for the purpose of accomplishing a lighting application.

In some embodiments, the apertures are slots, holes, or other shapes. In yet other embodiments, the aperture is a hole, and the optical element is configured to focus on an area or point in the hole. In other embodiments a first of the plurality of apertures is a slot, and a first optical element in the plurality of optical elements is a flute configured to focus through the slot; and a second of the plurality of apertures is a hole, and a second optical element in the plurality of optical elements is configured to focus through the hole.

In embodiments, the light source and light modifier are incorporated into a vehicle light. In more specific embodiments the vehicle light is a signal light. In some embodiments, the plurality of optical elements and apertures enable a first mode wherein the light source is active and light is transmitted through the plurality of apertures and a second dark mode wherein the modifier creates a solid appearance. The solid appearance can be is metallic, e.g., resemble brushed aluminum. In embodiments the plurality of optical elements and apertures include diverse patterns creating different optical effects at different locations on the modifier.

According to the present invention, the plurality of slots includes at least one curved slot, and the plurality of optical elements includes at least one curved flute following the curved slot, the curved flute being configured to emit light through the curved slot. In embodiments, the optical elements form concentric circles and the apertures are formed as concentric circles on the opposite side of the modifier. In embodiments, the optical elements and apertures form an upper portion of a taillight and are colored red configured to operate as a brake light. The optical elements and apertures can also be S-shaped. In embodiments, the optical elements and apertures form a central yellow colored portion of the system and are configured to operate as a turn signal.

In terms of size, the aperture widths can be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> microns; in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> microns; less than <NUM> microns; or about <NUM> microns.

The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from the more particular description of preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments. In the drawings, the sizes and thicknesses of layers, regions, objects and features may be exaggerated for clarity.

Disclosed are a system and a method for creating functional lighting through a seemingly opaque surface finish. While remaining substantially opaque, optical elements formed on the back of a lens focus light into apertures, which might be slots or holes formed into the opaque finish allowing passage therethrough to accomplish numerous functional, ornamental, as well as other objectives. The term "aperture" as used herein means an opening formed through something. The term should not, without being further defined in the claims, be construed as requiring any particular shape.

The outside opaque surface finish could be a paint (e.g., metallic, non-metallic, fully opaque, semi-transparent, etc.), a hard coating (e.g., UV hard coats, or numerous other protective coatings), a combination of a coating or paint, or any other opaque substance. The terms "opaque" or "opacity" referred to hereinafter in general should be consider as also including arrangements where an item is substantially opaque, and even moderately opaque in some circumstances. The opaque substance discussed is merely meant as indication of opacity relative to some other thing, e.g., an opening or relatively transparent portion.

A first embodiment of a lighting arrangement including a particular lens (bezel) is shown in <FIG> is a perspective view of the exterior of the lighting unit, e.g., for use on a vehicle as a taillight system. A face <NUM> of the unit includes an upper concentric circular arrangement <NUM>, a middle curved arrangement <NUM>, and a lower diverse arrangement portion <NUM>. In embodiments, the upper arrangement <NUM> is used to execute a stop lighting function, the middle arrangement <NUM> is used to execute a turn/blinker function, and the lower arrangement <NUM> is used to execute a tail function. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that these technologies could be used for numerous other kinds of lighting applications, functional, ornamental, or otherwise, and the <FIG> version should not be considered in any way limiting.

The <FIG> embodiment also includes an outwardly-angled side portion <NUM>. The face <NUM> and angled side <NUM> are, in embodiments, designed to conform into a local and general automobile configuration.

The top concentric-circular arrangement <NUM> is substantially occluded, but includes a plurality of concentrically-circular slots <NUM> used to transmit light, as will be discussed hereinafter. Each circular slot is separated from the next by concentric-circular opaque portions <NUM>. The circular slots <NUM> and occluded portions <NUM> can be formed in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the lens is molded of clear material, and then masked with the occlusive portions via printing or the use of a molded mask. In other embodiments, the complete unit (both of outside face <NUM> and angled side <NUM>) can be completely masked by a painting or printing process, then the deposited material at the locations of slots <NUM> can be etched away (according to known processes) to provide the selected transparency. Additionally, the lens material upon which opaque material is deposited can be formed of a functional color such that once the slots are formed, there is a match, e.g., the lens for the upper radial pattern <NUM> and the lower pattern <NUM> could be colored red (for stop and tail functions), whereas the lens material for the middle portion <NUM> could be formed of yellow material in order to execute a turn function. Alternatively, the coloration could be created by depositing transparent coatings on the slits (or holes) created.

The reverse side of the top radial arrangement <NUM> can be seen in <FIG>, which reveals a perspective view from the inside of the bezel/lens arrangement for the taillight embodiment of <FIG>. The optical arrangement <NUM> extends out from an inside surface <NUM> of the housing in the form of a plurality of radiating flutes <NUM>. Also extending out from the inside surface <NUM> are middle and lower optical arrangements <NUM> and <NUM>, configured to focus light through the slits and/or apertures existing in the curved middle and diverse lower arrangements <NUM> and <NUM>. Each of the flutes extends in line with and is centered over each radial slot <NUM>. In the top optical arrangement <NUM>, each flute <NUM> is optically rendered to focus light to create a line in the space defined by each slot <NUM>.

In embodiments, it is desirable to provide collimated light for supporting the radial pattern portions of the bezel/lens arrangement shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a representation of cross-sectional <NUM>-<NUM> (see <FIG>) taken to some depth into the housing behind the lamp <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, it can be seen how a collimated source of light <NUM> is provided to the optical arrangement <NUM>. More specifically, light is generated, in the <FIG> embodiment, using one or more LEDs <NUM> mounted on a substrate <NUM> (e.g., PCB). As those skilled in the art will be aware, LEDs typically emit light in a Lambertian pattern <NUM>. In order to create collimated source <NUM>, a Fresnel lens <NUM> is fixed into the light housing using securement means <NUM> (but could be fixed in any number of ways) having a center axis in alignment with the center emission axis of the LED <NUM>. Once collimated, the light <NUM> is modified using the optical elements <NUM> (e.g., circular flute-like elements). More specifically, each optical element <NUM> is focused such that the light passes through the slots <NUM> (or apertures depending on the embodiment).

The slots <NUM> and occluding circles <NUM> can be seen in greater detail in <FIG>, which is a front view of the upper arrangement <NUM>. <FIG> shows a front view of the radial pattern revealing slots <NUM> through which focused light is emitted. The widths of the slots <NUM> are wide enough to allow for the focused passage of light, but minimized such that from a reasonable distance, the slot-including arrangement <NUM> (when not illuminated) appears the same as the surrounding portions <NUM> of the unit which are fully painted. At the same time, the lamp allows for functional lighting by passing the light through the slots <NUM>.

<FIG> is a reproduction of a portion of Sectional <NUM>-<NUM> blown up to show more detail regarding the fluted optical elements, and how they focus the collimated light through the slots (or apertures). Referring to the figure, it can be seen that the boundaries <NUM> of a collimated portion of light emitted from the one or more LEDs is introduced into each optical element <NUM>. The element then converges the light (see narrowing boundaries <NUM>) towards a focal point <NUM>. Focal point <NUM> for each optical element is located substantially at a point centered in the gap (slot) created between each of the occluding circles (appearing in rectangular cross section in <FIG>). After focal point <NUM>, the light then diverges outward according to a boundary <NUM>. This enables the light to be utilized to, e.g., signal, indicate a condition, or any other function.

The middle arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes S-shaped slots <NUM> (or gaps) made inside corresponding S-shaped occluding strips <NUM>. In looking at <FIG>, it can be seen that a corresponding S-shaped optical element <NUM> (e.g., flute) follows exactly and is centered over each slot shown on the opposite side in <FIG>. And all along the length of each S-shaped slot <NUM>, each corresponding S-shaped optical element <NUM> on the back focuses collimated light received through the middle of the gap. Thus, like with the top arrangement <NUM>, the middle arrangement is able to perform designated functionality (e.g., turn functions).

<FIG> is a front view of these S-shaped patterns shown from the front (from the same side as the perspective view of <FIG>). The operation of the middle arrangement <NUM> is very similar to what is described for the upper arrangement <NUM>. More specifically, the broken out magnified cross section shown in <FIG> would be equally accurate for a similar broken out section taken from Section <NUM>'-<NUM>' taken from the middle arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>. Here, however, instead of the focal point of the optical elements being a substantial circle, the focal point would be S-shaped.

It should be noted, that although the embodiments discussed so far are directed to circular (arrangement <NUM>) or S-shaped (arrangement <NUM>) lines, in other embodiments optical elements are used to focus light through apertures formed in opaque paints or coatings to accomplish similar functional objectives. For example, <FIG> reveals a view from an inside vehicle light chamber <NUM> where a plurality of point-focused optical elements <NUM> (pillow-shaped in the disclosed embodiment) are provided with a collimated source of light <NUM>. Each of optical elements <NUM> is focused on a corresponding aperture in a group of apertures <NUM>. The broken out view of <FIG> shows how these apertures <NUM> appear on the front of the occlusive paint <NUM>. The apertures <NUM> are made into a substantially occlusive paint or coating <NUM> as the paint is being deposited onto the forward face <NUM> of the lens <NUM>, could be etched out of the painted portions after painting (or coating), or could be created by numerous other methods.

A single optical element 702a can be seen having a focal point <NUM> existing substantially at a center of corresponding aperture 704a. Each of apertures <NUM> are sized to be nearly invisible when viewed from a reasonable distance, and the result is that the outer overall appearance of paint <NUM> (coating) is one of substantial homogeneity (the visibility of the apertures is minimized). Because the light <NUM> introduced to the optical elements <NUM> is focused to pass through the apertures <NUM>, the area in which the apertures exist will provide functional lighting for any number of applications.

Returning again to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, it can be seen that in a bottom arrangement <NUM>, a diverse arrangement including both apertures and slots and flutes and pillow optical elements is disclosed. The details of this arrangement can be seen better in <FIG> where a plurality of slots <NUM> are incorporated into the occluded areas <NUM>, along with a plurality of apertures <NUM>. <FIG> shows an opposite side of breakout portion 8B (shown in <FIG>). The two views (<FIG> and <FIG>) enable the matching up of apertures (from plurality <NUM>) and slots (from plurality <NUM>) with various point-focused optical elements <NUM> and line-focused optical elements <NUM> (e.g., flutes and pillows), respectively. For example, a point-focused optical element <NUM> (see <FIG>) is focused on a center of an aperture <NUM> (see <FIG>) in the embodiments shown (<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). Similarly, line-focused optical elements <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG>) are focused on lines <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>. Thus, the focused light is allowed through the apertures <NUM> and slots <NUM> to allow for functional lighting, while when the light is not in use, the overall appearance appears as a solid continuous representation of the opaque finish, whatever that finish is (e.g., could be metallic).

<FIG> shows a cross section of an angled portion <NUM> of a lens which has been configured to have slots or apertures made therethrough. For example, the <FIG> arrangement might be incorporated into the angled side of lens <NUM> (see <FIG>). As can be seen from <FIG>, collimated light <NUM> is encountered by a plurality of optical elements <NUM>, each of which is associated with either an aperture, slot, or some other opening <NUM> configured into the opaque material <NUM> existing on the lens. Again here, the optical elements <NUM> focus the collimated light towards a point <NUM> existing in the center of the opening created.

<FIG> shows a cross section for an additional embodiment <NUM>. In this embodiment a source of collimated light <NUM> is acted on by a plurality of optical elements <NUM> existing on the side of an interior first lens <NUM> closest to the light source (not shown). An outer second lens <NUM> is located outside the first lens <NUM> relative to the light source. A plurality of apertures (slots, holes) <NUM> are made into an opaque coating/paint <NUM> that is disposed on the interior surface <NUM> of the outer lens <NUM>. The collimated light acted on by the optical elements <NUM> of the first lens <NUM> is focused on an area or point <NUM> inside the aperture <NUM>. Thereafter, a plurality of optical elements <NUM> further operate to control the light (e.g., create spread, diffuse, focus, etc.). Optionally, in the alternative or in addition to the areas including optical elements <NUM> (in an arrangement <NUM>), a simple bare opening arrangement <NUM> can be utilized to merely pass the light through. Although arrangement <NUM> discloses the second lens material at the hole <NUM> removed, it is also possible that the transparent material not be removed, but that the hole is created only by the removal of the opaque paint at that location. It should also be understood that although the <FIG> embodiment shows both aperture arrangements <NUM> and <NUM> in the same figure, embodiments could exist where all the apertures have optical elements (e.g., like arrangement <NUM>), or where all of the apertures are like the one shown for the simple opening arrangement <NUM>.

The widths of each of the slots, holes, and other disclosed light-allowing apertures have been chosen to allow the focused light there through, but the widths are at the same time minimized such that from a reasonable distance (or even close up in some instances), the occluded (or filtering) coating portions will appear as uniform (e.g., metalized in some embodiments; e.g., brushed aluminum) when the lamp is not illuminated. In other embodiments, the occluded (or filtered) coating portions are configured to blend into the surrounding areas of the vehicle when the lamp is off. Regardless, the arrangement appears to be substantially uniform. For slots, the widths would be the distance across the aperture. For holes, the width is herein interpreted as the diameter of the aperture. The widths, in embodiments, are sized to create the desired appearance (albeit illusory) of uniformity (or homogeneity). In embodiments, the widths would be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> microns. In more specific embodiments, the widths would be in the <NUM>-<NUM> micron range. In other embodiments, where greater uniformity is a priority, an artisan might size the widths to be less than <NUM> microns, a level at which apparent coating homogeneity is maintained even near vantagepoints. In some other embodiments, width sizing of about <NUM> microns is ideal for the purpose of conforming with an off the shelf optical element configuration. Regardless, embodiments should not be limited to any particular aperture width size unless otherwise specified in the claims.

Claim 1:
A vehicle taillight system comprising:
a light source (<NUM>) directed into a light modifier, the light modifier including a plurality of optical elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) on a side of the modifier that faces the light source (<NUM>), and an opaque or translucent covering on an opposite side of the modifier;
a plurality of diversely-configured apertures (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) located on the opposite side of the modifier, each aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a width and being formed in the opaque or translucent covering; wherein
the plurality of optical elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to direct light through each of the plurality of diversely-configured apertures (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), respectively, for the purpose of accomplishing a lighting function; characterized in that
the plurality of optical elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and diversely-configured apertures (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) include diverse patterns forming at least two different arrangements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at different locations on the modifier, each arrangement being configured to execute a designated vehicle taillight function, and in that
the plurality of diversely-configured apertures includes at least one curved slot (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the plurality of optical elements includes at least one curved flute (<NUM>, <NUM>) following and being centered over the at least one curved slot, the curved flute being configured to emit light through the curved slot.