Abstract: A light ring assembly that is designed to provide bright, uniform and homogenized illumination and that can be used with any number of vehicle and non-vehicle lighting applications. According to one embodiment, the light ring assembly includes a housing, a circuit board with a number of individual light sources, a light ring and a lens. Light emitted by the light sources enters an optical input surface on a bottom side of the light ring, is reflected within the body of the light ring so as to mix and become more distributed, and then exits an optical output surface on a top side of the light ring.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as the type used for vehicle exterior applications, includes a housing with light collimating and spreading portions, a circuit card assembly with one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs), and a lens. The illumination device may be arranged so that light emitted by the LEDs reflects off of a metalized interior surface of the light collimating portion in a collimated fashion and travels towards the light spreading portion, the collimated light then reflects off of a metalized interior surface of the light spreading portion in a spread fashion and travels towards the lens, and the spread light passes through the lens and travels towards an intended target region. The illumination device may be installed, for example, in a rear hatch of a vehicle and used in conjunction with a backup camera.

Abstract: Multi-color illumination devices that can be used in various indicator-related or ambient lighting applications, particularly for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, the multi-color illumination device includes a light guide having a first end and a second end, a first light source located adjacent the first end of the light guide, and a second light source located adjacent the second end of the light guide. The multi-color illumination device is configured for attachment to a controller configured to illuminate the first light source, the second light source, or both the first light source and the second light source in accordance with one or more operation parameters to provide a status indication.

Abstract: A light assembly that acts as a light source multiplier. The light assembly includes a light guide having a light source side and an emitting side with a center portion between the light source side and the emitting side. Both the light source side and the emitting side have a truncated sawtooth shape. The light source side has a plurality of truncated portions and a plurality of apex portions between each truncated portion, with one or more of the apex portions ending in the center portion of the light guide. In some implementations, a number of light guide segments are oriented in a lattice configuration.

Abstract: A color mixing illumination device and method of using the same. The color mixing illumination device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB surface with a reflective portion; a multi-color light source attached to the PCB, such as a red-green-blue light emitting diode (RGB LED); and a reflector with a reflector surface. The PCB surface and the reflector surface are configured to mix light from the multi-color light source in a mixing region and then direct mixed light out of the device from an exit region. In one embodiment, the color mixing illumination device is a multi-color indicator lamp for a vehicle.

Abstract: An illumination device that includes an elongated light pipe and attachment wings integrally formed on the sides of the light pipe so that the illumination device can be easily, yet securely, installed within a containment channel, such as those found on the underside of a vehicle step rail. The elongated light pipe is made of an optically transmissive material, the attachment wings are made of a different resilient material, and the overall device is a single extruded component that has a co-extrusion boundary separating the two materials. The illumination device illuminates the ground, for example, when passengers are entering or exiting the vehicle.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a lamp having a first light source; a first collimator adapted to receive light from the first light source; and an optical wedge, wherein the first collimator is positioned between the first light source and the optical wedge.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for a vehicle that includes a housing, a light source, and an illumination device with an optical body. The optical body includes: a first major surface; a second major surface; an edge surface; a first reflective feature that includes a recess with side walls; and a second reflective feature that includes a curved reflector. The light source is mounted adjacent the first major surface so as to oppose the first reflective feature. In operation, light emitted from the light source enters the optical body at the first major surface, reflects off of the first and second reflective features, and exits the optical body at the edge surface so as to illuminate an area of interest behind the vehicle.

Abstract: A color mixing illumination device and method of using the same. The color mixing illumination device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB surface with a reflective portion; a multi-color light source attached to the PCB, such as a red-green-blue light emitting diode (RGB LED); and a reflector with a reflector surface. The PCB surface and the reflector surface are configured to mix light from the multi-color light source in a mixing region and then direct mixed light out of the device from an exit region. In one embodiment, the color mixing illumination device is a multi-color indicator lamp for a vehicle.

Abstract: Multi-color illumination devices that can be used in various indicator-related or ambient lighting applications, particularly for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, the multi-color illumination device includes a light guide having a first end and a second end, a first light source located adjacent the first end of the light guide, and a second light source located adjacent the second end of the light guide. The multi-color illumination device is configured for attachment to a controller configured to illuminate the first light source, the second light source, or both the first light source and the second light source in accordance with one or more operation parameters to provide a status indication.

Abstract: A light assembly that acts as a light source multiplier. The light assembly includes a light guide having a light source side and an emitting side with a center portion between the light source side and the emitting side. Both the light source side and the emitting side have a truncated sawtooth shape. The light source side has a plurality of truncated portions and a plurality of apex portions between each truncated portion, with one or more of the apex portions ending in the center portion of the light guide. In some implementations, a number of light guide segments are oriented in a lattice configuration.

Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle. The illumination device may be used to selectively illuminate a truck bed or another vehicle location or compartment. The illumination device includes a primary lens having a plurality of optical features that help target light in preferred directions. The optical features may include optical segments or optical portions having a number of optical wedges. In one embodiment, the illumination device is used in a truck bed application.

Abstract: A waveguide for controlled light distribution is described. The waveguide may include a body that longitudinally extends from a proximate end to a distal end. And the body may include a plurality of scattering flanges axially extending toward the proximate end on a first longitudinal side and a plurality of notches interposed between each of the plurality of scattering flanges.

Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle. The illumination device may be used to selectively illuminate a truck bed or another vehicle location or compartment. The illumination device includes a primary lens having a plurality of optical features that help target light in preferred directions. The optical features may include optical segments or optical portions having a number of optical wedges. In one embodiment, the illumination device is used in a truck bed application.

Abstract: An illumination device that includes an elongated light pipe and attachment wings integrally formed on the sides of the light pipe so that the illumination device can be easily, yet securely, installed within a containment channel, such as those found on the underside of a vehicle step rail. The elongated light pipe is made of an optically transmissive material, the attachment wings are made of a different resilient material, and the overall device is a single extruded component that has a co-extrusion boundary separating the two materials. The illumination device illuminates the ground, for example, when passengers are entering or exiting the vehicle.

Abstract: A light ring assembly that is designed to provide bright, uniform and homogenized illumination and that can be used with any number of vehicle and non-vehicle lighting applications. According to one embodiment, the light ring assembly includes a housing, a circuit board with a number of individual light sources, a light ring and a lens. Light emitted by the light sources enters an optical input surface on a bottom side of the light ring, is reflected within the body of the light ring so as to mix and become more distributed, and then exits an optical output surface on a top side of the light ring.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for a vehicle that includes a housing, a light source, and an illumination device with an optical body. The optical body includes: a first major surface; a second major surface; an edge surface; a first reflective feature that includes a recess with side walls; and a second reflective feature that includes a curved reflector. The light source is mounted adjacent the first major surface so as to oppose the first reflective feature. In operation, light emitted from the light source enters the optical body at the first major surface, reflects off of the first and second reflective features, and exits the optical body at the edge surface so as to illuminate an area of interest behind the vehicle.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as the type used for vehicle exterior applications, includes a housing with light collimating and spreading portions, a circuit card assembly with one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs), and a lens. The illumination device may be arranged so that light emitted by the LEDs reflects off of a metalized interior surface of the light collimating portion in a collimated fashion and travels towards the light spreading portion, the collimated light then reflects off of a metalized interior surface of the light spreading portion in a spread fashion and travels towards the lens, and the spread light passes through the lens and travels towards an intended target region. The illumination device may be installed, for example, in a rear hatch of a vehicle and used in conjunction with a backup camera.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a lamp having a first light source; a first collimator adapted to receive light from the first light source; and an optical wedge, wherein the first collimator is positioned between the first light source and the optical wedge.

Abstract: A waveguide for controlled light distribution is described. The waveguide may include a body that longitudinally extends from a proximate end to a distal end. And the body may include a plurality of scattering flanges axially extending toward the proximate end on a first longitudinal side and a plurality of notches interposed between each of the plurality of scattering flanges.