Abstract: A light collector for use with an illumination system, particularly an automotive interior illumination system. The light collector includes several waveguides capable of conducting light through internal reflection with the waveguides being arranged in a stacked configuration. Each waveguide includes an angled input surface at least some of which are oriented at different angles. With this arrangement, light from a single light source can be collected and routed to several locations.

Abstract: An illuminating waveguide having first and second longitudinally-extending unitary portions of differing cross-sectional shape. In use, light is injected into the waveguide at, for example, an end face of the waveguide and the light travels along the length of the waveguide with a portion of the light refracting laterally out of the waveguide along some or all of its length. The second cross-sectional shape can be any of a large number of different conical shapes to help direct the internally reflecting light toward the first portion where it can laterally exit the waveguide. The first cross-sectional shape can take a variety of different forms depending upon the illumination and other aesthetic and functional requirements for a particular application. The surface of the first portion can be treated to control the emission of light from that surface.

Abstract: An illuminated interior article system (10) which can be used as a part of a vehicle interior lighting system and which includes a branching optical waveguide (12) and a vehicle interior article (14) positioned relative to waveguide such that the illuminating light exiting the waveguide at its junction (16) illuminates the vehicle interior article. The branching waveguide (12) has a stem (18), first and second branches (20,22), and the junction (16) that couples the stem to each of the branches. The first and second branches (20,22) extend away from the junction (16) at an obtuse angle relative to the stem (18) and the junction includes one or more optical features positioned at the junction such that a portion of the light traveling through one or more of the waveguide sections impinges upon the optical feature(s), with the optical feature(s) redirecting the impinging light out of the waveguide at the junction to thereby provide illuminating light from the junction.

Abstract: A light collector for use with an illumination system, particularly an automotive interior illumination system. The light collector includes several waveguides capable of conducting light through internal reflection with the waveguides being arranged in a stacked configuration. Each waveguide includes an angled input surface at least some of which are oriented at different angles. With this arrangement, light from a single light source can be collected and routed to several locations.

Abstract: A side vehicle mirror assembly (30) that utilizes a waveguide (42) to route light from a location at the vehicle/mirror assembly interface to an outboard location (46) on the mirror assembly. The side mirror assembly (30) includes the waveguide (42), a mounting member (32), and a mirror (34) attached to the mounting member. The waveguide (42) extends from a first location at the vehicle/mirror assembly interface to a second location at the mirror. A lamp (44) located either in The door panel (38) or at the first location is used to provide light into the waveguide, which then routes the light to the outboard (46) location for exterior illumination or signal lighting. A stacked waveguide arrangement can be used so that these multiple lighting functions can be incorporated together into the mirror assembly. Also disclosed is an optical coupling arrangement for routing light to a breakaway side mirror.

Abstract: An illuminating waveguide having first and second longitudinally-extending unitary portions of differing cross-sectional shape. In use, light is injected into the waveguide at, for example, an end face of the waveguide and the light travels along the length of the waveguide with a portion of the light refracting laterally out of the waveguide along some or all of its length. The second cross-sectional shape can be any of a large number of different conical shapes to help direct the internally reflecting light toward the first portion where it can laterally exit the waveguide. The first cross-sectional shape can take a variety of different forms depending upon the illumination and other aesthetic and functional requirements for a particular application. The surface of the first portion can be treated to control the emission of light from that surface.

Abstract: A distributed lighting system comprising a waveguide assembly that includes a vehicle interior trim panel having an elongated opening therein and a correspondingly elongated waveguide attached to the trim panel to provide laterally-directed illumination through the opening along the length of the waveguide. The waveguide is attached to the trim panel using a support frame that includes a light-transmissive lower wall which fits within the opening and a pair of opposed side walls that, together with the lower wall, define a channel in which the waveguide is located. The waveguide includes a light-scattering region located opposite the opening in the trim panel to direct light laterally out of the waveguide and through the opening. The waveguide assembly also includes a back cover that encloses the waveguide between the cover and support frame. Different waveguide cross-sections and light-scattering configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: An illuminating device comprising an optical waveguide having at least one set of LEDs positioned adjacent one end surface and having a portion of the surface area treated so as to cause a portion of the light directed along the length of the waveguide to be reflected out of the waveguide through a second surface area located intermediate the length of the waveguide. Indicia may be located within the treated portion of the surface area so as to be illuminated and made visible to a viewer through the second surface area.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle with a light is provided. The mirror assembly includes an exterior mirror assembly that is attached to the vehicle. A light source is removably positioned inside the exterior mirror assembly. A waveguide is positioned to transmit light from the light source to a location outside the exterior mirror assembly. The light source is secured to a light holder which is positioned inside and attached to the exterior mirror assembly. The light holder is configured to efficiently couple light from the light source to the waveguide.

Abstract: A waveguide illumination assembly for an automobile license plate includes a single light source and a transport or waveguide disposed outward from the license plate perimeter. The light source shines into one end of the waveguide. The waveguide has one or more arms, each of which has an array of reflective elements. Light is internally reflected as it travels through the waveguide until it strikes a reflective element, thereby directing light through an opposing longitudinal side of the waveguide arm and onto the license plate.

Abstract: A waveguide illumination assembly for an automobile license plate includes a single light source and a transport or waveguide disposed outward from the license plate perimeter. The light source shines into one end of the waveguide. The waveguide has one or more arms, each of which has an array of reflective elements. Light is internally reflected as it travels through the waveguide until it strikes a reflective element, thereby directing light through an opposing longitudinal side of the waveguide arm and onto the license plate.

Abstract: An illumination assembly and a method for making it. The basic assembly includes an elongated waveguide and an enclosure operative to support an illumination source, where the enclosure defines at least one opening. The waveguide includes light-directing structure operative to direct light out of the waveguide in a pre-determined direction. The end of the waveguide and the opening of the enclosure are each shaped so that the waveguide may be inserted into the enclosure in only one rotational orientation. The method includes the basic steps of: modifying the waveguide to include light-directing structure along the waveguide to direct light out of the waveguide in a predetermined direction; forming an opening having a predetermined shape; and forming the end of the waveguide to have a corresponding shape, where the shapes of the opening and the end permit mating of the end into the opening in only one rotational orientation.

Abstract: A method of illuminating an object with a waveguide system includes directing a beam of light into a waveguide. The waveguide includes a light input region, a front lenslet array having individual lenslets with a radius of curvature, and a rear surface. The beam of light directed into the waveguide is reflected off of the front lenslet array. A portion of the beam of light passes to the rear surface so that the portion leaks out of the waveguide. The portion that leaks out is reflected laterally through the waveguide by an external reflector.

Abstract: An illuminated interior article system (10) which can be used as a part of a vehicle interior lighting system and which includes a branching optical waveguide (12) and a vehicle interior article (14) positioned relative to waveguide such that the illuminating light exiting the waveguide at its junction (16) illuminates the vehicle interior article. The branching waveguide (12) has a stem (18), first and second branches (20,22), and the junction (16) that couples the stem to each of the branches. The first and second branches (20,22) extend away from the junction (16) at an obtuse angle relative to the stem (18) and the junction includes one or more optical features positioned at the junction such that a portion of the light traveling through one or more of the waveguide sections impinges upon the optical feature(s), with the optical feature(s) redirecting the impinging light out of the waveguide at the junction to thereby provide illuminating light from the junction.

Abstract: A center console assembly for mounting in a vehicle between the driver and front passenger seats to provide occupant conveniences and interior illumination. The user conveniences include storage trays, cupholders, a main storage bin, and an armrest. The assembly includes an illumination system for illumination of the user conveniences at the console, as well as illumination of external vehicle interior components and regions, such as the driver and front passenger seat buckles and the front and rear occupant foot wells. The illumination system uses at least one light source and one or more waveguides to route light within the console so that multiple lighting functions can be obtained using a small number of individual light sources. The external components and areas are illuminated via side openings in the console, which permits the illumination system to be completely housed within the console so that no external routing of light is necessary.

Abstract: An illuminated cup holder assembly (10,10′) generally includes an elongated waveguide (12,12′), a cup holder bottom portion (14,14′), and a cup holder top portion (16,16′). The cup holder bottom portion (14,14′) includes a waveguide support (22,22′) disposed above a base (18,18′), with at least a portion of the waveguide (12,12′) disposed on the waveguide support. The cup holder top portion (16,16′) includes a shield (24,24′) extending over the waveguide (12,12′). This assembly (10,10′) splits the cup holder in two wherein the two pieces (14,14′ and 16,16′) create a pocket to hold the waveguide (12,12′) in place. In other words, the top and bottom portions (14,14′ and 16,16′) sandwich the waveguide (12,12′) into place.

Abstract: An optical waveguide bend element is configured to change a direction of travel of light from a first direction to a second direction. The bend element includes a block of material. The block has an input face configured to receive light travelling in the first direction and an output face configured to transmit light travelling in the second direction. The second direction is substantially different from the first direction. The block also has a convex surface defined between the input face and the output face. The convex surface is configured to keep the light within the bend element through total internal reflection.

Abstract: A distributed lighting system has a light source and a set of optical conduits. Input ends of the set of optical conduits may be placed in close proximity to the light source to increase the efficiency with which light is transmitted from the light source to the optical conduits. The efficiency also may be increased by placing a light collector between the light source and the input ends of the optical conduits.