OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE STRUCTURES FOR VEHICLE LIGHTING

摘要

A distributed lighting system (DLS) may be used, for example, in an automobile. The DLS employs inexpensive focusless optic components, such as collector elements and waveguides, which have high collecting efficiency and are very compact. Headlamp high beams, headlamp low beams, and stop lights may be implemented using hybrid lighting subsystems that combine a conventional optical system, such as a headlamp, with components that receive light from the headlamp and transmit the light through waveguides or fiber optics to provide other lighting functions throughout the vehicle. For example, the headlamp subsystems may be light sources for other exterior lights, such as front turn signals and side markers, as well as interior lights, such as dashboard lights and dome lights. These other lights may be connected to the headlamp subsystems by optical waveguides. Similarly, the tail light subsystems provide light for rear turn signals and a center high mounted stop light. The subsystems of the DLS are interconnected so that the light source of one subsystem serves as a redundant light source for another subsystem. In particular the DLS can be used to provide illuminated cup holders (2810), assist grips, storage pockets, step-ups, running boards and door handles.