Adaptor for coupling a light guide to a light source, in particular for providing an integrated side light in a motor vehicle headlamp assembly
US4631642A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1985 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21V2200/17
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An adaptor in accordance with the invention serves to couple a cylindrical light guide (40) with a light source (10). The adaptor comprises an inlet surface (20) which is concave, which is spherical, which is centered on the center point (0) of said light source and which receives said light source in such a manner that all light rays from said source striking said inlet surface pass therethrough without being deflected and thus enter the guide; the adaptor further includes a light flux recovery surface (30) which is convex and symmetrical about the axis of the light guide, said recovery surface is such that the angle of incidence of a light ray emitted from the source and passing into the guide through the inlet surface is always greater than the limiting angle for total internal reflection corresponding to the refractive index of the material constituting the guide. In this manner, any ray which enters the light guide and which strikes the recovery surface is totally internally reflected and is consequently captured by the light guide. The invention is particularly applicable to providing integrated side lights in a compact headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.