Forward illumination lighting system for vehicles
US4868718A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 1989 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21S41/635
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A lighting subsystem is disclosed that uses optical devices to alter, the actual or apparent optical position of the ends of optical fibers coupled to a high intensity light source so as to provide all of the forward illumination needs for a vehicle. In one embodiment, optical wedges are interposed between a rectangular array of optical fibers and an array of lens elements mountable on the front of a vehicle from which the forward illumination is transmitted therefrom. The imposition of the optical devices alters the actual or apparent optical position of the fibers relative to the lenses and thereby changes the forward illumination from its low to its high beam pattern, to a fog beam illumination or to a cornering illumination pattern. In another embodiment, flat shaped optical members are rotated to provide the various forward illumination needs of the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.