RUNNING LIGHT FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A running light for a vehicle includes at least one light source, a number of first optical waveguides on a first side, a number of second optical waveguides on a second side opposite the first side. One of the first waveguides emits light from the at least one light source in both the main beam direction, which runs along a main axis orthogonal to a secondary axis connecting the first side and second side, as well as in a first area toward the number of second waveguides. The second waveguide emits the light from the at least one light source in both the main beam direction and in a second area toward the number of first waveguides.

Claims

1. A running light for a vehicle, the running light comprising: at least one light source; a plurality of first optical waveguides on a first side; and a plurality of second optical waveguides on a second side, opposite the first side, wherein one of the first optical waveguides emits light from the at least one light source in both the main beam direction, which runs along a main axis orthogonal to a secondary axis connecting the first side and second side, as well as in a first area toward the plurality of second waveguides, and wherein the second waveguide emits light from the at least one light source in both the main beam direction and in a second area toward the number of first waveguides.

2. The running light according to claim 1, wherein light beams emitted laterally from the first waveguide and second waveguide cross one another.

3. The running light according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the plurality of first waveguides and plurality of second waveguides is less than or equal to 75 mm.

4. The running light according to claim 1, wherein the first area and second area span an angle of at least 80 between the main beam direction and an outer boundary line.

5. The running light according to claim 1, wherein the running light emits light in the main beam direction and in two opposite sides, over at least 80 on each side, which face outward from the main beam direction of the running light.

6. The running light according to claim 1, wherein one of the first waveguides has a structured surface that conducts light into the first area and one of the second waveguides has a structured surface that conducts light into the second area.

7. The running light according to claim 1, wherein the running light has a single first waveguide and a single second waveguide, wherein the first waveguide has a first primary lighting area and a first secondary lighting area, wherein the second waveguide has a second primary lighting area and a second secondary lighting area, wherein the first primary lighting area emits light from the at least one light source in both the main beam direction and in the first area, toward the second waveguide, wherein the second primary waveguide emits light from the at least one light source in the main beam direction and in the second area, toward the first waveguide, wherein the first secondary waveguide and second secondary waveguide are emit light form the at least one light source only along the main beam direction.

8. A headlamp for a vehicle, wherein the headlamp comprises a running light according to claim 1, wherein the headlamp further includes a low beam and a high beam.

9. The headlamp according to claim 8, wherein the headlamp is a motorcycle headlamp.

10. A vehicle comprising a running light according to claim 1.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle is a motorcycle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the views.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows one possible design for the proposed headlamp, with one possible design for the proposed running light.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows another view of the proposed headlamp.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows one possible design for the proposed vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The running light 100 contains a light source (not shown), a first optical waveguide 103 on the first side 101, and a second optical waveguide 107 on the second side 105, opposite the first side 103.

[0042] The first waveguide 103 is configured to emit light from the first light source in both a main beam direction that runs along a main axis 109 orthogonal to a secondary axis 111 connecting the first side 101 and second side 105, and in a first area 113 toward the second waveguide 107.

[0043] The light source can emit light parallel to the main axis 109 and in an area over an angle of 5 to 25 to the main axis 109.

[0044] The second waveguide 107 is configured to emit light from the first light source in both the main beam direction and in a second area 115 toward the first waveguide 103.

[0045] The running light 100 is shown as part of a headlamp 117 in FIG. 1, which also contains a low beam 119 and a high beam 121, which is connected to the running light 100 by a frame 123.

[0046] The first waveguide 103 is enclosed in a first cover 125 made of transparent plastic. The second waveguide 107 is enclosed in a second cover 127 made of transparent plastic.

[0047] The first cover 125 has a first translucent side window 129 and the second cover 127 has a second translucent side window 131.

[0048] Because of the L-shaped form of the first waveguide 103 and second waveguide 107, the legs of which are angled slightly toward one another, and a slight upward angle of the first waveguide 103 and second waveguide 107, the light beams emitted from the first waveguide 103 and second waveguide 107 cross, as indicated by the arrows 133 and 135.

[0049] The first waveguide 103, on the left side, can therefore be seen from the right of the running light 100, and the second waveguide 107, on the right side, can be seen from the left of the running light 100.

[0050] The headlamp 117 is shown from above in FIG. 2. The first waveguide 103 and second waveguide 107 can be easily identified therein.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a vehicle 300 in the form of a motorcycle. The vehicle 300 has a headlamp 117 that contains the running light 100 shown in FIG. 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0052] 100 running light [0053] 101 first side [0054] 103 first optical waveguide [0055] 105 second side [0056] 107 second optical waveguide [0057] 109 main axis [0058] 111 secondary axis [0059] 113 first area [0060] 115 second area [0061] 117 headlamp [0062] 119 low beam [0063] 121 high beam [0064] 123 frame [0065] 125 first cover [0066] 127 second cover [0067] 129 first side window [0068] 131 second side window [0069] 133 arrow [0070] 135 arrow [0071] 300 vehicle