Focus-less Optics and their use in Automotive Distributed Lighting Systems

Presented in this paper is an in-depth analysis and laboratory results of a High Intensity Discharge (HID) focus-less optical (FLO) collector system used in a Distributed Lighting System (DLS). HIDs are the current lamps of choice for these systems. Any lamp source with an extended filament presents a challenge for collector designers. The collector must be large enough to ensure good light angles and high collection efficiency for the fiber but small enough to take up a limited amount of space. This system presented has a high measured collection efficiency. The overall system is very compact and efficient. Measurements also show tolerance to physical placement of the HID. Included in this paper are two approaches to bend light 90″ in conjunction with the FLO. The first approach uses formed, tightly packed glass fiber as an efficient way to collect and distribute light from a FLO to other waveguides or large core optical fiber. The second approach utilizes waveguides. A model of the collection (FLO) and delivery (hot mirror. fiber, etc.) systems yields a means of predicting allowed fiber length.