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This paper describes applications for a side-emitting light guide which distributes light in a highly-focused, linear fashion. The practicality and value of this emerging technology is considered through the presentation of several illustrative applications. Those applications are: ground and running board courtesy illumination, the lighting of a vehicle license plate, vehicle delineation lighting for safety, and highly directed task lighting for rear seat passengers with the goal of minimizing driver distraction.

This paper describes a side-emitting light guide structure which distributes light in a linear fashion similar to a neon tube, albeit currently at a lower level of illumination. The Linear Light Guide (LLG) is predicated on the concept that diminished light output with better uniformity is more desirable than single or multiple light sources which create “hot spots.” Where oblong surface areas need to be lit, such as running boards or cargo storage areas, the homogeneity of the illuminated appearance has advantages over conventional lights. Such a device can also be employed to outline the edges of vehicles to make them more visible under conditions of poor visibility. As Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) continue to improve, this technology will become suitable for creating stylistic vertical tail light assemblies and high-mount brake lights.