Patents Assigned to Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
  • Patent number: 7988345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection module of an automobile headlight. The module includes several semiconductor light sources to broadcast optical irradiation of a primary optics assembly to bundle the emitted irradiation, and a secondary optics assembly that projects the bundled irradiation to create the desired light distribution in front of the vehicle. In order to reduce the weight and dimensions of the projection module, it is proposed that the secondary optics assembly is formed as a multi-part complex lens that includes several lens segments. Each of these lens segments is assigned to at least one irradiation bundle of irradiation bundled from the primary optics assembly, and projects this assembly as partial distribution in front of the vehicle, whereby the overall distribution of the projection module results from overlapping the partial distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn, Ralf Ackermann, Ulrike Schloeder, Henning Weinhold, Benjamin Stauβ
  • Patent number: 7980741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light-conductor structure (13) for an automobile lighting device (11), with a coupling section (17) to couple light into the light-conductor structure, a curved reflecting surface (25) to reflect light beams (59) of the light coupled into the light-conductor structure via the coupling section, and at least one decoupling section (30, 45, 51) to decouple the light from the light-conductor structure (13). In order to achieve a light-conductor structure (13) in which fewer limitations to the determination of its geometric shape exist, or whose appearance may be more freely configured, it is proposed that the reflecting surface (25) of the light-conductor structure (13) is curved such that light reflected from the reflecting surface (25) strikes directly with no additional reflection either again onto the reflecting surface (25) or passes into the minimum of one decoupling section (30, 45, 51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Zwick
  • Patent number: 7963684
    Abstract: A projection module for an automobile headlamp includes at least one semiconductor emission source which emits electromagnetic radiation, a reflector reflecting the emitted irradiation, a baffle arrangement shading at least a portion of the reflected irradiation, and a projection lens for projecting the reflected irradiation. The irradiation passes by the baffle arrangement to create a desired emission distribution from the projection module in front of the automobile. At least one emission source is mounted on, or near, the rear side of the baffle arrangement, and a main irradiation direction of the minimum of one emission source is directed into the semi-open space opposite the irradiation-output direction from the projection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Staub, Matthias Brendle
  • Patent number: 7905632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a illumination module (10; 10a; 10b) for a headlamp or a illumination system of an automobile with at least one semiconductor light source (5) secured to a carrier element (4). The carrier element (4) in turn is attached to a heat sink (7) and fixed in place by means of a separate securing bracket (18; 18a; 18b) that is plate-shaped or is in the form of a wire-bale spring. The securing bracket (18; 18a; 18b) is attached to the heat sink (7) and includes a recess that at least partially surrounds the carrier element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Otto Dobler, Andres Faehnle, Thomas Wezel
  • Publication number: 20110025849
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light module (23) for a motor vehicle headlight (2), for generating an adaptive light distribution. The light module (23) comprises a light source (30, 70, 71) for emitting light, a primary optical element (31, 73, 74) for focusing the emitted light, and a diaphragm arrangement (32, 32?) for implementing a variable effective upper edge (36, 36?), which can be introduced into a beam path of the emitted and/or focused light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Buchberger, Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn, Benjamin Stauss
  • Publication number: 20100073954
    Abstract: A lamp for a motor vehicle having at least one light source (50, 51, 53) and at least one planar optical waveguide (10) with at least two optical waveguide surfaces (14, 16) and at least one peripheral surface (12) into which the light of the light source (50, 51, 53) can be coupled directly or indirectly, and a light decoupling surface (14) that is formed by one of the optical waveguide surfaces, first decoupling elements (18) being provided on the optical waveguide surface (16) opposite the light decoupling surface (14), wherein at least one rod-like optical waveguide (20) is provided which is connected directly to the planar optical waveguide (10) or is part of the planar optical waveguide (10), the rod-like optical waveguide (20) having a decoupling surface (30) that decouples substantially into or against a driving direction of the motor vehicle and the light decoupling direction of the planar optical waveguide (10) is substantially perpendicular to at least one of its optical waveguide surfaces, and it
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Gebauer
  • Publication number: 20100027284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light module (1) for an illumination device (20), in particular for a headlight, for a motor vehicle. The light module (1) comprises a plurality of light sources (2) for emitting light beams (4, 5), at least one primary optical unit (6; 12) for focusing the emitted light beams (4a, 5a), a stop arrangement (8) in the beam path of the focused light beams (4b, 5b), and at least one secondary optical unit (9) for imaging the focused light beams (4b, 5b) which passed the stop arrangement (8) on a roadway in front of the motor vehicle in order to generate a desired light distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Ackermann, Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn
  • Publication number: 20100027282
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device for an automobile with at least one light source (11) to emit light and at least one cup (or bowl)-shaped reflector (10) to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source (11). The reflector (10) is formed as a light-conductor structure (12) with a totally-reflecting reflection surface (16). The light-conductor structure (12) includes at least one light-coupling surface (13) and at least one light-decoupling surface (15). The reflection surface (16) is formed as a border surface of the light-conductor structure (12). It is proposed that either the light-coupling surface (13) and/or the light-decoupling surface (15) and/or the reflection surface (16) of the reflector (10) include means to deflect the light beams passing through them or reflected by them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gebauer, Hubert Zwick
  • Publication number: 20100002460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection module (1; 10; 20) of an automobile headlight. The module (1; 10; 20) includes several semiconductor light sources (101, 102, 103) to broadcast optical irradiation (104, 105, 106) of a primary optics assembly (110, 111, 112) to bundle the emitted irradiation (104, 105, 106), and a secondary optics assembly (2; 12; 22; 32) that projects the bundled irradiation (113, 114, 115) to create the desired light distribution in front of the vehicle. In order to reduce the weight and dimensions of the projection module, it is proposed that the secondary optics assembly (2; 12; 22; 32) is formed as a multi-part complex lens that includes several lens segments (3, 4, 5; 13, 14, 15; 23, 24, 25; 33-41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn, Ralf Ackermann, Ulrike Schloeder, Henning Weinhold, Benjamin Stauss
  • Publication number: 20090237951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light-conductor structure (13) for an automobile lighting device (11), with a coupling section (17) to couple light into the light-conductor structure, a curved reflecting surface (25) to reflect light beams (59) of the light coupled into the light-conductor structure via the coupling section, and at least one decoupling section (30, 45, 51) to decouple the light from the light-conductor structure (13). In order to achieve a light-conductor structure (13) in which fewer limitations to the determination of its geometric shape exist, or whose appearance may be more freely configured, it is proposed that the reflecting surface (25) of the light-conductor structure (13) is curved such that light reflected from the reflecting surface (25) strikes directly with no additional reflection either again onto the reflecting surface (25) or passes into the minimum of one decoupling section (30, 45, 51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Hubert Zwick
  • Publication number: 20090096341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a illumination module (10; 10a; 10b) for a headlamp or a illumination system of an automobile with at least one semiconductor light source (5) secured to a carrier element (4). The carrier element (4) in turn is attached to a heat sink (7) and fixed in place by means of a separate securing bracket (18; 18a; 18b) that is plate-shaped or is in the form of a wire-bale spring. The securing bracket (18; 18a; 18b) is attached to the heat sink (7) and includes a recess that at least partially surrounds the carrier element (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Karl-Otto Dobler, Andres Faehnle, Thomas Wezel
  • Publication number: 20090097269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection module (100) for an automobile headlamp. The module (100) includes at least one semiconductor emission source (101) to emit electromagnetic radiation, a reflector (103) to reflect the emitted irradiation, a baffle arrangement (104) to shade at least a portion of the reflected irradiation, and a projection lens (105) to project the reflected irradiation and the irradiation passing by the baffle arrangement (104) to create a desired emission distribution from the projection module (100) in front of the automobile. In order to be able to design the projection module (100) to be particularly compact and small-dimensioned, it is proposed that the minimum of one emission source (101) be mounted on, or near, the rear side of the baffle arrangement (104), and the main irradiation direction (111) of the minimum of one emission source (101) be directed into the semi-open space opposite the irradiation-output direction (109) from the projection module (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Benjamin Stauss, Matthias Brendle
  • Patent number: 7494257
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device, particularly for automobiles, with a light source and a light conductor that emits the light from the light source conducted within it via a light decoupling surface, whereby light decoupling elements are positioned on the side opposite the light decoupling surface that divert light toward the light decoupling surface, whereby the light decoupling elements possess at least two diverting surfaces, and the first diverting surface is positioned closer to the light source than the second diverting surface of a light decoupling element, each of which subtends an angle with the light decoupling surface whereby the angles of the diverting surfaces are so selected that at least a portion of the light striking the second diverting surface is transmittable through it under refraction, and may be again coupled into the light conductor by means of the first diverting surface of the subsequent decoupling element, whereby this light is at least partially conducted from the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gebauer, Steffen Wiersdorff
  • Patent number: 7281828
    Abstract: The invention concerns vehicle headlights with two light functions, comprising a reflector (10) and a two-filament bulb (14), whose first spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a first light function and whose second spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a second light function, each light function being associated with a region (10?, 10?) of the reflector (10), wherein the second spiral-wound filament (14?) cooperates with a covering cap (18) which shields a portion of the light for the light function associated with this spiral-wound filament, which would otherwise impinge on the region (10?) of the reflector (10) which is associated with the first light function, wherein the second spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a turning and/or curve light and the regions (10?, 10?) of the reflector (10) are separated by a separating line (12) which extends in a segment of the reflector at an angle of between ±0 and 35°, in particular ±15 and 35°, with respect to the vertical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Steinhart, Michael Scholl, Friedemann Schlienz, Silke Barton
  • Patent number: 7226193
    Abstract: The present invention in various embodiments relates to an illuminating device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, for realizing an asymmetrical light distribution. The asymmetrical light distribution has a greater illumination depth on the vehicle's side of traffic than it does on the side of oncoming traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Bahnmüller, Thomas Fröhlich, Michael Hamm, Peter Jauernig, Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn, Peter Schöttle, Mathias Kinzel, Kurt Neuffer
  • Patent number: 7011438
    Abstract: A method for operating an illumination device as a day travelling light, in particular for automotive vehicles, wherein the device comprises a light source in an illumination housing and a means associated with the light source for bundling the light emitted by the light source, utilizes a light source comprising at least one LED (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schuster, Petra Heinbuch, Ralf Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6890090
    Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle includes a clear, front cover plate (12), at least one light source (14), and at least one reflector (16) associated with the light source (14). A beam shield (14) for avoidance of glare produced by headlights of oncoming vehicles is provided, with the beam shield (18) being disposed between the light source (14) and the cover plate (12). The beam shield (18) has a structured surface (26) with an arbitrary or selected geometric pattern on an inner side facing said light source (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Weihing, Karl Ruoff, Hans-Joachim Schmidt, Michael Scholl, Guenter Steinert, Duane Schliebe
  • Patent number: 6871988
    Abstract: A lamp for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, has a light source and at least one light-guide arrangement associated with the light source for guiding the light radiated by the light source and coupled into the light-guide arrangement in a specified direction toward an outcoupling point. The lamp further has a light-diverting device in the light-guide arrangement for diverting and/or splitting the light. The light-diverting device is formed as a recess in the light-guide arrangement, and the diversion takes place by means of reflecting the light on one of the lateral surfaces of the recess. The recess is closed by means of a cover element, such that the recess is covered as viewed from the outside of the light-guide arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gebauer, Petra Heinbuch, Kurt Schuster
  • Patent number: 6860626
    Abstract: A headlight, in particular, for motor vehicles, has an elongated incandescent body (2) with an incandescent body longitudinal axis (4), a reflector, associated with the incandescent body (2) for bundling of the light emitted from the incandescent body (8), and a photoconductor (8), in which the light emitted from the reflector (6) in the direction of an optical axis is coupled-in by means of a coupling-in surface (12) of the photoconductor (8). The incandescent body longitudinal axis (4) forms an angle (?) with the optical axis (10) that is greater than 0 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Lampen, Matthias Gebauer
  • Publication number: 20050036332
    Abstract: The invention concerns vehicle headlights with two light functions, comprising a reflector (10) and a two-filament bulb (14), whose first spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a first light function and whose second spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a second light function, each light function being associated with a region (10?, 10?) of the reflector (10), wherein the second spiral-wound filament (14?) cooperates with a covering cap (18) which shields a portion of the light for the light function associated with this spiral-wound filament, which would otherwise impinge on the region (10?) of the reflector (10) which is associated with the first light function, wherein the second spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a turning and/or curve light and the regions (10?, 10?) of the reflector (10) are separated by a separating line (12) which extends in a segment of the reflector at an angle of between ±0 and 35°, in particular ±15 and 35°, with respect to the vertical line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Applicant: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Steinhart, Michael Scholl, Friedemann Schlienz, Silke Barton