Patents Assigned to Valeo North America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11187395
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a plurality of fiber optic panels coupled to respective light sources. The fiber optic panels include a set of optical fibers configured to emit light transversely to the optical axis thereof to form respective illumination regions in the fiber optic panels. A housing is included in the lighting apparatus to have an internal chamber and at least one window formed therein by which the internal chamber is in optical communication with the exterior of the housing. Additionally, an optical system such as a reflector or lens can subtend the light from the distal ends of the fibers within the chamber. The fiber optic panels are coupled to the housing to convey light into the internal chamber while the illumination regions extend from the housing to perform a lighting function of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Beauchamp, John Orisich
  • Patent number: 11181246
    Abstract: A configurable vehicle lighting module system includes a shared lens that provides a first light pattern for a first vehicle lighting function and a second light pattern for a second vehicle lighting function. The shared lens includes a mounting axis as a reference for mounting on a vehicle. First internal optics direct light toward the shared lens to provide the first light pattern; second internal optics direct light toward the shared lens to provide the second light pattern. A coupling system joins the shared lens with either the first internal optics to form a first module configuration for the first vehicle lighting function or with the second internal optics to form a second module configuration for the second vehicle lighting function. The shared lens conceals physical differences between internal optics configurations such that the first and second light module configurations appear the same when viewed along the shared lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Chadwick Fritz, Don Hodnett, Greg Simons
  • Patent number: 11180074
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an active fixation system for automotive lighting modules or component assemblies; more particularly, an active fixation system and methods dynamically apply flexible contact and clip retention arrangements for securing component modules to an automotive vehicle body efficiently that securably maintain interfaces for extended durations; the invention benefits from fastener hardware count reduction and assembly process facilitation; furthermore, the active fixation system enhances overall fit and finish to ensure proper sealing improvements that prevent external environmental or weather penetration and promote features that can effectively secure component modules beyond ordinary life-cycles under various operating conditions inclusive of vehicle vibration, component rattling and proper connection retention capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Gonzalez Garcia, Jesus Murillo
  • Publication number: 20210356093
    Abstract: A light guide has an elongated body that includes an entrance face at which light is admitted into the light guide and an exit face at which the light emanates from the light guide. The light guide has an inboard side wall and an outboard side wall extending between the entrance face and the exit face. The entrance face, the exit face, the inboard side wall and the outboard side wall enclose a medium containing a colorant by which the medium meets a color criterion while minimizing light absorption at a wavelength of the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Leon FRAIZER, Rebecca STANLEY, Shivi SINGH, Colby J. DARLAGE, Jose Alberto GOMEZ RAMIREZ
  • Publication number: 20210356648
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device including a light source configured to emit diverging light a fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers bundled into a cross sectional shape configured to be optically coupled to the light source; and a coupling device configured to optically couple the light source to the fiber bundle, the coupling device including a reflecting portion configured to reflect the diverging light toward the optical fiber bundle and a blocking portion configured to block light from bleeding from the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry GRAMMER
  • Publication number: 20210356219
    Abstract: A tank for a heat exchanger is provided. The tank includes a foot portion, an internal wall, a sealing member and at least one first coupling member. The internal wall is formed along the foot portion at a first end of the foot portion. Further, the sealing member is disposed on the foot portion along an outer circumference of the internal wall to provide a fluid-tight sealing between the tank and a header, when the tank is placed on the header. The at least one first coupling member is provided on the foot portion, adjacent to the sealing member, to couple with the header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Raul Walls
  • Publication number: 20210331555
    Abstract: A method for servicing a heater core installed in a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) assembly for a motor vehicle includes removing a sealing attachment from an interfacing connection interfacing with the heater core. The method includes sliding the heater core in a direction of insertion. The method includes disconnecting, from the heater core, the interfacing connection. The method includes removing the heater core in a direction of extraction, the direction of extraction being orthogonal to the direction of insertion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Rademacher, Jason Kreucher, Heather Hartman
  • Patent number: 11131438
    Abstract: An IR illuminator used during the operation of autonomous vehicles, which provides improvement in the performance of cameras used in the vehicle at night time. An optical design of an outer lens of the IR illuminator is selected so that the outer lens forms a beam pattern for the output light from the IR light source, and also acts as a light guide for light emitted from a secondary visible light source, which is located in the same module as the IR light source, and which may be positioned on the same or a different printed circuit board as the IR light source. The material of outer lens is opalescent including scattering bodies. The optical design of the outer lens allows for improved field of view of the IR illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brant Potter, John Orisich
  • Patent number: 11125409
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a lens arrangement system used in automobile optical modules and more particularly pertains to an image tilt correction system of automotive optical module beam patterns. A system arrangement that includes a generated light beam for illumination and a reflector for directing the light beam from a light source directed towards the outside of the optical module. Additionally provided is a lens that distributes the light beam from the reflector and where lens features include a light input side and a light output side where lens sides include a plurality of light distribution facets or lens optic patterns that are arranged to effectively produce a corrective light beam that is symmetrical and centered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Lionel Floch
  • Patent number: 11124045
    Abstract: A method for servicing a heater core installed in a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) assembly for a motor vehicle includes removing a sealing attachment from an interfacing connection interfacing with the heater core. The method includes sliding the heater core in a direction of insertion. The method includes disconnecting, from the heater core, the interfacing connection. The method includes removing the heater core in a direction of extraction, the direction of extraction being orthogonal to the direction of insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Rademacher, Jason Kreucher, Heather Hartman
  • Patent number: 11119254
    Abstract: A system and a method include a substrate wrinkled coating having a substrate, and a curing layer on top of the substrate. The curing layer includes a partially cured portion directly atop the substrate, and a completely cured portion having light-diffusive wrinkles on top of the partially cured portion. Properties of the light-diffusive wrinkles are controlled by one or more curing parameters, and a composition of the partially cured portion is the same as a composition of the completely cured portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Shivi Singh, Gavin Warner, Robert Fraizer
  • Patent number: 11110898
    Abstract: A wiper blade assembly for a windshield wiper. In one embodiment, the wiper blade assembly includes a connector mounted on a blade support element. The connector has a receiving portion shaped to receive a first part of the end portion of a wiper arm and further has a securing portion shaped to secure a second part of the end portion of the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Valeo North America, Inc., Delmex de Juarez S. de R.L. de C.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Fink, Wolfgang Scholl, Gerhard Schremmer
  • Patent number: 11097591
    Abstract: A system for controlling movements of doors of an HVAC module includes an actuation gear and an intermediate cam. A main door includes a first portion and a second portion having a first guide. The first portion engages with actuation gear to enable linear movement of the main door. A slave door includes a second engagement element and moves between a blocking and unblocking position based on movement of main door. The intermediate cam moves angularly and includes a first engagement element and a second guide. The first engagement element interacts with the first guide, and the second guide interacts with second engagement element to facilitate angular movement of slave door in response to movement of the main door. The first guide includes a bend positioned to enable angular movement of the slave door after the main door moves a pre-determined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sikorski, Darshan Parikh
  • Patent number: 11079089
    Abstract: A light guide has an elongated body that includes an entrance face at which light is admitted into the light guide and an exit face at which the light emanates from the light guide. The light guide has an inboard side wall and an outboard side wall extending between the entrance face and the exit face. The entrance face, the exit face, the inboard side wall and the outboard side wall enclose a medium containing a colorant by which the medium meets a color criterion while minimizing light absorption at a wavelength of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Leon Fraizer, Rebecca Stanley, Shivi Singh, Colby J. Darlage, Jose Alberto Gomez Ramirez
  • Patent number: 11077786
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly, an adaptive front-lighting system, and a method for generating a hybrid luminous intensity distribution are provided. The headlamp assembly includes a light module configured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and a supplementary module including a plurality of independently controlled pixels and configured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution which at least partially overlaps with the first luminous intensity distribution. The second luminous intensity distribution varies with a rotation of the light module by selectively activating or deactivating each pixel of the plurality of independently controlled pixels based on at least a rotation angle of the light module with respect to the supplementary module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Brant Potter
  • Patent number: 11079534
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device including a light source configured to emit diverging light a fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers bundled into a cross sectional shape configured to be optically coupled to the light source; and a coupling device configured to optically couple the light source to the fiber bundle, the coupling device including a reflecting portion configured to reflect the diverging light toward the optical fiber bundle and a blocking portion configured to block light from bleeding from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Grammer
  • Patent number: 11079085
    Abstract: A lighting module and a headlamp for vehicle lighting are provided. The lighting module includes a dynamic bending light module; and a lens that is situated in operative relationship with the dynamic bending light module; wherein the lens has a thin aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin Warner
  • Publication number: 20210199259
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp assembly, a reflector for the headlamp assembly, and a method for generating a supplementary beam using the reflector are provided. The vehicle headlamp assembly includes a light source and a reflector. The reflector includes a plurality of facets. Each facet of the plurality of facets is configured to contribute to a section of a beam pattern of a light beam of the headlamp assembly by reflecting light emitted by the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Brant POTTER
  • Publication number: 20210188035
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) assembly for supplying different mixed air flows simultaneously is disclosed. The assembly includes first blend kinematics configured for allowing passage of a first air flow, second blend kinematics configured for allowing passage of a second air flow, obtaining means configured to obtain a temperature command indicating a target temperature for two different locations outside the HVAC assembly, identifying means configured to identify a pattern for the first blend kinematics and the second blend kinematics for modifying the first air flow and the second air flow based on the temperature command, and coordinating means configured to coordinate each of the first blend kinematics and the second blend kinematics simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Marshall, Darshan Parikh, Steven Hruska, Sally Dagher, Richard Sikorski
  • Publication number: 20210193131
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium that modulate an audio output of a microphone array in order to isolate speech of a talker in a vehicle. For instance, the present disclosure describes a method for modulating an audio output of a microphone array, comprising receiving two or more audio signals from two or more microphone capsules in the microphone array, each audio signal comprising a response to acoustic stimuli in an environment perceived by a respective microphone capsule of the microphone array, estimating an acoustic noise contribution level of the environment based on the received audio signals, estimating a voice contribution level of the environment based on the received audio signals, and determining, by processing circuitry, a direct voice contribution level of the environment based on the estimated acoustic noise contribution level of the environment and the estimated voice contribution level of the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon HOOK