Abstract: An automotive lightguide includes a main guide portion with a light entrance surface and a reflective rear edge surface; and an exit lens joined to the main guide portion, the exit lens having an exit surface with an arcuate exit profile. In use, light rays from a light source enter the main guide portion through an entrance surface, travel through the main guide portion and reflect off the rear edge surface to the exit lens which images the reflected light rays as a light beam pattern having a predetermined sharp horizontal cutoff and a predetermined horizontal spread, the arcuate profile of the rear edge surface determining the horizontal cutoff and vertical spread of the light beam pattern with respect to the horizontal optical axis H-H, and the exit profile of the exit lens determining the horizontal spread of the light beam pattern.

Abstract: A light guide fixture system (10) includes a light guide (20) and a fixturing cassette (18). The guide (20) includes and a mounting surface (26) having a mounting feature (30) and a locating feature (28) for engaging a locating feature (72) of a light module (64) and align the guide (20) with respect to a light engine (12). The cassette (18) includes a light guide-receiving region (42) for receiving the mounting surface (26), a mounting feature (52), and a mounting region (44) for mounting the system (10) to the light module (64). The mounting features (30, 52) allow translational motion of the cassette (18) relative to the guide (20) when the guide (20) is received in the light guide-receiving region (42) while allowing the guide (20) to remain in the predetermined position. The cassette (18) secures the guide (20) to the light module (64).

Abstract: A lamp reflector assembly (10) includes a lamp reflector (100) and circuit board holder plate (300). The lamp reflector (100) and the circuit board holder plate (300) each include guide ribs (115, 315) to hold a lamp circuit board (200) in place in the reflector assembly (10). The board holder plate (300) provides X, Y, Z location of the circuit board (200) as well as visual position verification of the circuit board (200) held in the reflector assembly (10). Finger tabs (210) protruding from the circuit board (200) through slots (320) in the board holder plate (300) permit repositioning the circuit board (200) so that the lamp circuit board (200), the board holder plate (300), and the lamp reflector (100) are properly positioned relative to each other prior to securing the board holder plate (300) to the reflector (100).

Abstract: A vehicular lighting adjustment system (10) has a housing (12) with at least two headlamp adjusters (14), each headlamp adjuster (14) comprising a rocker arm (16) pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (X). A common adjuster (30) is mounted to the housing (12) for rotational displacement. Respective elevation tuning adjusters (34) bear on rocker arms (16) and are displaceable along the common adjuster (30) from an initial axial position to an adjusted axial position whereby each rocker arm (16) deflects about its pivot axis (X). The elevation tuning adjusters (34) are selectively fixed to the adjustment rod (30) in the adjusted axial position. After each elevation tuning adjuster (34) is fixed in its adjusted axial position to the common adjuster (30), displacement of the common adjuster (30) simultaneously displaces the headlamp adjusters (14) by pivotal motion of the rocker arms (16) about their respective said pivot axes (X).

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp (10) has first and second lamp components (12, 14) mounted in a housing (16) having a wall (18). The first and second components (12, 14) are simultaneously adjustable from a double pivot rocker (20), the double pivot rocker (20) being mounted to the wall (18) by a stationary pivot bearing (21). The first and second lamp components (12, 14) each have a fixed pivot bearing (22, 24) fixed to the wall (18) and a floating pivot bearing (26, 28) fixed to the double pivot rocker (20). The first and second components (12, 14) can be reflectors positioned in a vertical array.

Abstract: An adjustable lamp holder has a mounting structure arrayed about a longitudinal axis. A pair of hollow pivot pillars extends from the mounting structure parallel to the longitudinal axis and a receptacle is positioned on the mounting structure parallel to the longitudinal axis and substantially opposite the pivot pillars. A body with a body axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis has a pair of pivots formed thereon for engaging the pivot pillars. A projection is formed on the body substantially opposite the pivots and an angle adjuster, having a proximal end and a distal end, has the proximal end positioned in the projection and the distal end positioned in the receptacle. Movement of the angle adjuster tips the angle of the lamp.

Abstract: A lamp assembly 10 has a housing 12 that preferably is non-rotationally symmetrical. In a particular embodiment the housing 12 can be rectangular; however, other non-rotationally symmetrical housings can also be employed. The housing 12 includes a base 14 and an upstanding wall 16 surrounding the base 14. The space between the cover 24 and the base 14 defines a light-conducting channel 34. A light-receiving aperture 36 is defined in the housing 12 and in one instance is formed to receive light from a light source 22. A first light-receiving conduit 38 is defined in the light-conducting channel 34 and is formed to receive light from the light source 22 that is fitted into the light-receiving aperture 36 and conduct light to a second light-receiving conduit 40 defined in the light-conducting channel 34.

Abstract: An adjustable lamp holder has a mounting structure arrayed about a longitudinal axis. A pair of hollow pivot pillars extends from the mounting structure parallel to the longitudinal axis and a receptacle is positioned on the mounting structure parallel to the longitudinal axis and substantially opposite the pivot pillars. A body with a body axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis has a pair of pivots formed thereon for engaging the pivot pillars. A projection is formed on the body substantially opposite the pivots and an angle adjuster, having a proximal end and a distal end, has the proximal end positioned in the projection and the distal end positioned in the receptacle. Movement of the angle adjuster tips the angle of the lamp.

Abstract: An adjustable lamp holder has a mounting structure arrayed about a longitudinal axis. A pair of hollow pivot pillars extends from the mounting structure parallel to the longitudinal axis and a receptacle is positioned on the mounting structure parallel to the longitudinal axis and substantially opposite the pivot pillars. A body with a body axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis has a pair of pivots formed thereon for engaging the pivot pillars. A projection is formed on the body substantially opposite the pivots and an angle adjuster, having a proximal end and a distal end, has the proximal end positioned in the projection and the distal end positioned in the receptacle. Movement of the angle adjuster tips the angle of the lamp.

Abstract: An adjustable lamp holder has a mounting structure arrayed about a longitudinal axis. A pair of hollow pivot pillars extends from the mounting structure parallel to the longitudinal axis and a receptacle is positioned on the mounting structure parallel to the longitudinal axis and substantially opposite the pivot pillars. A body with a body axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis has a pair of pivots formed thereon for engaging the pivot pillars. A projection is formed on the body substantially opposite the pivots and an angle adjuster, having a proximal end and a distal end, has the proximal end positioned in the projection and the distal end positioned in the receptacle. Movement of the angle adjuster tips the angle of the lamp.

Abstract: An exterior automotive lamp may be formed with LED light sources by efficiently using the available light. The LEDs are arranged in an array to illuminate a central lens to produce the horizontal spread from the central portion of the LED beam. Meanwhile a reflector gathers the more disperse side-emitted portion of the LED beam and directs that light as an outer sheath to form a supplementary portion of the beam. The lamp efficiently provides a beam that may be adapted for highbeam, lowbeam, fog, or signal purposes.

Abstract: A lamp assembly providing a three dimensional lamp image may be animated by driving the mirror portion with an electromechanical device responsive to a varying input signal. The three dimensional image can then be reshaped in response according to a preferred input signal.

Abstract: A light guide may be made from a plurality of substantially planar, light transmissive arms paralleling and radiating from a common axis. The planar arms in combination define a common cavity extending along the axis sufficiently large to envelope a light source. At least one arm has an input window facing the common cavity, a reflective wall aligned with respect to the common cavity and an input window. Light received from the direction of the common cavity through the input window is generally reflected in an axial direction. The light guide has an output window extending from an intersection point with the reflective wall towards the axis. The plurality of arms is preferably supported on a base.

Abstract: A lens 10 comprises a first surface 12 and a second surface 14. The first surface 12 is provided with a plurality of horizontal, linear Fresnel lenses 16 and the second surface 14 is provided with a plurality of horizontal pillow optics 18. In the lens 10 the horizontal, linear Fresnel lenses 16 of the first surface 12 provide vertical refraction of light from a central axis sufficient to collimate light from a point to within ±70 degrees of horizontal and the pillow optics 18 of the second surface provide horizontal spread of the collimated light to ±25 degrees from the medial plane.

Abstract: A minimal volume boss may be formed as key and keyway assembly defining a shaft along the interface between the two pieces. A threaded fastener may be threaded into the shaft to lock the two pieces together. Because the key can have minimal volume, the cavitation spot opposite the key, typically formed during molding can be eliminated on fine surfaces. By properly keying the pieces, rotation between parts can also be eliminated. This helps automated torque sensing tools read and apply the proper torque in automated assembly.

Abstract: A lamp assembly with a thin actual dimension providing an image of greater apparent depth may be formed from a light source, reflector and a partially reflective and partially transmissive lens. The mirrored surface is oriented axially to face a field to be illuminated. A partially light reflective and partially light transmissive lens having a first surface faces the reflector. The lens is offset from the mirrored surface, thereby defining a cavity intermediate the reflector and the lens. The mirrored surface and the first surface of the lens are smoothly bowed with respect of one to the other. At least one LED (light emitting diode) light source capable of emitting visible light, is positioned near the cavity and oriented to direct light into the cavity intermediate the reflector and the lens. Because of the bowing, the multiple reflected images are offset inducing an optical illusion of depth.

Abstract: An exterior automotive lamp may be formed with LED light sources by efficiently using the available light. The LEDs are arranged in an array to illuminate a central lens to produce the horizontal spread from the central portion of the LED beam. Meanwhile a reflector gathers the more disperse side-emitted portion of the LED beam and directs that light as an outer sheath to form a supplementary portion of the beam. The lamp efficiently provides a beam that may be adapted for highbeam, lowbeam, fog, or signal purposes.

Abstract: A detectable indicator (10) formed on a body (18), the indicator (10) comprising a deformable element (12), a safeguard (14) at least partially surrounding the deformable element (12) and an area (16) in the safeguard allowing access to the deformable element (12).

Abstract: A cargo lamp assembly for vehicles includes a white light emitting diode having an aperture for emitting a light beam in horizontal and vertical planes of about 120°, and a lens for receiving the beam and reducing the beam in the horizontal plane to about 60° and reducing the beam in the vertical plane to about 60°.