Patents by Inventor Takashi Futami
Takashi Futami has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20110216549Abstract: A vehicle light unit can convert an LED light source to a linear light emitting state and can be incorporated into a vehicle light. The vehicle light unit can include a first to fourth lens part in front of an LED light source. The first to third lens parts can convert the point light source or the LED light source into a linear light emitting portion with improved light utilization efficiency by providing first to fourth total reflection surfaces utilizing internal reflection to the third lens part. The light rays through the linear light emitting portion can be incident on the fourth lens part. The fourth lens part can include a plate-shaped light guiding portion with a plurality of total reflection surfaces on one surface and corresponding lens cut portions on the other opposite surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventor: Takashi FUTAMI
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Patent number: 7997779Abstract: In a vehicle lamp unit that is configured to be mounted on a vehicle, a semiconductor light source can be substantially covered with a first reflector and, therefore, the semiconductor light source is not visually observable (or, is difficult to see) from outside the lamp unit even when a projection lens is disposed in front of the opening of the first reflector and spaced from the first reflector so as not to contact the first reflector. Thus, a vehicle lamp unit having a novel design can be provided in which the projection lens appears as if it is floating in air and in which the semiconductor light source is not visually seen or is difficult to be seen from the outside.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Futami
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Patent number: 7950837Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada
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Publication number: 20110122637Abstract: A vehicle light can include an LED light source disposed such that the optical axis of the LED light source is directed downward, a first lens disposed forward of the LED light source, a second lens disposed below and forward of the first lens, and a first reflector extending from both sides of the LED light source to a position near the optical axis of the LED light source. The first reflector can be configured to reflect light beams from the LED light source toward the first lens so as to form a wide vertically converged and horizontally diffused light distribution pattern. The vehicle light can include a second reflector disposed at a position below and forward of the first reflector. The second reflector can be configured to reflect light beams from the LED light source toward the second lens so as to form a middle-area vertically converged and horizontally diffused light distribution pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventor: Takashi FUTAMI
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Publication number: 20100259153Abstract: A lamp can include an LED light source and a lens body having a first lens portion and a second lens portion arranged outside the first lens portion, the first and second lens portions being integrally formed with each other. The first lens portion can include a first light-incident surface and a refractive surface to form a main light distribution pattern condensation and refraction. The second lens portion can include a second light-incident surface, a first total-reflecting surface, a ring-shaped light projecting surface including an individual light projecting surface and a second total-reflecting surface, and a third total-reflecting surface. The second light-incident surface can be disposed beside the LED light source and can refract the light reaching the second light-incident surface to let the light enter the inside of the second lens portion. The first total-reflecting surface can totally reflect light entering through the second light-incident surface to condense the light in the front direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventor: Takashi FUTAMI
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Publication number: 20100177526Abstract: An optical lens for use in a vehicle light can be compact and less expensive and has an outer appearance that has a high commercial value and achieves a high light utilization efficiency. The optical lens can include a light incident surface that receives light from a light source and a light output surface to output the light. The light incident surface can include a center light incident surface formed at its center and being convex toward the light source with a plurality of prisms with a polygonal shape formed radially from its center to its periphery. The light output surface can include a toroidal surface corresponding to the center light incident surface and a surrounding light output surface corresponding to the prisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Inventor: Takashi Futami
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Patent number: 7695175Abstract: A vehicle lamp can suppress dimensions in the depth direction and provide a large emission area with a simple configuration, and has a light-emitting surface of wraparound configuration with impressive appearance and aesthetic qualities. The vehicle lamp can include a light source unit and a light guide lens. The light source unit can include a light source, and a converting part for converting light from the light source to a narrow width light. The conversion part has an emission area for emitting the converted light. The light guide lens can include one end face having a shape corresponding to the emission area of the conversion part, a thin plate-like light guiding portion for guiding the incident light, and another end face being a farthest part away from the incident surface. The light guide lens guides the incident light toward the other end face and emits the guided light from a predetermined surface thereof as it travels on its way through the lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Futami
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Publication number: 20100073951Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the related art emit light in all directions, LED lamps can emit light in a single direction, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. In accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp can include an LED chip in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and a shielding member covering a portion of the LED chip in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens or the like constituting the projection means. Accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
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Publication number: 20090316423Abstract: A lighting device with a stable high light intensity can effectively dissipate heat generated by an LED so that the light emission efficiency does not deteriorate while the inside temperature distribution can be maintained in an even state. The lighting device can also be configured to prevent snow from adhering onto an outer lens by allowing an outer surface temperature of the lighting device to rise during actuation of the device. The lighting device can also be configured to improve light utilization efficiency. The lighting device can include a semiconductor light emitting device as a light source and can include structure(s) that guides the emission light to a projection lens. The semiconductor light emitting device can be configured to emit light in a reverse or opposed direction with respect to an illumination direction for the lighting device. A projection lens can be disposed in front of the semiconductor light emitting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventor: TAKASHI FUTAMI
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Patent number: 7622748Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the related art emit light in all directions, LED lamps can emit light in a single direction, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp can include an LED chip in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and a shielding member covering a portion of the LED chip in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens or the like constituting the projection means. Accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2007Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yatsushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
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Publication number: 20090231875Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: YASUSHI YATSUDA, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada
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Publication number: 20090067186Abstract: In a vehicle lamp unit that is configured to be mounted on a vehicle, a semiconductor light source can be substantially covered with a first reflector and, therefore, the semiconductor light source is not visually observable (or, is difficult to see) from outside the lamp unit even when a projection lens is disposed in front of the opening of the first reflector and spaced from the first reflector so as not to contact the first reflector. Thus, a vehicle lamp unit having a novel design can be provided in which the projection lens appears as if it is floating in air and in which the semiconductor light source is not visually seen or is difficult to be seen from the outside.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventor: Takashi FUTAMI
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Patent number: 7484872Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada
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Patent number: 7470050Abstract: A projector type vehicle light can provide an improved far distance visibility in a highway mode and other improved headlight performances by switching the low beam distribution and the highway mode light distribution while utilizing AFS functions. The projector type vehicle light can include a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit. The first lamp unit includes a light source, a reflector, a projection lens, and a light-shading member, and is configured to reflect light from the light source by means of the reflector and project light in the forward direction by the projection lens. The second lamp unit can have almost the same configuration as the first lamp unit and is located adjacent to the first lamp unit and either above or below it. The cut-off line formed by the first lamp unit can be located at an angular position below the horizontal line by 0.57 degrees in order to form a low beam distribution for an ordinary road.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Futami
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Patent number: 7441928Abstract: A lighting device can include at least one LED light source having at least one LED chip, the LED light source being configured to impart a certain directivity to light emitted from the LED chip in a direction of the optical axis of the light source. A first reflector can be disposed in front of the LED light source and upwards with respect to the optical axis. The first reflector can also extend forward and above the optical axis in an inclined manner from a first side to a second side so as to reflect part of light emitted from an upper part of the LED light source with respect to the optical axis. A second reflector can be disposed substantially in parallel to, and below, the first reflector. The second reflector can be configured to reflect light from the first reflector. A third reflector can be disposed in front of the LED light source and downward with respect to the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Futami
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Publication number: 20080232127Abstract: A vehicle lamp can suppress dimensions in the depth direction and provide a large emission area with a simple configuration, and has a light-emitting surface of wraparound configuration with impressive appearance and aesthetic qualities. The vehicle lamp can include a light source unit and a light guide lens. The light source unit can include a light source, and a converting part for converting light from the light source to a narrow width light. The conversion part has an emission area for emitting the converted light. The light guide lens can include one end face having a shape corresponding to the emission area of the conversion part, a thin plate-like light guiding portion for guiding the incident light, and another end face being a farthest part away from the incident surface. The light guide lens guides the incident light toward the other end face and emits the guided light from a predetermined surface thereof as it travels on its way through the lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventor: Takashi Futami
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Publication number: 20080117646Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the related art emit light in all directions, LED lamps can emit light in a single direction, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp can include an LED chip in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and a shielding member covering a portion of the LED chip in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens or the like constituting the projection means. Accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: YASUSHI YATSUDA, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
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Patent number: 7325954Abstract: A vehicle light with a bulb arranged sideway is provided which can reduce a length of the entire light without a deterioration in its brightness and with a simple configuration. The vehicle light can include a light source arranged sideway on an optical axis extending horizontally in the front-to-rear direction of a vehicle. First and second projection lenses can be arranged in front of the light source above and below the optical axis. First and second reflecting surfaces can be provided for reflecting light emitted from the light source to the respective first and second projection lenses. A third reflecting surface can be provided for reflecting light emitted upward from the light source toward the area below the light source. A plane mirror can also be provided and configured to direct light reflected from the third reflecting surface toward the rear focus of the second projection lens.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Futami
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Patent number: 7312477Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the related art emit light in all directions, LED lamps can emit light in a single direction, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp can include an LED chip 2 in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and a shielding member 7 covering a portion of the LED chip 2 in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip 2 is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens 10 or the like constituting the projection means. Accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens 10.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
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Publication number: 20070263404Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2007Publication date: November 15, 2007Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada