Supported By Vehicle Structure (e.g., Especially Adapted For Vehicle) Patents (Class 362/459)
  • Patent number: 11920740
    Abstract: A centering ring for an LED retrofit lamp is described. The lamp includes a ring-shaped body that includes an outer ring and an opening in a central region of the ring-shaped body that receives the LED retrofit lamp. The lamp also includes a recess formed in the outer rim of the ring-shaped body in at least two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: LUMILEDS LLC
    Inventors: Wilbert Heffels, Jean-Rene Cotel, Josef Andreas Schug
  • Patent number: 11725794
    Abstract: A lighting module for use in a lighting device for a vehicle, having at least one light source unit, a first optical unit and a second optical unit as well as at least one support element, wherein the light source unit comprises at least one light source, and wherein at least the first optical unit and the second optical unit are arranged, in particular in a positionally fixed manner, on the support element, and wherein at least one first reference mark is provided on the first optical unit and at least one second reference mark on the second optical unit. In addition, the invention relates to a lighting device as well as to a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Bernd Fischer, Benjamin Willeke
  • Patent number: 11719403
    Abstract: A primary optics for a motorcycle headlamp, wherein the primary optics is a non-imaging primary optics configured to irradiate a segmented light distribution in front of the primary optics, wherein the primary optics includes a plurality of light guiding elements for forming a predetermined segmented light distribution from light of light sources in a main direction. Each light guiding element has a light input surface and a common light output surface, wherein the light guiding elements are arranged in groups, wherein each group includes at least two light guiding elements arranged in juxtaposition along a straight arrangement line orthogonal to the main direction. The light segments generated by the light guiding elements of a group are irradiated in juxtaposition along a straight irradiation line corresponding to and parallel to respective straight arrangement line of the respective group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Matej Marti{hacek over (s)}ka, Anton Koko{hacek over (s)}ka, Jaroslav Kyselica
  • Patent number: 11490031
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to image capture systems and methods. The image capture method may include obtaining first color image data including color information with an infrared light source off. The image capture method may also include obtaining first luminance image data including luminance information with the infrared light source on. The image capture method may also include generating a first enhanced image based on the first color image data and the first luminance image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erli Lu, Jun Zhao, Naiying Ding, Mingzhu Chen, Zhiyong Xu
  • Patent number: 11472335
    Abstract: An optical device for a motorcar capable of generating three-dimensional optical and/or visual effects. The optical device comprises: a plurality of light sources, each one adapted to emit a light beam in a predetermined direction; a supporting element whereon the light sources are mechanically and electrically connected; and at least one optical module, which is adapted to be crossed by a light beam to emit light presenting a three-dimensional optical effect. The plurality of light sources include a plurality of micro-LEDs. The optical module include at least one layer of diffractive material. The optical module is arranged substantially parallel to the supporting element whereon the micro-LEDs lie. The optical module is arranged substantially perpendicular to the light beams emitted by the micro-LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: OLSA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Frank Hallitschke
  • Patent number: 11465704
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wireless remote control or remote control application for controlling the lighting of an electronic personal transportation vehicle. Embodiments can solve problems related to sharing electronic personal transportation vehicles by uniquely identifying a user, and allowing that user to control the lighting of the electronic personal transportation vehicle. In this manner, other users can control the lighting at different times, depending on the specific person that is using the electronic personal transportation vehicle at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: NEUTRON HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Blair Williams, Paul Jackson, Matthew J. Cheung, Angus Peart, Chris Rieger, John Ulmen, Brennan Vandenhoek, Peng Peng, Levi Price
  • Patent number: 11359788
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a head lamp system of a vehicle and an operating method thereof, and includes a vehicle sensor for detecting driving situations of a vehicle, a first Digital Micro mirror Device (DMD) module and a second DMD module that include a plurality of micro-mirrors, and a module controller for controlling the plurality of micro-mirrors included in the first and second DMD modules based on signals provided from the vehicle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong Hee Won
  • Patent number: 11327238
    Abstract: A housing for enabling coupling of light from a light source to an optical light guide. The housing allows for the optical light guide to rotate about its axis with respect to the housing and a light source while at the same time maintaining the optical coupling with the light source. Accordingly, it is desirable to couple light from a light source to an optical light guide, where the optical light guide is freely rotatable about its axis. This is obtained by a locking mechanism of the housing where the light source is arrangeable. The locking mechanism includes a circumferential structure adapted to receive at least one radial locking member of the optical light guide. The circumferential structure is configured such that the optical light guide is rotatable about its axis in the locking mechanism while maintaining a spatial relationship between the end portion of the optical light guide and the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Langner, Anders Lennartsson, Markus Andersson, Mattias Johannesson
  • Patent number: 11204148
    Abstract: A segmented switchable mirror vehicle headlamp includes a light source, a switchable electrochemical film having a plurality of segments, and a controller electrically coupled with each segment of the plurality of segments, such that each segment of the plurality of segments is individually controllable for switching between a substantially transparent state and a substantially reflective state. The plurality of segments include a low-beam array of segments configured for providing a low-beam light distribution from the light source, and a high-beam array of segments configured for providing a high-beam light distribution from the light source. The controller is configured for switching the low-beam array of segments and the high-beam array of segments between the substantially transparent state and the substantially reflective state for controlling the low-beam light distribution and the high-beam light distribution, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Nykerk, David Bjarne Hansen, Jeffrey Simchak
  • Patent number: 11194155
    Abstract: The head-up display device includes a light source; a condensing lens; a lens array diffusing light from the condensing lens; a liquid-crystal display unit emitting light from the lens array as display light; and a reflecting member reflecting the display light emitted from the liquid-crystal display unit and projecting the display light on a windshield. The lens array has, in an emitting surface, a plurality of lens surfaces projecting toward the liquid-crystal display unit and having an aspherical sectional shape, and, in the lens surface, the curvature radius of a part emitting display light to be projected on an upper part of the windshield is smaller than the curvature radius of a part emitting display light to be projected on a lower part of the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noriaki Narushima
  • Patent number: 11169375
    Abstract: A lighting unit includes a light source configured to radiate a light, a circuit board on which the light source is mounted, and multiple stages of condenser lenses configured to condense the radiation light radiated from the light source. A first-stage lens that is located closest to the light source and given a maximum positive power among the multiple stages of condenser lenses has a partition wall portion and a positioning portion. The partition wall portion partitions an accommodation space in which the light source is accommodated in a range from a composite focal point of the multiple stages of condenser lenses to the first-stage lens by projection toward the circuit board side. The positioning portion 222 is provided on the partition wall portion and positioned relative to the circuit board by concavo-convex fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Nambara
  • Patent number: 11167687
    Abstract: Provided is an object detection system which enables detection of a body of interest without causing any disturbance outside a vehicle even if the body of interest is present in a restricted-illumination area. In accordance with the timing whereby an imaging module captures an image of an object in the restricted-illumination area and on the basis of the result of image processing by an image processing module, an illumination control module controls the start and end of illumination of the restricted-illumination area by an illumination module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takakiyo Yasukawa, Tatsuhiko Monji
  • Patent number: 11060688
    Abstract: A hidden light apparatus for a vehicle is configured so that light is emitted from a grill of the vehicle in a same appearance as a shape of the grill when light is not emitted, thereby maintaining a design of the grill. The hidden light apparatus includes the grill which has an outer surface formed of a pattern composed of a plurality of grids; a grid panel which is coupled to one of the grids in a same shape to form a surface of the one grid, and formed with a perforated hole and anon-perforated portion; and an optical module which is provided inside the grid panel, allows the grid panel to configure the pattern of the grill when turned off, and allows the grid panel to serve as lighting of a vehicle by emitting light through the perforated hole of the grid panel when turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Soon Il Lee
  • Patent number: 11055938
    Abstract: A key and lock set include: an electronic key without a built-in a power source; a lock openable by the electronic key but not openable by a mechanic key, having a power source shared with the electronic key; and an electronic key reader configured to read an identification of the electronic key; wherein: the lock is configured to be opened by the electronic key upon the identification matches an identification of the lock; and the identification of the electronic key and the identification of the lock are programmable and configured to be paired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Yaowu Ma
  • Patent number: 11040652
    Abstract: Described herein includes embodiments of an illuminating emblem device that is configured to be coupled to a vehicle and/or device. Some implementations of the illuminating emblem device include a light assembly that is configured to provide a uniform (or substantially uniform) distribution of light along a front housing part or front panel of the illuminating emblem. For example, in some implementations, the illuminating emblem device can include a light diffusing filler that diffuses light emitted from the light assembly to assist with uniformly distributing light emitted through the front housing part. Various other embodiments of the illuminating emblem device and associated methods of manufacturing are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Sharpline Converting Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Snyder, Daniel Kincade, Rogelio Daniel Fernandez Rios
  • Patent number: 11035536
    Abstract: An illumination device for emitting illumination light, comprising: a light-emitting diode (LED) for emitting LED radiation, a laser for emitting laser radiation, and a luminescent element for at least partial conversion of the LED radiation and the laser radiation into conversion light, which forms at least part of the illumination light. The LED, the laser and the luminescent element are arranged relative to one another in such a way that during operation of the illumination device, on an incidence face of the luminescent element, respectively in a time integral, the LED irradiates an LED irradiation area with the LED radiation and the laser irradiates a laser irradiation area with the laser radiation. The laser irradiation area has at least one intersection with the LED irradiation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: OSRAM BETEILIGUNGSVERWALTUNG GMBH
    Inventors: Jasmin Muster, Ricarda Schoemer, Jenny Trommer, Oliver Hering, Jürgen Hager
  • Patent number: 11001192
    Abstract: A lamp for a vehicle includes a light generation unit with an array module having a plurality of micro Light Emitting Diode (micro-LED) elements. The lamp also includes at least one processor and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to: control the light generation unit to form a light distribution pattern that, when projected on a vertical plane at a first distance, has a luminous intensity that is progressively smaller from a central point closer to a center towards a peripheral point further from the center. Controlling the light generation unit to form the light distribution pattern includes: controlling at least one first micro-LED element to generate a first luminous intensity at the central point, and controlling at least one second micro-LED element to generate a second luminous intensity at the peripheral point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Geunhyeong Kim
  • Patent number: 10989385
    Abstract: A lighting device includes: at least one laser light source configured to emit a light beam; and a light conversion element associated with the at least one laser light source and arranged in the beam path of at least one light beam generated by at least one laser light source such that at least a portion of the light beam emitted by the at least one laser light source is directed onto the light conversion element, and in such a way that a laser light spot is illuminated on a face of the light conversion element facing the incident light beam, the light conversion element comprising a material which, through scattering, absorption and conversion of the incident laser light, emits and scatters light of a larger wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Albrecht Seidl, Volker Hagemann, Edgar Pawlowski, Frank Gindele
  • Patent number: 10907814
    Abstract: A lighting structure is provided, including a base, a moving mechanism and at least two elongate lighting assemblies. The moving mechanism is connected with the base and the at least two elongate lighting assemblies. The moving mechanism is swingable and rotatable relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Yi-Wen Tang
  • Patent number: 10849208
    Abstract: A method for controlling a streetlight, includes: detecting an existence of an object in a preset detection area by using a motion detect sensor; determining whether the object is a new object that approaches the detection area newly or an existing object that has been detected; calculating a size of a lighting zone by using the signal processor; inputting the object existence signal and a lighting zone activation signal to a lighting controller and inputting a signal regarding the size of the lighting zone to a local area wireless communication unit; setting at least one or more streetlights among the plurality of node streetlights adjacent to the first node streetlight and transmitting the lighting zone to activation signal to the additional lighting streetlight; and controlling a dimming value of the first node streetlight and the lighting zone activation signal and controlling a dimming value of the additional lighting streetlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Neobby
    Inventors: Hyeon Il Kim, Moon Hum Yang
  • Patent number: 10823361
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight apparatus, on a vehicle applies illumination light to a road surface, comprises: a light source device to generate the illumination light; and a lens on a light axis of the light source device and projects the illumination light from the light source device to form a desired light distribution, wherein the light source device includes: one or more semiconductor light source elements to emit light; a collimator unit having one or more collimators disposed on a light emission axis of each of the semiconductor light source elements and converts light emitted from a solid light source into substantially parallel light; and a polarization conversion element provided on an emission surface side of the collimator unit and converts incident light into predetermined polarized light, and the illumination light emitted from the polarization conversion element of the light source device is applied in a predetermined direction through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kunii, Toshinori Sugiyama, Koji Hirata
  • Patent number: 10823356
    Abstract: A light system comprising: (a) a vehicle connector configured to connect to a vehicle; (b) a light connector in communication with the vehicle connector, the light connector being movable relative to the vehicle connector; and (c) a bias member connected to the light connector and extending into contact with the vehicle connector so that as the light connector is adjusted the bias member creates a bias force to move the light connector away from the vehicle connector or the bias member is compressed to store energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Horacio Gutierrez, Julien Hemon, Alexis Debiard
  • Patent number: 10738953
    Abstract: A lighting system that may include a platform, a plurality of hangers configured to hang the platform from a supporting structure, and at least one luminaire or light pendant electrically and structurally coupled to the platform for emitting light. The platform may include a plurality of first power bars spaced from one another and extending in a first direction, and a plurality of second power bars spaced from one another and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first and second power bars may be electrically and structurally connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY VISIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Sonneman, Christian N. Garnett
  • Patent number: 10696225
    Abstract: The light deflection device is configured to switch a first reflection position and a second reflection position in at least some region of the reflection part. The first reflection position is a position at which the light irradiated by the irradiation optical system is to be reflected toward the projection optical system so as to be effectively used as a part of a desired light distribution pattern. The second reflection position is a position at which the light irradiated by the irradiation optical system is to be reflected so as not to be effectively used. The detection unit is arranged at a position at which the light reflected at the second reflection position by the light deflection device can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 10697602
    Abstract: A lighting device for motor vehicles including at least one first light source that is centered on and/or aligned with the optical axis of a projection lens of the lighting device, and a diaphragm element in order to form a cut-off profile in a first light beam shaped by the projection lens. This advantageous configuration enables reduction of chromatic defects linked to interaction between the diaphragm element and light rays generated by the first light source. The lighting device advantageously includes a second light source in order to be able, in collaboration with the first light source, to generate a second light beam. In this case, the diaphragm element is advantageously inclined on the second light source side relative to the optical axis of the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Adrien Manassero, David Bourdin
  • Patent number: 10672208
    Abstract: A stowage bin assembly includes a latch that is configured to selectively lock and unlock the stowage bin assembly, and a sensor in communication with the latch. The sensor is configured to be engaged to lock, unlock, open, and/or close the stowage bin assembly without the latch or the sensor being touched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard K. Simms, Stephen G. Dame, Mark L. Cloud, Todd D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10641438
    Abstract: Proposed is a lighting system comprising: at least one laser adapted to output light; a pixelated luminous screen for emitting light when excited by incident light; and at least one optical component adapted to redirect and distribute light from the at least one laser to the pixelated luminous screen. The pixelated luminous screen comprises: a plurality of luminous pixels arranged adjacent each other with separated side edges, each pixel comprising luminous material; and a heat sink formed from thermally conductive material. The heat sink is positioned between the plurality of luminous pixels such that it contacts the adjacent side edges of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rifat Ata Mustafa Hikmet, Ties van Bommel, Roman Hohn, Josef Andreas Schug
  • Patent number: 10619915
    Abstract: Provided is a metal touch sensing apparatus in which recognition performance thereof is improved, a plurality of touch parts are successively manipulated to enter into a specific mode, thereby preventing a refrigerator from being malfunctioned, and touch sensitivity of the refrigerator to be touched for the manipulation is visually adjusted, and a home appliance including the touch apparatus and a method for controlling the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seungje Park
  • Patent number: 10473290
    Abstract: A motor vehicle component consisting of a metal profile element and a lighting element. The profile element has a channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile with an externally accessible opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile. The lighting element serves to produce a strip of light radiating in the longitudinal direction of the profile, and is arranged in the channel of the profile element so as to be concealed behind an outer surface of the profile element so that the radiated light does not arrive directly at the outside, but instead is reflected outward by a reflecting surface of the profile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: WKW Erbsloeh Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Wacker, Bernd Fausten, Michael Hoinka
  • Patent number: 10429060
    Abstract: A ceiling fan motor with a reduced axial height includes a stator, a rotor and a light-emitting module. The stator includes an iron core and a shaft. The iron core forms an assembly opening at a central portion thereof. The rotor is rotatably coupled with an outer periphery of the shaft and includes a housing. The light-emitting module is at least partially arranged between the iron core and the shaft, or is arranged between the iron core and the housing of the rotor, along a radial direction perpendicular to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Tso-Kuo Yin
  • Patent number: 10406970
    Abstract: A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port disposed at the electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. The charge port includes an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting the charge port to the charging source. The charge port includes at least one illumination source that, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting at the outer portion. The illumination source may be controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source. The system may include a cover panel that is opened to expose and access the charge port. The activating event may include plugging in of the charging source to the charge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Richard R. Hook, David A. Dingman
  • Patent number: 10330380
    Abstract: Provided is a metal touch sensing apparatus in which recognition performance thereof is improved, a plurality of touch parts are successively manipulated to enter into a specific mode, thereby preventing a refrigerator from being malfunctioned, and touch sensitivity of the refrigerator to be touched for the manipulation is visually adjusted, and a home appliance including the touch apparatus and a method for controlling the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seungje Park
  • Patent number: 10328833
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a console assembly for a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a console structure and a movable structure that is supported for movement in and out from the console structure. Additionally, the console assembly includes a cup holder structure that is supported by the movable structure. The cup holder structure includes a cup holder that is supported for movement by the movable structure between a retracted position and an extended position. The cup holder is configured to remain substantially in the retracted position as the movable structure moves between a first position and a second position. The cup holder is configured to move between the retracted position and the extended position as the movable structure moves between the second position and a third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gurnek Singh, Thomas Hallman, Scott J. Fast
  • Patent number: 10288245
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source; a light condensing element for concentrating light from the light source onto a light concentration position; a plate for receiving light from the light condensing element and transmitting such light; a phosphor element for receiving light from the light source at the light concentration position; and a lens for projecting light from the plate. The plate is configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens to shift the light concentration position, which is between the plate and the lens, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamada, Masatoshi Nishimura, Jun Kondo
  • Patent number: 10288250
    Abstract: A lamp for a motor vehicle body includes a light source configured to generate light beams; a reflector configured to deflect and reflect the light beams; and an optical plate configured to scatter reflected light beams and non-reflected light beams. The reflector includes a first partial region and a second partial region for generating different brightness levels. The first partial region of the reflector is configured to be reflection-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Alexander Rabek, Heinz Redlich, Malte Moessner, Ulrich Bauer, Burkhard Leutiger
  • Patent number: 10279730
    Abstract: A signal system for a vehicle has a vehicle mount that is configured to be attached to the vehicle. A power source is arranged through the vehicle mount and electrically coupled to a vehicle power source. A solenoid is electrically coupled to the power source and mechanically coupled to a spring. An arrow main pole is mechanically coupled to the spring, a first head blade and a second head blade. A solenoid controller is electrically coupled to the solenoid. Activating the solenoid controller engages the spring to rotate the arrow main pole approximately 180 degrees in a first direction into an expanded arrangement. Collapsing of this expanded arrangement by hand reloads the rotational energy back into the springs that can produce a future expanded arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Franklin Egan, II
  • Patent number: 10222021
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a lamp housing; a base substrate disposed in the lamp housing; and a plurality of planar light sources. The plurality of planar light sources are disposed spaced apart from each other on the base substrate. Each of the plurality of planar light sources has a light emitting surface that protrudes from the base substrate and that forms a respective acute angle with the base substrate relative to a forward direction of the vehicular lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Juung Jo
  • Patent number: 10207632
    Abstract: Vehicle body element including: a translucent body (20), a holder body (22) intended to sustain the translucent body (20) to the vehicle, forming an enclosure (32), and a light system (24) extending in the enclosure (32), adapted to diffuse light through the translucent body (20). The translucent body (20) has a constant thickness and is made of a partially opaque material being arranged to let the light emitted by the light system (24) pass through the translucent body (20) when the light system (24) is turned on, the partially opaque material having a light transmittance chosen so that the quantity of natural light passing through the translucent body (20), reflecting on the light system (24) and passing back through the translucent body (20) is sufficiently low to blank the light system (24) when the light system (24) is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: Flex-N-Gate France, Plastic Omnium Automotive Exteriors GmbH, Flex-N-Gate Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Chawki Benboujema, Frederick Bois, Thorsten Leudts
  • Patent number: 10180224
    Abstract: In described examples, a DMD includes micromirrors. A first light source generates a first beam profile illuminating a first set of micromirrors of the DMD. A second light source generates a second beam profile illuminating a second set of micromirrors of the DMD. The first and second beam profiles partially overlap on at least some micromirrors of the DMD. The first light source is source-modulated independently of the second light source for adjusting power and brightness in response to a sensed driving condition. The micromirrors of the DMD are modulated in response to the sensed driving condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Vikrant R. Bhakta
  • Patent number: 10176765
    Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations of a software configurable lighting device, having an enhance display device that is able to generate light sufficient to provide general illumination of a space in which the lighting device is installed and provide an image display. The general illumination is provided by additional light sources and/or improved display components of the enhanced display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Komanduri, Rashmi Kumar Raj, An Mao, Guan-Bo Lin, Hampton Boone Maher, Jonathan Lloyd Goodman, David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 10126411
    Abstract: A beam steering capability is proposed for a ladar sensor operating with limited laser transmit power, as may be typical of an airborne or automotive application. The ladar system also makes use of optical gain elements in the receiver which act to increase the signal to noise ratio at the receiver when the laser transmit power available is restricted by power, size, and/or cost limitations. In one embodiment, the calibration of each pixel in the ladar sensor is provided for by an electrical amplifier array with a number of pixel amplifiers. Each pixel amplifier may be individually calibrated to a mating detector element so as to eliminate the variations in dark current and gain between all pixels in the detector array. A number of new detector array designs are described which may lower cost and improve performance, and new low cost and high performance packaging for the detector array, amplifier array, and readout integrated circuit is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL ADVANCED LIDAR SOLUTIONS US, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Gilliland, Roger Stettner
  • Patent number: 10107469
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicular lamp including: a plurality of light emitting elements for drawing a pattern on a road surface which is individually turned ON/OFF; and an optical system which transmits light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements, the plurality of light emitting elements is disposed along a horizontal direction of a vehicle in parallel, and the optical system projects a light source image of each light emitting element on a road surface as a light distribution pattern which extends in the vertical direction more than in the horizontal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misako Nakazawa, Shinji Kagiyama
  • Patent number: 10101001
    Abstract: A headlight for vehicles, having a plurality of light sources (5,13) and an optics (11) assigned to the light sources, in which a first lighting unit (1) having at least one light source (13) for generating a first, dynamically variable light effect and a second, laser lighting unit (4) having at least one laser light source (5), at least one beam defection unit (7) and at least one light conversion unit (8) are provided, and the optics (11) is configured to combine the two light effects generated by the first lighting unit and at the light conversion unit of the second laser lighting unit to form an overall light distribution on a carriageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Reinprecht
  • Patent number: 10099656
    Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a vehicle operation includes a first user-input interface, a second user-input interface, and a vehicle controller. The first user-input interface is configured to interact with a user via a swipe-up input. The second user-input interface is configured to interact with the user via an application independent of the swipe-up input. The vehicle controller is configured to control the vehicle operation in response to detecting a first swipe-type user-input via the first user-input interface and a second user-input via the second user-input interface within a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Mirko Pribisic, Timothy DeZorzi, Kurt M. Schatz
  • Patent number: 10070779
    Abstract: A dental light comprises at least one light emitting diode light source configured to produce a light beam and at least one collimating lens system situated to receive the light beam. The collimating lens system is configured to collect and collimate the light beam. The collimating lens system can additionally modify the beam through controlled diffusion or shape the beam using an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Stone, Takaaki Nakagawa, Eric Bube, Randall Joel Lonsdale, Patrick W. Berry, Ryan M. Williams, Joseph Van Domelen, Jason Alvarez, Jonathan E. Myers
  • Patent number: 10066799
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp is provided that includes a digital micromirror device (DMD) headlight module, the DMD headlight module including a DMD, a white light module to provide a white light beam to illuminate the DMD, illumination optics optically coupled between the DMD and the white light module to prepare the white light beam for illuminating the DMD, and projection optics optically coupled to the DMD to receive pixelated light reflected by the DMD and project a pixelated light beam on road, in which at least one of the DMD, the white light module, and the illumination optics shape a beam profile of the white light beam such that the light reflected by the DMD has a pixelated non-uniform beam profile suitable for projecting a white light beam that forms a portion of a white light beam of the headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Vikrant R. Bhakta, Jeffrey Scott Farris
  • Patent number: 10047918
    Abstract: An optical module including a light source, an adjustable reflector and a wavelength conversion set is provided. The adjustable reflector is disposed in a light path of light emitted from the light source and adaptable to adjust between a first position and a second position. The wavelength conversion set includes a first wavelength conversion member and a second wavelength conversion member. When the adjustable reflector is at the first position, light emitted from the light source is reflected to the first wavelength conversion member by the adjustable reflector. When the adjustable reflector is at the second position, light emitted from the light source is reflected to the second wavelength conversion member by the adjustable reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: PlayNitride Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Jen Su, Gwo-Jiun Sheu, Kuan-Yung Liao, Sheng-Yuan Sun
  • Patent number: 10037861
    Abstract: A lamp (10), which is particularly a motor vehicle headlight, comprises a burner (12) for emitting light, which is supported by a holder (16) for mechanically connecting the burner (12) with a socket (14). The holder (16) comprises a metal ring (26) surrounding the burner (12). The metal ring (26) is thermally connected to the burner (12) via a single connecting surface (40), which is in planar contact to the burner (12) over an angle of ?350° in circumferential direction. Due to the increased heat transfer to the environment the used materials are less subjected to heat, so that the overall lifetime and the shock resistance of the lamp (10) are increased at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Flechsig, Peter Rosenmueller
  • Patent number: 10018319
    Abstract: In order to determine a zero position of the actuating drive (14) of a luminous range adjustment of a light module (10) in a headlamp for vehicles, light coming from the light source (1) is directed onto an absorber surface (12). The absorber surface (12) has an opening, through which light passes as a delimited light beam (17). By means of the actuating drive (14), the light module (10) is pivoted in terms of its angle position, an intensity of the light beam (17) passing through the opening being detected by means of a light-sensitive sensor (15) which is arranged behind the absorber surface (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ZKW GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Mitterlehner
  • Patent number: 9965983
    Abstract: A keyless entry system for an automobile includes a capacitive touch screen having at least one drive line and at least one sense line, the drive and sense lines defining a plurality of touch detection nodes. The touch screen is associated with an exterior surface of the automobile. A control circuit coupled to the touch screen is configured to detect proximity of a stimulus to the touch detection nodes. The control circuit provides a control output to a lock or latch controller when the control circuit determines that the stimulus has been placed proximate the touch detection nodes according to predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark R. Mathews