Including Headlamp Beam Measuring Or Indicating (e.g., Headlamp Beam Leveling, Aiming, Inclination Detecting) Patents (Class 362/460)
  • Patent number: 11585510
    Abstract: A light system of a vehicle comprising: (a) a connector housing; (b) a reflector housing connected to the connector housing and being movable relative to the connector housing; (c) one or more adjustment assemblies comprising: (i) a socket in the connector housing; and (ii) a rod in the reflector housing that extends into the socket and is rotatable relative to the socket so that the reflector housing is adjustable relative to the connector housing; and wherein the rod has a length and a width with the length being greater than the width and the rod being rotatable around an axis of the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kearns, Mark Singleton, Gaurav Bhutani
  • Patent number: 10803643
    Abstract: An electronic device that is provided in a vehicle, including an interface unit configured to electrically connect to a first camera and a second camera; and a processor configured to receive, via the interface unit, a forward view image including an object from the first camera; receive, via the interface unit, information about the object from the second camera; convert the information about the object from a coordinate system of the second camera into a coordinate system of the first camera; generate an augmented reality (AR) graphic object corresponding to the object using the converted information; and display the AR graphic object overlaid on the forward view image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunghwan Choi, Ilwan Kim, Jaeho Lee
  • Patent number: 10724708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spotlight adapted for a light device, said spotlight comprising a support and at least one light module adapted for producing a light beam and comprising at least one light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and an optical element, such as a lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AYRTON
    Inventor: Yvan Peard
  • Patent number: 10676014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting and/or signaling system for motor vehicles, including a light source and a lens configured for receiving light rays coming directly or indirectly from the source through an input surface and for emitting a first output beam providing a first regulatory lighting and/or signaling function through an output surface. A waveguide is configured for directly or indirectly receiving light rays coming from the source through an input surface and for emitting a second output beam through an output surface, wherein a coupling zone of the waveguide is located opposite a portion of either the input surface of the lens or the output surface of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: VALEO VISION BELGIQUE
    Inventors: Christophe Valois, Beny Grigorescu, Dirkie Sacchet
  • Patent number: 10589665
    Abstract: A vehicle state determination unit for determining a state of a vehicle, a display data output unit for outputting display data for displaying information indicating the state of the vehicle determined by the vehicle state determination unit, and an information displaying unit for displaying information to the outside of the vehicle in accordance with the display data output from the display data output unit are provided, in which the information displaying unit is configured to switch a display method of the information in accordance with an environment of the vehicle. By this, a degree of information transmission may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Reiko Sakata, Akiko Imaishi, Shinsaku Fukutaka
  • Patent number: 10429024
    Abstract: A holding device (1) for an electronic component (2) in a vehicle headlamp, the electronic component (2) comprising an optical interface area on a front side and a thermal interface area and electrical contacts on a rear side facing away from the front side, as well as: a base body (3) having a mounting position for the electronic component, and an opening (31) located in the region of the mounting position, through which opening access to the optical interface area of the electronic component (2) is possible, wherein the electronic component (2) bears by way of the front side thereof against the base body (3), a circuit board (4), to which the electronic component (2) can be connected by means of the electrical contacts thereof and which has an opening (41), though which access to the thermal interface area of the electronic component (2) is possible, a heat sink (5), which is arranged on the thermal interface area of the electronic component (2) and can be fastened on the base body, at least one resilien
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Mayer, Stefan Mitterlehner
  • Patent number: 10214138
    Abstract: A lighting device to be mounted on a vehicle has a light source, a projection lens having an optical axis, and disposed so as to allow at least some of light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough, a holder that holds the projection lens, a pivot shaft provided at one of the projection lens and the holder and extending in a direction intersecting with the optical axis of the projection lens, a bearing provided at the other of the projection lens and the holder and that holds the pivot shaft, and an aiming mechanism configured to pivot the projection lens relative to the holder about the pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Shibata, Kazutami Oishi, Koji Uchino
  • Patent number: 10183611
    Abstract: A light-device mounting structure of a vehicle includes a headlight unit including a lamp housing accommodating a light source. Support shafts are provided in the lamp housing and are supported in a light cover. In the light-device mounting structure, the support shafts are covered with support-shaft protective members. The support-shaft protective members are engaged non-rotatably relative to the support shafts. The light cover has fitting holes, and the support shafts are fitted into the fitting holes through the support-shaft protective members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Morimoto, Tatsuya Shiokawa, Masayuki Uzaki
  • Patent number: 10131269
    Abstract: A clutching adjuster having a housing with a ball stud bore and a nose, and a ball stud journaled by the ball stud bore for axial movement therethrough, the ball stud having a threaded portion, a ball, an unthreaded portion, an outbound annular travel barrier, and an inbound annular travel barrier, where in adjusting operation, rotation of the ball stud causes axial movement of the ball stud through the ball stud bore via engagement of the threaded portion of the ball stud with the nose, and where in length of travel clutching operation and end of travel clutching operation where the ball stud is axially rotated through the ball stud bore, the receipt of an undue axial force of resistance on the ball stud results in a deflection of at least a portion of the nose, allowing the engagement between the ball stud and the nose to clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 9873446
    Abstract: Various implementations include a light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle that includes a high intensity light source, a light diffusing layer, and an outer lens. For example, in certain implementations, the light diffusing layer is disposed between a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an outer lens, and the light diffusing layer causes the light from the LEDs to appear as a continuous stream of light across a length of the lens and provides sufficiently bright lighting to warn or communicate with the driver in various ambient lighting conditions. In certain implementations, the outer lens is colored to blend in with the rest of the steering wheel when the LEDs are not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Valerie D Gardner, Jason Carl Lisseman, David Ryan Varcoe
  • Patent number: 9656595
    Abstract: A light control system is provided. In the system, an processor sets a maximum light quantity of a lighting device according to the curvature radius of the road the own vehicle travels. The processor then controls the light quantity of the lighting device so as to be equal to or less than the maximum light quantity. According to the system, a maximum light quantity of the lighting device is set according to a curvature radius. Accordingly, a light quantity is appropriately set so as not to dazzle the driver of another vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Uchida, Ryu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9506620
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting device which is to be mounted on a vehicle. The lighting device includes: a housing forming a lamp chamber, the housing including a wall having an opening therethrough; a light source which is disposed in the lamp chamber; a heat sink, wherein the light source is fixed to the heat sink; a fixation portion, wherein the heat sink is fixed to the housing via the fixation portion. A first portion of the heat sink faces an inner surface of the wall. A second portion of the heat sink is exposed to an outside of the wall through the opening. The fixation portion is provided on the outside of the wall to face the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Shibata, Kazutami Oishi
  • Patent number: 8974096
    Abstract: There is provided an inclination sensor device. The inclination sensor device includes: a substrate which mounts an inclination sensor configured to calculate an inclination angle of a vehicle; a case which accommodates the substrate; a first positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a first direction that is substantially parallel to a first main surface of the substrate; and a second positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first main surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8939619
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular headlamp that includes a light source unit, a reflector, a heat sink, a fixation frame fixed inside an external case of a lamp, a movable frame supported on the fixation frame to be movable in a vertical direction, a lens unit including a projection lens and a lens holder and supported on the movable frame to be movable in a horizontal direction, a first aiming operating shaft that performs optical axis adjustment, and a second aiming operating shaft that performs the optical axis adjustment. In particular, the lens unit moves in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the fixation frame while a distance from a focus of light reflected by the reflector to the projection lens is constant, and the light source unit is fixed to the lamp housing while the heat sink is positioned outside the external case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Shibata
  • Patent number: 8905604
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp control apparatus is provided with: a receiving portion for receiving output values of an acceleration sensor; a control portion for deriving a variation in an inclination angle of a vehicle based on the output values of the acceleration sensor and generating a control signal for instructing an optical axis adjustment of a vehicle lamp; and a transmitting portion for transmitting the control signal to an optical axis adjusting portion of the vehicle lamp. The control portion is configured to detect an error factor of the output values occurring in the acceleration sensor based on the output values of the acceleration sensor and to correct an optical axis position of the vehicle lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kasaba, Masashi Yamazaki, Atsushi Toda
  • Publication number: 20140340915
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes: a lamp unit including a unit main body and a connecting portion; a leveling actuator that is connected to the connecting portion and that moves the lamp unit to adjust an irradiation direction of the emitted light; and an aiming mechanism that includes a pair of aiming shafts connected to the connecting portion and that moves the lamp unit to adjust an irradiation direction of the emitted light. The connecting portion has a leveling operation portion to which the leveling actuator is connected and a pair of aiming operation portions to which the respective the aiming shafts are connected. The aiming operation portions are arranged spaced from each other in a lateral direction of the vehicular headlamp. The leveling operation portion is arranged between the aiming operation portions, on an opposite side of the unit main body from the aiming shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiichi TAJIMA
  • Patent number: 8884522
    Abstract: An extraction unit extracts a forward vehicle from an acquired image of the forward area image. A judgment unit extracts a lamp of the forward vehicle from the image of the extracted forward vehicle if a distance to the forward vehicle is less than a predetermined value, and judges whether the extracted lamp is actually two lamps or a single lamp. A control unit controls an irradiation direction of a headlamp such that a first shielded area is set in an irradiation area to prevent an area including the lamp of the forward vehicle from being irradiated if judged that the extracted lamp is actually two lamps, and such that a second shielded area is set in the irradiation area to have a margin in right and left directions larger than the first shielded area if judged that the extracted lamp is really only a single lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Imaeda
  • Publication number: 20140321132
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a light source, a projection lens through which at least a portion of light emitted from the light source passes, and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a reference position of an optical axis of the projection lens. The adjustment mechanism includes a first member having a movement axis, a second member holding the first member, a first screw arranged to adjust the reference position in a first direction, and a second screw arranged to adjust the reference position in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first member is arranged such that the movement axis is positioned on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and including a focal point of the projection lens. An action by a rotation of the first screw and an action by a rotation of the second screw are applied to one of the first and second members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Shibata, Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Patent number: 8862335
    Abstract: Device for the control of vertical cut-off lines for headlamps of a motor vehicle within a swivel range, wherein the control device (10) has a first input (12) for a first signal, which indicates the direction referring to a longitudinal axis (1) of the motor vehicle, in which the motor vehicle (F1) meets the oncoming light source of a motor vehicle (F2) or in which it moves in front of the motor vehicle (F1) in the same direction of travel, wherein the control device is suitable and equipped for the generation of a control signal for the right-hand headlamp (50) and a control signal for the left-hand headlamp (40) of the motor vehicle (F1) for the adjustment of a vertical cut-off line depending on the first signal, with which a right-hand vertical cut-off line and a left-hand vertical cut-off line can be adjusted to eliminate the dazzling effect on an oncoming motor vehicle (F2) or a motor vehicle (F2) driving ahead, wherein the control device (10) is suitable and equipped for the adjustment of the right
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hella KGAA
    Inventors: Christian Schmidt, Tobias Irmscher, Sergej Schwarz, Georg Florissen, Christian Hüster, Carsten Wilks
  • Patent number: 8814402
    Abstract: A control device (100) for controlling a vehicle lamp (210) provided in a vehicle is provided. The device includes: a receiver (102) configured to receive an acceleration signal representing an acceleration of the vehicle, from an acceleration sensor configured to detect the acceleration of the vehicle, wherein an inclination angle (?) of the vehicle with respect to a horizontal plane is calculated based on the acceleration signal; a controller (104) configured to: i) generate a first control signal instructing the vehicle lamp to adjust an optical axis of the vehicle lamp in response to a change of the acceleration signal, when the vehicle has already stopped; and ii) generate a second signal instructing the vehicle lamp to maintain the optical axis of the vehicle lamp, when the vehicle is traveling on a road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kasaba, Masashi Yamazaki, Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: 8816306
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) light device is provided comprising: a main casing filled with a gas to prevent condensation from forming on an interior surface of the visible light filter; and a plurality of IR light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in the main casing, wherein the casing includes heat dissipating features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Robert A. Yano, Jr., Joseph W. Martin, Darren J. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8801240
    Abstract: An aircraft light, particularly for emitting light onto a runway during takeoff or landing and/or onto the ground during taxi, comprises a light source (30), a reflector (12), a support frame (18) for the reflector (12), and an adjustable bearing arrangement (20) including at least two joints (22) pivotably supporting the reflector (12). The adjustable bearing arrangement (20) comprises at least one extendable and retractable adjustment element (24) guided at the support frame (18) along a movement axis (26). At least one of the two joints (22) is formed as a ball-type joint. The ball-type joint (22), to compensate for a change of the distance (A,A?) between the at least two joints (22) of the bearing arrangement (20) upon movement of the adjustment elements (24) for tilting the reflector (12), slidably engages the reflector substantially orthogonal to the movement axis (26) of the adjustment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Goodrich Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind Edupalli, Peter Sterghos
  • Publication number: 20140218945
    Abstract: A traveling direction assistance guidance system mounted on a vehicle which compromising at least a light source, a sensing module for sensing the vehicle traveling direction and a light control apparatus. Based on the vehicle traveling direction sensed by the sensing module and other external control signals, the light control apparatus adjusts the light beams of the light source as the light beams associated with the vehicle traveling directions. When the vehicle travels straight, the light beam is adjusted as a straight line guide light beam. When the vehicle turns, the light beam is adjusted as a curved guide light beam, and the direction and curve of the guide light beams changes over the rotational angle of the steering wheel. Hence, allows the driver to know the expected traveling trajectories when the vehicle is traveling straight or turning, and thus effectively protecting the driving safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: YU-CHUAN LEE
  • Publication number: 20140204598
    Abstract: A regulation system of one or more supports of the domes of the headlights in a vehicle having a chassis, a rear wheel, at least one front steering wheel and a roll and steering mechanism operatively connected with the chassis is described. The regulation system comprises articulated connection means between the roll and steering mechanism and the supports for controlling the domes of such headlights so that they rotate such to compensate the roll rotation of the vehicle while driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: PIAGGIO & C. S. p. A.
    Inventors: Onorino Di Tanna, Stefano Bartolozzi, Mario Santucci, Lorenzo Nardo
  • Publication number: 20140169009
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle lamp capable of improving a production efficiency, reducing a cost, and shortening a production line as compared to a case in which a dedicated mechanical equipment is used. The vehicle lamp includes an optical unit, a pivot member fixed to a bracket of the optical unit, a lamp body having a bearing insertion hole, and a bearing member which is fixed to the lamp body to be engageable with the pivot member. The pivot member and the bearing member are engaged with each other to constitute at least one supporting unit of an aiming mechanism. In addition, the optical unit is tiltably supported by the aiming mechanism and the bearing member is fixed to the lamp body by being inserted into the bearing insertion hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeyuki TACHIIWA, Manabu MAEDA, Kazutami OISHI, Yuki TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140169010
    Abstract: Speed of a vehicle is acquired from a speed detecting device, and then a beam switching threshold, according to the acquired speed, of an irradiation direction of a headlight is initially set. When the number of appearance (i.e. frequency of appearance) of a light source in a predetermined time detected by a light source detection means have become the beam switching threshold or more, the headlight is switched to a low beam. When a predetermined time (beam switching prohibition time Tp) has been passed after the irradiation direction of a headlight was switched to the low beam, the irradiation direction of the headlight is switched to a high beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Imaeda
  • Publication number: 20140153268
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly includes a simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aim of a headlamp. The mechanism includes a gear screw that is snap-fit into the headlamp housing, a grommet that is positioned around the gear screw and snap-fit into the headlamp reflector, and an O-ring to ensure a good seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Publication number: 20140146550
    Abstract: A holder arrangement of a light module in the housing of a headlamp includes a headlamp leveling actuator being arranged between the light module and the housing for the adjustment of the position of the light module in the housing, wherein the position of the headlamp leveling actuator can be changed in the housing by means of an adjustment device. The adjustment device may include a connecting link which is embodied for the compensation of thermally induced changes of the position of the light module in the housing of the headlamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Winfried Leisse, Ralf Seiger, Norbert Röhr
  • Publication number: 20140112011
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a lamp outer case 4, a holding plate 12, a lamp unit 6, and an optical axis adjustment mechanism 16. The lamp outer case 4 includes a lamp housing 2 formed with an opening on at least one side thereof and a cover 3 covers the opening of the lamp housing 2. The holding plate 12 is pivotable in at least one of an up-down direction and a right-left direction. The lamp unit 6 is attached to the holding plate 12 and includes a light source 10b. The optical axis adjustment mechanism 16 is disposed below the lamp unit 6 and adjusts an optical axis direction of the lamp unit 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio NOMURA, Masaaki NAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8684574
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly includes a simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aim of a headlamp. The mechanism includes a gear screw that is snap fit into the headlamp housing, a grommet that positioned around the gear screw and snap-fit into the headlamp reflector, and an O-ring to ensure a good seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 8678629
    Abstract: A lamp unit for a vehicular headlamp includes: a projection lens arranged to have an optical axis extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; a light-emitting element that is a light source arranged on a rear side with respect to a rear focal point of the projection lens; and a reflector that is formed so that a longitudinal section of the reflector has the shape of an ellipse having a first focal point at a center of light emission of the light-emitting element and a second focal point at the rear focal point of the projection lens, wherein the reflector is arranged to cover the light-emitting element and reflects irradiated light toward the projection lens, the irradiated light being light irradiated from the light-emitting element. A major axis of the ellipse, passing through the first focal point and the second focal point, is inclined with respect to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Takuya Kotajima, Hidetada Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8651713
    Abstract: A system is for a landing site for a helicopter or a load suspended from a helicopter, where landing positioning references are visualized as a luminous pattern on the landing site, and where the landing positioning references are formed as lines of light projected on the landing site from one or more light sources arranged at the landing site. A method is for forming of landing positioning references visualized as a luminous pattern on the landing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Torgeir Espedal, Per Ingar Mortensen
  • Patent number: 8632229
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system includes a headlamp having multiple control devices and an ECU. Each of the control devices controls a light irradiation condition of the headlamp. The ECU stores vehicle constants, error code information and initialization information corresponding to different types of vehicle, and controls the control devices. When a vehicle type is changed, the ECU selects at least one of the vehicle constants corresponding to the changed vehicle type, clears the stored error code information and the initialization information after selecting the at least one of the vehicle constants, stores initialization information corresponding to the changed vehicle type, and initializes the control devices. The ECU recognizes dependencies between the control devices and, if the control devices include a first control device that is independent, executes normal control by the first control device directly after initializing the first control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamazaki, Akira Konishi
  • Patent number: 8632228
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes: a lamp outer casing; a lamp unit; a stationary frame; a movable frame that is supported by the stationary frame to be rotatable about a first rotating shaft extending in a lateral direction or a second rotating shaft extending in a vertical direction; a lens unit disposed in the lamp outer casing and supported by the movable frame; a first aiming operation shaft that adjusts an optical axis, and a second aiming operation shaft that adjusts the optical axis. A focal point of the light reflected by a reflector is coincident with a center of the first or second rotating shaft. The lens unit is rotated about the first or second rotating shaft such that a distance between the focal point and the projection lens is constant. The heat sink is positioned on the outside of the lamp outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Shibata, Masashi Tatsukawa, Hiroshi Otaka
  • Patent number: 8591081
    Abstract: A LED is modularized by a light emitting device modularizing member. The light emitting device modularizing member includes heatsink having planar base, a LED mounting plate extending perpendicularly to the base from a portion closer to the end than to the middle portion of the base, and a light emitting device holder provided on each of a first face of the LED mounting plate, which is a face facing the middle portion of the base, and a second face of the LED mounting plate, which is a face opposite to the first face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuaki Inaba
  • Publication number: 20130286670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for checking a lighting driving assistance system of vehicles. In this case, a vehicle is positioned in front of a body and a light of the vehicle is aimed at this body. Brightness distributions are obtained by adjusting the light in the horizontal and vertical directions in a plurality of angular positions and are recorded by an image capture unit. The recorded brightness distributions are used to calculate the distance and angular offset as well as the position of the body and actual values of the angular positions. These actual values are compared with preset desired values, and recommended settings for minimizing a difference between desired and actual values are output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Christian Schmidt, Ingo Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8506145
    Abstract: A method using lens imaging to control hotspots of a vehicle light has steps of providing the area light source having a first shape and a first size, mounting the lens in front of the area light source, choosing a focal length between the area light source and the lens, and determining an angle of view ? using the first size of the area light source and the focal length of the lens and generating a hotspot of the vehicle light having the first size and a size range. By changing the height of the area light source and the focal length of the lens, an angle of view formed by light emitted from the area light source and passing through the lens is adjustable. Accordingly, a range of hotspots of the vehicle light is controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Optronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ren-Cheng Chao
  • Patent number: 8471447
    Abstract: It is provided a lamp (12) for an automotive headlamp (10), comprising a filament coil (14) for emitting light (22) and a nominal alignment axis (32) for aligning the filament coil (14) such, that the filament coil (14) is positioned in the middle of an allowable tolerance box wherein the filament coil (14) is arranged shifted to the nominal alignment axis (32). Due to the shifted arrangement of the filament coil (14) the flexibility given by the allowable tolerance may be used for positioning the filament coil (14) such, that the projected image (18) of the filament coil (14) is projected nearer to the bright/dark-cutoff (40) without blinding oncoming traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Lukas Kuepper
  • Publication number: 20130058111
    Abstract: A method for accurately aiming vehicle headlamps, with apparatus for practicing the method. A vision system, including a digital camera, is positioned in front of a headlamp, in communication with a control device. The control device employs pattern recognition to identify the optical axis indicia within the headlamp, and based on the identified location of that indicia, the control system accurately aligns a beamsetter with the optical axis of the headlamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Kevin William Kiedaisch, Arun Kumar, Thomas William Partch, John Wesley Wilds, Candace Carolyn Glasgow, Sleiman Abdelnour
  • Patent number: 8392073
    Abstract: An automatic leveling device and automatic leveling method for being able to reduce an error caused by a hysteresis characteristic of an actuator are provided. A control ECU obtains vehicle height values from a front height sensor and a rear height sensor, computes a vehicle height difference from the vehicle height values, and a stroke amount to be corrected of an actuator 4 from the vehicle height difference. The control ECU supplies an instruction position signal based on the stroke amount and a hysteresis width such that the instruction position signal projects tentatively alternately out of a hysteresis range plural times in a reverse direction of an immediately preceding value. Therefore, every time the instruction position signal projects tentatively alternately out of the hysteresis range, a motor is started up again and stopped when the instruction position signal is finally matched with an actuator position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Kitajima
  • Publication number: 20130010483
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp control device capable of communicating with a vehicle to adjust aiming of headlamps of the vehicle includes a detecting module, a processing module, and a communication module. The detecting module detects any changes in angle of the vehicle in real time. The processing module obtains angle changes from the detecting module, determines whether adjustment of the aiming of the headlamps being needed, generates a control signal, when an adjustment being needed, according to predetermined adjustments associated with different angle changes and being stored in the processing module , to the vehicle to control the vehicle to adjust the aiming of the headlamps accordingly, and transmits the control signal to the vehicle through the communication module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHI-SHENG GE
  • Publication number: 20120257400
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular headlamp that includes a light source unit, a reflector, a heat sink, a fixation frame fixed inside an external case of a lamp, a movable frame supported on the fixation frame to be movable in a vertical direction, a lens unit including a projection lens and a lens holder and supported on the movable frame to be movable in a horizontal direction, a first aiming operating shaft that performs optical axis adjustment, and a second aiming operating shaft that performs the optical axis adjustment. In particular, the lens unit moves in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the fixation frame while a distance from a focus of light reflected by the reflector to the projection lens is constant, and the light source unit is fixed to the lamp housing while the heat sink is positioned outside the external case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki SHIBATA
  • Patent number: 8242934
    Abstract: A light control system identifies in the processing that discriminates light sources in the acquired image as either luminous objects or reflective objects, each pixel obtained that constitutes the acquired image being classified into a plurality of groups according to the brightness of each pixel, and generates a histogram showing the relation of the brightness and the number of pixels of each group that are matched with each group. Then, when the number of pixels corresponding to the brightest group is less than the number of pixels corresponding to the other groups, the existence of the luminous object in the acquired image is determined, and when the number of pixels corresponding to the brighter group is more than the number of pixels corresponding to the other groups, the existence of the reflective object in the acquired image is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kamioka
  • Publication number: 20120201039
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes: a lamp outer casing; a lamp unit; a stationary frame; a movable frame that is supported by the stationary frame to be rotatable about a first rotating shaft extending in a lateral direction or a second rotating shaft extending in a vertical direction; a lens unit disposed in the lamp outer casing and supported by the movable frame; a first aiming operation shaft that adjusts an optical axis, and a second aiming operation shaft that adjusts the optical axis. A focal point of the light reflected by a reflector is coincident with a center of the first or second rotating shaft. The lens unit is rotated about the first or second rotating shaft such that a distance between the focal point and the projection lens is constant. The heat sink is positioned on the outside of the lamp outer casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki SHIBATA, Masashi TATSUKAWA, Hiroshi OTAKA
  • Patent number: 8235565
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a first aiming mechanism and a second aiming mechanism that enable a lamp unit to be assembled to a vehicle body from the outside or the inside. The lamp body includes a pair of first vertical tilt axis structural members that are provided on a rear portion and engage with the vehicle body tiltably around a first horizontal tilt axis, and a pair of second vertical tilt axis structural members that are provided on both left and right sides and retained tiltably around a second horizontal tilt axis with respect to the vehicle body. The first aiming mechanism has a first optical axis adjusting portion that tilts the lamp unit around the first horizontal tilt axis via an aiming screw. The second aiming mechanism has a second optical axis adjusting portion that tilts the lamp unit around the second horizontal tilt axis via an aiming screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihiro Nishitani
  • Publication number: 20120163007
    Abstract: An aircraft light, particularly for emitting light onto a runway during takeoff or landing and/or onto the ground during taxi, comprises a light source (30), a reflector (12), a support frame (18) for the reflector (12), and an adjustable bearing arrangement (20) including at least two joints (22) pivotably supporting the reflector (12). The adjustable bearing arrangement (20) comprises at least one extendable and retractable adjustment element (24) guided at the support frame (18) along a movement axis (26). At least one of the two joints (22) is formed as a ball-type joint. The ball-type joint (22), to compensate for a change of the distance (A,A?) between the at least two joints (22) of the bearing arrangement (20) upon movement of the adjustment elements (24) for tilting the reflector (12), slidably engages the reflector substantially orthogonal to the movement axis (26) of the adjustment element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Goodrich Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind Edupalli, Peter Sterghos
  • Patent number: 8115394
    Abstract: A headlamp controller includes: a headlamp unit configured to illuminate a front area of a vehicle with a light distribution pattern; an image capturing camera configured to capture an image of the front area; and a light distribution controller including: a road shape detecting unit configured to detect a road shape based on the captured image; a reference optical flow generating unit configured to generate a reference optical flow for a target object belonging to one of attributes based on the road shape; a bright point optical flow measuring unit configured to measure an optical flow of a bright point defined as a target in the captured image; and an attribute determining unit configured to compare the reference optical flow with the optical flow of the bright point and determine which one of the attributes the optical flow of the bright point belongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110141752
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a first aiming mechanism and a second aiming mechanism that enable a lamp unit to be assembled to a vehicle body from the outside or the inside. The lamp body includes a pair of first vertical tilt axis structural members that are provided on a rear portion and engage with the vehicle body tiltably around a first horizontal tilt axis, and a pair of second vertical tilt axis structural members that are provided on both left and right sides and retained tiltably around a second horizontal tilt axis with respect to the vehicle body. The first aiming mechanism has a first optical axis adjusting portion that tilts the lamp unit around the first horizontal tilt axis via an aiming screw. The second aiming mechanism has a second optical axis adjusting portion that tilts the lamp unit around the second horizontal tilt axis via an aiming screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Norihiro Nishitani
  • Patent number: 7914186
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle includes a lamp unit serving to irradiate a light forward, and an actuator having a single output shaft for tilting the lamp unit vertically and transversely. The lamp unit is disposed in a lamp housing formed by a lamp body and a transparent cover for covering a front surface of the lamp body. The lamp unit includes a body coupling portion to be coupled to the lamp body and an actuator coupling portion to be coupled to the actuator. The lamp body includes a lamp unit coupling portion coupled to the body coupling portion and serving to support the lamp unit tiltably in vertical and transverse directions. The actuator is supported on the lamp body and includes an output shaft for tilting the lamp unit vertically and transversely in engagement with the actuator coupling portion of the lamp unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Masahiro Kusagaya
  • Publication number: 20110069303
    Abstract: A method for detecting misalignment of a vehicle headlight using a camera system is specified. For this purpose, the headlight is in a predefined position and the camera system is arranged on or in the vehicle and is oriented in such a manner that the light distribution pattern of the headlight in front of the motor vehicle is detected. With a predefined headlight position, an actual light distribution pattern of the headlight is recorded using the camera system and is compared with a desired light distribution pattern for the predefined headlight position. If the actual light distribution pattern differs from the desired light distribution pattern, misalignment of the headlight is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: ADC AUTOMOTIVE DISTANCE CONTROL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried Mehr, Thomas Fechner, Stefan Heinrich