Headlight Patents (Class 362/507)
  • Patent number: 8398283
    Abstract: An automotive signal light is taught which employs multi-focal length light pipes to collect, collimate and direct, as needed, light emitted from one or more semiconductor light sources. Each multi-focal length light pipe includes at least one light transmission structure, each of which has a light receiving port to receive light emitted from a semiconductor light source spaced from the light receiving port by an air gap. The light transmission structure includes at least two superimposed parabolic reflecting surfaces, each having a common focal point at the light receiving port but having different focal lengths, and the superimposed parabolic reflectors operate to receive, collimate, spread and transmit the light from the semiconductor light source to a light emitting surface of the light pipe which is located adjacent to a lens of the signal light. The aesthetic arrangement of the light pipes is not particularly limited and a wide range of signal light functionalities can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, James R. McFadden
  • Patent number: 8398277
    Abstract: An illumination controller comprise at least one sensor configured to sense position and motion of an operator of a banking vehicle, an illumination adjustment actuator, and a controller configured to determine angular velocity and/or linear acceleration, and banking angle of the vehicle from the sensed position and motion signals. The controller controls the illumination adjustment actuator to direct the illumination in anticipation of and during a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Billie Brandt Fritz, Toby John Lloyd
  • Patent number: 8393771
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp including a discharge lamp, which includes a light source, and a cap that holds the light source. The vehicle headlamp also includes a reflector, which includes a light reflecting part and a lamp holding part formed contiguously with one end of the light reflecting part. The vehicle headlamp also includes a socket connected to the cap, which supplies drive current to the lamp. The socket includes a case that holds a structure disposed therein, and a connection portion, which is connected to the cap and which protrudes toward the cap from an opposite surface of the case facing the cap. A conductive member is mounted on the lamp holding part to transmit noise generated when the lamp is turned on and a conducting portion is formed on the opposite surface of the case to surround the connection portion. The conductive member and the conducting portion are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoshi Kawamura, Satoru Yashiki
  • Patent number: 8393769
    Abstract: A projector headlight for a low beam can include a light source, an ellipsoidal reflector, a projector lens and a shade. Light emitted from the light source can form a fundamental light distribution pattern from the projector lens via the ellipsoidal reflector by shielding an upward portion of the light with the shade. The shade can form a blurred part on a horizontal cut-off line using a radiused R surface between a top and front edge lines of the shade. Therefore, a contrasting difference between the upper and lower sides of the horizontal cut-off line can be reduced so as to be able to conform to a light distribution standard for a headlight. The R surface can be configured with a reflex surface or a non-reflex surface to match the light source. Thus, the projector headlight can perform a favorable light distribution pattern utilizing a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Akutagawa, Motoyuki Ichihara, Yoshiaki Akiyama, Yasuaki Kaizumi
  • Patent number: 8393768
    Abstract: A side-illuminating projection lens and a headlight having the same, in which a side-illuminating lamp is implemented with a projection lamp that illuminates to the side of a vehicle by radiating light in the radial direction, wherein sideways-radiated light is projected in the radial direction and is thus smoothly combined with forward-radiated light, thereby improving the driver's vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, SL Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Kyung Soo Lee, Dae Kon Kim, Byung Kyu Yoon, Kwang Min Ko
  • Patent number: 8382353
    Abstract: In a light chamber formed by a housing case and a lens cover of a headlamp assembly, a projection lens and a light source are arranged in order along an optical axis of the light source from a front side of the light chamber. Radiating fins of a plate shape is vertically placed in the light chamber and radiate heat energy generated by the light source. A heat exchange chamber is formed in a ceiling wall of the housing case above the radiating fins. The heat exchange chamber has a concave shape from the ceiling wall of the housing case, and is open toward the radiating fins side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Motonori Tominaga, Takahito Nishii, Yasutoshi Horii
  • Patent number: 8360626
    Abstract: A lamp unit includes a projection lens, a light emitting device disposed such that a light emitting axis of the light emitting device is oriented upward, a reflector disposed to cover light emitted from the light emitting device and to reflect the light toward the projection lens, a first shade configured and disposed to partially block the light reflected by the reflector, and a second shade. The first shade includes a light cutting edge configured to form a cutoff line along an upper edge of a light distribution pattern, and an auxiliary reflecting surface extending rearward from the light cutting edge and configured to partially reflect, toward the projection lens, the light reflected by the reflector. The second shade is arranged to extend from a front edge of the reflector toward the auxiliary reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8348485
    Abstract: A headlamp for a motor vehicle, this headlamp comprising at least one optical module capable of emitting a plurality of light beams, including a low beam and at least one additional light beam. The optical module is equipped with a cover plate which can be moved between at least two positions, this movable cover plate being configured along a shaft mounted so as to rotate in the optical module and driven in rotation at least by a motor. The shaft comprises at least one first cut-off member configured as a double-edged cover plate providing an oblique cut-off for emission of the low beam, and at least one second cut-off member configured as a wall of substantially constant height, angularly offset relative to the first cut-off member and providing at least one substantially vertical cut-off line for emission of a high beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Jonathan Blandin, David Bourdin, Jean-François Le Bars, Boris Wiegand
  • Publication number: 20120327676
    Abstract: The invention describes a collimator (4, 5, 6) comprising a base (40, 50, 60) and a plurality of side walls (41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 61, 62) arranged to enclose a light source (2), characterized in that at least one side wall (41, 51, 61) of the collimator (4, 5, 6) is joined to the base by an integral hinge (7) and is realized to be tillable within a range of motion (M4, M5, M6), and wherein the base (40, 50, 60) and the side walls (41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 61, 62) of the collimator (4, 5, 6) are realized so that light (L) emitted by the light source (2) enters the collimator (4, 5, 6) through a light entry opening (30) and exits essentially only through a light exit opening (31) for any position of the hinged side wall (41, 51, 61) over its range of motion (M4, M5, M6). The invention further describes a method of manufacturing such a collimator (4, 5, 6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Josef Andreas Schug
  • Patent number: 8337063
    Abstract: A vehicle light including at least one LED light source unit disposed within a light chamber defined by a lens cover and a housing. The vehicle light can further include, within the light chamber: a heat sink and a plurality of heat dissipation fins; a back plate separated away from the heat sink main body and constituting a part of a duct together with the heat sink, the duct containing the plurality of heat dissipation fins between the heat sink main body and the back plate; an axial fan motor configured to generate an air flow passing through the duct; and a cover member, the housing having an opening used for replacing the axial fan motor with another one, the cover member being detatchably attached to the housing so as to cover the opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nagasawa, Takashi Matsuno, Chikako Yamahana
  • Patent number: 8314558
    Abstract: A vehicle exterior lamp is provided with an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) with rows and columns and each LED positioned at an intersection thereof. An LED is illuminated by selectively applying a signal to the row and column corresponding to the LED position. A vehicle headlamp lighting system is provided with an array of LEDs with rows and columns, and each LED positioned at a row and column intersection. The lighting system has a control module for selectively illuminating the LEDs by applying a signal to the rows and to the columns corresponding to the location of the LEDs to be illuminated. A vehicle headlamp is provided with an optical structure for reflection and refraction of light and LEDs. Light emitted by the LEDs interacts with the optical structure and exits the headlamp in a generally perpendicular direction to the LED emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Donald Paul Bilger, Arun Kumar
  • Patent number: 8297815
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including a main lamp unit that forms a main light distribution pattern for a headlamp, and an additional lamp unit that emits blue light or mixed light including blue light to form a lane marker irradiation light distribution pattern, wherein the lane marker irradiation light distribution pattern is superimposed onto the main light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Shimodaira, Gosuke Ohashi, Nobukazu Ishikawa, Yuichi Shibata, Hiroyuki Serizawa
  • Patent number: 8287163
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp apparatus includes a light source for producing a high beam and a headlamp apparatus controller for controlling illumination from a light source. The headlamp apparatus controller divides a light distribution pattern of a high beam formed by illumination from the light source into a plurality of regions and controls illumination from each of the individual regions as divided so as to supplement a light distribution pattern of a low beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Watanabe, Satoshi Yamamura
  • Patent number: 8287166
    Abstract: A vehicle head lamp comprising a first low beam member including a first light source part; a second low beam member including a second light source part, wherein the first low beam member and the second low beam member are arranged in a vertical direction and are both reflective type; a first frame including a partition, the first frame supporting the first low beam member and the second low beam member, and the partition separating the first low beam member and the second low beam member; and a storage provided in a rear side of the partition, the storage accommodating the first and the second light source parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Tanaka, Akihiro Misawa, Tetsuya Arakawa
  • Patent number: 8273444
    Abstract: A lamp design surface member is provided. The lamp design surface member includes a design surface having a decorative surface. Concave-convex portions and planar portions are formed together on the decorative surface. The concave-convex portions have a peak cross-sectional height Rt of 1 ?m or more and the planar portions have a peak cross-sectional height Rt smaller than 1 ?m. The planar portions are formed so that an area ratio of the planar portions to the decorative surface is in a range of 30% to 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiko Suzuki, Akinori Yamamoto, Kenichi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8267548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle. Said lighting device comprises a light source (1; 96) for emitting electromagnetic radiation, in particular light which is visible to the human eye, and a reflector (70; 81; 90) for focusing the emitted light. The light source (1; 96) is fastened on the reflector (70; 81; 90) at least indirectly in a defined position relative to a reflective surface of said reflector. In order firstly to make heat transfer from the reflector (70; 81; 90) to the light source (1; 96) more difficult and secondly to enable EMC shielding by virtue of an electrical contact between the light source (1; 96) and the reflector (70; 81; 90), the invention proposes that a material (72) with poor thermal conductivity is arranged between the reflector (70; 81; 90) and the light source (1; 96) for thermally insulating the light source (1; 96) from the reflector (70; 81; 90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Froehlich, Jochen Mehl, Christian Johann, Matthias Roder
  • Patent number: 8256946
    Abstract: A vehicle light can prevent the generation of glare light due to the reflection of light from a connecting surface surrounding a reflecting surface when a lens body including the reflecting surface and the connecting surface surrounding the reflecting surface is used and light emitted from an LED light source enters the lens body. The vehicle light can include a light source and a lens body. The lens body can include optical surfaces including the reflecting surface configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern, and connecting surfaces that shape and define a structure of the lens body by connecting the optical surfaces, but that do not engage in the formation of the light distribution pattern. The connecting surface surrounding the reflecting surface can reflect part of incident light from the light source to a direction that is different from the direction by the reflecting surface and is directed to any one of connecting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ohno, Ryotaro Owada, Norikatsu Myojin
  • Patent number: 8251558
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp system and corresponding kit, including (left and right) headlamps and a mode switch (control mechanism) responsive to inputs from a mode switch console or other user interface arrangements, the combination of headlamps and mode switch providing high and low beam on-road illumination and a higher level of illumination for off-road illumination using the same light source in each headlamp as is used for the on-road illumination. Cooperation between a light source driver circuit in each headlamp and the mode switch results in the light source in each headlamp being driven by more or less current, as required by the selected mode. A (daytime) running lights mode of operation may also be provided using the same light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ibis Tek, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Hubert, James M. Helms, Mark R. Barie, Richard P. Lizotte
  • Patent number: 8231255
    Abstract: A vehicle light can electrically change over between a horizontally wide light distribution pattern and an AFS suitable light distribution pattern for projecting light beams leftward (or rightward according to the traffic system). The vehicle light can include a projection lens having a light incident surface and a light exiting surface; and a horizontally long rectangular surface light source including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices that are horizontally disposed on both sides with respect to a focus of the projection lens and are independently controlled to be turned on/off. The projection lens can vertically converge and horizontally diffuse light beams for projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadayuki Konishi
  • Patent number: 8215812
    Abstract: The invention discloses a LED vehicle cornering lamp, including a metal lamp holder, wherein the metal lamp holder is equipped with inward cavity, and in the bottom of the cavity has a sloping bench for the installation of the luminous body, which is to turn the luminous body into the lateral directions during steering maneuvers; a LED luminous body at least, which is installed in the sloping bench inside the cavity of the metal lamp holder, wherein the luminous body connects with a controller while the controller controls the make-and-break of the LED luminous body; a reflector corresponding to the luminous body, wherein the reflector collects the light from the LED luminous body and lightens the lateral direction of the vehicle after reflection; a transparent protection cover, wherein the protection cover is liquid-tight assorted with the metal lamp holder port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Shenzhen Anhuaxin S&T Development Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jiahong Liao
  • Patent number: 8217306
    Abstract: A conventional vehicle lighting device entails a problem on appearance. A vehicle lighting device of the present invention is provided with a wire heater, an extension portion, and a power-feeding portion. An adhesive part is provided at a part of one face of an extension film of the extension portion. Of such one face of the extension film of the extension portion, a letterpress printed-film pattern of a rough portion is provided in a range excluding the adhesive part. As a result, the vehicle lighting device of the present invention provides an ability to reliably prevent an extension film of the extension portion from sticking to a lamp lens by means of the letterpress printed-film pattern of the rough portion; prevent an appearance failure or abnormality exerted by the sticking of the extension film of the extension portion to the lamp lens; and improve its appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotoka Inoue, Katsuhiro Murahashi, Hiroto Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 8212277
    Abstract: In an optical semiconductor device module constructed by an optical semiconductor device having a light emitting portion on its top surface, a mounting substrate adapted to mount the optical semiconductor device thereon, at least one wiring pattern layer formed on a front surface of the mounting substrate, and at least one power supplying portion in contact with the wiring pattern layer, at least one of the power supplying portion and the wiring pattern layer is uneven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Sakai, Norifumi Imazeki, Soji Owada
  • Publication number: 20120163008
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp is provided with: a light-emitting module; a control circuit unit configured to control the lighting of the light-emitting module; a support substrate configured to support both the light-emitting module and the control circuit unit; and a reflector configured to reflect, through an inner surface of the reflector, light emitted by the light-emitting module and collect the reflected light. The support substrate is arranged in a manner such that the control circuit unit is positioned in a region outside the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Matsumoto, Tetsuya Suzuki, Tomoyuki Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120147615
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided which includes a housing, first and second light sources located in the housing, and an articulating reflector. The articulating reflector is located within the housing and moves between a use position in front of the first light source to reflect light from the second light source and a retracted position. Accordingly, light assembly housing is effectively used to provide a secondary light source, such as a daylight running lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Sarbjit Singh, Edward R. Golden
  • Publication number: 20120147616
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided which includes a housing, first and second light sources located in the housing, and an articulating lighting device. The articulating lighting device is located within the housing and moves between a use position in front of another light source to provide light and a retracted position. Accordingly, light assembly housing is effectively used to provide a secondary light source, such as a daylight running lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Sarbjit Singh, Edward R. Golden
  • Publication number: 20120140500
    Abstract: A lighting system for an automotive vehicle has a housing adapted for mounting to the vehicle with a generally outward facing backplate and at least one socket for an incandescent light source. A transparent lens cover is attached to the housing and forms an internal chamber between the lens cover and the housing. A staircase circulator on the housing comprises a plurality of steps and risers rising from the backplate toward the lens cover along a path that is spaced from the socket, wherein the path is generally along a natural convection flowpath of air within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Muhammed Aqil Hamid, Steven M. Barman, Brett Deboodt, Gordon E. Syerson
  • Patent number: 8172442
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp can include a daytime running lamp with favorable light distribution characteristics. The vehicle headlamp can also include a headlight such as a low beam/high beam, a fog lamp, and the like. The vehicle headlamp can include a parabolic type reflector, a halogen bulb, and a driving circuit. The halogen bulb can include a first filament, a second filament and a shield member if necessary or desired. The first filament can be used as the above headlight, and the second filament adjacent the first filament can be used as the daytime running lamp. Because the second filament can be located at a closer position than the first filament with respect to the reflector, light emitted from the second filament can form a wider light distribution than that of the first filament. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp can provide a daytime running lamp with a favorable light distribution pattern along with the above headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadayuki Konishi
  • Patent number: 8172314
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a wing (3) with a cutout (16) and a covering part for covering the cutout (16). The covering part is formed by a panel (10) that is visible from outside and by a closing part (11) that holds the panel (10) from the inside against the cutout (16). To further increase the functionality of the covering part a connection in terms of flow extends between the closing part (11) and/or the panel (10) and headlight unit/lamp unit (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Grammer, Holger Sander
  • Publication number: 20120092882
    Abstract: A method and a device for illuminating an edge region of a roadway by headlights of a vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle includes a camera. Activating takes place of at least one additional illuminating device or a masking of an headlight that is present on the vehicle. An additional illuminated region is generated which extends in the vertical and the lateral direction with respect to the vehicle. Activating the at least one additional illuminating device or headlight masking at least one headlight present in the vehicle takes place by a navigation system of the vehicle or in response to a decrease in the speed of the vehicle and/or by an object/traffic sign detection using the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Schmack
  • Patent number: 8152346
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit can include a first reflector surface and a second reflector surface disposed vertically with the optical axis of an LED light source interposed therebetween. The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface can form respective light distribution patterns. The first reflecting surface can include an edge near the projection lens formed in a substantially elliptic shape and designed so as to take an aberration of the projection lens into consideration. The edge can be disposed so as to coincide with a focus group of the projection lens. The second reflecting surface can be formed to have a substantially conical curved surface or a curved surface having at least a part of a cross section of a substantially conical curved surface. Direct light emitted from the LED light source and passing through/between the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface can form a light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Yatsuda
  • Patent number: 8147106
    Abstract: A headlamp in which light source units are tilted about predetermined tilting center axes by means of an aiming mechanism interposed between a lamp body and the light source units. The aiming mechanism includes a tilting fulcrum (a ball and socket joint), aiming screws which are rotatably supported on the lamp body, and nut members which thread fit on the screws and mounted on the light source units movably in forward and backward in response to the rotations of the screws, so as to tilt the light source units about the tilting center axes. A leaf spring slide portion brought into elastic engagement with a guide groove is made of a polyacetal resin which is superior in resistance to wear. A nut member main body having a screw thread fitting portion is made of a nylon resin which is superior in resistance to heat. There is no permanent set on the slide portion and a slide contact surface does not wear, and no looseness is generated in the screw thread fitting portion of the nut member main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toyozo Eto, Yasuhiro Katsumata
  • Patent number: 8147109
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device of a vehicle lamp and an interposing element thereof are provided. The heat dissipation device is installed in a lamp room which is divided by the interposing element into a front partition and a rear partition. A heat sink is installed in the interposing elements. An air feeding fan is disposed in an air feeding channel of the interposing element, for drawing air in the front partition to the rear partition through the air feeding channel. Further, a back flow fan is disposed in the rear partition, for drawing air in the rear partition to the front partition through a back flow channel. Whereby, the air in the front partition is cooled down through an external air flow passing through the lamp cover. Then, the heat sink dissipates heat of the air flow with the relatively low temperature in the front partition to the rear partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Man Zai Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Feng Wan, Hao-Hui Lin, Su-Chen Hu, Chen-Jung Chen, Hui-Fen Huang
  • Patent number: 8136971
    Abstract: A vehicular light assembly, comprising: a housing and a lens cover, wherein at least one of the housing and lens cover includes at least one previously damaged sub-component which has been repaired utilizing a mold from a vehicular light assembly and/or assembly sub-component void of damage relative to the repaired sub-component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: David C. Hartman
  • Patent number: 8127881
    Abstract: A sensor mounting arrangement for a vehicle has a headlamp shell (5) with a recess (14) and a hole (16) spaced from the recess (14). A protective plate (11) has a projection (15) that protrudes into the recess (14) of the headlamp shell (5). A blind rivet bolt (18) is riveted to the protective plate (11) at a location spaced from the projection (15) of the protective plate (11). The blind rivet bolt (18) has a bolt head (17) that passes through the hole (16) in the headlamp shell (5). A crash sensor (19) is connected firmly to the blind rivet bolt (18) and hence to the protective plate (11). The connection ensures that forces generated in the event of a crash will not cause the protective plate (5) to shear off the headlamp shell (5) before the sensor (19) has time to respond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reza Shakory-Tabrizi
  • Patent number: 8118460
    Abstract: A lens includes extended lens portions extending leftward and rightward beyond a high beam reflecting portion, respectively. The lens forms an X shape when viewed from the front, due to the extended lens portions. Paired left and right light guide members are disposed below a reference axis of a low beam bulb on lateral sides of a high beam bulb, respectively. Extension members are disposed along side edges of the lens in such a manner as to cover front sides of the light guide members, respectively. Opening portions are formed in the extension members so as to guide light from the light guide members to the extended lens portions respectively. Light from the low beam bulb is emitted to an outside through the light guide members, the opening portions, and the extended lens portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hotei, Satoshi Kogo, Hayato Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8118461
    Abstract: The invention concerns a front unit for a motor vehicle with at least one headlight unit, a mounting component for connecting with the motor vehicle, means for hanging the headlight unit to the mounting component, an elastic element with first a fastener for fastening relative to the mounting component and a second fastener for fastening to a first side of the headlight unit, positioning means for positioning a second side of the headlight unit located opposite the first side relative to a fender area of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Kunststoffe Automobilsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Joly-Pottuz, Raphael Mary, Yann Clapie
  • Patent number: 8113700
    Abstract: A headlamp includes a lamp base with an interior reflecting surface, a lamp provided in the lamp base, a driver deposited on a recessed supporting surface of the lamp base, two light shields installed on the lamp base and a spring biasing the lamp shields towards one another. The driver includes a driving shaft, and a pushing block with a conical surface gradually tapered toward its free end. The light shields are pivotally fixed on the lamp base by fastening elements and their inner portions overlapped each other, and each has a sliding groove bored obliquely and tapered downwards for the pushing block to pass through. The light shields are drawn by the driver to control light projecting from the lamp to produce a high and low beam illumination pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Raiderson Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwan-Ten Hung
  • Patent number: 8109662
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-piece headlamp lens (2) for a vehicle headlamp (1), in particular for a motor vehicle headlamp (1), wherein the headlamp lens (2) comprises a first region (40) designed as a free-form lens part or as part of an aspherical lens, and at least one second region (41) designed as part of a Fresnel lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Docter Optics GmbH
    Inventors: Mohsen Mozaffari-Afshar, Bernhard Breeger
  • Patent number: 8104935
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a headlight system in a motor vehicle, wherein the headlights of the headlight system encompass a first operating mode with a first response behavior and a second operating mode with a second response behavior, which is different from the first response behavior. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, rapid change of the response behavior from the first response behavior beyond the second response behavior until a third response behavior is reached, slow reversal of the response behavior from the third response behavior until the second response behavior is reached. A headlight system is also provided that operates in accordance with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Torsten Kanning
  • Patent number: 8104937
    Abstract: A headlight support structure for a saddle-type vehicle allows a headlight to be easily mounted easily on a handlebar of the vehicle. The headlight support structure includes a support member. The support member, in turn, includes: an attachment portion fixed to a mounting bracket disposed on a handlebar; a first holding portion covering the handlebar from an upward direction; and a second holding portion covering the handlebar from a forward direction. The headlight support member is supported on the handlebar by having the first and second holding portions supported on the handlebar with gaps interposed therebetween, while having the attachment portion fixed to the mounting bracket on the handlebar. The headlight is supported by first and right wall portions, extending respectively forwardly from right and left sides of a front portion of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Tomoko Nagamatsu
  • Patent number: 8100569
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight can include an LED optical unit with a high cooling efficiency. The LED optical unit can include a projector lens, a lens holder including a frame that has a tapered portion, and an LED light source mounted on a base member. The base member can be located in the tapered portion of the frame to define an air flow space between the frame and the base member. The projector lens can be attached to the lens holder so as to face the light source. Cool air can flow from the air flow space towards the light source, and heat generated from the light source can flow toward the upward air flow space. The LED light source can be efficiently radiated even when it is located close to the projector lens. Thus, the vehicle headlight can be used for various vehicles including a small size car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryotaro Owada
  • Patent number: 8083387
    Abstract: A deformable subassembly (1) for mounting of headlight in the region of a recess (5) in a wing (4) of a motor vehicle has a sealing channel body (6) connected to the wing (4) in the region of a joint with a motor vehicle bonnet. A headlight cup (3) for mounting the headlight is connected on one side to the sealing channel body (6) spaced from the wing (4). A lower side of the headlight cup (3) is connected to a bracket body (7) that is connected to a supporting structure (8) of the motor vehicle. The sealing channel body (6), headlight cup (3) and/or the bracket body (7) are configured to deform in the event of an impact with a pedestrian so that the risk of injury to the pedestrian is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Soellner, Jorg Kusche, Reza Shakory-Tabrizi
  • Patent number: 8075166
    Abstract: A light, and particularly a vehicle light, can prevent a reflected image of a resin injection trace (reflected in an adjacent connecting surface surrounding a reflecting surface) from being observed through a projecting surface, thereby preventing deterioration of appearance of the light. The light can include a light source and a lens body having a resin injection trace by injection molding. The lens body can include, as its surface, optical surfaces including an incident surface, a reflecting surface, and a projecting surface that are configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern. Connecting surfaces that shape and define a structure of the lens body can connect the optical surfaces, and can be configured so as not to engage in the formation of the light distribution pattern. The incident surface can be a lens surface that can receive light from the light source to allow the light to enter the lens body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ohno, Ryotaro Owada, Norikatsu Myojin
  • Patent number: 8070335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixture for a headlight unit, comprising fastening means (105) for attaching the fixture to a support part (102) of a front unit of a motor vehicle, a reception zone (106) for the headlight unit, and first and second spaced-apart elastic means (112, 114) between the fastening means and the reception zone. The reception zone extends between the first and second elastic means which are embodied such that the reception zone for the headlight unit can be translationally moved substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle in order to mount the fixture into a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Kunststoffe Automobilsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Becher, Pascal Joly-Pottuz
  • Patent number: 8070334
    Abstract: The work machine has an operator's cab, an engine hood, an exhaust pipe, a first headlight, and a second headlight. The engine hood is disposed in front of the operator's cab. The exhaust pipe projects upwards from the engine hood. The first headlight and the second headlight are provided at a front part of the operator's cab spaced in a lateral direction and disposed so that optical axes of the first and second headlights are mutually intersect but not to overlap with the exhaust pipe when viewed in a top plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yomogita, Masamichi Miyazaki, Keita Muto, Koji Nagami
  • Patent number: 8070339
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including a projector headlight using an LED light source for a low beam can include a shade, an LED light source, an ellipsoidal reflector and a projector lens. Both a focus of the projector lens and a top edge of the shade can be located near a second focus of the reflector. The LED light source can be located near a first focus located below the second focus of the reflector. Therefore, light emitted from the LED light source can be effectively gathered near the focus of the projector lens via the reflector and can be projected via the projector lens with high light use-efficiency. The projector lens can include light dispersing portions or structures on an upside and downside thereof for reducing chromatic aberration. Thus, the lamp can project a favorable light distribution that can conform to light distribution standards for vehicle headlights and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruo Koike
  • Patent number: 8047692
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a fender and a headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly defines an upwardly exposed and unobstructed surface, and is movably mounted with the fender such that the headlamp assembly moves from a first position to a second position in response to a load having a vertical component acting on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Leo F. Schwab
  • Patent number: 8042981
    Abstract: In a vehicle headlamp, a light source image forming device forms a first light source image and a second light source image. A projection lens projects the first light source image and the second light source image so as to have a common border with each other. The light source image forming device forms the first light source image and the second light source image at positions spaced apart from each other along respective edges forming the common border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Kotajima, Satoshi Yamamura
  • Patent number: 8038334
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp unit using a light-emitting element as a light source includes a projection lens on an optical axis that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and first and second light source units arranged rearward of the projection lens. The first light source unit includes a first light-emitting clement, a first reflector arranged to cover the first light-emitting clement from above and structured to reflect light from the first light-emitting element forward toward the optical axis, and a first mirror component having an upward-facing reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Publication number: 20110228546
    Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle with light unit for daytime and nighttime front navigation light and a supplemental distance light unit, in addition to an at least one optical module (3), with light source (2). The light sources (61, 62) of the supplemental unit (7) are supplied with alternating electric current, for creation of the front nighttime navigation light when supplied with low electric current, or the front daytime navigation light when supplied with medium electric current, and when supplied with the highest electric current, a supplemental distance beam in addition to the distance light beam emerging from the optical module (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Cejnek, Rainer Neumann, Zdenek Geryk