Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/509)
  • Patent number: 9133996
    Abstract: A bezel for a light fixture appears illuminated when a bezel light source is energized and the bezel appears opaque when the bezel lights source is not energized. The bezel has a metalized coating which reflects light transmitted from a location remote from and external to the bezel and which transmits light emitted by the bezel light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Code 3, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 9133997
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a two-dimensional image forming device, a light source, and a controller. The image forming device is disposed near a rear focal point of a projection lens and has a projection plane formed of plural optical elements arranged in a matrix manner. The light source irradiates with light the projection plane. The controller individually drives the optical elements to form, on the projection plane, an illumination pattern having a shape corresponding to a light distribution pattern projected by the projection lens ahead the vehicle lamp. The controller sets an output rate per unit time of the optical elements disposed at an end portion of the projection plane to be lower than that of the other optical elements. The light is output from the optical elements disposed at the end portion of the projection plane towards the projection lens at the output rate per unit time thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 9105824
    Abstract: Light emitting devices and methods are disclosed that provide improved light output. The devices have an LED mounted to a substrate, board or submount characterized by improved reflectivity, which reduces the absorption of LED light. This increases the amount of light that can emit from the LED device. The LED devices also exhibit improved emission characteristics by having a reflective coating on the submount that is substantially non-yellowing. One embodiment of a light emitting device according to the present invention comprises a submount having a circuit layer. A reflective coating is included between at least some of the elements of the circuit layer. A light emitting diode mounted to the circuit layer, the reflective coating being reflective to the light emitted by the light emitting diode. In some embodiments, the reflective coating comprises a carrier with scattering particles having a different index of refraction than said carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Sten Heikman, Zhimin Jamie Yao, James Ibbetson, Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9103518
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight of a small projector type can provide a favorable light distribution for an overhead sign area along with a light distribution used as a low beam. The headlight can include a semiconductor light source and a projector lens including first, second and third light-emitting surfaces. The headlight can project light having high brightness underneath a horizontal cut-off line while projecting other light in the downward direction using the first and third light-emitting surfaces. Additionally, the headlight can be configured to illuminate light having small chromatic aberration toward the overhead sign area using the second light-emitting surface located between the first and third light-emitting surfaces. Thus, the headlight can provide a favorable light distribution pattern used as a low beam and a favorable light distribution pattern for the overhead sign area using the light that color separation is inhibited so as to conform to a vehicular standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryotaro Owada
  • Patent number: 9051463
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polycarbonate composition having improved transparency can comprise reacting an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a diaryl carbonate under melt polymerization conditions to provide a polycarbonate; and contacting the polycarbonate with a polydiorgano siloxane having a kinematic viscosity of less than 20 mm2/sec at 25° C. as determined in accordance with ASTM D445, and an optional additive thereby making the polycarbonate composition. The polycarbonate composition has haze less than 1% as determined in accordance with ASTM D1003-07, and can be used for optical applications such as automotive headlamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Kazutoyo Uno, Ignacio Vic Fernandez, David del Agua Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9039259
    Abstract: A lighting module comprising at least one first lighting device and one second lighting device; the first lighting device comprises a support common to at least one first light emitter generating a first light strip and at least one second light emitter generating a second light strip. The first light emitter is arranged relative to second light emitter so as to generate a zone that is unlit by the first lighting device between the first light strip and the second light strip. The at least one second lighting device generates at least one third light strip that extends in the zone that is unlit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Benoit Reiss, Vanesa Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9028119
    Abstract: According to another aspect of the present invention, a light system for use in a rearview mirror assembly is provided and includes a light source and a first optical element. Said first optical element has a collection optic configured to direct light received from said light source, a reflector optic in optical communication with said collection optic and configured to reflect light from said collection optic, a plurality of light steering areas configured to steer light propagating in said first optical element, and a light spreading optic configured to spread light exiting said first optical element. A second optical element is in optical communication with said first optical element and is configured to diffuse light received from said first optical element to illuminate an indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Lisowski, Danny L. Minikey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9022625
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp that is capable of optically distributing a spot portion of a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line to a cruising lane side is provided. The present invention includes semiconductor-type light sources 2L and 2R and lenses 3L and 3R. On emission surfaces 31L and 31R of the lenses 3L and 3R, peak portions 32L and 32R that form a spot portion SP of a light distribution pattern for low beam LP are respectively provided in given locations that are close to a cruising lane side with respect to optical axes ZL and ZR of the lenses 3L and 3R. As a result, the present invention can provide the vehicle headlamp that is capable of optically distributing the spot portion SP of the light distribution pattern for low beam LP having a cutoff line CL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Okubo
  • Patent number: 9022577
    Abstract: A light source device includes an excitation light source configured to emit and stop an excitation light with a predetermined timing, a fluorescent wheel configured to rotate, the fluorescent wheel including a fluorescent material applied thereon for emitting a fluorescent light in a predetermined wavelength range when irradiated with the excitation light, and an irradiation spot changing unit configured to change a spot on the fluorescent material irradiated with the excitation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Toshiharu Murai
  • Publication number: 20150109805
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode module, for a vehicle, includes a first transparent sheet having a first main face and a second main face and an edge face; the diodes each including an emitting chip able to emit one or more wavelengths in the visible, guided in the first sheet; a bracket supporting the diodes, extending as a border of the glazing and fastened to the glazing; and a seal against fluid(s), able to protect the chips and the light-emission volume of the chips before injection into the first sheet. An embodiment of the invention also relates to the manufacture of this module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Adèle VERRAT-DEBAILLEUL, Béatrice MOTTELET
  • Publication number: 20150103545
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a light source including a semiconductor light emitting device, and a metal support member on which the light source is mounted. The support member is integrally formed with a shade portion configured to block a portion of light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shingo KATO
  • Publication number: 20150098233
    Abstract: A light guiding device for a headlight includes a casing, a light guiding tube and a cover. The light guiding tube is connected to the front of the casing and the cover is connected to the casing. The light guiding tube is composed of a silicone tube and two Light Emitting Diode tubes. The silicone tube is made by silicone which allows light beams to evenly pass. The silicone tube has a flat surface formed on an underside thereof and a curved surface formed on the top thereof The silicone tube has a room defined therein and at least one passage is defined through the silicone tube. The two Light Emitting Diode tubes each have multiple Light Emitting Diodes and are located in the room. The light beams generated from the Light Emitting Diodes evenly pass through the silicone tube to provide illumination and warning features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Chen-Wei HSU
  • Patent number: 8998465
    Abstract: A method for injection molding of plastic-material lenticular bodies for lights; of motor vehicles and similar, the method comprising the steps of coupling a punch half-mold with a first matrix half-mold so as to define, on the surface of the punch half-mold, a first closed cavity that copies in reverse the shape of the first plastic-material sheet; filling said first cavity with a first plastic polymer in a liquid state, injecting the first plastic polymer in the first cavity from an injection point located at said first segment of the peripheral edge of the first plastic-material sheet; and finally separating, after the first plastic polymer has solidified to form the first plastic-material sheet, the punch half-mold from the first; matrix half-mold maintaining the first plastic-material sheet still on the surface of the punch half-mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Dereani, Franco Marcori, Bruno Norio
  • Publication number: 20150092432
    Abstract: A power-supply device including: a casing having a space therein and formed by metal stamping or having a thickness ranging from 0.3 to 3.0 mm; and a circuit board disposed inside the casing, wherein the casing includes a casing portion having an opening, and a cover portion disposed to cover the opening of the casing portion, the casing portion has a through hole formed at a position corresponding to a connector terminal connected to the circuit board, and the cover portion includes a storage portion bulging outward from the casing, the storage portion storing either one of an electronic component provided to a face of the circuit board which faces the cover portion and an electronic component provided across the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kosaku ARITA, Masahiro NISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8992033
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display element for the display unit of a vehicle. The display element can be backlit by means of at least one light source. The display element contains a film with identifying elements, and further contains a polarizing film. The films are arranged one above the other and are pressed against each other in the edge regions of the films via elastic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Manfred Suess
  • Patent number: 8992059
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device includes first and second light sources and a light guide lens that is elongate and extending along a direction oblique to a front-back direction of a vehicle. The first light source faces with a back end portion of the lens in a longitudinal direction of the lens. The second light source is arranged close to a front end portion of the lens in the longitudinal direction to emit light toward a back surface of the lens. The lens has a plurality of cut portions in the back surface. The cut portions are arranged parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction, internally reflect the light emitted from the first light source and enters the lens through the back end portion to a forward direction of the vehicle, and refract the light emitted from the second light source and enters the lens to the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Sato
  • Patent number: 8987991
    Abstract: A sub headlight unit for use in a vehicle that leans into turns includes a sub headlight light source that illuminates an area ahead and outward of the vehicle with respect to a width direction of the vehicle. The sub headlight light source is configured to, when the vehicle is in an upright state, produce an illumination range including an area above a horizontal plane. The sub headlight light source is turned on in accordance with a lean angle of the vehicle. At a time of parking or stopping or at a time of running straight ahead, the sub headlight light source is turned on or caused to flash with the amount of light per unit of time being reduced as compared with the amount of light per unit of time emitted when the sub headlight light source is turned on in accordance with the lean angle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikeda, Yasuhiko Kino, Takehiro Inoue, Makoto Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20150078020
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting glazing, includes first and second transparent sheets each having a first face, a second face and a rim; a lamination separator in contact with the second face of the first sheet and with the first face of the second sheet, one or more light-emitting diode modules (LED modules) each including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) fixed onto a support, the modules being positioned so that the emitting face of the LEDs is facing the rim of the first sheet, and a light extraction element, wherein the second sheet extends beyond the first sheet, at least in the parts of the edge of the glazing where the LED modules are housed, so as to create, on the first face of the second sheet or on a coating covering this face, an area for receiving a bead of glue intended to fix the glazing to the bodywork of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Adèle Verrat, Pascal Bäuerle
  • Publication number: 20150078021
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle comprises a headlamp light source. A trim piece is mounted adjacent the light source having an inner surface illuminated by light from the light source and an outer surface visible from outside the vehicle. The trim piece comprises a light transmitting plastic body, wherein a signature image is formed on the body having a foreground region and a background region. The foreground region has a corresponding surface characteristic on the inner and outer surfaces within the foreground region different from a corresponding surface characteristic on the inner and outer surfaces within the background region so that more light from the light source is transmitted through the foreground region than through the background region. The outer surface may be fully metalized to provide a pleasing appearance under ambient light conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: DAVID A. BROWN, ARUN KUMAR
  • Patent number: 8974099
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight having a plurality of semiconductor emitters for the alternative production of a low-beam light distribution and a daytime driving light distribution is provided. For producing the low-beam light distribution, a low-beam light luminous surface is generated by the vehicle headlight. For producing the daytime driving light distribution, a daytime driving light luminous surface is generated by the vehicle headlight. The low-beam light luminous surface and the daytime driving light luminous surface are essentially identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian Morgenstern, Stefan Danner, Christopher Weil, Helmut Erdl
  • Publication number: 20150062948
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp unit has a substrate, a light source having a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element disposed on the substrate, and an optical element having the light source attached thereto. The substrate is long in a first direction. The optical element radiates emitted light of the first and second light-emitting elements toward a front of the vehicular lamp unit, with a desired light distribution. A reference portion serving as a positioning reference for the optical element is provided in a part of the substrate. The first and second light-emitting elements are arranged in the first direction. The first light-emitting element illuminates an area having high light intensity of the light distribution. The second light-emitting element illuminates an area having low light intensity of the light distribution. The first light-emitting element is mounted at a position closer to the reference portion in the first direction than the second light-emitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Takayuki Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8956028
    Abstract: A light projection unit capable of improving light use efficiency is provided. This light projection unit includes: a fluorescent member that includes an illuminated surface to which laser light is directed, converts at least part of the laser light into fluorescent light and outputs the fluorescent light from chiefly the illuminated surface; and a reflection member that includes a first reflection surface which reflects the fluorescent light output from the fluorescent member. The illuminated surface of the fluorescent member is inclined with respect to a predetermined direction in such a way that the illuminated surface faces in a direction opposite to a light projection direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Takahira, James Suckling, David Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8950917
    Abstract: In a vehicular lamp in which a light source unit that includes an LED as a light source and an optical element is attached to a heat sink, and an LED module in which the LED is mounted to a power supply substrate is pressed against and fixed to a substrate mounting surface of the heat sink via an attachment, a plurality of positioning protrusions that abut an outside edge of the power supply substrate are provided around the substrate mounting surface, and a groove that extends along an outer peripheral surface of each protrusion is provided on at least a side of a base of the protrusion, the side of the base facing the substrate mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20150036373
    Abstract: An LED vehicle headlamp includes an LED light source, at least one electrochromic device optically coupled to the LED light source, and a collimator positioned between the LED light source and the electrochromic device. The electrochromic device has an alterable light transmission characteristics in response to voltage/current level applied thereto. The collimator is configured for collimating and converging light emitted from the LED light source and directing light into the electrochromic device. When a forward bias voltage/current is applied to the electrochromic device, the visible light transmission of the electrochromic device decreases accordingly to generate a first light intensity distribution pattern, which is a low beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: PO-CHOU CHEN
  • Patent number: 8944653
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with: a projection lens; a light source; a reflector that reflects light from the light source to the projection lens; and a shade member. A shade member includes an opening, and a portion of an inner peripheral edge of the opening is defined by an upper edge of a shading part for shielding a portion of the light reflected on the reflector. A side end portion of a reflection surface of the reflector penetrates the opening of the shade member and extends forward beyond the shading part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Tajima, Akinori Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150022997
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided that, while suppressing an increase in size, can change the illuminating direction. The lighting apparatus has: a laser generator which emits laser light; a light emitting member which is irradiated with the laser light emitted from the laser generator to emit light; an irradiated position changer which moves and thereafter stops an irradiated position at which the light emitting member is irradiated with the laser light; and a light projecting member which projects the light emitted from the light emitting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20150016132
    Abstract: An illuminating glazing unit for vehicles includes a first transparent sheet with a first main face, a second main face, and a peripheral edge, a plurality of light-emitting diodes, each having an emitting face, and a light extraction element, which may be located on one of the main faces of the first sheet, wherein the first sheet is pierced with a through hole delimited by an internal edge, and wherein one or more of the light-emitting diodes are housed in the through hole, with their emitting faces turned toward the internal edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Adele Verrat-Debailleul
  • Patent number: 8931941
    Abstract: A vehicular light includes a body having a base. A cover is mounted to a surface of the base and made of transparent material. A circuit board is mounted in the base. A light emitting element is mounted to the circuit board. An intermediate member is mounted between the cover and the circuit board. The intermediate member includes a light transmittable section covering the light emitting element. A frame is mounted between the light transmittable section and the light emitting element and has a substantially bowl-shaped inner side. The frame and the intermediate member are separable from each other and detachable from the cover and the circuit board. The frame includes a frame wall. A through-hole is formed in a bottom of the frame. The light emitting element extends through the through-hole and received in the frame and faces the light transmittable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Tong Yah Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chien Kuo, Chiung-Ying Wang
  • Publication number: 20150003098
    Abstract: An illumination device of a motor vehicle has a lamp module formed from at least one light source unit, which includes at least one light source that emits a light radiation to generate a running light distribution. An optical component deflects a part of the emitted light radiation in such a way that a depiction of the at least one light source unit is able to be generated outside of the running light distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Daimier AG
    Inventor: Alexis Bony
  • Publication number: 20150003090
    Abstract: A device for scattering light, especially for vehicles, includes at least one translucent material and at least one light unit for generating a lighting function, characterized in that the translucent material is a light-scattering textile fabric, wherein the fabric is arranged in the device or is positioned in front of the device and is designed so that the lighting function shines through the fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Martin Mügge
  • Publication number: 20140355285
    Abstract: A vehicle decorative component functions as a decorating illumination while harmonizing with peripheral members. In a light emitting ornament having a light emitting region that emits light and a non-light emitting region adjacent to the light emitting region, the light emitting region includes an irradiation body including a lamp and a light guiding body, an ornament base material through which the light emitted from the irradiation body is transmitted at a front position of the irradiation body, and a decorative film formed at a front position of the ornament base material and exposed on the vehicle interior side, the decorative film through which the light transmitted through the ornament base material is capable of being transmitted, and a decoration style of a surface of the decorative film exposed on the vehicle interior side is the same as a decoration style of a surface of the non-light emitting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Noriyuki Yamato
  • Patent number: 8899806
    Abstract: A vehicle light is capable of preventing gaps (areas darker than peripheral areas) from being formed in between a plurality of illumination areas that are independently controlled to be illuminated with light or not to be illuminated with light, or suppressing the generation of such gaps. The vehicle light can include a projection lens and a light source unit disposed behind the rear-side focal plane of the projection lens. The light source unit can include a plurality of tubular portions each having a reflective inner peripheral surface, and a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements. Exit openings of the plurality of tubular portions can be arranged side by side in a substantial horizontal direction behind the rear-side focal plane of the projection lens. Adjacent ones of the plurality of exit openings of the tubular portions can be defined and partitioned by a common vertical edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimichi Anzai
  • Publication number: 20140340922
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical unit and a light source control circuit part. The optical unit is unitized by attaching a light source and an optical member to an attachment part. In a state where the optical unit is unitized, the light source control circuit part is attachable to the attachment part in a direction in which the light source and the optical member are not disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8888342
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided that, while suppressing an increase in size, can change the illuminating direction. The lighting apparatus has: a laser generator which emits laser light; a light emitting member which is irradiated with the laser light emitted from the laser generator to emit light; an irradiated position changer which moves and thereafter stops an irradiated position at which the light emitting member is irradiated with the laser light; and a light projecting member which projects the light emitted from the light emitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8870424
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp apparatus includes headlamp units placed in a vehicle and a control unit which controls the illumination of the headlamp units. The headlamp units form a lower beam distribution pattern and an upper beam distribution pattern, and is configured so that a partial region of the upper beam distribution pattern can be non-illuminated. When the entirety of vehicle existent area of a vehicle-in-front travelling in front of a driver's vehicle is contained within the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the partial region is non-illuminated; when at least a part of the vehicle existent area is contained within a region of the upper beam distribution pattern which is other than the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the upper beam distribution pattern is not formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naohisa Tatara
  • Publication number: 20140307457
    Abstract: A day running lamp includes a laser light source, a light splitting element, a number of light path adjusting elements, a number of scattering elements, and a lampshade. The laser light source is configured for emitting a single laser beam, and the splitting element is configured for splitting the single laser beam into a number of divided beams. Each of the light path adjusting elements is configured for adjusting a light path of corresponding divided beams into parallel beams. The scattering elements are configured for diffusing the parallel divided beams onto the lampshade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po-Chou CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140307458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light module of a lighting device in a motor vehicle. The light module includes at least two light sources for emitting light and at least two primary optics assigned to the light sources for focusing the light. Further, the light module includes a common secondary optics for projecting the light beams onto a roadway and for producing a resulting overall light distribution of the light module. At least one of the light sources is configured for creating a main light distribution and at least another one of the light sources is configured for creating a secondary light distribution. The primary optics, which is assigned to the light source for creating a secondary light distribution, is arranged in several parts whereby a first partial primary optics is arranged next the primary optics which is assigned to the light source for creating the main light distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Matthias Brendle
  • 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: 8851721
    Abstract: The optics system is a lamp assembly which produces the desired beam pattern by using a reflector, a lens, a retainer lens, and an LED as a light source. The lamp assembly has three main components (the reflector, the lens, and the retainer lens) that maintain proper alignment between the light source and the reflector, the lens, and the retainer lens. The optical system collects substantially 100% of the light from the light source while effectively shaping the beam pattern using both cylindrical and revolved reflector elements. The lens has a saddle-shape which is used with the surface of a revolution to eliminate any “dogbone” light pattern shape. The use of a reflective element forms the foreground of the beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Owen Woodward
  • Publication number: 20140293631
    Abstract: An automotive lamp module includes a laser diode, a substrate with the laser diode on the top, a lower heat sink coupled to the bottom of the substrate, an upper heat sink coupled to the top of the substrate and having a light channel disposed through the upper heat sink and in which the laser diode is inserted, and a phosphor disposed in the light channel. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a simple configuration and a compact size and to effectively dissipate heat generated from the laser diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8845153
    Abstract: A high beam and low beam combination lamp for a bicycle includes a main body, a lens, a downward light source and a straight light source, the main body having a receiving space defined thereon, the receiving space having a first surface and a second surface formed therein, the lens being assembled in the receiving space and corresponding to the second surface, the downward light source being assembled with the first surface, parts of the light beam of the downward light source obliquely passing through the receiving space so as to form a low beam lighting region, the straight light source being assembled with the second surface, the light beam of the straight light source passing through the lens so as to form a high beam lighting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Wen-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 8845163
    Abstract: An LED-based photolithographic illuminator with high collection efficiency is disclosed. The illuminator utilizes an array of LEDs, wherein each LED has an LED die and a heat sink. The LED dies are imaged onto the input end of a homogenizer rod to substantially cover the input end without inclusion of the non-light-emitting heat sink sections of the LED. A microlens array is used to image the LED dies. The collection efficiency of the illuminator is better than 50% and the illumination uniformity at the output end of the light homogenizer is within +/?2%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ultratech, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Stites, Andrew M. Hawryluk
  • Patent number: 8845156
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a long solid-core shaped light guide; a first light source that irradiates an end portion of the long solid-core shaped light guide in a longitudinal direction such that light is radiated long from an end side of the vehicle lamp toward another end side of the vehicle lamp; and a second light source that irradiates the another end side of the vehicle lamp to a lateral outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Fukasawa, Yasushi Kawaji, Hitoshi Kurihara, Tatsuya Sugamoto
  • Publication number: 20140286031
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles including at least one diffuser body suitable for receiving light emitted by a light source so as to diffuse the light externally to the body. The diffuser body includes a solid matrix of transparent polymer material which incorporates a plurality of bubbles or cavities, wherein the solid matrix performs the transmission of light within the body by subsequent reflections and wherein the bubbles perform the diffusion of light and the extraction thereof outside the body by subsequent refractions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Franco Marcori, Maria Chiara Frijia, Igor Di Vora, Fabio Leone
  • Publication number: 20140286033
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit forming low-beam and high-beam light distribution patterns can include: a light source having a substrate, and a first light-emitting section and a second light-emitting section arranged in two rows on a surface of the substrate; a first optical system configured to control light emitted from the first light-emitting section to form at least part of the low-beam light distribution pattern; a second optical system configured to control light emitted from the second light-emitting section to form at least part of the high-beam light distribution pattern; a light-shielding section disposed between the first light-emitting section and the second light-emitting section, the light-shielding section configured to shield part of the light from the first light-emitting section so as not to enter the second optical system; and a control unit configured to control to form the low-beam light distribution pattern or the high-beam light distribution pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Soda, Hisashi Furuya, Shinji Yamagata, Toshihiro Oikawa
  • Publication number: 20140268837
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system includes a headlamp assembly having a light source and a beam pattern panel. The beam pattern panel includes one or more regions capable of changing between opaque and transparent light-transmission states to selectively allow light from the light source to pass through the panel. The panel may be an LCD panel with a plurality of liquid crystal elements arranged in an array with the ability to provide a plurality of different beam patterns. The beam pattern may be determined and changed in real time based on information received at a system processor about one or more vehicle and/or road conditions. The headlamp system can direct a projected light beam into a curve in the road ahead and/or automatically change the direction of the projected beam to avoid shining light directly at oncoming drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Simchak, Xiaolu Chen, John Dominick
  • Publication number: 20140247614
    Abstract: An emblem assembly is provided that includes a power source, a backing member, and a light-producing assembly coupled to the power source and supported by the backing member. The light-producing assembly may include an electroluminescent light source. The emblem assembly further includes a chromatic layer over the light-producing assembly that comprises and emblem shape, and a translucent sealing structure over the chromatic layer that seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer. The emblem assembly exhibits a chrome- or mirror-like finish when viewed under ambient lighting conditions. Further, the emblem assembly possesses a glowing appearance when activated under low light or nighttime conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Colonial Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Roberts, LaRon Michelle Brown, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Patent number: 8820993
    Abstract: Projection headlights for vehicles with a reflector, with a light source assigned to the reflector, with a lens arranged in the main direction of the beam in front of the reflector and with a screen arranged in the region of the focal point of the lens, said screen being arranged between the light source and the lens and comprising an elongated screen edge surface having a contour on an upper edge in order to form a light/dark boundary of a light distribution arrangement, wherein the elongated screen edge surface comprises a light beam reduction section in a middle area, so that at least part of the light beam emitted from the light source and hitting the light beam reduction section is not further reflected in the main direction of the beam, wherein the light beam reduction section is designed as a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Gerhard Kloos
  • Publication number: 20140241000
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp including at least three or more optical systems (10 to 50) that form respective illumination areas (15 to 55) in front of the lamp, thus forming a light distribution pattern in front of the lamp with the bombined illumination areas (15 to 55). The optical axes of the optical systems (10 to 50) are offset from one another in a horizontal direction in the order from the optical system (10) provided at the uppermost position to the optical system (50) provided at the lowermost position such that the illumination area (15) formed by the optical system (10) at the uppermost position is located at one end of the light distribution pattern in the horizontal direction, and the illumination area (55) formed by the optical system (50) at the lowermost position is located at the other end of the light distribution pattern in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akinori Matsumoto
  • 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