Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/509)
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Publication number: 20130258693Abstract: The driver side of a light source panel is curved in a concave configuration which conforms with the curvature (curve) of the cross-section of the area of a front windshield glass, in which a virtual image is displayed. Individual light sources are arranged in the light source panel in a curved configuration which conforms with the curvature (curve) of the cross-section of the area of the front windshield glass, in which the virtual image is displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiyuki Hatakeyama, Shinya Kawamata, Sei Iguchi
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Publication number: 20130250598Abstract: A novel vehicular light fixture (10) is disclosed. The light fixture (10) is compact, yet efficient, and employs semiconductor light sources (44) to produce output light in desired patterns. The fixture (10) can be used to produce fog lamps, driving lamps and other non-headlamp vehicle lighting functions. Depending upon the light output required, one or more semiconductor light sources (44) and a corresponding number of optical bodies (64) are employed in the fixture (10) to produce the desired light pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, James R. McFadden, Ronald O. Woodward, Ronald G. Hare
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Patent number: 8540407Abstract: A head lamp for a vehicle is provided, which includes a reflector for reflecting light emitted from a light source, a reflection plate for collecting the light reflected from the reflector in an upward direction, a micro-reflection module provided over the reflector to tilt and reflect the light collected by the reflection plate at a desired angle, and an optical lens for irradiating the light reflected from the micro-reflector onto a road surface. The head lamp can implement various beam patterns in accordance with road and surrounding circumferences, and irradiate vehicle information onto a road surface, thereby reducing the dazzle of other drivers of opposite vehicles and improving the field of vision of the driver to improve the safety and convenience.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai MobisInventors: Jong Bae Park, Byoung Suk Ahn, Young Sub Oh, Tae-Won Lee, In Heum Park
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Publication number: 20130242587Abstract: An outer casing for vehicle lamps, a vehicle lamp and a manufacturing method for the outer casing and the vehicle lamp can include an outer lens having a rib located at a peripheral portion thereof and a casing having a supporting portion located so as to face the rib formed in a ring shape. The rib of the lens can include an end portion formed in a convex shape in a width direction thereof in accordance with a light energy distribution of a laser welder, and can be attached to the casing with confidence by utilizing the energy distribution. Thus, the vehicle lamp using the outer casing can incorporate various lamps with an airtight structure and an adequate mechanical strength while preventing misalignment between the outer lens and the casing, and the manufacturing method can provide the outer casing using similar manufacture equipment as compared with conventional methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Shintarou Hirabayashi, Kazuaki Hokota
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Patent number: 8523413Abstract: The invention relates to a LED collimator element for a vehicle headlight with a low-beam function, which emits at least visible light of one color from at least one region of a light source.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventor: Josef Andreas Schug
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Publication number: 20130208496Abstract: An illuminating device capable of improving eye-friendliness is provided. The illuminating device includes a fluorescent member that is irradiated with laser light functioning as excitation light to emit fluorescence, a condensation sensor that detects condensation near an optical path of the laser light, and a controller that limits irradiation of the laser light onto the fluorescent member in a case where the condensation sensor has detected condensation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
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Publication number: 20130188375Abstract: A light emitting module includes a board on which a plurality of light emitting devices are mounted, a first interconnecting section having first interconnections, one end of each of which being connected to one of an anode side and an cathode side of an associated one of the light emitting devices, a second interconnecting section having second interconnections, one end of each of which being connected to the other of the anode side and the cathode side of an associated one of the light emitting devices, and a power supply portion provided along one side of the board to receive an external power. The second interconnecting section has at least one, but less than the number of the second interconnections, collectively interconnecting portion to which another end of each of the second interconnections is connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventors: Takeshi Masuda, Masanobu Mizuno, Yasuaki Tsutsumi
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Patent number: 8485704Abstract: A lamp unit includes at least one light source that emits light in a predetermined direction, and a light guide body including at least one incident surface where light emitted from the light source enters, a first emission surface that emits light entering from the incident surface in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of second emission surfaces that emits light entering the incident surface in a horizontal direction and emits light entering the incident surface to the upper side of the horizontal direction. The second emission surfaces are formed above the first emission surface at different positions in an up-down direction, and are positioned on the back side of the first emission surface so as to be spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroya Koizumi, Asami Nakada, Kazunori Natsume
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Patent number: 8485705Abstract: An improved light collecting efficiency in a projector type automotive headlamp is achieved by including a curved mirror to re-direct light otherwise absorbed by a rear surface of the blocking cut-off shield in “low beam” operating mode of the headlamp. When the shield is moved to a second non-blocking position, a mirror segment conforms to the curved surface of the substantially ellipsoidal reflector to maximize lumen output in “high beam” operating mode of the headlamp. In addition, auxiliary mirror segments may be used to provide a more complete substantially ellipsoidal reflector configuration that maximizes the light collection efficiency. Preferably, the cap holder is purposefully offset in order to position the centerline of the bowed arc of the arc discharge light source in alignment with the optical axis of the optical system in order to maximize light collection efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Agoston Boroczki, Istvan Csanyi, Csaba Horvath, Tamas Panyik
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Patent number: 8475019Abstract: The present invention is an optic used for producing a desired beam pattern having a body portion having a height and a thickness, and at least one sidewall profile, as well as an input port for receiving light from a light source. The optic of the present invention also includes an output surface formed as part of the body portion on the opposite side of the body portion in relation to the input port, at least one leg portion formed as part of the body portion, and at least one alignment feature formed as part of the at least one leg portion, the at least one alignment feature for controlling the alignment of the optic in relation to the light source.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
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Publication number: 20130163264Abstract: An optical system for a motor vehicle, the optical system performing at least one main optical function and including in particular a diffusion screen, at least one light source of the LED type, each LED of the optical system producing a set of rays of light to be propagated in the diffusion screen wherein the screen is in the form of a curved sheet, with an upper lateral flange and a lower lateral flange which meet at a periphery which has in particular a rear face and a front edge and the principal function is performed essentially via an output face constituted by the front edge of the diffusion screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: VALEO VISIONInventor: Valeo Vision
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Patent number: 8465185Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly is provided with a housing adapted to be mounted to a vehicle exterior. First and second light pipes are provided in the housing and each has a profile offset from one another. First and second light sources are provided in the housing for illuminating the first and second light pipes respectively. The first and second light pipes also have different depths.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Patrick Verhee
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Publication number: 20130148370Abstract: An indirect illumination device for a vehicle may include an internal panel forming a diffusion portion in a surface thereof, a light guide plate faced with the diffusion portion, a light source provided in a side portion of the light guide plate to which the light guide plate may be not faced with the diffusion portion, to irradiate light to an inside of the light guide plate, and an external panel provided with guide ribs protruding from a surface of the external panel, wherein the guide ribs support a lateral side of the internal panel and the light guide plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicants: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd., Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Hong Sik CHANG, Jung Hoon Woo, Jung Hwan Yun, Joo Ha Kim, Young Jin You
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Patent number: 8459848Abstract: A headlamp assembly having a mechanism for reducing water based contamination is disclosed. The mechanism includes a lens assembly having an outer lens and an inner lens. A heating element may be disposed between the inner and outer lenses. Alternatively, inner and outer lenses may be spaced apart having a passage formed therebetween thorough which fluid may travel. Heat from light emitting diodes and a circuit board may be directed toward the outer lens through passages formed in the headlamp assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLCInventor: Michael Marley
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Patent number: 8454216Abstract: It is provided a lamp assembly (10) for an automotive headlamp, comprising an LED (12) for emitting light rays, a housing (16), to which the LED (12) is detachably connectable, wherein the housing (16) comprises an entrance window (20) assigned to the LED (12), and a guiding element (22) for guiding the light rays passing through the entrance window (20), wherein the guiding element (22) is connected to the housing (16). Since the LED (12) is detachable connected to the housing (16) a defect LED (12) can by exchanged by only exchanging the LED (12) itself without exchanging the whole lamp assembly (10) including the housing (16) and the guiding element (22). Since the correct position of the bright/dark-cutoff may be provided by the entrance window (20) and/or the guiding element (22) only, a misalignment of a newly inserted LED (12) does not affect the correct position of the bright/dark-cutoff. The exchange of a LED (12) is facilitated and without affecting the correct position of the bright/dark-cutoff.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Josef Andreas Schug, Harald Willwohl, Ralph Hubert Peters, Wouter Petrus Kaandorp
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Patent number: 8449159Abstract: A light module (1) suitable for use as a landing light for an airplane is disclosed, using an elongated array (2) of light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source. Light from the LEDs is directed toward a transparent cover (3). The cover (3) may include a plano-convex lens (4) at its center for nominally collimating the light from the LEDs. The cover (3) may also include a generally featureless peripheral region laterally circumferentially surrounding the lens (4). A faceted reflecting surface (6) having a generally parabolic base curvature (8) may extend circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the landing light from the LEDs to the cover (3). Light exiting the LEDs at a relatively high angle of exitance reflects off the faceted reflecting surface (6) and transmits through the generally featureless peripheral region of the cover (3).Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Inventor: Lawrence M. Rice
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Publication number: 20130100692Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device which produces mixed light of a desired emission color by a combination of a semiconductor light emitting element and a wavelength converting layer containing a fluorescent substance, and a vehicle lamp including the semiconductor light emitting device. The wavelength converting layer has different wavelength conversion characteristics respectively at its portion covering an area of relatively high current density at light emission operation of the semiconductor light emitting element and at its portion covering an area of relatively low current density so as to reduce chromaticity difference over the light extraction surface of the mixed light due to non-uniformity of current density in the light emitting layer at light emission operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO. , LTD.Inventor: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO. , LTD.
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Publication number: 20130094237Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a first light source, at least one second light source and an integrally designed, transparent shaped part. The shaped part includes a first optical structure for orienting light radiated by the first light source and at least one second optical structure for orienting light radiated by the second light source. The first optical structure and the second optical structure each have a continuously curved surface or a continuous, curved surface with an extent of at least in each case half a centimetre, in particular one centimetre, in two orthogonal directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: DOCTER OPTICS GMBHInventor: Docter Optics GMBH
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Publication number: 20130083552Abstract: External rear-view mirror assembly comprising a housing (1), a circuit board (3) supporting a plurality of LEDs LED-1, LED-2, an opaque cover (5) arranged in front of the circuit board (3) and provided with a plurality of through holes (5a), said cover having a shape adapted to the front external surface (1a) of the rear-mirror (1), which comprises at least a prism (6) with a first surface (6a) in contact with at least a LED 4, and a second surface (6b) fitting within at least one of said holes (5a) and aligned with the front external surface (5b) of the cover (5), said second surface (6b) being a Fresnel lens adapted to direct the light coming from said LED 4 in a predetermined direction D.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Juan Nestor Ruiz Ortega, Maria Luisa Novella Requena
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Publication number: 20130077334Abstract: A vehicular lamp (1) including a lamp easing (4) formed by a lamp housing (2) having an opening (2a) on at least one side and a cover (3) attached to the lamp housing and closing the opening, and a tight source unit (6) disposed in the lamp casing and having a light source (8) that emits light, wherein the light source unit has a wiring board (7) that has a first surface (9a) and a second surface (10a) which face different directions and an electronic part that is mounted at least on the first surface and includes the light source, and a holding protrusion (11) that holds the electronic part is provided on the first surface of the wiring board.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takayuki Otsubo
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Patent number: 8403551Abstract: A lighting device includes: a light guide plate having a light incident part in an end face and a light radiation part in a flat plate surface; a light source part opposed to the light incident part; a light shield member with which an area near the light incident part on the flat plate surface of the light guide plate is covered; and a switch part including a switch main body, a switch knob and a pressing member connected to the switch knob to press the switch main body by pressing down the switch knob. An end part of the switch knob opposed to a center of the flat plate surface of the light guide plate is located on the light shield member, and the end face of the light guide plate is located between a first virtual line passing the end part of the switch knob and perpendicular to the flat plate surface of the light guide plate and a second virtual line passing the center of the switch main body and perpendicular to the flat plate surface of the light guide plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norihito Kino, Satoshi Inagaki
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Publication number: 20130058113Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventor: Manfred Suess
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Patent number: 8388200Abstract: A vehicle light can improve the visibility (noticeability) for pedestrians, roadside obstructs, other vehicles and the like in actual traffic environments. The vehicle light can be configured to project light beams with a predetermined white color, and can include a light source with a color temperature range of 4500 K to 7000 K. The light source emits light beams including four color light beams represented by four coordinate values of predicted colors including red, green, blue and yellow in the a* b* coordinate system corresponding to the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space. The four coordinate values in the a* b* coordinate system can be encompassed by respective circle areas having a radius of, for example, 5, and each having center coordinate values of (41.7, 20.9) for red, (?39.5, 14.3) for green, (8.8, ?29.9) for blue and (?10.4, 74.2) for yellow, for example.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Kojima, Masafumi Ohno, Yasushi Kita, Takako Minoda, Naoko Takenobu, Susumu Nakamura, Norikatsu Myojin, Takashi Sato
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Publication number: 20130051053Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Yuji YASUDA
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Publication number: 20130051050Abstract: A vehicle lighting device includes an optical diffusing cover and a light-emitting member. The optical diffusing cover has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a diffusion layer. The diffusion layer is formed on the inner surface. The light-emitting member is arranged adjacently to the optical diffusing cover. After the light is emitted from the light-emitting member, the light encounters the diffusion layer, which diffracts or scatters the light within the optical diffusing cover. The light is then projected from the optical diffusing cover outwardly. Thereby, the vehicle lighting device can have more uniform brightness.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: SONAR AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.Inventor: HSIU-PEN YANG
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Patent number: 8382351Abstract: In a vehicle lamp (1), a plurality of LED light sources (11) are arranged on a common substrate (12). A light guiding lens (13) elongated in a direction in which the LED light sources (11) are aligned is provided. A plurality of reflecting sections (22) are provided on the light guiding lens (13). The reflecting sections (22) are configured to individually reflect incident lights from the respective LED light sources (11) to a periphery of a vehicle. Respective directions of the reflecting sections (22) are made to differ in accordance with positions of the corresponding LED light sources (11).Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomomi Ishikawa, Shigehiko Kazaoka
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Patent number: 8376598Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a reflecting cover above and between a light-emitting chip and a projection lens. The diffused light from the light-emitting chip is led toward the projection lens via the reflecting cover such that it transmits through the projection lens at a certain angle. This makes it possible to increase the amount of controllable light, and to improve the amount of light beams radiated from the lamp, thereby realizing a brighter lamp and an improved light distribution shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiyuki Kondo, Daisuke Uchida, Yoshifumi Kawaguchi
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Publication number: 20130027954Abstract: Reading light unit for a passenger service unit in an overhead panel above a number of passenger seats, comprising: a reading light having a light source for emitting light to a passenger seat an automatic adjustment arrangement, wherein it is further provided: a beam forming element for adjusting the light beam geometrical properties, and a light forming element for adjusting the light optical properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: INTERTECHNIQUEInventors: GUNTER BOOMGARDEN, Mark Niedostatek
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Publication number: 20130027953Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light-transmitting member, a first light source, a second light source, and at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle. The light-transmitting member is for transmitting light within the light-transmitting member. The first light source is for emitting a first light into the light-transmitting member. The second light source is for emitting a second light into the light-transmitting member. The at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle is disposed in the light-transmitting member for reducing transmission of the first and second lights within the light-transmitting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INCInventor: James Frederick Krier
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Publication number: 20130003396Abstract: There is a problem in a dual emission device emitting light out of both surfaces that an image on the surface and an image on the rear surface are different from each other (either image is mirror-reversed). A dual emission device is disclosed in which either light emitted from the light-emitting device is reflected by glass including a semi-transmissive film to display on glass an image same as another image obtained also from the light-emitting device, and simultaneously, external information can be viewed through the glass. A mirror can be arranged between the dual emission device and the glass including a semitransparent film.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.Inventors: Junichiro Sakata, Takahiro Ibe, Hisao Ikeda
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Patent number: 8342725Abstract: A light bar may include a light head with chip-on-board (COB) light emitting diode (LED) and an optic component mounted adjacent to the COB LED. The light bar may comprise short and long center modules. The light bar may include a plurality of housing modules where each housing module includes a light head and a lens cover having a top portion that is substantially impervious to ultraviolet radiation, and a lens portion extending downward from the top portion in generally opposing relationship with the light head. The light bar may include a circuit board including a wire-to-board connector, and a light head including a wire-to-board connector mated with the wire-to-board connector on the circuit board to electrically connect the light head to the circuit board. The light head may include a holographic diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Code 3, Inc.Inventors: Paul L. Stein, Timothy B. Murray, Roger L. Miller
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Patent number: 8333492Abstract: An illumination module for a vehicle includes at least one illumination source for illuminating a target area at the vehicle. The illumination module may be mounted at a handle of a vehicle door and may be operable to illuminate the handle region and/or pocket region of the vehicle door and to illuminate a ground region adjacent to the vehicle and generally below the door handle assembly. The illumination module may include an icon established thereat and the at least one illumination source may back light the icon so that the icon, when the illumination module is activated, is viewable by a person viewing the vehicle. The illumination module may project or direct the illumination toward a targeted area so that the icon is discernible at the targeted area.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
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Publication number: 20120287658Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes: an LED mount on which an LED is placed; an attachment that fixes the LED to the LED mount; a power supply that supplies power to the LED; a first optical member that controls light emitted from the LED; and a second optical member that controls light emitted from the first optical member. The power supply and the first optical member are provided at the attachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hidetada TANAKA, Takashi INOUE, Takayuki YAGI, Ken KATO, Tsukasa TOKIDA, Hidemichi SONE
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Patent number: 8292480Abstract: A lamp is provided. The lamp includes a lamp housing; light emitting diodes (LEDs); a main reflector disposed so as to oppose to the LEDs for reflecting light emitted from the LEDs towards a front side of the lamp; a sub-reflector which is interposed between the LEDs and the main reflector, and which reflects and diffuses the light emitted from the LEDs towards the main reflector; an LED element assembly which extends in parallel with the sub-reflector and comprises a plurality of flat portions, each flat portion corresponding to one of the plurality of LEDs and on which the corresponding LED is mounted, adjacent ones of the flat portions being coupled together by at least one step portion; and a center portion which covers the LED element assembly and the LEDs such that the LEDs are not exposed to the front side of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroya Koizumi, Miki Mochizuki
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Publication number: 20120262934Abstract: A tail light for mounting on a motor vehicle having a rear end and a rear bumper extending generally transversely across the rear end. The tail light is mounted to the rear end above the bumper and has a translucent body comprising an upper portion substantially conforming to a shape of the vehicle body adjacent the light unit, a rear portion angled downward relative to the upper portion, and an air separation edge extending along at least a portion of an intersection between the upper portion and the rear portion along at least the transverse direction of the vehicle. The air separation edge delays air flow separation from the rear of the vehicle body, thereby improving aerodynamic efficiency. The body is made of an elastic material to resist impact damage, and therefore may be mounted closer to a rearmost surface of the bumper without being damaged in a collision.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan Disley, Andreas Nilsson
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Publication number: 20120262937Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle configured to illuminate an armrest on a door trim of the vehicle includes a light source and a light directing member. The light source is arranged above the armrest and has a light emitting portion configured to emit light toward the armrest. The light directing member is arranged so as to cover the light emitting portion from below. The light directing member is configured to direct the light emitted from the light emitting portion toward the armrest toward a front of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuki Hayashi, Kouichi Takeuchi
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Publication number: 20120257403Abstract: An illumination device includes, but is not limited to at least one light-conductor plate and at least one light source. The at least one light-conductor plate includes, but is not limited to a first main surface and a first lateral surface. In addition, the at least one light-conductor plate includes, but is not limited to light-decoupling elements at least in a part region of the volume of the at least one light-conductor plate. The at least one light-conductor plate is arranged in an outer region of the motor vehicle and forms a decorative shaped part of the motor vehicle. Light of the at least one light source can be coupled into the at least one light-conductor plate via the first lateral surface and can be at least partially decoupled from the at least one light-conductor plate with the light-decoupling elements via the first main surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Ralf WILFERT
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Publication number: 20120256543Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to illuminated devices attached to vehicles. More specifically, an illuminated device may be attached to a vehicle in the form of an illuminated logo or emblem. The illumination of the device may be controlled for color, state, and/or intensity in response to vehicle signals received by the device. In addition, the illuminated device may use switching circuitry to interface with a vehicle's electrical power and/or signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: CMARLITE, LLCInventors: Howard Marcove, Philip Allen Boe
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Patent number: 8277096Abstract: The invention relates to a light arrangement, comprising a motor vehicle light which can be operated in at least two operating modes, as well as further comprising a control mechanism for the motor vehicle light. The invention further relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle light and a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Klaus-Dieter Rampf
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Publication number: 20120224384Abstract: An illumination device 1 which is a light emitting device capable of emitting white light, includes: a laser element 2 for emitting a blue laser beam; a light emitting section 4 for generating fluorescence by be being irradiated with the blue laser beam emitted from the laser element 2; and a parabolic mirror 5 for reflecting the fluorescence generated from the light emitting section 4, the parabolic mirror 5 being disposed on an irradiated surface side which irradiated surface is a surface of the light emitting section 4 which surface is irradiated with the blue laser beam. This allows the illumination device 1 to efficiently project the white illumination light.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiyuki TAKAHIRA, Yosuke MAEMURA, Yasuo FUKAI, Koji TAKAHASHI
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Patent number: 8258444Abstract: A front cover for a vehicle lighting fixture is attached to the front opening part of the vehicle lighting fixture having a lamp body and a light source installed in the lamp body. A part of the surface of the front cover opposed to the light source includes a heating element having a three-dimensional curved surface. The heating element includes a mesh pattern having intersections of a large number of grids formed of conductive metallic filaments and a first electrode and a second electrode formed at both opposed ends of the mesh pattern. The projection shape of the outline of the entire mesh pattern is formed in a rectangular shape having the longitudinal direction, for example, between the first electrode and the second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Sumio Ohtani, Tadashi Kuriki
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Patent number: 8256940Abstract: A cover for use in connection with a vehicle light having a light source and a light reflector is provided. A lens of the cover has an electrically activatable material switchable between a light inhibiting state and a light transmissive state. The electrically activatable material prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from the vehicle light when the electrically activatable material is set to the light inhibiting state. The lens has an area without having the electrically activatable material such that visible light from the light source is also to pass through the area. A baffle having the electrically activatable material extends from the body of the lens. The baffle blocks a portion of the visible light that passes through the area of the lens from traveling in certain directions when the electrically activatable material is in the light inhibiting state.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Control Solutions LLCInventors: Alyn Brown, James Wiff
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Patent number: 8251560Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a projector headlight using a plurality of optical units for a low beam with a high visible/visual quality. Each of the optical units can include a plurality of LED devices and a projector lens. The projector lens can include a light-emitting surface including a reflex function and a reflex surface including a light incoming surface that is located on the opposite side of the light-emitting surface. The LED devices can be located adjacent the light incoming surface, and the optical units can be located so that angles between optical axes of adjacent optical units can become substantially a same angle. Thus, the projector headlight can form various favorable light distribution patterns by changing curvature factors of the light-emitting surface and the reflex surface of the projector lens in each of the optical units and by changing the angles between the optical axes of the adjacent optical units.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masafumi Ohno, Ryotaro Owada, Norikatsu Myojin
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Publication number: 20120195058Abstract: A vehicle headlamp has a focused-beam lamp unit, and a diffused-beam lamp unit. The focused-beam lamp unit has a first semiconductor light emitting device having a first rectangular light emitting surface, and a first optical member that projects light from the first semiconductor light emitting device to form a focused beam pattern. The diffused-beam lamp unit has a second semiconductor light emitting device having a second rectangular light emitting surface, and a second optical member that projects light from the second semiconductor light emitting device to form a diffused beam pattern, the diffused beam pattern being wider than the focused beam pattern in a direction along a vertical line in front a vehicle on which the vehicle headlamp is mounted. The focused-beam lamp unit and the diffused-beam lamp unit are arranged to form a light distribution pattern by combining the focused beam pattern and the diffused beam pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Naoki Uchida
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Patent number: 8231255Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sadayuki Konishi
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Publication number: 20120188780Abstract: LED lamp structures and lighting fixtures are provided, particularly “down” or recessed lighting fixtures, street lamp fixtures, “work-lights” and automobile headlights. A fan and a heat sink are provided with each lamp and the LED array is attached directly to the heat sink. The fans used preferably are computer cooling fans which are particularly small, efficient and inexpensive. The fans preferably force air through the fins sideways. The fans in some embodiments are recessed among the fins of the heat-sink so as to conserve space and obtain direct flow of air through the fins. The low-volume exhaust from the fans is released directly into the air space or housing in which the lamps are mounted without the need for special ducting, thus taking advantages of the naturally-occurring crevices and opening for all or part of air escape openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventor: Sylwester D. Wilk
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Publication number: 20120182750Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a reflective housing having a first recessed portion with a reflective surface. An outer housing made of heat dissipating material is fixed to the reflective housing and includes a plurality of fins on an outer surface thereof. The outer housing further includes a second recessed portion receiving the reflective housing. A receiving portion is provided behind the second recessed portion and receives a circuit board. A heat conductive seat made of heat dissipating material includes a connecting plate fixed to the outer housing. An extension extends from the connecting plate to a central, front portion of the reflective housing. The LED light module is mounted to the extension and electrically connected to the circuit board. A light-transmitting cover is mounted to and covers openings of the reflective housing and the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventors: Yao-Te Chung, Kun Yeh Lin
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Patent number: 8203257Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp for motor vehicles that at least comprises a first incandescent filament that is intended to produce a light beam having a light/dark cutoff line, the incandescent filament having associated with it for this purpose a shielding cap to restrict the light emitted to a given angular range. The shielding cap (4) has at least one opening that is intended to produce a light beam above the light/dark cutoff line, with at least part of this light beam, which light beam passes through the said opening, not passing through and/or passing through a color filter.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Lukas Kuepper, Albrecht Kraus, Benno Spinger
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Patent number: 8200390Abstract: A cover for use in connection with one or more vehicle lights is provided. A lens of the cover contains an electrically activatable material that prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from one or more of the vehicle lights when the electrically activatable material is set to a light inhibiting state. The cover may be configured to be releasably installed over one or more of the vehicle lights such as military combat vehicle lights. A coupling device electrically couples the electrically activatable material to an electrical power source. An actuator is adapted to set the electrically activatable material of the lens to the light inhibiting state in response to user operation such that the lens prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from the one or more vehicle lights to reduce the observability of the one or more vehicle lights.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Control Solutions LLCInventors: Alyn Brown, James Wiff
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Patent number: 8186862Abstract: A first exemplary embodiment of an automotive discharge lamp assembly includes an integrated high intensity discharge lamp and driver assembly having a high voltage starter/igniter and a ballast unit contained in a common housing with a high intensity discharge lamp burner extending therefrom. A separate automotive headlamp optical assembly is mechanically and electrically joined to the integrated high intensity discharge lamp and driver assembly. The joining assembly includes snap-fit clamps received on one of (i) the headlamp assembly and (ii) the integrated lamp and driver assembly, and received in a recess/groove on the other of (i) the headlamp optical assembly and (ii) the integrated lamp and driver assembly. Another exemplary embodiment includes at least one bayonet pin extending outwardly from one of (i) the integrated lamp and driver assembly and (ii) the headlamp optical assembly for operative receipt in a recess or groove formed in the other component.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Agoston Boroczki, Csaba Horvath, Tamas Panyik