Reflector Structure Patents (Class 362/516)
  • Patent number: 7607810
    Abstract: A compact vehicle signalling light having a multi-reflector concave mirror which provides maximum light yield. The mirror includes a first reflector which is convergent and enveloping with respect to the light source and a second reflector formed near the apex of the mirror which reflects light rays passing around the light source without interfering with it. The vehicle light further includes a lens which cooperates with the reflectors to generate a light beam which complies with regulatory standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Patrice Collot
  • Publication number: 20090262546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a low beam headlight with at least one light module. The individual light module exhibits at least one light source and at least one primary lens connected downstream of the light source; and the light source is a luminescent diode. In addition, the low beam headlight has at least one secondary lens, which is connected optically downstream of the primary lens or the primary lenses. Both the primary and the secondary lens exhibit at least two lens segments, which are arranged one over the other. In addition, at least one lens segment of the primary lens and its assigned lens segment of the secondary lens lie outside the optical axis of the light module. The present invention develops a compact low beam headlight, whose light distribution has a clearly defined hot spot. The light intensity of the illumination decreases steadily in the direction of the basic distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: SCHEFENACKER VISION SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Emil Stefanov, Veit Schwegler, Dagmar Wurtenberger
  • Patent number: 7602112
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of a capped high-pressure discharge lamp (1) and a lamp holder (50). The discharge lamp comprises an outer envelope (10) in which a discharge vessel (11) is arranged. The outer envelope has a pinched portion (20) provided with a clamping member (25). A lamp cap comprises a substantially circular-cylindrical cup shaped portion for receiving the clamping member and is provided with a protruding collar (36). The lamp holder (50) comprises a substantially circular-cylindrical flange (55) for receiving the cup-shaped portion such that the flange engages the protruding collar. An inner diameter of the flange (55) has a tolerance of less than or equal to ?0.2 mm. An outer diameter of the cup-shaped portion (33) has a tolerance of less than or equal to +0.2 mm. The respective tolerances extend over a length of at least 2.5 mm, measured with respect to the protruding collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., BJB GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nicholas Gerardus Antonius Peeters, Johannes Antonius Theresia Schellen, Karl-Wilhelm Vogt, Erwin Norbert Lingemann
  • Publication number: 20090237951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light-conductor structure (13) for an automobile lighting device (11), with a coupling section (17) to couple light into the light-conductor structure, a curved reflecting surface (25) to reflect light beams (59) of the light coupled into the light-conductor structure via the coupling section, and at least one decoupling section (30, 45, 51) to decouple the light from the light-conductor structure (13). In order to achieve a light-conductor structure (13) in which fewer limitations to the determination of its geometric shape exist, or whose appearance may be more freely configured, it is proposed that the reflecting surface (25) of the light-conductor structure (13) is curved such that light reflected from the reflecting surface (25) strikes directly with no additional reflection either again onto the reflecting surface (25) or passes into the minimum of one decoupling section (30, 45, 51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Hubert Zwick
  • Patent number: 7591573
    Abstract: The invention concerns a lamp holder for a headlight that is intended to carry a lamp. The lamp holder having a roughly cylindrical tubular wall and has at least one claw that is electrically connected to the wall of the lamp holder and that is intended to be in contact with the body of the high-voltage connector, wherein the claw extends in a tangential direction with respect to the wall of the lamp holder and perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal principal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Rémi Maliar, Cyril Herbin
  • Publication number: 20090231873
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a low beam lamp unit which forms a low beam distribution pattern having a cutoff line along an upper edge thereof, and an additional lamp unit which forms an additional light distribution pattern including an area above the cutoff line of the low beam distribution pattern. The additional lamp unit is configured such that a luminous intensity of at least a portion of the additional light distribution pattern increases toward a horizontal line from above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya KOTAJIMA, Satoshi YAMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20090225562
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a light source positioned inside a lamp chamber. The lamp chamber is formed from a lamp body fixed to a vehicle body and a front cover that covers a front open portion thereof. The vehicular lamp includes a light guide that includes a side end surface to which light emitted from the light source is incident on one side thereof; a light-emitting surface that emits the light that is incident from the side end surface in a predetermined direction; and a reflective back surface that has a reflecting portion that faces the light-emitting surface. The light guide made from translucent material that is positioned on one side inside the light chamber following along with the shape of the lamp front cover. A plurality of stippling steps that have a generally conical shape are provided on the reflective back surface of the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Hirano, Kazunori Natsume
  • Publication number: 20090201694
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a light source, a reflector having a parabolic reflective surface for reflecting light beams from the light source, and a lens formed in a generally rectangular shape (i.e., square, rectangular, substantially square, substantially rectangular). The lens can include a plurality of lens cut portions for diffusing the generally parallel light beams from the reflector. The principal optical axis of the vehicle lamp can be aligned with the center of the lens. A plurality of ridge lines or valley lines can extend radially from the principal optical axis to divide the generally rectangular lens into at least a first lens cut portion, a second lens cut portion, a third lens cut portion, and a fourth lens cut portion. The first lens cut portion can be a substantial mirror image of the second lens cut portion, and the third lens cut portion can be a substantial mirror image of the fourth lens cut portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: HIDETAKA OKADA, Nao Nakano, Norihide Todoroki
  • Publication number: 20090201693
    Abstract: A trough reflector for a lighting system is disclosed, wherein the trough reflector produces a lighting pattern having a stepped horizontal cut-off, maximizes collection efficiency, and minimizes undesirable beam patterns. The trough reflector includes a reflective surface having a substantially parabolic curvature for directing light, wherein the reflective surface is split into a first portion and a second portion. The second portion offset relative to the first portion of the trough reflector. The trough reflector further includes a plurality of reflective side walls disposed adjacent the reflective surface, wherein the reflective side walls cooperate with the reflective surface to direct light rays to form a desired lighting pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Chris L. Eichelberger
  • Patent number: 7566155
    Abstract: The invention relates to an LED light system (1) for generating directed illumination radiation. The system comprises a plurality of LED lamp elements (2), each comprising a collimator (10) with an LED element (9). The LED lamp elements (2) are arranged in a defined array for generating a specified luminance pattern. A secondary optics device (11) images the luminance pattern in the space to be illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Josef Andreas Schug, Joseph Ludovicus Antonius Maria Sormani, Lukas Kuepper
  • Publication number: 20090185389
    Abstract: A light with one or more LEDs directing light in a first direction. The light has first and second over-lying light guides receiving light from the LEDs. The light guides extend in the first direction X. Plural LEDs can be used and they may direct light from either or both ends of the light guides. The light guides can be clear if the LEDs emit colored light, or colored if the LED emits white light. A plurality of first light deflectors is associated with the first light guide and a plurality of second light deflectors is associated with the second light guide for directing the light that has been emitted from the light source along the first direction X in a second, output direction Y, the first light deflectors being offset from the second light deflectors to evenly distribute output light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC
    Inventors: Thomas Tessnow, Hong Luo
  • Publication number: 20090168446
    Abstract: A vehicle light can include a reflector and a light source. The reflector has a reflection surface formed by at least part of a parabolic cylindrical surface obtained by moving a parabola by parallel displacement, where the parabola has a coefficient of 0.5, a focal length, and a focal point. The light source includes at least one set of at least two light emitting devices that have respective light emission surfaces facing toward the reflection surface. The at least two light emitting devices include a front light emitting device and a rear light emitting device spaced apart by a predetermined distance along an illumination direction of the vehicle light, with the focal point interposed between the front and rear light emitting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hidetaka Okada
  • Publication number: 20090154185
    Abstract: A vehicular illumination lamp includes a convex lens positioned on an optical axis in a vehicular longitudinal direction and a light emitting element positioned in a proximity of a rear side focal point of the convex lens. The vehicle lamp is configured so as to form a light distribution pattern that has a horizontal cut-off line and an oblique cut-off line in an upper end portion thereof by exercising deflection control, with a use of the convex lens, over light directly emitted from the light emitting element. The light emitting element includes a light emitting chip that has a rectangular light emitting surface. The light emitting element is positioned facing forward in such a manner that a lower end edge of the light emitting chip is positioned on a plane that includes the optical axis, while one of end points of the lower end edge is positioned on the rear side focal point. An additional lens is provided around the convex lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yagi
  • Publication number: 20090154186
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a first lamp section and a second lamp section, which are disposed inside a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover. The first lamp section includes a light source and a reflector which reflects light from the light source. The second lamp section includes a first light emitting device, a second light emitting device, a light guide member, and an optical component. The light guide member includes a base end face from which the light guide member extends in a strip shape along the front cover, a functional portion having a diffusing front surface which emits light from a first light emitting device, and a decorative portion having an internally reflecting rear surface which reflects light from a second light emitting device. A light emitting area of the decorative portion is larger than that of the functional portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Natsume, Kenji Nobuhara
  • Patent number: 7543964
    Abstract: Lighting module, for a headlamp, provided to produce a cut-off beam, this module admitting an optical axis and comprising: a folder arranged so as to allow the passage of the light rays originating from a first reflector, which intersect, in orthogonal projection in the substantially vertical plane comprising an optical axis, the optical axis of a second reflector between a focus and peak of the second reflector, and to reflect the rays originating from the first reflector which would intersect the optical axis of the second reflector on the side remote from the peak relative to the focus of this second reflector, with the second reflector located below the horizontal plane passing through the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 7543941
    Abstract: An apparatus is comprised of a light source radiating into a peripheral forward solid angle and a center forward solid angle. A reflector is positioned to reflect light from the light source from the peripheral forward solid angle into a longitudinal beam about an optical axis of the reflector. A lens is disposed longitudinally forward of the light source for focusing light into a predetermined beam pattern from the center forward solid angle into a skewed beam in a skewed direction with respect to the optical axis of the reflector to project a composite beam of light comprised of the light radiated in the skewed beam and the longitudinal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Ronald G. Holder, Greg Rhoads
  • Publication number: 20090135621
    Abstract: This present invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles which comprises a flat type light conducting body having two opposed flat sides at which light is transmitted from a light coupling or input side of said body to a light decoupling or output side thereof by total reflection, and a narrow side at the light input end along which a plurality of spaced-apart light elements are fitted for light input into the light conducting body, wherein said narrow side extends in at least an extension plane perpendicular to the flat sides and the narrow side is uneven at least in a light input section thereof that constitutes a light input position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventor: Martin Muegge
  • Patent number: 7534027
    Abstract: A planar light source of the present invention includes a light source part, a light guide part for guiding light emitted from the light source part to form planar emission of the light, and a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the light source part to allow the light to enter the light guide part. The reflector has a member for controlling the amount of reflected light capable of controlling the amount of reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20090122569
    Abstract: A vehicle light can have a simple configuration for easily determining whether or not a coating, such as an anti-fog coating and a hard coating, has been applied to a lens. A manufacturing method of such a vehicle light is also disclosed. The vehicle light can include a housing opened in an illumination direction, a light source disposed within the housing, a reflecting surface disposed within the housing and configured to reflect light from the light source to the illumination direction, and an outer lens disposed so as to hermetically close the front open end of the housing. The outer lens can have an inner surface and an outer surface, at least one of which including a coating for surface treatment. The outer lens can further have a first area which is subjected to a texturing process on the inner surface and/or the outer surface, with at least part of the first area including the coating for surface treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Motoyasu Ishizu, Kazuo Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7527404
    Abstract: An optical module for lighting and/or signalling apparatus for a motor vehicle, the optical module comprising at least one main reflector associated with at least one light source for emitting a main light beam. The optical module includes at least one supplementary reflective zone outside the main reflector and adapted to receive some of the light which comes directly or indirectly from the light source, and to reflect it so as to create a secondary light beam in a mean direction which is different from the mean direction of the main light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Christophe Valois
  • Publication number: 20090103322
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle headlight assembly which has an interchangeable colored translucent cup centered over the light source by a three linear member housing. The headlight assembly also has a region of its lens colored differently with a reflective enclosure behind it wherein a signal light resides. This allows the installer to change both the look of the headlight and the color of the center most region of the light beam emitted from the headlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7520647
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes light sources that have a high luminous flux and a favorable bright distribution, and includes vehicle lamps that have both a favorable light distribution pattern and a capability of being miniaturized by using the LED light sources. The light source can include a base board, a reflector having a cavity with a slender rectangular opening, a plurality of semiconductor light emitting chips located in a line in the cavity, and an encapsulating resin in the cavity. At least one chip among the plurality of semiconductor light emitting chips can be located on a central bottom portion of the cavity. The cavity can have one slant angle in a direction of a short side that is smaller than another slant angle. The vehicle lamp can include the light source, a shield plate, an optical lens, and reflectors that are selected according to a kind and/or design of a vehicle lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaori Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20090097267
    Abstract: A temporary headlight reflector device for application to a vehicle of a sandwich construction having a temporary elastic or flexible reflective panel with protruding tabs including protective layers releasably bonded by adhesive material to the tab substrate which may be folded over for attachment to the front of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: William David McAnally
  • Patent number: 7518299
    Abstract: A compact PAR lamp (10) has a hollow body (12) arrayed along a longitudinal axis (14) and has an open end (16) and a substantially closed neck end (18) and containing a light source capsule (20) within the hollow body (12) and coaxial with the longitudinal axis (14). The light source capsule (20) has electrical lead-ins (22, 24) that extend therefrom and exit via the neck end (18). A first parabolic reflector (26) is formed within the body (12) and has a wide portion (28) adjacent the open end (16) and a narrow portion (30) spaced therefrom along the longitudinal axis (14). A second reflector (32) is formed within the body (12) and extends from the narrow portion (30) into the neck end (18). A lens (34) closes the open (16), and a base (36) is attached to the closed neck end (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Kling
  • Publication number: 20090091944
    Abstract: A lighting or signalling device for a motor vehicle, having an optical axis and comprising at least one light source and at least one guide for the light rays between the source and an exit face, the guide having an entry edge associated with the source. The guide for the light rays is formed by a sheet and the sheet comprises a curved rear edge convex towards the rear, able to provide reflection of the light rays towards the exit face. A curved shape of the rear edge being associated with the profile of the exit faced so that the emerging light rays have a direction contained in a substantially horizontal plane containing the optical axis of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Antoine de LAMBERTERIE
  • Publication number: 20090086498
    Abstract: A device for creating a predetermined light output distribution having a substantially rectangular shape in angle space is provided having a lens with a revolved inner surface and a complex outer surface. The inner surface has a combination of reflective and refractive surface facets swept about an axis of revolution perpendicular to the optical axis of the device. The outer surface has a non-planar, non-circular, non-spherical shape. This outer surface generates an appropriate intensity distribution in a direction generally parallel to the major axis of the output rectangle and may also distribute energy generally parallelly to the minor axis of the output rectangle as well. The optical efficiency improvement in the design of this improved preferably LED-based product has several direct benefits including; increased reliability, lower operating temperature, reduced electrical requirements, greater product life and significantly reduced cost as compared to existing LED products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick Jeffrey Condon, Mark Bryan Pruss
  • Publication number: 20090067186
    Abstract: In a vehicle lamp unit that is configured to be mounted on a vehicle, a semiconductor light source can be substantially covered with a first reflector and, therefore, the semiconductor light source is not visually observable (or, is difficult to see) from outside the lamp unit even when a projection lens is disposed in front of the opening of the first reflector and spaced from the first reflector so as not to contact the first reflector. Thus, a vehicle lamp unit having a novel design can be provided in which the projection lens appears as if it is floating in air and in which the semiconductor light source is not visually seen or is difficult to be seen from the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Takashi FUTAMI
  • Patent number: 7497606
    Abstract: A reflective rear light for a truck includes a light housing, a reflection plate and a lens. The light housing is formed integrally with a circuit board provided thereon with a clearance light and side marker light region. The reflection plate is provided with a side reflecting plate corresponding to the clearance light and side marker light region on the circuit board. The lens has one side disposed with a side light transmission region having its front side provided with a clearance light refraction region, having one inner side equipped with a slot at a location near the side light transmission region for fitting a side reflector with a side light refraction region. The truck rear light is disposed with several different warning light regions to illuminate a license plate and reinforcing effect of projecting light on the truck width and side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Lucidity Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsi-Hsien Tsai, Ko-Chun Pan
  • Patent number: 7494255
    Abstract: Interior lighting and illumination systems for aircraft, particularly commercial passenger airplanes. Opposing pairs of LED lamps are positioned in the ceiling panels above the aisles between sets of seats in the passenger cabins. One set of LED lights are directed to illuminate the ceiling panels and may be in a particular color. The other set of LED lights are positioned to shine their lights on storage/stowage bins positioned across the aisles, thus creating a cross-bin lighting system. This enhances the cabin architecture and provides cabin illumination. A reflector can be positioned to direct the light and reduce possible glare to the passengers. The reflector directs the light rays from the LED lights which emanate from the top of the reflector to shine on the lowest part of the bins. The light rays leaving the reflector cross in front of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric A. Bryan, Randolph C. Camp, III, Richard Fraker, Kevin W. Shimasaki, Miles A. Webb
  • Publication number: 20090040779
    Abstract: A headlight unit includes a reflector that is concave in shape and has left and right reflection surfaces for reflecting light emitted by a headlight bulb in a desired direction. Protection covers cover outer edge sections of the reflector and have a color different from that of the left and right reflection surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Gen Ohzono
  • Patent number: 7484869
    Abstract: To improve visibility by expanding a light emitting range without increasing a size of a light source, in a lighting unit for a vehicle using a projector lamp. A front light has a projector lamp arranged behind an outer lens. A light guiding body is provided from a side surface of the projector lamp to the front. A front surface of the light guiding body emits light along a bottom surface of the front light. A first reflector and a second reflector constituting an isolated extension section extending upwards are arranged opposite to each other holding a distance between them, at a side surface of the projector lamp. The periphery of the first reflector extends out slightly more than the second reflector to form a fringe light emitting section. This causes emission of light of the light guide path in a fringe shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kogo, Hayato Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7484868
    Abstract: A vehicle light can be configured to reduce the difference between the cut-off line of the actual light distribution pattern and the cut-off line of the designed light distribution pattern. The vehicle light can include a light source, first reflectors configured to reflect light from the light source, corresponding second reflectors configured to reflect light from the respective first reflectors, and a support member configured to support the light source. The support member and the first reflectors can be separately formed. Furthermore, edge portions configured to form cut-off lines in the light distribution pattern by the second reflectors can be provided in the support member instead of in the first reflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroo Oyama
  • Publication number: 20090027908
    Abstract: A lamp unit used in a vehicular lamp includes a reflector provided with a parabolic cylindrical reflective surface with a focal line in the horizontal direction; a planar light source having a light-emitting surface with a generally oblong shaped region; and a drive portion that rotatably supports the semiconductor light-emitting element portion. The generally oblong shaped region of the planar light source includes a long side in a direction parallel to the focal line and a short side of a predetermined width. The planar light source is disposed such that the light-emitting surface faces the parabolic cylindrical reflective surface of the reflector and such that a long side, on a lamp front side, generally coincides with the focal line and acts as a rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Motohiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20090010017
    Abstract: A light emitting device comprises; a metal reflecting member, a light emitting element fixed to the metal reflecting member, a glass film that covers the metal reflecting member and has Si—N bonds, and a translucent resin that covers the glass film. The present invention provides a light emitting device with which, even when this device is used in a harsh environment, there will be no deterioration in the light reflecting performance of the metal reflecting member, and light can be emitted at high output over an extended period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadao HAYASHI, Hiroto TAMAKI, Shoji HOSOKAWA, Yasunori SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20080316757
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter can include a vehicle lamp having a favorable light distribution and an effective heat dissipation structure. The vehicle lamp can include a light source and a casing in which the light source is sealed. The casing can be configured in a tubular shape and a reflector can be configured in a hollow of the casing. The casing can be sealed between the reflector and a front lens configured to allow light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough. The inner surfaces of the casing and the reflector can be configured to form a predetermined light distribution via the front lens. The outer surfaces of the casing and the reflector can be exposed to the outside and can be configured to radiate heat generated from the light source to the outside using heat conductive material. Thus, the lamp can be miniaturized and provide favorable light distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Koji Sato, Daisuke Nagafuchi, Nobuyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080316760
    Abstract: The invention relates to an LED collimator element (1; 20) which can be used in particular for motor vehicle headlights. It comprises an LED (2; 23), of which the emitted light can be emitted essentially directly into an emission angle region of the LED collimator element (1; 20), and a collimator (3; 22) which deflects the light which is not emitted in the emission direction into the emission angle region. The LED collimator element (1; 20) is designed to be asymmetrical at least with respect to a sectional plane (4) so that a defined non-uniform light intensity distribution is achieved in an emission plane (10; 26) of the LED collimator element (1; 20) which is orthogonal to the sectional plane (4) and to the main emission direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Josef Andreas Schug, Egbert Lenderink, Joseph Sormani
  • Publication number: 20080310042
    Abstract: A reflector film can have a high heat resistance and can maintain a high reflectance (or effectively prevent the decrease in the reflectance) when overlaid with a particular protective film. A lighting apparatus can also be configured for use with such a reflector film. The reflector film can include a silver or silver alloy film deposited on a substrate, and a titanium or titanium alloy film deposited on the silver or silver alloy film to serve as a protective film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshio Suzuki, Shuichi Taya
  • Publication number: 20080291688
    Abstract: A light emitting device module is provided. The light emitting device module includes a plurality of light emitting devices; a submount on which the light emitting devices are mounted; and a heat-radiant substrate to which the submount is fixed. The submount includes a positive front surface electrode; a negative front surface electrode; at least one relay front surface electrode, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices are electrically coupled to each other in series via the at least one relay front surface electrode; a plurality of through electrodes; a positive back surface electrode coupled to the positive front surface electrode via a through electrode; a negative back surface electrode coupled to the negative front surface electrode via a through electrode; and at least one relay back surface electrode which is coupled to the at least one relay front surface electrode via a through electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Yuji HIGASHI
  • Patent number: 7455438
    Abstract: A module for projecting a light beam comprises a light source and a substantially flat support surface on which the source is arranged in a manner such as to emit light from only one side of the surface, and a reflector for reflecting the light emitted by the source. The reflector comprises a curved reflecting surface which extends on one side of the support surface, has a concavity facing towards the support surface, and can reflect the light coming from the source in a principal direction substantially parallel to the support surface of the source. An optical device for a module according to the invention and a vehicle front light assembly comprising a plurality of modules according to the invention form further subjects of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventors: Piermario Repetto, Stefano Bernard, Denis Bollea, Davide Capello
  • Patent number: 7452115
    Abstract: A headlamp developed especially for motor vehicles based on the exact adjustment of the height of the light plane by total concealing the light source and all direct and indirect reflecting surfaces and by using the principle of the half-lens illumination described in this invention. The most preferred embodiment of this invention consists of a single standard light source (1), a reflector group of three units (2,3; 12,13; 22,23) forming a structure similar to a clover-leaf with each unit having its own light pathway, three plano-convex lenses (27,7,17), three flat mirrors (25,5,15), three movable semi-shutters (26,6,16) covering the upper halves of the plano-convex lenses, with the addition of a shield (9) and a reflective surface in the forward-looking part of this embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Turhan Alcelik
  • Publication number: 20080278961
    Abstract: A lighting assembly is adapted to be fixedly secured to a motor vehicle for emitting light out therefrom. The lighting assembly includes a frame for supporting and mounting the lighting assembly to the motor vehicle and a lens fixedly secured to the frame. The lighting assembly also includes a light emitting diode spaced from the lens for emitting light out through the lens. The lighting assembly further includes a reflector extending between the lens and the light emitting diode. The reflector includes a parabolic reflective surface, and a hyperbolic component for directing light emitted from the light emitting diode out toward the parabolic reflective surface at an angle such that the light passes through the lens as collimated light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Cole J. Cunnien
  • Publication number: 20080273347
    Abstract: An optical module for an elliptical motor vehicle lighting device, the optical module comprising in particular a reflector, a light source emitting light rays, and a projection lens, the reflector having a reflecting internal face for reflecting towards the projection lens at least some of the light rays emitted by the light source. The internal face of the reflector is formed by the joining of at least a first portion of a first ellipsoid shape and a second portion of a second ellipsoid shape, the first ellipsoid shape having a first principal focus and a second principal focus, the second ellipsoid shape having a first principal focus and a second principal focus, the second principal focus of the first ellipsoid shape being merged with the first principal focus of the second ellipsoid shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Jean-Luc MEYRENAUD
  • Publication number: 20080273344
    Abstract: A device for replacing a lamp of a light source of a motor vehicle lighting and/or signalling system, comprising a reflecting element, the light source, with a lamp support, secured to the lamp to be replaced, the lamp support providing the holding, in an operating configuration, of the lamp within the reflector, an outer lens for allowing the light rays produced by the light source to pass in the form of a light beam along an optical axis, a housing holding the outer lens and the reflecting element, the lamp support being disposed opposite an opening provided in the housing of the device, and being accessible from the outside of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Philippe ARLON
  • Publication number: 20080259620
    Abstract: A light guide unit which includes a front light emitting surface, a rear surface to which a light reflecting treatment is applied and a side end face which constitutes a light introducing plane and which is formed solid of a light transmissive material as a whole is divided by a vertical slit which reaches the rear reflecting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Oba, Akihiro Misawa, Tetsuya Arakawa
  • Patent number: 7438456
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight can project a low beam and a high beam in a reasonable and efficient fashion and does not require a maximum output during high beam illumination, which is low in frequency of use. A light source can be arranged so that a main optical axis thereof forms an angle of approximately 30° to 60° with respect to a front-to-back direction of a vehicle/vehicle headlight. An extremity of the light source can extend toward the front and side of the vehicle. Part of a first reflector can be arranged closer to the front and a center of the vehicle than the light source. A second reflector can be configured to collect light from the first reflector and reflect the same light to the front of the vehicle. The second reflector can be located behind and closer to the side of the vehicle than the light source is. A distribution pattern switching unit can be located between the first reflector and the second reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroo Oyama
  • Publication number: 20080239745
    Abstract: A lamp unit of a vehicular headlamp includes a projection lens with an optical axis; a light source formed from a semiconductor light-emitting element; a first reflector that reflects light from the light source so as to condense such light on or near the optical axis; and a shade positioned between the light source and the projection lens so as to extend along the optical axis direction. The shade shields part of the light reflected by the first reflector. In the lamp unit of the vehicular headlamp, a shielding surface extends rearward from a front end of the shade, where the shade is positioned near a rearward focal point Rf of the projection lens. The shielding surfaces serve as a second reflector that reflects light from the first reflector toward the projection lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Motohiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20080239744
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp forms a low-beam distribution pattern by combining light radiated from a first unit and a second unit. A brightness decreasing element is provided on a reflective surface of a first main reflector in a sub-unit of the first unit. Thus, for the low-beam distribution pattern formed by the first unit and the second unit, among a peripheral end portion of a cut-off line forming pattern formed by the sub unit, a low luminance portion with a partially reduced brightness is formed at the border of both right and left end sides that upwardly overlap with a portion of a diffusion area forming pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakada, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20080225541
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices, and a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting devices toward a front side of the vehicle lamp. The reflector is partitioned into a plurality of light emitting areas that are radially formed around an optical axis extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle. Each of the semiconductor light emitting devices is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of one of the light emitting areas respectively. Each of the reflecting surfaces of the reflector is provided in one of the light emitting areas respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Shohei Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20080219021
    Abstract: A vehicular lighting assembly with a reflection mirror formed of a BMC resin is provided which prevents glass fiber in the resin from separating and flying away when the direction of illumination is changed for aiming, which can result in degradation in appearance of the reflector or occurrence of glare. The vehicular lighting assembly can be configured such that a high-beam reflector and a low-beam lighting assembly attachment are formed of a plastic member made of the BMC resin as an integrated lighting assembly holder portion. The low-beam lighting assembly attachment of the lighting assembly holder portion can include a low-beam reflector, ball joints, and an adjusting nut attachment engaged with an adjusting screw, so that it can be aimed. The ball joints and the adjusting nut attachment are formed at their respective positions on an integrated metallic member so that they can be attached as an aiming unit to the low-beam lighting assembly attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Katsuya Nagashima, Yoichi Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7419289
    Abstract: A lamp unit includes a semiconductor light-emitting element portion, a reflector that radiates light from a light source forward of the lamp, and a driving portion that moves relative positions of the semiconductor light-emitting element portion and the reflector. The semiconductor light-emitting element portion is provided with a light-emitting surface whose outer peripheral shape is generally oblong, the reflector is provided with a parabolic surface that has a focus line in the horizontal direction, and the driving portion is configured such that rotation is possible within a horizontal plane of the light-emitting surface from a first position where a short side of the light-emitting surface is generally parallel to the focus line up to a second position where a long side of the light-emitting surface is generally parallel to the focus line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yagi