Reflector Structure Patents (Class 362/516)
  • Patent number: 7419288
    Abstract: A vehicle light can be configured to have a depth that is remarkably small. The vehicle light can include a first reflector that is an ellipse group reflector with a major/optical axis thereof inclined, a second reflector that is a parabolic group reflector located below the first reflector so that the second reflector can receive light reflected from the first reflector, and a light source located in the vicinity of the first focus of the first reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakaya, Tsutomu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7416322
    Abstract: A vehicle light emitting device including a light emitting element, a primary reflector, and a secondary reflector. A reflecting surface of the primary reflector has a shape of a substantially dome-shaped body of revolution formed by rotating about the optical axis Ax an ellipse E which has a primary focal point F1 which is a point near the light emitting element and a secondary focal point F2 which is a point near the reflecting surface. The primary reflector includes a belt-shaped region, which straddles a ring-shaped locus of the secondary focal point F2 and is configured as a light translucent portion, whereby reflected light from the primary reflector is caused to temporarily converge on the secondary focal point F2 in each cross-section of the body of revolution including the optical axis Ax and is thereafter caused to be incident on the secondary reflector as a diffused light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetada Tanaka, Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7407310
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp 1 including a projection lens 16 installed on the optical axis Ax extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle a light source 12a provided behind the rear side focal point F of the projection lens 16, and a reflector 14 that reflects direct light from the light source 12a forward and toward the optical axis Ax; and in this headlamp, an additional lens 30, which deflects and directs light from the light source 12a to the front is provided around the outer perimeter of the projection lens 16, and grooves 33, which have side faces that direct at least a part of the incident light toward the side of the vehicle, are formed in the outer surface of the additional lens 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7401960
    Abstract: A light emitting diode headlamp capable of low beam and high beam functions. The light emitting diode headlamp assembly comprises high-flux light emitting diodes, a reflector subassembly, a first and second light transmissive member, and a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Truck-Life Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Pond, Philip C. Roller, Chris A. Suckow, Ronald D. Madison, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
  • Publication number: 20080170407
    Abstract: A dual function headlamp for motor vehicle fulfilling a first function as a beam with cut-off, in particular a dipped beam, and a second function as a second-type beam, in particular a full beam, comprising: an elliptical reflector with an interior focal point and an focal point on an optical axis; a light source placed in the vicinity of the interior focal point; an optics placed forward of the reflector and with a focal point merged with, or next to, the exterior focal point of the reflector; and a retractable shade that can occupy an active position for the beam with cut-off and a withdrawn position for the second-type beam, the shade in active position presenting a cut-off edge situated in the vicinity of the focal point of the optics. The retractable shade presents a reflective surface which, in withdrawn position, is placed in the lower part of the reflector, is turned forward and contributes to the second-type beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Jean-Luc MEYRENAUD
  • Publication number: 20080144328
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a lens disposed on an optical axis of the vehicle lamp, the optical axis extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle lamp, the lens comprising a first concave lens portion; a plurality of light emitting elements disposed to a rear side of the lens and around the optical axis at regular intervals in a circumferential direction, the plurality of light emitting elements comprising at least one first light emitting element disposed to a rear side of the first concave lens portion; at least one first reflector corresponding to the at least one first light emitting element and disposed between the corresponding first light emitting element and the optical axis, wherein the first reflector comprises a first reflecting surface which reflects light from the corresponding first light emitting element toward the first concave lens portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki YAGI, Motohiro KOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20080123360
    Abstract: A light shielding member shields a part of a light radiated from a light source and passes a remaining part of the light. A reflection surface reflects the light that passes through the light shielding member forward of a vehicle as a light distribution pattern including a cutoff line on a driving lane side and a cutoff line on an oncoming lane side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7379224
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Jeffrey A. Forgette, John S. Anderson, David J. Cammenga, Robert R. Turnbull, Philip B. Hall, Mark D. Bugno, Alan R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20080112177
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lamp unit, a bracket which supports the lamp unit such that the lamp unit is swivelable in right and left directions, a lamp body which supports the bracket such that the bracket is tiltable in the right and left directions and in up and down directions with respect to the lamp body, an actuator which is supported by the bracket and swivels the lamp unit, a rotating shaft member which is supported by the bracket, and a joint member which is coupled to the actuator. The lamp unit includes a light source, a reflector, a shade, a projection lens, a rotating shaft attaching portion to which the rotating shaft member is attached, and a joint attaching portion to which the joint member is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sigeru Kuwahara, Shouichirou Yokoi, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 7364334
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a light, for a motor vehicle, giving a cutoff beam, in particular of the fog type, having an optical axis. The light having a light source having a filament, the overall shape of which is substantially cylindrical and the axis of which is substantially horizontal, the filament extending obliquely or perpendicular to the optical axis of the light, and at least one reflector producing a reflected light beam with cutoff. The light includes, in front of the light source, a lens producing a light beam with cutoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Benoit Reiss
  • Publication number: 20080094852
    Abstract: An exterior automotive lamp may be formed with LED light sources by efficiently using the available light. The LEDs are arranged in an array to illuminate a central lens to produce the horizontal spread from the central portion of the LED beam. Meanwhile a reflector gathers the more disperse side-emitted portion of the LED beam and directs that light as an outer sheath to form a supplementary portion of the beam. The lamp efficiently provides a beam that may be adapted for highbeam, lowbeam, fog, or signal purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: VALEO SYLVANIA LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lee King, Dennis Wilkerson, Dennis Black
  • Patent number: 7357546
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp employing a light-emitting element such as an LED and having an improved projected light pattern. A light-emitting surface of a light-emitting system has a horizontally elongated shape when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the light-emitting system so as to form a light distribution pattern which is enlarged through an optical system mainly in the horizontal direction. Since the projected pattern is obtained by enlarging the horizontally elongated light source image, it is easier to design the light distribution of the lamp in comparison to a case where the light intensity distribution of the light-emitting system is rotationally symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa, Akinori Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7350946
    Abstract: A light-gathering reflection surface is provided on a part of a reflection area on a reflection surface of the reflector. Light from the light source reflected onto the light-gathering surface is emitted as light substantially parallel to an optical axis from the projection lens in the front direction of a lighting fixture. Thus, an irradiation amount on a vicinity of a horizontal cutoff line is reduced, and a center intensity in a front direction in a high beam light distribution pattern is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yagi, Naoki Uchida
  • Publication number: 20080074896
    Abstract: A light emitting module used in a vehicle headlamp is provided with a light source having a light emitting plane directing toward a front side of a lighting unit, a projection lens disposed ahead of the light source, and a reflecting plane extending in an oblique and forward direction from a side of the light source. The projection lens is disposed by setting a focal point in a vicinity of a lower side of the light emitting plane. The reflecting plane has a structure so that a light emitted from the light source is reflected toward a lower region from a cut line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki ISHIDA
  • Patent number: 7349163
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting module of the type having a solid-state light source, in particular a LED, a supporting plate, and a lens; the lens has a recess housing the light source; the lens is supported by and projects from the plate by means of supporting members (25) carried by the lens and for fitting the lens directly to the plate; and the supporting members are formed in one piece with the lens, and are spaced apart and separated from one another by cooling windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Fraen Corporation S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Angelini, Claudia Bigliati, Natale Baraldo, Luca Scodes
  • Publication number: 20080037268
    Abstract: An infrared light irradiating lamp for a vehicle includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a light source bulb disposed behind the projection lens, the light source bulb including a filament for emitting light; a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction; and an infrared light transmitting film provided between the reflector and the projection lens. The light source bulb is disposed such that a longitudinal direction of the filament is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Tendo, Shinji Kagiyama
  • Patent number: 7325954
    Abstract: A vehicle light with a bulb arranged sideway is provided which can reduce a length of the entire light without a deterioration in its brightness and with a simple configuration. The vehicle light can include a light source arranged sideway on an optical axis extending horizontally in the front-to-rear direction of a vehicle. First and second projection lenses can be arranged in front of the light source above and below the optical axis. First and second reflecting surfaces can be provided for reflecting light emitted from the light source to the respective first and second projection lenses. A third reflecting surface can be provided for reflecting light emitted upward from the light source toward the area below the light source. A plane mirror can also be provided and configured to direct light reflected from the third reflecting surface toward the rear focus of the second projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 7322727
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination comprised of an illumination source of electromagnetic radiation and a multi-part reflector (10) to route and focus the electromagnetic illumination, whereby the function of the separation (Y) from the angle (?) across at least partial areas of the reflector (10) is not a constant function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlinger GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Lampen, Hermann Kellermann
  • Patent number: 7312477
    Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the related art emit light in all directions, LED lamps can emit light in a single direction, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp can include an LED chip 2 in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and a shielding member 7 covering a portion of the LED chip 2 in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip 2 is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens 10 or the like constituting the projection means. Accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 7281824
    Abstract: A luminaire has a concave reflector with an optical center on an optical main axis in an optical main plane. A screen extends along the optical main axis to a light emission window. The reflector has a first faceted reflector portion at a first side of the optical main plane, the optical center being its focus and the optical main axis being its axis. A second faceted reflector portion is present at a second side of the optical main plane, having a secondary axis passing through and a focus lying in the optical center. The secondary axis is tilted with respect to the main axis through acute angles in the main plane as well as out of the plane. The luminaire produces a screened-off light beam which is horizontally and vertically asymmetrical, which makes the luminaire suitable for an illumination of highways in a counter-traffic direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Wijbenga, Jean Paul Entrop
  • Patent number: 7281828
    Abstract: The invention concerns vehicle headlights with two light functions, comprising a reflector (10) and a two-filament bulb (14), whose first spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a first light function and whose second spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a second light function, each light function being associated with a region (10?, 10?) of the reflector (10), wherein the second spiral-wound filament (14?) cooperates with a covering cap (18) which shields a portion of the light for the light function associated with this spiral-wound filament, which would otherwise impinge on the region (10?) of the reflector (10) which is associated with the first light function, wherein the second spiral-wound filament (14?) generates a turning and/or curve light and the regions (10?, 10?) of the reflector (10) are separated by a separating line (12) which extends in a segment of the reflector at an angle of between ±0 and 35°, in particular ±15 and 35°, with respect to the vertical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Steinhart, Michael Scholl, Friedemann Schlienz, Silke Barton
  • Publication number: 20070230204
    Abstract: An upper portion region and a lower portion region at a front side surface of a projector lens are constituted as up and down direction diverging portions provided with a plurality of lens elements extended substantially in a horizontal direction by a vertical sectional shape formed in a recessed and projected shape relative to a reference face of the front side surface. After diverging light emitted from the upper portion region and the lower portion region to a front side in an up and down direction, a diverging degree thereof is made to be able to be controlled accurately to thereby pertinently shade off the cutoff line. A spectroscopic color appearing at an upper vicinity of the cutoff line owing to a spectroscopic light phenomenon brought about when light reflected from a reflector transmits through the projector lens is made to be inconspicuous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Publication number: 20070230202
    Abstract: The light unit includes a lamp body and a lens having engagement members. The engagement members engage directly with the body of a vehicle (for example, a motorcycle). The engagement members preferably engage with a vehicle body exterior component such as a side cover. By engaging directly with the body, the alignment accuracy between the light unit and the side cover is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Gen Ohzono
  • Publication number: 20070230203
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a reflective member having a silver vapor deposition reflective surface with good durability to prevent cracking or peeling of a protective film and capable of maintaining a high reflectance. The reflective member includes a topcoat layer which serves as a protective film on a silver vapor deposition film which is a silver alloy including Nd on a surface of a base material made of synthetic resin inside a lamp chamber S. The topcoat layer 64 includes a transparent modified silicone series resin using a silicone resin and an acrylic resin as resin components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Shigeki Ono
  • Patent number: 7273305
    Abstract: A lighting device especially suitable for automotive center-high-mounted-stop-light (CHMSL) and brake light applications is provided. The lighting device comprises a display panel having at least two interfaces therein, with at least one interface configured as a light reflective interface and at least one interface configured as a light emitting interface. At least a portion of light from a light source propagates through the display panel into contact with the light reflective interface and is reflected by the light reflective interface towards the light emitting interface using total internal reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Development Company
    Inventor: Ching Fong
  • Patent number: 7273307
    Abstract: A signaling assembly is described which includes a semitransparent mirror, an opaque layer attached to the semitransparent mirror, a reflector member positioned within an aperture defined by the opaque layer; a circuit board defining an aperture through which visible light can pass, and which is positioned in spaced relation relative to the semitransparent mirror; and an electromagnetic radiation emitter mounted on the rear surface of the circuit board and which emits visible light which is passed by the circuit board and an opaque layer and which is reflected from the reflector member so as to form a visibly discernable signal which is passed by the semitransparent mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: K.W. Muth Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Mathieu
  • Patent number: 7270453
    Abstract: A molded plastic lamp component includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a first portion formed from a first material having a first heat distortion temperature, and a second portion formed from a second material having a second heat distortion temperature. The first heat distortion temperature is higher than the second heat distortion temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James R. Wilson, Peter Zuber
  • Patent number: 7252420
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a lighting device for a motor vehicle, comprising a first light source focused on a first reflective zone and a second light source focused on second reflective zone. The first light source is able to emit light both in the direction of the first reflective zone and part of the second reflective zone, the light coming from the light source and reflected by the two reflective zones corresponding to a DRL daylight light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Etienne Pauty, Jean-Paul Ravier, Patrice Collot, Claude Penn
  • Patent number: 7249876
    Abstract: An improved lamp holder for a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp includes a base and a metallic positioning member, in which the metallic positioning member includes a vibration-damping clamping ring having three extension feet extending outwards and downwards from a bottom rim of the clamping ring and inserted into their respective corresponding insertion slots of the base; and the clamping ring clips a lamp tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Kong Li Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chao Jong
  • Patent number: 7237935
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a plurality of light source modules for emitting light. Each of the light source modules has a semiconductor light-emitting element, a lighting circuit operable to control an electric current flowing into the semiconductor light-emitting element to turn the semiconductor light-emitting element on and off, a power cable operable to supply electric power from a power source located outside the vehicular lamp to the lighting circuit, a control cable operable to transmit a control signal that controls turning the semiconductor light-emitting element on and off to the lighting circuit, and a mounting substrate that mounts the semiconductor light-emitting element and the lighting circuit. One of the light source modules is connected to the power source by means of said power cable. The light source modules other than the one light source module are connected to the one light source module in parallel via the power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Ito, Hitoshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 7222990
    Abstract: A headlight apparatus has a lighting element with a connector base disposed in an aperture formed in the lighting element. The connector base has a set of terminals arranged to make contact with a set of electrical contact zones of a complementary module. Each electrical contact zone is so disposed, on a surface portion of an electronic printed circuit of the complementary module, as to be directly accessible for the corresponding terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Marc Duarte, Jean-Marc Nicolai, David Myotte
  • Patent number: 7220030
    Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle includes a mirror housing that houses a mirror, a chassis that is put on the mirror housing to form a hollow space between the chassis and the mirror housing, the chassis having an opening former at a portion, and a lamp that is arranged in the hollow space. The lamp includes a light source that emits light, and a reflector that reflects the light toward the opening. The light source is arranged in such a manner that the light from the light source does not illuminate the opening directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Yagi
  • Patent number: 7201507
    Abstract: A projector type vehicle light includes: a light source provided close to the primary focusing point of a concave mirror; and a convex lens, wherein the light source comprises a group of LEDs; each of the LED is located in each of a small concave mirror in a small reflector which has an ellipsoidal surface of rotation or a free surface as a part of the ellipsoidal surface of rotation provided on the inner surface thereof; the convex lens comprises a group of small convex lenses provided to cover the front opening of the small reflectors respectively; each of the LED is located close to the primary focusing point of a small concave mirror in a small reflector and faces at its emitter side to the small concave mirror; and a shade comes close to the secondary focusing point of the small concave mirror and assembled together with the small convex lens and the LED, whereby each of the small projector type lamps in the array is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukari Takeda, Kazunori Iwasaki, Yasufumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7178958
    Abstract: A vehicle light includes a light source, a main-reflector, and a sub-reflector. The sub-reflector is arranged around the light source. The main-reflector is arranged around the light source and the sub-reflector. The main-reflector includes a reflection surface that reflects light from the light source in a predetermined direction, avoiding the sub-reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Masafumi Kobayashi, Kazunori Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7160011
    Abstract: A light blocking apparatus is applied in an illuminating module of a projector. The light blocking apparatus includes a light shield and a support rod securing the light shield. The light shield is positioned in front of a bulb of the illuminating module. The support rod connects the light shield and another apparatus, such as a lamp reflector, so as to position the light shield in front of the bulb. The light shield is employed to block the light reflected from a UV-IR wheel and a color wheel so that the bulb won't be heated again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 7156543
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp 10 comprises a light source portion 50 and a plastic decorative member 60 in a lamp chamber 40 constituted by a body 20 and a lamp cover 30 for covering the front of the body. The decorative member has a skin layer 64 and a core layer 65 which are formed by sandwich molding; and the core layer is located in at least a portion that requires heat-resistance in the decorative member and formed of resin material greater in heat-resistance than resin material for the skin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Nakamura, Hiroshi Muramatsu, Junji Toki, Masaru Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 7121704
    Abstract: A pair of additional reflectors are disposed face to face under a light source. The reflective surfaces of the respective additional reflectors are formed of paraboloids of revolution, with the first focal point of the reflective surface of a reflector as a focal point, and with an optical axis as the central axis of the revolution. As a result, retroreflective light from both reflectors is incident on the upper reflective region of the reflector. Thus, the spreading of the retroreflective light can be reduced based on the enhanced efficiency of utilizing the luminous flux of the light source, to the extent of the presence of the retroreflective light, as compared with the related art structure, wherein a spherical reflective surface centering on the light source is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Takada
  • Patent number: 7097334
    Abstract: A light source unit capable of considerably reducing the size of a vehicular lamp. An LED is mounted on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with its light output directed upward, and a reflector is provided above the LED having a first reflecting surface for collecting the light emitted by the LED and reflecting the light generally in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The reflector is formed by a reflective coating formed on the surface of a translucent block covering the LED. Consequently, the size of the reflector can be considerably reduced as compared with reflectors employed in conventional vehicular lamps. Moreover, since the LED used as a light source emits little heat, the reflector can be designed without having to take into account the influence of heat generated by the light source. Furthermore, the LED can be treated substantially as a point light source so that proper reflection control can be carried out even if the size of the reflector is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Patent number: 7086766
    Abstract: A half-mirror evaporated layer is formed by spattering all over a front face of a resin substrate, and at the front faces of the reflector parts, aluminum evaporated layers are further formed to be reflecting mirror faces on the half-mirror evaporated layer, while at the front face of an extension, the half-mirror evaporated face is exposed as a half-mirror face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruaki Inaba, Hideaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7073928
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes a body case fixed to a vehicle body, a lens provided in front of the body case, a lamp bulb facing an inner space formed by the body case and the lens and an intermediate member interposed between the body case and the lens so as to be exposed to an external environment. The body case and the intermediate member are arranged with their end faces opposing each other, and the lens and the intermediate member are arranged with their end faces opposing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Toyofuku
  • Patent number: 7070310
    Abstract: A light emitting diode headlamp capable of low beam and high beam functions. The light emitting diode headlamp assembly comprises high-flux light emitting diodes, a reflector subassembly, a first and second light transmissive member, and a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Pond, Philip C. Roller, Chris A. Suckow, Ronald D. Madison, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
  • Patent number: 7055996
    Abstract: A lamp comprising a housing, at least one planar substrate supporting a plurality of light sources, and a light directing member comprising a plurality of reflective surfaces. Each of the reflective surfaces is generally parabolic and reflects light emitted from the plurality of light sources. A lamp comprising a housing, at least one planar substrate, a plurality of light sources supported by each planar substrate, a lens, and a light directing member that reflects light emitted from the plurality of light sources. The light directing member produces a light distribution pattern spanning substantially five degrees to substantially ninety degrees in one direction along the longitudinal axis of said lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Pond, Todd Kolstee, Philip Roller
  • Patent number: 7033054
    Abstract: A lamp assembly with a peripheral auxiliary function is described for use with automobile lamps. A moveable shield and a fixed shield are positioned about a light source inside a housing. A first reflective surface and a second reflective surface are formed on the inside of the housing. The moveable shield is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the moveable shield blocks light from striking the second reflective surface, and a main beam is projected from the lamp assembly. In the second position, the moveable shield blocks light from striking the first reflective surface, and a peripheral beam is projected from the assembly. Thus, the moveable shield may be moved to switch between the main beam and the peripheral beam, creating the ability to alter the functionality of the lamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Van Duyn
  • Patent number: 7021804
    Abstract: A lamp assembly with a multi-stage reflector is described for use with automobile lamps. A singular shield is positioned about a light source inside a housing. A first reflective surface and a second reflective surface are formed on the housing. The singular shield is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the moveable shield blocks light from striking the second reflective surface, and a main beam is projected from the lamp assembly. In the second position, the moveable shield allows light to strike both the first and second reflective surfaces, and a second beam is projected. Thus, the singular shield may be moved to switch between the main beam and the second beam, creating the ability to alter the functionality of the lamp assembly. More than two reflective surfaces and moveable positions may be used, to create a multitude of possible beam patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Van Duyn
  • Patent number: 7019334
    Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the prior art emit light in all directions, LED lamps emit light in a single direction only, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. The present invention realizes an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp disposing an LED chip 2 in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and providing a shielding member 7 covering a portion of the LED chip 2 in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip 2 is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens 10 or the like constituting the projection means; accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 6997587
    Abstract: The invention proposes an illumination module (10) producing an illumination beam with cutoff, comprising, arranged from back to front along a horizontal optical axis (A—A), an elliptical reflector (12) which delimits a volume of reflection and which has an elliptical surface of reflection (18, 20), at least one light source (14) which is arranged in the vicinity of a first focus (F1) of the reflector (12), and a convergent lens (16) whose focal plane is arranged in the vicinity of the second focus (F2) of the reflector (12), characterized in that the reflector (12) has a horizontal flat surface (22), the upper face (24) of which is reflective, which delimits vertically towards the bottom the volume of reflection, and in that the flat surface (22) of the reflector (12) has a cutoff edge (28) which is arranged in the vicinity of the second focus (F2) of the reflector (12). The invention also proposes a lamp comprising such an illumination module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 6997588
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an illumination and/or indicating device for a vehicle comprising a mask constituting the perimeter of the side walls of at least two cavities intended to house at least one bulb in each of them. Said mask comprises at least two parts mechanically fixed to one another, preferably so as to be removable, at least one extending as a reflector or a portion of reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Philippe Obee, Marc Dejardin, Cyril Herbin
  • Patent number: 6991353
    Abstract: In a conventional vehicle headlamp, when improvement in the visibility at the time of turning the vehicle is attempted by turning the light distribution characteristic, if a part of the light is turned, the quantity of light becomes insufficient as a whole, and if the whole light distribution is turned, the visibility straight ahead becomes insufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroo Oyama
  • Patent number: 6976770
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a lamp assembly with a boot hermetically cohered to the housing. The housing comprises a thermoplastic polymer and the boot comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. The boot is cohered to the housing by welding. According to one embodiment, the boot is sonic or vibration welded to the housing. The present invention may be used in the production of a wide range of lamp assemblies, including vehicle headlamp assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Trimpe, Clifford G. Ambler, Christopher E. Barron
  • Patent number: 6966675
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a lighting module for a vehicle headlight for giving a light beam of the cut-off type, particularly one which is adapted to use with light-emitting diodes. The module has a second reflector having a substantially elliptical surface for reflecting light rays and at least one light source arranged close to the first focus of the first reflector. The module also includes a second reflector for producing the cut-off or dipped output beam, the focus of this reflector being arranged close to the second focus of the first reflector. The module further includes a third reflector or bender, having a reflective top face and being situated between the first and second reflectors. This third reflector has a cut-off edge arranged close to the second focus of the first reflector, whereby to form the cut-off within the light beam. The light source is a light-emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou