Plural Separate Refractors Patents (Class 362/521)
  • Publication number: 20130155712
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with a plurality of light sources arranged like a matrix in a light generation level, with a light forming optic unit arranged in front of the light sources in a primary direction of emission, and with another optic unit arranged between the light forming optic unit and the light sources, comprising a plurality of optic elements, with the optic elements being arranged like a matrix and one optic element each being allocated to a light source, with the additional optic unit being embodied as a widening optic unit with a plurality of band reflector segments arranged intersecting to form polygonal reflectors as optic elements and with a plurality of light forming elements, which are arranged like a matrix corresponding to the light sources and arranged between the light sources and the polygonal reflectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: HELLA KGaA
    Inventor: HELLA KGaA
  • Patent number: 8459848
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventor: Michael Marley
  • Patent number: 8430546
    Abstract: A dustproof lens for an LED road lamp has an incident surface and an exit surface. The exit surface is flat. The incident surface is saddle-shaped and has a section in a shape of a concave curve along a road direction and in a shape of a convex curve vertically to the road direction. A lens module thereof has the dustproof lenses jointed with each other and has an integrally flat exit plane. The dustproof lens and its module, while meeting requirements in distributing lights for road lighting, adopt a flat surface for emitting lights, in such a manner that the lens is protected from dusts piled up thereon, can be cleaned simply, and is better fit for using. By accomplishing modularization of the lens module in production and assembly, a productive efficiency of lamps is greatly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Shanghai Sansi Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd., Shanghai Sansi Technology Co., Ltd., Jiashan Sansi Photoelectric Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shikang Zhou, Xin Cheng, Mengsheng Wang, Yuexia Chen
  • Publication number: 20130094237
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: DOCTER OPTICS GMBH
    Inventor: Docter Optics GMBH
  • Publication number: 20130063961
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a first lamp having a first light emitting area, the first light emitting area having a circular shape or a roughly circular shape, a second lamp having a second light emitting area, the second light emitting area having a ring shape surrounding the first light emitting area, a lamp housing inside which the first lamp and the second lamp are provided, the lamp housing having an outer lens, the outer lens having first light distribution control steps in the first light emitting area, and an inner lens having second light distribution control steps in the second light emitting area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicants: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HINO MOTORS LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu YAMAZAKI, Shimpei MASUDA, Hisayoshi SHIRASU
  • Publication number: 20130039087
    Abstract: An optical device for a motor vehicle comprising a surface light source emitting light rays in a first direction, wherein it comprises an optical system including first deflecting optical means that are at least locally remote from the surface light source and deflecting the light rays emitted in the first direction, in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Gasquet, Pierre Albou, Christophe Dubosc, Antoine De Lamberterie, Marc Brassier, Vincent Godbillon, Vanesa Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8342726
    Abstract: 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 centimeter, in particular one centimeter, in two orthogonal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Docter Optics GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Fischer, Steffen Holtz
  • Publication number: 20120300486
    Abstract: A high-intensity back light is enabled by satisfying temperature conditions under an on-board environment. There is provided a vehicle back light unit having a plurality of light source (21) which illuminate a display unit from the rear thereof and a circuit board (22) which is provided to the rear of the display unit and on which the plurality of light sources are mounted, characterized by having a radiating unit (23) which is provided so as to face a rear surface of the circuit board (22), a heat conductive member (24) which conducts heat of the circuit board (22) to the radiating unit (23), and a crimping unit (25) for crimping the heat conductive member (24) to both the circuit board (22) and the radiating unit (23) by fixing the circuit board (22) and the heat conductive member (24) to the radiating unit (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Matsushita, Kunimitsu Aoki
  • Patent number: 8251557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, particularly for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the headlight lens comprises a bright-molded lens body made of a transparent material, having a substantially plane optically effective surface and a convexly curved optically effective surface, wherein the headlight lens comprises a lens edge on the outside of the convexly curved optically effective surface, wherein the substantially plane optically effective surface, protrudes over the lends edge, or over part of the lens edge, in a stepped manner in the direction of an optical axis of the headlight lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Docter Optics GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Erward, Franz Sykura
  • Publication number: 20120188782
    Abstract: A vehicle position lamp can include a plurality of circuit boards each mounting an LED. The vehicle position lamp can also include a first inner lens having a plurality of optical plates and at least one connecting plate connecting between the adjacent optical plates and a second inner lens. An inner surface of each of the optical plates can be located adjacent the respective one of the circuit boards so that an optical axis of a diffusing lens of each of the optical plates corresponds to a substantially optical axis of each of the LEDs. The second inner lens can be located adjacent the first inner lens that can be formed in various slender curved shapes. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide vehicle position lamps having a high visibility that are formed in various slender curved shapes such that match headlights, which fit both front corners of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshihiro SASAKI, Hideki Toyoyama
  • Publication number: 20120170299
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight having a plurality of semiconductor emitters for the alternative production of a low-beam light distribution and a daytime driving light distribution is provided. For producing the low-beam light distribution, a low-beam light luminous surface is generated by the vehicle headlight. For producing the daytime driving light distribution, a daytime driving light luminous surface is generated by the vehicle headlight. The low-beam light luminous surface and the daytime driving light luminous surface are essentially identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian MORGENSTERN, Stefan Danner, Christopher Weil, Helmut Erdl
  • Publication number: 20120170298
    Abstract: An exterior assembly component for a vehicle and a manufacturing method thereof, where the component is in the form of an exterior mirror, door handle, door sill, skirt or similar, the component including a light module having at least one lamp emitting visible light toward the outside, and a plug to supply the lamp with electrical energy, where the light module represents a separate component of the assembly component which can be mounted on the assembly component and wherein the plug is designed as a single part with the a case of the light module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf LENNHOFF
  • Publication number: 20120134167
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lamp housing, a first light emitting component, a second light emitting component, a lens member, and a light-blocking plate. The lamp housing defines a receiving space having first and second space portions adjacent to each other, and is formed with a light-exit opening. The first and second light emitting components are disposed in a respective one of the first and second space portions. The lens member closes the light-exit opening, and includes a first lens body aligned with the first light emitting component and a second lens body aligned with the second light emitting component. The light-blocking plate is disposed in the receiving space, is aligned with a portion of the second lens body that is adjacent to the first lens body, and is disposed to block a portion of light radiated by the second light emitting component from reaching the second lens body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SIRIUS LIGHT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng-Nan HUANG
  • Publication number: 20120099337
    Abstract: A dustproof lens for an LED road lamp has an incident surface and an exit surface. The exit surface is flat. The incident surface is saddle-shaped and has a section in a shape of a concave curve along a road direction and in a shape of a convex curve vertically to the road direction. A lens module thereof has the dustproof lenses jointed with each other and has an integrally flat exit plane. The dustproof lens and its module, while meeting requirements in distributing lights for road lighting, adopt a flat surface for emitting lights, in such a manner that the lens is protected from dusts piled up thereon, can be cleaned simply, and is better fit for using. By accomplishing modularization of the lens module in production and assembly, a productive efficiency of lamps is greatly improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Shikang Zhou, Xin Cheng, Mengsheng Wang, Yuexia Chen
  • Patent number: 8147095
    Abstract: A light source contains at least one light-emitting diode installed in the casing or on the base, and a lens system located along the light flux. The lens system comprises a plane-convex lens, a first plane-concave lens, and a composite lens 4 that are located along the light flux. The composite lens 4 is made up of a second and third plane-concave lenses. Flat surfaces of all of the lenses 4 are outflow faces for the light flux. Axes of symmetry of the second and third plane-concave lenses are normal to each other, whereas axes of symmetry of the first and second plane-concave lenses are parallel to each other. The first plane-concave lens is made movable along the light flux, and has a relocation drive therefor. A solenoid or an electric motor with a gear can be used as the drive. The technical result of the invention is believed to be the improvement of performance indicators, and the structure simplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Maxim Yur'evich Davydov, Georgiy Pavlovich Sapt
  • Patent number: 8070337
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a light source unit including a light guide plate with a light emission surface, and a point or line light source opposed to one end face of the light guide plate. The light guide plate can be made of a transparent plate-like material. A convex projection lens can be configured to focus light emitted from the light source unit and project the light forward in a direction of light illumination. The light guide plate can have a prism array on a rear surface thereof extending with a serrated cross section from the one end face to the opposite end face of the light guide plate, and in a direction parallel with the end face. The prism array can include a plurality of prism surfaces, with each prism surface being obliquely formed so that when light enters the light guide plate from the light source side and impinges thereon, a substantial amount of the light can be totally reflected into small angles of incidence to the emission surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Ajiki, Koichi Masuyama, Naoya Sone, Sadayuki Konishi, Yasuo Toko
  • Patent number: 8033697
    Abstract: An automotive headlight system and an adaptive automotive headlight system with instant compensation control are provided. The automotive headlight system includes a light source, a total internal reflection prism, a digital reflecting element, a freeform lens, and a multi-curve-reflector. The total internal reflection prism is used for redirecting and reflecting light beams from the light source. The digital reflecting element is controlled to switch to a plurality of states with regard to reflected light beams from the total internal reflection prism then compensation patterns will be promptly given during different states. The freeform lens is used for controlling directions of the light beams from the digital reflecting element. The multi-curve-reflector has a plurality of radii of curvature for reflecting the light beams from the freeform lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yi-Chin Fang, Jung-Hung Sun, Yi-Liang Chen, Wei-Chi Lai, Kuo-Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 8029160
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source positioned on an illumination axis, a lens assembly having at least two biconvex lenses disposed on the illumination axis, and a reflector having a reflecting surface enclosing the lens assembly. The light source emits a first group of light beams which directly impinge of the lens assembly, and a second group of light beams which directly impinge on the reflector. The second group of light beams being reflected by the reflecting surface such that they surround the first group of light beams after being refracted by the lens assembly, without such second group of light beams impinging on the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wu-Cheng Kuo, Ya-Hui Chiang, Bing-Ru Chen, Hung-Lieh Hu, Kuo-Hsiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20110235349
    Abstract: A vehicle light can form a synthetic light distribution pattern with an area where a surrounding vehicle exists being made darker than an area(s) surrounding that area. The synthetic light distribution pattern can allow a sufficient illumination range and a center light intensity required for a running beam to be compatible. The vehicle light can also form a light distribution pattern with only an area where a farther surrounding vehicle exists is made dark. The vehicle light can form the light distribution pattern by overlaying a plurality of first nearby illumination areas, a plurality of first farther illumination areas, a plurality of second nearby illumination areas, and a plurality of second farther illumination areas with the respective illumination areas being divided in a horizontal direction and individually controlled in terms of light intensity so that respective vertical division lines of the illumination areas appear in predetermined order in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshiaki NAKAYA, Makio MATSUZAKI
  • Patent number: 7997779
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 7988345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection module of an automobile headlight. The module includes several semiconductor light sources to broadcast optical irradiation of a primary optics assembly to bundle the emitted irradiation, and a secondary optics assembly that projects the bundled irradiation to create the desired light distribution in front of the vehicle. In order to reduce the weight and dimensions of the projection module, it is proposed that the secondary optics assembly is formed as a multi-part complex lens that includes several lens segments. Each of these lens segments is assigned to at least one irradiation bundle of irradiation bundled from the primary optics assembly, and projects this assembly as partial distribution in front of the vehicle, whereby the overall distribution of the projection module results from overlapping the partial distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn, Ralf Ackermann, Ulrike Schloeder, Henning Weinhold, Benjamin StauĪ²
  • Publication number: 20110170304
    Abstract: A lighting device for use in a vehicle, is equipped with one light source and a linear light-guiding body which guides light from the light source. The light-guiding body has a linear, primary spotlight part which emits light in a linear shape and a secondary spotlight part which emits a spot of light from the tip of the light-guiding body, thus providing different lighting with one light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Fujita
  • Patent number: 7976203
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including a light-emitting semiconductor device can have high visibility even in an area outside of the standard light distribution pattern. The vehicle lamp can include at least one light-emitting semiconductor device and at least one lens that includes both a first lens formation and second lens formation. An optical axis of the at least one lens can correspond with that of the at least one light-emitting semiconductor device. The first lens formation can receive a strong light that is within the range of a half-value angle of light emitted from the at least one light-emitting semiconductor and which forms a standard light distribution pattern. The second lens formation can receive a weak light that is beyond the range of the half-value angle and forms a light distribution pattern in an area outside of the standard light distribution formed by the first lens formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetaka Okada
  • Publication number: 20110096561
    Abstract: A vehicle light can resolve remarkable bright-dark boundaries formed between a far side and a near side of the light, thereby improving the near-side visibility for a driver. The vehicle light can include a light emitting device having an optical axis and a projection lens. The projection lens can include a light exiting surface that can project light beams emitted by the light emitting device while diffusing the light beams in both left and right directions when observed within a horizontal plane. The light exiting surface can include a left refraction surface that can project the light beams downward by a larger deflection angle with respect to a horizontal plane as the exit position of the light is farther away from the optical axis in the upper and lower directions when observed within a vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Ryotaro OWADA
  • Publication number: 20100315828
    Abstract: A light source apparatus for vehicle lamps and particularly vehicle headlights can include a plurality of LED elements can be mounted in a cavity located on a base surface or on a base. Each of the LED elements can be arranged in such a manner as to form an emission shape and a brightness distribution that is suited for a light distribution pattern, and especially a light distribution pattern for a vehicle headlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Yasushi YATSUDA, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto
  • Patent number: 7824086
    Abstract: A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and a plurality of light source units disposed rearwards of a rear focal plane of the projection lens. Each of the light source units includes a light emitting device; and a light guiding member having a front end light output port and adapted to guide light from the light emitting device to the front end light output port so as to allow the light be emitted from the front end light output port. The front end light output ports of the light guiding members of the respective light source units are arranged adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction in a vicinity of the rear focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamamura, Takuya Kotajima
  • Patent number: 7798690
    Abstract: A headlamp including a metal bracket and a plurality of light source units 50, each unit having a light source, being mounted on the metal bracket 20, and being disposed within a lamp chamber. Irradiation light patterns of the light source units 50 are combined together to form a predetermined light distribution pattern. Each of the light source units 50 includes a resin shade 58, which is fastened to the bracket 20 by a fastening portion and is disposed forwardly of the light source, and a resin lens 52 connected to the shade 58. Part of the fastening portion is made of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Watanabe, Tetsuaki Inaba
  • Publication number: 20100202152
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit. Light irradiated from the first lamp unit and light irradiated from the second lamp unit are superimposed to form a low light distribution pattern. The first lamp unit provides more than twice as much illuminance as the second lamp unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakada
  • Patent number: 7699513
    Abstract: A lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis, a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector configured to forwardly reflect light emitted from the light source toward the optical axis, and a shade configured to shield a part of the light reflected by the reflector. The lamp unit is configured to form a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line. An incidence plane of the projection lens includes a vertical diffusing portion which regulates the cutoff line. The vertical diffusing portion includes a plurality of lens elements extending substantially parallel to a horizontal portion of the upper edge of the shade. A vertical section of each of the lens elements is convex or concave with respect to a reference surface of the incidence plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakada, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7686481
    Abstract: A radiant energy redirecting apparatus, method, and system. In one aspect, it comprises two radiant energy distribution surfaces, each surface comprised of a multiplicity of equivalently shaped linear distribution elements, where each surface acts to distribute radiant energy in orthogonal directions, and where each surface is comprised of refractive or total internal reflection elements, or a combination thereof, for the purpose of efficiently directing pseudo-collimated radiant energy into a generally rectangular-shaped output distribution in angle space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Innovative Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Condon, Mark B. Pruss
  • Patent number: 7677777
    Abstract: A lamp assembly including a plurality of light sources, a plurality of light guides, and at least one lens. The plurality of light guides are optically connected to the plurality of light sources, and selected plurality of light sources emit light that is selectively propagated through the plurality of light guides. The at least one lens is optically connected to the plurality of light guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald O. Woodward, Christopher H. Wilson, Ronald G. Hare
  • Patent number: 7648262
    Abstract: By a convex lens arranged on an optical axis extending in a front and rear direction of a lamp unit, direct light from a light emitting element arranged rearward of the convex lens is deflected to emit so that the light is made to be parallel light in a vertical face and diffused light toward left and right sides in a horizontal face. An entire region of a left side lens region of the convex lens is constituted as upper deflecting regions for deflecting light to a direction upward with respect to a direction of light of a right side lens region. Light emitted to the front side by transmitting the respective upper deflecting regions is made to be light directed upward from light emitted from the right side lens region to thereby form a laterally elongated light distribution pattern in which an upper end edge of a portion of being disposed on a left side relative to the optical axis is stepped up from an upper end edge of a portion thereof disposed on a right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetada Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7645061
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: odelo GmbH
    Inventors: Emil Stefanov, Veit Schwegler, Dagmar Wurtenberger
  • Publication number: 20100002460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection module (1; 10; 20) of an automobile headlight. The module (1; 10; 20) includes several semiconductor light sources (101, 102, 103) to broadcast optical irradiation (104, 105, 106) of a primary optics assembly (110, 111, 112) to bundle the emitted irradiation (104, 105, 106), and a secondary optics assembly (2; 12; 22; 32) that projects the bundled irradiation (113, 114, 115) to create the desired light distribution in front of the vehicle. In order to reduce the weight and dimensions of the projection module, it is proposed that the secondary optics assembly (2; 12; 22; 32) is formed as a multi-part complex lens that includes several lens segments (3, 4, 5; 13, 14, 15; 23, 24, 25; 33-41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn, Ralf Ackermann, Ulrike Schloeder, Henning Weinhold, Benjamin Stauss
  • Patent number: 7631997
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a semiconductor light emitting device that faces in a direction substantially perpendicular to a forward direction, a reflector that is formed like a curved surface so as to surround the semiconductor light emitting device, has an opening at its front, has its optical center on the semiconductor light emitting device, and reflects forward light generated by the semiconductor light emitting device, and a light transmitting member that is formed so as to cover the semiconductor light emitting device. Here, the light transmitting member includes a cover member that covers the semiconductor light emitting device and transmits at least apart of the light generated by the semiconductor light emitting device, and a deflection member that covers front of the semiconductor light emitting device and deflects forward a part of the light generated by the semiconductor light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
  • 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: 7520645
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes: a first light source module having semiconductor light emitting elements; a first optical member for applying light generated by the first light source module to an area of the light distribution pattern of the vehicular headlamp; a second light source module that has semiconductor light emitting elements and generates light having the brightness higher than that of the light of the first light source module; and a second optical member for applying the light generated by the second light source module to an area narrower than the area to which the light is applied by the first optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 7465075
    Abstract: A light assembly is provided having a lens assembly that splits the function of a near field lens into two components, thereby permitting a manufacturable lens that achieves the desired beam size and intensity. At the same time, increased flexibility and control over the beam spread characteristics is achieved. The first component is an inner lens, while the second component may be a reflector or a second lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Jeffrey Allen Erion, Chris L. Eichelberger, John Li
  • Patent number: 7445366
    Abstract: A lamp for a vehicle is provided with a projection lens, a light source, a reflector having a reflecting surface, which reflects a light from the light source toward the projection lens; a body of a vessel shape; a cover forming a lamp chamber together with the body; and an auxiliary lens. The auxiliary lens diffuses an incident light in a horizontal direction and is provided at least on one side of the projection lens in the vehicle width direction. A horizontal section of the cover is tilted in with respect to a phantom line that extends in a vehicle width direction, and the auxiliary lens is formed such that a thickness thereof becomes gradually thin in an outward direction from the projection lens, and that an outermost surface thereof in the horizontal section is parallel to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 7416324
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly may be made from a lamp having a plurality of LED light sources arrayed circumferentially around the lamp; a reflector body having a reflector axis generally directed to a field to be illuminated. A plurality of reflective surfaces is formed on the front side, the respective reflective surfaces separated by one or more axially extending walls. A through passage is formed in the reflector body, sized and shaped to receive a portion of the lamp, and intersecting a planar extension of at least one of the axially extending walls separating a first reflective surface from a second reflective surface. The planar extension intersects the lamp between a first LED and a second LED whereby light form the first LED substantially shines toward the first reflective surface and the light from the second LED shines toward the second reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Tessnow, Charles Coushaine, Howard Eng, Michael Tucker
  • Patent number: 7399106
    Abstract: A light assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a lens holder that supports an internal lens. The light assembly includes a light source powered by the vehicle. The internal lens includes a first surface having a plurality of protrusions. The protrusion scatter and diffuse heat emitted from the light source away from an outwardly positioned reflex lens and an outer lens. The protrusions also reflect light toward a reflector to increase the overall brightness observed coming from the light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Reading
  • Patent number: 7370997
    Abstract: A light emitting unit is provided forward in the vicinity of the upper part of an optical axis extended in the longitudinal direction of a lighting unit. Furthermore, a light transmitting member is provided on the forward side of the light emitting unit. A front surface of the light transmitting member is constituted by a rotating elliptical surface with the optical axis to be a central axis, and a rear end face is formed to pass through a first focal point on the rear side of the rotating elliptical surface. Moreover, a reflector having a reflecting plane formed to surround a light emitting chip almost cylindrically is provided between the light emitting unit and the light transmitting member in such a manner that a front end opening portion is caused to abut on the rear end face 14b of the light transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7364332
    Abstract: A light source bulb 22 is inserted and fixed into a reflector 24 from a side in a position placed downward apart from an optical axis Ax. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize an optical-axis side region in a reflecting plane 24a for a light distribution control. Moreover, an almost prism-shaped light transmitting member 30 is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the outer peripheral edge portion of a projection lens 28 between the projection lens 28 and the reflector 24, and a direct light from a light source 22a toward the upper space of the projection lens 28 is emitted forward to be deflected downward. Consequently, it is possible to increase the amount of a light to be irradiated on the forward part of a vehicle, and furthermore, to carry out a deflection control for the direct light emitted from the light source 22a with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiro Komatsu, Michihiko Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7357545
    Abstract: The headlamp assembly having low beam and high beam operation modes includes a light source, a reflector surface adapted to reflect light from the light source outward to a condenser lens positioned at a distance from the light source. An opaque shield is positioned between the light source and the condenser lens and is moveable between a first position, where a portion of the reflected light is blocked from reaching the condenser lens, and a second position, where substantially all of the reflected light is allowed to reach the condenser lens. The condenser lens has a first segment and a second segment wherein, when the opaque shield is in the first position, light is reflected almost entirely to the first segment of the condenser lens, and when the opaque shield is in the second position, light is reflected to the first and second segments of the condenser lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Stefka, Marek Olivik, David Hynar, Tomas Kreml
  • Patent number: 7350947
    Abstract: A light assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a lens holder that supports an internal lens. The light assembly includes a light source powered by the vehicle. The internal lens includes an undulating surface facing the light source. A reflective metallic layer is disposed along the undulating surface to provide enhanced scattering of light and heat away from a reflex lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Reading
  • Patent number: 7347599
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for use generating illumination is provided that comprises a reflective base, a first light source positioned proximate the reflective base, and a reimaging reflector positioned partially about the first light source, where a percentage of light emitted from the first light source is reflected from the reimaging reflector to the reflective base adjacent the first light source establishing a first real image. The reimaging reflector can further comprise a first sector of a first ellipsoid and a second sector of a second ellipsoid, where the first and second sectors establish the first and a second real image. Further embodiments provide a lens that includes a reimaging reflector that receives light and reflects the light establishing a first real image. The reimaging reflector can further comprise a plurality of sectors that reflect light to establish first and second real images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC
    Inventors: Juan C. MiƱano, Pablo Benitez, Waqidi Falicoff, Yupin Sun, William A. Parkyn, Roberto Alvarez
  • Patent number: 7316495
    Abstract: A headlight has a plurality of lighting device units and a unit support member that supports the plurality of lighting device units. Each lighting device unit has a projection lens, a light emitting diode arranged behind a rear side focus of the projection lens, and a rectilinear propagation blocking member that is arranged in a vicinity of the rear side focus, and blocks a rectilinear propagation of a portion of light emitted from the light emitting diode so as to form a cutoff line. The projection lens and the rectilinear propagation blocking member are integrally formed as a light control member in each light device unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Watanabe, Naoki Tatara, Kazuki Okui, Hirohiko Ohshio, Kazuhisa Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 7311430
    Abstract: A low beam light distribution pattern is formed by turning on a first light source unit and a high beam light distribution pattern is formed by additionally turning on a second light source unit. The second reflector of the second light source unit has reflecting faces of vertical cross-sectional shapes formed by two types of ellipses whose first focal point is on a center of emission of a second light-emitting element and whose second focal points are respectively positioned on points A, B. The additional lens whose rear focal points are on the second focal points A, B is arranged on a circumference of a projection lens. When the second light source unit is turned on, a high beam additional light distribution pattern is formed that vertically strides over the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Masahito Naganawa
  • Patent number: 7293901
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in controlling the direction of light rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Darin D. Tuttle, John K. Roberts, Timothy A. Bonardi, Jeremy A. Fogg, John W. Carter, Timothy J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7290908
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp including a light-emitting element 10 that emits light at a greater diffusion angle in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction, thus enabling the light to be incident on the rear face 34a of a horizontally elongated inner lens 34 with high efficiency. The rear face 34a has a cylindrical surface that extends in the lateral direction, and the curvature of a convex curve, which forms the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical surface taken along the vertical plane parallel to the optical axis Ax, gradually reduces according to the increase in the distance from the optical axis Ax in the lateral direction, thus allowing the curvature of the convex curve to be maintained at a substantially constant value in the lateral direction and further preventing the diffusion angle of the light into the lens in the vertical direction from increasing in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Amano, Tsutomu Machida