Including Light Emitting Diode Patents (Class 362/545)
  • Publication number: 20140098557
    Abstract: In certain example embodiments, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be disposed on a deformable and flexible backbone sheet and chained together in an array, e.g., via flexible wiggle wires. Such flexible wiggle wires may also provide an electrical connection to an external power source. An optical out-coupling layer stack (OCLS) system may help serve as an index matching layer, heat sink, étendue conserver, etc. The backbone may be formed to a shape tailored to its ultimate application. Applications may include, for example, automotive (such as Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) applications), lighting, signage, and/or other applications. In an example CHMSL application, the deformable sheet with the LED array thereon has a step, sinusoidal, or other shape matched to the angle and/or curvature of the glass such that the LEDs produce light primarily in a direction parallel to a surface on which a vehicle is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES CORP.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. VEERASAMY
  • Patent number: 8690406
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device for generating output illumination having at least one directional characteristic. The lighting device includes at least one light-emitting device and at least one optical element disposed in an optical path of the light-emitting device. The lighting device also includes a screen-like member for changing at least one physical property of light passing therethrough and an optical device for generating an intermediate image on the screen-like member. The screen-like member and the optical device are located in the optical path between the light-emitting device and the optical element projecting the intermediate image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Drenten, Josef A. Schug, Adriaan Valster
  • Patent number: 8690402
    Abstract: An illuminated grab handle assembly for a vehicle includes a handle body and at least one light source. The handle body has a center portion and two opposed ends and is adapted to be attached to a surface of the vehicle interior. The at least one light source is disposed within the center portion of the handle body for illuminating the vehicle interior. The illuminated grab handle assembly is operable to provide more than one mode of illumination for the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jedidiah Paul Durkin, Luis Miguel Lopez Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8684575
    Abstract: A lighting unit including a lens body can achieve luminous flux utilization efficiency equal to or greater than a conventional lighting unit even with a reduced width of the lens body. A vehicle lighting unit can be constituted by a plurality of the lighting units. The lighting unit can include an LED light source, and a lens body disposed in front of the LED light source so that light emitted from the LED light source can be incident thereon. The lens body can include a lens portion configured to receive the light from the LED light source to collect the light, a front surface including the lens portion, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, a first end surface functioning as a light exiting surface having a substantially rectangular shape greater in width than in thickness, and a second end surface opposite to the first end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Mitsuhashi, Toru Umeda
  • Publication number: 20140085920
    Abstract: An optical module, in particular for a lighting and/or indicating device for a vehicle, comprises a lens at least two light sources, in particular two LEDs, arranged facing the same face of the lens, and means for controlling the lighting-up of at least one of the sources independently of the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud
  • Patent number: 8672524
    Abstract: A rear lamp apparatus for a vehicle may include a plurality of reflectors mounted in a rear lamp housing of the vehicle to reflect light emitted from light sources at various angles and a light guide provided inside the reflectors and having end portions on which the light sources are mounted to guide the light emitted from the light sources through the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jun Ho Cha, Byeong Ho Jeong, Yang Gi Lee
  • Publication number: 20140071707
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a light emitting diode assembly and associated lamp comprises a circuit board for supporting one or more light emitting diodes and a housing supporting the circuit board. A coolant circulation path is routed through the housing. The coolant circulation path is connected to a source of a substantially constant temperature circulating coolant. The temperature of the coolant is maintained around the constant by an internal combustion engine and a radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Charles Kent Booker, Todd Mitchell Nykerk, John Eric Hall
  • Patent number: 8662724
    Abstract: An exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes driver-side and passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assemblies including respective driver-side and passenger-side light modules and driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The light modules provide a driver-side indicator and a passenger-side indicator. The driver-side light module and the passenger-side light modules are disposed at respective mirror housing portions and move therewith when the exterior mirror housing portion moves relative to the mounting portion between its normal operating position and its folded position. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera are part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle, and the multi-camera vision system has a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The displayed images displayed by the display device may include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of the driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Pastrick, Michiel P. van de Ven, Peter J. Whitehead, Rick Mousseau, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8662705
    Abstract: A sanitizing apparatus in a flexible configuration that uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be folded or rolled for storage and transport. A piecewise flexible sanitizing apparatus may be formed with hinged or otherwise rotationally joined panels, and provides the ability to sanitize a variety of objects beneath enclosure panels. A continuous flexible sanitizing apparatus with an enclosure panel formed of flexible material may be folded or rolled and may be used with a support structure to treat taller objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Virwall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8657468
    Abstract: A lamp unit includes a flexible base member, a conductive pattern layer forming a conductive pattern on the base member and maintaining a bent shape of the base member when the base member is bent, and LED lamps mounted on the conductive pattern layer and emitting light when a current is applied thereto. The lamp unit can be bent according to the shape of an object on which the lamp unit is to be installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ledlitek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Hyuk Im, Eun Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 8651712
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lamp unit for low beam, a lamp unit for high beam, and a lamp unit for shoulder edge beam. The lamp units each are made of a semiconductor-type light source and a reflector that has reflection surfaces configured to illuminate the light from the semiconductor-type light source forward of a vehicle, as a predetermined light distribution pattern. As a result, the present invention is capable of fully utilizing the light from the semiconductor-type light source, making it possible to facilitate a light distribution design configured to form the light in a predetermined light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasufumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8651718
    Abstract: A vehicle light fitting unit includes two headlights which irradiate a low beam. The two headlights can each include a light emitting element, an elliptical series reflecting surface provided in a state where a first focal position is positioned near the light emitting element and a second focal position is positioned on an optical axis of the headlight, and a projecting lens provided so that a focal position on a rear side of the light irradiating direction is near the second focal position. Only a first headlight among the two headlights includes a light shielding member. The elliptical series reflecting surface of a second headlight is positioned so that the first focal position is positioned to the front of the light irradiating direction than the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yamagata
  • Patent number: 8651716
    Abstract: A lighting module having a flat light emitter, a reflector (R1) determined so as to create, in a plane comprising the emitter, a hot spot (S) limited by a control curve (A) contained in the plane comprising the first emitter and constituting the front or rear edge of the spot and a lens (L) determined and arranged with the reflector so as to form the first cutoff beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Vanesa Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20140043843
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle headlight (1) for generating a main light distribution and a secondary light distribution, wherein the vehicle headlight (1) comprises two or more LED light modules (10, 11), wherein each LED light module (10, 11) comprises a number of LED light sources (a1, a2, a3, c1-c6; a1?, a2?, a3?, b1?, c1?-c6?), wherein each LED light source (a1, a2, a3, b1, c1-c6; a1?, a2?, a3?, b1?, c1?-c6?) has a rectangular or square light outlet surface (A1, A2, A3, B1, C1-C6; A1?, A2?, A3?, B1?, C1?-C6?), and wherein the light outlet surfaces (A1, A2, A3, B1, C1-C6; A1?, A2?, A3?, B1?, C1?- C6?) lie in a common surface, and wherein the side edges of the light outlet surfaces (A1, A2, A3, B1, C1-C6; A1?, A2?, A3?, B1?, C1?-C6?) are oriented parallel to one another, and wherein the LED light sources (a1, a2, a3, B1, c1-c6; a1?, a2?, a3?, b1?, c1?-c6?) are arranged in horizontal rows (Z1-Z7) and vertical columns (S1-S9), wherein the light outlet surfaces (B1, C1-C6; B1?, C1?-C6?) of the LED light s
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: ZIZALA LICHTSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Moser, Johannes Jungwirth
  • Patent number: 8646963
    Abstract: Provides are a light emitting apparatus and a light unit having the same. The light emitting apparatus comprises a light emitting device comprising a light emitting element and a plurality of external leads, and a plurality of electrode pads under the light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyong Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 8646956
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device having at least two semiconductor light-emitting elements may include at least a first light-emitting element group and a second light-emitting element group, each having at least one semiconductor light-emitting element, the light-emitting element groups being selectively drivable and the first light-emitting element group having at least a foglight function, the first light-emitting element group and the second light-emitting element group having a daytime running light function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Oliver Hering, Jenny Trommer, Thomas Reiners
  • Patent number: 8646957
    Abstract: A low profile vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing having a top end, body with an interior portion and a lens portion covering the top end. The housing is adapted to fit within an opening in a surface such that the lens portion is substantially flush with the surface and the body is positioned behind the surface. In addition, circuitry is disposed within the interior portion of the housing and at least one light source is electrically connected to the circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Gary Johnson, Adam Wagner, Robert C. Bartkowski, Timothy A. Dil'enti, Kurt L. Schwab, Rodney Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 8636394
    Abstract: A light emitting diode perimeter lamp assembly generally includes a housing a receiving pocket formed therein for receiving a circuit board with a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted thereon. In addition, a culminating lens having a plurality of light directing elements is positioned within the receiving pocket of the housing above the circuit board such that light emitted from said plurality of light emitting diodes passes through said plurality of light directing elements. An outer lens is also mounted over the receiving pocket. When the perimeter lamp is installed on a truck body, the bottom side of the lamp housing is at an acute angle to a ground surface while the back end of the perimeter lamp is adjacent and parallel to a truck wall such that light emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes is projected onto the ground surface adjacent to the truck wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenyon, Tim Dunn, Tim DiPenti
  • Patent number: 8637876
    Abstract: Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package having the same. The light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitting cells including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer; a first electrode layer connected to the first conductive semiconductor layer of a first light emitting cell of the plural light emitting cells; a plurality of second electrode layers under the light emitting cells, a portion of the second electrode layers being connected to the first conductive semiconductor layer of an adjacent light emitting cells; a third electrode layer disposed under a last light emitting cell of the plural light emitting cells; a first electrode connected to the first electrode layer; a second electrode connected to the third electrode layer; an insulating layer around the first to third electrode layers; and a support member under the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Youl Lee, Jung Hyeok Bae, Ji Hyung Moon, Juno Song
  • Patent number: 8637897
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate and a plurality of light emitting cells arranged on the substrate. Each of the light emitting cells includes a first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer disposed therebetween to emit blue light. An interconnection structure electrically connects the first-conductivity-type and the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layers of one light emitting cell to the first-conductivity-type and the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layers of another light emitting cell. A light conversion part is formed in a light emitting region defined by the light emitting cells and includes a red and/or a green light conversion part respectively having a red and/or a green light conversion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je Won Kim, Tae Sung Jang, Jong Gun Woo, Jong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8636379
    Abstract: A warning light assembly, components therefor and methods of assembly and use are described. The warning light assembly includes a moveable reflector light pod arrangement comprising at least one moveable reflector light pod having a selectively moveable reflector arrangement and a plurality of LED units configured and oriented to direct light against a selectively moveable reflector arrangement. A variety of specific, preferred, features are shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Meyer, Dennis Hilburger, Myron Pavlacka, Robert Czajkowski, Paul Gergets, Jacek Jozwik
  • Patent number: 8632228
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes: a lamp outer casing; a lamp unit; a stationary frame; a movable frame that is supported by the stationary frame to be rotatable about a first rotating shaft extending in a lateral direction or a second rotating shaft extending in a vertical direction; a lens unit disposed in the lamp outer casing and supported by the movable frame; a first aiming operation shaft that adjusts an optical axis, and a second aiming operation shaft that adjusts the optical axis. A focal point of the light reflected by a reflector is coincident with a center of the first or second rotating shaft. The lens unit is rotated about the first or second rotating shaft such that a distance between the focal point and the projection lens is constant. The heat sink is positioned on the outside of the lamp outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Shibata, Masashi Tatsukawa, Hiroshi Otaka
  • Patent number: 8632233
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device is provided which is capable of merely changing a shade, thereby using a first reflector and a second reflector as they are, to cope with a variety of light distribution pattern specifications, and which is capable of avoiding deformation of a shade due to a thermal effect even if incidence of sunlight going back has optically focused on the shade. In a heat sink member 40, there are arranged: a semiconductor-type light source 10; a first reflector 21 covering the semiconductor-type light source 10 therewith; a second reflector 22 for causing the reflected light from the first reflector 21 so as to be made incident thereto and then reflecting the incident light forward of the lighting device; and a shade 30 for shading a part of the reflected light from the first reflector 21 so as to be made incident to the second reflector 22. The shade 30 is configured as another member independent of the first and second reflectors 21, 22, and is arranged in the heat sink 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8632214
    Abstract: A light fixture includes multiple LED modules where each LED module includes a substrate on which one or more LED's are disposed. The LED modules can interface with one another in a variety of different configurations, such that when adjacent LED modules interface with one another, there is a substantially continuous array of LED's across the LED modules. Electrical connectors or other means for powering the LED modules are disposed such that they do not impact the continuity of light across adjacent LED modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Jerold Alan Tickner, Chun Wah Chan
  • Patent number: 8622570
    Abstract: Lighting systems for strollers enable users to integrate straight forward and modular lighting elements with eco-friendly practices to produce helpful and useful products whose functionality dictates safety levels consistent with statutory schemes for other wheeled vehicles, assuring visibility to both pedestrians and other street traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Rachelle Davis Hatfield, Nicole Tena
  • Publication number: 20130343077
    Abstract: A vehicle light includes a housing having at least one first slot and at least one light strip made by plastic, fluorescent agent and proliferation powder is engaged with the at least one first slot. At least one first LED light unit is connected to the back of the at least one light strip and has a first circuit board that is shaped to be matched with the at least one light strip. The first circuit board has multiple LED chips located corresponding to the at least one light strip. A back board and a cover are fixed to the back and the front of the housing. The vehicle light has simple structure and provides desired light patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Keng-Chin Yeh
  • Patent number: 8602620
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus may include an electrically conductive housing, in whose interior at least one light source and at least one electromagnetic radiation-emitting circuit component configured to operate the at least one light source are arranged; and an electrically conductive cover configured to cover the at least one circuit component; wherein the cover and the housing are electrically connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Ralf Vollmer, Thomas Reiners
  • Patent number: 8602619
    Abstract: A light source module includes: a light emitting diode; a circuit board configured to be mounted on a base plate, the circuit board having a top face on which a circuit pattern is formed; and a power feeding attachment including a resin member and a conductive member, wherein the circuit pattern includes: a pair of power feeding portions; and a light source connecting portion on which the light emitting diode is placed and electrically connecting the pair of power feeding portions and the light emitting diode, and wherein the conductive member includes: a pair of connecting terminals being exposed from the resin member and respectively connected to the pair of power feeding portions; and a pressing piece being exposed from the resin member and configured to press the circuit board against the base plate at an outer peripheral portion of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8598619
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate and a plurality of light emitting cells arranged on the substrate. Each of the light emitting cells includes a first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer disposed therebetween to emit blue light. An interconnection structure electrically connects the first-conductivity-type and the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layers of one light emitting cell to the first-conductivity-type and the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layers of another light emitting cell. A light conversion part is formed in a light emitting region defined by the light emitting cells and includes a red and/or a green light conversion part respectively having a red and/or a green light conversion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je Won Kim, Tae Sung Jang, Jong Gun Woo, Jong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8596841
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yagi, Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8596844
    Abstract: A vehicle light includes a housing having at least one first slot and at least one light strip made by plastic, fluorescent agent and proliferation powder is engaged with the at least one first slot. At least one first LED light unit is connected to the back of the at least one light strip and has a first circuit board that is shaped to be matched with the at least one light strip. The first circuit board has multiple LED chips located corresponding to the at least one light strip. A back board and a cover are fixed to the back and the front of the housing. The vehicle light has simple structure and provides desired light patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Grang Fair Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keng-Chin Yeh
  • Patent number: 8591083
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes: a light-emitting element arranged face forward; and a translucent member arranged to cover the light-emitting element from its front side. The member has a horizontally oblong shape in a front view, and includes: a direct light control portion located near the optical axis and directly emitting light forward from a front surface of the member; reflected light control portions located both sides of the direct light control portion and internally reflecting the entered light on a rear surface of the member to form substantially parallel light directed forward and emitting the light forward from the front surface; and a curved-surface light incident area formed on the rear surface to allow light from the light-emitting element to enter as substantially parallel light with respect to a cross section parallel to the axis and a longitudinal direction of the member in the direction perpendicular to the cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Koizumi, Kazunori Natsume
  • Patent number: 8581982
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in accordance with some embodiments for integrating an infrared camera system into a vehicle's lighting component. For example in accordance with an embodiment, a lighting component for a vehicle includes a housing; an infrared camera disposed within the housing; a light source disposed within the housing and disposed at least partially around the infrared camera; and a lens coupled to the housing and adapted to allow infrared radiation to pass through and be received by the infrared camera and to allow light provided by the light source to be transmitted through the lens. Furthermore, one or more infrared cameras may be integrated into a vehicle to provide various capabilities, such as for example stereoscopic infrared imaging, multi-spectral stereoscopic imaging (e.g., using infrared and visible wavelengths or various infrared wavelengths for multi-color infrared imaging), and/or provide various fields of view (e.g., foveal imaging).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren M. Haley, William A. Terre, Jeff Frank
  • Patent number: 8577218
    Abstract: An illumination device contains a light-emitting semiconductor chip containing a plurality of individually drivable emission regions. The illumination device furthermore contains an optical element designed to shape light emitted by the emission regions to form a beam of rays. The illumination device is designed such that different beam profiles of the beam of rays can be set by the individually drivable emission regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Norwin von Malm, Jürgen Moosburger, Ulrich Streppel, Michael Brandl, Stefan Morgott
  • Patent number: 8573822
    Abstract: In a vehicular lamp, a first zone includes a first incident portion disposed on a radiation axis. A first light guide portion guides light incident from the first incident portion forward. A first radiation portion formed from a first concave surface and a second concave surface deflects the light from the first light guide portion toward a lamp optical axis side and radiates such light forward in a diffused manner. A second zone includes a cylindrical second incident portion disposed on an outer side of the first incident portion. A second light guide portion that is longer in the direction of the radiation axis than the first light guide portion guides light incident from the second incident portion forward. A cylindrical second radiation portion radiates the light from the second light guide portion forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuji Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8573819
    Abstract: The present invention combines control for lighting on/off a right side semiconductor-type light source 5R, control for lighting on/off a left side semiconductor-type light source 5L, and control for moving a movable shade 7 between a first position and a second position via control for driving/stopping the movement mechanism 70 with one another so as to radiate luminous intensity of a light distribution pattern HP1 for high beam having a first function, a light distribution pattern HP2 for high beam having a second function, and a light distribution pattern HP3 for high beam having a third function toward a forward direction of a vehicle 3. As a result, since the present invention includes a set of lamp unit, in comparison with the conventional vehicle headlamp system, the present invention requires a less number of components, and thus downsizing and cost reduction can be achieved accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Okubo, Toshiya Abe
  • Patent number: 8568005
    Abstract: A multi-signal exterior rear-view mirror assembly that includes: a structural part forming a perimetric frame (Fr) defining the contour of a first opening towards the rear (Op1), which encompasses a main reflective plate glass (G1); a second front opening (Op2) in an area opposite or adjacent to the main plate glass (G1), a first light module (D1) suitable for emitting a first turn signal through the second opening (Op2) towards the front and towards the side, and a second light module (D2, D2G) suitable for emitting a second turn signal towards the rear synchronized with the first turn signal for producing one and the same function, the second light module (D2, D2G) being independent in construction from the first light module (D1), and being located in a portion of the structural part (Fr) forming a perimetric frame or in a portion of an adjacent part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Alejandro Rodríguez Barros, José Rodríguez Fernández
  • Patent number: 8564205
    Abstract: A vehicle signal light assembly includes: at least one color mixing light source; a support element configured to support the at least one color mixing light source on a vehicle as a signal light; and a controller configured to selectively drive each color mixing light source to generate light of a selected visually perceived color based on a received control signal. In some such embodiments, each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two constituent colors. In some such embodiments, the controller is configured to operate each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly using time domain multiplexing (TDM) to generate the light of the selected visually perceived color. In some such embodiments, the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a taillight assembly. In some of the embodiments, the vehicle light assembly comprises an ambient or auxiliary lighting, or a dashboard lighting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce R Roberts, Agoston Boroczki
  • Patent number: 8562005
    Abstract: A scooter (110) includes a platform (116) that has an upperside and an underside. First and second walls (146, 148) depend from the underside of the platform (116) and away from the upperside of the platform (116) so as to define a space (142) between the walls (146, 148). The first wall (146) defines a void (140) that has a length that is substantially equal to the length of the space (142). At least one illuminatable means (112) is provided on the platform (116). A control box (144) for the illuminatable means (112) is provided between the first and second walls (146, 148) and within the space (142). The scooter (110) is a collapsible microscooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: H. Grossman Limited
    Inventor: Martin Grossman
  • Patent number: 8556480
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a projector headlight using a plurality of optical units for a low beam with a high visible/visual quality. Each of the optical units can include a plurality of LED devices and a projector lens. The projector lens can include a light-emitting surface including a reflex function and a reflex surface including a light incoming surface that is located on the opposite side of the light-emitting surface. The LED devices can be located adjacent the light incoming surface, and the optical units can be located so that angles between optical axes of adjacent optical units can be identical. Thus, the projector headlight can form various favorable light distribution patterns by changing curvature factors of the light-emitting surface and the reflex surface of the projector lens in each of the optical units and by changing the angles between the optical axes of the adjacent optical units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ohno, Ryotaro Owada, Norikatsu Myojin
  • Patent number: 8550673
    Abstract: A secondary lighting system for providing light to a motorcycle when the motorcycle tilts in a turn having a light base with a front and a back surface and an inner cavity, a light component in the front surface, a tilt sensor in the inner cavity adapted to detect a tilt angle of a motorcycle, a microprocessor in the inner cavity operatively connected to the tilt sensor and to the light component, wherein when the tilt sensor detects a tilt angle that is greater than a pre-programmed threshold the tilt sensor sends an input signal to the microprocessor whereupon the microprocessor sends an output command to the light component to activate the light component, the light component emits light at a lighting angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: William C. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8550678
    Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle with light unit for daytime and nighttime front navigation light and a supplemental distance light unit, in addition to an at least one optical module (3), with light source (2). The light sources (61, 62) of the supplemental unit (7) are supplied with alternating electric current, for creation of the front nighttime navigation light when supplied with low electric current, or the front daytime navigation light when supplied with medium electric current, and when supplied with the highest electric current, a supplemental distance beam in addition to the distance light beam emerging from the optical module (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Varroccorp Holding BV, Varroc Engineering Private Limited, Varroc Lighting Systems S.R.O.
    Inventors: Milan Cejnek, Rainer Neumann, Zdenek Geryk
  • Patent number: 8550674
    Abstract: The present patent application provides a slim light bar. The light bar includes a base (1), two upper side covers (2), a top cover (3), a straight light unit (4), a curved light unit (5) and a plurality of supporting legs (6). The top cover (3) is disposed in the middle of the top of the base (1). The upper side covers (2) are disposed at the two ends of the top of the base (1). The straight light unit (4) is connected to the straight sides of the base (1). The curved light unit (5) is connected to the curved sides of the two ends of the base (1). The supporting legs (6) are connected to the bottom of the base (1). The height of the base (1) is 26 mm to 29 mm. The present patent application uses LEDs with a diameter of 4.5 mm and the corresponding lenses have a maximum diameter of 14 mm so that the height of the base (1) is only 26 mm to 29 mm and the materials used for making the light bar are saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ningbo Yinzhou Self Photoelectron Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Feng Yu
  • Patent number: 8545073
    Abstract: A lighting module notably for motor vehicles comprising a first concave reflector comprising a first and a second focal point, a second concave reflector comprising a first and a second focal point, the first and the second reflectors having a truncated circumference such that the reflecting face of the first reflector is oriented towards that of the second reflector, a shield between the first and the second reflectors, an optical element comprising a first focal point situated in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the module and passing through the cut-off edge, the cut-off edge being situated at the second focal point of the first reflector and at the second focal point of the second reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud
  • Patent number: 8534886
    Abstract: An exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle includes driver-side and passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assemblies including respective driver-side and passenger-side light modules and driver-side and passenger-side cameras. The light modules are sealed so as to be substantially water-impervious, and the light modules provide at least one of (a) a driver-side floodlight and a passenger-side floodlight and (b) a driver-side indicator and a passenger-side indicator. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera are part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle, and the multi-camera vision system has a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The displayed images displayed by the display device include an image portion derived from image data captured by at least one of the driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Pastrick, Michiel P. van de Ven, Peter J. Whitehead, Rick Mousseau, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8529093
    Abstract: Embodiments of a safety device for motorized vehicles and methods of use thereof are herein disclosed. In one embodiment, the safety device includes a mountable lighting device in electrical communication with a momentary switch. The lighting device may include a plurality of non-coherent light sources which may flash in a particular sequence. In one embodiment, the lighting device may be activated to flash once to signal to a motorist that a motorcyclist is to pass. The lighting device may be activated to flash twice to signal to a motorist that the motorcyclist is approaching. The lighting device may be activated to flash three times to signal to a motorist that the motorcyclist is passing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Oscar Fuentes
  • Publication number: 20130229820
    Abstract: A lighting system for an exterior panel of a vehicle includes a molding configured to be affixed to the exterior panel. The molding includes a feature configured to retain a light string and fix the light string relative to the molding. The light string is configured to be connected to an electric system of the vehicle and be activated to illuminate an area surrounding the exterior panel is illuminated. A vehicle employing the lighting system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Jutila, Jeffrey A. Diegel, Joel T. Bachler, Paul R. Dynes, Robert Dallos, JR.
  • Patent number: 8523416
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a light source unit having an LED and an optical element that performs light distribution control for directing light from the LED in a predetermined direction, a heat sink to which the light source unit is attached, and a lamp chamber in which the light source unit is disposed. The LED is an LED module formed by installing an LED chip on a power supply circuit board. The LED module is installed on a circuit board installation portion of the heat sink, and an attachment, which has a frame shape a size larger than the LED module and has a circuit board retaining portion at a center open portion of the attachment, is attached and fixed to the heat sink by a fixing member, whereby the LED module is held between the attachment and the circuit board installation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohmi, Takashi Matsunaga, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8517583
    Abstract: A Light Emitting Diode Lamp Module for specific use in all vehicle tail, brake or turn signal lamp fixtures for integrated single and dual element operation. The module has integrated dual element control circuitry, voltage and current control circuitry, brightness enhancement circuitry, and LED circuitry built into the universal body to produce a bright, reliable, long life, energy efficient LED lamp that fits all vehicles. Preferably, there is a built-in or attached load/resistance to match the impedance/resistance requirements of the application for which the bulb is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Jam Strait, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Wesson
  • Patent number: 8517569
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a first heat dissipation structure which includes at least a first heat dissipation unit including a first heat dissipation member and a second heat dissipation member which have conductivity and are insulated from each other, a second heat dissipation structure insulated from the first heat dissipation structure and connected with the first heat dissipation structure as a whole, at least a light-emitting device attached on an end surface of the first heat dissipation structure and electrically connected with the first heat dissipation structure, and an active circuit connector provided at a lower portion of the illumination device for connecting with an external power supply, wherein a number of the first heat dissipation structure is equal to a number of the light-emitting device. The illumination device of the present invention can effectively improve the heat dissipation efficiency, and have the simple structure and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Shanghai Sansi Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd., Shanghai Sansi Technology Co., Ltd., Jiashan Jinghui Photoelectricty Technology co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bishou Chen, Yinghua Wang, Ming Chen, Sheng Li