Including Light Emitting Diode Patents (Class 362/545)
  • Patent number: 8517593
    Abstract: A feeding body 106 has a cylindrical part capable of housing a light source cartridge 104. A feeding coil L2 for supplying AC power to the light source cartridge 104 is buried in the bottom surface of the cylindrical part of the feeding body 106. A power transmission control circuit 108 supplies AC power to the feeding coil L2. The feeding body 106 can change the insertion depth of the light source cartridge 104 and has, in the inner wall, a screw groove for stabilizing the position of the light source cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Urano
  • Patent number: 8511875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting unit for vehicles, comprising a light source arranged on a circuit board and further comprising an optical attachment mounted in the direction of light emission in front of the light source, said optical attachment comprising at least one holding turret on one of the sides facing the circuit board such that, at its mounting position, the holding turret slots into a hole drilled into the circuit board, wherein the optical attachment is positive-locking to a holding body arranged on one of the sides facing away from the light source, wherein the holding body is molded to a carrier frame, and wherein the holding body or the carrier frame snaps on to the optical attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz-Uwe Spork, Sonia Martinez, David Hanuschkiewitz
  • Patent number: 8515289
    Abstract: A wavelength sensing lighting system may include a light source, a sensor and a controller. One or more light sources and sensors may be included in an array. The light source may emit an illuminating light and the sensor may sense an environmental light. The illuminating light may include data light. The lighting system may include a plurality of nodes connected in a network. The nodes may communicate by emitting and receiving the data light, which may be analyzed by the controller. The light source and the sensor may be provided by a light emitting semiconductor device that is capable of emitting illuminating light and receiving environmental light. A conversion material may convert the wavelength of a source light into a converted light. The conversion material may increase the wavelength range of light emittable and detectable by the lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Environmental Light Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Pedro Medelius
  • Patent number: 8506147
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto
  • Patent number: 8506137
    Abstract: Provided is an Adaptive Front Lighting System and a control method thereof, which includes a motor driver which controls a beam irradiation direction of a headlamp by operating a motor coupled to the headlamp according to a motor control signal, and generates a motor fault signal when fail occurs in the motor, a power supply unit which controls a magnitude of electric power supplied to the headlamp according to a power control signal, and a controller which selectively outputs the power control signal to the power supply unit according to the motor fault signal of the motor driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, SL Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Uk Choi, Hun Soo Kim, Hee Jun Jeong, Se Wook Oh, Ki-Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 8506140
    Abstract: A safety illumination device that is mountable to an edge of a ski or snowboard is provided. The device has a curved exterior housing with a front window panel along the convex front portion, an upper window panel along the top and a concave cutout along the rear portion. A circuit board containing control circuitry, a power source and two arrays of lights is housed within the exterior housing. When the device is turned on, light is emitted through the window panels. This assists persons uphill and downhill from the user to see the user in the dark. Selection of an illumination pattern is controlled by a magnetic wand that the user waves over the upper surface of the device. Users may thus easily operate the device and customize their lighting experience. The device is secured to a ski or snowboard via the concave cutout and a pair of screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Roland Edmisten
  • Publication number: 20130201714
    Abstract: A vehicle running board includes a treadle body, plural luminous members and a decorative plate. The main body is formed with a recessed surface for receiving the luminous members thereon. The luminous members have their upper parts respectively inserted in the through holes of the decorative plate, respectively provided with a transparent lamp holder, which has an outer wall formed with an annular projecting edge to resist against the underside of the decorative plate, and mounted thereon with an anti-skid pad. A circuit board received inside the lamp holder is installed with an LED and connected with power wires, and the luminous members are connected in series by the power wires that are connected to the electric power system of a vehicle. By so designing, the vehicle running board has effects of warning and illuminating for insuring safety in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Li-Yueh HUANG-TSAI
  • Publication number: 20130201704
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight and control system for a bus or large vehicle includes a headlight fixture with a center or low beam light source and side illumination light source operated independently. The side illumination light source may be activated when the vehicle is turning, as detected by the vehicle speed and steering shaft turn angle, to provide supplemental illumination. Both right and left side illumination sources may be provided, and may comprise LED light elements. The system may also include an audible sound generator to alert pedestrians when the vehicle is turning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Jerry Lin, Yongchang Wang, Ren-Cheng Chao, Chin-Tin Hsiao, Chih-Li Wang
  • Patent number: 8496360
    Abstract: An LED lighting apparatus and method provide efficient illumination in a downward and forward direction toward a preferential side, by mounting a plurality of LED devices to the apparatus in at least one horizontal row oriented perpendicularly to the downward and forward direction; mounting a vertical reflector behind and parallel to the horizontal row; and orienting the LED apparatus such that the vertical reflector extends substantially straight downward. A two axis orthogonally symmetric secondary lens is associated with each LED and the vertical reflector has a specular reflective front surface facing the LEDs. The vertical reflector may be curved around ends of the row of LEDs. Also it may be continued further downward, on the outside of a cover lens, by a backlight shield with a straight linear outer edge that extends horizontally across an uplight ring shield. The backlight shield may have a specular or diffuse reflecting front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: EYE Lighting International of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Phillips, III, Todd S. Rutherford
  • Patent number: 8496365
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided which includes a housing, first and second light sources located in the housing, and an articulating lighting device. The articulating lighting device is located within the housing and moves between a use position in front of another light source to provide light and a retracted position. Accordingly, light assembly housing is effectively used to provide a secondary light source, such as a daylight running lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sarbjit Singh, Edward R. Golden
  • Patent number: 8491171
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a reflector 3 having a main reflector 2U and second additional reflection surfaces 9, 9; a semiconductor-type light source 5U; a light shading member 12U having first additional reflection surfaces 15U, 15U; and a shades 13U, 13U, 14U, 14U. The main reflection surface 2U reflects light L1 emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 5U and then emits a light distribution pattern LP for low beam. The first additional reflection surfaces 15U, 15U and the second additional reflection surfaces 9, 9 reflect light L2 emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 5U and then emit an additional light distribution pattern LP1. As a result, the present invention can form a main light distribution pattern and prevents the leakage of the light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 5U through the light shading member 12U.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Okubo
  • Patent number: 8491170
    Abstract: A kitchen container make of flexible material (such as a silicone elastomer) for culinary applications. The flexible material is capable of being deformed into different positions befitting different uses, in particular cooking in a microwave and in a conventional oven. Opposite openings separated by portions of two sides of a perimetric wall of the kitchen container facilitate air circulation and partial retention of vapours while cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Alejandro Rodriguez Barros
  • Patent number: 8480258
    Abstract: A rotation angle regulating device and a rotatable lamp using the same are provided. Through N passive rotating elements used for regulating the rotation angle, the rotation angle of the active rotating element relative to the fixing element is increased, wherein N is a positive integral equal to or more than 1. In addition, each passive rotating element has a first stopper and a second stopper. The active rotating element, when rotating, drives and makes the passive rotating elements rotating on the fixing element, so that the rotation of the lamp can be stopped at any designated angle through the operations of the first and second stoppers of each passive rotating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Sheng-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 8480249
    Abstract: A lighting source that can be deployed in a hazardous environment is disclosed. For example, the lighting source comprises at least one light emitting diode and a power supply for providing power to the at least one light emitting diode. The lighting source also comprises an enclosure for housing the at least one light emitting diode and the power supply, where said lighting source is for deployment in a hazardous environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Dialight Corporation
    Inventors: John William Curran, John Patrick Peck, Kevin A. Hebborn, William S. Leib, III, Anthony Verdes
  • Patent number: 8480271
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakaya, Makio Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 8480255
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lamp and socket system is disclosed. The lamp comprises a first pair of side connecting pins adapted to provide electrical input to at least one LED, the first pair of side connecting pins positioned at an angle from one another such that the angle between the first pair of side connecting pins is defined from the horizontal cross-sectional center of the lamp and the first pair of side connecting pins protrudes outwards from the lamp. The socket is adapted for receiving a LED lamp partially therein, it comprises a base portion adapted to secure at least one pair of side connecting pins of the LED lamp and a top portion adapted for receiving at least one pair of electrical wires, such that when the base portion and top portion are connected, each of the at least one pair of side connecting pins electrically contacts an electrical wire and thereby provides electrical input to the LED lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Boon Hiong Sim
  • Patent number: 8475022
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided which includes a housing, first and second light sources located in the housing, and an articulating reflector. The articulating reflector is located within the housing and moves between a use position in front of the first light source to reflect light from the second light source and a retracted position. Accordingly, light assembly housing is effectively used to provide a secondary light source, such as a daylight running lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sarbjit Singh, Edward R. Golden
  • Patent number: 8475023
    Abstract: A light emitting module includes: a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements; a substrate by which the arranged plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements are supported; and a plate-shaped light wavelength conversion component that is provided so as to face the light emitting surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements and that converts the wavelength of the light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting element. A phosphor layer has a shielding portion formed in the boundary between respective areas facing the respective light emitting surfaces of the adjacent semiconductor light emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Tsutsumi, Masanobu Mizuno, Takaaki Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8475018
    Abstract: A rear view mirror with a turn signal indicator is proposed wherein the turn signal indicator has a light guide design and a recess for the light source. The position of the recess is optimized to fulfil legal regulations and to achieve the design requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Simon Belcher, Nicholas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130163270
    Abstract: In an elevator installation, a source of electrical energy provides electrical power to a cabin lamp mounted within a cabin to illuminate the cabin during regular and emergency situations. The lamp includes a carrier having at least one terminal to receive electrical power from the source of electrical energy. A light element is coupled to the terminal and positioned on the carrier to illuminate the cabin. The lamp includes further an energy storage device positioned on the carrier and coupled to the light element to power the light element during emergency situations. The carrier, the energy storage device and the light element may be positioned within a housing of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Seth Burgin
  • Patent number: 8469563
    Abstract: A turn-indicator light module for an external rear view mirror assembly has at least one or more light emitting sources mounted on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). A reflector and a front housing unit create a lens. At least a major portion of the light module follows a portion of said outer contour of the mirror assembly in the driving direction. The PCB is arranged with respect to the reflector to emit light indirectly by light reflection by the reflector along the major portion of the lens portion of the front housing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Hyok-Joo Hwang, Kwang-Ryeol Park
  • Patent number: 8469567
    Abstract: An optical lens for use in a vehicle light can be compact and less expensive and has an outer appearance that has a high commercial value and achieves a high light utilization efficiency. The optical lens can include a light incident surface that receives light from a light source and a light output surface to output the light. The light incident surface can include a center light incident surface formed at its center and being convex toward the light source with a plurality of prisms with a polygonal shape formed radially from its center to its periphery. The light output surface can include a toroidal surface corresponding to the center light incident surface and a surrounding light output surface corresponding to the prisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 8469568
    Abstract: A vehicle light having a plurality of optical units utilizing a semiconductor light emitting device as a light source can effectively prevent or suppress illuminance unevenness. One example of such a vehicle light can be a vehicle headlamp that includes four optical units each having a semiconductor light emitting device as a light source. The optical units can be arranged in line in the vehicle width direction so as to prevent the luminance unevenness, which can otherwise be generated due to a gap between optical units disposed in a vertical two-stage arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Ohno
  • Patent number: 8469561
    Abstract: A road-adaptive headlight for motorcycles includes a curved base plate having a left curved portion divided from top to bottom into a left-banking lighting zone and a left-crossing lighting zone, a right curved portion divided from top to bottom into a right-banking lighting zone and a right-crossing lighting zone, and a middle curved portion divided from top to bottom into a high-speed lighting zone, a main lighting zone and a horizontal lighting zone. LED light sources are provided in each of the above-mentioned zones. A power source assembly drives the base plate to incline upward or downward and to turn clockwise or counterclockwise. A controller is electrically connected to the LED light sources and the power source assembly for controlling the operation thereof. Thus, different headlight beam patterns can be quickly and flexibly produced under control to ensure increased road visibility and motorcycle riding safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventors: YaoJung Shiao, Chun-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8469569
    Abstract: A clear, frosted, or colored, transparent and/or translucent, plastic, or composite skateboard, snowboard, or any sports board material, that is illuminated with replaceable, rechargeable, or self-charging battery powered light emitting diodes which are placed inside the board within an inexpensive, drop-in, modular housing, which serves as a light engine and provides light that is transmitted through the interior of the board itself in order to illuminate light altering elements which are embedded inside the board and/or etched, printed or applied to the surface of the board. This glowing light creates unique artistic light patterns, flashing sequences, and glowing designs throughout the interior and exterior of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventors: William Loftus Tunnicliffe, Richard Winston Humphreys, Steven Gary Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20130155713
    Abstract: A light bar apparatus is disclosed. The light bar apparatus is attached to a vehicle and comprises a plurality of LED lights capable of illuminating in patterns signaled by the vehicle. The light bar is made at least in part of thermosetting polymer material such that the curing of the thermosetting polymer results in a protective layer for the LED lights by shielding the LED lights from excessive vibration from a vehicle in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Calvin Chuen Kam Law, George Lee
  • Publication number: 20130155714
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) light device is provided comprising: a main casing filled with a gas to prevent condensation from forming on an interior surface of the visible light filter; and a plurality of IR light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in the main casing, wherein the casing includes heat dissipating features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Robert A. Yano, Jr., Joseph W. Martin, Darren J. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8465188
    Abstract: A light source module for a vehicle lamp, including an optical system that guides light emitted from the light source module in a certain irradiation direction and has an optical center, the light source module has a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements disposed in a straight line and electrically connected to each other in series. One of the semiconductor light emitting elements that is positioned closest to the optical center of the optical system has a light emitting area that is smallest of the plurality of the semiconductor light emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Sasaki, Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 8456816
    Abstract: A structure assembled to a panel includes a panel 7, a hood 6, and a filter 5, and is arranged such that the hood 6 and the filter 5 are assembled to the panel 7 independently from each other by the engagement between resiliently engaging claws and engaging concavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8454214
    Abstract: An LED light source is mounted to a base end of a light guide lens including a distal end curving toward the rear of a vehicle and a functional light distribution portion including light diffusion steps, so that light from the LED light source is diffused toward a side of the vehicle. A design light distribution portion is provided between the LED light source and the functional light distribution portion, having a linear optical step on a rear surface of the light guide lens so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigehiko Kazaoka
  • Patent number: 8454216
    Abstract: It is provided a lamp assembly (10) for an automotive headlamp, comprising an LED (12) for emitting light rays, a housing (16), to which the LED (12) is detachably connectable, wherein the housing (16) comprises an entrance window (20) assigned to the LED (12), and a guiding element (22) for guiding the light rays passing through the entrance window (20), wherein the guiding element (22) is connected to the housing (16). Since the LED (12) is detachable connected to the housing (16) a defect LED (12) can by exchanged by only exchanging the LED (12) itself without exchanging the whole lamp assembly (10) including the housing (16) and the guiding element (22). Since the correct position of the bright/dark-cutoff may be provided by the entrance window (20) and/or the guiding element (22) only, a misalignment of a newly inserted LED (12) does not affect the correct position of the bright/dark-cutoff. The exchange of a LED (12) is facilitated and without affecting the correct position of the bright/dark-cutoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Josef Andreas Schug, Harald Willwohl, Ralph Hubert Peters, Wouter Petrus Kaandorp
  • Patent number: 8449159
    Abstract: A light module (1) suitable for use as a landing light for an airplane is disclosed, using an elongated array (2) of light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source. Light from the LEDs is directed toward a transparent cover (3). The cover (3) may include a plano-convex lens (4) at its center for nominally collimating the light from the LEDs. The cover (3) may also include a generally featureless peripheral region laterally circumferentially surrounding the lens (4). A faceted reflecting surface (6) having a generally parabolic base curvature (8) may extend circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the landing light from the LEDs to the cover (3). Light exiting the LEDs at a relatively high angle of exitance reflects off the faceted reflecting surface (6) and transmits through the generally featureless peripheral region of the cover (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Rice
  • Publication number: 20130128603
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system includes a lamp device and a control device to control the brightness thereof while in operation. The lamp device includes at least a first light emitting diode unit providing a first color temperature, and at least a second light emitting diode unit providing a second color temperature different from the first color temperature. The control device is coupled to the lamp device for changing the brightness ratio of the second LED unit to the first LED unit and controlling the resulting color temperature of the lamp device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: FOXSEMICON INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: PING-YU CHEN
  • Publication number: 20130130674
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion and an illumination module. The handle portion is disposed at the vehicle door and movable to actuate a locking mechanism of the vehicle door to open the vehicle door. The illumination module includes at least one illumination source and an icon element and a cover element. The illumination source, when operated, backlights the icon element so that an icon of the icon element is viewable through the cover element at an exterior surface of the handle portion. The icon element includes a security icon and the illumination module is operable to backlight the security icon when a security system of the vehicle is operational.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
  • Patent number: 8444310
    Abstract: A LED module with fast disassembly function is capable of being disassembled from a hole of a substrate by a tool and includes a lamp base, a LED and fasteners. The lamp base has tabs extending outwards. Each of the tabs is provided with a through-hole corresponding to the hole. The tab is formed with an inclined surface at the periphery of the through-hole. The LED is fixed on the lamp base. Each of the fasteners has a cap. The fastener is disposed through the hole and the through-hole to be fixed thereto. A notch is formed between the cap and the inclined surface. The tool is disposed in the notch to thereby disassemble the fastener from the hole and the through-hole. With this arrangement, the damaged LED can be detached from the substrate rapidly without replacing the whole LED module, thereby reducing the time and cost for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Amphenol LTW Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Nan Chen, Teng-Sheng Hung, Jen-Yuan Hung
  • Patent number: 8444306
    Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth a composite headlight assembly which increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver of a vocational truck using such a composite lighting assembly. A composite lighting assembly includes a low beam light and a high beam light, as well as a turn signal and a parking light within one composite housing. As the overall size of the housing is limited by the size of the grill of the vehicle, the present disclosure increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver by taking advantage of the untapped space within known composite headlight assemblies. More specifically, the turn signal and parking light may include a downwardly depending trapezoidal appendage increasing the overall area of the turn signal and parking light by at least ten percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Marcey Collins, Susan M. LaBounty, Greg C. Miller, Erik C. Wilson, George C. A. McCowan, Joe F. DeNatale, Kim Hemme
  • Publication number: 20130121011
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp having a housing and an illumination unit arranged within the housing is provided. The illumination unit comprises at least one light-emitting diode as light source. The at least one light-emitting diode is thermally coupled to a cooling element. The cooling element has a surface region arranged within the housing. On the surface region a decorative element is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
  • Patent number: 8439524
    Abstract: A light emitting assembly (10) is fabricated by forming a continuous strip of aluminum heat sink having a pair of fins (32) aligned with the side edges (20) and cutting the continuous strip into a plurality of elongated sections (18). The elongated sections (18) are disposed in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another and separated by an elongated slot (26) so that adjacent elongated sections (18) are independent of one another. A plurality of light emitting diodes (24) are disposed on the mounting surface (14) of each elongated section (18). Bridges (28) constructed of a material different from the material of the heat sink interconnect the elongated sections (18). An independent cover (52) is adhesively secured to the mounting surface (14) around the light emitting diodes (24) on each elongated section (18). A housing (56) spaced from the fins (32) is disposed over the assembly (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Relume Technologies, Inc
    Inventor: Peter A. Hochstein
  • Patent number: 8439538
    Abstract: A vehicle light can achieve the same or similar heat dissipation performance as that of a conventional vehicle light while having a smaller height than that of the conventional vehicle light, thereby improving space utilization efficiency for a limited installation space of a vehicle body. The vehicle light can include a housing, a cover lens attached to the housing to define a lighting chamber between itself and the housing. A heat dissipation member can be attached to the housing. An optical system can be disposed within the lighting chamber. The optical system can include a heat conduction member including an LED attached surface and a support member fixed to the LED attached surface at one end thereof and to the housing or the heat dissipation member at the other end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadaharu Hatta
  • Patent number: 8439542
    Abstract: A vehicle light can maintain its maximum light intensity in its light distribution pattern while improving the brightness sense at a farther area. The vehicle light can be provided in a front portion of a vehicle body, for forming a road surface light distribution pattern on a road surface in front of the vehicle body. The road surface can include at least a farther area, an intermediate area, and a nearby area. The road surface light distribution pattern can include a plurality of light source images each extending in a horizontal direction, the respective light source images being projected to the corresponding farther area, intermediate area and nearby area, respectively, without striding across the adjacent areas. The vehicle light can include an LED light source having a rectangular light emission surface with a short side of 0.6 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 8439540
    Abstract: An aircraft position light assembly having one or more light emitting diode (LED) modules. The LED module can be installed in a variety of aircraft wing-tip cavities. An example LED module includes a support device that mounts within an aircraft wingtip, a bracket device that attaches to the support device, at least one circuit board that mounts to the bracket, and two pairs of LEDs. Each pair of LEDs is mounted on opposing major surfaces at a first end of the circuit board. A first pair of reflectors is attached to the circuit board adjacent to two of the LEDs on the opposing major surfaces. A second pair of reflectors is attached to the circuit board adjacent to the other two LEDs on the opposing major surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Stout, Timothy A. Holden, Kenneth Colvin, Richard Walker, John Lundberg
  • Patent number: 8439527
    Abstract: Provided is a bulb-type lamp including a lightweight housing with great handleability. An LED light bulb comprises: an LED module on which LEDs are mounted; a cylindrically-shaped case having openings at both ends, which are first and second ends; a mount member on a front surface of which the LED module is mounted, the mount member closing a corresponding one of the openings of the case by being in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first end of the case; a base member attached to the second end of the case; and a lighting circuit that is disposed inside the case. A wall thickness of the case is in a range of 200 ?m to 500 ?m inclusive, and the wall thickness of at least one portion of the case decreases from the first end toward the second end of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenzi Takahasi, Yasushige Tomiyoshi, Satoshi Shida, Tatsumi Setomoto, Akira Taniuchi, Takaari Uemoto, Hideo Nagai
  • Patent number: 8439541
    Abstract: A decorative LED tail light arrangement comprising a decorative tail light attached to a tail light panel of a vehicle, where the decorative tail light is arrange at one end of the tail light panel and an second decorative tail light is attached at an opposing end, a plurality of LED turning lights attached to the decorative tail light, where the plurality of LED turning lights are arranged in a mirrored double-C pattern; and a plurality of LED brake lights attached to the decorative tail light, wherein the plurality of LED brake lights are arranged to surround the plurality of LED turning lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Emerson
  • Patent number: 8439537
    Abstract: A vehicular lighting fixture unit can include a projector lens placed on an optical axis extending in a vehicle front-rear direction. A light-emitting element can be placed between the projector lens and a rear-side focal point of the projector lens at a position lower than the optical axis so as to emit light substantially vertically upward. A phosphor can be placed so as to be closer to a vehicle rear side than the rear-side focal point. A first reflecting surface can reflect the light from the phosphor so as to condense the light toward the optical axis. A second reflecting surface can be placed substantially vertically above the light-emitting element at a position at which the second reflecting surface does not block the reflected light from the first reflecting surface. The second reflecting surface can reflect the light from the light-emitting element toward the phosphor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakazato, Yoshiaki Nakaya
  • Patent number: 8439536
    Abstract: A vehicle light can include a matrix type semiconductor light source, an imaging lens and a reflector. The light source can project an enlarged matrix light on the reflector via the imaging lens. The reflector can include a matrix reflex surface having horizontal curvatures. Each of the horizontal curvatures of the reflex surfaces arranged in columns can be configured such that the corresponding column light is extended gradually in a wider range as the corresponding column light approaches from a central column light toward both edge column lights. Accordingly, a magnification of light projected from the reflector can become gradually large as approaching from the central column toward both edge columns. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide vehicle headlights that can form favorable light distribution patterns for a low beam and a high beam having a bright central portion in a wide range of a smooth light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Masafumi Ohno
  • Patent number: 8434921
    Abstract: Microprocessor-controlled light emitting diode (LED) arrays are built into an extruded tubular lens within a mast that is connected to a base assembly. A means of mounting, which may be an adjustable clamp, permits the base assembly to be connected to a seat post or other mounting point on a bicycle or other vehicle. The tubular lens allows for substantial dispersion of light, and various light patterns produced by the arrays may be selected and those patterns alternated automatically to achieve greater visibility of the vehicle to surrounding motorists. A handle within the base assembly allows a rider to lower the mast from its vertical operating position easily and pivotally up to 90 degrees parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame to facilitate mounting and dismounting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald A. Sherwin
  • Patent number: 8430545
    Abstract: A lighting module for a vehicle is suggested, consisting of a housing and at least two light conductors or light conductor sections, which are arranged in the housing and extend along the external contour of the lighting module, with at least two LEDs, which are arranged on at least one circuit board in the housing. The light of at least two LEDs is coupled into the at least two light conductors, and a connection lens, which is adapted to the external contour of the light conductor, is installed between the light conductor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Fritz, Andreas Herrmann, Soenke Goldschmidt
  • Publication number: 20130100693
    Abstract: A tail light assembly includes a housing, one or more lights arranged to emit light in a first direction, and a side marker connected to the housing and arranged to emit light in a second direction, approximately perpendicular to the first direction. The lights may include one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) to reduce power consumption of the tail light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Kathleen Anne Johnson
  • Patent number: 8425083
    Abstract: A LED directional illumination energy-saving luminaire and a manufacturing method thereof. The luminaire comprises: a circuit board with an X direction and a Y direction defined; and illumination units including a first illumination unit arranged at the center of the circuit board, and two second illumination units arranged at both sides of the first illumination unit. Each illumination unit includes LEDs mounted to said circuit board in a tilted state with said LED bodies positioned at a predetermined height from the circuit board, and said LEDs are arranged at intervals in an array along said X direction and Y direction and distributed with respect to the center of said array. Each LED deviates from both X and Y directions at a predeterminative angle, so that the illumination units can form predeterminative project angles in the X direction and the Y direction respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Zhiyong Liu
  • Patent number: 8419249
    Abstract: A cooling liquid can be circulated in a liquid cooling system, so that a light source unit and a control unit can be forcedly cooled by the cooling liquid. Thus, a temperature increase in these components can be suppressed, thereby achieving an increase in the output power of a liquid-cooled LED lighting device. The liquid-cooled LED lighting device can include a housing, a light source unit having LEDs as light sources, a liquid cooling system, and a control unit to control the light source unit to be turned on. The liquid cooling system can include a heat receiving jacket, a radiator, a circulation pump and a fan. The light source unit and the control unit can be disposed with the heat receiving jacket of the liquid cooling system interposed therebetween. Further, one surface of the control unit can be brought in close contact with the heat receiving jacket while a heat radiation portion (e.g., fins or pins) can be provided at an other surface of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Yasushi Hiramoto, Teruo Koike