Including Specific Light Bulb Mounting Patents (Class 362/548)
  • Patent number: 11926255
    Abstract: A transparent anti-theft bracket for a marker light includes a transparent body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first tapered opening extending from the first side toward the second side, a second tapered opening extending from the second side toward the first side, and a lip between the first tapered opening and the second tapered opening. The lip defines an opening connecting the first tapered opening to the second tapered opening. A first depth of the first tapered opening is less than a second depth of the second tapered opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: R.A. PHILLIPS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathon Boyd, John Sasta, Peter John Pless
  • Patent number: 10697610
    Abstract: A resin molded product produced by injection molding includes: a gate mark formed on a non-design surface; and a step provided so as to intersect with a flow of a resin injected from a gate. When a flow distance of the resin from the gate mark to an end portion of the resin molded product is L [mm], and a thickness of the resin molded product is t [mm], the resin molded product is configured to have L/t of 185 or more, and a tangential angle of the step is 5° to 30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Sugiyama, Masashi Katayama, Eiji Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10451248
    Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle includes a reflector having a rear-side lamp opening and a protective collar formed around the lamp opening. The protective collar has an inner diameter and has a cut-out of a peripheral segment. A lamp has a lamp axis and is configured to be received in the lamp opening by an introduction movement in a direction of the lamp axis and a rotary movement about the lamp axis. The rotary movement of the lamp about the lamp axis defines a rotational space of the lamp. An electrical contact plug element is configured to connect to the lamp. The inner diameter is slightly larger than the rotational space defined by the lamp. The cut-out of the protective collar is configured to receive the plug element such that the plug element is disposed through the cutout peripheral segment when connected to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignees: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA, HELLA AUTOTECHNIK NOVA S.R.O.
    Inventors: Pietro-Antonio Mazziotti, Michael Schonlau, Libor Renda
  • Patent number: 10415787
    Abstract: Lamp module 32 contains solid-state light source 17 and has mounting flange 42 coupleable to headlamp reflector 12. Lamp module 32 has base 2 defining central post 4, post 4 defining internal first air passage 401. Base and post act are heat sinks. Fan 8 is disposed within base 2. Circuit board 14 having LED arrays 17 is mounted inside post 4 in fluid communication with first air passage 401. Base 2 defines second air flow passage 405 exterior of post 4, second air passage 405 being oriented to direct air past mounting flange 42. Base 2 further defines third air passage 410 rearward of mounting flange 42 and radially outward from second air passage 405. Mounting flange 42 may be keys coupleable to slots 15. A method of directing an air stream through slots 15 in reflector socket 121 is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Lessard, Blair Weiss, Richard Holland
  • Patent number: 10174898
    Abstract: A light source module includes light source having a light emitting element, a stem configured to support the light emitting element, and a terminal, one end side of which is electrically connected to the light emitting element, a wiring portion to which the other end of the terminal is electrically connected and which is configured to electrically connect the terminal to an external power supply terminal, a connection portion configured to fix the wiring portion and the other end side of the terminal by a connection member, and a thermal diffusion member disposed between the stem and the connection portion and thermally connected to the light emitting element, the terminal has a bent portion which is deformed in accordance with dimensional change in at least one of the thermal diffusion member, the terminal, the wiring portion and the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9868387
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus configured to seal and substantially conform to a roof ditch of a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a first electrode in connection with a seam of the roof ditch via an adhesive. A plurality of printed LEDs configured to emit a first emission and suspended in a semiconductor ink is disposed on a surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode is conductively connected to the plurality of LEDs. A photoluminescent layer is disposed on the second electrode. The illumination apparatus may be in communication with a controller via the first and second electrodes such that the controller may selectively activate the illumination apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 9701268
    Abstract: An attachment system for connecting a vehicle fascia birds beak element to a vehicle front end module bolster includes a bracket having a fascia-engaging portion and a bolster-engaging portion. The bolster-engaging portion includes one or more bracket locator structures configured for engaging cooperating structures disposed on the bolster to self-orient the bracket in a predetermined orientation. The system further includes a vehicle front end module bolster having a bracket-engaging portion that includes one or more bolster locator structures configured for engaging cooperating structures disposed on the bracket to self-orient the bracket in the predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Prashant Dubey, Flondezi Godette, Irfan Sharif, Vincent S. Carnes
  • Patent number: 9680250
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying external power through a sealed light enclosure that includes a lens portion and a back portion, a first electrical connector mounted through the back portion; a light source inside the enclosure connected to the first electrical connector such that when electrical power is applied to the first electrical connector, the light source illuminates. A second electrical connector has a connection interface exposed on the outer face of the lens portion, wherein the second connector is electrically connected to the first electrical connector, optionally through a series-connected fuse. The second connector is mounted on the back portion and sealed to the lens portion. Some embodiments include a rubber plug that can be plugged into the second connector to keep moisture out, wherein the plug includes an indicator light for indicating whether power is available through the second connector (i.e., that the fuse is not blown).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Construction Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Johnson, Glen J. Harmon
  • Patent number: 9669756
    Abstract: A vehicle is constructed to include an upper body and an underbody underlying the upper body. The upper body includes a longitudinal first side section and an opposing longitudinal second side section, and the underbody has a first perimeter portion underlying the upper body's first side section and a second perimeter portion underlying the upper body's second side section. The vehicle further includes a lighting system for illuminating the ground beneath the vehicle. The lighting system includes one or more first side lighting elements mounted at the underbody's first side perimeter portion. At least one of the one or more first side lighting elements is oriented to emit light across the vehicle's underbody and illuminate the ground beneath the upper body's second side section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Oliverio, Randall Johnson
  • Patent number: 9323139
    Abstract: Alight source device includes a solid-state light source emitting light, a base member having an arrangement surface (front portion) on which the solid-state light source is arranged, and a pressing member having a pressing portion (projection) provided on the base member to fix the solid-state light source through pressing of the solid-state light source toward the arrangement surface (front portion). Through this, the solid-state light source can be easily arranged on the base member as compared with a case where the solid-state light source is fixed by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Zakoji
  • Patent number: 9315199
    Abstract: A driver's cab of a railcar includes: side bodyshells; a roof bodyshell; and an interior panel unit including a pair of side panels located at an inner side of the side bodyshells, a ceiling panel located at an inner side of the roof bodyshell, and a back-surface panel that separates the driver's cab from a passenger room. At least one of the panels includes an opening portion through which an adjusting member can be inserted, the adjusting member being configured to adjust positions of the one panel and the side bodyshell or positions of the one panel and the roof bodyshell. An interior space of the driver's cab is defined by coupling the adjacent panels to one another. The adjusting member adjusts a position of the driver's cab relative to the side bodyshell or the roof bodyshell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Matsumoto, Chihiro Okayama
  • Patent number: 9318021
    Abstract: The vehicle mounted traffic light adds a mini-signal light located inside a vehicle on the deck behind the back seat of the vehicle, to enable its signaling units, such as signal lights, to be visible to other vehicles, such as cars, behind the vehicle. A wireless signal from a wireless transmitter associated with an originating signal system unit associated with a traffic signal light transmits the signal light state of the traffic signal light to a receiver associated with the vehicle, such located as inside the vehicle. The receiver relays the received signal light state information to a processor associated with the vehicle mounted traffic light, such as located inside the vehicle, which issues commands to the signaling units of the vehicle mounted traffic light to mimic or correspond to the received signal light state of the traffic signal light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Jassem M. Al-Jasem Al-Qaneei
  • Patent number: 9248779
    Abstract: A mounting structure including: an outer housing having a first locking portion; a ceiling including a lamp opening portion in a central portion thereof; an inner housing including: a first locking facing portion which is locked in the first locking portion of the outer housing; and a second locking portion on and directly attached to the inner housing; and a reinforcement having a second locking facing portion which is locked on the second locking portion of the inner housing. The ceiling is fixed between the outer housing and the inner housing by locking the first locking facing portion of the inner housing in the first locking portion of the outer housing via the lamp opening portion in the ceiling. A bracket portion shaped so as to follow a shape of an upper side of the ceiling is provided along an outer circumference of the inner housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Suzuki, Takayuki Mizushima
  • Patent number: 9206954
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a light source unit that is attached to one of a lamp body and a reflector. The light source unit includes a semiconductor light emitting element that is a light source; a plurality of conductive members formed into a predetermined three-dimensional shape by press working a conductive metal material; and a housing that is formed of an insulating material. The plurality of conductive members each include: an element mounting portion to which the semiconductor light emitting element is mounted, a heat dissipating portion that dissipates heat generated when the semiconductor light emitting element emits light, and a connecting portion to which a connector that supplies power to the semiconductor light emitting element is connected. The housing holds the plurality of conductive members in a spaced apart state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Aiso, Ryujiro Ikuta, Takashi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9188319
    Abstract: A lighting device includes: a device main body; an LED unit which is mounted on a bottom surface of the device main body and which includes a plurality of LEDs which are mounted on a plurality of LED circuit boards; an optical member which is mounted on the device main body on a front side of the LED unit; and an LED circuit board pressing spring which supports the LED circuit boards in the device main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Nakagawa, Tomohiro Ikawa
  • Patent number: 9157608
    Abstract: A dampener configured to augment the mounting of a lamp in a socket by resisting displacement of the lamp relative to the socket. The dampener is made from a material able to absorb vibrations and to reduce or prevent vibrations in the lamp. The dampener is made in one piece or more pieces, wherein each piece is interposable in whole or in part between the socket and the lamp base to insulate the lamp in whole or part against the vibration translated through the socket or surrounding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: AURALIGHT INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventor: Martin John Edmond Dieleman
  • Patent number: 9121737
    Abstract: An instrumental device includes: a dial plate formed in a circular plate shape, and on which indexes indicating a condition of a mobile object are arranged in a circumferential direction of the dial plate; a case provided with a concave formed in a concave groove shape along the indexes, and to which the dial plate is attached so as to cover an opening of the concave; and a light source provided on a rear side of the dial plate in the concave opposite to the index, and emitting light toward the index. The case is provided with a light shield interposed between the index and the light source and facing the light source. At least a part of an outer periphery 36 of the light shield is formed in an arc shape so that a distance from an outer periphery of the concave is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuichi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9068710
    Abstract: An LED automobile lamp includes an LED light source, a shading portion and a lens. The shading portion is located between the LED light source and the lens. The LED light source includes a light outputting surface. The shading portion contains phosphor therein. Blue light emitted by the LED light source transmits to the shading portion and excites the phosphor to form yellow light which mixes with the blue light to generate white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 9033564
    Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp (10), which is particularly a motor vehicle headlight, comprises a high pressure discharge burner (12) for emitting light supported by at least one leg (24), preferably three or four legs (24). By means of the legs (24) the burner (12) is mechanically connected to a socket (14) of the high pressure discharge lamp (10). According to the invention the legs (24) are part of a holder (16), which comprises further a ring (18) surrounding the socket (14), whereby the ring (18) is one-piece with the legs (24). Due to the design of the holder (16) as ring (18) with protruding legs (24) the heat of the burner (12) is conducted from the burner (12) via the legs (24) to the ring (18) by heat conduction. From the ring (18) the heat is led away to the environment by convection. This leads to a significant cooler Temperature of the holder (16) with respect to the burner (12), so that the material of the socket (14) needs not to be selected with respect to a good heat resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Markus Gerhard, Nathijs De Wit
  • Patent number: 8985819
    Abstract: An aircraft light for emitting light in a desired spatial angular region and with a desired light distribution, comprises a reflector having an upper reflector portion and a lower reflector portion both being symmetrical to a plane. A first row of LEDs are face away from the reflector. A second row of LEDs face towards the reflector. Each of the upper and lower portions of the reflector comprises first, second, and third reflective surfaces with the first reflective surface being convexly shaped, the second reflective surface being substantially flat, and the third reflective surface being partially parabolically shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Hessling
  • Patent number: 8911005
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp assembly includes a first guiding component. Also included is a headlamp housing having a second guiding component for engaging the first guiding component in a sliding relationship for directing of the headlamp housing toward a loaded position. Further included is at least one locating pin integrally formed with and extending from the headlamp housing, the at least one locating pin configured to extend through an aperture of an adjacent vehicle component for providing stable positioning of the headlamp housing during installation of the vehicle headlamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Richard J. Pyszel, Jeffrey K. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20140355288
    Abstract: A lamp for a compartment of a vehicle includes: a base, a mounting plate disposed on the base and having a power source receiving part, a power source received in the power source receiving part, and a lamping source disposed on the mounting plate and having a luminous region of a sector shape. The power source receiving part is located at a side of the lamping source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: SHENZHEN BYD AUTO R&D COMPANY LIMITED, BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Weimin XIANG, Minjing PAN, Hongjun WANG, Jianing PAN, Caihua PAN, Qianghua ZENG, Dongxue HAN, Jianxiong LI, Liujie SHI
  • Patent number: 8870426
    Abstract: An illumination unit for vehicle headlights may include a light-emitting diode device, a housing and an assembly board on which components of an operating circuit for operating the light-emitting diode device are arranged, wherein the housing and the assembly board define an interior space, wherein the assembly board has at least one electrically conductive inner layer that is connected to a ground reference potential of the operating circuit and on its surface the assembly board has at least one electrical contact surface which is contacted with at least one electrically conductive inner layer, and the housing has an electromagnetic shielding structure configured to provide electromagnetic shielding of the interior space, wherein the electromagnetic shielding structure is connected to the at least one electrical contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Osram AG
    Inventors: Alois Biebl, Peter Frey, Ralf Vollmer
  • Patent number: 8827521
    Abstract: In one general aspect, the invention features an illumination source that includes a power supply having alternating current input lines and positive and negative direct current output lines. A string of light emitting diodes is connected in series between the positive and negative direct current output lines in a forward-biased series. A direct current cooling fan has a first input line and a second input line operatively connected across at least one of the light emitting diodes and has a cooling air delivery direction positioned to cool a surface in thermal contact with a heat generating portion of at least one of the power supply and the string of light emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Solais Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward T. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8807808
    Abstract: A replacement vehicular lamp assembly (10) configured for insertion into a vehicle chassis-mounted lamp housing (110) originally containing an incandescent lamp (118) installed in an aperture (102) in a chassis-mounted reflector (116). Lamp assembly (10) has a housing (12) supporting LED(s) and displaceably mounted reflector segments (40) moveable between a closed configuration facilitating installation through the aperture (102) and an outwardly open configuration for function within the lamp housing (110) to form a first reflector (38). A biasing mechanism (25) biases the reflector segments (40) to the open configuration to deploy the first reflector (38) overlying the chassis-mounted reflector (116) so that light from the LED is received on the first reflector (38) defined by the reflector segments (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald E. Boyd, Jr., Lawrence M. Rice, Thomas Tessnow
  • Patent number: 8807811
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit sealing structure includes a continuous sealing wall protruding from a rear surface of a housing of a rear combination tail lamp so as to surround bulb sockets supported by the housing, an engagement protrusion positioned outside the sealing wall, the engagement protrusion protruding from the rear surface of the housing so as to extend substantially parallel to the sealing wall, a sheet-like sealing member attached to an end of the sealing wall so as to cover the sealing wall, the sealing member having a slit through which the engagement protrusion extends to provide friction force between the slit and the protrusion, and a stud bolt, positioned inside the sealing wall, temporarily retaining the sealing member. The sealing member is sandwiched between the sealing wall and a lighting unit attachment wall portion of a vehicle body panel to seal a space inside the sealing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Naoyuki Okada
  • Publication number: 20140192549
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp assembly includes a first guiding component. Also included is a headlamp housing having a second guiding component for engaging the first guiding component in a sliding relationship for directing of the headlamp housing toward a loaded position. Further included is at least one locating pin integrally formed with and extending from the headlamp housing, the at least one locating pin configured to extend through an aperture of an adjacent vehicle component for providing stable positioning of the headlamp housing during installation of the vehicle headlamp assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Richard J. Pyszel, Jeffrey K. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20140140086
    Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting to be attached into a lamp attaching hole formed in a door trim of a vehicle has a design portion placed on a passenger compartment side of the door trim and a function portion that is placed on an outdoor side of the door trim and that is to be attached into the lamp attaching hole. The function portion has a housing that has an opening opened to the passenger compartment side, and a light source accommodation portion for accommodating and holding a bulb and a light source protective portion that provided with the housing so as to cover the opening and has a light passing aperture of size to prevent the light source from contacting an external member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo CHIBA, Takashi WAKASUGI, Shogo SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8727564
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an illumination apparatus is provided with a substrate, a radiator, a lens, a lens holder and a metal component. A wiring layer is formed on the front face of the substrate and semiconductor light emitting elements are mounted on the wiring layer. The rear face of the substrate is attached to the radiator. The lens controls light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting elements. The lens holder is made insulative. The lens holder is provided with a holder portion for holding the lens and an attachment base to be attached to the radiator by way of the substrate. The metal component is attached to the radiator from the front face of the attachment base of the lens holder by way of the attachment base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8714792
    Abstract: A bumper adapted for mounting to a trailer is provided. The bumper comprises a tail skirt extending horizontally across the rear of the trailer. Upright bars mount to and intersect the tail skirt. The tail skirt comprises a groove for receiving a recessed light bar comprising multiple signal lights. The wiring harness extends from the light bar into a space behind the upright bars and passes through openings in the tail skirt behind the upright bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Fontaine Trailer Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Adams
  • Publication number: 20140085921
    Abstract: A holder for a light source in the opening of a reflector for a vehicle headlamp, includes a retention ring extending in a ring plane, for an arrangement on the reflector, wherein the light source can be retentively arranged in the opening of the reflector. To allow a safe arrangement of the light source in the opening of the reflector and to prevent that a number of retention rings can get entangled, it is provided according to the invention, that the retention ring has tongues holding the light source in the opening of the reflector by means of elastic spring deflection, the tongues having a first tongue end and a second tongue end, and wherein the tongue ends lie essentially on the ring plane of the retention ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Waldemar Petker
  • Patent number: 8678632
    Abstract: A replaceable lighting module in an LED light source is provided. The module improves thermal, mechanical, and electrical connection with an associated fixture. The replaceable module also provides for precise positioning and improves on optical properties of the light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jozsef Gallai, Zoltan Bako, Istvan Mudra, Imre Molnar, Laszlo Nagy, Krisztian Mihaly Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20140063835
    Abstract: A headlamp for an automobile is provided with one or more features that improve the positioning of the headlamp during installation and the securing of the headlamp during use. More particularly, the bulb is provided with one or more raised features that are matched by complementary features on a sleeve into which the bulb is inserted. Such features can be provided along one side or opposing sides of the bulb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: György Péter Szabó
  • Patent number: 8626427
    Abstract: A user interface method for a terminal for a vehicle is provided. The terminal obtains position information to detect a point of a road. A road image of a driving direction is obtained, a lanes of the road represented on the obtained road image is recognized, and a point of a road and lane in which the vehicle having the terminal arranged therein is detected. A virtual road image regarding the recognized lanes is generated, and the generated virtual lanes are added to the road image of the driving direction of the vehicle, and displayed. Traffic information for each lane and surrounding information (i.e. lane closure, construction, accident, etc.) at the detected point of the relevant road are obtained, and the obtained information is displayed for each virtual lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-Kil Park, Chang-Soo Kim, Jun-Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 8616744
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a lamp unit having a bulb attaching portion into which a bulb is inserted and attached, an outer housing configured to engage with the lamp unit at a location behind the bulb attaching portion, an inner housing disposed inside the outer housing such that a clearance is provided in a radial direction between the outer housing and the inner housing and such that, relative to the outer housing, the inner housing is movable in an axial direction and is rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction, and a spring disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing to bias the inner housing toward the bulb in the axial direction. When the outer housing is engaged with the lamp unit, the spring biases the inner housing such that a flange of the bulb is pressed against the bulb attaching portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Uchiyama, Izumi Suzuki, Masaaki Nakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20130329443
    Abstract: A transportation device lamp fixture includes a semiconductor light-emitting device, a circuit board to which the semiconductor light-emitting device is mounted, a lamp body, and a front cover that covers an opening of the lamp body. The semiconductor light-emitting device and the circuit board are housed inside of a lamp chamber formed by the lamp body and the front cover, and the circuit board is attached to an inside surface of an upper portion of the front cover or the lamp body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Yuji YASUDA
  • 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: 8591085
    Abstract: An optical fiber light source apparatus, includes a casing, a discharge lamp accommodated inside the casing, a concave reflection mirror, which holds the discharge lamp, and an optical fiber, which receives light from the reflection mirror. The concave reflection mirror, to which the discharge lamp is fixed, is held by a holding member, which has an approximately rectangular flange portion in a front face thereof and a regulating concave portion formed in a side of the flange portion. A guide is provided on the casing in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, so that the flange portion of the holding member is slidably engaged with the guide. A pressing member, which is pressed with a bias force toward the regulating concave portion of the flange and engages with the regulating concave portion, is provided on the guide, thereby securing the concave reflection mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nakabayashi, Akihisa Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8568006
    Abstract: Arrangement accuracy of a transmission member with respect to an exposure hole is increased. In a door mirror device for a vehicle, a turn lamp is assembled to a bracket, a visor rim, and a visor cover, and an exposure portion of a lamp lens of the turn lamp is exposed by an exposure hole of a lower visor cover. As an anchor plate of the lower visor cover is inserted into an anchoring hole of the lamp lens and a fitting column of the lamp lens is inserted into a fitting hole of the lower visor cover, the lamp lens is positioned in the lower visor cover. Therefore, the accuracy precision of the exposure portion with respect to the exposure hole can be increased, thereby enhancing the appearance of a gap between the exposure portion and the periphery of the exposure hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hiroto Asai
  • Patent number: 8562058
    Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment is provided having a housing defining an outer casing and an inner storage space and a shelf disposed within the inner storage space such that the storage space is effectively divided into multiple storage compartments. A light source is operably coupled to the outer casing at an aperture opening into the storage space. The light source is divided by the shelf assembly and positioned to provide light illumination to the multiple storage compartments, as the light source is partially disposed in each of the multiple storage compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8562193
    Abstract: Wedge-base bulb socket comprising: a supporting base provided with a coupling seat dimensioned to house the plug of the light bulb; two coupling and connecting members which are located inside the coupling seat, and are structured to separately hold the wedge-shaped plug of the light bulb fitted into the coupling seat, and to feed electric current to said light bulb; two electrically conductive elements which extend on the surface of the supporting base up to the edge of the entrance of the coupling seat, on opposite sides of said entrance, and then descend into the coupling seat up to reach each a respective coupling and connecting member; and two respectively-facing additional supporting jaws which are supported by the two electrically conductive elements so as to be located substantially on opposite sides of the entrance of the coupling seat, and structured to clamp the wedge-base light bulb fitted into the socket, so as to firmly hold said wedge-base light bulb in the wedge-base bulb socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabiano Cozzi
  • Publication number: 20130250602
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes: a light source that emits light; a lamp body, inside of which the light source is arranged; a circuit board that has a conductive pattern that functions as an electrically-conducting path of drive current to be supplied to the light source, and on one end portion of which an electrode portion connected to the conductive pattern is formed; a socket connected to the lamp body; and a contact member that is arranged in the socket and has an elastically deformable connecting terminal portion connected to the electrode portion of the circuit board, and a plug connecting portion, to which a power supply plug is connected, wherein the circuit board is pressed by restoring force of the connecting terminal portion, elastically deformed, so as to be held by the contact member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Hironori TSUKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8534862
    Abstract: An automotive cupholder has resiliently biased container retainers which are adjustable both translationally and rotationally, and which include integral light engines transmitting light through the retainers and into the container well of the cupholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: James Scott Simon, Raymond Anthony Oldani
  • Patent number: 8529110
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a plurality of bulb sockets, each of the plurality of bulb sockets holding a bulb serving as a light source, a lamp body that accommodates the bulb sockets, a front cover that forwardly covers the lamp body, a plurality of bulb socket fixing portions formed in the lamp body, and inserted with the plurality of bulb sockets, a temporary holding member that includes a plurality of temporary holding portions of the bulb sockets, and temporarily holds each of the plurality of bulb sockets to each of the plurality of temporary holding portions, and a bulb socket mounting unit that sandwiches the lamp body and the temporary holding member via an elastic portion formed on each of the bulb sockets. The elastic portion elastically deforms when the temporarily held bulb sockets are inserted into the fixing portions and returning at predetermined fixing positions of the fixing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20130229821
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit sealing structure includes a continuous sealing wall protruding from a rear surface of a housing of a rear combination tail lamp so as to surround bulb sockets supported by the housing, an engagement protrusion positioned outside the sealing wall, the engagement protrusion protruding from the rear surface of the housing so as to extend substantially parallel to the sealing wall, a sheet-like sealing member attached to an end of the sealing wall so as to cover the sealing wall, the sealing member having a slit through which the engagement protrusion extends to provide friction force between the slit and the protrusion, and a stud bolt, positioned inside the sealing wall, temporarily retaining the sealing member. The sealing member is sandwiched between the sealing wall and a lighting unit attachment wall portion of a vehicle body panel to seal a space inside the sealing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Naoyuki Okada
  • 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: 8480275
    Abstract: A molded lamp socket. The molded lamp socket includes a lamp base body defining a socket cavity with an opening for receiving a lamp bulb. The molded lamp socket also includes a lead extending from a first contact portion disposed in the socket cavity to a second contact portion spaced from the socket cavity. The molded lamp socket also includes a mounting body defining a plug cavity encircling the second contact portion. The mounting body is overmolded with respect to the lamp base body and less than all of the lead, the second contact portion being exposed. The lamp base body is formed from a first plastic with a first level of resistance to out-gassing and the mounting body is formed from a second plastic with a second level of resistance to out-gassing less than the first level of out-gassing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Owen, John A. Forish
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130141929
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight comprising at least one lighting module mounted on a support. The module comprises a base with a mounting surface inclined backward and toward the top of the headlight. The support comprises a corresponding mounting surface. Positioning means with sliders are provided on these surfaces so as to be able to extract the module and fit it by a translational movement in a direction contained within the plane of the mounting surfaces. The housing comprises a removable portion positioned in the extension of the module in the direction of translation of the positioning means with sliders. The wall of the housing comprises precuts on the circumference of the removable portion. This arrangement makes is possible to easily replace a bulky lighting module such as that of a headlight with style functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Eric Moisy, Isidro Garcia, Jose-Antonio Aguilar Del Moral, Damien Cabanne, Antonio Contrelas-Luque, Jean-Francois Le Bars
  • 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