Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with a housing and a transparent lens connected to the housing to define a lamp chamber there between. A reflector is disposed in the lamp chamber for reflecting light through the lens. An electrical board is disposed in the lamp chamber and oriented in relative to the reflector. A light emitting diode (LED) is mounted to the electrical board for emitting light. A light shade is mounted to the electrical board at a mounting feature defined at a predetermined location relative to the LED to block light rays emitted by the LED. The shade is soldered to the electrical board at the predetermined orientation relative to the LED and the light shade does not contact the reflector.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with a projection lens having a lens profile with a rear major surface with a convex curvature and a front surface with a concave curvature. A rear height of the rear major surface is greater than a front height of the front surface. The lamp has a plurality of light sources 36 and a reflector configured to reflect the light emitted from the plurality light of sources towards the projection lens. As the lens profile is swept along a curve length, at least one of the rear convex curvature or the front concave curvature varies. The light output from the front surface of the projection lens is generally uniform along the curve length.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with a projection lens having a lens profile with a rear major surface with a convex curvature and a front surface with a concave curvature. A rear height of the rear major surface is greater than a front height of the front surface. The lamp has a plurality of light sources 36 and a reflector configured to reflect the light emitted from the plurality light of sources towards the projection lens. As the lens profile is swept along a curve length, at least one of the rear convex curvature or the front concave curvature varies. The light output from the front surface of the projection lens is generally uniform along the curve length.

Abstract: A weatherproof light string employing a T-shaped inner frame with grooves to direct the placement of a plurality of conductors and apertures to secure conductive pins connecting conductors. The light string has secondary cables connected to the primary cables at one end and lamp holders at the other end. The insulation core wires at the first end of the secondary cable are positioned on the insulation core wires of the first cable by a T-shaped inner frame in a clamping and overlapping manner. Conductive pins extend through a side wall of the T-shaped inner frame and pierce the overlapped insulation core wires to from a mechanical and electrical connection between the wires. Light strings employing the T-shaped inner frame and conductive pins provide a more robust and reliable product, and are better suited to automation. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the light string.

Abstract: A lighting system and method are provided for controlling a PWM duty cycle. The lighting system is provided with at least one device that is configured to emit light in response to receiving electrical power. The lighting system includes a power circuit and a feedback circuit. The power circuit is configured to selectively supply power to the device at a duty cycle corresponding to a first mode and a second mode, wherein the duty cycle of the first mode is less than 10% of the duty cycle of the second mode. The feedback circuit is configured to provide a feedback signal that is indicative of the energy provided to the device. The power circuit is further configured to disable power to the device during the first mode in response to the energy being greater than a threshold energy value, thereby adjusting the duty cycle.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with a housing for mounting to a vehicle and defining a outward opening. A lens is attached to the outward opening of the housing to define a lamp chamber therebetween. The lens has an appearance portion and a concealed portion. A condensation trap feature is formed along an inner surface of the concealed portion of the lens.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided with a plurality of devices that are disposed within a lamp assembly and configured to emit light in response to receiving electrical power from a power source. The detector is coupled to the plurality of devices and is configured to monitor an electrical characteristic associated with the plurality of devices. The detector is also configured to generate an output signal that is indicative of a discontinuity within the plurality of devices in response to the electrical characteristic being less than a threshold value. The lighting system also includes a controller that is coupled to the detector. The controller is configured to receive input indicative of a turn signal status and a rear closure position and to enable the detector in response to the rear closure position being closed and the turn signal status being on.

Abstract: A lighting system and method are provided for controlling a PWM duty cycle. The lighting system is provided with at least one device that is configured to emit light in response to receiving electrical power. The lighting system includes a power circuit and a feedback circuit. The power circuit is configured to selectively supply power to the device at a duty cycle corresponding to a first mode and a second mode, wherein the duty cycle of the first mode is less than 10% of the duty cycle of the second mode. The feedback circuit is configured to provide a feedback signal that is indicative of the energy provided to the device. The power circuit is further configured to disable power to the device during the first mode in response to the energy being greater than a threshold energy value, thereby adjusting the duty cycle.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a lamp housing, a primary lamp unit, and an auxiliary lamp unit. The primary lamp unit and the auxiliary lamp unit are provided within the lamp housing. The auxiliary lamp unit includes a first lighting device, a second lighting device and a supplemental lighting device. The first lighting device is configured to illuminate a portion of the lamp housing in a first direction and the second lighting device is configured to illuminate a portion of the lamp housing in a second direction. The supplemental lighting device is positioned in the lamp housing at an intersection of the first and second directions to provide a uniform lit appearance at a transition of the first lighting device and the second lighting device.

Abstract: A rear automotive lamp assembly is provided replicating the appearance of a plurality of distinct illumination sources, such as light emitting diodes. The lamp assembly having a light source, at least one reflector, the reflectors having reflective surfaces, the reflective surfaces operable to reflect light from the light source. The reflectors spaced apart and oriented such that light rays from the light source are incident to each of the reflective surfaces are reflected towards a viewing direction. A shield further disposed between the light source and the reflective surface of the reflector. The shield including a plurality of open sections or cutouts thereby allowing a generally collimated light beam from the light source to shine on the reflective surface such that each of the reflective surfaces of the at least one reflector appears as a distinct illumination source from the viewing direction. The openings vary in size and dimension along the length of the shield.

Abstract: A dual direction light pipe includes a first section having a first set of prisms oriented to reflect a portion of the light within the first section of the light pipe in a first direction and a second section having a second set of prisms oriented to reflect a portion of the light within the second section of the light pipe in a second direction.

Abstract: A rear automotive lamp assembly is provided replicating the appearance of a plurality of distinct illumination sources, such as light emitting diodes. The lamp assembly having a light source, at least one reflector, the reflectors having reflective surfaces, the reflective surfaces operable to reflect light from the light source. The reflectors spaced apart and oriented such that light rays from the light source are incident to each of the reflective surfaces are reflected towards a viewing direction. A shield further disposed between the light source and the reflective surface of the reflector. The shield including a plurality of open sections or cutouts thereby allowing a generally collimated light beam from the light source to shine on the reflective surface such that each of the reflective surfaces of the at least one reflector appears as a distinct illumination source from the viewing direction. The openings vary in size and dimension along the length of the shield.

Abstract: A system and method for exterior projection lighting of a vehicle include a generally ellipsoidal faceted reflector disposed on a rear side of a projection lens. First and second focal points of each facet define corresponding reflector focal regions. A semi-conducting light source positioned at an acute angle, such as a single light emitting diode (LED) without a primary optic, emits light toward the reflector from within the first reflector focal region. Reflected light passes through the projection lens to illuminate a desired beam pattern. A curved shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source has at least a portion of a top edge disposed within the second reflector focal region. The shade blocks a portion of reflected light from extending below the optical axis.

Abstract: An under-cabinet lighting fixture includes at least one bulb of less than about 35 watts contained within a housing that is devoid of any dedicated heat dissipation back vents on the back or top of the lighting unit. The lighting fixture has a reflective coating applied to the interior of the housing unit itself, which acts as a mirrored surface to reflect the bulb's illumination. A glass lens is supported by a metal frame that runs around the periphery of such lens and the lens cover itself is connected to the housing by pivoting hinges and is held in place when closed by one or more securing elements.

Abstract: An under-cabinet lighting fixture includes at least one bulb of less than about 35 watts contained within a housing that is devoid of any dedicated heat dissipation back vents on the back or top of the lighting unit. The lighting fixture has a reflective coating applied to the interior of the housing unit itself, which acts as a mirrored surface to reflect the bulb's illumination. A glass lens is supported by a metal frame that runs around the periphery of such lens and the lens cover itself is connected to the housing by pivoting hinges and is held in place when closed by one or more securing elements.

Abstract: An under-cabinet lighting fixture includes xenon bulbs and/or halogen bulbs of less than about 35 watts contained within a housing that is devoid of any dedicated heat dissipation back vents on the back or top of the lighting unit. A top cover is connected to a wire-containing channel of the unit, with such cover being removable during wiring and mounting operations by removing screws locking the cover into place. The unit is further devoid of any dedicated reflectors and instead relies upon the reflective coating applied to the interior of the housing unit itself, which acts as a mirrored surface to reflect the bulb's illumination. A single glass lens is supported by a metal frame that runs around the periphery of such lens and the lens cover itself is connected to the housing by pivoting hinges and is snap locked into place by flexible metal/plastic elements that are configured to lock into apertures within the housing.

Abstract: A self-aim light device. The light device includes a rotating light shield pivotally coupled to an axis. The light shield could include a mass on one end such that gravitational forces control movement of the light shield around a pivot point. The light device may be positioned within a vehicle and the light shield allows for self-aiming of a light output to conform to movement of the vehicle due to a gravitational force.

Abstract: A modular automotive light device is provided. The light device may include multiple light emitting diodes (LED). Multiple light devices may be arranged in a desired manner comprising an automotive headlamp, for example. The light devices may be stacked on top of each other and/or positioned side by side to form the headlamp. Using multiple light devices provides a sufficient amount of radiated light rays in order to comply with regulations and standards for light output of light devices for use on the exterior of an automobile, for example.

Abstract: A self-aim light device. The light device includes a rotating light shield pivotally coupled to an axis. The light shield could include a mass on one end such that gravitational forces control movement of the light shield around a pivot point. The light device may be positioned within a vehicle and the light shield allows for self-aiming of a light output to conform to movement of the vehicle due to a gravitational force.

Abstract: A tubular reflector for reflecting light emanating from a tubular light source. The tubular reflector may be semi-circular or elliptical in shape and positioned around the tubular light source. Furthermore, the inner reflective surface of the tubular reflector may be smooth or multi-faceted. The reflector may reflect light from the tubular light source and redirect the light to achieve a desired distribution pattern.