Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes one or more LEDs mounted to a printed circuit board for producing light. One or more inner lenses are coupled to LEDs for receiving light such that light enters along an edge or surface of each inner lens and propagates through each inner lens before exiting. A projection lens is oriented adjacent the inner lenses such that the projection lens receives light from the inner lenses and projects the light from the vehicle lamp. A light blocking material is applied to at least a portion of the projection lens for altering an appearance of light emitted from the projection lens. The resulting projections provide custom lit appearances having varying patterns, intensity, texture, and/or color. The vehicle lamp may be used for satisfying vehicle lamp legal functions, welcome functions, autonomous driving functions, and/or logo functions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tubular member for an automotive application that includes providing a flat workpiece of a material; forming at least one lance in the flat workpiece; roll-forming the flat workpiece into a tubular configuration; induction welding a seam of the tubular workpiece after the roll-forming; and trimming the tubular workpiece through the lance after welding the seam.

Abstract: Lit image projection lamp and assemblies and methods to use the same to generate three-dimensional images. In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the present disclosure, the projection device comprises a light source and a curved lens positioned at a first distance from the light source, wherein the curved lens is a lenticular lens, having a concave portion and a convex portion, and wherein the projection device is configured to generate a homogenous light bar image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the curved lens.

Abstract: An animated 3D image multiplying light assembly includes a light source having a plurality of light-emitting diodes. A mask is disposed at a predetermined distance from the light source, and a plurality of holes are adapted to allow light to pass through the mask. The mask includes more holes than the number of light-emitting diodes. A first lenticular sheet is adjacent a second lenticular sheet for projecting light from the light source having passed through the mask. The first lenticular sheet is aligned perpendicular with the second lenticular sheet for homogenizing light in a first direction and a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. An outer lens is positioned such that light projected from the first lenticular sheet and the second lenticular sheet appears as though positioned at different depths with respect to the outer lens, providing a 3D appearance. When viewed dynamically, the light projected appears to move.

Abstract: A system includes one or more channel members used to vent a headlight housing. An aperture is included in the upper part of the housing that allows for the circulation of hot air out of the headlight internal chamber. At an outlet of the channel member, a hydrophobic membrane can be used to allow the venting of hot air while preventing condensate from the environment into the system.

Abstract: A parking brake emulator assembly for a vehicle is provided. The emulator assembly includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a front spring mounting flange with a spring mounting hole. The emulator assembly further includes a brake lever, a spring guiding rod, a spring, and a rear spring holder. The brake lever is rotatable relative to the mounting bracket into a neutral position and a brake application position. The spring guiding rod is coupled to the brake lever via a pinned connection, and extends through the spring and the rear spring holder. Rotation of the brake lever from the neutral position to the brake application position moves the pinned connection to thereby move the spring guiding rod and the rear spring holder towards the front spring mounting flange, thereby compressing the spring.

Abstract: A vehicle reflector lamp includes a curved reflector having a reflective front side and a non-reflective back side opposite the front side. The curved reflector has a light-permeable slot. A light source is positioned behind the non-reflective back side such that light emanates from the light source through the light-permeable slot for reflecting off the reflective front side. An optical sheet is positioned adjacent the front side of the reflector for homogenizing light reflected from the reflector, and a clear outer lens protects the optical sheet, the light source, and the curved reflector from an outdoor environment. The reflector lamp has a lit mode and an unlit mode. When in the unlit mode, ambient light reflects off of the reflective front side. When in the lit mode, light from the light source reflects of at least a portion of the reflective front side.

Abstract: The present application discloses a light pipe assembly having a light pipe with a proximal end, an opposing distal end, a length between the proximal end and the distal end, and a surface, the surface having an emitting portion and an overlay portion, where the light pipe is a material capable of transmitting light with a first refractive index; and a reflective secondary surface having a second refractive index and a width, the reflective secondary surface positioned adjacent the overlay portion of the light pipe, where the first refractive index is greater than the refractive index of air, and the second refractive index is greater than the first refractive index. In at least one embodiment, the reflective secondary surface is a non-metallic material capable of reflecting light. In at least one embodiment, the width of the reflective secondary surface varies along the length of the light pipe.

Abstract: Lit image projection lamp and method. In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the present disclosure, the projection device comprises a light source; a first lens positioned at a first distance from the light source; and a second lens at a second distance from the first lens; wherein the first lens and the second lens are lenticular lenses, each having an optical axis; and wherein the projection device is configured to generate a three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and the second lens.

Abstract: The present application discloses a light pipe assembly having a light pipe with a proximal end, an opposing distal end, a length between the proximal end and the distal end, and a surface, the surface having an emitting portion and an overlay portion, where the light pipe is a material capable of transmitting light with a first refractive index; and a reflective secondary surface having a second refractive index and a width, the reflective secondary surface positioned adjacent the overlay portion of the light pipe, where the first refractive index is greater than the refractive index of air, and the second refractive index is greater than the first refractive index. In at least one embodiment, the reflective secondary surface is a non-metallic material capable of reflecting light. In at least one embodiment, the width of the reflective secondary surface varies along the length of the light pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for thermally distributing hot air generated in a vehicle headlamp. A channel is defined between different chambers in the headlamp to allow for air circulation, thus reducing hot spots inside the housing around light sources which might compromise internal structures or devices.

Abstract: A vehicle door hinge that includes a door bracket mountable to a vehicle door, a body bracket mountable to a vehicle body, a pivot bushing having a cylindrical bearing that is disposed within a pivot axis hole of the body bracket, and a pivot pin that rotatably couples the door bracket and the body bracket together. The pivot pin includes a first shoulder disposed within the cylindrical bearing; and the pivot pin includes a second shoulder extending from the first shoulder. The second shoulder has a knurled cylindrical surface that is disposed within a pivot axis hole of the door bracket.

Abstract: The present application discloses various embodiments of a heat sink for semiconductor devices and methods for using and constructing the same. According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a heat sink for cooling a semiconductor device includes a base plate including a first side and a second side; a leg extending from the second side of the base plate, the leg including a distal end opposite the base plate and opposing walls extending between the base plate and the distal end; a leg plate disposed adjacent the distal end of the leg; a plurality of fins disposed between the distal end of the leg and the leg plate; and a plurality of micro-channels defined by the distal end of the leg, the plurality of fins, and the leg plate.

Abstract: Lit image projection lamp and method. In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the present disclosure, the projection device comprises a light source; a first lens positioned at a first distance from the light source; and a second lens at a second distance from the first lens; wherein the first lens and the second lens are lenticular lenses, each having an optical axis; and wherein the projection device is configured to generate a three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and the second lens.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tubular member for an automotive application that includes providing a flat workpiece of a material; forming at least one lance in the flat workpiece; roll-forming the flat workpiece into a tubular configuration; induction welding a seam of the tubular workpiece after the roll-forming; and trimming the tubular workpiece through the lance after welding the seam.

Abstract: Lamp assembly with thermal transporter. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a lamp assembly, comprising a housing; a cover attached to the housing defining a volume; a light source disposed within the volume; and a thermal transporter in thermal communication with the light source; wherein the thermal transporter comprises a plurality of graphite sheets structured to transfer heat generated by the light source away from the light source.

Abstract: Active grille shutter. In an embodiment of a shutter system of the present disclosure, the shutter system comprises a plurality of moveable louvers, at least one lifter, the lifter including a lifter arm having a plurality of platforms and a plurality of spurs extending therefrom, a plurality of tensioners, and a drive mechanism connected to the lifter arm and structured to reversibly move the lifter arm and the plurality of platforms extending therefrom, wherein the movement of the lifter arm and platforms causes each louver to rotate about a pin extending therefrom, the pin adjacent and offset from the post.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly is provided having an energy absorber, a bracket, a step pad and a bumper fascia. The energy absorber includes an upper horizontal surface wherein the upper horizontal surface may define a deformable structure. The deformable structure may be in the form of flexible fins. The bracket may be mounted to the vehicle frame on a first end of the bracket and the energy absorber affixed to a second end of the bracket. The step pad may be affixed to the energy absorber. The bumper fascia may be affixed to either or both the step pad and the energy absorber.

Abstract: The present application discloses a light pipe assembly having a light pipe with a proximal end, an opposing distal end, a length between the proximal end and the distal end, and a surface, the surface having an emitting portion and an overlay portion, where the light pipe is a material capable of transmitting light with a first refractive index; and a reflective secondary surface having a second refractive index and a width, the reflective secondary surface positioned adjacent the overlay portion of the light pipe, where the first refractive index is greater than the refractive index of air, and the second refractive index is greater than the first refractive index. In at least one embodiment, the reflective secondary surface is a non-metallic material capable of reflecting light. In at least one embodiment, the width of the reflective secondary surface varies along the length of the light pipe.

Abstract: Lit image projection lamp and assemblies and methods to use the same to generate three-dimensional images. In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the present disclosure, the projection device comprises a light source and a curved lens positioned at a first distance from the light source, wherein the curved lens is a lenticular lens, having a concave portion and a convex portion, and wherein the projection device is configured to generate a homogenous light bar image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the curved lens.