Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for an automotive subassembly having an enclosure is described. The electrical connector assembly includes a female electrical connector mounted to the enclosure and having a tight space between a wall of the female electrical connector and an adjacent inside surface of the enclosure. A male electrical connector has a spring-action lock that locks the male electrical connector by way of a single locking tab that pops out to project through a slot in the wall of the female electrical connector when the male electrical connector is fully inserted into the female electrical connector. A color of the wall of the female electrical connector is a dark color and a color of the locking tab is a bright color such that a secure connection between the male electrical connector and the female electrical connector is indicated by appearance of the projected locking tab within the tight space.

Abstract: A configurable vehicle lighting module system includes a shared lens configured to provide a first light pattern for a first vehicle lighting function and a second light pattern for a second vehicle lighting function. The shared lens includes a mounting axis which provides a reference for mounting the shared lens on a vehicle. First internal optics are configured to direct light toward the shared lens to provide the first light pattern, and second internal optics are configured to direct light toward the shared lens to provide the second light pattern. A coupling system is configured to join the shared lens with either the first internal optics to form a first module configuration for providing the first vehicle lighting function, or with the second internal optics to form a second module configuration for providing the second vehicle lighting function.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle indicator lighting assembly or other lighting device for providing dual-color outputs in a lit state and an unlit state, respectively. Specifically, a color of a lighting device may be controlled such that an unlit state may communicate a desired color corresponding to a surface of a component of the lighting device. For instance, the lighting device can include a light guide having one or more decoupling regions and a bezel having one or more effecting facets arranged relative to the light guide. The light guide may be optically-coupled to a light source. The one or more effecting facets may be designed such that, when the lighting device is not illuminated by the light source, a color of a surface of the one or more effecting facets is displayed to an observer in a trailing vehicle by reflection of ambient light from an environment external to the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for an automotive subassembly having an enclosure is described. The electrical connector assembly includes a female electrical connector mounted to the enclosure and having a tight space between a wall of the female electrical connector and an adjacent inside surface of the enclosure. A male electrical connector has a spring-action lock that locks the male electrical connector by way of a single locking tab that pops out to project through a slot in the wall of the female electrical connector when the male electrical connector is fully inserted into the female electrical connector. A color of the wall of the female electrical connector is a dark color and a color of the locking tab is a bright color such that a secure connection between the male electrical connector and the female electrical connector is indicated by appearance of the projected locking tab within the tight space.

Abstract: An optical element for a lighting device of an automotive vehicle. The optical element includes a first portion configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) radiation therethrough, the EM radiation including visible wavelengths and an ablation process wavelength. Also included is a second portion configured to absorb at least the ablation process wavelength, the second portion being in contact with the first portion to define an ablation process boundary which separates a surface of the first portion from an adjacent surface of the second portion. A patterned optical coating is provided on the optical element such that the optical coating material is provided on at least a part of the surface of the second portion, but not provided on the surface of the first portion.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly, an adaptive front-lighting system, and a method for generating a hybrid luminous intensity distribution are provided. The headlamp assembly includes a light module configured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and a supplementary module configured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution which at least partially overlaps with the first luminous intensity distribution. The second luminous intensity distribution includes pluralities of independently controlled zones.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly, an optical system and a method for generating a hybrid luminous intensity are provided. The headlamp includes a low beam assembly and a high beam assembly. The low beam assembly is configured to generate a low beam distribution. The low beam assembly includes a plurality of low beam modules including at least one high luminance source optically configured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and at least one light source optically configured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution. The high beam assembly includes one or more high beam modules.

Abstract: A light module, a light panel, and a method for transmitting light are provided. The light module includes a light source configured to generate a light and a fiber panel optically coupled to the light source. The fiber panel includes a plurality of optical fibers. The plurality of optical fibers are configured to define two illumination regions such that a controlled light is output from the two illumination regions in diametrically opposite directions.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly includes a low beam assembly configured to generate a low beam distribution. The low beam assembly includes a first low beam solid state light source module having a first laser solid state light source optically configured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and a second laser solid state light source optically configured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution, and a second low beam solid state light source module having a solid state light source optically configured to emit a third luminous intensity distribution which at least partially overlaps at least one of the first and second luminous intensity distributions. The headlamp assembly also has a high beam assembly configured to generate a high beam distribution.

Abstract: A vehicle light module, a headlight assembly, and a method for communicating information are provided. The vehicle light module includes a panel having a transparent state and an opaque state; and a projector operable to project a visual representation toward the panel. The visual representation is displayed on the panel when in an opaque state and on a second surface when in a transparent state.

Abstract: A serial communication system for a vehicle including an interface circuitry that generates a triggering signal, and a controller circuitry with an input block, an output block, a controller connected to the input block and the output block, the controller being configured to function in a normal mode or in a diagnostic mode, wherein in the normal mode the controller receives a sensing signal and provides an actuating signal based on the sensing signal, and in the diagnostic mode the input block transmits an input communication signal from the interface circuitry and the output block transmits an output communication signal from the controller to the interface circuitry, and a Diagnostic mode detector connected to the input block and configured to receive the triggering signal detect the triggering signal, and switch the controller from the normal mode to the diagnostic mode when the triggering signal is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting device including a light source support, a light source coupled to the light source support, and an alignment frame coupled to the light source support in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the light source. An optical element is coupled to the light source support such that the alignment frame is interposed between the light source support and the optical element.

Abstract: A drone aircraft for personal assistance or protection. When a driver's car is located in a parking lot at night, the driver can summon a drone stored in the vehicle which flies to the driver and leads the driver to the vehicle by projecting a spot of light onto the ground. The drone makes a video recording of events occurring at this time and transmits the recording to a remote storage location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light pipe arrangement for complex automotive lighting features. The light pipe arrangement includes proximately aligned light pipes comprising at least one grouping of reflecting facets for creating a striped aesthetic.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light pipe arrangement for complex automotive lighting features. The light pipe arrangement includes proximately aligned light pipes comprising at least one grouping of reflecting facets for creating a striped aesthetic.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is composed of optical fibers that are grouped at one end thereof in a bundle so as to optically couple to a common light source. A set of the optical fibers are configured to emit light transversely to the optical axis thereof to form an illumination region in a fiber optic panel. At least one sensor is coupled to at least one of the optical fibers in the bundle and generates an electrical signal in response to a physical phenomenon.

Abstract: A compressor of the present invention has a blocking portion for preventing a refrigerant containing an inflammable component such as lubricating oil ejected from an ejection port of a safety relief valve from being ejected to a specific direction where a drive belt, an electromagnetic clutch, an exhaust manifold, and placed. The blocking portion is not separately attached but is integrally formed with a housing member by using the same material as that thereof, and is disposed on a line in an ejection direction of the ejection port. The present invention can provide a compressor excellent in productivity, durability, and safety without increasing the number of manufacturing processes or causing, for example, rotation failure of the drive belt and a pulley for driving the compressor and its auxiliaries and an occurrence of white smoke due to a contact between the exhaust manifold at high temperatures and the refrigerant.

Abstract: Adjustable lighting apparatus for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a vehicle lighting assembly. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a plurality of optical systems each configured to output respective light beams. The vehicle lighting assembly also includes a primary adjustment part movable along a first axis. The vehicle lighting assembly also includes a plurality of levers each operatively coupled to (a) the primary adjustment part and (b) a respective one of the optical systems. The vehicle lighting assembly also includes a plurality of lever pivot points corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of levers. Movement of the adjustment part along the first axis results in cooperative movement of the plurality of optical systems.

Abstract: A lighting device (10) for a vehicle comprising: an array of optical fibers (28), at least a portion of said array of optical fibers being arranged in at least one predetermined form (32); at least one light source (20) for generating light to be transmitted through said array of optical fibers (28); and at least one support or frame (16) comprising a receiving area adapted to receive said at least one predetermined form; said at least one support or frame (16) being adapted for use on the vehicle to provide a lighting function on the vehicle.

Abstract: A dual printed circuit board assembly for vehicle lights, the dual printed circuit board including a dual printed circuit board and a dual connector. The dual printed circuit board having a first substrate with a first layout, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate with a second layout, and a common panel that supports the first substrate on a first side and the second substrate on a second side, wherein the first layout is populable by a first plurality of light sources to be used in a first light of the vehicle lights and the second layout is populable by a second plurality of light sources to be used in a second light of the vehicle lights. The dual connector having a first jumper connector electrically connected to the first layout, and a second jumper connector opposite to the first jumper connector and electrically connected to the second layout.