Abstract: A steerable lighting and/or optical device for a vehicle. A light source transmits a light beam to a rotating mirror which scans or points the light transversely ahead of the vehicle to create a desired beam shape. An intensity of the light source may be modulated during sweeping, including modulation to zero intensity, to control the pattern of light generated by the sweeping beam.

Abstract: A steerable lighting and/or optical device for a vehicle. A light source transmits a light beam to a rotating mirror which scans or points the light transversely ahead of the vehicle to create a desired beam shape. An intensity of the light source may be modulated during sweeping, including modulation to zero intensity, to control the pattern of light generated by the sweeping beam.

Abstract: A system of reflectors forms a real or virtual image of an object, and causes the image to float in space inside or outside a vehicle. This real or virtual image may be used as a decorative element in a vehicle. The real or virtual image can also function as an illuminated light for the vehicle, such as a clearance light.

Abstract: A dual-purpose headlight for a vehicle. In one mode of operation, a reflector receives light from at least one light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), and projects the light as a headlight for the vehicle. In another mode of operation, the reflector is used to collect sunlight and reflect the collected sunlight to a solar cell to generate electricity which is stored. In one embodiment, a relative position of the reflector to the solar cell or the light source may be changed during the modes of operation.

Abstract: A multifunction LED headlamp that utilizes a common light source and a plurality of shutter or mask members to produce a plurality of different light beam modes of operation. The plurality of shutter or mask members are generally opaque to occlude or mask light. Each of the plurality of shutter or mask members have at least one edge and the edge of a first one or the plurality of shutter or mask members cooperates with an edge of a second one of the plurality of shutter or mask members to provide or form a generally horizontal opening whose size is varied by pivoting the plurality of shutter or mask members towards or away from each other.

Abstract: A clutch for preventing overloading of a mechanism which adjusts headlamps in a vehicle. A worm gear or driven gear is driven by a worm or driving gear mounted on a flexible shaft. The worm gear or driven gear adjusts a headlamp reflector in one embodiment. When the worm gear or driven gear reaches a limit of rotation, the flexible shaft deflects, thereby causing the worm or driving gear to disengage from the worm gear or driven gear, thereby preventing further rotation of the worm gear or driven gear and possible damage thereto or to other components of the system.

Abstract: A multifunction LED headlamp that utilizes a common light source and a plurality of shutter or mask members to produce a plurality of different light beam modes of operation.

Abstract: An exterior automotive lamp may be formed with LED light sources by efficiently using the available light. The LEDs are arranged in an array to illuminate a central lens to produce the horizontal spread from the central portion of the LED beam. Meanwhile a reflector gathers the more disperse side-emitted portion of the LED beam and directs that light as an outer sheath to form a supplementary portion of the beam. The lamp efficiently provides a beam that may be adapted for highbeam, lowbeam, fog, or signal purposes.

Abstract: A light guide may be made from a plurality of substantially planar, light transmissive arms paralleling and radiating from a common axis. The planar arms in combination define a common cavity extending along the axis sufficiently large to envelope a light source. At least one arm has an input window facing the common cavity, a reflective wall aligned with respect to the common cavity and an input window. Light received from the direction of the common cavity through the input window is generally reflected in an axial direction. The light guide has an output window extending from an intersection point with the reflective wall towards the axis. The plurality of arms is preferably supported on a base.

Abstract: A light guide may be made from a plurality of substantially planar, light transmissive arms paralleling and radiating from a common axis. The planar arms in combination define a common cavity extending along the axis sufficiently large to envelope a light source. At least one arm has an input window facing the common cavity, a reflective wall aligned with respect to the common cavity and an input window. Light received from the direction of the common cavity through the input window is generally reflected in an axial direction. The light guide has an output window extending from an intersection point with the reflective wall towards the axis. The plurality of arms is preferably supported on a base.

Abstract: An exterior automotive lamp may be formed with LED light sources by efficiently using the available light. The LEDs are arranged in an array to illuminate a central lens to produce the horizontal spread from the central portion of the LED beam. Meanwhile a reflector gathers the more disperse side-emitted portion of the LED beam and directs that light as an outer sheath to form a supplementary portion of the beam. The lamp efficiently provides a beam that may be adapted for highbeam, lowbeam, fog, or signal purposes.

Abstract: A lamp assembly with a thin actual dimension providing an image of greater apparent depth may be formed from a light source, reflector and a partially reflective and partially transmissive lens. The mirrored surface is oriented axially to face a field to be illuminated. A partially light reflective and partially light transmissive lens having a first surface faces the reflector. The lens is offset from the mirrored surface, thereby defining a cavity intermediate the reflector and the lens. The mirrored surface and the first surface of the lens are smoothly bowed with respect of one to the other. At least one LED (light emitting diode) light source capable of emitting visible light, is positioned near the cavity and oriented to direct light into the cavity intermediate the reflector and the lens. Because of the bowing, the multiple reflected images are offset inducing an optical illusion of depth.