Patents by Inventor Teruo Koike

Teruo Koike has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070263404
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada
  • Publication number: 20070183167
    Abstract: A vehicle light that includes a semiconductor light emitting device can have a simple structure which suppresses deterioration of the light emitting quality of the device. The vehicle light can be configured to prevent aging and/or deterioration of components, such as a vapor deposited silver coating on the reflection surface of a reflector of the light. The vehicle light can also include a projector type optical unit that has the following components: a semiconductor light emitting device; a reflector which surrounds the semiconductor light emitting device from a rear side such that light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting device is reflected in a forward direction; and a projection lens which projects light being directly from the light emitting device or after reflected by the reflector in the forward direction. Furthermore, a space around the semiconductor light emitting device of the optical unit can be hermetically sealed from the outside atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Teruo KOIKE, Shinya Omori, Mitsuo Yamada, Tatsuya Umeyama
  • Patent number: 7244056
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a light source and a reflector whose first focal position lies in the vicinity of the light source, the reflector preferably includes a concave spheroidal surface that reflects light from the light source frontward. A projection lens can be disposed so that its focal point lies in the vicinity of a second focal position of the reflector in front of the light source, the projection lens including an aspherical convex lens that focuses light from the reflector and that irradiates the light frontward. A shutter can be disposed in the vicinity of the second focal position of the reflector, the shutter forming a cutoff for low light distribution. The shutter can be thickly formed so that it is positioned in front of the focal position of the projection lens, and the shutter can be slanted at an end edge that forms the cutoff so that the shutter becomes lower towards the projection lens in relation to the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Koike, Ken Kagaya, Yoshiaki Akiyama, Masanari Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7232247
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada
  • Publication number: 20060285341
    Abstract: A lamp, an optical module, a vehicle headlight, and a method for controlling a color tone of the same can be configured to ensure visibility of the surroundings of a vehicle on a wet road in rainy weather, in dense fog, and on a snowpacked road, for example. The lamp can include a first LED chip which emits blue light, a second LED chip which emits light with a different color from blue. A wavelength conversion layer can be provided in front of light emitting areas of the first and second LED chips in an emitting direction, and can include a wavelength conversion material. A driving control unit can be configured to drive and control the first and second LED chips. The optical module can be configured to include the lamp along with optical components, such as a reflector. A vehicle headlight can include a plurality of optical modules. The control unit can be configured to control the ratio of light from the first and second LED chips, thereby obtaining light of a desired color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Yasushi YATSUDA, Shinichi KOJIMA, Teruo KOIKE, Yasushi KITA
  • Patent number: 7059755
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada
  • Publication number: 20060120081
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada
  • Publication number: 20060083002
    Abstract: A lighting device can have a simple configuration which can be formed compactly in the direction of its optical axis in particular, and with a light weight. The lighting device can also have a functional, three-dimensional innovative appearance for the sake of enhanced merchantability and novelty. The lighting device can include a light source and a projection lens which is situated so that its source-side focus lies near the light source and its optical axis generally coincides with that of the light source. The projection lens can be a distribution control lens of convex form, having an exit surface shaped aspherically so that the direction of emission is continuously refracted into specified directions with respect to the angle of incidence from the focal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Teruo Koike, Shoichi Bamba, Ryotaro Owada
  • Publication number: 20060071222
    Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the related art emit light in all directions, LED lamps can emit light in a single direction, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp can include an LED chip 2 in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and a shielding member 7 covering a portion of the LED chip 2 in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip 2 is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens 10 or the like constituting the projection means. Accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 7019334
    Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the prior art emit light in all directions, LED lamps emit light in a single direction only, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. The present invention realizes an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp disposing an LED chip 2 in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and providing a shielding member 7 covering a portion of the LED chip 2 in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip 2 is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens 10 or the like constituting the projection means; accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
  • Publication number: 20060022211
    Abstract: An LED lamp can be used as a light source of a lighting device. The LED lamp can be combined with a reflecting mirror formed as a paraboloid of revolution, to obtain desired light distribution characteristics, as with a conventional light source. The emission surface of the LED lamp for the light source of the lighting device can be rectangular, and the ratio between a short side and a long side thereof is set in a range of 1:2 to 1:6. Therefore, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern similar to that of a filament, which is conventionally used as an emission source. It is also possible to use almost all light emitted from the LED lamp as illumination light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Ryotaro Owada
  • Patent number: 6976775
    Abstract: In vehicle lamps from the prior art using LED lamps as a light source, the insufficiency of quantity of light obtainable from the light source has made it difficult for headlamps and other illuminating lamps to be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruo Koike
  • Publication number: 20050088853
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light source modules each having an LED as a light source, and optical systems for distributing light from each of the light source modules frontward toward predetermined areas or predetermined patterns that are different from each other and which make up a light distribution pattern. Each of the optical systems can be optimized to emit light to a predetermined area, and each of the light source modules' LEDs can be optimally arranged for each of the corresponding optical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Takashi Futami, Ryotaro Owada
  • Publication number: 20050041434
    Abstract: A light source apparatus for vehicle lamps and particularly vehicle headlights can include a plurality of LED elements mounted in a cavity located on a base surface or on a base. Each of the LED elements can be arranged in such a manner as to form an emission shape and a brightness distribution that is suited for a light distribution pattern, and especially a light distribution pattern for vehicle headlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto
  • Publication number: 20050018440
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a light source and a reflector whose first focal position lies in the vicinity of the light source, the reflector preferably includes a concave spheroidal surface that reflects light from the light source frontward. A projection lens can be disposed so that its focal point lies in the vicinity of a second focal position of the reflector in front of the light source, the projection lens including an aspherical convex lens that focuses light from the reflector and that irradiates the light frontward. A shutter can be disposed in the vicinity of the second focal position of the reflector, the shutter forming a cutoff for low light distribution. The shutter can be thickly formed so that it is positioned in front of the focal position of the projection lens, and the shutter can be slanted at an end edge that forms the cutoff so that the shutter becomes lower towards the projection lens in relation to the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Teruo Koike, Ken Kagaya, Yoshiaki Akiyama, Masanari Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20040251469
    Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the prior art emit light in all directions, LED lamps emit light in a single direction only, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. The present invention realizes an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp disposing an LED chip 2 in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and providing a shielding member 6 covering a portion of the LED chip 2 in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip 2 is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens 10 or the like constituting the projection means; accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
  • Publication number: 20040223338
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light sources and reflective surfaces in various combinations. Each light source can include at least one LED array that includes or consists of LED chips arranged in a row. Each reflective surface can be arranged in combination with a light source to generate a certain light distribution pattern. Two to twelve or more such combinations of light sources and reflective surfaces can be employed. The lights having light distribution patterns generated from the combinations can be combined to form an overall light distribution pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Teruo Koike, Yasushi Yatsuda
  • Publication number: 20040213014
    Abstract: In vehicle lamps from the prior art using LED lamps as a light source, the insufficiency of quantity of light obtainable from the light source has made it difficult for headlamps and other illuminating lamps to be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Teruo Koike
  • Patent number: 6700316
    Abstract: A projector type lamp can include a projection lens formed by combining together projection lens elements obtained by processing a plurality of projection lenses that can be substantially identical in optical axis center Z, focal length, and focal point, yet different in outer diameter. The projection lens can appear substantially rectangular when viewed in an optical axis direction. Boundary portions between the plurality of processed projection lens elements can be composed of a line connecting points of intersection between a contour line of the projection lens and a line defining a part of each unprocessed projection lens element at which thickness is substantially zero. The lens surfaces of the processed projection lens elements can be continuous with one another through stepped portions that are parallel to the optical axis of the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Taniuchi, Teruo Koike
  • Publication number: 20020135280
    Abstract: A projector type lamp can include a projection lens formed by combining together projection lens elements obtained by processing a plurality of projection lenses that can be substantially identical in optical axis center Z, focal length, and focal point, yet different in outer diameter. The projection lens can appear substantially rectangular when viewed in an optical axis direction. Boundary portions between the plurality of processed projection lens elements can be composed of a line connecting points of intersection between a contour line of the projection lens and a line defining a part of each unprocessed projection lens element at which thickness is substantially zero. The lens surfaces of the processed projection lens elements can be continuous with one another through stepped portions that are parallel to the optical axis of the projection lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Hitoshi Taniuchi, Teruo Koike