Abstract: An automotive lamp device includes a metal lamp housing having an opening for passing light therethrough, an electric-discharge lamp accommodated in the lamp housing to provide a required amount of light to be emitted by the lamp device, a lens having a series of modified prisms or ridges that bend the light beam generated by the discharge lamp into a desired pattern, a finisher disposed in an inner perimeter section other than a main lens section of the lens, for preventing propagation of the light beams through a section other than the main lens section of the lens. The finisher is made of metal and, in addition, electromagnetic shielding is employed in the lens for preventing undesirable electromagnetic radiation noise generated by the discharge lamp from leaking through the lens to the exterior of the lamp housing, while allowing the required amount of light to pass through the lens.

Abstract: In a discharge head lamp assembly for a vehicle, a lamp housing has a front face which is formed therein with an opening. A discharge lamp is arranged within the lamp housing. An inner lens is also arranged within the lamp housing at a location in front of the discharge lamp for converging a light from the discharge lamp. An outer lens made of a resinous material converges the opening in the front face of the housing. The outer lens transmits therethrough the light from the inner lens to guide the light to the outside. A reflecting film is formed on a face of the inner lens adjacent to the discharge lamp for reflecting ultraviolet rays from the dishcharge lamp.

Abstract: A headlamp for a motor vehicle comprises a power unit including an inverter, a starting circuit connected to the inverter, an electric discharge lamp bulb connected to the starting circuit, and a shell for holding the starting circuit and the electric discharge lamp bulb. A lens and a cap are fixedly mounted to the shell at the front and rear open ends thereof, respectively. The shell and the cap are coated with a metal film to provide shielding from radio noise due to high frequency pulses.

Abstract: A lighting device for an electric discharge lamp comprises an LC series resonant circuit, and control means for controlling an inverter circuit. Immediately after the occurrence of a dielectric breakdown in the electric discharge lamp. AC voltage with a relatively low frequency is applied to the lamp so as to pass a heavy current therethrough. Subsequently, the frequency is increased stepwise by a relatively small variation until a terminal voltage of the electric discharge lamp reaches a predetermined value. Thereafter, the frequency is increased stepwise by a relatiely large variation until the electric discharge lamp assumes a discharge stable state.

Abstract: A combination lamp includes a first light and a second light. The first light includes a discharge lamp and serves to generate light. The second light serves to generate light and also heat, and thereby serves to heat the discharge lamp. Accordingly, the second light can preheat the discharge lamp. This preheating allows the discharge lamp to produce adequate luminous energy immediately when the discharge lamp is turned on.

Abstract: A blind is disposed ahead of a reflector to intercept light of a low-beam bulb to prevent dazzle or glare to oncoming traffic. At least a portion of the blind is made of a translucent material having a low translucency such as translucent ceramics, ground glass, or the like. The blind may be partially coated with a black paint so as to have a translucent portion extending along an upper edge and an opaque portion coated with the paint.

Abstract: A system for controlling the power supply to an automotive vehicle lamp in which two switch means are connected in series with each other, an interior room lamp in the vehicle compartment, and the power supply, i.e., a vehicle battery, one switch means being closed when a detachable back door is open and open when the back door is closed and the other switch means being open when the back door is detached from the vehicle body. Therefore, the interior room lamp is turned off when the back door is detached even though the first switch means is closed. Consequently, wasteful power drain on the vehicle battery can be avoided when the back door is detached.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle body consists of a body shell detachable to form an opening in the vehicle body. A first stoplight is installed to the body shell and capable of lighting when the body shell is located in position. A second stoplight is installed inside a roof section and to a roll bar of the vehicle body, so that braking of this vehicle can be immediately and clearly signalled to succeeding automotive vehicles even in a state in which the body shell is detached from its position.

Abstract: A desiccant pack is disposed in an automotive lamp unit to adsorb moisture therein. In order to tightly support the pack and protect the same from direct heat emitted from an electric bulb, a heat shielding plate is arranged in the lamp unit. The plate is formed with a plurality of lugs for gripping the pack and is located between the pack and the electric bulb.