With Or Including Means Modifying Axial Rays Patents (Class 362/305)
  • Patent number: 6926435
    Abstract: An illumination engine for a projection display using light emitting diodes (LEDs) that includes a reflector having a first and second focal points, a source of electro-luminescence located proximate to the first focal point to emit rays of radiation in a first range of wavelengths that reflect from the reflector and converge substantially at the second focal point, and a light pipe having an first input end and a first output end, the first input end being located proximate to the second focal point to collect substantially all of the radiation and wherein the first output end transmits substantially all of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Wavien, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Patent number: 6910791
    Abstract: A headlight having an ellipse group reflecting surface as a main reflecting surface and a projection lens further includes a second reflecting surface, a third reflecting surface, and a ring-shaped lens. Direct light from a light source reaching to a space between the main reflecting surface and the projection lens is reflected by the second reflecting surface backward. The reflected light from the second reflecting surface is further reflected by the third reflecting surface, and then is adjusted with the ring-shaped lens. Light directly emitted from the light source and being ineffective in the conventional headlight can be collected using the second and third reflecting surfaces, and forwarded in an illumination direction by passing through the ring-shape lens such that the shape of the light is controlled to provide an appropriate shape, thereby contributing to the formation of light distribution characteristics and increase in the light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 6899451
    Abstract: The optical system for the Fresnel lens light has an ellipsoidal reflector (1), a light source (2) and a Fresnel lens (3). The distance (a) between the Fresnel lens (3) and the reflector (1) is changeable but is related to the changeable distance (b) between the light source (2) and the reflector (1) so that the aperture angle of the propagated light beam is variable but illumination intensity of the propagated light is maintained uniform. Surfaces of the at least one Fresnel lens and/or the reflector can be structured to provide more uniform illumination of a given area. The optical system is useful for lights for film, stage, studio and photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Ruediger Kittelmann, Harry Wagener
  • Patent number: 6854864
    Abstract: An optical device for increasing the brightness of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source by folding the electromagnetic radiation back on itself. The source of electromagnetic radiation has a first width, a first input end of a first light pipe has a second width, and a second input end of a second light pipe has a third width. An output end of the first light pipe may be reflective; while an output end of the second light pipe may be transmissive. The source is located substantially proximate to a first focal point of a reflector to produce rays of radiation that reflect from the reflector and substantially converge at a second focal point; and the input ends of the first and second light pipes are located proximate to the second focal point to collect the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Patent number: 6851835
    Abstract: A light assembly is configured to produce a large area of light emission from an LED light source. The LED light source is mounted within a concave reflector and oriented to face the rear of the reflector. A compound reflecting surface diverts axial light from the LED away from the axis of the reflector to avoid blockage by the LED support structure. A peripheral reflecting surface redirects the diverted light. The LED light source may be a linear array of LEDs aligned with a linear focal axis of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Smith, Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: 6834984
    Abstract: A UV curing lamp is provided which includes a curved and reflective surface which may be a cold mirror and may redirect incident UV light toward a band-pass filter. The UV light may be reflected by the curved, reflective surface and transmitted through the band-pass filter whereas the IR and visible light may pass through the curved, reflective surface. The UV, IR, and visible light reflected by shutters and direct UV, IR, and visible light from the lamp are separated by the band-pass filter which transmits the UV light and reflects the IR and visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Delaware Captial Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Tausch, Charles Alexander
  • Patent number: 6758582
    Abstract: 9A light emitting diode (LED) lighting device includes a concave mirror and a convex mirror having a diameter less than a diameter of the concave mirror. The convex mirror is positioned to face the concave mirror and is fixed to the concave mirror. An LED array is fixed to the concave mirror between the concave mirror and the convex mirror. The LED array faces the convex mirror such that light emitted by the LED array reflects off of the convex mirror. A power supply is provided for powering the LED array. Light emitted by the LED array is reflected from the convex mirror onto the concave mirror, and then reflected by the concave mirror to exit the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Elumina Technology Incorporation
    Inventors: Ya-Kuang Hsiao, Ching-Chi Shaw
  • Patent number: 6736533
    Abstract: A projector-type vehicular headlamp including a shade partially blocking light reflected by a reflector and a visor-like shield plate attached on the back of the shade. The shade has an opening near the upper edge so as to allow a light distribution pattern to be formed for overhead sign illumination by the light radiated forward through the opening. The visor-like shield plate extends obliquely downward from between the upper edge of the shade and the opening, thus allowing only the reflected light from the lower reflecting area of the reflecting surface to be directed to reach the opening of the shade, and preventing light flux of an overhead sign illuminating light from becoming excessively bright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Matsumoto, Naoki Uchida, Satoshi Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20030202349
    Abstract: A light source device has a light shielding member having an aperture, a light source arranged on one side of the light shielding member, and a converging member arranged relatively with respect to the light source and the light source to thereby converge light emitted from the light source in the aperture or in a vicinity of the aperture. Another type of light source device has a single light source, and a converging member for converging light from the light source to thereby distribute the light to at least two points. Still another type of light source device has a light source, and a reflecting mirror arranged to enclose a side of a light emission direction of the light source, the reflecting mirror reflecting light emitted from the light source in a direction except the light source so that the light is radiated outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Suehiro, Yuji Takahashi, Takemasa Yasukawa, Hideaki Kato, Hideki Omoya, Hideyuki Nakano, Hisao Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6619820
    Abstract: An optical coupling element for use in large numerical aperture collecting and condensing systems. The optical coupling element includes a lens having a curved surface and a tapered light pipe. The curved surface reduces the angle of incidence of the light striking the input end of the optical coupling element such that the Fresnel reflection is greatly reduced. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source is collected and focused onto a target by positioning the source of electromagnetic radiation at a first focal point of a first reflector so that the source produces rays of radiation reflected from the first reflector that converge at a second focal point of the second reflector. The optical coupling element is positioned so that a center of the lens is substantially proximate with the second focal point of the second reflector and the curved surface is between the second reflector and the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Patent number: 6619827
    Abstract: A headlamp arrangement designed and configured to slow light-and-shade changes in a light-and-shade boundary portion of a light distribution. A vehicle headlamp 1 includes a reflector 2 having a substantially spheroidal reflective surface 2a, a light source 3 disposed at a first focal position F1 of the reflector, a projection lens 4 that forwardly projects the light reflected from the reflector 2 and that is disposed in front of the light source, a cutline-forming shade 5 whose upper edge 5a is disposed substantially at the focal position f of the projection lens, and a dimmer shade 6 whose front end portion 6a is positioned closer to the reflective surface than it is to the second focal point F2 of the reflector. The dimmer shade is disposed above the optical axis x—x of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Uchida
  • Patent number: 6585397
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to effectively utilize the light rays emitted from a light source lamp 1, and, for accomplishing this object, a reflector 2 is made up of a first parabolic reflector 3 designed for reflecting light rays coming from the light source lamp 1 to be outputted as light rays parallel to the optical axis 6, second parabolic reflector 4 designed for reflecting light rays coming from the light source lamp 1 as outwardly inclined parallel light rays, and circular truncated conic reflector 5 for reflecting light rays coming from the second parabolic reflector 4 and outputted as light rays parallel to the optical axis 6. In this fashion, light rays which cannot be outputted due to being in the shadow of the spherical light source lamp can be outputted as light rays parallel to the optical axis 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventor: Naoki Ebiko
  • Publication number: 20030112637
    Abstract: A method of designing a reflective surface of a reflector used in a vehicle lamp includes a first base curve generating step of generating a first base curve Q; a second base curve generating step of generating a plurality of second base curves R; and a surface shape generating step of generating a surface shape of the reflective surface RS, based on the first base curve and the plurality of second base curves, wherein the first base curve generating step includes repeating a step of generating one partial curve Qi and thereafter generating a subsequent partial curve Qi+1 so as to be connected to the partial curve, thereby generating one first base curve Q consisting of a plurality of partial curves Qi connected to each other, and wherein each partial curve Q1 is generated based on a shape parameter according thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawashima, Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Patent number: 6572246
    Abstract: In order to develop a lighting apparatus having a light source unit which has at least one light source and a first reflector, and having at least one optical element, with the light which is emitted from the light source being focused by the first reflector to form a light beam which can be influenced by the optical element further, in such a manner that the type of structure, in particular the diameter of the light outlet openings of the lamp housing, does not restrict the optical elements which can be used, said apparatus has a reflector unit having a second reflector and having a concave third reflector, with the concave third reflector having an opening for the light beam and the light beam being reflected by the second reflector onto the third reflector, and with the optical element being arranged between the light source unit and the reflector unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventors: Armin Hopp, Dirk Bertelmann
  • Patent number: 6565235
    Abstract: An optical device for increasing the brightness of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source by folding the electromagnetic radiation back on itself. The source of electromagnetic radiation has a first width, a first input end of a first light pipe has a second width, and a second input end of a second light pipe has a third width. An output end of the first light pipe may be reflective, while an output end of the second light pipe may be transmissive. The source is located substantially proximate to a first focal point of a first reflector to produce rays of radiation that reflect from the first reflector to a second reflector and substantially converge at a second focal point; and the input ends of the first and second light pipes are located proximate to the second focal point to collect the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Patent number: 6558032
    Abstract: In the conventional lighting equipment for vehicle using LED lamp, as the LED lamp irradiation angle is narrow, an optical irregularity making the luminescent surface spotted is generated, resulting in a feeling of wrongness of the viewer. Means to Solve the Problem. A LED lighting equipment 1 for vehicle of the present invention, comprising at least one light emitting unit 3 wherein an LED lamp 2 is disposed approximately at the focus of one hyperboloid, a reflection surface of hyperboloid 4 defined by the other hyperboloid comprising a transmission portion 4a disposed in an appropriate range near the optical axis is arranged in the LED lamp 2 optical axial direction, and a refection surface of paraboloid of revolution 5 having the approximate focus at the focus of said the other hyperboloid focus is arranged at the side of said LED lamp 2, allows to enlarge the irradiation angle at the reflection surface of hyperboloid 4, and to emit light in a larger area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kondo, Hidetaka Okada
  • Patent number: 6547422
    Abstract: An illuminating module includes a first reflector having a curved first reflector surface, a reflector opening and a first focal point, and a light source disposed in the first reflector at the first focal point. A second reflector is mounted on a surrounding edge of the first reflector to configure the opening with shielded and unshielded portions, and has a second reflector surface facing the first reflector surface. A portion of the light rays from the light source which radiates toward the first reflector and which is reflected thereby toward the shielded portion is reflected by the second reflector surface back to the light source so as to be able to combine with the light rays that are reflected by the first reflector for passage through the unshielded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Prokia Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Tung Tiao, Fu-Ming Chuang
  • Patent number: 6513956
    Abstract: A lamp housing assembly as provided which includes a lamp housing and a shield. The shield includes a first portion which extends into the cavity of the lamp housing and a second portion which extends out of the lamp housing. The first portion extends to a blocking end adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lamp disposed within the lamp housing cavity. The second portion includes an attachment end coupled to the lamp housing external of the lamp housing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania LLC
    Inventors: Roger A. Schaefer, Eric A. Roth
  • Publication number: 20030012023
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including light sources, a reflective mirror for effecting desired light distribution by reflecting light emitted from the light sources and a lens disposed in front of the reflective mirror. In the vehicle lamp, the reflective mirror has a dummy portion which makes no contribution to effecting light distribution and is exposed to the outside through the lens, and an indicative mark for identifying the lighting device is formed integrally with the dummy portion. As the indicative mark can be visually recognized from the outside through the lens, the indicative mark needed not be formed on the lens. When lighting devices having different light distribution characteristics are provided, it is only needed to produce reflective mirrors respectively having corresponding indicative marks and the rest of the parts including the lens and the lamp body can be provided for common use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Shinichi Mochizuki, Susumu Kakidaira
  • Publication number: 20020114158
    Abstract: An illuminating apparatus includes a lighting unit, first and second reflectors, and an integrator. The lighting unit includes a plurality of lighting members that are spaced apart from each other and that are operable so as to produce forwardly directed parallel light rays. The first reflector is disposed in front of the lighting unit, and has a central region formed with an opening, and a peripheral region around the central region and formed with a first reflecting surface that confronts the lighting unit and that reflects the forwardly directed parallel light rays from the lighting members to converge rearwardly. The second reflector is disposed behind the first reflector and is registered with the central region of the first reflector. The second reflector is formed with a second reflecting surface that faces the opening such that the light rays reflected from the first reflecting surface are further reflected by the second reflecting surface so as to pass through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: PROKIA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fu-Ming Chuang
  • Patent number: 6402355
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp for low-beam illumination with a light distribution pattern having a horizontal cutoff line and a diagonal cutoff line so as to improve long distance visibility on the road on which the vehicle is traveling. An upward deflecting reflecting element for irradiating a beam onto a space in an area above a diagonal cutoff line is formed at the outer peripheral edge of the diagonal cutoff line forming area on a reflecting surface of a reflector. As a result, a small light distribution pattern P1 exhibiting high luminous intensity is formed in a space in the area above the diagonal cutoff line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kinouchi
  • Publication number: 20020051362
    Abstract: An optical device for increasing the brightness of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source and coupled into a target by folding the electromagnetic radiation back on itself. The optical device includes the source of electromagnetic radiation, which has a first width; a first light pipe with a first input end and a reflective end, the first input end having a second width; a second light pipe disposed parallel to the first light pipe, the second light pipe further having a second input end juxtaposed to the first input end of the first light pipe and an output end, the second input end having a third width; a first reflector having a first optical axis and a first focal point on the first optical axis; and a second reflector having a second optical axis and a second focal point on the second optical axis disposed substantially symmetrically to the first reflector such that the first optical axis is substantially collinear with the second optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Publication number: 20020039293
    Abstract: An optical coupling element for use in large numerical aperture collecting and condensing systems. The optical coupling element includes a lens having a curved surface and a tapered light pipe. The curved surface reduces the angle of incidence of the light striking the input end of the optical coupling element such that the Fresnel reflection is greatly reduced. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source is collected and focused onto a target by positioning the source of electromagnetic radiation at a first focal point of a first reflector so that the source produces rays of radiation reflected from the first reflector that converge at a second focal point of the second reflector. The optical coupling element is positioned so that a center of the lens is substantially proximate with the second focal point of the second reflector and the curved surface is between the second reflector and the center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Patent number: 6364514
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp fixture, such as an indicator lamp, having an improved external appearance and originality. Diffusion lens elements are arranged at predetermined positions offset from a lamp fixture optical axis of an inner lens. The lens element optical axes of the diffusion lens elements pass through a boundary that divides the reflective surface of a reflector into an inner peripheral area and an outer peripheral area, each of which approaches a paraboloid of revolution centered on the lamp fixture optical axis. The reflective surface is formed as a curved surface curving forward of the paraboloid of revolution P. Light from a filament is irradiated as convergent light in a radial direction onto the diffusion lens elements, causing the diffusion lens elements to shine brightly and causing an image of the filament to appear reflected at central positions of the diffusion lens elements when seen from the front of the lamp fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Natsume
  • Publication number: 20020024808
    Abstract: A light source device has a light shielding member having an aperture, a light source arranged on one side of the light shielding member, and a converging member arranged relatively with respect to the light source and the light source to thereby converge light emitted from the light source in the aperture or in a vicinity of the aperture. Another type of light source device has a single light source, and a converging member for converging light from the light source to thereby distribute the light to at least two points. Still another type of light source device has a light source, and a reflecting mirror arranged to enclose a side of a light emission direction of thelightsource, the reflecting mirror reflecting light emitted from the light source in a direction except the light source so that the light is radiated outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Suehiro, Yuji Takahashi, Takemasa Yasukawa, Hideaki Kato, Hideki Omoya, Hideyuki Nakano, Hisao Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6334699
    Abstract: A light pattern controller provides a pattern of light to a collimator. The light pattern controller includes a beam deflector that sweeps a circular pattern with a radius that is directly proportional to the rotational speed of the beam deflector. Alternatively, the light pattern controller includes a two-dimensional scanning galvanometer that sweeps out the circular pattern or a liquid crystal shutter. The pattern of light is collimated and reflected such that it is substantially parallel to the optical axis of an imaging system. A focusing element redirects the collimated light pattern onto a sample part at an angle of incidence which is a function of the radius of the light column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Paul G. Gladnick
  • Patent number: 6332701
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is disclosed that includes plural light sources located on a printed wiring board. A first reflection structure reflects light from the light sources to a light emitting surface, and a second reflection structure reflects light reflected from the first reflection structure in an illuminating direction of the vehicle lamp. The construction of the lamp's first and the second reflection structures permits the light emitting surface of the vehicle lamp to shine uniformly. Accordingly, the number of the light sources required is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Company
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yamada, Hisashi Ohmachi
  • Patent number: 6318885
    Abstract: A method and system for condensing and collecting electromagnetic radiation comprised generally of a radiation source, a reflector and a target is disclosed. The reflector has a reflecting surface for reflecting the radiation from the source which is in the shape of a cut out portion of an ellipsoid. The reflector surface has a substantially ellipsoidal curvature which is concave relative to both the target and the source, and which has a major axis, a minor axis, and a first and second focal points. The system of the present invention redirects radiation emitted from the source, located near the first focal point of the ellipsoid, to produce a magnified image of the source at the target, located near the second focal point of the ellipsoid. To acheive this spot size magnification, the ellipsoidal reflector surface comprises a portion of an ellipsoid which lies between the major and minor axes of the ellipsoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Li, Chingfa Chen, Marvin Okino
  • Patent number: 6286979
    Abstract: An optical integrating cavity supplies light or other radiant energy through a port to a deflector. The deflector coupled to the port may form a “fan” extending along one side or around all or part of the circumference of the cavity. Preferred embodiments use principles of constructive occlusion (diffuse reflectivity in a mask and cavity structure) together with the port and deflector structure. The cavity and mask serve as the optical integrating cavity. The constructive occlusion provides a tailored intensity distribution for radiant energy illuminating a first region; whereas the integrating cavity, port and deflector distribute another portion of the electromagnetic energy over a second field of intended illumination. The first and second areas illuminated may overlap slightly, or one may include the other, but preferably most of the two areas are separate. In some cases, the system configuration creates a dead zone between the two regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr., Matthew Brown
  • Patent number: 6288408
    Abstract: An infrared countermeasures system is provided by ganging a plurality of modulators each of which modulates the output of a radiant source to generate at least one collimated beam of radiation. The modulators are so disposed with respect to each other that the beams generated the reby are staggered in angular phase. When the modulators are rotated together they will provide at a point in space remote therefrom a signal comprising a burst of pulses followed by a dead time when no signal is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignees: BAE Systems Information, Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Hector R. Durocher, John R. Kreick
  • Patent number: 6238072
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp having a clear front lens, a light bulb and a shade that covers a forward portion of the light bulb. The shade is provided with a radiation opening and a shading portion; and the shading portion is formed so as to prevent the light rays emitted from the light bulb from radiating to the front of the light bulb through the radiation opening, thus preventing a glare light and decreasing the temperature of an area around the light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toyozo Eto
  • Patent number: 6200006
    Abstract: Diffusing reflector elements 14s are assigned respectively to a plurality of sector segments S centering on the optical axis Ax of reflector 14; the surface geometry of each diffusing reflector element 14s is set as a convex curved surface referenced to a paraboloid of revolution P which, among a plurality of paraboloids of revolution P having different focal lengths that center on the optical axis Ax with a common focus F lying at a single point on the optical axis, passes the edge of a side a closer to the optical axis of the sector segment S to which said diffusing reflector element 14s is to be assigned on a free curved surface Cf. As a result, the diffusing reflected light from each diffusing reflector element 14s can be controlled in diffusion with reference to the direction of the optical axis Ax and, in addition, when the lighting device is lit up and viewed right from the front, the entire part of the reflective surface 14a is visible and can be seen bright although in a discrete manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Natsume, Mitsuru Kubota
  • Patent number: 6190023
    Abstract: Luminaires intended to deliver maximal light flux to a playing field with improved uniformity, the invention provides primary reflector structures having shaped facets, the several reflectors being capable of maximizing lumen delivery onto the playing field when considered relative to economy of manufacture. In certain embodiments of the invention, a shielding device or flux manager is employed for producing target extinctions by management of flux to precisely pass flux nearby original arc and through a second bounce off the reflector structure to direct that flux back into the beam. A virtual arc is thus produced in proximity to the original arc with the virtual arc acting as a second source. The flux manager acts to reduce glare and “spill” light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin F. Leadford, Jeffrey Mansfield Quinlan
  • Patent number: 6170970
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp having a clear front lens, light bulb and a shade that covers a front portion of the light bulb, in which the shade has an octagonal cylindrical portion, and slits extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion are formed in the ridges formed by adjacent flat surfaces that constitute the octagonal cylindrical shape of the cylindrical portion, thus allowing heat generated by the light bulb to be released out of the shade, preventing a glare light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toyozo Eto
  • Patent number: 6168293
    Abstract: A reflector lamp (10) has a forward parabolic section (58) and a rear concave section (60), which may be parabolic, ellipsoidal, or spherical. A light source (24), such as the filament of a halogen lamp, is axially aligned with the axis of the reflector (LA) and is centered at the focal point of the forward and rear sections. The parabolic forward section is fluted to spread the light reflected therefrom smoothly in a beam of light, minimizing the center hot spot. The rear section, which is not fluted, directs the light reflected therefrom within the desired beam angle, resulting in little wasted light being emitted outside the desired beam angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Laszlo Viktor Lieszkovszky, Ludwig Skilskyj, Edward Joseph Collins, Jacob Brann
  • Patent number: 6120166
    Abstract: A filter IR spectral analyzer has a highly efficient compact imaging optical collector having a first concave reflector of ellipsoidal design or shape, having a light source at one of its foci and a second concave reflector of spherical design which has its focus at the center of the light source. The light emitted from the source that strikes the ellipsoidal primary mirror converges to a second focal point located in an exit aperture in the center of the second reflector. The light that does not strike the ellipsoidal primary mirror reflects off the secondary mirror and returns to the source for reabsorption and re-emission. Compactness is achieved for multi radius versions by the use of a segmental spherical secondary mirror with each facet being radiused with its origin at the source so that all act together as though they were one large spherical mirror. Four possible configurations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Janos Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Price
  • Patent number: 6068392
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight is disclosed which has a lamp body having a open front end closed by a lens to define a lighting chamber, and a light source with a reflector mounted in the lighting chamber. Also disposed in the lighting chamber is a reflector extension of approximately tubular shape interposed between the reflector and the lens for concealing the gaps between the reflector and the lamp body. The reflector extension has a mounting fin extending upwardly therefrom which is frictionally engaged between the lamp body and the lens, thereby dispensing with fasteners. Extending downwardly from the reflector extension, another mounting fin may be screwed to either the lens or the lamp body because the screws under the reflector extension are hardly visible from outside the headlight in its use on a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumito Ohtaki, Kenichi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6050705
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle headlight having a light emitter for emitting light and a reflector for reflecting light in a generally convergent manner. The headlight also includes a lens for passage therethrough of light reflected from the reflector. The vehicle headlight further includes a peripheral light enhancing member disposed relative to the lens for receiving at least a portion of the light exiting the headlight without passing through the lens, the peripheral light enhancing member generally following the trace of at least a portion of the outer periphery of the lens and forming a pass through portion through which light may pass substantially without alteration thereof, and the peripheral light enhancing member having the characteristic to permit at least a portion of the light emitted by the light emitter to pass therethrough and having the characteristic to permit at least a portion of light falling on the headlight from outside of the headlight to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kusserow, Heike Eichler
  • Patent number: 6036335
    Abstract: A housing holds embedded in arrayed order along an axis (i) a conical first omni-directional reflector, (ii) a directional second reflector and a second LED, (iii) a directional first reflector and a first LED, and (iv) a conical second omni-directional reflector. Light from the first (second) LED as is in part reflected by the directional first (second) reflector is omni-directionally dispersed by the first (second) omni-directional reflector. All reflectors optionally serve as electrical connections to the LED's. A linear light constructed as a chain of these omni-directional LED lamps wired in electrical parallel may be easily cut to length. Other two and three-dimensional omni-directionally-illuminating lighting fixtures are possible, such as in the shape of crosses and stars and the six-pointed metal object used in the game of jacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Renato M. Openiano
  • Patent number: 6017138
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp has a discharge lamp, a reflector and a smooth or nearly smooth cover lens, the reflector being adapted to generate a beam below a cut-off line. At least two masks are associated with the discharge lamp, and define two shadow zones on the reflector; the reflector includes at least two reflective zones for forming portions of the beam below the cut-off line, with different amounts of sideways spreading of the light; and these zones of the reflector are separated by generally radial transition planes, at least some of which extend into the shadow zones. A particular application is to enable wide cruising beams to be produced to European standards without any optical anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Benoit Reiss, Jean-Pierre Aynie
  • Patent number: 5927849
    Abstract: A compact coupling arrangement between a light source and a plurality of light distribution harnesses includes a plurality of reflector members arranged around the light source with respective focal points of the reflector members positioned substantially coincident with the light source, so as to receive light from the source and reflect the light away from the source. Further included is a plurality of light coupling members, each having an inlet and an outlet surface for receiving light originating from the light source and transmitting light, respectively. A plurality of light distribution harnesses is provided for respectively receiving light from the light coupling members. The light coupling members each comprise a lens having a negative curvature in at least one direction generally transverse to a main light transmission axis therethrough, for receiving light at a first angular distribution and transmitting light at a reduced angular distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William J. Cassarly, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
  • Patent number: 5902039
    Abstract: A projector type headlamp comprises expansion reflecting mirrors having an elliptic reflecting surface which has a first focus where a light source is provided and a second focus close to a projection lens and which is provided above a horizontal line passing through an optical center line between a main reflecting mirror and the projection lens and an auxiliary reflecting mirror having a parabolic reflecting surface which has a focus where the light source is provided and which is provided outside the projection lens. The width of a light distribution is expanded by the expansion reflecting mirrors and a spot high-illuminance portion is generated in the light distribution by the auxiliary reflecting mirror to expand a field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 5860723
    Abstract: A light engine including a lamp casing having a tubular light pipe receptacle. A large core optic light pipe extends from outside the light engine into the tubular receptacle. The light pipe has an inner end supported in the tubular receptacle. Two half-ellipsoidal reflector dishes are joined to form a single ellipsoidal reflector within the casing. A lamp is supported within the casing adjacent a first focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector. The reflector is positioned to focus light energy from the lamp onto a second focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector. A quartz thermal barrier is disposed in the tubular receptacle between the lamp and the light pipe inner end. The thermal barrier has an outer end surface optically coupled to the light pipe and an inner end surface disposed adjacent the second focal point of the reflector to receive convergent light emitted from the lamp and reflected from the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Transmatic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben V. Domas, Alvin D. McCauley
  • Patent number: 5727874
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a reflection mirror, a front lens, and a light source arranged between the reflection mirror and the front lens in such a manner that the central axis of the light source is perpendicular to the principal optical axis. The reflection mirror is composed of a reflection surface having a large number of reflection steps which are defined by portions of paraboloids of revolution and are disposed between adjacent ones of lines of intersection obtained between a group of the paraboloids of revolution having different focal distances and a fundamental reflection surface of the reflection surface. Each reflection step is arranged to be extended substantially in the vertical direction, and square lens steps are formed on the front lens. Due to the foregoing, an arrangement tendency with respect to a set of projected images of the light source formed by the reflection step is matched with a section of the lens step on the front lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norimasa Yamamoto, Masahiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 5725298
    Abstract: To provide for improved light distribution of a vehicular headlight furning both depressed-beam and high-beam illumination, a shadow cap (9, 25) partly surrounds a main light source, typically filaments of halogen incandescent lamp, located in a reflector (2) which has two segments (14, 15) of different contours. The first one (14) of the reflector segments is optically associated with the main filament furnishing depressed-beam illumination, and this segment has a free-formed surface reflection contour. A second segment of the reflector is optically associated with an auxiliary filament (8, 18). The shadow cap (9, 25) provides a shadow angle of between 100.degree. and 140.degree. with respect to light emitted from the main filament (7) to define a shadow zone (12) and a light zone (13) on the reflector. The shadow cap is shaped and positioned with respect to the auxiliary filament (8, 18) such that the auxiliary filament is located within the shadow zone (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignees: Hella KG Hueck & Co., Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft f. elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Kalze, Wolfgang Peitz, Rolf Kiesel
  • Patent number: 5718505
    Abstract: A headlight for vehicles has a light source, a reflector having at least two different reflector regions including a first reflector region which reflects a light emitted by the light source as a converging light beam to form low beam and a second reflector region formed so that light emitted by the light source and reflected by the second reflector region together with the light emitted by the light source and reflected by the first reflector region form high beam, a lens arranged after the reflector in a light outlet direction so that at least the light which forms low beam passes through the lens, and a screening device arranged between the reflector and the lens, the screening device having a stationary screening part and a movable screening part, the movable screening part being movable between a position for low beam in which light forming low beam can pass along the movable screening part and a position for high beam in which additionally the light reflected by the second reflector region can pass alon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Daumueller, Karl-Otto Dobler, Rainer Neumann, Frieder Liedtke, Johannes Bertling, Henning Hogrefe, Gerd Bahnmueller, Martin Lampen
  • Patent number: 5709463
    Abstract: A bright bulb with a parabolic or elliptical reflector project light through a duct with internal reflective walls to a liquid crystal display having the same or smaller area than the reflector area. The duct tapers from a circular entrance aperture to a rectangular exit aperture and enhances brightness and uniformity. An IR mirror between the lamp and the duct reflects heat to the lamp. A holographic diffuser at the exit aperture further improves uniformity. The LCD polarizer is mounted on the diffuser and spaced from the liquid crystal cell by an intervening cooling air passage to minimize heating of the cell. The display is suitable for HUD applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Dale James Igram
  • Patent number: 5707141
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp which includes a reflection mirror, a front lens, and a light source arranged between the reflection mirror and the front lens. The central axis of the light source is perpendicular to the principal optical axis of the reflection mirror. On the reflection mirror, there is formed a reflection surface composed of a large number of reflection steps which are defined by portions of paraboloids of revolution and are formed between adjacent ones of closed curves. The closed curves are obtained as lines of intersection between a fundamental reflection surface and a group of paraboloids of revolution composed of a large number of paraboloids of revolution having different focal distances. Centers of the group of closed curves forming the boundaries of the reflection steps are arranged at a position distant from an intersection at which the principal optical axis of the reflection mirror crosses the reflection mirror, and square lens steps are formed on the front lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norimasa Yamamoto, Masahiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 5586015
    Abstract: A sports lighting fixture having improved light delivery characteristics includes an elongated bare arc tube, high intensity discharge lamp disposed near the apex of a parabolically shaped reflector member. The reflector is constructed of a non-metallic material and by the orientation and positioning of the lamp within the reflector, an essentially oval shaped light pattern is generated. A light transmissive cover is disposed over the open end of the reflector. When projected onto the playing surface of a sports field, the oval shaped light pattern translates to an essentially circular shaped pattern which allows for a more uniform and efficient overlapping of the multiple light outputs at the playing field level. Louvers can be disposed within the reflector to further redirect any high angle light output into a lower angle which is more useful at the playing surface level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel L. Baldwin, William D. Freytag, Mitchell M. Osteen
  • Patent number: 5582480
    Abstract: A light assembly for a motor vehicle has a housing and a transparent plate closing off the housing. At least one light-emitting device is positioned in the housing for illuminating the transparent plate. At least one main reflector is positioned in the housing for reflecting light emitted by the light-emitting device to the transparent plate. A prism is positioned in the housing so as to be placed at least partially in the path of the light emitted by the light-emitting device, whereby the prism reflects the light impinging thereon to the main reflector so as to be reflected onto the transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hubert Zwick, Gernot M. Bracht