Refractor Patents (Class 362/308)
  • Patent number: 7540635
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) light source lens for emitting light in a lateral direction. The LED source lens includes an upper part, an upper part and a central part. The upper part includes an upper part reflecting surface bent symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the lens, and an upper part refracting surface extended from the end of the upper part reflecting surface parallel with the central axis. The central part includes a side surface extended from the lower end of the upper part refracting surface and bend inwards, and refracts or reflects light through the side surface. The lower part accommodates the LED light source, and includes an arch-shaped lower part refracting surface extended outwards from the lower end of the side surface of the central part. The light radiated from the LED light source is emitted perpendicular to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Jong Kim, Bum Jin Kim, Ho Seop Jeong
  • Publication number: 20090129109
    Abstract: A headlight reflector (1) comprising: a reflecting wall (10) defining an optical axis (O); a first opening (12) for inserting and positioning a light source (2); a second opening (18) through which the light that has been reflected by the reflecting wall leaves the reflector; and a light mask (14, 15, 16) that blocks the path of a fraction of the light that would otherwise leave via the second opening, the reflector being characterized in that it is made integrally with the light mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Holophane SA
    Inventor: Daniel Goraguer
  • Patent number: 7530710
    Abstract: A color-tunable illumination system for imaging illumination having a tuning means and at least two light sources of different colors. The illumination system comprises a reflector having a reflector contour, the light sources being accommodated in the vicinity of the reflector contour, and a compact diffusing medium accommodated at the focal point of the reflector. The light from the light sources is directed substantially onto the diffusing medium and then, from there, is diffused onto the reflector contour, electronic driving of the light sources making it possible to regulate the intensity of the light sources separately from one another, with the result that the light leaving the reflector can be color-tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH
    Inventors: Dirk Berben, Tim Fiedler, Frank Jermann
  • Publication number: 20090109687
    Abstract: Improved lighting devices and methods are provided. In many embodiments, the devices and methods provide the capability to change a spot of light projected onto a target surface. In other embodiments, the devices and methods are fixed-focus. In one embodiment a lens can have a lens body with anterior and posterior surfaces. The anterior surface can be adapted to receive light from a light source. The posterior surface can have a central portion and a peripheral portion. Some of the light from the light source can pass through the lens body and exit the central portion of the posterior surface via refraction. Some of the light from the light source can pass through the lens body and exit the peripheral portion of the posterior surface via both refraction and reflection at various surfaces of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: FRAEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: John R. Householder, Lawrence H. Boxler
  • Publication number: 20090091936
    Abstract: An improved focal point projection light signal device having a single point light source, a Fresnel lens, and a reflective beam concentrator having a spherical reflective surface located to the rear of the light source. The single point light source is positioned at the focal point of the Fresnel lens such that light emitted toward the Fresnel lens is refracted into a concentrated beam pattern that is projected from the front of the lens. The reflective surface of the beam concentrator is spherically concave and is positioned such that light emitted to the rear of the light bulb is reflected back through the lens focal point and out through the Fresnel lens. The overall diameter of the reflective beam concentrator is significantly smaller than the diameter of the Fresnel lens such that reflection of extraneous light sources that may produce phantom signal indications is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: George H. Koester
  • Patent number: 7513665
    Abstract: A headlamp module for a motor vehicle. The module includes a light source and a translucent member for internally reflecting the light rays so as to be directed. In one aspect of the invention, the light source is discretely positioned adjacent to a periphery defined by the exit surface so as to be directly hidden from view from the front of the vehicle. In another aspect, an outer surface of the light source is directly supported by the translucent member so that light rays emitted through an outer surface of the light source directly enter the translucent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Edwin M. Sayers, Christopher L. Eichelberger
  • Publication number: 20090086478
    Abstract: A lighting system with removable light modules mounted on a frame by an attractive force between magnetic material of the light module and magnetic material of the frame such that a light module may be installed on, removed from, or relocated on the frame manually without tools or permanent electrical connection. The frame may be one-, two-, or three-dimensional, and it may provide an aesthetic appearance even when the lighting system is not illuminated. The light modules may employ incandescent, quartz-halogen, LED, or fluorescent light sources. Particularly, in LED embodiments, the magnetic materials serve the dual functions of mounting and heat sinking. The lighting system may be utilized as a sign, signaling device, or a building block in larger lighting systems. The lighting system has a wide variety of applications and provides a user with improved ability to control the quantity, direction, and characteristics of the emitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC
    Inventors: John P. Sanroma, John D. Mitchell, JR.
  • Patent number: 7499099
    Abstract: In an illumination apparatus, an optical element has an exit surface in which an inclination to a perpendicular to an irradiation optical axis in a first area is greater than that of a second area, and the inclination of the first area gradually increases in order from the irradiation optical axis, an intermediate part and a periphery of the exit surface. The first and second areas are defined as those divided by an interface surface that includes an irradiation optical axis and is orthogonal to a plane that is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the light source. A first reflective surface reflects first light to the intermediate part in the first area. A second reflective surface reflects second light to the periphery in the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Kojima
  • Publication number: 20090040768
    Abstract: An exemplary backlight module includes a light guide plate and light sources. The light guide plate includes a block body and the recessed parts. The block body has a top light output surface and a bottom surface. The recessed parts are provided at the bottom surface. The light sources are disposed at least partly in or adjacent to the recessed parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JUN ZHU, HE ZHANG, GUO-FAN JIN
  • Publication number: 20090027892
    Abstract: The invention relates to and discloses a light fixture (10) for illuminating a building surface (15), comprising a dished housing (11) having a light-output opening (24), a light source (12) being provided on the interior (31) of the housing, indirect light (30a, 30b, 30c) starting from the light source passing through a light-output opening only after being reflected on reflector surfaces (21, 22) and direct light (29a, 29b, 29c) starting from the light source passing through without reflection on reflector surfaces, a spread lens (23) being provided that is at the light-output opening and that ensures that the light is spread in order to illuminate the building surface more uniformly, the reflector surfaces each comprising a wall region (22) having a parabolic cross-section and a wall region (21) having an elliptical cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Matthias Bremerich, Leonhard Klose
  • Publication number: 20090016066
    Abstract: A package structure for a high-luminance light source comprises a circuit board, at least one light source and a resin coating covering the light source. A light refractive layer is formed on a surface of the circuit board and is located correspondingly to the light source, and the light refractive layer is provided for refracting the ineffective light of the light source, so as to turn the ineffective light into effective light, so that the light emitted at different angles from the light source are fully utilized to improve the luminescent efficiency of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Pi Hsiang CHEN
  • Patent number: 7474474
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting module of the type having a solid-state light source, in particular a LED, a supporting plate, and a lens; the lens has a recess housing the light source; the lens is supported by and projects from the plate by means of supporting members carried by the lens and for fitting the lens directly to the plate; and the supporting members are formed in one piece with the lens, and are spaced apart and separated from one another by cooling windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Fraen Corporation S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Angelini, Claudia Bigliati, Natale Baraldo, Luca Scodes
  • Patent number: 7473019
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus, particularly for the use as lighting elements in signage or as backlighting apparatus, which comprises a cavity formed by a light emitting front side, a reflective backside arranged opposite to the front side and a sidewall, and a plurality of light emitting semiconductor components mounted on the sidewall in such a way that their light is irradiated in the cavity. The reflective backside of the cavity is formed in such a way that the cavity is divided into at least two partitions directing the light to the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventor: Joseph John Laski
  • Patent number: 7470045
    Abstract: A device for shielding outside lights comprising an essentially cylindrical, transparent shield body with a surface which is provided with a zigzag-shaped profile in a vertical direction in order to deflect the radiation from a lighting source incident on the shield body in a desired direction. Triangular projections of the zigzag-shaped profile in a first portion are designed and configured in such a way that the radiation from the lighting source is fully reflected in a desired direction when passing through the first portion of the shield body and triangular projections of the zigzag-shaped profile in a second portion are designed and configured in such a way that the radiation from the lighting source is diffracted in the desired direction when passing through the second portion of the shield body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Semperlux AG
    Inventors: Udo Bansbach, Dieter Albert
  • Publication number: 20080298072
    Abstract: An exemplary LED lamp includes a housing having an opening, a printed circuit board, at least one LED, a light reflective element, at least one light-shielding sheet and a lamp cover. The printed circuit board is positioned on a bottom of the housing. The LED is electrically connected with the printed circuit board. The light reflective element defines at least one through hole, the LED passing through the corresponding through hole. The at least one light-shielding sheet corresponds to the at least one LED respectively. Each light-shielding sheet comprises a bottom reflective plate and a pair of opposite sidewalls extending from two opposite ends of the bottom reflective plate. A plurality of light holes is defined at ends of the bottom reflective plate adjacent to the two opposite sidewalls. The lamp cover is fixed on the opening of the housing. The LED lamp assembly has a uniform luminance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHAO-HAN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20080298073
    Abstract: The invention discloses a lighting system which includes a light source (11), a lens group (12) and an aspherical reflector (13). The light source includes an elliptical reflection cover (111). A light beam emitting from the light source is focused on an entry of the lens group via the elliptical reflection cover. The lens group regulates the light beam to a round patch and then which is projected onto the aspherical reflector. The aspherical reflector changes the round patch to an inverse trapezia patch. Then the inverse trapezia patch can be projected on an object (14) and become a large square patch in a short distance. The utilization efficiency of the light energy is enhanced in the lighting system, and the lighting system includes a small number of components, uses the point light source, and becomes easy to produce, and convenient to repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: OMT Digital Display Technology(ShenZhen) Limited
    Inventor: Shi Hwa HUANG
  • Patent number: 7445366
    Abstract: A lamp for a vehicle is provided with a projection lens, a light source, a reflector having a reflecting surface, which reflects a light from the light source toward the projection lens; a body of a vessel shape; a cover forming a lamp chamber together with the body; and an auxiliary lens. The auxiliary lens diffuses an incident light in a horizontal direction and is provided at least on one side of the projection lens in the vehicle width direction. A horizontal section of the cover is tilted in with respect to a phantom line that extends in a vehicle width direction, and the auxiliary lens is formed such that a thickness thereof becomes gradually thin in an outward direction from the projection lens, and that an outermost surface thereof in the horizontal section is parallel to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20080253129
    Abstract: An improved lamp fixture with anti-glare function is disclosed, which comprises: a lamp; a light source; and a light-control unit, composed of a semi-Fresnel microstructure and a light-control microstructure; wherein the light source and the light-control unit are mounted on the lamp; and the semi-Fresnel microstructure is used for diffusing/collimating light of the light source while the light-control microstructure is used for controlling the resulting lighting angle. With the aforesaid lamp fixture, not only glare can be prevented, but also uniformity of the lamp fixture is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jian-Shian Lin, Chieh-Lung Lai, Jen-Hui Tsai, Tung-Chuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20080247172
    Abstract: This invention is an illumination system that incorporates a light emitting diode and a partially reflecting optical element. The light emitting diode emits internally generated light having a first angular range and reflects incident light with high reflectivity. The partially reflecting optical element transmits a first portion of the internally generated light with a second angular range, smaller than the first angular range, and reflects a second portion of the internally generated light back to the light emitting diode, where the second portion is reflected by the light emitting diode. The partially reflecting optical element can be a pyramid, an array of pyramids, a first and second orthogonal arrays of prisms or a bandpass filter. Utilizing a partially reflecting optical element and light recycling can increase the effective brightness and the output efficiency of the illumination system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Karl W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20080239723
    Abstract: An LED table lamp including a base, a holder, and a light emitting device is provided. An end of the holder is connected to the base, and the light emitting device includes a lampshade pivotally connected to another end of the holder, a reflecting thin film and an LED light module. The lampshade has at least a side-wall and a top-wall connected the side-wall. The reflecting thin film is disposed on the top-wall and the LED light module is disposed in the side-wall. The light emitted from the LED light module is reflected several times by the reflecting thin film to render the brightness of the light emitted out of the lampshade substantially uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: AMA PRECISION INC.
    Inventor: Chia-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20080239751
    Abstract: An exemplary LED lamp includes a housing having an opening, a printed circuit board, at least one LED, a light reflective plate, a light reflective module and a lamp cover. The printed circuit board is positioned on a bottom of the housing. The LED is electrically connected with the printed circuit board. The light reflective plate defines at least one through hole, the LED passing through the corresponding through hole. The light reflective module includes a bottom reflective plate, at least two opposite reflective sidewalls, at least one light-shielding sheet extending at midsections from the opposing reflective sidewalls. The bottom reflective plate defines at least one first cutout, the at least one LED passing through the corresponding first cutout. The at least one light-shielding sheet defines a plurality of light holes and covers the corresponding LED. The LED lamp assembly has a uniform luminance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHAO-HAN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20080232111
    Abstract: A low upright cutoff classification acorn style luminaire is described. The acorn style luminaire has a globe which has a top positioned thereon and which is mounted to a pole. Integrated within the luminaire is the lamp support and lamp, the lamp substantially surrounded and enclosed by a reflector. The interior surface of the globe has a plurality of substantially vertically extending prisms along a curved surface thereof, the prisms working in conjunction with the reflector to provide cutoff classification for the acorn style luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Canlyte Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Laporte
  • Publication number: 20080232110
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a main body, at least one light emitting member, a non-spherical light permeable lens, and a retaining ring. Thus, the convex face of the light permeable lens gathers the light emitted from the light emitting member to provide a light gathering effect to the light emitting member, thereby enhancing the lighting effect of the light emitting member. In addition, the reflective face of the main body reflects the light emitted from the light emitting member toward the light permeable lens to enhance the lighting effect of the light emitting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Ming-Tsai Wang
  • Publication number: 20080225528
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light source, preferably an LED, a reflector, a light-conducting element mounted on the light source for directing light from the light source to an end of the light-conducting element, and a lens mounted on the end of the light-conducting element for directing light into a central beam. Light from the light source is directed to the reflector into a peripheral beam. The central and peripheral beams comprise substantially all of the light generated by the light source. The lens is in effect mounted on a pedestal above the LED. The pedestal transmits all the light rays in the central solid angle to the lens without loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Illumination Mangement Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Holder, Greg Rhoads
  • Publication number: 20080219009
    Abstract: An projector type lamp includes a casing formed with a front open end and configured by connecting an upper casing member and a lower casing member to each other; a concave mirror formed on an inside face of the casing; a light source provided at the first focal point of the concave mirror; a convex lens configured to be held between the upper casing member and the lower casing member at the front open end of the casing and adapted to refract a reflected light that is emitted from the light source and reflected on the concave mirror so as to project a substantially parallel pencil beam forward from the project type lamp; provisional fixers provided on the upper casing member and the lower casing member respectively and configured to latch one another so as to provisionally fix the casing members to one another in place; and a fastener configured to fasten the provisionally-fixed casing members together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Takayuki KAWAMURA
  • Patent number: 7416315
    Abstract: A faceted reflector includes a plurality of individual reflectors embedded in a carrier, one main area of the carrier being a light entry side, and another main area being a light exit side. The individual reflectors may be cavities in the carrier, which, preferably, have a prismatic form. The radiation to be reflected is subjected to total reflection at a part of the cavity interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Osram OPTO Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventor: Simon Blümel
  • Publication number: 20080192479
    Abstract: A laterally emitting radiation-generating component comprising a radiation source, the optical axis of which runs perpendicular to a mounting area of the component, and comprising an optical device arranged downstream of the radiation source. The optical device includes a reflective surface shaped like a V in cross section and a refractive surface that is shaped convexly as seen externally and is arranged between the reflective surface and a bottom area facing the radiation source. The bottom area is arranged and formed in such a way that through it electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source couples into the optical device. The reflective surface is arranged and formed in such a way that a central first portion of the coupled-in radiation is deflected toward the refractive surface by the reflective surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Mario Wanninger
  • Publication number: 20080186714
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode including a substrate provided with a pair of electrodes, a light-emitting element mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the pair of electrodes, and a junction being in the light-emitting element, the substrate including a mirror surface on at least a position where the light-emitting element is mounted, the light-emitting element including an upper surface which acts as an emission surface, side surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the light-emitting element being adhered to the mirror surface of the substrate by a light-transmitting adhesive, the side surfaces of the light-emitting element being covered by a resin having a diffusion-reflection effect, the emission surface of the light-emitting element, the junction and the mirror surface of the substrate being disposed in parallel with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto NAGAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20080158475
    Abstract: A light-emitting package allowing light to enter a thin lightguide plate efficiently has a package substrate 11, light-emitting elements 2 mounted on the package substrate, a transparent resin part 12 sealing the light-emitting elements on the package substrate, a cut portion 12a formed in the transparent resin part in parallel to the package substrate so as to be able to receive a side edge surface of a lightguide plate, and a reflecting layer 13 formed on the entire surface of the transparent resin part except the cut portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Miyashita, Takumi Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20080158881
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a coupling lens system, which comprises a collimation lens for collimating light from light source to a first direction; a first lens surface for total internal reflecting light from light source to the first direction; and a second lens surface for total internal reflecting light from the first direction to a second direction. Wherein an angle between the first direction and the second direction can be larger than, smaller than or equal to 90 degrees, and preferably between 70 to 100 degrees. Additionally, the system further comprises at least one extra surface parallel to the second lens surface, wherein at least one extra surface has a length L and is parallel to each other. At the same time, each surface and another surface has a distance D in between, and the length L can be equaled to or larger than the distance D according to purposes and further modifies a shape of the coupling lens system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying LIU, Chen-Jung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080151551
    Abstract: A lens cap and an LED package structure using the same are provided. The lens cap includes a cap body made of a transparent material for being covered on a point light source. The cap body includes a first incident surface, which is a curved surface raised on a inner side of the cap body and refracts light emitted by the point light source into the cap body. A reflective surface is formed the outer side of the cap body and is opposite to the first incident surface, wherein the reflective surface reflects the light refracted by the first incident surface. A light-transmitting surface is formed on the outer side of the cap body, and the light reflected by the reflective surface is projected onto the light-transmitting surface to exit the cap body. Thus, the light is emitted towards the lateral of the lens cap along a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Cheng-Lin Yang, Shuang-Chao Chung
  • Patent number: 7390117
    Abstract: The present application discloses a light source comprising an LED die having an emitting surface and an optical element including a base, an apex, the base, and a converging side joining the base and the apex, wherein the base is optically coupled to the emitting surface. Furthermore, the optical element comprises a first section including the base and that is composed of a first material and a second section including the apex and that is composed of a second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Catherine A. Leatherdale, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Dong Lu
  • Patent number: 7387409
    Abstract: A light fixture for use in low voltage outdoor lighting systems includes a lens assembly with a diffuser lens disposed on top of a lens support, a reflector hood and a mushroom-shaped reflector retaining cap removably mounted on top of the lens assembly. A socket and lamp extend through an opening in the lens support. The radial center of the hood has a flattened area that sits level on top of the cylindrical lens and has an opening through which a base portion of the retaining cap is inserted. A recess in the top of the lens has an opening at its bottom for receiving the base of the retainer cap which is attached with a fastener inserted through the top of the lens. An O-ring seals the lens to the lower surface of the hood and the lens and lens support are sealed to provide a water-resistant seal around the lamp. The lens support is attached to the top of a mounting post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Joshua Z. Beadle
  • Publication number: 20080130291
    Abstract: A built-in lamp includes a housing and a holder for fastening in a built-in surface, such as a room ceiling. The built-in lamp also includes a light source socket for holding a light source and a light source region and a direct light reflector. The direct light reflector has a direct light reflector opening which is disposed in the direction of illumination which defines a direct light exit region and which is surrounded at least reasonably by a diffused light exit region. The direct light reflector has a rear opening. The head reflector is disposed on the side of the light source region remote from the direct light exit region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Hartmut S. Engel
  • Patent number: 7370993
    Abstract: This invention is an illumination system that incorporates a light emitting diode and a partially reflecting optical element. The light emitting diode emits internally generated light having a first angular range and reflects incident light with high reflectivity. The partially reflecting optical element transmits a first portion of the internally generated light with a second angular range, smaller than the first angular range, and reflects a second portion of the internally generated light back to the light emitting diode, where the second portion is reflected by the light emitting diode. The partially reflecting optical element can be a pyramid, an array of pyramids, a first and second orthogonal arrays of prisms or a bandpass filter. Utilizing a partially reflecting optical element and light recycling can increase the effective brightness and the output efficiency of the illumination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Goldeneye, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20080106903
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Lee King
  • Patent number: 7367693
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp that decreases the amount of light blocked by the extension towards the inside of the vehicle and increases the diffused light radiated toward the outside of the vehicle. The vehicular lamp 100 has a projection lens 33, a light source 27, a reflector 29 having a reflecting surface 29a in which the light source 27 acts as an approximate focal point and light from this light source 27 is reflected toward the projection lens 33, a container-shaped body 21, and a cover 23 that along with the body 21 forms a light chamber. The cover 23 has a horizontal cross-section that is slanted with respect to an imaginary line 25 in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the projection lens 33 has a rear side focal point f, the thickness of the lens 33 decreasing from the center portion toward the outer peripheral portions, and on the outer peripheral portions, a vehicular inside edge portion projects more toward the front side of the vehicle than the vehicular outside edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20080084694
    Abstract: An optical element comprises a radiation exit face for a light-emitting diode, said optical element being suitable for producing a radiation characteristic that breaks rotational symmetry, and a light-emitting diode comprising such an optical element, and an LED arrangement comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged on a carrier, wherein each of the light-emitting diodes is associated with its own optical element, which is arranged and configured such that a radiation characteristic of the respective light-emitting diode is formed with broken rotational symmetry, and wherein the optical elements are similarly implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Monika Rose, Sven Weber-Rabsilber, Alexander Wilm
  • Publication number: 20080074888
    Abstract: An exemplary light emitting diode includes a light output unit, an optical lens, and a reflective resin member. The optical lens is mounted on the light output unit. The optical lens includes a light input surface facing the light output unit, a top interface distal from the light input surface, and a light output surface generally between the light input surface and the top interface. The reflective resin member is formed on the top interface of the optical lens. Methods for making the light emitting diode are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHAO-HAN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20080025029
    Abstract: A direct type illuminating device includes a light source unit, a reflector plate, a diffuser plate, and a lens module. The light source unit provides source light beams. The reflector plate and the diffuser plate are spaced at an interval from each other, and the light source unit is interposed between the reflector plate and the diffuser plate. The lens module surrounds the light source unit such that the lens module is interposed between the light source unit and the reflector and diffuser plates. An outer curved surface of the lens module has a radius of curvature different from a radius of curvature of an outer curved surface of the light source unit such that the source light beams provided by the light source unit are refracted by the lens module to result in change of traveling directions of the source light beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Teng-Chao Hou, Tzeng-Ke Shiau, Wen-Bin Chou, Ching-Shiang Li
  • Patent number: 7320531
    Abstract: A backlight uses an array of red, green, and blue LEDs in a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has reflecting surfaces and a top opening for illuminating LCD layers. A desired brightness profile and better color uniformity are obtained by using techniques including arranging the LEDs in certain sequences and patterns, providing a specular ring at the base of each LED, attenuating the brightness of the LEDs at the edges, and using widely separated diffusers in the mixing chamber. The arrangement, selection, and control of the multicolored LEDs may be tailored to achieve any desired white point specified by the display manufacturer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. West, Simon Kuppens, Charles Schrama, Yourii Martynov, Nicola Pfeffer, Huub Konijn
  • Patent number: 7306351
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes an LED package bases, an LED chip disposed on the LED package base, and a lens disposed on the LED package base. The lens includes a frustum shape having an inclined outer peripheral surface, and having a relatively smaller lower portion for attaching onto the LED package base, and having a relatively greater upper portion spaced away from the LED package base, the lens includes a longitudinal axis arranged to have an included angle ? formed between the longitudinal axis and the inclined outer peripheral surface of the lens, for reflecting light sidewise. The lens may include a curved recess formed in the upper portion for such as light diffusing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Chang Po Chao, Lun De Liao, Cho Wei Chiu
  • Publication number: 20070274096
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is described. One embodiment of the lighting apparatus includes a substrate and a lighting element. The lighting element is coupled to the substrate to emit light through a light exit plane. The light exit plane is substantially perpendicular to the substrate. By providing a lighting device with a substrate oriented perpendicular to the light exit plane of the lighting device, the lighting device can enable better mixing of the light from different LEDs. The lighting apparatus facilitates light mixing, generally, to minimize or eliminate dark spots on the diffusion panel. The lighting device also facilitates color mixing to produce relatively consistent white light on the diffusion panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Tong Fatt Chew, Siew It Pang, Sundar Natarajan Yoganandan, Kee Yean Ng
  • Patent number: 7295104
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for vehicles having two primary headlights for visible low beam and high beam illumination, and auxiliary headlights that are mounted on the vehicle separate from the primary headlights. The auxiliary headlights generate infrared light and position light. An electrical control unit automatically turns the position light of the primary headlights off or on when the auxiliary headlight is turned on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Tobias Irmscher, Martin Kempkensteffen, Franz-Josef Kalze
  • Patent number: 7284883
    Abstract: A lighting system and device for providing indirect light using free-cavity, double-diffusing configurations are disclosed. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, a lighting fixture comprises a cover structure with a diffusion layer and a reflective plate that form the free-cavity. The free-cavity is preferably configured to provide an output of light from a light source positioned within the free-cavity with an efficiency rating of 70% or more and provide better than an 8:1 ceiling lighting contrast between the rows of fixtures with rows on 16 feet spacing. Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a device is configured to couple to a ceiling structure and provide the indirect lighting from a fluorescent light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Finelite
    Inventors: Walter Blue Clark, David Daoud Aziz
  • Patent number: 7275844
    Abstract: A bicycle headlamp including: a rotor having a plurality of magnet plates attached to spokes of a bicycle wheel, each magnet plate including a plurality of magnets disposed at regular circumferential spacings with alternating south and north poles; and a stator including a power-generating coil disposed in a fixed position to face the magnetic pole faces of the magnet plates. A case includes at least a headlamp electrical circuit for establishing resonance with a certain relative speed of the magnets by means of the power-generating coil and a capacitor connected in series, and for rectifying, smoothing out, and outputting electric power obtained from the power-generating coil. Also included are a light-emitting diode and a condenser lens for focusing light emitted from the light emitting diode in front of the bicycle and for illuminating the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Akidenki Kabushikigaisya
    Inventor: Masashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7261449
    Abstract: A lighting module able to give a light beam with cut-off line for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising a light source, a reflector, a dioptre serving as an exit lens or an exit lens, and a reflective folder. The light source is combined with a collimator in order to give a beam that can be assimilated to a parallel beam, substantially orthogonal to an exit plane of the collimator. The reflector and the dioptre or lens may be combined in a single piece made from transparent material, and the surface of the reflector and that of the folder means work in total reflection according to an air/transparent material interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 7255462
    Abstract: At least one light distribution device is provided in the spacing between adjacent light sources to allow light diffused from both sides of the light sources to be properly refracted and reflect so as to more evenly diffuse light toward a diffuser plate and thereby, eliminate the dark bands between adjacent light sources for effectively solving the bright bands and dark bands problem observed in prior art LCD modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: K-Bridge Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Pao Tseng
  • Publication number: 20070159839
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp 1 including a projection lens 16 installed on the optical axis Ax extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle a light source 12a provided behind the rear side focal point F of the projection lens 16, and a reflector 14 that reflects direct light from the light source 12a forward and toward the optical axis Ax; and in this headlamp, an additional lens 30, which deflects and directs light from the light source 12a to the front is provided around the outer perimeter of the projection lens 16, and grooves 33, which have side faces that direct at least a part of the incident light toward the side of the vehicle, are formed in the outer surface of the additional lens 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: RE39900
    Abstract: A light fixture having a base for housing a light producing source and a flat plate disposed within the base. The plate has a well formed in it, the well having light reflecting walls. A lamp socket is located in a light reflecting bottom wall of the well. A plurality of light reflecting elements is attached to the plate and a pair of light reflecting assemblies, one on either side of the well, is fixed to the plate. Each light reflecting assembly includes a plurality of light reflecting fins affixed to the plate and projecting at an angle away from the plate. A frame having a convex lens affixed thereto is hingedly attached to the base. A light shield is fixed to the frame for reducing dispersion of unwanted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventors: William A. Hein, Henry M. Avila, Peter C. Sara