Supported By Vehicle Structure (e.g., Especially Adapted For Vehicle) Patents (Class 362/459)
  • Patent number: 8154207
    Abstract: A control unit determines whether a vehicle has entered an area under a covering object that covers the upper side of the vehicle. In the case where the control unit determines that the vehicle has entered the area under the covering object, the control unit turns on light apparatus when both of a measurement of an upper light intensity, which is measured with an upper light intensity sensor, and a measurement of a front light intensity, which is measured with a front light intensity sensor, require turning on of the light apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8143813
    Abstract: In controlling an ambient lighting element, a category of data being rendered by a host is identified, ambient lighting data associated with the identified category is retrieved, and the retrieved ambient lighting data is rendered in correspondence with the rendered data. The retrieved ambient lighting data may be an ambient light script arranged to determine temporal portions of ambient lighting data. The ambient lighting data may be associated with the category based on user input. A sub-category of the data may be identified and the retrieved ambient lighting data may be modified with additional ambient lighting data associated with the sub-category. An association of a category with ambient lighting data may be edited by a user. A default association of a category to ambient lighting data may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Ronaldus Maria Aarts
  • Patent number: 8136969
    Abstract: A variable lighting system (“VLS”) for optimizing object visibility at night by setting a base level of lighting, adding a variable light to that base level of lighting, and a synchronizing the timing and sequence of the base level of lighting and the variable lighting. The VLS varies the illumination by intensity, color, direction, or a combination thereof and optionally includes a detector for detecting motion, noise, and other occurrences. The VLS can be implemented as a fixed lighting source, a movable lighting source, or a vehicle mounted lighting source. The VLS improves visibility at night for viewers or motorists thereby reducing accidents and damage costs, saves energy, and improves the environment and enhances quality of life by reducing light pollution and light trespass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Karl A. Burkett
  • Patent number: 8134334
    Abstract: Light applied from an illumination unit illuminates a space formed of an accommodation unit, and facilitates a user's operation of coupling a charging connector to an electric power-receiving unit. When a lid unit is in a closed state, a part of the light applied from the illumination unit toward the accommodation unit transmits through a light transmission member provided at the lid unit and leaks toward a space outside a vehicle body. The leaked light enables a user to visually perceive the position of the charging port at a glance even if the lid unit is in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Suzuki, Motohiro Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20120056540
    Abstract: A maneuvering aid for a vehicle has a lighting device configured to at least partially illuminate at least an underlying surface under the vehicle and/or a vehicle bodywork. A control device configured to control the lighting device in order to activate and/or deactivate same. The control device is configured to control the lighting device at least as a function of a vehicle speed and/or of a vehicle acceleration and/or of a distance of the vehicle from a roadway boundary or an obstacle in the roadway. A corresponding method, a corresponding vehicle, and a headlight assembly are described as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: WALTER SCHWERTBERGER, MARKUS BRUMMER, DANIEL HEYES, CHRISTOPH RESCH
  • Publication number: 20120049870
    Abstract: A vehicle component is provided that includes a console surface, at least one circuit board proximate the console surface, and an array of proximity sensors electrically connected to the at least one circuit board. Each of the proximity sensors emit a field that combine to form an activation field, wherein a lateral direction of the activation field extending approximately parallel to the console surface is greater than a longitudinal direction of the activation field extending approximately perpendicular to the console surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Scott Simon, Raymond Anthony Oldani, Jeffrey Singer
  • Publication number: 20120018474
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roof box comprising a bottom member (4) including a bottom section (32 and side sections (33) extending upward from said bottom section, where said bottom member is arranged for mounting said roof box on a roof of a vehicle (28), a top member (1) that is movable in relation to said bottom member between an open and a closed position, where said top member includes a top section (30) and side sections (31) extending downward from said top section, where the top member and the bottom member in closed position form a storage space for storing objects inside the roof box. At least one of said side sections (33) of the bottom member (4) and/or the top member (1) include an outer shell (44, 1) provided with a transparent area (34). Further, the invention relates to use of an electroluminescent plate (10) as a shell with integrated light source for a roof box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Joakim Lindberg, Jan Lindberg
  • Publication number: 20110317441
    Abstract: A fairing (17) for covering a front portion of a motorcycle is formed with an air intake opening (30) through which an intake air (A) is introduced towards a motorcycle combustion engine (E), and a front face (73) of a covering (72), which is a light emitting surface for a position lamp (40), is arranged above an inner peripheral face (31) of the air intake opening (30). The front face (73) of the covering (72) is downwardly inclined from front towards rear when viewed from side and projects forwards towards a point intermediate of the width of the motorcycle when viewed front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Hidefumi YASUHARA, Daisuke WATANABE, Shinji IKEDA
  • Publication number: 20110305029
    Abstract: An illuminating system having an electronic shield illuminating apparatus comprises a semiconductor light-emitting source, a reflector, an electronic shield, a shield driving control circuit, and a projection lens. The reflector is intended for reflecting a portion of the light reflected by the semiconductor light-emitting source, and has a reflecting surface facing the semiconductor light-emitting source. The electronic shield is intended for generating different shield patterns to mask the light emitted by the semiconductor light-emitting source, and the light reflected by the reflector, and has a main surface facing the semiconductor light-emitting source and the reflecting surface of the reflector. The shield driving control circuit drives the electronic shield to generate different shield patterns in response to a signal information. The projection lens projects the light passing through the electronic shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: United Radiant Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Chuang, Chang-Yuan Ju
  • Publication number: 20110305031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device and a method for illuminating a projection area based on a plurality of different lighting patterns. The lighting unit is controlled based on lighting data, which are received from an external central system via an interface, or stored in a memory unit. In this way, a plurality of different lighting patterns can be realized, so that at least up to four reading lamps can be replaced by a single lighting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Riedel, Carsten Vogel
  • Publication number: 20110273897
    Abstract: A vehicle light can improve the visibility (noticeability) for pedestrians, roadside obstructs, other vehicles and the like in actual traffic environments. The vehicle light can be configured to project light beams with a predetermined white color, and can include a light source with a color temperature range of 4500 K to 7000 K. The light source emits light beams including four color light beams represented by four coordinate values of predicted colors including red, green, blue and yellow in the a* b* coordinate system corresponding to the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space. The four coordinate values in the a* b* coordinate system can be encompassed by respective circle areas having a radius of, for example, 5, and each having center coordinate values of (41.7, 20.9) for red, (?39.5, 14.3) for green, (8.8, ?29.9) for blue and (?10.4, 74.2) for yellow, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Shinichi Kojima, Masafumi Ohno, Yasushi Kita, Takako Minoda, Naoko Takenobu, Susumu Nakamura, Norikatsu Myojin, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 8049609
    Abstract: An in-vehicle display device includes (a) a display unit provided on a surface of an instrument panel of a vehicle, opposed to a windshield of the vehicle, and configured to indicate a plurality of information dots V in a row or in a rectangular array on the windshield such that the necessary information dots are selectably displayed from among the plurality of the information dots and superposed upon a real image viewed through the windshield, (b) a target information acquisition unit that obtains target information of which a driver of the vehicle is to be notified, and (c) a display control unit that controls the display unit and makes the display unit indicate the predetermined information dots V that correspond to the target information that has been obtained by the target information acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takahashi, Kunimitsu Aoki, Masahiro Takamatsu
  • Publication number: 20110235348
    Abstract: A tin-plated surface 7 is formed by hot-dip coating a solder containing a lead-free tin as the main component on an electrode 6 of a board 4 with which a connector terminal 1 comes in contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Norikazu Tateishi, Masaru Kibi
  • Publication number: 20110235349
    Abstract: A vehicle light can form a synthetic light distribution pattern with an area where a surrounding vehicle exists being made darker than an area(s) surrounding that area. The synthetic light distribution pattern can allow a sufficient illumination range and a center light intensity required for a running beam to be compatible. The vehicle light can also form a light distribution pattern with only an area where a farther surrounding vehicle exists is made dark. The vehicle light can form the light distribution pattern by overlaying a plurality of first nearby illumination areas, a plurality of first farther illumination areas, a plurality of second nearby illumination areas, and a plurality of second farther illumination areas with the respective illumination areas being divided in a horizontal direction and individually controlled in terms of light intensity so that respective vertical division lines of the illumination areas appear in predetermined order in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshiaki NAKAYA, Makio MATSUZAKI
  • Publication number: 20110222302
    Abstract: Lighting systems for a vehicle are disclosed that can include a removable power source, a touch activation system, tasked lighting and a directional lighting system. The lighting systems, can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas S. Hodgson, Randy L. Arendsen, Steven M. Spoerre, Robert L. Hamelink, Kathleen M. Pacheco
  • Patent number: 8010259
    Abstract: An irradiating direction control apparatus includes a storing portion for storing a design reference value of a vehicle and storing output voltages of vehicle height sensors when the vehicle is in a reference attitude as measured reference values, an operating portion for operating a reference vehicle height based on the measured reference value and the design reference value and operating a pitch angle of the vehicle based on detected outputs of the vehicle height sensors and the reference vehicle height and the design reference value, and a deflection control portion for controlling to deflect an irradiating direction of a lamp based on the operated pitch angle. Even when the design reference value of the vehicle is stored to the storing portion at a later step of steps of assembling the vehicle, the reference vehicle height can be operated by the output voltages and the design reference value and initialization based on the reference vehicle height can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Nakazawa, Takahisa Nakamura, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Kazufumi Morinaga
  • Patent number: 7963559
    Abstract: An internally illuminated roll bar has a W-shaped frame with “U” shaped cross-section with opposed side walls, a bottom wall and an open top, first and second outer legs, first and second inner legs, a lateral connecting member connecting the inner legs at the lower ends, one or more lenses for covering one or more portions of the rear side of the frame and discrete light sources mounted between the frame and the lenses wherein the some of the discrete light sources may be powered independently of others of the discrete light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Claudio R. Ballard, Gary Fulkerson, Jeff Seward
  • Publication number: 20110115376
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle includes inner sill lamps that illuminate a floor in a cabin. Each of the inner sill lamps is provided on each side surface of inner sill covers. The side surfaces faces to the cabin. The lighting device can sufficiently illuminate the floor without illuminance reduction due to an object such as an instrument panel or a seat disposed between the inner sill lamps and the floor. In addition, the lighting device can surely illuminate the floor around a user's feet when the user gets in or off the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: FALTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori SHIRATSUCHI, Yoshitaka TANABE, Youichi TAKANO
  • Publication number: 20110096558
    Abstract: A vehicle multi-energy illuminating system is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Yefim G. Kriger
  • Publication number: 20110075434
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light source body and a lens array. The light source body includes a plurality of light sources. The lens array includes an opposed surface, a reverse surface, a plurality of lenses, a recess, and a projection. The plurality of lenses corresponds respectively to the plurality of light sources. The plurality of lenses includes a first lens and a second lens, which is located adjacent to the first lens. The recess is formed at an end portion of the first lens adjacent to the second lens. The projection is formed at an end portion of the second lens adjacent to the first lens. The projection is coupled with the recess, so that at least a part of a boundary line between the first lens and the second lens is formed in a concave-convex shape as a result of a combination of the recess and the projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazumasa KUROKAWA
  • Publication number: 20110063859
    Abstract: A vehicle lift system includes a support structure having a top surface for supporting a vehicle supported by the vehicle lift system, and at least one lighting module. The lighting module is mounted to the top surface of the support structure. The lighting module is configured to illuminate a region of the vehicle, for example, but not limited to, the underside of the vehicle. The lighting module can be mounted generally flush relative to the top surface of the support structure. In a vehicle wheel alignment lift system, the lighting module can be disposed adjacent a movable support surface of the wheel runway apparatus to provide illumination during wheel alignment procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Roy J. Dantas
  • Patent number: 7901119
    Abstract: A vehicle has a lamp arranged outside a passenger compartment having a vehicle window through which light of the lamp penetrates into the vehicle. The lamp is arranged and constructed such that the light of the lamp is or will be polarized parallel to a plane of incidence of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Stahl, Alexander Kron, Thoralf Maier, Dietrich Sturm
  • Publication number: 20110037287
    Abstract: A lighting assembly for illuminating a console assembly of a vehicle includes a cup holder assembly in the console assembly having a cup-receiving volume. A storage bin in the console assembly has a storage volume. A light source assembly is mounted within the console assembly. The light source assembly illuminates the cup-receiving volume directly and illuminates the storage bin indirectly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Warren Penner
  • Publication number: 20110032715
    Abstract: This piece includes a rigid support frame (12) and an external skin (14) of soft appearance. The skin (14) has an exterior surface (24) intended to be placed opposite an occupant of the motor vehicle. The piece includes a foam layer (16) inserted between the support frame (12) and the exterior skin (14) and an assembly (18) for displaying at least one light signal on the exterior surface (24) of the skin. The display assembly (18) includes a device (30) for illuminating, through the skin, from the interior surface (26) of the skin, a chosen region (48) of the exterior surface (24). The illuminating device (30) is flexible so that it deforms when touched. It is fastened on the interior surface (26) the skin. A region (40) of the foam layer (16) is inserted between the support frame (12) and the illuminating device (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Godefroy Beau, Jean-Francois Oeuvrard
  • Publication number: 20110013408
    Abstract: A combination light and switch assembly for a panel of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a circuit board having an LED contact and a latch contact. The latch contact is configured to electrically couple to a latch of the panel. A LED is joined to the LED contact. The LED is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the panel. An actuator assembly is moveable toward the circuit board so that the actuator assembly engages the latch contact to operate the latch of the panel when the latch contact is engaged by the actuator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CANADA, ULC
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Goto, Salvatore Alesio
  • Patent number: 7850349
    Abstract: A vehicle headliner mounted center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) including a light source disposable between a vehicle roof base layer and headliner generally aft of a vehicle, and a CHMSL frame disposable between the vehicle roof base layer and the headliner adjacent the light source. The CHMSL frame may be releasably mountable to the vehicle roof base layer by a fastener for mounting the headliner to the vehicle roof base layer. The invention also provides a method of mounting and servicing a CHMSL, including the steps of attaching the CHMSL to a vehicle roof base layer and/or a headliner, such that the CHMSL is disposed between the vehicle roof base layer and the headliner generally aft of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Ekladyous, Tom Partch, Todd Schwanger, Bruce Williams, Ehab Kaoud, Jim Smithbauer
  • Publication number: 20100296301
    Abstract: Pull-down self-supportive lighting device mounted on hand-reachable ceilings, the lighting device comprising retracting unit (25), illuminating unit (23), and gooseneck (41) connected between units (25) and (23). Retracting unit (25) is mounted above an opening on the ceiling. Illuminating unit (23) has a retracted position adjacent to retracting unit (25). Gooseneck (41) has a predetermined internal structure and a bendability and rigidity balance that allows its winding inside retracting unit (25) while being able to hold illuminating unit (23) fixed in place. As a user pulls down finger-handle (31), gooseneck (41) unwinds allowing illuminating unit (23) to take a multitude of pull-down lighting position targeting the viewing area. With a press of pushbutton (29), retracting unit (25) pulls up illuminating unit (23) towards the retracted position wherein the user snaps it in with one hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Ilo Kristo Xhunga
  • Publication number: 20100284199
    Abstract: A flashlight holder formed of a substantially cylindrical lengthwise receptacle having a mouth sized to slidingly receive a flashlight there through, and a stop positioned opposite from the mouth. A clamp mounts the receptacle to a substantially rigid interior surface of a vehicle with the mouth positioned vertically above the stop. The receptacle is a substantially cylindrically tubular receptacle having a substantially constant inside diameter communicating with the mouth. The stop may be formed by a closed end of the receptacle, or a separate end cap affixed to the receptacle. According to another aspect of the novel flashlight holder, the tubular receptacle is a fishing rod holder mounted as described to the vehicle's interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Publication number: 20100277938
    Abstract: A user interface assembly (100, 104, 200) for operating a system within a vehicle (10) is disclosed that comprises a base (110, 210) and a user interface (100, 104, 200) supported at the base (110, 210) and configured to be selectively actuated for operating the system. The user interface includes a first portion and a second portion. The interface assembly also comprises a light source (140, 240) configured to provide light into the first portion of user interface (100, 104, 200). The user interface (100, 104, 200) is configured to function as a conduit for the light directed into the first portion so that the light can be emitted from the second portion of the user interface (100,104, 200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Nels R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100265731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compartment provided a tufted textile (100) comprising: a backing (10), and yarns (40) forming tufts extending from a first side of the backing, the compartment further comprising a light source (50; 80) and a conductor arrangement (60) for the light source, wherein the light source, the conductor arrangement and the backing are arranged so as to radiate light from the light source at least partly through the backing, the backing being substantially permeable to light. The tufted textile (100) may be a carpet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herpen, Tim Dekker
  • Patent number: 7810969
    Abstract: A floor console to provide ambient lighting in the interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The floor console includes lighting elements strategically positioned to illuminate the footwells of the vehicle, the cupholders, and the storage bin. The same lighting element may be used to illuminate one or more of the cupholders and the storage bin. The preferred lighting element is an LED while other lighting elements may be used. The floor console is also provided with wiring and an ECU and may be readily connected to the vehicle's power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kathleen Blackmore, Cornel Gardner, Mike Whitens, Michael Williams, Peter Bejin
  • Publication number: 20100246198
    Abstract: A pocket assembly is provided for mounting at a recess of a vehicle body where a charge port of the vehicle is located, the pocket assembly has a body mountable to a vehicle, wherein the body has a base portion and a bezel portion, at least one outer layer established at an outer surface of said bezel portion, wherein the at least one outer layer is viewable at the side of the vehicle when the charge port is being accessed by a user of the vehicle and an illumination source disposed at or behind said bezel portion, and an illumination source being operable to illuminate indicia established at or on the bezel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Richard R. HOOK, David A. Dingman
  • Publication number: 20100232171
    Abstract: A relatively thin printed LED backlight device with an integral diffuser may be integrated into an interior trim component using a molding process, such as injection molding, compression molding and reaction injection molding. The display portion may be placed behind a textile surface or molded grille or may form a portion of the outer surface of the trim component to provide light to low light areas of the vehicle. Electronic circuitry and components may be printed on to the substrate of the device as part of an in-line continuous process at the molding station to allow low inventory and customization of each backlight device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Carter Scott Cannon, Oliver Hierl
  • Patent number: 7794128
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices and a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting devices toward a front side of the vehicle lamp. The reflector is formed into a shape whose front area is open. A plate-like partition member is disposed inside the reflector to partition the reflector into a plurality of reflecting areas. The semiconductor light emitting devices are mounted on the plate-like partition member in respective reflecting areas such that optical axes of the semiconductor light emitting devices are directed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a lamp optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shohei Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Ishida, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7784737
    Abstract: A vehicle including a body having an exterior surface and a protrusion extending outward from the surface. The vehicle further includes a fairing mounted on the surface directly adjacent and behind the protrusion. The fairing has a forward end, an aft end opposite the forward end, and opposing sides extending between the forward end and the aft end. The opposing sides become progressively closer together from the forward end to the aft end so that the bracket has a tapered shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Michael Lee, Brian G. Evans
  • Publication number: 20100213868
    Abstract: A vehicle multifunctional lamp is provided. The vehicle multifunctional lamp mainly includes a lamp body, a lamp shade, and light source sets. The light source sets have at least two sets. In the at least two light source sets, at least one set is daylight lamps, and the rest is one or more of others such as sidelights, fog lamps, or turn signal lamps. Therefore, the lamp formed of the same lamp body and the lamp shade has car indicators having more than two functions. Thereby, the present invention is convenient to install.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Yung-Fa Lin
  • Publication number: 20100213872
    Abstract: A system and method relates to electronic adaptive front-lighting of a vehicle, including at least one fixed solid state light source. The fixed solid state light source is configured to illuminate a front peripheral region of a vehicle. In addition, the fixed solid state light source is integrated with a daytime running light module of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Heider, Luis Sampedro Diaz
  • Patent number: 7775698
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including a projector headlight for a low beam can include a light source, an ellipsoidal reflector, a projector and shade. Light emitted from the light source can form a fundamental light distribution pattern from the projector lens via the ellipsoidal reflector by shielding an upwards portion of the light with the shade. The shade can form respective thin blurred parts on and/or underneath a horizontal cut-off line for both a driving lane portion and an oncoming lane portion using a top edge line and a top surface of the shade. Therefore, a contrasting difference between the upper and lower sides of the horizontal cut-off line can be reduced so as to be able to conform to a light distribution standard for a headlight. Adjustment of the light distribution pattern can be facilitated due to tonal difference between the horizontal cut-off line of the driving lane and the oncoming lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Shoji, Ichiro Yoshio
  • Publication number: 20100195337
    Abstract: An electroluminescent arrangement is described, which comprises at least one flexible electroluminescent element and at least one flexible textile carrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Michael Heite, Thilo-J. Werners, Joerg Muenz
  • Publication number: 20100189285
    Abstract: There is provided a reading lamp having a lighting unit (BE) which has at least first light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or second light emitting diodes (IR-LEDs) for the emission of IR radiation. The reading lamp further has a modulation unit (ME) for modulation of the light emission of the first and/or second light emitting diodes in dependence on an input signal (IN).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Niehoff
  • Patent number: 7753573
    Abstract: A light source for vehicles can include a base having a cavity formed on its upper surface, an LED chip mounted in the cavity of the base, a resin portion for sealing the LED chip in the cavity, an optical member disposed above the base and apart from the LED chip, a light shielding portion disposed on the inner surface of the optical member and which forms a cutoff suited for a light distribution pattern, and a fluorescent substance layer disposed at least in regions other than the light shielding portion on the inner surface of the optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Mitsunori Harada
  • Patent number: 7751664
    Abstract: A door handle apparatus for a vehicle, opening and closing a vehicle door, the door handle apparatus includes an informing portion for visually informing a state of the vehicle door, including a locking/unlocking state thereof, to a user by a decorative light, which is a visible light, an operation detecting portion for optically detecting an active-direct operation to the door handle apparatus by the user based on changes in an detection light, and an optical waveguide for transmitting the decorative light and the detection light, which is inputted from a first end portion of the optical waveguide, to a second end portion of the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide functioning as the informing portion by leaking the decorative light on a transmission path so as to be outwardly emitted and as the operation detecting portion by outputting the detection light from the second end portion of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ieda, Yuichi Murakami, Hiroki Okada
  • Patent number: 7744261
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a plurality of lamps having their own inherent respective light distribution characteristics. The plurality of lamps includes a first lamp to irradiate an area excluding a nearest field area just in front of a vehicle, and a second lamp which irradiates only the nearest field area. The plurality of lamps are operable to be simultaneously or selectively lit, and are operable so that irradiation lights of the lamps are combined so as to obtain a particular light distribution characteristic in accordance with various driving conditions of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Fukawa, Naohisa Tatara
  • Publication number: 20100142215
    Abstract: An annular lighting fixture having a housing, a channel, and a plurality of lights disposed in the channel. The fixture can be attached about a tubular portion of a motorcycle. In one embodiment, the plurality of lights are light emitting diodes surface mounted on a flexible printed circuit board disposed in the channel. In another embodiment a collimator is associated with each LED unit to redirect light in a desired direction. In another embodiment reflective portions are arranged on respective sides of the channel so as to redirect light in a desired direction. A method is also provided herein for the illumination of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Jennifer S. Waring
  • Publication number: 20100128493
    Abstract: A lighting system is provided that includes an interior trim component having a light transmissive element. The interior trim component is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light source optically coupled to the light transmissive element at least while the interior trim component is located in the first position. The light source is configured to illuminate a region of a vehicle interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason M. Hipshier, Nels Smith, Jeffrey T. Stout, Scott A. Hansen, Ronald A. Bozio
  • Patent number: 7717596
    Abstract: A family of rearview mirror assemblies for motorized vehicles. Each assembly includes a housing, a mirror with at least one multidimensional graphical image etched through the reflective layer and illuminated by light sources such as LEDs located within the housing and behind the graphical image(s). The mirror assemblies operate properly with or without an external flashing circuit. The light source is energized at a first light level during normal operation of the vehicle to function as running lights, decorative lighting or accent lighting. When the light source is operated at a second light level (either higher or lower), the lighted graphical images may also provide additional functionality. The exterior rearview mirror assembly may optionally include additional light sources, light from which is viewable outside of the outer surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Alan Bell
  • Patent number: 7717592
    Abstract: An exterior auxiliary lighting system is provided including a light source for generating a beam of visible light, the light source having an aperture through which the beam of light is projected. A cover can be detachably connected to the light source to overlay at least a portion of the aperture. A sensor is provided for detecting whether the cover is attached to the light source. A switch responsive to an output signal from the sensor is adapted to selectively decouple the light source from a power supply when the sensor detects that the cover is attached to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Tyll, Jason Nantais, Chris Prisby, Tom Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7705720
    Abstract: A self leveling warning light for vehicles employing a light assembly that is pivotedly secured to an inner surface of a vehicle window by a mounting base suction cup. The light assembly has a plurality of LEDs whose intensity is amplified by a reflector and focused by an optical lens providing light emission in distances exceeding one mile with minimal battery drain. A control circuit having a power source is mounted within said light assembly and electrically coupled to the LEDs, the control circuit controlling four red LEDs separated by a centrally located yellow LED, the four red LEDs alternate on and off at sync rate of approximately 500 ms and the yellow LED turns on for about 750 ms and off for about 1 second. The light assembly maintaining directional pointing of the LEDs in a horizontal plane when the mounting base is moved between vertical and horizontal orientations by gravity weighting of the light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Cyalume Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Emil F. Jachmann
  • Patent number: 7701144
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a lamp body; a plurality of LED light sources disposed inside a lamp chamber formed by a front cover positioned in front of the lamp body; and a lighting circuit portion positioned behind the LED light sources. The LED light source is electrically connected to a conductive bus bar, and forms a light-emitting surface at a position opposite the front cover. The lighting circuit portion is formed on the back side of the light-emitting surface of the LED light source with respect to the front cover, and a circuit element thereof is electrically connected to the conductive bus bar. The conductive bus bar to which the LED light source is connected and the conductive bus bar to which the circuit element is connected are conductively connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Tsukamoto, Noriaki Ito
  • Patent number: 7699511
    Abstract: A turn lamp includes a base housing; a light source unit incorporated with a light source and housed in the base housing; an inner housing provided with a long and solid light guide; a lens cover that covers the base housing; and a diffused reflection generator that is structured such that light from the light source leaks out long from the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsuba Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Kawaji, Noriyuki Ito, Hitoshi Kurihara, Yosuke Fukasawa, Masashi Fukui, Tatsuya Sugamoto, Hideo Hamamoto, Hirofumi Nishikawa