Automobile Patents (Class 362/487)
  • Publication number: 20130272005
    Abstract: A light emitting module without connecting with an external power supply contains a light emitting panel including a display surface on which a first raised pattern set and a second raised pattern set are formed; a plurality of lighting elements disposed on a bottom plate and secured in the light emitting panel with the bottom plate, each lighting element at least having a first light facing to the first raised pattern set and emitting light and a second light facing to the second raised pattern set and emitting light; a magnetic reed switch mounted in the light emitting panel and electrically connecting with the each lighting element; at least one cell secured in the light emitting panel and electrically coupled with the plurality of lighting elements and the magnetic reed switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: HON YU AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang-An Yang
  • Patent number: 8558443
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a headlight assembly for a vehicle (10) with a right and a left headlight unit (1, 2), for a dipped-beam function, the optical axes (L1, L2) of the headlight units (1, 2) are tilted away from one another horizontally relative to a parallel direction. According to the method for a main-beam function, the optical axes (L1, L2) of the headlight units (1, 2) are tilted toward one another horizontally relative to a parallel direction. A respective headlight assembly can be particularly suitable for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Rolf Koppermann
  • Patent number: 8552852
    Abstract: A safety light system comprising a trailer hitch mounted configuration. The safety light system includes a safety light assembly receptacle carried by a trailer hitch mounting member. The safety light assembly receptacle includes a light assembly receiving cavity for receiving and temporarily retaining a removable light assembly. The removable light assembly includes elements to provide a user controlled continuous red light, a flashing red light, and a continuous white light. The flashing red light provides a roadside flare configuration. The continuous white light provides a flashlight configuration. The continuous red light in conjunction with the flashing red light configuration provides a driving light configuration. The removable light assembly can include a securing mechanism for attaching the removable light assembly to an object to warn others of the extended object and/or support legs enabling operation as a roadside flare, spotlight, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Allen D Hertz, Eric L Hertz
  • Publication number: 20130242585
    Abstract: A light module of a lighting device comprises one passing-light sub-module for production of a dimmed-light distribution below a horizontal “light/dark” boundary, one high-beam sub-module for production of a light distribution above the boundary, a common projection-lens system for production of an overall light distribution, and one element deflecting a course of light beams of the sub-module(s) before it falls on the system. To realize the smallest system and a reduction of non-homogeneities in the overall light distribution in a region of the boundary, a majority of the light beams of the high-beam sub-module falls on a common segment of the system as a majority of the light beams of the passing-light sub-module, a smaller portion of the light beams of the high-beam sub-module falls on another segment of the system, and the system exhibits a deflector that deflects at least a portion of the light beams falling on the other segment downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Brendle
  • Publication number: 20130242583
    Abstract: A light ring of vehicle lights is revealed. The light ring includes a light collection ring and a light emitting source. The light collection ring is a transparent body while the light emitting source has a plurality of light emitting diode chips. The LED chips are disposed on a substrate orderly and compactly by bonding. The distance between two adjacent LED chips ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm. The substrate is coated with a phosphor adhesive layer and the LED chips are also covered by the phosphor adhesive layer. After being applied with a voltage, the LED chips emit light to energize the phosphor adhesive layer. Thus the phosphor adhesive layer releases energy in the form of light, entering an incident surface of the light collection ring to be emitted from an emission surface of the light collection ring. Thus a light ring with high brightness and uniform illumination is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: JUN YAN AUTO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MING-HSIEN TSAI
  • Publication number: 20130235603
    Abstract: A device for fastening a lamp of a motor vehicle to its body is provided. The device includes a receiving part having a ball socket and a ball pin. The ball pin is pivotably received in the ball socket of the receiving part and the ball pin is configured as a part of the lamp or as a separate component on the lamp. A lamp having the device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Heiko ECKERT, Peter OBERKOXHOLT, Thomas FEID
  • Publication number: 20130229814
    Abstract: An illumination device can be arranged along a contour of a component in a motor vehicle so that the contour of the component is recognizable in the dark as a bright strip. The illumination device allows producing a light strip along a predetermined distance. For this, the illumination device has a longitudinally shaped light conductor for distributing light along the distance and a coupling-in element which is connected to the light contour for coupling light into the light conductor. The light conductor is supported positionally fixed relative to the component in a region by means of a fixed-bearing device. The coupling in element on the other hand is supported by means of a floating-bearing device for movement relative to the component along at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Marcus Pfeil
  • Publication number: 20130229815
    Abstract: An illumination device for producing a light strip along a predetermined distance includes light sources and light conductors, wherein light of a first one of the light sources is distributable along a first section of the distance by a first one of the light conductors up to an end region of the first light conductor, wherein light of a second one of the light sources is distributable along a second section of the distance by a second one of the light conductors up to an end region of the second light conductor, and wherein the end region of the first light conductor and the end region of the second light conductor are arranged adjacent one another along the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Marcus Pfeil
  • Patent number: 8523416
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a light source unit having an LED and an optical element that performs light distribution control for directing light from the LED in a predetermined direction, a heat sink to which the light source unit is attached, and a lamp chamber in which the light source unit is disposed. The LED is an LED module formed by installing an LED chip on a power supply circuit board. The LED module is installed on a circuit board installation portion of the heat sink, and an attachment, which has a frame shape a size larger than the LED module and has a circuit board retaining portion at a center open portion of the attachment, is attached and fixed to the heat sink by a fixing member, whereby the LED module is held between the attachment and the circuit board installation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohmi, Takashi Matsunaga, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8523413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a LED collimator element for a vehicle headlight with a low-beam function, which emits at least visible light of one color from at least one region of a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Josef Andreas Schug
  • Publication number: 20130223086
    Abstract: A motor vehicle part comprising a material based on polymer(s), the material being surface treated by ion bombardment in order to improve the surface appearance of the material. The invention also relates to a process for obtaining this part and the use thereof, in particular for the manufacture of lighting and/or signaling devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Alexis Chenet, Frédéric Moret, Marc Brassier
  • Patent number: 8517582
    Abstract: A headlight lens is provided for a vehicle headlight. The headlight lens includes a lens body and a lens edge. The lens body has an operative surface that extends beyond the lens edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Docter Optics SE
    Inventors: Klaus Erward, Franz Sykura
  • Publication number: 20130215631
    Abstract: The body element (1) includes a translucent body (2) having an outer face (6) and an inner face (4), at least one of the faces (4, 6) being coated by a coating layer (8, 24) made of opaque material. The coating layer (8, 24) includes at least one opening (14, 26), the element further including at least one light source (18, 36) extending on the inner face (4) of the body (2), an additional coating layer (15, 28) made of opaque material being arranged on the outer face (6) side of the translucent body at least opposite the opening (14, 26), the additional coating layer (15, 28) being arranged to let the light coming from the light source (18, 36) pass through the additional coating layer (15, 28), when the light source is turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: FAURECIA EXTERIORS GMBH, FAURECIA BLOC AVANT
    Inventors: FAURECIA BLOC AVANT, FAURECIA EXTERIORS GMBH
  • Publication number: 20130201706
    Abstract: A circuit module includes: a lighting control circuit that controls lighting of a semiconductor light emitting element; a first heat radiating member on which the lighting control circuit is mounted; a second heat radiating member that is separated from the first heat radiating member and has a surface on which the semiconductor light emitting element is mounted; and a connecting mechanism having both a housing that connects the first heat radiating member and the second heat radiating member together and a conductive portion that transmits a signal from the lighting control circuit to the semiconductor light emitting element. The housing is formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than those of the first heat radiating member and the second heat radiating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya SUZUKI, Akihiro MATSUMOTO, Tomoyuki NAKAGAWA, Naoki SONE, Takashi INOUE
  • Publication number: 20130201707
    Abstract: In a circuit module, a supporting member has both an element mounting surface on which a package can be mounted and a circuit mounting surface on which a lighting control circuit that controls lighting of a semiconductor light emitting element can be mounted. The lighting control circuit is mounted on the circuit mounting surface. The circuit mounting surface is formed so as to be orthogonalized or inclined with respect to the element mounting surface. Thereby, the length in the longitudinal direction of the circuit module can be made smaller in comparison with that of a circuit module in which a circuit mounting surface and an element mounting surface are formed on the same plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya SUZUKI, Akihiro MATSUMOTO, Tomoyuki NAKAGAWA, Naoki SONE
  • Publication number: 20130194816
    Abstract: A light-emitting device may include: one first light source group having at least one light source and one second light source group having at least one light source, at least one reflector, which is configured and arranged for the purpose of reflecting light emitted by the first light source group to an optical plane, and at least one light conducting element, which is configured and arranged for the purpose of conducting light emitted by the second light source group to the optical plane, wherein the light conducting element is configured and arranged as an aperture for light reflected by the at least one reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: OSRAM AG
    Inventors: Juergen Hager, Oliver Hering, Ralf Vollmer
  • Publication number: 20130182450
    Abstract: An optical device is incorporated into an external part of a motor vehicle and comprises at least one sub-assembly including a light curtain or light curtain plus light guide and, on either side thereof, transparent plates each of which has at least one part being transparent and at least one other part being semi-transparent. At least one light source is connected to an electric source and emits rays of light that spread in a thickness of the light curtain or light curtain plus light guide. The sub-assembly and light source are incorporated into a housing, and the optical device collaborates with at least one lamp incorporated into a body-shell of the vehicle or LED on a suitable plate included in a sub-housing incorporated into the housing and emits rays of light through at least a portion of the light curtain or light curtain plus light guide that is transparent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REAR LAMPS FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventor: Alain Buisson
  • Patent number: 8480253
    Abstract: A device for improving the visibility of an emergency vehicle from the side includes an elongated base having affixed thereto a plurality of lights. The base is affixable to a vehicle side so as to position the lights in a substantially horizontally directed orientation. The lights are powerable via the electrical system of the vehicle, and a switch for activating and de-activating the lights is preferably positioned in the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Monsour M. Baker, Peter F. Reardon
  • Patent number: 8480272
    Abstract: An exterior lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting system may include a plurality of lights provided proximate the wheel-wheels of the vehicle. The plurality of lights may be illuminated upon a brake pedal of the vehicle being depressed, a turn signal lever of the vehicle being activated, or upon a driver entering a desired setting into an operator interface of the system. The lighting system may be used as a safety feature to provide approaching vehicles better warning of a braking, slowing, or turning vehicle. The lighting system may also be used during roadside repair to warn other vehicles and/or to provide illumination for the repair. The lighting system may also be used for entertainment or accessorizing purposes enabling the user to select from a plurality of lighting sequences stored in the memory of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory A. Day
  • Patent number: 8469563
    Abstract: A turn-indicator light module for an external rear view mirror assembly has at least one or more light emitting sources mounted on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). A reflector and a front housing unit create a lens. At least a major portion of the light module follows a portion of said outer contour of the mirror assembly in the driving direction. The PCB is arranged with respect to the reflector to emit light indirectly by light reflection by the reflector along the major portion of the lens portion of the front housing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Hyok-Joo Hwang, Kwang-Ryeol Park
  • Publication number: 20130155707
    Abstract: An improved incandescent light source as may be used in a vehicle headlamp for providing forward illumination. The illuminating system includes a filament coil and an anisotropic reflector assembly. The filament coil is constructed from a coil of wire that is electrically conductive and has a high melting point and the primary axis of the coil of wire is substantially aligned with a principal axis of the reflector system. The light flux emitted by the filament coil toward the reflector system is rotationally anisotropic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Istvan MUDRA, Laszlo Nagy, Jozsef Gallai
  • Patent number: 8466633
    Abstract: An illumination controlling device for a vehicle includes a controlling portion to change a luminance phase of a meter based on operation of an operating portion and to maintain a luminance phase of a lighting while the lighting is extinguished. The controlling portion changes the luminance phase of the meter based on the operation of the operating portion and changes the luminance phase of the lighting to correspond to the luminance phase of the meter if the operating portion is operated in a state that the luminance phase is different between the meter and the lighting while the lighting is illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Sugiura, Takaaki Muramatsu, Atsushi Nishiyama, Ryuji Suzuki, Shinji Suganuma
  • Patent number: 8465185
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly is provided with a housing adapted to be mounted to a vehicle exterior. First and second light pipes are provided in the housing and each has a profile offset from one another. First and second light sources are provided in the housing for illuminating the first and second light pipes respectively. The first and second light pipes also have different depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Verhee
  • Publication number: 20130141928
    Abstract: A lighting and/or signaling device and method comprising an opaque element that can move between at least two positions, one of the positions interposing the opaque element between the main light source and the optical focusing device, in which the opaque element is arranged so that when it is interposed between the main light source and the optical focusing device it prevents rays originating from outside the lighting and/or signaling device from being focused, especially in a line or spot, by the optical focusing device, in order to prevent degradation of the lighting and/or signaling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Valeo Vision
  • Publication number: 20130135882
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) module for an automotive lamp includes a plurality of supporting rods, a plurality of heat sinks, a circuit board and a plurality of LEDs. The supporting rods are connected to a bottom surface of a lamp housing having a predesigned shape. The heat sinks are respectively connected to an upper end of the supporting rods. The heat sinks are standardized to have at least one size. The circuit board is disposed on an upper surface of the plurality of heat sinks, to be bent according to an arrangement of the heat sinks. The LEDs are disposed on an area where the heat sinks are disposed, on the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130135883
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the optoelectronic lighting module the lighting module has a cooling body, a printed circuit board, and a substrate. One or more optoelectronic semiconductor chips is/are arranged on a substrate upper face. The semiconductor chips are electrically connected to the substrate. At least one retaining device lies directly or indirectly on the substrate upper face and presses a substrate lower face against a cooling body upper face. The substrate is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The retaining device is electrically insulated from the at least one semiconductor chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Singer, Thomas Haug, Alexander Sauerer, Hagen Luckner, Stefan Groetsch
  • Patent number: 8449161
    Abstract: A luminous decorative vehicle trim insert having an opaque carrier structure. A reflective layer is disposed over the opaque carrier structure. A light pipe is adjacent the reflective layer and operably connected to a light source. An optic layer is disposed in the light pipe. A total internal reflection (TIR) protective layer is disposed over the light pipe. A diffusing layer is disposed over the TIR protective layer. A decorative transmitting layer is disposed over the diffusing layer. An optic layer creates a luminous effect in the trim insert visible only when the light source is activated. An environmental layer is disposed over the transmitting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Denis Patrick Igoe, Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Jeffrey Singer
  • Publication number: 20130100690
    Abstract: A method for injection moulding of plastic-material lenticular bodies for lights; of motor vehicles and similar, the method comprising the steps of coupling a punch half-mould with a first matrix half-mould so as to define, on the surface of the punch half-mould, a first closed cavity that copies in reverse the shape of the first plastic-material sheet; filling said first cavity with a first plastic polymer in a liquid state, injecting the first plastic polymer in the first cavity from an injection point located at said first segment of the peripheral edge of the first plastic-material sheet; and finally separating, after the first plastic polymer has solidified to form the first plastic-material sheet, the punch half-mould (15) from the first; matrix half-mould maintaining the first plastic-material sheet still on the surface of the punch half-mould.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Daniele Dereani, Franco Marcori, Bruno Norio
  • Publication number: 20130096781
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle wheel apparatus includes a turnable cover or door for a wheelhouse opening in a fender. In another aspect, a sheath or liner is provided close to at least half of a circumference of a wheel. A further aspect blocks and/or removes circumferential air moving with a wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Aptera Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas George Reichenbach, Paul Beringer Wilbur, Marques McCammon
  • Patent number: 8414168
    Abstract: A roof rack assembly for a vehicle having a roof is presented here. The roof rack assembly includes a first stanchion for structural attachment to the roof, a second stanchion for structural attachment to the roof, and a bar coupled between, and held above the roof by, the first stanchion and the second stanchion. The bar has a securing feature integrally formed therein, which holds an electric powered light-emitting component. Accordingly, the roof rack assembly employs a roof rack bar having a light-emitting element integrated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Jutila, Robert E. Boniface, Jeffrey A. Diegel, Joel T. Bachler, Ronald J. Wojciechowski
  • Patent number: 8414170
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for manufacturing a batch of motor vehicle headlight lenses, each lens comprising a lens body and a convexly curved optically operative surface. The method comprising pressing a pre-form between a first mold and a second mold, which second mold comprises a first and second mold sections. An offset depending on the volume of the pre-form a step is pressed into the headlight lens between the second mold section and the first mold section, wherein the first mold section is set back with respect to the second mold section at least in the region of the offset, and wherein the height of a step of a headlight lens of the batch differs by more than 0.05 mm from the height of a step of at least one further headlight lens of the batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Doctor Optics GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Erward, Franz Sykura
  • Patent number: 8408764
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a reflective housing having a first recessed portion with a reflective surface. An outer housing made of heat dissipating material is fixed to the reflective housing and includes a plurality of fins on an outer surface thereof. The outer housing further includes a second recessed portion receiving the reflective housing. A receiving portion is provided behind the second recessed portion and receives a circuit board. A heat conductive seat made of heat dissipating material includes a connecting plate fixed to the outer housing. An extension extends from the connecting plate to a central, front portion of the reflective housing. The LED light module is mounted to the extension and electrically connected to the circuit board. A light-transmitting cover is mounted to and covers openings of the reflective housing and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Min Hsiang Corporation
    Inventors: Yao-Te Chung, Kun Yeh Lin
  • Publication number: 20130070468
    Abstract: The invention describes a gas-discharge lamp (1) comprising a vessel (5), which vessel is partially coated with an essentially rectangular stripe (Sv) arranged circumferentially on a surface of the vessel, and wherein a first long side (14) of the stripe is situated close to a base (6) of the lamp, and the width (wv) of the stripe is such that a first angle (?v2) subtended at a lamp centre between a radius (r) and a point on the first long side (14) of the stripe comprises at most 55°, and a second angle (?v1) sub-tended at the lamp centre between the radius and a point on a second long side (15) of the stripe comprises at most 50°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Lukas Kuepper, Michael Haacke, Klaus Schoeller
  • Publication number: 20130058112
    Abstract: A light-guiding member closed to a car light has an atomized light-guiding body, wherein a containing space is formed inside and connected to a light inlet correspondingly. Differently as the traditional way, light-guiding member in the car illumination assembly set the LED cluster inside to function the daytime running light raise the uniform brightness of the daytime running light which have both the daytime running effect and the whole style.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: SONAR AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HSIU-PEN YANG
  • Publication number: 20130051046
    Abstract: An LED aperture of an automobile lamp comprises a PCB having LED lamps installed with a wide interval apart from each other and at least two notches formed at the external periphery of PCB, such that each LED lamp is near an internal side of the light collection ring cover, and a transparent light collection ring cover including refractive engraved lines on the light collection ring cover, and at least two latch sections extended from the internal periphery of the light collection ring cover and aligned with the notches of the PCB. The LED lamps form an aperture with a uniform brightness and lights of a light source passed through a plurality of refractive engraved lines are formed on a surface of the light collection ring cover achieve the expected safety warning and decoration function and lower the cost of the LED lamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GRANG FAIR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: KENG-CHIN YEH
  • Publication number: 20130039082
    Abstract: A vehicle light, which may be a third brake light, includes an insertion portion for inserting in a recess of a vehicle component and a contact portion for placing the brake light on an edge of the recess. The contact portion protrudes at least in sections past the side of the insertion portion, wherein the insertion portion has at least one catch element designed for catching the brake light on the vehicle component. The insertion portion further has at least one locking element for sliding the at least one catch element in the direction of the contact portion. The locking element is implemented as a lever. The method can be used for installing such a vehicle light, in particular a brake light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter FLEISCHER, Richard FEDER, Joerg MEICHSNER, Birger OSWALD
  • Publication number: 20130021812
    Abstract: The invention describes an integral lighting assembly (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) comprising an optical arrangement (2, 3); a first light source (S1) for generating a first beam (L1) of light; a first collimator (C1) for directing the first beam (L1) at the optical arrangement (2, 3); a second light source (S2) for generating a second beam (L2) of light; and a second collimator (C2) for directing the second beam (L2) at the optical arrangement (2, 3), wherein the optical arrangement (2, 3) is realized to manipulate the first and second light beams (L1, L2) to give a first exit beam (BLO) and a second exit beam (BRI) such that the first exit beam (BLO) and the second exit beam (BRI) are partially combined in an overlap region (44) on a projection plane (4) located at a predefined distance from the integral lighting assembly (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E). The invention further describes an automotive headlamp arrangement (12) comprising such an integral lighting assembly (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Josef Andreas Schug, Benno Spinger
  • Publication number: 20130021813
    Abstract: An optical device for automobile vehicles, notably a signalling and/or lighting device. The device comprises at least one surface-emitting light source, at least one lens, notably distant from the surface-emitting light source, disposed at least partially on the path of the light (R) emitted by the surface-emitting light source so as to produce an image of an object area of the surface-emitting light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Vincent Godbillon
  • Patent number: 8348484
    Abstract: A vehicle exterior lamp includes an optical structure defining a plurality of geometric indicia, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light. Light emitted by the LEDs is directed towards the optical structure, to interact with the optical structure, and exit the exterior lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Chaterlea, Jeffrey Nield
  • Publication number: 20120327675
    Abstract: A lighting assembly has a first array of lamp elements to a first side of a central zone and a second array of lamp elements to a second side of the central zone. Each array has at least one low intensity lamp element operable to cause the lighting assembly to present a low intensity brightness to an observer viewing the lighting assembly and at least one high intensity lamp element operable to cause the lighting assembly to present a high intensity brightness to an observer viewing the lighting assembly, and an electrical connector through which electric current is fed to operate the lamp elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Pranay Kumar Bajjuri, John Jacob
  • Patent number: 8337064
    Abstract: A weak portion (connection release device) is provided in an upper connection portion in which a headlamp, which is a lamp, is connected to a radiator support, which is a vehicle body, and therefore, when an impact load is applied from above a vehicle, an upper portion of the headlamp is detached from the radiator support. In a lower connection portion in which a lower portion of the headlamp is connected to a bumper reinforcement, which is a vehicle body, a lower connection device maintains a connection between the lower portion of the headlamp and the bumper reinforcement. When the impact load is applied in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the lower connection device releases the connection between the headlamp and the bumper reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiho Yonezawa
  • Publication number: 20120320613
    Abstract: A safety system for drivers while driving vehicles at night in un-illuminated areas has side lights that are positioned one on each side of a vehicle, near front of the vehicle. The side lights illuminate areas on left and right sides of the vehicle near the front-end of the vehicle and operating in conjunction with head lights enable drivers to maintain visual reference to the surroundings to avoid the risk of disorientation while driving at night in un-illuminated areas. The side lights in conjunction with head lights also enable drivers to be able to see curved roads ahead. The position of the side lights in the vehicle is integrated with the head lights of the vehicle and the operational control is integrated with the operational control of head lights of the vehicle. The side lights illuminate a distance from the vehicle that is substantially equal to one to three single-road-widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Tara Chand Singhal
  • Publication number: 20120320621
    Abstract: A luminous vehicle glazing, containing: a first sheet containing a mineral or an organic glass having a first main face, a second main face, and an injection edge; a peripheral light source with an emitting face, which faces the injection edge; a guided-light extracting element; a peripheral functional element, bonded to the first sheet, which is fluid-tight, including a cavity for placing the peripheral light source; a covering element, which covers the cavity and the peripheral light source, which is fluid-tight, and which is selected from i) a cap combined with an interfacial element, for interfacial fluid-tightness or ii) a fluid-tight sealing mastic covering the peripheral light source and sealing the peripheral functional element. In addition, a method of manufacturing the luminous vehicle glazing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Christophe Kleo, Bastien Grandgirard, Alexandre Richard, Adele Verrat-Debailleul
  • Publication number: 20120314436
    Abstract: In an automotive headlamp, a light-emitting module is configured such that a light-emitting element and a control circuit unit for controlling the lighting of the light-emitting element are structured integrally with each other. A control circuit unit in a position anterior to the light-emitting element in a lamp unit is located below a shade section so that the control circuit unit can be clear of the path of light used to form a low beam light distribution pattern of the light emitted by the light-emitting element. In this setting, the light-emitting element is so located that a main optical axis Ax2 is perpendicular respect to an optical axis Ax1 of the lamp unit and that a light-emitting portion of the light-emitting element protrudes higher than the control circuit unit in the direction of the main optical axis Ax2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi INOUE, Tetsuya SUZUKI, Akihiro MATSUMOTO, Naoki SONE, Takanori NAMBA, Hidetada TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8330385
    Abstract: A light bar system for a vehicle compartment includes a circuit board having a plurality of capacitive-type, user-activated switches, an electrical power source coupled to the circuit board, a light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the circuit board, and a light bar affixed to the circuit board. The user-activated switches are coupled to a vehicle accessory to control the level of operation of the vehicle accessory. The most recently actuated one of the user-actuated switches is detected by the circuit board and the circuit board provides a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the LED with a duty cycle of the PWM signal based on the most recently actuated switch. A higher duty cycle PWM signal corresponds to a higher setting of the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Denis Patrick Igoe
  • Publication number: 20120304449
    Abstract: A component is provided that includes at least one passageway. In another aspect, a component, such as a lamp or a vehicular washer jet, is made of layers of material, a light curable material and/or multiple built-up materials. Another aspect uses a three-dimensional printing machine to emit material from an ink jet printing head to build up a component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Nicholas Jackson, Todd L. Hemingway, Walter B. Pipp, JR.
  • Patent number: 8317376
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Hook, David A. Dingman
  • Publication number: 20120294022
    Abstract: It is provided a socket (16) for an automotive lamp (10), particularly HID lamp, for use in an automotive headlight (12), comprising a bottom housing part (24) comprising a bottom surface (30) defining a proximal end of the socket (16), a top housing part (26) directly connected to the bottom housing part (24), wherein the top housing part (26) comprises a top surface (32) pointing away from the bottom housing part (24), and reference protrusions (36) for aligning a burner (14) with respect to the reference protrusions (36) during connecting the burner (14) to the socket (16), wherein the reference protrusions (36) protrudes from the level (34) of the top surface (32) or starting from below the level (34) of the top surface (32). Since a metal reference ring protruding from the socket (16) can be saved the height of the socket (16) can be reduced leading to a reduced total height of an automotive lamp (10) comprising this socket (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Juergen Gerhard Mertens, Lars Dabringhausen
  • Patent number: 8305225
    Abstract: A lamp assembly to be incorporated into or positioned on a truck's existing support structure comprising: a heat sink; an electrically insulating dielectric coating disposed on the heat sink; a plurality of circuit traces disposed on the dielectric coating; a plurality of LEDs disposed on and electrically connected to one another by the dielectric coating; and a cover disposed substantially over and protecting the heat sink, the dielectric coating, the circuit traces, and the LEDs. The LEDs are spaced apart at intervals to provide general illumination. The cover can be clear or be solid and have a plurality of apertures, each corresponding to one LED, and can further include a lens over the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Craig Hefright, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
  • Publication number: 20120275174
    Abstract: A light projection unit is provided that can reduce the production of a portion where the light density is excessively increased on a fluorescent member. This light projection unit includes: a light collection member that includes a light entrance surface and a light emission surface which has an area smaller than that of the light entrance surface; a fluorescent member that includes an application surface to which the laser light emitted from the light collection member is applied and that mainly emits fluorescent light from the application surface; and a light projection member that projects the fluorescent light. The light emission surface of the light collection member is arranged a predetermined distance from the application surface of the fluorescent member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji TAKAHASHI, Yoshiyuki TAKAHIRA, Yosuke MAEMURA