Headlight Patents (Class 362/507)
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Patent number: 7011438Abstract: A method for operating an illumination device as a day travelling light, in particular for automotive vehicles, wherein the device comprises a light source in an illumination housing and a means associated with the light source for bundling the light emitted by the light source, utilizes a light source comprising at least one LED (13).Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbHInventors: Kurt Schuster, Petra Heinbuch, Ralf Ackermann
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Patent number: 7011437Abstract: A lamp unit has a reflector (10) having a reflector surface (12) with an inverted U-shaped aperture (14) formed therein and extending through said reflector to an opposite surface (16). The inverted U-shaped aperture thereby has a bight (18) uppermost with a pair of channels (20, 22) depending therefrom. A light-shield (24) comprises a cup-shaped member (26) having an arm (28) projecting therefrom. The arm (28) has a distal end (30) formed to provide a pair of nibs (32, 34) for engaging and penetrating the channels (20, 22) of the inverted U-shaped aperture (14). The nibs (32, 34) have their ends (36, 38) deformed to fix the position of the light-shield (24) relative to the reflector (10).Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.Inventor: Jon P. Goller
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Patent number: 6998784Abstract: A vehicular headlamp including a beam radiation unit that has a discharge bulb as a light source and is rotatably supported in a lamp body, an illumination circuit unit that illuminates the discharge bulb, and a cord that connects the illumination circuit unit and the discharge bulb, the cord being held at its middle portion so as to be prevented from being moved around with respect to the lamp body.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoichiro Yokoi, Kazuki Okui
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Patent number: 6997586Abstract: A structure for maintaining clearance between a headlamp and a fender of a vehicle is capable of significantly enhancing a visual outer appearance of the vehicle. By decreasing a length of a dummy section formed in a lateral side of a headlamp lens and removing a hole processing flange formed in a front end of a fender.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jae Hun Lee
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Patent number: 6997585Abstract: A headlamp unit (30) is mounted between opposite sides of a radiator core support panel (10) in a widthwise direction of a vehicle and a front portion of a front fender. One of a front mounting position of a front portion of the headlamp unit (30) and a rear mounting position of a rear portion of the headlamp unit (30) is provided with a fastening structure (50). The other one of the front mounting position and the rear mounting position is provided with an inserting structure (40) capable of adjusting an inserting amount. The headlamp unit (30) is allowed to slide and move by the fastening structure and/or the inserting structure, thereby making it possible to adjust a mounting position.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masataka Ito
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Patent number: 6992804Abstract: A part (1) made of transparent material that allows visible light waves to pass therethrough, said part comprising outer faces (11, 12) defining a solid body (10) made of transparent material, the part being characterized in that it further comprises light diffracting means (14) situated inside the solid body (10) at a distance from the outer faces (11, 12).Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: HolophaneInventors: Patrick Lamy, Patrick Muzard, François-Régis Leclercq
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Patent number: 6979110Abstract: In an automotive headlamp 10, a lens flange portion 24 is caused to extend from a circumferential edge 23 of a lens surface 18 formed into a configuration which follows the outline of an external surface 19 of a vehicle body toward a lamp housing 11, a surface-roughening process is applied to a surface 25 of an end portion of the lens flange portion 24 to make irregular the surface 25 of the end portion, and a leg portion 28 is caused to extend from a location 27 which deviates from the surface 25 of the end portion in such a manner as to bypass the surface 25 of the end portion, so that the leg portion 28 fits in the lamp housing 11.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Hasegawa, Masahiko Sugama
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Patent number: 6960007Abstract: A vehicular headlamp in which a light-emitting element such as an LED is used as a light source and which has a light distribution with good accuracy. The headlamp includes a semiconductor light-emitting element in the form of a semiconductor chip and an optical system including a reflector and a lens with a fluorescent body arranged around the semiconductor chip. The focal point of the optical system is located on or closely adjacent the semiconductor chip constituting the light-emitting portion of the light-emitting element in which. Dimensional errors in the outer shape of the reflector or the fluorescent body are made to be not more than 0.1 millimeters, that is, smaller than the positional error of the light-emitting portion with respect to the reflector or the lens. The dimensional accuracy of the semiconductor chip and the like are improved, and thus accuracy required for light distribution control sufficiently assured.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Kiyoshi Sazuka
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Patent number: 6951416Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is configured to have a plurality of lamp units employing light-emitting diodes as light sources. One lamp unit takes as a light source a light-emitting diode into which a single light-emitting chip is packaged. Other lamp units may take as light sources light-emitting diodes into which a plurality of light-emitting diodes are packaged. A diffusion area is formed by means of radiation of light output from the lamp units.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyoshi Sazuka, Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 6951365Abstract: A body subassembly for a vehicle that is designed to be mounted substantially flush with the surrounding vehicle body panels and an impact-absorbing bumper, and that is capable of deflecting with the stroke of the impact-absorbing bumper during impact. The body subassembly is preferably formed with at least one deformable resilient deflection member selectively located between an exterior member and a housing, between an inner lens and an outer lens in a dual lens system, or between the housing and the body of the vehicle or a member attached or molded thereto. Further, the resilient deflection member may be the exterior member itself or the housing itself. The resilient deflection member permits the exterior member or other components of the body subassembly to move upon impact without damage to itself or any other surrounding assembly components, and may be used as a styling element to enhance the aesthetic effect of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.Inventors: Lee A. Chase, Jason Gilliam, Franklin Lutt
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Patent number: 6916110Abstract: A flame simulating device for a vehicle is disclosed. The flame simulating device comprises an assembly having a flame shaped end and an opposite end. In several examples of the flame simulating device the opposite end of a member of the assembly is coupled to a transparent member. In use of the flame simulating device, a portion of the opposite end of the assembly is coupled to a portion of a surface of a vehicle light lens fixture. The flame simulating device preferably comprises translucent plastic, except when a member of the assembly is the transparent member. The flame simulating device may be colored and textured to give the appearance of flames emanating from a vehicle. A source of light creates a simulated flame when the source of light is directed onto the translucent flame simulating device.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Inventor: Rene C. Batiste
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Patent number: 6909376Abstract: A light and sensor assembly (22) for use with a land craft, watercraft or aircraft. The assembly includes a shell (28) for mounting to, or that is a part of the body (24) of, the vehicle. Internal to the enclosed space defined by the shell is a socket and bulb assembly (30, 32) for providing light and heat. Also disposed in the shell is a transducer (36) that emits or receives energy as part of a proximity sensing assembly. The transducer is encased in a transducer housing (38). The transducer housing is positioned relatively close to the bulb so that the heat emitted by the bulb warms the transducer housing. This heat fosters the evaporation of water off the exposed face of the transducer housing so as to minimize the extent to which this water can inhibit the utility of the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Inventor: Mark Rennick
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Patent number: 6890090Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle includes a clear, front cover plate (12), at least one light source (14), and at least one reflector (16) associated with the light source (14). A beam shield (14) for avoidance of glare produced by headlights of oncoming vehicles is provided, with the beam shield (18) being disposed between the light source (14) and the cover plate (12). The beam shield (18) has a structured surface (26) with an arbitrary or selected geometric pattern on an inner side facing said light source (14).Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbHInventors: Gerhard Weihing, Karl Ruoff, Hans-Joachim Schmidt, Michael Scholl, Guenter Steinert, Duane Schliebe
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Patent number: 6891333Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is constituted to have a plurality of lamp units having light-emitting diodes as light sources. At that time, three types of lamp units of different radiation modes; that is, a projector-type lamp unit, direct-projection-type lamp units, and a reflection-type lamp unit, are used as the plurality of lamp units. As a result, a low-beam light distribution pattern obtained as a merged light distribution pattern formed from the light rays output from these three types of lamp units can be readily formed in a desired pattern geometry and a desired distribution of luminous intensity.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Tatsukawa, Hiroyuki Ishida, Kiyoshi Sazuka
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Patent number: 6882110Abstract: A headlamp having a plurality of lighting units using light emitting diodes as light sources. A cutoff line forming unit, hot zone forming units, and a diffusion region forming unit are used as these lighting units. Consequently, a light distribution pattern for a low beam having a desirable pattern shape and light intensity distribution can be obtained as the synthetic light distribution pattern of light distribution patterns formed by the irradiation of a light from these three kinds of lighting units.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Kiyoshi Sazuka, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 6866408Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a light source, a reflector possessing first and second focal regions, and a converging lens. The source is located in the first focal region and the lens possesses a focus situated in the second focal region. The reflector and the lens have axes which are essentially coincident defining the optical axis of the headlamp. The headlamp is intended to generate a light beam exhibiting high intensity along the optical axis and a limited extension below the optical axis. A first area of the reflector extending in the vicinity of an axial vertical plane generates, in a focal plane of the lens, images of the source the center which is substantially offset with respect to the focus of the lens, while two second areas of the reflector located on either side of said first area generate, in the same focal plane, images of the source the centers of which pass close to or onto the focus of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: Pierre Albou
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Patent number: 6863426Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflector which provides for good ventilation of a light source located in the said reflector and facilitates the passage of the reflector on production lines for the purpose of covering an internal surface of the reflector with powder. To this end, there is proposed according to the invention a reflector in which a reflector and a lamp holder are produced separately, prior to being interlocked. The reflector produced thus comprises a set of supports which are arranged such that a light source subsequently fitted in the reflector can be ventilated in a satisfactory manner. The lamp holder is interlocked with the reflector on the supports by means of centering pins and assembly studs.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: Jean-François Delourme
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Patent number: 6863427Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a source, a mirror possessing first and second focal regions, and a converging lens. The source is located in the first focal region and the lens possesses a focus situated in the second focal region. The mirror and the lens have axes which are essentially coincident defining an optical axis of the headlamp, and the headlamp further includes a mask located in the region of the focus of the lens, in order to project a beam an upper cut-off of which is defined by said mask. Finally, the mirror concentrates the light, in the vertical direction, towards a vertical focusing baseline extending substantially horizontally and transversely to the optical axis and passing close to the focus of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: Pierre Albou
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Patent number: 6840659Abstract: A transition region between an engine hood or front trunk lid and a headlight is configured such that the front hood or trunk lid and the headlight adjoin each other without any support to the greatest possible extent. Thus, in the case of a collision with a pedestrian, the front hood or trunk lid can be deformed without any support. In addition, the headlights are arranged outside a zone which is highly likely to be struck by a child's head.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Garry Brown, Thomas Frank, Klaus Rathje, Oliver Tomlin, Maya Ziegs
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Publication number: 20040228137Abstract: In the invention, a light device is proposed equipped with a DC motor for causing the tilting of a pivoting plate, in addition, in the invention, a solution is proposed for preventing the DC motor from degrading too quickly. To this end, it is therefore proposed to limit, for example by means of an electronic control card, the supply current to the motor to a limitation threshold, at least during the phases in which the DC motor is functioning in locked torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Alexandre Mensales, David Hue
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Patent number: 6811289Abstract: A lens has a concave shape or a convex shape in either vertical cross section or transverse cross section. Thereby light passing through the lens is largely refracted and the interior is harder to be seen even if a prism is not formed. As a result, there is no need to give a finish more than optical performance required for reflection to the front surface of the reflecting surface of a reflector, which is for the purpose of enhancement of its appearance, and thereby the machining work is simpler than the conventional way. Further, since the lens has a flat shape in either vertical cross section or transverse cross section, the lens is easily polished when it is made of glass, which is excellent in manufacture of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Nakata
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Publication number: 20040202002Abstract: An article of manufacture for offering a device which disguises headlights and lenses of a vehicle such as a military, hunting vehicle, ATV, or the like. The inventive device includes a magnetic material, and is quickly removable when absolutely necessary. Uses fewer parts, utilizes magnetic attachment, one piece construction, unbreakable, lightweight construction, and two sided, reversible camouflage cover offers superior adaptability to surroundings. Camouflage light covers are for use with military and hunting vehicles and transportation devices to conceal the lights, fixtures, mounting equipment, and other apparatus used to secure the lights, from other people, animals, and other viewing devices. In reference to camouflage light covers, the same procedures and disclosures described in the present invention of camouflaged light covers can be extended to include any printed light covers using the same methods and techniques as those used or employed in the present invention of camouflage light covers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Don Franklin Rhoad, Lee Arthur Groves
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Publication number: 20040184280Abstract: A vehicular headlamp for emitting light ahead of an automobile, includes: a semiconductor light emitting device; a reflector, having its optical center on the semiconductor light emitting device, for reflecting light generated by the semiconductor light emitting device forward; and a light transmitting member formed from material that transmits the light generated by the semiconductor light emitting device in such a manner that the light transmitting member covers the semiconductor light emitting device, the light transmitting member deflecting forward a part of the light generated by the semiconductor light emitting device and transmitting another part of the light generated by the semiconductor light emitting device toward the reflector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Publication number: 20040184279Abstract: This invention proposes lighting apparatus, for a vehicle having two passing lights for producing a passing beam, which are adapted to pivot to a position deflected to the left or to the right when the vehicle is on a left-hand bend or a right-hand bend, respectively, together with two auxiliary headlights for giving an auxiliary regulation light beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Valerie Molto, Eric Blusseau, Pierre Albou
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Patent number: 6793359Abstract: A transmission member is swingably connected respectively to a reflector and a nut member, about an axis substantially orthogonal to a tilting direction of the reflector and to an advancing and backward direction of the nut member. As a result, the transmission member, which forms a link of a link mechanism, converts the linear motion of the nut member into rotation motion and transmits the rotation motion to the reflector, and also adjusts a misalignment between the linear motion of the nut member and the rotation motion of the reflector. Accordingly, optical axis adjustment is carried out smoothly.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Miyoshi Iwamoto
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Publication number: 20040170028Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp for a motor vehicle headlight, to a headlight for a motor vehicle, and to a headlight unit. According to a first aspect of the invention, a lamp with two coils is proposed which is capable of fulfilling widely differing functions, among them in particular future AFS lighting functions, in a flexible manner, while means for screening off the light emitted by the coils in certain angular regions are arranged such that the regions illuminated by the coils—at least in the radiation directions relevant for the use in a reflector—overlap only slightly, preferably not at all. Such a headlight comprises a reflector with at least two reflector regions which are each illuminated by an associated coil, the first and the second reflector region having a maximum overlap of 20% of the total reflector surface area.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Josef Andreas Schug, Helmut Tiesler-Wittig, Ingolf Sischka
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Publication number: 20040160784Abstract: The present invention relates to a head lamp assembling device of a front end module of a vehicle, which is capable of locating a head lamp of the vehicle in an exact position of a fender of the vehicle. The head lamp assembling device includes: a carrier assembling stand for fixing the carrier; position adjusting means for adjusting a position of the head lamp; and movable means for moving the position adjusting means of the head lamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: HALLA CLIMATE CONTROL CORPORATIONInventor: Jae-Ho Park
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Publication number: 20040160783Abstract: A vehicular headlamp for emitting light toward a predetermined emitting direction, includes: a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices approximately aligned; and an optical component, having its optical center on one of the semiconductor light emitting devices, for irradiating light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting devices toward the emitting direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Masashi Tatsukawa, Hiroyuki Ishida, Kiyoshi Sazuka, Tsukasa Tokida
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Patent number: 6776513Abstract: The invention proposes a motor-vehicle headlamp (10), of the type including a main optical system (23) which comprises, arranged from back to front overall along a main optical axis (A—A), a main light source (16), a main reflector (14) of the elliptical type, and a converging main lens (18), characterised in that it includes a secondary optical system (36) comprising: a secondary light source (48) which is arranged behind the main lens (18) and off the path of the light rays emitted by the main light source (16); and an optical distribution element (42) which is interposed between the secondary light source (48) and the exit surface (19) of the main lens (18), in such a way as to form, at the exit from the main lens (18), a secondary regulatory beam for indicating.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: Pierre Albou
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Publication number: 20040156208Abstract: A headlamp unit (30) is mounted between opposite sides of a radiator core support panel (10) in a widthwise direction of a vehicle and a front portion of a front fender. One of a front mounting position of a front portion of the headlamp unit (30) and a rear mounting position of a rear portion of the headlamp unit (30) is provided with a fastening structure (50). The other one of the front mounting position and the rear mounting position is provided with an inserting structure (40) capable of adjusting an inserting amount. The headlamp unit (30) is allowed to slide and move by the fastening structure and/or the inserting structure, thereby making it possible to adjust a mounting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventor: Masataka Ito
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Publication number: 20040145906Abstract: A headlamp adjuster configured for engagement with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The headlamp adjuster includes a U-shaped structure which is engaged with a screw and which is engageable with the reflector. The screw is prevented from translating substantially upon rotation, but the headlamp adjuster is configured such that rotation of the screw causes the U-shaped structure to translate thereby moving the reflector. The screw includes an externally threaded shaft portion which is threadably engaged with an internally threaded bore of the U-shaped structure. The U-shaped structure may be a single piece which is engaged with the screw and is engageable with the reflector, or may include a U-shaped member which is engaged with the screw and a slide member, where the slide member is engageable with the reflector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: James Patrick Clinch, Karl Schmitt, Usman Yusuf Shami
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Patent number: 6764208Abstract: A shape of a vertical cross section and a shape of a horizontal cross section in a lens are formed in a convex shape. Accordingly, even when a prism is not formed, alight transmitting through the lens is largely refracted and an interior section is hard to be visible. As a result, it is not necessary to finish a surface of a reflection surface of a reflector so as to have an optical performance equal to or more than an optical performance required for reflection with taking an appearance into consideration, and a working operation can be easily executed in comparison with the conventional one.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Nakata
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Publication number: 20040136198Abstract: A vehicle lamp as for a motor vehicle includes a housing with a light exit opening closed by an elongate light cover. At least one light emitting diode is arranged in the housing laterally of the light cover, its main emission direction being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light cover. Light from the diode in the main emission direction is coupled into a light guide and is at least partially coupled out transversely with respect to said main emission direction towards the light cover. A reflector arrangement which extends at least on the side of the light guide in opposite relationship to the light cover reflects towards the light cover light coupled out therefrom in other directions than towards the light cover. The reflector arrangement includes a good heat-conducting material and is in good heat-conducting relationship with the diode to dissipate heat therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Frank Wimbert, Frank Gotthardt, Peer Quendt, Markus Brautigam
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Publication number: 20040125613Abstract: In an automotive headlamp 10, a lens flange portion 24 is caused to extend from a circumferential edge 23 of a lens surface 18 formed into a configuration which follows the outline of an external surface 19 of a vehicle body toward a lamp housing 11, a surface-roughening process is applied to a surface 25 of an end portion of the lens flange portion 24 to make irregular the surface 25 of the end portion, and a leg portion 28 is caused to extend from a location 27 which deviates from the surface 25 of the end portion in such a manner as to bypass the surface 25 of the end portion, so that the leg portion 28 fits in the lamp housing 11.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaru Hasegawa, Masahiko Sugama
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Publication number: 20040105275Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is configured to have a plurality of lamp units employing light-emitting diodes as light sources. One lamp unit takes as a light source a light-emitting diode into which a single light-emitting chip is packaged. Other lamp units may take as light sources light-emitting diodes into which a plurality of light-emitting diodes are packaged. A diffusion area is formed by means of radiation of light output from the lamp units.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kiyoshi Sazuka, Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 6742920Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a light source, a reflector for radiating light emitted from the light source forwards, and a cover lens for covering an area in front of the reflector and the light source, wherein the light distribution pattern of the low beam emitted by the vehicular headlamp has a horizontal cut line at least on the side of the opposite lane and wherein a long-distance visibility enchancing portion extending above the horizontal cut line of the light distribution pattern is formed at an end portion of the horizontal cut line.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Takada, Naoki Uchida, Hiroyuki Ishida
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Publication number: 20040090790Abstract: A vehicular headlamp in which a light-emitting element such as an LED is used as a light source and which has a light distribution with good accuracy. The headlamp includes a semiconductor light-emitting element in the form of a semiconductor chip and an optical system including a reflector and a lens with a fluorescent body arranged around the semiconductor chip. The focal point of the optical system is located on or closely adjacent the semiconductor chip constituting the light-emitting portion of the light-emitting element in which. Dimensional errors in the outer shape of the reflector or the fluorescent body are made to be not more than 0.1 millimeters, that is, smaller than the positional error of the light-emitting portion with respect to the reflector or the lens. The dimensional accuracy of the semiconductor chip and the like are improved, and thus accuracy required for light distribution control sufficiently assured.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Kiyoshi Sazuka
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Patent number: 6733162Abstract: A vehicle lamp. A lamp chamber is partitioned by a lamp body in a vessel-like shape and by a front face lens, a reflector is attachedly inserted with a light source and is contained in the lamp chamber, and an aiming mechanism is interposed between the lamp body and the reflector for supporting the reflector inclinably to the lamp body. The reflector is inclined by rotating an aiming screw supported by a screw inserting hole provided at the lamp body. A rear end portion of the aiming screw projects to the rear side of the lamp body and includes an integrated crown gear made of a metal. A disk face of the gear is provided with a raised wrench engaging portion for engaging with an L-shaped wrench to thereby operate to rotate the aiming screw by using the L-shaped wrench extending from the side of the lamp piece. Aiming screw adjustments can be carried out even when there is no rear space behind the lamp piece. The wrench engaging portion can be formed simply.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Kurita, Katsuhiko Iiyama
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Patent number: 6702507Abstract: A separable, form-fitting joint (5) is proposed in which one plastic component is designed as a base component (6) and another component, a cover (7), is designed as a component to be mounted on the base component (6), and the cover (7) is equipped, as viewed from the mounting direction (10), with opposing pocket-shaped receptacles (13, 14, 20, 21) which are formed on cover (7) by tongues (16, 17, 22, 23) on the cover (7) and which accommodate the insertion of flange-shaped edge sections (9, 12) of the base component (6).Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff GmbHInventor: René Wild
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Publication number: 20040027833Abstract: Light from an LED light source, which is placed to be directed toward the front of a lamp, is incident on a translucent member, and the light that is transmitted through the translucent member is reflected by a reflector toward the front of the lamp. An internal reflection portion that internally reflects light which is incident on the translucent member at a small angle with respect to an optical axis of the LED light source, in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and a refraction portion that refracts light which is incident at a large angle with respect to the optical axis, in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, are formed on the surface of the translucent member. The LED emitted light can be caused to be incident on a reflective surface of the reflector in the form of substantially parallel beams which are directed in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuyuki Amano, Hiroya Koizumi
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Patent number: 6690114Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a reflector, a discharge bulb, a lighting circuit for supplying electric power to the discharge bulb, a socket coupled to the discharge bulb to connect the discharge bulb to the lighting circuit, an opening portion formed in a portion of a lamp body disposed rearwardly of the discharge bulb, and a cover for covering the opening portion. A power source-side connector and a bulb-side connector are fixedly secured to a portion of the lamp body disposed in the vicinity of the opening portion. The lighting circuit and an output connector for connection to the bulb-side connector are integrally formed on the cover. When the cover is moved to open the opening portion, the connection between the power source-side connector and the input connector and the connection between the bulb-side connector and the output connector are simultaneously interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Nakayama, Satoru Yashiki, Kazuhito Iwaki
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Patent number: 6672747Abstract: In a headlamp for a vehicle, a lighting control circuit unit is provided in a lamp housing. The lighting control circuit unit is fixed to a holder with screws and the holder is fixed to a rear surface of a reflector with screws. A discharge lamp bulb is held on the reflector. The discharge lamp bulb is directly connected to the lighting control circuit unit. The lighting control circuit unit is removable through an opening of the lamp housing in a state that the discharge lamp bulb is held on the reflector. Also, the discharge lamp bulb is exchangeable through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiranao Yamaguchi, Koichi Toyama
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Publication number: 20030231504Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a headlight system. The apparatus includes a control yoke control unit having a brake control, a dimmer switch, an actuating mechanism, and at least one control support for supporting the brake control and dimmer switch. Both controls are incorporated into the control unit. The control unit may have only a single control support with both controls therein, or it may have two control supports each with one control. The control unit also includes an electrical connector for connecting the dimmer switch to a headlight and a source of electrical power. The actuating mechanism is movable in first and second directions from a neutral position, such that moving the actuating mechanism from the neutral position in the first direction actuates the brake control, and moving the actuating mechanism from the neutral position in the second direction actuates the dimmer switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventors: Darrel Janisch, Ron Bergman
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Patent number: 6650058Abstract: A vehicle head light or auxiliary light assembly (10) that includes an inner housing (12) and an outer housing (30), wherein located between the inner and outer housings (12,30) is a light passage channel (46). At the center of the inner housing (12) is attached a central light bulb (28), and to each side of the outer housing (30) is attached a side light bulb (52). To the front of the outer housing (30) is attached a front lens (56) having around its perimeter (60) a plurality of light refracting serrations (62). When the lights of the assembly (10) are turned on by an electrical control circuit (70), the central light (28) illuminates in combination with the side lights (52). The side lights produce a light beam that is applied through the light passage channel (46), is refracted along the serrations (62) and is visible along the inner perimeter (60) of the front lens (56).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Inventor: Calvin Wang
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Publication number: 20030202360Abstract: A movable reflector with integrally molded bulb assembly retention features. The movable reflector comprises a bore at the center of the reflector for receiving a bulb assembly and retention features integrally molded on the rear side of the reflector to retain the bulb assembly. The movable reflector further comprises mold voids spaced around the bore adjacent to the retention features and extending through the movable reflector so that the structure of the retention features and the movable reflector may be molded in one injection molding step without additional tool movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Applicant: Guide CorporationInventors: Kenneth L. Trimpe, Joseph C. Ballman
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Patent number: 6637922Abstract: A brightness enhanced head lamp includes a hyperboloid reflecting mirror disposed within a housing, a head lens member coupled to the housing to extend transaxially across a front portion of the hyperboloid reflecting mirror, and a primary light source disposed between the hyperboloid reflecting mirror and the head lens member. The head lamp further includes a secondary light source disposed between the head lens member and the front portion of the hyperboloid reflecting mirror for augmenting the light generated by the primary light source. In certain embodiments, the secondary light source is formed with a fluorescent material disposed at an inner surface of the head lens member. In certain other embodiments, an auxiliary lighting element is disposed adjacent the fluorescent material, such that the fluorescent material may be further illuminated to emit fluoresced light responsive thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Demax Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sung Wu Lee
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Publication number: 20030189839Abstract: A light projector includes a polarized light splitter 3 that splits unpolarized light irradiated from a light source 1 into p-polarized light and s-polarized light, and the p-polarized light and/or the s-polarized light are irradiated as vertical polarized light and/or horizontal polarized light, providing a driver with considerably improved forward visibility in comparison with a conventional headlight.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshiya Shikano
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Patent number: 6623149Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle, including a framework and at least one shading screen mounted for rotation about a rotational axis with respect to the framework. The rotational axis is inclined with respect to a principal axis of illumination of the headlamp.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: Joël Leleve
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Patent number: 6616315Abstract: The present invention relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle, comprising a first reflector (20, 20′) of elliptical shape, at a first focus (F1) of which is located a main light source (10), the light rays emitted by this source (10) and reflected by the elliptical reflector (20, 20′) being directed towards a concentration spot located at a second focus (F2) of the elliptical reflector (20, 20′), the first (F1) and second (F2) focuses of the elliptical reflector (20, 20′) defining a main optical axis (Oy) of the elliptical reflector (20, 20′), a convergent lens (30) being placed such that its optical axis is coincident with the main optical axis (Oy) of the elliptical reflector (20, 20′) and that the second focus (F2) of the reflector (20, 20′) is located on the focal line (LF) of the lens (30) in order to emit a light beam of rays parallel to the main optical axis (Oy).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: Pierre Albou
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Publication number: 20030156420Abstract: A first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged in two vertically-spaced stages within a lamp chamber, which is formed by a lamp body and a light-transmitting cover, in such a manner that the second lamp unit is disposed over the first lamp unit. The second lamp unit is so constructed that at least part of reflected light from a reflector can pass through the light-transmitting cover disposed forwardly of the first lamp unit. The direction of radiation of the beam from the second lamp unit can point downward, so that the light can be directed toward a zone of the road near and ahead of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventor: Masashi Tatsukawa