Headlight Patents (Class 362/507)
  • Publication number: 20090201692
    Abstract: An LED headlamp is disclosed, wherein the headlamp is a replacement for a seven inch headlamp. The headlamp includes a housing adapted to replace any conventional seven inch round headlamp, a first light source adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical energy, a second light source adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical energy, a first optical system disposed adjacent the first light source, wherein the first optical system is adapted to provide a low beam lighting pattern, a second optical system disposed adjacent the second light source, wherein the second optical system is adapted to provide a high beam lighting pattern, and a cover lens coupled to the housing for enclosing the first light source, the second light source, the first optical system, and the second optical system within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Kyle Lucas, Todd Patterson
  • Patent number: 7568825
    Abstract: A headlight for motor vehicles comprising a light-shield mechanism having at least first and second rotary light shields for producing respectively at least first and second different light beams, wherein the shield mechanism also comprises at least one means of mechanically locating the idle position of the shield mechanism, and an actuator able to make the first and second light shields, turn in two directions of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Nicolas Louvet, Alexandre Mensales
  • Publication number: 20090190323
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp apparatus is provided with a light source for producing a high beam and a controller for controlling illumination from the light source. Given that at least a portion of a high beam illumination area illuminated by the light source is vertically divided into a plurality of blocks, the controller controls illumination from the light source such that a plurality of first regions having a predetermined horizontal width are formed at least in some of the blocks toward the bottom, and that a second region having a greater horizontal width than the first regions is formed in the block toward the top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao WATANABE, Satoshi YAMAMURA
  • Patent number: 7563009
    Abstract: The headlamp system of the present invention includes a source array of semiconductor light sources and a lens system to produce a first component, such as spread light, of desired beam patterns and a source array of semiconductor light sources and a lens system to produce a second component, such as the hot spot components, of the desired beam patterns. Light from the semiconductor light sources of each source array is transferred to the respective lens system by a transfer device comprising a series of light pipes which capture light emitted by the semiconductor light sources and emit the captured light adjacent the respective lens systems. One or both source arrays can include additional semiconductor light sources which are selectively illuminated or extinguished to provide steering hot spots in the beam pattern to illuminate areas adjacent the vehicle over which the vehicle will be turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Magna International
    Inventors: David J. Valcamp, Ronald O. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20090168443
    Abstract: A headlight is disposed along the front end of the vehicle for illuminating an area located forward of the front end of the vehicle. A fog lamp assembly is disposed along the front end of the vehicle and below the headlight. The fog lamp assembly includes a housing; a front lens; a support wall; and a bulb having a base adapted to be removably connected to the support wall. The bulb has a light-emitting filament encased in a shell that extends from the base. The shell is substantially translucent to allow light from the filament to pass therethrough. The shell has a distal end spaced apart from the base. The bulb is angled outwardly toward a side of the vehicle at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle so that light from the filament illuminates an area both forward and to the side of the vehicle and so that some of the light from the filament is blocked by a nontranslucent portion of the distal end to prevent glare light from the front lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel T. Neubauer
  • Patent number: 7553053
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with a lens and a metal wire for a heater. The metal wire is embedded in the lens by thermal wiring. A coating layer is formed on a side of the lens to which the metal wire is distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7553054
    Abstract: The reflection surface of a reflector is formed by a parabolic cylindrical plane extending in the horizontal direction orthogonal to an optical axis. A light emitting element is configured to have five light emitting chips arranged in a T-shape and these light emitting chips are lighted in two lighting modes. In the first lighting mode, a special light emitting chip and a pair of the left and right side special light emitting chips which front end edges are aligned on the focal line of the parabolic cylindrical plane are lighted simultaneously, whereby a light distribution pattern having a narrow vertical width and a prolong shape is formed. In the second lighting mode, a special light emitting chip located at the center portion and two general light emitting chips disposed in series on the backward side thereof are lighted simultaneously, whereby a light distribution pattern having a large vertical width and a prolong shape is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yagi
  • Publication number: 20090141513
    Abstract: Provided is an adaptive front light system (AFLS) for a vehicle. The AFLS comprising one or more light-emitting diode (LED) lamp units and a housing which accommodates the LED lamp units, wherein each of the LED lamp units comprises one or more LEDs as its light source and a reflector which reflects light emitted by the light source so that the reflected light can be directed forward, and said adaptive front light system is operable to form different beam patterns by selectively turning on or off the lamp units, and wherein one or more reflectors of the lamp units comprise a multi-face reflector including a plurality of cells having different curvature radiuses or focal points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicants: SL SEOBONG, SL LIGHTING
    Inventor: Jong-Un Kim
  • Patent number: 7537365
    Abstract: An exterior lighting system of a motor vehicle (10) has headlamps (12) and foglamps (14) for illuminating a field of view. The headlamps have lenses (26) through which light passes to illuminate the field of view and are constructed to alter the light that is directed within the headlamps toward upper zones (26A) of the lenses relative to light that is directed toward lower zones (26B) of the lenses when both headlamps and foglamps are shining onto the field of view so as to attenuate headlight glare that would otherwise be seen by a driver of the vehicle looking toward the field of view in the absence of the light alteration. Various embodiments of inventive headlamps are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Burnell L. Bender, Allen R. Wittman, Jason E. McVay, Joseph R. Turner
  • Patent number: 7534019
    Abstract: The invention concerns an elliptical optical module intended for a motor vehicle. The elliptical optical module comprises a reflector intended to receive a light source. The elliptical optical module also comprises a shield comprising at least one support flap and an optically active flap. The optically active flap obstructs at least part of the light rays emitted by the light source. The elliptical optical module also comprises a convex lens intended to receive at least part of the light rays. The elliptical optical module comprises elastic fixing means for holding the shield on a support piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jean-François Delourme, Nicolas Simmet
  • Patent number: 7527404
    Abstract: An optical module for lighting and/or signalling apparatus for a motor vehicle, the optical module comprising at least one main reflector associated with at least one light source for emitting a main light beam. The optical module includes at least one supplementary reflective zone outside the main reflector and adapted to receive some of the light which comes directly or indirectly from the light source, and to reflect it so as to create a secondary light beam in a mean direction which is different from the mean direction of the main light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Christophe Valois
  • Patent number: 7524094
    Abstract: A lamp unit including mirror member 18 having an upward reflecting surface 18a, which reflects part of reflected light from a reflector 16 upward and is disposed between the reflector 16 and a projection lens 12. The mirror member 18 can be moved in the direction of an optical axis Ax and can take a reference position, where the front end edge 18a1 of the upward reflecting surface 18a is located at the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12, and a front movement position, which is located forward a predetermined distance from the reference position. When the mirror member is moved to the front movement position, part of the reflected light from the reflector 16 passes through a space behind the mirror member 18 so as to be incident on the lower region of the projection lens 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Fukawa, Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 7524095
    Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle comprises a light source, a mirror and a transparent optical deflection element placed in front of the mirror, the mirror being capable of cooperating with the light source in order to generate a beam delimited by an upper cut-off line, and the deflection element being capable of providing a generally horizontal spread of the light, without substantially modifying the vertical distribution of the light. This headlight is noteworthy in that the said deflection element has light input and output faces which are continuous over their entire span. It thus presents an appearance similar to that of a headlight of the elliptical type with a lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Herve Perrin
  • Patent number: 7520649
    Abstract: A switching device for switching between low beam mode and high beam mode of a xenon headlight, comprises an electromagnetic valve fixed on a fixing piece, two light-shield pieces pivotally coupled to the fixing piece, and moveable piece. The movable piece is moved by the electromagnetic valve and then drives the light-shield pieces to rotate to the gap of the fixing piece to obstruct the light beam of the xenon lamp tube, and thus the headlight is switched to the low beam mode. When the light-shield pieces are rotated away from the gap of the fixing piece by the movable piece, the headlight is switched to the high beam mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Siou-Chou Sie
  • Patent number: 7520645
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes: a first light source module having semiconductor light emitting elements; a first optical member for applying light generated by the first light source module to an area of the light distribution pattern of the vehicular headlamp; a second light source module that has semiconductor light emitting elements and generates light having the brightness higher than that of the light of the first light source module; and a second optical member for applying the light generated by the second light source module to an area narrower than the area to which the light is applied by the first optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 7520641
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for use generating illumination is provided that comprises a reflective base, a first light source positioned proximate the reflective base, and a reimaging reflector positioned partially about the first light source, where a percentage of light emitted from the first light source is reflected from the reimaging reflector to the reflective base adjacent the first light source establishing a first real image. The reimaging reflector can further comprise a first sector of a first ellipsoid and a second sector of a second ellipsoid, where the first and second sectors establish the first and a second real image. Further embodiments provide a lens that includes a reimaging reflector that receives light and reflects the light establishing a first real image. The reimaging reflector can further comprise a plurality of sectors that reflect light to establish first and second real images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Light Prescription Innovators, LLC
    Inventors: Juan C. Minano, Pablo Benitez, Yupin Sun, William A. Parkyn, Roberto Alvarez, Waqidi Falicoff
  • Patent number: 7517121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight, which comprises a casing enclosing a light source and fixed on a chassis, as well as frangible means of linking the casing to the chassis, which are able to absorb in the course of their rupture at least part of the energy of an impact suffered by the headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Philippe Arlon, Laurence Marechal, Pascal Harand, Jean-Paul Ravier
  • Patent number: 7513654
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle has a light-emitting element disposed on an optical axis, a first reflection surface for reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting element in an outer radial direction of the optical axis, and a second reflection surface for reflecting the light reflected by the first reflection surface forward. A cross-sectional shape of the first reflection surface taken along a predetermined plane including the optical axis is an ellipse. The ellipse has a light-emitting center as a first focus and an axis line crossing the optical axis as a major axis. The second reflection surface is disposed between the first focus and a second focus of the ellipse. A cross-sectional shape of the second reflection surface taken along the predetermined plane is a parabola having the second focus of the ellipse as a focus and a point located forward of the focus as a vertex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriko Okada
  • Patent number: 7513648
    Abstract: The invention concerns a headlamp for vehicles with a reflector comprising a reflector opening for receiving a gas discharge lamp, with an ignition device for operating the gas discharge lamp, with holding means for releasably connecting the ignition device to a reflector, with electromagnetically compatible contact means arranged between the ignition device and the reflector, wherein the holding means includes a holding element which together with the ignition device and the gas discharge lamp forms a common unit, and the electromagnetically compatible contact means is integrated in the holding element, in such a way that, in a locking position of the holding element with the reflector, there is an electrically conductive connection between the ignition device and the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.,
    Inventors: Gerhard Rotgeri, Martin Dobrescu, Markus Gösling, Wolfgang Daub
  • Patent number: 7513665
    Abstract: A headlamp module for a motor vehicle. The module includes a light source and a translucent member for internally reflecting the light rays so as to be directed. In one aspect of the invention, the light source is discretely positioned adjacent to a periphery defined by the exit surface so as to be directly hidden from view from the front of the vehicle. In another aspect, an outer surface of the light source is directly supported by the translucent member so that light rays emitted through an outer surface of the light source directly enter the translucent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Edwin M. Sayers, Christopher L. Eichelberger
  • Patent number: 7503679
    Abstract: An optical module for a motor vehicle headlight comprising a reflector having an optical axis and at least one focus, a light source placed in the vicinity of the focus to be reflected, and a transparent optical deviation element placed in front of part of the reflector and comprising a lens referred to as a “square lens”, the reflector being placed at the rear of the lens, the optical deviation element being able to provide an essentially horizontal spread of the light. The exit face of the “square lens”is tangent to a plane disposed obliquely with respect to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Vincent Godbillon
  • Patent number: 7500768
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight has a motor operated adjustable mounting for adjusting the beam of light in a plane. The adjustment device includes an ear on the headlight with an axially extendable arm, the extension of which is driven by an electric motor. Rotation of the motor causes motorized adjustment of the beam. The motor is slideably mounted in a retainer for movement parallel to the extendable arm. A manually adjustable screw adjusts the position of the motor along the slide to permit manual alignment of the headlight beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jack Chen
  • Patent number: 7478932
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle having a light source, a chamber that receives the light source and a cooling channel for removing heat from the chamber. A conductive wall and an insulating wall cooperate to define the chamber and the channel. The conductive wall has a substantially higher thermal conductivity than the insulating wall to promote the heat exchange between the chamber and the cooling channel and to reduce heat exchange between the cooling channel and the relatively hot engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Edwin M. Sayers, Harvinder Singh, James D. Tarne, Alan J. Duszkiewicz, Paul A. Lyon
  • Patent number: 7478933
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with: a lamp unit 10 supported horizontally rotationally movably within a lamp housing; a shade movable in a predetermined direction so as to change a shielded quantity of light emitted from a light source; a horizontally driving device for horizontally rotationally moving the lamp unit; and a shade driving device for moving the shade in the predetermined direction. The shade driving device is provided with a driving shaft to be coupled with the shade. The lamp unit is rotationally moved by the horizontally driving device around the driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Yuji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7476005
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp including a discharge bulb having a ceramic light emitting tube, the light emitting tube having opposed electrodes and being filled with a light emitting substance; and a reflector, which controls a reflection of a light emitted from the light emitting tube. A cross-sectional shape of the light emitting tube is longer in a lateral direction than in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tsuda, Naoki Uchida, Yoichiro Domae
  • Patent number: 7470050
    Abstract: A projector type vehicle light can provide an improved far distance visibility in a highway mode and other improved headlight performances by switching the low beam distribution and the highway mode light distribution while utilizing AFS functions. The projector type vehicle light can include a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit. The first lamp unit includes a light source, a reflector, a projection lens, and a light-shading member, and is configured to reflect light from the light source by means of the reflector and project light in the forward direction by the projection lens. The second lamp unit can have almost the same configuration as the first lamp unit and is located adjacent to the first lamp unit and either above or below it. The cut-off line formed by the first lamp unit can be located at an angular position below the horizontal line by 0.57 degrees in order to form a low beam distribution for an ordinary road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Publication number: 20080316759
    Abstract: Headlamp systems are provided that form desired beam patterns from light supplied by semiconductor light sources. The present invention is headlamp system for a vehicle including at least one first light source, at least one second light source, and a first lens system having at least one lens operably associated with the at least one first light source to provide a spread portion of a desired beam pattern. The present invention also includes second lens system having at least one lens operably associated with the at least one second light source to provide a hot spot portion of the desired beam pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Valcamp, Ronald O. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20080310180
    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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Hideyasu Shoji, Ichiro Yoshio
  • Patent number: 7465080
    Abstract: An optical waveguide system has a discharge lamp with a reflector and an asymmetrical burner. The reflector has a reflecting surface and a hollow reflector neck. The asymmetrical burner is partly arranged in the hollow reflector neck, without making contact with it. The shape and the size of the inner contour of the reflecting surface of the reflector corresponds substantially to the contour of the asymmetrical burner, and the asymmetrical burner is centrally located in the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Nicasius G. T. Van Gennip, Michael Haacke, Thomas Luce, Petrus J. M. Fransen
  • Publication number: 20080304277
    Abstract: A projector optic assembly for generating and projecting a high gradient beam. The assembly includes a light pipe defining an optical axis and having a collection unit, a funneling unit, and an emitting surface. The collection unit extends from a first end to a transition plane defining the transition from the collection unit to the funneling unit. The collection unit is configured to collect light from a source and direct it through the transition plane, whereafter the funneling unit extends from the transition plane to the emitting surface. The emitting surface has an area smaller than an area of the transition plane selected to increase the efficiency of the funneling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: JEYACHANDRABOSE CHINNIAH, Amir P. Fallahi, Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Chirstopher L. Eichelberger
  • Patent number: 7461953
    Abstract: A fog lamp is provided with a light source bulb having a filament as a light source for emitting light, and a secondary light source formed by reflection and collection of the light from the filament; and a reflector having a reflection surface that irradiates the light from the light source bulb forward. The reflection surface of the reflector is constructed so as to irradiate the light from the secondary light source downward of the predetermined cut-off line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ippei Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7452112
    Abstract: A headlight, in particular of the elliptical type for a motor vehicle, comprises a casing fixed on the vehicle; a protective cover glass closing off the casing; and an optical module which comprises a reflector, a lens and an intermediate fixed to the reflector and supporting the lens, the lens and intermediate constituting a rigid module. The invention provides a headlight of this type which also includes means for absorbing at least some of the energy produced during impact with a pedestrian, by displacing at least part of the optical module. The invention also provides a method of absorbing at least some of the energy arising from impact between a pedestrian and a vehicle headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Philippe Arlon
  • Patent number: 7441932
    Abstract: A headlight includes a system for illumination of dual parking lights on a motor vehicle using a single light source positioned in front of a headlight reflector. The reflector has one surface section that reflects light to an optical waveguide in the front, and around the circular edge, of the reflector that serves as the parking light of the headlight, and another surface section that reflects light to a planar mirror reflector located in front of the light source and reflector, at an inclined angle to the main beam's optical axis. An optical waveguide element is attached to the reflector's surface extending behind the reflector in a direction opposite to that of the main beam direction. The planar mirror reflector focuses received light to a focal point at the entrance of the optical waveguide element, which couples the light to a neighboring optical waveguide associated with a neighboring headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Erdl
  • Publication number: 20080259625
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight device includes a lower beam unit for illuminating a lower beam, an upper beam/infrared ray switching unit for switching between illuminating an upper beam and an infrared ray, a low-beam abnormality detecting circuit for detecting an abnormality of the lower beam unit, a power-supply abnormality detecting circuit for detecting an abnormality of a power supply of the vehicle headlight, and a control circuit that inhibits the upper beam/infrared ray switching unit from illuminating the infrared ray when an abnormality is detected by either the low-beam abnormality detecting circuit or the power-supply abnormality detecting circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Noyori, Takayoshi Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20080253142
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit is provided with: a projection lens arranged on a lens center axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a light source arranged on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens; a reflector for reflecting forward a light from the light source toward the lens center axis; and a shade. An upper end edge of the shade passes in a vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens to shield a part of a reflected light from the reflector. An optical axis of the reflector is shifted from the lens center axis that is set to pass through an upper end edge of the shade so that the optical axis of the reflector is apart from the upper end edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakada
  • Publication number: 20080253141
    Abstract: A lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis, a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector configured to forwardly reflect light emitted from the light source toward the optical axis, and a shade configured to shield a part of the light reflected by the reflector. The lamp unit is configured to form a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line. An incidence plane of the projection lens includes a vertical diffusing portion which regulates the cutoff line. The vertical diffusing portion includes a plurality of lens elements extending substantially parallel to a horizontal portion of the upper edge of the shade. A vertical section of each of the lens elements is convex or concave with respect to a reference surface of the incidence plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakada, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20080239741
    Abstract: A lamp unit of a vehicle lamp includes a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a light-emitting element arranged so as to face upward behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a reflector arranged so as to cover the light-emitting element from above and to reflect the light from the light-emitting element forward toward the optical axis. A mirror member is provided between the reflector and the projection lens. The mirror member includes an upward reflecting surface that upward reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector, and a front end edge formed so as to pass through the rear focal point of the projection lens. A region of the upward reflecting surface located nearer a self-lane side than the optical axis is constituted with a horizontal plane including the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakada, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20080239740
    Abstract: A lamp unit of a vehicle lamp includes a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a light-emitting element arranged so as to face upward behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a reflector arranged so as to cover the light-emitting element from above and to reflect the light from the light-emitting element forward toward the optical axis. The light-emitting element has a plurality of light-emitting chips arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in a vehicle width direction. A mirror member is provided between the reflector and the projection lens. The mirror member includes an upward reflecting surface that upward reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector. A diffusing and reflecting portion that diffuses and reflects the reflected light from the reflector is formed in the upward reflecting surface so as to bridge over the optical axis in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakada, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20080239742
    Abstract: A lamp unit of a vehicle lamp includes a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a light-emitting element arranged so as to face upward behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and in the vicinity of the optical axis, a reflector arranged so as to cover the light-emitting element from above and to reflect light from the light-emitting element forward toward the optical axis, and a mirror member disposed between the reflector and the projection lens. The mirror member includes an upward reflecting surface that upward reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector, and a front end edge formed so as to pass through the rear focal point of the projection lens. A region of the upward reflecting surface located nearer a self-lane side than the optical axis includes a first horizontal plane including the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakada, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20080232126
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of a bodywork part (10) and a headlight glass (12) for a motor vehicle, the headlight glass having an outline (14) designed to be engaged in an opening in the bodywork part, the opening being defined by an outline (16) in the bodywork part that is substantially complementary to the outline of the headlight glass, in which assembly at least part of the outline of the bodywork part (10) co-operates with the outline of the headlight glass (12) by elastic deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE PLASTIC OMNIUM
    Inventors: David Goffart, Lilian Garboud, Marc Verwaerde, Pascal Barbier
  • Publication number: 20080225539
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system and a vehicle headlamp are provided. The headlamp system includes a plurality of headlamps, one headlamp disposed on each of the right and left sides of a front end portion of a vehicle. Each of the headlamps includes a lamp body having an opening portion, a transparent cover attached to the opening portion to form a lamp chamber, and a plurality of lamp units arranged inside the lamp chamber along a width direction of the vehicle. An outer side portion of the transparent cover extends toward a rear side of the vehicle. Each of the lamp units includes a light emitting element disposed such that a light emitting surface thereof faces an inner side in the width direction of the vehicle, and a reflector disposed on an inner side of the light emitting element to forwardly reflect light from the corresponding light emitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shohei FUJIWARA, Michio TSUKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 7419289
    Abstract: A lamp unit includes a semiconductor light-emitting element portion, a reflector that radiates light from a light source forward of the lamp, and a driving portion that moves relative positions of the semiconductor light-emitting element portion and the reflector. The semiconductor light-emitting element portion is provided with a light-emitting surface whose outer peripheral shape is generally oblong, the reflector is provided with a parabolic surface that has a focus line in the horizontal direction, and the driving portion is configured such that rotation is possible within a horizontal plane of the light-emitting surface from a first position where a short side of the light-emitting surface is generally parallel to the focus line up to a second position where a long side of the light-emitting surface is generally parallel to the focus line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 7419290
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp including a projector-type lamp unit and a reflection-type lamp unit. The projector-type lamp unit includes a first light source, a first reflector, and a projection lens disposed in a forward direction of the first light source. The reflection-type lamp unit includes a second light source, and a second reflector. The reflection-type lamp unit is disposed beneath the projector-type lamp unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuaki Inaba
  • Patent number: 7416321
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for motor vehicles is provided that includes a plurality of chambers having at least one light source each and being formed by one light unit each, and a baffle frame with a plurality of openings each being dedicated to the light units, whereby the lighting apparatus is formed of segments comprising a plurality of light modules, which are mounted to an area of a rear side of the baffle frame, at least one cover pane, which is mounted to a front side of the baffle frame, whereby the rear side of the baffle frame is formed such that it conforms to connect to a front housing rim of the light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignees: Hella KGAA Hueck & Co., Hella Autotechnik S.R.O.
    Inventors: Jan Formanek, Thomas Hilsenbeck, Jiri Cernoch, Karsten Dieckmann, Frank Merkelbach, Horst Wicker
  • Publication number: 20080192498
    Abstract: A headlight device for a vehicle that improves external appearance by varying irradiation light reflected by a reflector. The reflector is in a shape of a bowl opening to a front side of the vehicle. An outer housing supports the reflector so that the reflector can swing back and forth. A ring member formed separately from the outer housing covers an opening edge of the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicants: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Suita
  • Patent number: 7410282
    Abstract: A bifunctional LED headlamp for a vehicle is disclosed, wherein at least one of a shield, a lens, a reflector, and an LED are movable to facilitate use of the headlamp in both a low beam mode and a high beam mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris L. Eichelberger, John Li
  • Patent number: 7410279
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp has a light source and a lens that is arranged on a front side of the light source. The lens deflects and irradiates light from the light source toward a front side of the vehicle lamp. A front side surface of the lens includes a first freely formed curve surface, and an irradiation angle, with respect to the optical axis, of the light to be irradiated from the front side surface is set as a target irradiation angle at each point of the front side surface. A rear side surface of the lens includes a second freely formed curve surface formed by continuous surface elements, each having an inclination angle that realizes a light irradiation by the target irradiation angle set at respective points of the front side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawashima, Hidetada Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20080186725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp for vehicles with at least one main light source (2) which in the active operating state of the lamp emits primary light, with at least one light out-let opening (6) and with at least one translucent body (3) arranged in the beam path of the primary light, where into the translucent body or bodies (3) in the active and/or inactive operating state of the at least one main light source (2) can be coupled also secondary light which is emitted by at least one secondary light source (5), and the secondary light can be coupled into the translucent body (3) not parallel to the beam path of the primary light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Walter Schlager, Ludo Haenen, Albrecht Kraus, Benno Spinger
  • Publication number: 20080180965
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp having a light source unit 30 provided inside a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 10 and a front cover 20, wherein a millimeter wave radar 40 is provided inside the lamp chamber, and a light guide plate 60 is provided between the front cover 20 and the millimeter wave radar 40, and the light guide plate 60 is illuminated by the light source of the lamp or by a dedicated light source provided solely for the light guide plate 60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Hiromi Nakamura, Yuichi Shibata, Yoshinao Daicho, Nobutaka Tezuka, Motohiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20080180964
    Abstract: A headlamp, developed especially for motor vehicle illumination, wherein the light source and reflector surfaces are fully concealed from the oncoming traffic users, having a light plane with fully adjusted height, operating according to the half-lens illumination principle, providing a long-distance illumination without glaring effect by preventing the all of the light rays generated at the light source from reaching to the eye level (EE) of oncoming traffic users. The preferred embodiment of the system (40, 50) consists of three independent reflector units (2, 3), (12, 13), (22, 23) with triple light pathway, designed similar to clover leaf, having a standard light source (1) located at their common first focal point (f1) mounted in a headlamp enclosure (20). The system consists of a lighting assembly that can be used not only in motor vehicle headlamp system but also in general lighting systems and in all optical devices. The system may be applied as an in-bulb structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Turhan Alcelik