Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/509)
  • Patent number: 10543778
    Abstract: A light assembly for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a light source and a lens arrangement. The lens arrangement includes a collimator having an inner surface adjacent the light source and a flat, planar outer surface. This disclosure also relates to a motor vehicle including the subject light assembly, and a method of using the light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Linsheng Chen
  • Patent number: 10543779
    Abstract: A molded part can comprise a backing and a decorative layer. The decorative layer has a back side facing the backing and a visible front side. A transparent or translucent layer is provided on the front side of the decorative layer, with a light source being provided about the molded part. An optical fiber can be connected to the light source on the visible, front side of the decorative layer. The optical fiber(s) can run parallel to the front side of the decorative layer in one or more grooves in at least some sections on the front side of the decorative layer. The optical fiber(s) may be formed by a transparent or translucent filler material introduced into the groove(s), the refractive index of the filler material being greater than the refractive index of the high-gloss layer. Implementations further include a method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: NOVEM Car Interior Design GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Neuner
  • Patent number: 10509156
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a light emitting device. The device may include a printed circuit board, a reflective layer formed on the printed circuit board, a light guide layer formed on the reflective layer, and one or more light sources provided on one or more sides of the light guide layer to allow light to enter the light guide layer from the one or more sides, wherein the light guide layer may be bent with one or more curves, and wherein one surface of the light guide layer may be formed with a plurality of microstructures so as to achieve the best lighting effect and to increase luminance uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Excellence Optoelectronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Chu Chen, Ching-Tan Yu, Pin-Chu Chen, Sheng-Hua Yang
  • Patent number: 10480741
    Abstract: A headlight is provided with a light source unit, an aiming mechanism which can adjust aiming with respect to the light source, a headlight cover which is arranged in front of the light source, and a housing which, by fitting with the headlight cover, covers the light source unit and the aiming mechanism. Inside of the headlight, and between the headlight cover and the light source unit, a stay is provided for arranging the light source unit and the aiming mechanism on the headlight cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kudo, Shota Yamasaki, Mizuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10471886
    Abstract: A vehicle front headlight device includes a light source, a rotating mirror that is configured by disposing a first mirror body and a second mirror body around a circumferential direction of a shaft, that is rotationally driven about the shaft and rotates while reflecting light emitted by the light source, a lens that transmits light reflected by the rotating mirror so as to illuminate the light forward, and a controller for controlling rotational drive of the rotating mirror. A first illuminated region of light that is reflected by the first mirror body and that is radiated forward through the lens, and a second illuminated region of light that is reflected by the second mirror body and that is radiated forward through the lens, are offset from each other in a vehicle width direction or in a vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Mouri, Takahiko Honda
  • Patent number: 10465881
    Abstract: A lighting tool for a vehicle includes a light source device, and a first projection module and a second projection module each configured to radiate light radiated from the light source device toward a front of the vehicle as a light distribution pattern, wherein the light source device radiates light toward each of the first projection module and the second projection module, the first projection module and the second projection module each include a liquid crystal element that modulates the light radiated from the light source device to form an image light, and a projection optical system that radiates the image light forward as the light distribution pattern, and the light distribution pattern of the first projection module and the light distribution pattern of the second projection module overlap with each other over an entire projection range in a direction of a first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinya Hoshino
  • Patent number: 10458613
    Abstract: A light source for a vehicle includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first light emitting element, and a second light emitting element. The second substrate is spaced apart from the first substrate. The first light emitting element is coupled to a surface of the first substrate that faces the second substrate. The first light emitting element is configured to emit light through the second substrate. The second light emitting element is coupled to a surface of the second substrate that faces the first substrate. The second light emitting element is configured to emit light through the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: MLS Automotive, Inc
    Inventor: Adam J. Vincens
  • Patent number: 10451238
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light module for a motor vehicle comprising an optical element intended to generate a beam with a partly oblique cut-off, the optical element comprising at least one optical portion having an optical axis, and at least one light source configured to cooperate with said portion intended to generate at least the part of the beam comprising the oblique cut-off. The optical module comprises at least two distinct positions for arranging the light source, the light source occupying one of the two positions, each of the positions being defined on either side of the optical axis of the optical portion so as to generate a beam with oblique cut-off to the right in the first position and a beam with oblique cut-off to the left in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud, Paul Racine, Benoit Reiss
  • Patent number: 10443808
    Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to be mounted to a vehicle includes a housing configured to be coupled to a vehicle and at least one light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the housing. The lamp assembly further includes a transparent polymeric lens coupled to the housing so as to substantially enclose the interior of the housing and the at least one light source. The transparent polymeric lens has a chromium-based reflective coating coated on at least a first area of an outer surface thereof. With the at least one light source electrically-connected to the vehicle, the chromium-based reflective coating is at least partially permeable to at least some light which is emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the transparent polymeric lens. At least a second area of the outer surface of the transparent polymeric lens is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Sascha Björn Heib, Simon David Field
  • Patent number: 10442342
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp system includes: a pair of right and left headlamp units; and a road surface drawing unit provided in the headlamp units, the road surface drawing unit being configured to emit first light so as to form a first light distribution pattern and to emit second light so as to form a second light distribution pattern, such that a predetermined drawing pattern is drawn on a road surface, the drawing pattern being configured such that the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern are adjacent to each other or the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern at least partially overlap each other, and the first light and the second light being set in a relationship of complementary colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Mouri, Yusuke Nakada, Yoshiyuki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10400980
    Abstract: An illumination device having a plurality of illumination components including a plurality of different lenses, and capable of being secured to a mounting surface of a vehicle and performing a plurality of different functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Peterson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Alexander Hansen, Mark Anthony Pecaro
  • Patent number: 10378712
    Abstract: A heatsink for an optical module for a motor vehicle (V), wherein the heatsink includes a bent plate, the plate includes a central part adapted to receive at least one light source of the optical module and including two edges common with two lateral parts, the two common edges forming bending axes of the plate; and the two lateral parts each forming an angle (?) with the central parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Iluminacion
    Inventors: José Garcia Castilla, Vicente Vallejo Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10371338
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes an LED lamp that emits a light bundle in a first main direction of propagation. A first reflector for deflecting the light bundle from the first main direction of propagation into a second main direction of propagation. A second reflector that deflects the light bundle from the second main direction into a third direction of propagation. The first main direction of propagation and the third main direction of propagation span an acute angle that is smaller than the angle spanned by the first main direction of propagation and second main direction of propagation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rouven Haberkorn, Philipp Roeckl, Isabell Woelfelschneider, Ursula Deppisch, Alexander Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10347801
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light emitting device comprising: a substrate; a translucent light mixing element arranged on the substrate; a color converting element arranged on top of the translucent light mixing element and arranged such that light from the translucent light mixing element is coupled into the color converting element; and a laser diode configured to emit light of a first color into the translucent light mixing element; wherein the color converting element is configured to convert a part of the light of the first color to a second color, to mix light of the first color with light of the second color to generate light of a third color, and to emit light of the third color; and wherein the translucent light mixing element has a thermal conductivity exceeding 10 W/mK.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Josef Andreas Schug
  • Patent number: 10330273
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus including a light generating device and at least one light wavelength conversion element and also at least one light directing means is provided. The light generating device and the at least one light directing means are configured in such a way that linearly polarized light is generated and directed from different directions to the at least one light wavelength conversion element, such that the linearly polarized light impinges on a surface of the at least one light wavelength conversion element from different directions in each case at an angle of incidence which corresponds to a Brewster angle, wherein the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light is parallel to the plane of incidence thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: OSRAM GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Gäbler, Jan Oliver Drumm
  • Patent number: 10309621
    Abstract: An automobile LED headlamp, comprising a stem, an LED module and a heat dissipation module, wherein, the LED module is mounted on the stem; the heat dissipation module comprises a fixing element and a plurality of heat dissipation strips, the fixing element is fixedly connected to one end of the stem, each of the heat dissipation strips is fixed to the fixing element, and each of the heat dissipation strips is distributed radially. The arrangement of the heat dissipation module is configured to enhance the heat dissipation capability, each heat dissipation strip is fixed on the fixing element in a annular and radial distribution, the heat dissipation area is maximized, the air convection speed is faster, and the heat dissipation is accelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN AURORA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qingbo Xie
  • Patent number: 10302267
    Abstract: A method of forming a headlamp assembly includes molding a one-piece lens from a substantially clear polymer material having a slightly yellow tint. A blue dye is infused into an outer surface of the lens to a maximum depth of about 6-10 microns such that the outer surface has a blue appearance. A core of the lens is substantially clear or slightly yellow. UV stabilizers may also be infused into an outer surface portion of the polymer material. The lens and an LED light source may be positioned inside a housing have a clear side wall. The blue dye alters the appearance of the lens without significantly reducing the light-transmitting properties of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, Talat Karmo, John Matthew Teodecki, Arsen Terjimanian
  • Patent number: 10267477
    Abstract: A lighting module for a motor vehicle includes a first light source and a first collimator for generating a first light beam of “low beam” type in collaboration with a first projection lens. Also included are second and a third light sources, the second light source collaborating with a second collimator to generate a first beam complementing the first light beam in order to form a second light beam of “high beam” type. In order to reduce the visibility of a cut-off zone in the second beam, the third light source collaborates with a third collimator and/or a second projection lens in order to form a second complementary beam which at least partly overlaps the cut-off zone. A front headlight for a motor vehicle can include such a lighting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Orane Marchal, David Bourdin, Stephane Andre, Fabrice Mairet, Sergio Donoso, Ran Fujita
  • Patent number: 10243121
    Abstract: Monolithic LED chips are disclosed comprising a plurality of active regions on a submount, wherein the submount comprises integral electrically conductive interconnect elements in electrical contact with the active regions and electrically connecting at least some of the active regions in series. The submount also comprises an integral insulator element electrically insulating at least some of the interconnect elements and active regions from other elements of the submount. The active regions are mounted in close proximity to one another to minimize the visibility of the space during operation. The LED chips can also comprise layers structures and compositions that allow improved reliability under high current operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley E Williams, Kevin W Haberern, Bennett D Langsdorf, Manuel L Breva
  • Patent number: 10228654
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting device arranged to produce a controllable light beam for illuminating a scene. The device comprises an addressable spatial light modulator arranged to provide a selectable phase delay distribution to a beam of incident light. The device further comprises Fourier optics arranged to receive phase-modulated light from the spatial light modulator and form a light distribution. The device further comprises projection optics arranged to project the light distribution to form a pattern of illumination as said controllable light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Envisics Ltd.
    Inventors: Jamieson Christmas, Dackson Masiyano, Mikael Collin
  • Patent number: 10220779
    Abstract: A first photosensor is sensitive to the wavelength of excitation light, insensitive to the wavelength of fluorescent light, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a first current corresponding to the amount of light received. A second photosensor is sensitive to the fluorescent light wavelength, insensitive to excitation light wavelength, and receives a portion of the output light to generate a second current corresponding to the received light amount. A first current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a first detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a first resistor. A second current/voltage conversion circuit outputs a second detection voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across a second resistor. If (i) a relation between the magnitudes of the first detection voltage and the second detection voltage has reversed, or (ii) if the first detection voltage deviates from a normal voltage range, a judgment unit asserts an abnormality detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10186644
    Abstract: Described herein are LED chips incorporating self-aligned floating mirror layers that can be configured with contact vias. These mirror layers can be utilized to reduce dim areas seen around the contact vias due to underlying material layers without the need for the mirror layer to be designed at some tolerance distance from the electrical via. This increases mirror area, eliminating lower light reflection in the proximity of the via and producing higher light output with greater light emission uniformity. In some embodiments, the mirror layer is formed with a contact via. This allows for a self-aligning process and results in the mirror layer extending substantially from the edge of the via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Mayer, Jae Park, Manuel L. Breva
  • Patent number: 10180226
    Abstract: A high/low beam switching device generally includes a fixing plate, a solenoid device, a shielding member, and a coil spring. The fixing plate defines an opening which is divided into three zones including an upper space, a middle space, and a lower space. The solenoid device is horizontally disposed in a frame fixed on a shelf extending from the fixing plate. The shielding member, which can cover the middle space of the fixing plate, is pivotally connected to the fixing plate. The solenoid device when being energized can turn the shielding member to uncover the middle space, so that a high beam illumination pattern can be provided. When the solenoid device is de-energized, the shielding member can be turned back to the fixing plate to cover the middle space, so that a low beam illumination pattern can be provided. Also, the present invention provides a headlamp including the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Inventors: Hsiang-Yi Huang, Hsiu-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 10166910
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting module including an optical axis, a first optical system with at least one first light source, the system being configured to form a first lighting beam along the optical axis, with a horizontal cutoff; and a second optical system with at least one second light source, the system being configured to produce, in combination with the first optical system, a second lighting beam along the optical axis, that is vertically more extensive than the first beam. The light sources have a variable lighting power varying between a high level and a low level, the first beam being produced at the low level of lighting power and the second beam being produced at the high level of lighting power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud, Antoine De-Lamberterie
  • Patent number: 10161597
    Abstract: A lighting system and a selective retro-reflection apparatus are provided. The lighting system includes a lamp, a reflector configured to reflect light emitted by the lamp, a projection lens configured to emit the reflected light of the reflector in a predetermined direction, and a selective shield apparatus disposed between the projection lens and the reflector and provided on a path of light directed upward among the light reflected from the reflector to selectively shield the light directed upward, wherein the selective shield apparatus includes a panel and a selective shield portion supported by the panel, positions of the panel and the selective shield portion are fixed, and a state in which the selective shield portion transmits the light is changed according to whether power is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sang Ki Park, Sun Kyu Lee, Sung Ki Nam
  • Patent number: 10151440
    Abstract: A lamp assembly operable to project light in a forward direction along an optical axis includes at least one light emitting device, a first light collector and a second light collector. The at least one light emitting device includes a light emitting surface. The first light collector is disposed on a first side of the light emitting device and defines a first axis. The first light collector is symmetrically disposed about the first axis. The second light collector is disposed on a second side of the light emitting device opposite the first side and defines a second axis. The second axis is substantially aligned with the first axis. The second light collector is symmetrically disposed about the second axis. The first and second axes are tangential to the light emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Owen Woodward
  • Patent number: 10151436
    Abstract: A lighting assembly for use with a vehicle body has outboard and inboard ends with respect to the vehicle body, as well as a housing connectable to the vehicle body. Additionally, a light fixture is positioned proximate the outboard end and has a plurality of light sources. An elongated light transfer optical system connects to the light fixture, has a distal end proximate the inboard end, and is configured to direct light from one or more of the light sources from the outboard end to the distal end such that some of the directed light is emitted through the distal end of the light transfer optical system. An outer lens is connected to the housing such that the light fixture and the light transfer optical system are encapsulated by the connected housing and outer lens. A vehicle includes the vehicle body and the lighting assembly, e.g., a front headlight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrzej Wasilewski, Jeffrey T. Zawacki
  • Patent number: 10141479
    Abstract: A method for forming a light-emitting package structure provided with a predetermined view angle is provided. The method includes the steps of: disposing a flip chip on a carrier substrate; filling an underfill material between at least two electrodes of the flip chip for supporting the flip-chip; laser lifting-off a growing substrate from the flip chip for forming a thin film chip and exposing an epitaxial structure from the thin film chip; roughening the epitaxial structure exposed from the thin film chip; providing a view angle adjusting structure including a wavelength converting layer on the thin film chip, and selecting a predetermined view angle and achieving the predetermined view angle by adjusting the view angle adjusting structure according to a linear regression formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: LITE-ON OPTO TECHNOLOGY (CHANGZHOU) CO., LTD., LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: I-Chen Chien, Shih-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 10125960
    Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a semiconductor lamp having at least one semiconductor light source, including multiple separately produced components, wherein at least two of the components are connected to one another by means of joint extrusion coating. Various embodiments further relate to a method for producing a semiconductor lamp having at least one semiconductor light source. The method includes at least, inserting at least one open driver housing and a cover for the driver housing into an injection mold, and extrusion coating the components inserted into the mold using potting material so that these components are permanently connected to one another by the potting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: LEDVANCE GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Klafta, Hubertus Breier, Michael Rosenauer, Marianne Auernhammer
  • Patent number: 10125945
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp apparatus may include a reflector arranged on one curve of a hyperbola having two focal points, a light source, located at a focal point of the curve of the hyperbola on which the reflector is arranged, for irradiating the reflector with light corresponding to an image, and a condensing lens part on which light, emitted from the light source and reflected by the reflector, is incident, the condensing lens part including at least two lenses for condensing the light reflected by the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jeong Gyu Yang, Byoung Suk Ahn, Jin Ho Na, Jik Soo Shin
  • Patent number: 10054282
    Abstract: An automotive light includes a rear body; a front lenticular half-shell which closes the mouth of the rear body and is provided with at least one transparent/semi-transparent portion; and at least one lighting assembly which emits light upon command and is located within the rear body to backlight the transparent/semi-transparent portion of the front lenticular half-shell. The lighting assembly includes a planar OLED light source which emits light from its front face and is within the rear body with the front face facing the inner surface of the front lenticular half-shell to direct light towards the front lenticular half-shell; a concentrated LED light source behind the planar light source; and a light-guide rod of photoconductive material between the concentrated light source and the planar light source and receives light emitted by the concentrated light source and conveys the light towards the rear face of the planar light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Davide Baccarin, Stefano Di Gallo, Ivan Favro, Jean Pascal Herlin, Fabio Leone, Stefano Marchesin, Nicola Schiccheri
  • Patent number: 10023102
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes: a first light distribution portion including a first light source; a second light distribution portion including a second light source and an micro electro mechanical system mirror; a holding member configured to hold the first light source, the second light source, and the micro electro mechanical system mirror; a single lens including a first lens portion and a second lens portion; and a separating wall formed in the holding member so as to protrude toward the vehicle front side relative to the holding member, the separating wall being configured to separate a region between the first lens portion and the holding member from a region between the second lens portion and the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Mouri, Yusuke Nakada, Yoshiyuki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10018770
    Abstract: A lighting device having a first lighting unit comprising a first light source and a first optics element, disposed upstream thereof in the main beam direction, for generating a first lighting function. The lighting device also has a second light source and a second optics element, disposed upstream thereof in the main beam direction, for generating a second lighting function. The first optics element, disposed in front of the first light source in the main beam direction, is designed as a flat waveguide having a narrow-side light intake surface, having a narrow-side light output surface, and having opposing flat sides connecting the light intake surface and the light output surface. The light intake surface of the flat waveguide is disposed at such a spacing to the first light source that a lateral light beam emitted by the first light source strikes the second optics element in order to illuminate said optics element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Marc Leitow, Paula Madrid Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9970618
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a composite lens, an optical reflector housing, and a lighting source. The composite lens has a clear lens portion, an opaque lens portion, and a first attachment feature. The optical reflector housing has a second attachment feature engaged with the first attachment feature, and further has a reflective inner surface. The optical reflector housing reflects incident light internally via the reflective inner surface and directs the reflected incident light through the clear portion. The composite lens defines a lighting cavity in conjunction with the optical reflector housing when the first and second attachment features are mutually engaged. The lighting source irradiates the lighting cavity with the incident light. A stacked headlight assembly includes vertically stacked first and second headlight assemblies, each having a composite lens, optical reflector, and lighting source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Zawacki
  • Patent number: 9945529
    Abstract: Prior art vehicular lighting has difficulty ensuring that spectral colors caused by chromatic aberration from a lens are not noticeable. This invention is provided with a semiconductor light source (2) and a lens (3). The lens (3) is constituted from an entrance face (30) and an exit face (31). The entrance face (30) has two sections. An upper lens portion (3U) forms a first partial light distribution pattern (P1). A lower lens portion (3D) forms a second partial light distribution pattern (P2). The upper part of the upper lens portion (3U) forms a top edge portion (P1U) of the first partial light distribution pattern (P1) having a cutoff line (CL1). The upper part of the lower lens portion (3D) forms a top edge portion (P2U) of the second partial light distribution pattern (P2) having a cutoff line (CL2), overlapping with the top edge portion (P1U) of the first partial light distribution pattern (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masateru Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9879839
    Abstract: A lamp apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The lamp apparatus includes a light source that is configured to irradiate light, a light variable unit that is configured to implement a low beam by reflecting the light irradiated from the light source and transform a portion of the light into a plurality of angles to be reflected. The lamp further includes a first optical lens disposed to reflect light by the light variable unit to be incident and collect the incident light to be irradiated to the front and a second optical lens that transforms the light into the plurality of angles and reflected by the light variable unit to be incident. The angle-transformed and incident light irradiates to the front by the first optical lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jeong Gyu Yang
  • Patent number: 9879838
    Abstract: A part made of transparent material comprising at least two individual portions each consisting of an input surface and an output surface, the output surface being focused on the input surface of the same portion, the output surfaces being contiguous so as to form an overall output surface of the part which is continuous. Furthermore, the input surfaces are separated at a distance from one another in order to prevent rays from a light source placed on the input surface of a portion from being able to pass through the output surface of the adjacent individual portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud
  • Patent number: 9835304
    Abstract: A lamp includes a lamp base unit, a light emitting unit, and a light shape piece. The lamp base unit includes a base seat, a first seat extending from the base seat, and a second seat extending from the first seat. The light emitting unit includes an LED high beam light module disposed on one of the first seat and the second seat, and an LED low beam light module disposed on the other one of the first seat and the second seat and having a light irradiation direction different from that of the LED high beam light module. The light shape piece is disposed on one of the first seat and the second seat for refracting light emitted from a corresponding one of the LED high beam light module and the LED low beam light module to form a light shape having a cut-off line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: COPLUS INC.
    Inventor: Jacob Wu
  • Patent number: 9728676
    Abstract: Monolithic LED chips are disclosed comprising a plurality of active regions on a submount, wherein the submount comprises integral electrically conductive interconnect elements in electrical contact with the active regions and electrically connecting at least some of the active regions in series. The submount also comprises an integral insulator element electrically insulating at least some of the interconnect elements and active regions from other elements of the submount. The active regions are mounted in close proximity to one another with at least some of the active regions having a space between adjacent ones of the active regions that is 10 percent or less of the width of one or more of the active regions. The space is substantially not visible when the LED chip is emitting, such that the LED chips emits light similar to a filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Haberern, Matthew Donofrio, Bennett Langsdorf, Thomas Place, Michael John Bergmann
  • Patent number: 9643530
    Abstract: A daytime running light apparatus for a vehicle may include a lamp disposed in a daytime running light for a vehicle, configured to receive information about a vehicle starting condition, and determine whether to turn on the daytime running light, and a controller coupled to the lamp to control an amount of light of the daytime running light in accordance with illumination intensity or brightness at a periphery of the vehicle, in which the controller may be adapted to increase the amount of light of the daytime running light in proportion to an increase in illumination intensity or brightness at the periphery of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yo Han Jin
  • Patent number: 9593821
    Abstract: Optical module of a lighting and/or signaling device of a motor vehicle, comprising a reflector associated with a light source, in particular comprising an LED, in order to reflect the light coming from this light source, this reflector being formed on a part, in particular a monolithic part, namely produced in one piece, provided with a cooling opening for a circulation of cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Christophe Thullier, Thomas Canonne
  • Patent number: 9550448
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light distribution control method and a light distribution control device in which plural illumination regions are arranged in the left-right direction and illuminated by a headlamp in an ADB light distribution pattern, and vehicle positions of a vehicle ahead are detected and selected ones of the plural illumination regions are reduced in light quantity according to the detected vehicle positions. In this method and device, corrected vehicle positions are set that are obtained by adding margins to the detected vehicle positions in the left and right directions, respectively, and compared with the plural illumination regions. Illumination regions where the vehicle ahead exists are reduced in light quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetada Tanaka, Takeshi Masuda, Motohiro Komatsu, Takao Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9512974
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp (1) including a lamp easing (4) formed by a lamp housing (2) having an opening (2a) on at least one side and a cover (3) attached to the lamp housing and closing the opening, and a tight source unit (6) disposed in the lamp casing and having a light source (8) that emits light, wherein the light source unit has a wiring board (7) that has a first surface (9a) and a second surface (10a) which face different directions and an electronic part that is mounted at least on the first surface and includes the light source, and a holding protrusion (11) that holds the electronic part is provided on the first surface of the wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki Otsubo
  • Patent number: 9457707
    Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary lamp unit includes a first circuit board and an elongated light pipe. The first circuit board has a plurality of first light sources and at least one aperture. The elongated light pipe has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is located by the first circuit board and arranged to receive light from a first of the plurality of first light sources. The proximal end of the elongated light pipe includes at least one locating projection that is received by the at least one aperture of the first circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Nantais, Mark Contardi, Christopher Prisby, Kent Agne
  • Patent number: 9461201
    Abstract: A high efficiency LED chip is disclosed that comprises an active LED structure comprising an active layer between two oppositely doped layers. A first reflective layer can be provided adjacent to one of the oppositely doped layers, with the first layer comprising a material with a different index of refraction than the active LED structure. The difference in IR between the active LED structure and the first reflective layer increases TIR of light at the junction. In some embodiments the first reflective layer can comprise an IR lower than the semiconductor material, increasing the amount of light that can experience TIR. Some embodiments of LED chips according to the present invention can also comprise a second reflective layer or metal layer on and used in conjunction with the first reflective layer such that light passing through the first reflective layer can be reflected by the second reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Sten Heikman, James Ibbetson
  • Patent number: 9452708
    Abstract: A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a housing attached to a substrate to form a viewable portion, a peripheral portion, and a rear portion. A light source is operably coupled with an optical device. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed between the light source and housing and is configured to emit a first converted light in response to a first excitation light. A second photoluminescent structure is disposed between the first photoluminescent structure and the housing and is configured to emit a second converted light in response to a second excitation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael A. Musleh
  • Patent number: 9435493
    Abstract: A hybrid reflector system for use in lighting application. The system is particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). Embodiments of the system include a bowl-shaped outer reflector and an intermediate reflector disposed inside the bowl and proximate to the light source. The reflectors are arranged to interact with the light emitted from the source to produce a beam having desired characteristics. Some of the light passes through the system without interacting with any of the reflector surfaces. This uncontrolled light, which is already emitting in a useful direction, does not experience optical loss normally associated with one or more reflective bounces. Some of the light emanating from the source at higher angles that would not be emitted within the desired beam angle is reflected by one or both of the reflectors, redirecting that light to achieve a tighter beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Patent number: 9362459
    Abstract: A composite high reflectivity mirror (CHRM) with at least one relatively smooth interior surface interface. The CHRM includes a composite portion, for example dielectric and metal layers, on a base element. At least one of the internal surfaces is polished to achieve a smooth interface. The polish can be performed on the surface of the base element, on various layers of the composite portion, or both. The resulting smooth interface(s) reflect more of the incident light in an intended direction. The CHRMs may be integrated into light emitting diode (LED) devices to increase optical output efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Inventors: Sten Heikman, Matthew Jacob-Mitos, Ting Li, James Ibbetson
  • Patent number: 9310043
    Abstract: A vehicle light device structure includes a headlight, a blinker, a front cover, and a light shielding plate. The blinker includes a light source, a reflector, and a blinker lens. The light shielding plate is to block, among light emitted from the blinker, part of the light emitted towards the headlight. The blinker inner space is formed by fixedly supporting the blinker lens by the reflector. Part of the blinker inner space bulges to a more outer side than the second side in the front view and is covered by the front cover. The light shielding plate is arranged inside the blinker lens and is fixedly supported by a light shielding plate support part arranged in a bulging space which is the part of the blinker inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Oguchi
  • Patent number: 9302610
    Abstract: A headlight for motor vehicles including a box-shaped housing, a light unit arranged in the housing, a front pane sealing the housing to the front relative to the direction of travel, and mountings provided on the housing for connecting the housing to the vehicle. Impact protection is provided by a rupture device that has at least one flexurally sensitive region of reduced wall thickness in the wall of the housing. The flexurally sensitive region at least partially extends transversely to the direction of the possible impact loading. A rupture element supported against the vehicle structure is provided on at least one point of the flexurally sensitive region. A targeted continuous rupturing of the flexurally sensitive region is provided by the rupture element in an impact with an unprotected road user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Antje Sipido, Manfred Marik, Julian Ott