Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/509)
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Patent number: 8816306Abstract: An infrared (IR) light device is provided comprising: a main casing filled with a gas to prevent condensation from forming on an interior surface of the visible light filter; and a plurality of IR light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in the main casing, wherein the casing includes heat dissipating features.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Robert A. Yano, Jr., Joseph W. Martin, Darren J. Wolfe
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Patent number: 8816586Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to illuminated devices attached to vehicles. More specifically, an illuminated device may be attached to a vehicle in the form of an illuminated logo or emblem. The illumination of the device may be controlled for color, state, and/or intensity in response to vehicle signals received by the device. In addition, the illuminated device may use switching circuitry to interface with a vehicle's electrical power and/or signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: CMarlite, LLCInventors: Howard Marcove, Philip Allen Boe
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Patent number: 8807806Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle includes a light source and an inside handle well. The inside handle well has a lower wall, an upper wall, and an opening. The light source is arranged under the lower wall. The lower wall has a light exit portion configured such that light emitted from the light source exits therethrough and travels to an inside of the inside handle well. The upper wall has a light reflecting portion configured to reflect light exiting through the light exit portion and traveling upward in the inside handle well toward the inside handle. The opening is formed on the inner side of the interior of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuki Hayashi, Kouichi Takeuchi
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Patent number: 8807791Abstract: An illuminating device with adjustable light beams and a method for assembling the same. The light-emitting units are disposed on the substrate. The optical element is disposed in the path of a light emitted by at least one of the light-emitting units. The driving unit drives a first or second set of the light-emitting units, wherein a light beam formed by light that is emitted by the first set of the light-emitting units and passes through the optical element has a different shape or projection angle from a light beam formed by light that is emitted by the second set of the light-emitting units and passes through the optical element.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Av Tech Corp.Inventors: Chun-Ru Huang, Chien-Yueh Chen
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Publication number: 20140226352Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle includes one or more lighting units, herein during operation a respective lighting unit generates a point-shaped light source via laser light. In addition, optical device is configured and arranged with respect to the lighting unit or lighting units in such a way that a predetermined distribution of light composed of the light of the point-shaped light source is generated after it passes through the optical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Helmut ERDL, Abdelmalek HANAFI
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Publication number: 20140226351Abstract: A sunshade for use in a vehicle is provided including a core having at least one opening extending there through. A layer of material is positioned adjacent at least a first surface of the core. The sunshade also includes a light generation system arranged to direct light through the at least one opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Inventors: Everardo A. Hernandez, Aidano C. Nascimento, David W. Whitehead, Jeffrey T. Rodgers
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Publication number: 20140218950Abstract: Provided are a radiating device and a lighting device, including a first radiating module configured to receive heat generated from a light source module; and a second radiating module that comprises a first member extending to the first radiating module and transmitting the received heat, and a second member configured to emit the heat transmitted from the first member to a light emitting space, and thus a production cost and a weight can be reduced, space utilization can be improved, and snow melting of an optical member can be realized.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventors: Ji Hoon KIM, Sung Min KIM
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Publication number: 20140204599Abstract: A vehicle component includes a molded cover molded into a shape of a surface of a part attached to a vehicle and a surface-emitting device bonded or fitted and fixed along a back face of the molded cover. The molded cover is vacuum formed by solid decorative molding of a translucent resin molded member with a translucent film, and light from the surface-emitting device is transmitted through the molded cover and emerges in a predetermined light-emitting area which is a part of a surface of the vehicle component. The vehicle component obtains a light-emitting function with a relatively simple structure and in a relatively compact form with a design not impaired and excellent in beauty and appearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2012Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicants: Fu-se Vacuum Forming CO., LTD., KOHKI CO., LTD.Inventors: Takayuki Miura, Yoshihiro Kamiike, Yuichi Ohga
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Publication number: 20140185309Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided that, while suppressing an increase in size, can change the illuminating direction. The lighting apparatus has: a laser generator which emits laser light; a light emitting member which is irradiated with the laser light emitted from the laser generator to emit light; an irradiated position changer which moves and thereafter stops an irradiated position at which the light emitting member is irradiated with the laser light; and a light projecting member which projects the light emitted from the light emitting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji TAKAHASHI
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Publication number: 20140177248Abstract: This structure comprises: an internal structure (3); an external covering (5) connected to the internal structure (3), the external covering (5) having at least one translucent area (37); a light source (7); The light source (7) comprises a flexible fabric (25) in which is interwoven a plurality of optical fibers (29), clamped against an internal face (15) of the external covering (5) that faces the internal structure (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIEInventors: Jean-François Oeuvrard, Pierre Guerreiro
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Publication number: 20140177247Abstract: A light is provided and a method is provided for manufacturing a light, with a carrier element, an illuminating device disposed on the carrier element with a circuit board and an illuminant mounted on the circuit board, and an optic. The one of the optics and the carrier element comprises at least one positioning element, which passes through an opening in the circuit board and engages in a recess in the other of the optics and the carrier element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Philipp ROECKL, Frank LANGKABEL, Serkan PROEPPER, Rouven HABERKORN, Ingolf SCHNEIDER, Heiko ECKERT
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Publication number: 20140169014Abstract: The invention relates to an LED light-source module (M, M1-M4) for an LED motor vehicle headlight (SW), in particular for an LED motor vehicle headlight (SW) for producing a dynamic light distribution, wherein the LED light-source module (M) comprises two or more LED light sources (LEQ), wherein one LED light source (LEQ) in each case comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED1, LED2), and wherein the light-emitting diodes (LED1, LED2) of each LED light source (LEQ) couple light into an associated primary optical element (P1-P4), wherein the incoupled light exits, at least partially, through a light exit surface (L1-L4) of the primary optical element (P1-P4), and wherein the light exit surfaces (L1-L4) of the primary optical elements (P1-P4) of an LED light-source module (M) are connected to one another by means of a light-permeable material such that light coupled into the primary optical elements (P1-P4) can enter the light-permeable material and can then exit this material through a light exit surfacType: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: ZIZALA LICHTSYSTEME GMBHInventors: Johannes Jungwirth, Andreas Moser, Günther Krenn
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Patent number: 8752989Abstract: An illuminated vehicle emblem assembly is provided that includes a power source, a backing member, and a light-producing assembly coupled to the power source and supported by the backing member. The light-producing assembly may include an electroluminescent light source. The illuminated vehicle emblem assembly further includes a translucent base region over the light source, a chromatic layer over the translucent base region, and a translucent sealing structure configured to seal the backing member, the light producing assembly, and the chromatic layer. The illuminated vehicle emblem assembly exhibits a chrome- or mirror-like finish when viewed under ambient lighting conditions. Further, the illuminated vehicle emblem assembly possesses a glowing appearance when activated under low-light or night-time conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Colonial Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Roberts, LaRon Michelle Brown, Cornel Lewis Gardner
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Publication number: 20140160780Abstract: A light-emitting device for a motor vehicle headlamp, said device comprising a housing, a light source disposed on said housing and an optical device directing one or more light beams emitted by said source, said housing comprising a projecting element for allowing a fixed position of said optical element with respect to said housing. This device is noteworthy in that said projecting element comprises at least one hollow rib formed inside an enclosure defined by said housing and said optical device comprises, opposite the housing, a slot that nests at least partially with said hollow rib of said housing. The invention also relates to a headlamp, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising said emitting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventors: Jean-Claude Puente, Carlos Gomez, Jose-Manuel Herrera, Eric Moisy
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Patent number: 8740428Abstract: An indirect illumination device for a vehicle may include an internal panel forming a diffusion portion in a surface thereof, a light guide plate faced with the diffusion portion, a light source provided in a side portion of the light guide plate to which the light guide plate may be not faced with the diffusion portion, to irradiate light to an inside of the light guide plate, and an external panel provided with guide ribs protruding from a surface of the external panel, wherein the guide ribs support a lateral side of the internal panel and the light guide plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hong Sik Chang, Jung Hoon Woo, Jung Hwan Yun, Joo Ha Kim, Young Jin You
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Publication number: 20140146553Abstract: In various embodiments, a lighting module for a vehicle lighting device is provided. The lighting module may include a light generating unit having at least one semiconductor light source arranged on a common substrate; wherein at least one module diaphragm introduced into a beam path of the light generating unit is arranged on the lighting module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: OSRAM GMBHInventors: Oliver Hering, Juergen Hager, Stephan Schwaiger
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Patent number: 8733992Abstract: A fog lamp for a vehicle is disclosed. Light leaving an LED is collected by a refractive/TIR lens. The central portion of the refractive/TIR lens is purely refractive, while the peripheral portion of the lens includes a total internal reflection off an exterior surface of the lens. The refractive/TIR lens converges the light to a focus at or near a laterally-elongated aperture in a light baffle. Light exiting the aperture diverges and passes through an anamorphic lens, which reduces the angular extent of the beam in the vertical direction and increases the angular extent in the lateral direction. The full fog lamp may include multiple pairs of LEDs and respective refractive/TIR lenses, all arranged coplanar, parallel and laterally adjacent to each other. The LED/lens pairs may all direct light through a single light baffle and through a single anamorphic lens.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA, Inc.Inventor: Adam L. Bushre
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Publication number: 20140140081Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a light source configured to emit light, and a light guide lens configured to guide the light from the light source and to emit the light to the periphery of a vehicle, the light guide lens including a light distributing portion configured to emit illumination light in a predetermined direction on the periphery of the vehicle, a decorative portion configured to emit decorative light in a different direction from the direction in which the illumination light is emitted, and a slit configured to divide the light guide lens into the light distributing portion and the decorative portion. Direct light from the light source is incident on the light distributing portion while light that leaks out of the light distributing portion is incident on the decorative portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Haruhito Takahashi, Shigehiko Kazaoka
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Patent number: 8727590Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a light source; a projection optical system that includes a projection lens projecting an image, formed by a light beam emitted from the light, source, forward of the vehicle; and a reflection optical system including a parabolic reflector that is provided at a position offset from the projection lens as viewed from the front of the vehicle, and that reflects the light beam emitted from the light source and irradiates the same in front of the vehicle, wherein the reflector has a light distribution pattern irradiating a region including a cut line, and the projection optical system has a light distribution pattern irradiating downward with respect to the reflector.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Kinoshita
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Patent number: 8721142Abstract: A novel vehicular light fixture (10) is disclosed. The light fixture (10) is compact, yet efficient, and employs semiconductor light sources (44) to produce output light in desired patterns. The fixture (10) can be used to produce fog lamps, driving lamps and other non-headlamp vehicle lighting functions. Depending upon the light output required, one or more semiconductor light sources (44) and a corresponding number of optical bodies (64) are employed in the fixture (10) to produce the desired light pattern.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, James R. McFadden, Ronald O. Woodward, Ronald G. Hare
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Patent number: 8721141Abstract: A lamp unit is provided. A decorative part has a lens. A functional part has a light source. The lamp unit can be assembled on left and right doors to illuminate a predetermined position. The functional part is provided with a functional side lock portion, and the decorative part is provided with a first decorative side lock portion corresponding to a first assembling direction of the functional part and a second decorative side lock portion corresponding to a second assembling direction of the functional part. Both the first decorative side lock portion and the second decorative side lock portion can be fitted into the functional side lock portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Yusuke Yoshizoe
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Publication number: 20140119038Abstract: A lighted assembly includes a perforated member having a plurality of relatively small openings therethrough. The openings are arranged to provide areas forming letters, designs, or the like. A light source may be positioned adjacent the perforated member whereby light from the light source travels through the openings to form illuminated letters, designs or the like. The perforations may be filled with a light-transmitting polymer material. The light source may comprise an LED and a light guide that distributes light along a lower side of the perforated member. The light source may be positioned in a waterproof housing that is sealed to the perforated member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Jason R. Mulder, David L. Hiemstra, Anthony John Skirrow
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Patent number: 8708537Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided that, while suppressing an increase in size, can change the illuminating direction. The lighting apparatus has: a laser generator which emits laser light; a light emitting member which is irradiated with the laser light emitted from the laser generator to emit light; an irradiated position changer which moves and thereafter stops an irradiated position at which the light emitting member is irradiated with the laser light; and a light projecting member which projects the light emitted from the light emitting member.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Takahashi
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Publication number: 20140112012Abstract: There is provided a vehicle headlamp that can be miniaturized and that can form a synthetic light distribution pattern (for example, a low-beam light distribution pattern) in which a hot zone is brighter. The vehicle headlamp that forms the synthetic light distribution pattern including the hot zone and a diffusion region diffused from the hot zone, includes at least one first lighting fixture unit including a laser light source and a first optical system that forms a first light distribution pattern to irradiate light forward from the laser light source and irradiate the hot zone, and at least one second lighting fixture unit including an LED light source and a second optical system that forms a second light distribution pattern to irradiate light forward from the LED light source and irradiate the diffusion region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakazato, Yoshiaki Nakaya
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Patent number: 8702288Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes an array of light sources mounted in a generally planar base. An optical element includes a first surface having a first optical design and a second surface having second optical design. The second optical design includes a wedge having a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall that converges with the first wedge wall. The second wedge wall extends at an angle to the first wedge wall. A bezel surrounds the base and the optical element, and an outer lens is positioned adjacent the outside surface of the optical element. The optical element is between the base and the outer lens, and the outer lens has an inner surface including an optical design.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: David A. Brown
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Patent number: 8702285Abstract: A vehicle light is provided which can form a light distribution pattern having a clear cut-off line. The vehicle light can include a semiconductor light emitting device as a light source. The semiconductor light emitting device can include a semiconductor light emitting element having a light emission surface thereof having a first end and a second end and at least one light extracting layer deposited on the light emission surface and including a wavelength conversion layer, and the light extracting layer includes an optical characteristic that can change from the first end to the second end in a direction parallel to the light emission surface so that the semiconductor light emitting device forms a luminance distribution with a maximum luminance at the first end and a minimum luminance at the second end.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsunori Harada, Yasuyuki Miyake
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Patent number: 8696180Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a semiconductor light emitting device arranged to face toward a front of the vehicle lamp, a first optical member disposed in front of the semiconductor light emitting device, and a second optical member disposed in front of the first optical member. The first optical member comprises a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is configured to internally reflect light from the semiconductor light emitting device toward the back surface. The back surface is configured to internally reflect the light reflected by the front surface back toward the front surface such that the light exits the first optical member from the front surface. The second optical member is disposed directly in front of the front surface of the first optical member and diffuses the light from the first optical member to form a light distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Naoki Uchida
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Publication number: 20140098553Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to laminated LED arrays, products including such laminated LED arrays, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, LEDs may be disposed on a flexible sheet and chained together in an array. An optional beam steering optical element may be used to help redirect the light, even when the LED arrays are disposed on a curved surface and/or at an angle that is not parallel to the intended observer's line of sight. Doing so advantageously makes it possible to ensure that a substantial portion of the axis of the light produced by embedded LEDs coincides with the front-to-rear axis of a vehicle, while still allowing for different angles of the back light for different implementations. Such techniques advantageously may be used in connection with Center High Mount Stop Lamps (CHMSLs); tail lights for cars, trucks, and other vehicles; and/or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES CORP.Inventors: Timothy J. FREY, Robert A. VANDAL, Vijayen S. VEERASAMY, Jean-Marc SOL
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Patent number: 8672523Abstract: The invention relates to a light emitter adapted for emitting light with a predefined angular color point distribution, to a method of use for a light emitter in video flash applications, in automotive headlight applications and/or in automotive lamp applications, and to a method, adapted for generating light with a predefined angular color point distribution.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Rifat Ata Mustafa Hikmet, Ties Van Bommel, Yongfeng Ni
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Patent number: 8668369Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device for vehicles, having a housing, a translucent diffusing screen covering a light exit opening of the housing, and a reflector. The translucent diffusing screen and the reflector may be fastened to the housing. A rapidly curing connection means may be applied to at least one interface between the housing and the diffusing screen to facilitate positioning.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Frank Aust
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Publication number: 20140063830Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a vehicle may include a flexible printed circuit board of which at least one lighting source may be mounted on an upper surface of the flexible printed circuit board, and a cover which may be made of flexible material, and connected on the printed circuit board for the at least one lighting source to be disposed within the cover, wherein the cover distributes a light emitted from the at least one lighting source to an upper direction of the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd., Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jaehong Kim, Young Sub Oh, Bock Cheol Lee, Dong Gon Kang
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Publication number: 20140063833Abstract: A lamp for a vehicle, and more particularly, a lamp for a vehicle capable of forming a suitable light irradiation pattern and improving chromatic aberration so as to prevent light blindness is provided. In particular, the lamp includes a light source unit including at least one light source, a shield unit configured to block a part of the light irradiated from the light source unit by one or more light blocking portions formed to have an outer circumferential end (curved end) toward an optical axis of the light source unit, and a lens unit configured to irradiate the light passing through the shield unit to the outside.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: SL CorporationInventor: Ki Beom Park
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Publication number: 20140056019Abstract: An optical body for a vehicle light serves for coupling in, passing on and emitting the light delivered by a light source in a conical spatial region. It has a light emission surface and a recess which is opposite thereto and which has a longitudinal axis. The recess has an annularly closed inner peripheral wall which surrounds the longitudinal axis and a cover wall which extends transversely relative to its longitudinal axis and in which there is an optical structure. To improve the emission, a plurality of optically active surface portions are provided arranged around the point at which the longitudinal axis of the recess passes through the cover wall and each of which has a focal point lying on the longitudinal axis and the focal points of at least two of the surface portions are at a mutual spacing in the direction of the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: TRUCK-LITE EUROPE GMBHInventor: Thilo Günther
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Patent number: 8651716Abstract: A lighting module having a flat light emitter, a reflector (R1) determined so as to create, in a plane comprising the emitter, a hot spot (S) limited by a control curve (A) contained in the plane comprising the first emitter and constituting the front or rear edge of the spot and a lens (L) determined and arranged with the reflector so as to form the first cutoff beam.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Pierre Albou, Vanesa Sanchez
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Patent number: 8641251Abstract: An automobile panel (10) includes at least one icon area (18), the area being illuminated by a light source (20) placed under the ornament panel, the panel including a flexible translucent skin (12), forming the outer surface (14) of the ornament panel, and a backing layer (16), placed against the translucent skin (12), the layer (16) having at least one translucent area aligned with the icon area (18). The ornament panel includes at least one polarizing filter (32) placed between the light source (20) and the icon area (18) so as to polarize the light illuminating the icon area (18) and to substantially prevent the subsequent reflection thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Faurecia Interieur IndustrieInventors: Jean-François Oeuvrard, Godefroy Beau
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Patent number: 8641250Abstract: A user interface assembly (100, 104, 200) for operating a system within a vehicle (10) is disclosed that comprises a base (110, 210) and a user interface (100, 104, 200) supported at the base (110, 210) and configured to be selectively actuated for operating the system. The user interface includes a first portion and a second portion. The interface assembly also comprises a light source (140, 240) configured to provide light into the first portion of user interface (100, 104, 200). The user interface (100, 104, 200) is configured to function as a conduit for the light directed into the first portion so that the light can be emitted from the second portion of the user interface (100, 104, 200).Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Nels R. Smith
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Patent number: 8633643Abstract: Disclosed are an LED package, an LED package module having the same and a manufacturing method thereof, and a head lamp module having the same and a control method thereof. The light emitting diode package includes: a package substrate; a light emitting diode chip mounted on one surface of the package substrate; an electrode pad formed on the other surface of the package substrate and electrically connected to the light emitting diode chip; and a heat radiation pad formed on the other surface of the package substrate and electrically insulated from the electrode pad.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young Jin Lee, Hyung Kun Kim
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Patent number: 8632232Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes, within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a front cover, a light source, a columnar light guide having an incident portion at the end thereof in the vicinity of the light source, and an annular reflecting portion arranged in the vicinity of the light source side of the incident portion. The columnar light guide guides incident light from the light source, which enters via the incident portion, and irradiates the incident light from a light-emitting portion on a front side. The annular reflecting portion reflects light with a large emission angle, which has not been able to directly enter the incident portion from the light source, toward the incident portion. The light source is arranged on a central axis of the annular reflecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuki Okui, Akio Inoue
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Publication number: 20140009951Abstract: A lighting unit for a motorcycle for efficiently cooling heat generated from an LED apparatus. An LED lighting unit includes two plate-like members on which LED apparatus are mounted as light sources. Reflectors are disposed so as to cover the LED apparatus and configured to reflect irradiation light from the LED apparatus forwardly of the vehicle body. The two plate-like members are disposed in an opposing relationship to each other with a space provided therebetween such that mounting faces of the LED apparatus are directed to the outer sides. Cooling fins are provided on the two plate-like members in such a manner so as to extend in an opposing relationship to each other toward the space. The cooling fins are disposed such that a longitudinal direction thereof is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the two plate-like members. The plate-like members and the reflectors are formed separately from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: Eikichi MONMA, Seiji KIDO
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Publication number: 20140009952Abstract: A light emitting device which includes at least one of a laser light source (1), wiring (9), a lens for excitation (2), a luminous body (4), a laser cut filter (6), a half parabolic mirror (5P), and a base (5h), in which a part of the wiring (9) is installed at a portion in which a breakage easily occurs due to at least one deformation of the laser light source (1), the lens for excitation (2), the luminous body (4), the laser cut filter (6), the half parabolic mirror (5P), and the base (5h), or a change in an installation position thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaru Nomura, Yoshifumi Yaoi, Kohichiroh Adachi, Kohtaroh Kataoka, Takeshi Shiomi, Hiroshi Iwata, Yoshiji Ohta
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Publication number: 20140002255Abstract: A window device for a motor vehicle device has a transparent first pane including a first structure for coupling out light and a transparent second pane which is connected in parallel to the first pane. Moreover, the window device has an illumination device for coupling first light into the first pane. The second pane has a second structure for coupling out light. A second light can be coupled into the second pane independently of the first light by way of the illumination device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Jens Dietmar Reuschel, Christoph Schmitz, Johannes Tovar
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Publication number: 20140003077Abstract: A light module includes a solid light frame and a light source embedded in the light frame, wherein the light source includes two spaced conductive films, a plurality of conductive terminals, and a plurality of light emitters. The conductive films are embedded at a bottom side of the light frame. The conductive terminals are implanted into the light frame, wherein each of the conductive terminals is conducted with one of the conductive films. The light emitters are implanted into an upper portion of the light frame, wherein the light emitters are conducted with the conductive terminals respectively. The conductive terminals are distributed at the light frame to generate a uniform light effect along the light frame when the conductive terminals are electrified.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Inventor: Kwun Wah Chan
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Patent number: 8596841Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a lens disposed on an optical axis of the vehicle lamp, the optical axis extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle lamp, the lens comprising a first concave lens portion; a plurality of light emitting elements disposed to a rear side of the lens and around the optical axis at regular intervals in a circumferential direction, the plurality of light emitting elements comprising at least one first light emitting element disposed to a rear side of the first concave lens portion; at least one first reflector corresponding to the at least one first light emitting element and disposed between the corresponding first light emitting element and the optical axis, wherein the first reflector comprises a first reflecting surface which reflects light from the corresponding first light emitting element toward the first concave lens portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Yagi, Motohiro Komatsu
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Publication number: 20130314934Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a light source unit having an LED and an optical element that performs light distribution control for directing light from the LED in a predetermined direction, a heat sink to which the light source unit is attached, and a lamp chamber in which the light source unit is disposed. The LED is an LED module formed by installing an LED chip on a power supply circuit board. The LED module is installed on a circuit board installation portion of the heat sink, and an attachment, which has a frame shape a size larger than the LED module and has a circuit board retaining portion at a center open portion of the attachment, is attached and fixed to the heat sink by a fixing member, whereby the LED module is held between the attachment and the circuit board installation portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Takeshi Ohmi, Takashi Matsunaga, Michio Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 8585261Abstract: It is provided a lamp assembly (10) for an automotive headlamp, comprising at least two lamps (12) each comprising a light source (14) for emitting light rays, wherein the respective light rays (16) of each lamp (12) are bordered in horizontal direction mainly orthogonal to its lighting direction by a guiding element (20), and a single shield (24) comprising a mainly horizontal top surface (22) for bordering the light rays (16) of at least two lamps (12) in one vertical direction, wherein the shield (24) is arranged such that the light rays (16) of two adjacent lamps (12) overlap at the top surface (22) of the shield (24). Since the light rays (16) of two neighboring lamps (12) overlap at the top surface (22) of the shield, it is possible to provide a smooth change of the brightness between an area illuminated by two lamps (12) and an area illuminated by only one lamp (12). Due to the smooth change of the brightness the lamp assembly (10) provides an easily to perceived illuminated area (30).Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventor: Josef Andreas Schug
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Patent number: 8585265Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes: a lamp outer casing; a lamp unit including: a light source unit having a light source that emits light, a reflector and a heat sink; a stationary frame; a movable frame that is supported by the stationary frame to be rotatable about a rotating shaft; a lens unit supported by the movable frame and having a projection lens; a first aiming operation shaft that adjusts an optical axis in the lateral direction; and a second aiming operation shaft that adjusts the optical axis in the vertical direction. A focal point of the light reflected by the reflector is coincident with a center of the rotating shaft. The lens unit is moved relative to the stationary frame such that a distance between the focal point and the projection lens is constant. The heat sink is positioned on the outside of the lamp outer casing.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Shibata, Masashi Tatsukawa, Hitoshi Takeda, Kazutami Oishi
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Publication number: 20130301287Abstract: A decorative part for use in vehicle interiors. The decorative part includes a haptic layer that is at least partially transparent; and a light source configured to feed light into the haptic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2011Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: LISA DRAXLMAIER GMBHInventor: Christian Schlemmer
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Patent number: 8571754Abstract: A cover for use in connection with one or more vehicle lights is provided. A lens of the cover contains an electrically activatable material that prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from the one or more vehicle lights when the electrically activatable material is set to a light inhibiting state. A device holds the lens with the device configured to be releasably or removably secured over one or more vehicle lights. The electrically activatable material of the lens is configured to get to the light inhibiting state such that the lens prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from the one or more vehicle lights to reduce the observability of the one or more vehicle lights.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Control Solutions LLCInventors: Alyn Brown, James Wiff
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Patent number: 8562192Abstract: An automotive headlamp apparatus includes headlamp units placed in a vehicle and a control unit which controls the illumination of the headlamp units. The headlamp units form a lower beam distribution pattern and an upper beam distribution pattern, and is configured so that a partial region of the upper beam distribution pattern can be non-illuminated. When the entirety of vehicle existent area of a vehicle-in-front travelling in front of a driver's vehicle is contained within the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the partial region is non-illuminated; when at least a part of the vehicle existent area is contained within a region of the upper beam distribution pattern which is other than the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the upper beam distribution pattern is not formed.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naohisa Tatara
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Patent number: 8562062Abstract: A mechanism to secure a cover for an opening in a bumper includes a securing section at which an opening cover is secured to close the opening. A bumper-side securing portion is provided on one side with respect to a line passing shaft sections and extends from an edge of a bumper opening to a rear with respect to the bumper so as to reside farther from the shaft sections than a locus defined by movement of a one-side end of the opening cover turning about the shaft sections toward an inside with respect to the bumper. A cover-side securing piece is provided on the one-side end of the opening cover to engage with the bumper-side securing portion and has a front-side securing projection that engages with a surface of a secured portion of the bumper-side securing portion on a side of a design surface of the bumper.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kohei Mineshima, Masaki Omura