Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/509)
  • Publication number: 20110013413
    Abstract: An improved vehicle lamp assembly includes a lamp seat with a circuit board arranged on a top of the lamp seat. The circuit board has a plurality of retaining holes for receiving retaining sheets. The retaining sheets are inserted into the retaining holes as a pyramid. Light Emitting Diode (LED) is arranged onto a surface of each retaining sheet so that a wide illumination of lights by the LEDs is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: A-Sheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20110007280
    Abstract: A lighting device (10) for a route guidance system comprises a body (12) adapted to be mounted to a surface; at least one light source (18) housed within the body; a corresponding at least one outlet (14, 16) in the body from which light may be emitted; and focusing means (20) operable to focus the light into a beam projecting from the outlet. In one embodiment the device comprises a pair of outlets (14, 16) in the body, the focusing means being operable to focus light from the at least one light source into a pair of beams, one beam projecting from each outlet. In a second embodiment, the focusing means of the device is operable to focus the beam onto an adjacent surface. The device may be adapted to project static and/or moving images onto said adjacent surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Kieran Patterson
  • Publication number: 20100290242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle headlamp (1), in particular motor vehicle headlamp (1), with a first light source (10), with at least one second light source (24) and with an integrally designed, transparent shaped part (2), wherein the shaped part (2) comprises a first optical structure (3) for orienting light radiated by the first light source (10) and at least one second optical structure (4) for orienting light radiated by the second light source (24), and wherein the first optical structure (3) and the second optical structure (4) each have a continuously curved surface or a continuous, curved surface with an extent of at least in each case half a centimetre, in particular one centimetre, in two orthogonal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Jens Fischer, Steffen Holtz
  • Publication number: 20100284197
    Abstract: There is presented a vehicle headlamp (1) with an imaging optics that is designed to project, as light/dark boundary, into the area in front of the vehicle headlamp (1), an edge that delimits a light flux of a light source (18) of the vehicle headlamp (1), a boundary surface (32) of a component (26) of the imaging optics, through which the light flux penetrates, having an overhead element (34) in the form of a local deformation of the boundary surface (32) having a prismatic effect by means of which the light is deflected into an overhead area lying over the light/dark boundary. The vehicle headlamp (1) is distinguished by the fact that the boundary surface (32) has more than one hundred overhead elements (34) distributed discretely over the boundary surface (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Markus Kiesel
  • Publication number: 20100277937
    Abstract: A grating structure having a fused silica base includes alternating ridges and grooves. The ridges and grooves form a fused silica to air interface. The ridges and grooves are configured such that the grating has a ratio between the effective refractive index difference between s-polarization and p-polarization of about 1/3. As such, for non-polarized light with an incident angle ?in of between 40° and 90° and a wavelength ?=350-1600 nm, the grating directs both s-polarization and p-polarization components of the incident light to the ?1st order diffraction mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideo Ilzuka, Nader Engheta
  • Publication number: 20100277939
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp comprising includes a light-emitting diode that is used as a light source and that emits light; and a light transmitting member that is arranged in a path of the emitted light and through which the light is passed. The light transmitting member shields the light-emitting diode from infrared rays that travel in an opposite direction to a traveling direction of the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motohiro Komatsu, Hiroyuki Serizawa, Hiroyuki Ishida, Shigeyuki Watanabe, Kiyoshi Sazuka
  • Publication number: 20100277938
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Nels R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7824086
    Abstract: A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and a plurality of light source units disposed rearwards of a rear focal plane of the projection lens. Each of the light source units includes a light emitting device; and a light guiding member having a front end light output port and adapted to guide light from the light emitting device to the front end light output port so as to allow the light be emitted from the front end light output port. The front end light output ports of the light guiding members of the respective light source units are arranged adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction in a vicinity of the rear focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamamura, Takuya Kotajima
  • Publication number: 20100264824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle headlamp containing a multiple number of LED light sources and at least one optical unit upstream of the LED sources, whereby the LED light sources are arranged in groups with one group of LED light sources to generate a specified light distribution, whereby the LED light sources within one group of LED light sources are of equal size, whereby the dimensions of the LED light sources within one group of LED light sources and/or the optical unit demonstrate the illumination characteristics needed to ensure that the group of LED light sources completely fulfills at least one specified lighting function in the vehicle environment, whereby light spots are produced with a vertical and/or horizontal critical angle within the range of between 0.2° and 1°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Mirco Götz, Franz-Josef Kalze, Michael Kleinkes, Thomas Vieregge, Wolfgang Pohlmann
  • Publication number: 20100259947
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly is provided for a vehicle rented by a rental business. The assembly includes a light frame adapted for mounting to the rental vehicle, a light source such as an LED light source and a lens covering the light source. The light frame can be for a tail light, such as a brake light or a turn signal. The lens displays a visible indicium when the light source is energized. The indicium can be in the form of an advertisement, such as an advertisement for goods or services of the rental business, or in the form of a trademark relating to the goods or services of the rental business.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Robert A. Dolan
  • Publication number: 20100246200
    Abstract: A light guide for an automotive tail light may be efficiently made with a plurality of thick planar light guides stacked side by side to have a common input source point at one end, but spread at their respective opposite ends to be arranged to form parallel planes separated sufficiently to project a relatively larger combined image that may suggest in outline a larger object. The relatively thick plates efficiently transmit light. The planar structures direct light efficiently in the horizontal plane. The side by side offset of the output windows creates an image of a larger more readily seen structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: THOMAS TESSNOW, MICHAEL TUCKER
  • Publication number: 20100238675
    Abstract: A lighting or signaling device for a motor vehicle which is capable of emitting a linear beam in the direction of an optical axis and which comprises a point light source that emits light rays radially around a source; a light ray guiding plate; wherein the light guiding plate is shaped so that the light rays generally propagate in incident propagation planes normal to the plate between the light source and the reflection edge and in reflected propagation planes normal to the plate between the reflection edge and the output edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Christophe Dubosc, Antoine De Lamberterie
  • Publication number: 20100232171
    Abstract: A relatively thin printed LED backlight device with an integral diffuser may be integrated into an interior trim component using a molding process, such as injection molding, compression molding and reaction injection molding. The display portion may be placed behind a textile surface or molded grille or may form a portion of the outer surface of the trim component to provide light to low light areas of the vehicle. Electronic circuitry and components may be printed on to the substrate of the device as part of an in-line continuous process at the molding station to allow low inventory and customization of each backlight device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Carter Scott Cannon, Oliver Hierl
  • Publication number: 20100226144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light module (10) for an illumination device, in particular for a headlight (1), of a motor vehicle. The light module (10) comprises at least one light source (18) for emitting light beams, at least one primary optical unit (20) for concentrating the emitted light beams, a diaphragm arrangement (22) in the beam path of the concentrated light beams, and at least one secondary optical unit (30) for imaging the light beams that have traveled past the diaphragm arrangement (22) onto a roadway in front of the motor vehicle in order to generate a desired light distribution. There is formed in the diaphragm arrangement (22) at least one opening (26) and/or cutout to which is assigned an optically active element (28), which deflects or attenuates at least a portion of the light beams passing through the opening (26) and/or cutout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Florian Stade, Benjamin Stauss, Michael Scholl
  • Publication number: 20100226142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection module (1) for a motor vehicle headlight. The module (1) serves for generating different light distributions. It comprises a plurality of light sources (2, 3) which are switchable independently of one another. In order to generate a first light distribution (12) with the horizontal bright-dark boundary (13), light from a first light source group (2) is coupled into an optical element (9) arranged in the beam path. The optical element (9) has a totally reflecting underside (9a) having a contour corresponding to the course of the bright-dark boundary (13). The light coupled out from the optical element (9) is projected onto the road by a projection lens (11) for generating the first light distribution (12). A further light source group (3) is additionally activated in order to generate a second light distribution (15). The light emitted by said group (3) illuminates a region of the light distribution (15) above the bright-dark boundary (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Matthias Brendle, Matthias Gebauer
  • Publication number: 20100208480
    Abstract: A light source module includes: a light emitting diode; a circuit board configured to be mounted on a base plate, the circuit board having a top face on which a circuit pattern is formed; and a power feeding attachment including a resin member and a conductive member, wherein the circuit pattern includes: a pair of power feeding portions; and a light source connecting portion on which the light emitting diode is placed and electrically connecting the pair of power feeding portions and the light emitting diode, and wherein the conductive member includes: a pair of connecting terminals being exposed from the resin member and respectively connected to the pair of power feeding portions; and a pressing piece being exposed from the resin member and configured to press the circuit board against the base plate at an outer peripheral portion of the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi MATSUNAGA
  • Patent number: 7775699
    Abstract: A bifunctional vehicle headlamp is described. In one embodiment, a headlamp comprises a light source and a reflector, which cooperate to form a light pattern, a lens positioned forward of the reflector and configured to project a desired beam pattern, and a light shield disposed between the lens and the reflector. The light shield has a first shade that selectively blocks a first portion of the light pattern to form a first beam pattern, and a second shade that selectively blocks a second portion of the light pattern to form a second beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir P. Fallahi, William C. Ince
  • Patent number: 7775697
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a light source positioned inside a lamp chamber. The lamp chamber is formed from a lamp body fixed to a vehicle body and a front cover that covers a front open portion thereof. The vehicular lamp includes a light guide that includes a side end surface to which light emitted from the light source is incident on one side thereof; a light-emitting surface that emits the light that is incident from the side end surface in a predetermined direction; and a reflective back surface that has a reflecting portion that faces the light-emitting surface. The light guide made from translucent material that is positioned on one side inside the light chamber following along with the shape of the lamp front cover. A plurality of stippling steps that have a generally conical shape are provided on the reflective back surface of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hirano, Kazunori Natsume
  • Publication number: 20100202153
    Abstract: A light guide and various vehicular lamp assemblies using the same are presented herein. In one embodiment, the lamp assembly includes a light source, such as an LED module. A light coupler is operable to receive light from the light source, and distribute the light in a first direction. The light guide includes an elongated, curvilinear body with first and second longitudinal end faces, and opposing light-emitting and light-guiding surfaces extending between the two end faces on a respective side of the body. The first end face communicates with the light coupler to receive light therefrom. The light guide body transmits light generated by the light source along the longitudinal expanse thereof. The light-guiding surface includes an array of longitudinally-spaced optical grooves configured to refract light generated by the light source in a second direction. The depth of preselected optical grooves is varied along the length of the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Leo F. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7772988
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing specified output intensity distribution requirements from a single LED source, wherein the apparatus includes a single LED source and a cover, including a lens, that captures and controls the non-collimated light of the LED source and limits its spread vertically and horizontally as well as producing intensity variations within the output pattern. In one aspect of the invention, the lens is on the same order of size as the LED source, the cover has an exposed surface area several times larger than the area of the lens and is primarily configured to have retroreflective properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Innovative Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Condon, Mark B. Pruss, Hans Christian Lassen
  • Publication number: 20100195346
    Abstract: An optical device, in particular for an automotive vehicle, such as a lighting or signaling device, comprising at least one light source, and at least one light guide designed to guide at least some of the light emitted by the light source, the light guide comprising at least one output face and at least one reflection face designed to reflect, towards the output face, light being propagated in the guide, wherein the light guide exhibits a cylindrical sheet form and/or the output face is not completely planar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Antoine De Lamberterie
  • Publication number: 20100188865
    Abstract: A light source module includes a substrate made with a recess portion formed on one face and an unformed portion not having the recess portion formed therein; a light emitting diode disposed on the recess portion of the substrate; a pair of power supply members disposed on the unformed portion of the substrate; and a connecting portion formed on the substrate and connecting the light emitting diode and the pair of power supply members. A part of an end edge of the recess portion conforms to a part of a side edge of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Masuda, Takeshi Ohmi, Kiyoshi Sazuka
  • Patent number: 7762699
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight (80) comprises at least two modules (70) for light production, the radiation characteristics of at least one of the modules (70) being adjustable in a reference system associated with the headlight. Preferably, modules (70) of the headlight (80) have different radiation characteristics and the irradiation characteristics of at least two of the modules (70) overlap to form an adjustable radiation characteristic of the headlight (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Thomas Reiners, Ralf Vollmer, Alexander Wilm
  • Publication number: 20100177524
    Abstract: Lighting device for emission of light through a windshield of a vehicle consisting of at least one lighting unit intended to be temporarily mounted on the inside of a windshield with at least one fastening device. The lighting unit consists of at least one reflector, one lamp and at least one seal between the lighting unit and the windshield. The lighting unit is powered by electric energy and the lamp's on and off switch is controlled by at least one sensor designed to detect turned on high-beams which wirelessly sends control signals to the lighting unit. The lighting device consists of a function with which the light's illumination can be adjusted and with which the light can be completely or partially blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Lars Svelander
  • Patent number: 7755827
    Abstract: A display system comprises a display device (DD) with a display screen (DS) for displaying an image. A diffuser (DI) is arranged in front of the display device (DD). A controller (CO) controls at least a portion of the diffuser (DI) to be in a transparent state wherein the display screen (DS) is visible or in an opaque state for hiding the display screen (DS). The controller (CO) also controls an illumination system (IS) to illuminate at least the portion of the diffuser (DI) when in the opaque state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.
    Inventor: Adrianus Johannes Stephanus Maria De Vaan
  • Patent number: 7751664
    Abstract: A door handle apparatus for a vehicle, opening and closing a vehicle door, the door handle apparatus includes an informing portion for visually informing a state of the vehicle door, including a locking/unlocking state thereof, to a user by a decorative light, which is a visible light, an operation detecting portion for optically detecting an active-direct operation to the door handle apparatus by the user based on changes in an detection light, and an optical waveguide for transmitting the decorative light and the detection light, which is inputted from a first end portion of the optical waveguide, to a second end portion of the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide functioning as the informing portion by leaking the decorative light on a transmission path so as to be outwardly emitted and as the operation detecting portion by outputting the detection light from the second end portion of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ieda, Yuichi Murakami, Hiroki Okada
  • Patent number: 7731400
    Abstract: A lighting or signaling device for a motor vehicle which is capable of emitting a linear beam in the direction of an optical axis and which comprises a point light source that emits light rays radially around a source; a light ray guiding plate; wherein the light guiding plate is shaped so that the light rays generally propagate in incident propagation planes normal to the plate between the light source and the reflection edge and in reflected propagation planes normal to the plate between the reflection edge and the output edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Christophe Dubosc, Antoine De Lamberterie
  • Patent number: 7729578
    Abstract: A first toroidal ray guide defines an axis of revolution and has a toroidal entrance pupil adapted to image light incident on the entrance pupil at an angle to the axis of revolution between 40 and 140 degrees, and it also has a first imaging surface opposite the entrance pupil. A second toroidal ray guide also defines the same axis of revolution and has a second imaging surface adjacent to the first imaging surface. Various additions and further qualities of the ray guides, which form optical channels, are disclosed. In a method light emanating from a source at between 40-140 degrees from an optical axis is received at an entrance pupil of a ray guide arrangement that is circularly symmetric about the optical axis. Then the received light is redirected through the ray guide arrangement to an exit pupil in an average direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Upstream Engineering Oy
    Inventors: Ilkka A. Alasaarela, Jussi P. Soukkamäki, Teuvo K. Viljamaa
  • Patent number: 7722236
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided with an upper stage light source unit, a middle stage light source unit, and a lower stage light source unit. The upper stage light source unit, the middle stage light source unit, and the lower stage light source unit are provided at a lamp body constituting a lamp member by way of a support member. A low beam light distribution pattern is formed on a front side of a vehicle by overlapping light from the respective light source units. The lower stage light source unit includes two subunits, the two subunits commonly share a single cylindrical lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20100110709
    Abstract: A vehicle head light includes a lighting casing; a lamp unit disposed in the lighting casing; a support member that supports the lamp unit so as to be rotatable at least in two directions; an actuator that rotates the lamp unit with respect to the support member; and a thrust receiver that receives a load of the lamp unit. The lighting casing includes a lamp housing opened on one side and a cover that closes the opening of the lamp housing. The lamp unit includes a light source and a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source. The actuator is disposed under the lamp unit. A lower end of the lamp unit is coupled to the actuator. The actuator includes a case member; and a driving mechanism disposed in the case member. The lamp unit is coupled to the driving mechanism. The thrust receiver is integrally provided on the case member of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 7699511
    Abstract: A turn lamp includes a base housing; a light source unit incorporated with a light source and housed in the base housing; an inner housing provided with a long and solid light guide; a lens cover that covers the base housing; and a diffused reflection generator that is structured such that light from the light source leaks out long from the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsuba Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Kawaji, Noriyuki Ito, Hitoshi Kurihara, Yosuke Fukasawa, Masashi Fukui, Tatsuya Sugamoto, Hideo Hamamoto, Hirofumi Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100091508
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a long solid-core shaped light guide; a first light source that irradiates an end portion of the long solid-core shaped light guide in a longitudinal direction such that light is radiated long from an end side of the vehicle lamp toward another end side of the vehicle lamp; and a second light source that irradiates the another end side of the vehicle lamp to a lateral outer side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Fukasawa, Yasushi Kawaji, Hitoshi Kurihara, Tatsuya Sugamoto
  • Publication number: 20100080012
    Abstract: A lighting device, suitable for example for urban lighting of interiors or exteriors, or for lighting of interiors and exteriors of motor vehicles, said device comprising a substantially plane substrate and one or more LED or chip-LED semiconductor light sources distributed over the substrate and electrically connected to conductive supply paths, an optical means associated to the semiconductor source or sources, designed to modify the direction of the rays of light emitted by said semiconductor source, said device being characterized in that said optical means is of a substantially semicylindrical shape and consequently has a substantially plane base, two side faces and a substantially cylindrical outer surface, said optical means has a cavity obtained starting from said base within the body of said optical means and designed to house the source or sources, said side faces and said cavity are obtained by means of a rotation about a longitudinal axis of a two-dimensional profile and are designed to reduce the
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Stefano BERNARD
  • Patent number: 7686488
    Abstract: Five lamp units with light emitting elements are supported by a common metal made support member. Heat generated by the respective light emitting elements is transferred to the metal made support member having a large heat capacity to restrain a temperature rise thereof. The lamp units including the light emitting elements having a relatively large heat generating amount are arranged on lower sides of the lamp units including the light emitting elements having a relatively small heat generating amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Inoue, Seiichiro Yagi
  • Publication number: 20100073948
    Abstract: A light bar may include a light head with chip-on-board (COB) light emitting diode (LED) and an optic component mounted adjacent to the COB LED. The light bar may comprise short and long center modules. The light bar may include a plurality of housing modules where each housing module includes a light head and a lens cover having a top portion that is substantially impervious to ultraviolet radiation, and a lens portion extending downward from the top portion in generally opposing relationship with the light head. The light bar may include a circuit board including a wire-to-board connector, and a light head including a wire-to-board connector mated with the wire-to-board connector on the circuit board to electrically connect the light head to the circuit board. The light head may include a holographic diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: CODE 3, INC.
    Inventors: Paul L. Stein, Timothy B. Murray, Roger L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100073953
    Abstract: An interior aesthetic/decorative element for passenger compartments of vehicles, in particular for the cab of a lorry, having a visible semitransparent surface with a metallic appearance, associated to the back of which are backlighting means that can be activated for providing emission of suffused light through said semitransparent surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Diego Marzorati, Giovanni Boreanaz, Federica Fino, Stefano Bernard
  • Patent number: 7682057
    Abstract: The invention concerns a lighting module comprising a concave reflector, and at least one light source disposed in the concavity of the reflector in order to illuminate at least upwards, and a lens situated in front of the reflector and light source. The reflector is associated with a flat plate, the top face of which is reflective in order to bend the beam coming from the reflector, the said plate comprising a front end edge able to form the cutoff in the lighting beam. The reflector is determined so as to transform a spherical wave surface coming from the source into a wave surface boiling down to an arc of a circle situated in the plane of the plate, and the lens is of revolution about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the plate and passing through the center of the said arc of a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 7677744
    Abstract: An illuminated pointer assembly for a gauge scale having an outer periphery includes a pointer that moves about a periphery of the gauge scale and is illuminated by a light guide. The light guide is disposed on a plane below the pointer and the gauge scale. The light guide includes at least two LEDs that are disposed adjacent first and second ends of the light guide. The light guide also includes a plurality of reflective elements. The plurality of reflective elements is disposed in sets that are orientated with regard to each of the LEDs. The reflective elements provide for the transmission and direction of light within the light guide into the guide body portion of the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Birman, Werner Eckardt, Richard Sanders, Ronald Struck
  • Publication number: 20100060446
    Abstract: Vehicle brake lights, hazard lights, bicycle lights, and safety lights for pedestrians, walkers, and runners. The human eye perceives light differently depending on its frequency (or wavelength) relative to the condition or degree of ambient lighting. Moreover, the human visual system perceives changes more readily than a static scene or state. Additionally, light in the green/blue part of the visual spectrum is perceived with much greater apparent intensity compared to red, particularly in low ambient light conditions. Accordingly, a lighting system and method that includes using brake lights that provide continuous changes in color during deceleration and, moreover, that uses blue, green, blue-green, yellow-green, and amber (or yellow) light or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Edward J. Ognibene
  • Patent number: 7674025
    Abstract: The exterior rearview mirror has a mirror head, which is provided with a mirror glass and with at least one illuminant, which radiates light through at least one light permeable section to the exterior. Furthermore, the exterior rearview mirror has a mirror base. In order to provide the exterior rearview mirror, so that the light function is performed in an optimum manner through the simple provision of the mirror, at least part of the housing of the mirror head and/or of the mirror base is comprised of at least two plastic layers, having different light permeability. In the light permeable section, the plastic layer with the lower light permeability is missing, or it only has such thickness, that the light emitted by the illuminant radiates to the exterior with sufficient light intensity. The plastic layer with higher light permeability can be used as a light pane for the illuminant disposed behind it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Alf Liesener
  • Publication number: 20100053986
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp with an opening portion extending in a left-right direction provided on a side that wraps around toward a rear of a vehicle on an end side of an outer side wall of a mirror housing that supports a side mirror body includes a main lamp body including a lamp body and a front lens. The main lamp body is formed into a shape that generally follows the curved opening portion. The front lens is attached to the mirror housing so as to slightly project from or be on generally the same plane as the opening portion. The vehicular lamp includes a surface-emitting light guide inner lens provided along the front lens in a curved lamp chamber space and an LED used as a light source provided behind the light guide inner lens. The lamp chamber space is defined by the lamp body and the front lens. The lamp chamber space is elongated in the left-right direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomomi Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100046242
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly which includes an optic used for providing a turn signal which meets the government requirements for luminous intensity when the turn signal is located near or next to the headlamp assembly. The present invention is a headlamp assembly which includes a housing, at least one optic disposed within the housing, as well as at least one light source which is operable with the optic such that light is emitted from the optic which meets or exceeds present regulatory requirements. The present invention also includes an outer lens mounted on the housing such that light emitted from the optic passes through the outer lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7658535
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp (8), in particular a vehicle lamp, having a base (17), a burner (7) having a light-generating element (11, 12), and an adapter plate (1) having a connecting region (2) and a receiving portion (3), the connecting region (2) being connected to the base (17) and the receiving portion (3) to the burner (7). The adapter plate (1) has cutouts (4) between the connecting region (2) and the receiving portion (3) such that the connection region (2) is no longer rigid but has a certain flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Jurgen Flechsig, Sven Reyer, Andreas Trampler, Peter Rosenmuller
  • Patent number: 7651246
    Abstract: An optical element and module for the projection of a light beam, and motor vehicle lamp including a plurality of such modules An optical element for the projection of a light beam comprises a solid body (1) of transparent material in which is formed a cavity (13) able to receive a light source (10), the cavity (13) extending along the principal axis (z) of the transparent body (1) and being delimited by a radially inner surface (3) and a terminal surface (2) of the transparent body (1). The surfaces (2, 3) are able to receive separate respective portions (I, II) of the light flux generated by the source (10). The transparent body (1) further has a radially outer surface (4) which surrounds the radially inner surface (3). The radially outer surface (4) reflects the portion of the light flux (I) coming from the radially inner surface (3) along a direction substantially parallel to the principal axis (z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Denis Bollea, Piermario Repetto, Stefano Bernard, Davide Capello, Sabino Sinesi, Gianluca Rotaris
  • Publication number: 20100014309
    Abstract: A vehicle light is provided having a light source, a fiber-optic light guide into which light of the light source is coupled on a coupling surface, an expander for expanding the aperture angle of an incident light beam, and deflectors, which are intended for deflecting incident light, disposed behind a rear side of the fiber-optic light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Juergen HEIDINGER
  • Patent number: 7648262
    Abstract: By a convex lens arranged on an optical axis extending in a front and rear direction of a lamp unit, direct light from a light emitting element arranged rearward of the convex lens is deflected to emit so that the light is made to be parallel light in a vertical face and diffused light toward left and right sides in a horizontal face. An entire region of a left side lens region of the convex lens is constituted as upper deflecting regions for deflecting light to a direction upward with respect to a direction of light of a right side lens region. Light emitted to the front side by transmitting the respective upper deflecting regions is made to be light directed upward from light emitted from the right side lens region to thereby form a laterally elongated light distribution pattern in which an upper end edge of a portion of being disposed on a left side relative to the optical axis is stepped up from an upper end edge of a portion thereof disposed on a right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetada Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100002457
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source, an image forming section which forms a light image using light from the light source, and a projection lens which projects the light image. The image forming section includes a boundary shade and movable shades. Each of the movable shades is individually movable between a closed position at which the movable shade blocks a corresponding part of the light from entering the projection lens and an open position at which the movable shade allows the corresponding part of the light to enter the projection lens. The boundary shade is disposed to extend along distal ends of the respective movable shades that are arranged side by side when the movable shades are in the closed positions. When the movable shades are in the closed positions, the boundary shade forms a boundary line of the light image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi TAKADA
  • Publication number: 20090296418
    Abstract: A side-loading LED module for a rear combination lamp is disclosed. One or more LEDs are mounted on a distal side of a printed circuit board, which also includes the circuitry that drives the one or more LEDs. The circuit board and a thermal pad are screwed/riveted to a heat sink, then the heat sink is mounted to a lateral face of a housing. The LEDs emit diverging light laterally inside the housing. One face of the housing is a faceted parabolic reflector, which receives the diverging light from the LEDs and reflects a collimated beam longitudinally to the front of the housing, where it passes through a clear cover and exits the lamp. The facets on the parabolic reflector angularly deviate portions of the reflected beam, so that the reflected light is collimated, and is angularly broader than a single collimated beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA, INC.
    Inventors: Hong Luo, ZhaoHuan Liu
  • Patent number: 7618172
    Abstract: A vehicle light can include a light source, a reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the light source in an irradiation direction of a vehicle on which the vehicle light is mounted, and a diffusion plate for diffusion of light and which can irradiate light in the irradiation direction. In this configuration, the diffusion plate can be configured such that light emitted from the light source and light reflected by the reflector enter the diffusion plate and pass therethrough while being refracted. The light is emitted from the diffusion plate in the irradiation direction while being diffused. At the same time, light which is incident on the diffusion plate and is reflected by the diffusion plate is diffused and irradiated in the irradiation direction of the vehicle light. The end portion of the diffusion plate can be bent or curved so as to diffuse the light reflected by the diffusion plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroo Oyama
  • Patent number: 7607810
    Abstract: A compact vehicle signalling light having a multi-reflector concave mirror which provides maximum light yield. The mirror includes a first reflector which is convergent and enveloping with respect to the light source and a second reflector formed near the apex of the mirror which reflects light rays passing around the light source without interfering with it. The vehicle light further includes a lens which cooperates with the reflectors to generate a light beam which complies with regulatory standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Patrice Collot