Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/509)
  • Patent number: 7607809
    Abstract: The exterior handle configuration of the present invention includes a panel having a recess portion and a handle that covers the upper periphery of the recess portion. An inside surface of the handle is finished with a mirror treatment that reflects and diffuses light. At least one light source fixed at the panel emits light that is directed between the recess portion and the handle. A reflecting surface reflects light emitted from the light source to the inside surface of the handle. The handle configuration of the present invention improves the visibility of the exterior handle during nighttime in a visually pleasing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Misawa
  • Publication number: 20090251918
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting device comprising at least one LED and at least one optical element, wherein the LED and the optical element are aligned with each other by means of at least one dowel pin. A method of making such a lighting device is also specified. The described lighting device is particularly well suited for use in a vehicle headlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS GMBH
    Inventors: Moritz Engl, Stefan Grötsch, Markus Hofmann, Rainer Huber, Kurt-Jurgen Lang, Jóachim Reill, Michael Sailer, Mario Wanninger
  • Publication number: 20090244918
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly that includes a light cover and a cap is described. The light cover includes a light blocking, sealing rib that prevents undesirable light leakage around a housing of the light assembly. The cap includes one or more retention members that upon attachment of the cap to the light cover, prevent unintended detachment of the cap from the light cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nicholas Goldsberry
  • Publication number: 20090225564
    Abstract: A vehicle light having a plurality of LED light sources can be configured to be capable of preventing or suppressing emission of glaring light. An LED package with a plurality of LED light emitting elements can be provided. The vehicle light can include a plurality of LED light sources emitting light with a dominant wavelength that falls within a wavelength range of light that is emitted from an incandescent bulb and which has passed through a filter with a specified color. The respective dominant wavelengths can be different from one another. The LED package can include a plurality of LED elements emitting light that has a dominant wavelength which falls within a wavelength range of light that is emitted from an incandescent bulb and which has passed through a filter with a specified color. The respective dominant wavelengths can be different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Takako Minoda, Shinichi Kojima, Hidetaka Okada
  • Publication number: 20090219731
    Abstract: An optical system for a motor vehicle, the optical system performing at least one main optical function and including in particular a diffusion screen, at least one light source of the LED type, each LED of the optical system producing a set of rays of light to be propagated in the diffusion screen wherein the screen is in the form of a curved sheet, with an upper lateral flange and a lower lateral flange which meet at a periphery which has in particular a rear face and a front edge and the principal function is performed essentially via an output face constituted by the front edge of the diffusion screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Laure MARTIN, Benjamin VERNISSE, Benjamin THIERRY, Nicolas VATHONNE, Jean-Claude GASQUET
  • Patent number: 7581860
    Abstract: A headlight having a multitude of headlight elements, which each have at least one semiconductor chip which emits electromagnetic radiation; a primary optics element, which reduces the divergence of the light which is incident through the light input; and at least one headlight element output, which emits a part of the headlight light from the headlight element. At least some of the headlight element outputs are arranged in at least two groups in such a way that the arrangement of at least one of the groups and/or at least overall arrangement of headlight element outputs of multiple groups corresponds essentially to a desired emission characteristic of the headlight, in that, in particular, it has a shape which corresponds essentially to the cross-sectional shape of a desired headlight beam, wherein the semiconductor chips which belong to the headlight element outputs of one group can each be operated independently of other semiconductor chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Bogner, Stefan Grötsch, Joachim Reill
  • Patent number: 7578608
    Abstract: A compact headlight for a motor vehicle having a light source with a substantially horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the headlight. The headlight does not have a reflector and includes a lens which receives the light rays emitted from the light source and produces a light beam with cut-off. According to one embodiment, the light source and the lens are formed in a single unit wherein the light source is formed from one or more light emitting diodes and the lens is formed from a heat-resistant synthetic material which is molded onto at least one luminous surface of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 7575351
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a first reflector disposed fixed with respect to the light source; a second reflector rotatable in a direction that opens and closes a reflective surface of the first reflector; a bracket rotatably supporting the second reflector via a shaft that extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source; an actuator attached to the bracket; an attachment includes an insertion hole into which the driving rod of the actuator is inserted and first and second connection holes into which the connecting shaft of the second reflector is inserted. The second reflector includes a connecting shaft that projects in a direction generally perpendicular to an optical axis of the light source. The actuator includes a body and a driving rod that projects from a portion other than a center portion of the body and moves in an axial direction. The first connection hole and the second connection hole of the attachment open one way and open in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ogino, Hirohiko Ohshio
  • Patent number: 7572041
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a position lamp with a favorable light distribution. The vehicle lamp can also include other lamp or lamps such as a headlight and the like. The vehicle lamp can include a primary light source, a secondary light source, a reflector, an inner lens and an outer lens. The primary light source can be used for the other lamp and the secondary light source can be used for the position lamp adjacent the other lamp. Light emitted from the secondary light source can be distributed to both sides of the outer lens using the reflector and the inner lens. Because the light can be emitted outside of the lamp from both sides of the outer lens, the position lamp can form a light distribution having a wide angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Watanabe, Daisuke Odagane
  • Publication number: 20090196060
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp, which is configured to irradiate infrared light in a vehicle forward direction, includes: a projection lens disposed along an optical axis extending in a lamp backward and forward direction; and first and second light source units disposed in the rear of the projection lens. The first light source unit includes: a first light emitting element which is disposed in the rear of a rear focal point of the projection lens and emits the infrared light; and a first reflector which reflects the infrared light toward the optical axis in a lamp forward direction. An infrared light distribution pattern is formed by the infrared light which is reflected by the first reflector to pass through the projection lens. The second light source unit includes: a second light emitting element which is disposed in the rear of the rear focal point of the projection lens and emits visible light; and a second reflector which reflects the visible light toward the optical axis in a lamp forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi SAZUKA, Michio TSUKAMOTO, Shigeyuki WATANABE
  • Patent number: 7566152
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp unit including a flat-surfaced light source module and a projection lens that projects the image of light emitted from the light source module to the front as an inverted image. The light source module is comprised of a substrate and a light-emitting diode element disposed on the substrate and is formed therein with a subwavelength grating that reduces the reflection of light; and the formation density of the subwavelength grating is varied from position to position so as to vary the distribution of light emission intensity in the inverted image projected to the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 7553053
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with a lens and a metal wire for a heater. The metal wire is embedded in the lens by thermal wiring. A coating layer is formed on a side of the lens to which the metal wire is distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20090154186
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a first lamp section and a second lamp section, which are disposed inside a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover. The first lamp section includes a light source and a reflector which reflects light from the light source. The second lamp section includes a first light emitting device, a second light emitting device, a light guide member, and an optical component. The light guide member includes a base end face from which the light guide member extends in a strip shape along the front cover, a functional portion having a diffusing front surface which emits light from a first light emitting device, and a decorative portion having an internally reflecting rear surface which reflects light from a second light emitting device. A light emitting area of the decorative portion is larger than that of the functional portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Natsume, Kenji Nobuhara
  • Publication number: 20090154183
    Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting system includes: a designed cover 10 attached to a ceiling wall in an inside of a vehicle compartment; and a light source unit 20 arranged in the rear of the designed cover. In this system, a light beam emitted from an emission port 25 of the light source unit illuminates the inside of the vehicle compartment through two irradiation holes 15 for spot illumination, which are provided in the designed cover. A light guide 50 is arranged between the emission port 25 of the light source unit and the two irradiation holes 15 of the designed cover. The light guide 50 is configured to divide the light beam emitted from the light source unit into two directions, and to guide the thus-divided light beams to the respective irradiation holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Kentaro NAGAI, Hiroyuki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20090141514
    Abstract: Illumination of indicia positioned in or on a brake caliper via a removable and interchangeable back plate, face plate, housing, and illumination source mounted to or within or on a pocket in the housing of the caliper face is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Andrew L. Palkovic
  • Publication number: 20090135620
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp has a lamp holder, an LED array, an interior heat sink and a heat exchanger. The lamp holder is hollow and has a heat conductive portion. The LED array is mounted in the lamp holder. The interior heat sink is mounted on the LED array and has an inner conductor being attached between the LED array and the heat conductive portion. The heat exchanger is mounted on an outer side of the heat conductive portion. Therefore, the vehicle lamp can efficiently dissipate heat generated by the LED array by the interior heat sink and the heat exchanger with little or no dust entering the lamp holder and accumulating on the LED array for improved lifespan and constant heat dissipating performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Cheng-Feng Wan, Hao-Hui Lin, Su-Chen Hu
  • Patent number: 7537353
    Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly includes an outer gauge that is disposed about an inner gauge. The inner gauge is flood lit and the outer gauge is back lit. A single light guide assembly receives light from a plurality of light source exposed about an outer perimeter of the outer gauge. Light directed through the light guide is emitted through a light emitting edge to illuminate the inner gauge. Light traveling from the light source through the light guide is uniformly transmitted through a curved transition portion to back light the outer gauge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Chay Lee, Richard Sanders, Christian Tanguy, Shirley Yu
  • Publication number: 20090129107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molded part, in particular a decorative part and/or a trim part for a vehicle interior. According to the invention, the molded part comprises at least one excitation source for emitting electromagnetic waves and at least one luminescent material which is excitable or excited by the electromagnetic waves emerging from the excitation source or sources to emit light in the visible range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: NOVEM CAR INTERIOR DESIGN GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Egerer, Michael Wagner, Andreas Abach
  • Patent number: 7534020
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight, having multiple LEDs provided on a carrier and organized into a group arrangement having an asymmetric design arrived at by starting with an overall symmetric design and providing therein at least one area with non-functional or missing LEDs; and at least one optical element functioning as a common collection lens, wherein the vertical angle of beam spread ? is less than 5° and the horizontal angle of beam spread ? is in the range of less than 20° relative to the central optical axis of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Joerg Moisel
  • Publication number: 20090122567
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a projection-type light source unit housed in a lamp chamber. The light source unit includes a projection lens; a shade; a light emitting diode (LED) light source; a reflector; and an optical element. The LED light source includes a substrate; an LED chip disposed on the substrate such that the LED chip is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the light source unit; and a cover member. A region of the cover member includes concave and convex portions so as to diffuse light transmitted through the cover member. The reflector reflects and guides the light from the LED light source onto a rear focus of the projection lens. The optical element guides the diffused light transmitted through the cover toward a front side of the vehicle headlamp so as to form an overhead light distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa MOCHIZUKI, Nobutaka TEZUKA
  • Patent number: 7530718
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a reflective member having a silver vapor deposition reflective surface with good durability to prevent cracking or peeling of a protective film and capable of maintaining a high reflectance. The reflective member includes a topcoat layer which serves as a protective film on a silver vapor deposition film which is a silver alloy including Nd on a surface of a base material made of synthetic resin inside a lamp chamber S. The topcoat layer 64 includes a transparent modified silicone series resin using a silicone resin and an acrylic resin as resin components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Ono
  • Publication number: 20090116258
    Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle or other application, including a circular arrangement of groupings of IR LEDs in a retaining ring, each grouping of IR LED providing a different beam pattern of infrared illumination, and a HID lamp surrounded by the retaining ring, for providing visible light. A switch system is also provided, for enabling either the visible light or the infrared light, and for selecting a beam pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: James M. Helms
  • Patent number: 7520647
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes light sources that have a high luminous flux and a favorable bright distribution, and includes vehicle lamps that have both a favorable light distribution pattern and a capability of being miniaturized by using the LED light sources. The light source can include a base board, a reflector having a cavity with a slender rectangular opening, a plurality of semiconductor light emitting chips located in a line in the cavity, and an encapsulating resin in the cavity. At least one chip among the plurality of semiconductor light emitting chips can be located on a central bottom portion of the cavity. The cavity can have one slant angle in a direction of a short side that is smaller than another slant angle. The vehicle lamp can include the light source, a shield plate, an optical lens, and reflectors that are selected according to a kind and/or design of a vehicle lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaori Tachibana
  • Patent number: 7513648
    Abstract: The invention concerns a headlamp for vehicles with a reflector comprising a reflector opening for receiving a gas discharge lamp, with an ignition device for operating the gas discharge lamp, with holding means for releasably connecting the ignition device to a reflector, with electromagnetically compatible contact means arranged between the ignition device and the reflector, wherein the holding means includes a holding element which together with the ignition device and the gas discharge lamp forms a common unit, and the electromagnetically compatible contact means is integrated in the holding element, in such a way that, in a locking position of the holding element with the reflector, there is an electrically conductive connection between the ignition device and the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.,
    Inventors: Gerhard Rotgeri, Martin Dobrescu, Markus Gösling, Wolfgang Daub
  • Patent number: 7510312
    Abstract: A lamp structure for adjusting light to be a high beam and a low beam has a sliding seat which comprises one end installed a lamp component and another end installed an annulate guiding groove on outer surface thereof, and the guiding groove comprises a first groove segment and a second groove segment, and the two groove segments have the same curvature; a lamp seat which comprises a first space for the sliding seat restricting in the first space, and a first through hole which is bored through the lamp seat into the first space and is according to the guiding groove of the sliding seat; and a restricting component comprises one end inserted in the first through hole of the lamp seat to trace the guiding groove for restricting the moving of the sliding seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Li
  • Publication number: 20090080208
    Abstract: The invention relates to a decorative unit with illuminable decorative elements (1, 2, 3, 4), in particular a sill strip for positioning on the body of a vehicle, preferably in the region of a door sill, comprising a light-conducting layer (5) into which light can be radiated by an illuminant (6), disposed to the side, a light-covering decorative element layer (7) disposed over the light-conducting layer (5) with opaque and translucent regions which are designed to correspond to the decorative elements (1, 2, 3, 4), and a reflection layer (8) disposed beneath the light-conducting layer (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: CCL DESIGN GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Droste, Reiner Kling, Peter Fleissner
  • Publication number: 20090073710
    Abstract: An illumination system has a plurality of light-emitting diodes (R, G, B), at least one light-collimating section (12,12?) arranged along a longitudinal axis (25) of the illumination system. The light-collimating sections merges into a light-mixing section (3) having a plurality of side-faces along the longitudinal axis (25). Light propagation in the light-mixing section is based on total internal reflection. The light-mixing section is provided with a light-exit window (13) emitting light towards an imaginary projection surface normal to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Joseph Ludovicus Antonius Maria Sormani, Gunnar Luettgens
  • Patent number: 7503679
    Abstract: An optical module for a motor vehicle headlight comprising a reflector having an optical axis and at least one focus, a light source placed in the vicinity of the focus to be reflected, and a transparent optical deviation element placed in front of part of the reflector and comprising a lens referred to as a “square lens”, the reflector being placed at the rear of the lens, the optical deviation element being able to provide an essentially horizontal spread of the light. The exit face of the “square lens”is tangent to a plane disposed obliquely with respect to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Vincent Godbillon
  • Publication number: 20090067186
    Abstract: In a vehicle lamp unit that is configured to be mounted on a vehicle, a semiconductor light source can be substantially covered with a first reflector and, therefore, the semiconductor light source is not visually observable (or, is difficult to see) from outside the lamp unit even when a projection lens is disposed in front of the opening of the first reflector and spaced from the first reflector so as not to contact the first reflector. Thus, a vehicle lamp unit having a novel design can be provided in which the projection lens appears as if it is floating in air and in which the semiconductor light source is not visually seen or is difficult to be seen from the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Takashi FUTAMI
  • Publication number: 20090052199
    Abstract: A composite lamp assembly for use on a camouflaged military vehicle comprises a lamp housing colored to match the camouflaged scheme of the vehicle. The lamp housing defines an interior space, a first opening and a plurality of second openings in communication with the interior space. The lamp assembly includes a clear lens attached to the housing to occupy the first opening and a plurality of diffusers attached to the housing to occupy the plurality of second openings, the diffusers being colored to match the camouflaged scheme of the vehicle. The lamp assembly further includes a circuit board arranged within the interior space of the lamp housing having first and second pluralities of LEDs mounted thereto. The first plurality of LEDs is positioned to provide light through the clear lens and the second is positioned to provide light through the diffusers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Albert J. Bolander, JR., Matthew E. Drake
  • Patent number: 7494257
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device, particularly for automobiles, with a light source and a light conductor that emits the light from the light source conducted within it via a light decoupling surface, whereby light decoupling elements are positioned on the side opposite the light decoupling surface that divert light toward the light decoupling surface, whereby the light decoupling elements possess at least two diverting surfaces, and the first diverting surface is positioned closer to the light source than the second diverting surface of a light decoupling element, each of which subtends an angle with the light decoupling surface whereby the angles of the diverting surfaces are so selected that at least a portion of the light striking the second diverting surface is transmittable through it under refraction, and may be again coupled into the light conductor by means of the first diverting surface of the subsequent decoupling element, whereby this light is at least partially conducted from the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gebauer, Steffen Wiersdorff
  • Publication number: 20090034277
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including a light-emitting semiconductor device can have high visibility even in an area outside of the standard light distribution pattern. The vehicle lamp can include at least one light-emitting semiconductor device and at least one lens that includes both a first lens formation and second lens formation. An optical axis of the at least one lens can correspond with that of the at least one light-emitting semiconductor device. The first lens formation can receive a strong light that is within the range of a half-value angle of light emitted from the at least one light-emitting semiconductor and which forms a standard light distribution pattern. The second lens formation can receive a weak light that is beyond the range of the half-value angle and forms a light distribution pattern in an area outside of the standard light distribution formed by the first lens formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Hidetaka Okada
  • Publication number: 20090027907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp (10) and a vehicle headlight. The lamp (10) comprises a discharge vessel (16) with electrodes (20) arranged at a distance for creating an arc discharge. The envelope (22) has cylindrical shape with a cylinder wall extending straight in longitudinal direction. A reflective barrier (28) is arranged at least partly surrounding said discharge vessel for reflecting light emitted from the arc discharge. To obtain an optimally focused reflection, the discharge vessel (16) is configured such that the arc (50) is essentially straight. The reflective barrier (28) also extends straight in longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Benno Spinger, Lukas Kupper, Josephus Christiaan Maria Hendricx
  • Publication number: 20090027906
    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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Jurgen Flechsig, Sven Reyer, Andreas Trampler, Peter Rosenmuller
  • Patent number: 7478933
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with: a lamp unit 10 supported horizontally rotationally movably within a lamp housing; a shade movable in a predetermined direction so as to change a shielded quantity of light emitted from a light source; a horizontally driving device for horizontally rotationally moving the lamp unit; and a shade driving device for moving the shade in the predetermined direction. The shade driving device is provided with a driving shaft to be coupled with the shade. The lamp unit is rotationally moved by the horizontally driving device around the driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Yuji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7473010
    Abstract: A light cover has a transparent element manufactured from polycarbonate and an infrared filter angled so as to reflect infrared radiation emitted from a light source way from both the transparent element and the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: AIRBUS UK Limited
    Inventors: Edwin W O'Brien, Andy Yiasoumi, David C Richardson, Nathalie Plouzennec
  • Patent number: 7465075
    Abstract: A light assembly is provided having a lens assembly that splits the function of a near field lens into two components, thereby permitting a manufacturable lens that achieves the desired beam size and intensity. At the same time, increased flexibility and control over the beam spread characteristics is achieved. The first component is an inner lens, while the second component may be a reflector or a second lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Jeffrey Allen Erion, Chris L. Eichelberger, John Li
  • Patent number: 7458707
    Abstract: Headlamp optical module for a motor vehicle comprising, disposed along an optical axis: an elliptical-type reflector with at least one light source placed in the vicinity of a first focal point of the reflector; a converging lens placed in front of the reflector and admitting a focal point located in the vicinity of the second focal point of the reflector; and a light recovery means suitable for collecting a portion of the flux from the source and for sending it forward. An ellipsoid-type reflector is provided at the front, in the upper portion of the module, this reflector focusing a portion of the rays issuing from the source in the vicinity of a second focal point located at the front, lower than the focal point of the lens, and the light recovery means has an input face, in proximity to which is located the second focal point of the ellipsoid-type reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Antoine de Lamberterie
  • Patent number: 7460751
    Abstract: A lighting and/or signalling device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light source emitting light rays and at least one optical guide in which the light beam spreads, the at least one optical guide comprising at at least one of its ends an input face coupling the at least one optical guide and the at least one light source, a first surface forming an output face for the light beam, and a second surface, in particular remote from the output face, forming a face for reflection of the light rays, such that the at least one optical guide has at least one bend, the at least one optical guide in the region of the at least one bend having at least one corner protruding toward the outside of the at least one bend and bevelled by having two facets in order to send back the incident rays into the at least one optical guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Carlos Gomez Ruiz
  • Patent number: 7452112
    Abstract: A headlight, in particular of the elliptical type for a motor vehicle, comprises a casing fixed on the vehicle; a protective cover glass closing off the casing; and an optical module which comprises a reflector, a lens and an intermediate fixed to the reflector and supporting the lens, the lens and intermediate constituting a rigid module. The invention provides a headlight of this type which also includes means for absorbing at least some of the energy produced during impact with a pedestrian, by displacing at least part of the optical module. The invention also provides a method of absorbing at least some of the energy arising from impact between a pedestrian and a vehicle headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Philippe Arlon
  • Patent number: 7438455
    Abstract: A reflecting member of a vehicle lamp is provided with a top coat layer formed on a silver deposited coat formed on a surface of a synthetic resin base. The top coat layer is made of a transparent acrylic resin which is synthesized with a monomer whose glass transition temperature is 60° C. or higher. The top coat layer adheres to the silver deposited coat to suppress the agglomeration of Ag atoms constituting the silver deposited coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Ono, Masaru Takiguchi, Mamoru Murakoshi, Kazuhiro Yamazaki, Akio Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 7425085
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight apparatus includes a headlight and an actuator. The actuator horizontally changes a lighting direction of the headlight. The vehicle headlight apparatus drives the actuator such that the actuator horizontally changes the lighting direction of the headlight based on a target swivel angle that is determined based on a travel condition, upon the occurrence of one of the following conditions: (a) the vehicle headlight apparatus detects a dark road section located on a downstream side of a current position of a vehicle, or (b) the headlight is switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Ryu Mizuno, Kazuhiko Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20080219020
    Abstract: Comprises in combination: at least one light source; a support plate for the light source, which is at least one; a protective cover that permits the light emitted by the light source to reach the outside; at least one wall which, in combination with the cover, forms a casing to hold the said light source, in which at least the said support plate has a black coloured surface facing the said cover; and in which the position of said light source, which is at least one, in relation to the casing, is such that it emits the light directly to the exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Santiago Miguel Sanz, Daniel Bande Martinez, Maria Luisa Novella Requena
  • Publication number: 20080186726
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes an LED lighting unit that uses a light guide, and a thin vehicle lamp using the light guide and which can conform to light distribution standards for vehicle lamps. The LED lighting unit can include a light guide having one flat surface formed with many light diffusing patterns, a plurality of LEDs located along one end surface of the light guide, and a reflection board including a reflector located on a bend portion thereof. The reflection board can be located adjacent and extend along the one flat surface of the light guide. The one flat surface can form a large light distribution area with a uniform brightness. The reflector located at the bend portion of the reflection board can form a narrow light distribution having a maximum brightness at a central portion. Thus, the LED light unit can conform to optical characteristics for a vehicle lamp. A vehicle lamp using the above-described LED light unit can be relatively thin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Hidetaka Okada
  • Patent number: 7407310
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp 1 including a projection lens 16 installed on the optical axis Ax extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle a light source 12a provided behind the rear side focal point F of the projection lens 16, and a reflector 14 that reflects direct light from the light source 12a forward and toward the optical axis Ax; and in this headlamp, an additional lens 30, which deflects and directs light from the light source 12a to the front is provided around the outer perimeter of the projection lens 16, and grooves 33, which have side faces that direct at least a part of the incident light toward the side of the vehicle, are formed in the outer surface of the additional lens 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7396147
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle component such as a side mirror comprising a panel having an obverse side and a reverse side, wherein, in use, when viewed from the obverse side the panel has a first appearance when not illuminated from the reverse side, but has a second appearance when illuminated from the reverse side, and further, wherein means are provided for reducing effects upon the panel caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: John McGavigan Limited
    Inventor: Alastair Munro
  • Patent number: 7390113
    Abstract: A projector-type vehicle lamp comprises a reflector, a light source and a lens. The reflector, which makes the light source produce a desired light pattern without using any shade interposed between the reflector and the lens, has a free curved surface and is designed with a multi-ellipsoid equation. In addition, the projector-type vehicle headlamp system also produces an optimum utilizing rate with its high gradient of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Chungchou Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Yuan-Chang Liou
  • Publication number: 20080117645
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight shield protects a headlight of an off-road (or other) vehicle such as an ATV, motorcycle, or other vehicle, to reduce the chance of the headlight cracking, chipping or breaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Ladbury Enterprises
    Inventors: Rick Ladbury, George Louis McGregor, Keith A. Paasch
  • Publication number: 20080117646
    Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the related art emit light in all directions, LED lamps can emit light in a single direction, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp can include an LED chip in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and a shielding member covering a portion of the LED chip in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens or the like constituting the projection means. Accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: YASUSHI YATSUDA, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 7370997
    Abstract: A light emitting unit is provided forward in the vicinity of the upper part of an optical axis extended in the longitudinal direction of a lighting unit. Furthermore, a light transmitting member is provided on the forward side of the light emitting unit. A front surface of the light transmitting member is constituted by a rotating elliptical surface with the optical axis to be a central axis, and a rear end face is formed to pass through a first focal point on the rear side of the rotating elliptical surface. Moreover, a reflector having a reflecting plane formed to surround a light emitting chip almost cylindrically is provided between the light emitting unit and the light transmitting member in such a manner that a front end opening portion is caused to abut on the rear end face 14b of the light transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motohiro Komatsu