Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/509)
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Patent number: 7364332Abstract: A light source bulb 22 is inserted and fixed into a reflector 24 from a side in a position placed downward apart from an optical axis Ax. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize an optical-axis side region in a reflecting plane 24a for a light distribution control. Moreover, an almost prism-shaped light transmitting member 30 is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the outer peripheral edge portion of a projection lens 28 between the projection lens 28 and the reflector 24, and a direct light from a light source 22a toward the upper space of the projection lens 28 is emitted forward to be deflected downward. Consequently, it is possible to increase the amount of a light to be irradiated on the forward part of a vehicle, and furthermore, to carry out a deflection control for the direct light emitted from the light source 22a with high precision.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Motohiro Komatsu, Michihiko Hayakawa
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Patent number: 7364331Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with a single lamp unit for irradiating light of a light source in a desired direction as irradiating light, and an irradiating light control apparatus constituted by integrally assembling a horizontal driving device for pivoting the lamp unit in a horizontal direction, a vertical driving device for pivoting the lamp unit in a vertical direction, and a switching drive portion of a light amount changing device for changing an irradiating light amount of the irradiating light to a single case. An irradiating direction of the irradiating light in the horizontal direction, an irradiating direction thereof in the vertical direction and an irradiating light amount thereof can pertinently be controlled by driving the respective devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
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Patent number: 7357543Abstract: A vehicle lighting device in which a housing having a concave portion, which is opened forward, and a lens for covering a front opening of the housing are joined together by a laser welding, wherein the housing is formed of a thermoplastic resin of a chromatic color, and carbon of 0.01 to 0.1% is contained in the thermoplastic resin of the chromatic color.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshimasa Ikeda, Yoshihiro Miyagawa
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Patent number: 7347598Abstract: An outside mirror apparatus for a vehicle includes an illuminating unit that includes a lens and a base that divide a lamp chamber, and a light source that is disposed in the lamp chamber. A half-mirror is formed on the lens.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Hideki Seguchi
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Publication number: 20080068853Abstract: Provided is a lamp unit using light-emitting-diode (LED) light sources, more particularly, a lamp unit using LED light sources which can generate a low beam and a high beam using LED light sources. The lamp unit includes a first LED light source unit which includes a first row of LED light sources; a second LED light source unit which includes a second row of LED light sources that is disposed below the first row of LED light sources; and a reflection plate which comprises a reflection surface that projects a low beam or a high beam upon turning on or off the first or second LED light source unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicants: SL Seobong, SL LightingInventor: Jong-Un Kim
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Publication number: 20080068852Abstract: An illuminating unit comprising a luminous means (5) and an optical element (1) that has a radiation entrance surface (2) facing the luminous means (5) and a radiation exit surface (3) averted from the luminous means (5). The optical element (1) has at least one holographic element (4) that is designed as a beam shaping element for the radiation (7) emitted from the luminous means (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur elektrische Gluhlampen mbHInventor: Rupert Goihl
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Patent number: 7331690Abstract: An infrared headlight useful in a night vision system may be made with an infrared emitter positioned in a reflector. The radiation source is associated with a filter body which has a first filter layer part and a second uncoated part. The two parts are designed so the radiation transmitted through the uncoated part strikes a different area of the reflector than the infrared radiation transmitted through the filter layer. The two regions of the reflector may have differing reflective characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur electrische Gluhlampen mbHInventor: Hans Joachim Schmidt
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Publication number: 20080025035Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Amir P. Fallahi, William C. Ince
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Patent number: 7314298Abstract: A discharge bulb is provided with an arc tube main body in which an arc tube having a discharge light emitting portion (a hermetically sealed glass envelope) where electrodes are provided in such a manner as to face each other is enclosed in a cylindrical shroud glass tube. The discharge bulb is configured so that a light distribution pattern having a predetermined cut-off line is formed by light intercepting portions (light intercepting films) and a light distribution control reflector. A frost treatment is applied to only a light emitting area on an outer surface of the shroud glass tube which corresponds to an area along the cut-off line in the light distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Michio Takagaki, Takeshi Fukuyo, Akira Homma, Shinichi Irisawa
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Publication number: 20070291501Abstract: A lamp unit includes a semiconductor light-emitting element portion, a reflector that radiates light from a light source forward of the lamp, and a driving portion that moves relative positions of the semiconductor light-emitting element portion and the reflector. The semiconductor light-emitting element portion is provided with a light-emitting surface whose outer peripheral shape is generally oblong, the reflector is provided with a parabolic surface that has a focus line in the horizontal direction, and the driving portion is configured such that rotation is possible within a horizontal plane of the light-emitting surface from a first position where a short side of the light-emitting surface is generally parallel to the focus line up to a second position where a long side of the light-emitting surface is generally parallel to the focus line.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Takayuki Yagi
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Publication number: 20070291499Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTDInventor: Hidetada TANAKA
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Publication number: 20070279924Abstract: The reflection surface of a reflector is formed by a parabolic cylindrical plane extending in the horizontal direction orthogonal to an optical axis. A light emitting element is configured to have five light emitting chips arranged in a T-shape and these light emitting chips are lighted in two lighting modes. In the first lighting mode, a special light emitting chip and a pair of the left and right side special light emitting chips which front end edges are aligned on the focal line of the parabolic cylindrical plane are lighted simultaneously, whereby a light distribution pattern having a narrow vertical width and a prolong shape is formed. In the second lighting mode, a special light emitting chip located at the center portion and two general light emitting chips disposed in series on the backward side thereof are lighted simultaneously, whereby a light distribution pattern having a large vertical width and a prolong shape is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Takayuki YAGI
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Publication number: 20070253212Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2007Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
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Patent number: 7287884Abstract: A beam radiator that radiates visible light beams having a predetermined wavelength onto a road surface to inform drivers of other vehicles of the existence of a self-owned vehicle or to let a driver of the self-owned vehicle confirm a traveling path thereof is disposed in a front portion of a body of the self-owned vehicle. An optical filter is disposed substantially all over a windshield in front of a driver seat. The filter is designed to have a characteristic of being more permeable to light having wavelengths close to a wavelength of visible light beams radiated from the beam radiator 24 than to light having a wavelength different from those wavelengths. In this construction, the driver is prevented from finding it difficult to visually recognize a visible light pattern resulting from visible light beams radiated from the self-owned vehicle or another vehicle owing to sunlight or the like, and visual recognizability of the visible light pattern is enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shin Koike
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Patent number: 7270448Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: a light fixture having a concave reflector disposed on a rear surface thereof; and at least one LED directed at a concavity of the concave reflector.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Techlite Inc.Inventor: William B. Maley, Sr.
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Publication number: 20070211485Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Applicant: VALEO VISIONInventor: Vincent Godbillon
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Publication number: 20070195543Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a lamp 110 having shade switching means 140 for providing a desired light distribution pattern by blocking a portion of light emitted from a light source. Light distribution pattern switching controlling means controls the shade switching means 140 in response to receipt of an instruction of switching a light distribution pattern of the lamp. Leveling means 130 controls deflection of an optical axis of the lamp in a vertical direction. The light distribution pattern switching controlling means controls the shade switching means 140 such that a cut line is formed by a height substantially the same as that of a cut line of high beam when an instruction of switching to a light distribution pattern of “remote optically recognizing beam” is received and controls the leveling means 130 such that the cut line is formed by a height of a cut line requested for “middle beam”.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Naohisa Tatara
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Patent number: 7252420Abstract: The object of the invention is a lighting device for a motor vehicle, comprising a first light source focused on a first reflective zone and a second light source focused on second reflective zone. The first light source is able to emit light both in the direction of the first reflective zone and part of the second reflective zone, the light coming from the light source and reflected by the two reflective zones corresponding to a DRL daylight light beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Etienne Pauty, Jean-Paul Ravier, Patrice Collot, Claude Penn
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Patent number: 7204627Abstract: A lamp unit for a vehicular headlamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a semiconductor light-emitting element having a light-emitting chip with a lower end edge formed linearly. The semiconductor light-emitting element is disposed in the rear of the projection lens facing forward so as to position the lower end edge 24a1 on the optical axis. The projection lens projects light from a point on the optical axis of the lower end edge within a vertical cross section as parallel light, and projects light from a point on the optical axis of the lower end edge within a horizontal cross section as diffused light.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
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Patent number: 7175323Abstract: A reduced glare projector style headlight assembly (10) comprises a light source (14), a reflector (12) and an optical lens (18). An opaque mask (16) is positioned between the lens (18) and the reflector (12) for creating an upper shadow region in the focused beam pattern (28) to shield on-coming traffic. The mask (16) includes a transition region (32) proximate its top edge (22) for allowing a limited amount of projected light to pass through the mask (16), into the upper shadow region in the focused beam pattern (28). In several embodiments, the mask (16) is applied or otherwise affixed to a transparent substrate (20) which also supports the transition region (32). To combat undesirable chromatic effects, a color filter (38) can be positioned in the light path (26) for disrupting selective wavelengths of light energy. As alternative approaches, the transparent substrate (20) and/or the lens (18?) can be doped with a color filtering material or composition.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Federal Mogul World Wide, Inc.Inventor: Lloyd Keith Bucher
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Patent number: 7153010Abstract: A lamp body for a vehicle lighting unit includes a PC/PTT alloy material in which 80 to 50% by weight of a polycarbonate resin (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and 20 to 50% by weight of a polytrimethylene terephthalate resin (hereinafter referred to as a PTT) are contained as principal components and 5 to 10% by weight of a filler is added with respect to the total weight of the PC and the PTT. The lamp body constituted by the PC/PTT alloy material can be thermally welded to a lens formed of the PC, and has a heat resistance, a chemical resistance and a bending rigidity which are almost identical to those of a lamp body formed of a polypropylene. Therefore, the lens and the lamp body can be bonded and integrated by a thermal welding method.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Teruhisa Yamada, Daisuke Mochizuki, Hidetaka Anma
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Patent number: 7150554Abstract: Automotive lamps are configured having at least one array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) supported within the lamps. A bezel is positioned in each lamp adjacent to the LEDs, the bezel having a dark surface, the dark surface having a high gloss finish with reflector shaped surfaces to reflect light from the LEDs while absorbing visible light from external sources. A lens of light transmitting material covers the array of LEDs. The automotive lamp is especially useful as a rear combination lamp having red LEDs serving both tail light and stop light functions, as well as amber or red LEDs providing turn and hazard signals. A center, high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL), also using an array of LEDs surrounded by a dark bezel with high gloss reflector shaped surfaces, is used in combination with a pair of the rear combination lamps. In one embodiment the rear combination lamps include side marker LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Jeffrey Jose Calderas
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Patent number: 7137718Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lamp chamber containing at least one light source in an interior thereof and having a light-emitting opening, a lamp cover is attached to the light-emitting opening, and a polarizing film is applied to an inner surface of said cover body. The lamp cover includes a transparent cover body having a configuration and size capable of covering at least a light emission surface of the lamp. The polarizing film has fine textured structures on a surface thereof for changing color of the exterior of the lamp when the lamp is in a lit condition compared to an unlit condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Ken Egashira
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Patent number: 7131759Abstract: A vehicular lamp used in an automobile, includes: a light source module for generating light; and an optical member for directing the light generated by the light source module forward. The light source module includes: a semiconductor light-emitting element or device for generating light; a fluorescent member for emitting light in accordance with the light generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element, the fluorescent member covering a surface of the semiconductor light-emitting element; and a light-blocking member, formed to be opposed to the semiconductor light-emitting element with the fluorescent member sandwiched therebetween and cover a side of the semiconductor light-emitting element and a part of the fluorescent member, for blocking a part of the light generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element and a part of the light emitted by the fluorescent member.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Kiyoshi Sazuka, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 7128455Abstract: A vehicular headlamp having a light source bulb inserted into a reflector from a side of an optical axis Ax at a position below the optical axis enables an area to the side of the optical axis of the reflective surface of the reflector to be utilized effectively for light distribution control. The shape of the reflective surface of the reflector in a vertical cross section that includes the optical axis Ax is defined by a curve, which is formed such that a normal line of each point of the reflective surface is positioned between a bisector of a line segment that joins each point with a light source and a line segment that joins each point with an upper end edge of a shade, and a bisector of the line segment and a line segment that joins each point with an upper end edge of a rear surface opening of a projection lens.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Yamamura
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Patent number: 7073928Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes a body case fixed to a vehicle body, a lens provided in front of the body case, a lamp bulb facing an inner space formed by the body case and the lens and an intermediate member interposed between the body case and the lens so as to be exposed to an external environment. The body case and the intermediate member are arranged with their end faces opposing each other, and the lens and the intermediate member are arranged with their end faces opposing each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Toyofuku
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Patent number: 7070308Abstract: A light projector includes a polarized light splitter 3 that splits unpolarized light irradiated from a light source 1 into p-polarized light and s-polarized light, and the p-polarized light and/or the s-polarized light are irradiated as vertical polarized light and/or horizontal polarized light, providing a driver with considerably improved forward visibility in comparison with a conventional headlight.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiya Shikano
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Patent number: 7040785Abstract: A headlight with a housing, in which light-generating and light-forming elements are arranged. The front part of the housing or a top, insert or attachment linked with the front part of the housing, is provided with at least two fixing claws for fixing accessory parts such as a diffuser, color film filter or wing elements that can be mounted on the light outlet of the headlight by the fixing claws. The fixing claws are characterized by one elastic element each or configure such an element on which an accessory part held by the fixing claw rests, thereby reducing undesired clattering noises.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KGInventor: Klaus-Dieter Stegmaier
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Patent number: 7025483Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection device in which a projection lens has undergone arrangements at its exit surface, and more particularly side areas of this exit surface. The arrangements are intended to divert certain light rays emitted by a light source of the light in order to illuminate overhead lights without interfering with the homogeneity of the light beam of said light. The arrangements made may consist of protuberances in the form of serrations.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: Pierre Albou
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Patent number: 7027238Abstract: A method and an apparatus for regulating the brightness of a light source (2), configured as an incandescent lamp, in the illumination beam path (8) of a microscope (1), the brightness of the light source (2) being modifiable by increasing or reducing the electrical power delivered to the light source (2), are characterized in that a red shift, associated with the reduction in the delivered electrical power, of the spectrum of the light emitted by the light source (2) in the illumination beam path (8) is compensated for by way of a variable optical filter (16) that brings about a blue shift of the spectrum. A color-neutral regulation of the brightness of the illuminating light is thereby achieved.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Leica Microsystems Wetzlar GmbHInventor: Albrecht Weiss
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Patent number: 7019631Abstract: An indicator equipped with a polarized light splitter, which passes and reflects an un-polarized light irradiated from a light source and divides the polarized light into a p-polarized light whose oscillation direction of an electric field is parallel to an incidence plane and an s-polarized light whose oscillation direction of an electric field is perpendicular to the incidence plane. In this indicator, at least one of the p-polarized light and s-polarized light is emitted from the polarized light splitter as a horizontal polarized light whose oscillation direction of an electric field is substantially parallel to a ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshiya Shikano
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Patent number: 6981790Abstract: A shade is moved to a high-beam position by a driving force of a solenoid and held in that position. The shade is switched to a low-beam position by a spring force of a plate spring and held in that position. The solenoid is the pull-type solenoid. The shade is thin and therefore light in weight. As a result, low-cost and light-weight headlamp is obtained. Moreover, switching of the beams can be performed accurately.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Suzuki
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Patent number: 6976772Abstract: The object of the invention is a dual-function lamp device for a motor vehicle, comprising in particular a light source emitting light signals towards an output surface of the lamp in order to produce a light beam, and a filtering means which can move between a passive position and an active position in which it allows passage of only some of the light signals corresponding to non-visible wavelengths, the filtering means being used in association with an intermediate lens for modifying the dispersion of the light beam. The driver thus has a direct illumination and an indirect illumination for obtaining, from a single lamp, two different fields of vision.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Pierre Albou, Joël Leleve
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Patent number: 6957901Abstract: A lighting device for lighting a display surface is provided. The lighting device includes a light source, a lighting well and a lens, which is arranged between the light source and the display surface. Due to the combined use of the lighting well and the lens, light scattered laterally is also reflected in the direction of the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Harald Schach, Pascal Benoit, Matthias Gebauer, Georg Ewald
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Patent number: 6945680Abstract: A light assembly, particularly for a motor vehicle, essentially consists of a housing covered by a clear, optically inactive covering pane in which at least one light unit is arranged which is formed of a light with a pertaining reflector. A screen, which is constructed as a semireflecting mirror, is arranged between the covering pane and the light unit. The screen separates a rearward light unit space accommodating the light unit from a forward light unit space formed by the screen and the covering pane, so that the rearward light unit space cannot be seen on the inside by a viewer looking in the direction of the light unit. The screen is transparent for the light emitted by the light when the light is switched on.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans-Peter Holzmann, Marek Djordjevic
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Patent number: 6916110Abstract: A flame simulating device for a vehicle is disclosed. The flame simulating device comprises an assembly having a flame shaped end and an opposite end. In several examples of the flame simulating device the opposite end of a member of the assembly is coupled to a transparent member. In use of the flame simulating device, a portion of the opposite end of the assembly is coupled to a portion of a surface of a vehicle light lens fixture. The flame simulating device preferably comprises translucent plastic, except when a member of the assembly is the transparent member. The flame simulating device may be colored and textured to give the appearance of flames emanating from a vehicle. A source of light creates a simulated flame when the source of light is directed onto the translucent flame simulating device.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Inventor: Rene C. Batiste
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Patent number: 6896396Abstract: An infrared radiating lamp which dilutes the red light emitted from the front lens of the lamp by causing a peripheral portion of the lens to emit white light or causing a small amount of white light to pass through a generally central portion of the lens so that the lamp will not be mistakenly recognized as a tail lamp or a stop lamp. The lamp includes a lamp body, a lens attached to a front opening portion of the lamp body and which cooperates with the lamp body to define a lamp chamber, a reflector provided at an inner side of the lamp body, a light source provided forward of the reflector, and an infrared transmitting film that reflects a visible light component and transmits an infrared component. A region having no infrared transmitting film is provided at an outer periphery of the infrared transmitting film.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seiichiro Yagi
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Patent number: 6880945Abstract: A lamp for a vehicle includes a light-conducting element. The light-conducting element has at least one in-coupling element arranged between two adjacent light out-coupling elements. A light source is associated with a light in-coupling surface of the light in-coupling element. At least two light-diverting surfaces of the light in-coupling element are associated with respective ones of the light out-coupling elements. The light-diverting surfaces serve to divert light beams radiated from the light source into the respective light out-coupling elements. The light-diverting surfaces of the light in-coupling elements are convexed, or curved, outwardly and have a common focus position for the light source.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Hella KG Huech & Co.Inventors: Ulrich Knaack, Lukas Schwenkschuster
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Patent number: 6866406Abstract: A downwardly directed light (38) is mounted within a horizontally extending rubbing strip (24) on a vehicle door (18) below the level of a window in the door and a light is mounted within said rubbing strip. This arrangement illuminates a lower part of the side of the vehicle and the adjacent ground. Its installation does not require any extensive modification to the body panels of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems UK LimitedInventors: Alan R. Starkey, Andrew J. Assinder, Richard G. Teal
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Patent number: 6860626Abstract: A headlight, in particular, for motor vehicles, has an elongated incandescent body (2) with an incandescent body longitudinal axis (4), a reflector, associated with the incandescent body (2) for bundling of the light emitted from the incandescent body (8), and a photoconductor (8), in which the light emitted from the reflector (6) in the direction of an optical axis is coupled-in by means of a coupling-in surface (12) of the photoconductor (8). The incandescent body longitudinal axis (4) forms an angle (?) with the optical axis (10) that is greater than 0 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbHInventors: Martin Lampen, Matthias Gebauer
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Publication number: 20040246738Abstract: A vehicle light can include a light source, a major reflecting surface, a projection lens, and a shutter. A first reflecting surface of an ellipse group reflecting surface preferably has a first focus on the light source and a second focus, capable of being inserted in or removed from an optical path from the light source to a second fixed reflecting surface. A first fixed reflecting surface of a parabolic group reflecting surface can include a focus on the second focus of the first reflecting surface, and at least two second reflecting surface elements. The second fixed reflecting surface can include a first focus on the light source and at least two third reflecting surface elements for reflecting light rays that have traveled an optical path from the light source thereto without being reflected by the first reflecting surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hitoshi Taniuchi
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Publication number: 20040218399Abstract: A vehicle lighting device includes a bowl-shaped reflector made of a transparent material, a main illuminating source mounted in the reflector, and a plurality of dim light sources located at a rear outer side of the reflector. The reflector has a curved and plated inner surface, and is provided on an outer surface with projected portions corresponding to the dim light sources. Rays emitted from the dim light sources are collected at the projected portions and transmitted via the transparent material of the reflector to a luminous ring formed at a front end of the reflector, so that a circle of light is shown on the vehicle lighting device to provide a visually effect warning.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventor: Sung-Nan Lin
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Publication number: 20040184281Abstract: A headlight apparatus has a lighting element with a connector base disposed in an aperture formed in the lighting element. The connector base has a set of terminals arranged to make contact with a set of electrical contact zones of a complementary module. Each electrical contact zone is so disposed, on a surface portion of an electronic printed circuit of the complementary module, as to be directly accessible for the corresponding terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Marc Duarte, Jean-Marc Nicolai, David Myotte
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Patent number: 6786624Abstract: A method and apparatus for a high temperature corrosion resistant composition. The composition is formed into a bulb shield for a vehicle, including automobiles and motorcycles. An alloy composition may be used to stamp a bulb shield. The bulb shield may comprise a cup portion and a connector. Either the cup portion, the connector, or both may comprise an Inconel® alloy composition. The bulb shield may be positioned in front of a headlight bulb to steer light in a desired direction. The bulb shield may be electropolished to provide a decorative attribute to the lamp. The bulb shield may be exposed to high temperatures from the headlight bulb. The Inconel® composition resists deterioration and discoloration of the bulb shield due to the high temperatures. The Inconel® 600 composition also improves the durability of the bulb shield.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: North American Lighting, Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Poorman
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Patent number: 6776514Abstract: A vehicle lamp including a reflector, which has a light source and is housed in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front lens, and a shade, which is attached at its first and second legs to the reflector so as to be in front of the light source. The first leg is fastened to the reflector by a screw; and the second leg is connected to the reflector by an engaging piece of substantially an L-shape that is formed at an end of the second leg and is engaged with an engaging hole formed in the reflector. The engaging piece extends from shoulder portions of the second leg, and the length between the shoulder portions to a head portion at the tip end of the engaging piece is set to be substantially equal to the longitudinal length of the engaging hole of the reflector.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomokazu Murakami
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Patent number: 6776515Abstract: A bulb shield for use in an automotive headlamp assembly, and a method for making same. The bulb shield includes a cup portion and a portion which extends from the cup portion and is configured for mounting to a reflector of the automotive headlamp assembly or to another, proximate structure. When the bulb shield is mounted, the cup portion is generally horizontally aligned with a headlamp bulb in the automotive headlamp assembly, thereby eliminating a “hot spot” which would otherwise be viewable when looking into the headlamp beam. The bulb shield includes a part made of a glass and polymer blend, and at least a portion of the part includes a vacuum aluminized coating. Such a bulb shield is relatively inexpensive and easy to make, yet can withstand the high temperatures which are typically experienced in an automotive headlamp assembly. Additionally, the bulb shield may include a complex cup shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Elco Textron Inc.Inventor: Karl R. Schmitt
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Publication number: 20040125614Abstract: The invention includes a headlamp having a plurality of lighting units using light emitting diodes as light sources. A cutoff line forming unit, hot zone forming units, and a diffusion region forming unit are used as these lighting units. Consequently, a light distribution pattern for a low beam having a desirable pattern shape and light intensity distribution can be obtained as the synthetic light distribution pattern of light distribution patterns formed by the irradiation of a light from these three kinds of lighting units.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Kiyoshi Sazuka, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Publication number: 20040120158Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is constituted to have a plurality of lamp units having light-emitting diodes as light sources. At that time, three types of lamp units of different radiation modes; that is, a projector-type lamp unit, direct-projection-type lamp units, and a reflection-type lamp unit, are used as the plurality of lamp units. As a result, a low-beam light distribution pattern obtained as a merged light distribution pattern formed from the light rays output from these three types of lamp units can be readily formed in a desired pattern geometry and a desired distribution of luminous intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTDInventors: Masashi Tatsukawa, Hiroyuki Ishida, Kiyoshi Sazuka
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Patent number: 6742918Abstract: A system for adjusting the direction of a light beam from a headlamp assembly comprises a condenser lens which is movable along an arcuate path. As a vehicle turns a corner, the system moves the condenser lens along the arcuate path, so as to direct the light beam in the direction that the vehicle is moving. Because the condenser lens follows an arcuate path, the light beam is not distorted, allowing for greater angular displacement of the light beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Guide CorporationInventor: Tony E. Collins
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Publication number: 20040062052Abstract: A light assembly, particularly for a motor vehicle, essentially consists of a housing covered by a clear, optically inactive covering pane in which at least one light unit is arranged which is formed of a light with a pertaining reflector. A screen, which is constructed as a semireflecting mirror, is arranged between the covering pane and the light unit. The screen separates a rearward light unit space accommodating the light unit from a forward light unit space formed by the screen and the covering pane, so that the rearward light unit space cannot be seen on the inside by a viewer looking in the direction of the light unit. The screen is transparent for the light emitted by the light when the light is switched on.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Hans-Peter Holzmann, Marek Djordjevic