Optical Waveguide (e.g., Fiber Optic, Edge-lit) Patents (Class 362/511)
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Patent number: 9340149Abstract: An automotive light is provided that includes a light-guide bar made of photoconductive-material, which is at least partially positioned substantially grazing a corresponding transparent or semitransparent portion of the front lenticular half-shell of the light, and a second light source which is structured so as to emit light when electricity powered, and is arranged inside the rear body, close to one end of the light-guide bar, so as to direct the light produced inside the body of said light-guide bar. The light-guide bar is provided with a longitudinal light-extractor band which extends along the lateral side of the bar, and a multitude of deflector prisms which have an approximately triangle-shaped cross-section and are conveniently arranged along the longitudinal light-extractor band. One or more deflector prisms are shaped so that the active deflector surface has a bulging/arched profile substantially over the whole width of the longitudinal band.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Automotive Lighting Italia S.p.A.Inventors: Chiara Domini, Franco Marcori, Sara Paroni
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Patent number: 9216690Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror, for a motor vehicle, with an exterior rear view mirror housing formed in at least two parts, which comprises an opening for a mirror glass, and houses at least one base bracket, on which the mirror glass is adjustably arranged. The exterior rear view mirror housing consists at least of a first housing part and a second housing part, which are connected to both each other as well as to the base bracket, in each case. Locking connections are provided at least between the first housing part and the second housing part, as well as between the housing parts and the base bracket, in each case.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.Inventors: Arne Schmierer, Raimund Negel, Andreas Herrmann, Istvan Szmolenszki
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Patent number: 9188726Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle, includes a light guide for total-reflective guiding of light along a direction of light propagation. The light originates from at least one light source and can be coupled-in via at least one coupling surface on one end face of the light guide. The light guide further includes a coupling-out surface disposed along the direction of light propagation for coupling out light that exits from the light guide where the total-reflection condition no longer exists at the exit surface disposed along the direction of the light propagation. The lighting device is characterized in that the at least one light source, the light from which can be coupled in on the at least one coupling-in surface, is a laser light source.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Helmut Erdl, Abdelmalek Hanafi
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Patent number: 9182095Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting and/or signaling module comprising a support, a light guide arranged in an enclosure of said support and a mask arranged on the support and extending in front of the light guide. The light guide comprises a longitudinal rib intended to collaborate by engaging with a series of hooks belonging to the support. The mask is intended to mask the mounting zones of the light guide. It comprises one or more windows intended to let through the rays of light emitted transversally by the light guide. The rib extends continuously over essentially the entire length of each of the windows. The rib allows simple, rapid and reliable attachment of the light guide to its support. The continuity of the rib among each of the windows means that the creation of any visible non-uniformity through said windows is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Valeo Iluminacion Sociedad AnonimaInventor: Manuel Gomez
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Patent number: 9168877Abstract: An airbag unit includes an airbag, a cover part which covers the airbag, a fitting member which is fitted on a front side of the cover part, and a fastening member which fastens the fitting member on a back side of the cover part. The fastening member includes a first fastening part which is inserted from a side into a first locking part provided on the fitting member, in a state in which the first locking part penetrates the cover part to a back side of the cover part, a second fastening part which is inserted from the side into a second locking part provided on the fitting member, in a state in which the second locking part penetrates the cover part to the back side of the cover part, and a connecting part which connects a base end part of the first fastening part and a base end part of the second fastening part, and external shapes of the first fastening part and the second fastening part are mutually different.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Keisuke Onohara, Hiromu Usuda
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Patent number: 9156511Abstract: The present invention relates to a LED rear lamp comprising a light guide (1) arranged in or forming part of a housing (10), said light guide (1) having a plate-like shape with a central aperture (2) surrounded by an inner side face (9) of the light guide. One or several LEDs (3) are arranged in the central aperture (2) such that a main emission direction of each LED (3) is aligned towards the inner side face (9) to couple emitted light through the inner side face (9) into the light guide (1). The light guide (1) is designed to guide a first portion (5) of the emitted light to escape through at least two opposing outer side faces (4) of the light guide (1) and to internally reflect or scatter a second portion (6) of the emitted light traveling towards the two outer side faces (4) to escape through a main surface (7) of the light guide (1). With the proposed LED rear lamp a good rear and side visibility is achieved in an efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Rafael Rohrlich, Benno Springer, Albrecht Johannes Kraus
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Patent number: 9140422Abstract: An automotive light is provided having a substantially tub-shaped rear casing designed to fit to the vehicle body and a front lenticular half-shell which closes the opening of the rear casing and has at least one portion of transparent or semi-transparent material. The front lenticular half-shell includes a rear portion substantially aligned with the rear of the vehicle body, and a lateral portion substantially aligned with the side of the vehicle body. The automotive light also includes a strip light source designed to emit light when powered electrically and a light guide plate of photoconductive material shaped to substantially match the profile of the strip light source and housed inside the rear casing in a position substantially perpendicular to the rear portion of the front lenticular half-shell.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Automotive Lighting Italia S.p.A.Inventors: Frank Arrivet, Alain Buisson, Franco Marcori, Benoit Samson
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Patent number: 9121566Abstract: An optical device, in particular for a motor vehicle, such as a lighting or indicating device, this device comprising at least two light sources associated with different predetermined photometric functions and a principal light guide comprising an emergent end and arranged to guide the light generated by the light sources towards this emergent end, so that this emergent end defines a common illuminating surface for the two photometric functions.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: Antoine de Lamberterie
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Patent number: 9079529Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit serving as a vehicle headlight can form a light distribution pattern optimized according to the country or the area with a smaller number of parts when compared with the conventional vehicle headlights of this type. Further, there can be provided a light guide lens for use in such a vehicle lighting unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sadayuki Konishi
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Patent number: 9062844Abstract: A clearance lamp (20) including a light source (21) and a light guide (23) that allows light from the light source (21) to enter from an end face of the light guide (23) and emits the light forward from an emitting surface (23b) while guiding the light in the interior of the light guide (23). The emitting surface (23b) extends along a direction in which the light guide (23) extends. The light guide (23) includes steps (23c) that reflect the light traveling through the light guide toward the emitting surface (23b), and it further includes a light-emitting surface (23d) that is formed at a position different from a position of the light-emitting surface (23b) and emits the light traveling through the light guide to the outside of the light guide.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Junichi Saito
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Patent number: 9050937Abstract: A logo device for a vehicle is disclosed. The logo device comprises a first shell including a transparent region forming a logo pattern and a nontransparent region and a second shell connected with the first shell. The first shell and the second shell form a sealed cavity therebetween. A bottom plate is disposed in the sealed cavity, and a light guide plate disposed between the bottom plate and the first shell. The light guide plate includes one or more grooves disposed thereon. A circuit board is disposed between the bottom plate and the second shell, including a plurality of illuminating elements thereon. The one or more grooves on the light guide plate receives the plurality of illuminating elements. The light guide plate is configured to direct at least a part of the light generated by the illuminating element toward the transparent region of the first shell.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignees: Shenzhen BYD Auto R&D Company Limited, BYD Company LimitedInventors: Qing Gong, Bo Wu, Yilin Zhong, Xinxin Song, Jinqiu Wang, Junming Bai, Jun Dai, Fengwu Su, Ditian Luo
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Patent number: 9039260Abstract: This disclosure concerns a lightguide element (1) for a light unit or an automotive headlight, wherein the light element (1) has at least one light input area (2) for putting in light with at least one light source and the lightguide element (1) furthermore has at least one light output area (3) for putting out the light, wherein a beam splitting area (4) is arranged next to the light input area (2), from which at least one first lightguide part (5) and at least one second lightguide part (6) travel in directions leading away from each other, and a lightguiding connection element (7) is arranged in the area spanned by the lightguide parts (5, 6), which transitions into the light output area (3) on its side facing away from the lightguide parts. The lightguide parts have optical structuring elements (8) on their side facing away from the light output area.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: ZIZALA LICHTSYSTEME GMBHInventor: Anton Faffelberger
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Publication number: 20150138821Abstract: A resin optical member allows light to pass therethrough. The resin optical member includes a fine asperity portion formed with fine asperity structure and a flat portion not formed with fine asperity structure. The fine asperity structure include concavities or convexities formed at a pitch equal to or less than a wavelength of visible light. The fine asperity structure includes concavities or convexities having a height 37 nm or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Mamoru KOSUGE, Noriko Fukawa, Masashi Katayama, Takahito Osawa, Yuji Saito, Hirohisa Kato, Takehiro Shimizu, Norihito Soma
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Publication number: 20150131324Abstract: A lighting and/or signaling device and a light ray guide (N) formed by a guide plate comprising a light entry face, a light exit face and a reflection face having an elliptical profile toward the rear adapted to assure reflection of light rays entering the guide plate through the light entry face toward a focus point (F) located at the level of the light exit face of the guide plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventor: Antoine de Lamberterie
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Patent number: 9028119Abstract: According to another aspect of the present invention, a light system for use in a rearview mirror assembly is provided and includes a light source and a first optical element. Said first optical element has a collection optic configured to direct light received from said light source, a reflector optic in optical communication with said collection optic and configured to reflect light from said collection optic, a plurality of light steering areas configured to steer light propagating in said first optical element, and a light spreading optic configured to spread light exiting said first optical element. A second optical element is in optical communication with said first optical element and is configured to diffuse light received from said first optical element to illuminate an indicia.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Michael F. Lisowski, Danny L. Minikey, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150124469Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (100) for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising a number of light sources (1), at least one attachment optical unit (2), having a light entrance surface (2a) and a light exit surface (2b), wherein the at least one attachment optical unit (2) comprises a plurality of light-guiding bodies (3), and wherein each light-guiding body (3) has a light entrance surface (3a), into which in each case at least one light source (1) feeds light, and wherein the light-guiding bodies (3) lead into the common light exit surface (2b). According to the invention, at least one, preferably exactly one, position holder (4) is provided, by means of which the light entrance surfaces (3a) of the light-guiding bodies (3) of the at least one attachment optical unit (2) are held in position in relation to the light sources (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Irmgard Krenn, Josef Plank
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Patent number: 9016914Abstract: A light source unit assembly includes a light source, a light guide member, a light source housing member housing the light source, a light guide member holder, and a mounting member. The light guide member includes a light entrance portion and a light exit portion from which the light entering the light entrance portion exits. The light guide member holder supports an end portion of the light guide member including the light exit portion. The mounting member is provided to a vehicular interior part and each of the light source housing member and the light guide member holder is independently mounted to the mounting member. Each of the light source housing member and the light guide member holder has a connecting portion with which the light source housing member and the light guide member holder are connected to each other such that the light entrance portion faces the light source.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuhiro Ukai, Hiroyasu Tahara
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Patent number: 9016913Abstract: An illuminable component having a two-dimensionally extending decorative element which has at least one translucent region and at least one non-translucent region. A lighting source serves to illuminate the at least one translucent region. A light-filtering layer is arranged between the decorative element and the lighting source, the layer being integrally attached to a rear side of the decorative element by injection molding. A structure is provided that completely absorbs and/or scatters light when the lighting source is transported to the specified edge. As a result, leakage light at an edge of the component can be reliably avoided.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: WEIDPLAS GmbHInventor: Thomas Englert
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Publication number: 20150109807Abstract: A vehicle lighting device includes a light guiding board and a plurality of LEDs attached to the light guiding board. The light guiding board has a first face, a second face opposite to the first face, a first side face and a second side face connecting the first face and the second face. The LEDs are attached to and face the first side face and the second side face. A light reflecting film is formed on the first face, the second face, the first side face and the second side face. A plurality of light emerging windows are defined in the light reflecting film on the first face. The light emerging windows extend through the light reflecting film. The first face is exposed at the light emerging windows. A method for manufacturing the vehicle lighting device is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: PO-CHOU CHEN
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Publication number: 20150109808Abstract: The present disclosure provides a technology of achieving a compact configuration of efficiently guiding a light incident on an incident portion to an emitting portion. The vehicle lamp includes a light guide lens. The light guide lens includes an incident portion on which light is incident from the LEDs, an emitting portion which emits the incident light, and a main body portion which guides the light from the incident portion to the emitting portion. The incident portion has a larger width than the main body portion, and the emitting portion has a larger width than the main body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Haruhito TAKAHASHI, Koji IZUKAWA, Shigehiko KAZAOKA
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Patent number: 9004731Abstract: An illumination device can be arranged along a contour of a component in a motor vehicle so that the contour of the component is recognizable in the dark as a bright strip. The illumination device allows producing a light strip along a predetermined distance. For this, the illumination device has a longitudinally shaped light conductor for distributing light along the distance and a coupling-in element which is connected to the light contour for coupling light into the light conductor. The light conductor is supported positionally fixed relative to the component in a region by means of a fixed-bearing device. The coupling in element on the other hand is supported by means of a floating-bearing device for movement relative to the component along at least one direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Marcus Pfeil
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Patent number: 8998467Abstract: An optical system for a motor vehicle, in particular for an indicating and/or lighting device, arranged to emit a light, the intensity of which is maximal in a given prioritized optical direction. The optical system comprises a surface light source exhibiting a front wall emitting a light, the intensity of which is maximal in a principal direction of emission, and an optical guide comprising an input face and an output face forming at least partly an outer face of the system, the system being arranged such that the light penetrates the guide through the input face and escapes through the output face. The optical guide being conformed such that the intensity of the light at the output of the system is maximal in a prioritized optical direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Christophe Dubosc, Etienne Pauty, Antoine de Lamberterie
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Patent number: 8998466Abstract: An interior lighting for a vehicle includes, but is not limited to a coupling-out zone for illumination of the vehicle interior, which includes, but is not limited to a lighting device. The lighting device includes, but is not limited to a light source that is configured to produce light and an optical fiber, into which the light can be coupled in or is coupled in. The optical fiber is configured to couple out the light extensively in the at least one coupling-out zone, and includes, but is not limited to an auxiliary lighting for producing an auxiliary light which is also configured for the illumination of the vehicle interior. The auxiliary lighting emits the auxiliary light starting from a side of the at least one optical fiber facing away from the vehicle interior in a trans-illumination zone through the optical fiber into the interior.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Ralf Wilfert
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Publication number: 20150092434Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an on-vehicle interior illuminating device able to show the light moving with a small number of light sources and to reduce cost. The on-vehicle interior illuminating device includes: a light guide member; one light source unit; the other light source unit; and a control unit. The control unit turns on the other light source unit after turning on the one light source unit, turns off the one light source unit after turning on the other light source unit, and turns off the other light source unit after turning off the one light source unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Shuji Satake, Ken Ito
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Publication number: 20150092433Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle includes a light source for sending out a light beam. The lighting device also includes a lightguide of shape made of a plastic, primarily transparent material for guiding the light beam, while a portion of a mantle of the lightguide forms an exit surface for emergence of rays of light of the light beam, wherein another portion of the mantle of the lightguide opposite the exit surface is at least partly provided with a diffuse means formed by a nontransparent coating or foil pressed against the mantle of the lightguide, or joined to a diffuse means of the plastic primarily nontransparent material in the process of injection molding of the plastic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Varroc Lighting Systems, s.r.o.Inventors: Tomas Gloss, Petr Ferbas
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Patent number: 8992058Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle includes a light source, at least two plate-shaped light guide elements having at least some areas that scatter or refract light, and a framework to maintain the at least two light guide elements in close proximity such that their mid-perpendiculars lie on a common straight line. The framework is configured to at least partly surround a boundary of the light guide elements and to guide light. The framework is coupled optically to the light source so that light is projected from the light source into the framework and from the framework into the light guide elements, and is conducted from the light guide elements to the outside.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Jens Dietmar Reuschel, Christoph Schmitz
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Patent number: 8992059Abstract: A vehicle lighting device includes first and second light sources and a light guide lens that is elongate and extending along a direction oblique to a front-back direction of a vehicle. The first light source faces with a back end portion of the lens in a longitudinal direction of the lens. The second light source is arranged close to a front end portion of the lens in the longitudinal direction to emit light toward a back surface of the lens. The lens has a plurality of cut portions in the back surface. The cut portions are arranged parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction, internally reflect the light emitted from the first light source and enters the lens through the back end portion to a forward direction of the vehicle, and refract the light emitted from the second light source and enters the lens to the forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Sato
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Publication number: 20150085509Abstract: A vehicular interior part includes an interior part main body, an elongated light guide member guiding light from a light source, and a light guide member holder mounted to the interior part main body and holding the light guide member. The light guide member holder includes an elongated holder main body including a holder recess where the light guide member is arranged and having a U-shaped cross section and extending in an elongated direction of the light guide member, and at least two mount portions provided on a peripheral end portion of the holder main body and arranged along an elongated direction of the holder main body and mounted to the interior part main body. The holder main body includes a weak portion between the at least two mount portions that has mechanical strength lower than other parts of the holder main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroyasu TAHARA, Yuuki SETOYAMA
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Publication number: 20150085510Abstract: A mirror device for motor vehicles is provided comprising a main housing and a light guide associated with a light source and attached to the main housing. The light guide extends in at least one portion through the main housing defining at least one housing adapted for receiving the light source. The main housing may comprise a cover and a case; and a housing body may be fitted between the light guide and the cover. The light source housing may be formed at any portion of the length of the light guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.Inventors: SERGIO HELLIN NAVARRO, NESTOR RUIZ ORTEGA, MARIA LUISA NOVELLA, CARLES MONTERO FOIX, ROBERT LOPEZ GALERA
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Patent number: 8985826Abstract: A backlight module includes a back cover, a light source located on the back cover, an optical fiber located on the back cover and over the light source and having a light-incident hole facing the light source and a plurality of light-emergent windows opposite to the light-incident hole. A plurality of light shutters correspondingly covers the light-emergent windows. A controlling device is provided for controlling the open and close of the light shutters. Light emitted from the light source and entering the optical fiber is permitted to leave the optical fiber from the light-emergent windows whose light shutters are opened. The light is not permitted to leave the optical fiber from the light-emergent windows whose light shutters are closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Advanced Optoelectronic Technology, Inc.Inventors: Hou-Te Lin, Chao-Hsiung Chang
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Publication number: 20150078024Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles, having a housing, in which a light module, containing a light source and a lens unit allocated thereto, is disposed, for generating a lighting function, wherein the light source is designed as a light source emitting a linear light distribution, and the lens unit has optical means for converting the linear light distribution of the light source into another linear light distribution, for generating a predefined lighting function.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventor: Martin Mügge
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Publication number: 20150078025Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a lighting device in a motor vehicle that includes a first light conductor and at least one second light conductor. The first light conductor propagates light by total internal reflection which impacts on a light coupling-out area of light conductor and is at least partially reflected toward and emits from an opposite light output area. The at least one second light conductor propagates light by total internal reflection which is coupled into the first light conductor by a midway coupling-in. The light that emits out of the second light conductor via a light output area enters into the first light conductor via the light coupling-out area. An air gap is formed between the light coupling-out area of the first light conductor and the light output area of the second light conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventor: Thomas Kleiner
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Publication number: 20150078027Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit can be configured to include a thin light guide. The vehicle lighting unit can include a solid light guide having a first surface including an internal reflection portion and a light exiting portion that are formed as a single continued surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a light incident surface through which light enters the light guide so that the light reaches and is internally reflected off the internal reflection portion of the first surface, then is internally reflected off the reflection portion of the second surface, and exits through the light exiting portion of the first surface. The reflection portion of the second surface can include a plurality of divided reflection regions, and the reflection regions can include at least one reflection region disposed at a reference position and at least one reflection region disposed at a position closer to the light exiting surface than the reference position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventor: Masafumi OHNO
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Publication number: 20150078030Abstract: An optical coupler for a vehicle lighting system includes a housing having first and second openings, each opening having an optical axis passing through the opening into the housing, with the optical axes of the openings forming an obtuse angle. The optical coupler has one or more optics carried by the housing and arranged between the openings such that light entering the first opening along its optical axis passes through the one or more optics and exits through the second opening along the other optical axis. The optic(s) may include a first Fresnellian surface adjacent the first opening and a second Fresnellian surface adjacent the second opening such that light passing through the optical coupler from the first opening to the second opening passes through both Fresnellian surfaces and is redirected from the optical axis of the first opening to the optical axis of the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: David Edward Ramey, Linsheng Chen
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Publication number: 20150078023Abstract: A lighting device that is designed for vehicles and that comprises a first light emitting unit for generating a first light function and a second light emitting unit for generating a second light function. The second light emitting unit has a flat light guide having a narrow side at the light input face for coupling light into the flat light guide, as well as opposing flat sides. The flat light guide has a rear flat side, which is arranged rearwards seen in the main direction of emission, and a front flat side, which is arranged forwards seen in the main direction of emission. Output elements and/or a reflecting face are associated with the rear flat side of the flat light guide in a light output section of said flat light guide. The flat light guide comprises a light passage section, in which no output elements and no reflecting face are associated with the rear flat side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Klaus Henneböle, Markus Vogt
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Publication number: 20150078022Abstract: The invention relates to a light guiding element (1) for a laser vehicle headlight (2), wherein the laser vehicle headlight (2) comprises at least one laser light source (3) and at least one luminous element (4) which can be irradiated by the laser light source (3) and can thus be excited to emit visible light.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventor: Friedrich Bauer
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Publication number: 20150078026Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes a low beam light module and a appearance light module, which are embodied, arranged and designed such that, in a low beam mode, less than 30% of the light intensity emitted by the vehicle headlight with respect to a vertical orientation above the light-shadow line and with respect to the horizontal orientation in the direction of travel, is generated by the low beam light module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Helmut ERDL, Andreas KALTENBACH, Ulrich HENSELER
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Publication number: 20150069224Abstract: A light guide member for an object detection apparatus is devised. The object detection apparatus includes a light source unit, and a detection unit for detecting an object adhered on a surface of a light translucent member based on change of light quantity of reflection light received from the light translucent member. The light guide member includes an incident face where the light exiting from the light source unit enters; a detection face where the exiting light exits to a rear face of the light translucent member and the reflection light reflected from the light translucent member enters; an exiting face where the reflection light exits to the detection unit; and a light guiding portion through which the exiting light and the reflection light proceed. The detection face has curvature corresponding to curvature of the light translucent member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Kenichi Yoshimura
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Patent number: 8967839Abstract: An instrument cluster includes a housing that provides a chamber. A light source is in communication with the chamber. A non-opaque display element is in communication with the chamber and has an exterior surface. An indicium is etched interiorly of the exterior surface without the indicium providing a portion of the exterior surface. The light source is configured to illuminate the indicium.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventor: Heath D. Zietz
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Publication number: 20150055361Abstract: A vehicle light installed in a vehicle includes: a main case having a front opening; first and second light guides that are disposed in the main case; light sources that emit light into the first and second light guides; and a translucent cover fitted to cover the opening of the main case. The first light guide is rod-shaped and includes a first extended section extending from the inboard side of the first light guide relative to the vehicle width direction toward the outboard side of the first light guide relative to the same and a second extended section that continues from the first extended section, curves back inwardly, and extends to the inboard side, and the second light guide is plate-shaped and disposed so as to pass in front of or behind the portion of the first light guide that curves back.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Tomoyuki OGATA, Tomoyuki NAKANO, Yasufumi SHIRAKAWA, Hiro AOKI, Toshifumi TANAKA, Yuki NISHIDA, Kazuki MASUDA
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Publication number: 20150055360Abstract: A lighting unit (85) for use by a vulnerable road user such as a cyclist, the lighting unit being intended for use as a front light or a rear light, wherein the lighting unit displays a symbol or word that identifies the category of vulnerable road user. It may incorporate two distinct lights: one which is set to achieve light delivery comparable to current standard white front and red rear bike lights, whilst the other is the symbol or word display. The symbol or word display is designed to increase driver recognition, to improve driver reaction time, and to prime appropriate driving behaviour. For example the lighting unit (95) may be a rear light or a front light for a bicycle (10), arranged to display (80) the word BIKE or a symbol of a cyclist on a bicycle. The lighting unit (95) may also include a light source (103) with an external focusing lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventor: Crawford HOLLINGWORTH
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Patent number: 8960978Abstract: A vehicular headlamp (100) including a first lamp unit (10) provided with a first LED (11) and a first translucent member (13) internally reflecting light from the first LED (11) twice and then emitting the reflected light, a second lamp unit (20) provided with a second LED (21) and a second translucent member (23) internally reflecting light from the second LED (21) twice and then emitting the reflected light, and a third lamp unit (30) provided with a third LED (31) and a third translucent member (33) internally reflecting light from the third LED (31) twice and then emitting the reflected light. The first translucent member (13), the second translucent member (23), and the third translucent member (33) are coupled together at their ends in the vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Uchida, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Publication number: 20150049501Abstract: The invention relates to an optical element (1) for a laser vehicle headlight (2), wherein the laser vehicle headlight (2) comprises at least one laser light source (3) and at least one luminous element (4) which can be irradiated by the laser light source (3) and can thus be excited to emit visible light, wherein the optical element (1) has at least one receptacle for the luminous element (4) and at least one reflection layer (9) which reflects light in the direction of the laser light source (3) is assigned to the optical element (1) at least on a side of the luminous element (4) which faces away from the laser light source (3) in the mounted state. The invention additionally relates to a light source module (16) comprising at least one optical element (1) of this type, and a vehicle headlight (2) comprising at least one optical element (1) of this type or comprising at least one light source module (16) as mentioned initially.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Friedrich Bauer, Andreas Moser, Johann Altmann, Erich Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20150049503Abstract: An automotive light includes a substantially basin-shaped rear body; a front lenticular half-shell arranged to close the mouth of the rear body and includes a ribbon-like, transparent or semitransparent portion; and a first lighting assembly structured to emit light when electricity powered, and arranged within the rear body to backlight the ribbon-like portion of the front lenticular half-shell. The first lighting assembly includes a light-guide plate made of light-conducting material and a linear-extending light source within the rear body next to the light-guide plate, and structured to direct emitted light towards the inside of the light-guide plate. The linear-extending light source includes a row of light-emitting diodes which face the light-guide plate and are placed spaced side-by-side to one another, and a power-supply and control circuit which sequentially turns on the diodes so as to illuminate in sequence an equal number of segments of the light-guide plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING ITALIA S.P.A.Inventors: Sara Paroni, Pietro Rainis
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Patent number: 8956026Abstract: A light guide for vehicles includes a light coupling section for the coupling of light into a first end and/or a second end of the light guide, with a main section having a front side for the coupling out of light and a back extending between the first end and the second end of the light guide and comprising elements for coupling-out for the deflection of the coupled-in light toward the front side, wherein the section for the coupling-in of light is embodied as a defocusing element situated between a surface coupling the light in and the main section.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.Inventor: Carmen Bungenstock
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Publication number: 20150043230Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting apparatus (3), in particular reading lamp, for recessing in a trim (1) of a passenger cab of a vehicle, in particular a land vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft, in which a first light-emitting device (4) is held pivotably on a recess-mounting frame (2) so that a light-emitting direction of the first light-emitting device (4) with respect to the recess-mounting frame (2) is changeable. In order to simplify the design of a lighting apparatus (3) for illuminating a passenger cab, the invention proposes that the recess-mounting frame (2) has, on its visible side (S), a second light-emitting device (5) which at least sectionally surrounds the first light-emitting device (4) and which is fitted invariably in respect of its light-emitting direction on the recess-mounting frame (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: DIEHL AEROSPACE GmbHInventors: Martin BACHHUBER, Frank SCHMID
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Patent number: 8950915Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a light guide extending in a first direction intersecting a front-rear direction of the lamp, a light source arranged to input light into the light guide from an end face of the light guide, and a reflector arranged behind the light guide to extend in the first direction. Reflecting elements on a rear surface portion of the light guide internally reflect the light toward a front surface portion of the light guide. The reflector has a first reflecting portion disposed behind the reflecting elements and a second reflecting portion disposed adjacent to the first reflecting portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first reflecting portion reflects a portion of the light that has leaked rearward from the reflecting elements, and the second reflecting portion forwardly reflects the portion of the light that has been reflected by the first reflecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazunori Natsume
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Publication number: 20150036371Abstract: A mirror apparatus for a vehicle includes a design body, a first emission member, a second emission member, a guide body and a differentiation portion. The design body includes a mirror provided at a vehicle, and the design body structures a design surface. The first emission member emits light and the second emission member emits light. The guide body guides the light emitted by the first emission member and the light emitted by the second emission member to an outer side of the design body. The differentiation portion makes directions in which the light emitted by the first emission member and the light emitted by the second emission member are guided by the guide body different.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Tomonori ICHIKAWA, Toshinari NAKAI, Yasunori HIROSAWA
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Publication number: 20150036372Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles having an optical fiber including a flat segment with two opposing flat sides, a light decoupling area, and a light coupling area. The light decoupling area in which light relayed by the flat sides is output in the primary direction of emission. The light coupling area couples the light into the optical fiber, and is arranged on a free end of a light coupling element which is perpendicular to the flat segment and projects from the same. A deflection structure is arranged between the light coupling element and the flat segment for the purpose of deflecting the light toward the flat segment. A rigid circuit board runs parallel to the flat segment. The circuit board is configured with a number of light sources which are each functionally assigned to the light coupling elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Stefan Köhler, Matthias Mallon, Thomas Niedenzu
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Patent number: 8944649Abstract: An arrangement of headlight lenses for a vehicle headlight, each headlight lens having a monolithic body of transparent material, which monolithic body includes at least one light entry face, a light passage section and at least one optically operative light exit face.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Doctor Optics SEInventors: Dmitry Fedosik, Wolfram Wintzer