Optical Waveguide (e.g., Fiber Optic, Edge-lit) Patents (Class 362/511)
  • Patent number: 8939623
    Abstract: Disclosed is a projection lens that is disposed in front of a first semiconductor light emitting device and configured to irradiate light incident from the rear side to the front side. A first reflector reflects a part of the light emitted from the first semiconductor light emitting device to converge on the rear side of the projection lens. A light guide member is disposed across the front side of the projection lens and configured to emit the light incident from the second semiconductor light emitting device to a predetermined direction. A second reflector reflects a part of the light reflected by the first reflector toward the projection lens. The light reflected by the second reflector to be incident on the projection lens is emitted from the projection to avoid the light guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20150023037
    Abstract: 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, and the light guiding element (1) can substantially be arranged between the laser light source (3) and the luminous element (4), wherein the light guiding element (1) has a light entrance surface (5) and a light exit surface (6), wherein the entrance cross-sectional area of the light entrance surface (5) is greater than the exit cross-sectional area of the light exit surface (6), and the light radiated in through the light entrance surface (5) can be concentrated in the direction of the light exit surface (6) via the inner surface (7) connecting the light entrance surface (5) and the light exit surface (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Friedrich Bauer, Andreas Moser, Johann Altmann, Erich Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8936383
    Abstract: A position light and light guide that serve as a light source are disposed on a front cover. The light guide extends in a width direction and receives and reflects light from the position light that is emitted in the width direction of the chassis. The light guide has first and second emission faces. The first emission face emits a first portion of the reflected light and faces upward or downward. The second emission face emits a second portion of the reflected light and faces forward. A length of the light guide in a front and back direction and a length of the light guide in a normal direction of the first emission face that is normal to the first emission face are both shorter than a length of the light guide in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Sumi, Masumi Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20150016134
    Abstract: An illumination device is provided for a motor vehicle, including a light source consisting of a number of semiconductor diodes, and a scanner onto which a light beam produced by light of the light source falls and which modifies the position of the light beam during operation of the illumination device and thereby moves a light spot generated by the light beam at a distance from the illumination device. The moved light spot allows a predetermined light distribution to be generated. The illumination device is characterized in that a beam delimiting device, which allows the cross-section of the light beam to be delimited along a predetermined boundary, is provided between the light source and the scanner. The illumination device is designed in such a way that one or more light-shadow lines can be formed in the predetermined light distribution by way of at least one section of the predetermined boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Helmut ERDL, Abdelmalek HANAFI
  • Publication number: 20150016133
    Abstract: An illumination device for a motor vehicle includes a light source constructed of a number of semiconductor diodes, and an optical device for generating a predefined light distribution from the light of the light source. The optical device is arranged in a housing. The illumination device is characterized in that the light source is rigidly connected to the housing. At least one optical waveguide is provided for guiding the light of the light source to the optical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Helmut ERDL, Abdelmalek HANAFI
  • Publication number: 20150016135
    Abstract: An illumination device for a motor vehicle includes a light source consisting of a number of semiconductor diodes, and a scanner onto which a light beam obtained from light of the light source falls and which modifies the position of the light beam during operation of the illumination device and thereby moves a light spot produced by the light beam at a distance from the illumination device. The moved light spot allows a predetermined light distribution to be generated. The illumination device is designed such that the scanning speed at which the light spot is moved, the scanning path along which the light spot is moved, and/or the size of the light spot can be varied and is/are controlled to generate the predetermined light distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Helmut ERDL, Abdelmalek HANAFI
  • Patent number: 8931909
    Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle and a method for producing the display apparatus are described. The display apparatus comprises a transparent plastic plate having a front side, a rear side, and an edge surface surrounding the plastic plate. The display apparatus has a switchable light source of visible light directed onto the edge surface of the plastic plate. The plastic plate has transparent display elements that are disposed as limited zones inside the plastic plate and have light-sensitive dopant particles. When the light source is switched on, the dopant particles scatter the light so that the display elements become visible from the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Dino Demma
  • Publication number: 20150009696
    Abstract: A lighting device including: a light guide which is elongated and has a first end portion with an entrance surface; and a light source provided facing the entrance surface of the light guide, wherein the light guide includes: a reflective surface between the first end portion and a second end portion of the light guide; and an exit surface opposite the reflective surface, the reflective surface includes a plurality of grooves which extend in a direction oblique to a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the light guide in a first region between the first end portion and the second end portion, and the exit surface includes a concave portion which extends from the first end portion toward the second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Tomoyuki OGATA
  • Patent number: 8926150
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, an elongated panel member, an elongated light guide member provided to the panel member, a first light transmission portion provided in the panel member and through which the light from the light guide member transmits toward the first portion to be illuminated, and a second light transmission portion provided in the panel member to be farther away from the light source than the first light transmission portion and through which the light from the light guide member transmits toward the second portion to be illuminated, the second light transmission portion and the second portion extending along a longitudinal direction of the light exit portion. The light guide member and the second portion are provided to be closer to each other as they are farther away from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ukai, Hiroyasu Tahara, Takahiro Sugioka, Ryuuji Fukui
  • Publication number: 20150003095
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting device is proposed, having a light source, and having an optical waveguide, which has a coupling lens, which has at least one reflector, wherein the optical waveguide has first and second planes that are perpendicular to one another, and intersect, and wherein the lines of intersection are each defined by a light beam emitted from the reflector. The device is distinguished in that a transformation by the coupling lens occurs such that an aperture angle of propagation directions of the light beams lying in the second planes is reduced, and the aperture angle of propagation directions lying in the first planes is not altered, or is altered less strongly, and in that the optical waveguide has a transport and transformation lens, wherein the coupling lens and the transport and deflection lens are separate components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Matthias Gebauer
  • Publication number: 20150003093
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, an elongated light guide member, an elongated decoration member, and a cover covering the light guide member. The decoration member includes a recess having a space to have the light guide member therein, and a linear transmissive portion. The recess has a guide member projecting toward the space and being in contact with the light guide member to guide the light guide member to a correct position. The cover covers the light guide member from the rear side and has a facing surface and a stopper extending from the facing surface toward the space and supporting the light guide member provisionally. The guide member guides the light guide member that is provisionally supported by the stopper of the cover to the correct position when the light guide member supported by the stopper of the cover is arranged in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naomi OMURA, Masanori SEKIYA
  • Publication number: 20150003091
    Abstract: A lamp for a moving vehicle which can function as a headlamp and as a lower-brightness running lamp includes a single light emitting device, a power regulator, a first lampshade, a light guiding element, a lifting device, and a number of first reflecting covers. The first lampshade is arranged facing the light emitting device. The light guiding element gathers light from the light source and emits the light from a lower part of the moving vehicle and the power regulator can supply full power or reduced power to the light source. The lifting device holds the light guiding element and can raise it up or down so that emitted light reaches either the first lampshade or reaches first reflecting covers depending on the lighting function required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: PO-CHOU CHEN
  • Publication number: 20150003111
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Rafael Rohrlich, Benno Springer, Albrecht Johannes Kraus
  • Publication number: 20150003094
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting equipment with a light source and an optical fiber arrangement, having an input coupler and a transport and transformation lens system. The input coupler has a curved light beam forming surfaces, which reduces the angle of beam of the light in these second sectional planes when penetrating the surface. The transport and transformation lens system has transformation lenses which have a mutual focal point. The light source is located in the mutual focal point. The light source is arranged in such a way on the side of the optical fiber arrangement located opposite of the light-emitting surface that all areas of the optical fiber arrangement conducting light from the light source are located between the light source and the light-emitting surface, and the one planar deflection area is arranged between the curved surfaces of the input coupler and the transformation lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Matthias Gebauer, Dominik Schott
  • Publication number: 20150003092
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting device is presented with a light source and with an optical guide a coupling optics coupling and reshaping light of the light source, wherein the coupling optics has at least a deflecting reflector which reshapes the light being emitted from the light source into a solid angle. The coupling optics has a rotationally symmetrical light coupling surface around a rotational axis, said light coupling surface which has a convex curvature, the deflecting reflector is rotationally symmetrical to the rotational axis, and the light source is arranged on the rotational axis such that its main direction of emission lies on the rotational axis and points to the coupling optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Matthias Gebauer
  • Patent number: 8920006
    Abstract: A lighting or signalling device for a motor vehicle, having an optical axis and comprising at least one light source and at least one guide for the light rays between the source and an exit face, the guide having an entry edge associated with the source. The guide for the light rays is formed by a sheet and the sheet comprises a curved rear edge convex towards the rear, able to provide reflection of the light rays towards the exit face. A curved shape of the rear edge being associated with the profile of the exit face so that the emerging light rays have a direction contained in a substantially horizontal plane containing the optical axis of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Antoine de Lamberterie
  • Patent number: 8920007
    Abstract: A light-guiding member closed to a car light has an atomized light-guiding body, wherein a containing space is formed inside and connected to a light inlet correspondingly. Differently as the traditional way, light-guiding member in the car illumination assembly set the LED cluster inside to function the daytime running light raise the uniform brightness of the daytime running light which have both the daytime running effect and the whole style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sonar Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiu-Pen Yang
  • Publication number: 20140376247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle signal light (1), of the type having built-in light guides (3) and comprising at least one LED (2) as a light source. The device (1) comprises a part (5) made from translucent material, positioned in front of the guide (3) in the direction of travel of the diffused light and provided with graining to provide a light function of uniform colour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Automotive Lighting Rear Lamps France S.A.S.
    Inventor: Alain Buisson
  • Publication number: 20140376248
    Abstract: An LED lighting device includes an LED module; a light guide member disposed adjacent to the LED module guides light emitted from the LED module towards an object; a heat transfer member coupled to the LED module absorbs the heat from the LED module; a heat-absorbing portion is formed in the shape of a capillary tube, injected with working fluid, and coupled to the heat transfer member so as to absorb heat; and a heat pipe loop provided with a heat-dissipating portion for dissipating the heat absorbed in the heat-absorbing portion. The LED lighting device can have a simple structure without a cooling fan while obtaining a high output by including the heat-dissipating portion which has a large dissipation area and high heat transfer performance. Since heat dissipation can be carried out without an additional cooling device, minor failures can be reduced, and maintenance of the device can be simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Sang-Cheol Lee
  • Publication number: 20140376245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting device in a motor vehicle. The lighting device includes a light source for emitting light and at least one plate-shaped light conductor, which is made in form of a block optics. The block optics includes two boundary surfaces which run opposite towards each other at a certain distance, a totally reflective side surface between the boundary surfaces, and a light coupling-out area arranged between the boundary surfaces. A coupling-in section is arranged on at least one of the boundary surfaces. The lighting device further includes at least one substantially rod-shaped light conductor with a light output area which extends along the longitudinal extension of the light conductor in addition to the at least one block optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Ritter, Kurt Schuster, Pable Sanchez Bodega
  • Publication number: 20140376204
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a light guide for a vehicle dashboard display having a first display panel. The light guide can include a guide structure secured to the vehicle dashboard display proximate to the first display panel. The guide structure can be configured to transmit light from the first display panel at a first position, through the guide structure, to a second position spaced apart from the first display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Ryo Kunitachi, Ramesh Mishra
  • Publication number: 20140376246
    Abstract: An optical fiber bundle is used in a vehicle headlight, the optical fiber bundle being configured by binding a plurality of optical fibers. Each optical fiber can include a core having an incident end face on which a laser beam is made incident and an emission end face from which the laser beam is emitted. A clad can surround the core. Emission end faces of the respective plurality of optical fibers can be arranged adjacent to one another on a substantially same plane to create an emission end face group, an external shape of which is a substantial rectangle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takahiko Nozaki, Takeshi Waragaya
  • Patent number: 8915630
    Abstract: An exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly having an indicator having at least one light emitting diode. The indicator may include a light guiding element that guides light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode. The at least one light emitting diode may be associated with circuitry of the exterior mirror assembly. During low ambient lighting conditions at night, the intensity of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode of the indicator is reduced under photosensor control to a nighttime intensity level. The nighttime intensity level is greater than about 0.3 candela and is less than about 200 candelas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Pastrick, Michiel P. van de Ven, Peter J. Whitehead, Rick Mousseau, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20140369065
    Abstract: In a head lamp 1, relative positions of a laser light guide path in a tapered light guide section 20 and a parabolic mirror 5 are fixed. An optical fiber 10 and the tapered light guide section 20 are each provided so as to have a receiving end part where laser light is received and an emitting end part where laser light is emitted. The emitting end part of the optical fiber 10 is located near the receiving end part of the tapered light guide section 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kensei TOYOTA, Hiroshi KIJIMA, Koji TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 8911126
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp system includes a laser source, a reflecting mirror, a light converting element and a reflecting plate. The reflecting mirror is located at a position towards a light emitting direction of the laser source. Light generated from the laser source is reflected to the light converting element by the reflecting mirror. The light converting element includes a base and diffusing particles cooperating with the base. The light transmitted from the reflecting mirror is diffused via the light converting element. The reflecting plate reflects the light transmitted from the light converting element out of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 8911128
    Abstract: A light projection unit is provided that can reduce the production of a portion where the light density is excessively increased on a fluorescent member. This light projection unit includes: a light collection member that includes a light entrance surface and a light emission surface which has an area smaller than that of the light entrance surface; a fluorescent member that includes an application surface to which the laser light emitted from the light collection member is applied and that mainly emits fluorescent light from the application surface; and a light projection member that projects the fluorescent light. The light emission surface of the light collection member is arranged a predetermined distance from the application surface of the fluorescent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Takahira, Yosuke Maemura
  • Publication number: 20140362597
    Abstract: An illuminating glazing unit for vehicles, including: a first transparent sheet of glass with a first main face, a second main face, and an edge; one or more modules including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), each including a plurality of LEDs and associated electronic components fixed to a printed circuit board, the modules being positioned such that emitting faces of the LEDs are turned toward the edge of the first sheet of glass; an encapsulation mechanism in contact with the first main face of the first sheet; a light extraction element, which can be located on one of the main faces of the first sheet of glass; and a heat sink element, in thermal conduction contact with the LED module, in contact with the encapsulation mechanism, and in contact with an atmosphere via a heat exchange surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Adele Verrat-Debailleul, Pascal Bauerle, Laeticia Laurencot, Christophe Kleo
  • Publication number: 20140362596
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit can use a light guiding body, and prevent light loss due to the internal reflection of light at the light exiting surface as a result of being guided through the light guiding body. The vehicle lighting unit can include: a light source; a projection lens; and a light guiding body to collect light from the light source near a rear side focal point of the projection lens so as to guide the light to the projection lens. The light guiding body can include a first optical surface that can serve as a light exiting surface through which the light from the light source guided through the light guiding body can exit. The projection lens can include the first optical surface, a second optical surface, and a third optical surface, and be configured to have the rear side focal point located behind the first optical surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nakaya
  • Patent number: 8905608
    Abstract: An optical body for a vehicle light serves for coupling in, passing on and emitting the light delivered by a light source in a conical spatial region. It has a light emission surface and a recess which is opposite thereto and which has a longitudinal axis. The recess has an annularly closed inner peripheral wall which surrounds the longitudinal axis and a cover wall which extends transversely relative to its longitudinal axis and in which there is an optical structure. To improve the emission, a plurality of optically active surface portions are provided arranged around the point at which the longitudinal axis of the recess passes through the cover wall and each of which has a focal point lying on the longitudinal axis and the focal points of at least two of the surface portions are at a mutual spacing in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Thilo Günther
  • Publication number: 20140355284
    Abstract: A headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, the headlight lens having a body of transparent material. The monolithic body includes a light passage section having at least one optically operative light exit face and a light tunnel having at least one optically operative light entry face. The light tunnel transits into the light passage section via a bend being curved in its longitudinal extension, wherein the light passage section is configured for imaging the bend as a bright-dark-boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Dmitry Fedosik, Wolfram Wintzer
  • Publication number: 20140355285
    Abstract: A vehicle decorative component functions as a decorating illumination while harmonizing with peripheral members. In a light emitting ornament having a light emitting region that emits light and a non-light emitting region adjacent to the light emitting region, the light emitting region includes an irradiation body including a lamp and a light guiding body, an ornament base material through which the light emitted from the irradiation body is transmitted at a front position of the irradiation body, and a decorative film formed at a front position of the ornament base material and exposed on the vehicle interior side, the decorative film through which the light transmitted through the ornament base material is capable of being transmitted, and a decoration style of a surface of the decorative film exposed on the vehicle interior side is the same as a decoration style of a surface of the non-light emitting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Noriyuki Yamato
  • Patent number: 8899802
    Abstract: Optical component for illumination purposes, wherein the optical component comprises a monolithic body of transparent material, the monolithic body including a first light entry face, a first optically operative light exit face, a second optically operative light entry, and a second optically operative light exit face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Docter Optics SE
    Inventors: Dmitry Fedosik, Wolfram Wintzer, Silvana Kock, Mohsen Mozaffari
  • Patent number: 8899806
    Abstract: A vehicle light is capable of preventing gaps (areas darker than peripheral areas) from being formed in between a plurality of illumination areas that are independently controlled to be illuminated with light or not to be illuminated with light, or suppressing the generation of such gaps. The vehicle light can include a projection lens and a light source unit disposed behind the rear-side focal plane of the projection lens. The light source unit can include a plurality of tubular portions each having a reflective inner peripheral surface, and a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements. Exit openings of the plurality of tubular portions can be arranged side by side in a substantial horizontal direction behind the rear-side focal plane of the projection lens. Adjacent ones of the plurality of exit openings of the tubular portions can be defined and partitioned by a common vertical edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimichi Anzai
  • Publication number: 20140340921
    Abstract: An outer housing with a cover having a PVD coating; a lens; and an illumination device such as LEDs, light guides, light emitting surfaces and/or blinkers. The lens has a first area internal to the cover, and a second, transparent area extending to one side of the outer housing. The cover has a first cover element external to the lens and of a nature such that the illumination device is visible from the exterior when it is on and not visible from the exterior when it is off. The cover has a substantially opaque second cover element having an overlapping portion between the first area of the lens and the first cover element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: FICO MIRRORS, S.A.
    Inventors: SERGIO HELLIN NAVARRO, NESTOR RUIZ ORTEGA, MARIA LUISA NOVELLA, CARLES MONTERO FOIX, JOSEP PUJADAS BELTRAN, ROBERT LOPEZ GALERA, JOSE MANUEL ESPINOSA
  • Publication number: 20140340919
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a lighting device of motor vehicle with an arrangement of at least two light conductors. Each conductor includes one coupling arm having a first cross section, a light conductor area with a second cross section, and a transition area located between the coupling arm and the light conductor area. The coupling arms include a respective first contact surface, and the transition areas of the light conductors include a respective second contact surface. The contact surfaces are formed in such a way that the coupling arm of the one light conductor inserts into the transition area of the respective other light conductor. Each one of the two coupling arms include deflectors on a rear side of the coupling arm, which deflect towards the front side, within a section of the transition area where each respective coupling arm fits into the other light conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Matthias Gebauer, Andreas Ladenburger
  • Publication number: 20140340920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for illuminating an assembly in the interior of a vehicle. The device comprises a flat light guide that is at least partially covered by an optical lacquer coat. The flat development of the light guide makes it easier to homogenously illuminate large faces. The optical lacquer coat protects the light guide in particular at the places where contamination must be feared or where a contact with additional assembly elements is planned. The optical lacquer coat has a defined refractive index and therefore controls the emergence of light rays at the surface of the light guide. An adhesive connects the lacquer coat to a cover element of spacer fabric and lining. This leads to a mechanically secure fastening of the light guide to the cover element that is to be backlit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard BAYERSDORFER
  • Patent number: 8888343
    Abstract: An optical device comprising an exit portion furnished with an exit face and designed to emit, through the exit face, light rays emanating from a first luminous source and from a second luminous source, characterized by the fact that it comprises a first light guide configured to propagate the light rays emanating from the first luminous source toward the exit portion and a second light guide configured to propagate the light rays emanating from the second source toward the exit portion. A preferential application is the field of lighting equipment for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Antoine De Lamberterie
  • Publication number: 20140334172
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device according to embodiments includes a light emitting unit, a holding unit, a light guide, a cover and an attachment unit. The light emitting unit has one or more light emitting elements. The holding unit holds the light emitting unit. The light guide guides light emitted from the light emitting unit and emits the light from a tip which is an opposite side to the light emitting unit side. The cover has a first fixation unit to be fixed to the holding unit and a second fixation unit which has a diameter smaller than that of the first fixation unit and internally fixes the light guide thereto in a state of exposing the tip. The attachment unit attaches the vehicle lighting device to a light emitting object (lamp) to which the light guided from the light guide is emitted, and is formed in the second fixation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Kosugi, Ryuji Tsuchiya, Toshihiro Hatanaka
  • Publication number: 20140334171
    Abstract: Lighting device, which is intended especially for external end lighting of motor vehicles, consists of an elongated light guide, provided with a light source at least at one of its ends and located in the space between the white rear cover of the lighting device and its front lens, while along the light guide on the side facing the front lens there is produced a transparent shielding filter in the form of a strip, for shielding the light guide, which is provided with a set of optical elements for directing the guided luminous flux onto the exit surface of the light guide, which is oriented in the direction of the internal surface of the white rear cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Varroc Lighting Systems, s.r.o.
    Inventors: Miroslav Kropac, Libor Juttner, Ludek Mazal, Tomas Mateju
  • Patent number: 8882315
    Abstract: External rear-view mirror assembly comprising a housing (1), a circuit board (3) supporting a plurality of LEDs LED-1, LED-2, an opaque cover (5) arranged in front of the circuit board (3) and provided with a plurality of through holes (5a), said cover having a shape adapted to the front external surface (1a) of the rear-mirror (1), which comprises at least a prism (6) with a first surface (6a) in contact with at least a LED 4, and a second surface (6b) fitting within at least one of said holes (5a) and aligned with the front external surface (5b) of the cover (5), said second surface (6b) being a Fresnel lens adapted to direct the light coming from said LED 4 in a predetermined direction D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Mirrors, S.A.
    Inventors: Juan Nestor Ruiz Ortega, Maria Luisa Novella Requena
  • Patent number: 8882318
    Abstract: A peripheral illumination device for a vehicle component includes at least one light guide, and an enclosure for guiding the at least one light guide. The at least one light guide is securely mounted in the enclosure via a fixed support at a predefined location and has two ends which are movably mounted in relation to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Marcus Pfeil, Elena Justus-Bischler
  • Patent number: 8882317
    Abstract: A display switch unit is provided for a vehicle and a method for producing the display switch unit. The display switch unit has at least one transparent front plastic region and a rear plastic region. Plastic switch symbols are disposed in the transparent front plastic region of the plastic body. Sensor structures of proximity sensors are each disposed behind one of the plastic switch symbols in the rear plastic region. The material of the plastic switch symbols includes, but is not limited to light-sensitive invisible particles, which are disposed in such a manner that under irradiation, colored illuminated switch symbols are visible in the surrounding transparent front plastic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Dino Demma
  • Patent number: 8882316
    Abstract: A linear light guide or light guides disposed in a lamp chamber have a light guide neighboring region, in which the portions close to light incidence end portions are close to each other, and a light-emitting portion or portions are disposed so as to be offset from a luminous region of a light source unit and to have portions that extend from the light guide neighboring region and separate from each other. A translucent diffusion cover that covers the light guide neighboring region is provided at least in front of the light guide neighboring region. Part of the light from the light guide neighboring region is diffused by the diffusion cover and then emitted through the diffusion cover, so that light emitted through the light-emitting portion and the diffusion cover is continuous, so that it appears as if the light guide that is continuous is emitting light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Natsume, Hajime Arai
  • Publication number: 20140328077
    Abstract: An arrangement for covering a component, in particular a steering wheel rim, of a motor vehicle, which component has an in particular encircling fastening depression. The arrangement has a cover composed in particular of a flexible and/or non-slip material, and at least one fastening element, in particular a clamping element, for fastening the edges of the cover, which is placed around the component, in the fastening depression. The at least one fastening element is designed as a light source and/or has at least one light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Johannes Tovar, Jens Dietmar Reuschel, Christoph Schmitz, Richard Mohos
  • Publication number: 20140328076
    Abstract: A power outlet/charger for a portable electronic device, the power outlet/charger comprising an electrically insulating housing having a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having a first electrical connector; an electronic converter circuit fixedly housed in the housing for receiving a first voltage from a vehicle electrical power source through the first connector and for converting the first voltage to a second voltage compatible with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard; and a USB connector disposed through the proximal end opening and connected to receive the second voltage; the housing being sized to directly replace a standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet and fit into an opening in a vehicle panel for the standard vehicle electrical cigar lighter socket/power outlet, the first electrical connector being connectable to an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle having a connector that releasably connects with the first connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Gary Lee Firman, II, Thomas Chrapkiewicz, Richard P. Cuplin
  • Patent number: 8876351
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a heat dissipation module, a circular light guide plate (LGP), and LED light sources. The heat dissipation module includes a heat dissipation element and a heat-conducting base that has a containing concave. The heat dissipation element connecting and surrounding the heat-conducting base is distant from the circumference of the heat-conducting base. The circular LGP in the containing concave has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an annular side surface. The top surface faces the heat-conducting base and has concentric annular trenches. The LED light sources are configured in the containing concave and face the annular side surface. The LED light sources are suitable for emitting a light beam which is capable of passing through the annular side surface to enter the circular LGP and capable of being reflected by the annular trenches and emitted from the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Young Lighting Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Hung Wei, Sheng-Hung Lin, Jung-Min Hwang
  • Publication number: 20140321138
    Abstract: In a lighting system for a vehicle provided with a main light, an extension arranged between a reflector of the main light and an outer lens, a light guide member located in the vicinity of the extension, and a light source for the light guide member provided separately from a light source for the main light, the light source and a driver for the light guide member are arranged effectively to improve external appearance. A light incident section provided in the light guide member for admitting light from the light source for the light guide member, and a driver for the light guide member for adjusting power supply amount to the light source for the light guide member, are arranged in such a position as to be covered with an extension in a front view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takenaka, Hiroshi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20140321136
    Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle includes several flat light-conducting elements that are arranged in layers one behind the other in a layer arrangement. The individual light-conducting elements do not touch one another and are clearly spaced apart from one another. Each of the light-conducting elements includes a light-scattering structural element. An illuminating device is optically coupled to each of the light-conducting elements in order to couple light into the light-conducting elements. Light is coupled out of the light-conducting elements by means of the structural elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jens Dietmar Reuschel, Christoph Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20140321139
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with an elongated light guide comprising an end face for the coupling-in of light, into which a light beam radiated from a light source can be coupled-in. The lighting device further comprises elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide, on which the light beam can be coupled-out for the generation of a given light function, such that the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface. At least one light directing element is arranged between a row of light sources and the light guide so that the light of the light sources arranged in a row can be coupled into the rear skin surface or the curved dispersion surface of the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Carmen Bungenstock, Christoph Geister, Martin Mügge, Heinrich Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20140321137
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes an LED light source, a light guide plate optically coupled to the LED light source, and a convergent lens positioned therebetween to converge light from the LED light source to an optical fiber bundle which is connected with the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light incident face for receiving light exiting from the convergent lens, a light exit face, a bottom face adjacent to the light incident face for reflecting light toward the light exit face thereof, and at least a bent surface extending between the bottom face and the light exit face. The vehicle headlamp creates a specific illumination field with a desired bright/dark cut-off line as the light from the LED light source passes through the convergent lens and the light guide plate in succession to project out of the vehicle headlamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: PO-CHOU CHEN