Electric Or Fluid-pressure Actuated Patents (Class 362/513)
  • Patent number: 11322329
    Abstract: The invention provides an electron source including a columnar chip of a hexaboride single crystal, a metal pipe that holds the columnar chip of the hexaboride single crystal, and a filament connected to the metal pipe at a central portion. The columnar chip of the hexaboride single crystal is formed into a cone shape at a portion closer to a tip than a portion held in the metal pipe, and a tip end portion having the cone shape has a (310) crystal face. Schottky electrons are emitted from the (310) crystal face. According to the invention, it is possible to provide a novel electron source having monochromaticity, long-term stability of an emitter current, and high current density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kusunoki, Tomihiro Hashizume, Keigo Kasuya, Noriaki Arai, Hiromitsu Seino, Minoru Kaneda, Takashi Ohshima, Soichiro Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 11041599
    Abstract: A headlight includes a frame defining a beam passage opening, a stationary protective cover, and a cut-off mechanism including a movable assembly and at least one actuating motor, the movable assembly including a cut-off bar provided with a cut-off blade, the cut-off bar being movable by the actuating motor between at least one closure position, in which the cut-off blade partially closes off the opening in the region of the stationary protective cover, and a retracted position, in which the cut-off blade unblocks the opening, the protective cover including at least one closure plate, the closure plate and the cut-off blade being designed to engage together to form a closure surface in the closure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: AML SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Hassan Koulouh
  • Patent number: 11009209
    Abstract: A light assembly comprising: (a) one or more light sources; and (b) one or more reflectors comprising: (i) a first reflector facet that forms a first reflected light by redirecting light from the one or more light sources in a first direction and (ii) a second reflector facet that forms a second directed light by redirecting light from the one or more light sources in a second direction; and wherein the first directed light and the second directed light are configured to extend away from a vehicle housing the light assembly to form a light pattern that demonstrates a location the light assembly is aimed relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Brant Potter
  • Patent number: 10967779
    Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle has a laser light source from the light of which light radiation is generated into the area around the motor vehicle during operation of the lighting device. In the lighting device, a plurality of optical channels is associated with the laser light source, and the light of the laser light source can be guided via each optical channel in order to generate a separate light spread associated with the optical channel from the guided light in the area around the motor vehicle. An optical element, which can be switched by a control device into different switching states, is provided between the laser light source and the plurality of optical channels. A different switching state is associated with each optical channel. In each respective switching state, light from the laser light source is fed only into the optical channel with which the respective switching state is associated, by means of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Erdl, Abdelmalek Hanafi, Reinhard Seifried
  • Patent number: 10962211
    Abstract: A lighting device for an automobile comprises a housing, light source for producing a light beam electrically connected to an electrical source by means of electrical wirings, an optical axis adjustment system for adjusting the optical axis of the lighting device having horizontal optical axis adjuster and vertical optical axis adjuster and a pivot point. The lighting device is also provided with an electrical wiring guiding member for guiding the electrical wiring of the lighting device, the electrical wiring guiding member is removably disposed between and attached to the horizontal optical axis adjuster and pivot point. The electrical wiring guiding member comprises attachment portions disposed on opposing ends and a wiring guiding portion disposed there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert King
  • Patent number: 10800238
    Abstract: Provided is a laminated glass display for a vehicle, in which the wiring harness between a display part and a vehicle body is not exposed. The display part is resistant to environmental factors such as moisture. To this end, the laminated glass display for a vehicle includes a plurality of adhesive films sequentially located between an upper laminated glass and a lower laminated glass having a recess in an end adjacent to a vehicle body panel; a display part located between the adhesive films; a dampener facing the upper laminated glass and located in the recess; and a molding disposed between the dampener and the vehicle body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nak Kyoung Kong, Keon Soo Jin, Jong Min Park, Ki Hong Lee
  • Patent number: 10627065
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting device (1) comprising at least one light source (2), an optical device (3) which is associated with the at least one light source (2) and into which light of the at least one light source (2) is irradiated, and an optical imaging system (6) associated with the optical device (3), this optical imaging system imaging light exiting from the optical device (3) in front of the motor vehicle lighting device (1), the optical device (3) being set up to concentrate the light of the at least one light source and to direct it in the form of at least two spatially separated light beams to the optical imaging system (6), and in that the optical imaging system (6) is set up to project the light beams in front of the motor vehicle lighting device (1) in the form of two light distributions, namely in the form of a main light distribution and a sign light partial light distribution, the optical device (3) having at least one shield (5) downstream of it that is arranged perpendicular to an optical axis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Godderidge, Markus Danner
  • Patent number: 10554105
    Abstract: A drive mechanism including a brushed motor comprises a brushed motor including a commutator having a plurality of commutator segments and a brush contactable to the plurality of commutator segments, a movable member driven by the brushed motor, and a stopper member configured to stop rotation of the brushed motor by contacting the movable member. In a state in which the movable member contacts the stopper member to thereby stop the rotation of the brushed motor, the brush contacts only one of two adjacent commutator segments of the plurality of commutator segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Masami Ota, Hiroshi Miyazako, Makoto Tanaka, Taichi Nakamura, Akio Takayama
  • Patent number: 10442340
    Abstract: A headlight module includes: a light source that emits light; a projection lens that receives and emits the light; a holder including a flexible portion having a length in a direction of an optical axis of the lens and having a fixed end and a movable end, the holder holding the lens movably relative to the light source by holding the lens with the movable end; and a driver that moves the lens. The lens is translated on a plane perpendicular to the axis due to deflection of the flexible portion. The holder includes first and second flexible portions including plate-like portions parallel to the axis and perpendicular to each other. One end of the first flexible portion is the fixed end. Another end of the first flexible portion is connected to one end of the second flexible portion. Another end of the second flexible portion is the movable end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamazumi, Ritsuya Oshima, Atsushi Michimori, Masashige Suwa, Kuniko Kojima
  • Patent number: 10180225
    Abstract: Cutoff mechanism for a motor vehicle headlight, that has a bar formed by an obturation plate carried by a movable appliance configured so as to move the plate in a plane and thus obscure a light beam to a greater or lesser extent so as to change the optical operating mode, further having a mechanism for actuating the movable appliance using an electromagnet having an induction coil associated with a ferromagnetic core, wherein the electromagnet has at least one ferromagnetic core fixed with respect to its induction coil and in that the movable appliance has at least one permanent magnet configured so as to cooperate magnetically with the ferromagnetic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: AML Systems
    Inventors: Anderson Noronha, Daniel Lopez, Hassan Koulouh
  • Patent number: 10144340
    Abstract: A motor vehicle directional lighting and/or signaling device comprises a light module rotationally mobile about an axis (A-A) supported by a base bearing elements for guiding in rotation about the axis (A-A). A bearing of the rotation guiding elements is formed partly by the base and partly by a support piece of a fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Benoit Cholley
  • Patent number: 10131271
    Abstract: Cut-off mechanisms for a motor vehicle headlight activated by an electromagnet with two gaps comprise a movable assembly that comprises a cut-off bar and a movable element, as well as an actuator motor comprising an electromagnet, the movable element being movable under the action of the electromagnet, against a return spring, between a near activation position and a remote rest position relative to a ferromagnetic core of the electromagnet, the movable element being configured to create an interruption in the continuity of a magnetic circuit formed by the ferromagnetic core, a metallic casing and the movable element, when said element comes near to the ferromagnetic core in the activation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: AML SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Anderson Noronha, Claudio Chiattelli, Hassan Koulouh
  • Patent number: 9476555
    Abstract: A headlight (10) for a motor vehicle having a housing (14), a semiconductor light source (46), a cooling body (48), an optical system (50) which collects and directs light of the semiconductor source, a securing frame (20) which is mechanically connected to the housing (14) and which holds the semiconductor light source (46) with the cooling body (48) and the optical system (50) in the housing (14), and having an interface between the first part (16) which forms a complex light source (46) and comprises at least the semiconductor light source and the cooling body (48), and a second part (18) which comprises at least the holder (20), wherein the first part (16) is connected to the second part (18) at the interface so that it can be separated without destruction. The first part (16) comprises, in addition to the semiconductor light source (46) and the cooling body (48), at least one optical system (50) which collects and directs a light of the semiconductor light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Automotive Lightning Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Brendle, Michael Hamm, Kamislav Fadel
  • Patent number: 9033562
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor-type light source 2, a lens 35, a light control member 6, and a driving member 7. The lens 35 is made of a main lens portion 3 and an auxiliary lens portion 5. The light control member 6 is made of a light shading portion 60 and a light transmission portion 61. The driving member 7 is configured to position the light control member 6 in such a manner as to be changeably movable between a first location and a second location. As a result, the present invention is capable of obtaining a light distribution pattern for low beam LP and a light distribution pattern for high beam HP in a lamp unit of a lens direct emission and light distribution type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Okubo, Toshiya Abe
  • Patent number: 9022624
    Abstract: The present invention provides: semiconductor-type light sources; a fixed reflector having reflection surfaces; movable reflectors having reflection surfaces; a solenoid; and a driving force transmission mechanism. The driving force transmission mechanism is made of: a rack that is elastically deformable; and pinions. A height H1 of a respective one of gear portions at each end part of the rack is greater in comparison with a height H2 of a respective one of gear portions at an intermediate part of the rack. As a result, the present invention is capable of maintaining a load between the rack and a respective one of the pinions at its required minimum level, and is capable of maintaining positional precision in stop location of the movable reflectors at high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiya Abe
  • Publication number: 20150092436
    Abstract: A multifunction LED headlamp that utilizes a common light source and a plurality of shutter or mask members to produce a plurality of different light beam modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Lee King
  • Patent number: 8992061
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes: a lamp unit including an upper support shaft and a lower support shaft that are coaxially formed each other; a bracket adapted to support the lamp unit via a ball bearing in the upper support shaft and via a slider in a lower shaft support portion; an actuator including a mechanism portion adapted to drive the lower support shaft of the lamp unit, the actuator being movable in a forward and backward direction with respect to the bracket; and a spring portion that is fixed to the bracket, and is adapted to compress a tip end of the upper support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiya Abe
  • Patent number: 8967841
    Abstract: The invention relates to an LED light module (1) for a motor vehicle or for a head light for a motor vehicle, wherein the LED light module (1) has at least one LED light source (3) which comprises at least one light-emitting diode, and wherein the light (10, 11) which is emitted by the at least one LED light source (3) is emitted via at least one reflector (2) into a region located in front of a motor vehicle, wherein the light (10?, 11?) which is emitted via the reflector (2) forms a defined basic light distribution (30?), wherein according to the invention at least one shutter (4) is provided after the at least one LED light source (3) in the light exit direction, which at least one shutter (4) is located in the beam path of at least part of the light (20) which is emitted in the light exit direction by the at least one LED light source (3), and wherein the at least one shutter (4) is designed to reflect light at least in certain areas on its side (4?) facing the at least one LED light source (3), and where
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zizala Lichtsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Gerald Bohm
  • Patent number: 8920008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle head lamp-purpose shield actuator, including a case, and a motor fixed inside the case, and a first rotating shaft rotated by the motor to be connected to an output shaft that drives a shield member for controlling an opening angle of a head lamp, and a second rotating shaft disposed inside the case to be connected to an output shaft that drives a shield member for opening the shield member, wherein the case is constructed by an inter-coupling of a left side case and a right side case, and the left side case and right side case each having a shaft connection part connecting a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, and an output shaft, respectively, thereby being used commonly in a left side head lamp and a right side head lamp, and consequently improving productivity and assembling capacity and reducing production expense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seho Kim
  • Publication number: 20140307456
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a light distribution pattern control unit, a swivel control unit, a leveling control unit, and an ADB control device. The light distribution pattern control unit changes and controls a light distribution pattern of the lamp. The swivel control unit deflects and controls a lamp optical axis in right and left directions. The leveling control unit controls the lamp optical axis in up and down directions. The ADB control device drives and controls the light distribution pattern control unit, the swivel control unit, and the leveling control unit. The ADB control device is configured so that an actuator of the swivel control unit, an actuator of the leveling control unit, and drive circuit sections that drive the light distribution pattern control unit, the swivel control unit, and the leveling control unit, respectively can be incorporated therein individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishida, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Yuta Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8789990
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes: a light-emitting module; a movement mechanism that moves the light-emitting module; and a reflector having a reflecting surface configured to reflect, toward the front of the lamp, light emitted from the light-emitting module and form a plurality of light distribution patterns in accordance with a position of the moved light-emitting module. The movement mechanism is configured to be capable of translating the light-emitting module to a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Uchida
  • Patent number: 8684573
    Abstract: A light beam adjusting device includes a housing having a reflector, a light device disposed within the reflector for generating light which may be reflected partially upwardly and partially downwardly by the reflector. The light reflected downwardly by the reflector is allowed to emit out through the housing. A shielding panel is disposed in the housing, and an actuating device may rotate the shielding panel to open and block the lower portion of the housing, and to selectively open and block the light reflected upwardly by the reflector. The light reflected upwardly by the reflector may form a high beam together with the downwardly reflected light when the housing has not been blocked by the shielding panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Fu An Industrial Co., Ltd., Get Auto Accessories Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jihn Shium Lee, Jen Mao Wang
  • Patent number: 8672525
    Abstract: A projection head lamp assembly for a vehicle may include a bulb irradiating light, a reflector supporting the bulb and reflecting the light irradiated from the bulb to the front, a shield unit including a shield shaft supported by the reflector and a shield integrated on the shield shaft, a drive cam inserted into one end of the shield shaft to be rotated according to a straight movement of a solenoid, and a lens connected to the front of the reflector. The projection head lamp assembly may further include a return spring provided on an outer circumference of the shield shaft, and weights inserted into both ends of the shield shaft for preventing free movement of the shield shaft when the shield shaft is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Bok Kim
  • Publication number: 20140003070
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight can form a variable light distribution pattern with a simple structure including a favorable fail-safe. The headlight can include a movable mirror facing a light source unit, a static mirror between the movable mirror and the light source unit and a controller to emit light from the light source unit and to scan the light toward the static mirror using the movable mirror having a default position, where receives the light at a position substantially perpendicular thereto. The controller can enable the headlight to provide various light distribution patterns by varying a scanning method and the movable mirror is configured to return the light toward the light source unit even if it fails to operate properly. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide a vehicle headlight that can form various light distribution patterns in accordance with surroundings and can have the simple structure including the favorable fail-safe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Kisho Nakaya
  • Patent number: 8608357
    Abstract: An AFS-type vehicle headlamp is provided, and includes a bearing holder adapted to hold a bearing that is inserted into an upper support shaft of a lamp unit. The bearing holder is formed integrally with a fixing portion for a bracket, a bearing holding portion adapted to hold the upper support shaft, and a spring portion adapted to compress a tip end of the upper support shaft. The fixing portion includes the bearing holding portion adapted to hold the bearing on a flat plate member in such a manner that a center of the bearing is positioned in a plane that includes the flat plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiya Abe
  • Publication number: 20130258695
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp includes: a light source; a movable shade configured to be movable between a first position shielding a part of light emitted from the light source and a second position having a different light shielding volume; a motor configured to generate a driving force to move the shade from the first position to the second position; and a stopper for high beam to fix the movable shade, which has been moved from the first position to the second position, at the second position. The motor is configured such that a motor phase is lag when the motor moves the movable shade to the second position by the driving force generated by supplied power and fixes the same, and an electric current is applied to the motor when the movable shade is fixed at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd., MABUCHI MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamazaki, Noritaka Minakawa, Shoichiro Yokoi
  • Patent number: 8517580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle having a light source, which is arranged in a reflector, for emission of light beams in a light outlet direction, having a masking apparatus (1) which has a mask (2) which can be moved to a first position in order to mask out at least a portion of the light beams, and which can be moved to a second position in which the mask (2) is moved at least partially out of the light beams, wherein the movement of the mask (2) can be produced by an actuator unit (3) which has at least one magnet coil (4) and a magnet yoke (5) in order to form a magnetic flux circuit. According to the invention, a hinged armature (6) is provided, is held in an articulated manner on at least a part of the magnet yoke (5) and is in the form of part of the mask (2), such that the hinged armature (6) carries out a folding movement, and produces the movement of the mask (2), when current is passed through the magnet coil (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., Technische Universität llmenau
    Inventor: Ralf Keilig
  • Patent number: 8408769
    Abstract: An optical module equipping a motor vehicle lighting and/or indicating device, provided with a assembly structure movably assembled on a bracket and means of electrical connection to at least one remote device, wherein the optical module is equipped with an electrical connection device comprising a flexible element integrating electrical conductors, the flexible element is connected between the assembly structure and the bracket such that the points of mechanical connection together produce a freedom of movement limited in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Nicolai, Benjamin Touzet, Gregoire Sadoux, Jonathan Blandin
  • Patent number: 8348485
    Abstract: A headlamp for a motor vehicle, this headlamp comprising at least one optical module capable of emitting a plurality of light beams, including a low beam and at least one additional light beam. The optical module is equipped with a cover plate which can be moved between at least two positions, this movable cover plate being configured along a shaft mounted so as to rotate in the optical module and driven in rotation at least by a motor. The shaft comprises at least one first cut-off member configured as a double-edged cover plate providing an oblique cut-off for emission of the low beam, and at least one second cut-off member configured as a wall of substantially constant height, angularly offset relative to the first cut-off member and providing at least one substantially vertical cut-off line for emission of a high beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Jonathan Blandin, David Bourdin, Jean-François Le Bars, Boris Wiegand
  • Patent number: 8256941
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle light system comprising a laser device for generating a laser beam, further comprising a light output module provided with a phosphor element for emitting a light beam upon incidence of the generated laser beam and provided with an optical element associated with the phosphor element for producing a light output beam. Furthermore, the light system comprises a further light output module provided with a corresponding further phosphor element and a second optical element. The laser device is arranged to switch between a first state, in which the generated laser beam is directed to the phosphor element, and a second state in which the generated laser beam is directed to the further phosphor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Rifat A. M. Hikmet, Ties Van Bommel
  • Patent number: 8251559
    Abstract: A projector type vehicle light is provided that can reduce temperature increase of a solenoid due to heat generated by a light source, while a shade and a projection lens can be disposed closer to each other. The vehicle light can be formed as a headlight and can include a light source, a reflector, a shade, and a projection lens. The projector type vehicle light can further include a shade rotational shaft extending in a left-to-right direction, a base member configured to support the shade so that the shade can rotate around the shade rotational shaft, a solenoid for making the shade rotate between a low-beam position and a high-beam position, and a crank shaft configured to connect the solenoid with the shade for driving. The solenoid can be disposed just below the shade so that a moving direction of the plunger of the solenoid is aligned with the left-to-right direction of the projector type vehicle headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tatsumi, Yoshiaki Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20120113663
    Abstract: A projection head lamp assembly for a vehicle may include a bulb irradiating light, a reflector supporting the bulb and reflecting the light irradiated from the bulb to the front, a shield unit including a shield shaft supported by the reflector and a shield integrated on the shield shaft, a drive cam inserted into one end of the shield shaft to be rotated according to a straight movement of a solenoid, and a lens connected to the front of the reflector. The projection head lamp assembly may further include a return spring provided on an outer circumference of the shield shaft, and weights inserted into both ends of the shield shaft for preventing free movement of the shield shaft when the shield shaft is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Bok Kim
  • Patent number: 8123388
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp has semiconductor-type light sources and lenses. Emission surfaces of the lenses are made of free curved faces controlled to be curved so that: projection images of light emitting chips of the semiconductor-type light sources, which is emitted from the emission surfaces, are not convexly curved in an upward direction from cutoff lines on a screen light distribution of a light distribution pattern for low beam. As a result, the vehicle headlamp can achieve downsizing, weight reduction, and cost reduction. In addition, the precision of assembling an optical element can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Ookubo
  • Patent number: 8104940
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens, a halogen bulb disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and below an optical axis, a main reflector which forwardly reflects and converges a first part of direct light from the halogen bulb toward the optical axis, the halogen bulb being inserted in the main reflector in a sidewise direction, a movable shade disposed between the projection lens and the halogen bulb to shield a portion of the first part of the light reflected by the main reflector and a second part of the direct light from the halogen bulb to form a cutoff line, an actuator which moves the movable shade, and an auxiliary reflector disposed below the optical axis to forwardly and diffusely reflect a third part of the direct light from the halogen bulb such that the third part of the light passes below the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8104938
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source, an image forming section which forms a light image using light from the light source, and a projection lens which projects the light image. The image forming section includes a boundary shade and movable shades. Each of the movable shades is individually movable between a closed position at which the movable shade blocks a corresponding part of the light from entering the projection lens and an open position at which the movable shade allows the corresponding part of the light to enter the projection lens. The boundary shade is disposed to extend along distal ends of the respective movable shades that are arranged side by side when the movable shades are in the closed positions. When the movable shades are in the closed positions, the boundary shade forms a boundary line of the light image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kenichi Takada
  • Patent number: 8096687
    Abstract: A vehicle head light includes a lighting casing; a lamp unit disposed in the lighting casing; a support member that supports the lamp unit so as to be rotatable at least in two directions; an actuator that rotates the lamp unit with respect to the support member; and a thrust receiver that receives a load of the lamp unit. The lighting casing includes a lamp housing opened on one side and a cover that closes the opening of the lamp housing. The lamp unit includes a light source and a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source. The actuator is disposed under the lamp unit. A lower end of the lamp unit is coupled to the actuator. The actuator includes a case member; and a driving mechanism disposed in the case member. The lamp unit is coupled to the driving mechanism. The thrust receiver is integrally provided on the case member of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
  • Publication number: 20110305031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device and a method for illuminating a projection area based on a plurality of different lighting patterns. The lighting unit is controlled based on lighting data, which are received from an external central system via an interface, or stored in a memory unit. In this way, a plurality of different lighting patterns can be realized, so that at least up to four reading lamps can be replaced by a single lighting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Riedel, Carsten Vogel
  • Patent number: 8042980
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided with semiconductor-type light sources, lenses, a reflector, light shading members, prism members, and a switching device. When the light shading members are positioned in a first location by means of the switching device, a light distribution pattern LP for low beam, having one or more cutoff lines, is illuminated. In addition, when the prism members are positioned in the first location by means of the switching device, a light distribution pattern HP for high beam is illuminated. As a result, the vehicle headlamp can achieve downsizing, weight reduction, power saving, and cost reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ookubo, Toshiya Abe
  • Patent number: 8007153
    Abstract: A projector type vehicle light can have a decreased total weight and prevent the insufficiency in strength of a rotational shaft of a base member. The projector type vehicle light can include a light source, a reflector, a shade, and a projection lens. The vehicle light can further include a shade rotational shaft extending in the left-to-right direction, a base member configured so that the shade can rotate around the shade rotational shaft, a solenoid for making the shade rotate between a low-beam position and a high-beam position, and a crank shaft configured to connect the solenoid with the shade for driving the shade. The solenoid can be supported by the base member so that the plunger of the solenoid can move in the left-to-right direction. The lens holder can be made of a first material, such as a resin material, and the base member can be made from a second material, such as metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tatsumi, Yoshiaki Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7926992
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for providing various beam patterns for a vehicle is provided, which includes a lamp shield driving device. The device comprises a first shield including at least one shield projection formed on a circumference thereof, a second shield to shield at least a part of beam irradiation in a close range, and a shield driving unit to drive the first shield and the second shield in a sequential order to thereby generate a certain beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: SL Seobong, SL Lighting
    Inventors: Jong-Un Kim, Chang-Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 7909475
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a lamp set is provided. The apparatus includes: a motor; a shaft which is rotatable by the motor and includes screw threads formed thereon; a sliding unit which includes a hole having screw threads formed therein that are engaged with the screw threads of the shaft and an insertion ball, the sliding unit being movable along the shaft upon rotation of the shaft; and a holder unit which includes a groove, the insertion ball being inserted into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: SL Seobong, SL Lighting
    Inventors: Sang-Woo Jeon, Young-Ho Son
  • Patent number: 7837367
    Abstract: An automobile headlight high-low switching device includes a fixing plate, an electromagnetic valve, a driven device and a light-shielding board. The fixing plate has a recess, a sliding slot and a pivotal pin. The electromagnetic valve is fixed on the fixing plate, provided with a valve shaft mounted with a spring. The driven device is connected with the valve shaft, having a projecting bar at a bottom to plug into the sliding slot. The light-shielding board has a pivotal hole used to be pivotally fixed with the pivotal bar of the fixing plate, a through hole to be inserted through by the projecting bar of the driven device. With the simple components, the automobile headlight high-low switching device can be not only operated smoothly but also assembled quickly to effectively lower manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventors: Hsian-Yi Huang, Ching-Yun Huang
  • Patent number: 7775699
    Abstract: A bifunctional vehicle headlamp is described. In one embodiment, a headlamp comprises a light source and a reflector, which cooperate to form a light pattern, a lens positioned forward of the reflector and configured to project a desired beam pattern, and a light shield disposed between the lens and the reflector. The light shield has a first shade that selectively blocks a first portion of the light pattern to form a first beam pattern, and a second shade that selectively blocks a second portion of the light pattern to form a second beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir P. Fallahi, William C. Ince
  • Patent number: 7736037
    Abstract: A projector assembly having a light source and a reflector body positioned proximately to the light source for reflecting light forward along an axis of the projector assembly. Mounted to the reflector body is a lens. The lens is in front of and at a distance from the light source to focus the light into a beam pattern. An actuator is mounted to the reflector body and includes a pair of rotatable shafts extending from opposing ends along an axis that is perpendicular to and below the axis of the projector assembly. A light shield is mounted onto the rotatable shafts of the actuator and is rotatable between a first position, wherein substantially all of the light below the axis of the projector assembly is blocked, and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the light below the axis of the projector assembly is allowed to project forward through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Libor Losak, Vladimir Dobrus, Jiri Kopenec
  • Publication number: 20100135035
    Abstract: An adaptive projector system for headlights of motor vehicles is disclosed, the system consists of a reflector with a light source, a lens (6) and a diaphragm system with fixed screening diaphragms, and with a movable approximately hyperboloid diaphragm cap, which rotates along with the shaft of a motor, on which it is firmly overhung, and by its controlled stopping in certain positions, it creates the desired light beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Petr Smajser, Vladimir Petrovsky
  • Publication number: 20100103690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle having a light source, which is arranged in a reflector, for emission of light beams in a light outlet direction, having a masking apparatus (1) which has a mask (2) which can be moved to a first position in order to mask out at least a portion of the light beams, and which can be moved to a second position in which the mask (2) is moved at least partially out of the light beams, wherein the movement of the mask (2) can be produced by an actuator unit (3) which has at least one magnet coil (4) and a magnet yoke (5) in order to form a magnetic flux circuit. According to the invention, a hinged armature (6) is provided, is held in an articulated manner on at least a part of the magnet yoke (5) and is in the form of part of the mask (2), such that the hinged armature (6) carries out a folding movement, and produces the movement of the mask (2), when current is passed through the magnet coil (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicants: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO., TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT ILMENAU
    Inventor: Ralf Keilig
  • Patent number: 7677744
    Abstract: An illuminated pointer assembly for a gauge scale having an outer periphery includes a pointer that moves about a periphery of the gauge scale and is illuminated by a light guide. The light guide is disposed on a plane below the pointer and the gauge scale. The light guide includes at least two LEDs that are disposed adjacent first and second ends of the light guide. The light guide also includes a plurality of reflective elements. The plurality of reflective elements is disposed in sets that are orientated with regard to each of the LEDs. The reflective elements provide for the transmission and direction of light within the light guide into the guide body portion of the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Birman, Werner Eckardt, Richard Sanders, Ronald Struck
  • Patent number: 7611268
    Abstract: A headlight adjustment device with at least two drive units for adjustment of a light module in at least two directions, each drive unit having at least one drive motor and a gear mechanism with two input elements movable relative to each other, which are connected by means of a coupling element. At least one input element of each drive element is coupled to the drive motor of the drive unit. Each coupling element is connected to an output element of the corresponding gear mechanism. In addition, each output element has an adapter for connection to the light modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: odelo GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel J. Flynn, Robert Apfelbeck, Andreas Leittretter
  • Patent number: 7575351
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a first reflector disposed fixed with respect to the light source; a second reflector rotatable in a direction that opens and closes a reflective surface of the first reflector; a bracket rotatably supporting the second reflector via a shaft that extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source; an actuator attached to the bracket; an attachment includes an insertion hole into which the driving rod of the actuator is inserted and first and second connection holes into which the connecting shaft of the second reflector is inserted. The second reflector includes a connecting shaft that projects in a direction generally perpendicular to an optical axis of the light source. The actuator includes a body and a driving rod that projects from a portion other than a center portion of the body and moves in an axial direction. The first connection hole and the second connection hole of the attachment open one way and open in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ogino, Hirohiko Ohshio
  • Patent number: 7568825
    Abstract: A headlight for motor vehicles comprising a light-shield mechanism having at least first and second rotary light shields for producing respectively at least first and second different light beams, wherein the shield mechanism also comprises at least one means of mechanically locating the idle position of the shield mechanism, and an actuator able to make the first and second light shields, turn in two directions of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Nicolas Louvet, Alexandre Mensales