Reflector Structure Patents (Class 362/516)
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Patent number: 6958495Abstract: Rearview mirror assemblies are provided that incorporate a plurality of added features. In at least one embodiment, at least two devices are incorporated into a rearview mirror selected from a group comprising an interior illumination assembly, an illuminated operator interface and an information display. In at least one embodiment, the light rays emitted by the selected at least two devices comprise substantially the same spectral characteristics. In at least one embodiment, the spectral characteristics are operator selectable from a plurality of predetermined spectral characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko Nishijima, Timothy A. Bonardi, John K. Roberts, Kenton Van Klompenberg
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Patent number: 6948836Abstract: A light source unit including an LED mounted on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with its light output directed upward, and a reflector is provided above the LED having a first reflecting surface for collecting the light emitted by the LED and reflecting the light generally in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The first reflecting surface is formed in such a manner that a distance L in a vertical direction from the LED to the first reflecting surface is approximately 10 mm in a preferred embodiment.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 6945681Abstract: Headlamp assemblies utilize a solid optical body made of glass or another heat resistant, light transmissive material. The solid optical body has an axially positioned cavity therethrough which receives a bulb that injects light through a cylindrical wall of the cavity into the optical body. In order to reflect light from the bulb, the optical body has a rear surface which is coated with a reflecting material, such as aluminize or a dichroic material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention in which a plastic lens is used, the optical body is made of glass with a dichroic coating configured so that the infrared component of light from the bulb is transmitted through the dichroic coating and emitted through the rear of the optical body. This reduces transmission of heat from the bulb to the plastic lens so that the lens can be positioned closer to the optical body, which decreases the fore/aft extent of the headlamp assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Michael K. Larsen
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Patent number: 6939029Abstract: A modular light for decorative use on light strips on motorcycles or similar vehicle has an outer lens or light transmitting housing that forms an interior chamber. The chamber has an open side, and a light transmitting wall is opposite from the open side through which light will be transmitted. A circuit board carrying a plurality of LEDs is shaped to close the open side of the chamber in the light transmitting housing. The circuit board supports a reflector that has openings through which the LEDs protrude. The circuit board is secured in place in the light transmitting housing to form a modular light that be used in a number of locations. The modular light fits into a support housing on a light support strip or similar structure that will mount the modular light in desired locations on a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Kuryakyn Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Alwin J. Stahel, David C. Abbe, Thomas H. Rudd
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Patent number: 6921187Abstract: A vehicle lamp including light sources, a reflective mirror for effecting desired light distribution by reflecting light emitted from the light sources and a lens disposed in front of the reflective mirror. In the vehicle lamp, the reflective mirror has a dummy portion which makes no contribution to effecting light distribution and is exposed to the outside through the lens, and an indicative mark for identifying the lighting device is formed integrally with the dummy portion. As the indicative mark can be visually recognized from the outside through the lens, the indicative mark needed not be formed on the lens. When lighting devices having different light distribution characteristics are provided, it is only needed to produce reflective mirrors respectively having corresponding indicative marks and the rest of the parts including the lens and the lamp body can be provided for common use.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Mochizuki, Susumu Kakidaira
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Patent number: 6863412Abstract: A device for vehicle lighting includes a deviating prism which deflects a light beam by approximately 180 degrees from a direction of incidence in which the light beam is emitted by a light source. A reflector is also provided which deflects the light beam so that the light beam is emitted substantially transversely to the direction of incidence.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Edgar Weidel
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Patent number: 6814480Abstract: A vehicular lamp which radiates a light by indirect illumination using a plurality of LED light sources which has a thin structure while providing sufficient light output to the front of the lamp, even in the case where the lamp is mounted in a wrap-around portion of the vehicle body. Respective Fresnel lenses which form light from respective LED light sources into parallel light fluxes are arranged so as to align the directions of the parallel light fluxes upward, and the parallel light fluxes are then reflected toward the front of the lamp by a reflector. The reflector is separated into sub-reflectors for every area which the parallel light fluxes from the respective Fresnel lenses strike, and the sub-reflectors are arranged in a stepped configuration extending in a lateral direction of the reflector from the front of the lamp toward the rear of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuyuki Amano
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Publication number: 20040218401Abstract: A digital lighting apparatus for a vehicle, which employs a reflection digital light deflector, includes a storage unit that stores digital data of a plurality of light distribution patterns and a controller. The controller selects digital data corresponding to a predetermined light distribution pattern from among the digital data stored in the storage unit and controls the reflection digital light deflector, and illuminates a road surface and the like with the predetermined light distribution pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Okubo, Seiji Hayashi
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Publication number: 20040218398Abstract: The present invention relates to an article of manufacture having a reflective design thereon, as well as a method for manufacture thereof. The article of manufacture, such as a tire cover, comprises a substrate having a display surface, at least one adhesive material disposed on the display surface, and a first pigmented material arranged in a first design pattern and adhered to the display surface by the adhesive material, where the first pigmented material includes a plurality of glass particles operative to reflect light received from a light source. A second pigmented material, such as a reflective or non-reflective material of a different color, may be adhered to the display surface in a second design pattern. The present invention also provides a transfer pattern, and method for forming the same, that is for use in transferring a reflective design to a display surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Christopher E. Fischer, Mark Domenico
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Patent number: 6811289Abstract: A lens has a concave shape or a convex shape in either vertical cross section or transverse cross section. Thereby light passing through the lens is largely refracted and the interior is harder to be seen even if a prism is not formed. As a result, there is no need to give a finish more than optical performance required for reflection to the front surface of the reflecting surface of a reflector, which is for the purpose of enhancement of its appearance, and thereby the machining work is simpler than the conventional way. Further, since the lens has a flat shape in either vertical cross section or transverse cross section, the lens is easily polished when it is made of glass, which is excellent in manufacture of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Nakata
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Patent number: 6808299Abstract: The luminaire comprises a reflector body (1) which has a reflecting coating (2) on its reflection side (3), and means (4) for accommodating an electric lamp on the reflection side (3). The reflection side (3) has an area (31) with a metal reflecting surface. The area (31) may have a metal sheet cover (32). The cover (32) may follow the surface of the area (31), or it may be spaced apart therefrom. The luminaire benefits from the low absorption of light by the coating (2), and from the high specular reflection of metal in the area (31) to give a high light intensity in a direction determined by the position of the area (31) with respect to a lamp accommodated by the means (4).Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Hendrik Wijbenga, Jean Entrop
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Patent number: 6796679Abstract: A two-piece reflector has a base member with a substantially planar surface including a substantially complete reflector and a partially complete reflector projecting therefrom and integral therewith. First and second spaced apart supports are associated with the partially complete reflector and project from the base member and provide pivot points therein. A substantially concave housing is adjustably fitted to cooperate with the partially complete reflector. The concave housing has a pair of spaced apart, projecting, axially aligned nubbins, a first of these nubbins being rotationally fixed to the pivot point in the first support and a second of the nubbins being rotationally fixed to the pivot point in said second support. This allows rotational adjustment of the housing about the axis defined between the pivot points. Means are provided attached to the concave housing for fixing the same in a desired position.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.Inventors: John L. Smith, Jr., Paul W. Krinop
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Publication number: 20040184282Abstract: Rearview mirror assemblies are provided that incorporate a plurality of added features. In at least one embodiment, at least two devices are incorporated into a rearview mirror selected from a group comprising an interior illumination assembly, an illuminated operator interface and an information display. In at least one embodiment, the light rays emitted by the selected at least two devices comprise substantially the same spectral characteristics. In at least one embodiment, the spectral characteristics are operator selectable from a plurality of predetermined spectral characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Kazuhiko Nishijima, Timothy A. Bonardi, John K. Roberts, Kenton Van Klompenberg
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Publication number: 20040174714Abstract: A headlight for vehicles with a projection module is provided, which includes a bowl-shaped reflector, an illumination unit dedicated to the reflector, a lens, and a shutter arranged between the lens and the reflector. The shutter forms a light-dark-border of a light bundle. The lens features a convex front side facing away from the reflector and an optical element mounted to the headlight in the lower middle margin area on the front. The light beams emerging from the optical element are directed to an area above the light-dark-border of the light bundle of the headlight. In vertical second planar sections, to which the optical axis of the projection module extends perpendicularly, the surface of the optical element is concave-shaped, and in vertical planar sections extending parallel to the optical axis, it is convex-shaped.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Wolfgang Peitz, Dirk Schwemin
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Patent number: 6779912Abstract: The headlight, especially for a motor vehicle, includes at least two separately adjustable reflectors and a reflector height adjusting mechanism for adjusting the reflector heights separately or synchronously. The reflectors include a first reflector for high beam light and/or fog light and a second reflector associated with a low beam light module. The reflector height adjusting device includes separate adjusting devices for individually adjusting the respective heights for the at least two separately adjustable reflectors and a coupling member for the separate adjusting devices. When the separate adjusting devices are put in a coupled state by the coupling member the heights of the at least two reflectors are synchronously adjusted by operation of only one of the separate adjusting devices. The method for adjusting light radiated from the headlight includes performing a pre-adjustment in which each of the reflectors is separately adjusted by the separate adjusting devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Krieg, Hans-Joachim Schmidt, Harry Hofmann
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Publication number: 20040156209Abstract: A vehicular headlamp used in au automobile, includes: a light source for generating light; a light transmitting member formed from material transmitting the light; a reflector, formed on at least a part of a surface of the light transmitting member, for reflecting the light incident via the light transmitting member from the light source, the reflector having an optical center near the light source; and a lens formed integrally with the light transmitting member for deflecting the light reflected by the reflector to direct the light to the outside of the vehicular headlamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
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Patent number: 6773149Abstract: A method for predicting headlamp reflector temperature comprising receiving a headlamp type and transmitting a request for an input parameter value responsive to the headlamp type. The input parameter value is received in response to transmitting the request. A transfer function is executed in response to the input parameter and the headlamp type and the execution results in a predicted maximum reflector temperature. The predicted maximum reflector temperature is then output.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anant Kulkarni, Eric Jaarda, James Wilson, Erwin Liang
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Publication number: 20040145909Abstract: A light device with incorporated tortuous path venting is provided. The light device includes a reflector that has a base. A portion of the surface of the base is recessed to define a circuitous path around a perimeter of the base. Also, a side channel is connected to the recessed surface such that the circuitous path and the side channel together provide an air pathway between an interior of the reflector and an exterior of the reflector when a covering is positioned over the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: North American Lighting, Inc.Inventors: Eric John Ognian, Dean Bryant Bowles
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Publication number: 20040145908Abstract: A light source housing and light device with a light source securing mechanism is provided. The light housing has a reflector with a mounting block on its backside. A bulb shield with a mounting arm is mounted within the housing such that a curved end of the mounting arm slides over the mounting block. A portion of the curved end extends beyond the mounting block providing an area to fasten a light source within the light housing using a retaining spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: North American Lighting, Inc.Inventors: Eric John Ognian, Dean Bryant Bowles
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Publication number: 20040141330Abstract: A pair of additional reflectors are disposed face to face under a light source. The reflective surfaces of the respective additional reflectors are formed of paraboloids of revolution, with the first focal point of the reflective surface of a reflector as a focal point, and with an optical axis as the central axis of the revolution. As a result, retroreflective light from both reflectors is incident on the upper reflective region of the reflector. Thus, the spreading of the retroreflective light can be reduced based on the enhanced efficiency of utilizing the luminous flux of the light source, to the extent of the presence of the retroreflective light, as compared with the related art structure, wherein a spherical reflective surface centering on the light source is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2004Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTDInventor: Kenichi Takada
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Patent number: 6764208Abstract: A shape of a vertical cross section and a shape of a horizontal cross section in a lens are formed in a convex shape. Accordingly, even when a prism is not formed, alight transmitting through the lens is largely refracted and an interior section is hard to be visible. As a result, it is not necessary to finish a surface of a reflection surface of a reflector so as to have an optical performance equal to or more than an optical performance required for reflection with taking an appearance into consideration, and a working operation can be easily executed in comparison with the conventional one.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Nakata
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Publication number: 20040114388Abstract: A method for predicting headlamp reflector temperature comprising receiving a headlamp type and transmitting a request for an input parameter value responsive to the headlamp type. The input parameter value is received in response to transmitting the request. A transfer function is executed in response to the input parameter and the headlamp type and the execution results in a predicted maximum reflector temperature. The predicted maximum reflector temperature is then output.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Anant Kulkarni, Eric Jaarda, James Wilson, Erwin Liang
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Patent number: 6736532Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a headlight assembly installed in a motor vehicle. The headlight assembly includes a reflector member, and a light source. The reflector member is coated with a first layer of a highly reflective material to reflect the light emitted by the light source. In order to protect the first layer from oxidation, a second layer of an organic carbon compound free of electronegative compound is deposited on top of the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Lee Crawley, Lawrence Francsis Wilski
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Publication number: 20040085778Abstract: Day travelling light, in particular for automotive vehicles, comprising a light source in an illumination housing and a means associated with the light source for bundling the light emitted by the light source, wherein the light source comprises at least one LED (13) (FIG. 1).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Kurt Schuster, Petra Heinbuch, Ralf Ackermann
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Publication number: 20040085779Abstract: The present invention is a headlamp and headlamp assembly that utilizes light emitting diodes as a light source. The light emitting diode headlamp and headlamp assembly effectively emanates white light and is capable of low beam and high beam functions. The light emitting diode headlamps comprise high-flux light emitting diodes, a reflector subassembly, and a first and second light transmissive member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Gregory R. Pond, Philip C. Roller, Chris A. Suckow, Ronald D. Madison, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
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Publication number: 20040052085Abstract: A headlamp has a light chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover. The headlamp houses a projection-type light source unit which integrates a reflector, a light source disposed in the vicinity of a first focal point of the reflector, a convex lens disposed in the front of the reflector via a lens holder, and an extension disposed so as to surround the light source unit U. The lens holder is provided with an upper opening portion. The extension extends to the rear of the upper opening portion. During the daytime when the light source is not lit, incoming light enters the interior of the light source unit via the upper opening portion, without being shielded by the extension.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Kaoru Yamamoto, Hisaya Kano
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Publication number: 20040042229Abstract: Lighting or indicating apparatus for a motor vehicle comprises in particular a light emitting element which includes a reflector, a light source, and a casing which defines a set of faces, comprising side, lower and upper faces. There is, optionally, at least one opening formed in at least one of the said faces and having removable obturating means.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventors: Marc Duarte, Jean-Marc Nicolai, David Myotte
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Patent number: 6698912Abstract: The present invention of a haloed vehicle light mainly includes a primary light-emitting socket, a secondary light-emitting socket, an outer reflector, an inner reflector and a light-permeable shield; the inner reflector is disposed inside the outer reflector and both of them are spaced at a proper interval distance; both of the primary and secondary light-emitting sockets are disposed with a light-emitting body; a projector with the function of refraction can be additionally disposed inside the inner reflector; a luminous washer can be additionally disposed in front of the frame of the inner reflector; a plurality of ring-shaped and light-reflecting saw teeth are disposed on the inner wall of the light-permeable shield incorporating with the luminous washer; the vehicle light of the present invention has a central light area, an outer circular light area, a luminous area and is capable of generating various applicative functions.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Chiu-Ling Yang
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Publication number: 20040027835Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflector device (300) which provides for good ventilation of a light source located in the said device and facilitates the passage of the reflector device on production lines for the purpose of covering an internal surface (310) of the reflector device with powder. To this end, there is proposed according to the invention a reflector device in which a reflector element (301) and a lamp holder element (302) are produced separately, prior to being interlocked. The reflector element (301) produced thus comprises a set of supports (303; 304; 305) which are arranged such that a light source subsequently fitted in the reflector device (300) can be ventilated in a satisfactory manner. The lamp holder element (302) is interlocked with the reflector element (301) on the supports by means of centering pins (316) and assembly studs (317).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventor: Jean-Francois Delourme
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Publication number: 20040008516Abstract: A vehicular lamp with an LED light source in which light from the LED light source is formed into parallel light fluxes by an optical member, and the parallel light fluxes are reflected by a reflector in the forward direction of the lamp. The bottom-face wall of the lamp body that houses the reflector has a translucent portion, and the LED light source and the optical member are disposed outside the translucent portion so that they are unrecognizable. The reflector is formed by a translucent member and is provided at a distance from the translucent portion of the lamp body and from the rear-face wall of the reflector, so that the parallel light fluxes from the optical member is subject to internal reflection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuyuki Amano
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Publication number: 20030231509Abstract: A vehicular lamp including a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a transparent outer lens covering the front opening of the lamp body, a light source installed in the lamp chamber, a reflecting surface formed in the lamp chamber and reflects light from the light source to radiate light in the forward direction of the lamp body, and an inner lens disposed between the light source and the outer lens, the inner having a refracting step, and the refracting step having a refracting surface that refracts light, which is from the front of the lamp body and is directly incident to the inner lens, in a direction away from the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazunori Natsume
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Publication number: 20030214815Abstract: A light source unit capable of considerably reducing the size of a vehicular lamp. An LED is mounted on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with its light output directed upward, and a reflector is provided above the LED having a first reflecting surface for collecting the light emitted by the LED and reflecting the light generally in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The reflector is formed by a reflective coating formed on the surface of a translucent block covering the LED. Consequently, the size of the reflector can be considerably reduced as compared with reflectors employed in conventional vehicular lamps. Moreover, since the LED used as a light source emits little heat, the reflector can be designed without having to take into account the influence of heat generated by the light source. Furthermore, the LED can be treated substantially as a point light source so that proper reflection control can be carried out even if the size of the reflector is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 6644828Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a bulb with two filaments disposed one behind the other, a bulb internal shade provided in the vicinity of the front filament, and a reflector for reflecting light produced by the filaments. The reflector includes an upper part and a lower part. A bulb external shade is provided outside the bulb. The bulb internal shade prevents light produced by the front filament from entering into the lower reflector part, and the bulb external shade prevents light produced by the rear filament from entering into the upper reflector part.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshiyuki Kinouchi
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Publication number: 20030202360Abstract: A movable reflector with integrally molded bulb assembly retention features. The movable reflector comprises a bore at the center of the reflector for receiving a bulb assembly and retention features integrally molded on the rear side of the reflector to retain the bulb assembly. The movable reflector further comprises mold voids spaced around the bore adjacent to the retention features and extending through the movable reflector so that the structure of the retention features and the movable reflector may be molded in one injection molding step without additional tool movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Applicant: Guide CorporationInventors: Kenneth L. Trimpe, Joseph C. Ballman
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Patent number: 6637920Abstract: A vehicular lamp having an improved luminous intensity of reflected light that has passed through a tinted topcoat layer. Light emitted from a light source bulb is reflected by a reflector to form an outward beam. The reflector is formed of an effective reflector portion contributing to formation of the outward beam and a non-effective reflector portion not contributing to formation of the outward beam. Only the non-effective reflector portion or only the non-effective reflector portion and an extension portion are coated with a tinted topcoat layer. The particle diameter of pigments dispersed in the tinted topcoat layer is limited to a certain range.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mamoru Murakoshi, Shigeki Ono
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Patent number: 6637918Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting or indicator device for a motor vehicle, including at least one light source, a reflector and a light-diffusing plate. According to the present invention, the reflector and the light-diffusing plate consist of substantially flat elements forming a small but non-zero angle between them and delimiting between them a prismatic volume.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Fabien Changeur, Jean Paul Drouet, Régis Duplessy
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Publication number: 20030198060Abstract: A light source unit capable of considerably reducing the size of a vehicular lamp. An LED is mounted on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with its light output directed upward, and a reflector is provided above the LED having a first reflecting surface for collecting the light emitted by the LED and reflecting the light generally in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The first reflecting surface is formed in such a manner that a distance L in a vertical direction from the LED to the first reflecting surface is approximately 10 mm in a preferred embodiment. Consequently, the size of the reflector can be considerably reduced as compared with reflectors employed in conventional vehicular lamps. Moreover, the LED used as a light source emits little heat, the reflector can be designed without having to take into account the influence of heat generated by the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 6634776Abstract: An infrared irradiation lamp having a lamp housing S formed by a Lamp body 12 and a front lens 14, a reflector 16 provided in the lamp body 12, a bulb 20 inserted and attached into a bulb insertion attachment hole 13 of the reflector 16 and provided ahead of the reflector 16, and a cylindrical globe 30 for infrared light formation which is provided to cover the bulb 20 and serves to shield a visible light and to transmit only an infrared light, wherein a metallic bulb holder 60 having a radiation fin 68 extended to the back of the reflector 16 is provided between the bulb insertion attachment hole 13 and a mouth piece 21 of the bulb 20. Heat generated by turning on the bulb 20 is transferred to the bulb holder 60 and is radiated from the radiation fin 68 provided on the back of the reflector 16 to a space provided on the back of the reflector 16 so that the inside of the globe 30 is not filled with the heat.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiichiro Yagi, Takashi Inoue, Takashi Hori
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Publication number: 20030193814Abstract: A signaling assembly is described and which includes a reflective substrate having opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein each of the surfaces simultaneously reflects visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation and passes electromagnetic radiation; and an emitter for emitting visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation is provided, and wherein the emitted visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation may be simultaneously viewed from locations forward of the opposite first and second surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Allen A. Bukosky, Daniel J. Mathieu
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Patent number: 6629769Abstract: A light-reflecting molded article is constituted of a molded article made from a polyester resin composition and a light-reflecting metal layer formed on the molded article. The light-reflecting molded article has an average surface roughness of at most 0.3 &mgr;m and a deflection temperature under load of at least 160° C. The polyester resin composition includes 100 parts by weight of polybutylene terephthalate resin and 1 to 100 parts by weight of polyalkylene naphthalate resin.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Kosugi, Nori Yoshihara, Koji Nakanishi
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Publication number: 20030185016Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a headlight assembly installed in a motor vehicle. The headlight assembly includes a reflector member, and a light source. The reflector member is coated with a first layer of a highly reflective material to reflect the light emitted by the light source. In order to protect the first layer from oxidation, a second layer of an organic carbon compound free of electronegative compound is deposited on top of the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Richard Lee Crawley, Lawrence Francsis Wilski
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Publication number: 20030165064Abstract: The present invention of a haloed vehicle light mainly includes a primary light-emitting socket, a secondary light-emitting socket, an outer reflector, an inner reflector and a light-permeable shield; the inner reflector is disposed inside the outer reflector and both of them are spaced at a proper interval distance; both of the primary and secondary light-emitting sockets are disposed with a light-emitting body; a projector with the function of refraction can be additionally disposed inside the inner reflector; a luminous washer can be additionally disposed in front of the frame of the inner reflector; a plurality of ring-shaped and light-reflecting saw teeth are disposed on the inner wall of the light-permeable shield incorporating with the luminous washer; the vehicle light of the present invention has a central light area, an outer circular light area, a luminous area and is capable of generating various applicative functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventor: Chiu-Ling Yang
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Publication number: 20030156423Abstract: A headlight, in particular, for motor vehicles, has an elongated incandescent body (2) with an incandescent body longitudinal axis (4), a reflector, associated with the incandescent body (2) for bundling of the light emitted from the incandescent body (8), and a photoconductor (8), in which the light emitted from the reflector (6) in the direction of an optical axis is coupled-in by means of a coupling-in surface (12) of the photoconductor (8). The incandescent body longitudinal axis (4) forms an angle (&agr;) with the optical axis (10) that is greater than 0 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Martin Lampen, Matthias Gebauer
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Patent number: 6607295Abstract: A first auxiliary reflector 36 is provided above the optical axis Ax between a reflector of a lamp unit 20 and projection lens 28, and under the optical axis Ax, a second auxiliary reflector 44 is formed. An auxiliary luminous distribution pattern is formed at center area of a high-beam luminous distribution pattern additionally by reflecting forward at the second auxiliary reflector 44 after direct light directing to forward and obliquely upward from a light source 22a is reflected downward at the first auxiliary reflector 36 at the time of high-beam emission. Because of that, at the low-beam emission, an area close cut-off line at opposite lane side of the low-beam luminous distribution pattern does not brighten more than necessity, further, luminous intensity of a part of the area at the hot zone of the high-beam luminous distribution pattern is obtained enough.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Michihiko Hayakawa
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Patent number: 6582110Abstract: A motor-vehicle light comprises a hollow body with a transparent element facing a main reflective structure which reflects the light rays coming from a source arranged at one side of the main reflective structure towards the transparent element, an auxiliary reflective element being associated with the light source. The main reflective structure has a shell-like configuration, which is visible from the outside since the transparent element has no optical elements. The shell-like configuration comprises a plurality of optically active surface sectors alternated to connecting walls which are substantially radial with respect to the source. The optically active sectors are geometrically generated by translation or rotation of a family of generating curves each having undulations with a pitch substantially lower than the pitch of the distribution of the optically active surface sectors.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Automotive Lighting Italia SpAInventors: Alessandro Negri, Maria Teresa Dalmasso
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Publication number: 20030112637Abstract: A method of designing a reflective surface of a reflector used in a vehicle lamp includes a first base curve generating step of generating a first base curve Q; a second base curve generating step of generating a plurality of second base curves R; and a surface shape generating step of generating a surface shape of the reflective surface RS, based on the first base curve and the plurality of second base curves, wherein the first base curve generating step includes repeating a step of generating one partial curve Qi and thereafter generating a subsequent partial curve Qi+1 so as to be connected to the partial curve, thereby generating one first base curve Q consisting of a plurality of partial curves Qi connected to each other, and wherein each partial curve Q1 is generated based on a shape parameter according thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Kawashima, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 6578996Abstract: A method of designing a reflective surface of a reflector used in a vehicle lamp includes a first base curve generating step of generating a first base curve Q; a second base curve generating step of generating a plurality of second base curves R; and a surface shape generating step of generating a surface shape of the reflective surface RS, based on the first base curve and the plurality of second base curves, wherein the first base curve generating step includes repeating a step of generating one partial curve Qi and thereafter generating a subsequent partial curve Qi+1 so as to be connected to the partial curve, thereby generating one first base curve Q consisting of a plurality of partial curves Qi connected to each other, and wherein each partial curve Qi is generated based on a shape parameter according thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Kawashima, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 6578995Abstract: A lower reflector (3), disposed in a opening (23) of an upper reflector (2) to reflect conventionally unused light, is rotatable relative to the upper reflector (2), thereby changing a dispersed light-distribution pattern (WP) with respect to a fixed reference light-distribution pattern (LP), with an improvement in visibility when the vehicle negotiates a curve.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2000Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yasufumi Suzuki
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Patent number: 6575612Abstract: A vehicle lamp fixture comprising a reflector that is made of a thermoplastic resin and is covered with a light reflecting film on its surface and a lens that is made of a thermoplastic resin and is mounted on the reflector. The reflector has a welding leg portion which projects from the circumferential edge of the reflector, and the tip end of the reflector welding leg portion is formed with an inclined surface which is inclined with respect to a direction in which the lens is brought to make a contact with the reflector when welding is performed between the reflector and the lens.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Kageyama, Teruaki Inaba
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Publication number: 20030099112Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a headlight assembly installed in a motor vehicle. The headlight assembly includes a reflector member, a light source and a light shield. In order to give the appearance during daytime that the reflector member is colored, the headlight assembly is provided with a colored ring around the reflector member. Additionally, the light shield is also coated with the same color.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: Lawrence F. Wilski