Refractor Structure Patents (Class 362/520)
  • Publication number: 20140376250
    Abstract: This invention is to provide an in-vehicle interior light unit that protects a base from a thermal damage attributable to a thermal factor and reduces cost. This is achieved by adopting a general-purpose compact bulb cassette which does not have a heat shielding function although the bulb cassette still uses a heat-resistant resin as the material thereof, and the thermal deformation due to the radiant heat from a bulb is prevented by a heat shield plate integrally formed when punch-molding a bus bar, which is formed of a conductive metal member. Thus, the radiant heat from the bulb is blocked by the heat shield plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Hisashi Soga, Yuji Shimoda, Hiroshi Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8911127
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle includes a lens, a housing, an engaging part, and an engaged part. The engaging part and the engaged part are configured to be a state in which the lens is fixed in a predetermined position by turning the lens by a predetermined angle with respect to the housing after the lens and the housing are fitted in a direction of an optical axis of the lens. An inside of the lens abuts, by screwing the fastening member to the housing when the lens is fixed in the predetermined position, on an end of the fastening member so that turning of the lens is disenabled even if it is tried to turn the lens in a direction in which the lens is disengaged from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ono, Yoji Kanaoka
  • 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: 20140347876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, more particularly for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the headlight lens has a body composed of a transparent material, wherein the body comprises a first light tunnel, which undergoes transition with a first bend into a light-conducting part, wherein the body comprises at least one second light tunnel, which undergoes transition with the second bend into the light-conducting part, wherein the body or the light-conducting part has a first optically active light exit surface for imaging the first bend as a bright-dark boundary, and wherein the body or the light-conducting part has a second optically active light exit surface for imaging the second bend as a bright-dark boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: DOCTER OPTICS SE
    Inventors: Dmitry Fedosik, Wolfram Wintzer
  • Publication number: 20140340923
    Abstract: In an LED2 having a directionality in an emission direction of emitted light, light emitted from a light emitting surface of the LED 2 is refracted by a semi-cylindrical concave lens 3 to be enlarged in the circumference direction of an optical axis of a headlight 1; thus, even when the LED2 is applied to a headlight that is constituted by optical members that are similar to optical members that are compatible with conventional light sources having no directionality, such as an incandescent lamp, a discharge lamp and the like, it can be used as a light source for headlight that is capable of illuminating the right and left directions ahead of a vehicle with a sufficient brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiro Minami, Javier Escobar, Takashi Ohsawa
  • Publication number: 20140334176
    Abstract: A design part installation structure includes a lamp body exposed on a vehicle design surface, an outer panel having an installation section for installing the lamp body and defining the design surface, and a parting line, which includes a curved third parting line segment, is formed between the lamp body and the outer panel. The outer panel has an orthogonal flange portion and an inclined flange portion. The orthogonal flange portion is provided in a section corresponding to the third parting line segment, extends from the installation section toward a vehicle inside, and is orthogonal to a main body. The inclined flange portion is provided in a section corresponding to the third parting line segment, extends from an extending end of the orthogonal flange portion toward the vehicle cabin, and inclines toward the lamp body as a position thereon shifts in the direction from vehicle outside to vehicle inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Kazuki Maeshima
  • Publication number: 20140334175
    Abstract: An LED light unit, in particular for a passenger transportation vehicle, such as an aircraft, a road vehicle, a ship or a rail car, has a support portion a light source having at least one LED, the light source being arranged on the support portion, and a refractive optical element having an inner surface and an outer surface the refractive optical element being attached to the support portion and being arranged over the light source. The refractive optical element has a chamfer portion adjacent the support portion, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface has at least one chamfer surface in the chamfer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Jha, Christian Schoen, Andre Hessling von Heimendahl
  • Publication number: 20140334174
    Abstract: An LED light unit comprises a support portion, a light source having at least one LED, the light source being arranged on the support portion and having a source-side light intensity distribution (LISS), and a refractive optical element having an inner surface and an outer surface, with at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface being non-spherical, the refractive optical element being arranged over the light source and being attached to the support portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Jha, Christian Schoen, Andre Hessling von Heimendahl
  • 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: 20140328075
    Abstract: An optical unit, in particular for an optical module, comprising: at least one first and one second mutually distant luminous sources, at least one convergent multifocal lens, comprising at least one undulated face, the undulated face comprising at least three distinct portions, two of these portions being focused substantially on the first luminous source and the other portion being positioned between these two portions and being focused substantially on the second luminous source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Antoine De Lamberterie, Christophe Dubosc
  • Publication number: 20140327263
    Abstract: An emergency light system for an emergency vehicle. The light system can have a low profile configuration for improved aesthetics and aerodynamics. Further the light system can be configured to allow for customization of the individual emergency lights and/or easy access to the individual emergency lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: American Emergency Vehicles, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Van Arnam, Randy Hanson, Adam Wilson, Steve Dillard
  • Publication number: 20140321146
    Abstract: A headlamp of a vehicle is disclosed having an optical system arranged after a light source in a path of a light beam emitted by the light source. The light beam has a directed main beam and a component of undirected diffused light. A cover screen is arranged parallel to the directed main beam after the optical system. A plate for discharging heat is arranged after the cover screen. A lens cover in combination with the cover screen forms an in travelling direction front cover of the headlamp. The cover screen has an aperture which opens the space between the optical system and the cover screen in the direction of the plate and the optical system includes an optical lens body and the undirected diffused light of the light source substantially radiates through the aperture in the cover screen onto the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Ingolf Schneider
  • Patent number: 8870425
    Abstract: In a lamp body, a second reflective surface, which reflects light reflected from a first reflective surface to a front side again so as to emit the light toward the front side, is formed on a back surface of a lens main body; fixing portions protrude outward from an outer peripheral portion of the lens main body and are fixed to a seating section; the first reflective surface is formed in a shape of a band which extends in one direction and of which both end portions reach the outer peripheral portion of the lens main body; constricted portions, which are recessed inward, are formed at the outer peripheral portion of the lens main body near at least one of the both end portions of the first reflective surface; and the fixing portions are disposed in the constricted portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd, Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Furukawa, Hitoshi Aoki, Koji Fukura, Daisen Kojima, Naoki Akita, Taku Saito, Hidemi Tanaka, Seiji Hasegawa, Kosuke Shiohama
  • Publication number: 20140313760
    Abstract: In a plurality of light source units (20A, 20BL, 20BR), which are of a projector-type vehicular lamp and provided more towards a rear side than the rear side focal point (F) of a projection lens (12), the luminance of a light-emitting element (22A) of the first light source unit (20A) being set to a value higher than the luminance of a light-emitting element (22B) of each of second light source units (20BL, 20BR), so that in a low-beam light distribution pattern formed by the radiated light from the vehicular lamp, an area of high-intensity light is formed with sufficient brightness by the radiated light from the first light source unit (20A), and a diffusion region is formed by the radiated light from the second light source units (20BL, 20BR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki YAGI
  • Publication number: 20140307459
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light module of a lighting equipment of a motor vehicle that includes several separately controllable light sources combined in an array, several primary optics elements in the form of collective lenses, each of which has a light ingress surface and a light emitting surface, that are combined to a primary optics array, wherein the primary optics elements concentrate at least a portion of the light emitted by the light sources and generate intermediate light distributions on the light emitting surfaces, and a secondary optics system for reproducing the emitted light on a road in front of a motor vehicle as resulting total light distribution of the light module. The secondary optics system for reproducing the intermediate light distributions as resulting total light distribution of the light module is focused on at least one of the light-emitting surfaces of the collective lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Matthias Brendle, Emil P. Stefanov, Armin Austerschulte, Hubert Zwick, Hermann Kellermann
  • Patent number: 8860061
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device, a method for manufacturing the same and a vehicle headlight can include the light-emitting device, which is composed of a light-emitting structure including a transparent plate, at least one semiconductor light-emitting chip and a wavelength converting layer between the transparent plate and the light-emitting chip to emit various colored lights including white light. The light-emitting device can also include a mounting board mounting the light-emitting structure and a frame thereon, a reflective material disposed between the frame and the light-emitting structure and the transparent material located on the reflective material to prevent an occurrence of oil-bleeding phenomenon. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide the light-emitting device having a high reliability for the vehicle headlight and the like, which can be maintained at a high quality even when they have been used for a long time under harsh conditions, and methods of manufacturing such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kotani
  • Publication number: 20140301100
    Abstract: An optical device for a motor vehicle, notably a lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle, comprising a surface light source, wherein the device comprises a light beam shaping member which deflects first light rays of the beam emitted by one face of the surface light source, this member not deflecting second light rays of the beam emitted by the same face of the surface light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Publication number: 20140301101
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a center high mounted stop lamp for a vehicle, such as a four- or two or three-wheeled motor vehicle, which makes a vehicle behind aware of its approach to a vehicle ahead in accordance with an actuation of the latter's brake system. In particular, it relates to a multifunctional multiple color center high mounted stop lamp for mounting in the interior or exterior of the vehicle, which includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit different colors through a single optical lens. This present invention enhances the safety of the vehicle by combining the advantages of a center high mounted stop lamp with the advantages of a hazard warning/signaling device. Combining these advantages into the multifunctional multiple color center high mounted stop lamp cooperate to increase overall vehicle safety and creates a synergistic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Mr. Derek Terrell Russ
  • Publication number: 20140301102
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-array LED chip for embodying a cut-off line, and the multi-array LED chip includes: a plurality of LED modules which emits light; and at least one low beam LED module which emits light, in which the LED module and the low beam LED module are disposed to match a cut-off line, and the LED module and the low beam LED module are individually turned on and off such that a low beam is emitted. Accordingly, a direct type of light is emitted, and thus a low beam, which complies with regulations regarding the cut-off line, is embodied, and light efficiency does not deteriorate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Seong Yeon HAN
  • Patent number: 8851721
    Abstract: The optics system is a lamp assembly which produces the desired beam pattern by using a reflector, a lens, a retainer lens, and an LED as a light source. The lamp assembly has three main components (the reflector, the lens, and the retainer lens) that maintain proper alignment between the light source and the reflector, the lens, and the retainer lens. The optical system collects substantially 100% of the light from the light source while effectively shaping the beam pattern using both cylindrical and revolved reflector elements. The lens has a saddle-shape which is used with the surface of a revolution to eliminate any “dogbone” light pattern shape. The use of a reflective element forms the foreground of the beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Magna International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Owen Woodward
  • Publication number: 20140293636
    Abstract: A structure for assembling a vehicle interior lighting, comprises a lens, a socket, a cover fitted to the socket, a first regulation portion configured by one side of the fitted cover or the fitted socket that is located on a front side in the insertion direction and a part of the lens, the first regulation portion regulating forward movement of the cover or the socket in the insertion direction; and a second regulation portion configured by another side of the fitted cover or the fitted socket that is located on a rear side in the insertion direction and a part of the lens, the second regulation portion regulating backward movement of the cover or the socket in the insertion direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuo SUZUKI, Hideki YAMANAKA
  • Publication number: 20140286032
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle headlight having at least one light source arrangement comprising a laser, and having a headlight lens comprising a body composed of a transparent material, wherein the body comprises at least one light tunnel and a light-conducting part having at least one optically active light exit surface, wherein the light tunnel comprises at least one, more particularly optically active, light entrance surface and undergoes transition with a bend into the light-conducting part for the purpose of imaging the bend as a bright-dark boundary by means of light coupled or radiated from the light source arrangement into the light entrance surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Doctor Optics SE
    Inventors: Dmitry Fedosik, Woldfram Wintzer, Jens Fischer
  • Patent number: 8840270
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the luminaire (1), it includes at least one optoelectronic semiconductor device (4) and at least one primary optical unit (11) which is disposed downstream of the semiconductor device (4) and is spaced apart therefrom. Furthermore, the luminaire (1) comprises a secondary optical unit (22) and/or a tertiary optical unit (33) which is/are disposed downstream of the primary optical unit (11). A proportion of at least 30% of radiation emitted by the semiconductor device (4) passes to the secondary optical unit (22) and/or to the tertiary optical unit (33). Furthermore, the secondary optical unit (22) and/or the tertiary optical unit (33) is/are arranged for small-angle scattering of the radiation emitted by the semiconductor device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Schwalenberg, Peter Brick, Julius Muschaweck
  • Publication number: 20140268852
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a main lighting control sensor, a body, a housing, an outer lens, and main and expressive lighting assemblies. The sensor generates an output signal in response to a detected vehicle condition such as braking or headlight activation. The lens defines a cavity in conjunction with the housing. The main lighting assembly is positioned within the cavity, and illuminates in response to the output signal. An expressive lighting assembly positioned within the cavity includes clear transparent plates arranged in a stack, with LEDs arranged in multiple rows and columns on a major surface of each plate. Wire arrays connect the LEDs to a control board. The control board receives an activation signal from a device, e.g., a fob, and individually addresses the LEDs to command illumination of the LEDs according to a calibrated LED illumination sequence. A controller may be used for downloading sequences as applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Foley, Randal G. Maes, Matthew J Michal, Kenneth V. Hollewa
  • Publication number: 20140268853
    Abstract: A signal assembly is provided that includes a chamber defined by isotropically luminant back and side surfaces, and a front surface having a lens and a diffuser. The signal assembly also includes LED light sources having a beam angle ?70° coupled to the back surface. The back and front surfaces are separated by a depth, and each source is located at a spacing from the other sources?the depth divided by a predetermined factor. The predetermined factor may be set to approximately 2.5 or 2.0 when the divergence angle of the diffuser is ?20° or ?30°, respectively. The signal assembly and its components can be configured to operate as a vehicular signal lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Arun Kumar, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Martin David Witte, Richard Joseph Michaels, III
  • Publication number: 20140267975
    Abstract: A message board lighting fixture has semiconductor based lighting elements for illumination and an integrated electronic message board display for displaying content to occupants of a transit vehicle or other area. The lighting fixture may include a concave fixture frame having a reflective interior, with lighting elements positioned along the length of the frame to provide area illumination. The electronic display may be mounted on a projecting frame substantially centrally within the cavity of the concave fixture frame, and may be augmented with additional semiconductor based lighting elements for backlighting. A detachable lens cover may have a diffusive portion and a separate transparent region over the electronic display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ying, Jerry Lin, Yongchang Wang
  • Publication number: 20140268837
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp system includes a headlamp assembly having a light source and a beam pattern panel. The beam pattern panel includes one or more regions capable of changing between opaque and transparent light-transmission states to selectively allow light from the light source to pass through the panel. The panel may be an LCD panel with a plurality of liquid crystal elements arranged in an array with the ability to provide a plurality of different beam patterns. The beam pattern may be determined and changed in real time based on information received at a system processor about one or more vehicle and/or road conditions. The headlamp system can direct a projected light beam into a curve in the road ahead and/or automatically change the direction of the projected beam to avoid shining light directly at oncoming drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Simchak, Xiaolu Chen, John Dominick
  • Publication number: 20140268854
    Abstract: A configurable lamp assembly has a set of lamp-lens modules and a set of power modules. Each of the various lamp-lens modules can connect to one of the various power modules to provide a variety of lamp assemblies providing various illumination patterns operable from a number of supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Dean Andrew Wilkinson, Nathan Howard Calvin
  • Publication number: 20140268855
    Abstract: A multifunction lighthead for mounting to a vehicle includes several groups of LEDs arranged to provide distinct light emission patterns. Each group of LEDs and associated optics are selected and positioned to produce light emission patterns needed to meet lighting standards applicable to the vehicle. Such standards may require wide angle light emission, which is enhanced by supporting groups of LEDs that project away from the vehicle body, enhancing visibility of the lighthead from directions close to a plane defined by the body panel. The projecting support for the LEDs and optics for a wide angle light emission pattern may be employed to support LEDs arranged for ground illumination. Other groups of LEDs in the same lighthead may be arranged with optics to provide area illumination in support of arrest, search, triage or other emergency functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Gerardo
  • Patent number: 8820991
    Abstract: A lighting and/or signalling device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one light source (S) emitting a light beam and at least one optical guide (G) within which the light beam propagates, the optical guide comprising: a first face forming an exit face (FS) for the light beam, a second face forming a face (FR) for reflecting the light beam, and a screen (ED) disposed facing the reflection face (FR) of the light guide (G) and comprising an orientation means redirecting light rays escaping from the guide at the reflection face, so as to return them, at least partially, into the guide, the orientation means comprising catadioptric reflecting patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Vincent Godbillon, Fabrice Mairet, Fabien Sergent
  • Publication number: 20140233254
    Abstract: A lighting and/or signaling unit comprising a pair of light sources both cooperating with an optical element in such a way as to form two output light beams, depending on the desired lighting function. The output diopter, notably formed by elliptical portions, is adapted to accommodate the generation of beams from two sources spaced apart. Applicable to the motor vehicle industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud
  • Patent number: 8807809
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles with a plurality of light sources arranged like a matrix in a light generation level, with a light forming optic unit arranged in front of the light sources in a primary direction of emission, and with another optic unit arranged between the light forming optic unit and the light sources, comprising a plurality of optic elements, with the optic elements being arranged like a matrix and one optic element each being allocated to a light source, with the additional optic unit being embodied as a widening optic unit with a plurality of band reflector segments arranged intersecting to form polygonal reflectors as optic elements and with a plurality of light forming elements, which are arranged like a matrix corresponding to the light sources and arranged between the light sources and the polygonal reflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hella KGaA
    Inventor: Gerhard Kloos
  • Publication number: 20140226352
    Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle includes one or more lighting units, herein during operation a respective lighting unit generates a point-shaped light source via laser light. In addition, optical device is configured and arranged with respect to the lighting unit or lighting units in such a way that a predetermined distribution of light composed of the light of the point-shaped light source is generated after it passes through the optical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut ERDL, Abdelmalek HANAFI
  • Publication number: 20140226355
    Abstract: An optical module DE for a lighting and/or signaling device of a vehicle, comprising at least one light source capable of generating a light beam, a cooling device capable of dissipating heat and a device for focusing the light beam, characterized in that the focusing device is borne directly by the cooling device. Application to motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan Blandin, Eric Mornet, Magdalena Perez
  • Patent number: 8801249
    Abstract: A transformation optic arrangement for vehicles to convert a planar light distribution into an angular light distribution with a plurality of light sources arranged in one level like a matrix to generate the planar light distribution and with an optic unit arranged in front of the light sources in a primary direction of emission to deflect the light, with the optic unit comprising at least one first lens, with at least one additional lens being provided between the first lens and the light sources, arranged coaxially in reference to the z-axis extending in the primary direction of emission and distanced from the first lens, and that the first lens and at least one additional lens each show non-spherically shaped coupling surfaces and decoupling surfaces as flat sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: HELLA KGaA
    Inventor: Gerhard Kloos
  • Publication number: 20140198515
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided with a housing adapted to be mounted to a vehicle exterior. A mirror is mounted in the housing. A plurality of light assemblies is oriented upon the housing for collectively illuminating a thoroughfare adjacent to the vehicle exterior. A vehicle is also provided with a vehicle body with an exterior. The vehicle mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pamela J. Tulio, Michael Kevin Martin, David Burgess, Gregory Czinder, Darrell Commans, Gregory Huizen, Douglas Wilson, Nicholas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140185311
    Abstract: Systems for indicating visibility of a blind spot to a driver are provided. In some embodiments, the systems comprise: a housing; a mirror coupled to the housing, wherein the mirror is adjustable in at least a horizontal direction with respect to the housing; and a directional light source rigidly coupled to the housing such that a direction of the light source is substantially parallel to at least a portion of a typical driver's blind spot during operation of a vehicle to which the side mirror assembly is coupled, wherein the direction of the light source is angled with respect to the housing such that light emitted by the light source is reflected by the mirror into a passenger compartment of the vehicle to which the side mirror assembly is coupled in at least two positions of the mirror separated by at least ten degrees of horizontal rotation of the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Shahriar Mokhtari Sharghi
  • Patent number: 8764258
    Abstract: An inner lens for use in a vehicle light can be configured to sufficiently enhance aesthetic features, decorative features, unpredictable features, etc., without adversely affecting the formation of the main light distribution. The inner lens can include a main body portion having a main surface that faces towards the reflecting surface of the reflector, and a plurality of independent convex projections formed on the main surface of the main body portion at an area corresponding to the reflecting surface. The light emitted from the light source and that reaches the projections can enter the projections and the main body portion and then be reflected and/or refracted by the projections and the main body portion so as to be directed to a direction diagonally forward of the vehicle light as light that does not contribute to the formation of the main light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Watanabe, Hiroshi Miura
  • Publication number: 20140177256
    Abstract: A headlight for a vehicle has a housing and a headlight lens which together close off an interior space of the headlight. The headlight has at least one support rib which is positioned outside of the interior space and is connected to the headlight lens, wherein a support element is present on the support rib, and has at least one support segment, wherein a component of the vehicle chassis can be supported on said support segment, and wherein the support segment can slide relative to the support rib along a buffer path on the support rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Hans-Christian Schall
  • Publication number: 20140153276
    Abstract: A light emitting device can include a base portion including a surface, a back surface, and a first through hole penetrating the surface and the back surface. A light-transmitting member can be fixed to the surface so as to cover the first through hole. A semiconductor light emitting element can emit light to pass through the first through hole and for irradiating the light-transmitting member. An optical system can be provided for condensing the light from the semiconductor light emitting element and locally irradiating the light-transmitting member with the light. A foil body can be provided and can include a second through hole for light emitted from the light-transmitting member to pass through and has elasticity. The light-transmitting member can be sandwiched between the foil body around the second through hole and the base portion with part of the light-transmitting member exposed from the second through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiko Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20140153274
    Abstract: At least a part of light emitted from a light source fixed to a heat sink 11 passes through a projection lens 14. A first screw 81 having a first manipulation portion 81a and a second screw 91 having a second manipulation portion 91a extend through the heat sink 11. A reference position of an optical axis Ax is adjusted in a first direction by manipulating the first manipulation portion 81a. The reference position of the optical axis Ax is adjusted in a second direction intersecting the first direction by manipulating the second manipulation portion 91a. Of the heat sink 11, at least a portion in which the first manipulation portion 81a and the second manipulation portion 91a are disposed, is disposed outside the housing 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Shibata, Takashi Inoue, Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Publication number: 20140146557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a lighting device (4-7), which is combined with a noise-output device, and having an electrical drive device. In order to optimize a motor vehicle having a lighting device, which is combined with a noise output device, and having an electrical drive device in respect of the installation space required for the noise output device, at least one diffusing lens of the lighting device (4) is designed as a sound-emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Dums
  • Patent number: 8733992
    Abstract: A fog lamp for a vehicle is disclosed. Light leaving an LED is collected by a refractive/TIR lens. The central portion of the refractive/TIR lens is purely refractive, while the peripheral portion of the lens includes a total internal reflection off an exterior surface of the lens. The refractive/TIR lens converges the light to a focus at or near a laterally-elongated aperture in a light baffle. Light exiting the aperture diverges and passes through an anamorphic lens, which reduces the angular extent of the beam in the vertical direction and increases the angular extent in the lateral direction. The full fog lamp may include multiple pairs of LEDs and respective refractive/TIR lenses, all arranged coplanar, parallel and laterally adjacent to each other. The LED/lens pairs may all direct light through a single light baffle and through a single anamorphic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam L. Bushre
  • Publication number: 20140133170
    Abstract: A supplemental vehicle lighting system that is responsive to a trailer backup assist system is provided. The system includes a rear vehicle fixture defining a keylock hole customarily used in conjunction with a corresponding keylock cylinder. A light assembly is provided in the place of a keylock cylinder and operably coupled to the keylock hole. The light assembly includes a housing having a barrel that is concentrically aligned with the keylock hole and includes a distal end and a proximal end. A lighting device is disposed inside the housing and operable to emit light through the barrel beginning from the proximal end. A lens is coupled to the distal end of the barrel and is disposed to at least partially coincide with the keylock hole, wherein the lens is configured to disperse light emitted from the lighting device to illuminate a rear vehicle area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Chad Clement, Udayakumar Ramasami
  • Patent number: 8714795
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp has a focused-beam lamp unit, and a diffused-beam lamp unit. The focused-beam lamp unit has a first semiconductor light emitting device having a first rectangular light emitting surface, and a first optical member that projects light from the first semiconductor light emitting device to form a focused beam pattern. The diffused-beam lamp unit has a second semiconductor light emitting device having a second rectangular light emitting surface, and a second optical member that projects light from the second semiconductor light emitting device to form a diffused beam pattern, the diffused beam pattern being wider than the focused beam pattern in a direction along a vertical line in front a vehicle on which the vehicle headlamp is mounted. The focused-beam lamp unit and the diffused-beam lamp unit are arranged to form a light distribution pattern by combining the focused beam pattern and the diffused beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Uchida
  • Publication number: 20140112014
    Abstract: An LED-based lighting unit for retrofitting a fluorescent light fixture in a transit vehicle has a concave frame or structure conforming to the shape of the fluorescent lighting fixture cavity, connector pins on either end of the frame for secure attachment to sockets of the fluorescent fixture, a plurality of LED modules for illuminating an area of a transit vehicle, a power adapter for receiving and converting an input power supply signal, and a diffusive lens cover. The frame may have rear fins or other features for facilitating dissipation of heat generated by the LEDs. A controller adjusts the intensity of the LEDs based on a reading from a temperature sensor and on a manual brightness setting. The change in light output may be accomplished by reducing a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (PWM) waveform supplying the LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Jerry Lin, Yongchang Wang
  • Patent number: 8702287
    Abstract: A lighting fixture can include a light source, and a lens body including an incident face through which light emitted from the light source enters the lens body, an exit face, and a reflecting face configured to reflect light which has entered the lens body from the incident face such that the reflected light is emitted from the exit face to form a predetermined light distribution pattern having a boundary line between light and dark. The reflecting face can include a first reflecting region configured to reflect light with a reference wavelength which has entered the incident face perpendicularly with respect to the incident face. A second reflecting region can be configured to reflect light with a wavelength longer than the reference wavelength. A third reflecting region can be configured to reflect light with a wavelength shorter than the reference wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Ohno
  • Patent number: 8702288
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes an array of light sources mounted in a generally planar base. An optical element includes a first surface having a first optical design and a second surface having second optical design. The second optical design includes a wedge having a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall that converges with the first wedge wall. The second wedge wall extends at an angle to the first wedge wall. A bezel surrounds the base and the optical element, and an outer lens is positioned adjacent the outside surface of the optical element. The optical element is between the base and the outer lens, and the outer lens has an inner surface including an optical design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Brown
  • Patent number: 8696180
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a semiconductor light emitting device arranged to face toward a front of the vehicle lamp, a first optical member disposed in front of the semiconductor light emitting device, and a second optical member disposed in front of the first optical member. The first optical member comprises a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is configured to internally reflect light from the semiconductor light emitting device toward the back surface. The back surface is configured to internally reflect the light reflected by the front surface back toward the front surface such that the light exits the first optical member from the front surface. The second optical member is disposed directly in front of the front surface of the first optical member and diffuses the light from the first optical member to form a light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Naoki Uchida
  • Publication number: 20140092616
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided which includes a toroidal lens 30 which extends into an arc shape so as to surround a light source 20 from a front side thereof. By adopting this configuration, light emitted from the light source 20 is allowed to emanate from the toroidal lens 30 as it is as diffuse light in a horizontal plane in which the toroidal lens 30 extends, while the light is allowed to emanate from the toroidal lens 30 as parallel light in a vertical plane. Furthermore, a front surface 30Aa of a central portion 30A of the toroidal lens 30 in the direction in which the toroidal lens 30 extends into the arc shape is formed so as to be displaced rearwards relative to an imaginary extensional plane C1 from front surfaces 30Ba of general portions 30B which are situated at both sides of the central portion 30A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi MOTOMURA