Refractor Structure Patents (Class 362/520)
  • Publication number: 20140092619
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Adam L. Bushre
  • Patent number: 8678628
    Abstract: A vehicle light using a projection lens of a novel appearance can provide a feeling of solidness as compared to a simple spherical shape. The vehicle light can include a projection lens having an optical axis and a plurality of separate lens portions divided in a radial pattern with respect to the optical axis of the projection lens. The separate lens portions can have respective light exiting surfaces of different curvatures, and respective light incident surfaces, the shapes of which are determined such that the separate lens portions have the same thickness and the same focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Publication number: 20140071706
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a projection lens, a two-dimensional image forming device located on or in the vicinity of a rear focal point of the projection lens, and including a plurality optical elements which are arranged in a matrix shape and individually driven and a projection plane that is formed by the plurality optical elements, a light source configured to irradiate the projection plane of the two-dimensional image forming device with light, and a dimming part provided between the optical elements and the projection lens and configured to reduce light directed to the projection lens from the optical elements arranged on an end portion of the projection plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yagi, Satoshi Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20140063833
    Abstract: A lamp for a vehicle, and more particularly, a lamp for a vehicle capable of forming a suitable light irradiation pattern and improving chromatic aberration so as to prevent light blindness is provided. In particular, the lamp includes a light source unit including at least one light source, a shield unit configured to block a part of the light irradiated from the light source unit by one or more light blocking portions formed to have an outer circumferential end (curved end) toward an optical axis of the light source unit, and a lens unit configured to irradiate the light passing through the shield unit to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SL Corporation
    Inventor: Ki Beom Park
  • Patent number: 8651718
    Abstract: A vehicle light fitting unit includes two headlights which irradiate a low beam. The two headlights can each include a light emitting element, an elliptical series reflecting surface provided in a state where a first focal position is positioned near the light emitting element and a second focal position is positioned on an optical axis of the headlight, and a projecting lens provided so that a focal position on a rear side of the light irradiating direction is near the second focal position. Only a first headlight among the two headlights includes a light shielding member. The elliptical series reflecting surface of a second headlight is positioned so that the first focal position is positioned to the front of the light irradiating direction than the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yamagata
  • Patent number: 8651716
    Abstract: A lighting module having a flat light emitter, a reflector (R1) determined so as to create, in a plane comprising the emitter, a hot spot (S) limited by a control curve (A) contained in the plane comprising the first emitter and constituting the front or rear edge of the spot and a lens (L) determined and arranged with the reflector so as to form the first cutoff beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Vanesa Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20140029286
    Abstract: An interior lamp includes a design portion and a function portion. A circuit board is attached to the function portion. A light source is mounted on the circuit board. Terminals are mounted on a side portion of the circuit board. A connector is disposed on a side portion of the function portion. Connector terminals are provided on the connector. A switch has a switch knob and a switch body. The switch knob is attached to a side portion of the design portion. The switch body is attached to the side portion of the function portion. The switch knob and the switch body are operated in an interlocked manner to perform electrical connection between the terminals and the connector terminals selectively so as to perform a tuning on or off of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Suzuki, Yuta Masuda
  • Patent number: 8636397
    Abstract: There is presented a vehicle headlamp with an imaging optics that is designed to project, as light/dark boundary, into the area in front of the vehicle headlamp, an edge that delimits a light flux of a light source of the vehicle headlamp, a boundary surface of a component of the imaging optics, through which the light flux penetrates, having an overhead element in the form of a local deformation of the boundary surface having a prismatic effect by means of which the light is deflected into an overhead area lying over the light/dark boundary. The vehicle headlamp is distinguished by the fact that the boundary surface has more than one hundred overhead elements distributed discretely over the boundary surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Kiesel
  • Patent number: 8628226
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp unit has a plurality of projection lenses configured to project light from at least one light source. The plurality of projection lenses is configured and arranged such that each of the projection lenses includes an outer peripheral portion that faces and extends along the outer peripheral portion of an adjacent one of the projection lenses. The outer peripheral portion of each of the projection lenses touches or lies close to the outer peripheral portion of the adjacent one of the projection lenses such that light emitting areas of the plurality of projection lenses as a whole are visually recognized as a single light emitting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Nobutaka Tezuka
  • Publication number: 20140009953
    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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko ONO, Yoji KANAOKA
  • Publication number: 20140003079
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing a lens for motor vehicle lighting modules, the method being intended to generate on the output surface (104) of said lens (100) microstructures formed by level differences situated on said output surface (104), the method including the following steps of forming a meshing on the output surface of said lens such that each mesh has similar dimensions, and generating in each mesh a microstructure formed by an output surface level difference, each level difference having a profile that varies as a function of the position of the mesh on the output surface of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Antoine de Lamberterie, Julien Muller
  • Patent number: 8602617
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an optical module intended to equip a lighting and/or a signaling device for a motor vehicle, the said optical module comprising at least one reflector associated with at least one light source. The said optical module comprises at least one optical element disposed at the front of the light source and able to deviate rays directly emitted by the source and/or emitted by the source and then reflected by the reflector, the deviation of the rays comprising at least one step of total reflection of the said rays in the said optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Javier Cabrera Godoy
  • Publication number: 20130322106
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular lamp that includes a lamp body, an exterior lens configured to define a lamp chamber between the lamp body and the exterior lens, and a vibration device fixed to a component of the vehicular lamp and configured to be vibrated by receiving an electric signal to cause the component to generate a sound. The vibration device includes a housing fixed to the component of the lamp, an electric circuit provided in the housing, a vibration body vibrated when the electric signal is input to the electric circuit, and a device connector to which an external connector is connected to input the electric signal to the electric circuit. In particular, the device connector is integrally provided in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki TATARA
  • Patent number: 8596843
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to control light distribution so that light is distributed to a predetermined point while a light distribution pattern for overhead is transversely spread. The present invention includes a discharge lamp, a reflector, a projection lens, a shade, and a reflection member. At a window portion of the shade, edges, are provided for forming cutoff lines CL1, CL2, and CL3. The reflection member is disposed between the projection lens and the shade. At the reflection member, recessed reflection surfaces are provided for transversely spreading a light distribution pattern OSP for overhead sign. As a result, the present invention is capable of controlling light distribution so that light is distributed to a predetermined point in a state in which the light distribution pattern OSP for overhead sign is transversely spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Murakawa
  • Patent number: 8596841
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a lens disposed on an optical axis of the vehicle lamp, the optical axis extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle lamp, the lens comprising a first concave lens portion; a plurality of light emitting elements disposed to a rear side of the lens and around the optical axis at regular intervals in a circumferential direction, the plurality of light emitting elements comprising at least one first light emitting element disposed to a rear side of the first concave lens portion; at least one first reflector corresponding to the at least one first light emitting element and disposed between the corresponding first light emitting element and the optical axis, wherein the first reflector comprises a first reflecting surface which reflects light from the corresponding first light emitting element toward the first concave lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yagi, Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8591083
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes: a light-emitting element arranged face forward; and a translucent member arranged to cover the light-emitting element from its front side. The member has a horizontally oblong shape in a front view, and includes: a direct light control portion located near the optical axis and directly emitting light forward from a front surface of the member; reflected light control portions located both sides of the direct light control portion and internally reflecting the entered light on a rear surface of the member to form substantially parallel light directed forward and emitting the light forward from the front surface; and a curved-surface light incident area formed on the rear surface to allow light from the light-emitting element to enter as substantially parallel light with respect to a cross section parallel to the axis and a longitudinal direction of the member in the direction perpendicular to the cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Koizumi, Kazunori Natsume
  • Publication number: 20130294102
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp fitting comprises a semiconductor light source and a lens adapted to radiate light from the semiconductor light source with both a main light distribution pattern and an overhead sign light distribution pattern. The lens includes a first surface of incidence adapted to form the main light distribution pattern, and a second surface of incidence adapted to form the overhead sign light distribution pattern. The second surface of incidence is located further to a side of the lens adjacent to the semiconductor light source than an imaginary first surface of incidence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Kazunori Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8562191
    Abstract: A vehicle light can project light beams through ring-shaped or arc-shaped light exiting surfaces, and among them the outermost and innermost light exiting surfaces are brighter than the others. The vehicle light can include a light emitting element having an optical axis and a light guide lens having an incidence surface on which light beams from the light emitting element at a certain angle (?4 to ?5) impinge, reflection surfaces reflecting the light beams so that the light beams are parallel to each other, and light exiting surfaces configured to allow the reflected light beams to pass therethrough. In this vehicle light, light beams emitted at a certain angle (?4 to ?4a where ?4<?4a<?5) can be projected through the farthest light exiting surface from the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Okada, Takuya Matsumaru
  • Patent number: 8556479
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting fitting can include a housing including an opening end portion, a lens, an outer peripheral portion of which is laser-welded to the opening end portion to define a lighting chamber, and a decorative member disposed in the lighting chamber. The resin decorative member can include an outer peripheral portion on which a joint portion and a non-joint portion are alternately formed along a perimeter thereof, wherein the joint portion of the decorative member and the opening end portion of the housing are laser-welded in a state in which clearances are maintained between the non-joint portion of the decorative member and the housing, and between the lens and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Hokoda, Yoshihiro Zaitsu, Tatsuya Umeyama, Takashi Akabane
  • Patent number: 8556482
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a headlamp lens (2) for a vehicle headlamp, in particular for a motor-vehicle headlamp (1), wherein the headlamp lens (2) comprises a transparent body (3) with an optically effective surface (5), which is in particular substantially planar and can be turned towards a light source (10), and an optically effective surface (4), which is in particular convex and can be turned away from the light source (10), wherein the gradient of a light-dark boundary (25) projected by the headlamp lens (2) or a further headlamp lens is measured, and wherein a light diffusing structure (35) is produced in the transparent body (3) in accordance with the measured gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Docter Optics SE
    Inventor: Jens Fischer
  • Patent number: 8556471
    Abstract: A lighting module may include a light source; a lens arranged at a distance from the light source; and a reflector; wherein the lens is configured and arranged to have a wide-angle emission characteristic and to direct a proportion of the light incident from the light source onto the reflector, wherein the proportion is at least 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Monika Pahlke, Katrin Schroll, Hartmut Billy, Julius Augustin Muschaweck
  • Publication number: 20130265791
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly comprising a light chamber secured to a vehicle member. The chamber includes a partially transmissive lens and an interior. The interior includes a plurality of isotropically luminant surfaces and a substantially reflective surface. Further, the vehicle light assembly includes a light source arranged within the light chamber, and the light source is substantially oriented to emanate light that initially strikes the substantially reflective surface, propagates within the chamber along the isotropically luminant surfaces, and exits the chamber through the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Anthony Nicholas Aquilina, Arun Kumar, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Sleiman N. Abdelnour
  • Patent number: 8550676
    Abstract: A vehicle light can include a light emitting diode (LED) serving as a light source and an optical system for controlling a light distribution pattern of the light beams from the LED light source utilizing a light guide (such as a lens body having an inner reflecting surface). The vehicle light can project illumination light with a low beam light distribution pattern. The vehicle light can include an LED light source and a lens body serving as a light guide. The lens body can include a light incident surface, a reflecting surface, and a light exiting surface. The LED light source can have a rearmost end light emitting point from which light beams are emitted to form a bright-dark boundary line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ohno, Ryotaro Owada, Norikatsu Myojin, Mitsuo Yamada, Yasushi Kita, Satoshi Sakai
  • Publication number: 20130258698
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a light emitting portion, a lamp body configured to accommodate therein the light emitting portion having an elongated shape, and a transparent cover configured to cover an opening portion in the lamp body. The transparent cover includes a main light exit surface portion positioned in front of the light emitting portion, an auxiliary light exit surface portion inclined with respect to the main light exit surface portion, the auxiliary light exit surface having a fixing portion configured to fix the transparent cover and the lamp body together, and a light diffusive portion formed on at least the periphery of a portion of the auxiliary light exit surface portion where the fixing portion is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junichi Saito
  • Publication number: 20130250598
    Abstract: A novel vehicular light fixture (10) is disclosed. The light fixture (10) is compact, yet efficient, and employs semiconductor light sources (44) to produce output light in desired patterns. The fixture (10) can be used to produce fog lamps, driving lamps and other non-headlamp vehicle lighting functions. Depending upon the light output required, one or more semiconductor light sources (44) and a corresponding number of optical bodies (64) are employed in the fixture (10) to produce the desired light pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, James R. McFadden, Ronald O. Woodward, Ronald G. Hare
  • Publication number: 20130250599
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight of a small projector type can provide a favorable light distribution for an overhead sign area along with a light distribution used as a low beam. The headlight can include a semiconductor light source and a projector lens including first, second and third light-emitting surfaces. The headlight can project light having high brightness underneath a horizontal cut-off line while projecting other light in the downward direction using the first and third light-emitting surfaces. Additionally, the headlight can be configured to illuminate light having small chromatic aberration toward the overhead sign area using the second light-emitting surface located between the first and third light-emitting surfaces. Thus, the headlight can provide a favorable light distribution pattern used as a low beam and a favorable light distribution pattern for the overhead sign area using the light that color separation is inhibited so as to conform to a vehicular standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryotaro Owada
  • Patent number: 8529109
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit which emits light parallel to an optical axis in a front direction can include a light source which emits light obliquely to an optical axis in the front direction and a light guiding body which guides the light emitted from the light source so as to emit the light. The light guiding body can include an incidence surface disposed to face the light source with a gap in between, the incidence surface through which the light emitted from the light source enters the light guiding body, a front surface having an exit surface and a first reflection surface, and a back surface having a second reflection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Ohno
  • Publication number: 20130229818
    Abstract: A metal mold forming method for an indoor illuminating lamp lens for a motor vehicle using a metal mold having a cavity having a form of the indoor illuminating lamp lens to be provided with an entire surface as a designed part, the indoor illuminating lamp lens having a prescribed thickness and a rib in a back surface thereof, comprises providing a gate to the rib and the thickness, injecting a molten resin into the cavity of the metal mold from the gate, separating the rib from the gate by inserting a cut pin having a same width as a width of the gate into the rib and the gate at a root of the gate after the step of injecting is completed, and taking out the lens from the metal mold by moving the cut pin backward after the step of separating is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Haruhito Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 8517582
    Abstract: A headlight lens is provided for a vehicle headlight. The headlight lens includes a lens body and a lens edge. The lens body has an operative surface that extends beyond the lens edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Docter Optics SE
    Inventors: Klaus Erward, Franz Sykura
  • Publication number: 20130215633
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a lamp housing, a primary lamp unit, and an auxiliary lamp unit. The primary lamp unit and the auxiliary lamp unit are provided within the lamp housing. The auxiliary lamp unit includes a first lighting device, a second lighting device and a supplemental lighting device. The first lighting device is configured to illuminate a portion of the lamp housing in a first direction and the second lighting device is configured to illuminate a portion of the lamp housing in a second direction. The supplemental lighting device is positioned in the lamp housing at an intersection of the first and second directions to provide a uniform lit appearance at a transition of the first lighting device and the second lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Roger Wuerthele, Jeremy Sasena, Michael Douglas Van Hoef
  • Patent number: 8506145
    Abstract: A method using lens imaging to control hotspots of a vehicle light has steps of providing the area light source having a first shape and a first size, mounting the lens in front of the area light source, choosing a focal length between the area light source and the lens, and determining an angle of view ? using the first size of the area light source and the focal length of the lens and generating a hotspot of the vehicle light having the first size and a size range. By changing the height of the area light source and the focal length of the lens, an angle of view formed by light emitted from the area light source and passing through the lens is adjustable. Accordingly, a range of hotspots of the vehicle light is controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Optronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ren-Cheng Chao
  • Patent number: 8506144
    Abstract: The invention provides a car lighting unit (1) comprising a reflector (10) and a light source (20) arranged to generate light (21). The reflector (10) circumferentially surrounds the light source and the reflector has a reflector opening (11). The reflector is arranged to reflect at least part of the light from the light source through the reflector opening. The car lighting unit further comprises a 3D hologram (30). The car lighting unit is constructed to generate a beam of light (22) and a holographic 3D image (31), using light from the light source (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Lingli Wang, Augustinus Gregorius Henricus Meijers, Nils Benter, Ludo Haenen, Matthias Daniel Epmeier
  • Publication number: 20130188381
    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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130170244
    Abstract: An optical module of a lighting and/or signaling device of a motor vehicle In one embodiment, the optical module comprises a support that supports an optical lens and a heat exchanger, with the support connecting the optical lens to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Christophe Thullier, Vincent Biarne, Thomas Cannone
  • Patent number: 8475019
    Abstract: The present invention is an optic used for producing a desired beam pattern having a body portion having a height and a thickness, and at least one sidewall profile, as well as an input port for receiving light from a light source. The optic of the present invention also includes an output surface formed as part of the body portion on the opposite side of the body portion in relation to the input port, at least one leg portion formed as part of the body portion, and at least one alignment feature formed as part of the at least one leg portion, the at least one alignment feature for controlling the alignment of the optic in relation to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20130163269
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor-type light source 2, a lens 35, a heat sink member 4, a light control member 6, a driving member 7, and a cover member 8. The cover member 8 is fixed to a fixing surface of the heat sink member 4 such a manner as to be integrated with the semiconductor-type light source 2. The light control member 6 is mounted to the cover member 8 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 reducing dispersion in relative position between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the light control member 6, and reducing dispersion between a light distribution pattern for low beam LP and a light distribution pattern for high beam HP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130163268
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor-type light source 2, a lens 35, an optical control member 6, and a driving member 7. The light control member 6 is made of a light transmission portion 61 and a mount portion 62 that has an opening portion 66. 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, and in particular, there can hardly occur a case in which the amount of light becomes insufficient in a part of the light distribution pattern for high beam HP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130163267
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
  • Patent number: 8465186
    Abstract: A moisture resistant housing assembly is provided, the housing defining an internal space and an ambient space surrounding said internal space, the housing constructed at least partially of a polymeric material and a moisture barrier layer covering a portion of the polymeric material, the moisture barrier layer having a moisture permeation coefficient that is lower than the moisture permeation coefficient of the polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris S. Michalak, Dave DeGuiseppi
  • Patent number: 8459848
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly having a mechanism for reducing water based contamination is disclosed. The mechanism includes a lens assembly having an outer lens and an inner lens. A heating element may be disposed between the inner and outer lenses. Alternatively, inner and outer lenses may be spaced apart having a passage formed therebetween thorough which fluid may travel. Heat from light emitting diodes and a circuit board may be directed toward the outer lens through passages formed in the headlamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventor: Michael Marley
  • Publication number: 20130141932
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Brown
  • Patent number: 8449150
    Abstract: An optical element is disclosed. The optical element includes a single, transparent, rotationally-symmetric lens with a batwing shaped cross-section, extending angularly away from a longitudinal axis. The lens also includes a variety of curved, straight, specular and optionally diffuse portions on its longitudinal and transverse faces, all of which cause a variety of internal and external reflections, refractions, and optionally scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Hong Luo, Angela Hohl-AbiChedid
  • Publication number: 20130130674
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion and an illumination module. The handle portion is disposed at the vehicle door and movable to actuate a locking mechanism of the vehicle door to open the vehicle door. The illumination module includes at least one illumination source and an icon element and a cover element. The illumination source, when operated, backlights the icon element so that an icon of the icon element is viewable through the cover element at an exterior surface of the handle portion. The icon element includes a security icon and the illumination module is operable to backlight the security icon when a security system of the vehicle is operational.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130121011
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp having a housing and an illumination unit arranged within the housing is provided. The illumination unit comprises at least one light-emitting diode as light source. The at least one light-emitting diode is thermally coupled to a cooling element. The cooling element has a surface region arranged within the housing. On the surface region a decorative element is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
  • Publication number: 20130121010
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicular communication method and device that displays a message when a vehicle light source is energized, sending the message to nearby motorists. The device increases good-will between drivers or alternatively provides a directed message to other drivers. A vehicle light, such as a rear brake light, turn signal or emergency vehicle light includes a housing having an outer translucent panel. The panel includes an etched or overlaid message such that a message is visualized when the internal light is energized. The message is readily visualized without compromising the luminosity of the lamp or the amount of light required under state and federal vehicle regulations. An embodiment includes a message that is adhered over an existing vehicle light housing using an adhesive film, while another embodiment contemplates the outer panel including the message in its construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Nell McClendon
  • Publication number: 20130121012
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight can facilitate an earlier awareness with peripheral vision under dark environment (such as during nighttime, tunnel, or adverse weather driving). The light source can include a plurality of white LEDs. The plurality of white LEDs include a first white LED and a second white LED. The first white LED has an S/P ratio, which is represented by (S(?)*V?(?))/(S(?)*V(?)) in which S(?) is a spectrum of the first light source, V?(?) is a relative luminosity factor in scotopic vision, and V(?) is a relative luminosity factor in photopic vision, lower than that of the second white LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130107561
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing having an inner reflective surface with predetermined optics and an outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces extend between proximal and distal ends. A lens is attached to the distal end of the housing. The lens and the inner reflective surface bound an enclosed chamber of the assembly. The assembly further includes a heat sink subassembly. The subassembly includes a heat sink and an electronic module. The electronic module has PCB electronics and at least one LED coupled in electrical communication with one another. The subassembly is mounted to the proximal end of the housing externally from the enclosed chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Ralf Meyer-Wendt, Xiaolu Chen, John Dominick, Stephen Kowalchik
  • Publication number: 20130107562
    Abstract: There is provided an interior illumination lamp for a vehicle. In the interior illumination lamp for a vehicle including a lamp unit having a light source, which is a functional part, and a lens provided inside a vehicle room, which is a decorative part, the lens is engaged with the lamp unit through an inner peripheral edge of an opening in a roof trim, thereby to clamp the roof trim between them and to attach the interior illumination lamp for a vehicle in a state where the roof trim is clamped. The lamp unit is provided with a plurality of positioning projections at a position where the lamp unit is contacted with the roof trim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Suzuki, Ryohei Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20130107552
    Abstract: A spot lamp unit includes an LED lamp mounted with LEDs taking charge of and lighting up front divided lighting areas, a heat sink provided on a rear surface of the LED lamp, and a lens provided in the front of the LED lamp to focus or diffuse light emitted from the LED lamp, and the headlight system capable of spot-lighting includes an infrared radiator, a camera photographing infrared rays reflected on a lighting target, an image processing unit reading the lighting target from the photographed image and judges whether the lighting target is dangerous, and a lamp driving unit driving the spot lamp unit to turn on the LED lamp lighting up an area where the lighting target is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicants: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd., Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byoungsuk Ahn, Youngsub Oh, Inheum Park, Myunggug Bang
  • Patent number: 8430546
    Abstract: A dustproof lens for an LED road lamp has an incident surface and an exit surface. The exit surface is flat. The incident surface is saddle-shaped and has a section in a shape of a concave curve along a road direction and in a shape of a convex curve vertically to the road direction. A lens module thereof has the dustproof lenses jointed with each other and has an integrally flat exit plane. The dustproof lens and its module, while meeting requirements in distributing lights for road lighting, adopt a flat surface for emitting lights, in such a manner that the lens is protected from dusts piled up thereon, can be cleaned simply, and is better fit for using. By accomplishing modularization of the lens module in production and assembly, a productive efficiency of lamps is greatly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Shanghai Sansi Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd., Shanghai Sansi Technology Co., Ltd., Jiashan Sansi Photoelectric Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shikang Zhou, Xin Cheng, Mengsheng Wang, Yuexia Chen