Adjustable Lamp Or Lamp Support Patents (Class 362/523)
  • Patent number: 8147106
    Abstract: A headlamp in which light source units are tilted about predetermined tilting center axes by means of an aiming mechanism interposed between a lamp body and the light source units. The aiming mechanism includes a tilting fulcrum (a ball and socket joint), aiming screws which are rotatably supported on the lamp body, and nut members which thread fit on the screws and mounted on the light source units movably in forward and backward in response to the rotations of the screws, so as to tilt the light source units about the tilting center axes. A leaf spring slide portion brought into elastic engagement with a guide groove is made of a polyacetal resin which is superior in resistance to wear. A nut member main body having a screw thread fitting portion is made of a nylon resin which is superior in resistance to heat. There is no permanent set on the slide portion and a slide contact surface does not wear, and no looseness is generated in the screw thread fitting portion of the nut member main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toyozo Eto, Yasuhiro Katsumata
  • Patent number: 8147107
    Abstract: A headlight rotating device includes a carrier pivotally and slidably supported in a housing for supporting a light device, a lever supported in the housing and coupled to the carrier for pivoting and sliding the carrier relative to the housing, and a motor is disposed in the housing and coupled to the lever for rotating the lever to pivot and slide the carrier relative to the housing and for rotating the headlight device of the vehicle in accordance with the movement of the vehicle's steering system and for suitably lighting the environment for the vehicle driver while turning the vehicle, the carrier is adjustable or movable forwardly or rearwardly relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Jing Hang Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien Hung Lee, San Chi Chang, Yu Kai Chen
  • Publication number: 20120068426
    Abstract: Improvements in a trailer hitching and tracking steering system are disclosed include a new style RV or wagon style RV that includes an extendable, variable position tow bar that accommodates misalignment of a tow vehicle. The tow bar can be rotated for storage within the RV wagon. Further improvements include a wheel steering mechanism to improve tracking of a towed vehicle using a bi-directional caster front suspension for steering a wagon style RV in both a forward and reverse direction. The caster of the front wheels is automatically re-directed depending upon the direction of travel of the RV. The suspension system includes a steerable rear suspension that minimizes the amount the back wheels will cut the corner when turning. The improvements also include the use of visible light beams to guide a tow vehicle backing up to an RV to be correctly positioned for hitching without assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Gary E. OLSEN
  • Patent number: 8135514
    Abstract: Automotive systems and methods for operating vehicles are provided. In an embodiment, when a speed sensor senses that the vehicle speed is above a first speed threshold and an ambient light sensor senses that an ambient light intensity is below a first intensity threshold, a controller provides a first command to a suspension system to lower a first end of a vehicle body to a second front trim height position relative to a horizontal plane, where the second front trim height position is below a first front trim height position, and to lower the second end of the body to a second rear trim height position relative to the horizontal plane, where the second rear trim height position is below a first rear trim height position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Leonard B. Kelly, Yunjun Li, Gregory G. Gordon, Nancy McMahon, Todd H. Barnes
  • Patent number: 8118461
    Abstract: The invention concerns a front unit for a motor vehicle with at least one headlight unit, a mounting component for connecting with the motor vehicle, means for hanging the headlight unit to the mounting component, an elastic element with first a fastener for fastening relative to the mounting component and a second fastener for fastening to a first side of the headlight unit, positioning means for positioning a second side of the headlight unit located opposite the first side relative to a fender area of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Kunststoffe Automobilsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Joly-Pottuz, Raphael Mary, Yann Clapie
  • Patent number: 8100547
    Abstract: A service apparatus for a transportation means comprises a first component in the form of an air shower with an air inlet and at least one air outlet, and a second component in the form of an illumination device. The first component and the second component are arranged essentially centrically in relation to each other, wherein one of the two components encloses the other component essentially in a ring-shaped manner. In this way an integral reading light with a forced-air nozzle, or an integral forced-air nozzle with a reading light, is implemented that uses little design space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Hogh, Jochen Mueller
  • Patent number: 8100570
    Abstract: A headlight for a vehicle has a lens, a mounting frame, an LED on an LED board. The LED board is mounted on a heat sink. The heat sink has a first adjustment slot and a second adjustment slot. Each of the slots is dimensioned and disposed to closely cooperate with an eccenter adjustment device mounted on one of the LED module or an LED module carrier, said eccenters being adjustable on a fulcrum such that adjustment of one of the eccenters adjusts one of a first position or a second position of the LED module within a plane normal to an optical axis of a lens mounted in a fixed position relative to the LED module carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hella KGAA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Hubert Borgschulte, Heinz-Uwe Spork, Jörg Sudahl
  • Patent number: 8092055
    Abstract: Microprocessor-controlled light emitting diode (LED) arrays are built into an extruded tubular lens within a mast that is connected to a base assembly. A means of mounting, which may be an adjustable clamp, permits the base assembly to be connected to a seat post or other mounting point on a bicycle or other vehicle. The tubular lens allows for substantial dispersion of light, and various light patterns produced by the arrays may be selected and those patterns alternated automatically to achieve greater visibility of the vehicle to surrounding motorists. A handle within the base assembly allows a rider to lower the mast from its vertical operating position easily and pivotally up to 90 degrees parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame to facilitate mounting and dismounting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Gerald A. Sherwin
  • Patent number: 8092057
    Abstract: A device for automatic switching of the touring diaphragm by an extreme travel of the height controls of the headlight is provided with a mechanism for changing the spatial distribution of the light, consisting of a projector (1), attached by fixed hinges (2) to the body of the headlight (3). The adjustable hinge (4) enables movement of the projector (1) relative to the body of the headlight (3) by means of an actuator (5), so that in the extreme position there is a collision of the two-armed lever (6) with the body (3) and its rotation on a pivot (7), resulting in a change in the shape of the light beam. A spring (8) can be used to ensure the extreme positions of the travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vlastimil Sedlacek, Jaromir Cacala, Petr Smajser, Michal Novy, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110317444
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes a cover and a housing, which receive therein a primary light source unit mounted to a bulb seat of the housing and a position light unit mounted to a position light seat of the housing. The housing forms a first water barrier wall above the bulb seat and also forms a second water barrier wall above the position light and the position light seat. The second water barrier wall is arranged between the first water barrier wall and an adjustment mechanism and located exactly below the first water barrier wall. The adjustment mechanism is secured to the housing and located below the second water barrier wall. The first and second water barrier walls help prevent external water from eroding the primary light source unit and the position light unit, and the adjustment mechanism facilitates adjustment of elevation angle of the headlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: MING-YUAN CHEN
  • Patent number: 8075171
    Abstract: A lamp device is provided that is capable of performing a first actuation and a second actuation. At the first actuation, the lamp device pivots a lamp about a first axis relative to a support, and, at the second actuation, the lamp device pivots the lamp about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, relative to the support. The lamp includes a first supporting portion that is located on the first axis and at a side of the lamp and a second supporting portion that is located on the first axis and at the other side of the lamp. The first supporting portion is supported by the support to be pivotable about the intersection point of the first axis and the second axis. The second supporting portion is joined to a movable joint member. The movable joint member is supported by the support so as to be movable along a second actuation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akinori Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110292672
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a moving head light included a light sources group having a plurality of light sources, a reflector group slantwise arranged at a circumference of the light sources group; and an angle-adjusting device for adjusting the relative angles between the reflectors and the light sources. Each reflector corresponds to each light source one by one, and the reflector group includes a plurality of reflectors. The present invention uses the angle-adjusting device to adjust the relative angles between the reflectors and the light sources so that lights sent out from the light sources generate a special effect of scaling in a space after being reflected by the reflectors, therefore, the stage rendering effect is good to make persons feel mystery and fantasy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: IAG GROUP LIMITED
    Inventor: Jung Hsiang YANG
  • Patent number: 8057082
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a thermally conductive mounting having a mounting surface is provided. The lighting assembly further includes a thermally conductive carriage having a front and a rear surface. The rear surface of the carriage is moveably mounted to the front surface of the mounting. A heat sink seat having a front and a rear surface is moveably mounted to the front surface of the carriage. A light emitting device may be attached to the front surface of the heat sink seat. In use, the carriage is moveable along a first axis and the heat sink seat is moveable along a second axis, the first axis and second axis being substantially transverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Aimrail Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Seabrook
  • Publication number: 20110261574
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a headlight assembly for a vehicle (10) with a right and a left headlight unit (1, 2), for a dipped-beam function, the optical axes (L1, L2) of the headlight units (1, 2) are tilted away from one another horizontally relative to a parallel direction. According to the method for a main-beam function, the optical axes (L1, L2) of the headlight units (1, 2) are tilted toward one another horizontally relative to a parallel direction. A respective headlight assembly can be particularly suitable for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Rolf Koppermann
  • Publication number: 20110216551
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp holding fixture for headlamps, particularly for vehicle headlamps, comprising a ring element with a radial holding surface that a base of the lamp rests against and further comprising a tubular holding body made of an electrically conductive material such that said holding body, when the lamp is at its mounting position, extends between an electrically conductive section of a reflector and an electrically conductive housing of a lamp igniter, wherein the tubular holding body is assigned fixing material for holding the lamp in its mounting position and wherein the tubular holding body features a plurality of first contact springs distributed in peripheral direction over a side facing the reflector and a plurality of second contact springs distributed in peripheral direction over another side facing the igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Hella KGaA
    Inventor: Berthold Doring
  • Patent number: 8007151
    Abstract: A vehicle head light includes a lighting casing; a lamp unit disposed in the lighting casing; a support member that supports the lamp unit so as to be rotatable at least in two directions; and an actuator that rotates the lamp unit with respect to the support member. The lighting casing includes a lamp housing opened on one side and a cover that closes the opening of the lamp housing. The lamp unit includes a light source and a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source. The actuator is disposed under the lamp unit. A lower end of the lamp unit is coupled to the actuator. The actuator includes a support portion attached to the support member; and a main unit being supported by the support portion so as to be movable in a front-rear direction. The support portion includes a shaft holding portion on a lower surface thereof. The main unit includes a bearing portion on an upper surface thereof. A driving mechanism is provided in the main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 7972047
    Abstract: A headlight unit having a virtual pivot center provided at a position different from a supported position to a vehicle body. Two, upper and lower headlight supporting portions spaced apart from each other are provided at a rear portion of a headlight unit The upper headlight supporting portion on each side includes a guide shaft formed on a support member of a radiator cover and a groove formed on an upper base portion of the headlight unit. The lower headlight supporting portion on each side includes an elongated hole formed through the support member of the radiator cover and a bolt threadedly engaged with a lower base portion of the headlight unit. The guide shaft and the bolt slide in the groove and the elongated hole, respectively, for performing the swing motion of the headlight unit about the virtual pivot center C to perform an adjustment of an optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shiokawa, Koji Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110133647
    Abstract: A method for selectively providing a low beam state and a high beam state of an LED headlamp, may include driving an engine of a vehicle, switching on a multi-function switch to turn on at least a second LED module to emit a high beam after driving the engine to perform the high beam state of the LED headlamp, and converting a low beam state of at least a first LED module into a high beam state to perform the high beam state of the LED headlamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, SL Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Uk Choi, Hun Soo Kim, Hee Jun Jeong, Se Wook Oh, Jong-Woon Kim
  • Publication number: 20110122642
    Abstract: Headlamp comprising a housing, a carrying element pivoting around a first axis in relation to the housing and a light unit pivoting around a second axis in relation to the carrying element, wherein the headlamp comprises a drive shaft for pivoting the light unit around the second axis such that a drive unit links the drive shaft to the light unit, wherein the drive shaft is suited and set up to transmit a rotary motion from an input drive head of the drive shaft to an output drive head of the drive shaft, wherein the input drive head is mounted on the housing, wherein the drive shaft comprises a first shaft section and a second shaft section, wherein first ends of the shaft sections, in order to transmit the rotary motion, can move in relation to one another in axial direction and interlink in a torque-proof manner, wherein a rotary motion to be transmitted is performed around a first axis of rotation in the first shaft section and a second axis of rotation in the second shaft section, and wherein the shaft s
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: HELLA KGaA HUECK & CO.
    Inventor: Thomas Herbers
  • Publication number: 20110122639
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustment system for at least one light module of a lighting apparatus of a vehicle, comprising a holding frame located in a housing of the lighting apparatus which holds the at least one light module, wherein the holding frame is installed such that it is able to pivot around an axis of rotation of the adjustment system inside the housing of the lighting apparatus, and further comprising an adjusting device for tilting the holding frame around the axis of rotation of the adjustment system, wherein the adjusting device and the holding frame are swivel-mounted to one another. The invention further relates to a lighting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a housing, at least one light module inside the housing, and a corresponding adjustment system for the at least one light module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: HELLA KGaA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Heinz-Uwe Spork, Jürgen Schulte, Hans-Gerd Hammelbeck, Katrin Hunecke
  • Patent number: 7946745
    Abstract: A system for mounting a headlight on a motor vehicle comprising a rigid housing closed by a protective glass. The system comprising: a first connecting element fixed to the headlight, a second connecting element fixed to the motor vehicle, the first and second connecting elements being assembled so as to slide one in the other. The first and second connecting elements are curved and mounted at least partially about a center of rotation of the headlight providing rotational movement of the headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Christophe Baert, Malik Bakacha
  • Publication number: 20110116280
    Abstract: A headlight rotating device includes a carrier pivotally and slidably supported in a housing for supporting a light device, a lever supported in the housing and coupled to the carrier for pivoting and sliding the carrier relative to the housing, and a motor is disposed in the housing and coupled to the lever for rotating the lever to pivot and slide the carrier relative to the housing and for rotating the headlight device of the vehicle in accordance with the movement of the vehicle's steering system and for suitably lighting the environment for the vehicle driver while turning the vehicle, the carrier is adjustable or movable forwardly or rearwardly relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Chien Hung Lee, San Chi Chang, Yu Kai Chen
  • Publication number: 20110103086
    Abstract: An optical module equipping a motor vehicle lighting and/or indicating device, provided with a assembly structure movably assembled on a bracket and means of electrical connection to at least one remote device, wherein the optical module is equipped with an electrical connection device comprising a flexible element integrating electrical conductors, the flexible element is connected between the assembly structure and the bracket such that the points of mechanical connection together produce a freedom of movement limited in space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jean-Marc NICOLAI, Benjamin TOUZET, Gregoire SADOUX, Jonathan BLANDIN
  • Patent number: 7931395
    Abstract: Provided is a headlamp assembly for vehicles. The headlamp assembly includes: a plurality of lamp modules on each of which a light-emitting device is mounted and each of which has a heat-dissipation structure for dissipating heat generated by the light-emitting device; and a support bracket which supports the lamp modules, wherein at least one of the lamp modules supported by the support bracket can be aimed individually with respect to the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventor: Hak-Bong Kim
  • Publication number: 20110085346
    Abstract: Adjustment device of the position of a first part of a lighting and/or signalling device of a motor vehicle in relation to a second part of this device. The adjustment device has a screw in mechanical liaison with the first part and in helical liaison with the second part, the helical liaison comprising: a sliding pivot liaison linking the screw to the second part, the screw being clipped into a bore which has an opening according to a first axis (X) and a conformation completed on the second part which matches the threads of the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Cyril HERBIN, Olivier GREBERT, Nicolas SIMMET, Rémi MALIAR
  • Patent number: 7914186
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle includes a lamp unit serving to irradiate a light forward, and an actuator having a single output shaft for tilting the lamp unit vertically and transversely. The lamp unit is disposed in a lamp housing formed by a lamp body and a transparent cover for covering a front surface of the lamp body. The lamp unit includes a body coupling portion to be coupled to the lamp body and an actuator coupling portion to be coupled to the actuator. The lamp body includes a lamp unit coupling portion coupled to the body coupling portion and serving to support the lamp unit tiltably in vertical and transverse directions. The actuator is supported on the lamp body and includes an output shaft for tilting the lamp unit vertically and transversely in engagement with the actuator coupling portion of the lamp unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohisa Tatara, Masahiro Kusagaya
  • Publication number: 20110069506
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle has a front or rear bodyshell structure with a respective lamp receiving space for receiving a lamp on a left and right vehicle side. One holder per vehicle side is fit laterally from the outside onto the bodyshell structure in the region of the respective lamp receiving space. One holding strip per vehicle side is fit from the outside on the front or rear side onto the bodyshell structure in the region of the respective lamp receiving space. A front or rear side panel is fit from the outside onto the two holders and onto the two holding strips on each vehicle side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Gerhard Rinklin
  • Publication number: 20110063866
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided with: a frame; a lamp unit, which includes a first and a second connection sections and, which is rotatable with respect to the frame; a slider connected to first connection section and which is supported on the frame so as to be movable in a front-rear direction; a rotor connected to the second connection section and which is supported on the frame so as to be turnable in a horizontal direction; a drive operation section for moving the slider in the front-rear direction; and a rotation operation section for turning the rotor in the horizontal direction. The first connection section and the second connection section are positioned so as to be separated from each other substantially in the up-down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki SHIBATA, Kazutami OISHI, Masahiro KUSAGAYA, Tatsuhiro TERADA, Kouji MAGOORI
  • Publication number: 20110058383
    Abstract: An adjusting apparatus for an automobile headlight or similarly situated work piece comprising a housing with a first opening and a second opening, a thread-less drive shaft extending through said top opening and having one end having a drive shaft connector connected via a first stop bolt to a first end of a pivot arm and the second end of said drive shaft for connection with said automobile headlight, a threaded input shaft extending through said second opening engaging an input shaft mounting bracket with a threaded portion of said threaded input shaft wherein said input shaft mounting bracket is further connected via a second stop bolt to a second end of said pivot arm, wherein said pivot arm is secured to said housing via a central pivot bolt, wherein a rotational adjustment of said input shaft will alter the position of said input shaft mounting bracket thereby alerting the position of said second end of said pivot arm thereby altering the position of said first end of said pivot arm thereby causing sai
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Ching Tsung Lai
  • Patent number: 7901122
    Abstract: A lamp unit used in a vehicular lamp includes a reflector provided with a parabolic cylindrical reflective surface with a focal line in the horizontal direction; a planar light source having a light-emitting surface with a generally oblong shaped region; and a drive portion that rotatably supports the semiconductor light-emitting element portion. The generally oblong shaped region of the planar light source includes a long side in a direction parallel to the focal line and a short side of a predetermined width. The planar light source is disposed such that the light-emitting surface faces the parabolic cylindrical reflective surface of the reflector and such that a long side, on a lamp front side, generally coincides with the focal line and acts as a rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7896533
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight is provided having a basic light source, a swiveling device which is equipped for swiveling the basic light source about a basic swiveling angle, and an infrared radiation source which is coupled with the swiveling device such that, when the basic light source is swiveled by the swiveling device about a basic swiveling angle, the infrared radiation source is swiveled by the swiveling device about an infrared swiveling angle deviating from the basic swiveling angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Enders, Helmut Erdl, Joachim Ripperger, Patrick Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20110007519
    Abstract: A rotatable vehicular lamp is comprising a support member, a lamp unit, a linking member, and a driving unit. The lamp unit is pivotably connected with the support member on at least one first pivot. The linking member includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion both extending toward opposite directions respectively. The first connection portion is pivotably connected with the lamp unit on a second pivot. The driving unit is mounted to the support member and includes a working member pivotably and retractably connected with the second connection portion on a third axis. The working member can be linking-up with the second pivot and the lamp unit to swivel on the first axis. Accordingly, the whole operating stability and smoothness of the rotatable vehicular lamp can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: MAXZONE AUTO PARTS CORP.
    Inventor: Jiun-Jiang WANG
  • Patent number: 7866864
    Abstract: A guiding structure includes a base and a guiding unit. The base has an opening, and an inner wall of the base, facing the opening, is formed with at least one first guiding element and at least one first restricting element disposed adjacent to the first guiding element. The guiding unit is inserted into the opening and has at least one second guiding element and at least one second restricting element. The second guiding element is correspondingly coupled to or separated from the first restricting element by deforming, bending, rotating or displacing. The first guiding element is disposed corresponding to the second guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Chu Hsu, Chun-Hua Yang, Chia-Ying Hsu
  • Patent number: 7866847
    Abstract: An LED lamp includes a frame having a bottom surface, a plurality of heat sinks, and a plurality of LED modules. Each of the heat sinks has an engaging surface defined at an acute angle with respect to the bottom surface of the frame. Each of the LED modules is attached on the engaging surface of the heat sink. The heat sinks are rotatable relative to the frame to adjust the angle of the engaging surface of the heat sinks with respect to the bottom surface of the frame, providing variable area and intensity of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shi-Song Zheng
  • Publication number: 20110002136
    Abstract: An optical device having an optical axis (y-y) and comprising a source of light; a reflector which is associated with the source of light in order to form a light beam; and a rotary assembly which is designed to intercept the light beam, and can be rotated around an axis of rotation between first and second distinctive lighting positions. The rotary assembly comprises at least first and second shields associated respectively with the first and second lighting positions, in order to create a cut-off of the light beam. The first and second shields each comprise at least one ridge. The rotary assembly additionally is designed to permit progressive transition of the lighting between the first and second distinctive lighting positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Martin GRIMM, Stephane THERY, Alice MULIN, David BOURDIN, Jonathan BLANDIN, Jean MASSE
  • Patent number: 7857494
    Abstract: A rotatable vehicular lamp assembly includes a support frame adapted to be connected to a vehicle and having a horizontal support plate with a through hole, a lighting unit including a lamp body, a pivot rod having a thick part connected to the lamp body and disposed above the support plate, a neck part extending downwardly from the thick part and extending rotatably through the through hole, and a shoulder part disposed between the thick part and the neck part above the support plate, and an annular retaining element sleeved on the neck part below the support plate. A drive unit is disposed below the support plate, and engages the neck part. An annular non-flat plate spring is disposed around the neck part between the shoulder part and the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Chian-Yin Tseng
  • Publication number: 20100296307
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a lamp unit disposed inside a lamp chamber and an aiming mechanism. The lamp chamber is formed from a lamp body opening forward and a front cover attached to the front opening portion of the lamp body. The aiming mechanism is interposed between the lamp unit and the lamp body. The aiming mechanism performs an optical axis adjustment by tiltably supporting the lamp unit with respect to the lamp body. The aiming mechanism includes a rotational operation portion supported by a lamp body side fixing portion provided on the lamp body; a screw portion threadedly engaged with a lamp unit side fixing portion provided on the lamp unit; and a connection portion that joins the rotational operation portion and the screw portion. At least part of the connection portion has radial flexibility and no axial elasticity. Torque from the rotational operation portion is transmitted to the screw portion to move the lamp unit side fixing portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaaki Nakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20100284199
    Abstract: A flashlight holder formed of a substantially cylindrical lengthwise receptacle having a mouth sized to slidingly receive a flashlight there through, and a stop positioned opposite from the mouth. A clamp mounts the receptacle to a substantially rigid interior surface of a vehicle with the mouth positioned vertically above the stop. The receptacle is a substantially cylindrically tubular receptacle having a substantially constant inside diameter communicating with the mouth. The stop may be formed by a closed end of the receptacle, or a separate end cap affixed to the receptacle. According to another aspect of the novel flashlight holder, the tubular receptacle is a fishing rod holder mounted as described to the vehicle's interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 7824087
    Abstract: A headlamp adjuster includes an output shaft driven by a co-rotatable gear. Threads on the shaft engage splines in a thin wall boss, the splines having limited circumferential engagement with the screw. The thin wall boss deflects outwardly in response to forces that build in the engagement of the shaft and splines, to release driving engagement between the splines and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael T. Gattone, Stanley Piotrowski, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 7819565
    Abstract: A mounting foot for mounting a light bar on a roof of a vehicle includes at least one platform. The platform includes a recess for slidably receiving a base of a light assembly to mount the light assembly on the platform. The light assembly has a base fixedly secured to the platform and a light enclosure rotatably connected to the base of the light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Code 3, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul L. Stein
  • Patent number: 7815352
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a light source for illuminating light from the vehicular headlamp in an illumination direction; a swivel mechanism capable of changing the illumination direction horizontally rightward and leftward; a leveling mechanism capable of changing the illumination direction vertically upward and downward; and electronic control unit capable of controlling the swivel mechanism and the leveling mechanism so as to change the illumination direction toward an oncoming vehicle lane side during linear travel of a vehicle. A method of illumination control for a vehicular headlamp includes illuminating light from the vehicular headlamp in an illumination direction; and changing the illumination direction toward an oncoming vehicle lane side during linear travel of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7810972
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle, including a housing coupling the headlamp assembly to a frame of the motor vehicle, a light source positioned within the housing for emitting light rays, and a reflector positioned within the housing and configured to direct the light rays into a beam. The reflector is movable with respect to the housing and the light source so as to adjust the beam direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Popelek
  • Patent number: 7806573
    Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle includes a lighting unit and an extension for covering a clearance between a lamp body and the lighting unit in a lighting chamber formed by the lamp body and a cover. The lighting unit includes a light source bulb and a reflector for reflecting a direct light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction. The extension includes a first extension having a bottom side front end taking a substantially dogleg-shaped section in which a bent portion is turned in a forward direction of the vehicle, and a second extension positioned behind the first extension and having a front edge on an internal surface of a bottom side lighting unit positioned below a rear edge of the internal surface of the lighting unit in a bottom side front end of the first extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Terada, Tomoharu Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20100246202
    Abstract: A flasher support apparatus is provided which lets an external force applied to a lighting apparatus main body escape effectively in a flasher support structure supporting the lighting apparatus main body via a tubular lighting apparatus stay having elasticity. A flasher support structure includes a bottom wall portion disposed on a first axial end of a flasher stay, the bottom wall portion including a mounting hole (a center insertion hole) of a front flasher and an insertion hole (a rear end insertion hole) of a flasher cable; and a peripheral wall portion extending from an outer edge portion of the bottom wall portion toward a vehicle body side so as to widen an opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Yoshida, Kazunori Kawame
  • Publication number: 20100208483
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system according to the present invention is provided, and includes: a pivot portion for optical axis adjustment; an optical axis adjustment mechanism mounting portion for vertical direction; and an optical axis adjustment mounting portion for horizontal direction, which are integrally provided at a heat sink member having a semiconductor-type light source mounted thereon. As a result, the vehicle lighting system becomes capable of efficiently radiating a heat generated in the semiconductor-type light source by means of the pivot portion for optical axis adjustment and the optical axis adjustment mechanism mounting portions for vertical and horizontal directions, which are integrally provided at the heat sink member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshihiko HAMASHIMA
  • Patent number: 7775696
    Abstract: A reflector reflects a light from a light source. A projector lens projects a reflected light from the reflector ahead of a vehicle. A shade is used to switch the reflected light into a plurality of beams in a plurality of light distribution patterns. A spring member and a drive unit switch a position of the shade between an obliquely upward and backward position and an obliquely downward and forward position to obtain the light distribution patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100195347
    Abstract: A combination lamp body 10, which are attached with a combination lamp, is arranged in a position adjacent to headlamp bodies 50, and includes a shaft provided on the outer end in the vehicle width direction. A support provided to each of the headlamp bodies 50 regulates inward and forward movements of the shaft in the vehicle width direction. An engagement part is fixed to the vehicle body. An attachment member 20 is provided removable from the rear face of the combination lamp body 10, and includes a locking part 21 engaging with the engagement part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Hidenao Hashimoto, Masaji Takei, Hiromi Takei
  • Patent number: 7766496
    Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle producing a global light beam, the lighting device comprising a first fixed optical module comprising at least one first light source for producing a first light beam of the type consisting of a light beam with a substantially flat and horizontal cutoff. The lighting device also comprises a second movable optical module comprising at least one first light source for producing a second light beam of the type consisting of a light beam with non-flat cutoff able to be moved with respect to the first light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jonathan Blandin, Etienne Pauty, Benoît Reiss, Vanesa Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7766524
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp 10 is provided with an upper stage light source unit 20, a middle stage light source unit 40, a lower stage light source unit 60. The upper stage light source unit 20, the middle stage light source unit 40, the lower stage light source unit 60 are provided at a lamp body 14 constituting a lamp member by way of a support member 15, and a light distribution pattern for low beam is formed on a front side of a vehicle by overlapping light from the respective light source units 20, 40, 60. The middle stage light source unit 40 is supported to be able to change the optical axis independently from the other light source units 20, 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7762699
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight (80) comprises at least two modules (70) for light production, the radiation characteristics of at least one of the modules (70) being adjustable in a reference system associated with the headlight. Preferably, modules (70) of the headlight (80) have different radiation characteristics and the irradiation characteristics of at least two of the modules (70) overlap to form an adjustable radiation characteristic of the headlight (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Thomas Reiners, Ralf Vollmer, Alexander Wilm