Adjustable Lamp Or Lamp Support Patents (Class 362/523)
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Patent number: 7364331Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with a single lamp unit for irradiating light of a light source in a desired direction as irradiating light, and an irradiating light control apparatus constituted by integrally assembling a horizontal driving device for pivoting the lamp unit in a horizontal direction, a vertical driving device for pivoting the lamp unit in a vertical direction, and a switching drive portion of a light amount changing device for changing an irradiating light amount of the irradiating light to a single case. An irradiating direction of the irradiating light in the horizontal direction, an irradiating direction thereof in the vertical direction and an irradiating light amount thereof can pertinently be controlled by driving the respective devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
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Publication number: 20080089086Abstract: A lamp device for vehicles includes a lamp unit for irradiating light in a desired light distribution pattern, a support body configured to support the lamp unit so as to be tiltable up and down, and tiltable right and left, and an actuator for tilting the lamp unit up and down with respect to the support body, and for tilting the lamp unit right and left with respect to the support body. The actuator includes a right-and-left tilting mechanism and an up-and-down tilting mechanism provided in an actuator housing. The right-and-left tilting mechanism includes an output shaft capable of turning in a right-and-left direction coupled to said lamp unit. The up-and-down tilting mechanism includes an output portion capable of moving said actuator housing back and forth with respect to the support body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Naoki Takii
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Patent number: 7338192Abstract: A fixing device is provided for fixing a headlight to a motor vehicle. The fixing device includes means for holding a headlight housing. The fixing device also includes means for mounting the fixing device on a part of the vehicle. The means for mounting the fixing device is constructed so that the fixing device is adjustable relative to the part of the vehicle in at least one direction before being secured to the part of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Decoma (Germany) GmbHInventor: Wilhelm Kreutzberg
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Patent number: 7334925Abstract: A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes a reflective element having a heater and a breakaway joint assembly having stationary member and a pivoting member that comprises a bracket supporting an electrically-operable actuator for positioning the reflective element about at least one axis. The exterior mirror assembly comprises a ground illumination or a signal light. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes carrying vehicle control signals and electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Todd W Pastrick, Linda K Molenkamp, Roger L Koops
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Publication number: 20080025036Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens through which an optical axis passes. The optical axis extends in a front-and-rear direction of a vehicle. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens; a reflector which reflects a direct light from the light source toward a front direction so as to become close to the optical axis; a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source and having an edge portion positioned near the rear focal point of the projection lens; and an auxiliary reflector disposed between the projection lens and a shade. The auxiliary reflector reflects a part of the light reflected by the reflector toward the projection lens such that an upward irradiation light is irradiated from the projection lens. The shade shields a part of the light reflected by the reflector and a part of the direct light emitted from the light source and forms a cutoff line of a light distribution pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2007Publication date: January 31, 2008Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenichi Takada, Yusuke Nakada, Masashi Tatsukawa
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Patent number: 7315127Abstract: A vehicle lamp 10 is provided with a lamp unit 30 which applies beams of the desired patterns ahead, and a double axis actuator 50 having a first drive mode in which the lamp unit is rotated in one of two planes that are orthogonal to each other and a second drive mode in which the lamp unit is rotated in the other of the two planes. The double axis actuator is provided with a single output part 540 which rotates the lamp unit in the two planes, and a drive part (including a drive source 550 and a movable part 561) which drives the output part. The double axis actuator can rotate the lamp unit in the each plane regardless of the rotational positions along the above two planes.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Kolto Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
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Patent number: 7311426Abstract: A LED swivel reading lamp having an easily user adjustable sized light beam for use in vehicles such as automobiles, aircraft, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.Inventors: John M. Tiesler, Shu-Hsiung Chou
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Patent number: 7287887Abstract: A movable shade is moved by a shade driving device between a first shade position which is positioned on an optical axis at a rear focal point of a projection lens and a second shade position which is located further downward than the first shade position. Even in the event that there is provided only a single light source, low beam light distribution patterns and high beam light distribution patterns can selectively be formed. In addition, the light source is moved by a light source driving device between a first light source position which is positioned on the optical axis and a second light source position which is positioned further forward than the first light source position. Then, four types of light distribution patterns can be formed through combinations of the positions of the light source and the positions of the movable shade.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirohiko Ohshio, Atsushi Sugimoto, Naoki Tatara
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Patent number: 7261450Abstract: Dual function console lighting with integrated switching includes a lamp housing held by a retainer within a bezel secured to a vehicle interior. The lamp housing includes eccentrically positioned collinear pivot arms relative to a central longitudinal axis of a lamp positioned within the housing. The pivot arms engage the retainer to hold the lamp housing within the retainer while allowing the lamp housing to pivot relative to the plane of the retainer. The retainer is rotatably held within the bezel by a plurality of snap features spaced around its circumference, allowing the lamp housing and retainer to rotate. A latching mechanism holds the lamp housing in a retracted position with a lens of the housing preferably substantially flush relative to immediately surrounding portions of the bezel. A spring provides a force to pivot the housing about the pivot arms to a second position when the latch is released.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.Inventor: John M Tiesler
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Patent number: 7261443Abstract: An extendable lighting system having a main housing with a bottom wall and upwardly extending side walls. A lamp housing is retractable positioned within the main housing and a flexible diaphragm connects to the main housing above the bottom wall and connects to the lamp housing to create a substantially enclosed space between the diaphragm and the bottom wall. An air passage communicates with the enclosed space.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Inventor: James A. Hayes, Jr.
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Patent number: 7261448Abstract: Whereas a light source bulb is used as a light source of a basic lamp piece unit which needs a large amount of irradiating light, with regard to an additional lamp piece unit lighted on and off repeatedly in accordance with a situation of running a vehicle, a semiconductor light emitting element having a fast response speed in being lighted on and off and excellent in durability against repeatedly lighting on and off the semiconductor light emitting element 64 as a light source thereof. Thereby, light can be irradiated in correspondence with the situation of running the vehicle and life of the light source can sufficiently been ensured. Further, the additional lamp piece unit is made to be able to be compactly constituted to promote a degree of freedom of arranging the additional lamp piece unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa, Kiyoshi Sazuka
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Patent number: 7252419Abstract: An adjustable motorcycle headlight with multiple degrees of freedom enables the rider to aim the light where it is needed, as well as facilitating the factory assembly process by enabling fine adjustment after the headlight is mounted. The motorcycle headlight is attached to the frame via a ball and socket structure cooperatively coupled to at least one positioning arm provided in tandem with the ball and socket structure for accommodating and stabilizing the movement of the ball and socket joint and locking same in position. The positioning arm includes a series of straight segments rotatably attached to one another via adjusters which can be loosened to enable adjustment, and tightened to affix the positioning arm into place. The combination of the ball and socket joint with a pair of positioning arms also provides a stable, robust three-point attachment mount for the headlight.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jesse G. James
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Patent number: 7249873Abstract: An adjustable light beam device for an aimable vehicle lamp assembly is provided. The adjustable light beam device includes a lamp housing having a channel member with an outer portion and an inner portion. A tube component is positioned within the interior portion of the channel member. The tube component is adjustably movable along the inner portion of the channel member.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John Marstan Tiesler, Shu-Hsiung Chou, Christopher Paul Pattitoni
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Patent number: 7244057Abstract: Optical axes are simultaneously adjusted by tiltably mounting a plurality of lighting device units on a common unit support member. A rectilinear propagation blocking member of each lighting device unit is fixed with screw via the elastic bush to the unit support member, so that the optical axis can be adjusted. Due to the above structure, even when the accuracy of shapes of the rectilinear propagation blocking member and the unit support member are not sufficiently ensured and also even when the accuracy of the attaching work can not be sufficiently ensured, the optical axes of the lighting device units can be arranged in order by adjusting the optical axis of the rectilinear propagation blocking member.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeyuki Watanabe, Naoki Tatara, Kazuki Okui, Hirohiko Ohshio
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Patent number: 7241038Abstract: In this light distribution control device in order to provide a vehicular lighting fixture for an Adaptive Frontlighting System (AFS) in which a lot of light distribution patterns can be set without making the entire lighting fixture larger, beams which link said movable substrates to said inner frames and beams which link said inner frames to said outer frame are mutually orthogonal, and a light distribution pattern is set by deforming under torsion the beams which link said movable substrates to said inner frames and the beams which link said inner frames to said outer frame, and swinging each of said movable substrates with respect to said outer frame in the biaxial directions independently.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Irizo Naniwa, Kazutaka Satou, Masaya Horino, Tatsuhiko Monji, Ken Ohsumi
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Patent number: 7226193Abstract: The present invention in various embodiments relates to an illuminating device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, for realizing an asymmetrical light distribution. The asymmetrical light distribution has a greater illumination depth on the vehicle's side of traffic than it does on the side of oncoming traffic.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbHInventors: Gerd Bahnmüller, Thomas Fröhlich, Michael Hamm, Peter Jauernig, Ernst-Olaf Rosenhahn, Peter Schöttle, Mathias Kinzel, Kurt Neuffer
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Patent number: 7223001Abstract: A vehicle headlight positioning device comprising a pivoting headlight support and a linear actuator comprising a housing (16), an electric stepping motor with a rotor having a part in the form of a nut, and a linear-movement screw engaging the nut part of the rotor. The screw has a coupling portion arranged at one of its ends and is intended to transversely engage a coupling portion part integral with a pivotable headlight support.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Société Industrielle de Sonceboz, S.A.Inventors: Jean-François Pfister, Jean-Pierre Joigneau
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Patent number: 7220029Abstract: A lighting assembly (10) is adjustable between flood and spot lighting conditions for selectively illuminating an interior passenger compartment in a motor vehicle. The assembly (10) includes a housing (16) which clamps to a supporting member, such as a headliner (12), via a sleeve (18) interacting with a rotary cam lock (22). An LED light source (26) is orbitally supported within the housing (16) for projecting light in a directionally adjustable manner. A lens (50) is disposed in the light path (28) and is moveable between an extended spot position for task lighting and a retracted flood position for general illumination within the interior compartment. A switch (74) is responsive to movement of the lens (50) into its spot position for automatically energizing the LED (30). The switch (74) opens, thus de-energizing the LED (30) when the lens (50) is returned to its flood condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Bynum, Philip S. Hall
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Patent number: 7217016Abstract: A lamp mounting apparatus engages a temporal fastening pin with a temporal fastening clip to prevent a positioning surface of a lamp unit from moving in such a direction as to depart from a flange, so that the lamp unit can be kept positioned.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshihide Takahashi
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Patent number: 7210828Abstract: A vehicle lighting system comprising an additional illumination lamp for additionally illuminating ahead of a vehicle and a control means for controlling turn-on and turn-off of the additional illumination lamp so as to follow a steering angle at which the vehicle is steered. The control means sets a turn-on reference steering angle ?2 for turning on the additional illumination lamp based on the steering angle, a primary turn-off reference steering angle ?1 for turning off the additional illumination lamp at a steering angle which is smaller than the turn-on reference steering angle ?2 and a secondary turn-off reference steering angle ?3 for turning off the additional illumination lamp at a steering angle which is larger than the primary turn-off reference steering angle ?1 when the vehicle is steered to a predetermined steering angle which is larger than the turn-on reference steering angle ?2.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyotaka Fukawa, Tomoyuki Sakai, Norihisa Sutou
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Patent number: 7195384Abstract: An adjusting device for head light assembly includes a motor fixed to a frame and the output shaft of the motor extends through a guiding passage in the frame and connected to a driving rod which includes outer threaded periphery. An activation rod has a spherical head at a first end thereof so as to be connected to an adjusting member of the light bulb and a hole with an inner threaded periphery is defined axially in a second end of the activation rod. The outer threaded periphery of the driving rod is rotatably engaged with the inner threaded periphery of the activation rod so that when the output shaft rotates, the driving rod is co-rotated so as to move the activation rod away from or close to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: TYC Brother Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Wei-Jen Chen
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Patent number: 7182491Abstract: A headlamp adjusting system, particularly for motor vehicles, includes a headlamp body and optical system having reflector and regulating elements for adjustment and fixation of the reflector. The reflector is carried by a part of a pivot holder that, by means of a weakening hinge, allows swinging movement of the central portion of the pivot holder. The fixed portion of the pivot holder is connected to the headlamp body. A socket for holding an end of the regulating element is provided at the free side of the pivot holder. For adjustment of the reflector in two mutually different planes, the central part of the pivot holder is swingable by means of two hinges.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stanislav Cajanek, Josef Wagner, Sr.
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Patent number: 7175319Abstract: A lamp body 20 includes a lamp unit 60 whose irradiation direction is changed according to a running state of a vehicle, a horizontal driving mechanism 90 for horizontally changing the irradiation direction, and a vertical driving mechanism 100 for vertically changing the irradiation direction. The horizontal driving mechanism and the vertical driving mechanism are integrated with each other, so that a lighting apparatus 10 can be mounted in a vehicle by using only a small mounting space. Moreover, the lighting apparatus 10 needs only small numbers of components and mounting man-hours.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Kazuma Mochizuki, Naoki Takii
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Patent number: 7168835Abstract: An aligning device for a headlight in a vehicle body of a motor vehicle has an adjusting element which is arranged between the vehicle body and a carrying part of the headlight. The adjusting element comprises an elastic ring clamped in between holding parts by way of an adjusting screw, which elastic ring is supported in a ring sleeve of the carrying part, and the adjusting screw is held on the vehicle body in a threaded nut.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Herbert Steinbeck, Hans Weiner
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Patent number: 7165872Abstract: A headlamp includes a sub-reflector between a main reflector and a projection lens. The sub-reflector has a sub-reflection surface in a form of a paraboloid of revolution. The sub-reflector is movable between a low-beam posture and a high-beam posture. The sub-reflector forms a diffused light distribution pattern superposes the pattern on a low-beam light distribution pattern produced by the main reflector when the sub-reflector is in the low-beam posture and forms a condensed light distribution pattern and superposes the pattern on a high-beam light distribution pattern formed by the main reflector when the sub-reflector is in the high-beam posture.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Eiji Suzuki, Yasuhiro Ohkubo
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Patent number: 7163323Abstract: A vehicular rotatable lamp unit includes a main seat adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, a lamp seat assembly connected pivotally to the main seat, a conducting wire, a first contact assembly mounted on the main seat, and a second contact assembly adapted to be connected to a power source of the vehicle. The conducting wire has a first end connected electrically to the lamp seat assembly, and a second end opposite to the first end. The first contact assembly includes a first contact member connected electrically to the second end of the conducting wire and rotatable along with the lamp seat assembly. The second contact assembly includes a second contact member to contact the first contact member.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Inventor: Chian-Yin Tseng
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Patent number: 7153012Abstract: A vehicle headlamp in which a light source unit in a lamp body is tiltably supported by an aiming mechanism and aiming is carried out by turning a bevel gear of an aiming screw provided outside the lamp body. The bevel gear is covered by a synthetic resin cap, and the cap is formed with an opening into which a screwdriver is to be inserted, and a lid is continuously formed in the peripheral edge portion of the opening, so that once the lid 46 is folded and covers the opening, the headlamp becomes to comply with the visual aiming specification that prohibits users to perform aiming adjustment of the light source unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobuyoshi Sakurai
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Patent number: 7150547Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating an area in front of a vehicle, including a lamp and means for deflecting a radiation direction of the lamp in response to a steering action, except when the steering action is performed in a direction opposite to a direction indicated by a turn signal from a turn signal switch. When the direction of the turn signal does not match the steering direction, the radiation direction of the lamp is maintained in the straight traveling direction of the vehicle until a predetermined period of time has passed. The exception might not be realized if the vehicle is traveling above a predetermined speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masao Okawa
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Patent number: 7150541Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is also secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion such that the lamp may be easily attached thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLCInventor: John Burton
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Patent number: 7140758Abstract: A mechanism for deflecting a headlamp optical axis comprises a connecting lever, a bracket, a stepping motor, a front end plate, and a traveling block. The bracket is attached to an outside frame constituting an automotive vehicle body, and the stepping motor is attached to the bracket in a horizontally movable manner. The stepping motor has a rotary shaft which has a screw formed thereon and engaging threadedly with the traveling block. The connecting lever is attached to the outside frame in a horizontally movable manner. In the mechanism structured above, when the rotary shaft rotates, the traveling block is caused to travel along the rotary shaft thereby causing the both ends of the connecting lever to move in respective arc paths, whereby an optical axis of a headlamp attached to one of the both ends of the connecting lever is deflected.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuzuru Suzuki, Kunitake Matsushita, Sylvie Belavsky
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Patent number: 7118238Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a direction of a light axis of a swingable auxiliary headlight of a vehicle includes a steered angle sensor detecting a steered angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor detecting a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a turning radius calculating device calculating a turning radius of the vehicle on the basis of the detected steered angle and the detected vehicle speed, and a control unit performing a swivel control by which the directions of the light axes of auxiliary headlights of the vehicle are adjusted to target directions determined depending on the detected steered angle and the detected vehicle speed. The control unit is configured to control the auxiliary headlights to be in an off state while the calculated turning radius shows a value equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Koji Ishiguro
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Patent number: 7114837Abstract: A plurality of lighting units using light emitting diodes as light sources is accommodated in a lamp housing in such a state as to be supported on a common metallic support member provided tiltably. When a part or all of the lighting units are turned on, the light emitting diodes generate heat with a light emission. These light emitting diodes are supported on the common metallic support member. Also in the case in which any of the lighting units is turned on, therefore, the heat generated by the light emitting diodes is moved to the metallic support member having a large heat capacity through boards and light source support blocks by a heat conducting function. Consequently, a rise in the temperatures of the light emitting diodes can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiichiro Yagi, Kazutami Oishi, Takashi Inoue, Masaru Sasaki
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Patent number: 7106185Abstract: A full function light bar is provided mountable inside a vehicle against the windshield. The light bar is an assembly of several light sources, including strobe lamps, flashing lamps, oscillating lamps, and an aimable take down lamp. The light bar is not limited in application to one specific vehicular model and is adaptable and adjustable to conform to the windshield, rear window, or other interior cab surfaces of varying shape (curvature). The light sources are supported on a flexible support mount which has adjustable, flexible gaskets. End caps and the gaskets screen the inside of the vehicle from the light emitted by the light bar. The support mount is hung on adjustable brackets which allow the light bar to be raised, lowered and tilted to further facilitate conformance with the windshield.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Star Headlight and Lantern Co., Inc.Inventor: Steven W. Neufeglise
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Patent number: 7090385Abstract: A shade includes a pivot member disposed along a horizontal axis extending in the transverse direction of a vehicle and configured to pivot about the horizontal axis. An indentation section extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is formed in a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the shade. Two areas on the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction thereof are formed as a first distributed light generation section for generating a left low beam light distribution pattern, and a second distributed light generation section for generating a right low beam light distribution pattern. The indentation section is formed as a third distributed light generation section for generating a high beam light distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsushi Sugimoto
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Patent number: 7083312Abstract: A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior mirror assembly having a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle and an actuator disposed at a second portion. A reflective element is supported by a reflective element support member mounted to the actuator to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element. The assembly includes a turn signal indicator disposed adjacent to and separate from the reflective element. The turn signal indicator emits a light beam at least generally laterally and rearwardly of the vehicle when the exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle. The turn signal indicator is adjusted tandem with the reflective element by the actuator. The light beam is substantially unobservable by the driver of the vehicle and does not pass through the reflective element.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Todd W. Pastrick, Michiel P. van de Ven, Peter J. Whitehead, Rick Mousseau
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Patent number: 7070309Abstract: The present invention relates to a head lamp assembling device of a front end module of a vehicle, which is capable of locating a head lamp of the vehicle in an exact position of a fender of the vehicle. The head lamp assembling device includes: a carrier assembling stand for fixing the carrier; position adjusting means for adjusting a position of the head lamp; and movable means for moving the position adjusting means of the head lamp.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Halla Climate Control CorporationInventor: Jae-Ho Park
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Patent number: 7052165Abstract: An automotive headlight assembly includes a concave parabolic reflector having a focal axis and a focal point on the axis spaced from the reflector surface. A halogen light source is mounted on an elongated tubular conduit that is oriented on the focal axis of the parabolic reflector. A power mechanism is connected to the tubular conduit for sliding the conduit through a clearance opening aligned with the focal axis, so that the light source is moved between a high beam position on the focal point and a low beam position located at a different point on the focal axis, through an infinite number of in between positions, thus allowing the driver to adjust the focal point of the light to any desired distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Inventor: Peter Field
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Patent number: 7008093Abstract: A first shade 32 is properly moved to vertically shift the position of a cutoff line, and furthermore, a lighting unit 20 is properly tilted in a vertical direction to displace a whole light distribution pattern in the vertical direction. Consequently, a light irradiation is carried out with a light distribution pattern at an irradiation angle corresponding to a vehicle traveling situation. In that case, a second shade 34 is properly moved to form a dark portion in a central part on the lower end of the light distribution pattern in a predetermined size if necessary. Consequently, the amount of a light irradiation on a short-distance region can be controlled finely, and a road surface on this side can be prevented from becoming too bright in a high-speed travel and a light reflected by the road surface which causes a glare can be prevented from being generated in a rain travel.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyotaka Fukawa, Tomoyuki Moritani, Masahito Naganawa
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Patent number: 6998784Abstract: A vehicular headlamp including a beam radiation unit that has a discharge bulb as a light source and is rotatably supported in a lamp body, an illumination circuit unit that illuminates the discharge bulb, and a cord that connects the illumination circuit unit and the discharge bulb, the cord being held at its middle portion so as to be prevented from being moved around with respect to the lamp body.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoichiro Yokoi, Kazuki Okui
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Patent number: 6974231Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is also secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion such that the lamp may be easily attached thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLCInventor: John Burton
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Patent number: 6960006Abstract: A vehicle headlamp has a projector-type lamp unit. The lamp unit has a lens holder. An external surface of the lens holder is formed in a convex circular-arc shape, centering on a rotation axis. As a result, even if the lamp unit rotates about the rotation axis, the clearance between the internal surface at the edge of an opening in an inner panel and the external surface of the lens holder is maintained substantially constant at all times.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Toshiya Abe
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Patent number: 6948835Abstract: An adjustable rear lamp is disclosed to allow the adjustment of a lamp housing within the lamp cavity of an automobile's body frame. A threaded bolt is inserted into an opening in the sheet metal of an automobile. A nut is attached to the threaded bolt. The threaded bolt surrounds a threaded shaft, and one end of the threaded shaft is attached to the lamp housing. The nut and threaded bolt may be rotated, engaging the threaded shaft and moving the threaded shaft into or out of the lamp cavity. The movement of the threaded shaft and the lamp housing allows the lamp housing to be positioned precisely within the lamp cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Guide CorporationInventors: Troy L. King, Kevin M. Robinson, Robert K. Schuyler
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Patent number: 6929386Abstract: A lamp with connector housing for motor vehicles comprising a push/push switch, a light source, and a backplate with a 3-way connector. The backplate with a 3-way connector further comprises a connection between point ground and point door and a connection between point ground and point B. This lamp with connector housing is twisted into the motor vehicle headliner with no screws or other fasteners, it has a compact size, and only uses one light source to illuminate the interior of a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: Shu-Hsiung Chou
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Patent number: 6923558Abstract: A system for aligning a light source to a reflector on a frame for efficiently illuminating a target along a first axis of the reflector. The light source is coupled to an arm that is linearly translatable by a driver assembly coupled to the frame. The travel of the driver assembly is aligned to a plane defined by two axes of the reflector with an alignment pin coupled to the driver assembly and adjusted to the frame. The light source may then be aligned for travel in the first axis by mechanically isolating the drive mechanism from a malleable arm connected to the light source and by bending the malleable arm in at least one dimension.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: NextEngine, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Knighton, Kevin H. Vuong, John Z. Zheng, David D. Drobnis
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Patent number: 6910790Abstract: A headlight for providing a light beam adapted to illuminate the verge of the road. From the rear towards the front along a horizontal reference axis are an elliptical reflector, a light source, and a convergent lens element. The reflector and light source are mounted for pivoting movement, to provide a movable optical axis with respect to the longitudinal axis. The lens is fixed. A lateral portion arranged in an angular sector is swept by the movable optical axis, and is designed to cause the light beam to be modified as a function of the offset angle defined by the movable optical axis with the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Antoine De Lamberterie, Jean Matthieu Tourenq
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Patent number: 6866409Abstract: A light bulb retention assembly for an automobile headlight includes an socket with an opening adapted to receive a light bulb, plural holes in the socket and around the opening that each have an end surface with an upper step and a lower step, plural pins that are each in a respective one of the holes, where each of the pins has a head with a first underside part that bears against the upper step and a second underside part that is separated from the lower step by a gap, and a lock ring having plural latching parts that each rotationally fit into a respective gap. The socket has a sealing edge and the plural latching parts mate with the sealing edge to hold a seal therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.Inventors: William Brent Fields, Sanders R. Brott
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Patent number: 6848814Abstract: A headlamp in which a frame member 50 is supported on a lamp body 14 in a vertically swingable fashion, and a lighting device unit 20 is supported on said frame member 50 in a horizontally swingable fashion. A control unit 108 controls the circular movement of said frame member 50 and said lighting device unit 20 in accordance with vehicle running conditions. With such a construction, a beam emitted from said lighting device unit 20 may be vertically and horizontally varied in its direction in accordance with vehicle running conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeyuki Watanabe, Katsuhito Mochizuki, Takashi Hori
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Publication number: 20040252519Abstract: A light bulb retention assembly for an automobile headlight includes an socket with an opening adapted to receive a light bulb, plural holes in the socket and around the opening that each have an end surface with an upper step and a lower step, plural pins that are each in a respective one of the holes, where each of the pins has a head with a first underside part that bears against the upper step and a second underside part that is separated from the lower step by a gap, and a lock ring having plural latching parts that each rotationally fit into a respective gap. The socket has a sealing edge and the plural latching parts mate with the sealing edge to hold a seal therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: William Brent Fields, Sanders R. Brott
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Publication number: 20040246731Abstract: A light axis adjusting apparatus for a vehicle headlamp has an inclination sensor which receives at least two ultrasonic signals transmitted toward a road surface in a vehicle width direction, and detects the inclined state of a vehicle relative to the road surface based on a receiving time difference between the respective ultrasonic signals. Processings are performed such that the inclination angle &Dgr;&agr; of the vehicle is detected based on the results of detection of the inclination sensor; an actuator is driven based on the inclination angle &Dgr;&agr; to correct the inclination angle of the headlamp; and the abnormality of the inclination sensor is detected based on the state of reception of the ultrasonic signals. Thus, the inclined state of the vehicle is detected constantly with high accuracy, and the light axis of the headlamp can be adjusted appropriately.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK AND BUS CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Hayashi, Masayuki Kayano
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Publication number: 20040246732Abstract: A self-adjusting motorcycle headlight has a housing surrounding a light element and a lean-sensing device. In one embodiment, the lean-sensing is gyroscope, which adjusts a reflector of the light element to maintain a generally planer direction of the light beam emitted by the light element. In an alternative embodiment, an array of lights may be used for the light element, and the lean-sensing element may be used to determine which lights of the array are powered to produce a predetermined beam pattern, which may be generally planer or provide cornering or peripheral lighting. The self-adjusting motorcycle headlight has particular utility in connection with automatically directing light into the direction of travel of a motorcycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Chad J. Lewis