Horizontal Motion Patents (Class 362/531)
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Patent number: 11835192Abstract: A displacement system for simultaneous displacement of a first and a second light module of a lighting apparatus, wherein the first light module is mounted so that it can swivel about a first swivel axis and the second light module is mounted so that it can swivel about a second swivel axis, and wherein the two swivel axes extend parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: ZKW Group GmbHInventors: Walter Staffenberger, Leopold Pritzl
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Patent number: 8931939Abstract: LED luminaire, particularly LED headlight, comprising an active light source (2) composed of a plurality of LEDs (21-26) that have the same color or different colors and are arranged on a flat or curved surface (20, 200) or circuit board and an optical system comprising a collimation optics unit (3), the individual lenses of which are arranged in a small distance above the emission surfaces of the LEDs (21-26) and which collects and focuses the light (L1-L4) emitted by the LEDs and directed onto a surface, a mixing optical unit (4), which receives the light (K1, K2, E) that has been directed onto a surface and focussed and mixes it in terms of the color and/or brightness, and a field optics unit (5) which receives the light (M1, M2 or N1, N2) emitted by the mixing optics unit (4) and emits it with pre-determined light distribution (F1-F4) to the far field.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Tecnik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KGInventors: Erwin Melzner, Michael Jonischkeit
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Patent number: 8556481Abstract: In present invention, the vehicle lighting device includes a heat sink; a light emitting element that is mounted on the heat sink; and a reflector that is disposed on a side of a light emission surface of the light emitting element, the reflector being adapted to reflect light from the light emitting element in a first direction. The heat sink includes: a heat sink main body; and a plate-shaped light source mount member which is protruded from the heat sink main body in the first direction, and on which the light emitting element is to be disposed. A light source is disposed to tit with respect to a horizontal surface in a widthwise direction of the vehicle when a vehicle lighting device is mounted on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Toshiya Abe
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Patent number: 8475022Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided which includes a housing, first and second light sources located in the housing, and an articulating reflector. The articulating reflector is located within the housing and moves between a use position in front of the first light source to reflect light from the second light source and a retracted position. Accordingly, light assembly housing is effectively used to provide a secondary light source, such as a daylight running lamp.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Sarbjit Singh, Edward R. Golden
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Patent number: 8192063Abstract: An interior light bar adapted to be installed on the rear deck of a vehicle for projecting light out of the rear window. The light bar has a pair of projection units each having a housing and each slidably mounted on a rail which extends through the housings from an end thereof and along a rear, closed side. The units each contain light emitters which project the light out of the open side of the units. The units are assembled with a selected separation distance so that the ends through which the rail extends are essentially in contact or sufficiently spread apart to clear a brake light assembly on the rear deck or even further apart so as to provide a wide width of illumination out of the rear window from the light bar. The rail may be channel which provides a conduit for wiring from the light emitter units. Fasteners which connect the housings and the rail into an integrated assembly extend through the closed side of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.Inventor: Steven W. Neufeglise
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Patent number: 8070334Abstract: The work machine has an operator's cab, an engine hood, an exhaust pipe, a first headlight, and a second headlight. The engine hood is disposed in front of the operator's cab. The exhaust pipe projects upwards from the engine hood. The first headlight and the second headlight are provided at a front part of the operator's cab spaced in a lateral direction and disposed so that optical axes of the first and second headlights are mutually intersect but not to overlap with the exhaust pipe when viewed in a top plan view.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Yomogita, Masamichi Miyazaki, Keita Muto, Koji Nagami
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Patent number: 8007151Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
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Patent number: 7967485Abstract: The apparatus for automatically adjusting horizontally a direction of a light axis of a vehicle headlight of the invention includes a steering angle sensor detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle, a swivel control unit performing a swivel control by which the direction of the light axis of the headlight is adjusted horizontally depending on the steering angle of the steering wheel, and an abnormality detecting unit detecting an abnormality associated with the apparatus. Even after detection of abnormality associated with the apparatus by the abnormality detecting unit, the swivel control unit continues performing the swivel control until the light axis is returned to a predetermined initial direction in order to avoid abrupt change of the direction of the light axis of the headlight. The swivel control unit halts the swivel control after the light axis is returned to the predetermined initial direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Kenichi Nishimura
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Patent number: 7912660Abstract: System and method for detecting partial discharge arcing phenomena in a power network distribution system which employs a mobile receiving assemblage including a wideband antenna, a computer controllable wideband radio receiver deriving an amplitude detected output and a global positioning system providing system position data. The amplitude detected outputs are digitized and treated with a digital signal processor based analysis including fast Fourier transforms extracting narrowband signal frequencies that are harmonically related to the network fundamental frequency. The narrowband signal frequencies are analyzed for peak amplitudes which are summed to derive maintenance merit values related to the arcing phenomena.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Exacter, Inc.Inventors: Larry Anderson, John W. Beal, David S. Ellis, John Lauletta
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Patent number: 7878694Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a lamp unit disposed within a lamp housing, a right-left actuator capable of tilting the lamp unit in a right-left direction, the right-left actuator having a rotational shaft connected to the lamp unit, and an up-down actuator capable of tilting the lamp unit in an up-down direction, the up-down actuator having a retractable shaft connected to a support member that supports the lamp unit. The right-left actuator and the up-down actuator are provided within a single actuator housing. An axial direction of the rotational shaft and an axial direction of the retractable shaft are positioned within an identical plane.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tsutomu Takiguchi, Naoki Takii
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Patent number: 7766524Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Michio Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 7755234Abstract: A brushless motor includes a bottom base, a circuit board, a rotator, a big gear, a big driven gear, a driving gear and a lid. Positioned around a shaft base inside the bottom base are two stopping posts that form an included angle with the shaft base. A positioning plate is formed at the bottom of the driving gear, restricted to move between the two stopping posts to keep the driving gear rotated in a preset angle. And, a single injection mold can make various bottom bases with diverse rotating angles for being used in the brushless motor employed for different lamps, achieving the purpose of reducing manufacturing cost.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Inventors: Hsian-Yi Huang, Hsiu-Ming Huang
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Patent number: 7690825Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lamp unit, a bracket which supports the lamp unit such that the lamp unit is swivelable in right and left directions, a lamp body which supports the bracket such that the bracket is tiltable in the right and left directions and in up and down directions with respect to the lamp body, an actuator which is supported by the bracket and swivels the lamp unit, a rotating shaft member which is supported by the bracket, and a joint member which is coupled to the actuator. The lamp unit includes a light source, a reflector, a shade, a projection lens, a rotating shaft attaching portion to which the rotating shaft member is attached, and a joint attaching portion to which the joint member is attached.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sigeru Kuwahara, Shouichirou Yokoi, Tsutomu Takiguchi
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Patent number: 7618174Abstract: In a vehicle lamp including a light source unit at inside of a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a transparent front face cover attached to a front opening portion thereof, a light source unit includes a light emitting element supported by a unit mounting portion, an optical unit for irradiating light from the light emitting element to a front side of the vehicle lamp, and a swivel drive mechanism for driving the optical unit without being moved cooperatively with the light emitting element. The light source unit integral with the unit mounting portion and a heat radiating portion is arranged to penetrate the lamp body.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Yasuda, Mitsuyuki Mochizuki, Masashi Tatsukawa, Hiroyuki Ishida, Seiichiro Yagi
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Patent number: 7618169Abstract: A light projecting rearview mirror apparatus comprises a telescopic mirror housing with fully pivoting light case on a bottom of the housing. Further, the housing rotates for added lighting directional control. The apparatus is fitted as replacement or original equipment and provides for safely lighting adjacent to an auto at night.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Inventor: Herbert Lee
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Patent number: 7577535Abstract: System and method for detecting partial discharge arcing phenomena in a power network distribution system which employs a mobile receiving assemblage including a wideband antenna, a computer controllable wideband radio receiver deriving an amplitude detected output and a global positioning system providing system position data. The amplitude detected outputs are digitized and treated with a digital signal processor based analysis including fast Fourier transforms extracting narrowband signal frequencies that are harmonically related to the network fundamental frequency. The narrowband signal frequencies are analyzed for peak amplitudes which are summed to derive maintenance merit values related to the arcing phenomena.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Exacter, Inc.Inventors: Larry Anderson, John W. Beal, David S. Ellis, John Lauletta
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Patent number: 7520646Abstract: An initialization function of a lighting direction control apparatus of a vehicle lamp is provided with functions: for swinging, in a first direction, a lamp across the initial position until the lamp is bumped; for swinging, in the opposite direction (a second direction), the lamp from the bumped position across the initial position at a predetermined angle; and for swinging, in the first direction, the lamp at an angle across the initial direction. The bumped position is defined as a deflection angle position at which the headlamp does not dazzle the driver of a car approaching from the opposite direction. The predetermined angle is defined as an angle greater than a reflection error angle that is generated at the bumping time.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Tetsuya Ishida
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Patent number: 7419289Abstract: A lamp unit includes a semiconductor light-emitting element portion, a reflector that radiates light from a light source forward of the lamp, and a driving portion that moves relative positions of the semiconductor light-emitting element portion and the reflector. The semiconductor light-emitting element portion is provided with a light-emitting surface whose outer peripheral shape is generally oblong, the reflector is provided with a parabolic surface that has a focus line in the horizontal direction, and the driving portion is configured such that rotation is possible within a horizontal plane of the light-emitting surface from a first position where a short side of the light-emitting surface is generally parallel to the focus line up to a second position where a long side of the light-emitting surface is generally parallel to the focus line.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takayuki Yagi
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Patent number: 7404657Abstract: A light source is movable between a reference position located on an optical axis on the rear side of a rear side focal point of a projection lens and a forward shift position located on the forward side of the reference position. At a predetermined position of the reflecting surface of a reflector on the lower side of the optical axis, an auxiliary reflecting surface having a vertical section of substantially an elliptical shape is formed which has a first focal point set at the center of the light source at the forward shift position, and a second focal point set at the rear side focal point of the projection lens.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenichi Takada
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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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Patent number: 7354183Abstract: A lightweight and compact headlamp adjuster is constructed primarily from plastic materials. The adjuster may include a VHAD that is non-recalibratable after the headlamp aim is factory set. The adjuster includes an input shaft that engages a gear located within a housing. When the input shaft is rotated, a ball stud moves linearly to adjust the headlamp to which it is connected. The adjuster is not subject to over-adjustment when it includes a clutching mechanism provided by the interaction of the ball stud with the gear.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLCInventor: John E. Burton
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Patent number: 7322724Abstract: A headlamp for motor vehicles of the reflector or projector design having at least one low beam light chamber, with a discharge light source, and at least one high beam light chamber, with a halogen light source. The direction of the rays produced in the high beam light operational mode are adjusted by means of simultaneous vertical swiveling of both light chambers and independent horizontal adjustment of the low beam light chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Kletensky, Milan Cejnek, Libor Stambersky
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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: 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: 7198392Abstract: An adjuster to be used with numerous applications including the adjusting of a headlamp reflector of a headlamp assembly includes a clutch mechanism that prevents over-driving and over-traveling of the adjuster output shaft during an overload condition. The adjuster includes generally an output shaft, drive gear, spring, and a driven gear that allow the headlamp adjuster to clutch. The driven gear is held in an engaged position with the drive gear by the spring force of the spring. In a high torque condition, such as when the output shaft encounters a high load, the driven gear will disengage from the drive gear overcoming the spring force of the spring. In this position, the headlamp adjuster will clutch, thereby preventing the over-driving and over-traveling of the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Illinois Tool Works IncInventors: Darien P. Hobbs, Peter B. Brazas
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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: 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: 7066632Abstract: A lightweight and compact headlamp adjuster is constructed primarily from plastic materials. The adjuster may include a VHAD that is non-recalibratable after the headlamp aim is factory set. The adjuster includes an input shaft that engages a gear located within a housing. When the input shaft is rotated, a ball stud moves linearly to adjust the headlamp to which it is connected. The adjuster is not subject to over-adjustment when it includes a clutching mechanism provided by the interaction of the ball stud with the gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLCInventor: John E. Burton
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Patent number: 7036964Abstract: A headlamp apparatus for a vehicle includes a left-right deflecting device for deflecting an optical axis of illumination of a projector lamp in a left-and-right direction in correspondence with a steering angle of a vehicle; a vertically deflecting device for deflecting the optical axis of illumination of the projector lamp 30 in a vertical direction; and a deflection controlling device for effecting the operation of setting the optical axis by the left-right deflecting device at a time when the optical axis of illumination is in a state of being oriented in a lower direction than the horizontal direction by the vertically deflecting device. The optical axis position of the projector lamp is oriented in a lower direction than the horizontal direction by the vertically deflecting device until the optical axis position is set to a reference angular position by the left-right deflecting device.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Takii, Masahiro Kusagaya, Atsushi Sugimoto, Junji Baba
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Patent number: 6981790Abstract: A shade is moved to a high-beam position by a driving force of a solenoid and held in that position. The shade is switched to a low-beam position by a spring force of a plate spring and held in that position. The solenoid is the pull-type solenoid. The shade is thin and therefore light in weight. As a result, low-cost and light-weight headlamp is obtained. Moreover, switching of the beams can be performed accurately.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Suzuki
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Patent number: 6910789Abstract: A vehicle headlamp including a reflector installed so as to be tiltable by an aiming mechanism installed in the lamp body. The aiming screw of the aiming mechanism has a rearward-extending portion that extends out of the lamp body, and a crown gear is attached to an area near the end of the rearward-extending portion so as to be spaced apart from a screw supporting wall of the lamp body that supports the middle portion of the aiming screw. An expanded-out wall that functions as a screwdriver guide for supporting a screwdriver that is used to rotate the crown gear is provided above the screw supporting wall. The end of the rearward-extending portion of the aiming screw is supported by a bracket that is installed near the screw supporting wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Masayoshi Kuroda
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Patent number: 6796692Abstract: A vehicle headlamp structure for engagement between a plunger of a solenoid and a shade leg of a movable shade, wherein the solenoid moves the movable shade to vary the light distribution of a lamp fixture. A moveable shade 22 is pivoted between two positions by a solenoid 34 having a longitudinally extending plunger 36. The plunger 36 has a notch (U-shaped recess) 36a formed in its peripheral surface at a position near the tip thereof. A shade leg 22B of the movable shade 22 has an engaging portion 22Ba for engaging with the notch 36a. Since the engaging portion 22Ba abuts on a front end face 36a1 and a rear end face 36a2 of the notch 36a, reciprocating movement if the plunger 36 is converted into pivoting movement of the movable shade 22.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsumi Nakada, Shoichiro Yokoi, Shigeyuki Watanabe
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Patent number: 6793359Abstract: A transmission member is swingably connected respectively to a reflector and a nut member, about an axis substantially orthogonal to a tilting direction of the reflector and to an advancing and backward direction of the nut member. As a result, the transmission member, which forms a link of a link mechanism, converts the linear motion of the nut member into rotation motion and transmits the rotation motion to the reflector, and also adjusts a misalignment between the linear motion of the nut member and the rotation motion of the reflector. Accordingly, optical axis adjustment is carried out smoothly.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Miyoshi Iwamoto
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Patent number: 6773153Abstract: A lightweight and compact headlamp adjuster is constructed primarily from plastic materials. The adjuster may include a VHAD that is non-recalibratable after the headlamp aim is factory set. The adjuster includes an input shaft that engages a gear located within a housing. When the input shaft is rotated, a ball stud moves linearly to adjust the headlamp to which it is connected. The adjuster is not subject to over-adjustment when it includes a clutching mechanism provided by the interaction of the ball stud with the gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLCInventor: John E. Burton
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Patent number: 6742918Abstract: A system for adjusting the direction of a light beam from a headlamp assembly comprises a condenser lens which is movable along an arcuate path. As a vehicle turns a corner, the system moves the condenser lens along the arcuate path, so as to direct the light beam in the direction that the vehicle is moving. Because the condenser lens follows an arcuate path, the light beam is not distorted, allowing for greater angular displacement of the light beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Guide CorporationInventor: Tony E. Collins
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Patent number: 6652130Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a lamp body having a hollow portion opening forward, a support member supported tiltably in the lamp body, and a plurality of reflectors supported side by side in one of the vertical and lateral directions by the support member. Each reflector is made to support a corresponding light source and least one of the reflectors is pivotably supported by the support member in the horizontal direction. In one embodiment, a lower reflector is pivotable in the horizontal direction and a low beam is formed by an upper reflector and the light source supported by the upper reflector. In this embodiment, the upper reflector does not have any portion that does not affect luminous distribution.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhito Mochizuki, Takashi Matsunaga, Shigeyuki Watanabe, Kiyotaka Fukawa, Takashi Hori, Masatoshi Yoneyama
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Patent number: 6648494Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
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Patent number: 6637917Abstract: A side flashing lamp (4, 4′) for fitting in the cover cap (2) of an external rear view mirror (1) for motor vehicles, comprising a lamp housing having an elongate light exit opening (3) which in the installed condition extends from the outward side of the cover cap (2), which is remote from the vehicle, substantially horizontally towards the vehicle, at least one group of light sources (12) which are arranged distributed substantially uniformly along a line which in the installed condition extends substantially horizontally over the width of the light exit opening (3), and at least one optically active device (10) which focuses the light of the at least one group of light sources (12) in a main radiation direction which in the installed condition faces substantially in the direction of travel.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Fer Fahrzeugelektrik GmbHInventors: Martina Schwanz, Rolf Kuenstler, Daniel Matthie, Markus Braeutigam
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Publication number: 20030189822Abstract: A headlight for giving an offset beam or verge beam, for illuminating the verge of the road, is of the type comprising, considered from the rear towards the front along a horizontal reference axis, an elliptical reflector, a light source, and a convergent lens element. The reflector and light source are mounted for pivoting movement, thereby defining a movable optical axis with respect to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventors: Antoine De Lamberterie, Jean Matthieu Tourenq
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Publication number: 20030169597Abstract: A vehicle headlamp including a reflector installed so as to be tiltable by an aiming mechanism installed in the lamp body. The aiming screw of the aiming mechanism has a rearward-extending portion that extends out of the lamp body, and a crown gear is attached to an area near the end of the rearward-extending portion so as to be spaced apart from a screw supporting wall of the lamp body that supports the middle portion of the aiming screw. An expanded-out wall that functions as a screwdriver guide for supporting a screwdriver that is used to rotate the crown gear is provided above the screw supporting wall. The end of the rearward-extending portion of the aiming screw is supported by a bracket that is installed near the screw supporting wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Masayoshi Kuroda
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Patent number: 6585401Abstract: A sliding contact is formed by a first terminal 40 fixed to a side of a lamp base flange 2 and a second terminal 41 fixed to a side of a slider 7. Accordingly, it is possible to supply an electric current to a glass tube 9 without bending a harness 3. Therefore, a harness 3 is not deteriorated, and a resistance at a time of sliding the glass tube 9 is not increased.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kunio Akizuki, Yasumitsu Nakabayashi
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Patent number: 6543916Abstract: A vehicular headlamp with a movable reflector in which suitable aiming is possible using an aiming screw made from synthetic resin. The headlamp includes a synthetic resin lamp body and synthetic resin front lens that define a lamp compartment is which a reflector carrying a light source is housed. An aiming mechanism is disposed between the lamp body and the reflector and that supports the reflector such that it may be tilted relative to the lamp body. The aiming mechanism includes an aiming fulcrum that forms a tilt fulcrum for the reflector, a synthetic resin screw that extends forward and is rotatably supported in the screw insertion hole of the lamp body, and a synthetic resin nut member attached to a bracket formed on the reflector that meshes with the screw and is moved forward or backward in connection with the rotation of the screw. A nut slide guide carrying the nut member and supporting it so that it can slide forward and backward is integrally formed with the lamp body.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsutada Shirai
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Publication number: 20030043591Abstract: A lightweight and compact headlamp adjuster is constructed primarily from plastic materials. The adjuster may include a VHAD that is non-recalibratable after the headlamp aim is factory set. The adjuster includes an input shaft that engages a gear located within a housing. When the input shaft is rotated, a ball stud moves linearly to adjust the headlamp to which it is connected. The adjuster is not subject to over-adjustment when it includes a clutching mechanism provided by the interaction of the ball stud with the gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventor: John E. Burton
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Publication number: 20030039124Abstract: A headlamp device for a vehicle includes a first light distribution controlling portion moving light irradiated forward from a light source in a lateral direction of the vehicle, and a second light distribution controlling portion moving the light irradiated forward from the light source in a vertical direction of the vehicle. A light distribution is controlled in response to a signal sent from the first light distribution controlling portion to the second light distribution controlling portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Inventors: Yuki Tawa, Masaaki Ishikawa, Toshihisa Hayami, Atsushi Sugimoto, Hideki Uchida
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Patent number: 6450674Abstract: A headlamp adjuster which includes an adjuster output shaft which is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The adjuster output shaft extends from a housing, and the headlamp adjuster is configured such that in an overload condition, the adjuster output shaft is prevented from translating substantially axially, thereby reducing the risk of damage resulting from over-travel of the adjustor output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Elco Textron Inc.Inventor: Ronald S. Denley
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Patent number: 6447154Abstract: A headlamp adjuster which includes an adjuster output shaft which is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The adjuster output shaft extends from a housing, and the headlamp adjuster is configured such that in an overload condition, the adjuster output shaft is prevented from translating substantially axially, thereby reducing the risk of damage resulting from over-travel of the adjustor output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Elco Textron Inc.Inventor: Ronald S. Denley
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Publication number: 20020064051Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an optical means whereof the direction of irradiation is change by rotation, a motor, an output shaft for driving the optical means, and a rotation transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation from the motor to the output shaft. The motor, the output shaft, and the rotation transmitting mechanism are accommodated in the case body, and a revolving shaft of the motor is supported by the case body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: Atsushi Sugimoto, Keiichi Tajima, Kazuma Mochizuki, Tsutomu Takiguchi
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Publication number: 20010046139Abstract: A lamp apparatus or a vehicle headlamp comprising first and second lamp units that are provided adjacent to each other in the lateral direction so as to tilt in a lamp body by first and second aiming mechanisms, respectively. First supporting portions for supporting a fulcrum pin and aiming screws of the first aiming mechanism are provided behind the first lamp unit in the lamp body, and second supporting portions for supporting a fulcrum pin and aiming screws of the second aiming mechanism are provided behind the second lamp unit in the lamp body; and at least one of the plurality of first supporting portions and at least one of the plurality of second supporting portions are provided so as to overlap each other in a direction in which the lamp units are disposed when the headlamp is viewed from front.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Kazuya Hashigaya
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Patent number: 6315438Abstract: A vehicle headlamp of a movable reflector type comprising a lamp body, a reflector having a lamp, and an aiming mechanism disposed between the lamp body and the reflector and structured so as to support the reflector and adjust the angle of the reflector with respect to the lamp body when aiming screws mounted in screw insertion holes of the lamp body are turned; and a portion of each of the aiming screws which is installed in and supported by the screw insertion hole is made of plastic, and annular elastic waterproofing ribs are formed on the plastic portion of the aiming screw so as to be brought into a sliding contact with the inner surface of the screw insertion hole, thus securing a waterproofing capability for the vehicle headlamp.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katutada Shirai, Takashi Matsunaga
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Publication number: 20010036080Abstract: A vehicular headlamp with a movable reflector in which suitable aiming is possible using an aiming screw made from synthetic resin. The headlamp includes a synthetic resin lamp body and synthetic resin front lens that define a lamp compartment is which a reflector carrying a light source is housed. An aiming mechanism is disposed between the lamp body and the reflector and that supports the reflector such that it may be tilted relative to the lamp body. The aiming mechanism includes an aiming fulcrum that forms a tilt fulcrum for the reflector, a synthetic resin screw that extends forward and is rotatably supported in the screw insertion hole of the lamp body, and a synthetic resin nut member attached to a bracket formed on the reflector that meshes with the screw and is moved forward or backward in connection with the rotation of the screw. A nut slide guide carrying the nut member and supporting it so that it can slide forward and backward is integrally formed with the lamp body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventor: Katsutada Shirai