Including Mask Or Screen Patents (Class 362/539)
  • Patent number: 7878695
    Abstract: A lighting unit with a projection lens, a light source, a reflector, a shade, and a convex lens. The projection lens is arranged on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The light source is arranged on a rear side of a rear side focal point of the projection lens. The reflector reflects forward light from the light source toward the optical axis. An upper end edge of the shade passes through a vicinity of the rear side focal point. The shade shields part of a reflected light from the reflector. The convex lens is arranged between the light source and the shade, and converges light from the light source into the vicinity of the upper end edge of the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Publication number: 20100309679
    Abstract: A projector headlight for a low beam can include a first and second lighting unit. Each of the first and second lighting units can include an LED light source, an ellipsoidal reflector, a projector lens and a shade. Light emitted from the LED light source can form a light distribution pattern from the projector lens via the ellipsoidal reflector by shielding an upwards portion of the light with the shade. The shade of the second lighting unit may be configured so as not to project light on a specific point under a cut-off line on an oncoming lane using a convex portion thereon. Therefore, the first lighting unit can project light with a maximum light intensity at the specific point so as to overlap the light distribution pattern formed by the second lighting unit. Thus, the projector headlight can perform a favorable light distribution pattern that can conform to a light distribution standard for headlights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Shinji Yamagata, Takashi Akutagawa
  • Publication number: 20100309680
    Abstract: A projector headlight for a low beam can include a light source, an ellipsoidal reflector, a projector lens and a shade. Light emitted from the light source can form a fundamental light distribution pattern from the projector lens via the ellipsoidal reflector by shielding an upward portion of the light with the shade. The shade can form a blurred part on a horizontal cut-off line using a radiused R surface between a top and front edge lines of the shade. Therefore, a contrasting difference between the upper and lower sides of the horizontal cut-off line can be reduced so as to be able to conform to a light distribution standard for a headlight. The R surface can be configured with a reflex surface or a non-reflex surface to match the light source. Thus, the projector headlight can perform a favorable light distribution pattern utilizing a simple structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Takashi Akutagawa, Motoyuki Ichihara, Yoshiaki Akiyama, Yasuaki Kaizumi
  • Publication number: 20100309678
    Abstract: A vehicular lighting fixture can include a shade wherein an end edge of an upper surface of the shade is positioned at or in a vicinity of a focus of a projection lens. A first reflection surface can be provided to condense light from a light source in a vicinity of the end edge and to form a basic light distribution pattern by the projection lens. A second reflection surface which can comprise one planar reflection surface and can reflect light from the first reflection surface to form a first additional light distribution pattern. A third reflection surface can be provided on a higher surface of a step section of the upper surface, and can reflect light from the first reflection surface to form a second additional light distribution pattern. A fourth reflection surface can connect the second and third reflection surface, and can reflect the light from the first reflection surface in a direction not incident on the projection lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Shinji Yamagata
  • Patent number: 7832912
    Abstract: In existing lamp unit for vehicles, the light from the semiconductor light source can not be effectively used. In the present invention, a shade (5) is arranged between the second focus (F2) of a first reflect surface (9) and a semiconductor light source (4), for cutting off a portion of the reflected light (L4) emitting from the semiconductor light source (4) and reflected by the first reflect surface (9), and using the remaining reflected light (L4) to form a predetermined distributed light pattern (P) having the cutoff lines (CL); a light shutout member (8) is provided with the fourth part (20) of the supplemental reflect surface for reflecting the light (L3) from the semiconductor light source (4) toward the shade (5); a through hole (24) is arranged on the shade (5) for the reflected light (L17) from the fourth part (20) of the supplemental reflect surface illuminating therethrough toward the planar reflect surface (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Nishihata
  • Patent number: 7824088
    Abstract: A planar reflection surface is arranged between a projection lens and a lens focal point of the projection lens. The lens focal point exists as a pseudo lens focal point at a symmetric position with respect to the planar reflection surface. A horizontal optical axis exists as a vertical pseudo optical axis that intersects at right angles with the horizontal optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Iwasaki
  • 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: 7815353
    Abstract: A headlight device that has a visual appearance of having a lamp body using a plurality of light sources, while only a single light source is used. A shielding wall shields light radiated from a headlight bulb, or light reflected by a reflector portion. The shielding wall is arranged between a front lens and the reflector portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Aoki
  • 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: 20100246204
    Abstract: A lamp unit includes a first semiconductor light-emitting element that serves as a light source; a second semiconductor light-emitting element that serves as a light source; a support member that supports the first semiconductor light-emitting element and the second semiconductor light-emitting element; a first reflector provided above the first semiconductor light-emitting element, which reflects light radiated from the first semiconductor light-emitting element forward; a shade that blocks a portion of reflected light from the first reflector; a projection lens provided in front of the first reflector with the shade disposed therebetween, which forms a light distribution pattern with a cut-off line from light reflected by the first reflector; a positioning portion that positions the projection lens; and a second reflector provided below the second semiconductor light-emitting element, which reflects light radiated from the second semiconductor light-emitting element forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuaki Inaba
  • Patent number: 7798689
    Abstract: An infrared light irradiating lamp for a vehicle includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a light source bulb disposed behind a rear side focal point of the projection lens that includes a filament for emitting a light; a reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction close to the optical axis; and an infrared light transmitting filter disposed between the reflector and the projection lens. The infrared light transmitting filter includes an infrared light transmitting film and a diffusing portion for diffusing a light transmitted from the reflector. The infrared light transmitting filter is movable between a transmitting position in which the infrared light transmitting film intercepts light reflected by the reflector and a retreating position in which infrared light transmitting film does not intercept the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Kagiyama
  • Patent number: 7798690
    Abstract: A headlamp including a metal bracket and a plurality of light source units 50, each unit having a light source, being mounted on the metal bracket 20, and being disposed within a lamp chamber. Irradiation light patterns of the light source units 50 are combined together to form a predetermined light distribution pattern. Each of the light source units 50 includes a resin shade 58, which is fastened to the bracket 20 by a fastening portion and is disposed forwardly of the light source, and a resin lens 52 connected to the shade 58. Part of the fastening portion is made of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Watanabe, Tetsuaki Inaba
  • Patent number: 7798688
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headlight lens for a vehicle headlight comprising a light source, particularly for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the headlight lens comprises a transparent lens body made of glass comprising a surface arranged to face the light source and a surface arranged to face away from the light source, and wherein the headlight lens comprises at least with respect to said surface arranged to face away from the light source a layer comprising an aluminum concentration which is higher than an aluminum concentration inside the lens body and/or a sodium concentration which is lower than a sodium concentration inside the lens body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Docter Optics GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Heiko Hamkens
  • Patent number: 7789545
    Abstract: A headlight assembly includes a housing, a light source, a light shielding plate, and a light guiding plate. The housing defines a compartment, and includes a reflector and a lens disposed in front of the reflector. The light source is mounted in the compartment and is disposed on an optical axis. The light shielding plate is mounted between the light source and the lens. The light guiding plate is disposed below the optical axis. A first portion of light beams emitted upwardly is reflected by the reflector, passes over the light shielding plate and through the lens, which refracts the first portion of the light beams to form a first illuminating pattern. A second portion of the light beams passes through the light guiding plate and through the lens, which refracts the second portion of the light beams to result in a second illuminating pattern that is directed forwardly and upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: T.Y.C. Brother Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Tien Cheng, Liang-Ren Huang, Chi-Ching Huang, Chen-Kang Hsu
  • Patent number: 7784985
    Abstract: A dual function headlamp for motor vehicle fulfilling a first function as a beam with cut-off, in particular a dipped beam, and a second function as a second-type beam, in particular a full beam, comprising: an elliptical reflector with an interior focal point and an focal point on an optical axis; a light source placed in the vicinity of the interior focal point; an optics placed forward of the reflector and with a focal point merged with, or next to, the exterior focal point of the reflector; and a retractable shade that can occupy an active position for the beam with cut-off and a withdrawn position for the second-type beam, the shade in active position presenting a cut-off edge situated in the vicinity of the focal point of the optics. The retractable shade presents a reflective surface which, in withdrawn position, is placed in the lower part of the reflector, is turned forward and contributes to the second-type beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud
  • Patent number: 7784984
    Abstract: A lamp unit as a vehicle lamp is structured by a compact constitution including a lens arranged on an optical axis extending in a front and rear direction of the lamp, and a light emitting element arranged rearward from the lens. The light emitting element is arranged at a vicinity of the rear side focal point in a state of inclining a light emitting chip in a skewed upper direction relative to a direction of a front face of the lamp. A vicinity of the light emitting element is arranged with a reflector for reflecting light from the light emitting chip to the lens. Light directed in a direction proximate to the optical axis emitted from the light emitting chip is incident on the lens, and also most of other light is made to be incident on the lens by being reflected by the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7775698
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp including a projector headlight for a low beam can include a light source, an ellipsoidal reflector, a projector and shade. Light emitted from the light source can form a fundamental light distribution pattern from the projector lens via the ellipsoidal reflector by shielding an upwards portion of the light with the shade. The shade can form respective thin blurred parts on and/or underneath a horizontal cut-off line for both a driving lane portion and an oncoming lane portion using a top edge line and a top surface of the shade. Therefore, a contrasting difference between the upper and lower sides of the horizontal cut-off line can be reduced so as to be able to conform to a light distribution standard for a headlight. Adjustment of the light distribution pattern can be facilitated due to tonal difference between the horizontal cut-off line of the driving lane and the oncoming lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Shoji, Ichiro Yoshio
  • Patent number: 7775699
    Abstract: A bifunctional vehicle headlamp is described. In one embodiment, a headlamp comprises a light source and a reflector, which cooperate to form a light pattern, a lens positioned forward of the reflector and configured to project a desired beam pattern, and a light shield disposed between the lens and the reflector. The light shield has a first shade that selectively blocks a first portion of the light pattern to form a first beam pattern, and a second shade that selectively blocks a second portion of the light pattern to form a second beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir P. Fallahi, William C. Ince
  • 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: 7766523
    Abstract: A lamp unit 18 is provided with a reflecting face 25b for an overhead sign and a light receiving face 28 for the overhead sign. The reflecting face 25b for an overhead sign reflects light from a light source 23a and is provided on an upper side of the light source 23a and rearward from a rear side focal point F of a projector lens 11. The light receiving face 28 for the overhead sign is provided on a front side of a movable shade 30 arranged between the projector lens 11 and the light source 23a. The light receiving face 28 forms overhead sign irradiating light P2 by reflecting light from the reflecting face 25b for the overhead sign to the projector lens 11. Illuminance reducer for reducing a portion of irradiating light is provided at a position of a vicinity of an upper end of the movable shade 30 of the light receiving face 28a for the overhead sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kinoshita, Akinori Matsumoto, Takehiko Tajima
  • 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: 7753573
    Abstract: A light source for vehicles can include a base having a cavity formed on its upper surface, an LED chip mounted in the cavity of the base, a resin portion for sealing the LED chip in the cavity, an optical member disposed above the base and apart from the LED chip, a light shielding portion disposed on the inner surface of the optical member and which forms a cutoff suited for a light distribution pattern, and a fluorescent substance layer disposed at least in regions other than the light shielding portion on the inner surface of the optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Mitsunori Harada
  • Patent number: 7753574
    Abstract: An optical module for an elliptical motor vehicle lighting device, the optical module comprising in particular a reflector, a light source emitting light rays, and a projection lens, the reflector having a reflecting internal face for reflecting towards the projection lens at least some of the light rays emitted by the light source. The internal face of the reflector is formed by the joining of at least a first portion of a first ellipsoid shape and a second portion of a second ellipsoid shape, the first ellipsoid shape having a first principal focus and a second principal focus, the second ellipsoid shape having a first principal focus and a second principal focus, the second principal focus of the first ellipsoid shape being merged with the first principal focus of the second ellipsoid shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud
  • Patent number: 7748881
    Abstract: A vehicle bulb shield with material differences in configuration, thickness, strength, grade or surface coating in the leg and shield sections, manufactured from a tailor welded steel strip of different materials to obtain desired corresponding combinations of features in each component from each material. A progressive forming process is used to accommodate the different metal combinations within the tailor welded steel strip (e.g. material type and/or thickness), and thereby allow new material property configurations in the bulb shield components. A material property configured bulb shield design enables consideration of formability of material in different component sections, the rigidity of material in different component sections, and cost of different materials, in a single component design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Isatec of Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Strazzanti, Zi Qiang Sheng
  • Patent number: 7748880
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp with a projection lens; a light source; a shade, which forms a cutoff line; a reflector, which reflects a light from the light source toward the projection lens such that the light passes near an upper end portion of the shade so as to irradiate a forward direction along an optical axis with the light emitted from the projection lens; an overhead sign reflecting surface, which is provided near an upper end edge of the reflector and reflects the light from the light source; and an overhead sign light receiving surface, which is provided near the upper end portion of the shade and reflects the light from the reflecting surface toward the projection lens so as to irradiate upward irradiation light from the projection lens. The overhead sign reflecting surface includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces, which emit reflected light of different patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7748879
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a plurality of light sources and reflective surfaces in various combinations. Each light source can include at least one LED array that includes or consists of LED chips arranged in a row. Each reflective surface can be arranged in combination with a light source to generate a certain light distribution pattern. Two to twelve or more such combinations of light sources and reflective surfaces can be employed. The lights having light distribution patterns generated from the combinations can be combined to form an overall light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Koike, Yasushi Yatsuda
  • Publication number: 20100165653
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided with semiconductor-type light sources, lenses, a reflector, light shading members, prism members, and a switching device. When the light shading members are positioned in a first location by means of the switching device, a light distribution pattern LP for low beam, having one or more cutoff lines, is illuminated. In addition, when the prism members are positioned in the first location by means of the switching device, a light distribution pattern HP for high beam is illuminated. As a result, the vehicle headlamp can achieve downsizing, weight reduction, power saving, and cost reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ookubo, Toshiya Abe
  • Publication number: 20100165654
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided with: a main reflector having a convergent reflecting surface; a semiconductor-type light source; a projecting lens; an auxiliary reflector having a parabolic reflecting surface; a shade and a light shading member that are structured integrally with each other; and a switching device. By means of the switching device, the shade and light shading member, which are structured integrally with each other, are switched and positioned in a first location and a second location, thereby allowing light distribution patterns for high and low beams to be switched and illuminated toward a forward direction of a vehicle. As a result, the vehicle headlamp becomes capable of achieving downsizing, weight reduction, power saving, and cost reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Yasuhiro OKUBO, Toshiya ABE
  • Patent number: 7736038
    Abstract: The driving unit includes an attaching portion, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface. The frame includes a receiving portion to which the attaching portion is attached, a first contact receiving surface with which the first contact surface is in contact, and a second contact receiving surface with which the second contact surface is in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7736037
    Abstract: A projector assembly having a light source and a reflector body positioned proximately to the light source for reflecting light forward along an axis of the projector assembly. Mounted to the reflector body is a lens. The lens is in front of and at a distance from the light source to focus the light into a beam pattern. An actuator is mounted to the reflector body and includes a pair of rotatable shafts extending from opposing ends along an axis that is perpendicular to and below the axis of the projector assembly. A light shield is mounted onto the rotatable shafts of the actuator and is rotatable between a first position, wherein substantially all of the light below the axis of the projector assembly is blocked, and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the light below the axis of the projector assembly is allowed to project forward through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Libor Losak, Vladimir Dobrus, Jiri Kopenec
  • Patent number: 7726859
    Abstract: A lamp unit of a vehicular headlamp includes a projection lens with an optical axis; a light source formed from a semiconductor light-emitting element; a first reflector that reflects light from the light source so as to condense such light on or near the optical axis; and a shade positioned between the light source and the projection lens so as to extend along the optical axis direction. The shade shields part of the light reflected by the first reflector. In the lamp unit of the vehicular headlamp, a shielding surface extends rearward from a front end of the shade, where the shade is positioned near a rearward focal point Rf of the projection lens. The shielding surfaces serve as a second reflector that reflects light from the first reflector toward the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Motohiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7726858
    Abstract: A vehicle light can include a plurality of light projection units each having a replaceable LED lamp, a reflector unit, a projection lens, and a shielding member. A housing can be provided that includes a lens and a rear side part, with the housing configured to accommodate the light projection units. The rear side part can include a mounting opening therethrough with a base plate configured to be hermetically attached to the housing through the mounting opening of the rear side part. The replaceable LED lamp can be attached to the base plate, and an elastic connecting member can be configured to hermetically connect the housing and the base plate so that the LED lamps can be individually replaced. Since the LED lamps can be individually replaced, untrained persons can carry out the replacement operation. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the replacement cost and time as well as improve the rate of operation of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Yasuyo Ikeda, Qi Jing, Satoshi Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20100128463
    Abstract: There is provided a headlight for a vehicle. The headlight uses a light emitting device as a light source, so that light intensity can be enhanced and rectangular beams without discontinuity can be emitted, thereby enhancing light distribution characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Hyung Kun KIM, Young Jin LEE
  • Patent number: 7722235
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a projection-type light source unit housed in a lamp chamber. The light source unit includes a projection lens; a shade; a light emitting diode (LED) light source; a reflector; and an optical element. The LED light source includes a substrate; an LED chip disposed on the substrate such that the LED chip is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the light source unit; and a cover member. A region of the cover member includes concave and convex portions so as to diffuse light transmitted through the cover member. The reflector reflects and guides the light from the LED light source onto a rear focus of the projection lens. The optical element guides the diffused light transmitted through the cover toward a front side of the vehicle headlamp so as to form an overhead light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Mochizuki, Nobutaka Tezuka
  • Patent number: 7722234
    Abstract: A light shielding member shields a part of a light radiated from a light source and passes a remaining part of the light. A reflection surface reflects the light that passes through the light shielding member forward of a vehicle as a light distribution pattern including a cutoff line on a driving lane side and a cutoff line on an oncoming lane side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7722233
    Abstract: An optical module for a motor vehicle lighting device, capable of emitting at least one type of light beam having a cut-off and comprising: a light source disposed in a reflector; a dioptric element, in particular a convergent lens, disposed in front of the reflector; a shield disposed between said light source and said dioptric element; and an additional optical element is disposed between the light source and the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Meyrenaud
  • Publication number: 20100124070
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens, a halogen bulb disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and below an optical axis, a main reflector which forwardly reflects and converges a first part of direct light from the halogen bulb toward the optical axis, the halogen bulb being inserted in the main reflector in a sidewise direction, a movable shade disposed between the projection lens and the halogen bulb to shield a portion of the first part of the light reflected by the main reflector and a second part of the direct light from the halogen bulb to form a cutoff line, an actuator which moves the movable shade, and an auxiliary reflector disposed below the optical axis to forwardly and diffusely reflect a third part of the direct light from the halogen bulb such that the third part of the light passes below the projection lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki OCHIAI
  • Publication number: 20100124069
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided with: a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a front and rear direction of a vehicle; a light source disposed rearwardly of a rear-side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector configured to reflect direct light from the light source forward to converge reflected light toward the optical axis; a movable shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source and configured to blocking a part of the reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source to form a cutoff line in a light distribution pattern; and a bracket formed from a metal plate member and disposed between the projection lens and the light source, wherein the movable shade is rotatably supported on the bracket. An opening portion is formed in the bracket and configured to pass a part of the reflected light from the reflector along the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukio NOMURA
  • Publication number: 20100118559
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicular longitudinal direction; a light source disposed rearward of a rear side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector for reflecting direct light from the light source forward towards the optical axis; an additional reflector disposed between the projection lens and the light source; and a shade portion disposed on the front end edge of the upper surface of the additional reflector. The additional reflector includes a flat upper surface extending rearward along the optical axis from a front end edge positioned in the vicinity of the rear side focal point of the projection lens that reflects a part of the reflected light from the reflector towards the projection lens. The shade portion forms a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern by blocking a part of the reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakada
  • Patent number: 7712936
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit is provided with: a projection lens arranged on a lens center axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a light source arranged on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens; a reflector for reflecting forward a light from the light source toward the lens center axis; and a shade. An upper end edge of the shade passes in a vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens to shield a part of a reflected light from the reflector. An optical axis of the reflector is shifted from the lens center axis that is set to pass through an upper end edge of the shade so that the optical axis of the reflector is apart from the upper end edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakada
  • Patent number: 7708439
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided with a lamp unit including a light source bulb having a light source for emitting light, a main reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light source, a shade for shielding apart of the light reflected by the main reflecting face, and a projector lens for forward projecting the light having passed the shades. The vehicle headlamp unit is further provided with a first sub-reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light source, a second sub-reflector for forward projecting the light from the first sub-reflector through the shade and the projector lens when the first sub-reflector is situated at a first position and a third sub-reflector having a third sub-reflecting face for forward projecting the light from the first sub-reflector not through the projector lens when the first sub-reflector is situated at a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Masao Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7695176
    Abstract: A projection-type vehicle headlamp includes a lamp body, a front cover forming a lamp housing together with the lamp body, a light projection unit accommodated inside the lamp body, and a cover extending in a forward direction from the light projection unit. A louver is formed on a portion of the cover where light from the light projection unit is irradiated so as to allow irradiated light to pass through the louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumito Ohtaki, Kohji Shimakura, Noriyuki Konagai, Akinori Matsumoto, Tomoyuki Moritani
  • Publication number: 20100085769
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp is provided. The vehicular lamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis of a lamp extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens; a reflector that concentrates the light emitted from the light source on the projection lens; and a shade disposed such that an upper edge of the shade extends through the vicinity of the rear focal point to block a part of the light reflected from the reflector. In plan view, the light source is disposed near the central axis of the reflector, and the reflector is disposed such that the central axis of the reflector intersects the optical axis of the lamp in a vicinity of the projection lens while being inclined toward the own lane of the vehicle on the front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Patent number: 7690825
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sigeru Kuwahara, Shouichirou Yokoi, Tsutomu Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 7690818
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takada, Yusuke Nakada, Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Publication number: 20100073951
    Abstract: Whereas incandescent light bulbs and other similar light sources known in the related art emit light in all directions, LED lamps can emit light in a single direction, and this is manifested in the problem of being unable to achieve light distribution characteristics satisfied by conventional headlamp designs. In accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, an LED lamp for a light source of a headlamp can include an LED chip in the vicinity of the focus of a projection means and a shielding member covering a portion of the LED chip in a formation allowing a light distribution characteristic suitable for a vehicle front-illumination light to be obtained when light from the LED chip is magnified and projected in an illumination direction by a projection lens or the like constituting the projection means. Accordingly, accurate light distribution characteristics can be obtained in a simple manner by projecting in the illumination direction using the projection lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Takashi Ebisutani, Teruo Koike, Takuya Kushimoto, Ryotaro Owada, Masafumi Ohno, Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 7682058
    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: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100067249
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp of the present invention is provided with: a semiconductor-type light source; a main reflecting surface; a first auxiliary reflecting surface; a shade; a second auxiliary reflecting surface; a third auxiliary reflecting surface; and a fourth auxiliary reflecting surface. The shade forms a light distribution pattern for passing, having cutoff lines. The first auxiliary reflecting surface and the second auxiliary surface form a light distribution pattern for overhead sign. The first auxiliary reflecting surface, the third auxiliary reflecting surface, and the fourth auxiliary reflecting surface form an auxiliary light distribution pattern between the light distribution pattern for passing, having the cutoff lines, and a light distribution pattern for overhead sign. As a result, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention improves visibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Yasufumi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20100067250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a side-emitting bulb, comprising a light source (16) and at least one glass tube (20) which surrounds the light source, wherein the bulb has means for deflecting the emitted light in lateral directions. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle headlight comprising a reflector and a side-emitting bulb arranged in the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Daniel Epmeier, Sven Schellinger, Lingli Wang