Including Light Emitting Diode Patents (Class 362/545)
  • Patent number: 8827498
    Abstract: A light source (10) comprises a tubular glass heat pipe (12) having a given inside diameter ID. A tubular fiberglass wick (14) is positioned within the glass heat pipe (12). The fiberglass wick (14) has an outside diameter OD substantially equal to the given inside diameter ID and has a substantially centrally located open chamber (16) extending the length thereof. A quantity of an evaporable-condensable medium (17) is provided within the glass heat pipe (12) and a metal cap (18) selected from the group of glass-sealing metals and alloys is fixed to a proximal end (20) of the glass heat pipe (12). Heat dissipaters (22) are fixed to the distal end (24) of the heat pipe (12) and a light emitting diode (26) is fixed to the metal cap (18). Power conducting traces (28) are formed with the heat pipe (12) and are electrically connected to the light emitting diode (26). A lamp (40) can be formed with a plurality of the light sources (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Johnston, Gregory Zaslavsky, Jeffery J. Serre
  • Patent number: 8829794
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp include san LED package as a light source. The LED package includes a first series element section having a plurality of LED elements connected in series with each other, a second series element section having at least one LED element, the number of which is smaller than the number of LED elements of the firs series element section, a first anode electrode provided on an anode side of the first series element section, a first cathode electrode provided on a cathode side of the first series element section, a second anode electrode provided on an anode side of the second series element section, and a second cathode electrode provided on a cathode side of the second series element section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8820992
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly includes a bezel defining a first surface and a second surface inclined with respect to the first surface and located at an outboard periphery, a series of fingers separated by slots, each slot extending through the first surface and the second surface, light sources, and light guides, each light guide fitted into one of the slots, for transmitting light from one of the light sources, along and through one of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Terrence J. Wilson, Stephen K. Helwig, Sleiman N. Abdelnour
  • Patent number: 8820994
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light-transmitting member, a first light source, a second light source, and at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle. The light-transmitting member is for transmitting light within the light-transmitting member. The first light source is for emitting a first light into the light-transmitting member. The second light source is for emitting a second light into the light-transmitting member. The at least one laser-formed light-reducing baffle is disposed in the light-transmitting member for reducing transmission of the first and second lights within the light-transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Frederick Krier
  • Patent number: 8814403
    Abstract: The present invention includes an illuminated sports board having a deck equipped with a plurality of light emitting devices, such as LEDs, which are mounted to the deck in a distinct ornamental pattern. The LEDs are in electrical connection with an energy source, such as a rechargeable battery in a removable battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, the rechargeable battery is mounted into the deck in a removable pack which can be charged without removing it from the deck. A microcontroller may be incorporated which provides for the selective illumination of the light emitting devices, and which may pulse, flicker, or create other aesthetically pleasing illumination patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Photon Light Boards, Inc.
    Inventor: Rezwan Khan
  • Patent number: 8814406
    Abstract: An optoelectronic headlight which emits electromagnetic radiation is specified, which has a luminescence diode chip with at least two spatial emission regions or which has at least two luminescence diode chips each having at least one spatial emission region. The headlight is suitable in particular for a front headlight for motor vehicles. The emission regions, in a plan view of a main extension plane associated with them, are shaped differently, are of different sizes and/or are not shaped rectangularly and are differently oriented. Particularly preferably, the emission regions can be driven independently of one another. Methods for production of an optoelectronic headlight and a luminescence diode chip are furthermore specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Baur, Joachim Reill, Jörg Erich Sorg
  • Patent number: 8818202
    Abstract: A wavelength sensing lighting system may include a light source, a sensor and a controller. One or more light sources and sensors may be included in an array. The light source may emit an illuminating light and the sensor may sense an environmental light. The illuminating light may include data light. The lighting system may include a plurality of nodes connected in a network. The nodes may communicate by emitting and receiving the data light, which may be analyzed by the controller. The light source and the sensor may be provided by a light emitting semiconductor device that is capable of emitting illuminating light and receiving environmental light. A conversion material may convert the wavelength of a source light into a converted light. The conversion material may increase the wavelength range of light emittable and detectable by the lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Environmental Light Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Pedro Medelius, Eric Bretschneider
  • Patent number: 8807787
    Abstract: The illumination device has a lamp fixing on the upper end of the support rod standing on the walkway to be located in a side of the roadway. An inside circumferential surface of the lamp fixing has a first arrangement surface inclined upwardly from the walkway to the roadway and a second arrangement surface inclined upwardly from the roadway to the walkway. The first arrangement surface and the second arrangement surface are provided with the light emitting diodes, respectively. The color of the light of the light emitting diode on the first arrangement surface and the second arrangement surface are set such that the S/P ratio of the scotopic luminance to the photopic luminance of the light emitting diode on the second arrangement surface is greater than that of the first arrangement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Saito
  • Patent number: 8801251
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp has a light source unit having an LED and an optical element that performs light distribution control for directing light from the LED in a predetermined direction, a heat sink to which the light source unit is attached, and a lamp chamber in which the light source unit is disposed. The LED is an LED module formed by installing an LED chip on a power supply circuit board. The LED module is installed on a circuit board installation portion of the heat sink, and an attachment, which has a frame shape a size larger than the LED module and has a circuit board retaining portion at a center open portion of the attachment, is attached and fixed to the heat sink by a fixing member, whereby the LED module is held between the attachment and the circuit board installation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohmi, Takashi Matsunaga, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8800185
    Abstract: An interchangeable graphic display system of method of using same, in conjunction with an in-line skate frame, wherein the system includes a graphic display apparatus having a first and second layer, wherein each layer is attachable by a separate mounting means, and wherein the system enables an individual to display and replace different pictorial and graphic representations during operation of in-line skates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Brian Lewis, Hakeem Jimoh
  • Patent number: 8801248
    Abstract: A lamp module for a motor-vehicle headlamp. The lamp module comprises a light source defining at least one light-emitting surface that emits a luminous flux and defines a horizontally oriented longitudinal edge and at least one other edge running at a right angle thereto. A reflector maps the light-emitting surface without generating an actual intermediate image in front of the lamp module and defines at least two reflecting and strip-shaped facets longitudinal axes of which are more parallel rather than transversal to the longitudinal edge of the light-emitting surface and disposed at a spacing to the light source where the light-emitting surface is mapped with the same mapping scale in front of the lamp module such that the light-emitting surface is mapped with a longitudinal edge running horizontally and another edge running vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Brendle
  • Publication number: 20140218953
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a lighting device may include a plurality of semiconductor light sources, and an apparatus configured to operate the semiconductor light sources. The apparatus has switching means, by which the semiconductor light sources can be divided in groups for operation with the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Ungru
  • Patent number: 8794806
    Abstract: A light module for displaying a signal in a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle includes a circuit carrier, at least one light source disposed on the circuit carrier and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit is for connecting the circuit carrier to an interface that is disposed at a distance from the circuit carrier and that leads to at least one of a control unit and a current or voltage source. The power supply circuit and circuit carrier are made of the same material, are configured in one piece and are formed by a flexible printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Heiko Boehland, Olaf Runge, Guido Renner
  • Patent number: 8794789
    Abstract: In a LED warning light, straight light units are fixed to straight peripheries of a warning light body, and curved light units are fixed to joints adjacent to two respective straight peripheries. Each straight light unit includes a light base, a reflective plate, a heat dispersion cover and a front cover. LED lights are arranged on the light base. The front cover is perpendicular to the light base opposite to the reflective plate. The reflective plate has light reflective elements connected to each other in a straight line. Light rays emitted from the LEDs are reflected by the reflective plate and then given off perpendicularly to the front cover. The vertical distance from an upper periphery of the arc top of the light reflective element to the corresponding inner surface of the heat dispersion cover is more than or equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ningbo Yinzhou Self Photoelectron Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Feng Yu
  • Patent number: 8791650
    Abstract: An LED lighting system is provided for connection to a variable power source providing input power, the LED lighting system having at least one power analyzing and processing circuitry connecting to the variable power source, and being configured to identify one or more characteristics of the input power, where the characteristics are selected from amplitude, frequency and pulse width of the input power, compare one or more of the characteristics of the input power to preset control criteria either in hardware or software or both to yield a comparison result, and then control the current control circuitry according to the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: LED Smart Inc.
    Inventor: Xinxin Shan
  • Patent number: 8791630
    Abstract: A light emitting section emits fluorescence upon receiving exciting light emitted from a laser element. The light emitting section includes a plurality of fluorescent material particles made from a single type of fluorescent material or several types of fluorescent materials, the plurality of fluorescent material particles being accumulated on a metal substrate to form a layer of the plurality of fluorescent material particles. Each of the plurality of fluorescent material particles has a surface coated with a coating layer. The coating layer forms an uneven shape of a surface of the light emitting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Maemura, Yoshiyuki Takahira
  • Patent number: 8783924
    Abstract: A wide angle illumination assembly for mounting on a vehicle has a reflector with a multifaceted reflective surface of that defines a convex arcuate configuration in a predetermined plane and an plurality of LEDs positioned with respect to the multifaceted reflective surface to emit light onto the multifaceted reflective surface. The multifaceted reflective surface is configured and the LEDs are so positioned with respect to the multifaceted reflective surface so that the light emitted from the reflector has a luminous intensity of at least 50% of the maximum intensity of the light in a narrow band through an arc of at least 90° of the reflector in the predetermined plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Soundoff Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Zuiderveen
  • Patent number: 8783900
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for retrofitting an existing luminaire includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) of similar or differing wavelengths arranged and configured in at least one light bar array, a heat sink module thermally coupled to the at least one light bar array, an electronic power module electrically coupled to the at least one light bar array, and a plate coupled to the at least one light bar array, electronic power module and the heat sink module, the plate arranged and configured for coupling to the luminaire to provide quick and easy installation and replacement of the at least one light bar array, heat sink module and electronic power module into and from the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Illumination Management Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Holder, Greg Rhoads
  • Patent number: 8783926
    Abstract: A lamp apparatus for a vehicle may include a hollow tub having a mirror surface, an upper cover mounted at a side of the tub and having a first surface perpendicular to an axial direction of the tub, wherein the first surface includes a semi-mirror surface which divides light into a transmitted light passing to the outside and a reflected light reflected to the inside, a lower cover mounted at the other side of the tub and having a second surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the tub, wherein the second surface includes a mirror surface formed on an inner side thereof, and a plurality of point light sources mounted on the mirror surface of the lower cover, wherein light emitted from the point light sources is multiple-reflected between the semi-mirror surface of the upper cover and the mirror surface of the lower cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Japan R&D Center Inc., Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8783902
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an illuminating device includes a light source, a light source control unit, an estimation unit, a first calculating unit, and a second calculating unit. The light source includes light emitters, each having a different spectral distribution. The light source control unit determines an emission intensity of each of the light emitters. The estimation unit estimates a spectral reflectivity of an object. The first calculating unit calculates a first evaluation value, indicating an adequacy of a color of the object visually perceived, based on the spectral distributions and the spectral reflectivity. The second calculating unit calculates a second evaluation value, indicating how much an influence is given by the illuminating light to factors other than a visual sense. The light source control unit determines the emission intensities by which the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value satisfy a restraint condition determined beforehand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Junya Takakura, Yoshie Imai, Toshimitsu Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8770809
    Abstract: Trailer illumination device 10 for illuminating a rear wheel assembly 4 of a trailer 2 has a housing structure 16, a plurality of lamps 12 and a circuit means 30. The housing structure 16 is for attachment to a side or bottom of the trailer 2 and has a channel 11 formed by one or more sides of the housing structure 16. When attached to a trailer 2, the device 10 extends from in front of the wheel assembly 4 to past the wheel assembly 4. The circuit means 30 is connected electronically to the rear turn signal light wiring and energizes the lights 12 of the device 10 when the tail lights 3 are on and the turn signal or flasher is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence E Kiser
  • Patent number: 8764219
    Abstract: A light fixture having a “U”-shaped frame inside a sealed cylindrical housing. Mounted along the center of the face of the frame are one or more LED lamp panels, which include a number of LEDs, some of which may be powered by a back-up source such as an optionally supplied battery for emergency egress lighting. The lamp panels are mounted using a thermal interface material to promote heat transfer from the LED lamp panels to the frame, which in turn radiates the heat into the volume of the housing to enhance cooling. To each side of the LED lamp panels, a highly polished reflector is attached to the frame to focus and concentrate the light while simultaneously shielding the LEDs from heat radiated from the frame. Attached to the obverse side of the frame is a “U”-shaped back cover that forms an electrical enclosure. An optional diffuser may be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rig-A-Lite Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: Syed Q. Hasan, Anibal Z. Rosado, William E. Martin
  • Patent number: 8764259
    Abstract: A lighting assembly including a semiconductor light source, a support with a recess within which the semiconductor light source is positioned, and a collimator having light entry and light exit openings joined together by at least one side wall. The collimator is moveable relative to the support. The collimator is attached to the support such that the light entry opening of the collimator and the recess are joined in a nested manner so that light emitted by the semiconductor light source within the recess enters the collimator through the light entry opening and exits essentially only through the light exit opening of the collimator for any position of the collimator over its range of motion. The lighting assembly further includes an actuator for moving the collimator over at least part of its range of motion. An automotive headlamp arrangement includes the lighting assembly, a reflector element and a secondary optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Josef J. Schug
  • Patent number: 8764231
    Abstract: An LED light source includes a carrier, a plurality of LED chips and at least one set of lenses. The carrier has a mounting surface and the LED chips are mounted on the mounting surface. The set of lenses disposed on the carrier includes a first lens and a second lens, and the first lens encapsulates one of the LED chips and a lighting pattern provided from the LED chip encapsulated by the first lens is converted into a first lighting pattern. The second lens encapsulates one of the LED chips and a lighting pattern provided from the LED chip encapsulated by the second lens is converted into a second lighting pattern. The second lighting pattern is different from or compensates the first lighting pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hsiang-Chi Chung, Ji-Feng Chen, Hung-Lieh Hu, Chen-Kun Chen
  • Patent number: 8764256
    Abstract: A lighted exterior rearview mirror system of a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly and a light module disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The light module includes a plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light. The illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to said the input to provide a customized illumination beam emanating from the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The system may include a control that is responsive to the user input to selectively individually energize the light emitting diodes, and the control may individually adjust a duty cycle of each of the light emitting diodes responsive to the user input. The light module may include a ground illumination light source, a backup light source and a turn signal indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Eric S. Deuel
  • Publication number: 20140177257
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes at least three lamp units and a controller. Each of the at least three lamp units has a semiconductor light emitting device as a light source. The controller is configured to turn on at least one of the at least three lamp units to form a fog lamp light distribution pattern, and to turn on the at least one of the at least three lamp units and one or more of the at least three lamp units other than the at least one of the at least three lamp units to form a cornering lamp light distribution pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akinori Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140169037
    Abstract: A module includes light-emitting diodes, with a printed circuit board bearing light-emitting diodes connected by a series-parallel electrical circuit including a number of circuit branches powered by a common electrical power supply, each branch including two peripheral diodes and optionally at least one internal diode. At least one of the multidiode branches includes at least one reference internal diode, the two diodes closest the reference diode belonging to a branch or branches other than said multidiode branch and/or at least one of the two-diode branches includes two reference peripheral diodes and has, as the closest diode on the printed circuit board, a diode belonging to a branch other than the two-diode branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Mathieu Berard, Jean-Philippe Mulet, Fabienne Piroux, Laurent Massol
  • Patent number: 8752990
    Abstract: A vehicle light can allow light to be emitted more uniformly through an elongated area from a fewer number of light sources as compared with a conventional one. The vehicle light can include an outer lens, a plurality of light sources arranged along the outer edge of the outer lens for emitting light in an optical axis direction orthogonal to the arraying direction thereof, an inner lens including a light guide portion elongated in the arraying direction of the light sources and disposed along the optical axis of the light sources, for dispersing the light in a longitudinal direction of the lens and emitting in the optical axis direction, and a first diffusion reflector and second diffusion reflectors configured to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the inner lens and disposed in the optical axis direction of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Okada, Takuya Matsumaru, Kazuya Makiuchi
  • Patent number: 8752991
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device can include a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices and a projector lens configured to illuminate a front of a vehicle with light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting devices. The projector lens can include a plurality of incidence surfaces which perform main control of light distribution, and respectively correspond to the semiconductor light-emitting devices. A single exit surface of the projector lens can include a plurality of exit regions which emits light entering through the incidence surfaces into the projector lens, wherein the exit regions provided next to each other overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryotaro Owada
  • Patent number: 8740425
    Abstract: A low glare overhead lighting fixture for a transit vehicle comprises a lighting fixture base assembly for mounting one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs or fluorescent tubes), and a light permeable cover adapted to reduce glare. The light permeable cover may include a light guide embodied as a grid-like structure with holes or perforations for directing the light from the light source in a manner reducing light spread. The light guide may be disposed between a front and rear lens covers. The lighting fixture may also utilize a light permeable cover having an anti-glare surface element, such as a privacy filter screen or mesh which may be formed using microlouver technology. The lighting fixture base assembly may have separate compartments, each lined with a highly reflective coating, housing one or more deeply set LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: I/O Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ying
  • Patent number: 8740429
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp can include a guiding lens having a polygonal outline. The guiding lens can include divided portions around the optical axis with an equal center angle. The divided portions can each have an incidence face, a reflection face that can reflect to an optical axis direction light emitted from a light source and having passed through the incidence face, and a light-exiting face that can allow the light from the reflection face to pass therethrough to be projected in an illumination direction of the vehicular lamp. Each divided portion can have an outer-diameter end of the light-exiting face or reflection face at a position farthest from the optical axis within a plane including the maximum radius portion of the divided portion and the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Okada, Takuya Matsumaru
  • Patent number: 8740230
    Abstract: A vehicle has a footboard 116 with side edge channels 130, each housing a rod or tube 112 forming illumination. The rods or tubes are connected to power means that include a battery or dynamo. Each rod or tube can include a transparent or translucent polymeric sheath for a series of LEDs. A switch provides on/off control and can provide different modes of illumination of the LEDs. The vehicle can be a foldable micro-scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: H. Grossman Limited
    Inventor: Martin Grossman
  • Patent number: 8742917
    Abstract: A warning triangle has a simplified structure and is operable in accordance with the requirement of energy saving and manufactured at lower cost. The warning triangle structure includes a first board body, a second board body and a third board body, which are assembled with each other. Each of the board bodies has a first face and a second face, which together define an internal cavity. At least one light source and a light guide strip for guiding light are disposed in the cavity. The second and third board bodies are pivotally connected with movable stands for supporting the warning triangle in use. The second and third board bodies can be selectively collapsed onto the first and second faces of the first board body to minimize the volume of the warning triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Chang-Hsien Ho
  • Patent number: 8727564
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an illumination apparatus is provided with a substrate, a radiator, a lens, a lens holder and a metal component. A wiring layer is formed on the front face of the substrate and semiconductor light emitting elements are mounted on the wiring layer. The rear face of the substrate is attached to the radiator. The lens controls light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting elements. The lens holder is made insulative. The lens holder is provided with a holder portion for holding the lens and an attachment base to be attached to the radiator by way of the substrate. The metal component is attached to the radiator from the front face of the attachment base of the lens holder by way of the attachment base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8721147
    Abstract: The present invention is a supplemental brake light in communication with a brake of a vehicle that includes an existing brake light, a triangular or inverted triangular casing that is disposed within the existing brake light and a plurality of LED lights that are housed within the casing. A second embodiment of the supplemental brake light includes an existing brake light, a plurality of LED lights that are housed within the existing brake light and a center LED light disposed within the center of the existing brake light. A third embodiment of the supplemental brake light includes a pair of existing brake lights, a generally rectangular casing positioned between the existing brake lights and a plurality of LED lights that are disposed within the generally rectangular casing. The LED lights become brighter and flicker as the brake is increasingly depressed in all three embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: R. Scott Lunsford
  • Patent number: 8723426
    Abstract: A system may include an LED array, an optical plane, optics, a sensor and a controller. The LED array is configured to generate LED light. The optical plane has a plurality of scattering features and with a mixing chamber. The optics is configured to direct the LED light to the optical plane. The plurality of scattering features are configured to reflect a sampled portion of the LED light into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is configured to mix the sampled portion of the LED light. The sensor is configured to sense the sampled portion of the LED light received from the mixing chamber. The controller is connected to the sensor and configured to control the LED array using the sensed, sampled portion of the LED light received from the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Prism Projection, Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett J. Young
  • Patent number: 8721145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light device for a motor vehicle. The light device is arranged to be mounted on the motor vehicle, and comprises at least a first light emitting part arranged to emit a colored side marking light and at least a second light emitting part arranged to emit a substantially white light so as to illuminate an area around the light device for improved visibility in the area. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle provided with such a light device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Tomas Peltonen
  • Patent number: 8721146
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp is provided with a first array of light-emitting diodes, which are activated by a first actuation unit for a first lighting function. The headlamp also exhibits a second array of light-emitting diodes, which are activated by a second actuation unit for a second lighting function. Additionally provided is a flat printed-circuit board with conducting paths for connecting light-emitting diodes with one of the respective actuation units. The light-emitting diodes are accommodated together on one side of the printed-circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joerg Kathmann, Andreas Groh, Ingolf Schneider, Tran Quoc Khanh
  • Patent number: 8721142
    Abstract: A novel vehicular light fixture (10) is disclosed. The light fixture (10) is compact, yet efficient, and employs semiconductor light sources (44) to produce output light in desired patterns. The fixture (10) can be used to produce fog lamps, driving lamps and other non-headlamp vehicle lighting functions. Depending upon the light output required, one or more semiconductor light sources (44) and a corresponding number of optical bodies (64) are employed in the fixture (10) to produce the desired light pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, James R. McFadden, Ronald O. Woodward, Ronald G. Hare
  • Patent number: 8714797
    Abstract: An integrally formed multi-layer light-emitting device is provided, which includes a seat, a plurality of light-emitting elements, and two lead frames. The seat is integrally formed in such a manner that the light-emitting elements can fit in the chamber which is formed on the top portion of the central main body. The seat is made of metal, and thereby the seat can effectively absorb heat from the light-emitting elements, and rapidly transmit it to the surrounding environment. Therefore, the packing module is not needed to be used in the present invention so that the consumption of the package material is reduced, and the manufacturing process is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Gem Weltronics TWN Corporation
    Inventors: Jon-Fwu Hwu, Yung-Fu Wu, Kui-Chiang Liu
  • Patent number: 8714795
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp has a focused-beam lamp unit, and a diffused-beam lamp unit. The focused-beam lamp unit has a first semiconductor light emitting device having a first rectangular light emitting surface, and a first optical member that projects light from the first semiconductor light emitting device to form a focused beam pattern. The diffused-beam lamp unit has a second semiconductor light emitting device having a second rectangular light emitting surface, and a second optical member that projects light from the second semiconductor light emitting device to form a diffused beam pattern, the diffused beam pattern being wider than the focused beam pattern in a direction along a vertical line in front a vehicle on which the vehicle headlamp is mounted. The focused-beam lamp unit and the diffused-beam lamp unit are arranged to form a light distribution pattern by combining the focused beam pattern and the diffused beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Uchida
  • Patent number: 8716952
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters, the first group emitting light having a dominant wavelength of 430 to 490 nm, the second group at 525 to 575 (in some devices 540 to 575 nm), the third group at 610 to 640 nm. In some devices, wavelength of light from emitters in first and second groups, and light from second and third groups, differs by at least 70 nm. Some devices emit light having CRI Ra of at least 70 when first, second and third groups of emitters are illuminated. Also, a lighting arrangement comprising first, second and third groups as above, in addition to a fourth emitter emitting light of dominant wavelength outside the ranges for the first, second and third groups, and not more than 10 nm different from a dominant wavelength of a color on an item to be illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Antony Paul Van de Ven
  • Patent number: 8714792
    Abstract: A bumper adapted for mounting to a trailer is provided. The bumper comprises a tail skirt extending horizontally across the rear of the trailer. Upright bars mount to and intersect the tail skirt. The tail skirt comprises a groove for receiving a recessed light bar comprising multiple signal lights. The wiring harness extends from the light bar into a space behind the upright bars and passes through openings in the tail skirt behind the upright bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Fontaine Trailer Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Adams
  • Patent number: 8714793
    Abstract: A headlight is disclosed, having separate low-beam and high beam housings. The high-beam housing includes four planar inward-facing reflectors, in the shape of a pyramid, with the high-beam LED array at the apex and a plano-convex high-beam lens at the base. The low-beam housing includes three planar inward-facing reflectors along the top and lateral sides, similarly arranged as three sides of a pyramid. The low-beam housing has one or more planar, horizontal upward-facing reflectors, disposed below the longitudinal axis of the low-beam housing. Light propagating downward from the low-beam LED array directly strikes either the incident face of the low-beam lens or exactly one upward-facing reflector. When viewed from the front of the low-beam housing, the upward-facing reflectors resemble steps that descend from a lower edge of the low-beam LED array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Rice
  • Patent number: 8708538
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of light sources, and a light guide plate configured to emit light to the front side of the lamp from a second surface facing a first surface by internally reflecting light, which is emitted from the respective light sources, by a plurality of reflective elements formed on the first surface after causing the light to enter the light guide plate from a rear end face of the light guide plate. The light guide plate is curved to the first surface and gradually becomes thinner toward the front side. The reflective elements are disposed at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction and extend in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Natsume, Hiroya Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8711007
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for displaying information about runways. A runway for an aircraft is identified when the aircraft is within a selected distance of the runway. A number of graphical indicators are displayed on a display in a flight deck. The number of graphical indicators corresponds to a number of features of the runway present in a field of view for an eye reference point in the flight deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sherwin S. Chen, Jean M. Crane, Steven L. Fleiger-Holmes, Wayne R. Jones, Bruce P. Samuels, Bechara J. Mallouk
  • Patent number: 8702288
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes an array of light sources mounted in a generally planar base. An optical element includes a first surface having a first optical design and a second surface having second optical design. The second optical design includes a wedge having a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall that converges with the first wedge wall. The second wedge wall extends at an angle to the first wedge wall. A bezel surrounds the base and the optical element, and an outer lens is positioned adjacent the outside surface of the optical element. The optical element is between the base and the outer lens, and the outer lens has an inner surface including an optical design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Brown
  • Patent number: 8702284
    Abstract: A vehicle running board includes a treadle body, plural luminous members and a decorative plate. The main body is formed with a recessed surface for receiving the luminous members thereon. The luminous members have their upper parts respectively inserted in the through holes of the decorative plate, and are respectively provided with a transparent lamp holder, which has an outer wall formed with an annular projecting edge to resist against the underside of the decorative plate, and mounted thereon with an anti-skid pad. A circuit board received inside the lamp holder is installed with an LED and connected with power wires, and the luminous members are connected in series by the power wires that are connected to the electric power system of a vehicle. By so designing, the vehicle running board has effects of warning and illuminating for insuring safety in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lun An Pan Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Yueh Huang-Tsai
  • Patent number: 8702290
    Abstract: A light emitting module without connecting with an external power supply contains a light emitting panel including a display surface on which a first raised pattern set and a second raised pattern set are formed; a plurality of lighting elements disposed on a bottom plate and secured in the light emitting panel with the bottom plate, each lighting element at least having a first light facing to the first raised pattern set and emitting light and a second light facing to the second raised pattern set and emitting light; a magnetic reed switch mounted in the light emitting panel and electrically connecting with the each lighting element; at least one cell secured in the light emitting panel and electrically coupled with the plurality of lighting elements and the magnetic reed switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Yu Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-An Yang
  • Patent number: 8696179
    Abstract: A lighted exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing that houses a reflectance element. A turn signal indicator unit is disposed at a portion of the housing and has an enclosure and a light-transmitting cover joined with the enclosure. The turn signal indicator unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes. At least some light emitting diodes of the plurality of light emitting diodes, when individually operating at about 25 degrees C. at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts and at a forward current of at least about 20 mA, may individually emit light with a luminous intensity of at least about 500 mcd. When the plurality of light emitting diodes is powered, the pattern of light emitted by the turn signal indicator unit may be principally directed away from the side of the vehicle at which the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd W. Pastrick