Including Light Emitting Diode Patents (Class 362/545)
  • Patent number: 8419248
    Abstract: A vehicle light is provided which can prevent the accumulation of assembly errors during the assembling of separate optical components. The vehicle light can include a first heat sink having a first heat sink body and a first heat radiation fin, and a first optical system configured to form a part of a predetermined light distribution pattern. The first optical system can include a first LED light source, a first reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the first LED light source, and a projection lens configured to allow light reflected from the first reflector to pass therethrough. The first LED light source, the first reflector, and the projection lens can be secured to an upper surface of the first heat sink body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Toyoyama, Yoshiaki Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8414160
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a multi-faceted heat sink with facets in a center portion facing outward. The facets form a central enclosed portion, and the heat sink further has a plurality of fins, where each of the fins is placed between adjacent facets and protrudes outwardly from the heat sink. The lighting device also has a plurality of circuit boards with semiconductor emitters mounted thereon. Each of the circuit boards is mounted on a respective facet of the heat sink. The lighting device also has a light-diffusion housing covering the plurality of circuit boards, a power module in communication with the circuit boards and operable to convert power to be compatible with the semiconductor emitters, and a power connector assembly in electrical communication with the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: TSMC Solid State Lighting Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsuan Sun, Wei-Yu Yeh, Tien-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 8414171
    Abstract: A periphery of a projecting lens is heated due to radiation heat exerted by light emitted from a light source, like peripheries of the light source and a reflector. However, a lens holder holding the projecting lens is integrally molded with a heat sink member, so that a heat at the periphery of the projecting lens is well transmitted to the heat sink member by means of the lens holder, and is efficiently radiated by means of the heat sink member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8414153
    Abstract: An LED lamp that allows for the replacement of incandescent bulbs used in various different lighting systems without the degradation of operating properties commonly associated with conventional LED replacement lamps. Regarding a conventional landscape lighting system, the system commonly comprises a transformer configured to supply power to a specific number of individual lamps having a specific bulb installed therein. The LED lamp may allow the user to selectively vary the number of individual lamps utilized in the landscape lighting system. Further, if the landscape lighting system is designed to utilize incandescent bulbs, the LED lamp may allow for the convenient and easy replacement of the incandescent bulbs to allow the user to achieve the maximum benefits associated with the use of LED lamps over conventional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Access 2 Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Barta
  • Patent number: 8408748
    Abstract: An LED lamp that can take the place of incandescent lamps. An elevated light source is positioned above a screw-type base. A first plurality of LEDs is connected in a series on one side of a flat substrate and a second plurality of LEDs, equal in number to the first, is connected in series on an opposite side of the substrate. Each LED of the first and second plurality of LEDs is mounted proximate a heat sink and a drive circuit is provided for the LEDs, with the drive circuit being located proximate and electrically connected to the screw base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Goeken Group Corp.
    Inventors: Raymond G. Janik, Carlo Scianna
  • Patent number: 8408764
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a reflective housing having a first recessed portion with a reflective surface. An outer housing made of heat dissipating material is fixed to the reflective housing and includes a plurality of fins on an outer surface thereof. The outer housing further includes a second recessed portion receiving the reflective housing. A receiving portion is provided behind the second recessed portion and receives a circuit board. A heat conductive seat made of heat dissipating material includes a connecting plate fixed to the outer housing. An extension extends from the connecting plate to a central, front portion of the reflective housing. The LED light module is mounted to the extension and electrically connected to the circuit board. A light-transmitting cover is mounted to and covers openings of the reflective housing and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Min Hsiang Corporation
    Inventors: Yao-Te Chung, Kun Yeh Lin
  • Patent number: 8403547
    Abstract: A light module (5, 6) for lighting equipment (1) of a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of semiconductor light sources (8, 9) for emitting light, a plurality of reflection areas (10, 11) for reflecting the light and assigned to separate reflector-element sections (10, 11), and a plate-shaped separation element (7) onto which the reflector-element sections (10, 11) are movably fixed separate from one another, arranged between the reflection areas (10, 11), and onto which the light sources (8, 9) are mounted such that an emitting direction of the light sources (8, 9) is substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the light module (5, 6). The reflector-element sections (10, 11) are adjusted by moving the reflector-element sections (10, 11) in relation to the light sources (8, 9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Florian Stade, Doris Boebel, Michael Scholl
  • Patent number: 8405325
    Abstract: Problem to be Solved: In left and right independent lighting power sources, even when left and right light-emitting units each including one or a plurality of LEDs light up with a time difference, the quality of emission as headlamps is increased by making it difficult to visually identify the time difference. Solution: A DC/DC converter for supplying the electric power supplied by a battery to the light-emitting unit is operated to change the current supplied to the light-emitting unit such that the current is gradually increased to attain a rated current, to thus avoid the case where one of the left and right headlamps enters a lighting state, when the other does not light up yet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Inoko, Takashi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 8398284
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sequential automotive lamp apparatus. Specifically, the present invention relates to one or more apparatuses that illuminate one or more directional light sources sequentially to create a sweeping illumination. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus that illuminates two or more directional light sources sequentially within a single lamp housing. The apparatuses may be implemented in automobile lamp housings to show, preferably, a turn signal, although any other illuminated signal may be displayed by the apparatuses of the present invention, including parking lights, hazard lights, and/or brake lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony P. Dvorzsak
  • Patent number: 8400286
    Abstract: A spacer lamp in passenger and/or goods traffic, with a light field which dispenses light according to an illuminating configuration, wherein the light field 6 has a first and a second light source, and a control unit is provided for controlling the illumination configuration of the light field, wherein the light field 6 has a first illuminating characteristic for the eye of an average adult as he approaches the light field until a predefined spacing depending on a configuration parameter is reached, and has a second illuminating characteristic different from the first one if the spacing falls short of the predefined spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gereon Johannes Pusch
  • Patent number: 8398278
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising a support for optical modules able to make a rotation movement, comprising a first optical module able to generate a light beam exhibiting a cutoff of the dipped beam type; a second optical module able to generate a light beam exhibiting a substantially L-shaped cutoff; the first optical module and the second optical module of the first lighting device being disposed on the optical module support able to make a rotation movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Vanesa Sanchez, Jonathan Blandin
  • Patent number: 8393767
    Abstract: A light can be configured by assembling an additional optical system in a lower optical system in a period of time that can be shorter than that of the conventional case. The vehicle light can include a first optical system configured to form a part of a predetermined light distribution pattern, and a second optical system disposed adjacent to the first optical system and configured to form a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern. The second optical system can include a light source, and a reflector including a first reflecting surface, a second reflecting surface, and a third reflecting surface. The reflector can be integrally formed with the first reflecting surface, the second reflecting surface, and the third reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Toyoyama, Yoshiaki Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8393768
    Abstract: A side-illuminating projection lens and a headlight having the same, in which a side-illuminating lamp is implemented with a projection lamp that illuminates to the side of a vehicle by radiating light in the radial direction, wherein sideways-radiated light is projected in the radial direction and is thus smoothly combined with forward-radiated light, thereby improving the driver's vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, SL Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Kyung Soo Lee, Dae Kon Kim, Byung Kyu Yoon, Kwang Min Ko
  • Patent number: 8393766
    Abstract: A lighted exterior mirror assembly includes a housing that houses a reflectance element that is movably positionable by the driver of a vehicle to adjust its rearward field of view when the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at a side of the vehicle. A ground illumination lamp is disposed at a portion of the lighted exterior mirror assembly and separate from the reflectance element. The ground illumination lamp is a substantially moisture-impervious unit having an enclosure and a lens that is permanently joined with the enclosure. The ground illumination lamp includes a light source disposed within the enclosure behind the lens and, when the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached at the side of the vehicle and when the light source is electrically powered, the light source emits light that passes through the lens and illuminates a ground area adjacent the side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Manga Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd W. Pastrick
  • Patent number: 8388174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting arrangement (1) for illuminating an area under mesopic conditions. The lighting arrangement has one or more LEDs (6) emitting substantially monochromatic light in a first wavelength region. The lighting arrangement further has one or more LEDs emitting (8) substantially-monochromatic light in a second wavelength region. Aforementioned combination of LEDs is such that, in use, the light provided by the lighting arrangement has an S/P-ratio greater than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lemnis Lighting Patent Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Otto Rooymans
  • Publication number: 20130051051
    Abstract: An LED headlamp for motor vehicle includes a condenser frame (1), a condenser (2) located in front of the condenser frame (1), and an LED holder (3) located in back of the condenser frame (1). A plurality of LEDs are located inside the LED holder (3) and at one side of the condenser focal plane (8) which is far away the condenser (2). The curve lighting, the low beam lighting and the high beam lighting can be achieved in a same device. The present invention has small occupied space and low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Tinglin Guo, Derun Liu
  • Publication number: 20130049972
    Abstract: A vehicle inlet is disclosed for use in charging a battery of an electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric vehicle. The vehicle inlet includes a housing, a luminance engine having at least one light emitting diode, and a luminance member configured for attachment to the housing and for cooperation with the luminance engine. The luminance member is adapted for illumination by the at least one light emitting diode of the luminance engine based on an ambient light level having a value less than a threshold for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Reinhard Pusch, Keith R. Kwasny, John F. Nathan
  • Patent number: 8382351
    Abstract: In a vehicle lamp (1), a plurality of LED light sources (11) are arranged on a common substrate (12). A light guiding lens (13) elongated in a direction in which the LED light sources (11) are aligned is provided. A plurality of reflecting sections (22) are provided on the light guiding lens (13). The reflecting sections (22) are configured to individually reflect incident lights from the respective LED light sources (11) to a periphery of a vehicle. Respective directions of the reflecting sections (22) are made to differ in accordance with positions of the corresponding LED light sources (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomi Ishikawa, Shigehiko Kazaoka
  • Patent number: 8382348
    Abstract: A display device includes a generally annular display (10) and a light source (3a) disposed to oppose a rear surface of the display (10). The display (10) is indicated by a rotatable pointer (4) and includes an indicator portion (12) disposed along a trace of displacement of a tip end portion (4a) of the pointer (4), and a transparent member (20) having a light incidence surface (a light incidence portion) (21) on which light from the light source (3a) is incident. The transparent member (20) is disposed on a front side of the indicator portion (12) and spaced from a front surface of the indicator portion (12) with a clearance (K) therebetween, and extends toward a center axis of the pointer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 8382318
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting device comprising one or more groups of solid state light emitters and one or more groups hof lumiphors, which emits mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates within a region defined by (0.32, 0.40), (0.36, 0.38), (0.41, 0.455), and (0.36, 0.48). Also, such lighting devices which emit light having x, y color coordinates within other specified regions. Also, such lighting devices with respective groups which emit light within two specified regions, and which mix to produce light within such regions. Also, methods of lighting light from such emitters and/or lumiphors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 8376597
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes a lamp outer case formed by a cover and a lamp housing; a light source disposed inside the lamp outer case; and a light guide that guides light emitted from the light source, wherein the light guide is shaped as a column. The light guide includes a first extension portion that extends on a horizontal plane side, and a second extension portion that extends on a vertical plane side with respect to a reference line that extends in a direction inclined 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. An outer surface of the light guide includes an incident surface to which light emitted from the light source is incident, an internal reflection surface that internally reflects light incident from the incident surface, and a radiation surface that is formed as an outward-convexly curved surface and radiates at least light reflected by the internal reflection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Nakata, Asami Nakada, Yoshiaki Furuya
  • Patent number: 8376598
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a reflecting cover above and between a light-emitting chip and a projection lens. The diffused light from the light-emitting chip is led toward the projection lens via the reflecting cover such that it transmits through the projection lens at a certain angle. This makes it possible to increase the amount of controllable light, and to improve the amount of light beams radiated from the lamp, thereby realizing a brighter lamp and an improved light distribution shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kondo, Daisuke Uchida, Yoshifumi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8371721
    Abstract: A LED (light emitting diode) element and a LED light thereof are revealed. The LED element includes a resin base, a LED chip embedded in the resin base and at least two leads formed by an upper part and a lower part. A top end of the upper part is mounted in the resin base and is electrically connected with the LED chip so as to make the LED chip emit light. A bottom end of the upper part extends out of the resin base and connects with a top end of the lower part. The LED element is combined with a light housing to be used. Thereby the lead will not rust easily and break due to bending. This is suitable for outdoor use, environmental protection and energy savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Heshan Jian Hao Lighting Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 8371717
    Abstract: An LED light emitting device includes a lamp housing, an LED light emitting component thermally attached to the lamp housing, a power source driver for providing electric energy for the LED light emitting component, and a temperature sensor attached to the lamp housing for sensing a surface temperature of an outer surface of the lamp housing. When the value of the surface temperature is smaller than a predetermined temperature value, the temperature sensor outputs a control signal to the power source driver to control the power source driver to supply a larger electric current to the LED light emitting component, and the LED light emitting component generates more heat to the lamp housing to increase the surface temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Lai
  • Patent number: 8366305
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp using an LED optical unit can include a connector. The LED optical unit can include a circuit board upon which an LED is mounted, a shield plate including lock grooves and a connector including terminal members and engaging portions. Each of the terminal members can contact with conductor pads of the circuit board with confidence using an elastic force of the terminal members, while each of the engaging portions is engaged with the lock grooves via insert slits in the circuit board and the shield plate. The connector can be attached to the circuit board by inserting the engaging portions into the insert slits and by rotating the connector. The LED can receive power supply via the conductor pads and can emit variously-colored lights. Thus, vehicle lamps can be used for various vehicles with a simple structure by using the disclosed LED optical unit including connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taku Saito
  • Publication number: 20130027960
    Abstract: An optical device for a motor vehicle, in particular a lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle, comprising a main light source and an auxiliary light source, wherein the auxiliary light source comprises a surface light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Christophe Dubosc, Pierre Albou, Vincent Godbillon
  • Publication number: 20130010490
    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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: R. Scott Lunsford
  • Patent number: 8348484
    Abstract: A vehicle exterior lamp includes an optical structure defining a plurality of geometric indicia, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light. Light emitted by the LEDs is directed towards the optical structure, to interact with the optical structure, and exit the exterior lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Chaterlea, Jeffrey Nield
  • Patent number: 8342725
    Abstract: A light bar may include a light head with chip-on-board (COB) light emitting diode (LED) and an optic component mounted adjacent to the COB LED. The light bar may comprise short and long center modules. The light bar may include a plurality of housing modules where each housing module includes a light head and a lens cover having a top portion that is substantially impervious to ultraviolet radiation, and a lens portion extending downward from the top portion in generally opposing relationship with the light head. The light bar may include a circuit board including a wire-to-board connector, and a light head including a wire-to-board connector mated with the wire-to-board connector on the circuit board to electrically connect the light head to the circuit board. The light head may include a holographic diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Code 3, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Stein, Timothy B. Murray, Roger L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8342728
    Abstract: An arrangement for cooling semiconductor light sources (5), wherein the semiconductor light sources (5) are arranged on a heat-conducting module (11), which is operatively connected to an evaporator zone (27) of a heat pipe (20), wherein a first condensation zone (23) of the heat pipe (20) is connected to a first heat sink (33), wherein the heat pipe (20) is connected to at least one second condensation zone (25) with at least one second heat sink (25), and a heat flow can be switched over between the condensation zones (23, 25) or the second condensation zone (25) can be switched in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Alois Biebl, Stefan Dietz
  • Patent number: 8342708
    Abstract: A light emitting device that provides white light of various color temperatures by using a double-sided light emitting element, a light emitting system comprising the same, and a method of fabricating thereof are provided. The light emitting device includes a double-sided light emitting element including a first light emitting element on one side of a substrate and emits light having a first wavelength and a second light emitting element on the other side of the substrate and emits light having a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength and the second wavelength are different each other, a first variable resistor coupled to the first light emitting element and adjusting a first driving power applied to the first light emitting element, and a second variable resistor coupled to the second light emitting element and adjusting a second driving power applied to the second light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8344397
    Abstract: A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate is then formed over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. In one method, the top substrate contains a conductor pattern that connects to LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Louis Lerman, Allan Brent York, Michael David Henry, Robert Steele, Brian D. Ogonowsky
  • Patent number: 8342734
    Abstract: A vehicular light source unit includes: an LED element integrated with a pair of plate-like feeding terminals; and an LED socket including a pair of plate spring-like conductive terminals in which movable portions and supporting portions that are integrally formed by a conductive member hold the pair of feeding terminals from both sides, and a resin housing integrated with the pair of conductive terminals. The LED element is detachably supported by the plate spring-like conductive terminals through the feeding terminals and receives a power supply from both sides of the feeding terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohmi, Shinya Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8338839
    Abstract: A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate is then formed over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. In one method, the top substrate contains a conductor pattern that connects to LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Louis Lerman, Allan Brent York, Michael David Henry, Robert Steele, Brian D. Ogonowsky
  • Patent number: 8337063
    Abstract: A vehicle light including at least one LED light source unit disposed within a light chamber defined by a lens cover and a housing. The vehicle light can further include, within the light chamber: a heat sink and a plurality of heat dissipation fins; a back plate separated away from the heat sink main body and constituting a part of a duct together with the heat sink, the duct containing the plurality of heat dissipation fins between the heat sink main body and the back plate; an axial fan motor configured to generate an air flow passing through the duct; and a cover member, the housing having an opening used for replacing the axial fan motor with another one, the cover member being detatchably attached to the housing so as to cover the opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nagasawa, Takashi Matsuno, Chikako Yamahana
  • Patent number: 8338840
    Abstract: A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate is then formed over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. In one method, the top substrate contains a conductor pattern that connects to LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Louis Lerman, Allan Brent York, Michael David Henry, Robert Steele, Brian D. Ogonowsky
  • Patent number: 8337062
    Abstract: An LED lighting unit, and a vehicle lamp using the LED lighting unit can have a favorable light distribution that can be perceived as a single, integrated lighting surface. The LED lighting unit can include a plurality of base boards, a plurality of LED light sources located on each mounting surface of the base boards, a plurality of parabolic reflectors and at least one V-shaped reflector configured to locate between the adjacent parabolic reflectors. Because each of the LED light sources is located substantially at each focus of the parabolic reflectors and the at least one V-shaped reflector, light emitted from the LED light sources can be illuminated as a single, integrated light via their reflectors. Thus, a vehicle lamp using the LED lighting unit can have a favorable light distribution that can be perceived as a single, integrated lighting surface and which can be used for a headlight, a tail lamp, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidemi Tanaka, Yukio Yamanaka, Kunihiko Seki
  • Patent number: 8338841
    Abstract: A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate is then formed over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. In one method, the top substrate contains a conductor pattern that connects to LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Louis Lerman, Allan Brent York, Michael David Henry, Robert Steele, Brian D. Ogonowsky
  • Patent number: 8338842
    Abstract: A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate is then formed over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. In one method, the top substrate contains a conductor pattern that connects to LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Louis Lerman, Allan Brent York, Michael David Henry, Robert Steele, Brian D. Ogonowsky
  • Patent number: 8337059
    Abstract: A lighting assembly for movable control surfaces of a vehicle. The light assembly includes a lens, a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a housing that receives the plurality of LEDs and the lens. The housing of the light assembly is received within the movable control surface, such that the lens is flush with a surface of the movable control surface. The light assembly includes a plurality of reflectors. The plurality of LEDs is rotatably mounted within the housing. The light assembly includes a controller that controls the position of the LEDs relative to the housing, based on a received control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Barnett, Jeffrey M. Singer, Timothy C. Martin
  • Patent number: 8333493
    Abstract: A dual direction light pipe includes a first section having a first set of prisms oriented to reflect a portion of the light within the first section of the light pipe in a first direction and a second section having a second set of prisms oriented to reflect a portion of the light within the second section of the light pipe in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: North American Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Amine Taleb-Bendiab, Manish N. Sharma, Dianna Lynn Stadtherr
  • Publication number: 20120314438
    Abstract: Handle member for a motor vehicle having a body and at least one decorative attachment piece, with a light source being integrated in said attachment piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan GUTT, Carter Scott CANNON
  • Publication number: 20120314440
    Abstract: A lighting device may include a circuit board, at least one light emitting diode fastened to the circuit board, and a housing, wherein the circuit board is a wall segment of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: OSRAM AG
    Inventors: Leopold Hellinger, Gerhard Neumann, Gerald Vogt
  • Patent number: 8328401
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided with: a light source unit containing a light source, a feeder socket having a male terminal conductively connected to the light source, and a feeder connector containing a female terminal conductively connected to the male terminal when inserted into the feeder socket and connected to an end of an electric wire; and a light source unit attaching section on which the light source unit is attached. The vehicle lamp further includes a holding member that is attached at a rear end of the feeder connector, bends the electric wire against a direction for inserting the feeder connector and can be grasped in inserting the feeder connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20120307510
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lamp body having an opening, a front cover attached to the lamp body to close the opening, and a first optical unit disposed inside a lamp chamber defined by the lamp body and the cover. The first optical unit includes a printed wiring board having a first section formed with a first conductor pattern and a second section formed with a second conductor pattern electrically coupled to the first conductor pattern, an LED mounted on the first section of the printed wiring board, and a lighting control circuit provided on the second section of the printed wiring board to control a lighting of the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takao Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8322901
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicle wheel assembly having arrays of illuminated electrical elements such as light emitting diodes, which are powered by the vehicle power systems by way of a slip ring assembly associated with the bearing or bearing seal of the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: William M. Michelotti
  • Patent number: 8322885
    Abstract: A lamp including a carrier and a plurality of light source modules stacked to the carrier is provided. Each light source module includes a circuit board and a plurality of light-emitting diodes, wherein the light-emitting diodes are disposed on at least one side of the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Chen, Cheng-Hung Yang
  • Patent number: 8317380
    Abstract: A heat-dissipating apparatus for a vehicle lamp includes: a light source unit comprising at least one LED; a housing which houses the light source unit therein and is formed with an opening in a rear portion thereof; a dust cover coupled to the housing at or near the position of the opening; and a cooling fan coupled to the dust cover for dissipating heat generated by the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: SL Lighting
    Inventors: Jin-Hwan Cho, Hak-Bong Kim
  • Patent number: 8314537
    Abstract: A bulb-type LED lamp (1) has a bulb (3) mounted on a socket (5). A light source (7), comprising a plurality of LEDs mounted on a PCB (9), is arranged inside the bulb (3). The PCB (9) acts as and/or is connected to cooling means (21). The outer surface (15) of the bulb is formed both by light transmittable surface (22) and/or sub-areas (23) thereof and the cooling means (21), which cooling means extend from inside the bulb into the outer surface of the bulb. Surfaces are mutually flush at locations at the outer surface of the bulb where said surfaces of both the cooling means and the light transmittable sub-areas border each other. The spatial light intensity distribution of the lamp of the invention is significantly improved over the prior art bulb-type LED lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Vincent S. D. Gielen, Johannes P. M. Ansems, Berend J. W. Ter Weeme
  • Patent number: 8313223
    Abstract: A taillight apparatus of a vehicle is arranged with a board provided with LEDs between a case and a lens. The board is arranged along a front and rear direction of the vehicle. A first reflector is provided at one end of the board on a side of the case, and is provided with a second reflector at the other end of the board on a side of the lens. The board is supported by interposing the board between the first reflector and the second reflector. The taillight apparatus configured in this manner has a reduced height dimension and a board with increased strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Ota, Eiji Ashihara, Lucio Olivetti