Automobile Patents (Class 362/487)
  • Patent number: 11959614
    Abstract: A vehicle light device includes a light guide member including a light exist portion that has light exit surfaces, and a light reflection portion that has light reflection surfaces. Each light exit surface is convex, and defines a real focal point disposed forwardly of the light reflection portion. Each light reflection surface is concaved and disposed forwardly of the light exist portion, and defines a virtual focal point superimposed on the real focal point of one of the light exit surfaces, so as to reflect light rays from a light emitter unit into the light guide member toward the respective light exit surface, such that extension lines of the light rays reflected therefrom intersect at the virtual focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: T.Y.C. BROTHER INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Shih
  • Patent number: 11913619
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles having a light source apparatus for emitting light, having an optical apparatus, which contains a lens arrangement with a multiplicity of lenses, for deflecting the light in accordance with a specified light distribution, and having a positioner for adjusting a lens along an optical axis of the lens arrangement, wherein the positioner is implemented as an apparatus for setting basic scatter width in such a manner that light can be projected in different scatter widths for a specified basic lighting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Dmitry Fedosik, Franz-Josef Kalze, Alexander Klarius
  • Patent number: 11898733
    Abstract: A solid state lighting (SSL) with a solid state emitter (SSE) having thermally conductive projections extending into an air channel, and methods of making and using such SSLs. The thermally conductive projections can be fins, posts, or other structures configured to transfer heat into a fluid medium, such as air. The projections can be electrical contacts between the SSE and a power source. The air channel can be oriented generally vertically such that air in the channel warmed by the SSE flows upward through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott E. Sills
  • Patent number: 11772543
    Abstract: A control method of a lighting apparatus for a vehicle may include: sensing, by a sensing unit, a distance between the vehicle and a pedestrian; determining, by a control unit, whether the distance between the vehicle and the pedestrian falls within a first distance; determining, by the control unit, a walking direction of the pedestrian when the distance between the vehicle and the pedestrian falls within the first distance; and indicating, by the control unit, the walking direction to the pedestrian by operating a plurality of flap units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do Hyung Kim, Soon Mo Lee, Moo Kwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11745646
    Abstract: An assembly includes a roof of a vehicle, and a light assembly that emits light outward from a passenger side, a driver side, and a forward side of the vehicle. The light assembly is vertically beneath the roof. A method includes providing a light assembly that extends along a passenger side, along a driver side, and along a forward side of a vehicle. The light assembly is between a roof of the vehicle and side doors of the vehicle. The method further includes selectively activating the light assembly to emit light outward from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bradley Johnson, Luciano Lukacs, Michael L. Merritt, Joshua D. Schwab
  • Patent number: 11746984
    Abstract: An illuminating device for vehicles, including an elongated light guide, which has an end face for coupling light into the light guide and has a lateral surface, at which the coupled-in light may be totally reflected in a coupling direction. An elongated reflector is arranged so that it follows the light guide and at least partially behind the light guide in the main emission direction. The light guide is designed such that the coupled-in light is coupled out on a rear-side lateral surface and/or side lateral surface facing the reflector and on a front lateral surface facing away from the reflector. The light guide and the reflector each have a corner region, in which sections of the light guide and sections of the reflector enclose an acute or right or obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Peter Heitjohann, Sebastian Scholz, Markus Stuhldreher, Franz-Georg Willeke
  • Patent number: 11746986
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly includes a solid state light emitter mounted on a first side of a substrate. A second side of the substrate is connected or adjacent to a heatsink. The heatsink may have a lower thermal conductivity than the second side of the substrate. A blower fluidly engages with the heatsink to flow fluid, e.g., air, through passages in the heatsink. The heatsink can include at least one aperture such that the moving fluid from the blower contacts at least a portion of the second side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA EXTERIORS INC.
    Inventors: Mark Christopher Hlavach, Abishek Sadhu Anchan
  • Patent number: 11713857
    Abstract: A light system comprising: a light blade comprising: a first surface and a second surface; a bi-directional light system configured to direct first lights into the light blade so that the first lights extend out of the first surface of the light blade to generate a first light direction, and the bi-directional light system is configured to direct second lights into the light blade so that the second lights extend out of the second surface of the light blade to generate a second light direction; and wherein the first surface and the second surface are substantially perpendicular to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Colby Darlage, Brant Potter, David Egly
  • Patent number: 11708957
    Abstract: A taillight for a motor vehicle, comprising a light guide element, a light source, and a light emission surface. The light source emits light in the direction of a first end of the light guide element. The light guide element is designed to guide the light from the first end in the direction of a second end. The light guide element is designed to output a part of the light between the first end and the second end through the light emission surface to an environment of the taillight. The light guide element has a curved region in which the light guide element is curved away from the light emission surface. The taillight also comprises a reflector designed to reflect light emitted by the light guide element in the direction of the light emission surface. The reflector being arranged directly adjacent to the curved region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co, KGaA
    Inventors: Alfons Michaelis, Martin Muegge
  • Patent number: 11675256
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a fixing object member, a case including a fixing target portion that includes a wall portion having a dovetail-shaped engaging target portion and to which the fixing object member is fixed, and a closing member including a dovetail-shaped engagement portion configured to be brought into engagement with the dovetail-shaped engaging target portion and in which an inner circumferential surface thereof is brought into abutment with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing object member and an outer circumferential surface thereof is brought into abutment with an inner circumferential surface of the wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Jobi, Mitsuo Koyama
  • Patent number: 11647572
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, lighting systems features multiple inter-connectable light panels each having multiple light-emitting elements thereon. One or more of the light panels features one or more connectors, and associated conductors, for the transmission of power, communication signals, and/or control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Cooledge Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Tischler, Paul Palfreyman
  • Patent number: 11619363
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic module, comprising a housing (11) having a first housing part (11) having a first cover surface (11a) and an opening (4); a mechanically flexibly designed organic light source (2) having an illuminating surface (2a); and a cover element (3) which is mounted on the illuminating surface (2a) and has a light-transmissive surface (3a) facing away from the illuminating surface (2a), wherein the organic light source (2) is introduced at least at some points into the opening (14), the first cover surface (11a) is curved and/or bowed, the size of the illuminating surface (2a) is at least 1 cm2, preferably at least 5 cm2, and the distance between the illuminating surface (2a) and the first cover surface (11a) is at most 1 cm, preferably at most 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Pictiva Displays International Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Claus Hoeflinger, Simon Schicktanz
  • Patent number: 11560990
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus with a linear light source is provided. The lighting apparatus includes a light source extending in a longitudinal direction and having terminal parts on both ends of the light source to be connected to a power supply; a spacer having an internal space that is opened in a front-rear direction and accommodates the light source, wherein mounting parts formed on both ends of the internal space to provide the terminal parts; and a reflective bracket mounted on a rear end of the spacer to cover the internal space, and having fixing parts that match the mounting parts to fix the terminal parts when the reflective bracket is mounted on the spacer, wherein an inner surface of the reflective bracket is configured to reflect light emitted from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Jung Wook Lim, Byoung Suk Ahn, Seung Sik Han, Sung Ho Park, Ki Hong Lee
  • Patent number: 11472334
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a device that allows auxiliary lights to be mounted to a side view mirror of a motor vehicle. The device includes a shell which is custom manufactured to conform to a shape of a cover of a sideview mirror on a particular make, model, and year of a motor vehicle. The shell is configured to house one or more auxiliary light elements which can be chosen by a motor vehicle owner. The device also includes one or more air passage sections configured on the shell formed to direct air into an interior of the shell to cool the auxiliary light elements. The device also includes one or more through openings configured on the forward-facing side of the shell to which one or more light covers may be positioned over and arranged in front of the auxiliary light elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Nikolay Pukharev
  • Patent number: 11414007
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle headlight whose irradiation light is capable of ensuring sufficient illuminance to the immediate front side of the vehicle. A vehicle headlight irradiating light to the front of a vehicle including a first unit which generates light in order to form a first low beam, a second unit which generates light in order to form a high beam and a second low beam, where a portion of the high beam on the lower end side overlaps a portion of the first low beam on the upper side, and the other portion is formed above the first low beam without overlapping the first low beam, and where a portion of the second low beam on the upper side overlaps a portion of the first low beam on the lower side, and the other portion is formed below the first low beam without overlapping the first low beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kanazawa, Ryuichi Nakano
  • Patent number: 11415292
    Abstract: A safety-related signalling device for a motor vehicle including a light guide, a first light source capable of emitting a light beam that illuminates a lateral face of the light guide to allow the light beam to propagate in the light guide, and a reflective screen having a front face located at a distance and across from a rear face of the light guide. The light guide is translucent and light-coloured, and the reflective screen promotes diffuse reflection of the light from the light guide so as to homogenize and intensify, on a front face, the light emitted by the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MARELLI AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING FRANCE
    Inventors: Alain Buisson, Sean Patterson
  • Patent number: 11325671
    Abstract: The present invention provides a headlight provided on a front side of a vehicle and configured to illuminate the front side of the vehicle, including a first board provided with a first light source, a second board provided with a second light source, and a reflecting portion provided between the first board and the second board, wherein the reflecting portion includes a first reflector configured to reflect light from the first light source, and a second reflector configured to reflect light from the second light source, the first board and the second board are arranged to face each other while sandwiching the first reflector and the second reflector, and a space irradiated with the light from the first light source and a space irradiated with the light from the second light source define one continuous space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Wakita, Haruki Horikawa
  • Patent number: 11287114
    Abstract: A lighting device may comprise: a flexible lighting module having a light emitting device; a coupling member arranged on the lower portion of the lighting module; and a bracket comprising a receiving groove in which the lighting module is received and having a coupling hole formed therein such that the coupling member is inserted and coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Ju Lee, Jae Hun Kim, Sang Jun Hong, Seong Wook So
  • Patent number: 11187396
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an exterior light assembly for a motor vehicle and a method of using the same. An example light assembly includes a light source and a lens arrangement including a near field lens, a reflective plate, and an outer lens. The light assembly further includes a reflector including a first surface configured to reflect light exiting the near field lens toward the reflective plate and further includes a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface is configured as a decorative surface and is visible from an exterior of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bradley Johnson, Luciano Lukacs, Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 11143376
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp comprising a front lens body extending in a predetermined direction horizontally inclined by a predetermined angle when viewed from the front, a rear lens unit disposed behind the front lens body, and a light source which is disposed behind the rear lens unit and emits light for a headlamp light distribution pattern, wherein the rear lens unit is a lens unit configured to condense, in a first direction, light from the light source, the front lens body is a lens unit configured to condense, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, light from the rear lens unit, and at least one light diffusing element configured to diffuse light from the optical system in at least one of the predetermined direction and a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction is set in a region of the front lens body permeated by light from the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shota Nishimura, Kazuma Kamioka
  • Patent number: 11131505
    Abstract: The present invention provides a finned heat-exchange system, comprising a heat dissipation chamber, a fin, an air guide element and a base, wherein the heat dissipation chamber is isolated from the outside, and both the fin and the air guide element are connected to the base; and the air guide element and the fin are in communication with the heat dissipation chamber through the base to dissipate heat from the inside of the heat dissipation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Weikai Jiang
  • Patent number: 11104264
    Abstract: Provided is a cap-type vent having a porous waterproof air-permeable sheet inserted and mounted in a cap housing having fixing ribs formed therein, and fixing the waterproof air-permeable sheet by a supporting member made from an elastic material. The provided cap-type vent comprises a supporting member having one end coupled to an object, a waterproof air-permeable sheet disposed at the other end of the supporting member; and a cap housing formed in a cup shape having an opening formed at one end of the cup shape, and having the supporting member and the waterproof air-permeable sheet inserted through the opening, the supporting member is formed with an air circulation hole formed by penetrating the supporting member, and the inner side surface of the cap housing is formed with a fixing rib is configured to fix the supporting member by contacting the outer sidewall of the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: AMOGREENTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong-Uk Kim
  • Patent number: 10988094
    Abstract: A trim component, such as a grill of a vehicle, includes a substrate having a 3-dimensional shape and defining a disrupted reflective surface including a plurality of facets over a curved surface. Each of the facets is configured to reflect an incident light beam in a common direction, for example, toward a given target. A reflective coating, such as a chrome plating layer, overlies the disrupted reflective surface. The facets may have similar shapes and/or be arranged in a repeating pattern, but with one or more irregular features. The sizes, shapes, and/or orientation direction of the facets may varying in a gradient based on the curvature of the curved surface. The trim component also includes a light source to illuminate the disrupted reflective surface. The light source may be hidden so it is not directly visible to a viewer, but instead is reflected by the disrupted reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: LACKS ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: David Walters, Thomas Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10928029
    Abstract: A guide lamp for a vehicle to indicate a proceeding direction of the vehicle includes a housing partitioned into a first area and a second area adjacent to each other, a substrate disposed on a rear face of the housing, and a light source unit mounted on the substrate. The light source unit includes a first light source module corresponding to the first area and including at least one light emitting element, and a second light source module corresponding to the second area and including at least one light emitting element. The guide lamp for the vehicle further includes a first lens unit disposed in front of the light source unit, and the first lens unit includes a first guide lens corresponding to the first light source module in the first area, and a first backup lens corresponding to the second light source module in the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Min Woo, Chang Kyung Yun
  • Patent number: 10928673
    Abstract: A front member having a hue with higher reflectivity is disposed in a support recess of a front support body having a hue with lower reflectivity. A bottom portion of the support recess has rib-shaped boundary portions that separate openings that light emitting elements face. The front member includes front facing portions that cover the front sides of the boundary portions and front openings that face the front sides of the light emitting elements. Light emitted from the light emitting elements is reflected by an inner surface of the front member and surfaces of the front facing portions, which have a hue with higher reflectivity, and is provided to a transmissive display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kosuke Kimura, Hideto Katsunuma, Yukio Hasu
  • Patent number: 10901609
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to touch control devices and surface wrapped control interfaces for vehicles. In one embodiment, a touch control device includes a housing assembly including an outer surface, and a touch sensor mounted to an inner surface of the housing assembly. The touch sensor includes at least one touch zone and is configured to detect contact to the outer surface of the housing assembly associated with the at least one touch zone. The touch control device may also include at least one illumination element to illuminate a portion of the outer surface of the housing assembly associated the at least one touch zone and a controller configured to illuminate at least one illumination element in response to contact with the a touch zone. The touch control device can output a control signal in response to contact with the at least one touch zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Royce D. Channey, Rashmi Rao, Jason Cummins, Daren Harris
  • Patent number: 10865956
    Abstract: A vehicle light includes a light output lens for refracting light beams outwardly and forwardly in a first direction and a plurality of optical systems. Each optical system includes a light emitting unit and a lens unit positioned relative to the light emitting unit in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The light beams emitted from the light emitting unit propagate in the second direction and are reflected in the lens unit, such that all the extension lines of the light beams reflected in the lens unit extend through a focal region centered at the focus of the light output lens, and then propagate outwardly from the light output lens in directions generally parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: T.Y.C. BROTHER INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Shih
  • Patent number: 10851961
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic module, comprising a housing (11) having a first housing part (11) having a first cover surface (11a) and an opening (4); a mechanically flexibly designed organic light source (2) having an illuminating surface (2a); and a cover element (3) which is mounted on the illuminating surface (2a) and has a light-transmissive surface (3a) facing away from the illuminating surface (2a), wherein the organic light source (2) is introduced at least at some points into the opening (14), the first cover surface (11a) is curved and/or bowed, the size of the illuminating surface (2a) is at least 1 cm2, preferably at least 5 cm2, and the distance between the illuminating surface (2a) and the first cover surface (11a) is at most 1 cm, preferably at most 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: PICTIVA DISPLAYS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Claus Hoeflinger, Simon Schicktanz
  • Patent number: 10801716
    Abstract: Methods for making encapsulated linear lighting with opaque ends are disclosed. Linear lighting is placed in a polymeric channel, and the channel is filled with a resin in order to encapsulate the linear lighting. In order to prevent leaks, the channel is dammed at both ends of the linear lighting with stoppers. The channel has interior engaging features, such as grooves or ridges, that engage with complementary features on the sidewalls of the stoppers to form a seal between the channel and the stoppers. The resin within the channel is caused or allowed to cure. The stoppers are moved back from the cured mass to form a gap. An opaque resin may be poured into the channel and spills into the gap to coat the top and end face or faces of the linear lighting. Once all resin layers are cured, the stoppers are removed from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilberto Lopez-Martinez, Daniel South
  • Patent number: 10800322
    Abstract: A lighting device for a rear-viewing device of a motor vehicle includes at least one housing device, at least one lens, and at least one light guide device arranged at least in certain areas between the housing device and the lens. Light produced from at least one light source can be coupled into the light guide device, and the light guide device on the one hand and the housing device and/or the lens on the other hand are at least in certain areas connected to one another by means of overmolding, at least in certain areas, the light guide device. A method for producing such a lighting device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventor: Raimund Negel
  • Patent number: 10801692
    Abstract: A lighting assembly that provides integrated forward projecting light and side lighting to give a user a broader field of light. The assembly also incorporates daytime running lights to increase visibility during the day and night. The lighting assembly includes a cooling system suitable for dissipating the heat generated by light sources and electrical components of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Bestop Baja, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Johnson, Alan R. Roach
  • Patent number: 10738961
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body, a housing disposed on the body, and an exterior lens coupled to the housing defining a cavity therebetween. The vehicle additionally includes an interior lens disposed in the cavity. The exterior and interior lenses have distinct first and second colors, respectively. The vehicle also includes a reflector disposed in the cavity. The reflector has an at least partially reflective coating disposed thereon and is positioned to reflect light from the interior lens and to the exterior lens. The vehicle further includes first and second light sources configured to emit light having a third color. The first light source is oriented to direct light through the exterior lens without passing through the interior lens, and the second light source is oriented to direct light through the interior lens, reflect from the reflector, and subsequently through the exterior lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jodi M. Allen, Martin J. Davis, Carlos N. Czirmer
  • Patent number: 10705666
    Abstract: A user interface system for a vehicle interior includes a contact surface, a sensor grid and a controller. The sensor grid is configured for variable electrical resistance in response to applied pressure and the controller is configured to detect the electrical resistance of the sensor grid by monitoring a voltage. The controller detects the location of an input from a vehicle occupant, the intensity of the input, and the duration of the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Shanghai Yangfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Kring, Mario J. Enriques Ortiz, Tyler J. Newkirk, Ankit Singh
  • Patent number: 10631785
    Abstract: Body-mountable devices comprising a dyed polymer layer that covers a portion of an electronic structure embedded in a transparent polymer are described. An example method for fabricating a body-mountable device includes providing a dyed polymer material on an electronic structure. The electronic structure comprises at least one antenna, a sensor, and an electronic device. The example method also includes molding the dyed polymer material to provide a dyed polymer layer that covers a portion of the electronic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventor: James Etzkorn
  • Patent number: 10632896
    Abstract: A lighting device for a motor vehicle, including a first lighting module adapted to project a pixelized first beam with a first resolution and a second lighting module adapted to project a pixelized low beam type second beam with a second resolution lower than the first resolution, the first and second lighting modules being such that the first and second beams overlap vertically at least in part to form a global beam, the device including a control unit able to control selectively a plurality of pixels of the first and second beams so as to project a motif in the global beam, characterized in that the control unit is adapted to control at least one pixel of each of the first and second beams when the motor vehicle enters a turn so as to create a movement of the motif in the global beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Sebastien Roels, Marie Pellarin, Sophie Clade
  • Patent number: 10589686
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes a driver-side exterior mirror assembly having a driver-side mirror casing that includes an inboard portion that faces generally toward an exterior driver-side of the equipped vehicle and that is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. A driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is disposed at the inboard portion of the driver-side mirror casing. An illumination source of the driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module illuminates responsive to detection by a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of an overtaking vehicle. Responsive to detection of an overtaking vehicle, the illumination source is illuminated to provide a hazard indication to alert the driver of the equipped vehicle not to make a lane change maneuver. Illumination of the illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10576877
    Abstract: A grille for a motor vehicle includes a base extending around a perimeter of the grille, a light guide received in the base extending around the perimeter of the grille, a light source for illuminating the light guide when activated, and a lens covering the base and the light guide. A light blocker may mask an interior of the lens except at a portion where light from the light guide is to pass when the light guide is illuminated. A film covers an exterior of the lens and has a predetermined surface appearance when the light guide is not illuminated and allows light to pass through the film upon illumination of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Patents & Technologies North America, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Ian Moore, Nicholas P Ziraldo
  • Patent number: 10578665
    Abstract: A method for identifying a short in a first light emitting diode element may include providing a first actuating circuit being a switched-off condition, wherein an output thereof is coupled to a first electrode of the first light emitting diode element, providing a second actuating circuit being a switched-off condition, wherein an output thereof is coupled to a first electrode of a second light emitting diode element and wherein inputs of the first and second actuating circuits, second electrodes of the first and second light emitting diode elements are electrically coupled to a first node, coupling the first electrode of the first light emitting diode element to a first connection of a test energy source, operating the first light emitting diode element in the off-state region using the test energy source, performing a check whether an electric current flows via the first light emitting diode element, and identifying the short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GmbH
    Inventor: Kilian Regau
  • Patent number: 10571092
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic module, comprising a housing (11) having a first housing part (11) having a first cover surface (11a) and an opening (4); a mechanically flexibly designed organic light source (2) having an illuminating surface (2a); and a cover element (3) which is mounted on the illuminating surface (2a) and has a light-transmissive surface (3a) facing away from the illuminating surface (2a), wherein the organic light source (2) is introduced at least at some points into the opening (14), the first cover surface (11a) is curved and/or bowed, the size of the illuminating surface (2a) is at least 1 cm2, preferably at least 5 cm2, and the distance between the illuminating surface (2a) and the first cover surface (11a) is at most 1 cm, preferably at most 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GMBH
    Inventors: Benjamin Claus Hoeflinger, Simon Schicktanz
  • Patent number: 10563838
    Abstract: A vehicular component includes at least one light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the vehicular component and configured to emit light based on at least receiving electrical power from an electrical power source. The vehicular component further includes a transparent polymeric portion substantially enclosing the interior and the at least one light source. The transparent polymeric portion has an inner surface, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface and a chromium-based reflective coating coated on the outer surface. With the at least one light source receiving electrical power from the electrical power source, the chromium-based reflective coating is at least partially permeable to at least some light which is emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the transparent polymeric portion. At least one area of the outer surface of the transparent polymeric portion is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Andreas Herrmann, Sascha Björn Heib, Simon David Field
  • Patent number: 10549678
    Abstract: A vehicle control system comprising an image sensor operable to capture image data corresponding to a field of view rearward of a vehicle. The vehicle control system further comprises a processor in communication with the image sensor. The processor is operable to receive the image data from the image sensor, analyze the image data and based on the analyzed image data, identify at least one characteristic of a trailing vehicle. The processor is operable to generate a control signal to adjust an illumination pattern of at least one taillight of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin A. Schueler
  • Patent number: 10479263
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting module for a motor vehicle, the lighting module comprising: an optical means, a support for the optical means, at least one light source housed in the lighting module. The light source is removable and includes light emitting means, a mechanical support for the light emitting means, movement means for moving the optical means, which are arranged so as to allow the optical means to be moved between a locked position for holding the light source on the support for the optical means and an unlocked position for removing the light source from the lighting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Remi Letoumelin, Thomas Canonne
  • Patent number: 10457204
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a transparency that includes a substantially transparent exterior substrate, a substantially transparent interior substrate, an interlayer positioned between the exterior and interior substrates, a first plurality of perovskites positioned between the interior substrate and the interlayer, and a second plurality of perovskites positioned between the interior substrate and the interlayer. A first series of light sources is positioned to emit a first light on the first and second pluralities of perovskites. The first plurality of perovskites are configured to emit light having a wavelength of from about 620 nm to about 750 nm in response to the first light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Lobo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, Thomas F. Boettger, David Brian Glickman
  • Patent number: 10457213
    Abstract: Fixed-to portions of a visor cover are fixed to fixing portions of a bracket. Engagement hooks of the visor cover are disposed at back sides of outer peripheral end portions of a visor rim. When the fixed-to portions are caused to abut abutting portions of the bracket and the visor rim, the engagement hook is separated from the outer peripheral end portion in a vehicle width direction and the engagement hook is separated from the outer peripheral end portion in a vehicle front-rear direction. Thus, the fixed-to portions are caused to abut the abutting portions and are moved toward the fixing portions, enabling rubbing of the engagement hook and the engagement hook against the outer peripheral end portion and the outer peripheral end portion to be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Takehiro Hamada
  • Patent number: 10444420
    Abstract: The invention relates to an indirect lighting arrangement (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5) comprising at least one cylindrical waveguide (4). At least one end (12.1, 12.2) of the cylindrical waveguide (4) is designed to couple light from a first light source (1) into the cylindrical waveguide (4), and the lateral surface (10) of the cylindrical wave guide (4) has a coupling section (6) which is designed to optically couple the cylindrical waveguide (4) to an arrangeable plate-shaped waveguide (16). At least the coupling section (6) has at least one holographic optical element (8) which is designed to emit light from the cylindrical waveguide (4) into the arrangeable plate-shaped waveguide (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Rainer Hagen, Günther Walze, Thomas Fäcke, Friedrich-Karl Bruder, Dennis Hönel, Thomas Rölle, Horst Berneth, Marc-Stephan Weiser
  • Patent number: 10443807
    Abstract: A lighting module for a vehicular bumper includes at least one light source and a transparent polymeric portion configured to be coupled to a vehicular bumper so as to form at least part of the vehicular bumper. The transparent polymeric portion has a chromium-based reflective coating coated on an outer surface thereof configured to be at least partially permeable to light emitted by the at least one light source. At least one etching in the chromium-based reflective coating is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating. With the at least one light source electrically-connected to a vehicle, light emitted by the at least one light source is reflected and distributed by at least one light reflector, substantially within at least one light chamber and towards the transparent polymeric portion, so as to simultaneously pass through the chromium-based reflective coating and the at least one etching in the chromium-based reflective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Andreas Herrmann, Simon David Field
  • Patent number: 10436413
    Abstract: An illumination device includes: an elongated light guide; a first light source; a second light source; and a controller. A first increase beginning time point at which the brightness of the first light source begins to increase from zero is prior to a second increase beginning time point at which the brightness of the second light source begins to increase from zero. A first increase finish time point at which the brightness of the first light source finishes increasing to the first set brightness is simultaneous with or prior to a second increase finish time point at which the brightness of the second light source finishes increasing to the second set brightness. A time from the first increase beginning time point to the second increase finish time point is not more than 0.2 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Renge Asakawa, Yoshiharu Tanaka, Hirotaka Fukui, Yuki Kuramitsu, Taro Isogai
  • Patent number: 10422501
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a back panel configured to couple to a vehicle. A plurality of light sources emit a common wavelength of light. A first portion of the plurality of light sources is operably coupled with a luminescent structure. A second portion of light sources emits the common wavelength of light from an overmold material that is disposed outboard of the first and second portions of light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Matthew Cramer Mullen, Christopher Charles Hunt, Doug H. Randlett
  • Patent number: 10330282
    Abstract: A lamp lens is adapted to transmit light, and includes spaced-apart light input and output surfaces and a reflecting surface. The light input surface has a surrounding surface portion and an end surface portion connected to a front end of the surrounding surface portion. The reflecting surface extends from the light input surface to the light output surface, and has a plurality of reflecting segments and optical structures. The reflecting segments are adapted for total reflection of a portion of the light which enters the lamp lens through the light input surface. Each adjacent two of the reflecting segments forma stepped surface structure. The optical structures are adapted to prevent total reflection of a portion of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: T.Y.C. BROTHER INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Shih
  • Patent number: 10323819
    Abstract: A screen cover includes a screen cover body including an array of cover units arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns, each cover unit configured to be positioned over a respective LED lamp of an array of LED pixel units. Each cover unit has a shaped outer surface with edges, including an edge in common with an adjacent cover unit in a same row and an edge in common with an adjacent cover unit in a same column, such that the outer surfaces of the cover units along the columns and rows together form a continuous outer cover surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Beijing Universal Lanbo Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Didi Hu, Donglin Pi