| Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120127758 | LIGHT GUIDE MEMBER - A light guide member has a main body formed of material having translucency. The main body extends from a first end to a second end in an extending direction. The first end is configured to have light from a light source enter. A vertical cross-section of the main body in a plane perpendicular to the extending direction is formed in a shape of a fan. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127712 | LAMP UNIT - A lamp unit includes: a light source array including a plurality of light sources aligned into an array; a mount portion on which the light source array is to be mounted; a first reflecting mirror configured to reflect light from the light sources, wherein the first reflecting mirror is parabolic cylindrical or hyperbolic cylindrical and is provided at least either above and below the light source array; and an optical member configured to project direct light from the light sources and reflected light from the first reflecting mirror to the front. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120113665 | VEHICLE LIGHTING APPARATUS - A vehicle lighting apparatus is provided with: a light source device including a first light source and a second light source; a reflector adapted to reflect forwardly light emitted from the light sources; a main shade adapted to shade a portion of light emitted from the first light source and reflected by the reflector; and a sub shade adapted to shade at least a portion of light emitted from the second light source and reflected by the reflector. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113662 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT - There is provided a vehicle headlight. The vehicle headlight includes: a light source configured to emit light; a reflector reflecting the light; a projection lens projecting the light; a stationary shade blocking a part of the light emitted from the light source; a movable shade supported by the stationary shade as to move between a shielding position and a non-shielding position and configured to block a part of the light emitted from the light source; a drive mechanism including: a yoke; a coil disposed in the yoke; and an output shaft configured to move in an axial direction thereof in response to current supplied to the coil, and a transmission mechanism transmitting a driving force of the drive mechanism to the movable shade. At least a part of the yoke of the drive mechanism is formed in a single piece with the stationary shade. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120113660 | DOOR MIRROR LAMP - A door mirror lamp that is attached to an opening portion formed in an outer side surface of a mirror housing, has a light guide member having an incident-side end surface, an output-side end surface, and first and second side surfaces that are formed as substantially opposite surfaces of the light guide member, wherein the light guide member is attached to the mirror housing such that the output-side end surface and of the first side surface are exposed at the opening portion, and a semiconductor light emitting element that is disposed in a vicinity of the incident-side end surface and that emits light that enters an inside of the light guide member from the incident-side end surface. The second side surface is provided with visual identification prevention portion that prevents a configuration inside the mirror housing from being visually identified through the second side surface from outside. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120106187 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a lamp outer case, a reflection-type first lamp unit, a direct emission-type second lamp unit, and a compound lens. The lamp outer case includes a cover and a lamp housing. The first lamp unit has a first light source, a reflector and a shade and forms a collective optical system. The second lamp unit has a second light source, which directly emits light, and forms a defuse optical system. The compound lens is disposed along an inner surface of the cover, and has an outer surface facing the inner surface of the cover that is formed as a curved light emitting surface. The cover also includes first and second control portions. The light emitting surface has a shape which is displaced to the rear as it extends transversely outwards of a vehicle. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106179 | VEHICLE LAMP CONTROLLER, VEHICLE LAMP SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE LAMP CONTROL METHOD - A vehicle lamp controller, a vehicle lamp system having the vehicle controller, and a vehicle lamp control method are provided. The vehicle lamp controller includes a receiver configured to receive information on a detected vector from an output of an acceleration sensor, a memory in which a plurality of reference vectors are stored, the reference vectors corresponding to different pitch angles of a vehicle, a control unit configured to obtain a pitch angle of the vehicle from the detected vector and one of the reference vectors that has a smallest angle with respect to the detected vector, and to generate a control signal for adjusting an optical axis of a vehicle lamp based on the obtained pitch angle, and a transmitter configured to transmit the control signal to an optical axis adjustment portion of the vehicle lamp. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101692 | VEHICLE LAMP CONTROLLER, VEHICLE LAMP SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE LAMP CONTROL METHOD - A vehicle lamp controller, a vehicle lamp system, and a vehicle lamp control method are provided. The vehicle lamp system includes an acceleration sensor, a vehicle lamp, and the vehicle controller. The controller includes a receiver configured to receive an acceleration information detected by the acceleration sensor, a control unit configured to derive a vehicle longitudinal direction acceleration and a vehicle vertical direction acceleration from the acceleration information, and to generate a control signal for instructing an adjustment of an optical axis of the vehicle lamp, based on a variation in a ratio between a temporal change amount of the vehicle longitudinal direction acceleration and a temporal change amount of the vehicle vertical direction acceleration during at least one of an acceleration and a deceleration of a vehicle, and a transmitter configured to transmit the control signal to an optical axis adjusting portion of the vehicle lamp. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098427 | DISCHARGE LAMP LIGHTING APPARATUS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A discharge lamp lighting apparatus includes a housing that is formed by a box-shaped housing main body, which has therein a first circuit including both a first connection connector that protrudes toward an opening and a first electronic part group, and a discharge lamp bulb attached to the outside of the housing main body. A housing cover has a heat dissipating metal body on a back surface of a substrate having mounted thereon both a second connection connector that protrudes at a position corresponding to the first connection connector and a second electronic part group having lower heat resistance than the first electronic part group, and that is attached to the opening. The second connection connector is mounted to the first connector when the housing cover is attached to the housing main body. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098017 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE, METHOD OF PRODUCING LIGHT-EMITTING MODULE, AND LIGHTING FIXTURE UNIT - In a light emitting module, each of a first light wavelength conversion member, a second light wavelength conversion member, and a third light wavelength conversion member converts the wavelength of the light emitted by a semiconductor light emitting element to emit the light within a wavelength range different from the others. Each of the first light wavelength conversion member, the second light wavelength conversion member, and the third light wavelength conversion member is formed into a plate shape and is laminated such that the light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting element passes through each of them in descending order of the average wavelength of the light whose wavelength has been converted. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120092853 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE - In a light emitting module, a semiconductor light emitting element emits short-wavelength visible light. A plurality of the semiconductor light emitting elements are provided side by side on the same flat surface. The light wavelength conversion member contains a first phosphor and a second phosphor, the wavelength of the light emitted after the wavelength thereof has been converted by either of the two being different from the excitation wavelength for the other. The first phosphor emits yellow light by exciting the short-wavelength visible light. The second phosphor emits blue light by exciting the short-wavelength visible light. The first phosphor does not include the wavelength range of the blue light in the excitation wavelength range thereof. The light wavelength conversion member is cured after being potted so as to integrally cover the plurality of the semiconductor light emitting elements. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120091891 | ARC TUBE FOR DISCHARGE BULB AND DISCHARGE BULB INCLUDING THE SAME - An arc tube for a discharge bulb includes: an electrode assembly that has an electrode bar and a molybdenum foil, wherein an overlapping portion of an end portion of the electrode bar and a molybdenum foil is joined by spot welding; a pinch seal portion that seals a part of the electrode assembly, the part including at least the molybdenum foil; and a closed glass bulb, into which a tip of the electrode bar protrudes, the closed glass bulb forming a discharge light-emitting portion, wherein the size of a recess, which is a weld mark, in the molybdenum foil on the side opposite to a joint portion, at which the molybdenum foil and the electrode bar are joined with each other, is within a range from 0.07 mm | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120081916 | VEHICULAR LAMP - The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a vehicular lamp that can adopt a low-priced material having a low heat-resisting temperature as a material for a reflector. A vehicular lamp includes a tail and stop lamp bulb and a reflector reflecting light from bulb to the front of the lamp, in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover. In addition, lamp body includes an opening for exposing the rear surface of reflector in the vicinity of tail and stop lamp bulb to the outside of the lamp chamber. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120075819 | ELECTRONIC PART AND CONNECTION STRUCTURE OF THE ELECTRONIC PART - An electronic part includes an electronic part body, an electrode terminal that protrudes from the electronic part body, and that electrically connects the electronic part to an external electrode when a flexible conductor is joined to an electrode surface, and a holder made of an insulating material, and joined to the electronic part body. The holder is interposed between a mounting plate and the electronic part body when the electronic part is mounted to the mounting plate, and the holder is in contact with a surface of the electrode terminal opposite from the electrode surface. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120069592 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A linear light guide or light guides disposed in a lamp chamber have a light guide neighboring region, in which the portions close to light incidence end portions are close to each other, and a light-emitting portion or portions are disposed so as to be offset from a luminous region of a light source unit and to have portions that extend from the light guide neighboring region and separate from each other. A translucent diffusion cover that covers the light guide neighboring region is provided at least in front of the light guide neighboring region. Part of the light from the light guide neighboring region is diffused by the diffusion cover and then emitted through the diffusion cover, so that light emitted through the light-emitting portion and the diffusion cover is continuous, so that it appears as if the light guide that is continuous is emitting light. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120065760 | LENS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF LENS - A light incident surface of a lens is determined to have a shape of a virtual light incident surface (SF | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063156 | OPTICAL UNIT - An optical unit includes: a heat sink that radiates heat from a light source; and a base portion including a reflector mounting section, a lens mounting section and a connecting section connecting the reflector mounting section and the lens mounting section. The base portion is configured such that the light from the light source is reflected by a reflector mounted onto the reflector mounting section and is incident onto a projection lens mounted onto the lens mounting section. The heat sink is exposed to a space surrounded by the lens mounting section, the connecting section and the reflector mounting section. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120057363 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a semiconductor light emitting device arranged to face toward a front of the vehicle lamp, a first optical member disposed in front of the semiconductor light emitting device, and a second optical member disposed in front of the first optical member. The first optical member comprises a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is configured to internally reflect light from the semiconductor light emitting device toward the back surface. The back surface is configured to internally reflect the light reflected by the front surface back toward the front surface such that the light exits the first optical member from the front surface. The second optical member is disposed directly in front of the front surface of the first optical member and diffuses the light from the first optical member to form a light distribution pattern. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120056549 | DISCHARGE LAMP LIGHTING CIRCUIT - A discharge lamp lighting circuit includes a DC/DC converter which generates from an input voltage a drive voltage to be applied to a discharge lamp of a driven object. A first drive voltage generating path has one end to which the input voltage is applied, and at the other end of which is an output capacitor on an output side of the DC/DC converter. A second drive voltage generating path has one end to which the input voltage is applied, and at the other end of which is the output capacitor. The second drive voltage generating path is different from the first drive voltage generating path. A control circuit controls ON/OFF of the first drive voltage generating path. The discharge lamp lighting circuit is arranged so that the voltage of the output capacitor when the first drive voltage generating path is in an ON-state becomes higher than the voltage of the output capacitor when the first drive voltage generating path is not so. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120032591 | LIGHT SOURCE LIGHTING CIRCUIT AND LAMP SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A lighting circuit includes: a countercurrent prevention unit including a first control terminal and a second control terminal, the countercurrent prevention unit transmitting a first current or a second current; and a current controller including: a common terminal connected to the first control terminal and the second control terminal; and a switching terminal connected to the first control terminal, the current controller providing a first driving current or a second driving current from the common terminal to the light source. The countercurrent prevention unit further includes: a first rectifier, wherein voltage at the first control terminal is provided to the switching terminal through the first rectifier; a first P-FET provided between the first control terminal and the common terminal; a second P-FET provided between the second control terminal and the common terminal; and a second rectifier provided between the second P-PET and the common terminal. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120027255 | VEHICLE DETECTION APPARATUS - A vehicle detection apparatus comprises an other-vehicle detection module configured to detect points of light in an image captured by a vehicle to which the vehicle detection module is mounted and to detect other vehicles based on the points of light, a vehicle lane-line detection module configured to detect an vehicle lane-line in the captured image, and a region sectioning module configured to section the captured image based on the detected vehicle lane-line into an own vehicle lane region, an oncoming vehicle lane region, and a vehicle lane exterior region. Other vehicles are detected by the other-vehicle detection module by detecting points of light based on respective detection conditions set for each of the sectioned regions. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120019170 | SEMICONDUCTOR LIGHT SOURCE LIGHTING CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD - A semiconductor light source lighting circuit includes a transistor and a current detection resistor provided in series in a semiconductor light source current supply path, a control circuit for controlling the transistor so as to decrease any difference between the voltage occurring at the current detection resistor and a reference voltage, and a bypass resistor to establish a bypass path for the current supplied to the semiconductor light source, where a first end of the bypass path is located at a connection node between the transistor and the semiconductor light source. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120008335 | LAMP UNIT - A lamp unit includes: a first board supporting a first LED; a second board supporting a second LED; a first reflector that is disposed so as to reflect, toward a projection lens, light emitted by the first LED; a second reflector that is disposed so as to reflect, toward the projection lens, light emitted by the second LED; and a shade that blocks part of light reflected by the first reflector. The first and second boards support the first and second LEDs so that the first and second LEDs are disposed on opposite sides with respect to an optical axis Ax of the projection lens. The first reflector is disposed on the side opposite to the first LED with respect to the optical axis Ax, and the second reflector is disposed on the side opposite to the second LED with respect to the optical axis Ax. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008334 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp includes a light emitting device disposed adjacent to a base point on an optical axis extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle headlamp, and a transparent member disposed in front of the light emitting device. The light emitting device has a light emitting surface arranged to face forward. The transparent member is configured such that light emitted by the light emitting device enters the transparent member and is internally reflected by a front surface of the transparent member, and such that the light reflected by the front surface is internally reflected again by a rear surface of the transparent member and emitted from the front surface of the transparent member. The rear surface of the transparent member is configured to form horizontal and oblique cutoff lines. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008333 | VEHICLE LAMP UNIT - A vehicle lamp unit has a light emitting device disposed adjacent to a base point on an optical axis extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle on which the vehicle lamp unit is mounted, and a transparent member disposed in front of the light emitting device. The light emitting device has a light emitting surface arranged to face forward. The transparent member is configured such that light emitted by the light emitting device enters the transparent member and is internally reflected by a front surface of the transparent member, and such that the light reflected by the front surface is internally reflected again by a rear surface of the transparent member and emitted from the front surface of the transparent member. The front surface has a flat surface facing obliquely upward. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008306 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND LAMP UNIT - In a light emitting module | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007506 | VEHICULAR LAMP - 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. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120002430 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLE LAMP, VEHICLE LAMP, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING VEHICLE LAMP - There is provided a control device for controlling a vehicle lamp provided in a vehicle. The device includes: a receiver configured to receive an inclination angle of the vehicle with respect to a horizontal plane from an inclination detector; a controller configured to: i) generate a first control signal instructing the vehicle lamp to adjust an optical axis of the vehicle lamp in response to a change of the inclination angle, when the vehicle has already stopped; and ii) generate a second control signal instructing the vehicle lamp to maintain the optical axis of the vehicle lamp, when the vehicle is traveling on a road surface; and a transmitter configured to transmit the first control signal or the second control signal to an optical axis adjuster provided in the vehicle lamp. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110317439 | CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE LAMP, VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE LAMP - A control apparatus of a vehicle lamp is provided with a reception section ( | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110316033 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE LIGHT EMITTING MODULE, AND LAMP UNIT - In a light emitting module, a light wavelength conversion member | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110310630 | VEHICULAR LAMP - 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. ρ | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110305033 | OPTICAL UNIT - An optical unit used in a vehicle lighting device, includes a plurality of first shades which are disposed adjacent to each other in a vehicle width direction and are separated by a specific gap, wherein at least one of the first shades is movable between an advanced position which blocks a part of light emitted from a light source and a retreated position which does not block the light, a second shade, which is engaged with an end portion in the vehicle width direction of the at least one of the first shades, and driven by the first shade to move between the advanced position and the retreated position, and covers the gap between the adjacent first shades, and a movement mechanism which is connected to the at least one first shade and moves the first shade to one of the advanced position and the retreated position. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110292671 | VEHICULAR LAMP - In a vehicular lamp, a first zone includes a first incident portion disposed on a radiation axis. A first light guide portion guides light incident from the first incident portion forward. A first radiation portion formed from a first concave surface and a second concave surface deflects the light from the first light guide portion toward a lamp optical axis side and radiates such light forward in a diffused manner. A second zone includes a cylindrical second incident portion disposed on an outer side of the first incident portion. A second light guide portion that is longer in the direction of the radiation axis than the first light guide portion guides light incident from the second incident portion forward. A cylindrical second radiation portion radiates the light from the second light guide portion forward. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292670 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp includes a light source disposed on an optical axis extending in a front-back direction of the vehicular lamp; and a reflector that reflects forward light from the light source. The reflector is formed by a translucent member including a plurality of optical elements disposed continuously in a radial direction of the optical axis. Each of the optical elements includes: a surface of incidence through which light from a light emission reference point in the light source is incident into the optical element and which refracts the light into a direction away from the optical axis, a reflective surface which internally reflects forward the light which is incident into the optical element through the surface of incidence, and a surface of emission through which the light internally reflected by the reflective surface is emitted forward from the optical element. The reflective surface of each of the optical elements is formed by a curved surface formed to allow generally an entirety of the light internally reflected by the reflective surface to reach the surface of emission of the optical element as substantially parallel light. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110286224 | LIGHT SOURCE FIXING STRUCTURE OF LAMP - A light source fixing structure of a lamp is provided. The structure includes a lamp body having a mounting base, a light source having a disc flange, and a set spring elastically contacting the disc flange to fix the disc flange to the mounting base. The lamp body includes a latch protrusion to lock the set spring. The set spring includes a support portion supported on the lamp body, a manually operable lock operating portion, and an elastically contacting portion. An operation of the lock operating portion in one direction causes the elastically contacting portion to elastically contact the back surface of the disc flange and generates an elastic reaction force in a direction different from the one direction. The elastic reaction force urges the lock operating portion toward the latch protrusion and causes the lock operating portion to engage with the latch protrusion. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284902 | LIGHT EMISSION MODULE, LIGHT EMISSION MODULE MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND LAMP UNIT - In a light emission module ( | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110280034 | VEHICULAR LAMP AND VEHICULAR LAMP ASSEMBLY METHOD - A vehicular lamp has a plurality of bulb sockets, each of the plurality of bulb sockets holding a bulb serving as a light source, a lamp body that accommodates the bulb sockets, a front cover that forwardly covers the lamp body, a plurality of bulb socket fixing portions formed in the lamp body, and inserted with the plurality of bulb sockets, a temporary holding member that includes a plurality of temporary holding portions of the bulb sockets, and temporarily holds each of the plurality of bulb sockets to each of the plurality of temporary holding portions, and a bulb socket mounting unit that sandwiches the lamp body and the temporary holding member via an elastic portion formed on each of the bulb sockets. The elastic portion elastically deforms when the temporarily held bulb sockets are inserted into the fixing portions and returning at predetermined fixing positions of the fixing portions. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280029 | LOW-BEAM LAMP UNIT - Disclosed is a low-beam lamp unit including an LED, a projector lens disposed on an optical axis, a reflector reflecting light of the LED toward the vicinity of a back focus of the projector lens on a vertical cross section, a shade having a front edge portion disposed in the vicinity of the back focus of projector lens to block a portion of light reflected by the reflector, and a re-reflection surface integrally provided in the back of the front edge portion to re-reflect the portion of reflected light blocked by the shade to the projector lens. In the low-beam lamp unit, at least a portion of the re-reflection surface has a light diffusion portion which is a continuously curved surface that is convex toward the reflector in the vertical cross section. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280028 | LIGHTING APPARATUS - A lighting apparatus is provided. The lighting apparatus includes a light source having a light emitting surface, and a reflector configured to reflect light from the light source to form a light distribution pattern having a first cutoff line and a second cutoff line such that the first cutoff line and the second cutoff line form an angle with each other. The reflector is configured to form the first cutoff line and the second cutoff line by reflection images of the same edge of the light emitting surface. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110279304 | MILLIMETER WAVE RADAR-EQUIPPED HEADLAMP - A millimeter wave radar-equipped headlamp includes a millimeter wave radar that detects an object ahead of a vehicle, and a lighting device unit that irradiates an area ahead of the vehicle. The lighting device unit incorporates an antenna module of the millimeter wave radar. The lighting device unit includes a projection lens, a light source, a reflector, and a shade. The antenna module includes a millimeter wave waveguide, and a millimeter wave reflection mirror. A reflection surface of the millimeter wave reflection mirror is formed by a spheroidal surface having a first focal point located in the vicinity of the opening of the millimeter wave waveguide, and a second focal point located forward of the rear focal point. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110255264 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND OPTICAL WAVELENGTH CONVERTING MEMBER - A light emitting module is provided with a light emitting element and an optical wavelength converting member. The optical wavelength converting member includes a light incident plane, a light output plane, and an outer plane which is a plane except for said light incident plane and said light output plane. The optical wavelength converting member converts a wavelength of light emitted on the light emitting element and entered from the light incident plane into the optical wavelength converting member and outputs the wavelength-converted light from the light output plane. An average roughness “Ra” of at least a portion of the outer plane is lower than an average roughness of the light output plane. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254439 | VEHICULAR DISCHARGE LAMP - A vehicular discharge lamp that emits light by a DC lighting system, the vehicular discharge lamp includes: an outer tube; a light emitting tube disposed in the outer tube and including a light emitting portion and fine tube portions connected to the light emitting portion; cathode-side and anode-side electrodes disposed in the light emitting tube; two lead wires connected to the electrodes; and a metal film or a metal oxide applied on an outer peripheral surface of the fine tube portion on an anode side of the light emitting tube, or the metal wire being wound on the outer peripheral surface. Inert gas having negative pressure is filled in a space outside the light emitting tube in the outer tube, and a negative high-voltage pulse is applied to the anode-side electrode at a time of start-up. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254438 | ARC TUBE FOR DISCHARGE BULB - An arc tube for a discharge bulb, comprising a sealed glass bulb in which luminous materials are sealed; a plurality of pinch-sealed portions made of quartz glass and formed at both end portions of the sealed glass bulb; a plurality of molybdenum foils each pinch sealed in the corresponding pinch-sealed portion; a pair of electrode rods provided in the sealed glass bulb so as to face each other, wherein each of electrode rods extends from the sealed glass bulb to the corresponding pinch-sealed portion and is connected to one end of the corresponding molybdenum foil; and a plurality of lead wires each connected to the other end of the corresponding molybdenum foil, wherein the molybdenum foils comprise a plurality of closed cavities therein. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110249462 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp includes: a light-emitting element arranged face forward; and a translucent member arranged to cover the light-emitting element from its front side. The member has a horizontally oblong shape in a front view, and includes: a direct light control portion located near the optical axis and directly emitting light forward from a front surface of the member; reflected light control portions located both sides of the direct light control portion and internally reflecting the entered light on a rear surface of the member to form substantially parallel light directed forward and emitting the light forward from the front surface; and a curved-surface light incident area formed on the rear surface to allow light from the light-emitting element to enter as substantially parallel light with respect to a cross section parallel to the axis and a longitudinal direction of the member in the direction perpendicular to the cross section. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110242831 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A light guide includes a first incident portion at an end side thereof near a light source, a stepped portion disposed on a rear surface side thereof in an axial direction and wholly reflects a portion of guided light, and a radiating portion disposed on a front surface side thereof in the axial direction that radiates the wholly reflected light forward. The light guide guides light that is incident through the first incident portion from front to back within the light guide. The stepped portion is a plurality of generally triangular prisms formed continuous in an extension direction, and has, in a cross section that follows an extension axis of the light guide and is parallel to a lamp optical axis, a long first projection surface that extends in the extension direction and a short second projection surface that forms an apex angle with the first projection surface. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242830 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes, within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a front cover, a light source, a columnar light guide having an incident portion at the end thereof in the vicinity of the light source, and an annular reflecting portion arranged in the vicinity of the light source side of the incident portion. The columnar light guide guides incident light from the light source, which enters via the incident portion, and irradiates the incident light from a light-emitting portion on a front side. The annular reflecting portion reflects light with a large emission angle, which has not been able to directly enter the incident portion from the light source, toward the incident portion. The light source is arranged on a central axis of the annular reflecting portion. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110222304 | VEHICLE LAMP UNIT - A vehicle lamp unit comprising a cylindrical lens arranged on an optical axis extending in a front-back direction of the vehicle lamp unit, a semiconductor light-emitting element arranged on the optical axis behind a rear focal line of the cylindrical lens, and a reflector, which comprises a right concave curved surface located in a right side region of the reflector, and a left concave curved surface is located in a left side region of the reflector, wherein each of the right and left concave curved surfaces comprises an inner reflecting surface near the optical axis, wherein the light reflected by the inner reflecting surface of the right concave curved surface is directed to the left side region across the optical axis, and the light reflected by the inner reflecting surface of the left concave curved surface is directed to the right side region across the optical axis. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110222303 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp is provided with a light emitting module. The light emitting module is provided with a light emitting portion and a frame member. The frame member surrounds the light emitting portion to define a light emitting surface. The frame member includes a first surface and a second surface in which a part of an internal diffusing/reflection light reflected on the first surface is to be projected upwardly of a cutoff line of a low-beam light distribution pattern, and a part of the internal diffusing/reflection light reflected on the second surface is to be projected downwardly of the cutoff line. A reflectance of the first surface is lower than a reflectance of the second surface. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110210369 | LIGHT-EMITTING MODULE, MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR LIGHT-EMITTING MODULE, AND LIGHT FIXTURE UNIT - In a light emitting module | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110204405 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE LIGHT EMITTING MODULE, AND LAMP UNIT - In a light emitting module 40, a light wavelength conversation ceramic 52 converts the wavelength of the light emitted by a semiconductor light emitting element 48 then emits the light. An optical filter 50 transmits the blue light Lb mainly emitted by the semiconductor light emitting element 48 and reflects the yellow light Ly whose wavelength has been mainly converted by the light wavelength conversion ceramic 52. The optical filter 50 is provided on the surface of the light wavelength conversion ceramic 52. The light emitting module 40 is manufactured by: the process where the optical filter 50 is provided on at least one surface of the light wavelength conversion ceramic 52; and the process where the semiconductor light emitting element 48 and the light wavelength conversion ceramic 52 are arranged such that the light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting element 48 is incident into the light wavelength conversion ceramic 52. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110201735 | SILOXANE COMPOSITE-BASED LIGHT-WEIGHT OPTICAL LENSES - Disclosed is a process of preparing a moulded article, comprising 1) hydrolysing a) at least one silane having one non-hydrolysable organic group, and b) at least one compound selected from b1) a silane having two non-hydrolysable organic groups, and b2) a hydrolysable polysiloxane, or a mixture thereof, and c) optionally at least one silane having no non-hydrolysable organic group, to prepare a composite composition comprising a hydrolysate or condensate, 2) placing the composite composition in a mould, 3) curing the composite composition to increase the degree of condensation, 4) removing the moulded article from the mould, and 5) heat treating the moulded article at a temperature of at least 100° C. The moulded article is preferably an optical lens which may be used for automobile headlights. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199777 | VEHICULAR ILLUMINATION LAMP - A lamp includes a projection lens, a light-emitting element disposed rearwardly of a rear-side focal point of the projection lens to be directed upward, a reflector disposed to cover the light-emitting element from an upper side to reflect light from the light-emitting element toward the projection lens, and a shade disposed with an upper end edge thereof passing closely below the rear-side focal point to block part of reflected light from the reflector. Generally the entirety of a portion of the projection lens positioned above the optical axis is cut away. A reflective surface that reflects downward the reflected light from the main reflector is formed on a rear surface of the shade. A sub reflector that reflects forward the reflected light from the reflector reflected by the reflective surface of the shade so as not to be incident on the projection lens is disposed below the shade. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199776 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP UNIT - A vehicle headlamp unit has a plurality of projection lenses configured to project light from at least one light source. The plurality of projection lenses is configured and arranged such that each of the projection lenses includes an outer peripheral portion that faces and extends along the outer peripheral portion of an adjacent one of the projection lenses. The outer peripheral portion of each of the projection lenses touches or lies close to the outer peripheral portion of the adjacent one of the projection lenses such that light emitting areas of the plurality of projection lenses as a whole are visually recognized as a single light emitting area. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110198998 | Step-Up/Step-Down DC-DC Converter and Vehicle Lighting Appliance - A step-up/step-down DC-DC converter includes a control section to compare an output value from voltage decrease or increase sections and a preset target value. A computation circuit provides a voltage value resulting from subtracting a difference between the voltage value of the comparison result and a first preset voltage value from a first voltage value. A drive pulse generation section generates a drive pulse for turning on and off a voltage decrease switch and a voltage increase switch in response to the result of a comparison between the computation output voltage and a ramp wave. When the voltage value of the computation output voltage exists between the first voltage value and the second voltage value, the drive pulse generation section provides control to selectively switch the on and off operation of the voltage decrease switch and the on and off operation of the voltage increase switch. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110193960 | VEHICULAR LAMP WITH A BUILT-IN CAMERA - A vehicular lamp includes a light source that illuminates a vehicle periphery; a camera that images the vehicle periphery; and a shield structure configured to protect an image from the camera from light of the light source. The shield structure may include a shield ring configured to shield a light receiving portion of the camera from light of the light source; a light guide member that guides the light of the light source in a direction away from the light receiving portion of the camera; a control circuit that operates the camera only at a timing when the light source, flashing in a short cycle, is off; and an image processing circuit that removes a colored light component of the light source from image data of the camera. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110192243 | OPTICAL AXIS ADJUSTING SCREW - An optical axis adjusting screw ( | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110188258 | ACTUATOR - Into a case member, either of a unidirectional adjusting device for adjusting an irradiating direction of light only in a vertical direction by tilting a lamp unit in the vertical direction or a bidirectional adjusting device for adjusting the irradiating direction of light in two directions of the vertical direction and a horizontal direction by tilting the lamp unit in the vertical direction and rotating the lamp unit in the horizontal direction can be installed. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187257 | DISCHARGE LAMP FOR VEHICLE - A discharge lamp for a vehicle has an external tube attached to a socket, a light emitting tube disposed in the external tube and formed of ceramic, the light emitting tube including a light emitting portion and a pair of narrow tube portions linked to the light emitting portion at opposite sides with the light emitting portion interposed therebetween, a cathode side electrode and an anode side electrode which are disposed in the light emitting tube, and two lead wires connected to the cathode side electrode and the anode side electrode respectively and having at least a part disposed in the external tube respectively. A length of the narrow tube portion on the cathode side being set to be smaller than that of the narrow tube portion on the anode side. The cathode side electrode being disposed on an opposite side to the socket with the anode side electrode interposed therebetween. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110176324 | VEHICULAR LAMP USING PLANAR LIGHT-EMITTING BODY FOR SUB LIGHT SOURCE - A vehicular lamp includes a housing covered by a translucent cover so as to form a lamp chamber. A main light source and a sub light source are disposed inside the lamp chamber. The sub light source includes a planar light-emitting body. The planar light-emitting body is arranged in an area off to a side of a light path of the main light source. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110170308 | VEHICLE HEAD LAMP - A vehicle head lamp includes: a light source; a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source; a condenser lens that irradiates the light reflected by the reflector forward; and a shade that blocks part of the light reflected by the reflector to obtain a desired light distribution. The shade includes a main shade that has an opening for passing overhead sign light irradiated forward and upward and a sub-shade that is provided so as to be inclined rearward and downward from an upper edge of the main shade in order to obtain a cut line of the light distribution, and the reflector has an OHS reflection area used to project part of the reflected light toward a lower surface of the sub-shade and that allows the light reflected on the lower surface to pass through the opening of the main shade as the OHS light. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170307 | VEHICLE LAMP - In a vehicle lamp ( | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110141756 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp includes a lamp unit having a bulb attaching portion into which a bulb is inserted and attached, an outer housing configured to engage with the lamp unit at a location behind the bulb attaching portion, an inner housing disposed inside the outer housing such that a clearance is provided in a radial direction between the outer housing and the inner housing and such that, relative to the outer housing, the inner housing is movable in an axial direction and is rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction, and a spring disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing to bias the inner housing toward the bulb in the axial direction. When the outer housing is engaged with the lamp unit, the spring biases the inner housing such that a flange of the bulb is pressed against the bulb attaching portion. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110141753 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp includes a first light source configured to emit first light that is projected to form a first irradiation region, a second light source configured to emit second light that is projected to form a second irradiation region joined to the first irradiation region to extend in a transverse direction with respect to an optical axis, a movable shade configured to move between a position at which light irradiation to a joined region of the first irradiation region and the second irradiation region is shielded, and a position at which the light irradiation to the joined region is permitted, and a controller configured to select one of light distribution patterns that are determined by combinations of turning on and off of the first light source, turning on and off of the second light source, and the positions of the movable shade. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110141752 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp includes a first aiming mechanism and a second aiming mechanism that enable a lamp unit to be assembled to a vehicle body from the outside or the inside. The lamp body includes a pair of first vertical tilt axis structural members that are provided on a rear portion and engage with the vehicle body tiltably around a first horizontal tilt axis, and a pair of second vertical tilt axis structural members that are provided on both left and right sides and retained tiltably around a second horizontal tilt axis with respect to the vehicle body. The first aiming mechanism has a first optical axis adjusting portion that tilts the lamp unit around the first horizontal tilt axis via an aiming screw. The second aiming mechanism has a second optical axis adjusting portion that tilts the lamp unit around the second horizontal tilt axis via an aiming screw. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110134654 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp including a main lamp unit that forms a main light distribution pattern for a headlamp, and an additional lamp unit that emits blue light or mixed light including blue light to form a lane marker irradiation light distribution pattern, wherein the lane marker irradiation light distribution pattern is superimposed onto the main light distribution pattern. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110133646 | LIGHT IRRADIATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE LAMP - A light irradiation control system for a vehicle lamp includes a control unit configured to provide control signals for controlling light irradiation of the vehicle lamp based on detection signals detected by sensors. Actuator units are configured to control the light irradiation of the vehicle lamp based on the control signals. The control unit includes a body-side control unit and a lamp-side control unit. The body-side control unit is configured to perform signal processing on the detection signals and to provide the signal-processed signals to a common bus as common data. The lamp-side control unit, which is mounted in at least some of the actuator units, is connected to the common bus to provide the control signals based on the common data provided to the common bus. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110128754 | LIGHT SOURCE UNIT AND VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp includes a light source unit that is attached to one of a lamp body and a reflector. The light source unit includes a semiconductor light emitting element that is a light source; a plurality of conductive members formed into a predetermined three-dimensional shape by press working a conductive metal material; and a housing that is formed of an insulating material. The plurality of conductive members each include: an element mounting portion to which the semiconductor light emitting element is mounted, a heat dissipating portion that dissipates heat generated when the semiconductor light emitting element emits light, and a connecting portion to which a connector that supplies power to the semiconductor light emitting element is connected. The housing holds the plurality of conductive members in a spaced apart state. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110128750 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp includes a light source; a light guide that guides the light from the light source; and a reflector. The light guide includes an incident portion to which light from the light source is incident, wherein light entering from the incident portion is guided through the light guide; and a plurality of reflection portions that internally reflect a portion of the guided light toward the reflector. The reflector reflects, in a lamp illumination direction, reflection light that is emitted from the light guide following internal reflection by the plurality of reflection portions. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110121732 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND VEHICLE LAMP - A light emitting module includes a plurality of light emitting units that emits light by using semiconductor light emitting elements, and a substrate that supports the plurality of arranged light emitting units. The light emitting units include light guide portions that guide light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting elements so that light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting elements is not directed at irradiation regions of adjacent light emitting units. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110121731 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND AUTOMOTIVE LAMP - A light emitting module includes: a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements; a substrate by which the arranged plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements are supported; and a plate-shaped light wavelength conversion component that is provided so as to face the light emitting surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements and that converts the wavelength of the light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting element. A phosphor layer has a shielding portion formed in the boundary between respective areas facing the respective light emitting surfaces of the adjacent semiconductor light emitting elements. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110116281 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a housing, a transparent outer cover attached to the housing to form a lamp chamber together with the housing, a lamp unit disposed inside the lamp chamber to send light toward an outside of the lamp chamber through the outer cover, a sealing member arranged to seal a space between the housing and the outer cover, and an adhesive member disposed inside the lamp chamber in an at least partially exposed manner. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110085347 | VEHICULAR HEADLAMP APPARATUS - A vehicular headlamp apparatus includes: a lamp body; a translucent cover having a slanted portion; and a lamp unit. A semiconductor light-emitting element is mounted on a mounting surface so that its irradiation axis intersects with lamp unit's optical axis. Reflector's reflective surface reflects light from the semiconductor light-emitting element toward a vehicle front. One end of the reflective surface is located on a vehicle rear side of the light-emitting element. The other end protrudes toward a vehicle front from a front side end of the mounting portion. The reflective surface has a portion protruding toward the vehicle front from the front side end to face the slanted portion. Within a light distribution pattern, rays of light reflected by first area, second area adjacent to the first area and third area on the reflective surface respectively form a horizontal cut-off line, an oblique cut-off line and a diffusion portion. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110085344 | Lamp Unit and Vehicle Lamp - A lamp unit includes at least one light source that emits light in a predetermined direction, and a light guide body including at least one incident surface where light emitted from the light source enters, a first emission surface that emits light entering from the incident surface in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of second emission surfaces that emits light entering the incident surface in a horizontal direction and emits light entering the incident surface to the upper side of the horizontal direction. The second emission surfaces are formed above the first emission surface at different positions in an up-down direction, and are positioned on the back side of the first emission surface so as to be spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110080751 | HEADLIGHT AIMING SYSTEM - A headlamp aiming system is configured to include: a lamp unit; an actuator configured to displace the light axis of the lamp unit; an imaging apparatus configured to acquire the information necessary for adjustment of the light axis; and an ECU configured to control the actuator. By imaging a light distribution pattern formed by lighting the lamp unit with the imaging apparatus, and by controlling the actuator by the ECU such that the deviation between the position of an attention point in a light distribution pattern, obtained from the imaged image information, and the position of a reference point that has been set beforehand becomes the minimum or zero, an attitude of the lamp unit is adjusted such that aiming of the lamp unit can be automatically performed in a self-contained manner. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080092 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp includes: a light-emitting module; a control circuit section for controlling a lighting of the light-emitting module; and a reflector including a reflecting face configured to reflect and collect light emitted from the light-emitting module. The control circuit section includes an opposing portion that is opposed to the reflecting face. The opposing portion is disposed at a position away from an optical path of light to be collected by the reflector. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110073995 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, FABRICATION METHOD OF THE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - In a semiconductor device, a YAG substrate is formed as a single-crystal substrate of any of surface orientations (100), (110), and (111). In the fabrication of the semiconductor device, a TMAl gas is first fed onto the YAG substrate so as to form a nucleation layer made of aluminum, which is a group-III element. Then, an NH | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110063868 | LAMP UNIT FOR VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp is provided. The lamp unit includes a projection lens, a light emitting device disposed such that a light emitting axis of the light emitting device is oriented upward, a reflector disposed to cover light emitted from the light emitting device and to reflect the light toward the projection lens, a first shade configured and disposed to partially block the light reflected by the reflector, and a second shade. The first shade includes a light cutting edge configured to form a cutoff line along an upper edge of a light distribution pattern, and an auxiliary reflecting surface extending rearward from the light cutting edge and configured to partially reflect, toward the projection lens, the light reflected by the reflector. The second shade is arranged to extend from a front edge of the reflector toward the auxiliary reflecting surface. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110063866 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp is provided with: a frame; a lamp unit, which includes a first and a second connection sections and, which is rotatable with respect to the frame; a slider connected to first connection section and which is supported on the frame so as to be movable in a front-rear direction; a rotor connected to the second connection section and which is supported on the frame so as to be turnable in a horizontal direction; a drive operation section for moving the slider in the front-rear direction; and a rotation operation section for turning the rotor in the horizontal direction. The first connection section and the second connection section are positioned so as to be separated from each other substantially in the up-down direction. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110063865 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND VEHICLE LAMP - A light emitting module includes: a circuit board having a shape in which an outer peripheral edge of the circuit board corresponds to an outer peripheral edge of the circuit board before rotating the circuit board about a center point by an angle of 90 degrees in a direction orthogonal to a thickness direction of the circuit board; a semiconductor light emitting element; and a first and second electrodes that are formed on the circuit board at positions symmetrical to each other with respect to the center point. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110063860 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP SYSTEM - A vehicle headlamp system includes a headlamp having multiple control devices and an ECU. Each of the control devices controls a light irradiation condition of the headlamp. The ECU stores vehicle constants, error code information and initialization information corresponding to different types of vehicle, and controls the control devices. When a vehicle type is changed, the ECU selects at least one of the vehicle constants corresponding to the changed vehicle type, clears the stored error code information and the initialization information after selecting the at least one of the vehicle constants, stores initialization information corresponding to the changed vehicle type, and initializes the control devices. The ECU recognizes dependencies between the control devices and, if the control devices include a first control device that is independent, executes normal control by the first control device directly after initializing the first control device. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110058387 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp has a semiconductor light emitting element as a light source. The vehicular lamp includes a heat dissipation member that dissipates heat generated by the semiconductor light emitting element; a power supply member that supplies power to the semiconductor light emitting element; a light emitting element holding portion that holds the semiconductor light emitting element in a state of contact with the heat dissipation member; and a housing portion that is secured to a lamp body. The light emitting element holding portion electrically connects the semiconductor light emitting element and the power supply member, the housing accommodates the power supply member and the heat dissipation member, and the light emitting element holding portion is detachably secured to the heat dissipation member. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058385 | SIDE TURN SIGNAL LAMP - A side turn signal lamp includes a light guide member having a light guide lens and a plurality of LEDs. The light guide lens includes a front surface and a light entry end face. The light guide lens includes a front surface and a light entry end face. The front surface is configured to correspond to a laterally extending opening in an outer side wall of a side mirror housing so as to guide the light through the opening. The light guide lens is configured to have a width that corresponds to the opening having a shape of a slit in a front view and such that the light entry end face extends in a front-rear direction of the side turn signal lamp. The LEDs are arranged in the front-rear direction to directly face the light entry end face. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110052876 | LAMP DESIGN SURFACE MEMBER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING LAMP DESIGN SURFACE MEMBER - A lamp design surface member is provided. The lamp design surface member includes a design surface having a decorative surface. Concave-convex portions and planar portions are formed together on the decorative surface. The concave-convex portions have a peak cross-sectional height Rt of 1 μm or more and the planar portions have a peak cross-sectional height Rt smaller than 1 μm. The planar portions are formed so that an area ratio of the planar portions to the decorative surface is in a range of 30% to 80%. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110032722 | LAMP UNIT FOR VEHICULAR HEADLAMP - A lamp unit for a vehicular headlamp includes: a projection lens arranged to have an optical axis extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; a light-emitting element that is a light source arranged on a rear side with respect to a rear focal point of the projection lens; and a reflector that is formed so that a longitudinal section of the reflector has the shape of an ellipse having a first focal point at a center of light emission of the light-emitting element and a second focal point at the rear focal point of the projection lens, wherein the reflector is arranged to cover the light-emitting element and reflects irradiated light toward the projection lens, the irradiated light being light irradiated from the light-emitting element. A major axis of the ellipse, passing through the first focal point and the second focal point, is inclined with respect to the optical axis. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110032721 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp includes a body that opens forward; an outer cover attached to the body so as to cover the opening; a first light source disposed within a lamp chamber formed from the body and the outer cover; an optical member that reflects first light source light from the first light source forward; a second light source disposed within the lamp chamber; and a light guide in which an end portion thereof receives second light source light from the second light source and an extended side surface thereof radiates forward at least a portion of the second light source light. The light guide is provided at a position that does not block a light component that forms a main light distribution of the first light source light. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110032702 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE - A light emitting module includes: light emitting elements arranged with a distance interposed therebetween, each of the light emitting elements includes: a first light emitting surface, and second light emitting surfaces bordering the first light emitting surface; optical wavelength conversion members that convert a wavelength of light emitted from corresponding light emitting elements; and a reflecting member that extends from a gap between adjacent light emitting elements to a gap between the adjacent optical wavelength conversion members so as to surround each of the light emitting elements and so as to separate the adjacent light emitting elements. The reflecting member includes reflecting surfaces that respectively face each of the second light emitting surfaces. Each of the reflecting surfaces is inclined such that a distance between the reflecting surface and the second light emitting surface that the reflecting surface faces is gradually increased toward the optical wavelength conversion member. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110031884 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a semiconductor light emitting device as a light source, a power supply module configured to supply electric power from a power source to the semiconductor light emitting device, and a housing in which the power supply module is accommodated. The semiconductor light emitting device is mounted on the power supply module. The power supply module comprises a current control circuit configured to control an amount of current supplied to the semiconductor light emitting device. The semiconductor light emitting device and the current control circuit are arranged to overlap each other in a direction of an optical axis of the semiconductor light emitting device. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110031520 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE - A light emitting module includes: a light emitting element including: a first light emitting surface, and second light emitting surfaces bordering the first light emitting surface; an optical wavelength conversion member that converts a wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting element, wherein the optical wavelength conversion member is plate-shaped and is disposed such that an incident surface of the optical wavelength conversion member faces the first light emitting surface; and a reflecting member disposed to face the incident surface of the optical wavelength conversion member, the reflecting member comprising a reflecting surface. The reflecting surface faces the second light emitting surfaces, and the reflecting surface is inclined such that a distance between the reflecting surface and the second light emitting surfaces is gradually increased toward the incident surface of the optical wavelength conversion member. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110026268 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a lamp body having an opening, a resin cover attached to the opening to form a lamp chamber together with the lamp body; and a light source disposed inside the lamp chamber to irradiate light through the resin cover. The resin cover includes a design surface portion, and a peripheral edge portion surrounding the design surface portion. The peripheral edge portion includes a gate mark, and a thick-walled portion having a greater wall thickness than the other part of the peripheral edge portion and extending from the gate mark toward the design surface portion. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026267 | Lighting Device - A lighting device comprises a power circuit unit | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026266 | LIGHT SOURCE MODULE AND VEHICLE LAMP - A light source module for a vehicle lamp, including an optical system that guides light emitted from the light source module in a certain irradiation direction and has an optical center, the light source module has a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements disposed in a straight line and electrically connected to each other in series. One of the semiconductor light emitting elements that is positioned closest to the optical center of the optical system has a light emitting area that is smallest of the plurality of the semiconductor light emitting elements. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110025209 | AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP APPARATUS HAVING SWIVEL FUNCTION OF LAMP UNIT - A curvature estimation unit estimates the curvature of the road on which a vehicle is driving. A swivel angle setting unit is configured to perform a first mode in which a swivel angle of a lamp unit is set such that a light distribution pattern follows the travelling direction of the vehicle based on the curvature estimated by the curvature estimation unit, and perform a second mode in which a swivel angle of the lamp unit is set such that a shielded area created in a light distribution pattern follows the position of the vehicle detected by a vehicle position detector. A pattern determination unit determines a light distribution pattern such that the position of the vehicle detected by the vehicle position detector remains in the shielded area. A swivel angle setting unit performs the first mode when it is determined that the road is a curved road based on the curvature estimated by the curvature estimation unit, and performs the second mode when it is determined that the road is a straight road. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110025193 | PHOSPHOR AND LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE - A phosphor includes a composition represented by the formula: (M | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110013412 | VEHICULAR HEADLAMP - A vehicular headlamp includes a projection lens, a light source, a reflector, and a liquid crystal shutter. The liquid crystal shutter includes a pair of transparent plates, a liquid crystal member, and a pair of polarization plates. The liquid crystal member is disposed only in a part of an area between the pair of transparent plates. The pair of polarization plates are disposed only in an area of the outer surface of the pair of transparent plates corresponding to an area in which the liquid crystal member is disposed. The area in which the liquid crystal member is disposed includes a first area for blocking a part of reflected light from the reflector such that light emitted from the projection lens forms a low-beam distribution pattern having a cut-off line at an upper end edge, and a second area for blocking light emitted from the projection lens and then reflected by a road surface ahead of a vehicle toward a space above the cut-off line. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110012510 | AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP APPARATUS CONTROLLING LIGHT DISTRIBUTION PATTERN - An automotive headlamp apparatus comprises: a lamp unit configured to be capable of forming an additional light distribution pattern that includes an upper area above the cut-off line of a light distribution pattern for low beam and that is divided into a plurality of individual patterns; and a controller configured to control formation of each of the individual patterns in accordance with presence of a forward vehicle. The controller reduces the illuminance of an individual pattern overlapping an area where a forward vehicle is present and increases the illuminance of at least one of other individual patterns. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110009567 | FLUIDITY IMPROVER FOR AROMATIC POLYCARBONATE RESIN, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE FLUIDITY IMPROVER FOR AROMATIC POLYCARBONATE RESIN, AROMATIC POLYCARBONATE RESIN COMPOSITION, AND MOLDED PRODUCT - A fluidity improver for a PC resin that improves the melt fluidity during molding without impairing the excellent properties of the PC resin, and also yields a molded product in which external appearance defects are unlikely. The fluidity improver for an aromatic polycarbonate resin according to the present invention is including a first polymer obtained by polymerizing 0.5 to 99.5 parts by mass of a monomer first mixture including 0.5 to 99.5% by mass of styrene and 0.5 to 99.5% by mass of phenyl (meth)acrylates, in the presence of a second polymer obtained by polymerizing 0.5 to 99.5 parts by mass of a second monomer mixture containing 0.5 to 50% by mass of α-methylstyrene, 0.5 to 99% by mass of styrene and 0.5 to 99% by mass of phenyl (meth)acrylates, wherein the combined total of both monomer mixtures is 100 parts by mass. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110002137 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND AUTOMOTIVE LAMP - A light emitting module includes a light emitting element, and a phosphor configured to emit visible light after being excited by the light emitted by the light emitting element. The light emitting element is structured such that the peak wavelength of the light, emitted by the light emitting element immediately after the start of an operation of the light emitting element, is shorter than that of an excitation spectrum for the phosphor, and the peak wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting element is shifted toward that of the excitation spectrum for the phosphor with an increase in the temperature of the element due to its operation. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110002135 | Vehicular Lamp - A vehicular lamp includes: a lamp outer housing composed of a lamp housing with an opening on one side and a cover attached to the lamp housing to close the opening; a light source disposed inside the lamp outer housing; a reflector that is disposed inside the lamp outer housing, reflects light emitted from the light source, and is formed with an optical path notch or an optical path hole which serves as a path for a part of the light emitted from the light source; and a control optical section having a lens member attached to the reflector so as to close the optical path notch or the optical path hole, and controlling light emitted from the light source toward the optical path notch or the optical path hole to guide the light in a predetermined direction for radiation. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100320495 | WHITE LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE AND VEHICLE LAMP USING THE SAME - A white light emitting device includes a semiconductor light emitting element that has a peak of an emission spectrum in a range of 370 nm to 480 nm, and at least one kind of phosphor that is excited by light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element to emit visible light. The phosphor is represented by the formula: Sr | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100315829 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP - A light emitting module includes: a semiconductor light emitting element; a plate-shaped light wavelength conversion ceramic that is provided so as to face the light emitting surface of the semiconductor light emitting element and that is configured to convert the wavelength of the light, which has been emitted by the semiconductor light emitting element; and a reflective film that is formed on the surface of the light wavelength conversion ceramic and that is configured to shield part of the light, which has been transmitted through the light wavelength conversion ceramic. The light wavelength conversion ceramic is composed on an inorganic material. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100314650 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - There is provided a light emitting module. The light emitting module includes: a semiconductor light emitting element that emits light; and a plate-like optical wavelength conversion member that converts a wavelength of light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element and emits light having the converted wavelength. The semiconductor light emitting element and the optical wavelength conversion member are directly bonded to each other. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100309677 | Vehicular Lamp - In a side turn signal lamp, an LED light source is mounted to a base end of a light guide lens. A distal end of the light guide lens curves toward the rear of a vehicle and a functional light distribution portion including light diffusion steps is formed in a curved portion, so that light from the LED light source is diffused toward a side of the vehicle. In a design light distribution portion between the LED light source and the functional light distribution portion, a linear optical step is formed on a rear surface of the light guide lens so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the lens. A portion of light headed from the LED light source toward the functional light distribution portion is reflected by the optical step in front of the vehicle and diffused around the groove portion. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100296307 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp includes a lamp unit disposed inside a lamp chamber and an aiming mechanism. The lamp chamber is formed from a lamp body opening forward and a front cover attached to the front opening portion of the lamp body. The aiming mechanism is interposed between the lamp unit and the lamp body. The aiming mechanism performs an optical axis adjustment by tiltably supporting the lamp unit with respect to the lamp body. The aiming mechanism includes a rotational operation portion supported by a lamp body side fixing portion provided on the lamp body; a screw portion threadedly engaged with a lamp unit side fixing portion provided on the lamp unit; and a connection portion that joins the rotational operation portion and the screw portion. At least part of the connection portion has radial flexibility and no axial elasticity. Torque from the rotational operation portion is transmitted to the screw portion to move the lamp unit side fixing portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100295449 | VEHICULAR DISCHARGE LAMP - A vehicular discharge lamp includes a pair of electrodes including sealed portions sealed in a pair of pinch seal portions of a light emitting tube, wherein each of the sealed portions is segmented into: a first intermediate region positioned in the middle of the electrode in an axial direction; two end regions configured as both end portions of the sealed portion in the axial direction; and two second intermediate regions positioned between the first intermediate region and the end regions, respectively, wherein concave or convex fabrication portions are formed in the second intermediate regions, and wherein a ratio of formation area of the fabrication portions to an area of an outer peripheral surface of the first intermediate region is set to be smaller than that of the formation area of the fabrication portions to an area of outer peripheral surfaces of the second intermediate regions. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100295448 | VEHICLE DISCHARGE LAMP - A vehicle discharge lamp is provided with an outer tube, an arc tube disposed within the outer tube, and a pair of electrodes disposed within the arc tube. The arc tube includes a light emitting portion, and a pair of pinch seal portions. Molybdenum foils are sealed in the respective pinch seal portions. Each of the electrodes includes a sealed portion sealed within the pinch seal portion, a projecting portion projecting into the light emitting portion, and a welding portion welded to the molybdenum foil. A concavo-convex part is formed on the sealed portion. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100290241 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp including a light source unit including a light-emitting element inside a lamp housing; a planar wiring member on which the light-emitting element is mounted; and a support substrate having a flat portion that supports the planar wiring member. The support substrate is formed from a plate having high thermal conductivity, the planar wiring member is fixed to the flat portion of the support substrate, and a portion of the support substrate is fixedly supported inside the lamp housing. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100277940 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a projection lens, an LED light source arranged behind a rear focal point of the projection lens such that an optical axis of the LED light source is oriented upward, a reflector which is arranged above he LED light source to reflect a first part of light emitted from the LED light source and to converge the first part of the light toward the rear focal point of the projection lens, a shade which is arranged between the projection lens and the reflector to partially block the first part of the light reflected by the reflector, and a first auxiliary reflector which is arranged above the LED light source and in front of the reflector to forwardly reflect a second part of the light emitted from the LED light source such that the second part of the light does not pass through the projection lens. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277939 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp comprising includes a light-emitting diode that is used as a light source and that emits light; and a light transmitting member that is arranged in a path of the emitted light and through which the light is passed. The light transmitting member shields the light-emitting diode from infrared rays that travel in an opposite direction to a traveling direction of the light. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277935 | VEHICLE MONITORING CAMERA AND VEHICLE MONITORING CAMERA SYSTEM - A monitoring camera for a vehicle acquires images of a distant area, a vicinity area and a near area in front or rear of the vehicle. The monitoring camera can include an imaging element and an image forming lens comprising multiple lenses each having a different focal length. Each image of an object passing through a different one of the lenses is formed on a corresponding different region of an imaging surface of the imaging element. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100270927 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes: an infrared light semiconductor light source which emits infrared light; a white light semiconductor light source which emits white light; and a control unit including: a current supply circuit which supplies a light source driving current to each of the infrared light semiconductor light source and the white light semiconductor light source; and a light source abnormality detecting unit which detects abnormality of the white light semiconductor light source and stops a driving operation of the infrared light semiconductor light source when the abnormality is detected. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100270926 | VEHICLE LAMP LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE - A vehicle lamp lighting control device includes: a current control unit which is of a non-insulation type and supplies a supply current to a semiconductor light source; an abnormality detecting unit which detects abnormality of a positive-electrode-side output based on at least one of a power supply voltage or a supply voltage supplied to the semiconductor light source, and outputs signal indicating the abnormality; and a bypass unit which bypasses the supply current supplied from the current control unit in accordance with the signal indicating the abnormality. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100253223 | VEHICULAR HEADLAMP - A vehicular headlamp, wherein a light source unit for light distribution formation is accommodated inside a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover, includes a metal heat transfer member that serves as a light source unit structural member; a light-emitting element that serves as a light source; a fan for cooling the light-emitting element provided inside the lamp chamber; and a lighting circuit that controls lighting of the light-emitting element. The light-emitting element, the fan, and the lighting circuit are each attached to the metal heat transfer member. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100246204 | LAMP UNIT - A lamp unit includes a first semiconductor light-emitting element that serves as a light source; a second semiconductor light-emitting element that serves as a light source; a support member that supports the first semiconductor light-emitting element and the second semiconductor light-emitting element; a first reflector provided above the first semiconductor light-emitting element, which reflects light radiated from the first semiconductor light-emitting element forward; a shade that blocks a portion of reflected light from the first reflector; a projection lens provided in front of the first reflector with the shade disposed therebetween, which forms a light distribution pattern with a cut-off line from light reflected by the first reflector; a positioning portion that positions the projection lens; and a second reflector provided below the second semiconductor light-emitting element, which reflects light radiated from the second semiconductor light-emitting element forward. The shade, the positioning portion, and the second reflector are integrally molded as a composite part. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244649 | LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE MODULARIZING MEMBER AND LAMP UNIT - A LED is modularized by a light emitting device modularizing member. The light emitting device modularizing member includes heatsink having planar base, a LED mounting plate extending perpendicularly to the base from a portion closer to the end than to the middle portion of the base, and a light emitting device holder provided on each of a first face of the LED mounting plate, which is a face facing the middle portion of the base, and a second face of the LED mounting plate, which is a face opposite to the first face. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100238676 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit. The first lamp unit includes a first light source, a reflector on which the first light source is mounted, and a first lamp body on which the reflector is supported. The reflector reflects light emitted from the first light source. The second lamp unit includes a second light source, and a second lamp body on which the second light source is mounted. The second lamp body is configured as a one-piece structure including a concealing portion. The concealing portion partially conceals the first lamp unit in a front view of the vehicle lamp. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100214800 | BACK COVER AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING BACK COVER - A back cover ( | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100214799 | VEHICULAR LIGHT SOURCE UNIT - 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. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100208480 | LIGHT SOURCE MODULE AND VEHICLE LAMP - A light source module includes: a light emitting diode; a circuit board configured to be mounted on a base plate, the circuit board having a top face on which a circuit pattern is formed; and a power feeding attachment including a resin member and a conductive member, wherein the circuit pattern includes: a pair of power feeding portions; and a light source connecting portion on which the light emitting diode is placed and electrically connecting the pair of power feeding portions and the light emitting diode, and wherein the conductive member includes: a pair of connecting terminals being exposed from the resin member and respectively connected to the pair of power feeding portions; and a pressing piece being exposed from the resin member and configured to press the circuit board against the base plate at an outer peripheral portion of the circuit board. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100202152 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit. Light irradiated from the first lamp unit and light irradiated from the second lamp unit are superimposed to form a low light distribution pattern. The first lamp unit provides more than twice as much illuminance as the second lamp unit. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100188865 | LIGHT SOURCE MODULE AND VEHICULAR LAMP - A light source module includes a substrate made with a recess portion formed on one face and an unformed portion not having the recess portion formed therein; a light emitting diode disposed on the recess portion of the substrate; a pair of power supply members disposed on the unformed portion of the substrate; and a connecting portion formed on the substrate and connecting the light emitting diode and the pair of power supply members. A part of an end edge of the recess portion conforms to a part of a side edge of the substrate. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100187995 | MERCURY-FREE ARC TUBE FOR DISCHARGE LAMP UNIT - A mercury-free arc tube for a discharge lamp unit including a closed glass bulb in which main light emitting substances of NaI, ScI | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100181914 | LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE OF LIGHTING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - A lighting control device of a lighting device for a vehicle includes a switching regulator for supplying a driving current to a semiconductor light source. The lighting control device also includes control means having a current detecting portion for detecting the driving current and serving to control dimming of the semiconductor light source in order to reduce a mean current of the driving current by repeating driving and stopping operations of the switching regulator at a high speed upon receipt of a dimming control signal. The current detecting portion has a current holding portion for holding the driving current, detected for a driving period of the switching regulator, for a stopping period after a passage of the driving period. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100177527 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE, FABRICATION METHOD THEREFOR, AND LAMP UNIT - In a light emitting module board, an electrode receiving the supply of current for light emission is provided in the light emitting surface of a semiconductor light emitting device. A light wavelength conversion member is a plate-like member mounted on the light emitting surface, and emits light after converting the wavelength of the light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device. A relay electrode is provided in the surface of the light wavelength conversion member. The relay electrode extends from a position in contact with the electrode to an exposed position in the external space in a state where the light wavelength conversion member is mounted on the light emitting surface. The relay electrode is provided so that the upper part of the relay electrode, which is the exposed position, extends to a position located opposite to the lower part of the relay electrode which is the contacted position. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100157616 | VEHICLE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT - A vehicle lighting equipment is provided with: a light source in which a light emitting diode is employed; and a transparent lens on which a light emitted from the light source is incident and from which the incident light is emergent. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100149830 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp including a discharge lamp, which includes a light source, and a cap that holds the light source. The vehicle headlamp also includes a reflector, which includes a light reflecting part and a lamp holding part formed contiguously with one end of the light reflecting part. The vehicle headlamp also includes a socket connected to the cap, which supplies drive current to the lamp. The socket includes a case that holds a structure disposed therein, and a connection portion, which is connected to the cap and which protrudes toward the cap from an opposite surface of the case facing the cap. A conductive member is mounted on the lamp holding part to transmit noise generated when the lamp is turned on and a conducting portion is formed on the opposite surface of the case to surround the connection portion. The conductive member and the conducting portion are connected. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100149829 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a light guide including: a first end surface; a second end surface opposite to the first end surface; a front side surface; and a back side surface opposite to the front side surface; a light source disposed to face the first end surface of the light guide so as to emit light toward the first end surface; and a reflector disposed to face the back side surface of the light guide. The light is incident on the first end surface and travels toward the second end surface along an longitudinal direction of the light guide. A first beam of the light is output from the front side surface of the light guide. A second beam of the light is output from the back side surface, and reflected by the reflector to travel toward a forward area of the vehicle lamp. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100149828 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp including, in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body having a front opening and a transparent front cover attached to the front opening, a semiconductor light-emitting element; and an inner lens positioned forward of the semiconductor light-emitting element. The inner lens includes a first light control portion for diffusing light from the semiconductor light-emitting element in a horizontal direction; and second light control portions respectively positioned on left and right sides of the first light control portion, each of which have a reflective surface for reflecting the light from the semiconductor light-emitting element in a predetermined direction. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100149816 | LIGHT EMITTING MODULE, FABRICATION METHOD THEREFOR, AND LAMP UNIT - In a light emitting module, an electrode receiving the supply of current for light emission is provided on the light emitting surface of a semiconductor light emitting device. A light wavelength conversion member is a plate-like material mounted on the light emitting surface and emits light after converting a wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting element. The light wavelength conversion member has a notch such that at least a part of the electrode communicates with the external space in a manner perpendicular to the light emitting surface of the semiconductor device when the light wavelength conversion member is mounted on the light emitting surface. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100142194 | AUTOMOTIVE LAMP LIGHTING SYSTEM - An automotive lamp lighting system includes a rear combination lamp, a secondary battery for storing electric power to be supplied to the rear combination lamp, a solar battery for generating electric power to be stored in the secondary battery or electric power to be supplied to the rear combination lamp, and a control module for controlling the supply of electric power from the solar battery and the secondary battery to the rear combination lamp in response to a state of lighting of the rear combination lamp. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100135037 | VEHICULAR PROJECTOR HEADLAMP - A vehicular projector headlamp includes: a projection lens; a first LED element and a second LED element that are light sources and that are arranged on opposite sides of an optical axis of the projection lens so as to substantially face each other; a first reflector that has a first reflective surface having a first focal point located at the first LED element and a second focal point located in proximity to a rear focal point of the projection lens; and a second reflector that has a second reflective surface having a first focal point located at the second LED element and a second focal point located in proximity to the rear focal point of the projection lens, wherein the second reflective surface faces the first reflective surface. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100134011 | HEADLAMP CONTROLLER - A headlamp controller includes: a headlamp unit configured to illuminate a front area of a vehicle with a light distribution pattern; an image capturing camera configured to capture an image of the front area; and a light distribution controller including: a road shape detecting unit configured to detect a road shape based on the captured image; a reference optical flow generating unit configured to generate a reference optical flow for a target object belonging to one of attributes based on the road shape; a bright point optical flow measuring unit configured to measure an optical flow of a bright point defined as a target in the captured image; and an attribute determining unit configured to compare the reference optical flow with the optical flow of the bright point and determine which one of the attributes the optical flow of the bright point belongs. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100124070 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens, a halogen bulb disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and below an optical axis, a main reflector which forwardly reflects and converges a first part of direct light from the halogen bulb toward the optical axis, the halogen bulb being inserted in the main reflector in a sidewise direction, a movable shade disposed between the projection lens and the halogen bulb to shield a portion of the first part of the light reflected by the main reflector and a second part of the direct light from the halogen bulb to form a cutoff line, an actuator which moves the movable shade, and an auxiliary reflector disposed below the optical axis to forwardly and diffusely reflect a third part of the direct light from the halogen bulb such that the third part of the light passes below the projection lens. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100124069 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp is provided with: a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a front and rear direction of a vehicle; a light source disposed rearwardly of a rear-side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector configured to reflect direct light from the light source forward to converge reflected light toward the optical axis; a movable shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source and configured to blocking a part of the reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source to form a cutoff line in a light distribution pattern; and a bracket formed from a metal plate member and disposed between the projection lens and the light source, wherein the movable shade is rotatably supported on the bracket. An opening portion is formed in the bracket and configured to pass a part of the reflected light from the reflector along the optical axis. A shade portion is provided on the opening portion and configured to cover a gap between the movable shade and an opening edge of the opening portion. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100118559 | VEHICULAR LAMP UNIT AND VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicular longitudinal direction; a light source disposed rearward of a rear side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector for reflecting direct light from the light source forward towards the optical axis; an additional reflector disposed between the projection lens and the light source; and a shade portion disposed on the front end edge of the upper surface of the additional reflector. The additional reflector includes a flat upper surface extending rearward along the optical axis from a front end edge positioned in the vicinity of the rear side focal point of the projection lens that reflects a part of the reflected light from the reflector towards the projection lens. The shade portion forms a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern by blocking a part of the reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100118558 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a lamp body having a front opening, a cover which covers the front opening of the lamp body to form a lamp housing, a first lamp unit which is disposed inside the lamp housing to produce at least one of a high beam and a low beam, and a second lamp unit disposed in a gap region between the lamp body and the first lamp unit to produce a beam other than the high beam and the low beam. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100110716 | VEHICULAR LAMP UNIT AND VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicular longitudinal direction; a light source disposed rearward of a rear side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector reflecting direct light from the light source forward towards the optical axis; a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source such that the shade blocks a part of reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source to form a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern; a first reflective surface formed on a tip portion of the reflector such that the first reflective surface reflects a part of the direct light from the light source downward to the front of the shade; and a second reflective surface formed on the front of the shade and below the rear side focal point of the projection lens such that the second reflective surface reflects reflected light from the first reflective surface towards the projection lens. The first reflective surface is formed in a shape of an ellipsoidal reflective surface having a vertical cross-section that is generally ellipsoidal in shape, and the second reflective surface is formed in a generally flat shape having a linear vertical cross-section. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100110715 | VEHICULAR LAMP UNIT AND VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicular longitudinal direction; a light source disposed rearward of a rear side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector reflecting direct light from the light source forward towards the optical axis; a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source such that the shade blocks a part of reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source to form a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern; a first reflective surface formed on a tip portion of the reflector such that the first reflective surface reflects a part of the direct light from the light source downward to the front of the shade; and a second reflective surface formed on the front of the shade and below the rear side focal point of the projection lens such that the second reflective surface reflects reflected light from the first reflective surface towards the projection lens so that upward directed radiated light is emitted from the projection lens. The second reflective surface includes a vertically divided upper-side second reflective surface and lower-side second reflective surface. Radiated light provided by the lower-side second reflective surface radiates above radiated light provided by the upper-side second reflective surface. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100110713 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT - A vehicle head light includes a lighting casing; a lamp unit disposed in the lighting casing; a support member that supports the lamp unit so as to be rotatable at least in two directions; and an actuator that rotates the lamp unit with respect to the support member. The lighting casing includes a lamp housing opened on one side and a cover that closes the opening of the lamp housing. The lamp unit includes a light source and a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source. The actuator is disposed under the lamp unit. A lower end of the lamp unit is coupled to the actuator. The actuator includes a support portion attached to the support member; and a main unit being supported by the support portion so as to be movable in a front-rear direction. The support portion includes a shaft holding portion on a lower surface thereof. The main unit includes a bearing portion on an upper surface thereof. A driving mechanism is provided in the main unit. The driving mechanism includes a connecting shaft to which the lamp unit is coupled. A guide shaft is inserted through the shaft holding portion of the support portion and the bearing portion of the main unit. The guide shaft guides the main unit when the main unit moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the support portion of the main unit. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100110709 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT - A vehicle head light includes a lighting casing; a lamp unit disposed in the lighting casing; a support member that supports the lamp unit so as to be rotatable at least in two directions; an actuator that rotates the lamp unit with respect to the support member; and a thrust receiver that receives a load of the lamp unit. The lighting casing includes a lamp housing opened on one side and a cover that closes the opening of the lamp housing. The lamp unit includes a light source and a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source. The actuator is disposed under the lamp unit. A lower end of the lamp unit is coupled to the actuator. The actuator includes a case member; and a driving mechanism disposed in the case member. The lamp unit is coupled to the driving mechanism. The thrust receiver is integrally provided on the case member of the actuator. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100109573 | DISCHARGE LAMP LIGHTING CIRCUIT - A discharge lamp lighting circuit facilitates carrying out re-ignition and addresses a problem than can arise due to an influence of a capacitor in an auxiliary lighting circuit. A driving voltage generating portion supplies an AC driving voltage to a discharge lamp to be a driving target. An auxiliary lighting circuit is provided on a terminal side of the discharge lamp. An auxiliary lighting capacitor, an auxiliary lighting resistor and a switch are provided in series between the terminal of the discharge lamp and a fixed voltage terminal. A control circuit controls a conducting state of the switch. The switch is brought into an ON state before the discharge lamp is turned ON, and is brought into an OFF state after the discharge lamp is turned ON. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100103691 | AUTOMOTIVE LAMP WHOSE LIGHT SOURCE IS A SEMICONDUCTOR LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE - An automotive lamp includes a semiconductor light emitting device used as a light source and bracket used as a support member supporting the semiconductor light emitting device. The bracket includes a first heat-transfer member having an isotropic thermal conductivity in at least part of region in contact with the semiconductor light emitting device, and a second heat-transfer member having an anisotropic thermal conductivity in a region in contact with the first heat-transfer member. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100085770 | VEHICLE LAMP - 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. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100085769 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular headlamp is provided. The vehicular lamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis of a lamp extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens; a reflector that concentrates the light emitted from the light source on the projection lens; and a shade disposed such that an upper edge of the shade extends through the vicinity of the rear focal point to block a part of the light reflected from the reflector. In plan view, the light source is disposed near the central axis of the reflector, and the reflector is disposed such that the central axis of the reflector intersects the optical axis of the lamp in a vicinity of the projection lens while being inclined toward the own lane of the vehicle on the front side. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100080009 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DEFLECTION OF LAMP - Controlling a deflection of an irradiation direction of a vehicle lamp based on a detected steering angle includes calculating a target angle of the irradiation direction of the vehicle lamp based on the steering angle and calculating a difference angle between the target angle and a current deflection angle of the irradiation direction of the vehicle lamp. A new deflection angle is calculated and includes setting the new deflection angle to the target angle if the difference angle is equal to or smaller than a given limit angle, and setting the new deflection angle to an angle obtained by adding or subtracting the limit angle to or from the current deflection angle if the difference angle is larger than the given limit angle. Deflection of the irradiation direction of the lamp is controlled based on the deflection angle. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100079071 | VEHICULAR LAMP - The disclosure facilitates determining the presence of an abnormality of a light source in a vehicular lamp using, as a determination condition, a number of disconnected semiconductor light-emitting elements among multiple semiconductor light-emitting elements. The vehicular lamp includes a first light source block that has light-emitting diodes LED | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100066246 | MERCURY-FREE ARC TUBE FOR DISCHARGE LAMP DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - In a mercury-free arc tube, regions including molybdenum foils | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100060169 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a first lamp configured to selectively produce a first high beam light distribution pattern and an infrared light distribution pattern, a second lamp configured to selectively produce a second high beam light distribution pattern and a low beam light distribution pattern, a vehicle detector which detects a vehicle running ahead, and a condition-dependent selection controller which controls the first and second lamps. The condition-dependent selection controller controls the second lamp to produce the low beam light distribution pattern when the vehicle detector detects a vehicle and to produce the second high beam light distribution pattern when the vehicle detector detects no vehicle. The condition-dependent selection controller controls the first lamp to produce the infrared light distribution pattern, irrespective of whether the vehicle detector detects a vehicle. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060127 | VEHICULAR INFRARED IRRADIATION LAMP - A vehicular infrared irradiation lamp includes an infrared light-emitting element for projecting infrared light; a visible light-emitting element that emits visible light; and a transparent member provided at least partially adjacent to a light-emitting portion of the infrared light-emitting element. The transparent member radiates visible light received from the visible light-emitting element in a radiation direction of infrared light. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100053987 | LIGHTING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - A lighting device for a vehicle is provided. The lighting device includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis and having a focal line, a first light emitting device disposed on a rear side of the focal line, a reflector which reflects light toward the focal line; a shade which shields a part of the light; a second light emitting device disposed on a rear side of the first light emitting device; and a light guide. The light guide includes an incident portion into which light emitted from the second light emitting device is introduced, a light guiding portion which guides the light, a shielding portion which forms a part of the shade, and an emitting portion coupled to the shielding portion and disposed on the focal line or in a vicinity of the focal line. The emitting portion emits the light guided by the light guiding portion. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100053986 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp with an opening portion extending in a left-right direction provided on a side that wraps around toward a rear of a vehicle on an end side of an outer side wall of a mirror housing that supports a side mirror body includes a main lamp body including a lamp body and a front lens. The main lamp body is formed into a shape that generally follows the curved opening portion. The front lens is attached to the mirror housing so as to slightly project from or be on generally the same plane as the opening portion. The vehicular lamp includes a surface-emitting light guide inner lens provided along the front lens in a curved lamp chamber space and an LED used as a light source provided behind the light guide inner lens. The lamp chamber space is defined by the lamp body and the front lens. The lamp chamber space is elongated in the left-right direction. The LED is formed from: a first LED provided on the curved wrap-around side of the lamp chamber space such that an illumination axis thereof faces diagonally rearward of the vehicle, and a second LED provided adjacent to and on an inner side in a vehicle width direction of the first LED such that an illumination axis thereof faces diagonally forward of the vehicle. A concave portion for light source installation is provided in an area of the light guide inner lens corresponding to the first and second LEDs, and respectively forms light incident surfaces generally opposite to the first and second LEDs. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052550 | HEADLAMP CONTROL DEVICE AND VEHICLE HEADLAMP HAVING HEADLAMP CONTROL DEVICE - A headlamp control device is provided. The device includes a visual object luminance unit, an adapted state unit, a recognition limit unit, a visual object recognition unit, and a light distribution control unit. The visual object luminance unit estimates a visual object luminance based on information about a vehicle forward captured image. The adapted state unit estimates an adaptation luminance based on the information about the vehicle forward captured image. The recognition limit unit estimates a recognition limit luminance, in the visual object range, based on at least the adaptation luminance. The visual object recognition unit determines whether the visual object luminance is less than the recognition limit luminance. The light distribution control unit controls a light distribution of a headlamp unit such that the visual object luminance is included in a range of the recognition limit luminance, if the visual object luminance is less than the recognition limit luminance. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052537 | Dimming Control System For Vehicular Lamp - A dimming control system | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100046244 | VEHICLE LAMP UNIT - There is provided a vehicle lamp unit. The vehicle lamp includes: a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; a semiconductor light emitting element comprising a light emitting surface having an almost rectangular shape and disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens such that a long side of the light emitting surface is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis; and a reflector comprising a reflection surface having an almost oval shape. A first focal point of the reflector is located on the rear focal point of the projection lens, and a second focal point of the reflector is located on the semiconductor light emitting element, and a minimum distance between the reflection surface and a rear corner portion of the light emitting surface is in a range of about 0.3 millimeters (mm) to about 3 mm. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100033984 | AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP APPARATUS SYNTHESIZING LIGHT DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF RIGHT AND LEFT LAMP UNITS - An automotive headlamp apparatus includes a left lamp unit, a right lamp unit and a headlamp apparatus control unit. Each of the left lamp unit and the right lamp unit includes a bulb, a movable shade, a shade moving mechanism and a fixed shade. Each movable shade can advance or recede with respect to the light axis of the bulb, and forms an individual light distribution pattern for a low-beam by shielding part of a light at an advanced position while allowing formation of a partial shape of a light distribution pattern for a high-beam at a receded position. The fixed shade forms the partial shape of the light distribution pattern for a high-beam when the movable shade is located at the receded position. A pattern control unit determines each shape of the individual light distribution patterns by controlling each of the shade moving mechanisms in the left lamp unit and the right lamp unit, and also determines a shape of a synthesized light distribution pattern by superimposing each of the individual light distribution patterns one on another. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100027283 | VEHICULAR HEADLAMP - Each of a pair of lower reflection areas, which are located on both left and right sides of an optical axis in a lower end portion of a reflective surface of a reflector, respectively, is formed so as to converge light from a light source at a position located forward of a rear side focal point of a projection lens in a horizontal direction, and on the same lateral side as that of each of the lower reflection areas with respect to the optical axis. Thus, the pair of light ray bundles are emitted from the projection lens, whereby a pair of additional light distribution patterns are formed on both sides of a lateral direction central portion in an upper area of a high-beam distribution pattern, respectively. The upper area of the high-beam distribution pattern is thus made bright widely in a lateral direction. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100020557 | AIRCRAFT LAMP - An aircraft lamp includes a housing capable of being attached to a body of an aircraft; a discharge lamp; a reflector which reflects visible light from the discharge lamp; a light transmissive cover which transmits reflected light from the reflector to a front side of the housing; a lamp socket connected electrically to the discharge lamp and an igniter which activates the discharge lamp; and a high-voltage electrical power line that electrically connects the lamp socket with the igniter. The discharge lamp, the reflector, the light transmissive cover, the lamp socket, and the igniter are provided within the housing. A heat insulating air layer is provided between the lamp socket and the igniter. The high-voltage electrical power line is provided so as to pass through the heat insulating air layer. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100008095 | LIGHT SOURCE MODULE - A light source module is provided. The light source module includes a light emitting element; a module substrate on which the light emitting element is mounted; a support member comprising a position reference section; and a fixing member which fixes the module substrate to the support member. The module substrate includes a positioning section which determines a position of the module substrate; and a displacement force generation section which imparts a displacement force onto the module substrate so as to bring the positioning section into contact with the position reference section of the support member when the fixing member is fastened to the support member. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100008088 | LAMP - A lamp is provided. The lamp includes a lamp housing; light emitting diodes (LEDs); a main reflector disposed so as to oppose to the LEDs for reflecting light emitted from the LEDs towards a front side of the lamp; a sub-reflector which is interposed between the LEDs and the main reflector, and which reflects and diffuses the light emitted from the LEDs towards the main reflector; an LED element assembly which extends in parallel with the sub-reflector and comprises a plurality of flat portions, each flat portion corresponding to one of the plurality of LEDs and on which the corresponding LED is mounted, adjacent ones of the flat portions being coupled together by at least one step portion; and a center portion which covers the LED element assembly and the LEDs such that the LEDs are not exposed to the front side of the lamp. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100002457 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source, an image forming section which forms a light image using light from the light source, and a projection lens which projects the light image. The image forming section includes a boundary shade and movable shades. Each of the movable shades is individually movable between a closed position at which the movable shade blocks a corresponding part of the light from entering the projection lens and an open position at which the movable shade allows the corresponding part of the light to enter the projection lens. The boundary shade is disposed to extend along distal ends of the respective movable shades that are arranged side by side when the movable shades are in the closed positions. When the movable shades are in the closed positions, the boundary shade forms a boundary line of the light image. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090316425 | AUTOMOTIVE LAMP - An automotive lamp includes an LED as a light source, a heatsink for radiating heat produced by the LED, the heatsink including a plurality of plate fins installed upright on base parts and a plurality of ventilation passages formed between the plate fins, a centrifugal fan for performing the forced air cooling of the plate fins by sending air through the ventilation passages of the heatsink, the centrifugal fan having air inlets in an axial direction for drawing air in, a left-side air outlet and a right-side air outlet for discharging air in left-right directions perpendicular to the axial direction, and a lamp housing for housing the LED, heatsink and centrifugal fan. The plate fins of the heatsink are formed such that the entrance of at least one of a plurality of ventilation passages faces the left-side air outlet and the right-side outlet of the centrifugal fan. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316415 | LAMP UNIT - A lamp unit includes a linear light source that extends at an angle with respect to an optical axis; and a reflector that reflects light radiated from the linear light source. The reflector has a predetermined section that reflects light radiated from the linear light source such that images of the linear light source projected on a predetermined virtual panel extend in a predetermined direction. The reflector is configured so as to forms a high-intensity region that linearly extends in the predetermined direction and whose intensity of which is higher than a surrounding area. The high-intensity region is formed by superimposing light reflected by the predetermined section and a surrounding section thereof on the virtual plane. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090315479 | VEHICLE HEAD LAMP APPARATUS - A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes right and left headlamps, and a controller which controls the right and left headlamps. Each of the right and left headlamps is configured to produce a low beam light distribution pattern having a horizontal cutoff line to irradiate a region in front the vehicle headlamp apparatus, and is operable to selectively produce one or both of a right side auxiliary light distribution pattern above a right part of the horizontal cutoff line and a left side auxiliary light distribution pattern above a left part of the horizontal cutoff line. Based on a position of a forward vehicle ahead of the vehicle headlamp apparatus, the controller controls each of the right and left headlamps to produce one or both of the right side auxiliary light distribution pattern and the left side auxiliary light distribution pattern. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090310378 | HEADLAMP FOR VEHICLE - A headlamp for a vehicle has a projection lens, a light source disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and having an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction, a reflector which reflects light from the light source toward the projection lens, and a rotary shade which is rotatable and shields a part of the light which is projected from the light source and reflected by the reflector. The rotary shade has a plurality of pattern forming sections, each of which respectively forms a corresponding light distribution pattern including an upper part irradiation pattern and a lower part irradiation pattern. A center of the lower part irradiating patterns is located lower than a horizontal line. A center of the upper part irradiating patterns is located above the horizontal line. The pattern forming sections form at least four different upper part irradiating patterns. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090310353 | LAMP UNIT - A lamp unit includes a first light source; a projection lens that forms a light distribution pattern using light radiated from the first light source; a second light source; and a parabola optical system reflector that reflects light radiated from the second light source. The projection lens has a paraxial outer peripheral portion that is closer to a first optical axis than at least part of another outer peripheral portion as seen in the direction of the first optical axis. The parabola optical system reflector reflects light radiated from the second light source such that the reflected light passes through a space adjacent to the paraxial outer peripheral portion. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090303742 | VEHICLE LAMP - There is provided a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp includes a lamp body including a hole portion therein; an outer lens, attached to the lamp body to form a lamp chamber; a lamp unit provided in the lamp chamber and including a light emitting element serving as a light source; a heat sink; and a fan. The heat sink includes a base portion fitted into the hole portion of the lamp body; outer fins disposed on a surface of the base portion and extending outside of the lamp body; and inner fins disposed on another surface of the base portion and extending into the lamp chamber. The fan moves air in the lamp chamber toward the inner fins, which are configured such that the air passing between the respective inner fins is guided toward the outer lens. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090295287 | MERCURY-FREE DISCHARGE BULB - There is provided a mercury-free discharge bulb for a vehicle. The mercury-free discharge bulb includes an arc tube. The arc tube includes: a light-emitting portion which is formed of a ceramic tube and includes a light-emitting material and a starting xenon gas filled therein, wherein a filling pressure of the starting xenon gas from about 6 atm to about 18 atm; thin tube portions which are formed at respective ends of the light-emitting portion; and electrodes which are fixed inside the thin tube portions and which are provided in the light-emitting portion so as to face each other. The light-emitting material includes at least a sodium halide and a rare-earth metal halide excluding a scandium halide, and a difference between a vapor pressure of the sodium halide and a vapor pressure of the rare-earth metal halide under an environment of about 1000° C. is about 10 kPa or less. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090290372 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP - In a vehicle headlamp, a light source image forming device forms a first light source image and a second light source image. A projection lens projects the first light source image and the second light source image so as to have a common border with each other. The light source image forming device forms the first light source image and the second light source image at positions spaced apart from each other along respective edges forming the common border. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290371 | VEHICLE LAMP - A light-emitting element is disposed to face the front side such that an end point of a rectangular or square light-emitting chip corresponding to the vehicle's own lane is positioned at a rear focal point of a convex lens. An additional lens is disposed to surround the convex lens. The additional lens includes an incident surface, a reflection surface, and an emitting surface. The additional lens is divided into a-plurality of fan-shaped areas in a circumferential direction with respect to an optical axis Ax. The division is performed for each angular range where a corner point of the light-emitting chip, which is positioned at an uppermost end of an image of the light-emitting chip formed on the reflection surface by the light emitted from the light-emitting element, becomes the same corner point. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290370 | VEHICLE LIGHTING APPARATUS - A lighting apparatus is disposed near an upper end edge of a license plate on a rear side of a vehicle. The lighting apparatus includes a license plate lamp which illuminates the license plate with visible light, and an infrared irradiation lamp which irradiates a region behind the vehicle with infrared light. The license plate lamp includes a first light emitting device which emits the visible light and is supported on a rear surface of a first support plate. The infrared irradiation lamp includes a second light emitting device which emits the infrared light and is supported on a lower surface of a second support plate. A lower end of the first support plate is coupled to a rear end of the second support plate. When seen from behind the vehicle, the license plate lamp is disposed directly above the infrared irradiation lamp. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090279317 | AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT DISTRIBUTION PATTERN - An automotive headlamp apparatus includes headlamp units placed in a vehicle and a control unit which controls the illumination of the headlamp units. The headlamp units form a lower beam distribution pattern and an upper beam distribution pattern, and is configured so that a partial region of the upper beam distribution pattern can be non-illuminated. When the entirety of vehicle existent area of a vehicle-in-front travelling in front of a driver's vehicle is contained within the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the partial region is non-illuminated; when at least a part of the vehicle existent area is contained within a region of the upper beam distribution pattern which is other than the partial region, the control unit controls the headlamp units in such a manner that the upper beam distribution pattern is not formed. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090267520 | LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE - A lighting control device includes a current driving portion for DC-controlling or PWM-controlling an LED unit, and a disconnection detection portion for detecting disconnection of the LED unit. The disconnection detection portion has a latch circuit and a reset portion. The latch circuit provides a disconnection detection signal after it is detected that disconnection has occurred for a prescribed time. The reset portion resets the disconnection detection signal based on prescribed conditions. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090262550 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp is provided. The vehicle lamp includes semiconductor light emitting device, a heatsink configured to dissipate a heat generated by the semiconductor light emitting device, a fan which moves air, a guide portion configured to diffuse the air from the fan and to guide the air toward the heatsink, and a housing in which the semiconductor light emitting device, the heatsink, the fan and the guide portion are accommodated. The heatsink includes a base and a plurality of heat dissipating members arranged to protrude from the base. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262549 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes a semiconductor light emitting device, a thermally conductive portion which is in contact with the semiconductor light emitting device, a heatsink which dissipates heat generated by the semiconductor light emitting device, and a housing in which the semiconductor light emitting device, the thermally conductive portion and the heatsink are accommodated. The heatsink includes a base and plate fins arranged at intervals to protrude from the base. Each of the plate fins includes a plate surface facing the plate surface of an adjacent one of the plate fins and upwardly extending in a direction along the base. A plane parallel to at least one of the plate surfaces of the plate fins may be oblique with respect to a vertical direction. An inner surface of the housing may be oblique with respect to the vertical direction in a region above the plate fins. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090242017 | DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELL - A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided. The solar cell includes a first electrode substrate including a first tabular substrate which is transparent; a transparent conductive film; and an oxide semiconductor layer impregnated with a sensitizing dye; a second electrode substrate including a second tabular substrate; a conductive film; and a catalyst conductive layer; and a sealing member which seals a peripheral area between the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate. The sealing member includes a sealant in a first area of the peripheral area that overlaps with the transparent conductive film or the conductive film; and a sealing base material in a second area of the peripheral area that does not overlap with the transparent conductive film or the conductive film. An electrolyte is scaled in a sealing space formed by the first and second electrodes and the sealing member. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090237938 | LIGHT SOURCE MODULE AND VEHICULAR LAMP - A light source module includes a circuit board on which a circuit pattern is formed; a semiconductor light emitting element; an electrode pad; and a connecting body. The semiconductor light emitting element includes a first surface formed into an oblong shape, and a second surface positioned facing opposite the first surface. The second surface is connected with a second part of the circuit pattern. The electrode pad is provided on the first surface of the semiconductor light emitting element and includes a connecting portion. The connecting body is connected with the connecting portion of the electrode pad and a first part of the circuit pattern. The electrode pad is provided on a portion of the semiconductor light emitting element that includes one end portion of the first surface. The connecting portion of the electrode pad is provided at a position in one of a continuous and spaced manner in the lengthwise direction of the electrode pad. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090231876 | VEHICULAR HEADLAMP - A vehicular headlamp is provided. The vehicular headlamp includes a headlamp which emits light; an indication lamp comprising semiconductor light-emitting elements as light sources; and an electric circuit which supplies a current to the indication lamp. The indication lamp is divided into at least two light source sections comprising respective sets of light sources, and at least one of the light source sections is disposed in a high-temperature region whose temperature is made higher than in a remainder of the light source sections while the headlamp unit is lit. The electric circuit controls the light source sections individually so that a current supplied to the light source section disposed in the high-temperature region is made smaller than a current supplied to the remainder of the light source sections. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090231873 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP APPARATUS - A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a low beam lamp unit which forms a low beam distribution pattern having a cutoff line along an upper edge thereof, and an additional lamp unit which forms an additional light distribution pattern including an area above the cutoff line of the low beam distribution pattern. The additional lamp unit is configured such that a luminous intensity of at least a portion of the additional light distribution pattern increases toward a horizontal line from above. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090231867 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source which is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern which is formed above a cut-off line of a low-beam mode light distribution pattern; a vehicle detection device which is configured to detect a presence of a front running vehicle; a road position detection device which is configured to detect an existing area of a road ahead; and a control unit. The control unit acquires information from the vehicle detection device and the road position detection device and, when the existing area includes a non-detectable area which is outside of a detectable area of the vehicle detection device, controls the light source to reduce an illuminance of the additional light distribution pattern. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090231866 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP APPARATUS - A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a lamp unit, a first additional lamp unit which forms a first light distribution pattern, a second additional lamp unit which forms a second light distribution pattern overlapping with the first light distribution pattern, and a controller. The first light distribution pattern includes at least one first partial region, and the first additional lamp unit adjusts a luminous intensity of a light to be irradiated toward the first partial region. The second light distribution pattern includes at least one second partial region which partially overlaps with the first partial region, and the second additional lamp unit adjusts a luminous intensity of a light to be irradiated toward the second partial region. The controller controls the first additional lamp unit and the second additional lamp unit to adjust the luminous intensity of the partial regions. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090219191 | VEHICULAR LAMP - A vehicular lamp includes a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body opening forward and a transparent front cover attached to a forward opening portion thereof; a lamp unit disposed within the lamp chamber; a millimeter wave radar for sending a millimeter wave to reflect off of an object in order to detect a distance and a relative speed of the object; and a millimeter wave direction-changing mechanism for sending forward the millimeter wave sent by the millimeter wave radar from a back surface side of the lamp unit, without reflecting the millimeter wave on a rearward side of the lamp unit. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090213607 | VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICE - Light having entered a light transmitting member through a predetermined point (the light emission center of a light emitting element) on an optical axis undergoes internal reflection in a front surface perpendicular to the optical axis, then undergoes internal reflection again in a rear surface composed of a paraboloid of revolution having a focal point at a position of plane symmetry with the predetermined point, and then exits the front surface. An annular region around the optical axis in the front surface is mirror-finished. The position of its outer peripheral edge is set to be near a position where the incident angle of the light emitted from the light emitting element is equal to a critical angle. The position of the inner peripheral edge is set to be near a position where the light having exited the light emitting element and undergone internal reflection in the front surface enters a position immediately behind the outer peripheral edge in the rear surface. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090212710 | VEHICLE LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE - A vehicle lighting control device includes a switching unit to perform ON/OFF control of a driving current supplied to a semiconductor light source depending on a light control signal; and a constant-current control unit to perform constant-current control on the driving current. The constant-current control unit includes a switch unit to perform ON/OFF control of the switching unit; and a signal-maintaining unit to provide a voltage signal corresponding to the driving current to the switch unit when the switching unit performs ON control, and to provide continuously the voltage signal to the switch unit when the switching unit performs OFF control. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090212706 | LIGHTING DEVICE AND LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A lighting device and a lighting system for a vehicle are provided. The lighting device includes a signal detecting portion which receives a light control direction signal; a control portion which controls a light source according to the light control direction signal; and a lighting state signal generating portion which outputs a lighting state signal based on the light control direction signal received by the signal detecting portion. The lighting system includes the lighting device and a light source. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090204298 | IRRADIATING DIRECTION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE LAMP - A system for controlling an irradiating direction of a vehicle lamp includes a target swivel angle calculating section to calculate a target swivel angle based on a vehicle steering angle, a swivel driver to execute, based on the target swivel angle, a swivel control to swivel the irradiating direction, and a fail-safe controller to execute, upon detection of a failure in the system, a fail-safe operation to stop the swivel control. When the system is restored after the failure, the fail-safe controller determines whether the target swivel angle is within a straight-ahead range that includes an angle corresponding to a straight-ahead direction of a vehicle. If the fail-safe controller determines that the target swivel angle is within the straight-ahead range, the fail-safe controller deactivates the fail-safe operation to restart the swivel control. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090200963 | Lighting Controller for a Vehicle Lamp - A lighting controller has current driving means which include a shunt resistor connected in series to each of multiple LEDs to detect an LED driving current, a PMOS transistor connected to the positive electrode side of each of the LEDs, and an amplifier for sending an output according to the result of comparison between the respectively detected driving current values and a reference value, and which subject each of the PMOS transistors to ON/OFF operation. Control means includes a Zener diode ZD | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090200947 | VEHICLE LAMP CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD - A vehicle lamp control system includes a target irradiating direction setting unit which sets, in accordance with a running condition of a vehicle, a target irradiating direction of the lamp. An actuator controls an irradiating direction of the lamp to be directed in the target irradiating direction based on a reference direction. The actuator includes a reference setting section which executes a reference setting operation to set the irradiating direction of the lamp to be directed in the reference direction. The target irradiating direction setting unit includes a condition determining section which determines whether the reference setting section has executed the reference setting operation, and a reference setting command section which, when the condition determining section determines that the reference setting section has not yet executed the reference setting operation, instructs the reference setting section to execute the reference setting operation. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090200944 | MERCURY-FREE ARC TUBE FOR DISCHARGE LAMP UNIT - There is provided a mercury-free arc tube for a discharge lamp unit. The mercury-free arc tube includes a plurality of electrodes and a sealed chamber including a metal halide and a starting rare gas enclosed in the sealed chamber. A clearness index value P | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090196060 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp, which is configured to irradiate infrared light in a vehicle forward direction, includes: a projection lens disposed along an optical axis extending in a lamp backward and forward direction; and first and second light source units disposed in the rear of the projection lens. The first light source unit includes: a first light emitting element which is disposed in the rear of a rear focal point of the projection lens and emits the infrared light; and a first reflector which reflects the infrared light toward the optical axis in a lamp forward direction. An infrared light distribution pattern is formed by the infrared light which is reflected by the first reflector to pass through the projection lens. The second light source unit includes: a second light emitting element which is disposed in the rear of the rear focal point of the projection lens and emits visible light; and a second reflector which reflects the visible light toward the optical axis in a lamp forward direction. A visible light distribution pattern is formed by the visible light which is reflected by the second reflector to pass through the projection lens. The visible light distribution pattern overlaps with the infrared light distribution pattern. When the first light source unit is turned on, the second light source unit is turned on simultaneously with the first light source. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090196059 | LICENSE PLATE LAMP - A license plate lamp for radiating light to a surface of a license plate attached to a rear end of a vehicle body includes: a lamp body disposed above the license plate; a light emitting diode disposed within the lamp body, the light emitting diode having an optical axis extending in a vertical direction for emitting light toward a license plate located under the light emitting diode; and a control lens provided between the light emitting diode and the license plate for controlling the light emitted by the light emitting diode so that the light is radiated toward a surface of the license plate. The control lens includes a first control portion for radiating the light emitted by the light emitting diode toward an upper end part of the surface of the license plate, and a second control portion located rearward of the first control portion for radiating the light emitted by the light emitting diode toward substantially a whole region of the surface of the license plate. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090195176 | DISCHARGE LAMP LIGHTING CIRCUIT - A discharge lamp lighting circuit is capable of preventing the discharge lamp from going out unexpectedly. The discharge lamp lighting circuit includes a DC-AC inverter which receives a power source voltage, boosts and converts the power source voltage into AC and supplies AC electric power to the discharge lamp | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090190324 | AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP APPARATUS WHERE LIGHT DISTRIBUTION PATTERN IS CONTROLLED - An automotive headlamp apparatus includes a light source for producing a high beam and a headlamp apparatus controller for controlling illumination from a light source. The headlamp apparatus controller divides a light distribution pattern of a high beam formed by illumination from the light source into a plurality of regions and controls illumination from each of the individual regions as divided so as to supplement a light distribution pattern of a low beam. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090190323 | AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMP APPARATUS WHERE HIGH BEAM ILLUMINATION AREA IS CONTROLLED - An automotive headlamp apparatus is provided with a light source for producing a high beam and a controller for controlling illumination from the light source. Given that at least a portion of a high beam illumination area illuminated by the light source is vertically divided into a plurality of blocks, the controller controls illumination from the light source such that a plurality of first regions having a predetermined horizontal width are formed at least in some of the blocks toward the bottom, and that a second region having a greater horizontal width than the first regions is formed in the block toward the top. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090167187 | LIGHTING CONTROLLER OF LIGHTING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - A lighting controller of a lighting device for a vehicle includes M (M is an integer of one or more) switching regulators for supplying driving currents to first to Nth (N is an integer of one or more) semiconductor light sources; first to Nth current driving portions; a temperature detector; and a control circuit. The first to Nth current driving portions include first to Nth current detecting portions connected to the semiconductor light sources and serving to detect the driving currents respectively; and first to Nth switching portions connected to the semiconductor light sources respectively. The first to Nth current driving portions operates the switching portions corresponding to magnitudes of the driving currents detected by the current detecting portions respectively. The temperature detector detects a temperature and sends a temperature detecting signal when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a pre-specified temperature. The control circuit controls the current driving means in order to decrease the driving currents to be supplied to the semiconductor light sources upon receipt of the temperature detecting signal. The control circuit sets a priority of each of the semiconductor light sources for decreasing the driving current and decreases the driving current in order from the semiconductor light source having a highest priority. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090154188 | VEHICLE LAMP - A vehicle lamp includes: N semiconductor light sources, wherein N is an integer of 1 or more; M fans configured to cool the N semiconductor light sources, wherein M is an integer of 1 or more; N current supply units configured to supply first current to the N semiconductor light sources, respectively; and a control unit configured to receive electric power supplied from an electric power source and supply second current to the N current supply units. The control unit includes: N switch elements that correspond to the N semiconductor light sources; M switch elements that correspond to the M fans; and a control circuit configured to control fan drive current supplied to the fans through the switch elements and the second current. The fans are coupled to the control unit. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090154186 | VEHICLE LAMP ASSEMBLY - A vehicle lamp assembly includes a first lamp section and a second lamp section, which are disposed inside a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover. The first lamp section includes a light source and a reflector which reflects light from the light source. The second lamp section includes a first light emitting device, a second light emitting device, a light guide member, and an optical component. The light guide member includes a base end face from which the light guide member extends in a strip shape along the front cover, a functional portion having a diffusing front surface which emits light from a first light emitting device, and a decorative portion having an internally reflecting rear surface which reflects light from a second light emitting device. A light emitting area of the decorative portion is larger than that of the functional portion. The optical component is disposed on a rear side of the functional portion to guide the light from the first light emitting device toward the diffusing front surface. The light emitted from the second light emitting device is incident on the base end face. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090154185 | VEHICULAR ILLUMINATION LAMP - A vehicular illumination lamp includes a convex lens positioned on an optical axis in a vehicular longitudinal direction and a light emitting element positioned in a proximity of a rear side focal point of the convex lens. The vehicle lamp is configured so as to form a light distribution pattern that has a horizontal cut-off line and an oblique cut-off line in an upper end portion thereof by exercising deflection control, with a use of the convex lens, over light directly emitted from the light emitting element. The light emitting element includes a light emitting chip that has a rectangular light emitting surface. The light emitting element is positioned facing forward in such a manner that a lower end edge of the light emitting chip is positioned on a plane that includes the optical axis, while one of end points of the lower end edge is positioned on the rear side focal point. An additional lens is provided around the convex lens. The additional lens is integrally formed with the convex lens in such a manner that the additional lens surrounds the convex lens in a manner of a band. The additional lens includes an incident plane that is formed generally in a shape of a circular cylindrical plane centered on an axial line passing through a position in a proximity of a light emission center of the light emitting element and being parallel to the optical axis and that causes light emitted from the light emitting element to become incident to the additional lens in such a manner that the light is refracted into a direction that draws apart from the axial line; a reflecting plane that causes the light that has become incident from the incident plane to be internally reflected to a front; and an emission plane that causes the light that has been internally reflected on the reflecting plane to be emitted to the front as diffused light. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090153059 | LIGHTING CONTROLLER OF LIGHTING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - A lighting controller of a lighting device for a vehicle includes a switching regulator for supplying a driving current to first to Nth (N is an integer of one or more) semiconductor light sources; first to Nth current driving portions; and a control portion. The first to Nth current driving portions include first to Nth current detecting portions connected in series to the semiconductor light sources and serving to detect the driving current respectively, first to Nth switching portions connected to positive electrode sides of the semiconductor light sources respectively, and first to Nth comparing portions for transmitting a comparing output corresponding to a result of a comparison, which is obtained by comparing values of the driving currents detected by the current detecting portions with a predetermined threshold respectively. The first to Nth current driving portions serve to carry out operations of the switching portions corresponding to the comparing output respectively. The control portion includes first to Nth first voltage drop detecting portions for detecting voltages on output sides of the comparing portions and transmitting first to Nth first detection results, and first to Nth second voltage drop detecting portions for detecting voltages on positive electrode sides of the semiconductor light sources and transmitting first to Nth second detection results respectively. The control portion controls the first to Nth current driving portions corresponding to the first to Nth first detection results and the first to Nth second detection results respectively. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090146546 | DISCHARGE LAMP - A discharge lamp for a vehicle is provided with a ceramic luminous tube, a front side electrode and a rear side electrode held by the ceramic luminous tube, a first lead wire connected to the front side electrode, a second lead wire connected to the rear side electrode, a third lead wire having a front end portion connected to the first lead wire, an outer tube, and a socket. The ceramic luminous tube, the first lead wire, the second lead wire and the third lead wire are accommodated in the outer tube. The ceramic luminous tube includes a luminous portion and a pair of small diameter tube portions. The luminous portion is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape extending in a longitudinal direction. The third lead wire includes a horizontal portion extending in the longitudinal direction above the luminous portion. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090145949 | ATTACHING CONSTRUCTION AND WELDING METHOD - An attaching construction includes a first member having a circular tubular welding portion at a distal end and, at a rear end thereof, a holding portion which is integral with the welding portion. The attaching construction includes a second member having an annular first positioning rib, and an annular second positioning rib inside the first positioning rib. The welding portion is positioned within the first positioning rib, and the welding portion is friction welded in place within the first positioning rib while the first member is rotated. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090134792 | ELECTRIC DISCHARGE LAMP - An electric discharge lamp has a ceramic luminous tube and filled with xenon gas, a pair of electrodes | 05-28-2009 |
