IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,145,537
Granted Patent B2
US 10,145,537 · App. 14/729,443 · Granted Dec 4, 2018

Illumination unit and vehicle lamp

Inventors: Ken Watanabe (Shizuoka, JP); Hiromi Nakamura (Shizuoka, JP)
Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
F21V7/0025F21S43/14F21S43/195F21S43/30F21Y2107/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,145,537
App. No.
14/729,443
Granted
Dec 4, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An illumination unit includes a transparent substrate, a light source, a first half mirror, and a mirror. The light source is mounted on the transparent substrate. The first half mirror is disposed on a front side of the transparent substrate. The mirror is disposed on a rear side of the transparent substrate. Light emitted from the light source is repeatedly reflected between the first half mirror and the mirror while being transmitted through the transparent substrate, so as to be output forward from the first half mirror.

Claims (47)

1. An illumination unit comprising:

a transparent substrate;

a light source that is disposed within the transparent substrate;

a first half mirror that is disposed on a front side of the transparent substrate;

a mirror that is disposed on a rear side of the transparent substrate; and

a wiring pattern that is formed in an interior of the transparent substrate and that is connected to the light source,

wherein light emitted from the light source is repeatedly reflected between the first half mirror and the mirror while being transmitted through the transparent substrate, so as to be output forward from the first half mirror,

wherein the light source emits light in a first direction through a front portion of the transparent substrate,

wherein the light source further emits light in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction through a back portion of the transparent substrate, and

wherein each of the transparent substrate, the first half mirror, and the mirror is a curved surface that is convex toward a front side of the illumination unit.

2. The illumination unit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first transparent member that is disposed between the transparent substrate and the first half mirror,

wherein the first transparent member is disposed so that a first surface of the first transparent member is in contact with the transparent substrate and a second surface of the first transparent member is in contact with the first half mirror.

3. The illumination unit according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a second half mirror that is disposed between the transparent substrate and the mirror.

4. The illumination unit according to claim 3 ,

wherein the transparent substrate, the first half mirror, and the second half mirror extend along a predetermined curved surface, and

wherein end portions of the transparent substrate, end portions of the first half mirror, and end portions of the second half mirrors are fixed to the mirror.

5. The illumination unit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second transparent member that is disposed between the transparent substrate and the mirror,

wherein the second transparent member is disposed so that a first surface of the second transparent member is in contact with the transparent substrate and a second surface of the second transparent member is in contact with the mirror.

6. The illumination unit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first transparent member that is disposed between the transparent substrate and the first half mirror; and

a second transparent member that is disposed between the transparent substrate and the mirror,

wherein the first transparent member is disposed so that a first surface of the first transparent member is in contact with the transparent substrate and a second surface of the first transparent member is in contact with the first half mirror, and

wherein the second transparent member is disposed so that a first surface of the second transparent member is in contact with the transparent substrate and a second surface of the second transparent member is in contact with the mirror.

7. A vehicle lamp comprising:

the illumination unit according to claim 1 ;

a transparent cover; and

a lamp body,

wherein the transparent cover and the lamp body define a lamp chamber,

wherein the lamp chamber houses the illumination unit, and

wherein the transparent substrate and the first half mirror extend along the transparent cover.

8. The illumination unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light source has light emitting surfaces on both front and rear surfaces thereof.

9. An illumination unit comprising:

a transparent substrate;

a light source that is mounted on the transparent substrate;

a half mirror that is disposed on a rear side of the transparent substrate;

a mirror that is disposed on a rear side of the half mirror; and

a wiring pattern that is formed in an interior of the transparent substrate and that is connected the light source,

wherein the light source emits light in a first direction through a front portion of the transparent substrate,

wherein the light source emits light in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction through a back portion of the transparent substrate, and

wherein each of the transparent substrate, the half mirror, and the mirror is a curved surface that is convex toward a front side of the illumination unit.

10. The illumination unit according to claim 9 , further comprising:

a first transparent member that is disposed between the transparent substrate and the half mirror, and

a second transparent member that is disposed between the half mirror and the mirror.

11. The illumination unit according to claim 9 , wherein the light source has light emitting surfaces on both front and rear surfaces thereof.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2015
From: WATANABE, KEN; NAKAMURA, HIROMI
To: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 036135/0822 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2014-114685 · Jun 3, 2014 · national
JP 2015-081925 · Apr 13, 2015 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150345740A1 · Dec 3, 2015
Cited By (2)
US 12,486,960 US 12,696,582