IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,644,812
Granted Patent B2
US 9,644,812 · App. 14/538,972 · Granted May 9, 2017

High-contrast miniature headlamp

Inventors: Ching-Cherng Sun (Jhongli, TW); Chih-Yu Tsai (Jhongli, TW)
Assignee: National Central University
F21S48/1388F21S48/1159F21S48/1329
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,644,812
App. No.
14/538,972
Granted
May 9, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A high-contrast miniature headlamp includes at least one light-emitting element, a first reflective surface, and a second reflective surface. The high-contrast miniature headlamp forms a virtual equivalent light source of the light-emitting element via the first reflective surface to increase the equivalent distance between the light source and the second reflective surface, thereby enhancing the contrast of the cutoff line of the beam pattern produced by the headlamp. The headlamp is so configured that, under the condition of maintaining its miniature design and reducing cost without compromising optical efficiency, a beam pattern with a high-contrast cutoff line (i.e., a high-contrast beam pattern) can be generated to significantly improve the safety provided by automobile lighting.

Claims (17)

1. A high-contrast miniature headlamp, comprising:

at least one light-emitting element;

a first reflective surface on a side of which the light-emitting element is provided in order for the first reflective surface to reflect light projected thereon by the light-emitting element, and for the light-emitting element to form a virtual equivalent light source on an opposite side of the first reflective surface; and

a second reflective surface fixedly provided adjacent to the light-emitting element but not in direct exposure to light projected by the light-emitting element, the second reflective surface reflecting light which is projected by the light-emitting element and reflected by the first reflective surface such that light reflected from the second reflective surface propagates outward through an outgoing surface;

wherein the first reflective surface is further provided with a light-emitting component, and the light-emitting component is mounted into the first reflective surface and located at an intersection between the first reflective surface and an optical path from the virtual equivalent light source to the second reflective surface.

2. The high-contrast miniature headlamp of claim 1 , wherein the first reflective surface is a flat, convex, or concave mirror.

3. The high-contrast miniature headlamp of claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting element is a light-emitting diode (LED) module and includes at least one LED or at least one organic LED (OLED).

4. The high-contrast miniature headlamp of claim 3 , wherein the first reflective surface is a flat, convex, or concave mirror.

5. A high-contrast miniature headlamp, comprising:

at least one light-emitting element; and

a light-permeable member fixedly provided adjacent to the light-emitting element and in direct exposure to light projected by the light-emitting element, the light-permeable member comprising:

a first reflective surface on a side of which the light-emitting element is provided in order for the first reflective surface to reflect light projected thereon by the light-emitting element, and for the light-emitting element to form a virtual equivalent light source on an opposite side of the first reflective surface; and

a second reflective surface fixedly provided adjacent to the light-emitting element but not in direct exposure to the light projected by the light-emitting element, the second reflective surface reflecting light which is projected by the light-emitting element and reflected by the first reflective surface such that light reflected from the second reflective surface propagates outward through an outgoing surface;

wherein the first reflective surface is further provided with a light-emitting component, and the light-emitting component is mounted into the first reflective surface and located at an intersection between the first reflective surface and an optical path from the virtual equivalent light source to the second reflective surface.

6. The high-contrast miniature headlamp of claim 5 , wherein the first reflective surface is a flat, convex, or concave reflective surface.

7. The high-contrast miniature headlamp of claim 5 , wherein the light-emitting element is a light-emitting diode (LED) module and includes at least one LED or at least one organic LED (OLED).

8. The high-contrast miniature headlamp of claim 7 , wherein the first reflective surface is a flat, convex, or concave reflective surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2014
From: SUN, CHING-CHERNG; TSAI, CHIH-YU
To: NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 034152/0889 →
Priority Claims (1)
TW 103135566 A · Oct 14, 2014 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160102829A1 · Apr 14, 2016