# US 2018/0022270 A1 · Illumination apparatus

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- Number: US 2018/0022270 A1
- Document ID: US20180022270A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/649,731
- Filed: 2017-07-14
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-25
- Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Yoichi MATSUOKA
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022270A1

## CPC

- B60Q 1/2696: {Mounting of devices using LEDs}
- B60K 35/20: Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
- B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10)
- B60Q 1/2661: {mounted on parts having other functions (on wheels B60Q1/326)}
- B60Q 3/12: lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
- B60Q 3/51: for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor
- B60Q 3/60: characterised by optical aspects
- F21V 5/04: of lens shape
- F21V 15/01: Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts (F21V15/02 takes precedence {housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04})
- B60K 35/50: Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle (B60K35/231 takes precedence)
- B60K 2360/33: Illumination features
- B60K 2360/332: Light emitting diodes
- B60Q 1/02: the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An illumination apparatus includes: a light source including an LED and a lens; an illuminated body; and a cover, wherein: the light source is arranged inside the cover; the light from the light source passes between the edge of the cover and the illuminated body; the front edge of the cover defines the illumination range of the light from the light source with respect to the illuminated body; and the light transmittance of such portion of the lens as is near to the illuminated body is higher than that of the remaining portions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An illumination apparatus comprising:
a light source including an LED and a lens;
an illuminated body; and
a cover, wherein:
the light source is arranged inside the cover;
the light from the light source passes between the edge of the cover and the illuminated body;
the front edge of the cover defines the illumination range of the light from the light source with respect to the illuminated body; and
the light transmittance of such portion of the lens as is near to the illuminated body is higher than that of the remaining portions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein particles for light transmittance adjustment are dispersed in the lens.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light transmittance of the lens is controlled by the thickness of the lens.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the lens is formed in multiple stages.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the lens is formed in an inclined manner.