Light emitting diodes vehicle lamp

[0002] This invention relates to electrically powered lamps for vehicles, and more particularly to a housing for mounting on a motor vehicle that contains a plurality of light emitting diodes that perform a variety of functions.

[0003] Conventional vehicle lamps use incandescent bulbs that generate heat that must be dissipated. They are large, expensive, and require frequent replacement. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) offer many features that can enhance the performance and function of vehicle lights such as fog lights and running lights.

[0004] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a variety of vehicle lamp assemblies that offer enhanced operation as well as advanced functions.

[0005] A common housing contains a fog light (amber or yellow LEDs) surrounding an area of another color and a rectangular area with red LEDs that spell out ALARM and another set may be provided that spells out HELP. Each is separately powered and may be strobed. In order to have a section that may spell out a custom name by plug-in elements, each element has a common voltage requirement and a common supply of that voltage. A remote RF control can be provided so that each array of LEDs may be selectively activated. An array may be strobed if desired.

[0006] One or more high output LEDs may also be provided within the housing that are powered when the running lights are on and the vehicle voltage is below a preset value. They are arranged to be fully powered by the lower voltage to provide a safety feature.

[0007] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when the detailed description is studied in conjunction with the drawings in which like elements are designated by like reference characters in the various drawing figures.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the light emitting diode assembly.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the remote control.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the control of FIG. 3.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plug in diode.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a plug in socket.

[0016] Referring now first to the drawing FIGS. 1 and 2, housing 18 of conventional appearance is mounted on a vehicle by housing securing means 2. A light assembly board 1 is secured within the housing and covered by clear colorless lens or cover 3 held in place by bezel 17 in a manner familiar to the art for ready customer acceptance. The light assembly 1 may be retrofitted to an existing housing to replace the original light emitters. The light assembly 1 comprises a first plurality of emitters 4 that emit light of a color such as yellow or amber that is associated with fog lights. They are powered by a common supply circuit 19. A second plurality of emitters 5 emits light of another color not associated with fog lights, such as white or green. They are powered by a common circuit 20. A third plurality of emitters 6 may emit red light, for example, disposed to spell out a particular word, such as HELP or ALARM. They are powered by a common circuit 21. Each of these plurality of emitters may be separately energized and may be strobed, if desired. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a wireless remote control device 8 with pocket clip 9 may be provided for selectively energizing one or more of the pluralities, or strobing them.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the invention is shown that takes full advantage of the LED features to provide a broad thin housing 18′. The clear lens cover 3′ may be molded in place to embed the LEDs, or fastened in place as shown here. This embodiment features one or more high-output LEDs 14 that are wired to operate at a lower vehicle voltage through low voltage switch 13 connected to the vehicle running light circuit 16. The switch connects the emitters 14 when the running light voltage is below a preset voltage. This enables the driver to continue to drive at night when the battery voltage is too low to operate the regular vehicle lights. The emitters may be mounted on a light reflective film 15 for further safety function.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, another embodiment of the invention is shown in which a first plurality of emitters 22 powered by a first circuit is provided that surrounds a rectangular array of sockets 10. The lens cover is removable to enable the user to plug in a plurality of emitters 12 so as to spell out a word of the user's choice. Each emitter 12 may be provided with a dropping resistor 11, or the power to the sockets may be adjusted so that each socket has the proper power.

[0019] While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.