Patent Application
20220391196
The subject disclosure relates to a light assembly, and more particularly to a light assembly adapted for use with a software reflash kit.
Light assemblies, such as those used in vehicles, are known to include housings that define a chamber. Various light sources and light propagation structures may be located in the chamber along with a control unit (i.e., microprocessor) that executes software to control lighting attributes. In such lighting assemblies, the chamber is sealed to protect the internal components and prevent ingress of moisture and dirt into the chamber. Unfortunately, once the chamber is sealed, changes, updates, and/or software reflashes of the control unit is difficult to accomplish and expensive.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an inexpensive, simple, and robust way to update or change the software of the control unit with the ability to re-seal the chamber.
A light assembly constructed for releasable receipt of an electrical communication device, the light assembly according to one, non-limiting, embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing, a control unit, and an access port. The housing defines an enclosed, sealable, chamber. The control unit is located in the chamber. The access port is defined by and communicates through the housing, and is adapted to receive the electrical communication device for detachable electrical engagement to the control unit.
Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the light assembly includes a plug adapted to seal the access port when the electrical communication device is not in use.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the plug is an adhesive patch.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the control unit is a printed circuit board.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the printed circuit board includes a LED driver module.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the printed circuit board includes a pin receptacle adapted to electrically receive a pin of the electrical communication device extending through the access port when connected.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the pin receptacle is aligned to the access port for releasable receipt of the pin.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the pin is a POGO pin.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the control unit includes a pin receptacle adapted to electrically receive a pin of the electrical communication device, and wherein the pin extends through the access port when connected.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the pin receptacle is aligned to the access port for releasable receipt of the pin.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the control unit includes a processor, an electronic storage medium, and software stored in the storage medium and executed by the processor, and wherein the electrical communication device is configured to change the software.
An electrical communication device kit adapted to releasable attach to an internal control unit of a light assembly through a sealable access port in a housing of the light assembly, the electrical communication device kit according to another, non-limiting, embodiment includes an electric communication device and a plug. The electrical communication device includes a base and a plurality of pins adapted to extend through the access port and releasably, electrically, engage the internal control unit. The plug is adapted to attach to the housing and seal the access port when the plurality of pins are not extending through the access port.
Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the plurality of pins are POGO pins.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the electrical communication device is a dongle.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the plug is an adhesive patch.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the electrical communication device is configured to transmit software to the internal control unit.
A method of reflashing software in an electronic storage medium of a control unit located in a sealable chamber of a light assembly is defined by a housing. The method according to another, non-limiting, embodiment, includes a step of inserting a detachable electrical communication device through an access port in a housing of the light assembly. The electrical communication device is then electrically connected to the control unit. The software in the electronic storage medium is then changed via the electrical communication device. The electrical communication device is then detached from the control unit. The electrical communication device is then withdrawn from the access port. The access port is then plugged with a plug.
Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the plug is an adhesive patch.
In the alternative, or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the detachable electrical communication device includes a base and a pin, and the base is located externally to the light assembly when the pin is extended through the access hole and is electrically engaged to the control unit.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.
Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a light assembly system 18 is illustrated in
Referring to
In one example, the control unit 26 may be a printed circuit board, PCB, fixed and attached to the back portion 32 of the housing 22. Referring to
With continued reference to
The plurality of receptacles 42 of the control unit 26 are aligned to the access port 34 in the housing 22. That is, the receptacles 42 are directly in front of the access port 34. The control unit 26 (e.g., PCB) includes a forward face 54 and an opposite rearward face 56. In one example, the rearward face 56 is located at a distance (see arrow 58) from an exterior surface 60 the housing 22. In comparison, the pins 50 each have a length (i.e., see arrow 62) that is longer than the distance 58 to assure electrical connection of the pins 50 with the respective receptacle 42, while the base 48 remains outside of the housing 22. In this example, the size of the access port 34 is minimized to optimize resealing.
Referring to
The plug 28 is constructed to seal the access port 34. In one example the plug 28 is removable, and may include threads (not shown) for threaded engagement with the back portion 32 of the housing 22. In another example, the plug 28 is an adhesive patch adapted to adhere to the exterior surface 60 of the back portion 32. In one example, the adhesive of the patch 28 may facilitate removal or ‘peeling-off’ of the patch from the housing 22.
Referring to
Advantages and benefits of the present disclosure includes the ability to repeatably and inexpensively reflash software typically sealed within a chamber of a light assembly during normal operation. Other advantages include a robust design that minimizes any risk of leakage into the sealed chamber. Yet another advantage is the elimination of any costly auxiliary programming port mounted to the housing of the light assembly.
While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof
