The invention relates to electric lamps and particularly to electric lamps with LED light sources. More particularly the invention is concerned with a replaceable vehicle lamp with LED light sources.
Currently automotive LED lighting applications use one of several methods. One is to use one or more LEDs arrayed in a specific pattern, for a specific lamp in a specialized module. Each styled lamp is then independently designed for style and optics. Another method is to use one or more LEDs on a bulb with a specific direct radiation pattern for the specific application. For example a headlamp pattern or a taillight pattern may be generated in a standard bulb format. A third technique is to use LED modules or LED bulbs in coordination with a reflector. The standard LED bulb then supplies a standard beam that is specialized by the reflector.
There is a desire for the convenience of LED modules that can be used in many formats, like a standard bulb. At the same time there is a desire to escape the size and look of the lamps that define the final beam pattern with a reflector.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the invention to enhance LED lamps.
It is yet another object of the invention to particularly enhance automotive LED lighting.
These objects are accomplished, in one aspect of the invention, by an LED light source comprising: a substantially planar housing transversely arrayed about a longitudinal axis and including a through-hole in a first surface Of said palanar housing; a planar, heat conductive support positioned with said housing, said planar heat conductive support having a front side, a back side and a center point coaxial with said longitudinal axis; a plurality of LEDs mounted on said front side and arrayed about said center point; a base supporting said planar, heat conductive support and fixed to said housing; a heat sink in thermal contact with said base and extending outwardly of said housing; and a connector formed with said housing for receiving electrical input to said LEDs.
This light source is replaceable and amenable to the addition of specifically designed optics and lenses to allow customized light outputs and, further, has no need of a reflector.
Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, there is shown in
LEDs 26 are mounted on the front side 20 and arrayed about the center point 24. In the embodiment shown in
A base 28 supports the planar, heat conductive support 18 and is fixed to the housing 12 as desired. Preferably, the base 28 is also thermally conductive so that heat generated by the LEDs during operation is passed through the base 28 to the heat sink 30, which is in thermal contact with the base and extends outwardly of the housing. The heat sink 30 can comprise a number of metal rods 30a, the number varying with the size and power of the light source. In a preferred embodiment the light source housing has a diameter of 2.5 inches and there can be about 100 metal rods. The rods preferably have a length of 0.5 inches. If desired, fins can be utilized in place of the rods 30a. A connector 32 is formed with the housing 12 for receiving electrical input to the LEDs and can contain a plurality of electrical contacts, as is known in the art.
The light source 10 described above can be considered to be a complete unit; however, additional modifications can be made to improve its public reception.
For example, couplers 34 can be provided on the surface 17 to ease the mounting requirements when the light source 10 is coupled to a receptive body. In a preferred embodiment the couplers are suitable for rotational coupling.
Primary optics can be provided. For example, in
Ideally, however, the light source 10 would be provided with perhaps the primary optic 36 and then used in conjunction with a secondary optic 38 specifically designed by a customer to achieve an individual result. For example, the secondary optic could include a Fresnel optic or lens 38a on one side of the optic and a pillow or other lens type 38b on the other.
The circuitry, preferably in the form of a printed circuit, can be provided upon the planar, heat conductive support 18 to help achieve the compactness necessary for light source to be practical.
Thus, this light source provides a replacement light source that can be employed with many differing lens arrangements.
While there have been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The Applicants hereby claim the benefit of their provisional application, Ser. No. 60/693,254 filed Jun. 23, 2005 for REPLACEABLE VEHICLE LAMP WITH LED LIGHT SOURCES.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60693254 | Jun 2005 | US |