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US 6,773,138 B2Granted
Snap together automotive led lamp assembly
AssigneeOsram Sylvania Inc.
InventorCharles M. Coushaine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A replaceable vehicle lamp assemble may be made by placing LEDs directly on a heat conducting support that is thermally connected to an exterior heat radiating element. In one embodiment, the lamp structure is substantially snap fitted together. The LEDs are mounted on a heat conductive post and flange. A coupler encircles the post and couples through the flange to a base thereby trapping the flange in place. The coupler also includes latching features to mount in a socket hole of a reflector assembly. The heat conductive flange is then exposed on the exterior to ambient air, thereby providing cooling for the LEDs.
Claims18
A replaceable vehicle lamp assemble comprising:
- an LED light source mounted on a thermally conductive structure joined to a heat-sinking element;
- a mechanical coupler for detachable mounting to a housing or reflector, the coupler generally facing the light source, the coupler providing a support for the thermally conductive structure;
- an electrical connector supported by the coupler, and
- electrical connections extending from the electrical connector to the LED light source to form a replaceable lamp;
- wherein the heat-sinking element includes a metal flange exposed on the lamp assembly exterior to exterior air at least in part on two sides of the flange;
- the flange being intermediate the coupler and the electrical connector with electrical connections extending through the flange.
3 more elements
A replaceable vehicle lamp assemble comprising:
- a) a base having a first wall defining a first receptacle for electrical connection, a second wall defining a second receptacle including a latching feature, and at least one electrical connection extending from the first receptacle to the second receptacle;
- b) a coupler having a tubular portion having an interior wall defining a central passage, a first arm extending from the tubular portion latched to the latching feature in the base;
- and at least a second arm having a coupling face, the second arm extending radially relative to the tubular portion;
- c) an adapter having a thermally conductive tubular portion with an axial dimension, an exterior wall, an interior wall defining an internal passage, and a heat dissipating portion extending exteriorly away from the tubular portion, the heat dissipating portion having a wall defining a coupling passage, sized and shaped to permit the passage of at least a portion of the first arm of the coupler through the coupling passage, the coupler being positioned around the adapter and the first arm of the coupler extending through the coupling passage, and latched with the base in the second receptacle;
- thereby trapping the heat dissipating portion between the coupler and the base;
- and
- d) an electric lamp supported by the adapter, the electric lamp having at least one electrical connection extending through the adapter, and through the coupler to connect with the electrical connection.
4 more elements
A replaceable vehicle lamp assemble comprising:
- a) a base having a first wall defining a first receptacle for electrical connection, a second wall defining a second receptacle including a latching feature, and at least one electrical connection extending from the first receptacle to the second receptacle;
- b) a coupler having a tubular portion having an interior wall defining a central passage, a first latching feature formed to cooperatively couple to the latching feature of the base;
- and a second latching feature formed to detachably couple with a housing or reflector;
- c) an adapter having a tubular portion with an axial dimension, an exterior wall, and an interior wall defining an internal passage;
- the adapter having a flange portion extending radially from the tubular portion, the tubular portion and flange being formed from a material with a high heat conductivity, and the tubular portion and the flange portion being in substantial thermal conductive contact one to the other;
- the flange portion having a wall defining a coupling passage, sized and shaped to permit the mechanical connection between the latching feature of the base and the first latching feature of the coupler;
- the coupler being positioned around the adapter and the latching feature of the base latched to first latching feature of the coupler thereby trapping the flange between the coupler and the base;
- d) a compressible seal being positioned between the base and the flange;
- and
- e) an electric lamp supported by the adapter, having at least one electrical connection extending through the internal passage of the adapter, and the internal passage of the coupler to connect with the electrical connection in the second receptacle;
- the adapter and the lamp mounted one to another, the adapter and the lamp include corresponding, adjacent and conforming surfaces enabling coupling between the adapter and the lamp while providing substantial thermal conduction there between, and the coupler and the adjacent lamp surface are respectively formed from materials with high heat conductivities thereby providing a heat conductive path from the lamp to the flange;
- and
- f) the lamp includes a lamp body with one or more LEDs mounted on the lamp body to conduct heat from the one or more LEDs during operation to the lamp body.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.