Apparatus and method for providing a modular vehicle light device
AssigneeNorth American Lighting, Inc.
InventorsMatthew Andrew Lekson, Ben Wang, Dianna Lynn Stadtherr, Derek Scott Mallory, Jianzhong Jiao, Brian Curtis Wells
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Abstract
A modular automotive light device is provided. The light device may include multiple light emitting diodes (LED). Multiple light devices may be arranged in a desired manner comprising an automotive headlamp, for example. The light devices may be stacked on top of each other and/or positioned side by side to form the headlamp. Using multiple light devices provides a sufficient amount of radiated light rays in order to comply with regulations and standards for light output of light devices for use on the exterior of an automobile, for example.
Claims35
A stackable vehicle light device comprising:
- a stackable housing;
- a reflector coupled to the stackable housing, the reflector having a light emitting surface;
- and
- at least one light emitting semiconductor device positioned within the stackable housing, the at least one light emitting semiconductor device arranged to emit light rays off the light emitting surface of the reflector, wherein the at least one light emitting semiconductor device is a light emitting diode (LED);
- and
- at least one connector interconnected with the stackable housing, the at least one connector adapted to interconnect the stackable housing with at least one other stackable housing of another stackable vehicle light device
- wherein the at least one connector adapted to interconnect the stackable housing with the at least one other stackable housing of another stackable vehicle light device is a connector means selected from the group consisting of a fastener, a snapping mechanism, and an adhesive.
A modular vehicle light device comprising:
- a plurality of light modules stackably arranged in a configuration, the light modules having:
- a housing;
- a reflector coupled to the housing, the reflector having a light emitting surface;
- and
- at least one light emitting semiconductor device positioned within the housing, the at least one light emitting semiconductor device arranged to emit light rays off the light emitting surface of the reflector
- wherein the modular vehicle light device is a light device selected from the group consisting of as a tail lamp, a stop lamp, a license plate lamp, a headlamp, a fog lamp, an exterior courtesy lamp, and a turn signal lamp
- and wherein the configuration comprises the plurality of light modules stackably arranged in a matrix.
An automotive headlight comprising:
- a plurality of modular vehicle light devices being stackably arranged in a desired configuration, wherein each modular vehicle light device performs as a component of the automotive headlight so as to provide a lighting arrangement that supplies an ample amount of light,
- thereby providing a light output that meets regulations and standards set forth for exterior automotive lighting.
A method of providing a multi-function exterior vehicle light device comprising;
- stacking a plurality of light modules into a configuration, wherein each light module has:
- a housing;
- a reflector coupled to the housing, the reflector having a light emitting surface;
- and
- at least one light emitting semiconductor device positioned within the housing, the at least one light emitting semiconductor device arranged to emit light rays off the light emitting surface of the reflector;
- and
- providing independent control of the light modules of the configuration
- wherein stacking the plurality of light modules into the configuration comprises stacking the light modules into an automotive headlight configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.