# US 8,541,947 B2 · Lighting devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,541,947 B2 - Document ID: US8541947B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/529,116 - Filed: 2008-03-21 - Published: 2011-01-13 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-22 - Assignees: Johnson Controls Technology Company - Applicants: Thomas Scott Hodgson; Kathleen M. Pacheco; Steven M. Spoerre; Randy L. Arendsen; Art Vonderwell; Bryan T. Jones; Mark J. Bussis; Rodney J. Tindall; Theron J. Hicks; Chad Wernicke; Bryan Thieme - Inventors: Thomas Scott Hodgson; Kathleen M. Pacheco; Steven M. Spoerre; Randy L. Arendsen; Art Vonderwell; Bryan T. Jones; Mark J. Bussis; Rodney J. Tindall; Theron J. Hicks; Chad Wernicke; Bryan Thieme - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8541947B2 ## CPC - B60Q 3/66: for distributing light among several lighting devices - B60Q 3/14: lighting through the surface to be illuminated - B60Q 3/208: Sun roofs; Windows - B60Q 3/225: Small compartments, e.g. glove compartments - B60Q 3/74: for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps (general lighting mounted on specific fittings B60Q3/20; general lighting for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/43) - B60Q 3/80: Circuits; Control arrangements (for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47) - H05B 45/18: using temperature feedback - H05B 45/3725: Switched mode power supply [SMPS] - H05B 45/395: Linear regulators - H05B 47/19: via wireless transmission - H05B 47/198: {Grouping of control procedures or address assignation to light sources} - H05K 1/0284: {Details of three-dimensional rigid printed circuit boards (H05K1/119 takes precedence; shaping of the substrate H05K3/0014)} - H05K 1/148: {Arrangements of two or more hingeably connected rigid printed circuit boards, i.e. connected by flexible means} - B60Q 2500/30: Arrangements for illuminating different zones in the vehicle, e.g. front/rear, different seats - H05K 2201/0999: Circuit printed on or in housing, e.g. housing as PCB; Circuit printed on the case of a component; PCB affixed to housing - H05K 2201/10106: Light emitting diode [LED] - H05K 2201/10356: Cables - Y02B 20/30: Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED] - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract Lighting devices for a vehicle are disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: control circuitry connected to a first substrate; and a light emitting diode connected to a second substrate, wherein the control circuitry is configured to drive the light emitting diode, wherein the first substrate has a generally U-shape with a central opening, and the second substrate is provided within the central opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first substrate includes a printed circuit board. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism configured to permit movement of the second substrate relative to the first substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a flexible conductive interconnect that electrically connects the control circuitry to the light emitting diode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light emitting diode connected to the first substrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of light emitting diodes are connected to the second substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a housing for mounting the first substrate on an interior portion of the vehicle. ### Claim 8 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: control circuitry connected to a first portion of a first substrate; a light emitting diode connected to one of a second portion of the first substrate and a second substrate; and a flexible conductive interconnect that electrically connects the control circuitry to the light emitting diode, the flexible conductive interconnect having a first end coupled to the first substrate and a second end coupled to one of the second portion of the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein at least one of the first and second ends has a longitudinal axis that is configured generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the coupled substrate through an opening in the substrate, wherein the one of the second portion of the first substrate and the second substrate is configured to be moveable relative to the first portion of the first substrate, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to drive the light emitting diode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first portion of the first substrate includes a printed circuit board. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flexible conductive interconnect includes a third portion of the first substrate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flexible conductive interconnect is a component separate from the first substrate and the second substrate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a light emitting diode connected to the first portion of the first substrate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein a plurality of light emitting diodes are connected to the at least one of the second portion of the first substrate and the second substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one of the first and second ends includes an element that enters the opening at a first surface of the substrate and exits the opening at a second surface of the substrate, and wherein the element is coupled to the second surface. ### Claim 15 A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: a light emitting diode; control circuitry configured to drive the light emitting diode and connected to a first substrate; a flexible conductive interconnect that electrically connects the control circuitry to the light emitting diode; and a mechanical connector configured to provide an electrical connection between the flexible conductive interconnect and the light emitting diode, the mechanical connector being configured to extend through an opening in a second substrate supporting the light emitting diode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first substrate includes a printed circuit board. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the flexible conductive interconnect is connected to the first substrate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the mechanical connector engages the second substrate through a one-quarter turn connection. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a light emitting diode connected to the first substrate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The lighting device, as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a housing for mounting the first substrate on an interior portion of the vehicle.