Self-locating light source module
AssigneeFederal-Mogul Corporation
InventorJeffrey Simchak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-locating light source module for an automotive lamp assembly having a reflector and housing to which the module is mounted. The light source module includes a socket and a light source holder captively retained in an aperture of the socket. The light source holder can undergo limited movement relative to the socket along a plurality of axes, including a central axis of the socket. The light source holder and central passage in the reflector having complementary tapered surfaces with the holder being biased into engagement with the passage such that the tapered surfaces and permitted relative movement of the holder allow the light source to self-locate at the desired position within the reflector.
Claims15
A light source module for an automotive lamp assembly, comprising:
- a socket having an aperture located about a central axis of said socket;
- a light source holder captively retained in said socket and extending out of said socket through said aperture, said light source holder having a tapered external surface configured to engage a complementary feature of a reflector and being able to undergo limited movement relative to said socket along a plurality of axes, including said central axis of said socket;
- and
- a discrete biasing member that biases said light source holder in a direction along said central axis and away from said socket such that, when a positive force is applied to said light source holder against said biasing member, said positive force forces said light source holder at least partially into said socket.
A light source module for an automotive lamp assembly, comprising:
- a socket;
- a light source holder with a proximal end coupled to said socket and a distal end having an outer surface complementary to an inner surface of a reflector, wherein said light source holder is moveably coupled to said socket such that said light source holder is able to undergo limited movement relative to said socket;
- and
- a discrete biasing member connected between a portion of said socket and an overhanging portion of said light source holder, said biasing member acting between said portions of said socket and light source holder to bias said light source holder away from said socket;
- wherein said complementary surfaces of said light source holder and the reflector are configured for engagement with each other to position a light source at a desired location within the reflector.
A self-locating light source module for use in an automotive lamp assembly having a housing and a reflector that are substantially fixed in position relative to each other when mounted to a vehicle such that the light source module mounts to the housing and engages a passage of the reflector to thereby position a light source within the reflector, the light source module comprising:
- a socket having an inner cavity and an aperture located normal to a central axis thereof;
- terminals for conducting externally-supplied electrical power through said light source module to a light source;
- and
- a light source holder that receives the light source, said light source holder being captively retained in said socket and being moveably coupled to said socket such that said light source holder is able to undergo limited movement along a plurality of axes relative to said socket;
- said light source holder having an external surface portion wherein, when said light source module is mounted to the housing and then assembled to the reflector during installation, said external surface portion engages the reflector at the passage to position the light source at a desired location within the reflector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.