Lighting device incorporating plasma lamp for vehicles

1. A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising:

a housing; and

first and second light sources provided in the housing,

wherein the second light source comprises a plasma lamp filled with gas containing charged particles,

wherein the plasma lamp comprises first and second electrodes, and

wherein the second electrode is substantially annular and spaced from the first electrode, and the first electrode is positioned substantially centrally of the second electrode so that streamers from the plasma lamp bridge the spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting device is one of a head light assembly, a tail light assembly, a shifter knob, a shift indicator, or a control light for a vehicle.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plasma lamp comprises an enclosure, and at least the first electrode is in the enclosure.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the first light source providing a primary illumination and the second light source providing the streamers for different light effect.

5. A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising:

a housing; and

first and second light sources provided in the housing,

wherein the second light source comprises a plasma lamp filled with gas containing charged particles,

wherein the housing includes a light transmitting member through which the light from the first and second light sources transmits,

wherein the plasma lamp comprises first and second electrodes positioned in the housing,

wherein the plasma lamp has a central portion extending toward the light transmitting member and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, and

wherein the first electrode is positioned in the central portion and the second electrode is coaxially positioned at an end of the outer portion positioned farther away from the light transmitting member so that the streamers travel through the central portion toward the light transmitting member and arc back to the end of the outer portion surrounding the central portion.

6. The lighting device according to claim 5 , wherein the first light source comprises a plurality of LEDs positioned around the central portion.

7. The lighting device according to claim 5 , further including a reflector spaced from the first light source and facing toward the light transmitting member, wherein the first light source is aimed toward the reflector so that the light from the first source is reflected toward the light transmitting member.

8. A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising;

a housing; and

first and second light sources provided in the housing,

wherein the second light source comprises a plasma lamp filled with gas containing charged particles,

wherein the housing includes a light transmitting member through which the light from the first and second light sources transmits,

wherein the plasma lamp comprises first and second electrodes,

wherein the second electrode is composed of at least one of wires integrated into the light transmitting member or an electrically conductive coating on the light transmitting member so that the streamers travel from the first electrode to the light transmitting member.

9. The lighting device according to claim 8 , wherein the first light source comprises a plurality of LEDs positioned around the first electrode.

10. The lighting device according to claim 8 , wherein the light transmitting member is located adjacent to the surface of a panel so that touching the the light transmitting member changes electro-magnetic field characteristics of the plasma lamp to alter streamers in the plasma lamp.

11. The lighting device according to claim 10 , wherein the lighting device is a shifter knob, and the light transmitting member is located adjacent to the surface of the knob so that touching the knob changes electro-magnetic field characteristics of the plasma lamp to alter streamers in the plasma lamp.

12. A lighting device for a vehicle, comprising:

a housing;

first and second light sources provided in the housing, wherein the second light source comprises a plasma lamp comprising a first electrode, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, and gas containing charged particles;

a sensor for detecting a predetermined condition; and

a control unit for controlling lighting effect of the plasma lamp based on an output of the sensor,

wherein the control unit in one mode charges the first electrode to disperse the streamers and in another mode charges the first electrode and grounds the second electrode to generate more focused streamers.

13. The lighting device according to claim 12 , wherein the control unit charges the first electrode and grounds the second electrode when the sensor detects the predetermined condition.

14. The lighting device according to claim 12 , wherein the plasma lamp includes an enclosure and the second electrode is formed outside the enclosure, formed on the enclosure, or embedded in the enclosure.

15. The lighting device according to claim 12 , wherein the control unit charges the first electrode and grounds the second electrode when the sensor does not detect the predetermined operating condition.

16. The lighting device according to claim 12 , wherein the plasma lamp includes an enclosure and a third electrode formed on the enclosure or embedded in the enclosure, and the control unit in yet another mode charges the first electrode and grounds the third electrode to generate more focused streamers.

17. The lighting device according to claim 16 , wherein the predetermined operating condition is a brake engagement.

18. The lighting device according to claim 12 , further including a third electrode spaced from the first electrode, the control unit in yet another mode charges the third electrode and grounds the second electrode to generate more focused streamers.

19. The lighting device according to claim 12 , wherein the plasma lamp has additional electrodes disposed at different locations along the enclosure, and the control unit charges a selected sequence of additional electrodes and grounds the second electrode based on the sensor detecting a predetermined condition of a vehicle.