LED light source with integrated circuit and light guide
View Patent ↗An elongated light source ( 50 ) comprises a subassembly ( 51 ) including a base ( 54 ), a light engine ( 10 ) positioned in mounting means ( 56 ) formed with the base; a light guide ( 58 ) positioned in spaced apart supports ( 57 ), and a cover ( 62 ) fixed to the base ( 54 ). The light engine ( 10 ) comprises a thermally conductive substrate ( 12 ) having a dielectric ( 14 ) on one side thereof; upper and lower lens guards, ( 16, 18 ), respectively, positioned near one end ( 20 ) of the substrate ( 12 ); at least one LED ( 22 ) mounted on the substrate between the lens guards ( 16, 18 ); and electrical conductors ( 24, 26 ) mounted upon the substrate at another end ( 28 ) thereof for supplying power to the LED ( 22 ).
1. A light engine comprising:
a thermally conductive substrate lying in a first plane and having a dielectric on one side thereof;
upper and lower lens guards extending in a second plane normal to said first plane positioned near one end of said substrate;
at least one LED mounted on said dielectric between said lens guards;
a pair of lateral extensions formed with said substrate and projecting therefrom in said first plane;
a pair of retention barbs associated with said pair of lateral extensions and extending in said first plane; and
electrical conductors mounted upon said dielectric at another end thereof for supplying power to said at least one LED.
2. The light engine of claim 1 wherein electrical components are operatively associated with at least one of said electrical conductors.
3. The light engine of claim 1 wherein a lens is positioned over said at least one LED.
4. The light engine of claim 3 wherein said lens is provided with mounting clips and said mounting clips engage slots formed in said substrate.
5. The light engine of claim 1 wherein a first of said lens guards is formed at said one end of said substrate and a second of said lens guards is formed intermediate said one end and a second end.
6. The light engine of claim 1 wherein said substrate extends along a first axis and said at least one LED emits light along a second axis substantially normal to said first axis.
7. An elongated CHMSL light source for an automotive vehicle comprising:
a subassembly including a base;
mounting means in the shape of a slot formed in said base;
a light engine including at least one LED positioned in said slot, said light engine including retention barbs that engaging sides of said slot;
a plurality of U-shaped supports positioned on said base; and
an elongated cylindrical light guide positioned in said plurality of U-shaped supports in a manner to receive light emitted from said at least one LED, and a cover fixed to said base.
8. The elongated CHMSL light source of claim 7 wherein said light engine comprises
a thermally conductive substrate lying in a first plane and having a dielectric on one side thereof;
upper and lower lens guards extending in a second plane normal to said first plane positioned near one end of said substrate;
a pair of retaining slots formed in said substrate intermediate said upper and lower lens guards;
a lens mounted over said at least one LED, said lens including mounting clips engaging said pair of retaining slots;
a pair of lateral extensions formed with said substrate and projecting therefrom in said first plane; and
electrical conductors mounted upon said dielectric at another end thereof for supplying power to said at least one LED.
9. The elongated CHMSL light source of claim 8 wherein said light guide comprises a transparent rod having a first end in light-receiving contact with said lens and a second end having a reflective coating thereon.