IP Library Granted Patent US 8,608,358
Granted Patent B2
US 8,608,358 · App. 12/973,116 · Granted Dec 17, 2013

Lighting device of a motor vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,608,358
App. No.
12/973,116
Granted
Dec 17, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light module for a vehicle lighting device comprises a semiconductor light source mounted on a carrier element designed. on/including a first printed-circuit board. A control module is electrically connected to and structurally spaced from the light source and designed on/includes a second printed-circuit board and includes an electric circuit constructed upon the second board and a connection element adapted w be connected to a higher-level controller and/or vehicle power supply. The control module is an electronic component of the light source such that a cable does not connect the control module and light source to each other. A highly thermally conductive carrier module is arranged between the light source and control module and directly attached to the carrier element, second printed-circuit board, and electric circuit. An electrical connection is located on the carrier module between the fight source or carrier element and electric circuit or second printed-circuit board.

Claims (25)

1. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) for a lighting device ( 1 ) of a motor vehicle said light module ( 5 , 6 ) comprising:

at least one semiconductor light source ( 17 );

a carrier element ( 14 ) on which said light source ( 17 ) is mounted and that either of is designed on and includes a first printed-circuit board;

a control module ( 7 ) electrically connected to and structurally spaced from said light source ( 17 ), either of designed on and including a second printed-circuit board ( 15 ), and including an electric circuit constructed upon said second printed-circuit board ( 15 ) and a connection element ( 9 ) adapted to he connected to at least one of a higher-level controller and power supply of the motor vehicle, wherein said control module ( 7 ) is an electronic component of said light source ( 17 ) such that a cable does not connect said control module ( 7 ) and light source ( 17 ) to each other; and

a substantially highly thermally conductive carrier module ( 10 ) arranged between said light source ( 17 ) and control module ( 7 ), to which said carrier element ( 14 ), second printed-circuit board ( 15 ), electric circuit are directly attached, and on which at least one electrical connection ( 16 ) is located between either of said light source ( 17 ) and carrier element ( 14 ) and either of said. electric circuit and second printed-circuit board ( 15 ).

2. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said light source ( 17 ) and control module ( 7 ) are arranged respectively on different sides of said carrier module ( 10 ).

3. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said light source ( 17 ) and control module ( 7 ) are arranged respectively on opposing sides of said carrier module ( 10 ).

4. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said electrical connection ( 16 ) includes a pressed grid ( 16 ) arranged on said carrier module ( 10 ).

5. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said, pressed grid ( 16 ) is coated with an insulating material.

6. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said carrier module ( 10 ) includes passive cooling elements ( 12 ) for enlargement of at least a surface of said carrier module ( 10 ).

7. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said passive cooling elements ( 12 ) include at least one of cooling ribs ( 12 ) and cooling pens ( 12 ).

8. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said light module ( 5 , 6 ) includes active cooling media ( 13 ).

9. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 8 , wherein said active cooling media ( 13 ) includes a fan ( 13 ).

10. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first printed-circuit board is a metal-core printed circuit board.

11. A light module ( 5 , 6 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said second printed-circuit ( 15 ) board is an “FR4” board ( 15 ).

12. A light device ( 1 ) of a motor vehicle comprising:

a light module including:

at least one semiconductor light source ( 17 );

a carrier element ( 14 ) on which said light source ( 17 ) is mounted and that either of is designed on and includes a first printed-circuit board;

a control module ( 7 ) electrically connected to and structurally spaced from said light source ( 17 ), either of designed on and including a second printed- circuit board ( 15 ), and including an electric circuit constructed upon said second printed-circuit board ( 15 ) and a connection element ( 9 ) adapted to be connected to at least one of a higher-level controller and power supply of the motor vehicle, wherein said control module ( 7 ) is an electronic component of said light source ( 17 ) such that a cable does not connect said control module ( 7 ) and light source ( 17 ) to each other; and

a substantially highly thermally conductive carrier module ( 10 ) arranged between said light source ( 17 ) and control module ( 7 ), to which said carrier element ( 14 ), second printed-circuit board ( 15 ), and electric circuit are directly attached, and on which at least one electrical connection ( 16 ) is located between either of said light source ( 17 ) and carrier element ( 14 ) and either of said electric circuit and second printed-circuit board ( 15 ).

13. A lighting device ( 1 ) as set forth in claim 12 , wherein said light source ( 17 ) and control module ( 7 ) are arranged respectively on different sides of said carrier module ( 10 ).

14. A lighting device ( 1 ) as set forth in claim 12 , wherein said electrical connection ( 16 ) includes a pressed grid ( 16 ) arranged on said carrier module ( 10 ).

15. A lighting device ( 1 ) as set forth in claim 12 , wherein said carrier module ( 10 ) includes passive cooling elements ( 12 ) for enlargement of at least a surface of said carrier module ( 10 ).

16. A lighting device ( 1 ) as set forth in claim 12 , wherein said light module( 5 , 6 ) includes active cooling media ( 13 ).

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 12, 2022
From: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
To: MARELLI AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN (GERMANY) GMBH
Reel/Frame 059684/0522 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2011
From: SCHNERR, MICHAEL; BLUM, DIRK
To: AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REUTLINGEN GMBH
Reel/Frame 025778/0222 →