INTEGRATED LAMP CONTROL MODULES

1 . A lighting control module for a vehicle, comprising:

a housing defining a back surface that is configured to lie flat against an outer surface of an enclosure of a lighting assembly for coupling the lighting control module to the lighting assembly;

an internal connector coupled to the back surface and configured to deliver power to one or more light sources inside the enclosure of the lighting assembly; and

an external connector configured to attach to an external power source outside of the enclosure of the lighting assembly,

wherein the lighting control module is configured to supply power to the one or more light sources inside the enclosure of the lighting assembly using electrical current from the external power source.

2 . The lighting control module of claim 1 , wherein the external connector is disposed on a side of the housing perpendicular to the back surface.

3 . The lighting control module of claim 1 , wherein the external connector is disposed on a front side of the housing opposite the back surface.

4 . The lighting control module of claim 1 , wherein the external connector includes a receptacle for releasable connection to an external wiring harness.

5 . The lighting control module of claim 1 , wherein the internal connector is configured to releasably attach to a wiring harness inside the enclosure of the lighting assembly.

6 . The lighting control module of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines an internal space that is in fluid communication with the enclosure of the lighting assembly coupled thereto, and

wherein the lighting control module further includes a membrane of air permeable material arranged to allow pressure equalization between an interior of the enclosure of the lighting assembly and an ambient atmosphere.

7 . The lighting control module of claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes a cover having fins of a metal material for dissipating heat therefrom.

8 . The lighting control module of claim 1 , further including a cooling fan attached to an outside surface of the housing and arranged to blow air over the outside surface for dissipating heat therefrom.

9 . The lighting control module of claim 1 , further including a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in the housing,

wherein the PCB defines a passage, and

wherein the internal connector extends through the passage in the PCB.

10 . A lighting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

an enclosure;

one or more light sources disposed inside the enclosure; and

a lighting control module disposed on an outer surface of the enclosure,

wherein the lighting control module includes: an internal connector configured to deliver power to one or more light sources inside the enclosure, and an external connector configured to attach to an external power source outside of the enclosure of the lighting assembly.

11 . The lighting assembly of claim 10 , wherein the internal connector is configured to releasably attach to a wiring harness inside the enclosure of the lighting assembly.

12 . The lighting assembly of claim 10 , wherein the lighting control module further includes a heat spreader configured to dissipate heat, and

wherein the enclosure defines an air duct configured to direct airflow over the heat spreader of the lighting control module.

13 . The lighting assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:

an internal cooling block located inside the enclosure and configured to conduct heat from the one or more light sources, and wherein the internal cooling block is in thermal communication with the lighting control module to remove the heat from the enclosure.

14 . The lighting assembly of claim 13 , further comprising: one or more heat pipes configured to conduct the heat from the internal cooling block and to the lighting control module for removing the heat from the enclosure.

15 . The lighting assembly of claim 10 , wherein the lighting assembly is operable as a headlight assembly to perform at least one of a low-beam and a high-beam headlight function.

16 . A vehicle, comprising:

a lighting assembly including:

an enclosure;

one or more light sources disposed inside the enclosure; and

a lighting control module disposed on an outside surface of the enclosure, wherein the lighting control module includes: an internal connector configured to deliver power to one or more light sources inside the enclosure, and an external connector configured to attach to an external power source outside of the enclosure of the lighting assembly.

17 . The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the lighting assembly is disposed on a front face of the vehicle.

18 . The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the vehicle is arranged to channel airflow due to motion of the vehicle and across the lighting control module for cooling the lighting control module.

19 . The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the vehicle includes a hood and the vehicle is arranged to channel the airflow under the hood and across the lighting control module for cooling the lighting control module while the vehicle is in motion.

20 . The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the lighting control module further includes a heat spreader configured to dissipate heat, and

wherein the enclosure defines an air duct configured to direct airflow over the heat spreader of the lighting control module.