IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,613,018
Granted Patent B2
US 12,613,018 · App. 17/310,486 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Lighting device, in particular lighting device for a vehicle

Inventor: Dirk Wallhorn (Guetersloh, DE)
Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
F21S41/19F21S41/141F21S41/285
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,613,018
App. No.
17/310,486
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A Lighting device, in particular lighting device for a vehicle, is provided comprising at least one light source from which light is emitted during operation of the lighting device. A first flexible foil is also provided through which the light emanating from the at least one light source passes at least partially. The first foil influences the light passing through in such a way that directed light emerges from the first foil. The lighting device also comprising a second flexible foil into which the at least one light source is integrated or on which the at least one light source is arranged.

Claims (31)

1 . A lighting device for a headlamp in a motor vehicle, the lighting device comprising:

at least one light source from which light is emitted outwardly from the motor vehicle during operation of the lighting device;

a first flexible foil through which the light emanating from the at least one light source passes at least partially, the first flexible foil influencing the light passing through in such a way that directed light emerges from the first flexible foil, the first flexible foil having a first side facing the at least one light source and a second side opposite the first side, the directed light emerging from the second side of the first flexible foil;

a second flexible foil into which the at least one light source is integrated, the second flexible foil having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the second side of the second flexible foil facing the first side of the first flexible foil;

a flexible spacer positioned and located between the first flexible foil and the second flexible foil to provide a distance between the first flexible foil and the second flexible foil, wherein the flexible spacer comprises a frame that is separate from the first flexible foil and the second flexible foil, wherein the frame abuts the first side of the first flexible foil, and wherein the frame abuts the second side of the second flexible foil;

an aperture being defined by the frame of the flexible spacer and extending through the flexible spacer;

an adhesive arranged on the first side of the second foil to fasten the lighting device to a surface; and

a heat conducting paste arranged on the first side of the second foil for dissipating heat generated by the at least one light source, wherein the adhesive surrounds the heat conducting paste;

wherein the at least one light source extends into the aperture such that the aperture forms a gap at least partially surrounding the at least one light source; and

wherein the at least one light source is located entirely below the first flexible foil.

2 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source comprises two or more light sources each extending into the aperture, and wherein the aperture is a single aperture forming a gap at least partially surrounding the two or more light sources.

3 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is designed as a light-emitting diode.

4 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein contact elements for making electrical contact with the at least one light source are arranged on the second foil.

5 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the first foil and the second foil are arranged parallel to one another.

6 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame of the flexible spacer is connected to the first side of the first foil and to the second side of the second foil via watertight connections such that the lighting device is waterproof.

7 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the first foil influences the light passing therethrough in such a way that a light distribution is generated which corresponds to the application purpose of the lighting device.

8 . A lighting device for a headlamp in a motor vehicle, the lighting device comprising:

a plurality of light sources from which light is emitted outwardly from the motor vehicle during operation of the lighting device;

a first flexible foil through which the light emanating from the plurality of light sources passes at least partially, the first flexible foil influencing the light passing through in such a way that directed light emerges from the first flexible foil, the first flexible foil having a first side facing the plurality of light sources and a second side opposite the first side, the directed light emerging from the second side of the first flexible foil;

a second flexible foil into which the plurality of light sources are integrated, the second flexible foil having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the second side of the second flexible foil facing the first side of the first flexible foil;

a flexible spacer positioned and located between the first flexible foil and the second flexible foil to provide a distance between the first flexible foil and the second flexible foil, wherein the flexible spacer comprises a frame that is separate from the first flexible foil and the second flexible foil, wherein the frame abuts the first side of the first flexible foil, and wherein the frame abuts the second side of the second flexible foil;

a single aperture being defined by the frame of the flexible spacer and extending through the flexible spacer;

an adhesive arranged on the first side of the second foil to fasten the lighting device to a surface; and

a heat conducting paste arranged on the first side of the second foil for dissipating heat generated by the at least one light source, wherein the adhesive surrounds the heat conducting paste;

wherein the plurality of light sources each extend into the single aperture; and

wherein the plurality of light sources are located entirely below the first flexible foil.

9 . The lighting device according to claim 8 , wherein a gap is provided between the flexible spacer and each of the plurality of light sources.

10 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible spacer is made of silicone.

11 . The lighting device according to claim 8 , wherein the flexible spacer is made of silicone.

12 . The lighting device according to claim 4 , wherein the contact elements extend laterally from the second foil beyond the flexible spacer.

13 . The lighting device according to claim 8 , wherein contact elements for making electrical contact with the at least one light source are arranged on the second foil, and wherein the contact elements extend laterally from the second foil beyond the flexible spacer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WALLHORN, DIRK
To: HELLA GMBH & CO. KGAA
Reel/Frame 059212/0599 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220186899A1 · Jun 16, 2022
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