Two circuit led light bulb

• US 20050265039A1
• Filed: 05/25/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LEDtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LEDtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Lodhie, Pervaiz, Becerra, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,040,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/541
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/60 on stacked substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An improved LED light bulb for use in a brake light bulb socket of an automobile or similar vehicle wherein selected numbers of LED are energized at full intensity depending upon whether the automobile is in the brake light mode or the tail light mode. The light emitting diode lamp includes first and second printed circuit boards having first and second pluralities of light emitting diodes mounted thereupon for emitting monochromatic light in response to power signals supplied from the automobile. All LED'"'"'s are on full intensity in the brake light mode and less than the full number of LED'"'"'s on the first and second printed circuit boards are on at full intensity for the tail light mode.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode lamp for use in vehicle, said vehicle having a brake light and tail light modes comprising:

a first printed circuit board having a first top surface and a first bottom surface;

a second printed circuit board having a second top surface and a second bottom surface;

a first plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on and generally normal to the first top surface and electrically coupled with the first printed circuit board;

a second plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on and generally parallel to the second top surface and electrically coupled with the second printed circuit board;

a body having a first end, a second end, and a body sidewall defining a cavity within the body, the body sidewall having two alignment pins extending therefrom;

a base having a plurality of contacts, the base being attached to the second end of the body; and

an electrical control means electrically connecting said contacts with the first and second printed circuit boards, said electrical control means causing all of said first and second plurality of light emitting diodes to be fully energized when said vehicle is in said brake light mode and causing selected ones of said first plurality of light emitting diodes and all of said second plurality of light emitting diodes to be fully energized when said vehicle is in said tail light mode.

2. The lamp of claim 1 wherein less than one-half of said first plurality of light emitting diodes are energized when said vehicle is in said tail light mode.

3. The lamp of claim 1 further including a support sleeve having a wiring conduit, a support tray for supporting said second printed circuit board and support stanchions, said support stanchions extending upwardly from the support tray to support said first printed circuit board above and generally parallel to said second printed circuit board.

4. The lamp of claim 1 wherein eighteen light emitting diodes are mounted on said first printed circuit board and six light emitting diodes are mounted on said second printed circuit board.

5. The lamp of claim 4 wherein three light emitting diodes mounted on said first printed circuit board and all six light emitting diodes on said second printed circuit board are energized in said tail light mode.

6. The lamp of claim 4 wherein all twenty four light emitting diodes are energized in said brake light mode.