Method of replacing a conventional vehicle light bulb with a light-emitting diode array

• US 6,276,822 B1
• Filed: 01/28/1999
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ara Bedrosian, Yerchanik Bedrosian
• Original Assignee: Ara Bedrosian, Yerchanik Bedrosian
• Inventors: Bedrosian, Ara, Bedrosian, Yerchanik
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US09/239,196
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 362/226, 362/545, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/143 the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/153 arranged in a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/195 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A method is provided for replacing the incandescent bulb of a conventional vehicle warning assembly with a light-emitting diode (LED) array. The method includes the steps of removing the lens and conventional light bulb from the vehicle warning light assembly, accessing electrical leads and connecting them to an electrical connector of the LED array. The electrical connector of the LED array may be in the form of wires spliced to the electrical leads of the vehicle warning light assembly, or a bayonet connector which mates with a bayonet connector receiver of the warning light assembly. A license plate illuminating bulb may also be electrically connected to the warning light leads directly or indirectly through the electrical connection of the LED array.

Claims

1. A method for replacing a conventional vehicle light bulb with a light-emitting diode array, comprising the steps of:

removing a lens and the conventional light bulb from a vehicle warning light assembly;

providing a light-emitting diode array including a mounting member and an electrical connector connected to a circuit board having, in circuit, multiple light-emitting diodes, at least one resistor, and at least one diode;

accessing an electrical lead for the vehicle warning light assembly;

electrically connecting the light-emitting diode array to the electrical lead of the vehicle warning light assembly by splicing the electrical leads of the vehicle warning light assembly to wires of the electrical connector; and

securing the light-emitting diode array to the vehicle warning light assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, including the step of removing the vehicle warning light assembly from a vehicle before removing the light bulb.

3. The method of claim 1, including the step of electrically connecting a license plate illuminating bulb to the electrical leads of the vehicle warning light assembly.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing the light bulb includes drilling out the light bulb assembly mount.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the array to the vehicle warning light assembly includes attaching the mounting member to the vehicle warning light assembly with screws.

6. The method of claim 5, including the step of drilling holes into the vehicle warning assembly before the mounting member is attached to the vehicle warning light assembly.

7. The method of claim 1, including the step of replacing the lens over the vehicle warning light assembly.

8. The method of claim 5, including the step of replacing the lens over the tail light assembly.

9. A method for replacing a conventional vehicle light bulb of a taillight assembly with a light-emitting diode array, comprising the steps of:

removing a taillight lens and a conventional light bulb from the taillight assembly;

providing a light-emitting diode array including a license plate light light-emitting diode;

accessing electrical leads for the taillight assembly;

electrically connecting the electrical leads of the taillight assembly to corresponding electrical connector wires of the light-emitting diode array;

electrically connecting the license plate light bulb to the electrical leads of the taillight assembly; and

securing the light-emitting diode array to the taillight assembly.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the light-emitting diode array includes a mounting member and an electrical connector connected to a circuit board having, in circuit, multiple light-emitting diodes, at least one resistor, and at least one diode.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of securing the array to the taillight assembly includes attaching the mounting member to the taillight assembly with screws.

12. The method of claim 11, including the step of drilling holes into the taillight assembly before the mounting member is attached to the taillight assembly.

13. The method of claim 12, including the step of removing the taillight assembly from a vehicle before removing the light bulb.

14. A method for replacing a conventional vehicle light bulb with a light-emitting diode array, comprising the steps of:

providing a light-emitting diode array including a license plate light light-emitting diode;

accessing an electrical lead for the vehicle warning light assembly;

electrically connecting the light-emitting diode array to the electrical lead of the vehicle warning light assembly;

electrically connecting the license plate illuminating light-emitting diode to the electrical leads of the vehicle warning light assembly; and

securing the light-emitting diode array to the vehicle warning light assembly.

15. The method of claim 14, including the step of removing a lens and the conventional light bulb from a vehicle warning light assembly prior to the accessing step.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the light-emitting diode array includes a mounting member and an electrical connector connected to a circuit board having, in circuit, multiple light-emitting diodes, at least one resistor, and at least one diode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of electrically connecting the vehicle warning light assembly to the array includes splicing the electrical leads of the vehicle warning light assembly to wires of the electrical connector.

18. The method of claim 15, including the step of replacing the lens over the vehicle warning light assembly after the securing step.

19. A method for replacing a conventional vehicle light bulb with a light-emitting diode array, comprising the steps of:

removing a lens and the conventional light bulb from a vehicle warning light assembly;

providing a light-emitting diode array including a mounting member and an electrical connector connected to a circuit board having, in circuit, multiple light-emitting diodes, at least one resistor, and at least one diode;

electrically connecting the light-emitting diode array to the electrical lead of the vehicle warning light assembly by splicing the electrical leads of the vehicle warning light assembly to wires of the electrical connector;

electrically connecting a license plate illuminating light-emitting diode to the electrical leads of the vehicle warning light assembly; and

securing the light-emitting diode array to the vehicle warning light assembly.