Light for vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A light assembly for vehicles, comprising:
- a vehicle component configured to form a portion of a motor vehicle;
an outer member defining opposed inner and outer surfaces, the outer member comprising a sheet of material having a first area that transmits at least a substantial portion of light incident on the sheet through the sheet, and a second area that transmits substantially less light relative to the first area, such that the first and second areas together define a predetermined pattern;
a light guide disposed adjacent the inner surface of the outer member, the light guide defining a light-receiving portion, wherein the light guide is made of a light-transmitting material that internally reflects a substantial portion of light introduced into the light guide at the light-receiving portion;
a light source mechanically connected to the light guide adjacent the light-receiving portion, the light source including an electrically conductive circuit and at least one LED connected to the circuit, the light source further including a thermoplastic polymer body encapsulating the one LED and at least a substantial portion of the circuit;
a base member fixed to the outer member to define therewith a watertight cavity, and wherein the light guide and the light source are disposed within the watertight cavity.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light for motor vehicles and the like includes one or more LEDs that are embedded in a polymer material. The light may be positioned on an exposed surface of the vehicle, and the encapsulation of the LEDs and other electrical components provides a waterproof assembly that is substantially impervious to ambient conditions. The light may include a light source and a light guide that are disposed in a watertight housing.
-
Citations
46 Claims
-
1. A light assembly for vehicles, comprising:
-
a vehicle component configured to form a portion of a motor vehicle; an outer member defining opposed inner and outer surfaces, the outer member comprising a sheet of material having a first area that transmits at least a substantial portion of light incident on the sheet through the sheet, and a second area that transmits substantially less light relative to the first area, such that the first and second areas together define a predetermined pattern; a light guide disposed adjacent the inner surface of the outer member, the light guide defining a light-receiving portion, wherein the light guide is made of a light-transmitting material that internally reflects a substantial portion of light introduced into the light guide at the light-receiving portion; a light source mechanically connected to the light guide adjacent the light-receiving portion, the light source including an electrically conductive circuit and at least one LED connected to the circuit, the light source further including a thermoplastic polymer body encapsulating the one LED and at least a substantial portion of the circuit; a base member fixed to the outer member to define therewith a watertight cavity, and wherein the light guide and the light source are disposed within the watertight cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method of fabricating a lighting device, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing an electrically-powered light source having a first connector; providing a sheet of light-transmitting material having generally smooth opposite side surfaces that internally reflect light introduced into the sheet; cutting the sheet to form a light guide having a peripheral edge and including a second connector; and
;engaging the first and second connectors to connect the light source to the light guide. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
-
41. A light assembly, comprising:
-
an electrically conductive circuit; a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit; a light-transmitting thermoplastic polymer body encapsulating the LEDs and at least a portion of the circuit and defining inner and outer side faces, wherein the polymer body includes smooth surface portions configured to internally reflect light from the LEDs, and irregular surface portions that disperse light from the LEDs such that the light from the LEDs escapes from the polymer body; a layer of substantially opaque material disposed on the outer side face of the polymer body and covering selected portions of the outer side face and substantially blocking escape of light from the polymer body at the selected portions, the layer of substantially opaque material defining open areas on the outer side face of the polymer body, wherein the open areas are illuminated by light from the LEDs and form a lighted pattern. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
-
Specification