Lighting device of a motor vehicle

• US 8,608,358 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marelli Automotive Lighting Reutlingen (Germany) GmbH
• Original Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Schnerr, Michael, Blum, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): SEMBER, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US12/973,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20110149588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 362/545, 362/249.02, 362/249.05, 362/546, 362/547, 362/549, 362/373
• US Class Current: 362/547
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0094 Arrangement of electronic circuits separated from the light source, e.g. mounting of housings for starter circuits for discharge lamps arrangements being part of the light source holder F21V17/06, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/151 arranged in one or more lines
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/192 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/435 circulating the gas within a closed system
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/47 Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/48 with means for conducting heat from the inside to the outside of the lighting devices, e.g. with fins on the outer surface of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits

Abstract

A light module for a vehicle lighting device comprises a semiconductor light source mounted on a carrier element designed. on/including a first printed-circuit board. A control module is electrically connected to and structurally spaced from the light source and designed on/includes a second printed-circuit board and includes an electric circuit constructed upon the second board and a connection element adapted w be connected to a higher-level controller and/or vehicle power supply. The control module is an electronic component of the light source such that a cable does not connect the control module and light source to each other. A highly thermally conductive carrier module is arranged between the light source and control module and directly attached to the carrier element, second printed-circuit board, and electric circuit. An electrical connection is located on the carrier module between the fight source or carrier element and electric circuit or second printed-circuit board.

Claims

1. A light module (5, 6) for a lighting device (1) of a motor vehicle said light module (5, 6) comprising:

at least one semiconductor light source (17);

a carrier element (14) on which said light source (17) is mounted and that either of is designed on and includes a first printed-circuit board;

a control module (7) electrically connected to and structurally spaced from said light source (17), either of designed on and including a second printed-circuit board (15), and including an electric circuit constructed upon said second printed-circuit board (15) and a connection element (9) adapted to he connected to at least one of a higher-level controller and power supply of the motor vehicle, wherein said control module (7) is an electronic component of said light source (17) such that a cable does not connect said control module (7) and light source (17) to each other; and

a substantially highly thermally conductive carrier module (10) arranged between said light source (17) and control module (7), to which said carrier element (14), second printed-circuit board (15), electric circuit are directly attached, and on which at least one electrical connection (16) is located between either of said light source (17) and carrier element (14) and either of said. electric circuit and second printed-circuit board (15).

2. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light source (17) and control module (7) are arranged respectively on different sides of said carrier module (10).

3. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 2, wherein said light source (17) and control module (7) are arranged respectively on opposing sides of said carrier module (10).

4. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrical connection (16) includes a pressed grid (16) arranged on said carrier module (10).

5. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 4, wherein said, pressed grid (16) is coated with an insulating material.

6. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier module (10) includes passive cooling elements (12) for enlargement of at least a surface of said carrier module (10).

7. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 6, wherein said passive cooling elements (12) include at least one of cooling ribs (12) and cooling pens (12).

8. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light module (5, 6) includes active cooling media (13).

9. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 8, wherein said active cooling media (13) includes a fan (13).

10. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first printed-circuit board is a metal-core printed circuit board.

11. A light module (5, 6) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second printed-circuit (15) board is an “

FR4”

board (15).

12. A light device (1) of a motor vehicle comprising:

a light module including;

at least one semiconductor light source (17);

a carrier element (14) on which said light source (17) is mounted and that either of is designed on and includes a first printed-circuit board;

a control module (7) electrically connected to and structurally spaced from said light source (17), either of designed on and including a second printed- circuit board (15), and including an electric circuit constructed upon said second printed-circuit board (15) and a connection element (9) adapted to be connected to at least one of a higher-level controller and power supply of the motor vehicle, wherein said control module (7) is an electronic component of said light source (17) such that a cable does not connect said control module (7) and light source (17) to each other; and

a substantially highly thermally conductive carrier module (10) arranged between said light source (17) and control module (7), to which said carrier element (14), second printed-circuit board (15), and electric circuit are directly attached, and on which at least one electrical connection (16) is located between either of said light source (17) and carrier element (14) and either of said electric circuit and second printed-circuit board (15).

13. A lighting device (1) as set forth in claim 12, wherein said light source (17) and control module (7) are arranged respectively on different sides of said carrier module (10).

14. A lighting device (1) as set forth in claim 12, wherein said electrical connection (16) includes a pressed grid (16) arranged on said carrier module (10).

15. A lighting device (1) as set forth in claim 12, wherein said carrier module (10) includes passive cooling elements (12) for enlargement of at least a surface of said carrier module (10).

16. A lighting device (1) as set forth in claim 12, wherein said light module(5, 6) includes active cooling media (13).