Vehicle mini lamp

• US 20050207176A1
• Filed: 03/10/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Truck-Lite Company LLC (Truck-Lite Holdings 2 Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Truck-Lite Company Incorporated (Truck-Lite)
• Inventors: Wagner, Adam, Johnson, Gary, Ehrlich, Rodney, Schwab, Kurt L., DiPenti, Timothy A., Bartkowski, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,658,524 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0088 Details of electrical connections B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2623 Details of the fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/04 Provision of filling media
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

The present invention is a small vehicle lamp comprised of: a generally cylindrically-shaped housing with an axial bore therethrough and forming a top opening and a bottom opening; a lens disposed on the top surface of the housing; a circuit board within the axial bore of the housing; at least one LED mounted on and electrically connected to the circuit board; a resistor disposed on the circuit board; a first cable wire and a second cable wire passing through the bottom opening of the housing and in electrical contact with the circuit board; and an potting compound disposed within the housing bore, in which the epoxy covers the resistor and circuit board and at least partially covers the LED and the cable wires. The lamp is configured such that it has a low profile and can be part of a system in which a plurality of the lamps are used on a vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, comprising:

a generally cylindrically-shaped housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and with an axial bore therethrough, said axial bore forming a top opening and a bottom opening;

a lens disposed on said top surface of said housing;

a circuit board disposed within said axial bore of said housing, said circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface, and electrical circuitry disposed thereon;

at least one LED mounted on and electrically connected to said circuit board, forming a first electrical connection;

a resistor disposed on and in electrical contact with said circuit board, forming a second electrical connection;

a cable containing a first cable wire and a second cable wire, said cable passing through said bottom opening of said housing, and said first cable wire and said second cable wire in electrical contact with said circuit board, forming a third electrical connection and a fourth electrical connection; and

a potting compound disposed within said axial bore of said housing, wherein said potting compound covers said first electrical connection, said second electrical connection, said third electrical connection, and said fourth electrical connection.

2. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said lens is red, emitting a generally red light from said vehicle lamp, or wherein said lens is yellow-amber, emitting a generally yellow-amber light from said vehicle lamp, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits red light, emitting red light from said vehicle lamp, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits yellow-amber light, emitting yellow-amber light from said vehicle lamp.

3. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said inner surface of said housing is tapered or further comprised of a ledge, said tapered inner surface or said ledge of said housing being adapted to receive and support said circuit board.

4. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said lens is securely connected to said housing by a mechanism selected from a group comprised of high frequency welding, hot gas welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, vibrational welding, an adhesive, a snap-fit, threaded engagement, and using a fastener, said fastener selected from a group comprised of a snap-ring, at least one rivet, and at least one screw.

5. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said housing is made of a material selected from a group comprised of polycarbonate plastic and acrylic, and wherein said lens is made of a material selected from a group comprised of polycarbonate plastic, acrylic, and glass.

6. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is comprised of a plurality of copper traces acting as said electrical circuitry.

7. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is further comprised of a plurality of throughholes, each of said plurality of throughholes being plated with an electrically conductive material to allow electrical continuity between said top surface and said bottom surface, wherein said electrically conductive material is selected from a group comprised of a solder.

8. The vehicle lamp of claim 7, wherein said at least one LED is further comprised of a plurality of leads, each of said plurality of throughholes of said circuit board adapted to receive one of said plurality of leads of said at least one LED and allow said at least one LED to be electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board.

9. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said at least one LED is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board.

10. The vehicle lamp of claim 9, wherein said at least one LED is further comprised of a plurality of leads, each of said plurality of leads electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board and creating a space between said at least one LED and said circuit board.

11. The vehicle lamp of claim 10, wherein said resistor is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board and disposed in said space between said at least one LED and said circuit board.

12. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said resistor is electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board.

13. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said resistor is a 0.5 Watt surface mount resistor.

14. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said at least one LED, said resistor, said first cable wire, and said second cable wire are electrically connected to said circuit board via soldering, clinching, or an adhesive.

15. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said vehicle lamp is further comprised of a cable seal, said cable seal disposed substantially around said first cable wire and said cable wire within said housing and creating a sealed chamber within said housing, said cable seal being made of a material selected from a group comprised of silicone, PVC and Teflon.

16. The vehicle lamp of claim 15, wherein said potting compound is further disposed within said sealed chamber, encapsulating said resistor, said circuit board, at least part of said first cable wire and said second cable wire at said third electrical connection and said fourth electrical connection, respectively, and at least partially encapsulates said at least one LED.

17. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said vehicle lamp is mounted to a mounting structure, said mounting structure comprised of a top surface and at least one aperture adapted to receive said vehicle lamp, wherein said mounting structure is made of a material selected from a group comprising aluminum, A36 steel, plastic, wood, and fiberglass.

18. The vehicle lamp of claim 17, wherein said vehicle lamp is further comprised of a flange disposed substantially around said housing, said flange adapted to permanently or non-permanently secure said vehicle lamp to said mounting structure, said flange made of a material selected from a group comprised of nylon, a polycarbonate, a thermoplastic, and a PVC plastic.

19. The vehicle lamp of claim 18, wherein said lens is further comprised of a lip and said flange is comprised of a recess adapted to receive said lip of said lens and create a flush meeting therebetween.

20. The vehicle lamp of claim 18, wherein said flange is further comprised of a generally arcuate top surface and said lens is generally arcuate to form a generally flush surface with said mounting structure

21. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said vehicle lamp is adapted for use as a clearance lamp, a side marker lamp, or an identification lamp.

22. The vehicle lamp of claim 17, wherein said vehicle lamp is one of a plurality of vehicle lamps mounted to said mounting structure and interconnected to one light source via a splitter assembly, said splitter assembly comprised of a connector wire connected to a power source, said connector wire comprised of a third cable wire and a fourth cable wire, a splitter housing, a plurality of cables, each of said plurality of cables containing said first cable wire and said second cable wire, and a plurality of splices within said housing, wherein a first of said plurality of splices connects said third cable wire of said connector wire to said first cable wire of each of said plurality of cables and a second of said plurality of splices connects said fourth cable wire of said connector wire to said second cable wire of each of said plurality of said cables, such that each of said plurality of vehicle lamps operates parallel to one another.

23. A device comprising:

a generally cylindrically-shaped housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and with an axial bore therethrough, said axial bore forming a top opening and a bottom opening;

a lens disposed on said top surface of said housing;

a circuit board disposed within said axial bore of said housing, said circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface, and electrical circuitry disposed thereon;

at least one LED mounted on and electrically connected to said circuit board, forming a first electrical connection;

a resistor disposed on and in electrical contact with said circuit board, forming a second electrical connection;

a first cable wire and a second cable wire contained within a cable, said first cable wire and said second cable wire passing through said bottom opening of said housing and in electrical contact with said circuit board, forming a third electrical connection and a fourth electrical connection;

a flange disposed substantially around said housing and comprised of a recess adapted to receive said lens and create a flush meeting therebetween, said flange adapted to permanently or non-permanently secure said vehicle lamp to a mounting structure.

a cable seal, said cable seal disposed on said cable within said housing and creating a sealed chamber within said housing; and

a potting compound disposed within said sealed chamber within said housing, wherein said potting compound covers said first electrical connection, said second electrical connection, said third electrical connection and said fourth electrical connection.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein said lens is red, emitting a generally red light from said device, or wherein said lens is yellow-amber, emitting a generally yellow-amber light from said device, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits red light, emitting red light from said device, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits yellow-amber light, emitting yellow-amber light from said device.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein said inner surface of said housing is tapered or further comprised of a ledge, said tapered inner surface or said ledge of said housing being adapted to receive and support said circuit board.

26. The device of claim 23, wherein said lens is securely connected to said housing by a mechanism selected from a group comprised of high frequency welding, hot gas welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, vibrational welding, an adhesive, a snap-fit, threaded engagement, and using a fastener, said fastener selected from a group comprised of a snap-ring, at least one rivet, and at least one screw.

27. The device of claim 23, wherein said housing is made of a material selected from a group comprised of polycarbonate plastic and acrylic, said lens is made of a material selected from a group comprised of polycarbonate plastic, acrylic, and glass.

28. The device of claim 23, wherein said circuit board is comprised of a plurality of copper traces acting as said electrical circuitry.

29. The device of claim 23, wherein said circuit board is further comprised of a plurality of throughholes, each of said plurality of throughholes being plated with an electrically conductive material to allow electrical continuity between said top surface and said bottom surface.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein said at least one LED is further comprised of a plurality of leads, each of said plurality of throughholes of said circuit board adapted to receive one of said plurality of leads of said at least one LED and allow said at least one LED to be electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board.

31. The device of claim 23, wherein said at least one LED is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein said at least one LED is further comprised of a plurality of leads, each of said plurality of leads electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board and creating a space between said at least one LED and said circuit board, and wherein said resistor is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board and disposed in said space between said at least one LED and said circuit board.

33. The device of claim 23, wherein said resistor is electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board.

34. The device of claim 23, wherein said at least one LED, said resistor, said first cable wire, and said second cable wire are electrically connected to said circuit board via soldering, clinching, or an adhesive.

35. The device of claim 23, wherein said cable seal is made of a material selected from a group comprised of silicone, PVC and Teflon.

36. The device of claim 23, wherein said potting compound further encapsulates said resistor, said circuit board, at least a portion of said first cable wire and said second cable wire, and at least a portion of said at least one LED.

37. The device of claim 23, wherein said device is mounted to a mounting structure, said mounting structure comprised of a top surface and at least one aperture adapted to receive said vehicle lamp, said mounting structure being made of a material selected from a group comprising aluminum, A36 steel, plastic, wood, and fiberglass.

38. The device of claim 23, wherein said lens is further comprised of a lip and said flange is comprised of a recess adapted to receive said lip of said lens and create a flush meeting therebetween.

39. The device of claim 23, wherein said flange is further comprised of a generally arcuate top surface and said lens is generally arcuate to form a generally flush surface with said mounting structure

40. The device of claim 23, wherein said flange is made of a material selected from a group comprised of PVC plastic, nylon, a thermoplastic, and a polycarbonate.

41. The device of claim 23, wherein said vehicle lamp is adapted for use as a clearance lamp, a side marker lamp, or an identification lamp.

42. The device of claim 23, wherein said device is one of a plurality of devices mounted to said mounting structure and interconnected to one light source via a splitter assembly, said splitter assembly comprised of a connector wire connected to a power source via a two-position connector, said connector wire comprised of a third cable wire and a fourth cable wire, a splitter housing, a plurality of cables, each of said plurality of cables containing said first cable wire and said second cable wire, and a plurality of splices within said housing, wherein a first of said plurality of splices connects said third cable wire of said connector wire to said first cable wire of each of said plurality of cables and a second of said plurality of splices connects said fourth cable wire of said connector wire to said second cable wire of each of said plurality of said cables, such that each of said plurality of vehicle lamps operates parallel to one another.

43. A lamp comprising:

a generally cylindrically-shaped housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and with an axial bore therethrough, said axial bore forming a top opening and a bottom opening;

a lens disposed on said top surface of said housing;

a circuit board disposed within said axial bore of said housing, said circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface, electrical circuitry disposed thereon, a plurality of throughholes, each of said plurality of throughholes plated with an electrically conductive material to allow electrical continuity between said electrical circuitry on said top surface and said electrical circuitry on said bottom surface of said circuit board;

at least one LED mounted on and electrically connected to said circuit board, forming a first electrical connection;

a resistor disposed on and in electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board, forming a second electrical connection;

a first cable wire and a second cable wire disposed within a cable, said first cable wire and said second cable wire passing through said bottom opening of said housing, each passing through one of said throughholes of said circuit board and electrically connected to said top surface of circuit board and forming a third electrical connection and a fourth electrical connection;

a cable seal, said cable seal disposed on said cable within said housing and creating a sealed chamber within said housing; and

a potting compound disposed substantially throughout said sealed chamber within said housing, wherein said potting compound covers said resistor, said circuit board, said first electrical connection between said at least one LED and said circuit board, said first cable wire at said third electrical connection and said second cable wire at said fourth electrical connection, and at least partially covers said at least one LED.

44. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said lens is red, emitting a generally red light from said lamp, or wherein said lens is yellow-amber, emitting a generally yellow-amber light from said lamp, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits red light, emitting red light from said lamp, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits yellow-amber light, emitting yellow-amber light from said lamp.

45. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said inner surface of said housing is tapered or further comprised of a ledge, said tapered inner surface or said ledge of said housing being adapted to receive and support said circuit board.

46. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said lens is secured to said housing by a mechanism selected from a group comprised of high frequency welding, hot gas welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, vibrational welding, an adhesive, a snap-fit, threaded engagement, and using a fastener, said fastener selected from a group comprised of a snap-ring, at least one rivet, and at least one screw.

47. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said housing is made of a material selected from a group comprised of polycarbonate plastic and acrylic, and wherein said lens is made of a material selected from a group comprised of polycarbonate plastic, acrylic, and glass.

48. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said circuit board is comprised of a plurality of copper traces acting as said electrical circuitry.

49. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said resistor is a 0.5 Watt surface mount resistor.

50. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said at least one LED, said resistor, said first cable wire, and said second cable wire are electrically connected to said circuit board via soldering, clinching, or an adhesive.

51. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said cable seal is made of a material selected from a group comprised of silicone, PVC and Teflon.

52. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said lamp is mounted to a mounting structure, said mounting structure comprised of a top surface and at least one aperture adapted to receive said lamp, said mounting structure being made of a material selected from a group comprising aluminum, A36 steel, plastic, wood, and fiberglass.

53. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said lamp is further comprised of a flange disposed substantially around said housing, said flange adapted to permanently or non-permanently secure said lamp to said mounting structure and made of a material selected from a group comprised of nylon, PVC plastic, a polycarbonate, and a thermoplastic.

54. The lamp of claim 53, wherein said lens is further comprised of a lip and said flange is comprised of a recess adapted to receive said lip of said lens to create a substantially flush meeting therebetween.

55. The lamp of claim 53, wherein said flange is further comprised of a generally arcuate top surface and said lens is generally arcuate to form a generally flush surface with said mounting structure

56. The lamp of claim 43, wherein said lamp is adapted for use as a clearance lamp, a side marker lamp, or an identification lamp.

57. The lamp of claim 52, wherein said lamp is one of a plurality of lamps mounted to said mounting structure and interconnected to one light source via a splitter assembly, said splitter assembly comprised of a connector wire connected to a power source using a two-position connector, said connector wire comprised of a third cable wire and a fourth cable wire, a PVC plastic splitter housing, a plurality of cables, each of said plurality of cables containing said first cable wire and said second cable wire, and a plurality of splices within said housing, wherein a first of said plurality of splices connects said third cable wire of said connector wire to said first cable wire of each of said plurality of cables and a second of said plurality of splices connects said fourth cable wire of said connector wire to said second cable wire of each of said plurality of said cables, such that each of said plurality of vehicle lamps operates parallel to one another.

58. A lamp system comprising:

a plurality of vehicle lamps, each of said plurality of vehicle lamps comprised of;

a generally cylindrically-shaped housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and with an axial bore therethrough, said axial bore forming a top opening and a bottom opening;

a lens disposed on said top surface of said housing;

a circuit board disposed within said axial bore of said housing, said circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface, and electrical circuitry disposed thereon;

at least one LED mounted on and electrically connected to said circuit board, forming a first electrical connection;

a resistor disposed on and in electrical contact with said circuit board, forming a second electrical connection;

a cable seal creating a sealed chamber within said housing, said cable seal containing a first cable wire and a second cable wire, said cable seal, said first cable wire, and said second cable wire passing through said bottom opening of said housing, and said first cable wire and said second cable wire in electrical contact with said circuit board, forming a third electrical connection and a fourth electrical connection;

a potting compound disposed within said sealed chamber of said housing, wherein said potting compound covers said first electrical connection, said second electrical connection, said third electrical connection, and said fourth electrical connection; and

a flange disposed substantially around said housing and comprised of a recess adapted to receive said lens and create a flush meeting therebetween, said flange adapted to permanently or non-permanently secure said vehicle lamp to said mounting structure;

a mounting structure comprised of a top surface and a plurality of apertures, each of said plurality of apertures adapted to receive one of said plurality of vehicle lamps, wherein each of said plurality of vehicle lamps is mounted to said mounting structure; and

a splitter assembly, wherein each of said plurality of vehicle lamps is interconnected to a light source via said splitter assembly, said splitter assembly comprised of a connector wire connected to a power source, said connector wire comprised of a third cable wire and a fourth cable wire, a splitter housing, a plurality of cables, each of said plurality of cables containing said first cable wire and said second cable wire, and a plurality of splices within said housing, wherein a first of said plurality of splices connects said third cable wire of said connector wire to said first cable wire of each of said plurality of cables and a second of said plurality of splices connects said fourth cable wire of said connector wire to said second cable wire of each of said plurality of said cables, such that each of said plurality of vehicle lamps operates parallel to one another.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein said lens is red, emitting a generally red light from each of said plurality of vehicle lamps, or wherein said lens is yellow-amber, emitting a generally yellow-amber light from each of said plurality of vehicle lamps, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits red light, emitting red light from each of said plurality of vehicle lamps, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits yellow-amber light, emitting yellow-amber light from each of said plurality of vehicle lamps.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein said inner surface of said housing is tapered or further comprised of a ledge, said tapered inner surface or said ledge of said housing adapted to receive and support said circuit board.

61. The system of claim 58, wherein said lens is securely connected to said housing by a mechanism selected from a group comprised of high frequency welding, hot gas welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, vibrational welding, an adhesive, a snap-fit, threaded engagement, and using a fastener, said fastener selected from a group comprised of a snap-ring, at least one rivet, and at least one screw.

62. The system of claim 58, wherein said housing is made of a material selected from a group comprised of polycarbonate plastic and acrylic, and wherein said lens is made of a material selected from a group comprised of polycarbonate plastic, acrylic, and glass.

63. The system of claim 58, wherein said electrical circuitry is comprised of a plurality of copper traces, and wherein said circuit board is further comprised of a plurality of throughholes, each of said plurality of throughholes being plated with an electrically conductive material to allow electrical continuity between said electrical circuitry on said top surface and said electrical circuitry on said bottom surface.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein said at least one LED is further comprised of a plurality of leads, each of said plurality of throughholes of said circuit board adapted to receive one of said plurality of leads of said at least one LED and allow said at least one LED to be electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board, wherein said at least one LED is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board, or wherein each of said plurality of leads is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board, creating a space between said at least one LED and said circuit board.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein said resistor is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board and disposed in said space between said at least one LED and said circuit board.

66. The system of claim 58, wherein said resistor is electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board.

67. The system of claim 58, wherein said resistor is a 0.5 Watt surface mount resistor.

68. The system of claim 58, wherein said at least one LED, said resistor, said first cable wire, and said second cable wire are electrically connected to said circuit board via soldering, clinching, or an adhesive.

69. The system of claim 58, wherein said cable seal is made of a material selected from a group comprised of silicone, PVC, and Teflon.

70. The system of claim 58, wherein said potting compound is further encapsulates said resistor and said circuit board, and at least partially encapsulates said at least one LED.

71. The system of claim 58, wherein said mounting structure is made of a material selected from a group comprising aluminum, A36 steel, plastic, wood, and fiberglass.

72. The system of claim 58, wherein said lens is further comprised of a lip and said flange is comprised of a recess adapted to receive said lip of said lens and create a flush meeting therebetween.

73. The system of claim 58, wherein said flange is further comprised of a generally arcuate top surface and said lens is generally arcuate to form a generally flush surface with said mounting structure

74. The system of claim 58, wherein said flange is made of a material selected from a group comprised of nylon, polycarbonate, PVC plastic, and a thermoplastic.

75. The system of claim 58, wherein each of said plurality of vehicle lamps is adapted for use as a clearance lamp, a side marker lamp, or an identification lamp.

76. The system of claim 58, wherein said connector wire is further comprised of a two-position connector.

77. The system of claim 58, wherein said splitter housing is made of a PVC plastic.

78. A method for assembling a vehicle mini lamp comprising the steps of:

affixing a plurality of electrical components to a circuit board, said circuit board having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said circuit board is comprised of a plurality of traces disposed on said top surface and said bottom surface, and said electrical components are selected from a group of components comprised of a resistor, a plurality of cable wires, and at least one LED, each of said electrical components electrically interconnected via said traces;

positioning said electrical components and said circuit board within a housing, wherein said housing is comprised of an inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and an axial bore therethrough, said axial bore forming a top opening and a bottom opening;

applying a potting compound within said axial bore of said housing, wherein said potting compound fully encases said resistor, at least a portion of said cable wires, said circuit board, and at least a portion of said at least one LED, such that a dome of said at least one LED is not encased by said potting compound;

allowing said potting compound to cure; and

affixing a lens to said housing.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein said lens is red, emitting a generally red light from said vehicle mini lamp, or wherein said lens is yellow-amber, emitting a generally yellow-amber light from said vehicle mini lamp, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits red light, emitting red light from said vehicle mini lamp, or wherein said lens is clear and said at least one LED emits yellow-amber light, emitting yellow-amber light from said vehicle mini lamp.

80. The method of claim 78, wherein said inner surface of said housing is tapered or further comprised of a ledge, said tapered inner surface or said ledge of said housing being adapted to receive and support said circuit board.

81. The method of claim 78, wherein said lens is securely connected to said housing by a method selected from a group comprised of high frequency welding, hot gas welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, vibrational welding, an adhesive, a snap-fit, threaded engagement, and using a fastener, said fastener selected from a group comprised of a snap-ring, at least one rivet, and at least one screw.

82. The method of claim 78, wherein said circuit board is further comprised of a plurality of throughholes, each of said plurality of throughholes being plated with an electrically conductive material to allow electrical continuity between said electrical circuitry on said top surface and said electrical circuitry on said bottom surface.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein said at least one LED is further comprised of a plurality of leads, each of said plurality of throughholes of said circuit board adapted to receive one of said plurality of leads of said at least one LED and allow said at least one LED to be electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board, but positioned above said top surface of said circuit board.

84. The method of claim 78, wherein said at least one LED is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board.

85. The method of claim 78, wherein said at least one LED is further comprised of a plurality of leads, each of said plurality of leads electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board and creating a space between said at least one LED and said circuit board, and wherein said resistor is electrically connected to said top surface of said circuit board and disposed in said space between said at least one LED and said circuit board.

86. The method of claim 78, wherein said resistor is electrically connected to said bottom surface of said circuit board.

87. The method of claim 78, wherein said affixing step is selected from a group comprised of soldering, clinching, or an adhesive.

88. The method of claim 78, wherein said vehicle mini lamp is further comprised of a cable seal, said cable seal disposed on said first cable wire and said cable wire within said housing and creating a sealed chamber within said housing.

89. The method of claim 78, wherein said vehicle lamp is one of a plurality of vehicle mini lamps mounted to a mounting structure and interconnected to one light source via a splitter assembly, said splitter assembly comprised of a connector wire connected to a power source, said connector wire comprised of a third cable wire and a fourth cable wire, a splitter housing, a plurality of cables, each of said plurality of cables containing said first cable wire and said second cable wire, and a plurality of splices within said housing, wherein a first of said plurality of splices connects said third cable wire of said connector wire to said first cable wire of each of said plurality of cables and a second of said plurality of splices connects said fourth cable wire of said connector wire to said second cable wire of each of said plurality of said cables, such that each of said plurality of vehicle lamps operates parallel to one another.