Connecting device for vehicle-mounted light source device and light source device connected thereto

• US 20070249184A1
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BRM21 Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: BRM21 Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Hamada, Katsushige
• Granted Patent: US 7,926,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/51 for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor

Abstract

A connecting device is provided which allows easy replacement with a light source device having a light emitting diode serving as a light source at low cost and without changing a vehicle-side connection configuration and the shape of a socket for attaching a bulb-type lamp. There is also provided a light source device connected to the connecting device. A power source adapting connector has an external shape formed so as to conform to a socket for attaching conventional bulb-type lamps. The power source adapting connector includes: a connector housing which contains therein a female connector and has positive and negative electrodes on the exterior thereof; the female connector which is contained in the connector housing and is to be connected to a male connector of a light source unit; and an attaching/detaching plate which is attached to an open end portion (upper end portion) of the connector housing.

Claims

1. A connecting device for a vehicle-mounted lighting device, the connecting device connecting a light source device to a lighting-power supply unit in a vehicle, the connecting device comprising:

a connector housing having an external shape and electrodes which are formed so as to conform to a shape and an electrode configuration, respectively, of a connecting portion provided for connecting to the light source device in the lighting-power supply unit; and

a connector which is contained in the connector housing and has connection terminals for connection to the light source device, wherein

power from the lighting-power supply unit is supplied to the light source device via the connecting portion, the electrodes of the connector housing, and the connection terminals of the connector.

2. The connecting device for a vehicle-mounted lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion of the lighting-power supply unit has a shape and an electrode configuration which are designed to be connected to a bulb-type lamp serving as the light source device, and wherein the connector housing has the external shape and the electrodes which are formed so as to conform to the shape and the electrode configuration, respectively, of the connecting portion for connection to the bulb-type lamp.

3. The connecting device for a vehicle-mounted lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing is provided, in one end portion thereof, with an attaching/detaching member for attaching/detaching the connector housing.

4. The connecting device for a vehicle-mounted lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing is provided with a protrusion which is capable of being held for attachment and detachment.

5. A light source device which is to be connected to a lighting-power supply unit of a vehicle, the light source device comprising:

a substrate which has a light emitting diode mounted on a surface thereof and has a circuit pattern formed thereon for supplying power to the light emitting diode;

a connector having a first end connected to the circuit pattern and a second end connected to the lighting-power supply unit; and

a protection member disposed in a peripheral portion of the substrate and protruding above a surface of the substrate to protect at least the light emitting diode.

6. The light source device according to claim 5, wherein the protection member is disposed in a plurality of positions.

7. The light source device according to claim 5, wherein the protection member is disposed in at least three positions.

8. The light source device according to claim 5, comprising a support plate which is disposed on a rear surface of the substrate and on which the protection member is formed so as to protrude therefrom.

9. The light source device according to claim 5, comprising a support plate which is disposed on a rear surface of the substrate and on which the protection member is formed so as to protrude therefrom,

wherein a notch portion for avoiding interference with the protection member is formed in the substrate.

10. The light source device according to claim 5, comprising a connecting device disposed in the lighting-power supply unit,

the connecting device comprising:

a connector housing having an external shape and electrodes which are formed so as to conform to a shape and an electrode configuration, respectively, of a connecting portion provided for connecting to the light source device in the lighting-power supply unit; and

a second connector which is contained in the connector housing and is connected to the connector at the substrate side,

wherein power from the lighting-power supply unit is supplied to the substrate via the connecting device.

11. The light source device according to claim 5, comprising a connecting device disposed in the lighting-power supply unit,

the connecting device comprising:

a connector housing having an external shape and electrodes which are formed so as to conform to a shape and an electrode configuration, respectively, of a connecting portion provided for connecting a bulb-type lamp in the lighting-power supply unit; and

a second connector which is contained in the connector housing and is connected to the connector at the substrate side,

wherein power from the lighting-power supply unit is supplied to the substrate via the connecting device.

12. The light source device according to claim 5, comprising a connecting device disposed in the lighting-power supply unit,

the connecting device comprising:

a connector housing having an external shape and electrodes which are formed so as to conform to a shape and an electrode configuration, respectively, of a connecting portion provided for connecting the light source device in the lighting-power supply unit; and

a second connector which is contained in the connector housing and is connected to the connector at the substrate side,

wherein a protrusion which is capable of being held for attachment and detachment is provided in the connector housing, and

wherein power from the lighting-power supply unit is supplied to the substrate via the connecting device.

13. The light source device according to claim 5, comprising a connecting device disposed in the lighting-power supply unit,

the connecting device comprising:

a connector housing having an external shape and electrodes which are formed so as to conform to a shape and an electrode configuration, respectively, of a connecting portion provided for connecting the light source device in the lighting-power supply unit; and

a second connector which is contained in the connector housing and is connected to the connector of the light source device,

wherein the protection member is disposed in a plurality of positions in a periphery of the substrate, and

wherein power from the lighting-power supply unit is supplied to the substrate via the connecting device.

14. The light source device according to claim 5, comprising:

a support plate which is disposed on a rear surface of the substrate and on which the protection member is formed so as to protrude therefrom; and

a connecting device disposed in the lighting-power supply unit,

the connecting device comprising;

a connector housing having an external shape and electrodes which are formed so as to conform to a shape and an electrode configuration, respectively, of a connecting portion provided for connecting the light source device in the lighting-power supply unit; and

a second connector which is contained in the connector housing and is connected to the connector of the light source device,

wherein power from the lighting-power supply unit is supplied to the substrate via the connecting device.

15. The light source device according to claim 5, comprising:

a support plate which is disposed on a rear surface of the substrate and on which the protection member is formed so as to protrude therefrom; and

a connecting device disposed in the lighting-power supply unit,

the connecting device comprising;

a connector housing having an external shape and electrodes which are formed so as to conform to a shape and an electrode configuration, respectively, of a connecting portion provided for connecting a bulb-type lamp in the lighting-power supply unit; and

a second connector which is contained in the connector housing and is connected to the connector of the light source device,

wherein power from the lighting-power supply unit is supplied to the substrate via the connecting device.