Illuminating Device for Vehicles

• US 20100202151A1
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Original Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Inventors: Higgen, Juergen, Kaak, Oliver, Johannsmann, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,337,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/516
• 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: F21S 43/33 characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2103/00 Exterior vehicle lighting devices for signalling purposes

Abstract

The invention relates to an illuminating device for vehicles, in particular a tail light, with a housing containing at least one light source, a support accommodating the light source, and a reflector, and with a diffusion lens for covering an opening of the housing, characterized in that the reflector, which is provided with an electrically conductive coating, is assigned charge dissipation means in such a manner that, when electrostatic charging of the reflector occurs, a dissipation current flows to a connection to earth of the illuminating device.

Claims

1. An illuminating device for a vehicle, with a housing containing at least one light source, a support accommodating the light source and a reflector (8, 11), and with a diffusion lens for covering an opening of the housing, wherein the reflector (8, 11) is provided with an electrically conductive coating and is assigned charge dissipation means (12, 21, 25) in such a manner that, when electrostatic charging of the reflector (8, 11) occurs, a dissipation current flows to an earth connection (M) of the illuminating device.

2. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the charge dissipation means are a charge dissipation path (12, 21, 25) having a first end (15) electrically connected to a wall section (17) of the reflector (11) and a second end in electrical communication with an earth connection (M) of a carrier (1, 3) or a central plug connector arrangement of the illuminating device.

3. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the first end (15) of the charge dissipation path (21, 21, 25) is electrically and mechanically coupled to said wall section (17) of the reflector (8, 11) via a spring contact connector element (16) or a plug connector element (22).

4. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the charge dissipation path is an electric charge dissipator (12) which forms a pressed screen together with further electric conductors that is integrated in a support in the form of a lamp carrier (1) for at least one incandescent bulb 3.

5. The illuminating device according to claim 4, wherein the spring contact connector element (16) comprises a U-shaped section (18) for detachable connection with the reflector (11) on one hand and a V-shaped section (19) for communication with the first end (15) of the charge dissipation path (12) of the lamp carrier (1) on the other hand.

6. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the charge dissipation path is a charge dissipating track (25) which extends on a printed board (3) fitted with a plurality of LEDs (4) as light sources.

7. The illuminating device according to claim 6, wherein the first end of the charge dissipating track (25) is a land (26) extending around a fixing bore (6) of the printed board (3) for accommodating a fixing means (7) to attach the printed board (3) to the reflector (8) wherein a fixing element (9) of said reflector (8) is contacting said land (26) at least partially.

8. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein printed board (3) is fitted with a plurality of electronic components (29) on a side (10) facing away from the light elements (4).

9. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the charge dissipation path is an electrically conductive cable (21) which extends between a plug connector element (22) detachably fixed to the reflector (8) and the earth connection (M) of the electric connection (13) of the printed board or the earth connection (M) of the central plug connector arrangement of the illuminating device.

10. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the central plug connector arrangement of the illuminating device and/or the electric connection (13) of the lamp carrier (1) is arranged on a rear face of the housing.

11. A tail light for a vehicle, with

a housing containing at least one light source,

a support accommodating the light source and a reflector, and

a diffusion lens for covering an opening of the housing,

wherein the reflector (8, 11) is provided with an electrically conductive coating and is assigned charge dissipation means (12, 21, 25) in such a manner that, when electrostatic charging of the reflector (8, 11) occurs, a dissipation current flows to a ground connection (M) of the illuminating device.