LIGHT MODULE

• US 20120099335A1
• Filed: 10/18/2011
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mektec Europe GmbH (NOK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
• Inventors: Boehland, Heiko, Runge, Olaf, Renner, Guido
• Granted Patent: US 8,794,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/147 at least one of the printed circuits being bent or folded, e.g. by using a flexible printed circuit H05K1/148 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10106 Light emitting diode [LED]

Abstract

A light module for displaying a signal in a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle includes a circuit carrier, at least one light source disposed on the circuit carrier and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit is for connecting the circuit carrier to an interface that is disposed at a distance from the circuit carrier and that leads to at least one of a control unit and a current or voltage source. The power supply circuit and circuit carrier are made of the same material, are configured in one piece and are formed by a flexible printed circuit board.

Claims

1. :

A light module for displaying a signal in a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, the light module comprising;

a circuit carrier;

at least one light source disposed on the circuit carrier; and

a power supply circuit for connecting the circuit carrier to an interface that is disposed at a distance from the circuit carrier and leads to at least one of a control unit and a current or voltage source, the power supply circuit and circuit carrier being made of a same material, being configured in one piece and being formed by a flexible printed circuit board.

2. :

The light module recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional electronic component disposed on the circuit carrier.

3. :

The light module recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one of a SIDE LED and a TOP LED.

4. :

The light module recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources that are arranged on the circuit carrier so as to correspond to a contour of a surface configured to be lit by the light module.

5. :

The light module recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one light-forming element configured to set a radiation angle of light from the at least one light source.

6. :

The light module recited in claim 5, wherein the circuit carrier, the at least one light source and the at least one light forming element have a flat, sandwich-like structure.

7. :

The light module recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one light-forming element seals the at least one light source and the circuit carrier toward an outside.

8. :

The light module recited in claim 1, further comprising a diffuser configured to scatter light from the light module.

9. :

The light module recited in claim 1, wherein a surface configured to be lit by the at least one light source includes a mask for generating a desired symbol.

10. :

The light module recited in claim 1, wherein, in an area of the power supply circuit, the flexible circuit board includes a strip-shaped printed conductor.

11. :

The light module recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional flexible printed circuit board having at least one extra function, the circuit carrier being integrated into the at least one additional printed circuit board.

12. :

The light module recited in claim 10, further comprising at least one additional flexible printed circuit board having at least one extra function, wherein the printed circuit carrier and strip-shaped printed conductor project toward an outside away from an edge of the at least one additional flexible printed circuit board, the printed circuit carrier and strip-shaped printed conductor being configured to be disposed in a desired position by folding or bending over the strip-shaped printed conductor.

13. :

The light module recited in claim 12, further comprising an interface disposed between the flexible printed circuit board and the strip-shaped printed conductor.

14. :

The light module recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one additional flexible printed circuit board includes a recess, the circuit carrier being configured to be disposed in an area of the recess by folding over the strip-shaped printed conductor.

15. :

The light module recited in claim 11, wherein the additional function of the at least one addition flexible printed circuit board includes at least one of a heating function, an antenna function, a current-conduction function and another light function.

16. :

A rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the rearview mirror comprising;

a light module including;

a circuit carrier;

at least one light source disposed on the circuit carrier; and

a power supply circuit for connecting the circuit carrier to an interface that is disposed at a distance from the circuit carrier and leads to at least one of a control unit and a current or voltage source, the power supply circuit and circuit carrier being made of a same material, being configured in one piece and being formed by a flexible printed circuit board

17. :

The rearview mirror recited in claim 16, further comprising a mirror glass surface, the light module being disposed directly underneath the mirror glass surface.

18. :

The rearview mirror recited in claim 16, wherein the light module is disposed in a base of the rearview mirror.

19. :

The rearview mirror recited in claim 16, wherein the light module is configured to show a blind spot.