Vehicle lamp unit

• US 6,411,022 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2000
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Machida, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): DAY, MICHAEL HENRY
• Application Number:
  US09/634,946
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 313/318.01, 313/318.09, 313/318.1, 362/800, 362/249, 340/479
• US Class Current: 313/318.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• 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: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/09 for baseless lamp bulb
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/945 Holders with built-in electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A vehicle lamp unit 1 in which a plurality of light emitting diodes 13 are arranged to make up a light source is disclosed. The lamp unit includes a base member 7 for supporting a plurality of the light emitting diodes, feeder wires 14 that are disposed at the reverse side of the base member and connected to lead terminals 13d of the light emitting diodes, and feeder terminals 16 connected to the feeder wires. The lamp unit advantageously realizes a cost reduction, enhances the degree of design freedom, and promotes environmental protection.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp unit in which a plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged to make up a light source, comprising:

a base member;

a plurality of support portions associated with the base member, each support portion including a positioning protrusion and at least one engagement piece for supporting a plurality of the light emitting diodes;

feeder wires that are disposed at the reverse side of the base member and connected to lead terminals of the respective light emitting diodes; and

feeder terminals connected to the feeder wires.

2. A vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1, further comprising anti-short-circuit members interposed between the respective feeder wires.

3. A vehicle lamp unit according to claim 2, wherein the feeder wires are not supported by the base member.

4. A vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein the feeder wires are not supported by the base member.

5. A method for fabricating a vehicle lamp unit, comprising:

forming a base member having a plurality of engaging pieces that include a positioning protrusion and at least one engagement piece;

connecting a plurality of LED'"'"'s to the engaging pieces;

welding lead terminals of the LED'"'"'s to feeder wires on the reverse side of the base member; and

connecting the feeder wires to feeder terminals.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising interposing anti-short circuit members between the feeder wires.