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

• US 7,926,991 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BRM21 Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: BRM21 Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Hamada, Katsushige
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crowe; David R
• Application Number:
  US11/787,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20070249184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 362/800, 362/490, 362/249, 362/640, 362/95, 362/488, 362/549, 439/36
• US Class Current: 362/490
• 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 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 a connecting device;

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, said protection member including a protection protrusion which are formed in at least the upper, lower, left, and right side edges of the substrate to surround the light emitting diode; and

the connecting device comprising;

a plurality of connector housings, each of said connector housings having a different external shape and different electrode configuration at one end thereof, the different shapes and configurations are formed so as to conform to a shape and an electrode configuration, respectively, of a light source connecting portion of the lighting-power supply unit provided for connecting to the lighting-power supply unit;

each of said connector housings having at the other end thereof an attaching/detaching member for allowing said connector housings to be interchangeably attached to said second end of said connector; and

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

2. The light source device according to claim 1, comprising a support plate which is disposed on a rear surface of the substrate and on which the protection member is formed so as for said plurality of protrusions to protrude therefrom.

3. The light source device according to claim 1, 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.

4. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein, one of the connector housings is provided for connecting a bulb-type lamp in the lighting-power supply unit.

5. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of connector housings includes an attaching/detaching plate, the plate comprising a protrusion formed on the outer periphery of the attaching/detaching plate, and wherein the attaching/detaching protrusion protrudes in a radial direction of said one connector housing.

6. The light source device of claim 1 wherein the second end of the connector is a male connector and said attaching/detaching member including a female connector, wherein said male connector is adapted to be removably connected to said female connector.