MODULAR LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR EXTERIOR SURFACE ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

A single LED module that can be used in different configurations to provide a customizable vehicle light.

Claims

1. A module lamp device, comprising: a molded component that allows optical enhancement of light including an inner cavity to reflect the light to the surface in a controlled manner to distribute the light evenly; a plurality of connectable LED light source modules which are interconnectable to provide a customizable light emission.

2. The lamp module device of claim 1 wherein each module includes a connector portion and a receiver portion, wherein a plurality of modules can be connected together for an illumination pattern circuit.

3. The lamp module device of claim 1 wherein at least two different illumination pattern circuits are provided.

4. The lamp module device of claim 1 wherein each of the modules are triangular in shape.

5. The lamp module device of claim 4 wherein at least one Light emitting device is positioned at an apex of the triangular shaped module.

6. The lamp module device of claim 5 further comprising three light emitting diodes position at each apex of the triangular shaped module.

7. The lamp module device of claim 1 wherein the molded component is hexagonal in shape.

8. The lamp module device of claim 5 further comprising at least one light guide with inside plating to provide inner and outer light zone separation, wherein said separation includes operably generating independent lighting zones comprising at least said inner and outer zones that selectively allow substantially harmonious appearance when turned on together but maintain crisp zone definition when turned on independently.

9. The lamp module device of claim 1 further comprising at least one single cavity molded part with at least one single optic cavity, said single cavity molded part operable to distribute light into zones which selectively provides predetermined harmonious appearance at the surface when any single zone is illuminated and when all zones are illuminated at the same time.

10. The lamp module device of claim 9, further comprising a light guide on the outer periphery.

11. The lamp module device of claim 10 wherein a plurality of light modules is interconnected to illuminate said light guide.

12. The lamp module device of claim 11 where in at least one side of each of the plurality of light module includes one male or female electrical connection which can be electrically connected to a corresponding male or female electrical connection of another light module.

13. The lamp module device of claim 12 wherein at least one side of each of the plurality of light modules includes both a male and female connection.

14. The lamp module device of claim 11 wherein each side of each light module has a male or female connection.

15. The lamp module of claim wherein each side of each light module has a male and female connection which passes electrical current to a corresponding light module to which it is connected.

16. The lamp module of claim 11 wherein each of the modules are square in shape and two light emitting diodes are provided on at two apexes of the triangle to provide linear lighting for illumination of said light guide.

17. The lamp module device of claim 7 wherein a plurality of hexagonal shaped molded components is positioned behind a transparent or opaque vehicle panel for providing a vehicle indicator light.

18. A module lamp assembly for a vehicle comprising a plurality of modules arranged in a predetermined configuration for forming a vehicle light where in each module comprises: a molded component that allows optical enhancement of light including an inner cavity to reflect the light to the surface in a controlled manner to distribute the light evenly and an outer periphery light guide, and including at least two independent illumination pattern circuits for providing selective lighting of the inner cavity and the outer light guide; and a plurality of connectable LED triangular shaped light source modules which are interconnectable to provide a customizable light emission which have a preselected number of light emitting diodes positioned in the apex of the triangle shape for providing lighting to said inner cavity, said outer cavity or both.

19. The Module lamp assembly of claim 14 wherein the outer periphery light guide has a linear area and triangular shaped light source modules for illuminating the outer peripheral light guide have two light emitting diodes which are aligned beneath the linear area of the light guide.

20. The module lamp assembly of claim 14 wherein the triangular shaped light source modules include a light emitting diode at each of the triangle apex.

21. The module assembly of claim 14 wherein the triangular shaped light modules include at least one light emitting diode for providing illumination.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a vehicle incorporation the lamp module device of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a light module device of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of connectable LED inserts of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a view of the lamp module device showing the interconnection of the LED inserts of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 5B is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 5A;

[0013] FIG. 5C is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 5A; and,

[0014] FIGS. 6A through 6C are illustrative views of lighting effects of the lamp module device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0016] Referring now to the drawings a lamp device made of light modules is generally shown at 10. FIG. 1 shows a group of lamp module devices which can be independently energized or energized together to provide various light patterns. Referring to FIG. 6 a hexagonal shaped module is shown at 12. In this embodiment there is an outer peripheral light pipe edge 14 and inner light area 16.

[0017] The light module 10 as shown in FIG. 2 includes a light pipe lens 16 a housing 18 an LED board 20 and an LED driver unit 22. As shown in FIG. 4 each light module includes a plurality of interconnectable LED inserts 24 which are installed on the board 20 and connected to the driver 22 to be selectively illuminated. A switch or light controller 23 is provided for control of the lights and illumination circuits. As shown in FIG. 4 two illumination circuits are provided I.sub.1 and I.sub.2. I.sub.1 is linked to LED inserts in the central portion 16 of the module to illuminate that portion. Whereas I.sub.2 powers the LED inserts 24 in the outer periphery of the lamp module for purposes of illuminating the outer light pipe portion 16 of the module 10. This illustration shows two Illumination zones I.sub.1 and I.sub.2, however, it is within the scope of the invention to customize the circuits for illumination of custom graphic such as vehicle logos or the like or to provide custom coloring for brake lights, running lights and backup lighting.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 3 in one embodiment the modules 24 are triangular in shape and include at least one but typically two or three (3) LED light sources 26a, 26b, and 26c in the apex corners of the triangle shaped modules. Referring to FIG. 4 the light modules used to illuminate the light guide 14 along its linear sides include only two light emitting diodes 26a and 26c for lighting of the outer peripheral light pipe the position of the LED 26b is intentionally left empty or disconnected with these modules Each module also includes male and or female connections on at least one side but typically on each side 28a, 28b, and 28c. This allows each module to be connected by way of wire jumpers 30 or the like for forming predetermined light patterns and circuits. As shown the LED light inserts are designed to fit in the housing by using a 15-millimeter side length. However, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize other shapes and sizes depending on the predetermined desired size and effect of the lamp module.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 the hexagonal modules can be mounted to or behind translucent or clear body panels in a predetermined array to provide desired light effects to a final vehicle

[0020] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.