Modular light assembly and method for installing a modular light assembly in a vehicle

A method for installing a modular light assembly in a vehicle includes first providing a common printed circuit board base. One of a plurality of different types of illumination sources is then attached onto the printed circuit board base to form a modular light assembly. The modular light assembly is then mounted onto one of a plurality of trim bezels.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to modular light assemblies for a vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates modular light assemblies having a common printed circuit board base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light assemblies for vehicles, such as for overhead lamps and the like, typically employ a housing mounted to the vehicle. A variety of lamps, such as bulbs, lamp sockets, and switching components are typically mounted within the housing. The light assembly also typically includes a trim bezel which can include lenses, diffusers and the like.

The housing and socket of such assemblies are typically first installed in a vehicle component, such as a headliner or an instrument panel. An associated wiring harness is then attached to the light assembly. Subsequently, the vehicle component mounted to the vehicle and an interconnecting wiring harness in the vehicle is connected to one or more of the harnesses associated with the vehicle component. The wiring harness typically includes a bundle of wires having connectors at opposite ends for coupling the lamp housing to the vehicle electrical system as the vehicle component is installed. It would be advantageous if there could be developed an improved modular light assembly for a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved modular light assembly and an improved method for installing a modular light assembly in a vehicle. The method includes first providing a common printed circuit board base. One of a plurality of different types of illumination sources is then attached onto the printed circuit board base to form a modular light assembly. The modular light assembly is then mounted onto one of a plurality of trim bezels.

According to this invention, there is also provided a plurality of modular light assemblies. Each modular light assembly includes a common printed circuit board base. One of a first and a second illumination source is provided, wherein the first and the second illumination sources are of different types. A mounting bracket for attaching the illumination source to the printed circuit board base is also provided.

Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, there are generally shown at10and11modular light assemblies manufactured in accordance with the method of the invention. The modular light assemblies10and11include a common printed circuit board base12.

It will be understood that the phrase “common circuit board base” is defined as one of a plurality of bases, each having a common size, such that each of the plurality of bases can be mounted into a common mount or fixture, such as a trim bezel14, as herein described.

The modular light assembly10can be provided with different types of illumination sources. For example, the illumination source can be an incandescent bulb16, a light emitting diode (LED)18, or an electroluminescent (EL) device (not shown). As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the incandescent bulb16and the LED18are suitably mounted to a mounting bracket of the printed circuit board base12. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, a bulb clip20is attached to the printed circuit board base12. The bulb clip20can be attached to the printed circuit board base by any desired method, such as by soldering. The incandescent bulb16is then attached to the bulb clip20of the printed circuit board base12.

As also shown inFIG. 1, the LED18is attached to the printed circuit board base12. Preferably, the LED18is attached to the printed circuit board base12by soldering, however, any other desired method of attachment can also be used.

It will be understood that the incandescent bulb16can be any desired type of incandescent bulb, such as a dual filament bulb or a single filament bulb. The LED18can be any desired LED, such as a multi-colored LED or a single colored LED. Additionally, the EL device can be any desired EL device. However, it will be also understood that the illumination source can also be any other desired illumination source.

Preferably, the common printed circuit board base12has an electrical circuit24thereon for electrically connecting the illumination source to a source of electrical energy, illustrated schematically at26. The electrical circuit24can be formed of any desired material, such as an electrical wire or an electrically conductive trace. If desired, the electrical circuit24can include a resister (not shown).

If desired, common printed circuit board base12of the modular light assemblies10and11can include a switch, such as a push switch28, however such a switch is not required. The switch can also be of any other desired type, such as a slide switch (not shown).

Preferably, the common printed circuit board base12of the modular light assembly10is integrally formed with a vehicle wiring harness assembly30. Known light assemblies can include a light assembly connector for attaching to a corresponding connector of a vehicle wiring harness. However, by integrally forming the common printed circuit board base12of the instant invention with the vehicle wiring harness assembly30, both the light assembly connector and the corresponding wiring harness connector can be eliminated.

According to the method of the instant invention, the vehicle wiring harness assembly30is first assembled at an assembling location. Preferably, the wiring harness assembly30includes a plurality of wires32, a plurality of connectors34, only one of which is shown for illustrative purposes, and a plurality of light assemblies10and11. More preferably, the connectors34and the light assemblies10and11are connected to ends of the wires32.

Subsequently, the wiring harness assembly30is installed into a vehicle component, such as a headliner or an instrument panel. Preferably, each light assembly10and11is mounted to the trim bezel14. It will be understood that the wires32of the wiring harness assembly30can be round wires, flat wires, or any combination thereof. The wires of the wiring harness assembly30can also be any other desired type of wire or other electrically conductive material. It will be further understood that more than one light assembly, such as light assemblies10and11, can be mounted in one trim bezel14.

The trim bezel14preferably includes an opening15for receiving a lens (not shown). Preferably, the trim bezel14includes a plurality of outwardly extending mounting fingers36. More preferably, the fingers36are structured and configured to retain the printed circuit board base12in the trim bezel14, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Most preferably, the mounting fingers36are structured and configured such that the printed circuit board base12can be mounted to the mounting fingers36in a snap-fit arrangement.

Although integrally formed mounting fingers36are illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, it will be understood that satisfactory results may also be achieved by any desired structure for attaching the printed circuit board base12to a surface of the trim bezel14.

Although illustrated in the exemplary embodiment as a separate piece, it will be understood that the trim bezel14can also be integrally formed into another part of the vehicle, such as the instrument panel. For example, the mounting fingers36can extend outwardly from a surface of the vehicle instrument panel.

The invention is also described in the context of installing a modular light assembly, and installing a wiring harness having a plurality light assemblies, in a vehicle component. However, it will be understood that the method of the invention can be used to install a modular light assembly, and install a wiring harness having a plurality light assemblies, in other component configurations, such as components for boats or appliances, for example.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been described in its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.