Illumination – Elongated source light unit or support – Housing
Patent
1997-02-03
1999-09-07
Sember, Thomas M.
Illumination
Elongated source light unit or support
Housing
362226, 362516, 362343, F21V 704
Patent
active
059475862
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to a lamp with a three-dimensional (3D) injection-molded circuit carrier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The existing lamps, in particular interior lamps for motor vehicles, feature a large number of individual parts. These include base plate, circuit board, contact plug, contact bushing, housing covers, reflector and switch, which are integrated very little within each other. Therefore the lamps must have a complicated assembly from a larger number of individual parts.
The research alliance for three-dimensional electronic assemblies 3-D MID e.V., in Erlangen, has published a paper in which it is proposed to use three-dimensional structures, such as plastic housings, simultaneously for direct holding and reinforcement of conductor tracks and electronic components. In this case a method has become known for casting of injection molded conductor moldings in the housing. These conductor moldings, which are cast in a "two-shot" injection molding technology with the plastic housing, have the property that their surface (in a method comparable to the production of printed circuit boards) can be provided with conductor tracks. The plastics industry has described metallizable plastics in this regard, which can, for instance, be cast over with an additional, readily flowing, plastic such that surfaces of the metallizable conductor molding remain on the surface of the entire cast part which can later be metallized and can be used as conductor tracks or contact surfaces.
Therefore the purpose of the invention is to specify a lamp in which the explained technology can be used and which can be produced in large quantities at low cost by the integration of the components stated above, and that can be easily assembled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its most basic form, the invention includes a casting in the housing of a lamp, a suitably shaped conductor molding, in which the brackets needed for mounting the glow lamp are cast on the housing element. Since the brackets are formed by the conductor molding which has a metallizable surface, the glow lamp can be supplied with current, even though no additional metallic conductors lead to them, but rather only a conductor track applied to the conductor molding (similar to printed circuit boards).
The invention can also utilize the metallizability of the plastic surface simultaneously as a reflector for the glow lamp. Thus, at least a portion of the conductor molding is formed as a reflector and is cast in a single unit with the lamp housing. Thereafter, the reflector section is metallized with a metal which is suitable for reflection of light beams. In this case, we can use chromium, silver or aluminum, for instance. But other substances are also suitable, provided they have sufficient reflectivity. The stated solution also remains within the framework of the invention, when the conductor molding is formed from a plastic that has a bright color suitable for reflection, such as, white.
The metallized sections are particularly useful when used to simultaneously perform several tasks. For example, the metallized sections can be used simultaneously as conductor track to conduct the current to the glow lamp and as a reflector. An additional and supplemental possibility consists in using the large metal surface simultaneously for cooling purposes.
In a combination of features, in which the sections serve simultaneously as conductor tracks, in a refinement of the invention, it is recommended to use the combination of features in which a metallized section is allocated to each of the two contact ends of a preferably elongated glow lamp and supply the needed current to the associated contacts along said section. The same result is obtained when the sections are used for infeed of current to the two brackets in contact with the lamp contacts.
In a further refinement of the invention, the sections employed as reflectors are combined with the property of the brackets clamping the glow lamp. Accordingly, the brackets are formed from the ref
REFERENCES:
patent: 5027262 (1991-06-01), Freed
Official English Translation of the International Preliminary Examination Report for International Application No. PCA/EP95/01603 No date.
PCT Search Report Application No. PCT/EP95/1603 No date.
German Search Report Application No. P4415885.8 No date.
ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
Lewis J. Gordon
Sember Thomas M.
Twomey Thomas N.
LandOfFree
Lamp with a three-dimensional injection-molded circuit carrier, does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lamp with a three-dimensional injection-molded circuit carrier, , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lamp with a three-dimensional injection-molded circuit carrier, will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1796739