CA2842369A1 - Led tail light heater - Google Patents

Led tail light heater Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2842369A1
CA2842369A1 CA2842369A CA2842369A CA2842369A1 CA 2842369 A1 CA2842369 A1 CA 2842369A1 CA 2842369 A CA2842369 A CA 2842369A CA 2842369 A CA2842369 A CA 2842369A CA 2842369 A1 CA2842369 A1 CA 2842369A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
heating element
vehicle
led light
cover
led
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
CA2842369A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2842369C (en
Inventor
Keith G. Keller
Patricia G. Frankenfield
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA2842369A priority Critical patent/CA2842369C/en
Publication of CA2842369A1 publication Critical patent/CA2842369A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2842369C publication Critical patent/CA2842369C/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/13Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S43/14Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0005Devices preventing the lights from becoming dirty or damaged, e.g. protection grids or cleaning by air flow
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0017Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S45/00Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
    • F21S45/60Heating of lighting devices, e.g. for demisting
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2900/00Features of lamps not covered by other groups in B60Q
    • B60Q2900/10Retrofit arrangements

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for the prevention of snow on a LED light of a motor vehicle comprising: an LED light heating element cover, said cover containing a heating element powered by the same DC voltage generated by the vehicle to power the LED lights, said heating element positioned adjacent to LED lights to thereby minimally obscure light projecting therefrom. In a preferred aspect of the invention the heating element cover comprises a circular ring surrounding the led light and the heating element cover covers only the heating element. In another aspect cover is centrally transparent and covers not only the heating element but additionally the LED light to thereby trap heat generated under the cover. In yet another aspect the cover further comprises the LED light and the combined apparatus can be used to replace a conventional non LED light on the vehicle, or alternatively, as the original lamp.

Description

LED TAIL LIGHT HEATER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the removal of snow and ice from LED lights. More particularly this invention relates to a an apparatus and method for attaching the apparatus to LED tail lights on a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the inventors operates trucks used for commercial hauling in Canada.
When the trucks are fitted with LED tail lights there is a problem with snow and ice accumulation. Unlike conventional tail lights which generate a small amount of heat when the they are operated, the LED tail lights generate so little heat. that even if they are cleaned prior to operation, one cannot be assured that snow and ice will not accumulate thereon while the LEDs are on, and while the vehicle is being driven on the roadway during winter driving conditions.
Obviously driving a vehicle have obscured tail lights is unsafe.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to disclose an apparatus to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on the LED tail lights of a vehicle. More particularly it is an object of this invention to disclose an apparatus which can be either added on, or alternatively originally incorporated on the LED tail lights of a tractor trailer, or the LED tail lights of a trailer pulled by a tractor trailer. It is an object of this invention to improve the safety of vehicles having LED
tail lights operated in winter conditions. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose an apparatus and method of easing the difficulty and stress related to driving a tractor trailer having LED tail lights in winter driving conditions.
One aspect of this invention provides for an apparatus for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on a LED light of a motor vehicle comprises an LED light heating element cover, said cover containing a heating element powered by the same DC voltage generated by the vehicle to power the LED lights, said heating element positioned adjacent to LED lights to thereby minimally obscure light projecting therefrom.
In a preferred aspect of this invention the heating element cover comprises a circular ring surrounding the led light and the heating element cover covers only the heating element.
In a yet another preferred aspect of this invention the cover which is centrally transparent and covers not only the heating element but additionally the LED
light to thereby trap heat generated under the cover.
In a yet another preferred aspect of this invention the cover further comprises the LED
light and wherein the combined apparatus is outwardly shaped sufficiently similar to a lamp unit on a particular vehicle then it can be used to replace a conventional non LED
light on the vehicle, or alternatively, as the original lamp unit on the vehicle.
Various other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
2 FIGURES OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a partial perspective view of a LED heater mounted on a rear bumper of a trailer of the type hauled by an eighteen wheeler tractor.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the LED tail light heater taken along line 2-2 shown in figure 1.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the LED tail light heater shown in figure 1.
Figure 4 is a perspective of the heating element holding ring as viewed from the rear inner side. It is the rear inner side of the heating element holding ring which receives the heating element therein.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the heating element housed in heating element holding ring shown in figure 4.
The following is a discussion and description of the preferred specific embodiments of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It should be noted that such discussion and description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
3 Turning now to the drawings and more particularly to figure 1 we have a perspective view of partial perspective view of a LED heater 20 mounted on a rear bumper 18 of a vehicle (or the trailer of the type hauled by an eighteen wheeler tractor). Most generally an apparatus for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on a LED light of a motor vehicle 16 comprises an LED light heating element cover 22, said cover containing a heating element 24 powered by the same DC voltage generated by the vehicle to power the LED light 26, said heating element positioned adjacent to LED lights 26 to thereby minimally obscure light projecting therefrom.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the heating element housed in heating element holding ring 28 shown in figure 4. Figure 4 is a perspective of the heating element holding ring 28 as viewed from the rear inner side. It is the rear inner side of the heating element holding ring 28 which receives the heating element 24 therein. In one aspect of the invention the heating element 24 may be positioned within a silicone ring 32 that is configured to fit within the heating element holding ring 28. Most preferably, the heating element 24 further comprises a thermostat and temperature sensor 34 configured to cut off power to the heating element 24 above a specified temperature. The heating element 24, as wel as the thermostat and temperature 34 are all embedded in the silicone ring 32. The heating element 24 is powered by voltage generated by the vehicle 16. In a prototype constructed the heating element was configured to consume 3-4 watts of power. In the aspect of the invention shown in figure 1, 2, 4, and 5 the heating element 24 cover comprises a circular ring surrounding the led light 22 and the heating element cover 22 covers only the heating element 24.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the LED tail light heater 20 taken along line 2-2 shown in figure 1. In figure 2 a cover 22 is shown which is centrally transparent. Said cover shown in figure 4, covers not only the heating element 24 but additionally the LED light 26 to thereby trap heat generated under the cover 22.
4 Figure 3 is an exploded view of the LED tail light heater 20 shown in figure 1. In another aspect of the invention the cover further comprises the LED light and wherein the combined apparatus is outwardly shaped sufficiently similar to a lamp unit on a particular vehicle 16 so that it can be used to replace a conventional non LED light on the vehicle 16, or alternatively, as the original lamp unit on the vehicle 16. It is noted that for the combined apparatus to be able to replace a conventional non LED light on a vehicle not only the attachment size and structure must be sufficiently similar, but additionally the electrical connector used to receive the controlled power line for the light must be compatible.
A method for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on the LED
lights 26 of a vehicle 16 comprising the following steps: providing an apparatus 21 as most generally described above; electrically connecting wires 35 extending from the heating element 24 to electrical power of the vehicle 16 which is automatically switched off when the vehicle 16 is not running; attaching the apparatus 21 adjacent to the LED light 26 on the vehicle 16 to thereby radiate heat over an exterior side of the LED light 26.
A method for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on the LED
lights 26 of a vehicle 16 comprising the following steps: providing an apparatus 21 as described above wherein the cover 22 is centrally transparent and covers not only the heating element 24 but additionally the LED light 26 to thereby trap heat generated under the cover 22; electrically connecting wires 35 extending from the heating element 24 to electrical power of the vehicle 16 which is automatically switched off when the vehicle 16 is not running; and, positioning the apparatus 21 on the vehicle over the LED light 26.
A method for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on the LED
light 26 of a vehicle 16 comprising the following steps: providing an apparatus 21 as described above wherein the cover 22 further comprises the LED light 26 and wherein the combined apparatus comprises a LED lamp unit 40 is outwardly shaped sufficiently similar to a lamp unit on a particular vehicle 16; removing an existing lamp unit 16 on the vehicle;
electrically connecting wires 35 extending from the heating element 24 to electrical power of which is automatically switched off when the vehicle 16 is not running; additionally connecting controlled power to the lamp unit; and, replacing the remove existing lamp unit on the vehicle with the provided apparatus 21.
While the invention has been described with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

Claims (8)

I CLAIM:
1) An apparatus for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on a LED light of a motor vehicle comprising:
an LED light heating element cover, said cover containing a heating element powered by the same DC voltage generated by the vehicle to power the LED lights, said heating element positioned adjacent to LED lights to thereby minimally obscure light projecting therefrom.
2) An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the heating element further comprises a thermostatically controlled sensor and switch to switch off power to the heating element above a threshold temperature.
3) An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the heating element cover comprises a circular ring surrounding the led light and the heating element cover covers only the heating element.
4) An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the cover is centrally transparent and covers not only the heating element but additionally the LED light to thereby trap heat generated under the cover.
5) An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the cover further comprises the LED
light and wherein the combined apparatus is outwardly shaped similarly to a lamp unit on a particular vehicle so that it can be used to replace a conventional non LED light on the vehicle, or alternatively, as the original lamp unit on the vehicle.
6) A method for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on the LED
lights of a vehicle comprising the following steps:
providing an apparatus as described in claim 1;

electrically connecting wires extending from the heating element to electrical power of which is automatically switched off when the vehicle is not running; and, attaching the apparatus adjacent to the LED light on the vehicle to thereby radiate heat over an exterior side of the LED light.
7) A method for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on the LED
lights of a vehicle comprising the following steps:
providing an apparatus as described in claim 4;
electrically connecting wires extending from the heating element to electrical power of which is automatically switched off when the vehicle is not running; and, positioning the apparatus on the vehicle over the LED light.
8) A method for the prevention and accumulation of snow and/ or ice on the LED
light of a vehicle comprising the following steps:
providing an apparatus as described in claim 5;
removing an existing lamp unit on the vehicle;
electrically connecting the heating element to electrical power of the vehicle which is automatically switched off when the vehicle is not running;
additionally connecting controlled power wires to the lamp unit; and, replacing the removed existing lamp unit on the vehicle with the provided apparatus.
CA2842369A 2014-02-10 2014-02-10 Led tail light heater Active CA2842369C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2842369A CA2842369C (en) 2014-02-10 2014-02-10 Led tail light heater

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2842369A CA2842369C (en) 2014-02-10 2014-02-10 Led tail light heater

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2842369A1 true CA2842369A1 (en) 2015-08-10
CA2842369C CA2842369C (en) 2023-08-22

Family

ID=53836979

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2842369A Active CA2842369C (en) 2014-02-10 2014-02-10 Led tail light heater

Country Status (1)

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CA (1) CA2842369C (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2664342C1 (en) * 2017-09-18 2018-08-16 Акционерное общество "Научно-Производственный Комплекс "Альфа-М" Led strip

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2664342C1 (en) * 2017-09-18 2018-08-16 Акционерное общество "Научно-Производственный Комплекс "Альфа-М" Led strip

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2842369C (en) 2023-08-22

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