Abstract: A vehicle lighting outage detection circuit is disclosed having a plurality of parallel branches connected at a common positive reference node. Each parallel branch comprises a branch resistor and a current controlled branch switching device connected in series. A constant current source is connected to the positive reference node and configured to deliver a substantially constant current to the positive reference node. The cathode of a zener diode is connected to the positive reference node. When current to a predetermined number of the branch resistors is interrupted due to the failure one or more LEDs connected to the control inputs of the branch switching devices, the voltage at the positive reference node increases beyond the breakdown voltage of the zener diode. In such a condition, excess current flow to the anode of the zener diode to supply an outage detection signal.

Abstract: An electrical power supply device for a trailer lighting system behind a truck is disclosed. The trailer lighting system including at least two FMVSS 108 compliant LED stop-tail-turn lamps. The electrical power supply device has an outer casing including a terminal to be electrically attached to and become part of the trailer lighting system. There are a plurality of electrically conductive wires within the casing. At least one of the wires is selected from one or more of the group consisting of low copper usage wire. The device has an over-current protection device along at least one which breaks current flow through the one wire below at an amperage threshold less than 25 amperes.

Abstract: A lamp for the rear of a vehicle is disclosed with a light transmissive cover having a red first illuminated surface area and a clear second illuminated surface area. It has a first LED light emitter located directly beneath the red first area, a second LED light emitter located directly beneath the clear second area, and a third LED light emitter, also located directly beneath said clear second area. The third red LED light emitter is for emitting red light through the clear second area simultaneously with light transmitted through the red first area, whereby the first and second areas are adapted to collectively form a contiguous red illuminated surface area.

Abstract: A lamp and lamp driver are disclosed, in which single intensity marker lamps that are desired to be flashed can be connected to a lamp driver employing an exclusive OR (XOR) logic circuit. In one application, this lamp driver is coupled to a vehicle turn function wire and marker function wire, and a plurality of marker lamps in a row can be of the same style, but one lamp can be flashed in the row of marker lamps. In some embodiments, if all of the marker lamps are on, the lamp being driven by the XOR driver circuit will flash out of sequence with the turn signal flash. If all of the marker lamps are off, the lamp being driven by the XOR driver circuit will flash in sequence with the turn signal flash. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments use two substantially hemispherical illumination sources, mounted on a mount that allows the illumination sources to illuminate both sides of the reflector, allowing both halves of the reflector, with 2 pi rotation, to be used for generating the lighting distribution. This system and method both increases the amount of light collected and increases the efficiency of the illumination source.

Abstract: Lamp plugs are disclosed, in which single intensity marker lamps that are desired to be flashed can be connected to a lamp driver employing an exclusive OR (XOR) logic circuit. In one embodiment, the lamp plug is an overmolded subsystem that is installed between the lamp and the lamp driver and allows the installer to use existing wire harnesses. In some embodiments, the overmolded subsystem is installed under a standard lamp where a plug is typically plugged in; therefore staying on the vehicle and not needing to be replaced with the lamp. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a molded device having a molded portion and being formed via an overmolding process. The electrical apparatus includes a wire set at least partially overmolded within the device, the wire set having an outer sheath surrounding a plurality of wires. The molded portion surrounds a portion of the wire set. The electrical apparatus further includes polyurethane bonding material occurring between the outer sheath and the molded portion. The polyurethane bonding material bonds at least a portion of the wire set to the molded portion during the overmolding process.

Abstract: An electrical connection device for a lamp housing is disclosed. The electrical connection device allows for simple and straightforward alignment of circuit connector terminals with conductive power connection pads on a lamp circuit board within a lamp housing.

Abstract: A plug assembly comprises a molded plug first and second ends, front and back surfaces, and extending along a longitudinal axis. The plug includes a socket extending from the front surface at least partially through the plug along a width axis. The socket defines at least one hole extending at least partially therethrough. The plug assembly also includes a retainer at least partially molded within the plug, with a first end adjacent the first end of the plug and a second end adjacent the second end of the plug. Additionally, the plug assembly includes a first wire set connected to the socket within the plug. The plug assembly further includes a first securing member securing the first wire set to the retainer within the plug, adjacent the first end of the retainer, to hold the first wire set in a fixed position within the plug during the overmolding process.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a molded device having a molded portion and being formed via an overmolding process. The electrical apparatus includes a wire set at least partially overmolded within the device, the wire set having an outer sheath surrounding a plurality of wires. The molded portion surrounds a portion of the wire set. The electrical apparatus further includes polyurethane bonding material occurring between the outer sheath and the molded portion. The polyurethane bonding material bonds at least a portion of the wire set to the molded portion during the overmolding process.

Abstract: A composite lamp assembly for use on a camouflaged military vehicle comprises a lamp housing colored to match the camouflaged scheme of the vehicle. The lamp housing defines an interior space, a first opening and a plurality of second openings in communication with the interior space. The lamp assembly includes a clear lens attached to the housing to occupy the first opening and a plurality of diffusers attached to the housing to occupy the plurality of second openings, the diffusers being colored to match the camouflaged scheme of the vehicle. The lamp assembly further includes a circuit board arranged within the interior space of the lamp housing having first and second pluralities of LEDs mounted thereto. The first plurality of LEDs is positioned to provide light through the clear lens and the second is positioned to provide light through the diffusers.

Abstract: A device configured to maintain an electric circuit in a fixed position during an overmolding process comprises a wire retainer configured to hold the electric circuit taut and in a fixed position while being molded within a molded item. The retainer has a first end and an opposite second end, and includes a first bushing defining a mounting hole for the molded item extending along a width axis. The built-in bushing includes front and back surfaces configured to be aligned and substantially co-planar with the front and back surfaces of the molded item. The device also includes a first securing member configured to secure a portion of the electric circuit to the retainer within the molded item, to hold the electric circuit in a fixed position within the molded item during the overmolding process.

Abstract: A turn signal switch assembly is constructed having a switch stalk and junction box rotatably coupled using a shoulder bolt. The shoulder bolt has a shoulder area useful for allowing the switch stalk to rotate freely relative to the junction box. The threaded end of the shoulder bolt is turned and tightened into at least one corresponding threaded aperture in the junction box, thereby mechanically coupling the switch stalk to the junction box. The threaded end of the shoulder bolt also extends past a surface of the junction box so that the threaded end is exposed. The threaded end is mechanically transformed by an orbital riveting device so as to act as a positive locking feature. The shoulder bolt thereafter secures the switch stalk to the junction box using the mechanical advantages of a threaded connection in combination with the positive locking feature of a riveted connection.

Abstract: A motor vehicle turn signal cancelling device operated by a turn signal cancelling member projecting from the steering wheel includes a frame structure and a mounting member attached thereto. A fixture having a central portion positioned between oppositely extending first and second arms is pivotally mounted to the mounting member at the central portion to move the first and second arms into the path of movement of the cancelling member. The device further includes a turn signal activating lever pivotally mounted between its ends to the frame structure. A cancellation arm is pivotally mounted to the mounting member and defines a slot near its distal end. An engagement post associated with the lever is received in the slot defined in the cancellation arm. The engagement post and the slot are positioned between the pivotal axis of the turn signal activating lever and the pivotal axis of the cancellation arm.

Abstract: A nosebox assembly for making electrical connection between a tractor and a trailer comprises a nosebox housing with an interchangeable connector assembly and a terminal plate assembly, both configured to mountable within the nosebox housing. The interchangeable connector assembly includes a plurality of primary conducting pins extending therefrom and configured as a socket, each of the pins being adapted to receive connection to a circuit. The interchangeable connector assembly is detachably mounted inside the nosebox housing and is easily removable for repair or replacement. The terminal plate assembly includes a plurality of secondary conducting pins extending therefrom. Additionally, the terminal plate assembly includes a plurality of auxiliary pins extending therefrom to provide additional connection points to the circuits received from the primary conducting pins.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a leadframe, and a light active sheet material laminated on the leadframe and electrically connected to the leadframe. The light active sheet material includes a transparent electrically conductive top substrate, a pattern of one or more light emitting diode (LED) chip(s) sandwiched between the leadframe and the top substrate, and a non-conductive transparent adhesive material disposed between the leadframe, the LED chip(s), and the top substrate. The LED chip(s) is (are) preformed before being patterned in the light active sheet material as an unpackaged discrete semiconductor device having an anode p-junction side and a cathode n-junction side. Either of the anode and the cathode side is in electrical communication with the top substrate and the other of the anode and the cathode side is in electrical communication with the leadframe.