Abstract: A vehicle lamp capsule 32 having a base 34 having a spring 5 which, when lamp capsule 32 is installed, biases an inner surface of a vehicle lamp reflector 12. Spring 5 is monolithically formed with base 34 along with at least one reflector-locating structure on the base such as circumferentially extending exterior locating surface 44 and/or retaining keys 42. Base 34 and spring 5 may be molded of a plastics material. In other embodiments base 34 and spring 5 are made in one piece of sheet metal. The spring 5 formed unitary with the lamp base 34 meets regulatory requirements and avoids a risk of dislodgement of a conventional separate piece-part metal spring which could cause an electrical short when the lamp is installed in the field. The lamp capsule 32 is suitably an H13-style lamp.

Abstract: Lamp module 32 contains solid-state light source 17 and has mounting flange 42 coupleable to headlamp reflector 12. Lamp module 32 has base 2 defining central post 4, post 4 defining internal first air passage 401. Base and post act are heat sinks. Fan 8 is disposed within base 2. Circuit board 14 having LED arrays 17 is mounted inside post 4 in fluid communication with first air passage 401. Base 2 defines second air flow passage 405 exterior of post 4, second air passage 405 being oriented to direct air past mounting flange 42. Base 2 further defines third air passage 410 rearward of mounting flange 42 and radially outward from second air passage 405. Mounting flange 42 may be keys coupleable to slots 15. A method of directing an air stream through slots 15 in reflector socket 121 is described.

Abstract: Lamp module 32 contains solid-state light source 17 and has mounting flange 42 coupleable to headlamp reflector 12. Lamp module 32 has base 2 defining central post 4, post 4 defining internal first air passage 401. Base and post act are heat sinks. Fan 8 is disposed within base 2. Circuit board 14 having LED arrays 17 is mounted inside post 4 in fluid communication with first air passage 401. Base 2 defines second air flow passage 405 exterior of post 4, second air passage 405 being oriented to direct air past mounting flange 42. Base 2 further defines third air passage 410 rearward of mounting flange 42 and radially outward from second air passage 405. Mounting flange 42 may be keys coupleable to slots 15. A method of directing an air stream through slots 15 in reflector socket 121 is described.

Abstract: An accent lamp (10) having a solid state light source (4), such as LEDs, is attachable to a rear surface of an automotive headlamp (40) opposite the light-generating capsule (44). Accent lamp (10) has first retaining member (20), such as a clamp, formed above printed circuit board (8) on which LED (4) is mounted. Headlamp base (60) defines light passageway (45), formed as a light guide (42), extending from outermost peripheral surface (63) to an upper surface (61) on which lamp capsule (44) is retained. Accent lamp (10) is readily detachably mounted to headlamp (40), preferably by resilient first and second retaining members (20, 24), and, when mounted, can be biased to promote optical coupling of light source (4) to light guide (42).

Abstract: An accent lamp (10) having a solid state light source (4), such as LEDs, is attachable to a rear surface of an automotive headlamp (40) opposite the light-generating capsule (44). Accent lamp (10) has first retaining member (20), such as a clamp, formed above printed circuit board (8) on which LED (4) is mounted. Headlamp base (60) defines light passageway (45), formed as a light guide (42), extending from outermost peripheral surface (63) to an upper surface (61) on which lamp capsule (44) is retained. Accent lamp (10) is readily detachably mounted to headlamp (40), preferably by resilient first and second retaining members (20, 24), and, when mounted, can be biased to promote optical coupling of light source (4) to light guide (42).

Abstract: A method of providing accent ornamental illumination to a lamp of a motor vehicle comprising providing an accent lamp comprising a housing and a light-emitting device disposed within the housing; mounting the housing to an exterior surface of the lens cover of the vehicle lamp; and arranging the light-emitting device such that, when the housing is mounted to the exterior surface of the lens cover of the lamp, light emitted from the light-emitting device passes through the lens cover from outside the lens cover towards a lamp reflector of the vehicle lamp and illuminates the reflector. A motor vehicle lamp combination comprising, in combination, a motor vehicle lamp and an accent lamp also provided wherein, when the accent lamp is mounted on a lens cover of the motor vehicle lamp, light emitted from the light-emitting device is directed towards the reflector.

Abstract: An accent lamp (10) having a solid state light source (4), such as LEDs, is attachable to a rear surface of an automotive headlamp (40) opposite the light-generating capsule (44). Accent lamp (10) has first retaining member (20), such as a clamp, formed above printed circuit board (8) on which LED (4) is mounted. Headlamp base (60) defines light passageway (45), formed as a light guide (42), extending from outermost peripheral surface (63) to an upper surface (61) on which lamp capsule (44) is retained. Accent lamp (10) is readily detachably mounted to headlamp (40), preferably by resilient first and second retaining members (20, 24), and, when mounted, can be biased to promote optical coupling of light source (4) to light guide (42).

Abstract: An accent lamp (10) having a solid state light source (4), such as LEDs, is attachable to a rear surface of an automotive headlamp (40) opposite the light-generating capsule (44). Accent lamp (10) has first retaining member (20), such as a clamp, formed above printed circuit board (8) on which LED (4) is mounted. Headlamp base (60) defines light passageway (45), formed as a light guide (42), extending from outermost peripheral surface (63) to an upper surface (61) on which lamp capsule (44) is retained. Accent lamp (10) is readily detachably mounted to headlamp (40), preferably by resilient first and second retaining members (20, 24), and, when mounted, can be biased to promote optical coupling of light source (4) to light guide (42).

Abstract: A method of providing accent ornamental illumination to a lamp of a motor vehicle comprising providing an accent lamp comprising a housing and a light-emitting device disposed within the housing; mounting the housing to an exterior surface of the lens cover of the vehicle lamp; and arranging the light-emitting device such that, when the housing is mounted to the exterior surface of the lens cover of the lamp, light emitted from the light-emitting device passes through the lens cover from outside the lens cover towards a lamp reflector of the vehicle lamp and illuminates the reflector. A motor vehicle lamp combination comprising, in combination, a motor vehicle lamp and an accent lamp also provided wherein, when the accent lamp is mounted on a lens cover of the motor vehicle lamp, light emitted from the light-emitting device is directed towards the reflector.

Abstract: A method of providing accent ornamental illumination to a lamp of a motor vehicle comprising providing an accent lamp comprising a housing and a light-emitting device disposed within the housing; mounting the housing to an exterior surface of the lens cover of the vehicle lamp; and arranging the light-emitting device such that, when the housing is mounted to the exterior surface of the lens cover of the lamp, light emitted from the light-emitting device passes through the lens cover from outside the lens cover towards a lamp reflector of the vehicle lamp and illuminates the reflector. A motor vehicle lamp combination comprising, in combination, a motor vehicle lamp and an accent lamp also provided wherein, when the accent lamp is mounted on a lens cover of the motor vehicle lamp, light emitted from the light-emitting device is directed towards the reflector.

Abstract: A white-light emitter is disclosed, in which a silicone sheet is laminated between a pair of optically clear plastic sheets. The silicone sheet lacks the ability to retain its shape, while the three sheets, when sealed together, can retain a shape. The silicone sheet includes at least one phosphor, with a phosphor concentration between two percent and ten percent. The silicone sheet may be produced by molding. Compared to comparable silicone parts made by extrusion, the molded parts may show less part-to-part variation in color temperature, may be run in significantly smaller batches or as one-offs, and may allow the silicone and phosphor material to be mixed by hand or with a relatively simple mixing machine. In some cases, the sheets are sealed together at their perimeters and include a margin around the phosphor sheet. In some cases, the phosphor sheet includes a mixture of different phosphors.

Abstract: A retainer (23) includes two retainer portions (20, 21) surrounding lens (2). Lens (2) has a bearing surface (14) and an abutment surface (12), preferably two of each. In an intermediate stage of assembly, retainer portions when placed in confronting relation to each other around the lens are undersized in a lateral direction relative a principal dimension of lens (2). A projection (22) from a retainer portion (20, 21) bears against lens bearing surface (14), and an abutment-receiving structure (24), such as an aperture, bears against lens abutment (12). When the retainer portions (20, 21) are squeezed together and permanently connected, such as by weldment (40), projection (22) is urged more firmly against lens bearing surface (14) and lens abutment surface (12) is urged against lens aperture (24). Retainer portions (20, 21) are symmetric, and formed of sheet steel.

Abstract: A retainer (23) includes two retainer portions (20, 21) surrounding lens (2). Lens (2) has a bearing surface (14) and an abutment surface (12), preferably two of each. In an intermediate stage of assembly, retainer portions when placed in confronting relation to each other around the lens are undersized in a lateral direction relative a principal dimension of lens (2). A projection (22) from a retainer portion (20, 21) bears against lens bearing surface (14), and an abutment-receiving structure (24), such as an aperture, bears against lens abutment (12). When the retainer portions (20, 21) are squeezed together and permanently connected, such as by weldment (40), projection (22) is urged more firmly against lens bearing surface (14) and lens abutment surface (12) is urged against lens aperture (24). Retainer portions (20, 21) are symmetric, and formed of sheet steel.

Abstract: A white-light emitter is disclosed, in which light from blue light-emitting diodes strikes an active area of a phosphor sheet. The active area absorbs a portion of the blue light and emits phosphor light in response to the absorbed blue light. The emitter includes a stretcher that controllably stretches the active area of the phosphor sheet. The white light output spectrum of the active area has a characteristic color temperature that increases as the phosphor sheet is stretched, and decreases as the phosphor sheet contracts. As the phosphor sheet is stretched, the thickness of the active area decreases, the received blue light encounters fewer phosphor particles within the active area, the absorbed portion of the blue light decreases, the emitted phosphor light decreases, and the active area has a white light output spectrum that becomes weighted more heavily toward the blue light and less heavily toward the phosphor light.

Abstract: A white-light emitter is disclosed, in which a silicone sheet is laminated between a pair of optically clear plastic sheets. The silicone sheet lacks the ability to retain its shape, while the three sheets, when sealed together, can retain a shape. The silicone sheet includes at least one phosphor, with a phosphor concentration between two percent and ten percent. The silicone sheet may be produced by molding. Compared to comparable silicone parts made by extrusion, the molded parts may show less part-to-part variation in color temperature, may be run in significantly smaller batches or as one-offs, and may allow the silicone and phosphor material to be mixed by hand or with a relatively simple mixing machine. In some cases, the sheets are sealed together at their perimeters and include a margin around the phosphor sheet. In some cases, the phosphor sheet includes a mixture of different phosphors.

Abstract: A white-light emitter is disclosed, in which light from blue light-emitting diodes strikes an active area of a phosphor sheet. The active area absorbs a portion of the blue light and emits phosphor light in response to the absorbed blue light. The emitter includes a stretcher that controllably stretches the active area of the phosphor sheet. The white light output spectrum of the active area has a characteristic color temperature that increases as the phosphor sheet is stretched, and decreases as the phosphor sheet contracts. As the phosphor sheet is stretched, the thickness of the active area decreases, the received blue light encounters fewer phosphor particles within the active area, the absorbed portion of the blue light decreases, the emitted phosphor light decreases, and the active area has a white light output spectrum that becomes weighted more heavily toward the blue light and less heavily toward the phosphor light.