Automotive lamp assembly moisture control system
US6883948B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 15, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21S45/33
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The subject invention comprises a headlamp moisture control system that comprises at least one desiccant and at least one valve. The desiccant comprises an interior desiccant surface that forms an intake passageway and an exterior desiccant surface that forms at least one exhaust passageway. Further, the exterior desiccant surface area has a surface area that is greater than the interior desiccant surface area. The at least one valve can comprise an intake valve and an exhaust valve or it can comprise a combination valve. In either embodiment, the at least one valve prevents the desiccant from constantly being exposed to air that contains moisture. The moisture control system prevents moisture from entering a headlamp assembly during the cooling of a headlamp by only allowing air to enter the headlamp assembly through the intake passageway over the interior desiccant surface. To prevent the desiccant from being saturated, the desiccant will be regenerated during the operation of the headlamp assembly by exhausting dry, heated air from the headlamp assembly through the at least one exhaust passageway over the exterior desiccant surface. Thus, the desiccant will be regenerated and re…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.