High-Power LED Lights Car Interiors

PLYMOUTH, Mich.--A new light-emitting diode (LED) technology that yields high-powered white light and doesn’t burn out may have the inside track for illuminating automotive interiors.

The concept makes its debut within the interior of a Johnson Controls modified 2000 Ford Expedition at the Convergence 2000 convention being held Oct. 16 through Oct. 18 at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

Gentex Corp., a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors--developed this new lighting technology, which incorporates synthetic-white LEDs and Orca, a proprietary power package that produces super, high-intensity LED output. It allows LEDs to produce up to 10 times more light than anything currently available.

Through its Peer Partnering relationship with Gentex, Johnson Controls is showcasing the benefits of this new LED technology, which include:

• Durability--LED lighting lasts the life of the vehicle;

• Packaging flexibility--unlike incandescent lighting, LED lighting is smaller, easier to integrate into the interior, emits less heat and draws less power;

• Optical improvements--LED lighting allows for a more focused beam directed exactly where the driver or passenger wants it, resulting in increased safety due to glare reduction; and

• Color enhancements--the white light can be tuned to a cool white (bluish hue) or warn white (yellow hue), or anywhere in between, according to manufacturer specifications.

“At Johnson Controls, we do more than design visor and map lamps, along with our Peer Partners, we create well-lit automotive environments,” said Jim Geschke, vice president and general manager of Electronics Integration. “Our lighting capability is part of our total systems approach to the design and manufacture of interiors for vehicles.”

He adds that “unlike specialty lighting specialty companies, we design lighting, we manufacture it and we ship it completely integrated into the vehicle’s interior trim. That means all wires, controls and lamps are delivered in position and tested for fast, easy, error-free installation...”