Weather Protection in Automotive Lighting
65 patents in this list
Updated:
Automotive lighting systems face persistent environmental challenges, with moisture ingress and thermal cycling leading to lens fogging, ice formation, and degraded illumination. Field data shows condensation can reduce light output by up to 30%, while ice accumulation in sub-zero conditions can completely obstruct critical safety lighting systems within hours.
The engineering challenge centers on maintaining optical clarity and performance across extreme temperature ranges (-40°C to +80°C) while managing moisture migration through necessarily vented lamp housings.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including radiation-based heating elements, hygroscopic moisture management systems, advanced ventilation architectures, and multi-material lens designs. These and other approaches focus on achieving long-term reliability while meeting strict automotive safety and durability requirements.
1. LED Car Light Module with Internal Air Circulation and Dehumidification System
DANYANG ZHONGYIDA PHOTOELECTRIC TECH CO LTD, DANYANG ZHONGYIDA PHOTOELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2024
Self-anti-fogging LED car light module that eliminates fogging inside the light housing during bad weather conditions like fog and rain. The module has an internal air circulation system with an inlet fan, exhaust fan, and dehumidifier. The fans rapidly circulate air to quickly match the temperature inside the module to the external environment, preventing fogging. The dehumidifier removes moisture from the incoming air. A replaceable dehumidifier column can be swapped out when needed.
2. LED Car Light Module with Sealed Housing and Integrated Shock Absorption Mechanism
SHANGHAI LUANMING AUTOMOBILE TECH CO LTD, SHANGHAI LUANMING AUTOMOBILE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023
A waterproof and earthquake-resistant LED car light module that prevents damage to the circuit board and LEDs when exposed to water and vibrations during driving. The module has a mask with a shell on the rear, a front side light module, wick, sealing ring, and housing. The housing has a light source drive assembly, buffer plate, and fixed connection. This structure provides waterproof sealing and shock absorption to protect the internal components from moisture and vibration.
3. Protective Shell for Car Lights with Integrated Moisture Extraction and Vibration Dampening System
CHANGZHOU YONGGUANG VEHICLE CO LTD, 2023
Protective shell for car lights that prevents moisture accumulation inside the lamp and improves vibration resistance. The shell has a frame, a load-bearing frame inside the frame, a gas collecting cover on the upper side of the frame, and a fan connected to the outer wall of the frame. The fan extracts moist air inside the frame through a duct to prevent water mist buildup. The load-bearing frame supports the lamp body to reduce vibration.
4. LED Car Light Module Housing with Slot-Based Intermodule Sealing and Spring-Loaded Impact Buffering Mechanism
DANYANG ZHONGYIDA PHOTOELECTRIC TECH CO LTD, DANYANG ZHONGYIDA PHOTOELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023
LED car light module housing with improved sealing and impact resistance. The housing has slots for multiple LED modules to increase sealing between modules. The housing also has a sliding mechanism with a spring that allows the housing and sealing sleeve to slide together. When impacted, the spring compresses to buffer the force and prevent housing damage. The housing and sleeve completely wrap the connection to further increase sealing.
5. LED Floodlight with Boat-Shaped Housing and Integrated Water Baffle System
SHENZHEN SIMINGSHENG TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN SIMINGSHENG TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023
LED floodlight with high waterproof performance to prevent water ingress and improve floodlight reliability. The floodlight has a boat-shaped housing with a water baffle protrusion along the bottom that forms a holding tank. The PCB, power supply, and LEDs are mounted inside the housing. A removable sealing gasket covers the water baffle upper end. A limiting plate contacts the water baffle and reflector upper end. This creates a water storage tank between the baffle and housing. The gasket seals the upper end and prevents water entry. The baffle and tank prevent water ingress into the floodlight components.
6. Lamp Body Structure with Integrated Waterproofing and Heat Dissipation Ventilation System
HANGZHOU YOUHUAN LIGHTING APPLIANCE CO LTD, 2023
Waterproof lamp body structure that prevents water ingress while allowing heat dissipation. The structure includes a shell, glass plate, reflector, partition, LED light, signal line, limit frame, annular frame, and vent. The vent allows airflow for heat dissipation while the other components prevent water entry. The vent is positioned to align with the heat dissipation holes in the lamp body. The partition separates the LED light from the signal line to prevent water from short-circuiting the electronics. The limit frame holds the LED light and the annular frame surrounds the entire assembly. The vent is a small opening between the limit frame and annular frame to equalize pressure and allow airflow.
7. Outdoor Light Fixtures with Integrated Heat Sinks, Thermally Conductive Gaskets, and Sealed Enclosures
ABL IP Holding LLC, 2023
Waterproof outdoor light fixtures that provide improved thermal management and water ingress prevention. The fixtures have features like integrated heat sinks, thermally conductive gaskets, and sealed enclosures to dissipate heat and prevent water intrusion. The heat sinks help dissipate heat from the LEDs, and the thermally conductive gaskets around the lens and cover prevent condensation. The sealed enclosure prevents water ingress even in harsh environments.
8. Headlamp Heater with Infrared Emitting Element and Directed Radiation Pattern
PACCAR Inc., 2023
A headlamp heater that uses radiation to prevent condensation and ice on the lens. The heater has a heating element that emits infrared radiation toward the lens. The radiation stimulates convection inside the headlamp to remove condensation and also melts ice/snow on the outside. The heating element is angled and shaped to direct the radiation pattern toward the lens in a way that matches the beam pattern of the headlamp bulb. This prevents condensation and ice without affecting the bulb or lens lifespan as fans or resistive wires can.
9. Encapsulated LED Switch with Integral MOSFET Power Driver and Swappable PCB for High-Current Marine Applications
Bocatech, Inc., 2023
Compact, durable, and customizable LED switch for marine applications that can control high-current devices like pumps and horns. The switch uses an encapsulated LED switch combined with an integral MOSFET power driver PCB. This allows a low-power LED switch to control the output of a high-power driver that can handle heavy currents. The switch assembly is sealed in epoxy to make it waterproof and resistant to marine environments. The power driver PCB can be swapped to match load requirements. It provides a solution for getting high-current capability from a small LED switch that is ideal for marine use.
10. Forward LED Light with Integrated Heat Transfer and Temperature Sensing for Lens Deicing
MATRIX RAILWAY CORPORATION, 2023
A forward LED light with cooling capabilities to melt ice and keep the lens clear, using a heat transfer device and temperature sensing to distribute heat from inside the light to a heatsink cover on the outside. This allows the light to use its own heat to deice the lens and prevent obstructions in cold and snowy conditions. The device detects low temperatures inside the light and activates a heating element on the front heatsink cover to generate more heat for deicing.
11. Vehicle Lamp Housing with Ventilating Pipes and Integrated Desiccant for Moisture Control
GUANGZHOU SANWEI PHOTOELECTRIC TECH CO LTD, GUANGZHOU SANWEI PHOTOELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023
Waterproof vehicle lamp with improved sealing to prevent water ingress and internal moisture accumulation. The lamp has a housing with ventilating pipes that contain a water-absorbing desiccant. The ventilating pipes connect to the outside to allow air exchange. A sealing ring on the cover mates with the housing. A protrusion on the housing mates with a sealing gasket on the cover. This prevents water entry while allowing ventilation.
12. Vehicle Lamp Housing with Air Circulation Duct and Strategic Ventilation Openings
ICHIKOH IND LTD, 2023
A vehicle lamp housing design that prevents condensation inside the lamp by actively circulating air. The housing has openings that connect the lamp chamber to an air circulation duct. This allows air to flow through the chamber, preventing moisture buildup on the lens. The openings are strategically placed to maximize airflow and minimize stagnant areas. The housing can also have breathing structures to further vent the chamber. This active air circulation prevents dew condensation on the lens inner surface.
13. Automobile Lamp Sealing Structure with Integrated Moisture-Absorbing Pad and Waterproof Interface
CHANGZHOU SIWEITE TECH CO LTD, CHANGZHOU SIWEITE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023
Automobile lamp sealing structure with independent moisture absorption capability to improve waterproofing over time. The structure has a lamp cover with a waterproof pad between it and the shell. A moisture-absorbing pad is positioned around the reflector inside. This absorbs any water vapor generated inside the lamp to prevent it from condensing on the optics and affecting light output. The bolted connection between the cover and shell provides a tight seal. The moisture-absorbing pad addresses the issue of degraded sealing due to internal moisture buildup.
14. Sealed Aluminum-Housed LED Light Source with Acrylic Fiber and Glue-Filled Sealing Block
LIAO TONGYIN, 2023
Waterproof acrylic fiber outdoor light source that is suitable for harsh outdoor environments. The light source has a sealed aluminum housing with an aluminum circuit board inside. LED lamp beads are mounted on the board and face the acrylic fiber. The fiber extends from one end of the housing. The fiber, lamp beads, and circuit board are sealed inside the housing using a glue-filled sealing block. This improves waterproofing and allows the light source to be used outdoors. The housing has reserved installation holes for easy mounting.
15. Headlight Assembly with Ventilation Element and Permeable Opaque Barrier for Fog Prevention and Light Containment
法雷奥照明公司, VALEO VISION, 2023
Headlight design that prevents fogging while maintaining light containment. The headlight has a ventilation element to allow water vapor exit while preventing liquid water entry. The ventilation element leads to a permeable portion of an opaque element between the ventilation and exterior glass. This allows dry air to flow through the permeable part to prevent fogging, while the opaque part prevents light leakage. A deflector can direct airflow through the permeable part. This allows water vapor escape while preventing fogging without compromising light containment.
16. Dust Cover for Car Lamps with Air-Permeable Film and Hygroscopic Moisture Absorbent
DesiKhan Co., Ltd., 2022
Dust cover for car lamps that prevents fogging and moisture buildup inside the lamp housing. The cover has a housing with an air-permeable film sealing one end. Inside the housing is a moisture absorbent made of hygroscopic material like magnesium chloride, a curable inorganic substance, and polymer wax. The absorbent expands when wet to block moisture ingress. The cover seals the housing opening to prevent airflow and moisture ingress while allowing water vapor out. This prevents dew condensation inside the lamp. The absorbent keeps humidity low for extended periods by absorbing and holding moisture. The cover has specific absorbent compositions and moisture properties for optimal performance.
17. LED Lamp with Sealing Structure for Water Ingress Protection in Automotive Applications
FOSHAN DIXILIE ELECTRONIC TECH CO LTD, FOSHAN DIXILIE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022
A waterproof LED lamp for cars that prevents water ingress into the lamp housing and damage to the LED holder. The lamp has a base, an LED holder, and a sealing structure. The LED holder is fixedly connected to the base, and the base is fixedly connected to the lamp housing. The sealing structure surrounds the LED holder to prevent water from entering the gap between the base and housing. This prevents water from getting inside the lamp and damaging the LED holder.
18. LED Lamp Enclosure with Self-Adjusting Airflow Channels and Sliding Waterproof Baffles
JIANGSU SUNRAY TECH CO LTD, JIANGSU SUNRAY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022
LED lamp with self-adaptive waterproofing and heat dissipation for outdoor applications. The lamp has an enclosure with separate air intake and exhaust channels. A waterproof assembly seals the intake and prevents moisture ingress when there's a lot of water. A water level sensor triggers closing the intake and exhaust when water accumulates. A sliding mechanism moves the waterproof baffles in and out. When water is low, the baffles retract to allow airflow. When water is high, they close to block ingress. This provides adaptive waterproofing without sacrificing heat dissipation.
19. LED Lamp with Integrated Surface Heater and Enclosed Air Path for Snow and Condensation Prevention
HOTALUX LTD, 2022
LED lamp design to prevent snow adhesion and freezing in harsh environments like airport landing lights. The lamp has an LED module, light distribution component, and heater inside a housing with a transparent cover. The heater is on the cover surface in the light path. This melts any snow that lands on the cover before it freezes. The LED module and cover form an enclosed space between them. The heater heats this air path to prevent internal condensation.
20. Headlight Assembly with Protruding Section and Airtight Sealing Grooves for Moisture Control
HAIDE LAITE AUTO PARTS CO LTD, 2022
Car headlight with improved anti-fog performance and moisture protection. The headlight has a protruding section on the housing that extends into the lamp cover. Connections grooves on the cover and housing allow sealing rings to create an airtight seal around the protrusion. Moisture-proof plates snap onto the protrusion and cover to absorb internal moisture. This prevents fogging and condensation inside the headlight. The compact design has separate chambers for daytime running, low beam, and high beam/fog lights within the protrusion.
Request the full report with complete details of these
+45 patents for offline reading.
Innovative waterproofing techniques and cutting-edge heating systems are among the many of the advancements that ensure safe driving in adverse weather conditions. With development these vehicle lighting solutions should become even more practical and durable as technologies progress.