ENCLOSURES FOR LED CIRCUIT BOARDS

• US 20090290345A1
• Filed: 05/20/2008
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: APL IP Holding LLC
• Inventors: Shaner, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 7,845,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/249.01
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0035 the fastening means being capable of simultaneously attaching of an other part, e.g. a housing portion or an optical component
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/12 Flameproof or explosion-proof arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Embodiments of this invention provide an enclosure for an LED circuit board. The enclosure is manufactured from a flame resistant material and includes LED apertures through which LEDs mounted on an LED circuit board may pass. The enclosure is designed to be positioned on the LED circuit board so that, when so positioned, the LEDs extend at least partially through the LED apertures in the enclosure. When the enclosure is positioned on the board, portions of its lower surface contact the upper surface of the board. Various fixation/retention methods may be used to retain the enclosure in position relative to the circuit board. It is preferable that such methods allow for the separation of the enclosure from the board.

Claims

1. An enclosure for a circuit board comprising:

a. an upper surface;

b. a lower surface; and

c. at least one LED aperture that extends from the lower surface to the upper surface for receiving an LED mounted on the circuit board,

wherein the enclosure comprises a flame resistant polymeric material, wherein the enclosure is positionable on the circuit board so that at least portions of the lower surface of the enclosure contact the circuit board, and wherein the enclosure is separable from the circuit board.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the flame resistant polymeric material comprises a 5VA compliant material.

3. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein the flame resistant polymeric material comprises polycarbonate.

4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED aperture is defined by at least one aperture wall.

5. The enclosure of claim 4, wherein the at least one aperture wall comprises a chamfered wall section.

6. The enclosure of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the at least one aperture wall comprises a metallic compound.

7. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED aperture comprises an opening on the upper surface and the lower surface of the enclosure and wherein the opening on the upper surface is larger than the opening on the lower surface.

8. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED aperture is sized to receive a single LED.

9. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED aperture is sized to receive a plurality of LEDs.

10. An assembly comprising:

a. a circuit board comprising at least one LED mounted on the circuit board; and

b. an enclosure positioned on the circuit board, the enclosure comprising;

i. an upper surface;

ii. a lower surface; and

iii. at least one LED aperture that extends from the lower surface to the upper surface and receives the at least one LED mounted on the circuit board,

wherein the enclosure comprises a flame resistant polymeric material, wherein the enclosure is positionable on the circuit board so that at least portions of the lower surface of the enclosure contact the circuit board, and wherein the enclosure is separable from the circuit board.

11. The enclosure of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is secured in place relative to the circuit board.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the enclosure is secured in place relative to the circuit board via at least one mechanical fastener.

13. The enclosure of claim 12, wherein the enclosure is separable from the circuit board by removing or adjusting the at least one mechanical fastener.

14. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising a lighting fixture.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the enclosure is secured in the lighting fixture via at least one mechanical fastener.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one mechanical fastener is removable or adjustable to allow the enclosure to be separated from the circuit board.

17. A lighting fixture comprising:

a. a circuit board comprising a plurality of LEDs mounted on the circuit board; and

b. an enclosure positioned on the circuit board, the enclosure comprising;

i. an upper surface;

ii. a lower surface; and

iii. a plurality of LED apertures that extends from the lower surface to the upper surface and receive the LEDs mounted on the circuit board,

wherein the enclosure comprises polycarbonate, wherein the enclosure is positionable on the circuit board so that at least portions of the lower surface of the enclosure contact the circuit board, and wherein the enclosure is separable from the circuit board.