ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AND LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE PACKAGE AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME

• US 20110116275A1
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creeled Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sheek, Kevin Todd
• Granted Patent: US 8,337,214 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/382
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/15 Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00012 Relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/181 Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/592 connections to contact elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/62 connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/40 Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/627 Snap or like fastening
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/36 Assembling printed circuits with other printed circuits H05K7/142 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49126 Assembling bases

Abstract

Electrical connectors for attachment to electrical contacts of light emitting devices as well as light emitting device packages and lamp assemblies that use such connectors are provided. Further, methods for assembling light emitting device packages that use such connectors are provided. The electrical connector, for example, can have a plug housing with an electrically conductive socket engaging connection for engaging a socket. The electrical connector can also have an electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing and connected to the socket engaging connection. The electrically conductive member can have an end distal from the plug housing that forms a contact base configured to attach to an electrical contact on a light emitting device.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for a light emitting device that comprises an electrical contact, the connector comprising:

a plug housing;

an electrically conductive socket engaging connection within the plug housing for engaging a socket; and

an electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing and connected to the socket engaging connection, the electrically conductive member comprising an end distal from the plug housing that forms a contact base configured to attach to the electrical contact on the light emitting device.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the plug housing comprises plastic.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the plug housing comprises heat resistant plastic.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises a bar.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive socket engaging connection of the plug housing comprises one or more pins.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive member is angled with respect to the contact base.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises an upper portion that extends in one direction with the contact base extending in a different direction.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the contact base of the electrically conductive member extends in a direction that is at least generally orthogonal to the upper portion of the electrically conductive member.

9. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the electrically conductive member is configured to bend proximal to the contact base.

10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises an upper portion and the contact base of the electrically conductive member forms a pad from which the upper portion extends.

11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the contact base of the electrically conductive member is disposed along a plane that is at least generally orthogonal to the upper portion of the electrically conductive member.

12. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive member is configured to bend proximal to the contact base.

13. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive member is planar such that the contact base and the rest of the electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing are disposed along the same axis.

14. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive member is configured to bend.

15. The connector according to claim 14, wherein the electrically conductive member is configured to bend proximal to the contact base.

16. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrically conductive members extending from the plug housing and connected to the socket engaging connection with the number of electrically conductive members corresponding to a number of contacts on the light emitting device and each electrically conductive member comprises an end distal from the plug housing that forms a contact base configured to attach to a corresponding electrical contact on the light emitting device.

17. The connector according to claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive socket engaging connection of the plug housing comprises a plurality of pins that correspond to the plurality of electrically conductive members.

18. A light emitting device package comprising:

a substrate for a light emitting device;

an electrical contact disposed on the substrate for connection with the light emitting device;

an electrical connector comprising;

a plug housing;

an electrically conductive socket engaging connection within the plug housing for engaging a socket; and

an electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing and connected to the socket engaging connection, the electrically conductive member comprising an end distal from the plug housing that forms a contact base attached to the electrical contact on the light emitting device.

19. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the substrate comprises a top surface and the electrical contact is disposed on the top surface of the substrate.

20. The light emitting device package according to claim 19, further comprising a plurality of electrical contacts on a top surface of the substrate.

21. The light emitting device package according to claim 20, further comprising a plurality of electrically conductive members extending from the plug housing and connected to the socket engaging connection with each electrically conductive member comprising an end distal from the plug housing that forms a contact base configured to attach to a corresponding electrical contact on the light emitting device.

22. The light emitting device package according to claim 21, wherein the electrically conductive socket engaging connection of the plug housing comprises a plurality of pins that correspond to the plurality of electrically conductive members.

23. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the plug housing comprises plastic.

24. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the plug housing comprises heat resistant plastic.

25. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the electrically conductive socket engaging connection of the plug housing comprises one or more pins.

26. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the electrically conductive member is angled with respect to the contact base.

27. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises an upper portion that extends in one direction with the contact base extending in a different direction.

28. The light emitting device package according to claim 27, wherein the contact base of the electrically conductive member extends in a direction that is at least generally orthogonal to the upper portion of the electrically conductive member.

29. The light emitting device package according to claim 27, wherein the electrically conductive member is configured to bend proximal to the contact base to reduce blocking of light emitted by the light emitting device package.

30. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises an upper portion and the contact base of the electrically conductive member forms a pad from which the upper portion extends.

31. The light emitting device package according to claim 30, wherein the contact base of the electrically conductive member is disposed along a plane that is at least generally orthogonal to the upper portion of the electrically conductive member.

32. The light emitting device package according to claim 30, wherein the electrically conductive member is configured to bend proximal to the contact base to reduce blocking of light emitted by the light emitting device package.

33. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the electrically conductive member is planar such that the contact base and the rest of the electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing are disposed along the same plane.

34. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the contact base is attached to the electrical contact of the light emitting device by solder reflow.

35. The light emitting device package according to claim 18, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises a bar.

36. A lamp assembly comprising:

a light-emitting device package comprising a substrate for a light emitting device and an electrical contact disposed on the substrate;

an electrical connector comprising;

a plug housing;

an electrically conductive socket engaging connection within the plug housing for engaging a socket; and

an electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing and connected to the socket engaging connection, the electrically conductive member comprising an end distal from the plug housing that forms a contact base attached to the electrical contact on the light emitting device; and

a socket connected to a board, the socket configured to receive at least a portion of the electrically conductive socket engaging connection of the plug housing.

37. The lamp assembly according to claim 36, wherein the electrically conductive member is angled with respect to the contact base.

38. The lamp assembly according to claim 36, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises an upper portion that extends in one direction with the contact base extending in a different direction.

39. The lamp assembly according to claim 38, wherein the contact base of the electrically conductive member extends in a direction that is at least generally orthogonal to the upper portion of the electrically conductive member.

40. The lamp assembly according to claim 38, wherein the electrically conductive member is configured to bend proximal to the contact base.

41. The lamp assembly according to claim 36, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises an upper portion and the contact base of the electrically conductive member forms a pad from which the upper portion extends.

42. The lamp assembly according to claim 41, wherein the contact base of the electrically conductive member is disposed along a plane that is at least generally orthogonal to the upper portion of the electrically conductive member.

43. The lamp assembly according to claim 41, wherein the electrically conductive member is configured to bend proximal to the contact base.

44. The lamp assembly according to claim 36, wherein the electrically conductive member is planar such that the contact base and the rest of the electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing are disposed along the same plane.

45. The lamp assembly according to claim 36, wherein the contact base is attached to the electrical contact of the light emitting device by solder reflow.

46. The lamp assembly according to claim 36, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises a bar.

47. A method of assembling a light emitting device package comprising:

providing a substrate for a light emitting device and an electrical contact disposed on the substrate for connection with the light emitting device;

providing an electrical connector comprising;

a plug housing;

an electrically conductive socket engaging connection within the plug housing for engaging a socket; and

an electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing and connected to the socket engaging connection, the electrically conductive member comprising an end distal from the plug housing that forms a contact base;

attaching the electrically conductive member of the electrical connector to the electrical contact on the light emitting device.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the electrically conductive member is angled at the contact base such that the electrically conductive member comprises an upper portion that extends in one direction with the contact base extending in a different direction, and further comprising bending the electrically conductive member proximal to the contact base so that the plug housing is in a position that reduces blocking of light emitted by the light emitting device package.

49. The method according to claim 47, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises an upper portion and the contact base of the electrically conductive member forms a pad from which the upper portion extends and further comprising bending the electrically conductive member proximal to the contact base so that the plug housing is in a position that reduces blocking of light emitted by the light emitting device package.

50. The method according to claim 47, wherein the electrically conductive member is planar such that the contact base and the rest of the electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing are disposed along the same plane.

51. The method according to claim 47, wherein the step of attaching the contact base to the electrical contact of the light emitting device comprises reflowing the contact base to the electrical contact.

52. The method according to claim 47, wherein the electrically conductive member comprises a bar.

53. A light emitting device package comprising:

a light emitting device; and

a plug electrically connected to the light emitting device and adapted for providing electrical connection between the light emitting device and an electrical source apart from the light emitting package.