Printed circuit board retaining device

• US 7,170,751 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2005
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: Gelcore (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Mayer, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chervinsky; Boris
• Application Number:
  US11/029,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20060146502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 361/719
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0045 by tongue and groove connections, e.g. dovetail interlocking means fixed by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/745 the fins or blades being planar and inclined with respect to the joining surface from which the fins or blades extend
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/75 with fins or blades having different shapes, thicknesses or spacing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/767 the planes containing the fins or blades having directions perpendicular to the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/85 characterised by the material liquid coolants F21V29/56
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/305 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 27/00 Lighting arrangements in general F21
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/2049 Pressing means used to urge contact, e.g. springs

Abstract

A retaining device holds a PCB to a heat sink that has channels for receiving the retaining device. The retaining device includes a body having portions configured for receipt into the channels of the heat sink and moveable tabs and protuberances protruding away from a first surface of each moveable tab. A method for holding the PCB to the heat sink is disclosed. A lighting assembly that includes the retaining device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A cam for holding a printed circuit board to a heat sink that has channels for receiving the cam, the cam comprising a body having portions configured for receipt into a channel of a heat sink, a movable tab, and a protuberance extending away from a first surface of the movable tab.

2. The cam of claim 1, wherein the body is substantially planar having a substantially football-shaped periphery.

3. The cam of claim 1, wherein the body is axially symmetric.

4. The cam of claim 3, further comprising an additional movable tab wherein the tabs are spaced from one another and aligned along a central axis of the body.

5. The cam of claim 4, further comprising an additional protuberance extending away from a first surface of the additional tab, wherein the protuberances are located at or adjacent distal ends of the tabs.

6. The cam of claim 1, further comprising a ridge formed on a second surface adjacent a peripheral edge of the body.

7. The cam of claim 1, further comprising a central recess configured to receive a screwdriver.

8. A method for holding a printed circuit board against a heat sink comprising:

facing a first surface of a printed circuit board toward a first surface of a heat sink;

placing a protuberance of a cam that comprises a movable tab and the protuberance disposed on the tab in contact with a second surface of the printed circuit board, the second surface being opposite the first surface;

applying a force on the cam in a direction towards the printed circuit board;

moving the cam such that a portion of the cam is received into a channel of the heat sink; and

removing the force from the cam, whereby the movable tab exerts a force on the printed circuit board.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

placing a thermally conductive compressible material between the first surface of the printed circuit board and the first surface of the heat sink.

10. A light assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board;

an LED mounted to the printed circuit board;

a heat sink having a mounting surface contacting the printed circuit board and a first channel spaced from the mounting surface;

a cam including a first movable tab and a protuberance disposed on the first tab that is configured to contact the printed circuit board, the cam having a portion configured for receipt in the first channel of the heat sink.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the cam includes a ridge disposed on a side of the cam opposite the protrusion.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the ridge is generally parallel to an adjacent peripheral edge of the cam.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the heat sink includes a mating groove that receives the ridge.

14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the cam comprises a substantially planar body having a height that is about equal to a height of the channel.

16. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the cam includes a central recess configured to receive a screwdriver.

17. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the first movable tab is defined by a U-shaped cut-out through the cam.

18. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the cam includes a locating post and the printed circuit board includes a mating hole that receives that locating post.

19. The assembly of claim 10, includes a substantially linear peripheral edge received in the first channel of the heat sink.

15. The assembly of 10, wherein the cam has a height that is less than a height of the LED.