LED connector assembly with heat sink

• US 7,976,335 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Weber, Ronald Martin, Daily, Christopher George, Gingrich, Charles Raymond III
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen; Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US12/428,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20090203254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 439/487, 439/76.1, 439/485, 313/317, 313/318.01, 313/318.12, 362/373, 362/800
• US Class Current: 439/487
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0005 of sources having contact pins, wires or blades, e.g. pinch sealed lamp F21V19/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/51 using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A universal mounting supports high intensity LEDs in a lighting fixture with heat removal and electrical connection facilities. A holder includes a peripheral sidewall defining a cavity for accepting a printed circuit board assembly. A support member supports the printed circuit board assembly along the peripheral sidewall. Electrical contact elements are provided the printed circuit board. A thermal conduction member is in thermal communication with the printed circuit board assembly. The receptacle portion removably engages with the holder portion. A plurality of contact sockets conductively engages the electrical contact elements of the holder portion to interconnect the contact elements to external wires. An aperture in the receptacle portion accepts the thermal conduction member, wherein the thermal conduction member passes through the aperture and into a space for dissipating heat from the printed circuit board.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for a light emitting diode comprising:

a holder portion comprising a recess for accepting a printed circuit board assembly having a light emitting diode mounted thereon;

a plurality of electrical contact elements in electrical communication with the printed circuit board assembly; and

a heat sink in thermal communication with the printed circuit board assembly, the heat sink configured to dissipate heat generated by the connector assembly; and

a connector portion comprising an aperture arranged to accept the heat sink, and a plurality of contact sockets configured to conductively engage the plurality of electrical contact elements, the heat sink extending through the connector portion when the holder portion is engaged with the connector portion.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a cavity disposed in the holder portion, and

at least one support member disposed within the cavity to support the printed circuit board assembly.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2, further comprising a sidewall of the cavity and at least one support member disposed along the sidewall.

4. The connector assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

a spring disposed between the heat sink and the at least one support member, the spring arranged to apply compressive force between the heat sink and the printed circuit board assembly, and to apply normal force to the electrical contact elements;

the heat sink comprising a flange portion adjacent to a first end of the spring; and

the spring configured to maintain the flange portion against the printed circuit board.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

the spring seated on a washer at an end of the spring opposite the flange portion; and

a circular locking clip engaged with the heat sink to lock the washer in a predetermined position along the heat sink.

6. The connector assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

at least one bayonet lug disposed on an exterior of the sidewall, the at least one bayonet lug insertable into a channel in a lighting fixture.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a shelf portion disposed on the support member; and

the spring seated on the shelf portion at a first end of the spring opposite the flange portion.

8. The connector assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a latching edge directed inwardly on the support member; and

a rim portion maintained against the latching edge of the spring.

9. The connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

each electrical contact element of the plurality of electrical contact elements include a finger portion;

each finger portion including an angled portion; and

the angled portion engageable with the printed circuit board assembly.