LED socket assembly

• US 8,241,044 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2009
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2009
• 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: Mostoller, Matthew Edward, Daily, Christopher George, Gingrich, Charles Raymond III, Weber, Ronald Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US12/634,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20110136394A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249, 362/49.02, 362/49.01, 362/665, 362/662, 362/640, 362/646, 362/249.02, 362/249.01, 439/56, 439/487, 439/404, 439/928, 439/701, 439/602, 439/699.2
• US Class Current: 439/56
• 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: F21V 19/003 Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/004 by deformation of parts or snap action mountings, e.g. using clips
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2433 one part of the base being movable to push the cable into the slot

Abstract

A socket assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED printed circuit board (PCB) with an LED mounted thereto. The LED package has a power contact configured to receive power from a power source to power the LED. The socket assembly also includes a socket housing having a receptacle that removably receives the LED package. The socket housing has a securing feature engaging the LED PCB to secure the LED PCB within the receptacle, where the securing feature is configured to release the LED PCB to remove the LED PCB from the receptacle. Optionally, the socket housing may include mounting features configured to mount the socket housing to a base, where the LED package is removable from the socket housing while the socket housing remains mounted to the base. A second LED package may be provided, where the LED package is removable from the receptacle and is replaced by the second LED package.

Claims

1. A socket assembly comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED printed circuit board (PCB) with an LED mounted thereto, the LED package having a power contact configured to receive power from a power source to power the LED; and

a socket housing having a receptacle that removably receives the LED package, the socket housing having a securing feature engaging the LED PCB to secure the LED PCB within the receptacle, the securing feature being configured to release the LED PCB to remove the LED PCB from the receptacle, the securing feature being movable between a mated position and a released position, in the mated position, the securing feature engages and blocks removal of the LED PCB from the receptacle, in the released position, the securing feature provides clearance for removal of the LED PCB from the receptacle.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket housing includes mounting features configured to mount the socket housing to a base, the LED package being removable from the socket housing while the socket housing remains mounted to the base.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second LED package, the LED package being removable from the receptacle and replaced by the second LED package.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a power connector coupled to the power contact of the LED package, the power connector being configured to supply power to the power connector.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a wire slot configured to hold a wire therein, the assembly further comprising a power connector having an insulation displacement contact for terminating to the wire, the power connector being coupled to the power contact.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a second socket housing having a second receptacle that removably receives a second LED package having a second LED PCB; and

a bridge power connector mounted to the socket housing and the second socket housing, the bridge power connector having bridge contacts electrically connected to the LED PCB and the second LED PCB.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing feature comprises deflectable latches that are movable between the mated and the released positions.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing feature comprises a cover that is at least one of removable from the socket housing or rotatably coupled to the socket housing.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket housing includes an open top, the LED emitting light through the open top, the LED package being loaded into and removable from the receptacle through the open top of the socket housing.

10. A socket assembly comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED printed circuit board (PCB) with an LED mounted thereto, the LED package having a power contact;

a socket housing having a receptacle that removably receives the LED package, the socket housing having a securing feature engaging the LED PCB to secure the LED PCB within the receptacle, the securing feature being configured to release the LED PCB to remove the LED PCB from the receptacle, the securing feature being movable between a mated position and a released position, in the mated position, the securing feature engages and blocks removal of the LED PCB from the receptacle in the released position the securing feature provides clearance for removal of the LED PCB from the receptacle, wherein the socket housing includes mounting features configured to mount the socket housing to a base, the LED package being removable from the socket housing while the socket housing remains mounted to the base; and

a power connector coupled to the power contact, the power connector being configured to supply power to the power contact.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a wire slot configured to hold a wire therein, the power connector having an insulation displacement contact being terminated to the wire.

12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the power connector includes a linkage connected to the socket housing such that the power connector is permanently, physically coupled to the socket housing.

13. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising a second socket housing having a second receptacle that removably receives a second LED package and a second power connector interconnecting the LED package and the second LED package.

14. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a second socket housing having a second receptacle that removably receives a second LED package having a second LED PCB; and

a bridge power connector mounted to the socket housing and the second socket housing, the bridge power connector having bridge contacts electrically connected to the LED PCB and the second LED PCB.

15. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the socket housing includes an open top, the LED emitting light through the open top, the LED package being loaded into and removable from the receptacle through the open top of the socket housing.

16. A socket assembly comprising:

a first socket comprising a first socket housing having a first receptacle, the first socket comprising a first light emitting diode (LED) package removably received in the first receptacle, the first LED package having a first LED printed circuit board (PCB) with first power contacts thereon;

a second socket comprising a second socket housing having a second receptacle, the second socket comprising a second LED package removably received in the second receptacle, the second LED package having a second LED PCB with second power contacts thereon; and

a bridge power connector mounted to the first socket housing and the second socket housing, the bridge power connector having bridge contacts electrically connected to the first power contacts and the second power contacts.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second housings include latching features engaging corresponding latching features on the bridge power connector to secure the bridge power connector to the first and second housings.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the bridge power connector both mechanically and electrically connects the first and second sockets together.

19. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a power connector electrically connected to the first LED package to supply power to the first LED PCB, the power supplied to the first LED PCB being transferred to the second LED PCB by the bridge power connector.

20. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the socket housing includes an open top, the LED emitting light through the open top, the LED package being loaded into and removable from the receptacle through the open top of the socket housing.