Light engine module with removable circuit board

• US 9,605,812 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creeled Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Van De Ven, Antony Paul, Thieken, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Joseph L
• Application Number:
  US14/278,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20150009670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/238 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• 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 19/0055 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/002 Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/006 the substrate being distinct from the light source holder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• 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 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• 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 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 : characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 : Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 : on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Light engine modules including a support member and a solid state light emitter, in which (1) the emitter is mounted on the support member, (2) a region of the support member has a surface with a curved cross-section, (3) the emitter and a compensation circuit are mounted on the support member, (4) an electrical contact element extends to at least two surfaces of the support member, and/or (5) a substantial entirety of the module is located on one side of a plane and the emitter emits light into another side of the plane. Also, a module in which a light emitter is supported. Also, a lighting device including a housing member and a light emitter mounted on a removable support member. Also, a lighting device including a module mounted in a lighting device element. Also, a method including mounting a module to a lighting device element.

Claims

1. A light engine module, comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter support member;

at least a first solid state light emitter; and

at least a first circuit board,

the first solid state light emitter on the first circuit board,

the first circuit board removably connected to the first solid state light emitter support member.

2. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the first circuit board is removably connected to the first solid state light emitter support member by at least one clip.

3. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the first circuit board is removably connected to the first solid state light emitter support member by a press fit.

4. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the first circuit board is removably connected to the first solid state light emitter support member by at least a first protrusion that is received in a first recess.

5. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the first circuit board is removably connected to the first solid state light emitter support member by at least a first tab that fits in a first slot.

6. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the first solid state light emitter is on a first circuit board and the first circuit board is on the first solid state light emitter support member.

7. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the light engine module is configured to connect with any of a plurality of different housing elements.

8. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the first solid state light emitter support member comprises at least one structure that provides and/or enhances heat dissipation.

9. A light engine module as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one structure that provides and/or enhances heat dissipation comprises at least one heat dissipation fin and/or at least one heat dissipation pin.

10. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the light engine module further comprises at least a second circuit board,

the second circuit board is removably connected to the first solid state light emitter support member.

11. A light engine module as recited in claim 10, wherein the second circuit board is substantially the same shape and size as the first circuit board.

12. A lighting device, comprising:

a light engine module as recited in claim 1; and

at least a first housing element,

the first solid state light emitter support member having at least a first alignment feature,

the first housing element having at least a second alignment feature,

the first alignment feature configured to engage the second alignment feature.

13. A lighting device as recited in claim 12, wherein the first alignment feature is a tab and the second alignment feature is a groove.

14. A lighting device as recited in claim 12, wherein the first alignment feature is a groove and the second alignment feature is a tab.

15. A lighting device as recited in claim 12, wherein:

the first solid state light emitter support member has a first electrical contact element, and

the first housing element has a second electrical contact element,

the first electrical contact element is in contact with the second electrical contact element.

16. A lighting device as recited in claim 12, wherein the first solid state light emitter support member is removable from the first housing member.

17. A lighting device as recited in claim 12, wherein the first solid state light emitter support member is configured to connect with any of a plurality of different housing elements.

18. A lighting device as recited in claim 12, wherein:

the first solid state light emitter support member comprises at least first and second circuit boards,

the first and second circuit boards are on the first solid state light emitter support member, and

the second circuit board is substantially the same shape and size as the first circuit board.

19. A lighting device as recited in claim 12, wherein the first solid state light emitter support member comprises at least one structure that provides and/or enhances heat dissipation.

20. A lighting device as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one structure that provides and/or enhances heat dissipation comprises at least one heat dissipation fin and/or at least one heat dissipation pin.

21. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first circuit board is on a first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member,

a first cross-section of the first solid state light emitter support member is parallel to the first surface,

a second cross-section of the first solid state light emitter support member is parallel to the first surface,

the first cross-section is closer to the first surface than the second cross-section,

the first cross-section has a largest dimension that is larger than a largest dimension of the second cross-section.

22. A light engine module as recited in claim 21, wherein the first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the light engine module, and no cross-section of the light engine module perpendicular to the axis is larger than any other cross-section of the light engine module that is perpendicular to the axis and closer to the first solid state light emitter support member.

23. A light engine module as recited in claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the first solid state light emitter support member is substantially frustoconical.

24. A light engine module as recited in claim 21, wherein the light engine module is configured to connect with any of a plurality of different housing elements.

25. A light engine module as recited in claim 21, wherein the first solid state light emitter support member comprises at least one structure that provides and/or enhances heat dissipation.

26. A light engine module as recited in claim 21, wherein:

the light engine module further comprises at least a second circuit board on the first solid state light emitter support member, and

the second circuit board is substantially the same shape and size as the first circuit board.

27. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first solid state light emitter support member comprises at least one structure that provides or enhances heat dissipation and/or that functions as a heat sink, and

the first solid state light emitter support member is configured to be connected to a housing member.

28. A light engine module as recited in claim 27, wherein the light engine module is configured to connect with any of a plurality of different housing elements.

29. A lighting device comprising a light engine module as recited in claim 27 and at least a first housing member, the light engine module structurally supported by the first housing member.

30. A lighting device as recited in claim 29, wherein the light engine module is removable from the first housing member.

31. A light engine module as recited in claim 27, wherein:

the light engine module further comprises at least a second circuit board,

the second circuit board is on the first solid state light emitter support member, and

the second circuit board is substantially the same shape and size as the first circuit board.

32. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the light engine module further comprises at least a second circuit board; and

the second circuit board is non-parallel to the first circuit board.

33. A light engine module as recited in claim 32, wherein the second circuit board is substantially perpendicular to the first circuit board.

34. A light engine module as recited in claim 32, wherein the light engine module further comprises compensation circuitry, the compensation circuitry on the second circuit board.

35. A light engine module as recited in claim 34, wherein the compensation circuitry adjusts current and/or voltage of electricity supplied to at least the first solid state light emitter based at least in part on temperature sensed by at least one temperature sensor.

36. A light engine module as recited in claim 34, wherein the compensation circuitry adjusts current and/or voltage of electricity supplied to at least the first solid state light emitter based at least in part light emission sensed by at least one light sensor.

37. A light engine module as recited in claim 32, wherein the second circuit board comprises circuitry that performs at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity.

38. A light engine module as recited in claim 32, wherein the light engine module is configured to be connected with any of a plurality of different housing elements.

39. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a first region of the first solid state light emitter support member comprises a surface that has a curved cross-section.

40. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the light engine module further comprises at least a first compensation circuit mounted on the first solid state light emitter support member.

41. A light engine module as recited in claim 40, wherein the first circuit board is mounted on a first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member and the first compensation circuit is mounted on a second surface of the first solid state light emitter support member.

42. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the light engine module further comprises at least a first electrical contact element,

the first circuit board is mounted on a first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member, and

the first electrical contact element extends at least from the first surface of the solid state light emitter support member to a second surface of the solid state light emitter support member.

43. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein a least a first electrical contact element is on the first solid state light emitter support member.