Light module

• US 9,759,415 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2015
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molex LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Molex LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zaderej, Victor, McGowan, Daniel B., Nguyen, Dan Q., Grzegorzewska, Barbara, Picini, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/886,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20160186974A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 36224902-24903, 362364-365, 362368, 362457, 362647, 362649
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/00 Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/14 Bayonet-type fastening
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/162 the parts being subjected to traction or compression, e.g. coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/00 Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices F21V17/00, F21V19/00 take precedence; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q, stands for supporting apparatus or articles in general F16M11/00; Hand grips
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• 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 29/85 characterised by the material liquid coolants F21V29/56
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An illumination module is provided that can be inserted into a receptacle that includes a wall and may be mounted on a support surface, such as a heat sink, and the illumination module include a cover and an LED assembly rotateably coupled to the cover. The LED assembly seats within the receptacle which causes terminals of the LED assembly to align with contacts on the receptacle. One of the cover and the receptacle can have a plurality of ramps and the other a plurality of shoulders. The cover can be rotated relative to the receptacle to cause the shoulders to slide relative to the ramps so as to direct the LED assembly into the receptacle. When the LED assembly is attached to the receptacle, the terminals on the LED assembly mate with the contacts on the receptacle.

Claims

1. A receptacle for an illumination module, the receptacle comprising:

a wall having a top surface, an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a central passageway and the outer surface providing a circular profile, a plurality of apertures extending through the wall, a plurality of grooves provided in the wall and recessed from the inner surface, the grooves in communication with the plurality of apertures;

a plurality of contacts extending from the outer surface and seated within the grooves, the contacts being recessed from the inner surface; and

a plurality of legs provided on the outer surface, each of the legs being configured to provide a ramp surface being arranged at substantially the same angle, wherein the plurality of contacts are arranged in a first and second group of contacts and a slot is provided between the first and second group.

2. The receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a shroud extending outward from the outer surface, the shroud extending over the terminals.

3. The receptacle of claim 2, comprising a first and second frame support extending inward of the inner surface, the first and second frame support configured to provide a non-symmetrical opening.

4. The receptacle of claim 3, further including a support surface provided in an area defined by the inner surface, the support surface being substantially flat, wherein the slot extends to the support surface.

5. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein each of the ramp surfaces is in communication with a retaining surface and a slot, the ramp surface extending further from the top surface between the slot and the retaining surface and the retaining surface being positioned closer to the top surface than the adjacent portion of the ramp surface.

6. The receptacle of claim 5, wherein wires are electrically connected to the contacts.

7. The receptacle of claim 6, comprising a third frame support, each of the frame supports being positioned opposite one of the retaining surfaces.

8. The receptacle of claim 7, wherein the wall has a circular shape.