Electronic component for an improved lighting system

• US 9,874,343 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2016
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenall Manufacturing Company (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Kenall Manufacturing Company (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Dahlen, Kevin, Akiyama, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowman, Mary Ellen
• Application Number:
  US15/064,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20160186977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/503 of light sources cooling arrangements structurally associated with gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps H01J61/52; cooling arrangements structurally associated with electric incandescent lamps H01K1/58; cooling arrangements structurally associated with light-emitting diodes H01L33/64
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/508 of electrical circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/87 Organic material, e.g. filled polymer composites; Thermo-conductive additives or coatings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20436 Inner thermal coupling elements in heat dissipating housings, e.g. protrusions or depressions integrally formed in the housing

Abstract

An electronic component includes a housing, a heat-generating component, and a heat sink that is insulated from the housing. The housing is made at least partly of a first metallic material. The heat-generating component is disposed in the housing. The heat sink, which is made at least partly of a second metallic material, is disposed adjacent the heat-generating component and configured to dissipate heat from the heat-generating component. An optional insulating element can be disposed between the housing and the heat sink and insulates the second metallic material from the first metallic material.

Claims

1. An electronic component, comprising:

a housing made at least partly of a first metallic material;

a heat-generating component disposed in the housing; and

a heat sink disposed adjacent the heat-generating component and configured to dissipate heat from the heat-generating component, the heat sink being made at least partly of a second metallic material different from the first metallic material, wherein the first metallic material of the housing is thermally insulated from the second metallic material of the heat sink via an insulating member disposed between the housing and the heat sink, the insulating member insulating the second metallic material from the first metallic material.

2. The electronic component of claim 1, wherein the first metallic material comprises stainless steel.

3. The electronic component of claim 1, wherein the second metallic material comprises aluminum.

4. The electronic component of claim 1, wherein the insulating member comprises a gasket.

5. The electronic component of claim 1, further comprising a retainer coupled to the housing, the retainer configured to secure the insulating member against a portion of the housing and a portion of the heat sink.

6. The electronic component of claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a driver box and the heat-generating component comprises a driver.

7. The electronic component of claim 6, wherein the driver is configured to electrically power at least two luminaires located remotely from the electronic component.

8. The electronic component of claim 6, wherein the driver is capable of outputting electric power in a range of 300-500 Watts.

9. The electronic component of claim 1, wherein the heat-generating component comprises a plurality of heat-generating components, each heat-generating component being a driver configured to electrically power at least two luminaires located remotely from the electronic component.

10. The electronic component of claim 9, wherein the heat sink comprises a plurality of heat sinks configured to dissipate heat from the plurality of heat-generating components, respectively, and wherein the insulating member comprises a plurality of insulating elements disposed between the housing and the plurality of heat sinks, respectively, such that the plurality of heat sinks are insulated from the housing.

11. The electronic component of claim 1, wherein the heat-generating component comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) board.

12. The electronic component of claim 11, wherein each LED board is capable of including 48 LEDs.

13. The electronic component of claim 1, wherein the heat-generating component comprises a plurality of heat-generating components, each heat-generating component being a light-emitting diode (LED) board.

14. The electronic component of claim 13, wherein the heat sink comprises a plurality of heat sinks configured to dissipate heat from the plurality of heat-generating components, respectively, and wherein the insulating member further comprises a plurality of insulating elements disposed between the housing and the plurality of heat sinks, respectively, such that the plurality of heat sinks are insulated from the housing.

15. The electronic component of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of feet extending away from the housing.

16. An electronic component, comprising:

a housing having a first pair of opposing sidewalls, a second pair of opposing sidewalls, a bottom wall, and a cavity defined by the bottom wall;

a heat-generating component disposed within the cavity;

a heat sink disposed adjacent the heat-generating component and configured to dissipate heat from the heat-generating component; and

an insulating member disposed within the cavity between and in contact with the housing and the heat sink, the insulating member insulating the heat sink from the housing.

17. The electronic component of claim 16, wherein the housing is made at least partly of a first metallic material and the heat sink is made at least partly of a second metallic material.

18. The electronic component of claim 17, wherein the first metallic material comprises stainless steel, and wherein the second metallic material comprises aluminum.

19. The electronic component of claim 16, wherein the heat-generating component comprises a driver.

20. The electronic component of claim 16, wherein the electronic component is a luminaire and the heat-generating component comprises a lighting board.

21. The electronic component of claim 16, further comprising a retainer coupled to the housing, the retainer configured to secure the insulating member against a portion of the housing and a portion of the heat sink.

22. An electronic component, comprising:

a housing;

a heat-generating component disposed within the housing;

an insulating member coupled to a portion of the housing, the insulating member defining a receiving channel;

a heat sink having a portion disposed in the receiving channel of the insulating member, the heat sink configured to dissipate heat from the heat-generating component, wherein the insulating member insulates the heat sink from the housing.

23. The electronic component of claim 22, wherein the housing is made at least partly of a first metallic material and the heat sink is made at least partly of a second metallic material, the first metallic material being stainless steel, and the second metallic material being aluminum.

24. The electronic component of claim 22, wherein the heat-generating component comprises a driver.

25. The electronic component of claim 22, wherein the heat-generating component comprises a lighting board.

26. The electronic component of claim 22, wherein the heat sink has a perimeter edge, the perimeter edge being disposed in the receiving channel of the insulating member.

27. The electronic component of claim 22, further comprising a retainer coupled to the housing via a plurality of fasteners, the retainer securing the insulating member against a portion of the housing and a portion of the heat sink.