APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THERMAL DISSIPATION IN A LIGHT

• US 20090185373A1
• Filed: 11/19/2008
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Revolution Lighting Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Revolution Lighting Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: GRAJCAR, Zdenko
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/249.20
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• 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 29/74 with fins or blades
• 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 29/80 with pins or wires
• 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: F28F 3/022 the means being wires or pins
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/642 characterized by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0204 using means for thermal conduction connection in the thickness direction of the substrate H05K1/0207 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/066 Heatsink mounted on the surface of the PCB heatsink inserted in the PCB H05K2201/10416
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10106 Light emitting diode [LED]

Abstract

A device is disclosed for producing light that may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), an electronics package may be disposed about the first surface of one or more of the PCBs and a housing. The PCBs may include a metal layer and a core, and, in some aspects, may include multiple cores interposed between multiple metal layers, and in some embodiments a backplane may be disposed along the core(s). A plurality of PCB'"'"'s may be set apart and connected by pins to dissipate heat from one PCB to another, and/or to convey electrical connectivity. Pins may be configured to pass through or into one or both the PCBs including the cores to conduct heat generated by the electronics package away for dispersion. In some embodiments, the pins may pass into the backplane. The PCBs may include LEDs, lights, computer devices, memories, telecommunications devices, or combinations of these. The device may also include a housing to contain the plurality of PCBs such that air flow may enter the housing and pass by the pins for cooling of the PCBs and electronics thereof. The housing may also be configured to permit external power to be applied to the PCBs within the apparatus.

Claims

1. A device for producing light, comprising:

a housing configured to receive a light producing assembly that includes at least one electronics package which generates heat; and

a plurality of vents configured in the housing to permit an air flow through the housing to conduct the generated heat out of the housing,

wherein the light producing assembly comprises;

a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) spaced at an interval and connected by a plurality of pins, the plurality of pins being configured to conduct at least a portion of the generated heat from the at least one electronics package mounted on at least one of the PCBs into the interval so that the air flow passes through the interval and out of the housing.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the light producing assembly includes at least one light emitting diode.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one light emitting diode (LED) is formed on one of the PCBs and at least one of the plurality of pins is thermally connected to the at least one LED.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vents are formed as openings in the housing with the openings proximate the plurality of pins.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the openings are formed by a plurality of fins.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of fins have a curvature.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the light producing assembly comprises:

a first end that produces light; and

a second end that connects to an external power source.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of vents are formed by a plurality of fins, each fin configured with a curvature from proximate the first end extending towards the second end.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein an overall shape of the device resembles a flood light.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a threaded electrical connection at one end of the housing for receiving external power.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of PCBs comprise:

a first printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a first PCB first surface and the at least one electronics package disposed on the first PCB first surface;

a second PCB; and

the plurality of pins configured to secure the first PCB to the second PCB at an interval, the plurality of pins forming an array within the interval,

wherein at least a portion of the plurality of pins connect to the first PCB proximate the at least one electronics package such that at least a portion of heat generated by the at least one electronics package is receivable by at least a portion of the plurality of pins to conduct the at least a portion of the heat into the interval for dispersion.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first PCB further comprises:

a first PCB second surface;

a first core;

a first metal layer configured to define a first trace disposed on the first core first surface; and

a second metal layer configured to define a second trace disposed on the first core second surface,

wherein the first core is interposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer,

wherein the first trace is in electrical communication with the second trace, and

wherein one electronics package is in electrical communication with the first trace.

13. A device for producing light, comprising:

means for separating a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBS) at an interval, each PCB including an electronics package, wherein one electronics package includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for generating visible light;

means for receiving external power for powering each electronics package;

means for venting at least a portion of heat generated by at least one electronics package; and

wherein at least a portion of the means for separating provides electrical conductivity between the plurality of PCBs and provides thermal conductivity into the interval for dissipation by the means for venting.

14. A device for producing light, comprising:

first means for dissipating heat for a light emitting diode (LCD) assembly having two printed circuit boards (PCBs) and for separating the two PCBs at an interval; and

a housing to house the first means for dissipating heat, wherein a second means for dissipating heat is formed by the housing,

wherein the first means for dissipating is connected thermally proximate an electronics package on one of the PCBs.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the housing is configured to orient an electrical connector for powering the electronics package.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the electrical connector is a threaded connector.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the second means for dissipating heat is configured proximate the interval.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of LEDs are configured to produce visible white light.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing having a circumference larger at a first end greater than a second end and configured to receive a light assembly having two printed circuit boards (PCBs) held apart at an interval by a plurality of pins to convey heat generated by at least one PCB into the interval; and

a plurality of curved fins configured to create a plurality of vents in the housing, the plurality of vents configured to be proximate the interval for permitting air flow into the housing and past the plurality of pins for conveying generated heat out of the housing.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of curved fins has a curvature from proximate the first end extending towards the second end.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a circumference at the first end is configured to mate with a circumference of one of the PCBs.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a circumference of the housing proximate the first end is configured to mate with one of the PCBs.

23. A method of providing a lighting device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a housing configured to receive a light producing assembly that includes at least one electronics package that generates heat; and

providing a plurality of vents configured in the housing to permit an air flow through the housing to conduct the generated heat out of the housing,

providing a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) spaced at an interval and connected by a plurality of pins, the plurality of pins being configured to conduct at least a portion of the generated heat from the at least one electronics package mounted on at least one of the PCBs into the interval so that the air flow passes through the interval and out of the housing.