LED CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH HEAT SINK

• US 20090203254A1
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2007
• 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: GINGRICH, Charles Raymond III, DAILY, Christopher George, WEBER, Ronald Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,976,335 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/541
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0005 of sources having contact pins, wires or blades, e.g. pinch sealed lamp F21V19/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/51 using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
• 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 29/83 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: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A universal mounting supports high intensity LEDs in a lighting fixture with heat removal and electrical connection facilities. A holder includes a peripheral sidewall defining a cavity for accepting a printed circuit board assembly. A support member supports the printed circuit board assembly along the peripheral sidewall. Electrical contact elements are provided the printed circuit board. A thermal conduction member is in thermal communication with the printed circuit board assembly. The receptacle portion removably engages with the holder portion. A plurality of contact sockets conductively engages the electrical contact elements of the holder portion to interconnect the contact elements to external wires. An aperture in the receptacle portion accepts the thermal conduction member, wherein the thermal conduction member passes through the aperture and into a space for dissipating heat from the printed circuit board.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A connector assembly for a light emitting diode comprising:

a holder portion comprising a recess for accepting a printed circuit board assembly having a light emitting diode mounted thereon;

a plurality of electrical contact elements in electrical communication with the printed circuit board assembly; and

a heat sink in thermal communication with the printed circuit board assembly, the heat sink configured to dissipate heat generated by the connector assembly.

22. The connector assembly of claim 21 further comprising:

a cavity disposed in the holder portion, and

at least one support member disposed within the cavity to support the printed circuit board assembly.

23. The connector assembly of claim 22, further comprising a sidewall of the cavity and at least one support member disposed along the sidewall.

24. The connector assembly of claim 23, further comprising:

a spring disposed between the heat sink and the at least one support member, the spring arranged to apply compressive force between the heat sink and the printed circuit board assembly, and to apply normal force to the electrical contact elements;

the heat sink comprising a flange portion adjacent to a first end of the spring; and

the spring configured to maintain the flange portion against the printed circuit board.

25. The connector assembly of claim 24, further comprising:

the spring seated on a washer at an end of the spring opposite the flange portion; and

a circular locking clip engaged with the heat sink to lock the washer in a predetermined position along the heat sink.

26. The connector assembly of claim 25, further comprising:

a connector portion comprising an aperture arranged to accept the heat sink, and a plurality of contact sockets configured to conductively engage the plurality of electrical contact elements, the heat sink extending through the connector portion when the holder portion is engaged with the connector portion.

27. The connector assembly of claim 26, further comprising:

at least one bayonet lug disposed on an exterior of the sidewall, the at least one bayonet lug insertable into a channel in a lighting fixture.

28. The connector assembly of claim 27, further comprising:

a shelf portion disposed on the support member; and

the spring seated on the shelf portion at a first end of the spring opposite the flange portion.

29. The connector assembly of claim 27, further comprising:

a latching edge directed inwardly on the support member; and

a rim portion maintained against the latching edge of the spring.

30. The connector assembly of claim 21 further comprising:

each electrical contact element of the plurality of contact elements include a finger portion;

each finger portion including an angled portion; and

the angled portion engageable with the printed circuit board.

31. The connector assembly of claim 21 further comprising:

at least one LED mounted on the printed circuit board, and at least one pair of interconnection pad elements in electrical communication with the at least one LED.

32. The connector assembly of claim 21, further comprising:

a plurality of connector terminal portions extending from the holder portion through a substrate, the substrate configured for connection to an external device.

33. A connector assembly for a light emitting diode comprising:

a first portion comprising;

a frame portion, a printed circuit board, and a plurality of electrical conductors engageable with a corresponding plurality of contact pads disposed on the printed circuit board;

a second portion comprising;

a cavity for receiving the first portion; and

the second portion maintained in thermal contact with the first portion.

34. The connector assembly of claim 33, further comprising:

at least one LED mounted on the printed circuit board.

35. The connector assembly of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of flute portions on the second portion for dissipating heat.

36. The connector assembly of claim 35, further comprising the flute portions projecting radially inward from an outer radius of the second portion;

and

the printed circuit board located on the plurality of flute portions.

37. The connector assembly of claim 33 further comprising:

a complementary outer ring on an end of the heat sink for mounting the connector assembly directly to a lighting fixture configured for mounting a conventional electric bulb.

38. The connector assembly of claim 33, further comprising:

at least one channel disposed between two or more of the plurality of flute portions to accommodate at least one wire lead; and

the at least one wire lead connected to at least one contact pad of the plurality of contact pads.

39. The connector assembly of claim 33, further comprising:

a flange portion associated with the second portion, and a latch;

the first portion disposed in the second portion in contact with against the printed circuit board; and

the latch arranged to attach the printed circuit board under the flange portion.

40. The connector assembly of claim 33 further comprising at least one base portion for supporting the first portion within the cavity.