LED Socket Assembly

• US 20160312984A1
• Filed: 07/01/2016
• Published: 10/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Nederland B.V. (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: TE Connectivity Nederland B.V. (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Poorter, Peter, Iedema, Jeroen, Leijnse, Olaf
• Granted Patent: US 10,066,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• 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 19/004 by deformation of parts or snap action mountings, e.g. using clips
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0055 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/001 the elements being electrical wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A socket assembly is disclosed. The socket assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED printed circuit board (PCB), a base frame, an isolator frame, and an electrical contact. The base frame has a base mounted to a support structure and a spring finger extending from the base, the spring finger applying a clamping force to the LED PCB that acts in a direction toward the support structure. The isolator frame is mounted to the support structure. The electrical contact is electrically connected to the LED PCB and disposed within the isolator frame, such that the isolator frame electrically isolates the base frame from the electrical contact.

Claims

1. A socket assembly comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED printed circuit board (PCB);

a base frame having a base mounted to a support structure and a spring finger extending from the base, the spring finger configured to apply a clamping force to the LED PCB that acts in a direction toward the support structure;

an isolator frame mounted to the support structure; and

an electrical contact electrically connected to the LED PCB and disposed within the isolator frame such that the isolator frame electrically isolates the base frame from the electrical contact.

2. The socket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover that extends over the base frame, the isolator frame, and the LED package, the cover having an opening that exposes an LED of the LED package.

3. The socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the base frame is in thermal communication with the LED package.

4. The socket assembly of claim 1, wherein a threaded fastener engages an anvil of the base frame and applies a clamping force to the base frame that acts in a direction toward the support structure.

5. The socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the LED package is disposed within a recess of the base frame, the base frame having an LED mounting member contacting the LED PCB and holding the LED PCB within the recess.

6. The socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the LED package is disposed within a recess of the base frame, and the isolator frame has an LED mounting member contacting the LED PCB and holding the LED PCB within the recess.

7. The socket assembly of claim 1, wherein a retention feature of the isolator frame mechanically connects with a retention member of the base frame.

8. The socket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover having an opening that exposes an LED of the LED package and a retention feature mechanically connecting with a retention member of the base frame.

9. The socket assembly of claim 1, wherein the isolator frame has an isolator PCB electrically connected to the electrical contact, the LED PCB, and an electrical power supply.

10. The socket assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the base frame is metal.

11. A socket assembly comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED printed circuit board (PCB) that includes an electrical power contact;

a frame; and

an electrical contact member held by the frame and having first and second electrical contacts, the first electrical contact electrically connected to the electrical power contact and having a first connection structure configured to mate with a first mating contact, the second electrical contact electrically connected to the electrical power contact and having a second connection structure configured to mate with a second mating contact, wherein the first connection structure is different than the second connection structure.

12. The socket assembly of claim 11, wherein the first connection structure has a pin that is configured to be received within a receptacle of the first mating contact.

13. The socket assembly of claim 11, wherein the second connection structure has a receiving structure that is configured to receive the second mating contact.

14. The socket assembly of claim 11, wherein the first electrical contact includes a first positive contact having the first connection structure and a first negative contact having the first connection structure, and the second electrical contact includes a second positive contact having the second connection structure and a second negative contact having the second connection structure.

15. The socket assembly of claim 11, wherein the first electrical contact is configured to provide both positive and negative electrical connections to the LED PCB and the second electrical contact is configured to provide both positive and negative electrical connections to the LED PCB, such that the first and second electrical contacts can each be selectively used to provide electrical power to an LED.

16. The socket assembly of claim 11, wherein the electrical contact member has a base and an LED contact electrically connected to the electrical power contact, the first and second electrical contacts extending from the base such that the base electrically connects the first and second electrical contacts to the LED contact.

17. The socket assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first mating contact and the second mating contact is an electrical wire and at least one of the first connection structure and the second connection structure is configured to mate with the electrical wire.

18. A socket assembly comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) package having an LED printed circuit board (PCB) with an LED mounted thereto;

a metal base frame having a base mounted to a support structure and a spring finger extending from the base, the spring finger configured to apply a clamping force to the LED PCB that acts in a direction toward the support structure;

an isolator PCB electrically connected to an electrical power supply; and

an electrical contact electrically connected to the LED PCB and disposed within the isolator PCB such that the electrical contact electrically connects the isolator PCB to the LED PCB

19. The socket assembly of claim 18, further comprising an electrical connector electrically connected to the isolator PCB, the electrical connector being configured to be mated with a mating connector for supplying electrical power to the LED through the isolator PCB.

20. The socket assembly of claim 18, wherein the base frame is in thermal communication with the LED package.