Functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes

Abstract

 A functional accommodation unit (1) for light emitting diodes (2), known as LEDs, of the type suitable for installation within a luminaire, such as chandeliers, ceiling lamps, street lamps and lamps in general, provided with an enclosure for containing a power supply circuit connected to a power source.
The unit (1) comprises a substantially rigid support (3), which is provided with means for coupling to respective tabs for connecting the internal surface of the enclosure.
The support (3) is provided with at least one seat for at least one light emitting diode (2), at least one electrical connector (4) which is complementary to a corresponding terminal of the power supply circuit, and at least one conducting path (5) for the connection of the connector (4) to the terminals of the at least one light emitting diode (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes, known as LEDs.

[0002] More and more often, in lighting apparatuses use is made of light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source, owing to the increase, in terms of intensity and power, of the beam emitted by these devices, which is obtained from the latest generations of LEDs.

[0003] These devices also provide minimisation of energy consumption combined with great efficiency and an exceptionally long service lifetime: they are therefore particularly convenient from a technical and economic point of view.

[0004] Against this, they require that they be installed directly on the electrical/electronic circuit that is intended to be their adapted power supply.

[0005] This makes operations of maintenance and replacement of such light emitting diodes (LEDs) complex, and in some cases impractical.

[0006] Even where such operations are possible they are still very complex, they require the intervention of a specialist technician, and the time necessary will certainly be longer than that required for the maintenance of other light sources of known type (fluorescent lights and/or incandescent lights and the like).

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing a functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes, known as LEDs, that is easy to maintain and/or replace.

[0008] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes, known as LEDs, of optimal luminous efficiency and having a very long continuous service time.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes, known as LEDs, which is adapted to minimise the energy consumption of the luminaire with which it is associated.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes, known as LEDs, which is low cost, easily and practically implemented and safely applied.

[0011] This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes, known as LEDs, of the type adapted for installation within a luminaire, such as chandeliers, ceiling lamps, street lamps and lamps in general, provided with an enclosure for containing a power supply circuit connected to a power source, characterized in that it comprises a substantially rigid support, which is provided with adapted means for coupling to respective tabs for connecting the internal surface of said enclosure, said support being provided with at least one seat for at least one light emitting diode, at least one electrical connector which is complementary to a corresponding terminal of said power supply circuit, and at least one conducting path for the connection of said connector to the terminals of said at least one light emitting diode.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes, known as LEDs, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes, known as LEDs, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the unit in Figure 1 according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a side view of the unit in Figure 1 according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a front view of the unit in Figure 1 according to the invention.

[0013] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes 2, known as LEDs.

[0014] LED is the acronym for Light Emitting Diode: this component exploits the optical properties of some semiconductor materials in order to produce photons from electron/electron hole recombination.

[0015] The unit 1 is of the type adapted for installation within a luminaire, such as chandeliers, ceiling lamps, street lamps and lamps in general.

[0016] The luminaire is generally provided with an enclosure for containing a power supply circuit connected to a power source: normally the power source will be constituted by mains electricity, a battery and/or a suitable generator (photovoltaic, wind and/or associated with an endothermic motor).

[0017] The unit 1 comprises a substantially rigid support 3, which is provided with suitable means for coupling to respective tabs for connecting the internal surface of the enclosure of the luminaire.

[0018] The support 3 is advantageously provided with at least one seat for at least one light emitting diode 2, at least one electrical connector 4 which is complementary to a corresponding terminal of the power supply circuit (present within the enclosure), and at least one conducting path 5 for the connection of the connector 4 to the terminals of the at least one LED 2.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the support 3 is made of metallic material, preferably a metal chosen from aluminum, steel, copper and an alloy of metals comprising at least one of them.

[0020] This ensures an optimal thermal dissipation and a certain mechanical resistance, important characteristics for a supporting element 3 of the type identified by the present invention.

[0021] However, the possibility of making a support 3 made of polymeric material is not ruled out.

[0022] Positively, the support 3 could also be made of a composite material.

[0023] In this case the composite could comprise a resin matrix constituted by a material preferably chosen from epoxy resins, phenolic resins, polyester resins and aramid resins.

[0024] The composite, in order to exhibit the necessary mechanical and structural properties, can comprise respective reinforcement fibers preferably chosen from glass fibers, carbon fibers, Kevlar fibers, polymer fibers, natural fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers and boron fibers.

[0025] It should be noted that composites based on carbon fibers have a thermal dissipation of the same order of magnitude as that of metals.

[0026] The seats of the support 3 can preferably be a plurality thereof, distributed along the support 3 according to illumination engineering design criteria adapted to determine the necessary breadth and intensity of the emitted beam.

[0027] The LEDs 2, therefore, can be aligned, adjacent or concentrated in a small area according to the type of light beam that it is necessary to emit.

[0028] It is very advantageous to be able to optionally substitute a unit 1 in which the LEDs 2 have a first distribution with a second unit 1 in which the LEDs 2 are arranged differently: this will provide the modification of the characteristics of the emitted beam by means of a simple substitution of an accessible component, without the need to resort to specialist technicians.

[0029] According to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the means for coupling the support 3 comprise the at least one electrical connector 4, and the tabs for connecting the internal surface of the enclosure comprise the at least one corresponding terminal of the power supply circuit.

[0030] This can enormously simplify the substitution and maintenance operations of the unit 1 in that the electrical connection of the at least one connector 4 to the respective terminal and the locking of the coupling means to the respective tabs will be simultaneous: a coupling of the type provided with elastically deformable portions, which respectively fit together following an elastic snap action, can ensure that, while making the electrical contact, a mechanical locking is also obtained.

[0031] It should be noted that the at least one conducting path 5 is made of a material that can conduct electric current and is at least partially coated with insulating material, particularly in the case of a support made of metallic material.

[0032] Indeed it is necessary to prevent the support 3 made of metallic material (in general of electrically-conducting material) from coming into contact with any single part of the power supply circuit of the LEDs 2 (i.e. the terminals of the LEDs 2 themselves, the conducting paths 5 and the contacts of the connector 4).

[0033] Advantageously the present invention solves the problems of the background art, by providing a functional accommodation unit 1 for light emitting diodes 2, known as LEDs, that is easy to maintain and/or replace.

[0034] Usefully the functional accommodation unit 1 for LEDs 2 has an optimal luminous efficiency and has a very long continuous service time.

[0035] Positively the unit 1 is adapted to minimise the energy consumption of the luminaire with which it is associated.

[0036] Of no lesser importance is the fact that the unit 1 is low cost, easily and practically implemented and safely applied.

[0037] Substitution/maintenance of the components of the power supply circuit of the lamp will therefore not involve also the LEDs 2, and thus a separation of this circuit from the unit 1 will be ensured, which ensures minimisation of the stresses to which the respective components will be subjected during maintenance of the components of the other part.

[0038] The production process for making the unit 1 involves the assembly of the LEDs 2 on the support 3 through an optimised cycle, adapted to the simultaneous assembly and soldering of the other electronic components necessary for the correct functioning of the whole luminaire as well, so as to ensure a minimal thermal resistance between junction region and printed circuit. The optimisation of the cycle, with simultaneous assembly and soldering, by means of multiple arms for mounting LEDs 2 and other electronic components on separate circuits, is also necessary to keep the electrical/optical characteristics of each LED 2 unaltered (the subjection to thermal or other form of stress could compromise the correct functioning of the component).

[0039] The entire process can conveniently be completely automated. The LEDs 2 are provided by the maker on bobbins/reels so as to be taken from supply stations and mounted in position,a process which is known as "pick and place"and which is normally used for components that are adapted to be mounted on printed circuits (indeed they are known as SMD components, the acronym standing for "Surface Mounting Device"). The subsequent soldering process is carried out by using normal reflow ovens and it also enables the stable fixing of all the electronic components necessary to the correct functioning of the whole luminaire: the simultaneous nature of the mounting and fixing implies a reduction of manufacturing costs and a certain efficiency of the production process.

[0040] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, all the details may be replaced by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0041] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

[0042] In practice the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0043] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. BO2010A000417 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1. A functional accommodation unit for light emitting diodes (2), known as LEDs, of the type suitable for installation within a luminaire, such as chandeliers, ceiling lamps, street lamps and lamps in general, provided with an enclosure for containing a power supply circuit connected to a power source, characterized in that it comprises a substantially rigid support (3), which is provided with means for coupling to respective tabs for connecting the internal surface of said enclosure, said support (3) being provided with at least one seat for at least one light emitting diode (2), known as LED, at least one electrical connector (4) which is complementary to a corresponding terminal of said power supply circuit, and at least one conducting path (5) for the connection of said connector (4) to the terminals of said at least one light emitting diode (2).

2. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said support (3) is made of metallic material, preferably a metal chosen from aluminum, steel, copper and an alloy of metals comprising at least one of them.

3. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said support (3) is made of polymeric material.

4. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said support (3) is made of composite material.

5. The unit according to claim 4, characterized in that said composite comprises a resin matrix constituted by a material preferably chosen from epoxy resins, phenolic resins, polyester resins and aramid resins.

6. The unit according to claim 4, characterized in that said composite comprises respective reinforcement fibers preferably chosen from glass fibers, carbon fibers, Kevlar fibers, polymer fibers, natural fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers and boron fibers.

7. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seats of said support (3) are a plurality, distributed along said support (3) according to illumination engineering design criteria adapted to determine the necessary breadth and intensity of the emitted beam.

8. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means comprise said at least one electrical connector (4) and said connecting tabs comprise the at least one corresponding terminal of said power supply circuit, the electrical connection of the at least one connector (4) to the respective terminal and the locking of the coupling means to the respective tabs being simultaneous.

9. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one conducting path (5) is made of a material that can conduct electric current and is at least partially coated with insulating material, particularly in the case of a support made of metallic material.

Drawing