Illumination – Plural light sources – With support
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-15
2002-07-23
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
With support
C362S282000, C362S545000, C362S238000, C362S800000, C313S500000, C361S729000, C361S735000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06422716
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular light-emitting-diode (LED) assembly. More particularly this invention concerns an assembly of a plurality of identical discrete LED modules that are energized jointly to provide illumination or backlighting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent times LED's have grown in popularity because of their durability and low energy consumption. They can be built into portable equipment where power is at a premium, where the heat generated by standard incandescent or fluorescent lamps cannot be tolerated, and where long service life and durability are critical.
As a result of the low output of the typical LED, they must be used in arrays. German patent 199 14 281 of A. Toteberg, German Utility Model 298 18 609 assigned to Insta Elektro, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,282 of R. Klinke all describe various systems for coupling together a multiplicity of LED's so that they can be energized from a single source, and even where some can be energized from one source and some from another. In these systems the LED modules are permanently connected together by the manufacturer in the desired array.
The typical module carries a subarray of, for instance, four LED's. The LED's themselves are surface-mounted devices carried on a small printed-circuit board also provided with the necessary conductor paths and resistors needed for however many LED's it carries. The smallest assembly is 2×3 or 4×6 so as to provide the necessary light output. Such small subassemblies are in turn joined together to form larger subassemblies, as used for example as a computer backlight or motor-vehicle brake lamp.
These systems have a common failing, namely that it is impossible to service such an assembly in the field by replacing one or more of the numerous LED modules. It is also impossible or extremely difficult to make up a custom assembly, for instance one where within the array a pattern of the LED modules is formed which emits a different color of light or no light at all so as to spell out a message or create an artistic effect. Even when such an assembly is made up in a custom manufacturing process, it is impossible to alter it at a later date without returning it to the manufacturer, and even then replacement rather than repair is the order of the day.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved LED assembly.
Another object is the provision of such an improved LED assembly which overcomes the above-given disadvantages, that is which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of complex tools or equipment.
A further object is to provide a LED assembly which can be serviced and even reconfigured easily, in the field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention two substantially identical LED modules each have a nonconductive base having a straight edge and a pair of faces, at least one LED on the base, and two conductive traces on the base connected to the LED and forming on one of the faces inner and outer contacts spaced along a line perpendicular from the edge with the outer contact between the inner contact and the edge. The modules are juxtaposed at the edges with the lines aligned with each other and the one faces generally coplanar. A clip has a nonconductive body bearing on the one faces of both of the bases at the edges, two respective conductors on the clip body having conductive portions spaced apart along the aligned lines and bearing on the contacts of both bases, and means for pressing the clip body and conductors against the bases and engaging the conductors with the respective contacts.
Thus with this system the clip mechanically and electrically interconnects the two modules together. This makes it possible to assemble the modules in any desired array, and even to take any of the modules out of the array. No tools are needed to make up an assembly according to the invention or to take it apart. As a result of the in-line arrangement of the contacts, the entire assembly can be made quite flat.
The contacts can extend through the respective bases and are exposed on both faces thereof. This allows connection to differently polarized LED's. A conductor could even be provided in both parts of the clip for engagement with traces on opposite faces of the module circuit board.
The modules are formed at predetermined spacings from the respective edges with seats open toward the clip body. The clip body in turn is formed with respective centering pins engaged in the seats. In this manner the mechanical coupling of the two bases is quite robust. The clip body has a pair of elastically deflectable arms carrying the centering pins so that the clip can be snapped in a direction parallel to the planes of the bases onto the bases. Furthermore the pins and seats lie on the line, making interfitting and alignment of the elements of the assembly quite easy. Both of the seats are spaced identically from the respective edges.
Each of the conductors has one end fixed to the clip body and an opposite end forming the conductive portions engageable with the respective contacts. Each of the conductors is thin and elastically deformable, typically being made of a thin piece metal having a springy core and a conductive surface. Their opposite ends are formed as a pair of arms forming the respective conductive portions. The base according to the invention is formed with a pair of mounting pins and the one ends of the conductors are formed with lips elastically gripping the respective mounting pins.
In accordance with the invention a cover fixed to the clip body bears on the other faces of both of the bases at the edges. This cover has at least one barb arm extending through and clipping it to the base. Thus the clip body and cover form a pair of parts that together embrace the two juxtaposed modules, simultaneously electrically and mechanically interconnecting them.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4445132 (1984-04-01), Ichikawa et al.
patent: 4843280 (1989-06-01), Lumbard
patent: 5404282 (1995-04-01), Klinke
patent: 5436809 (1995-07-01), Brassier
patent: 5660461 (1997-08-01), Igatius et al.
patent: 5857767 (1999-01-01), Hochstein
patent: 298 18 609 (1999-03-01), None
patent: 199 14 281 (2000-03-01), None
patent: 07115228 (1995-02-01), None
Henrici Dieter
Wedding Hans
Alavi Ali
BJB GmbH & Co. KG
Dubno Herbert
O'Shea Sandra
Wilford Andrew
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