LED module assembly

Abstract

LED module assembly (300), comprising: an LED module (100) with a circuit board (101) having a flat front (121) and a flat back (122) which are connected to each other by a circumferential front face (130), wherein an LED chip (110) is provided on the front (121) for light emission; a housing (200) for receiving the LED module (100) such that the LED chip (110) is placed in a light transmission opening (210) of the housing (200) for light emission, wherein the front face (130) has a first fastening section (140) and the housing (200) has a second fastening section (240) by means of which the LED module (100) is positively connected to the housing (200), and wherein the circuit board (101) in side view is at least flush with the second mounting section (240) or protrudes from the rear of the second mounting section (240), characterized by the fact that with the fastening sections (140, 240) at least a positive connection in one direction of the LED module (100) to the rear, i.e. behind the housing (200) and away from the housing (200), is provided.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an LED module assembly comprising an LED module and a housing accommodating the LED module.

[0002] Such LED module assemblies are well known in the art. In the lighting industry, the LED module and the housing (the so-called "holder") are typically delivered separately to the manufacturer and installed there.

[0003] To facilitate the assembly of these components into the aforementioned LED module assembly, it is common practice to equip the LED housing or LED holder with a transport lock. For example, some housings have a so-called "prehold feature" that allows the LED module to be pre-assembled in the housing. This "prehold feature" prevents the module from falling out when the housing is turned or moved for subsequent assembly. The assembly, handled in this way, is then mounted, for example, on a heat sink. For this purpose, the back of the board should ideally be exposed to the outside.

[0004] Such a "prehold feature" can be provided, for example, by a lateral clamping or spring element in the housing, which holds the LED module in the housing transversely to the mounting direction. Examples of this are US 2014 / 0 168 981 A1, US 2012 / 0 220 161 A1, WO 2017 / 102 100 A1 (post-published document), and KR 10 2015 0 109 761 A.

[0005] Furthermore, some manufacturers are known to deliver the LED module assembly pre-assembled from the factory. For example, the LED module is glued or encapsulated directly to the housing. The LED module or its circuit board typically has a special contour, which preferably essentially corresponds to the contour of the housing when viewed from above. The LED module can thus be easily glued or encapsulated to the housing. This requires the use of special circuit board geometries, which must be provided specifically for each housing type and dimension. Furthermore, the LED module cannot be separated from the housing without damaging it.

[0006] Furthermore, it is also conceivable to drill out the mounting holes present in some LED modules and use them for direct and permanent mounting of the LED module to the housing. For example, tubular rivets can be used for this purpose. These penetrate both the through-holes of the circuit board and the aligned screw holes of the housing, where they are riveted. Drilling out the through-holes of the circuit board is necessary because the tubular rivets, which ultimately form the mounting hole, are inserted into them. Furthermore, this mounting option requires an additional riveting process, which not only allows for a permanent connection but also carries the risk of damaging the LED module.

[0007] What all the aforementioned prior art designs have in common is that they require special LED modules, which require different circuit board shapes and / or complex and sometimes non-destructive fastening processes.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an LED module assembly of the type mentioned above, which provides a simple transport lock that sufficiently connects the LED module and the housing to safely withstand transport of this assembly during assembly, while simultaneously allowing the use of standard components—such as a standard circuit board. Furthermore, a connection of the assembly should be possible that allows effective heat dissipation from the LED module out of the housing, unhindered by the transport lock.

[0009] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim. The dependent claims develop the central idea of ​​the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0010] The present invention relates to an LED module assembly comprising an LED module with a circuit board and a housing for accommodating the LED module. The circuit board has a flat front side and a flat back side, which are connected to one another by a circumferential end face. An LED chip for emitting light is also provided on the front side. The housing accommodates the LED module such that the LED chip for emitting light is positioned in a light passage opening of the housing. In addition, the end face has a first fastening section and the housing has a second fastening section, via which the LED module is positively connected to the housing. The fastening sections provide at least one positive connection in a direction towards the rear of the LED module, i.e. towards the rear of the housing and away from the housing.In a side view, the back of the circuit board is at least flush with the second mounting section (i.e., flush at the rear) or protrudes from the second mounting section at the rear. This prevents the LED module from falling out of the housing.

[0011] As previously described, in the LED module assembly according to the invention, the housing provides a light passage opening for the light emitted by the LED chip on the front, and the housing and circuit board are positioned accordingly with respect to one another with respect to the light passage opening. Furthermore, in the connected state, the circuit board and the second fastening section are arranged such that the rear side of the circuit board protrudes from the rear relative to the second fastening section by an amount of x≥0 mm, i.e. the rear side either projects beyond the second fastening section or is at least flush with it (i.e. flush with the rear). However, the second fastening section of the housing does not project beyond the rear side of the circuit board. The two components are fastened by means of a positive fit via the two fastening sections.

[0012] According to the invention, "flat" is understood to mean an extension essentially in one plane. In other words, a flat side extends essentially in a plane (of extension) spanned by this. According to the invention, the "front side" is understood to mean the side that has the LED chip, which is oriented with its surface facing upwards during use and - unless in (flat) contact with a rear LED module receptacle of the housing - is visible and which is therefore located on the side of the emitted light. The "rear side" is understood to be the side that is oriented away from the light output during use and is generally not visible during operation.

[0013] This makes it possible to provide a simple transport lock that sufficiently connects the LED module and the housing to safely withstand transport of this assembly during assembly. At the same time, the transport lock ensures that the circuit board is already positioned in the housing in a suitable manner for further assembly steps and, at the rear, at least protrudes beyond its attachment to the housing or is flush with it, thus enabling a particularly advantageous arrangement for heat dissipation from the housing.

[0014] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the circuit board, in a side view, is at least flush with the housing (i.e., flush on the rear side) with its rear side, or protrudes from the housing at the rear. In a side view, the circuit board's rear side is preferably at least flush with the second fastening section or the housing at the rear, or protrudes from the second fastening section or housing at the rear, in order to be able to be brought into planar contact with a heat sink. Thus, the rear side of the circuit board can be provided exposed to the outside at the rear of the LED module assembly, in order to be able to be brought into planar contact with a heat sink.

[0015] Thus, a plane is spanned by the rear side of the circuit board, by which the second fastening section and particularly preferably the entire assembly is limited to one side and further preferably by which the rear side is exposed on the rear side, ie is accessible over its entire surface from the outside.

[0016] The aforementioned refinement thus ensures, on the one hand, that the heat generated by the LED module can be safely dissipated outside the housing. This can, for example, increase the service life of the assembly, as the thermal load on the material is reduced. On the other hand, a heat sink can be attached directly to the circuit board, or the assembly can be attached to a heat sink, without having to bridge a gap between the housing edge and the circuit board, or without the heat sink requiring a geometrically complex area that protrudes toward the circuit board and into the housing. This simplifies the assembly and production of the assembly, and costs can be saved.

[0017] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the two fastening sections are designed to correspond to one another. Thus, they not only form a positive connection to one another, but preferably also have a corresponding shape, which distributes the holding forces more evenly and thus provides a particularly secure connection.

[0018] In this further development, the first fastening section and the second fastening section are therefore coordinated with one another and have a certain (geometric) relationship to one another. This means that the positive connection is achieved by two coordinated fastening sections. This can, for example, facilitate the assembly of the module because the fastening sections interact in a geometrically defined manner. In addition, this coordination ensures that a large number of possible further developments can be implemented during the design and manufacture of the module components, and that the connection can be implemented using standardized fastening sections. This is advantageous, for example, when different models of circuit boards are to be mounted in a uniform housing shape (modular principle).

[0019] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the housing is designed to be flexible enough to be elastically bent to separate the positive connection, preferably with a defined force. This defined force can be set, for example, in a range from 10 to 50 N, particularly preferably (at least) 30 N.

[0020] This makes it possible, for example, to separate the components of the LED module assembly simply by applying a bending force, or to join them together thanks to the reversible expansion of the housing material. This "joining force" can be defined accordingly during the design and layout of the assembly with regard to the transport forces that may occur. If the required force can be applied manually by a person, the LED module assembly can be assembled particularly easily. Because the housing is elastically flexible, no permanent, plastic deformation is caused in the housing, so that the housing springs back to its original state after bending. In this way, assembly errors, such as incorrect orientation of the circuit board in the housing, can be eliminated through simple corrective measures.Finally, by choosing the material or structural design of the housing, slipping of the components during transport can be prevented up to a defined force.

[0021] Furthermore, the LED module assembly can be further developed such that the first fastening section is positively connected to the second fastening section at least in a direction perpendicular to the front or the rear. Thus, the fastening sections provide at least one positive connection in a direction toward the rear of the LED module, i.e., toward the rear of the housing and away from the housing. Alternatively or in combination, the first fastening section can be positively connected to the second fastening section at least in a direction perpendicular to the end face or in a plane parallel to the front or the rear.

[0022] It is therefore clear that the positive connection between the two fastening sections can be used to inhibit the relative movement of the two components. The fastening sections have the necessary structures to achieve the required inhibition through positive locking. Furthermore, the movement restriction can be achieved in one or more degrees of freedom, depending on the application requirements, thus providing advantageous transport security for the assembly.

[0023] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the end face has, at least in the region of the first fastening section, a concave or convex cross-section in side view, preferably a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section. In plan view of one of the flat sides, the first fastening section can have a shape which is formed by a polygonal, arc-shaped or part-circular, preferably quarter-circular or semi-circular, recess or contour, preferably a concave contour. If the second fastening section is designed to correspond to the first fastening section, it can have a shape / contour corresponding to this shape of the recess or contour of the first fastening section; for example, a correspondingly convex contour which, in plan view, engages in the concave contour of the first fastening section and thus preferably ensures a positive connection with regard toa relative rotation of the housing and LED module around an axis perpendicular to the rear.

[0024] The first fastening section can be formed by a region of the end face that projects laterally outward between the front and rear sides. Furthermore, the end face can extend transversely, at least in the region of the first fastening section, from the rear side to the front side, at least partially or entirely laterally outward, preferably at a phase angle of 45°. According to the invention, the phase angle is enclosed in a side view between the end face and one of the flat sides (preferably the rear side).

[0025] According to the aforementioned developments of the invention, the first fastening section is thus provided by structures that allow for simple production and assembly. A practical implementation could, for example, be so-called "mousebites," i.e., circular recesses in the front side of the circuit board. If such a "cutout" from an edge of the circuit board is designed as a phase, i.e., with a cross-section that increases along a phase angle, this phase can be used as a starting or insertion bevel, which facilitates the formation or release of the positive connection, for example, during joining or disassembly. Furthermore, such structures allow the use of standard circuit board shapes and their suitable adaptation using simple manufacturing processes, such as machining processes (such as drilling or milling).

[0026] Furthermore, the circuit board can have additional first fastening sections, which are preferably distributed over the circumference of the end face or preferably evenly distributed. The additional first fastening sections can also be provided at least partially on opposite sides or edge sections of the end face. Furthermore, a second fastening section can be assigned to several or all of the first fastening sections.

[0027] This makes it possible to attach the circuit board as evenly as possible across the first fastening sections to the second fastening sections or to the housing, preventing the circuit board from slipping within the housing. Furthermore, the overall connection can be designed to be particularly secure (and positionally secure).

[0028] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the second fastening section is formed integrally with the housing or is connected to the housing or the remainder of the housing. The housing or the corresponding remainder of the housing to which the second fastening section is or can be connected is also referred to as the base housing in the context of the present invention. In this case, the housing is therefore formed in several parts. If there are several second fastening sections, at least one, several or all of the second fastening sections can be formed integrally with the housing or connected to the base housing. The connection of the second fastening section to the (base) housing is preferably detachable. For example, the second fastening section can be (detachably) inserted into a fastening opening in the (base) housing or received therein.The integral variant has the advantage that the second fastening section can be easily provided directly with or within the housing, thus minimizing the number of parts. Assembly can also be simplified using fewer components. The multi-part variant with a (detachably) connected second fastening section has the advantage that a second fastening section that meets the requirements and thus the fastening parameters can be selected as required. In the multi-part variant, the base housing and second fastening section can be made of the same or a different material, allowing functional properties defined by the material properties to be provided.

[0029] If the second fastening section is provided (detachably) connected to the (base) housing, it can be inserted laterally or rearwardly into the base housing or fastening opening in a preferably defined insertion direction. This allows the second fastening section to be provided in a simple manner. The insertion direction is particularly preferably directed toward the first fastening section (straight or transverse), so that the second fastening section can not only be easily inserted, but preferably also the contact force can be provided or even defined by inserting the second fastening section. In principle, the invention is not limited to a specific insertion direction.

[0030] The second fastening section can be held in the base housing or the fastening opening by means of a preferably releasable positive fit, (at least) when the LED module is positively connected to the housing via the fastening sections. This positive fit can furthermore preferably be provided by means of corresponding positive fit elements, such as locking elements. In this way, the second fastening section can be securely provided using simple means. Of course, other connection types and connection variants are also conceivable. The positive fit elements can be designed in such a way that, viewed in the insertion direction, they preferably enable defined, step-by-step locking positions. For example, one of the locking partners can have a plurality of successive locking steps in the insertion direction, which can correspond with the other locking partner to achieve step-by-step locking receptacle. For example,The locking steps, which are offset in the direction of insertion, allow different contact pressures to be achieved to create or increase a frictional connection that supports the positive locking of the fastening sections. The stepwise provision of locking positions also allows for effective tolerance compensation over a wide tolerance range.

[0031] The second fastening section, on the one hand, and the base housing or the fastening opening, on the other hand, can have a corresponding cross-section, which allows a preferably guided relative movement only in the insertion direction. In this way, the second fastening section can be securely and preferably guidedly connected to the (base) housing to provide a positive connection with the first fastening section, while the second fastening section is securely held in the (base) housing with respect to other degrees of freedom.

[0032] The second fastening section is preferably flexible, preferably resilient. The second fastening section can also be prestressed toward the circuit board; in the exemplary embodiment of the second fastening section (detachably) connected to the (base) housing, this preferably applies at least in an inserted state in which the LED module is positively connected to the housing via the fastening sections. The second fastening section can furthermore preferably have a hollow section to define a spring force of the second fastening section, wherein the hollow section can be formed, for example, by a bore or a (blind) hole in the housing or the separately provided second fastening section.This also allows the wall thickness in this area of ​​the housing to be reduced, which has a positive effect, particularly in the case of a housing manufactured by injection molding, due to reduced warpage and lower weight.

[0033] The integral design of the second fastening section with the housing allows the use of simple and cost-effective manufacturing processes for the housing. Furthermore, it is clear that the integral and flexible design of the second fastening section makes it possible to achieve the same advantages with regard to assembly and disassembly that were previously described for the flexible housing. The resilient design of the second fastening section also makes it possible, in particular, to make the circuit board easier to fasten in the housing, since the second fastening section enables reversible deflection in order to connect the fastening sections, which would otherwise block each other when connected, to one another or to release their connection again. Thus, such a development provides simple means with which a releasable transport lock can be provided.Furthermore, the connection via the fastening sections can be provided in a particularly stable manner and preferably with defined forces. The advantages of the multi-part solution with a separate base housing and second fastening section have already been explained.

[0034] The front and back of the circuit board can each extend in a plane of extension that is aligned substantially parallel to one another. The circuit board can have a round or polygonal, preferably square or rectangular, shape when viewed from above onto one of its flat sides. Standard dimensions for such circuit boards are, for example, 19 mm x 19 mm or 28 mm x 28 mm, although the invention is not limited thereto. The end face can also be formed by circumferential, preferably straight, edge sections. The first fastening section is preferably provided between two adjacent edge sections, preferably at a corner of the polygonal circuit board.

[0035] This provides a defined geometry of the circuit board, which enables easy assembly of the LED module assembly.

[0036] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the light passage opening in the housing is formed by a through-bore, which is preferably provided centrally in the housing. The through-bore can be provided in a standardized manner. The housing can furthermore have a support surface or support regions on the rear, wherein the circuit board can rest with its front side at least partially and preferably flatly on the support surface or on the support regions. The housing can furthermore also have support sections, which are provided at least partially and preferably evenly distributed around the front side of the circuit board in order to clearly position the LED module with respect to the housing. The support sections can be designed as ribs or struts, which extend in the housing preferably radially outwards from the light passage opening.Alternatively or additionally, the support areas and the support sections can each be formed as integral ribs. The housing and the circuit board can further comprise corresponding positional structures, which clearly define the position of the two components relative to one another. Thus, the housing can comprise a first positional structure, such as a protruding pin, and the circuit board can comprise a second positional structure, such as a recess, corresponding to the first positional structure, the interaction of which clearly defines the position of the two components relative to one another.

[0037] Thus, structures are provided on the housing that allow a defined positioning of the components in the LED module assembly relative to each other and by means of which assembly errors or unwanted movement of the components during transport can be prevented.

[0038] The housing can have any shape; preferably a round shape. Standard dimensions for such housings include a diameter of 50 mm or 35 mm. However, the invention is not limited to this.

[0039] Further embodiments and advantages of the present invention are explained with reference to the following exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an LED module according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a housing according to the invention, Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B a perspective view of an LED module assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention with LED module according to Fig. 1 and housing according to Fig. 2 in the unconnected state ( Fig. 3A) and in the connected state ( Fig. 3B), Fig. 4A is a perspective sectional view of the LED module assembly according to Fig. 3B, Fig. 4B an enlarged view of detail A from Fig. 4A, Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B is a perspective view of an assembly process of the LED module assembly according to Fig. 3 with the aid of an assembly aid, Fig. 6A-6D are schematic representations of several alternative embodiments of the first and second fastening sections, Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B a perspective view of an LED module assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention with LED module according to Fig. 1 in the unconnected state ( Fig. 7A) and in the connected state ( Fig. 7B), Fig. 8A a bottom view of the LED module assembly according to Fig. 7B, Fig. 8B a lateral sectional view along section VIII-VIII of Fig. 8A, Fig. 8C, Fig. 8D Detailed representations of a detachably provided second fastening section (Detail B) and of an integrally provided second fastening section (Detail C) from Fig. 8B. Fig. 9A-9C show detailed views of an LED module assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention with a detachably provided second fastening section in three possible locking positions as seen in the insertion direction, and Fig. 10A-10C side sectional views of the three possible locking positions according to Fig. 9 in the area of ​​the fastening sections.

[0040] The Fig. 1 to 5 and 7 to 10 show different views of LED module assemblies 300 according to different embodiments of the present invention as well as their inventive components. Fig. 3A, Fig. 4A, Fig. 5A and Fig. 7A show the respective LED module assembly 300 in a non-connected state. Fig. 3B, 4B, 5B, 7B and 8 to 10, however, are in a connected state. Fig. 6A-6D show several alternative embodiments in the connection area of ​​the components of the LED module assembly 300.

[0041] Fig. 3A and Fig. 7A shows essential elements of the LED module assembly 300 according to the invention in the unconnected state. It can be seen in particular that the LED module assembly 300 comprises an LED module 100 and a housing 200.

[0042] The LED module 100 according to the invention is in the Fig. 1 and 3 to 5 as well as 7 and 8 are clearly shown. Fig. 1, which shows a perspective view of the LED module 100 on its front side 121, is particularly suitable for illustrating features of the LED module 100.

[0043] The LED module 100 comprises a circuit board 101 with a flat front side 121 and a flat back side 122, wherein the two flat sides 121, 122 are connected to each other by a circumferential end face 130. (At least) one LED chip 110 for light emission is provided on the front side 121. The circuit board 101 can further comprise contact areas 160 for electrically contacting the LED module 100.

[0044] The front side 121 and the rear side 122 preferably each extend in a plane of extension, which are both aligned substantially parallel to one another. The circuit board 101 can have a round or polygonal, preferably square or rectangular, shape in a plan view of one of the flat sides 121, 122. The circuit board 101 is often provided in a standard format, such as a 19 mm x 19 mm or 28 mm x 28 mm printed circuit board (PCB). The front side 130 is preferably formed by circumferential edge sections, which can be straight. This is the case, for example, in Fig. 1, in which the circuit board 101 is square in plan view and has four straight edge sections.

[0045] The end face 130 further comprises a first fastening section 140, which is provided for a connection to the housing 200, which will be described in more detail below.

[0046] The first fastening section 140 can have a shape, in plan view of one of the flat sides 121, 122, formed by a polygonal, arcuate, or partially circular, preferably quarter- or semi-circular, recess or contour (in particular a concave contour). The circuit board 101 can further have further first fastening sections 140, which are preferably distributed over the circumference of the end face 130, preferably evenly distributed, and particularly preferably provided at least partially on opposite sides or edge sections of the end face 130. The first fastening section 140 is preferably provided between two adjacent edge sections, preferably at a corner of the polygonal circuit board 101. Fig. 2 shows, for example, a circuit board 101 with two arcuate or quarter-circle-shaped fastening sections 240 provided at opposite corners of the circuit board 101.

[0047] The following description of the first fastening section 140 with respect to a side view can be the detailed representation of Fig. 4B and the schematic representations of alternative embodiments of the Fig. 6 and furthermore the Fig. 8 to 10. The first fastening section 140 can be formed, for example, by a region 131 of the end face 130 that projects laterally outwards between the front face 121 and the rear face 122. As shown in Fig. 4B, the end face 130 preferably extends at least in the region of the first fastening section 140 in side view from the rear side 122 to the front side 121 laterally outwardly transversely and in particular at a phase angle of 45°; this at least partially (cf. Fig. 6C-D) or completely (cf. Fig. 4B, Fig. 8C, Fig. 8D and Fig. 10). The end face 130 can furthermore have a concave (cf. Fig. 6D) or convex (cf. Fig. 4B, 6A-C) cross-section, preferably a U- or C-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, the first fastening section 140 can also be stepped (cf. Fig. 6A-B).

[0048] Especially the first fastening section 140 from the Fig. 1 and 3 to 5, as well as 7 and 8, can be created, for example, by drilling a hole at the corners of circuit board 101 and then chamfering the hole cutout using a chamfer drill. This can be done, for example, directly when creating the circuit boards from a plate (e.g., an aluminum carrier).

[0049] As already mentioned at the beginning with reference to Fig. 3A and Fig. As mentioned in Figure 7A, the LED module assembly 300 according to the invention further comprises a housing 200 for accommodating the LED module 100. This is generally made of plastic. It usually has a standardized round shape with a diameter of 50 mm or 35 mm. The invention is not limited to this. The housing 200 can have electrical connection contacts 260, which, when the LED module 100 is connected to the housing 200, are in (areal) contact with the electrical contact areas 160 by means of contact sections 261, and which further comprise connection areas 262, via which electrical conductors can generally be connected from the side outside the housing 300.

[0050] The LED module 100 is mounted in the housing 200 in such a way that the LED chip 110 for light emission is placed in a light passage opening 210 of the housing 200; in this case, it is attached to the rear of the housing 200. Such positioning of the LED module 100 and the housing 200 is clearly evident from the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B as well as from Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 can be seen. Fig. 3B as well as 7 and 8 show the circuit board 101 / LED module 100 oriented with the rear side 122 upwards and positioned with respect to the light passage opening 210. The light passage opening 210 can be formed by a standardized through-hole, which is preferably provided centrally in the housing 200, as for example also Fig. 2 and Fig. 8B.

[0051] The housing 200 can have a support surface or support areas 270 on the rear side, on which the circuit board 101 can rest at least partially and preferably flatly with its front side 121. This is shown, for example, in the Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B and Fig. 8 can be clearly seen.

[0052] The housing 200 may also have support sections 250, which are provided at least partially around the front side of the circuit board 101 in order to clearly position the LED module 100 with respect to the housing 200. In the illustrated embodiments of the Fig. 3B and Fig. 8A shows that the support sections 250 are distributed evenly around the front side of the circuit board 101. The support sections 250 can be designed, in particular, as ribs or struts, which can extend radially outward from the light passage opening 210 in the housing 200. Additionally or alternatively, the support areas and the support sections 250 can each be formed as integral ribs. Fig. 3A and Fig. 8B, the support surface 270 is formed by a ring delimiting the light passage opening 210.

[0053] Furthermore, the housing 200 and the circuit board 101 can have mutually corresponding layer structures, by means of which the position of the two components 100, 200 relative to one another is clearly defined. Although these layer structures are not shown in any of the figures, they can be advantageous, particularly when assembling circuit boards 101 in the housing 200, when the layout of the circuit board 101 makes it difficult to assign the connection direction to the power supply. For example, the housing 200 can have a first layer structure, such as a pin that preferably protrudes from the rear, and the circuit board 101 can have a second layer structure corresponding to the first layer structure, such as a recess 180. Through their interaction, for example the engagement of the pin in the recess 180, the position of the two components 100, 200 relative to one another is then clearly defined.

[0054] The housing 200 further comprises a second fastening section 240, which is in the Fig. 3B and especially in the Fig. 4B and the Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 is shown.

[0055] Fig. 3B, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8A shows that a plurality of second fastening sections 240 may be provided on the housing. The second fastening section 240 may further be formed integrally with the housing 200 (cf. both second fastening sections 240 in Fig. 3B and the left second fastening section 240 in Fig. 8A) or at least connected to the housing 200 (cf. the right second fastening section in Fig. 8A). The second fastening section 240 is preferably a part of the housing 200 and is thus, as in Fig. 3B, as shown by way of example, preferably not formed by another (external) component. However, as shown, for example, Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, the second fastening section 240 can also be connected to the housing 200 or the remainder of the housing 200 (also referred to as the base housing 201), and preferably provided in a detachable manner. If multiple second fastening sections 240 are present, at least one, several, or all of the second fastening sections 240 can be integrally formed with the housing 200 or connected to the base housing 201.

[0056] For example, the second fastening section 240 can be designed as a type of wedge. The second fastening section can be (removably) inserted into or received in a fastening opening 280 of the (base) housing 200 / 201. The base housing 201 and the second fastening section 240, which together form the housing 200, can be arranged in the manner shown in the Fig. The multi-part variant shown in Figures 7 to 10 can be made of the same or a different material, so that functional properties defined by the material properties can be provided as desired.

[0057] Such as Fig. 7A, the second fastening section 240 can be inserted in a preferably defined insertion direction E laterally or rearwardly into the base housing 201 or the fastening opening 280. The insertion direction E is particularly preferably directed towards the first fastening section 140 (straight or transversely), so that a contact force of the second fastening section 240 relative to the first fastening section 140 can be provided or even defined by inserting or the insertion depth of the second fastening section 240. This is exemplified in Fig. 8C can be seen.

[0058] The second fastening section 240 can be held in the base housing 201 or the fastening opening 280 by means of a preferably releasable form fit, in particular at least when the LED module 100 is connected to the housing 200 via the fastening sections 140, 240. This form fit can preferably be achieved by means of corresponding form fit elements 290, 242, such as those shown in the Fig. 7, Fig. 8A and Fig. 9 shown locking elements.

[0059] As an example, the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the form-locking elements 290, 242 can be designed in such a way that they preferably allow defined, step-by-step locking positions when viewed in the insertion direction E. For example, one of the locking partners (here the form-locking element 290 on the base housing side) can have several successive locking steps ( Fig. 9A and Fig. 10A = locking level 1; Fig. 9B and Fig. 10B = locking level 2; Fig. 9C and Fig. 10C = locking step 3), which can correspond with the other locking partner (here the fastening section-side form-locking element 242) to achieve a step-by-step locking receptacle. For example, by offsetting the locking steps in the insertion direction E, different contact pressures can be achieved to form or increase a force connection that supports the form-locking of the fastening sections 140, 240. Effective tolerance compensation over a wide tolerance range can also be provided by the step-by-step provision of locking positions. This can be achieved, for example, by Fig. 10, which illustrates the relative position of the fastening sections 140, 240 in the three locking stages shown.

[0060] The second fastening section 240 on the one hand and the base housing 201 or the fastening opening 280 on the other hand can have a cross-section corresponding to one another, which allows a preferably guided relative movement only in the insertion direction E. This is the Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, according to which the fastening opening 280 has a substantially T-shaped cross-section, which corresponds to the cross-section of the second fastening section 240. In this way, the second fastening section 240 can be securely and preferably guidedly connected to the (base) housing 200 / 201 to provide the positive connection with the first fastening section 140, while the second fastening section 240 is securely held in the (base) housing 200 / 201 with respect to other degrees of freedom.

[0061] By means of Fig. 4B, Fig. 6, Fig. 8B and Fig. 10 can be used to explain by way of example the interaction of the two fastening sections 140, 240 according to the invention.

[0062] According to the invention, the LED module 100 is positively connected to the housing 200 via the first fastening section 140 and the second fastening section 240, wherein the circuit board 101, in side view, is at least flush with the second fastening section 240 with its rear side 122 (at the rear side) or protrudes from the rear side of the second fastening section 240 in order to preferably be brought into flat contact with a heat sink (not shown). The positive connection prevents the LED module 100 from becoming detached from the housing 200.

[0063] Furthermore, in a side view, the circuit board 101 can also be at least flush with the housing 200 with its rear side 122 or protrude from the housing 200 at the rear, in order to preferably be brought into planar contact with a heat sink. The rear side 122 of the circuit board 101 is preferably provided exposed to the outside on the rear side of the LED module assembly 300. This is shown in the Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B and 8B, this is particularly illustrated by the fact that the circuit board 101 protrudes beyond the second fastening section 240 and preferably also beyond the adjoining housing 200. The rear side 122 of the circuit board 101 thus protrudes from the second fastening section 240 by an amount of x≥0 mm.

[0064] The two fastening sections 140, 240 can be designed to correspond to one another. Preferably, several or all of the first fastening sections 140 are assigned a second fastening section 240. This is the case, for example, in Fig. 3B, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8A, in which the two first fastening sections 140 are each assigned a second fastening section 240 to form a positive connection.

[0065] In Fig. 4B, Fig. 8C, Fig. 8D and Fig. 10 further shows how the form fit can inhibit the movement of the housing 200 and the circuit board 100. For this purpose, the first fastening section 140 can be positively connected to the second fastening section 240 at least in a direction perpendicular to the front side 121 or the rear side 122. Thus, the LED module 100 can no longer simply fall off the rear of the housing 200 and these are sufficiently firmly connected to one another, for example for assembly. Furthermore, the first fastening section 140 can be positively connected to the second fastening section 240 at least in a direction perpendicular to the end face 130 or in a plane parallel to the front side 121 or the rear side 122. Such a double inhibition of movement is achieved by the configuration of the Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and 8A, in which the two chamfers prevent movement perpendicular to one of the flat sides 121, 122 and the concave cutouts or contours of the first fastening section 140 prevent horizontal movement or rotation thereto.

[0066] Furthermore, the housing 200 is preferably designed to be flexible such that it can be elastically bent to separate the positive connection, preferably with a defined force. This can be set, for example, in a range from 10 N to 50 N, preferably (at least) 30 N. The second fastening section 240 can be flexible, preferably resilient, particularly preferably pre-tensioned towards the circuit board 101. This can be made possible, for example, in that the second fastening section 240 preferably has a hollow section 241, which is preferably formed by a bore, a hole, or a depression (e.g., a blind hole) in the housing 200 - or, in the multi-part variant, in the second fastening section 240 itself - in order to define a spring force of the second fastening section 240. This is also well suited, for example, in Fig. 4B, but also from the assembly sequences of the Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B and 7A, 7B implicitly.

[0067] The Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show an exemplary assembly of the LED module assembly 300 according to the first embodiment by means of an assembly aid 400. The illustrated LED module assembly 300 has the previously described housing 200 Fig. 2 and the LED module 100 from Fig. 1. The two components are already connected via a first positive-locking connection by means of their fastening sections 140, 240. For this purpose, the LED module 100 can, for example, be pushed with its first fastening section 140 at its end into the second fastening section 240. The assembly aid 400 now achieves a further positive-locking connection by means of additional fastening sections 140, 240 located opposite one another. The flexible housing 200 is inserted into a holding structure 410. This has an arm 420, which preferably projects beyond the already provided positive-locking connection in order to securely maintain it. By means of manual actuation, the housing 200 can now be bent downward on the free side opposite the positive-locking connection, for example by pressure from a finger F.This increases the distance between the opposing second fastening sections 240, so that the LED module 100 can be arranged between them in such a way that the further first fastening section 140 is also aligned with the further second fastening section 240 in such a way that when the bending force is removed and the housing 200 thus elastically bends back to its original, unstressed shape, the further fastening sections 140, 240 also engage in a positive fit. This step can also be performed in reverse order to achieve disassembly of the LED module assembly 300. The assembly and disassembly can also be carried out partially or fully automated.

[0068] The Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B show an exemplary assembly of the LED module assembly 300 according to the second embodiment with a multi-part housing 200. The illustrated LED module assembly 300 comprises the housing 200 and the LED module 100 Fig. 1. The housing 200 is formed in two parts here and, in addition to the actual housing 200 or base housing 201, also has the second fastening section 240 as a separate component, here in the form of a type of wedge. The housing 200 and the LED module 100 are already connected via a first positive connection by means of their fastening sections 140, 240. For this purpose, the LED module 100 can, for example, be pushed with its first fastening section 140 at its end into a second fastening section 240 formed integrally with the housing 200. Since the wedge-like, detachable second fastening section is not yet accommodated in the base housing 201, the LED module 100 can simply be placed onto the housing 200.By now pushing the detachable second fastening section into the fastening opening 280 of the base housing 201 in the insertion direction E, the second fastening section is pushed in until it forms a further positive connection with the further first fastening section 140, which here lies opposite the first positive connection. In the inserted state, the positive locking elements 290, 242 of the LED module 100 and of the housing 200 form a positive locking connection to prevent the second fastening section 240 from becoming loose counter to its insertion direction E. As in the exemplary embodiment of the . Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 10, a contact pressure of the fastening sections 140, 240 can be formed and adjusted by providing several stepwise locking positions in the insertion direction E. For example, in Fig. 9A and Fig. 10A only provides a positive connection. In Fig. 9B and Fig. 10B, this is additionally converted into a force-locking connection by overcoming the first locking step and engaging the second locking step. This force-locking and form-locking connection is now further strengthened when the second locking step is overcome and the third locking step is engaged. The number of locking steps is, of course, not limited by the invention. The provision of stepwise possible locking steps can also ensure the reliable compensation of different tolerances of the connecting partners. These can, for example, be due to manufacturing and / or material-related nature. The step of inserting the second fastening section 240 according to Fig. 7A and Fig.7B can also be performed in reverse order to disassemble the LED module assembly 300. For this purpose, the two locking arms 243, 244 of the fastening section-side form-locking element 242 are preferably moved toward each other to thereby release or release the locking connection with the base housing-side form-locking elements 290, so that the wedge-like second fastening section 240 can be removed from the housing 200 or base housing 201 counter to the insertion direction E, thus exposing the associated first fastening section 140. The LED module 100 can thus be easily removed. Assembly and disassembly can also be carried out partially or fully automatically.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, provided it is encompassed by the subject matter of the following claims. In particular, all features of the embodiments can be combined and interchanged with one another in any desired manner.

Claims

[1] LED module assembly (300), comprising: an LED module (100) with a circuit board (101) having a flat front side (121) and a flat back side (122), which are connected to one another by a circumferential end face (130), wherein an LED chip (110) for emitting light is provided on the front side (121); a housing (200) for receiving the LED module (100) such that the LED chip (110) for emitting light is placed in a light passage opening (210) of the housing (200), wherein the end face (130) has a first fastening section (140) and the housing (200) has a second fastening section (240), via which the LED module (100) is positively connected to the housing (200), and wherein the circuit board (101) in side view with its rear side (122) is at least flush with the second fastening section (240) or protrudes from the rear of the second fastening section (240), characterized by , that with the fastening sections (140, 240) at least one positive connection is provided in a direction of the LED module (100) towards the rear, i.e. towards the rear of the housing (200) and away from the housing (200). [2] LED module assembly (300) according to claim 1, wherein the two fastening sections (140, 240) are formed corresponding to each other. [3] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board (101) in side view with its rear side (122) is at least flush with the housing (200) or protrudes from the rear of the housing (200). [4] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear side (122) of the circuit board (101) is provided exposed to the outside on the rear side of the LED module assembly (300) in order to be able to be brought into planar contact with a heat sink. [5] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fastening section (140) is positively connected to the second fastening section (240) at least in a direction perpendicular to the front side (121) or the rear side (122), and / or wherein the first fastening section (140) is positively connected to the second fastening section (240) at least in a direction perpendicular to the end face (130) or in a plane parallel to the front side (121) or the rear side (122). [6] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (200) is designed to be flexible such that it can be elastically bent to separate the positive connection, preferably with a defined force. [7] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end face (130) has a concave or convex cross-section, preferably a U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section, at least in the region of the first fastening section (140) in side view. [8] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fastening section (140) in plan view of one of the flat sides (121, 122) has a shape formed by a polygonal, arcuate or part-circular, preferably quarter- or semi-circular, recess. [9] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fastening section (140) is formed by a region of the end face (130) projecting laterally outward between the front face (121) and rear face (122). [10] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end face (130) extends at least partially or completely laterally outwardly transversely, preferably at a phase angle of 45°, at least in the region of the first fastening section (140) in side view from the rear side (122) to the front side (121). [11] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board (101) has further first fastening sections (140), which are preferably distributed over the circumference of the end face (130), preferably evenly distributed, and particularly preferably provided at least partially on opposite sides or edge sections of the end face (130). [12] LED module assembly (300) according to claim 11, wherein several or all of the first fastening sections (140) are assigned a second fastening section (240). [13] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front side (121) and the rear side (122) each extend in an extension plane which is aligned substantially parallel to one another. [14] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board (101) has a round or polygonal, preferably square or rectangular, shape in plan view of one of the flat sides (121, 122). [15] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end face (130) is formed by circumferential, preferably rectilinear, edge sections and the first fastening section (140) is preferably provided between two adjacent edge sections, preferably at a corner of the polygonal board (101). [16] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fastening portion (240) has a hollow portion (241), which is preferably formed by a bore in the housing (200) to define a spring force of the second fastening portion (240). [17] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fastening section (240) is flexible, preferably resilient, particularly preferably pre-tensioned towards the circuit board (101). [18] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fastening portion (240) is formed integrally with the housing (200). [19] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fastening section (240) or, in the case of a plurality of second fastening sections (240), at least one of the second fastening sections (240) is connected to the housing (200) or the remainder of the housing (200), hereinafter also referred to as the base housing (201), preferably is detachably connected, and particularly preferably is inserted into and / or received in a fastening opening (280). [20] LED module assembly (300) according to claim 19, wherein the second fastening section (240) is inserted laterally or rearwardly into the base housing (201), preferably the fastening opening (280), in a preferably defined insertion direction (E), which is further preferably directed towards the first fastening section (140). [21] LED module assembly (300) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the second fastening section (240) is held in the base housing (201) or the fastening opening (280) by means of a preferably releasable positive connection when the LED module (100) is positively connected to the housing (200) via the fastening sections (140, 240), wherein this positive connection is preferably provided by means of corresponding positive connection elements (290, 242), preferably locking elements. [22] LED module assembly (300) according to claim 21, wherein the form-locking elements (290, 242) are designed such that they enable preferably defined, step-by-step locking positions as seen in the insertion direction (E). [23] LED module assembly (300) according to one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the second fastening section (240) on the one hand and the base housing (201) or the fastening opening (280) on the other hand have a corresponding cross-section which allows a preferably guided relative movement only in the insertion direction (E). [24] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light passage opening (210) is formed by a preferably standardized through-hole, which is preferably provided centrally in the housing (200). [25] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (200) has a support surface or support areas on the rear side, and wherein the circuit board (101) rests with its front side (121) at least partially and preferably flatly on the support surface or on the support areas. [26] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (200) has support sections (250) which are provided at least partially and preferably evenly distributed around the front side of the circuit board (101) in order to clearly position the LED module (100) with respect to the housing (200). [27] LED module assembly (300) according to claim 26, wherein the support sections (250) are formed as ribs or struts which extend in the housing (200) preferably radially outwardly from the light passage opening (210), and / or wherein the support regions and the support sections (250) are each formed as integral ribs. [28] LED module assembly (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (200) has a first layer structure, such as a protruding pin, and the circuit board (101) has a second layer structure (180) corresponding to the first layer structure, such as a recess, by the interaction of which the position of the two components (100, 200) relative to one another is clearly defined.

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