LIGHT MODULE OPENING FOR CIRCUIT BOARD INTEGRATION

Abstract

Lighting fixture (100A, 100B) for producing a luminous efficacy, wherein the lighting fixture comprises: a control circuit board (175) comprising an opening (200) and a first number of circuit board layers, the control circuit board having a first area; and a light module circuit board (110A, 110B) configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit board at the opening, the light module circuit board comprising a second number of circuit board layers, the light module circuit board having a second area, the light module circuit board comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes, LEDs, (300) and a plurality of conductor tracks (205, 305), the light module circuit board being configured to be directly coupled to the control circuit board via the plurality of conductor tracks such that the plurality of LEDs are positioned in the opening and light from the plurality of LEDs passes through the opening; wherein the multitude of LEDs are electrically connected to the first and second conductor tracks from the multitude of conductor tracks, and the first and second conductor tracks from the multitude of conductor tracks are electrically connected to the first and second complementary conductor tracks on the control circuit board; where the first number of printed circuit board layers is greater than the second number of printed circuit board layers, and where the first area is larger than the second area.

Description

AREA

[0001] The embodiments described here relate to a connection between a control circuit board and a light module circuit board.

[0002] Document US 2014 / 0 177 220 A1 describes a lighting device comprising a first substrate with a through-hole, a plurality of first lighting elements arranged on the first substrate, a second substrate attached to the first substrate to cover the through-hole of the first substrate, and a second lighting element arranged on the second substrate and electrically connected to the wiring of the first substrate. Document US 2007 / 0 296 533 A1 describes a magnetic surface-mount device on a substantially flat, thermally conductive surface. Document US 2015 / 0 276 144 A1 describes a flat lighting module with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that has a watertight seal between a molded plastic cover and a printed circuit board (PCB). SUMMARY

[0003] Lighting systems used in theaters or on concert stages typically comprise a variety of lighting fixtures or devices. Each fixture includes a control circuit board connected via technical wires to one or more lighting module circuit boards. The presence of these connecting wires within the fixture increases its size, manufacturing complexity, and can impair its performance (e.g., by reducing signal quality due to the length of the technical wires).

[0004] The embodiments described here provide a lighting device for generating a luminous output. The lighting device comprises a control circuit board and a light module circuit board. The control circuit board includes an opening and a first number of circuit board layers. The control circuit board has a first area. The light module circuit board is configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit board at the opening to allow light from the light module circuit board to pass through the opening. The light module circuit board comprises a second number of circuit board layers. The light module circuit board has a second area. The first number of circuit board layers is larger than the second number of circuit board layers. The first area is larger than the second area.

[0005] Such a connection between the light module circuit board and the control circuit board allows the light module circuit board to be directly coupled to the control circuit board (e.g., via a multitude of traces). Consequently, the wiring required to electrically connect the light module circuit board to the control circuit board is reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, manufacturing time is also reduced by minimizing or eliminating the time required for wiring the light module circuit board to the control circuit board.

[0006] Furthermore, since the control board has a first number of PCB layers (e.g., a multitude of layers) and the light module PCB has a second number of PCB layers (e.g., a single layer), the thermal properties of the light module PCB are at least maintained, while the quality of the signals received by the control board is improved. This is because multilayer PCBs generally provide improved signal quality (e.g., due to better shielding), and single-layer PCBs generally have better thermal properties. Signal quality is also improved by eliminating the technical wires between the light module PCB and the control board (i.e., by directly connecting the light module PCB to the control board).

[0007] Furthermore, the number of components on the light module circuit board can be reduced. This is because driver circuitry and wiring are moved to the control board instead of being located on the light module circuit board. For example, the light module circuit board does not include wire-to-board connectors, wire jumpers, or zero-ohm resistors.

[0008] In some aspects, the light module circuit board is directly coupled to the control circuit board to allow light from the light module circuit board to pass through the opening.

[0009] In some aspects, the light module circuit board is directly coupled to the control circuit board via a large number of conductor tracks.

[0010] In some aspects, the second number of printed circuit board layers comprises a single printed circuit board layer.

[0011] In some aspects, the lighting unit also includes a driver circuit configured to control one or more light sources located on the light module circuit board.

[0012] In some aspects, the driver circuitry is located on the control board.

[0013] In some aspects, the opening is smaller than the second area of ​​the light module circuit board.

[0014] In some aspects, the light module circuit board is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, and ceramic.

[0015] In some aspects, the control circuit board is made of epoxy resin.

[0016] In some aspects, the opening is located at an edge of the control circuit board.

[0017] In some aspects, the opening is square.

[0018] In some aspects, the opening is circular.

[0019] In some aspects, the lighting body further includes a second light module circuit board configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit board at a second opening, and the second light module circuit board includes the second number of circuit board layers.

[0020] In some aspects, the light module circuit board has a second surface area.

[0021] In some aspects, the opening is located at an edge of the control circuit board.

[0022] In some aspects, the second opening is located away from each edge of the control circuit board.

[0023] In some aspects, the lighting fixture also includes a first driver circuit configured to drive one or more light sources located on the light module circuit board, and a second driver circuit configured to drive one or more light sources located on the second light module circuit board.

[0024] In some aspects, the first driver circuit and the second driver circuit are each located on the control board.

[0025] Before the embodiments are explained in detail, it should be understood that their application is not limited to the specific configuration and arrangement of components described below or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments can be implemented or carried out in practice in various ways. It should also be understood that the language and terminology used here serve the purpose of description and are not to be considered restrictive. The use of "including," "comprising," or "featuring," and variations thereof, is intended to encompass the elements listed therein and their equivalents, as well as any additional elements.Unless otherwise specified or restricted, the terms "mounted", "connected", "held" and "coupled" and variations thereof are used in the broadest sense and include both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports and couplings.

[0026] Furthermore, it is understood that the embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules, which, for illustrative purposes, may be depicted and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely as hardware. However, a person skilled in the art would recognize, based on reading the present detailed description, that in at least one embodiment, the electronics-based aspects can be implemented as software (e.g., stored on a non-temporary, computer-readable data carrier) that can be executed by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and / or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Therefore, it should be noted that a multitude of hardware- and software-based devices, as well as a multitude of different structural components, can be used to implement the embodiments.For example, “servers” and “computer devices” described in the description may include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable storage modules, one or more input / output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) that connect the components.

[0027] Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first lighting body according to the embodiments described herein. Fig. 2 a perspective view of a second lighting fixture according to the embodiments described herein. Fig. 3 a block diagram of a control system for the lighting fixtures Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, comprising a control circuit board and a plurality of light module circuit boards, according to the embodiments described herein. Fig. 4A a top view of the control circuit board Fig. 3 according to the embodiments described herein. Fig. 4B a bottom view of the control circuit board Fig. 3 according to the embodiments described herein. Fig. 5 a top view of a light module circuit board made of Fig. 3, according to the embodiments described herein. Fig. 6 a top view of the control circuit board and the multitude of light module circuit boards Fig. 3. Fig. 7 a side view in cross-section of the control circuit board and the multitude of light module circuit boards Fig. 6. Fig. 8 A top view of a control circuit board according to the embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The embodiments described here provide a lighting device comprising a control board and one or more light module boards. Each of the one or more light module boards is directly connected to the control board via an opening in the control board. This configuration allows light from the light module board to pass through the opening in the control board.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 depicts a first lighting fixture 100A comprising a control circuit board and at least one light module circuit board. The first lighting fixture 100A is, for example, a profile lighting fixture, such as a Source-Four-LED lighting fixture manufactured and marketed by Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 depicts a second lighting fixture 100B, comprising a control circuit board and at least one light module circuit board. The second lighting fixture 100B is, for example, a wash light comprising a linear array of light sources or arrangements of light sources, such as a ColorSource linear lighting fixture manufactured and marketed by Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. The following description of the circuit boards in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 applies to both the first and second circuit boards 100A, 100B.

[0032] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the lighting unit 100A, 100B comprises a control unit 105, a variety of light modules or light module circuit boards 110A to 110C, a variety of driver circuits 115A to 115C, a power control circuit 120, an input mechanism 125, and one or more indicators 130. The control unit 105 comprises a variety of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection for the components and modules inside the control unit 105 and / or the body 100A, 100B. For example, the control unit 105 includes, among other things, a processing unit 135 (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device), a memory 140, input units 145, and output units 150. The processing unit 135 includes, among other things, a control unit 155, an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”) 160, and a plurality of registers 165 (which are in Fig. 3 (shown as a register group), and is implemented using a known computer architecture (e.g., as a modified Harvard architecture, as a von Neumann architecture, etc.). The processing unit 135, the memory 140, the input units 145, and the output units 150, as well as the various modules connected to the control unit 105, are connected by one or more control and / or data buses (e.g., the common bus 170). The use of one or more control and / or data buses for interconnection and communication between the various modules and components should be familiar to those skilled in the art in view of the embodiments described here.

[0033] The control and / or data buses are in Fig. 3 shown in general for illustration.

[0034] Memory 140 is a non-temporary, computer-readable storage medium and comprises, for example, a program memory area and a data storage area. The program memory area and the data storage area can comprise combinations of various types of memory, such as ROM, RAM (e.g., DRAM, SDRAM, etc.), EEPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, technical, or electronic storage devices. The processing unit 135 is connected to memory 140 and executes software instructions that may be stored in RAM of memory 140 (e.g., during execution), in ROM of memory 140 (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or in another non-temporary, computer-readable storage medium, such as another memory or disk.The software included in the implementation of the lighting unit 100A, 100B can be stored in the memory 140 of the control unit 105. The software comprises, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The control unit 105 is configured to retrieve and execute instructions from memory 140, including those relating to the control processes and procedures described herein. In other embodiments, the control unit 105 includes additional, fewer, or different components.

[0035] The driver circuits 115A to 115C comprise a first driver circuit 115A, a second driver circuit 115B, and a third driver circuit 115C, which are operational to provide control signals to the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C. For example, the first driver circuit 115A is connected to a first light module circuit board 110A to provide one or more control signals for an array of (i.e., one or more) light sources on the first light module circuit board 110A. The second driver circuit 115B is connected to a second light module circuit board 110B to provide one or more control signals for an array of (i.e., one or more) light sources on the second light module circuit board 110B. The third driver circuit 115C is connected to a third light module circuit board 110C to provide one or more control signals for an array of (i.e.,one or more) light sources connected to the third light module circuit board 110C.

[0036] The energy control circuit 120 supplies a nominal AC or DC voltage to the lighting fixture 100A, 100B. In some embodiments, the energy control circuit 120 is powered by one or more batteries or battery packs. In other embodiments, the energy control circuit 120 is powered by mains energy, which has nominal line voltages between, for example, 100 V and 240 V AC and frequencies of approximately 50 to 60 Hz. The energy control circuit 120 is also configured to supply lower voltages to operate circuits and components within the lighting fixture 100A, 100B.

[0037] As in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the control unit 105 is connected to the three light module circuit boards 110A to 110C. The respective light source arrangements on each of the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C can include multiple colors and areas for generating light. In some embodiments, the lighting unit 100A, 100B comprises four or more light module circuit boards. In other embodiments, the lighting unit 100A, 100B comprises fewer than three light module circuit boards (i.e., one or two). In the illustrated embodiments, the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C comprise arrangements of light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”). Other light sources are used in other embodiments.

[0038] As in Fig. Figure 3 shows the control unit 105, the multiple driver circuits 115A to 115C, the energy control circuit 120, the input mechanism 125, and the one or more indicators 130, all mounted on a control circuit board 175. The control circuit board 175 is electrically and / or physically connected to the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C.

[0039] With reference to Fig. In sections 4A to 8, the control circuit board 175 comprises one or more openings 200 extending through the control circuit board 175. In the illustrated embodiment, each opening 200 is generally square. In other embodiments, the openings 200 may be circular, octagonal, or the like. As shown in Fig. As shown in 4B, each opening 200 comprises a plurality of conductor tracks 205 for connecting to complementary tracks on the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C (see Fig. 5) The openings 200 are arranged away from the edges of the control circuit board 175. In some embodiments, one or more openings 200 are arranged at or near one or more of the edges of the control circuit board 175 such that the openings 200 are accessible from the edge (see Fig. 8) The number of openings 200 corresponds to the number of light module circuit boards 110A to 110C contained in the body 100A, 100B. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, three openings 200 are provided in the control circuit board 175, with one light module circuit board 110A to 110C coupled to the control circuit board 175 at each of the openings 200. In other embodiments, more or fewer than three openings 200 are provided. Each opening 200 is dimensioned such that the opening 200 is slightly smaller than the light module circuit board 110A to 110C. The size of the openings 200 allows the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C to be coupled to the control circuit board 175 along the edges of the opening 200 (e.g., at an overlap connection).

[0040] With reference to Fig. 5. The light module circuit boards 110A to 110C comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) 300 arranged on a surface of the light module circuit board 110A to 110C. In other embodiments, a single LED or an alternative light source may be positioned on the light module circuit board 110A to 110C. The LEDs 300 are positioned near the center of the light module circuit board 110A to 110C. In other embodiments, the LEDs 300 may be arranged at other locations on the light module circuit board 110A to 110C. Each of the LEDs 300 is electrically connected to the traces 305, which are positioned at an edge of the light module circuit board 110A to 110C. For example, direct drive signals for each of the LEDs 300 are provided individually via two traces 305. In some embodiments, several LEDs 300 are coupled to the same tracks 305.When the light module circuit board 110A to 110C is coupled to the control circuit board 175, the traces 305 electrically connect the light module circuit board 110A to 110C to the control circuit board 175. In some embodiments, the light module circuit board 110A to 110C also includes a thermistor.

[0041] With reference to Fig. 6. The light module circuit boards 110A to 110C are connected to the control circuit board 175 at the openings 200 such that the LEDs 300 are positioned in the openings 200 (see Fig. 7), and light emitted by the LEDs 300 passes through the openings 200. The traces 305 at the edges of the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C are electrically connected to the base of the control circuit board 175, for example, by means of solder joints. The solder joints provide a reliable electrical connection between the control circuit board 175 and the traces 305 of the light module circuit board 110A to 110C. In other embodiments, the traces 305 are connected to the control circuit board 175 using other types of electrical connections (e.g., fusible links).

[0042] With reference to Fig. 7. The light module circuit boards 110A to 110C have fewer circuit board layers than the number of circuit board layers contained in the control circuit board 175. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C comprise a first number of circuit board layers (e.g., a single layer), while the control circuit board 175 comprises a second, larger number of circuit board layers (e.g., a plurality of layers). In other embodiments, the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C comprise more than one layer. In some embodiments, the control circuit board 175 provides better shielding than the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C and consequently provides higher quality control signals to the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C.

[0043] Furthermore, the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C define a first area that is smaller than a second area defined by the control circuit board 175. The areas are each measured as the areas of a front face of the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C and a front face of the control circuit board 175, respectively. By relocating, for example, the driver circuits 115A to 115C from the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C to the control circuit board 175, the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C can be made smaller. Consequently, the density of the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C (i.e., the density of the traces 305 in) decreases. Fig. 5) to.

[0044] In some embodiments, the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C are made of aluminum, copper, ceramic, or another similar material. Such materials offer better heat transfer properties compared to, for example, epoxy resin circuit boards. In some embodiments, the control circuit board 175 is made of epoxy resin or another similar material. In other embodiments, the light module circuit boards 110A to 110C and the control circuit board 175 are made of other materials.

[0045] Thus, the embodiments described here provide, among other things, a lighting device comprising a control circuit board having an opening to which a light module circuit board is attached. Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

[1] Lighting device (100A, 100B) for producing a luminous efficacy, wherein the lighting device comprises: a control circuit board (175) comprising an opening (200) and a first number of circuit board layers, the control circuit board having a first area; and a light module circuit board (110A, 110B) configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit board at the opening, the light module circuit board comprising a second number of circuit board layers, the light module circuit board having a second area, the light module circuit board comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes, LEDs, (300) and a plurality of conductor tracks (205, 305), the light module circuit board being configured to be directly coupled to the control circuit board via the plurality of conductor tracks such that the plurality of LEDs are positioned in the opening and light from the plurality of LEDs passes through the opening; wherein the multitude of LEDs are electrically connected to the first and second conductor tracks from the multitude of conductor tracks, and the first and second conductor tracks from the multitude of conductor tracks are electrically connected to the first and second complementary conductor tracks on the control circuit board; where the first number of printed circuit board layers is greater than the second number of printed circuit board layers, and where the first area is larger than the second area. [2] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of conductor tracks is positioned at an edge of the light module circuit board (110A, 110B). [3] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, wherein the second number of printed circuit board layers comprises a single printed circuit board layer. [4] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, further comprising a driver circuit configured to drive the plurality of LEDs located on the light module circuit board. [5] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 4, wherein the driver circuit is located on the control circuit board. [6] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, wherein the opening is smaller than the second area of ​​the light module circuit board. [7] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, wherein the light module circuit board is made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminium, copper and ceramic. [8] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 7, wherein the control circuit board is made of epoxy resin. [9] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, wherein the opening is located at an edge of the control circuit board. [10] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, wherein the opening is square. [11] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, wherein the opening is circular. [12] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 1, further comprising: a second light module printed circuit board configured to be electrically connected to the control printed circuit board at a second opening, wherein the second light module printed circuit board comprises the second number of printed circuit board layers. [13] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 12, wherein the light module circuit board has the second area. [14] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 12, wherein the opening is located at an edge of the control circuit board. [15] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 14, wherein the second opening is located away from each edge of the control circuit board. [16] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 12, wherein the opening is square. [17] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 12, wherein the opening is circular. [18] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 12, further comprising: a first driver circuit configured to control the multitude of LEDs located on the light module circuit board; and a second driver circuit configured to drive a second set of LEDs located on the second light module circuit board. [19] Lighting body (100A, 100B) according to claim 18, wherein the first driver circuit and the second driver circuit are each located on the control circuit board.

Images