COB holder

Abstract

The CoB holder includes a holding structure for a chip-on-board (CoB) light source, at least one terminal positioning slot configured to receive terminals, and at least one terminal to be received within each terminal positioning slot. The at least one terminal includes a receiving portion for receiving wires, a contact portion for electrically contacting the CoB light source held by the CoB holder, and a connecting portion for connecting the receiving portion to the contact portion. The connecting portion is a twisted plate-like portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a holder for a chip-on-board light source, and more particularly to terminals used in such a holder.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional plug-in terminals comprise rigid blocks or pins. High positional accuracy is required when fixing such terminals to a CoB light source (e.g., by soldering) so that the CoB light source and the terminals can be fitted into the CoB holder.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Flexible terminals, such as wires and flexible plates, may be used instead of rigid terminals. However, a flexible plate can only be bent in one dimension, limiting its utility, while a wire can be bent 360°, and thus may not be suitable depending on the purpose. In particular, when a wire is used as a terminal of a CoB holder, it does not provide a highly reliable connection to the CoB light source.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0005] According to an example of one aspect of the present invention, a CoB holder is provided, comprising: a holding structure configured to secure a chip-on-board (CoB) light source in the CoB holder; at least one terminal positioning slot; and at least one terminal, each terminal comprising a receiving portion for receiving a wire, a contact portion for providing contact between a plug-in terminal and a CoB light source, and a connecting portion for connecting the receiving portion to the contact portion, wherein the connecting portion is a plate-like portion connected to the receiving portion, the first end of the connecting portion being twisted to a second end of the connecting portion being connected to the contact portion at a non-zero angle.

[0006] The torsional deformation of the connection allows for a small relative movement between the receiving part and the contact part in two directions, thus enabling the CoB light source to be fitted more easily into the CoB holder.

[0007] In particular, the angle between the first and second ends of the connection can be configured (by the amount of twist in the connection) such that the relative movement between the receiving and fixing parts is in a desired direction. The desired direction of the relative movement between the receiving and fixing parts depends on the relative position and orientation between the retaining structure and each terminal positioning slot.

[0008] The inventors have found that the relative movement achieved in this manner is sufficient to improve the tolerance of positional accuracy when fixing the plug-in terminals to the CoB holder and CoB light source without the terminals becoming too flexible, which would make it difficult to provide a reliable electrical connection to the CoB light source.

[0009] In particular, the contact portion may be bent in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the contact portion in order to bring the contact portion closer to the CoB light source secured within the CoB holder.

[0010] The receiving portion may be bent perpendicular to the plane of the area of ​​the receiving portion that connects to the connecting portion. This allows for adjustment of the relative position between the receiving portion and the contact portion, and thus allows for adjustment of which area of ​​the CoB light source the contact portion makes contact with. In this way, the position of the contact portion can be adjusted so that the contact portion touches / overlaps with the electrode pads on the CoB light source.

[0011] In some examples, at least one terminal positioning slot includes at least two terminal positioning slots, and at least one terminal includes at least two terminals.

[0012] In some examples, each terminal positioning slot is configured to receive a terminal, and each terminal is received within its respective terminal positioning slot in the CoB holder.

[0013] Alternatively, at least one terminal positioning slot may be configured to receive two or more terminals, and at least one terminal may include two or more terminals that are received within the same terminal positioning slot.

[0014] In some examples, for each terminal, the non-zero angle between the first end of the connector and the second end of the connector is in the range of 85° to 95°.

[0015] In other words, the connector is twisted such that the first end of the connector is substantially perpendicular to the second end of the connector. In this way, relative movement between the receiving part and the contact part (and therefore the CoB light source) is possible in two directions that are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0016] In some examples, for each terminal, the non-zero angle between the first end of the connector and the second end of the connector is in the range of 88° to 92°.

[0017] In some examples, for each terminal, the non-zero angle between the first end of the connector and the second end of the connector is 90°.

[0018] In some examples, the receiving portion, contact portion, and connecting portion of each terminal are formed integrally.

[0019] In some examples, at least one terminal includes at least one plug-in terminal.

[0020] In some examples, each plug-in terminal further includes a push-in connector to secure the wire to the receiving end.

[0021] This provides a simple, secure connection between the plug-in terminal and the wire.

[0022] In some examples, for each terminal, the first area of ​​the receiving portion connected to the contact portion and the connection portion is substantially planar.

[0023] In some examples, a non-zero angle between the first end and the second end of the connector causes the plane on which the first area of ​​the receiving portion is located to make a non-zero angle with respect to the plane on which the contact portion is located.

[0024] In some examples, for each terminal, the contact portion includes a protrusion. The protrusion may be used to increase contact between the terminal and the electrode pad on the CoB light source.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a lamp is provided which includes a chip-on-board (CoB) light source configured to emit light and the CoB holder described above.

[0026] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and clarified by reference to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] For a better understanding of the present invention and to more clearly show how the present invention can be implemented, the accompanying drawings are referred to by way of example only. [Figure 1] A lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] A front view of a CoB light source in which two terminals contact respective electrode pads of the CoB light source is shown. [Figure 3] The terminals are shown. [Figure 4] Contact between a terminal and a CoB light source according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 5] Contact between a terminal and a CoB light source according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, but are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0030] The present invention provides a CoB holder comprising a holding structure for a chip-on-board (CoB) light source, at least one terminal positioning slot configured to receive terminals, and at least one terminal to be received within each terminal positioning slot. The at least one terminal includes a receiving portion for receiving a wire, a contact portion for electrically contacting a CoB light source held by the CoB holder, and a connecting portion for connecting the receiving portion to the contact portion. The connecting portion is a twisted plate-shaped portion.

[0031] The embodiment is at least partially based on the recognition that twisting the terminal connection portion allows for deformation of the terminal in two directions, thereby enabling the terminal to fit more easily into the CoB holder and to contact a desired area (i.e., electrode pad) of the CoB light source held by the CoB holder.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a lamp 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The lamp includes a chip-on-board (CoB) light source 110 configured to emit light and a CoB holder 130. The CoB holder itself is also according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The CoB holder 130 includes a holding structure configured to secure the CoB light source 110 in the CoB holder, at least one terminal positioning slot 140, and at least one terminal 120 that is received in each terminal positioning slot of the CoB holder.

[0034] The CoB holder 130 shown in Figure 1 includes two terminal positioning slots, each receiving a terminal. However, alternative configurations for receiving one or more terminals within the CoB holder are also conceivable. For example, the CoB holder may include at least one terminal positioning slot configured to receive two or more terminals (for example, a single terminal positioning slot may receive two terminals).

[0035] In Figure 1, the CoB holder 130 is an integrally-formed optic assembly including a lens and a holding structure configured to ensure the CoB light source 110 so that its light-emitting surface faces the lens. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand that, as with conventional CoB holders, the CoB holder may be separate from the optical components of the lamp 100.

[0036] As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the CoB holder may include further elements such as one or more openings for receiving screws that secure the CoB holder to one or more further components of the lamp (e.g., a heat sink).

[0037] Figure 2 shows a front view of the CoB light source 110 (i.e., a view showing the light-emitting surface of the CoB light source) where two terminals 120 contact the respective electrode pads 111 of the CoB light source. In Figure 2, terminal 170 is a plug-in terminal. However, other types of terminals are also conceivable.

[0038] The structure of the terminal 120 is clearly shown in Figure 3. Each terminal includes a receiving portion 121 for receiving a wire, a contact portion 122 for providing contact between the terminal and the CoB light source 110, and a connecting portion 123 for connecting the receiving portion to the contact portion. The receiving portion (or at least the area of ​​the receiving portion connected to the connecting portion) and the contact portion may each be substantially planar.

[0039] The connecting portion 123 is a plate-shaped portion in which the first end 123a of the connecting portion, which is connected to the receiving portion 121, is twisted at a non-zero angle with respect to the second end 123b of the connecting portion, which is connected to the contact portion 122. In other words, the connecting portion is a torsionally deformed plate-shaped portion.

[0040] The non-zero angle between the first end 123a and the second end 123b of the connection means that there is a non-zero angle between the plane on which the receiving portion is located and the plane on which the area of ​​the receiving portion connected to the connection is located.

[0041] Preferably, the first end 123a of the connector 123 is substantially perpendicular to the second end 123b of the connector. For example, the non-zero angle between the first end 123a and the second end 123b may be in the range of 85° to 95°, for example, 88° to 92°. In Figure 3, the angle between the first end and the second end of the connector, and therefore between the plane of the contact portion 122 and the plane of the area of ​​the receiving portion 121 connected to the connector, is 90°.

[0042] Torsional deformation of the connection portion 123 allows for plastic deformation of the plug-in terminal 120 in two directions, providing a better fit between the plug-in terminal, the CoB light source 110, and the terminal positioning slot 140 of the CoB holder 130.

[0043] In particular, the contact portion 122 of the plug-in terminal 120 may be bent in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the contact portion so as to reduce or eliminate the gap between the contact portion and the CoB light source 110 (for example, close enough so that the contact portion can come into contact with the CoB light source due to the elastic deformation of the contact portion).

[0044] Furthermore, the receiving portion 121 of the plug-in terminal 120 may be bent perpendicular to the plane of the area of ​​the receiving portion that is connected to the connecting portion 123. This allows the relative position of the receiving portion and the contact portion 122 to be adjusted so that the plug-in terminal in the terminal positioning slot 140 of the CoB holder 130 contacts the electrode pad of the CoB light source 110.

[0045] In Figure 3, the receiving portion 121, contact portion 122, and connecting portion 123 of the plug-in terminal 120 are integrally formed. In other examples, one or both of the receiving portion and the contact portion may be separate elements connected to the connecting portion by any suitable connector.

[0046] In Figure 3, the receiving portion 121 of the plug-in terminal 120 includes a push-in connector 124 for securing the wire within the receiving portion. The push-fit connector is a lever biased to a position that closes the receiving portion. However, other securing elements may be used to secure the wire within the receiving portion, and suitable securing elements such as screws, crimps, and springs will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0047] In some examples, the contact portion 122 of the plug-in terminal 120 includes a projection 125 to enhance contact between the plug-in terminal and the electrode pad 111 of the CoB light source 110. The projection shown in Figure 3 is formed by a recess in the contact portion and extends from the surface of the contact portion configured to face the electrode pad in order to contact the electrode pad.

[0048] The contact between the plug-in terminal 120 and the CoB light source 110 is shown in a cross-sectional view in Figure 4. The protruding portion 125 of the contact portion 122 contacts the electrode pad 111 of the CoB light source.

[0049] Figure 5 shows an alternative example for providing contact between the plug-in terminal 120 and the CoB light source 110. In Figure 5, the contact portion 122 of the plug-in terminal 120 is soldered to the electrode pad 111 of the CoB light source using solder 126. Further alternative examples for providing contact between the terminal and the CoB light source will be obvious to those skilled in the art. By examining the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims, variations to the disclosed embodiments will be understandable to those skilled in the art and can be performed when carrying out the claimed invention. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other components or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude plural.

[0050] The mere fact that certain means are enumerated in different dependent claims does not indicate that combinations of these means cannot be used advantageously.

[0051] Note that when the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or specification, it is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to." Note that when the term "arrangement" is used in the claims or specification, it is intended to be equivalent to the term "system," and vice versa.

[0052] No reference numeral in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. CoB holder, A holding structure configured to secure a chip-on-board (CoB) light source in the CoB holder, At least one terminal positioning slot, At least one terminal, each terminal being received in a terminal positioning slot of the CoB holder, A receiving part for receiving the wire, A contact portion for providing contact between the plug-in terminal and the CoB light source, and A connecting portion for connecting the receiving portion to the contact portion, wherein the connecting portion is a plate-shaped portion connected to the receiving portion, and the first end of the connecting portion is twisted at a non-zero angle with respect to the second end of the connecting portion connected to the contact portion, including at least one terminal, A CoB holder, including the CoB holder.

2. The aforementioned at least one terminal positioning slot includes at least two terminal positioning slots, The CoB holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one terminal includes at least two terminals.

3. Each terminal positioning slot is configured to receive a terminal, The CoB holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each terminal is received in the respective terminal positioning slot of the CoB holder.

4. The at least one terminal positioning slot is configured to receive two or more terminals, The CoB holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one terminal includes two or more terminals that are received in the same terminal positioning slot.

5. The CoB holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein for each terminal, the non-zero angle between the first end of the connection portion and the second end of the connection portion is in the range of 85° to 95°.

6. The CoB holder according to claim 5, wherein for each terminal, the non-zero angle between the first end of the connection portion and the second end of the connection portion is in the range of 88° to 92°.

7. The CoB holder according to claim 6, wherein for each terminal, the non-zero angle between the first end of the connection portion and the second end of the connection portion is 90°.

8. The CoB holder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the receiving portion, the contact portion, and the connecting portion are integrally formed for each terminal.

9. The CoB holder according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one terminal includes at least one plug-in terminal.

10. The CoB holder according to claim 9, wherein each plug-in terminal includes a push-in connector for securing a wire to the receiving portion.

11. The CoB holder according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein for each terminal, the first area of ​​the receiving portion connected to the contact portion and the connecting portion is substantially planar.

12. The CoB holder according to claim 11, wherein the non-zero angle between the first end of the connecting portion and the second end of the connecting portion causes the plane on which the first area of ​​the receiving portion is located to form a non-zero angle with respect to the plane on which the contact portion is located.

13. The CoB holder according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the contact portion for each terminal includes a protruding portion.

14. A chip-on-board (CoB) light source configured to emit light, A CoB holder according to any one of claims 1 to 13, Including lamps.

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