Removable LED Socket Assembly with Deflectable Latches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting systems are cumbersome to maintain and replace, as they require skilled personnel to remove and replace entire printed circuit boards (PCBs) when individual LEDs malfunction, leading to inefficient maintenance and potential waste of functional components.
Innovation Solution
A socket assembly with a removable LED package and securing features that allow for easy replacement of defective LEDs without disturbing the entire PCB, using a socket housing with deflectable latches and power connectors for efficient electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LEDs are soldered directly to a PCB and the PCB is mechanically attached to the lighting fixture, then the lighting system provides stable electrical connection and structural support, but the system becomes difficult to maintain and replace requiring skilled personnel and entire PCB replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the lighting system into three separable components: the lighting fixture, the PCB with multiple LED packages, and individual LED packages. Each LED package is mounted on the PCB but can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to replace only the defective LED package rather than the entire PCB, significantly easing repair difficulty while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the PCB's circuit traces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the individual LED packages from the PCB as separate, removable units. Each LED package includes the LED, its support structure, and electrical connections that can be detached from the PCB. This extraction enables easy replacement of individual LED packages without affecting other LEDs or requiring PCB replacement, directly addressing the ease of repair issue while preserving the PCB's electrical connection functionality.
2Reliability
If the entire PCB is replaced when one LED malfunctions, then the lighting system ensures consistent performance, but the system causes waste of functional components and increases maintenance cost
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the LED array into individual replaceable packages on the PCB, the invention enables selective replacement of only the defective LED package. The functional LED packages remain in place and continue to operate, eliminating the waste of replacing working components. This segmentation maintains lighting performance consistency because the PCB's circuit design ensures uniform electrical connections for all LED packages.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows the functional LED packages to be recovered and retained in the lighting system while only the defective package is discarded and replaced. This approach prevents the loss of working components that would occur if the entire PCB were replaced, directly addressing the waste issue while maintaining system reliability through the continued operation of functional LEDs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical hardware and adhesives are used to mount the PCB to the lighting fixture, then the PCB provides stable mechanical support, but the system becomes complex and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic mounting mechanism with deflectable latches that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The latches engage with the PCB to provide stable mechanical support during operation, but can be easily deflected to release the PCB for quick removal. This dynamic feature allows the mounting system to adapt between providing stability during use and enabling rapid disassembly for maintenance, reducing both time loss and complexity compared to permanent mechanical fasteners or adhesives.
Data Source
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AI summary
A socket assembly (100) includes a light emitting diode (LED) package (102) having an LED printed circuit board (PCB) (104) with an LED (106) mounted thereto. The LED package (102) has a power contact (108) configured to receive power from a power source to power the LED (106). The socket assembly (100) also includes a socket housing (110) having a receptacle (112) that removably receives the LED package (102). The socket housing (102) has a securing feature (114) engaging the LED PCB (104) to secure the LED PCB (104) within the receptacle (112), where the securing feature (114) is configured to release the LED PCB (104) to remove the LED PCB (104) from the receptacle (112). Optionally, the socket housing (110) may include mounting features configured to mount the socket housing (110) to a base, where the LED package (102) is removable from the socket housing (110) while the socket housing (110) remains mounted to the base. A second LED package may be provided, where the LED package is removable from the receptacle and is replaced by the second LED package.