LED Socket Hammer Head Contact for CoB-LED Pads

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in the lighting industry is to economically mount CoB-LEDs with varying contact pad sizes and locations in a way that allows for efficient mechanical and electrical connection, as existing solutions struggle to accommodate different dimensions and positions effectively.

Innovation Solution

An LED socket with a base made from electrically isolating material, featuring hammer head-shaped contact elements with dimples that can adapt to contact pads of different sizes and locations, secured within the socket using a combination of guide slots, resilient latches, and adhesive tape for secure electrical connection without additional fastening means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional LED sockets with fixed contact elements are used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but they cannot accommodate CoB-LEDs with varying contact pad sizes and locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different contact pad sizes and locationsVSAvoidsocket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact element features a resilient arm that can flex and adapt its position dynamically. This dynamic capability allows the contact element to accommodate varying contact pad locations and sizes on different CoB-LEDs, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The contact element's geometric parameters are designed to be adjustable within certain ranges. The resilient arm's deflection and the contact point's position can vary to match different pad configurations, enabling the socket to handle multiple LED variants without increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If additional fastening means are used to secure contact elements, then the electrical connection is more reliable, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and assembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The contact element utilizes its own resilience to achieve self-securing. When inserted into the socket, the resilient arm naturally deflects and engages with the socket's retaining structure, creating a self-locking mechanism that secures the contact element without requiring additional fastening components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The socket provides an intermediate retaining structure that mediates between the contact element and the external environment. This retaining structure captures the resilient arm in a predetermined position, securing the contact element reliably while keeping the overall assembly simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3390894B1LED socket for receiving a cob-LED and base for such LED socket
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND
  • EP3390894B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3390894B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3390894B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a LED socket comprising a base (2) which defines a receptacle (4) for receiving a LED printed circuit board of a light emitting diode (LED) package having a LED mounted on the LED printed circuit board, wherein the receptacle (4) is open to an opening (6) in the base (2) adapted to expose the LED (8) at a front face of the base (2) and wherein the base (2) holds contact elements (30), each of which are provided with a receiving section (56) adapted to be connected to a terminal end of an electrical cable (32) and with a contact lug adapted to electrically contact a pad (12, 14) of said printed circuit board. To allow electrical contact with Co B-LEDs having pads of varying size and location on the PCB the present invention proposes a contact lug with a hammer head contact section (64) exposed in the receptacle (4). The present invention furthermore specifies a base which allows simple manufacturing and connection of the contact element, which base comprises a receptacle for receiving the LED mounted on the LED printed circuit board and an opening which is adapted to expose the LED (8) at a front face (8) of the base (2) and which is adapted to hold contact elements (30.1, 30.2) each of which being provided with a contact lug (64) adapted to electrically contact a pad (12; 14) of the printed circuit board (6). To simplify the mounting of the Co B-LED and the contact element (30), the base is a unitary injection molded member providing means adapted to securely connect the contact element (30) to the base (2). Thus, the contact element is connected to the base by means of functional elements provided by the injection molded member. No extra fixing elements, which are not a unitary portion of the base, are required to connect the contact element (30) to the base (2).