LED Socket Latch and Positioning Boss for Ceramic Board Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LED lamp designs face challenges in positioning and securing LED modules with ceramic boards on heat sinks due to high costs associated with machining notches for alignment, which are easily formed in aluminum but difficult and costly in ceramic materials.

Innovation Solution

An LED socket with a socket housing featuring a latch for retaining the LED module, a positioning boss for guiding and positioning on a heat sink, and spring members with elastic arms to ensure contact and alignment, allowing easy mounting and secure positioning regardless of the board material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If notches are formed in a ceramic board by machining such as cutting, then positioning alignment can be achieved, but the manufacturing cost becomes extremely high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning alignmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the positioning function from the ceramic board itself (by removing notches) and relocates it to the LED socket (by adding positioning protrusions). This allows the ceramic board to remain intact while achieving the same positioning effect through the socket's structural features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the ceramic board to include notches for positioning, the invention inverts the approach by providing positioning protrusions on the LED socket that engage with corresponding features on the board or heat sink. This reverses which component carries the positioning complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If attachment screws are used to secure the LED module to the heat sink, then reliable fixation can be achieved, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the positioning function and the fixation function into a single integrated structure. The positioning protrusions on the LED socket serve dual purposes: they provide precise positioning during assembly and simultaneously act as the fixation mechanism when engaged with corresponding features on the heat sink, eliminating the need for separate attachment screws.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusions are designed to perform multiple functions: they guide the LED module into correct position during assembly, maintain precise alignment during operation, and provide mechanical retention to secure the module to the heat sink. This multi-functionality reduces the overall part count while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables secure and cost-effective positioning of LED modules on heat sinks, ensuring reliable electrical contact and thermal dissipation, even with ceramic boards, by using a latch, positioning boss, and spring members to manage alignment and retention.

Implementation Method 1

a spring member (40) having an elastic arm (44) for pressing the LED module (50) accommodated in the LED module accommodating space (12) toward the heat sink (60)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2570721B1LED socket
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 TE CONNECTIVITY JAPAN GK
  • EP2570721B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2570721B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2570721B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An LED socket (1) for supplying power to an LED module. The LED socket (1) includes a socket housing (10) to be mounted onto a heat sink, and contacts (30) attached to the socket housing (10). The socket housing (10) has an LED module accommodating space (12). Each of the contacts (30) includes a wire connecting portion (33) to which an electrical wire (W) is connected, and a contacting portion (35) for making contact with an electrode formed on a board of the LED module. The socket housing (10) has a latch (14) for retaining the LED module accommodated in the LED module accommodating space (12). Positioning the LED module onto the LED socket and positioning the LED socket and the LED module onto a heat sink are facilitated, even if a board of the LED module is made of rigid material.