LED Socket Pod with Integrated Power Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of solid-state lighting systems, particularly LED socket assemblies, is hindered by the need for customers to source and assemble components from multiple suppliers, leading to inefficient packaging and configuration into a functioning lighting fixture.
Innovation Solution
A socket assembly is designed with ganged sockets forming a pod, featuring a power track with positive and negative rails, and LED packages with specific contacts that create various power flow paths, allowing for efficient electrical connection and flexible power circuit configuration within the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If components are sourced from multiple suppliers, then component availability and selection are improved, but integration difficulty and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple socket assemblies into a unified module that integrates multiple LED sockets, power tracks, and thermal management structures into a single assembled unit. This merging approach maintains the versatility of having multiple components while reducing integration complexity by pre-assembling them into a coordinated module that can be installed as one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket assembly is designed with universal features including standardized mating interfaces, configurable power flow paths that can accommodate different LED configurations, and integrated thermal management that works across multiple sockets. This multi-functionality allows the same assembly to serve various lighting configurations without requiring custom integration for each supplier's components.
2Ease of manufacture
If sockets are assembled individually, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but packaging efficiency and space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into modular socket assemblies, where each assembly contains multiple sockets arranged in a compact configuration. This segmentation allows the sockets to be manufactured and tested as integrated units, improving packaging efficiency and space utilization while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through standardized modular designs that can be produced in various quantities and configurations.
3Reliability
If power tracks are routed through each socket individually, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power track routing into a shared infrastructure that serves multiple sockets within the assembly. Instead of routing power tracks through each socket individually, the design implements a common power distribution network that connects multiple sockets through shared rails and connection points, reducing assembly difficulty while maintaining reliable electrical connections across all LED components.
Data Source
AI summary
A socket assembly includes sockets ganged together to form a pod with each of the sockets comprising a socket housing having a first end and a second end. The socket housing has a receptacle and a power track routed along the socket housing between the first and second ends. The power track has a positive rail and a negative rail. The sockets also comprises an anode on the socket housing at the receptacle being electrically connected to the positive rail and a cathode on the socket housing at the receptacle being electrically connected to the negative rail. The power tracks of adjacent sockets within the pod are electrically connected together to form a power circuit. Light emitting diode (LED) packages are received in corresponding receptacles of the sockets, and each LED package has a first contact and a second contact configured to be coupled to the anode and cathode, respectively, when the LED package is received in the corresponding receptacle. Each LED package has a base and an LED mounted to the base and being electrically connected to the first and second contacts. Optionally, the anode may be electrically connected to the positive rail via at least one of the other sockets. The cathode may be electrically connected to the negative rail via at least one of the other sockets.