LED socket and replaceable LED assemblies
AssigneeCree, Inc.
InventorsRobert Edward Higley, Faramarz Hafezi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Socket arrangements for releasably mounting LEDs and light fixtures or assemblies employing such sockets are described. The socket arrangements facilitate the replacement of LEDs to replace an original LED with a brighter replacement, to change the color of the LED, to replace a single LED with a multiple chip LED, to replace a damaged or burned out LED with a new one, or the like. In further assemblies with plural LEDs, the use of ready release sockets facilitates selective replacement of an LED or LEDs and greatly enhances the flexibility of such units.
Claims20
A socket for releasably mounting a packaged LED lamp comprising a lens and at least one LED chip mounted on a mounting substrate having electrical contacts, the socket comprising:
- socket power contacts for contacting the electrical contacts on the mounting substrate of the LED lamp and supplying power to the LED chip;
- and
- a mechanism for maintaining said socket power contacts in electrical contact with said electrical contacts during operation and for allowing the LED lamp to be readily removed and replaced by hand when it is desired to replace the LED lamp.
An LED lighting module comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
- and
- a plurality of LED lamp sockets physically mounted and electrically connected on the printed circuit board, wherein the LED lamp sockets provide a releasable mechanism for the ready insertion and removal of packaged LED lamps, each packaged LED lamp comprising a lens and at least one LED chip mounted on a mounting substrate, in the LED lamp sockets without the use of heat, solder, or physical force beyond normal hand pressure.
The LED lighting module of 13 wherein each LED lamp socket includes a tray to receive an LED lamp.
A portable personal LED light with a replaceable LED lamp comprising:
- a power switch for turning power on and off;
- a readily releasable LED lamp socket;
- an LED lamp comprising an LED chip mounted on a mounting substrate;
- and
- a housing wherein the LED lamp may be readily removed and replaced by hand, wherein the readily releasable LED lamp socket comprises:
- socket power contacts for contacting lamp power contacts on the LED lamp and supplying power to the LED chip;
- and
- a mechanism for maintaining said socket power contacts in electrical contact with said lamp power contacts during operation and for allowing the LED lamp to be readily removed and replaced when it is desired to replace the LED lamp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.