Patent Application
20060164835
This invention relates to lamps and more particularly to replaceable lamps. Still more particularly the invention relates to lamps for automotive use and more particularly still to lamps employing light emitting diodes (LED or LEDs).
LEDs have been in use for some time in automotive applications, particularly in the center high mount stop lights (CHMSL). The LEDs are rugged and have extremely long life. The LEDs in use for CHMSLs have been hard-wired into position and generally, are not easily replaceable. Recently, the use of LEDs for stoplights and taillights has increased but, again, a simple, replaceable unit with adequate light output has not been forthcoming. U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2003/0063476 A1, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a replaceable LED lamp capsule having LED chips arranged about the periphery of a shaft; however, heat dissipation can be a problem with such a construction. Part of the latter problem arises because, at the power requirements necessary to supply the requisite light output for automotive use, a substantial amount of heat is generated which must be removed or the lifetime of the LEDs is severely limited.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the invention to enhance LED lights.
It is another object of the invention to provide a replaceable LED lamp unit.
Still another object of the invention is a replaceable LED lamp unit having long life and superior heat dissipation.
These objects are accomplished, in one aspect of the invention, by an LED bulb for a lamp, wherein the bulb comprises a support having a metal substrate with a center portion and a plurality of projecting wings; an electrically insulating, thermally conductive circuit board affixed to said substrate; and at least one light emitting diode positioned on each of said wings and having electrically conductive traces connected thereto.
The bulb is replaceably fitted to a socket that comprises a base; a hollow pedestal extending from said base, said hollow pedestal having a polygonal interior; a thermally conductive, polygonal core having an exterior matching said polygonal interior in configuration; a gap between interior walls of said polygonal interior and exterior walls of said polygonal core; and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned in said gap.
The intimate contact between the metallic substrate and the thermally conductive core assures good heat reduction from the operating lamp.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims in conjunction with the above-described drawings.
Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, there is shown in
After the formation of the support 10 the wings 18 are bent at multiple angles to along the lines 25, 25a to form legs 19 as shown in
The socket 30 is shown in
A gap 40 exists between the interior walls 42 of the interior 36 and the exterior walls 44 of the core 38 and a plurality of electrical contacts 46 are fitted in the gap 40. These may be spring contacts and may be insert molded into pedestal 34.
The legs 19 of the bulb 5 are fitted into the gap 40 with the electrical contacts 46 engaging the traces 24a, 24b and 24c, as appropriate. Traces 24 can be of variable length to engage contacts 446 as desired for a variable circuit configuration.
The inner surface 14a of the metal substrate 14 is in intimate contact with the thermally conductive core 38 at its upper surface and along the exterior surface 39 where the legs 19 make intimate contact that is also aided by the tension applied by the electrical contacts 46.
Thus there is provided a replaceable bulb and socket for an LED light source that is reproducible and has excellent heat dissipation quality due intimate metal-to-metal contact.
While there have been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
