Patent Application
20200284422
The technical field relates generally to a lighting overmold assembly. In particularly, a pressure equalized overmold assembly for a lighting assembly (e.g., an LED lighting assembly).
In typical signage applications, a light string assembly 50, as shown in
Overmolding of the subassemblies 55 can be compromised when submerged in water (e.g., rain water) such that the water is sucked in through the subassembly 55 seams, and water can be wicked through the joining wires 65 due to the pressure difference between the inside of the subassembly 55 and the ambient environment. The differences are caused by the temperature difference between the relatively hot LEDs and the cold temperature outside of the subassemblies 55.
Pressure equalization of the lighting subassemblies 55 is desirable, thereby making the subassemblies 55 more robust to water submersion.
In one exemplary embodiment, a lighting subassembly is provided. The lighting subassembly includes a printed circuit board having one or more lighting elements thereon and a single through-hole or a plurality of through-holes on the printed circuit board thereof for air flow, a lens to cover the one or more lighting elements, and an overmold body that secures the lens in place, and covers a back surface of the printed circuit board opposite the one or more lighting elements, and includes a plurality of through-holes corresponding to the through-hole of the printed circuit board. A vent is also included in the subassembly, and is disposed adjacent to the through-hole of the printed circuit board in between the overmold body and the printed circuit board, configured to only allow air to flow therethrough such that the through-holes and the vent together create a venting system to allow airflow through the lighting subassembly.
In another exemplary embodiment, a lighting assembly employing the above-mentioned lighting subassembly is provided.
The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of various embodiments, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the disclosure. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope defined by the claims.
The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the novel aspects of the present disclosure should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art. This detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of embodiments of the invention.
As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of various and alternative forms. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods that are known to those having ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide light (LED) subassembly of a light string assembly, for example, that provides pressure equalization within the subassembly to protect against water submersion and allow air to flow therethrough. The present invention is not limited to being employed within light string assembly type lighting and can be employed in other suitable lighting assemblies. Details of the light assembly will be discussed with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
The LEDs 110 can be semiconductor, organic or polymeric LEDs or similar devices. The LEDs 110 are configured to receive output power from a lighting driver (not shown) and to emit light as controlled.
In
Details regarding a venting process for the lighting subassembly 100 will now be discussed with reference to
As shown in
Further, as shown in
The plurality of through-holes 208 form a hole pattern 210 aligned with the through-hole 106. The through-holes 106 and 208 along with the vent 206 operate together as a venting system to expel air from the PCB subassembly 100. The overmold body 200 creates a clearance at the location of the vent 206 and secures the vent 206 in a predetermined position while also providing the clearance for airflow, as shown by arrows 250.
As shown, the air flows from between the lens 108 over the LEDS 110 and a top surface of the PCB 102 and then through the through-hole 106 of the PCB 102, the vent 206 and then out through the hole pattern 210 including the through-holes 208 to the ambient environment.
Some of the advantages of embodiments of the present invention, include that the PCB subassembly provides pressure equalization within the subassembly to protect against water submersion while also allowing air to flow therethrough.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods.
The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
