CN219300602U

CN219300602U - Lighting device for mounting to at least one reflector element and lighting system

Info

Publication number: CN219300602U
Application number: CN202221212939.0U
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·霍尔特拉普; T·伦岑
Original assignee: Lumileds LLC
Current assignee: Lumileds LLC
Priority date: 2021-12-16
Filing date: 2022-05-20
Publication date: 2023-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-20
Also published as: DE202021003809U1

Abstract

A lighting device for mounting to at least one reflector element and a lighting system are provided. The lighting device includes: a carrier; at least one light emitting element arranged on the carrier; at least two alignment surfaces of the respective alignment members for aligning the lighting device with the at least one reflector element, wherein each of the at least two alignment surfaces is arranged to mechanically contact a corresponding alignment surface of the at least one reflector element when the lighting device is mounted to the at least one reflector element; and at least one protective spacer element arranged on the carrier for at least mechanically protecting the at least one light emitting element.

Description

Lighting device for mounting to at least one reflector element and lighting system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a lighting device for mounting to at least one reflector element and to a corresponding lighting system.

Background

Modern lighting systems, when they are used in large numbers in, for example, automotive headlight applications, generally comprise a lighting device and a reflector to which the lighting device is mounted. Thus, lighting devices typically include some sort of light source (e.g., one or more LEDs) and electrical wiring (e.g., bond wires) for electrically connecting the light source to a power source.

Several components of the lighting device, in particular the light source and the electrical wiring, are mechanically sensitive and may be easily damaged by mechanical loads and/or stresses, in particular during assembly of the lighting system.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present utility model to provide a lighting device which is less susceptible to damage, for example when operating the lighting device and/or during assembly of the corresponding lighting system. In addition, it is an object of the present utility model to provide a lighting device that can be economically manufactured.

According to a first aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a lighting device for mounting to at least one reflector element, the lighting device comprising: a carrier; at least one light emitting element arranged on the carrier; at least two alignment surfaces of the respective alignment members for aligning the lighting device with the at least one reflector element, wherein each of the at least two alignment surfaces is arranged to mechanically contact a corresponding alignment surface of the at least one reflector element when the lighting device is mounted to the at least one reflector element; and at least one protective spacer element arranged on the carrier for at least mechanically protecting the at least one light emitting element.

According to a second aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a lighting system comprising a lighting device according to the first aspect and at least one reflector element, wherein the lighting device is mounted to the at least one reflector element.

Exemplary embodiments of the first and second aspects of the utility model may have one or more of the features described below.

As described above, the lighting device according to the first aspect comprises at least one protective spacing element. In an exemplary embodiment, the protective spacing element corresponds to a protective pin. Such a protection pin may for example protrude further from the carrier than the at least one light emitting element. Thus, the at least one protective spacer element may advantageously serve as a spacer preventing mechanical contact between the at least one light emitting element and the outer surface. For example, when a conventional lighting device without such a protective spacing element may be accidentally placed upside down on a table when the lighting device is operated, e.g., during assembly of the lighting system, sensitive components such as electrical contacts (e.g., ribbon joints) of at least one light emitting element or at least one light emitting element may come into contact with the table surface. Such contact may undesirably damage such sensitive components. According to aspects of the present disclosure, by providing at least one protective spacing element, the sensitive components are protected and protected from corresponding damage, and the lighting device according to the first aspect is less susceptible to damage.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device is a component of a vehicle headlight or headlamp, in particular arranged in the front of the vehicle. Vehicle headlights or headlamps typically comprise at least one reflector element. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, at least one reflector element corresponds to a reflector or reflector system, in particular for use in a vehicle headlight or headlamp. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one reflector element reflects light emitted by the at least one light emitting element in a predetermined manner. This may for example comprise providing a light beam having one or more predetermined characteristics (e.g. predetermined light directionality and/or predetermined light distribution) as is particularly required for automotive applications (e.g. high beam, low beam and/or front fog light).

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device is configured and/or adapted for mounting to at least one reflector element. Mounting to at least one reflector element is to be understood in an exemplary embodiment such that the lighting device is fixed, mounted and/or attached to the at least one reflector element. By mounting the lighting device to the at least one reflector element, a reliable mechanical connection of the lighting device to the at least one reflector element is ensured, allowing for mechanical integrity of the lighting system.

In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier includes at least one heat sink. A heat sink may thus be understood, for example, as a passive heat exchanger which transfers heat, in particular generated by at least one light emitting element, to a gaseous or fluid medium (e.g. air or a liquid coolant) such that the heat dissipates away from the at least one light emitting element. In other words, in exemplary embodiments, the heat sink is arranged, configured and/or adapted to dissipate heat. By dissipating the heat, the heat sink allows to reduce the temperature of the lighting device and/or the at least one light emitting element. In this way, the heat sink may help to prevent overheating of the lighting device and/or the at least one light emitting element. As a result, the life cycle of the at least one light emitting element and/or the further temperature sensitive component of the lighting device may be increased.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heat sink is made of a thermally conductive material (particularly a metallic material) and/or comprises or consists of aluminum, copper, and/or an aluminum and/or copper-based alloy. These materials provide particularly effective heat dissipation. In further exemplary embodiments, the heat sink is made of sheet metal. For example, the thickness of the metal sheet may be appropriately selected for the amount of heat to be dissipated. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, particularly between 1 mm and 5 mm, particularly about 2.5 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device further comprises at least one circuit board, in particular a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). In an exemplary embodiment, the PCB mechanically supports and electrically connects the electronic or electrical components using conductive traces, pads, and additional features etched from one or more sheets of conductive material (e.g., copper) laminated to and/or between the sheets of non-conductive substrate. The PCB can be manufactured in large scale and is highly customizable and thus advantageously allows for flexible and economical fabrication of the lighting device.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one circuit board is mounted, in particular riveted, glued, welded and/or screwed, to the carrier. In an exemplary embodiment, mounting the at least one circuit board to the carrier includes arranging the at least one circuit board flat on and in mechanical contact with the receiving portion of the carrier. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving portion includes a recess, opening or groove in which the at least one circuit board is embedded. In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the receiving portion substantially corresponds to the size of the at least one circuit board. In this way, at least one circuit board can be reliably mounted to the carrier in a compact manner.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one light emitting element comprises at least one Light Emitting Diode (LED). LEDs advantageously allow for high brightness while being relatively small, so that a compact light source or light engine with high brightness may be provided.

In an exemplary embodiment, disposing at least one light emitting element on the carrier comprises mounting the at least one light emitting element on the carrier. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one light emitting element is in thermal contact with the carrier. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one light emitting element is mounted on the at least one circuit board and is in thermal contact with the carrier via the at least one circuit board. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one light emitting element is mounted (in particular glued) on the carrier using a thermally conductive material, in particular a thermally conductive paste, a thermally conductive glue and/or a thermally conductive pad. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one light emitting element is soldered to the carrier. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one light emitting element is mounted on the lead frame, in particular by soldering, and the lead frame is mounted on and in thermal contact with the carrier. The arrangement of the at least one light-emitting element (directly) on the carrier and the thermal connection with the carrier enables an efficient heat dissipation of the heat generated by the at least one light-emitting element during operation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device comprises at least two alignment members comprising at least two alignment faces. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the alignment member corresponds to an alignment edge, an alignment pin or an alignment hole, in particular a circular hole or an elongated hole. The at least two alignment members may include at least two alignment edges, at least two alignment pins, or at least two alignment holes, as well as any combination of one or more alignment edges, one or more alignment pins, and/or one or more alignment holes. The alignment edge may for example correspond to the outer edge of the carrier. The alignment pins may for example correspond to pins arranged on a carrier. The alignment holes may for example correspond to holes formed in the carrier. The holes may be, for example, through holes or may only partly penetrate into the carrier. When the alignment member corresponds to an alignment edge, the alignment face may for example correspond to a (in particular planar) surface of the alignment edge. When the alignment member corresponds to the alignment pin, the alignment surface may, for example, correspond to a curved outer surface of the alignment pin (e.g., a lateral cylindrical region in the case of an alignment pin having a cylindrical shape). When the alignment member corresponds to the alignment hole, the alignment surface may for example correspond to a curved inner surface of the alignment hole formed in the carrier (e.g. a lateral cylindrical region in case the alignment hole has a cylindrical shape).

Each of the at least two alignment surfaces is arranged in mechanical contact with a corresponding alignment surface of the at least one reflector element, each of the at least two alignment surfaces in an exemplary embodiment being configured and/or adapted to be in mechanical contact with a corresponding alignment surface of the at least one reflector element. For example, each of the at least two alignment surfaces may be formed corresponding to a corresponding mating alignment surface of the at least one reflector element. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, each of the at least two alignment surfaces is positioned in mechanical contact with a corresponding alignment surface of the at least one reflector element. For example, each of the at least two alignment surfaces may abut a corresponding alignment surface of the at least one reflector element when the lighting device is mounted to the at least one reflector element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the corresponding alignment member of the at least one reflector element corresponds to an alignment edge (e.g., in the case of a luminaire-side alignment edge), an alignment hole (e.g., in the case of a luminaire-side alignment pin), or an alignment pin (e.g., in the case of a luminaire-side alignment hole). In these exemplary embodiments, the corresponding alignment face of at least one reflector element corresponds to the respective surface of the corresponding alignment member. In an exemplary embodiment, the alignment edge of the lighting device abuts the alignment edge of the at least one reflector element. In further exemplary embodiments, the alignment pins of the lighting device slide into the alignment holes of the at least one reflector element. In yet further exemplary embodiments, the alignment holes of the lighting device accommodate alignment pins of at least one reflector element. In this way, any pair of edges/edges, pins/holes, and holes/pins advantageously allow ensuring that the lighting device is aligned with at least one reflector element in a predetermined manner.

Aligning the lighting device with the at least one reflector element may for example be understood as positioning the lighting device with respect to the at least one reflector element in a predefined manner. In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device is aligned and/or positioned in two dimensions (in particular three dimensions) with the at least one reflector element. The lighting device is aligned with the at least one reflector element by means of at least two alignment surfaces arranged in mechanical contact with corresponding alignment surfaces of the at least one reflector element, thereby advantageously allowing an accurate positioning of the lighting device with respect to the at least one reflector element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one protective spacer element is configured, adapted and/or positioned for mechanically protecting the at least one light emitting element and the further mechanically sensitive component of the lighting device. Thus, the further sensitive components of the lighting device may for example comprise one or more electrical connection elements (e.g. ribbon bonds). For this purpose, the at least one protective spacer element may for example be used as a spacer ensuring the spacing between the outer surface and the surface of the lighting device on which the at least one light emitting element and the further mechanically sensitive components of the lighting device are arranged.

Note that in addition to the described protection function, it is generally not excluded that at least one protective spacer element may have an alignment function supporting an alignment between the lighting device and further components of the lighting system. However, in an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the protective spacing elements does not have an alignment function. Instead, in this exemplary embodiment, the alignment function is attributed to at least two alignment members only. This allows the protective spacer element to be manufactured to fulfill only its protective function, which may help enable the protective spacer element, in particular for its intended purpose, to be manufactured in an efficient manner. As a result, in exemplary embodiments of the first and second aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one protective spacing element is not in mechanical contact with the at least one reflector element when the lighting device is mounted to the at least one reflector element.

Similarly, it is noted that at least two alignment members may generally correspond to two or more alignment pins. However, in an exemplary embodiment, each of the at least two alignment members corresponds to an alignment edge or an alignment hole. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device does not comprise an alignment pin for alignment with the at least one reflector element. Advantageously, the at least one protective spacing element need not be formed and positioned as precisely as the alignment member. Thus, the at least one protective spacer element allows both mechanical protection of sensitive components of the lighting device and economical manufacture of the lighting device.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one protective spacer element protrudes from one side of the carrier on which at least one light emitting element is arranged. The side of the carrier on which the at least one light emitting element is arranged may be referred to as the light emitting side of the lighting device. By protruding from the side, the at least one protective spacing element advantageously protects sensitive components arranged on the side (e.g. the at least one light emitting element and its electrical wiring) from damage that might otherwise be caused if the lighting device is erroneously placed upside down on a surface, e.g. upon operation and/or assembly of the lighting device and/or the lighting system.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one protective spacing element is integrally formed with the carrier. Integrating at least one protective spacing element with the carrier allows a particularly strong and uncomplicated construction of the lighting device and allows an economical production. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the at least one protective spacer element is formed separately from the carrier and/or mechanically connected to the carrier. For example, the at least one protective spacer element may be manufactured separately from the lighting device and may be subsequently assembled, e.g. riveted, glued, welded, soldered and/or screwed, to the carrier, in particular to the at least one corresponding hole formed in the carrier. Such an embodiment advantageously allows the lighting device and the at least one protective spacing element to be manufactured independently of each other, allowing for greater flexibility in the manufacturing process.

In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier and the at least one protective spacer element are formed, in particular deep drawn, from the same metal sheet or are integrally molded, in particular integrally cast. For example, the carrier may be formed from sheet metal, in particular stamped, punched and/or deep drawn; and the at least one protective spacing element may be formed, in particular stamped, punched and/or deep drawn, from the same metal sheet during or after the formation of the carrier from the same metal sheet. The inventors have found that the formation and/or positioning of at least one protective spacing element during the formation and/or manufacture of the carrier can be performed in a non-complex and economical manner. In this way, the lighting device and the lighting system can be economically manufactured.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least each section of at least one protective spacing element has a substantially cylindrical, conical and/or hemispherical shape. Thus, the conical shape may for example correspond to a frustoconical shape. Furthermore, the hemispherical shape may for example correspond to the shape of a hemisphere and/or a lenticular shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one protective spacing element has a substantially cylindrical shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one protective spacing element comprises at least one protective pin. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one protective spacing element has a hollow shape such that the volume of the at least one protective spacing element is at least partially filled with a gaseous medium (e.g., air). Such a (partly) hollow shape may be produced, for example, by stamping, punching and/or deep-drawing at least one protective spacer element. In particular, the above-described shape has been found to be suitable for mechanically protecting sensitive components of a lighting device and is manufacturable in a particularly simple and economical manner.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one protective spacing element includes a cylindrical base portion, a hemispherical top portion, and a conical middle portion disposed in between the base portion and the top portion. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the at least one protective spacing element is continuous and/or horizontal such that the respective outer surfaces of the base portion, the intermediate portion and the top portion merge smoothly at the respective contact areas. In an exemplary embodiment, the top portion has a lenticular shape. It has been found that the above-described shape is suitable for mechanically protecting sensitive components of the lighting device without adversely affecting the intensity of the emitted light due to blocking. In addition, the above-described shapes are particularly uncomplicated and economical to manufacture.

In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between the at least one protective spacer element and the at least one light emitting element is smaller than the distance between the at least two alignment surfaces and the at least one light emitting element. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, at least one protective spacer element is arranged, placed and/or located in between at least one light emitting element and at least two alignment surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between the at least one protective spacer element and the at least one light emitting element is greater than 40%, in particular greater than 60%, in particular greater than 80% of the distance between the at least two alignment surfaces and the at least one light emitting element. Positioning the at least one protective spacing element further from the at least one light emitting element advantageously avoids light being blocked by the at least one protective spacing element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the height of the at least one protective spacer element is greater than the height of the at least one light emitting element and/or greater than the height of one or more electrical connection elements electrically connecting the at least one light emitting element to one or more electrical contact portions. The respective height of any of the aforementioned elements may thus be measured, for example, with respect to the surface of the carrier on which the at least one light-emitting element is arranged. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, the at least one protective spacing element is higher (i.e. protrudes farther from the surface) than the at least one light emitting element and/or than the one or more electrical connection elements. In exemplary embodiments, the height of the at least one protective spacing element amounts to at least 2 mm, in particular at least 2.5 mm, in particular at least 3 mm, and/or amounts to at most 5 mm, in particular at most 4.5 mm, in particular at most 4 mm. Protective spacing elements above at least one light emitting element (e.g. LED) and/or above electrical connection elements (e.g. wires or ribbon bonds) advantageously allow to mechanically protect these particularly sensitive elements from damage by providing spacing with respect to the surface of an external object (e.g. a table). In particular, unintentional bending can be prevented in the case of electrical connection elements, which might otherwise lead to unintentional short circuits when the lighting device is in operation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the center point of the at least one protective spacing element is located in between the respective center point of the at least one light emitting element and the respective center point of the one or more electrical contact portions, along the longitudinal direction of the lighting device, to which the at least one light emitting element is electrically connected. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, along the longitudinal direction of the lighting device, at least one protective spacing element is located in between the at least one light emitting element and the electrical contact portion. Such positioning of the at least one protective spacer element advantageously allows mechanically protecting, in particular electrically connecting, the at least one light emitting element and the one or more electrical connection elements (e.g. arched ribbon-like joints) of the one or more electrical contact portions.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the at least one protective spacer element is located on a line perpendicularly intersecting one or more electrical connection elements (e.g., arched ribbon bonds) that electrically connect the at least one light emitting element with one or more corresponding electrical contact portions. This positioning also allows, inter alia, mechanical protection of the one or more electrical connection elements.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device further comprises one or more of the following: at least one mounting portion arranged on a carrier on which at least one light emitting element is mounted; at least one electrical contact portion arranged on the carrier; at least one electrical connection element electrically connecting the at least one electrical contact portion and the at least one light emitting element; at least one mounting hole formed in the carrier; at least one receptacle arranged on the carrier. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one electrical contact portion comprises at least one bond pad and/or the at least one electrical connection element comprises at least one bond wire or ribbon bond. Thus, a bond pad may be understood, for example, as an electrical contact portion made of an electrically conductive material. Bonding wires or ribbon bonds are understood to be, for example, flexible wires (strands) or rods (rods) made of metal. The ribbon bond may thus, for example, have a flat rectangular cross section. Thus, the at least one light emitting element may be electrically connected to the power source, for example by means of two bond pads, and two wire bonds or ribbon bonds wire-bonding the at least one light emitting element to the two bond pads. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the at least one light emitting element is directly electrically connected to the circuit board by surface mounting the at least one light emitting element on the circuit board. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, at least one light emitting element is a Surface Mount Device (SMD) mounted to a circuit board using Surface Mount Technology (SMT).

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one mounting hole is configured for receiving a corresponding mounting member, in particular, wherein the mounting member is constituted by a further component of the lighting system. Thus, the mounting member may for example be understood as a screw and/or bolt, and the mounting hole may for example be understood as a screw hole and/or bolt hole. Thus, the at least one mounting hole allows for mechanical mounting or fastening of the lighting device to a further component of the lighting system.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one receptacle is configured to receive a corresponding plug for electrically connecting the lighting device to a power source. In an exemplary embodiment, an electrical connection between the socket and the at least one electrical contact portion is provided, in particular via a circuit board electrically connected to both the socket and the at least one electrical contact portion. In this way, the at least one electrical contact portion and the at least one light emitting element via the at least one electrical connection element may advantageously be electrically connected to a power source.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device further comprises at least one thermistor, in particular at least one Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor and/or at least one Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistor. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermistor is arranged on the at least one circuit board and/or in the vicinity of the at least one light emitting element. The location near the at least one light emitting element may for example be understood as being less than 20 mm, in particular less than 10 mm, in particular less than 5 mm, from the nearest outer edge of the at least one light emitting element. The thermistor may advantageously allow monitoring the temperature of the lighting device, in particular the temperature in the vicinity of the at least one light emitting element. If the temperature in the vicinity of the at least one light emitting element is too high (i.e. such that it may damage the at least one light emitting element), the current supplied to the at least one light emitting element may decrease/drop. As a result, the electrical power loss and thus the heat generated by the at least one light emitting element will be reduced. In this way, the thermistor advantageously allows to avoid overheating of the at least one light emitting element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one protective spacing element is higher than the at least one thermistor. The height of the component can thus be measured, for example, with respect to the surface of the carrier on which the at least one light-emitting element is arranged. In this way, the at least one protective spacing element may mechanically protect the at least one thermistor in the same manner as already described above for the at least one light emitting element and the electrical connection element.

In an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect, at least two alignment faces of the lighting device are in mechanical contact with corresponding alignment faces of at least one reflector element such that the lighting device is aligned with the at least one reflector element in a predetermined manner. In this way, as described above for the first aspect, a precise positioning of the lighting device with respect to the at least one reflector element and within the lighting system is achieved.

The features and exemplary embodiments of the utility model described above are equally applicable to different aspects in accordance with the utility model. In particular, with the disclosure of the features related to the lighting device according to the first aspect, corresponding features related to the lighting system according to the second aspect are also disclosed.

It should be understood that the presentation of the embodiments of the utility model in this section is merely exemplary and non-limiting.

Other features of the present utility model will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the utility model, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and that they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

Drawings

Examples of the present utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a lighting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect;

fig. 2 exemplarily shows a front view of the lighting device of fig. 1; and

fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of the lighting device of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows a lighting device 10 for mounting to a reflector of a corresponding lighting system, which reflector and lighting system are not shown in the figures. The lighting device 10 comprises a heat sink 2 (example of a carrier), an LED package 3 (example of at least one light emitting element) and a PCB 7 (example of at least one circuit board). The LED package 3 is arranged on the mounting portion 31 of the heat sink 2. The LED package 3 is electrically connected to the PCB 7 via ribbon bonds 5 (an example of one or more electrical connection elements) and bond pads 6 (an example of one or more electrical contact portions). The PCB 7 is embedded in a recess of the heat sink 2 and comprises a thermistor 8 (an example of a further sensitive component of the lighting device). As can be seen in fig. 1, the dimensions of the recess formed in the heat sink 2 correspond to the dimensions of the PCB 7, i.e. the PCB 7 fits into the recess. In this way, the PCB 7 can be arranged on the heat sink 2 in a compact manner.

The heat sink 2 further includes two screw holes 11 (an example of at least one mounting hole) and two alignment holes 9 (an example of at least two alignment members) formed in the heat sink 2. One of the alignment holes 9 is a circular hole, and the other alignment hole 9 is an elongated hole, and both alignment holes 9 are through holes. The corresponding alignment surface of the alignment hole 9 corresponds to the curved inner surface of the alignment hole 9. Correspondingly, the reflector (not shown) to which the lighting device 10 is to be mounted comprises alignment pins having curved outer surfaces. When the lighting device 10 is mounted to the reflector, the curved outer surface of the reflector-side alignment pins abuts the curved inner surface of the alignment holes 9. In other words, when the lighting device 10 is mounted to the reflector, the reflector-side alignment pins are inserted into the alignment holes 9 of the lighting device 10. In this way, the lighting device 10 may be aligned with the reflector in a predetermined manner. For this purpose, the alignment holes 9 must be formed and positioned particularly precisely.

The lighting device 10 further comprises a protective pin 4 (an example of at least one protective spacer element), which protective pin 4 is arranged on the heat sink 2 and protrudes from a light emitting side 21 of the heat sink 2, on which light emitting side 21 the LED package 3 is arranged. The guard pins 4 serve as spacers that prevent in particular mechanical contact between each of the LED package 3, the ribbon bond 5 and the thermistor 8 and an external surface on which, for example, the lighting device 10 may be erroneously placed. For example, when assembling the lighting system, the lighting device 10 may be erroneously placed upside down on a desk, i.e. with the LED package 3, the ribbon bond 5, and the thermistor 8 facing the upper surface of the desk. As a result, the LED package 3, the ribbon bond 5, and/or the thermistor 8 may be damaged. However, the protection pins 4 may prevent mechanical contact between each of the LED package 3, the ribbon bond 5, and the thermistor 8 and the upper surface of the table. In this way, the protection pins 4 advantageously protect the LED package 3, the ribbon bond 5 and the thermistor 8 from mechanical damage. It is further advantageous that the guard pins 4 do not need to be formed and positioned as precisely as the alignment holes 9, allowing for economical manufacture of the lighting device 10.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a front view of the lighting device 10. The lighting device 10 includes a socket 71. The receptacle 71 may be configured to receive a plug that may electrically connect the lighting device 10 to a power source, the plug and power source not being shown in the figures. The PCB 7 may provide an electrical connection between the socket 71 and the bond pad 6. In this way, the bond pads 6 and the LED package 3 via the ribbon bond 5 can advantageously be electrically connected to a power source.

As can be seen in fig. 2, the distance between each protection pin 4 and the LED package 3 is smaller than the distance between the alignment hole 9 and the LED package 3. In other words, in the plane of the heat sink 2 where the PCB 7 is arranged (i.e. in the plane of the paper), the guard pins 4 are closer to the LED package 3 than the alignment holes 9. Furthermore, as can also be seen in fig. 2, the center point of the protection pin 4 is located in between the respective center points of the LED package 3 and the bond pad 6 along the longitudinal direction 13 of the lighting device 10. In other words, along said longitudinal direction 13 of the lighting device 10, and in the plane of the paper, the guard pins 4 are below the LED packages 3 and above the bond pads 6. Finally, as can also be seen in fig. 2, each of the two guard pins 4 is located on a line perpendicularly intersecting the ribbon bond 5. Since the band-shaped bonds 5 are in this case parallel to the aforesaid longitudinal direction 13 of the lighting device 10, said straight line perpendicularly intersecting the band-shaped bonds 5 is parallel to the transverse direction 12 of the lighting device 10. Positioning the protection pins 4 in at least one of the foregoing ways advantageously allows mechanically protecting, in particular, the arched portions of the ribbon-like bonds 5.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of the lighting device 10. As can be seen in fig. 3, the guard pin 4 comprises a cylindrical base portion 41, a lenticular top portion 43, and a frustoconical intermediate portion 42 arranged between the base portion 41 and the top portion 43. Thus, in other words, the respective partitions of the protection pins 4 have a cylindrical (bottom portion 41), conical (middle portion 42) and hemispherical (top portion 43) shape. Furthermore, as can also be seen in fig. 3, the height of the protection pins 4 is greater than the respective heights of the LED package 3, the ribbon bond 5 and the thermistor 8. As a result, the protection pins 4 advantageously mechanically protect these components from damage, as described in detail above. In addition, the tapered shape of the guard pins 4 advantageously minimizes the blocking of light emitted by the LED package 3.

Reference numerals:

2. radiator

3 LED package

4. Protection pin

5. Ribbon bonding

6. Bonding pad

7 PCB

8. Thermistor with high temperature resistance

9. Alignment holes

10. Lighting device

11. Screw hole

12. Transverse direction

13. Longitudinal direction

21. Light emission side

31. Mounting portion

41. Base portion

42. Middle part

43. Top part

71. A socket.

Claims

1. A lighting device for mounting to at least one reflector element, the lighting device comprising:

-a carrier;

-at least one light emitting element arranged on the carrier;

-at least two alignment faces of respective alignment members for aligning the lighting device with the at least one reflector element, wherein each of the at least two alignment faces is arranged to be in mechanical contact with a corresponding alignment face of the at least one reflector element when the lighting device is mounted to the at least one reflector element; and

-at least one protective spacer element arranged on the carrier for at least mechanically protecting the at least one light emitting element.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protective spacing element protrudes from one side of the carrier, the at least one light emitting element being arranged on one side of the carrier.

3. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one protective spacing element is integrally formed with the carrier.

4. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the carrier and the at least one protective spacing element are formed, in particular deep drawn, from the same metal sheet or are integrally molded, in particular integrally cast.

5. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least each section of the at least one protective spacing element has a cylindrical, conical and/or hemispherical shape.

6. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one protective spacing element comprises a cylindrical base portion, a hemispherical top portion, and a conical middle portion arranged in between the base portion and the top portion.

7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a distance between the at least one protective spacing element and the at least one light emitting element is smaller than a distance between the at least two alignment surfaces and the at least one light emitting element.

8. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one protective spacing element has a height that is greater than the height of the at least one light emitting element and/or greater than the height of one or more electrical connection elements that electrically connect the at least one light emitting element to one or more electrical contact portions.

9. A lighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the centre point of the at least one protective spacing element is located in between the respective centre point of the at least one light emitting element and the respective centre point of one or more electrical contact portions, the at least one light emitting element being electrically connected to the one or more electrical contact portions, along the longitudinal direction of the lighting device.

10. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least one protective spacing element is located on a line perpendicularly intersecting one or more electrical connection elements electrically connecting the at least one light emitting element with one or more corresponding electrical contact portions.

11. The lighting device of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the lighting device further comprises one or more of:

-at least one mounting portion arranged on the carrier, the at least one light emitting element being mounted on the carrier;

-at least one electrical contact portion arranged on the carrier;

-at least one electrical connection element electrically connecting the at least one electrical contact portion and the at least one light emitting element;

-at least one mounting hole formed in the carrier;

-at least one socket arranged on the carrier.

12. A lighting system comprising a lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and at least one reflector element, wherein the lighting device is mounted to the at least one reflector element.

13. The lighting system according to claim 12, wherein at least two alignment faces of the lighting device are in mechanical contact with corresponding alignment faces of the at least one reflector element such that the lighting device is aligned with the at least one reflector element in a predetermined manner.