DE102014214603A1 - Semiconductor lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A semiconductor lamp (1) has a tubular, at least partially translucent piston (2), at least one semiconductor light source (5) accommodated in the piston (2), two end caps (8) for fastening the semiconductor lamp (1) to a socket and a driver ( 9) with one or more electrical and / or electronic components (18-21) which is at least partially accommodated in an end cap (8), wherein the components (18-21) of the driver housed in the end cap (8) ( 9) are separated in a gas-tight manner from the at least one semiconductor light source (5). The invention is particularly applicable to retrofit lamps, in particular with a form factor of linear fluorescent lamps.

Description

The invention relates to a semiconductor lamp, comprising a tubular, at least partially translucent piston, at least one housed in the piston semiconductor light source, two end caps for mounting the semiconductor lamp to a socket and a driver with one or more electrical and / or electronic components, which at least partially in an end cap is housed. The invention is particularly applicable to retrofit lamps, in particular with a form factor of linear fluorescent lamps.

In LED lamps of the type in question with light emitting diodes ("LEDs") as semiconductor light sources, the problem arises that the electrical and / or electronic components or components are frequently embedded in an organic potting compound (a so-called "potting material"), to improve heat dissipation. The electrical and / or electronic components themselves may also have a high content of organic substances, e.g. Capacitors or printed circuit board materials. A disadvantage of these organic substances is their outgassing behavior, in which volatile organic substances are released over time. The volatile organic substances may adversely affect the LEDs or optical parts (such as a primary optic or the like), e.g. tarnish.

So far, casting compounds and / or components are used to avoid these disadvantages, which have a low outgassing. A qualification work to find suitable and compatible materials is extremely complicated and expensive. Also, the selection of usable potting compounds and components is considerably limited, namely to relatively expensive and / or difficult to process potting compounds and / or components.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art at least partially and in particular to provide a simple and inexpensive feasible way to accommodate a driver in the semiconductor lamp, in the outgassing of the electrical and / or electronic components of the driver, the optical quality the semiconductor lamp does not affect. In particular, it is an object to protect the at least one semiconductor light source and possibly the at least one semiconductor light source downstream optical elements, including the piston.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims.

The object is achieved by a semiconductor lamp, comprising a tubular, at least partially translucent piston, at least one housed in the piston semiconductor light source, two end caps for mounting the semiconductor lamp to a socket and a driver with one or more electrical and / or electronic components, which at least is partially housed in an end cap, wherein the accommodated in the end cap components of the driver are separated gas-tight from the at least one semiconductor light source.

As a result, outgassing of the electrical and / or electronic components can be kept in the associated end cap, where they cause no damage. On the other hand, due to the gas-tight separation, they do not reach the piston in which the at least one semiconductor light source is located. Consequently, comparatively high outgassing but inexpensive components of the driver (e.g., certain electrical and / or electronic devices, potting material, circuit boards, etc.) may also be used. In addition to reduced component costs, a simplified production may also be realized.

The end caps are arranged at end-side, in particular open end regions of the piston and cover these end regions. Both end caps are used for mechanical attachment of the semiconductor lamp in an associated version. At least one of the end caps also serves for the electrical connection of the semiconductor lamp. It may serve both end caps for electrical connection of the semiconductor lamp. Alternatively, only one of the end caps may be used for electrical connection of the semiconductor lamp, while the other end cap serves only for mechanical fastening.

The electrical and / or electronic components of the driver (also referred to as "driver devices") may be distributed on both end caps, in particular if both end caps are used for the electrical connection of the semiconductor lamp. Alternatively, the driver modules may be accommodated in only one of the end caps, in particular if only this end cap is used for the electrical connection of the semiconductor lamp.

The piston may be a rectilinearly extended or a curved piston. The piston may have a (straight or curved) hollow cylindrical basic shape. The piston may also be a longitudinally cut hollow piston, which sits with its longitudinal edges on a heat sink. For example, the heat sink may be present as a metallic body with a longitudinally cut cylindrical basic shape and the piston may be complementary in cross-section or complementary to a shape be a hollow cylinder cut longitudinally of a whole cylinder.

The piston may be made of glass or plastic. It may be transparent and / or translucent or opaque. In the piston, jet-forming areas such as lens areas, etc. may be present.

In particular, the at least one semiconductor light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode. If several LEDs are present, they can be lit in the same color or in different colors. A color may be monochrome (e.g., red, green, blue, etc.) or multichrome (e.g., white). The light emitted by the at least one light-emitting diode can also be an infrared light (IR LED) or an ultraviolet light (UV LED). Several light emitting diodes can produce a mixed light; e.g. a white mixed light. The at least one light-emitting diode may contain at least one wavelength-converting phosphor (conversion LED). The phosphor may alternatively or additionally be arranged remotely from the light-emitting diode ("remote phosphor"). The at least one light-emitting diode can be in the form of at least one individually housed light-emitting diode or in the form of at least one LED chip. Several LED chips can be mounted on a common substrate ("submount"). The at least one light emitting diode may be equipped with at least one own and / or common optics for beam guidance, e.g. at least one Fresnel lens, collimator, and so on. Instead of or in addition to inorganic light emitting diodes, e.g. based on InGaN or AlInGaP, organic LEDs (OLEDs, for example polymer OLEDs) can generally also be used. Alternatively, the at least one semiconductor light source may be e.g. have at least one diode laser.

The one or more electrical components may be e.g. at least one capacitor, at least one ohmic resistor, at least one coil, at least one diode, etc. have. The one or more electronic components may be e.g. at least one microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, etc. have.

The driver may also be referred to as a "driver circuit" or "driver electronics".

In principle, some components of the driver, namely in particular those that do not or only slightly outgassed, may not be separated gas-tight from the at least one semiconductor light source, in particular not be accommodated in the end cap. They may, for example, be arranged on a light source substrate on which the at least one semiconductor light source is also arranged. The components of the driver may thus be partially gas-tightly separated from the at least one semiconductor light source and partially connected to the at least one semiconductor light source in terms of gas technology.

It is an alternative embodiment to that all components of the driver are housed in the end cap. Thus, a deterioration of the at least one semiconductor light source, etc. by the components is particularly reliably prevented.

It is still an embodiment that the components of the driver are embedded in a potting material. This improves a thermal connection of the components and thus improved heat dissipation from them. Consequently, since the potting material is also accommodated in the end cap and is separated in a gas-tight manner from the at least one semiconductor light source, it is also possible to use more outgassing potting material. This, in turn, allows the use of a wider range of potting material, particularly cheaper and / or easier to handle potting material. The driver may be surrounded with the potting material prior to its insertion into the end cap, or may be surrounded with the potting material only after insertion into the end cap. In the latter case, the potting material may be filled in the end cap, which then serves as a mold. The potting material may be a potting compound, in particular an organic potting compound.

It is a further embodiment that components of the driver are arranged on a driver board. This way they can be arranged very simply and compactly. For example, the driver board may be populated with components prior to insertion into the end cap, allowing for particularly inexpensive manufacture, e.g. by means of a placement machine.

It is still an embodiment that the end cap has at least one guide part for slidably inserting the driver into the end cap. This supports accurate and fast positioning of the driver. For example, the at least one guide member may be slidably engaged with a longitudinal edge of the driver board. The at least one guide part may in particular have a longitudinal groove into which the longitudinal edge can be inserted. The guide member may be formed, for example, as a projecting from an inner side of the end cap area. For a particularly secure mounting of the driver like two guide parts may be present, which are arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other. In particular, both longitudinal edges of the driver board can be held in the end cap.

It is yet another embodiment that between the end cap and the piston, a separating element is present, which separates the end cap of the piston gas-tight, and the separating element has at least one electrical feedthrough. This embodiment enables a particularly simple assembly of the semiconductor lamp. The at least one electrical feedthrough enables an electrical connection of the at least one semiconductor light source to the driver or to components of the driver accommodated in the end cap behind the separator element.

In particular, the electrical feedthrough provides an electrically conductive path through the separator. The electrical feedthrough may be a one-piece or a multi-piece electrically conductive element, e.g. consisting of copper or aluminum.

It is also an embodiment that the separating element with its at least one electrical feedthrough is attachable to a respective electrical connection element of the driver. This results in the advantage of a particularly simple assembly of the semiconductor lamp by a simple plug movement. The separating element and the electrical connecting element of the driver may, in particular, enter into a non-positive and possibly positive connection with one another, e.g. a clamp connection. In particular, either the separating element or the electrical connection element of the driver may be designed as an electrically conductive clamp into which the respective other contact element can be inserted or inserted. The electrical connection element may for example be soldered to a driver board, e.g. in surface mount technology (SMT) or pin-in-hole technology.

It is also an embodiment that the at least one semiconductor light source is arranged on a band-shaped light source substrate. This results in the advantage that the at least one semiconductor light source can be inserted easily into the piston and can be held there. This applies in particular in the presence of a plurality of semiconductor light sources. These may for example be arranged in a row one behind the other. Such band-shaped light source substrates equipped with a plurality of semiconductor light sources can also be referred to as a "light band". The light source substrate may be, for example, a rigid or a flexible board.

It is an embodiment of the fact that the separating element with its at least one electrical feedthrough can be plugged onto a respective electrical connection element of the light source substrate. This also results in the advantage of a particularly simple assembly of the semiconductor lamp by a simple plug movement. The separating element and the electrical connection element of the light source substrate may in particular form a frictional and possibly positive connection with one another, e.g. a clamp connection. In particular, either the separating element or the electrical connection element of the light source substrate may be designed as an electrically conductive clamp into which the respective other contact element can be inserted or inserted. The electrical connection element may, for example, be soldered to the light source substrate, e.g. in surface mount technology or push-through technology.

It is also an embodiment that the electrical feedthrough is formed as a bent metal strip. This is particularly inexpensive available and easily bendable. The bend allows a particularly simple way a springing ability during a Einsteckvorgangs, which is advantageous for example for a tolerance compensation. In particular, the end portions on both sides of the separator may be aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the semiconductor lamp to facilitate a plugging operation.

It is also an embodiment that at least the components of the driver having end cap has a hollow cylindrical basic shape, introduced in the piston-side end face of the piston, in particular plugged is. Thus, a cylindrical basic shape of the semiconductor lamp can be implemented in a simple manner. Also, such mating of components of the semiconductor lamp is facilitated, e.g. the light source substrate, the separator and the driver board. In particular, the diameters of the end cap and the piston may be equal. Another non-electrical connection end cap may have at least approximately the same outer dimensions as the end cap described above. It may alternatively be e.g. be shorter or longer.

The piston-facing end of the end cap may be closed. It is an alternative embodiment that it is open and closed with a plug. This alternative allows a diverse configuration of the outer end face of the semiconductor lamp prior to assembly of the semiconductor lamp, which is advantageous manufacturing technology.

The plug may have at least one outwardly projecting pin. This allows a simple electrical contact with a socket, in particular a configuration as a pin base, in particular as a bipin socket.

It is still an embodiment that the piston has tapered end portions and the end caps on the piston side have a widening towards its end face inner surface. Thus, the piston can be easily inserted into an end cap. In particular, as a bonding of the end cap and piston is facilitated, as well as non-foaming adhesives such as silicone or epoxy resin can be processed by simple means and can produce a circumferentially sealed connection safely. The degrees of taper (eg, as measured by an angle of inclination against a longitudinal axis of the piston and the end cap) may be the same or different. In particular, different angles of inclination can enable a secure connection with high manufacturing tolerance. The inclination angles may preferably be in a range between 3 ° and 8 °.

It is also an embodiment that the separating element has a cup-shaped base body made of electrically non-conductive material, which base body has an open end facing the end cap and a closed end face facing the piston. The electrically non-conductive material also allows electrical insulation of the end cap against the piston and prevents a short circuit between the electrical feedthroughs.

At the closed end face, the at least one electrical feedthrough may be passed through the main body in a gastight manner. This allows an electrical connection between the driver and the semiconductor light source (s) without affecting the gas-tight separation.

It is also an embodiment that the semiconductor lamp is a retrofit lamp.

The retrofit lamp may e.g. be a fluorescent retrofit lamp or a line lamp retrofit lamp, so be designed to replace a conventional lamp and have an at least similar form factor. The fluorescent retrofit lamp may e.g. to replace conventional T-type fluorescent lamps, e.g. of the type T5 or T8 be configured; it may have G-type sockets, in particular G5 or G13. The line lamp retrofit lamp may e.g. to replace conventional line lamps (e.g., the "Linestra" model line from Osram) with S14s or S14d type sockets.

The above-described characteristics, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment which will be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings. In this case, the same or equivalent elements may be provided with the same reference numerals for clarity.

1 shows an oblique view in partial sectional view of a section of not yet assembled components of a semiconductor light;

2 shows an oblique view of a separator of the semiconductor light;

3 shows the semiconductor light in an oblique view in a further assembled state;

4 shows the semiconductor light in an oblique view in a ready assembled state;

5 shows the ready assembled semiconductor light as a sectional view in side view; and

6 shows the finished composite semiconductor light as a sectional view in plan view.

1 shows an oblique view in partial sectional view of an end-side section of not yet assembled components of a semiconductor light in the form of an LED retrofit lamp 1 to replace a conventional fluorescent lamp, eg of type T5 or T8, or a line lamp.

The LED retrofit lamp 1 has a tubular piston shown cut open 2 with a hollow cylindrical basic shape, which consists of a translucent (eg transparent or translucent or opaque) material such as glass or plastic. The piston 2 has tapered end portions 3 on. These point in a longitudinal section along a longitudinal axis A of the piston 2 and with it also the LED retrofit lamp 1 an inclination angle against the longitudinal axis A between 5 ° and 7 °.

In the flask 2 is a light source substrate in the form of a band-shaped printed circuit board 4 housed with semiconductor light sources in the form of LED chips 5 is equipped. The LED chips 5 are especially on a top 6 the circuit board 4 arranged in a row. At a front edge of the top 6 are also two electrical connection elements in the form of metallic terminals 7 attached. The clamps 7 are with the LED chips 5 via a not shown line structure of the circuit board 4 connected.

The LED retrofit lamp 1 also has two end caps, one of which is an end cap 8th shown is that for receiving a driver 9 is provided. The end cap 8th serves for fastening and electrical contacting of the LED retrofit lamp 1 in a version. It is designed here analogous to a base of type G5 or G13 and thus fits in a corresponding version. The end cap 8th has a hollow cylindrical basic shape with an open piston-side end face 10 and an open outside, the piston 2 facing away, front side 11 on. The piston facing away from the front 11 is with a stopper 12 closed, which outwardly projecting pins 13 has, as in 5 and 6 shown.

The end cap 8th has at its piston-side end portion an expanding inner surface 14 on. In particular, it has an angle of inclination against the longitudinal axis A between 4 ° and 6 °. At one in the end cap 8th inserted piston 2 becomes the tapered end area 3 on the inner surface 14 deferred and thus pressed, with one or both surfaces previously 3 . 14 have been coated with a non-foaming adhesive, in particular an organic adhesive such as silicone or epoxy resin, to form a cohesive, gas-tight connection between the piston 2 and end cap 8th manufacture.

The end cap 8th has on the inside two guide parts in the form of inwardly projecting guide rails 15 on, which in each case with a continuous longitudinal groove 16 are provided, which are parallel but offset down to the longitudinal axis A. The guide rails 15 , of which only one is shown here, are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a plane of symmetry running through the longitudinal axis A (eg a vertically running symmetry plane). The guide rails 15 are used to insert and hold the driver 9 ,

The driver 9 has a board ("driver board") 17 on top of it with multiple electrical and / or electronic components 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 , including capacitors 18 , is equipped. The driver 9 can with the longitudinal edges 22 the driver board 17 in the longitudinal grooves 16 the guide rails 15 and thus in the end cap 8th be inserted.

Between the end cap 8th or the driver board 17 and the piston 2 or the circuit board 4 is a cup-shaped separating element 23 arranged in 2 is shown in more detail. The separating element 23 has a cup-shaped body 24 made of electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic, on. One of the end caps 8th facing end face 25 of the basic body 24 of the separating element 23 is open, leaving the separator 23 end to the driver 9 can be put on or put on. A the piston 2 facing end face 26 of the basic body 24 is closed. Through the closed front side 26 Two electrical feedthroughs in the form of bent metal strips run gas-tight 27 , The metal bands 27 have a piston-side end portion 28 on, which runs in a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis A. Between the piston-side end portion 28 and the closed end 26 are the metal bands 27 U-shaped bent (thus have a U-shaped intermediate section 27a on) in order to be able to provide suspension in the longitudinal direction (along the longitudinal axis A). The metal bands 27 also have an end cap-side end portion 29 on, which runs in a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis A.

The end cap-side end sections 29 the metal bands 27 are in respective electrical connection elements of the driver 9 in the form of metallic clamps 30 plugged so that they provide an electrically conductive clamping connection. This can be done by means of a simple plug movement. The metal bands 27 thus serve as electrical connection elements.

The separating element has a widened portion in the region of its end cap-side free edge 31 on.

3 shows the LED retrofit lamp 1 in a further composite state, in which now contrary to the in 1 shown state, the piston-side end portions 28 the metal bands 27 into the respective terminals 7 the circuit board 4 plugged or plugged. This is the basic body 24 of the separating element 23 until it stops at its expanded section 31 in the pistons 2 introduced.

4 shows an oblique view of the LED retrofit lamp 1 in a ready assembled state, where now the driver 9 with the longitudinal edges 22 its driver board 17 in the longitudinal grooves 16 the guide rails 15 and thus in the end cap 8th has been inserted. The expanding area 14 The inner surface is then tapered end 3 of the piston materially connected via an adhesive layer.

5 shows the ready assembled LED retrofit lamp 1 as a sectional view in side view. 6 shows the ready assembled LED retrofit lamp 1 as a sectional view in plan view. The driver 9 on which all components 18 to 21 are arranged in the end cap 8th accommodated. The driver 9 is through the separator 23 from the piston 2 and therefore also from the LEDs 5 and possibly additionally existing optical elements (not shown) gas-tight, since the expanded section 31 of the separating element 23 against an inner surface of the end cap 8th suppressed. This is the end cap 8th when sliding against the widening area 14 the inner surface has been compressed laterally. She also likes with the end cap 8th be glued, which allows an even higher reliability of the sealing effect.

While the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the illustrated embodiment, the invention is not so limited and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

So can the components 18 to 21 of the driver 9 embedded in a potting material (not shown). The can before assembling, in particular mating, the LED retrofit lamp 1 "potted" or embedded, for example, shed, or only after insertion into the end cap 8th , Embedding after insertion into the end cap 8th may be implemented, for example, by first having the driver 9 is inserted into the end cap, then the end cap 8th at least partially filled with potting material and then only the separating element 23 is placed, together with the piston 2 or time before the piston 2 ,

Generally, "on", "an", etc. may be taken to mean a singular or a plurality, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more" etc., unless this is explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression "exactly one", etc.

Also, a number may include exactly the specified number as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 LED retrofit

2

 piston

3

 rejuvenating end area

4

 circuit board

5

 LED chip

6

 Top of the circuit board

7

 clamp

8th

 endcap

9

 driver

10

 Piston-facing end face

11

 Piston facing away from the front

12

 Plug

13

 pin

14

 palm

15

 guide rail

16

 longitudinal groove

17

 driver board

18

 capacitor

19

 module

20

 module

21

 module

22

 longitudinal edge

23

 separating element

24

 body

25

 The end cap facing end face

26

 The piston facing end face

27

 metal band

27a

 intermediate section

28

 Piston-side end portion

29

 End cap side end portion

30

 clamp

31

 Expanded section

A

 longitudinal axis

Claims (13)

Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ), comprising - a tubular, at least partially translucent piston ( 2 ), - at least one in the piston ( 2 ) accommodated semiconductor light source ( 5 ), - two end caps ( 8th ) for mounting the semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) on a socket and - a driver ( 9 ) with one or more electrical and / or electronic components ( 18 - 21 ), which at least partially in an end cap ( 8th ), wherein - in the end cap ( 8th ) ( 18 - 21 ) of the driver ( 9 ) of the at least one semiconductor light source ( 5 ) are separated gas-tight. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein all components ( 18 - 21 ) of the driver ( 9 ) are housed in the end cap. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components ( 18 - 21 ) of the driver ( 9 ) are embedded in a potting material. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components ( 18 - 21 ) of the driver ( 9 ) on a driver board ( 17 ) are arranged. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the end cap ( 8th ) at least one guide part for slidably inserting the driver ( 9 ) in the end cap ( 8th ) having. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - between the end cap ( 8th ) and the piston ( 2 ) a separating element ( 23 ), which is the end cap ( 8th ) of the piston ( 2 ) separates gas-tight, and - the separating element ( 23 ) has at least one electrical feedthrough. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to claim 6 and any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the separating element ( 23 ) with its at least one electrical feedthrough ( 27 ) on a respective electrical connection element ( 30 ) of the driver ( 9 ) can be plugged. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein - the at least one semiconductor light source ( 5 ) on a ribbon-shaped light source substrate ( 4 ) is arranged and - the separating element ( 23 ) with its at least one electrical feedthrough ( 27 ) on a respective electrical connection element ( 7 ) of the light source substrate ( 4 ) can be plugged. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical feedthrough ( 27 ) is formed as a bent metal strip. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - at least the components ( 18 - 21 ) of the driver ( 9 ) end cap ( 8th ) has a hollow cylindrical basic shape, - in whose piston-side end face ( 10 ) The piston ( 2 ) is introduced and - the piston-facing end face ( 11 ) with a stopper ( 12 ) is closed, which at least one outwardly projecting pin ( 13 ) having. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the piston ( 2 ) tapered end portions ( 3 ) and - the end cap ( 8th ) on the piston side an expanding inner surface ( 14 ) having. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of claims 6 to 11, wherein - the separating element ( 23 ) a cup-shaped basic body ( 24 ) of electrically non-conductive material, - the basic body ( 24 ) one of the end caps ( 8th ) facing open end face ( 25 ) and a piston ( 2 ) facing closed end face ( 26 ) and - at the closed end face ( 26 ) the at least one electrical feedthrough ( 27 ) gastight through the body ( 24 ) is passed. Semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the semiconductor lamp ( 1 ) is a fluorescent retrofit lamp.

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