FR2985100A1 - Power supply device for use in power supply system of assembling kit for diode i.e. LED, has fastening unit arranged to secure device on support to achieve position of choice in continuous manner, and feed system comprising sheet feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has a housing (102) for accommodating a diode (104) in a removable manner. Electrical connection units (116, 118, 130, 132) are arranged such that the connection units realize an electrical connection between electrical contacts of the diode and a power source when the diode is arranged in the housing. A fastening unit is arranged to secure the device on a support removably and continuously to achieve a position of choice in a continuous and non-discrete manner. A feed system comprises the diode or a sheet feeder.

Description

The present invention relates to a diode supply device that can be positioned at will. It also relates to a diode supply system using such devices. The field of the invention is the field of supplying diodes, and more particularly LEDs (or LEDs in English), in particular for carrying out tests on diodes in the context of research and development with a view to carrying out studies. optical, electrical and thermal properties depending on the nature of the diodes, the nature of the secondary optics of the diodes, the number of diodes, the position or the arrangement of the diodes and their secondary optics and the power supply diodes. STATE OF THE ART At present, the experimental tests on diodes, and in particular LEDs, and their implementation require several elements comprising for each test one or more diodes, one or more printed circuits specially designed for a particular test, a method welding to arrange the diodes on the printed circuit and finally a heat dissipation surface. However, the design and manufacture of a custom printed circuit for each test represent a significant cost. In addition, the duration of development and manufacture of a circuit, the duration for fixing the diodes on a printed circuit by welding are operations which each represent a significant loss of time. All these disadvantages are amplified by the number of tests to be performed.

In addition, each circuit board can be used for only one test, it is discarded after the test and a new circuit board is developed for the next test and so on, which generates a lot of waste. There are diode supply devices each comprising a housing for receiving a diode. Each power supply device is designed to be plugged into fixed docking houses each comprising electrical connectors allowing these devices to electrically connect the diode to a power source. However, these devices suffer from an absence of freedom of positioning of the diodes and are limited by the locations of the fixed reception homes. In addition, at each repositioning operation of a supply device, the power supply of the diode is interrupted until the supply device is again plugged into another housing. An object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages. Another object of the invention is to provide a device and a diode (s) reusable power supply system allowing greater freedom of positioning than current devices and systems. Finally, another object of the invention is to provide a device and a diode supply system (s) reusable less expensive and less time consuming than current techniques.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention makes it possible to achieve these objects by a device for the power supply of a diode comprising electrical contacts for supplying power to said diode, said device comprising: a housing for removably receiving a diode electrical connection means arranged so that when the diode is disposed in said housing said electrical connection means make an electrical connection between said electrical contacts of said diode and a power source, and fixing means arranged to fixing said device on a support removably and continuously to make a choice of position continuously and non-discretely. Thus, according to the invention, the fixing means make it possible to pass from a first position to a second position continuously and non-discretely, thus providing an infinity of possible positions for the device and also a freedom on the device. variation of the position, unlike the plug-in devices which allow only a limited number of positions, these devices being dependent on the fixed reception housing. The device according to the invention thus makes it possible to position the diode with greater freedom than current devices since the device according to the invention is no longer dependent on a predetermined position chosen for each diode.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention is less expensive and less time consuming since it is reusable for a new diode and for a new test and does not require the realization of a custom printed circuit for each diode or each test or each new positioning of the diode.

In addition, the device according to the invention makes it possible to perform a multitude of tests in a shorter time compared to devices of the state of the art since it does not require the design and manufacture of a printed circuit on measuring and soldering each diode on a printed circuit for each test, the diode can be arranged in the housing removably. Advantageously, the fixing means are arranged to make a choice of position in a continuous and non-discrete manner on at least two dimensions, or even the three dimensions of the space.

Advantageously, the fixing means may also be arranged to perform a positioning of the independent device of the electrical connection means so that the same electrical connection is maintained without interruption to move from a first position to a second position. Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to offer a greater freedom of positioning, since the electrical connection being maintained during the change of position of the diode, it is no longer necessary to take account of power supply problems. of the diode when repositioning the diode. According to the invention, the fixing means may advantageously comprise: at least one magnetic element or a magnet, at least one element sensitive to the magnetic force, at least one adhesive means, at least one suction pad, at least one means Velcros® type, - at least one means performing an electromagnetic fixation, (electromagnet for example) - at least one means performing an electrostatic fixation. In a first embodiment, the electrical connection means may comprise: an electrode disposed in the housing facing each electrical contact of said diode, and for each electrode, a supply wire connected on the one hand to said electrode and on the other hand to an electrical source. Such an electrical wire is a free wire to move, not fixed to any support on which is disposed said device. In another embodiment, the electrical connection means may comprise: an electrode disposed in the housing facing each electrical contact of said diode, and at least one means for receiving energy by induction from an electrical source and / or electromagnetic. This embodiment has the advantage of being able to eliminate all "flying" electrical wires and thus to reduce the size of the feeder and to make the feed device easier to use and more ergonomic. When the diode comprises a thermal contact for effecting heat dissipation, the device according to the invention may further comprise thermal connection means arranged so that when the diode is inserted into said housing said thermal connection means enter into position. contact with said thermal contact. The fixing means are arranged to fix said device on a support removably and independently of said thermal connection means so that the same thermal connection is maintained without interruption during the passage of said device from a first position to a second position, that is to say that the passage from a first position to a second position is performed without interruption of the thermal connection between the thermal contact and a heat dissipation means through the thermal connection means.

Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to increase the freedom of positioning of the diode. The device according to the invention may further comprise at least one heat dissipation means connected to the thermal connection means. Such a heat dissipation means may comprise a radiator integrated in the device. Such a heat dissipation means may comprise, in addition or alternatively, one or more means providing a thermal bridge 25 for thermally connecting the thermal connection means to a heat dissipating surface, which may advantageously be the support on which the device is removably positioned. The purpose of the thermal bridge is to provide thermal continuity between the thermal connection means, and therefore the thermal contact of the diode, and a heat dissipating surface, which may advantageously be the support on which the device is removably positioned. . The thermal bridge can be made in one piece or by assembling several pieces. In a particular and in no way limiting embodiment, the housing may be arranged to receive the diode by translation. Thus, the insertion of the diode in the housing does not require the use of tools and can be performed manually.

The diode is inserted into the housing by sliding in a rectilinear direction. The housing may have a shape to receive the diode as a drawer.

Thus the diode is protected against damage and external shocks. In a particular embodiment, an upper wall of the housing may comprise in its central part an opening, called viewing, for example in the form of a "U" view from above, allowing visual access to the diode and the output of the luminous flux emitted by the diode. The upper wall may further comprise on each side of said viewing aperture a shoulder or slide provided (e) for guiding said diode during insertion into said housing and maintaining said diode in said housing after insertion. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a system for supplying at least one diode comprising: - for each diode at least one supply device according to the invention, - a fixing surface provided to accommodate each of said devices removably, and - at least one power supply module for supplying each diode.

Advantageously, the power supply module may comprise: a set of male or female electrical connectors for each power supply device; and / or an induction power supply module for generating an electrical and / or electromagnetic signal. in each feeding device.

The fixing surface may be an adhesive surface or a ferromagnetic magnetic surface exerting an attraction on each feed device or a surface sensitive to a magnetic attraction exerted by each device. The fixing surface may furthermore be a surface arranged for fixing by suction-type means, Velcros®-type means and / or adhesive means, arranged on each feeding device. The attachment surface may also be arranged to effect a dissipation of heat transferred thereto by a thermal bridge of each device. The system according to the invention can be in the form of a kit to be assembled comprising the various elements making up the system and assembly instructions. Other advantages and features will appear on examining the detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment, and the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 to 5, including diagrammatic representations of a feed device according to the present invention. invention according to different views; and FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a feed system according to the invention employing three feeding devices of FIGS. 1 to 5. It is understood that the embodiments which will be described hereinafter are in no way limiting. It will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described hereinafter insulated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention by compared to the state of the art. This selection comprises at least one feature preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if it is this part that is only sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

FIGURES 1-5 are schematic representations of a feeder 100 in different views. FIG. 1 is an isometric representation of the device 100 in a top view before the diode is inserted into the device 100; FIG. 2 is an isometric representation of the device 100 in a bottom view before the diode is inserted into the device; FIG. 3 is an isometric representation of the device 100 in a top view after the diode is inserted in the device 100, FIG. 4 is a representation in a top view after the diode is inserted into the device 100 and FIG. 5 is an isometric representation of the device 100 in a sectional view after the diode is inserted into the device 100. The device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is in the form of a cubic or rectangular one-piece assembly.

The device 100 comprises a housing 102 for a diode 104, and more particularly for a LED type CREE XP, in its upper part. This housing 102 has an insertion opening 106, on one of the lateral sides of the device 100 for inserting the diode 104 into the housing 102 as a drawer and has a viewing aperture 108 shaped "U" in its upper wall 110 allowing on the one hand to have a visual access to the diode 104 and on the other hand the emission of the luminous flux by the diode. The upper wall 110 has on each side of the viewing opening 108 two slides or shoulder 112 and 114 for guiding the diode 104 during its insertion into the housing 102 and to maintain the diode 104 in the housing 102.

The housing 102 further comprises electrical connection means comprising two electrodes 116 and 118 disposed on a lower surface facing the upper wall 110. The electrodes 116 and 118 are rectilinear, arranged on two opposite sides of the housing 102 parallel to these sides . The electrodes 116 and 118 are intended to come into contact with two electrical contacts 120 and 122 of the diode 104. Each electrode 116 and 118 is composed of a flexible blade which comes into contact with an electrical contact 120 or 122 and which exerts pressure on this contact 120, 122 during the insertion of the diode 104 in the housing 102 and when the diode 104 is in the housing 102.

The housing 102 further comprises on its lower surface facing the upper wall and between the electrodes 116 and 118 a means 124 for thermal connection consisting of a smooth surface resulting from an elevation of material or a boss. The thermal connection means 124 is disposed substantially in the middle of the lower surface of the housing 102, parallel to the electrodes 116 and 118 and substantially over the entire depth of the housing viewed from the side of the insertion opening. The thermal connection means 124 is disposed on an elevation or boss 126 relative to the electrodes 116 and 118. The thermal connection means 124 is provided for contacting a thermal contact 128 disposed on the diode and located thereon. the thermal connection means when the diode 104 is inserted into the housing 102. The electrical contacts 120 and 122 and the thermal contact 128 are disposed on a lower surface of the diode 104. The top wall 110 exerts a force-opposing force exerted by the electrodes 116, 118 in order to ensure firstly a good electrical connection, by compression of the electrodes 116, 118, and secondly a good thermal connection by pressing the thermal contact 128 of the diode on the Surface 124. The device 100 further comprises two supply wires 130 and 132 for directly or indirectly connecting the electrodes 116 and 118 to a power source. electric. The supply son 130 and 132 are flexible allow the movement of the device freely and arbitrarily. The device 100 furthermore comprises several magnets 134, in particular magnets 134, arranged in wells provided on the lower surface 136 of the lower part 138 of the device 100. A well is placed at each corner and in the center of the lower surface. device 100 and provided to accommodate a magnet. This lower part 138 is connected to the thermal connection means 124 and makes it possible, on the one hand, to dissipate heat and, on the other hand, a thermal bridge between the thermal connection means 124 and the support on which the device 100 is placed, via the lower surface 136, this support also achieving a heat dissipation. The lower portion 138 may be made of any material providing a thermal bridge, for example aluminum. Thus, in the present example, the lower portion 138 performs both a thermal bridge through the lower surface 136 and the magnetic attachment through the magnets 134. In another embodiment, the lower portion can perform one or none of these functions.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic representation of a system according to the invention. The system 200 comprises three devices 1001, 1002 and 1003 each comprising a diode 1041, 1042 and 1043. The system 200 further comprises a support 202 comprising a smooth and continuous upper surface for moving the devices 100 continuously. The support 202 is made at least in part of a material which is: - capable of achieving heat dissipation, and magnetic so that it exerts an attraction on each device 100 and makes it possible to fix each device in such a way that removable and movable on the support 202. The support 202 is for example made of ferromagnetic steel.

In a particular embodiment, the support 202 can be made in the form of a set of aluminum sheets and a ferromagnetic material stacked alternately, so that it exerts an attraction on each device 100 and makes it possible to fix each device removably and movably on the support 202.

The system 200 further comprises a terminal block 204, integral with the support 202 and for connecting each of the supply son 130, 132 of a device 100 to a power source. The terminal block comprises a plurality of female connectors 206 intended to accommodate male connectors, for example banana plugs. Furthermore, the system 200 further comprises markers (not shown) for measuring distance or angle and / or geometric markers (not shown), such as for example circles, lines or any geometrical shape, engraved or drawn on the upper surface of the support 202 in order to precisely position or position each device 100. In addition, each device 100 and the support 202 are arranged so that a thermal transfer takes place between the device and the support 202 via of the lower portion 138 and the lower surface 136.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples detailed above. In the case where the fixing is carried out by magnetic means, the magnetic attraction can be exerted magnetic means 30 arranged either in the device, or in the support or in both. Of course, other fastening means than magnets may be used, for example suckers or reusable adhesive means. In addition, induction supply means may be used in place of the supply wires. The housing may have a shape other than that shown in the figures. Indeed, the housing may have a substantially identical shape to the shape of the diode to be inserted into the housing and of dimensions substantially greater than the dimensions of the diode so as to accommodate the diode and maintain it in the housing.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. A device (100) for powering a diode (104) having electrical contacts (120, 122) for electrically powering said diode (104), said device (100) comprising: - a housing (102) for accommodating detachably means a diode (104), - electrical connection means (116, 118, 130, 132) arranged so that when the diode (104) is disposed in said housing (102) said means (116, 118, 130, 132) electrically connect between said electrical contacts (120, 122) of said diode (104) and a power source, and - fixing means arranged to fix said device (100) on a support (202). ) removably and continuously to make a positional choice in a continuous and non-discrete manner. 2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means are arranged to make a positional choice continuously and not discrete in at least two dimensions. 3. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means are arranged to perform a positioning of said device (100) independent of the electrical connection means (116, 118, 130, 132) of so that the same electrical connection is maintained without interruption to go from a first position to a second position. 4. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means comprise: - at least one magnetic element or a magnet, - at least one element sensitive to the magnetic force, - at least adhesive means, at least one suction cup, at least one Velcros®-type means, at least one means providing electromagnetic fixation, and / or at least one means performing electrostatic fixation. 5 5. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connection means (116, 118, 130, 132) comprise: - an electrode (116, 118) disposed in the housing (102) in view of each electrical contact (120, 122) of said diode (104), - for each electrode (116, 118), a supply wire (130, 132) connected on the one hand to said electrode (116, 118) and on the other hand to an electrical source. 15 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electrical connection means comprise: - an electrode disposed in the housing facing each electrical contact of said diode, 20 - at least one receiving means induction energy from an electrical source. 7. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diode (104) further comprises a thermal contact (128) for effecting heat dissipation, said device (100) further comprising means thermal connection means (124) arranged so that when the diode (104) is inserted into the housing (102) said thermal connection means (124) comes into contact with said thermal contact (128), the fastening means securing a fixation Of said device (100) on a support (202) removably and independently of said thermal connection means (124) such that a same thermal connection is maintained without interruption when passing said device (100) from a first position at a second position.-15- 8. Device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises at least: - a heat dissipation means connected to the thermal connection means (138), and / or - a means (136, 138 ) providing a thermal bridge between the thermal connection means and the support (202). 9. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (102) is arranged to receive the diode (104) by translation. 10. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (102) has a shape for receiving the diode (104) as a drawer. 11. Device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that an upper wall (110) of the housing (102) has in its central part an opening (108), called visualization, allowing visual access to the diode ( 104), said upper wall (110) comprising on each side of said viewing aperture (108) a shoulder or slide (112, 114) provided for guiding said diode (104) upon insertion into said housing ( 102) and maintaining said diode (104) in said housing (102) after insertion. 12. System (200) for supplying at least one diode (1041-1043) comprising: - for each diode (1041-1043) at least one supply device (1001-1003) according to any one of the claims previous, - a mounting surface (202) provided to accommodate each of said devices (1001-1003) removably, and - at least one power module (204) for supplying each diode (1041-1043) .- 16- The system of claim 12, characterized in that the power supply module (204) comprises: a set of electrical connectors (206), and / or an induction power supply module. The system (200) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the attachment surface (202) is: an adhesive surface, a magnetic surface (202) exerting an attraction on each supply device ( 1001-1003), a surface sensitive to a magnetic attraction exerted by each device, and / or a surface arranged to achieve attachment by suction means disposed on each supply device. 15. Kit to assemble comprising the elements: - a device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or - a system according to any one of claims 12 to 14.20