JP2008123737A - Power conversion device, and electric bulb provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power conversion device which can improve a production efficiency without causing a damage, and to provide an electric bulb applied with the above device. <P>SOLUTION: The power conversion device is provided with input terminals 3A, 3B, an electronic element 2 which converts a power inputted by the input terminals 3A, 3B into a specification suitable for an LED element 7 and an output terminal outputting 4 the power converted by the electronic element 2. An AC/DC converter A1 housed inside an electric bulb B provided with the LED element 7 has a resin package 5 sealing the electronic element 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power conversion device that converts, for example, AC power into DC power, and a light bulb using the same.

  As a light bulb using a commercial power source, a heat generating light bulb is widely used. In recent years, an LED bulb using an LED element as a light source has been proposed instead of the heating bulb. LED bulbs have the advantages of power saving and long life compared to incandescent bulbs. In order to use an LED bulb inserted into a power socket for an incandescent bulb, it is necessary to convert electric power in the LED bulb. FIG. 4 shows an example of a conventional LED bulb. The LED bulb X shown in the figure includes a base 91, a power conversion device 92, and an LED element 93. The base 91 includes an eyelet 91a and a shell 91b, and is a part that receives commercial AC 100V power. The power conversion device 92 is for converting AC 100V power into DC power suitable for the LED element 93, and includes an input terminal 92a and an output terminal 92b. The input terminal 92a is electrically connected to the eyelet 91a and the shell 91b through the conducting wire 94. The output terminal 92 b is electrically connected to the LED element 93. The LED element 93 is a light source of the light bulb X, and is lit by DC power supplied from the output terminal 92b. The light bulb X can be used as a substitute for an incandescent light bulb in a state where it is fitted in a power socket provided in a general lighting device, and power consumption can be suppressed and replacement frequency can be reduced.

  However, the power conversion device 92 which is a component of the LED bulb X is often transported to a place where the LED bulb X is manufactured after being manufactured in large quantities at a certain place. At this time, there was a problem that the electronic elements constituting the power converter 92 were accidentally damaged. Further, when manufacturing the LED light bulb X, it is necessary to solder the conductive wire 94 to the eyelet 91a and the shell 91b in order to make the input terminal 92a conductive with the eyelet 91a and the shell 91b. In order to be able to be attached to a general power socket, the base 91 is relatively small. Soldering inside the base 91 is complicated and reduces the production efficiency.

JP-A-6-242733

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and is intended to provide a power conversion device and a light bulb using the power conversion device that are less likely to be damaged and can improve manufacturing efficiency. Let it be an issue.

  The power conversion device provided by the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of input terminals to which power is input, and power that is converted from the power input from the plurality of input terminals into a specification suitable for a light source and output. And a plurality of output terminals for outputting the power converted by the power conversion unit, the power conversion device built in the light bulb including the light source, wherein the power conversion unit is sealed. It features a resin package that stops.

  According to such a configuration, the power conversion unit can be protected by the resin package. Therefore, for example, when manufacturing a light bulb using the power conversion device, it is possible to prevent the power conversion unit from being damaged.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resin package is formed with a male screw, and the plurality of input terminals are advanced and retracted when the resin package is rotated along the male screw. And a protrusion protruding outward in the radial direction when the resin package is rotated along the male screw. According to such a structure, the said power converter device can be easily attached with respect to the said nozzle | cap | die by rotating the said power converter device with respect to the nozzle | cap | die of a general light bulb. Also, the plurality of input terminals can be brought into contact with the power supply portion of the base by the mounting operation of the power converter.

  The light bulb provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes a base, a light source, and the power converter provided by the first aspect of the present invention, and the base includes the power converter. A female screw that can be screwed into the male screw is formed.

  According to such a structure, the said power converter device can be easily attached with respect to the said nozzle | cap | die by rotating the said power converter device with respect to the said nozzle | cap | die.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 show an example of an AC / DC converter and an LED bulb according to the present invention. The LED bulb B of this embodiment includes an AC / DC converter A1, a base 6, an LED element 7, and a light-transmitting cover 8, and is an example of a bulb referred to in the present invention.

  The base 6 is a part for receiving power supply from a commercial AC 100V power socket, and includes an eyelet 6a and a shell 6b. The eyelet 6 a is made of metal and is provided so as to penetrate inside and outside at the bottom of the base 6. The shell 6b is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The shell 6b is provided with spiral irregularities. Thereby, the outer surface of the shell 6b is a male screw compliant with JIS standards such as E17, and the inner surface is a female screw having the same specifications as the male screw.

  The LED element 7 is an example of a light source referred to in the present invention. The LED element 7 has a structure in which semiconductors made of, for example, gallium nitride are stacked, and emits light of a predetermined wavelength by supplying DC power. The LED element 7 is mounted on the block 71. The block 71 plays a role of promoting heat dissipation from the LED element 7, for example. The block 71 is supported by the stay 72. The LED element 7 is electrically connected to the output terminal 4 of the AC / DC converter A1 through the conductive member 73.

  The translucent cover 8 is for protecting the LED element 7 and is made of glass or transparent resin that can transmit light from the LED element 7. In the present embodiment, the translucent cover 8 has a substantially spherical shape. The translucent cover 8 is attached to the base 6 via a resin cup 81.

  The AC / DC converter A1 is for converting AC power input from the base 6 into DC power suitable for the LED element 7, and is an example of a power conversion device referred to in the present invention. The AC / DC converter A1 includes a substrate 1, a plurality of electronic elements 2, input terminals 3A and 3B, an output terminal 4, and a resin package 5.

  The substrate 1 is an insulating substrate made of glass epoxy resin, for example, and has a substantially rectangular shape, for example. A plurality of electronic elements 2 are mounted on the substrate 1. Further, input terminals 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B extend from the substrate 1.

  The plurality of electronic elements 2 are for realizing a function of converting AC power to DC power, which is a main function of the AC / DC converter A1, and are an example of a power conversion unit referred to in the present invention. As the plurality of electronic elements 2, for example, a diode for rectification and an IC chip in which a switching circuit, a drive circuit, a current detection circuit, and a voltage detection circuit are built are mounted.

  The resin package 5 is for protecting the plurality of electronic elements 2 and is made of, for example, a black epoxy resin. The resin package 5 seals a part of the substrate 1 and the plurality of electronic elements 2. A male screw 5 a is formed in the resin package 5. The male screw 5 a has a shape and size along the inner surface of the shell 6 b of the base 6. Thus, the AC / DC converter A1 can be screwed to the base 6.

  The input terminals 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B are for receiving commercial AC power supply via the base 6, and are exposed from the resin package 5. The input terminal 3A protrudes in a direction in which the AC / DC converter A1 advances and retreats when the AC / DC converter A1 is rotated to be screwed into the base 6. For this reason, in a state where the AC / DC converter A1 is screwed to the base 6, the input terminal 3A contacts the eyelet 6a. The input terminal 3 </ b> B protrudes radially outward when the AC / DC converter A <b> 1 is rotated to be screwed into the base 6. For this reason, in a state where the AC / DC converter A1 is screwed into the base 6, the input terminal 3B contacts the shell 6b. The two input terminals 3B provided in this embodiment are electrically connected to each other by a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the substrate 1.

  The output terminal 4 is for supplying DC power to the LED element 7, and is formed in a portion of the substrate 1 exposed from the resin package 5. The output terminal 4 and the LED element 7 are connected by a conduction support member 71.

  Next, the operation of the AC / DC converter A1 and the LED bulb B will be described.

  According to the present embodiment, the electronic element 2 mounted on the AC / DC converter A1 is completely covered with the resin package 5. For this reason, when the AC / DC converter A1 is carried into the place where the LED bulb B is manufactured after the AC / DC converter A1 is manufactured or when the AC / DC converter A1 is attached to the base 6, There is no risk of damage.

  The AC / DC converter A1 can be easily attached to the base 6 by rotating the AC / DC converter A1 with respect to the base 6 so that the male screw 5a is along the inner surface of the shell 6b. Further, when the AC / DC converter A1 is attached to the base 6, the input terminal 3A comes into contact with the eyelet 6a, and the input terminal 3B comes into contact with the shell 6b. Therefore, the AC / DC converter A1 and the base 6 can be electrically connected without performing operations such as soldering, and the manufacturing efficiency of the LED bulb B can be increased.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, the same or similar elements as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment.

  The AC / DC converter A2 shown in FIG. 3 is different from the above-described embodiment in the shape of the resin package 5. In the present embodiment, the resin package 5 has four flat surfaces 5b. The four planes 5b are different from each other in the direction in which they are directed by 90 °. Since the four flat surfaces 5b are formed, the male screw 5a is shaped into four parts in the circumferential direction.

  According to such an embodiment, the electronic element 2 can be prevented from being damaged, and the LED bulb using the AC / DC converter A2 can be efficiently manufactured. Moreover, the amount of resin required to form the resin package 5 can be reduced by making it the shape which has the plane 5b.

  The power converter according to the present invention and the light bulb using the power converter are not limited to the above-described embodiments. The power converter according to the present invention and the specific configuration of each part of a light bulb using the power converter can be varied in design in various ways.

  The power conversion device referred to in the present invention is not limited to an AC / DC converter, and may be any device that converts power specifications into desired specifications, such as an inverter device. The present invention can be applied to various types of light bulbs such as those equipped with fluorescent tubes in addition to light bulbs equipped with LED elements as light sources.

It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the AC / DC converter and LED bulb which concern on this invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an AC / DC converter according to the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the AC / DC converter which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the conventional AC / DC converter and LED bulb.

Explanation of symbols

A1, A2 AC / DC converter (power converter)
B LED bulb 1 Substrate 2 Electronic element (power converter)
3A, 3B Input terminal 4 Output terminal 5 Resin package 5a Male thread 6 Cap 6a Eyelet 6b Shell 7 LED element (light source)
8 Translucent cover

Claims (3)

A plurality of input terminals to which power is input;
A power converter that converts the power input from the plurality of input terminals into a specification suitable for a light source and outputs the power, and
A plurality of output terminals for outputting the power converted by the power conversion unit;
A power conversion device built in a light bulb equipped with the light source,
A power conversion device comprising a resin package for sealing the power conversion unit. The resin package has a male screw,
The plurality of input terminals protrude in a direction that advances and retreats when the resin package is rotated along the male screw, and radially outward when the resin package is rotated along the male screw. The power converter device according to claim 1, comprising: Comprising a base, a light source, and the power conversion device according to claim 1,
A light bulb, wherein the base is formed with a female screw that can be screwed into the male screw of the power converter.

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