JP2008218224A - Connector for led module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform mounting work of a connector for an LED module and, furthermore, to easily connect an FPC substrate to the connector for the LED module without limiting the degree of freedom in design of arrangement. <P>SOLUTION: The connector 10 arranged in a connector housing part 12A of a cover member 12 is formed by including an LED module connection 30H to which a contact pad forming part in the LED moudle 20 is detachably connected, a cable connection 30A to which one end of a flexible cable 18 is detachably connected, and contact terminals 32 integrally having contact parts arranged in the LED module connection 30H and the cable connection 30A, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an LED module connector to which an LED module can be detachably connected.

  An LED module is practically used as a light source of an illumination device. Such an LED module includes, for example, an LED light source unit in which a plurality of LED bare chips are arranged in a grid pattern, and a power supply terminal electrically connected to each LED bare chip, and a resin substrate that supports the LED light source unit And a metal base substrate as main elements. The metal base substrate is made of a material such as aluminum in order to dissipate heat generated in the LED light source unit to the outside. The power supply terminals are formed at predetermined intervals in parallel to each other at the end of the resin substrate.

  Such an LED module is detachably arranged with respect to the lighting device via the LED module connector. The LED module connector (also referred to as an LED light source socket) is, for example, disposed on the flat surface of the heat sink. The LED module connector includes, as main elements, a lower frame disposed on a flat surface of the heat sink, and an upper frame that is rotatably supported with respect to the lower frame and removably supports the LED module. It is configured.

  At the end of the upper frame, a power supply terminal that supplies the supplied power to the LED module by contacting the power supplied to each power supply terminal of the LED module is provided. One end of each power supply terminal protrudes outward and is connected to the power supply wiring portion by soldering.

  Further, in the connector-integrated LED arranged adjacent to the light guide plate, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, it is common in the PCB substrate in which the elastic connector and the connector-integrated LED are disposed to face the liquid crystal panel. There has been proposed a configuration provided on the plane (see FIG. 4). One end of the elastic connector is connected to the other end of the FPC board connected to the liquid crystal panel. In such a case, the elastic connector disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the PCB substrate is held by a holding fixture that holds the liquid crystal panel and the PCB substrate.

JP 2004-006792 A

  In the LED module connector as described above, when one end of each power supply terminal provided on the upper frame is soldered and fixed to the power supply wiring portion, the number of power supply terminals increases as the brightness of the LED module increases. The soldering operation for assembling the LED module connector to the lighting device becomes complicated, or the replacement operation of the LED module connector for maintenance of the lighting device becomes complicated.

  In addition, in the case of the connector integrated LED shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide the elastic connector and the connector integrated LED on a common plane of the PCB substrate. Limited. Furthermore, since an elastic connector and an FPC board are required, the mounting area of the elastic connector on the PCB board is secured when mounting in a relatively narrow space as the number of connector-integrated LEDs to be mounted increases. It may be difficult to do.

  In consideration of the above problems, the present invention is an LED module connector to which the LED module can be detachably connected, and the LED module connector can be easily attached, and the design of the connector is designed. An object of the present invention is to provide an LED module connector that can easily connect an FPC board to the LED module connector without restricting the degree of freedom of arrangement.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the LED module connector according to the present invention includes an LED module connecting portion that removably connects a connected portion of the LED module and a cable that removably connects the connected portion of the flexible cable. A casing having a connection portion; a contact portion disposed in the casing and contacting a connection portion of the LED module; and a contact portion contacting the connection portion of the flexible cable, and the connection portion of the LED module And a contact terminal for electrically connecting the connected portion of the flexible cable.

As is clear from the above description, according to the LED module connector of the present invention,
Since the casing has an LED module connecting portion for detachably connecting the connected portion of the LED module and a cable connecting portion for detachably connecting the connected portion of the flexible cable, it is easy to attach the LED module connector. In addition,
Since the connected portion of the LED module can be detachably connected, the FPC board can be easily connected to the LED module connector without restricting the degree of freedom of design arrangement in the casing.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows an illuminating device provided with a first embodiment of an LED module connector according to the present invention.

  The lighting device is arranged in a heat sink 14 having a housing portion 14B that houses the LED module 20, a cover member 12 that covers the housing portion 14B of the heat sink 14, and a connector housing portion 12A of the cover member 12, and the LED module 20 and the flexible cable. The connector 10 which electrically connects 18 is comprised as a main element.

  The LED module 20 has a heat radiating member disposed on one surface of a rectangular substrate. In addition, on the other surface of the substrate, a plurality of, for example, six contact pads that are electrically connected to the LED light source unit and the LED light source unit that are not illustrated are formed. For example, the six contact pads are formed substantially parallel to each other along one end of the substrate.

  The flexible cable 18 may be, for example, a flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC). One end of the flexible cable 18 is connected to a contact terminal of the connector 10 to be described later, and the other end of the flexible cable 18 is connected to a connector or the like (not shown) provided in the lighting device body.

  As shown in an enlarged view of FIG. 8, the heat sink 14 made of an aluminum alloy material in a columnar shape has an accommodating portion 14B for accommodating the LED module 20 at one end surface portion. The accommodating portion 14B opens toward the end surface of the cover member 12 having the same diameter described later. A thin thermal conductive sheet 22 having thermal conductivity is disposed on the bottom surface forming the accommodating portion 14B. The heat radiating member of the LED module 20 is in close contact with the upper surface of the heat conductive sheet 22.

  A slit 14 a through which the flexible cable 18 passes is formed at a position adjacent to the housing portion 14 </ b> B in the heat sink 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover member 12 formed of a resin or metal material has a through hole 12 a in the central portion through which the light beam LB irradiated from the LED light source unit of the LED module 20 passes. ing. A conical surface 12c is formed on the periphery of the through hole 12a. In addition, one end of a hole 12b into which the machine screw Bs is inserted opens in a pair of flat portions in which a part of the conical surface 12c is cut out. As shown in FIG. 3, the hole 12b penetrates substantially parallel to the central axis of the through hole 12a. As a result, the two small screws Bs are respectively screwed into the female screw holes of the heat sink 14 through the holes 12b, whereby the cover member 12 is fixed to the mounting surface of the heat sink 14.

  Further, in the cover member 12, a connector housing portion 12 </ b> A for housing a connector 10 to be described later is formed at a position adjacent to the through hole 12 a and facing the slit 14 a of the heat sink 14, as enlarged and shown in FIG. 8. Yes.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 1, the connector 10 has an LED module connection portion 30 </ b> H to which a contact pad forming portion in the LED module 20 is detachably connected, and one end of the flexible cable 18 is detachably connected. Cable connection part 30A and two contact terminals 32 each having a contact part arranged on each of LED module connection part 30H and cable connection part 30A.

  A positioning hole 30a into which a positioning pin (not shown) is inserted penetrates perpendicularly to the surface of the casing 30 in the center of the resin casing 30 as an outer shell portion that forms the upper portion of the cable connection portion 30A. It communicates with the inside. The positioning pin is formed so as to protrude perpendicularly to the surface of the inner wall portion forming the connector housing portion 12A. Further, on both sides of the hole 30a, slits 30b through which contact portions of contact terminals 32 described later are respectively exposed are formed at four positions at predetermined intervals substantially in parallel with each other.

  In addition, in the casing 30 forming the upper part of the cable connecting portion 30A, a groove 30G into which the fixing portion of the contact terminal 32 is press-fitted is arranged in parallel at two positions with a predetermined interval corresponding to the slit 30b. Yes. The groove 30G passes through the central axis of the hole 30a.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a cable support 30 </ b> K that receives one end of the flexible cable 18 to be connected is formed in the cable connection portion 30 </ b> A. A plurality of relatively shallow grooves for individually receiving the terminal portions of the contact terminals are formed in the cable support 30K.

  As a result, a slit into which one end of the flexible cable 18 is inserted is formed between the upper surface of the cable support 30K and the upper wall of the cable connection portion 30A.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a part of the tip of the flexible cable 18 is brought into contact with the inner wall forming the internal space communicating with the slit, thereby positioning the flexible cable 18 with respect to the contact portion of the contact terminal 32. Positioning portions 30t for performing the above are provided at a plurality of locations.

  Thereby, the positioning of the flexible cable 18 with respect to the contact portion of the contact terminal 32 is performed by guiding both side portions of the flexible cable 18 at the periphery of the slit and a part of the tip of the flexible cable 18 abuts the positioning portion 30t. Made.

  The LED module connection part 30H is formed at a position below the cable support 30K. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a module support base 30 </ b> B that receives the contact pad forming portion in the LED module 20 is formed in the casing 30 that forms the lower portion of the LED module connection portion 30 </ b> H. A partition wall 30BP that divides the upper part of the module support 30B into two is formed at the center of the module support 30B.

  As a result, the engaged portion of the contact pad forming portion, for example, the step portion in the inserted LED module 20 is engaged with the front end portion of the partition wall 30BP as shown in FIG. The positioning of the contact pads of the 20 contact pads and the contact portions of the contact terminals 32 is performed.

  The LED module connection portion 30H passes through the module support base 30B so as to cross the central axis of the hole 30a. Thereby, a slit is formed between the cable support 30K and the module support 30B.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the contact terminal 32 made of phosphor bronze has a fixed portion 32B that is press-fitted into the groove 30G and is fixed to one of the fixed portions 32B. The main element includes two cable terminals 32CA whose one end is integrally formed at the end and three module terminals 32CB whose one end is integrally formed at the other end of the fixing portion 32B. It is configured.

  The pair of cable terminals 32CA are bent in such a manner as to be connected to one end of the fixed portion 32B formed in a flat plate shape and pass upward toward the other end, and are elastically displaced in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval. It is made possible. As shown in FIG. 8, each cable terminal 32 </ b> CA has a contact portion at the distal end portion that abuts against and presses the electrode pad of the flexible cable 18. Each cable terminal 32CA is configured to sandwich the electrode pad in cooperation with the cable support 30K.

  On the other hand, the three module terminals 32CB are connected to the other end portion of the fixing portion 32B, bent downward toward one end portion, and formed so as to be elastically displaceable in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval. Has been. As shown in FIG. 8, each module terminal 32 </ b> CB has a contact portion at the tip portion that contacts and presses each contact pad of the LED module 20.

  Therefore, the cable terminal 32CA of the contact terminal 32 can obtain a stable contact pressure by the sandwiching type. Further, since the contact terminal 32 is an integrated terminal, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In such a configuration, when the connector 10 is assembled to the connector housing portion 12A of the cover member 12, the electrode pad of the flexible cable 18 is connected in advance to the pair of cable terminals 32CA of the contact terminal 32 in the cable connection portion 30A.

Next, the connector 10 is inserted into the connector housing portion 12A so that the hole 30a of the connector 10 and the positioning pin of the cover member 12 are fitted. Therefore, the connector 10 is supported by the cover member 12.

When the cover member 12 with the connector 10 attached is assembled to the heat sink 14, the LED module 20 is connected to the LED module connection portion 30H in a state where one end of the flexible cable 18 is inserted into the slit 14a in advance. Thus, the cover member 12 is placed on the placement surface of the heat sink 14. Thereby, the LED module 20 will be accommodated in the accommodating part 14B. At this time, since the cover member 12 is fastened to the heat sink 14 with the small screw Bs, the heat radiating member of the LED module 20 is pressed against the heat conductive sheet 22.

  Accordingly, since the soldering work is not required, the LED module connector can be easily attached, and the connector 10 is supported by the cover member 12 without requiring a printed wiring board or the like. Thus, the FPC board can be easily connected to the LED module connector without any restriction on the degree of freedom.

  10 and 11 schematically show an illuminating device including a second embodiment of the LED module connector according to the present invention.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the contact pad forming portion of the LED module 20 is supported by the module support base 30 </ b> B of the connector 10. Instead, in the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the LED module is used. The 20 contact pad forming portions are supported by a step portion 24 </ b> S formed in the heat sink 24.

  10 and 11, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a duplicate description thereof is omitted.

  The lighting device is arranged in the heat sink 24 having the housing portion 24B for housing the LED module 20, the cover member 12 covering the housing portion 24B of the heat sink 24, and the connector housing portion 12A of the cover member 12, and the LED module 20 and the flexible cable. The connector 40 which electrically connects 18 is comprised as a main element.

  As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 17, the heat sink 24 made of an aluminum alloy material in a columnar shape has a housing portion 24B for housing the LED module 20 on one end surface portion. The accommodating portion 24B opens toward the end surface of the cover member 12 described later. A thin thermal conductive sheet 22 having thermal conductivity is disposed on the bottom surface portion that forms the accommodating portion 24B. The heat radiating member of the LED module 20 is in close contact with the upper surface of the heat conductive sheet 22.

  A slit 24 a through which the flexible cable 18 passes is formed at a position adjacent to the housing portion 24 </ b> B in the heat sink 24. Between the slit 24a and the accommodating portion 24B, a step portion 24S that receives and supports the contact pad forming portion of the LED module 20 is formed.

  As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 12, the connector 40 has an LED module connection portion 50H to which the contact pad forming portion in the LED module 20 is detachably connected, and one end of the flexible cable 18 is detachably connected. 50A, and two contact terminals 32 each having a contact portion disposed on each of the LED module connection portion 50H and the cable connection portion 50A.

  A positioning hole 50a into which a positioning pin (not shown) is inserted vertically penetrates the surface of the casing 50 in the center of the resin casing 50 as an outer shell portion that forms the upper portion of the cable connection portion 50A. It communicates with the inside. The positioning pin is formed so as to protrude perpendicularly to the surface of the inner wall portion forming the connector housing portion 12A. In addition, on both sides of the hole 50a, slits 50b for exposing contact portions of contact terminals 32 described later are formed at four locations at predetermined intervals substantially parallel to each other.

  Further, in the casing 50 that forms the upper part of the cable connection portion 50A, grooves 50G into which the fixing portions of the contact terminals 32 are press-fitted are arranged in parallel at two locations with a predetermined interval corresponding to the slit 50b described above. Yes. The groove 50G passes through the central axis of the hole 50a.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cable connecting portion 50 </ b> A is formed with a cable support 50 </ b> K that receives one end of the flexible cable 18 to be connected. A plurality of relatively shallow grooves for individually receiving the terminal portions of the contact terminals are formed in the cable support base 50K.

  Thereby, a slit inserted into one end of the flexible cable 18 is formed between the upper surface of the cable support 50K and the upper wall of the cable connection portion 50A.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a part of the tip of the flexible cable 18 is brought into contact with the inner wall forming the internal space communicating with the slit, thereby positioning the flexible cable 18 with respect to the contact portion of the contact terminal 32. Positioning portions 50t for performing the above are provided at a plurality of locations.

  Therefore, the positioning of the flexible cable 18 with respect to the contact portion of the contact terminal 32 is performed by guiding both side portions of the flexible cable 18 at the periphery of the slit and a part of the tip of the flexible cable 18 abutting the positioning portion 50t. The

The LED module connection portion 50H is formed at a position below the cable support base 50K. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, an opening through which the contact pad forming portion in the LED module 20 passes is formed in the casing 50 that forms the lower portion of the LED module connection portion 50 </ b> H. A partition wall 50BP that divides the peripheral portion into two is formed at the center of the portion of the casing 50 that forms the peripheral edge of the opening.

  As a result, the engaged portion of the contact pad forming portion, for example, the step portion in the inserted LED module 20 is engaged with the front end portion of the partition wall 50BP as shown in FIG. The positioning of the contact pads of the 20 contact pads and the contact portions of the contact terminals 32 is performed.

  The LED module connection part 50H penetrates the lower part of the cable support 50K so as to cross the central axis of the hole 30a.

  In such a configuration, when the connector 40 is assembled to the connector housing portion 12A of the cover member 12, the electrode pad of the flexible cable 18 is connected in advance to the pair of cable terminals 32CA of the contact terminal 32 in the cable connection portion 50A.

Next, the connector 40 is inserted into the connector housing portion 12A so that the hole 50a of the connector 40 and the positioning pin of the cover member 12 are fitted. Accordingly, the connector 40 is supported by the cover member 12.

  When assembling the cover member 12 to which the connector 40 is attached to the heat sink 24, the cover member 12 and the LED module 20 are previously accommodated in the accommodating portion 24B in a state where one end of the flexible cable 18 is inserted into the slit 24a. The heat sink 24 is mounted on the mounting surface. At this time, since the cover member 12 is fastened to the heat sink 24 with the small screw Bs, the heat radiating plate of the LED module 20 is pressed against the heat conductive sheet 22.

  Accordingly, since the soldering work is not required, the LED module connector can be easily attached, and the connector 10 is supported by the cover member 12 without requiring a printed wiring board or the like. Thus, the FPC board can be easily connected to the LED module connector without any restriction on the degree of freedom.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of 1st Example of the connector for LED modules which concerns on this invention. It is a top view which shows roughly the structure of the illuminating device with which the connector for LED modules shown by FIG. 1 is incorporated. It is a fragmentary sectional view shown along the III-III line in FIG. It is a top view in the example shown by FIG. It is a front view in the example shown by FIG. It is a rear view in the example shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing shown along the VII-VII line in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which expands and shows the principal part of the apparatus shown by FIG. (A) And (B) is a perspective view which shows the contact terminal used for the example shown by FIG. 1, respectively. It is a top view which shows roughly the structure of the illuminating device with which 2nd Example of the connector for LED modules which concerns on this invention is incorporated. It is sectional drawing shown along the XI-XI line in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of 2nd Example of the connector for LED modules which concerns on this invention. It is a top view in the example shown by FIG. It is a front view in the example shown by FIG. It is a rear view in the example shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing shown along the XVI-XVI line in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which expands and shows the principal part of the apparatus shown by FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 40 Connector 12 Cover member 12A Connector accommodating part 14, 24 Heat sink 14B, 24B accommodating part 18 Flexible cable 20 LED module 32 Contact terminal 30, 50 Casing

Claims (4)

A casing having an LED module connecting portion for detachably connecting a connected portion of the LED module, and a cable connecting portion for detachably connecting the connected portion of the flexible cable;
A contact portion disposed in the casing and in contact with the connected portion of the LED module and a contact portion in contact with the connected portion of the flexible cable are integrated, and the connected portion of the LED module and the flexible cable A contact terminal for electrically connecting the connected portion;
An LED module connector comprising:   The LED module connector according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion of the contact terminal is press-fitted and fixed in a groove of the casing.   2. The LED module connector according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion that contacts the connected portion of the flexible cable sandwiches the connected portion of the flexible cable in cooperation with the inner surface of the casing.   2. The LED module connector according to claim 1, wherein the casing has a hole into which a positioning pin provided separately from the LED module is inserted.

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