Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
  • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
  • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
  • H01R12/592—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures connections to contact elements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
  • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
  • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
  • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
  • F21S41/155—Surface emitters, e.g. organic light emitting diodes [OLED]
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
  • F21S43/13—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
  • F21S43/14—Light emitting diodes [LED]
  • F21S43/145—Surface emitters, e.g. organic light emitting diodes [OLED]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
  • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
  • H01R13/436—Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece or operation

Definitions

• the present invention relates to light sources, in particular for a lighting and / or signaling device of a motor vehicle, of the organic light-emitting diode type, hereinafter called "OLEDs".
• OLEDs organic light-emitting diode type
• It relates more particularly to the electrical connection of an OLED of a lighting device to an external element such as a power supply network of the motor vehicle.
• the light sources used for lighting and signaling in motor vehicles are more frequently constituted by light-emitting diodes, in particular for advantages of space and autonomy compared to conventional light sources.
• the use of light-emitting diodes in lighting and / or signaling modules has also enabled market players (car manufacturers and designers of lighting and / or signaling devices) to bring a creative touch to the design of these devices, in particular for the use of an ever larger number of these light emitting diodes to achieve optical effects.
• Some light devices for motor vehicles also benefit from OLED technology, the main attraction of which is the creation of complex shapes improving the aesthetic appearance of the device and lighting.
• Light devices comprising an OLED source have in particular been used for rear position lamp functions.
• connection between cathode and anode of the OLED is generally performed via a flexible printed circuit, or fPCB thereafter, for "flexible Printed Circuit Board" in English.
• Figure 1 illustrates an OLED 100 according to the prior art.
• An fBCP 101 is connected to the anode and the cathode of the OLED.
• the connection with the power supply of the motor vehicle is carried out by welding a first wire 102.1 and a second wire 102.3, the first wire 102.1 being attached to the anode, and the second wire 102.2 being attached to the cathode, for example.
• the fPCB 101 is generally thin and the bonding by welding is fragile.
• a first aspect of the invention relates to a light source comprising:
• An electronic connection portion adapted to allow the power supply of said organic electroluminescent diode
• a connector able to receive a power supply from an external element
• connection portion a means for plating the connector on the connection portion.
• a mechanical connection is thus made on the electronic connection portion with a connector. It is thus possible to create a connector whose end not connected to the connection portion is easily connectable to an element outside the light source, such as a power supply circuit for example.
• connection portion may be a flexible printed circuit in contact with an anode and a cathode of the organic light-emitting diode.
• connection portion may be a flexible printed circuit forming an anode and a cathode of the organic light emitting diode.
• the connector may comprise connection tongues to the outer element.
• a tab having a dimension greater than the other two dimensions in space, provides an easily accessible connector, which is particularly advantageous, especially in a constrained environment such as a motor vehicle headlight.
• the light source may comprise two connection tongues, a first connecting tongue being intended to be connected to the anode and a second connecting tongue being intended to be connected to the cathode.
• both the anode and the cathode can be easily connected to the outer element.
• connection tabs may have different sizes or shapes. Such an embodiment makes it possible to easily differentiate the tabs, thus facilitating the connection of the light source to the external element which can be a supply circuit.
• the plating means may be able to encapsulate at least partially the organic light-emitting diode so as to press each tab against the connection portion.
• the elements of the light source are mechanically connected, improving the robustness of the connection between the tabs and the connecting portion.
• the plating means may comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being able to be assembled so as to encapsulate the organic light-emitting diode.
• first and second parts can be connected by a hinge.
• the plating means may fully encapsulate the organic light-emitting diode.
• the protection of the OLED is thus ensured.
• the material of the plating means can be sealed thereby sealing the light source.
• the connector comprises a first positioning means and the plating means comprises a second positioning means, the first and second positioning means being complementary so as to position the connector in a predetermined position on the connection portion. .
• the first positioning means comprises a stud and the second positioning means comprises a complementary hole of the stud;
• the second positioning means comprises a stud and the first positioning means comprises a complementary hole of the stud.
• the connector may comprise at least two first positioning means and the plating means comprises at least two second positioning means, the first and second positioning means being complementary so as to position and lock in rotation the connector in a predetermined position on the connection portion.
• the light source is stable and robust and can be accurately connected to the outer element.
• the connector may comprise gold and the electronic connection portion comprises a nickel-gold alloy.
• the connector may comprise tin and the electronic connection portion comprises tin.
• a second aspect of the invention relates to a light module for a motor vehicle comprising at least one light source according to the first aspect of the invention.
• the light module comprises at least one first light source comprising a first connector and a second light source comprising a second connector, and the first and second connectors have respective different sizes or shapes
• the light sources can thus have different characteristics without the risk of making a mistake in the connection of the light sources to the external element may be a power supply circuit.
• first connector of the first light source comprises a first connection tab and a second connection tab
• second connector of the second light source comprises a third connection tab and a fourth connection tab and a first spacing between the first connection tab and the second connection tab are different from a second spacing between the third connection tab and the fourth connection tab.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a light source comprising an OLED according to the prior art
• FIG. 2 illustrates part of a light source according to one embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3 illustrates the elements of a light source according to one embodiment of the invention, before assembly
• FIG. 4 illustrates the elements of a light source according to one embodiment of the invention, after assembly
• FIG. 5 illustrates a light module according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 illustrates the structure of a portion of a light source 200 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• the light source comprises an organic light emitting diode
• the organic light-emitting diode 200 further comprises an electronic connection portion 201 capable of allowing the electrical supply of the organic light-emitting diode 207.
• the electronic connection portion 201 may be a flexible printed circuit:
• the organic light-emitting diode 200 further comprises a connector adapted to receive a power supply from an element external to the organic light-emitting diode 207.
• the connector comprises, by way of illustration, a first tab 204.1 and a second tab 204.2.
• the first tab 204.1 is for example intended to be in contact with the anode and the second tab 204.2 is intended to be in contact with the cathode.
• first and second tabs are separated. he can however, it is within the scope of the invention to connect the two tabs mechanically by an insulating element, so that the connector is in one piece.
• the first tongue 202.1 may comprise a first elongated portion 203.1 intended to be in contact with the electronic connection portion 201 and a second elongate portion 204.1 intended to be in contact with the external element or with an intermediate element between the light source 200 and the outer element.
• the second tab 202.2 may comprise a first elongate portion 203.2 intended to be in contact with the electronic connection portion 201 and a second elongated portion 204.2 intended to be in contact with the external element or with an intermediate element between the light source 200 and the outer member.
• the first tongue 202.1 and the second tongue 202.2 may further comprise means of the respective positioning means.
• the first tongue 202.1 may comprise at least one first positioning means 205.1, but preferably further comprises two first positioning means 205.1 and 206.1.
• the second tongue 202.2 may comprise at least one first positioning means 205.2 but preferably comprises two first positioning means 205.2 and 206.2.
• the positioning means are holes.
• the invention is in no way limited to such an example.
• the connector 211 may be gold and the electronic connection portion 201 may be nickel-gold alloy; or
• the connector 211 and the electronic connection portion 201 may be tin.
• Figure 3 shows a light source 200 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• the light source 200 comprises, in addition to the elements described with reference to FIG. 2, a plating means 208 of the connector on the portion of electronic connection 201.
• a plating means is any means capable of applying a mechanical stress to the connector, to the electronic connection portion 201 and / or to the OLED 200 connected to the electronic connection portion 201, so as to ensure contact between the electrical connection portion 201 and the connector.
• the plating means may be capable of at least partially encapsulating the OLED 200 so as to press each of the tongues 202.1 and 202.2 against the electronic connection portion 201.
• the plating means 208 comprises a first part 208.1 and a second part 208.2, the first and second parts 208.1 and 208.2 being able to be assembled so as to encapsulate the OLED 200.
• the first and second parts have complementary shapes making it possible to apply a mechanical stress, such as a spring effect, between the OLED comprising the electronic connection portion 201 and the tabs 202.1 and 202.2.
• the first portions 203.1 and 203.2 of the tabs 202.1 and 202.2 may include bumps or contact protrusions
• At least one of the first and second portions 208.1 and 208.2 is made of a transparent material so as to protect the OLED while allowing the light emitted by the OLED to pass through.
• the plating means 208 is capable of completely encapsulating the OLED 200, which makes it possible in particular to seal the OLED 200.
• first and second parts 208.1 and 208.2 can be connected by a hinge, not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
• the first and second parts 208.1 and 208.2 can be connected by a hinge, not shown in FIGS.
• the plating means 208 comprises at least a second positioning means 209.1 complementary to one of the first positioning means of the connector 202.
• the plating means 208 preferably comprises at least two second positioning means 209.1 and 209.2 complementary two first connector positioning means 202.
• the use of two second positioning means not only makes it possible to position the connector 202 in a predetermined position on the connection portion 201, but also to lock the connector 202 in a predetermined position on the connection portion 201.
• the first portion 208.1 comprises, for each connection tongue 202, two second positioning means 209.1 and 210.1, and 209.2 and 210.2, respectively, so as to lock in rotation each connecting tab 202.1 and 202.2.
• the first positioning means 205.1, 206.1, 205.2 and 206.2 may be holes and the second positioning means 209.1, 210.1, 209.2 and 210.2 may be studs, complementary to the holes.
• the first positioning means 205.1, 206.1, 205.2 and 206.2 may be pads and the second positioning means 209.1, 210.1, 209.2 and 210.2 may be holes complementary to the pads. No restriction is however attached to the first and second positioning means, and the invention is not limited to the examples presented with reference to the figures.
• FIG. 5 shows a light module 500 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• the light module 500 comprises at least one light source 200.1 as described above.
• the light module comprises a first light source 200.1 and a second light source 200.2.
• the first light source 200.1 includes a first connection tab 202.1 and a second connection tab 202.2, and the second light source 200.2 comprises a third connection tab 202.3 and a fourth connection tab 202.4.
• OLEDs 200.1 and 200.2 may have different emission surfaces, it may be necessary to feed them with different currents. When they are connected to an external element, such as to a power supply circuit of the light module 500, it is advantageous to be able to differentiate between the different OLEDs 200.1 and 200.2, thus avoiding feeding an OLED with a non-powered power supply. -appropriate which could damage the OLED.
• first and second connection tabs 202.1 and 202.2 may have different sizes and / or shapes third and second connection tabs 202.3 and 202.4.
• a first spacing between the first and second connection tongues 202.1 and 202.2 may differ from a second spacing between the third and fourth connection tongues 202.3 and 202.4.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Electroluminescent Light Sources (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=57796707

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 2016
  • 2016-12-02 FR FR1661828A patent/FR3059830B1/fr active Active
• 2017
  • 2017-11-27 WO PCT/EP2017/080553 patent/WO2018099868A1/fr unknown
  • 2017-11-27 EP EP17811512.7A patent/EP3549201B1/de active Active
  • 2017-11-27 CN CN201780074263.9A patent/CN110050388B/zh active Active

Patent Citations (5)

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