Strip illumination device
View Patent ↗A low-profile strip illumination device comprises a substrate supporting an elongate heat conductor and positively and negatively energized elongate rails. A plurality of spaced apart light emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted so as to be powered by the elongate rails. The LEDs are arranged generally adjacent the elongate heat conductor so that a heat flow path is defined from each LED to the elongate heat conductor and to the environment.
1. An illumination apparatus, comprising:
an elongate substrate;
first and second electrically conductive rails, the first and second rails supported by the substrate so that the first and second rails are spaced apart and electrically insulated from one another;
a plurality of LED modules, each module comprising a module body, an LED, and an electrical current path configured so that electrical current flows from a first electrical contact to a second electrical contact, the LED being interposed in the current path between the first and second contacts so that electrical current flows along the path and through the LED; and
a plurality of pairs of fasteners adapted so that each of the plurality of LED modules is connected by a pair of fasteners to the elongate substrate so that the first and second contacts of each LED module are electrically connected to the first and second rails, respectively;
wherein a first one of each pair of fasteners is adapted to engage the first rail and the first contact so as to conduct current between the first rail and the first contact.
2. An illumination apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein a second one of each pair of fasteners is adapted to engage the second rail and the second contact so as to conduct current between the second rail and the second contact.
3. An illumination apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the first fastener comprises a threaded fastener, the first rail comprises a threaded portion, and the first fastener threadingly engages the first rail threaded portion.
4. An illumination apparatus as in claim 3 , wherein a heat conductive insert is supported by the elongate substrate so that the LED module body generally directly contacts the insert.
5. An illumination apparatus as in claim 3 , wherein the LED module comprises a dielectric layer having a dielectric thickness, the dielectric layer disposed on a first side of the LED module body, the first and second contacts disposed on the dielectric layer and having a contact thickness, and wherein a first aperture is formed through the body, dielectric layer and first contact, the first aperture configured to accommodate a shank portion of the first fastener extending therethrough, and wherein the first fastener has a head portion adapted to engage the first contact, a ratio of a diameter of the head portion to the combined dielectric thickness and contact thickness being between about 80:1-125:1.
6. An illumination apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the first and second rails are substantially embedded in the elongate substrate.
7. An illumination apparatus, comprising:
an elongate substrate;
first and second electrically conductive rails, the first and second rails supported by the substrate so that the first and second rails are spaced apart and electrically insulated from one another;
a plurality of LED modules, each module comprising a module body, an LED, and an electrical current path configured so that electrical current flows from a first electrical contact to a second electrical contact, the LED being interposed in the current path between the first and second contacts so that electrical current flows along the path and through the LED; and
a plurality of fasteners adapted to connect the plurality of LED modules to the elongate substrate so that the first and second contacts of each LED module are electrically connected to the first and second rails, respectively;
wherein a heat conductive insert is supported by the elongate substrate so that the LED module body generally directly contacts the insert.
8. An illumination apparatus as in claim 7 , wherein the heat conductive insert has an insert thickness, and the elongate substrate comprises a substrate cavity configured to generally accommodate the heat conductive insert, the substrate cavity having a cavity depth, and wherein the cavity depth is less than the insert thickness.
9. An illumination apparatus as in claim 7 , wherein an elongate cavity is formed in the substrate, and the heat conductive insert is elongate and sits at least partially in the elongate cavity.
10. An illumination apparatus as in claim 9 , wherein each LED module body has opposing first and second sides, and the LED is disposed adjacent a mounting point on the first side of the body, and wherein the body is connected to the heat conductive insert so that the insert directly contacts the second side of the body directly opposite the mounting point.
11. An illumination apparatus as in claim 7 additionally comprising a shroud covering at least a portion of the substrate, wherein the shroud comprises a heat conductive material, and the shroud is directly connected to the heat conductive insert so that heat flows from the insert to the shroud.
12. An illumination apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the shroud is configured to support an optical member.
13. An illumination apparatus, comprising:
an elongate substrate;
first and second electrically conductive rails, the first and second rails supported by the substrate so that the first and second rails are spaced apart and electrically insulated from one another;
an elongate heat sink supported by the substrate generally between the first and second rails; and
a plurality of pre-packaged LEDs;
wherein the LEDs are electrically connected to the first and second rails so that an electric current path is established between the rails and across at least one of the LEDs, and the LEDs are mounted so that the associated LED package is substantially directly aligned with the heat sink.
14. An illumination apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein the LED package is vertically aligned with the heat sink.
15. An illumination apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the heat sink is horizontally spaced from the rails.
16. An illumination apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the heat sink is vertically spaced from the rails.
17. An illumination apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the LED package comprises a package heat sink, and the package heat sink is in substantially direct contact with the heat sink.
18. An illumination apparatus as in claim 13 additionally comprising a plurality of lighting modules, each of the lighting modules comprising a circuit board having at least one of the plurality of LEDs mounted thereon, wherein the plurality of lighting modules are mounted on the substrate so that each module engages the heat sink, and wherein the heat sink simultaneously engages a plurality of the lighting modules.