Packaged LED module
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a packaged LED module ( 1 ) comprising a module ( 2 ) having at least one LED ( 3 ) arranged thereon, and a one-piece package ( 10, 100 ) having a receptacle for the module ( 2 ), a substantially optically transmissive region ( 11, 11 a, 11 b, 11 c ), which makes it possible to emit light from the LED ( 3 ) towards the outside, an opening ( 16 ) and potting blocking means ( 17 ). The package ( 10, 100 ) is embodied in such a way that a potting component is introduced via the opening ( 16 ) into the package ( 10, 100 ) equipped with the module ( 2 ). The introduced potting component forms a potting body ( 30 ), which completely fills the package ( 10, 100 ), excluding a region between the LED ( 3 ) and the substantially optically transmissive region ( 11, 11 a, 11 b, 11 c ) on account of the potting blocking means ( 17 ), and which connects the package ( 10, 100 ), the module ( 2 ) and connecting cables ( 20 ) that can be connected to the module ( 2 ) in an externally sealing manner.
1. A housed LED module having:
a module ( 2 ) with at least one LED ( 3 ) arranged thereon,
an integral housing ( 10 , 100 ) with a receptacle for the module ( 2 ), a substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 , 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ), which enables the emission of light from the LED ( 3 ) to the outside, and an opening ( 16 ), and
a casting blocking means ( 17 ), which is arranged between the module ( 2 ) and the housing ( 10 , 100 ),
wherein the casting blocking means ( 17 ) comprises a groove ( 18 ), which is formed on an inner side of the integral housing ( 10 , 100 ) and around the substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 , 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ) in order to interrupt the capillary effect between the housing ( 10 , 100 ) and the module ( 2 ), such that a compound introduced into the integral housing ( 10 , 100 ) is prevented from entering into a region ( 19 ) between LED ( 3 ) and the substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 , 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ).
2. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the introduced casting compound forms a cast body ( 30 ), which completely fills the housing ( 10 , 100 ) apart from the region ( 19 ) between the LED ( 3 ) and the substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 , 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ) owing to the casting blocking means ( 17 ), and which connects the housing ( 10 , 100 ), the module ( 2 ) and the connecting cable ( 20 ) which can be connected to the module ( 2 ) in a manner sealed off from the outside.
3. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the module ( 2 ) can be introduced into the housing ( 10 , 100 ) via the opening ( 16 ).
4. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the casting blocking means ( 17 ) are an integral part of the module ( 2 ) and/or the housing ( 10 ).
5. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 ) has a plurality of substantially optically transmissive regions ( 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ).
6. The housed module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the groove ( 18 ) is formed around the entirety of the substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ).
7. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the respective substantially optically transmissive regions ( 11 a , 11 b , 11 e ), individually or in groups, are each provided with a dedicated, independent casting blocking means ( 17 ).
8. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the substantially optically transmissive regions ( 11 a , 11 b , 11 e ) are provided in a linear arrangement or at least one of the substantially optically transmissive regions ( 11 a , 11 b ) is provided so as to be offset with respect to at least one other substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 c ).
9. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the module ( 2 ) rests flat on that side of the housing ( 10 , 100 ) which has the groove ( 18 ).
10. The housed LED module as claimed in in claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 10 , 100 ) also has positioning means ( 13 ) as receptacle for the module ( 2 ), which positioning means interact with positioning means ( 5 ) of the module ( 2 ) in such a way that they fasten and/or center the module ( 2 ) in the housing ( 10 , 100 ).
11. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the positioning means ( 13 ) of the housing ( 10 , 100 ) has at least one locating pin ( 14 ), which extends into the housing ( 10 , 100 ) counter to the plug-in direction (E) of the module ( 2 ), and wherein the module ( 2 ) is plugged onto the locating pin ( 14 ) for fastening and/or centering via corresponding locating openings ( 6 ) as positioning means ( 5 ).
12. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the at least one positioning pin ( 14 ) with the plugged-on module ( 2 ) is caulked in order to produce a force-fitting and form-fitting connection between the housing ( 10 , 100 ) and the module ( 2 ).
13. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the at least one positioning pin ( 14 ) provides an electrical connection between the module ( 2 ) and at least one connecting cable ( 20 ) used for making electrical contact with the module ( 2 ).
14. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 10 , 100 ) also has lateral connecting guides ( 15 ), each having at least one recess ( 150 ), in which at least one connecting cable ( 20 ) is guided, which connecting cable is used for making electrical contact with the module ( 2 ).
15. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the at least one recess ( 150 ) has tapers ( 151 ), which sectionally reduce the diameter of the recess ( 150 ).
16. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the tapers ( 151 ) are in the form of sealing lips ( 152 ) of the at least one recess ( 150 ), into which the at least one connecting cable ( 20 ) is pressed in order to fix the connecting cables ( 20 ) in sealing fashion in the connecting guides ( 15 ).
17. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the module ( 2 ) or the housing ( 10 , 100 ) has contact-making elements for making electrical contact between the module ( 2 ) and connecting cables ( 20 ).
18. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the contact-making elements are insulation displacement contacts, piercing contacts or crimping contacts.
19. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the casting compound comprises a material with a high thermal conductivity.
20. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the casting compound comprises a material with a high thermal conductivity higher than 0.3 W/(m*K).
21. A housed LED system having:
a module ( 2 ) with at least one LED ( 3 ) arranged thereon, and
an integral housing ( 10 , 100 ) with a receptacle for the module ( 2 ), a substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 , 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ), which enables the emission of light from the LED ( 3 ) to the outside, and an opening ( 16 ),
a casting blocking means ( 17 ), which is arranged between the module ( 2 ) and the housing ( 10 , 100 ), and
connecting cables ( 20 ), which have been brought into electrical contact with the module ( 2 ),
wherein the casting blocking means ( 17 ) have a groove ( 18 ), which is formed in the inner side of the housing ( 10 , 100 ) and around the substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 , 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ) in order to interrupt the capillary effect between the housing ( 10 , 100 ) and the module ( 2 ) such that a compound introduced into the integral housing ( 10 , 100 ) is prevented from entering into a region ( 19 ) between LED ( 3 ) and the substantially optically transmissive region ( 11 , 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ).
22. An LED chain having at least two of the housed LED modules ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housed LED modules ( 1 ) are fitted at any desired positions on connecting cables ( 20 ).
23. The LED chain as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the connecting cables ( 20 ) are flexible.
24. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said dedicated, independent casting blocking means ( 17 ) is formed in the form of a peripheral groove ( 18 ) in each case around a corresponding group of substantially optically transmissive regions ( 11 a , 11 b , 11 c ).
25. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said high thermal conductivity material is selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, silicone resin, epoxy resin, or the like.
26. The housed LED module as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said material has a thermal conductivity higher than 0.5 W/(m*K).