DE102009014535A1 - Light module, zero power connection element and power supply for a light strip - Google Patents

Abstract

The light module (20; 40) has a band-shaped, at least partially flexible printed circuit board (3) with a plurality of wiring levels (34, 35) as well as at least one set of electrical contacts (16) in a plurality of groups (R1, R2) Groups (R1, R2) at least one electrical contact (16), wherein the contacts (16) of a certain set respectively on a front side (14) or on a back side (31) of the printed circuit board (13) are arranged and wherein the at least one electrical contact (16) of a particular group (R1, R2) is electrically connected to one of the wiring planes (34, 35). The zero-force plug (22, 42) is configured for connection to the light-emitting module (20, 40) and has mating contacts (18) for contacting at least one of the contacts (16) of each group (R1, R2) of the light-emitting module (20, 40) , The power supply has at least one such zero force plug (22, 42).

Description

The The invention relates to a light module, in particular an LED strip, with a plurality Wiring levels, a zero force connection element for contacting of the light module and a power supply for the light strip.

It are known quasi-endless, flexible LED strips, which on their Front side are equipped with LEDs and on its back can be fixed z. B. by means of a double-sided adhesive tape. On the front side can also other electronic components and contacts to the electrical Contacting with external devices such as a power supply etc. are located. The light-emitting diodes, possibly existing electronic components and the contacts are over a front wiring layer of printed conductors and contact pads connected with each other. As a flexible substrate can, for. B. band-shaped polyimide be used. Such LED bands are For example, from the LINEARLight series of OSRAM known. A LED strip of the LINEARLight series may also be contiguous be built uniform unitary units, between which the LED strip is separable, so as to form correspondingly shorter LED modules. The LED bands are about proprietary connectors, z. B. from the CONNECTSystem series Fa. Osram GmbH, mechanically and electrically with each other as well a power supply connectable.

at the advancement of LED tapes it aspired to be both higher streams to allow through the LED band as well as to reduce a voltage drop in the LED band to order a higher one band length without intermediate supply and / or operation with higher luminosity, but also to allow more power consuming light emitting diodes. This is with the existing LED bands due to their limited width with a single-sided wiring level difficult to achieve. However, one use of an LED strip with a front side and a back (double-sided) wiring level has the disadvantage that a mechanical simple and sufficiently secure contacting without tools and with only one connecting element was previously not feasible. For example, there are mechanical requirements on a contacting no double-sided zero force or ZIF ("zero insertion Force ") - connecting element. In other words, ZIF connectors usually have a set Contacts (then often also called "one") with a defined pitch distance. There are connector types for an upper or an underside contact ("upper contact type", or "lower contact type "), but not for a mixed contact, since each of the pins opposite Inside of the ZIF connector for the mechanical contact is used. The connector housing is mostly made of plastic. There are ZIF plugs that only open a LED tape need to be postponed. Other types exhibit small slide on, which by pressure corresponding to the light strip hold in the plug, z. B. ZIF connector from the already mentioned CONNECTSystem series the company Osram GmbH.

It is therefore the object of the present invention, a possibility for easy and reliable contact of lighting modules, in particular LED strips, provide with multiple wiring layer.

These Task is performed according to the characteristics of independent claims solved. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent ones claims removable.

The Light module has a band-shaped, at least partially flexible printed circuit board with several, d. H. two or more, Wiring levels on and at least one set of electrical Contacts (such as pins) in multiple groups, each of the groups has at least one electrical contact. The contacts of a certain sentence are each on a front or on a Back of the PCB arranged. Furthermore, the at least one electrical Contact of a particular group with one of the wiring levels electrically connected.

Thereby, that the contacts are arranged only on the front or the bottom can be a zero force connector, z. B. a zero force connector or a zero force bushing, be used, which is a special simple and reliable contacting of the multi-layered wired Light module allows. In particular, the contacting of the LED strip so without tools and with only one connector.

It is an advantageous embodiment that the contacts of at least form a set of several rows of contacts, in particular each the rows of a group can be assigned. This can change the number the contacts of a set with the same width of the substrate or the Leuchtmo module increases become. Consequently, a higher Power supply of the light module with only one connector achieved become.

For one simple construction with only one base material layer of the substrate, z. B. polyimide, it may be advantageous that the light emitting module has two wiring levels, z. B. on a front and on a back, wherein the contacts of the at least one set form two rows of contacts.

It may be a further advantageous embodiment that the contacts of the at least one sentence concerning a respective contacting direction laterally offset from each other are.

It can still be an embodiment that the light module exactly one Set of a plurality of electrical contacts, which at a first Front side is arranged. This is a one-sided contact of the light band possible. General can the contacts of a set by means of a single connecting element be contacted.

It can for a two-sided contacting be advantageous that the light module two sets of each having a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein the sets on opposite End faces are arranged. It can then be for easy contacting be advantageous that the contacts of the two sets mirror-symmetrical to each other are.

For a variable Packaging can be advantageous, a light module that at least a separation point is separable into two sections, with the at least one separation point two sets of a plurality of electrical Contacts arranged substantially mirror-symmetrically to the separation point are, with respect to the separation point opposite Contacts of the two sentences electrically connected to each other. In the non-separated state Thus, an electrical connection between the sections through achieved a simple wiring with conductors, the contacts merely as local broadening of the tracks without separate Serve function. Only in the disconnected state in which the tracks can be interrupted the contacts as such for a contact can be used. For easy laying of the Tracks between associated Contacts may be a combination with the feature that the contacts a sentence with respect to one respective contacting direction are laterally offset from each other, be beneficial.

For a simple Attachment, it may be advantageous that the contacts and at least a semiconductor light source is disposed on the front side. The, also wired, back can then be used as a mounting surface or contact area serve.

The At least one semiconductor light source can, for example, at least have a diode laser or at least one light emitting diode. The light-emitting diode can be monochrome or multicolored, z. B. white, radiate. In presence several LEDs can these z. B. same color (monochrome or multi-colored) and / or different colors to shine. For example, an LED module may have several LED chips ('LED clusters') which together a white one Can give mixed light, z. B. in 'cold white' or 'warm white'. To generate a white Mixed light, the LED cluster preferably includes LED chips in the Basic colors red (R), green (G) and blue (B) light up. It can be one or more Colors can also be generated by several LEDs at the same time; so are Combinations RGB, RRGB, RGGB, RGBB, RGGBB etc. possible. however the color combination is not limited to R, G and B. to Generation of a warm white Shades can for example, one or more amber amber LEDs (A) and / or white LEDs (W) be present. For LEDs with different colors, these can Also be controlled so that the LED module in a tunable RGB color range radiates. To produce a white light a mixture of blue light with yellow light can also with phosphor provided LED chips are used, for. In surface mount technology, z. B. in so-called. Chip-level conversion technique. It can too Other methods are used, such as a red / green combination by means of the conversion technique. Of course, also a "classic" volume conversion possible. One LED module can also be several white Single-chip, resulting in easy scalability reach the luminous flux. The single LEDs and / or the modules can be equipped with suitable optics for beam guidance, z. B. Fresnel lenses, collimators, and so on. Instead of or in addition to inorganic light emitting diodes, z. Based on InGaN or AlInGaP, In general, organic LEDs (OLEDs) can also be used.

Also if a contact is not limited to a specific type of contact, it may be for a simple and particularly reliable contact can be advantageous if the Contacts especially for a contact with a connecting element, especially zero force, designed are.

The Task is also solved by a zero-force connection element, which is responsible for connection to the light module is designed and mating contacts for contacting at least having one of the contacts of each group of the light module.

there can it for a supply of large currents in the Luminous module may be particularly preferred that the zero force connecting element having a plurality of rows of mating contacts, each of the rows for contacting at least one particular set of contacts of the light module is provided.

The object is also achieved by a power supply for at least one light module, the power supply at least one such Has connecting element. The power supply can be designed as a Eingeiser, z. B. with a connection element for single-sided feed or with two connecting elements for feeding on both sides, or as an intermediate feed or Mittenpeiser, z. B. with two fasteners.

In The following figures illustrate the invention with reference to exemplary embodiments described in more detail schematically. It can for better clarity identical or equivalent elements with the same reference numerals be provided.

1 shows in plan a section of a known light module and a matching connector;

2 shows in plan a section of a lighting module according to the invention according to a first embodiment and a matching connecting element;

3 shows a side view of a section of the lighting module according to the invention according to the first embodiment and the matching connecting element;

4 shows a plan view of a section of a lighting module according to the invention according to a second embodiment and a matching connecting element;

5 shows in plan view a larger section of a lighting module according to the invention according to the second embodiment.

1 shows in plan an end-side section of a known light module 10 , z. As a well-known LED strip the LINEARLight series from. OSRAM. The light module 10 has a band-shaped, flexible circuit board 13 on. On a front side 14 the circuit board 13 are light emitting diodes 15 as well as electrical contacts (also called 'one') 16 attached, which means on the front 14 running tracks 19 , which are indicated here dotted, wired together. The tracks 19 form a top-level wiring level 11 , The contacts 16 are in one area of a frontal area 17 the circuit board 13 arranged in a row.

For contacting the light module 10 may be a connector in the form of a matching connector 12 be used. The plug 12 has mating contacts 18 on which an attachment of the plug 12 on the light module 10 in the direction of attachment R shown the contacts 16 contact electrically. The plug 12 is configured as a Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) connector, e.g. B. in the form of a ribbon cable connector or a connector of a flexible circuit board.

2 shows in plan a section of a lighting module according to the invention 20 according to a first embodiment. The contacts 16 are now in a first row R1 and one parallel to it and with respect to the front 17 rearward offset second row R2 on the front 14 the circuit board 13 arranged. The circuit board 13 points both on the front 14 as well as on a not visible in this view back a wiring level. The contacts 16 each of the rows R1 and R2 are electrically connected to one of the wiring planes, respectively. So can the contacts 16 of the first row R1 may be connected, for example, to the rear-side wiring plane, while the contacts 16 the second row R2 with the one at the front 14 located wiring level can be connected. The contacts 16 The first row R1 thus form a first group of contacts 16 and the contacts 16 of the second row R2 form a second group of contacts 16 , The contacts 16 Both groups or rows R1, R2 together form a set of contacts 16 at the same front 4 are arranged.

On to the light module 20 matching plug 22 has mating contacts 18 on which an attachment of the plug 12 on the light module 20 both rows R1, R2 of the contacts 16 contact the one set electrically. Also this plug 22 is designed as a zero force element. This is possible because the contacts 16 one-sided, here: on the front 14 , are arranged. The plug 22 is thus designed as a double-row zero-force connector. The contacts 16 a set may generally for joint contacting of a connecting element, for. B. the plug 22 , be provided.

3 shows the light module 20 and the plug 22 out 2 in a side view. An example shown here contact 16 the first row R1 is by means of a via 33 with the at the back 31 the circuit board 3 arranged wiring level 34 (dotted lines) electrically connected while a contact 16 the second row R2 directly with the one at the front 14 arranged wiring level 11 (indicated by dotted lines), which the conductor track 19 includes, is electrically connected.

4 shows in plan a section of a lighting module according to the invention 40 according to a second embodiment and a matching plug 42 , In contrast to the first embodiment according to 2 are the contacts 16 the first row R1 and the second row R2 with respect to the attachment direction R mutually offset laterally. That means none of the contacts 16 The second Row R2 with regard to the front side 17 through one of the contacts 16 the first row R1 is hidden. The arrangement of the mating contacts 18 of the plug 42 is adjusted accordingly. Such an arrangement is in particular for divisible lighting modules 40 advantageous, as below with reference to 5 is explained in more detail.

5 shows in plan view a larger section of the lighting module according to the invention 40 according to the second embodiment. The light strip 40 is made up of several identical unit sections 50 built on a one-piece substrate of the circuit board 13 the wiring levels on the circuit board 13 equipped elements such as the light-emitting diodes 15 and possibly other electronic components and the contacts 16 are identical. Two coherent unit sections 50 are separable from each other at a separation point T. At the separation point T then arises for each of the separate sections a set of contacts 16 for contacting z. B. with the plug 42 out 4 , This can be accomplished by having two sets of contacts at each separation point T in the non-separated state, as in FIG 4 are arranged substantially mirror-symmetrical to the separation point T, wherein with respect to the separation point T opposite contacts 16 of the two sets electrically by in each case one over the separation point T drawn trace 51 connected to each other. The laying of the tracks 51 is through the in 4 shown staggered arrangement of the rows R1, R2 of the contacts 16 much easier. A separation at the separation point T can be done by a simple cutting.

Of course it is the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

So can also use a light strip with more than three wiring layers be able, and accordingly the contacts and mating contacts are grouped into more than two groups be, z. B. in three or more rows. Consequently, the current carrying capacity can be with only one plug for a light module without broadening the plug and / or the light module even further increase.

The Groups, especially rows, do not need the same number or Form of contacts.

Generally they need to be electrically connected to one of the wiring levels Contacts are not a geometrically connected group, eg. B. one Row to be assigned, but it can be any contacts one be assigned to any wiring level, z. For example, each of the rows Have contacts of multiple wiring levels.

The Contacts can for one Power supply and / or for a data transmission, z. B. of control signals, may be provided.

10

light module

12

plug

13

circuit board

14

front the circuit board

15

led

16

electrical contacts

17

front the circuit board

18

countercontact

19

conductor path

20

light module

22

plug

31

back the circuit board

33

via

34

wiring level

35

wiring level

40

light module

42

plug

50

unit section

R

attachment direction

R1

first line

R2

second line

T separation point

Claims (12)

Light module ( 20 ; 40 ), comprising - a band-shaped, at least partially flexible printed circuit board ( 3 ) with several wiring levels ( 34 . 35 ) and - at least one set of electrical contacts ( 16 ) in a plurality of groups (R1, R2), each of the groups (R1, R2) having at least one electrical contact ( 16 ), the contacts ( 16 ) of a particular sentence on a front side ( 14 ) or on a back side ( 31 ) of the printed circuit board ( 13 ) are arranged and - wherein the at least one electrical contact ( 16 ) of a particular group (R1, R2) with one of the wiring levels ( 34 . 35 ) is electrically connected. Light module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to claim 1, wherein the contacts ( 16 ) of the at least one set form a plurality of rows (R1, R2) of contacts, each row (R1, R2) being associated with a group (R1, R2). Light module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to claim 2, comprising two wiring levels, said contacts ( 16 ) of the at least one set of two rows (R1, R2) of contacts ( 16 ) form. Light module ( 40 ) after the previous one Claims in which the contacts ( 16 ) of the at least one set are laterally offset with respect to a respective contacting direction (R). Light module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising exactly one set of several electrical contacts ( 16 ), which at a first end face ( 17 ) is arranged. Light module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising two sets of a plurality of electrical contacts ( 16 ), the sets on opposite end faces ( 17 ) are arranged. Light module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to one of the preceding claims, which at at least one separation point (T) in each case two sections ( 50 ) is separable, wherein at the at least one separation point (T) two sets of a plurality of electrical contacts ( 16 ) are arranged substantially mirror-symmetrically to the separation point (T), with respect to the separation point (T) opposite contacts ( 16 ) of the two sets are electrically connected together. Light module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contacts ( 16 ) and at least one semiconductor light source ( 15 ), in particular light-emitting diode, on the front side ( 14 ) are arranged. Light module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contacts ( 16 ) for contacting with a zero-force connecting element, in particular zero-force connector ( 22 ; 42 ) are designed. Zero-force connection element ( 22 ; 42 ), designed for connection to the light module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising mating contacts ( 18 ) for contacting at least one of the contacts ( 16 ) of each group (R1, R2) of the light module ( 20 ; 40 ). Zero-force connection element ( 22 ; 42 ) according to claim 10, configured for connection to a lighting module ( 20 ; 40 ) according to one of claims 2 to 9, comprising a plurality of rows (R1, R2) of mating contacts ( 18 ), wherein each of the rows (R1, R2) for contacting at least one particular group (R1, R2) of contacts ( 16 ) of the light module ( 20 ; 40 ) is provided. Power supply for at least one light module ( 20 ; 40 ), comprising at least one zero-force connecting element ( 22 ; 42 ) according to one of claims 10 or 11.