초록 ▼

A connector for mounting an LED to a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a hollow cylindrical body portion with an interior sidewall that defines a hollow cavity at one end to receive the LED threaded base section. The second end has a plurality of conductive contact elements with which to electri

A connector for mounting an LED to a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a hollow cylindrical body portion with an interior sidewall that defines a hollow cavity at one end to receive the LED threaded base section. The second end has a plurality of conductive contact elements with which to electrically contact the LED. A first electrical contact element includes at least one prong extending partially into the cavity. The prong is flexible for the threaded portion to pass the prong for insertion, and partially return to electrically engage the threaded portion to maintain the threaded portion inside the cavity. The prong also permits removal of the LED rotationally with respect to the cavity. The contact elements are in electrical communication with the LED and the threaded base section when the threaded base section is inserted within the body portion.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A connection receptacle for mounting a high powered LED having a threaded base section comprises: a hollow cylindrical body portion having an interior sidewall, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the sidewall defining a hollow cavity adjacent the first

The invention claimed is: 1. A connection receptacle for mounting a high powered LED having a threaded base section comprises: a hollow cylindrical body portion having an interior sidewall, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the sidewall defining a hollow cavity adjacent the first end to receive the base section of the LED, and the second end having a plurality of conductive contact elements configured to electrically contact the LED; and an inwardly protruding ledge disposed intermediately of the first and second ends to support the threaded base section; wherein a first electrical contact element of the plurality of contact elements includes at least one prong extending partially into the hollow cavity, the at least one prong being sufficiently flexible to allow the threaded portion to pass the at least one prong for insertion, and partially return to engage with at least one thread of the threaded portion to maintain the threaded base portion inside the hollow cavity; the at least one prong also being configured to permit removal of the LED rotationally with respect to the hollow cavity; and the plurality of contact elements being in electrical communication with the LED and the threaded base section when the threaded base section is inserted within the hollow cylindrical body portion. 2. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body portion further includes a generally straight interior sidewall adjacent to the cavity, and the cavity has an inner-diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the threaded base section, wherein the threaded base section is close clearance fit with the sidewall when inserted into the cavity, and the threaded base portion is insertable into the connection receptacle by urging the LED assembly into the cavity. 3. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first contact element is disposed within the sidewall, and the at least one prong extends radially inward therefrom at an acute angle opposite a direction of insertion of the LED to allow the threaded section to slide within the sidewall in a direction of insertion, and to restrict the threaded section from sliding opposite the direction of insertion. 4. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact elements engage the threaded base section and an axial core electrode of the LED when the LED is inserted into the connection receptacle. 5. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first contact element includes three deflectable prongs spaced around an inner radius of the sidewall and configured to engage three corresponding points of the threaded section. 6. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the second contact portion end portion presses against a core electrode under spring tension generated from an intersection with a main beam and an end. 7. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact element comprises a flat strip of a conductive metal having a width and a thickness, further comprising three progressive step portions, each progressive step portion producing a graduated width, supporting the contact element in the cavity sidewall. 8. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact elements includes at least a second contact element protruding at least partially into a lower cavity portion, the second contact element having a longitudinal main beam and an end portion that is bent at an acute angle to the main beam in spring contact with an axial core electrode of the LED. 9. The connection receptacle of claim 8, wherein the end portion includes a distal tip portion curving toward the main beam and elastically deflectable to engage the core LED electrode when the LED is pressed into the cavity to permit the core LED electrode to slidingly contact the end portion in either direction of movement. 10. The connection receptacle of claim 8, further including a plurality of internal channels arranged on opposite sides of the receptacle to accept the first contact element and the at least one second contact element, wherein one channel receives the first contact element adjacent to both the upper cavity and the lower cavity and the first contact element protrudes from the lower end of the connection receptacle. 11. The connection receptacle of claim 10, wherein at least another channel receives at least one second contact element adjacent the lower cavity and the second contact element protrudes from the lower end of the connection receptacle. 12. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the inwardly protruding ledge reduces an inner radius of the cavity to trap a core LED electrode and axially guide the core LED electrode into a lower cavity portion. 13. The connection receptacle of claim 12, also including a tapered transition portion between the lower cavity portion and the ledge, to guide the core electrode centrally into the lower cavity portion. 14. The connection receptacle of claim 12, in which the lower cavity portion includes an internal diameter configured for close clearance fit with the core LED electrode. 15. The connection receptacle of claim 1, wherein the connection receptacle is comprised of a molded, high temperature resin. 16. The connection receptacle of claim 15, wherein the high temperature resin is selected from the group consisting of glass-filled, nylon 6.6, and other electrically insulating, high temperature resins. 17. An LED assembly comprising: an LED having a threaded base section and a core electrode in electrical communication, the core electrode disposed axially parallel to the threaded base section, and a connection receptacle for receiving the LED including: a hollow cylindrical body portion having an interior sidewall, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the sidewall defining a hollow cavity adjacent the first end to receive the base section of the LED, and the second end having a plurality of conductive contact elements configured to contact the LED; wherein a first electrical contact element of the plurality of contact elements includes three contact prongs to deflect and mate on one or more threads of the threaded base portion a least one contact prong of the three contact prongs extending partially into the hollow cavity, the at least one prong of the three contact prongs being sufficiently flexible to allow the threaded base portion to pass the at least one prong for insertion, and partially return engage with at least one thread of the threaded base portion to maintain the threaded base portion inside the cavity; the at least one prong also being configured to permit removal of the LED rotationally with respect to the hollow cavity and the first contact element including three web portions, each web portion containing one of the three prongs; and a pair of outer web portions disposed on opposite sides of a centrally disposed web portion, each outer web portion of the pair of outer web portions bent inwardly to partially envelop the threaded portion; and at least one prong associated with each web portion of the pair of web portions projecting inwardly from the associated web portion to engage in electrical contact with the conductive threaded base portion when the threaded base section is inserted within the hollow cylindrical body portion. 18. The LED assembly of claim 17, wherein the cylindrical body portion further includes a generally straight interior sidewall adjacent to the cavity, and the cavity has an inner-diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the threaded base section, wherein the threaded base section is friction fit with the sidewall when inserted into the cavity, and the threaded base portion is insertable into the connection receptacle by urging the LED assembly into the cavity. 19. The LED assembly of claim 17, wherein the first contact element is disposed within the sidewall, and the at least one prong extends radially inward therefrom at an acute angle opposite a direction of insertion of the LED to allow the threaded section to slide within the sidewall in a direction of insertion, and to restrict the threaded section from sliding opposite the direction of insertion.