WO2014072889A1

WO2014072889A1 - Arrangement of components for a lighting device

Info

Publication number: WO2014072889A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/059790
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reinier Imre Anton DE BOER; Vincent Stefan David Gielen; Antonius Adrianus Maria Marinus; Sait Izmit
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date: 2012-11-07
Filing date: 2013-10-30
Publication date: 2014-05-15

Abstract

An arrangement of components (101, 102, 103) for a lighting device (100) is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a plurality of components (101, 102, 103) arranged relatively to each other so as to form at least a part of an assembly (110) of interconnected components, and at least one coupling member (106) comprising an elongated body (107). At least one component (101, 102, 103) of the plurality of components (101, 102, 103) comprises at least one through-hole (108). The elongated body (107) of the at least one coupling member (106) has such an extension, and the at least one component (101, 102, 103) is arranged with respect to the other ones of the plurality of components (101, 102, 103) and the at least one coupling member (106), such that a portion of the elongated body (107) of the at least one coupling member (106) extends within the at least one through-hole (108) in the at least one component (101, 102, 103).

Description

ARRANGEMENT OF COMPONENTS FOR A LIGHTING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to devices such as lighting devices. In particular, the present invention relates to an arrangement of components for a device such as a lighting device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Manufacturing of lighting devices such as light-emitting diode (LED) spot light assemblies or other devices including electrical components may require several steps of, for example, establishing electronic connections between components in the LED spot light assembly, and positioning and fixing the components within the LED spot light assembly, among other things.

Positioning the components within the device, e.g. a LED spot light assembly, may require several steps which may be time-consuming and/or expensive. Fixing the components within the LED spot light assembly may require glue or the like for fixing the components to each other and/or to the LED spot light assembly housing, etc. In case the LED spot light assembly is to be recycled, e.g. disassembled for reusing at least some components in the LED spot light assembly, the disassembly of the components of the LED spot light assembly may be difficult due to them being fixed to each other by means of glue or the like.

In order to provide a required capacity with regards to dissipation of excessive heat in the device, e.g. a LED spot light assembly, the heat for example being generated by operation of components such as LEDs, a LED current driver, etc., establishment of efficient thermal interfaces between some or all of the components in the LED spot light assembly may be required. For dissipation of excessive heat within the LED spot light assembly, components such as heat sinks may be utilized. However, there may be difficult to construct a LED spot light assembly so as to achieve a sufficient flow or spreading of heat within the LED spot light assembly that causes the heat to dissipate in the heat sink so as to achieve a required heat dissipation performance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above discussion, a concern of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of components for a device such as a lighting device, which arrangement of components facilitates or even enables an easier process of assembling the device during manufacture thereof compared to manufacturing of devices where the components of the device are fixed to each other with means such as glue or the like.

Another concern of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of components for a device such as a lighting device, which arrangement of components reduces or even eliminates the need for means such as glue or the like for coupling the components of the device with each other or for fixing the components of the device to each other.

Another concern of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of components for a device such as a lighting device, which arrangement of components is capable of providing an improved heat transport function and/or an increased heat dissipation capacity compared to known devices such as known lighting devices.

Another concern of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of components for a device such as a lighting device, which arrangement of components comprises means for coupling the components to each other, and which means at the same time provides means for electric interconnection of at least some of the components and/or facilitates or even enables thermal coupling between at least some of the components and possibly other elements in the device.

To address at least one of these concerns and other concerns, an arrangement of components for a lighting device in accordance with the independent claim is provided. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement of components for a lighting device. The arrangement comprises a plurality of components arranged relatively to each other so as to form at least a part of an assembly of interconnected components, and at least one coupling member which comprises an elongated body. At least one component of the plurality of components comprises at least one through- hole. The elongated body of the at least one coupling member has such an extension, and the at least one component are arranged with respect to the other ones of the plurality of components and the at least one coupling member, such that a portion of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends within the at least one through-hole in the at least one component. The elongated body of the at least one coupling member comprises at least one engaging member arranged so as to, when the portion of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends within the at least one through-hole in the at least one component, engage with a receiving surface of the at least one component so as to couple the at least one coupling member with the at least one component, such that movement of the at least one component relatively to the elongated body is impeded at least in a direction along the extension of the elongated body.

The receiving surface may comprise at least a portion of an inner wall of the at least one through-hole in the at least one component. The through-hole and/or the inner wall may be arranged with means for protecting the through-hole and/or component against damage. For example, the through-hole and/or the inner wall may be plated.

The at least one component of the plurality of components may comprise a first surface portion, arranged on a first side of the at least one component, and a second surface portion, arranged on a second side of the at least one component, the second side being different from the first side, and the second surface portion comprising the receiving surface. The at least one through-hole may extend from the first surface portion to the second surface portion. The elongated body of the at least one coupling member may have an extension such that a portion of the elongated body extends past the end of the through-hole in the at least one component, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises a lateral projection having an engaging surface for engaging the second surface portion.

Each component of the plurality of components may comprise at least one through-hole, and wherein the at least one coupling member and the plurality of components are arranged relatively to each other such that corresponding through-holes in respective ones of the plurality of components are aligned and the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends through a corresponding through-hole in each of the components in the at least a part of the assembly, wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member has an extension such that the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends through all of the components in the at least a part of the assembly.

Such a configuration may facilitate or enable a relatively easy so called top- down assembly process for manufacturing of the device by means of the elongated body or bodies of the coupling member or members allowing or facilitating a relatively easy positioning of the components, e.g. a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB), a power module such as a light-emitting diode (LED) current driver, and a heat transferring means such as a heat sink and/or heat spreader, e.g. by inserting the elongated body or bodies through the through-hole or through-holes in the respective components so as to slide them into a stack of components. The plurality of components may comprise at least two components.

According to one example, a first component includes a substrate or board, e.g. a PCB, that supports at least one light-emitting element such as a LED and electronic equipment for conveying electrical current to the at least one light-emitting element, e.g. a LED current driver. The substrate or board may provide mechanical fixation for the at least one light-emitting element and/or the electronic equipment. The substrate or board may enable or facilitate electrical connection of the at least one light-emitting element and/or the electronic equipment to a power source. A second component comprises heat transferring means such as a heat sink and/or heat spreader adapted to dissipate and/or absorb heat generated from operation of the at least one light-emitting element and/or the electronic equipment for conveying electrical current to the at least one light-emitting element.

The through-holes in the components may be plated.

The receiving surface may comprise at least a portion of an inner wall of the at least one through-hole in at least one of the components. The inner wall may be plated.

Each component of the plurality of components may comprise a first surface portion, arranged on a first side of the component, and a second surface portion, arranged on a second side of the component, the second side being different from the first side, and the second surface portion comprising the receiving surface, wherein the at least one through- hole of the component extends from the first surface portion to the second surface portion, The elongated body of the at least one coupling member may have an extension such that a portion of the elongated body extends past the end of the through-hole in at least one of the components, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises a lateral projection having an engaging surface for engaging the second surface portion. Thus, the engaging member may comprise a crimping type of connection or coupling means.

The elongated body of the at least one coupling member may comprise a heat- conductive material, wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member is adapted to transfer heat from and/or to a component with which the at least one coupling member is coupled.

Thereby, the coupling members may form thermal interfaces at the coupling between the coupling members and the components, so as to transfer or transport heat to and/or from a component, thereby forming an integrated heat transport path in the device.

The plurality of components may comprise a substrate adapted to support at least one light-emitting element. The at least one light-emitting element may for example comprise at least one light-emitting diode (LED) or the like or any other suitable solid-state light-emitting element.

The arrangement may comprise an optical element arranged so as to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light-emitting element and adapted to output light from the arrangement based on the received light.

The at least one coupling member, the plurality of components and the optical element may be arranged relatively to each other and the elongated body of the at least one coupling member may have an extension such that a portion thereof extends outside the at least a part of the assembly so as to thermally couple the elongated body of the at least one coupling member with the optical element, whereby heat generated from operation of the at least one light-emitting element can be transferred towards the optical element.

The arrangement may comprise a first heat transferring means thermally coupled with the optical element, wherein the at least one coupling member has an extension such that the portion thereof extending outside the at least a part of the assembly is contacting the first heat transferring means, wherein the first heat transferring means is adapted to dissipate heat conducted by the elongated body of the at least one coupling member.

The optical element may comprise at least one through- hole.

The at least one coupling member, the plurality of components, and the optical element may be arranged relatively to each other such that corresponding through-holes in respective ones of the plurality of components and the optical element are aligned and the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends through a corresponding through-hole in each of the components in the at least a part of the assembly and a corresponding through-hole in the optical element.

The elongated body of the at least one coupling member may comprise an electrically conductive material so as to electrically couple the elongated body of the at least one coupling member with a component with which the at least one coupling member is coupled.

The plurality of components may comprise a substrate adapted to support at least one light-emitting element, a power module adapted to selectively convey electrical power to the at least one light-emitting element, and a second heat transferring means arranged between the substrate and the power module and adapted to dissipate and/or absorb heat generated from operation of the at least one light-emitting element and/or the power module. The plurality of components may comprise a substrate, including at least one light-emitting element and a power module adapted to selectively convey electrical power to the at least one light-emitting element, and a second heat transferring means adapted to dissipate and/or absorb heat generated from operation of the at least one light-emitting element and/or the power module.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device comprising an arrangement of components according to the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting fixture comprising at least one lighting device according to the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting fixture comprising at least two lighting devices. Each lighting device of the at least two lighting devices comprises an arrangement of components according to the present invention, wherein the at least one coupling member, the plurality of components, and the optical element are arranged relatively to each other such that corresponding through-holes in respective ones of the plurality of components and the optical element are aligned and the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends through a corresponding through-hole in each of the components in the at least a part of the assembly and a corresponding through-hole in the optical element. For each lighting device of the at least two lighting devices, the elongated body of the at least one coupling member comprises a first end at least partly situated within the through-hole in the optical element and a second end, different from the first end and arranged so as to be accessible from the exterior of the lighting device. The at least two lighting devices are arranged such that, for each lighting device, at least one of the first end and the second end of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member of the lighting device is coupled to the second end and the first end, respectively, of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member of another lighting device.

In the context the present application, and in relation to components electrically connected to each other, the term connected or coupled is not limited to be construed as directly connected, or directly coupled, but also encompasses functional connections having intermediate components. For example, on one hand, if an output of a first component is connected to an input of a second component, this comprises a direct connection. On the other hand, if an electrical conductor directly supplies an electrical signal from the output of the first component substantially unchanged to the input of the second component, alternatively via one or more additional components, the first and second component are also connected. However, the connection is functional in the sense that a gradual or sudden change in the electrical signal from the output of the first component results in a corresponding or modified change in the signal that is input to the second component.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention are described in the following by means of exemplifying embodiments.

It is noted that the present invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplifying embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded sectional side view of a lighting device comprising an arrangement of components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional side view of the lighting device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of elements in Fig. 2 in more detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of elements of a lighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 5-7 are schematic sectional side views of lighting devices each comprising an arrangement of components in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of lighting devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a lighting device comprising an arrangement of components according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a lighting fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements throughout the views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, like numbers refer to the same or similar elements or components throughout.

In the following description, exemplifying embodiments of the present invention is described with reference to arrangements of components suitable for use in a lighting application. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to lighting applications but may be used in a number of different applications, where assembly of components in a device is required or desired, and possibly where an electric conduction function and/or a heat transport function is required or desired in the device.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a schematic exploded sectional side view of a lighting device 100 comprising an arrangement of components 101, 102, 103 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The arrangement of components comprises a plurality of components 101, 102 and 103, including a substrate 101 adapted to support a plurality of light-emitting

elements 104. The substrate 101 may for example comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) or the like which in addition to supporting light-emitting elements 104 may provide mechanical fixation for the light-emitting elements 104 and/or enable or facilitate electrical connection for the light-emitting elements 104 to a power source, as will be further described in the following. The light-emitting elements 104 may for example comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like or other suitable types of solid-state light-emitting elements. Although two light-emitting elements 104 are shown in Fig. 1, the present invention is not limited to this case but the substrate 101 may in principle include or hold any number of light-emitting elements 104, e.g. one, three, four, six, eight, ten or fifteen or more light-emitting elements.

The plurality of components 101, 102, 103 further includes a power module 103 adapted to selectively convey, supply or provide electrical power to the light- emitting elements 104 of the substrate 101. The power module 103 may for example comprise an electrical current driver adapted to selectively convey electrical current to each of the light-emitting elements 104 during respective time intervals, which may be non- overlapping.

The plurality of components 101, 102, 103 further includes a heat transferring means 102 arranged between the substrate 101 and the power module 103. The heat transferring means 102 is adapted to dissipate and/or absorb heat e.g. generated from operation of the light-emitting elements 104 and/or the power module 103. The power module 103 may for example comprise an electrical current driver adapted to convey electrical current to the light-emitting elements 104. As mentioned above, the light-emitting elements 104 may for example comprise LEDs. Solid state light-emitting elements such as LEDs may require current limiting when driven from a voltage source. In many applications it is desirable to drive LEDs with a constant-current driver. Such an electrical current driver can be used to regulate the current through the individual LEDs regardless of power supply variations, which e.g. may entail variations in output voltage of the power supply or changes in forward voltage drops between LEDs.

Although the lighting device 100 in Fig. 1 comprises three components 101,

102, 103, the present invention is not limited to the case of three components but the number of components in the arrangement may in general be a plurality of components or at least two components, e.g. two, four, five, six, ten, or twelve or more components.

In the context of the present application, by "substrate" it is meant any unit or element suitable for mechanically supporting and possibly electrically connecting electrical components, such as high-power semiconductor devices, microprocessors, LEDs and other devices that may require cooling due to heat generated during their operation. A substrate could for example include a PCB and/or a so called L2 board.

In the context of the present application, the term "heat transferring means" should be interpreted broadly - in principle, the heat transferring means may refer to any thermally conductive component or element adapted to dissipate and/or absorb heat.

The heat transferring means may for example include a heat sink, a heat spreader and/or a thermal interface material (TIM) element. The heat transferring means may for example comprise a metal sheet or layer or plate, or a sheet of layer of another material having a relatively high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat transferring means may advantageously comprise a sheet material of metal such as copper, a metal alloy such as an aluminum alloy, polymers, composites, and/or other suitable materials known in the art. Examples of TIMs include thermal grease, such as silicone oil filled with aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, or boron nitride, thermally conductive compounds, elastomers, adhesive tapes, adhesive pads, liquid dispensed materials, and/or other suitable materials known in the art.

The number of components 101, 102, 103 in Fig. 1 is according to an example. For example, the number of components in the arrangement may be at least two.

For example, in an alternative configuration to that depicted in Fig. 1 , the component 103 may be omitted. In this case, the component 101, i.e. the substrate, may include or support a plurality of light-emitting elements 104 and a power module, e.g. an electrical current driver adapted to convey electrical current to the light-emitting

elements 104. This may facilitate the process of manufacturing the lighting device 100.

The lighting device 100 comprises a housing 105.

The arrangement of components comprises two coupling members 106, each comprising an elongated body 107. According to the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, each of the coupling members 106 comprises a flexible or non-rigid or compliant pin or beam. As illustrated in Fig. 1, each of the two coupling members 106 is crimped to the housing 105 as can be seen in the lower part of the housing 105 in Fig. 1. The outer surface of the

housing 105 is provided with crimped contacts into which the elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 are inserted. In the context of the present application, by crimping it is meant pinching or pressing together two elements, possibly so as to achieve a sealed, e.g. gas-tight, connection between the elements. In alternative or optionally to crimping the coupling members 106 to the housing 105, the coupling members 106 can be coupled to the housing 105 by means of being glued and/or "overmolded", etc., to the housing 105.

Each component 101, 102, 103 comprises two through-holes 108. However, the present invention also encompasses the cases where each component 101, 102, 103 comprises a single through-hole, or three or more through-holes, or where only one or a few of the components comprise a through-hole or through-holes. The number of coupling members may be the same as the number of through- holes arranged in each component.

The coupling members 106 are arranged in the lighting device 100 so as to permit positioning and sliding of the components 101, 102, 103 into an assembly 110 of interconnected components, as can be seen in Fig. 2, which is a schematic sectional side view of the lighting device 100 shown in Fig. 1 in an assembled state. The positioning and sliding of the components 101, 102, 103 into the assembly 110 of interconnected components may be carried out by arranging the coupling members 106 and the components 101, 102, 103 relatively to each other such that corresponding through-holes 108 in respective ones of the components 101, 102, 103 are aligned and the elongated body 107 of the coupling member 106 extends through a corresponding through-hole 108 in each of the components 101, 102, 103 when the elongated bodies 107 of the respective coupling members 106 are inserted into the through-holes 108 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the elongated bodies 107 of the respective coupling members 106 each has an extension such that the elongated body 107 extends through all of the components 101, 102, 103.

For forming at least a part of an assembly, e.g. the assembly 110 of interconnected components, at least some of the components 101, 102, 103 may each have at least one coupling surface portion adapted to couple the component 101, 102, 103 to another one of the components 101 , 102, 103.

The elongated body 107 of each coupling member 106, or the coupling member 106 itself, comprises an engaging member 112. The engaging member 112 is arranged so as to, when the elongated body 107 of the coupling members 106 extends within respective ones of the through-holes 108 in the components 101, 102, 103, respectively, engage with a receiving surface (not indicated by reference numeral in Figs. 1 and 2, see Fig. 4) of at least one of the components 101, 102, 103 so as to couple the respective coupling member 106 with the at least one of the components 101, 102, 103 such that movement of the component 101, 102, 103 relatively to the elongated body 107 of the respective coupling member 106 is impeded at least in a direction along or substantially along the extension of the elongated body 107.

According to the embodiment depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the receiving surface is arranged on the substrate 101. When the engaging member 112 engages with the receiving surface, the assembly 110 is clamped or fastened together. However, a receiving surface may be arranged on another one of the components 101, 102, 103 or even possibly on all or almost all or the components 101, 102, 103, which receiving surface or surfaces can be engaged by the engaging member 112,

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the receiving surface comprises at least a portion of an inner wall of the through-hole 108 or though-holes 108 in the at least one of the components 101, 102, 103. In other words, a wall or surface of the through-hole 108 or though-holes 108 which has a surface normal directed into the hollow portion of the component 101, 102, 103 formed by the through-hole 108 may be engaged by the engaging member 112 of the coupling member 106.

The engaging member 112 may for example comprise a resilient member such as a spring arrangement or element arranged to selectively and/or controllably exert a force against the receiving surface so as to couple the respective coupling member 106 with the at least one of the components 101, 102, 103 such that movement of the component 101, 102, 103 relatively to the elongated body 107 of the respective coupling member 106 is impeded at least in a direction along or substantially along the extension of the elongated body 107, and/or possibly in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the extension of the elongated body 107. Such a configuration of the engaging member 112 is described further in the following with reference to Fig. 4.

The elongated body 107 of at least one of the coupling members 106 may comprise a heat-conductive material, wherein the elongated body 107 is adapted to transfer heat from and/or to a component 101, 102, 103 with which the at least one of the coupling members 106 is coupled. In other words, the coupling member or members 106 may be arranged so as to augment or even create heat transport functionality in the lighting device 100, by means of thermal interfaces created by the coupling or couplings between components 101, 102, 103 and the at least one of the coupling members 106.

In alternative or optionally, the elongated body 107 of at least one of the coupling members 106 may comprise an electrically conductive material so as to electrically couple the elongated body 107 with a component 101, 102, 103 with which the at least one of the coupling members 106 is coupled. In other words, the coupling member or members 106 may be arranged so as to augment or even create an electrical conduction path in the lighting device 100. The portions of the elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 may be adapted to be connected to a power source, e.g. a mains outlet.

With further reference to Fig. 2, the lighting device 100 and/or the arrangement of components comprises an optical element 115 arranged so as to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light-emitting element 104 and adapted to output light from the arrangement based on the received light.

The optical element 115 may for example comprise a lens and/or another type of light outcoupling structure, a reflector, collimation means, and/or a wavelength selective filter, etc. This list is not exhaustive.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the coupling members 106, the components 101, 102, 103 and the optical element 115 are arranged relatively to each other, and the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 have an extension such that a portion thereof extends outside the assembly 110 so as to thermally couple the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 with the optical element 115. In that way, heat generated for example from operation of the at least one light-emitting element 104 can be transferred towards the optical element 115 via the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106. Thereby, the optical element 115 may act as a heat sink or heat spreader or provide a heat sink or heat spreader function, which may increase the overall heat dissipation capacity in the lighting device 100, which in turn may decrease the operating temperature of the light-emitting elements 104 and/or power module 103. This may in turn entail an increased lifetime of the light-emitting elements 104 and/or power module 103, and/or require a smaller number of light-emitting elements 104 for achieving a required or desired light output from the lighting device 100. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the coupling members 106 or the elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 may be bent or curved, e.g. in an almost 90° angle or a 90° angle with respect to the overall extension of the elongated bodies 107, so as to achieve a surface coupling between a bent or curved portion 116 and the optical element 115.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 may be thermally coupled with the optical element 115 via a heat transferring means 118, e.g. a heat spreading layer or covering. In other words, the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 may be indirectly connected to the optical element 115 via a heat transferring means 118.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a schematic side view of heat transferring means 118 and bent or curved portions 116 of the elongated bodies 107 of the respective coupling members 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, similarly to elements 118, 116, 107 and 106 depicted in Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown a schematic, in part sectional side view of an engaging member 112 of an elongated body 107 of a coupling member 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, the receiving surface 120 of the component 101, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 4, comprises at least a portion of an inner wall of a through-hole 108 in the component 101. In other words, a wall or surface of the through-hole 108 which has a surface normal directed into the hollow portion of the component 101 formed by the through-hole 108 may be engaged by the engaging

member 112. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the wall or surface of the through-hole 108 having a surface normal directed into the hollow portion of the component 101 formed by the through- hole 108 may be plated, e.g. for protection of the component 101 and/or the through-hole 108 walls against damage. The component 101 may for example comprise a PCB or the like and/or a so called L2 board. The engaging member 112 comprises a resilient member constituted by a spring arrangement including two spring members which are arranged to selectively and/or controllably exert a force against the receiving surface 120 so as to couple the coupling member 106 with the component 101 such that movement of the component 101 relatively to the elongated body 107 of the coupling member 106 is impeded at least in a direction along or substantially along the extension of the elongated body 107, and/or possibly in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the extension of the elongated body 107.

When the two spring members of the engaging member 112 are inserted into the through-hole 108 and compressed, they exert force against the inner walls of the through- hole 108 so as to achieve gas-tight connection to the component 101. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the diameter of the through-hole hole 108 may be smaller than the diagonal size of the elongated body 107 or non-rigid or flexible pin or beam 107. The beam characteristics of the pin 107 may be chosen or designed so that a plastic, as well as an elastic, deformation takes place during the insertion of the two spring members of the engaging member 112 into the through-hole 108. The two spring members may compress to different extents, e.g. in order to accommodate hole tolerances. The non-rigidity or flexibility of the pin 107 may facilitate or even enable reducing strain on the component 101. In case the pin 107 would be rigid or substantially rigid, the elastic strain energy would possibly be stored entirely in the component 101, which might lead to damage of the through-hole 108. With a non-rigid or flexible pin 107, the residual force of the elastic deformation may maintain stored energy to produce a tight contact zone between the pin 107 and the through-hole 108 walls. This may facilitate or even enable maintaining long-term electrical and mechanical reliability of the interconnection.

The engaging member 112 is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to Figs. 1-4. An alternative or optional configuration is for example to crimp the coupling member 106 or elongated body 107 thereof onto one or more of the components 101, 102, 103 and/or onto the optical element 115 for facilitating or enabling achieving fixation and/or positioning of the components 101, 102, 103 into an assembly 1 10 of interconnected components. This is further described with reference to Figs. 5-7, in which there are shown schematic sectional side views of lighting devices 100, each comprising an arrangement of components 101, 102, 103 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The present invention also encompasses other alternative or optional

configurations of the engaging member 112 than those illustrated in Figs. 1-7. With reference to Figs. 5-7, there are shown lighting devices 100 which each comprises an arrangement of components 101, 102, 103 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The arrangement of components 101, 102, 103 comprises a plurality of components 101, 102 and 103, including a substrate 101 adapted to support a plurality of light-emitting elements 104, a power module 103 adapted to selectively convey, supply or provide electrical power to the light-emitting elements 104 of the substrate 101, and includes a heat transferring means 102 arranged between the substrate 101 and the power module 103. The heat transferring means 102 is adapted to dissipate and/or absorb heat e.g. generated from operation of the light-emitting elements 104 and/or the power module 103.

The lighting device 100 comprises a housing 105.

Although two light-emitting elements 104 are shown in Figs. 5-7, the present invention is not limited to this case but the substrate 101 may in principle include or hold any number of light-emitting elements 104, e.g. one, three, four, six, eight, ten or fifteen or more light-emitting elements. Furthermore, similarly to the embodiments described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the lighting devices 100 described with reference to Figs. 5-7 each comprise three components 101, 102, 103, the present invention is not limited to the case of three components but the number of components in the arrangement may in general be a plurality of components or at least two components, e.g. two, four, five, six, ten, or twelve or more components.

The arrangement of components 101, 102, 103 comprises two coupling members 106, each comprising an elongated body 107. According to the embodiments depicted in Figs. 5-7, each of the coupling members 106 comprises a flexible or non-rigid or compliant pin or beam. As illustrated in Figs. 5-7, each of the two coupling members 106 is crimped to the housing 105, see the lower part of the housing 105 in Figs. 5-7, respectively. In alternative or optionally to crimping the coupling members 106 to the housing 105, the coupling members 106 can be coupled to the housing 105 by means of being glued and/or "overmolded", etc., to the housing 105.

According to the embodiment depicted in Fig. 5, the component 103 comprises two through-holes 108. However, the present invention also encompasses the cases where the component 103 comprises a single through-hole or three or more through- holes. The number of coupling members may be the same as the number of through-holes arranged in the component. With further reference to Fig. 5, the coupling members 106 are inserted into the through-holes 108 and crimped to the power module 103. The power module 103 may e.g. include an electrical current driver adapted to selectively convey electrical current to each of the light-emitting elements 104 during respective time intervals, which may be non- overlapping. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 5, through-holes in the components 101 and 102 may not be required.

In general, at least one of the components 101, 102, 103 may comprise a first surface portion, arranged on a first side of the at least one of the components 101, 102, 103, and a second surface portion, arranged on a second side of the at least one of the components 101, 102, 103, with the second side being different from the first side. For example, with respect to the embodiment depicted in Fig. 5, the first side of the component 103 is the lower surface of the component 103, having a surface normal directed downwards in Fig. 5, and the second side of the component 103 is the upper surface of the component 103, having a surface normal directed upwards in Fig. 5. The second surface portion comprises the receiving surface. The through-hole 108 or through-holes 108 extend from the first surface portion to the second surface portion. The elongated bodies 107 of the respective coupling members 106 each have an extension such that portions of the elongated bodies 107 extend past the end of the respective through-holes 108 in the component 103. The respective engaging members 112 of the elongated bodies 107 each comprises a lateral projection having an engaging surface for engaging the second surface portion. By the engaging surfaces of the respective lateral projections engaging the second surface portion, the coupling members 106 become crimped to the component 103 or power module 103.

Referring now to Fig. 6, there is shown a lighting device 100 similar to the lighting device 100 in Fig. 5, but where the components 102 and 103 as well as

component 101 comprise respective through-holes 108. The components 101, 102, 103 and the coupling members 106 are arranged relatively to each other so that the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 extend through corresponding through- holes 108 in the components 101, 102, 103, and the coupling members 106 are crimped to the uppermost surface of component 101 or substrate 101.

The number of components 101, 102, 103 in Fig. 6, and/or Figs. 5 or 7, is according to an example. For example, the number of components in the arrangement may be at least two.

For example, in an alternative configuration to that depicted in Fig. 6, the component 103 may be omitted. In this case, the component 101, i.e. the substrate, may include or support a plurality of light-emitting elements 104 and a power module, e.g. an electrical current driver adapted to convey electrical current to the light-emitting

elements 104. This may facilitate the process of manufacturing the lighting device 100. The coupling members 106 are crimped to the uppermost surface of component 101, e.g. by the uppermost surface of component 101 being provided with crimped contacts into which the elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 are inserted.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown a lighting device 100 similar to the lighting device 100 in Fig. 5, but where the components 102 and 103 as well as

component 101 comprise respective through-holes 108. The components 101, 102, 103 and the coupling members 106 are arranged relatively to each other so that the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 extend through corresponding through- holes 108 in the components 101, 102, 103. The coupling members 106 are crimped to the uppermost surface of component 103 or power module 103. The optical element 115 comprises two through-holes 108. The coupling members 106, the components 101, 102, 103 and the optical element 115 are arranged relatively to each other such that corresponding through-holes 108 in respective ones of the components 101, 102, 103 and the optical element 115 are aligned and the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling

members 106 extend through corresponding through-holes 108 in each of the components 101, 102, 103 and corresponding through-holes 108 in the optical element 115. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the coupling members 106 may additionally be crimped to the uppermost surface, e.g. the outer surface, of the optical element 115. A lighting device configuration as illustrated in Fig. 7 may provide a relatively high robustness with respect to manufacturing tolerances.

In an alternative configuration to that depicted in Fig. 7, the component 103 may be omitted. In this case, the component 101, i.e. the substrate, may include or support a plurality of light-emitting elements 104 and a power module, e.g. an electrical current driver adapted to convey electrical current to the light-emitting elements 104. This may facilitate the process of manufacturing the lighting device 100. The coupling members 106 are crimped to the uppermost surface of component 101, e.g. by the uppermost surface of component 101 being provided with crimped contacts into which the elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 are inserted.

By the extension of the respective elongated bodies 107 of the coupling members 106 through the through-holes in the optical element 115, an interconnected stack of lighting devices 100 may be arranged. This is illustrated in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of two lighting devices 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

At least the lowermost lighting device 100 of the lighting devices 100 shown in Fig. 8 is configured according to the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 7.

For at least the lowermost lighting device 100 of the lighting devices 100 shown in Fig. 8, the elongated body of each of the coupling members comprises a first end, at least partly situated within a corresponding through- hole in the optical element, and a second end, different from the first end and arranged so as to be accessible from the exterior of the lighting device 100 or from the outside of a housing of the lighting device 100. The first end of the respective elongated bodies of the coupling members is coupled to respective second ends of the elongated bodies of the coupling members of the uppermost lighting device 100 in Fig. 8.

In general, at least two lighting devices may be provided, where each lighting device is configured according to the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 7. For each lighting device of the at least two lighting devices, the elongated body of at least one coupling member comprises a first end, at least partly situated within the through-hole in the optical element, and a second end, different from the first end and arranged so as to be accessible from the exterior of the lighting device. The at least two lighting devices are arranged such that, for each lighting device, at least one of the first end and the second end of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member of the lighting device is coupled to the second end and the first end, respectively, of the elongated body of at least one coupling member of another lighting device of the at least two lighting devices.

Referring now to Fig. 9, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a lighting device 100 comprising an arrangement 150 of components 101, 102, 103, 104 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to Fig. 10, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a lighting fixture 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting fixture 200 comprises a lighting device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting fixture 200 may comprise more than one lighting device 100.

In conclusion, there is disclosed an arrangement of components for a lighting device. The arrangement comprises a plurality of components arranged relatively to each other so as to form at least a part of an assembly of interconnected components, and at least one coupling member comprising an elongated body. At least one component of the plurality of components comprises at least one through-hole. The elongated body of the at least one coupling member has such an extension, and the at least one component is arranged with respect to the other ones of the plurality of components and the at least one coupling member, such that a portion of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends within the at least one through-hole in the at least one component.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the appended drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplifying and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An arrangement (150) of components for a lighting device, the arrangement comprising:

a plurality of components (101, 102, 103, 104) arranged relatively to each other so as to form at least a part of an assembly (110) of interconnected components;

at least one coupling member (106) comprising an elongated body (107); wherein at least one component of the plurality of components comprises at least one through-hole (108), the elongated body of the at least one coupling member having such an extension and the at least one component being arranged with respect to the other ones of the plurality of components and the at least one coupling member such that a portion of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends within the at least one through-hole in the at least one component;

wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member comprises at least one engaging member (112) arranged so as to, when the portion of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends within the at least one through-hole in the at least one component, engage with a receiving surface (120) of the at least one component so as to couple the at least one coupling member with the at least one component such that movement of the at least one component relatively to the elongated body is impeded at least in a direction along the extension of the elongated body.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the receiving surface comprises at least a portion of an inner wall of the at least one through-hole in the at least one component.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one component of the plurality of components comprises a first surface portion, arranged on a first side of the at least one component, and a second surface portion, arranged on a second side of the at least one component, the second side being different from the first side, and the second surface portion comprising the receiving surface, wherein the at least one through-hole extends from the first surface portion to the second surface portion, and wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member has an extension such that a portion of the elongated body extends past the end of the through-hole in the at least one component, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises a lateral projection having an engaging surface for engaging the second surface portion.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each component of the plurality of components comprises at least one through-hole, and wherein the at least one coupling member and the plurality of components are arranged relatively to each other such that corresponding through-holes in respective ones of the plurality of components are aligned and the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends through a corresponding through-hole in each of the components in the at least a part of the assembly, wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member has an extension such that the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends through all of the components in the at least a part of the assembly.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the receiving surface comprises at least a portion of an inner wall of the at least one through-hole in at least one of the components.

6. An arrangement according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each component of the plurality of components comprises a first surface portion, arranged on a first side of the component, and a second surface portion, arranged on a second side of the component, the second side being different from the first side, and the second surface portion comprising the receiving surface, wherein the at least one through-hole of the component extends from the first surface portion to the second surface portion, and wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member has an extension such that a portion of the elongated body extends past the end of the through-hole in at least one of the components, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises a lateral projection having an engaging surface for engaging the second surface portion.

7. An arrangement according to any one of claims 4-6:

wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member comprises a heat-conductive material, wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member is adapted to transfer heat from and/or to a component with which the at least one coupling member is coupled;

wherein the plurality of components comprises a substrate (101) adapted to support at least one light-emitting element (104);

wherein the arrangement further comprises an optical element (115) arranged so as to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light-emitting element and adapted to output light from the arrangement based on the received light; and

wherein the at least one coupling member, the plurality of components and the optical element are arranged relatively to each other and the elongated body of the at least one coupling member has an extension such that a portion thereof extends outside the at least a part of the assembly so as to thermally couple the elongated body of the at least one coupling member with the optical element, whereby heat generated from operation of the at least one light-emitting element can be transferred towards the optical element.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, further comprising a first heat transferring means (118) thermally coupled with the optical element, wherein the at least one coupling member has an extension such that the portion thereof extending outside the at least a part of the assembly is contacting the first heat transferring means, wherein the first heat transferring means is adapted to dissipate heat conducted by the elongated body of the at least one coupling member.

9. An arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the optical element comprises at least one through-hole (108), and wherein the at least one coupling member, the plurality of components, and the optical element are arranged relatively to each other such that corresponding through-holes in respective ones of the plurality of components and the optical element are aligned and the elongated body of the at least one coupling member extends through a corresponding through-hole in each of the components in the at least a part of the assembly and a corresponding through-hole in the optical element.

10. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member comprises a heat-conductive material, wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member is adapted to transfer heat from and/or to a component with which the at least one coupling member is coupled.

11. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1-6 or 10, wherein the elongated body of the at least one coupling member comprises an electrically conductive material so as to electrically couple the elongated body of the at least one coupling member with a component with which the at least one coupling member is coupled.

12. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1-6, 9 or 11, wherein the plurality of components comprises:

a substrate (101) adapted to support at least one light-emitting element (104); a power module (103) adapted to selectively convey electrical power to the at least one light-emitting element; and

a second heat transferring means (102) arranged between the substrate and the power module and adapted to dissipate and/or absorb heat generated from operation of the at least one light-emitting element and/or the power module.

13. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1-6, 9 or 11, wherein the plurality of components comprises:

a substrate (101) including at least one light-emitting element (104) and a power module (103) adapted to selectively convey electrical power to the at least one light- emitting element; and

a second heat transferring means (102) adapted to dissipate and/or absorb heat generated from operation of the at least one light-emitting element and/or the power module.

14. A lighting device (100) comprising an arrangement (150) of components according to any one of claims 1-13.

15. A lighting fixture (200) comprising at least one lighting device (100) according to claim 14.

16. A lighting fixture (200) comprising:

at least two lighting devices (100), each lighting device of the at least two lighting devices comprising an arrangement (150) of components according to claim 9;

wherein, for each lighting device of the at least two lighting devices, the elongated body of the at least one coupling member comprises a first end at least partly situated within the through-hole in the optical element and a second end different from the first end and arranged so as to be accessible from the exterior of the lighting device;

wherein the at least two lighting devices are arranged such that, for each lighting device, at least one of the first end and the second end of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member of the lighting device is coupled to the second end and the first end, respectively, of the elongated body of the at least one coupling member of another lighting device.