Heat-sink/connector system for light emitting diode

摘要

An assembly for high-powered LEDs provides a direct attachment of the LED to a ceramic thermal conductor/electrical insulator sealed in a housing with a compression element between a portion of the housing and ceramic heat sink to provide a predetermined range of biasing force locating the ceramic heat sink against the portion of the housing with dimensional changes in the ceramic heat sink caused by thermal expansion of the ceramic heat sink.

主权项

1. An LED assembly comprising:
an LED dissipating during operation at least 500 mW; a ceramic heat sink providing a first surface supporting the LED and in thermal communication with the LED; a first and second conductor in electrical communication with the LED; a sealed housing receiving the ceramic heat sink and LED therein, the sealed housing having a first portion fitting over the LED to permit the passage of light therethrough and a second portion providing for sealed ingress of the first and second electrical conductors through a housing wall for providing power to the LED; and a compression element extending between a portion of the housing and ceramic heat sink to provide a predetermined range of biasing force locating the ceramic heat sink against the portion of the housing with dimensional changes in the ceramic heat sink caused by thermal expansion of the ceramic heat sink; wherein the spring clamp is a flexible metal ring; and wherein the first portion of the sealed housing provides a ledge abutting a portion of the first surface of the ceramic heat sink and a collar extending around a portion of the ceramic heat sink behind the first surface and wherein the spring clamp includes cantilevered teeth portions providing a wedging engagement with an inner surface of the collar to hold the flexible metal ring in abutment with a second surface of ceramic heat sink behind the first surface.