Replaceable light emitting diode module

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to diodes such as light emitting diodes (LED) or vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes, particularly a replaceable module for a light emitting diode.

[0003] 2. Brief Description of Related Art

[0004] FIG. 1 shows a prior art module for mounting a LED as disclosed in USPTO Publication No. 2004/0227146. A LED 10 has a top electrode 101 and a bottom electrode 102. The LED 10 is clamped between an upper metal bracket 11, which is connected to the tops electrodes 101, and a lower metal plate 12, which is connected to the bottom electrode 102. The upper metal bracket 11 and the lower metal plate 12 are locked in place by a clamp (not shown), and are used as terminals for a surface mount module.

[0005] The drawback of such a structure is that it is inconvenient to replace a defective or different color LED in the module. To replace a LED, the clamp must be dismantled.

[0006] An object of this invention is to replace a defective LED in a LED module easily. Another object of this invention is to replace or install a different color LED in a LED module. Still another object of this invention is to form a pattern changeable LED display panel.

[0007] These objects are achieved by using a clip to clamp a LED in a module. The LED is held in place by a releasable clip. The clip has a thin pliable metallic cover, which contacts the upper electrode of the LED, and is latched to the upper metallic terminal of the module. The cover can easily be lifted for replacing a LED.

[0008] The same structure can also be used for a LED display panel, wherein each LED in the array can be replaced.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows the basic structure of the present invention. A pliable metallic cover clip 25 with a window 253 is used as clip over a LED 20 as shown in FIG. 3. The cover has two flanges 251, 253 to form an inverted U-shaped groove 256. The flange 252 has a step. The flange 251 has a V-shaped cantilever 254 and a protruding handle 255 which forms a step with the flange 251. When the handle 255 is pressed toward the left side flange 252, the V-shaped cantilever 254 is compressed. The clip 25 has an inverted U-shaped bottom groove 256 for holding a LED 20. The LED 20 can be a semiconductor chip or a diode lamp.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows the installation of the clip 25 in a LED module. A LED 20 is mounted on a bottom metallic plate 22, which serves as terminal for a surface mount module for the LED. A top metallic plate 21, which serves as another terminal for the LED has an opening for the insertion of the clip 25, is supported by insulators 23 in the space 26 over the bottom metallic plate 22. The top plate 21 has a window over the LED 20 to allow light transmission from the LED 20. The clip 25 engages one edge of the window of plate 21 at the step of the flange 252. FIG. 3 shows the position of the clip 25 before latching to the top metallic plate 21 with the right side flange 251 dangling, and the LED 20 uncovered.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows the clip 25 being lowered to contact the top electrode of the LED 20. The right flange 251 is latched under the top metallic plate 21 at the step of the V-shaped cantilever 254. The latch is positioned by pushing the clip 25 against the space 26 to allow the V-shaped cantilever 254 to slide into the space 26 between the insulators 23 under the window 253. The clip 25 presses against the LED 20 to lock the LED 20 in place and to make electrical contact with the top electrode of the LED. Since the cover of the clip 25 is made of thin pliable metal sheet, the pressure exerted by the clip only causes soft landing of the LED 20 over the bottom plate 22.

[0021] When it is necessary to replace a defective or different color LED, one can push the handle 255 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 4 to release the latch back to the position shown in FIG. 3. After the LED 20 is replaced, one can relatch the clip 25 into the position shown in FIG. 4.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a modification of FIG. 4. The LED 20 is glued to the clip 25 instead of lying over the bottom metal plate 22. Other reference numerals refer to the corresponding parts in FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. An array of the LED 20 and the clip 25 shown in FIG. 5 is mounted over a display panel 261. The LED modules are mounted over a common bottom plate 22 and latched between parallel rails of top metal plates 21, which is insulated from the bottom plates 22 by insulating spacers 23. The LED 20 with the clip 25 can be inserted in the space 26 uniformly or selectively to form specific patterns or characters so as to function as a commercial advertisement light board.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The clip 35 has two symmetrical flanges instead of a single flange shown in FIG. 2. Each cantilever flange has a handle 255. To latch the clip 25 for holding the LED 20 in place, the two handles are pushed toward each other for sliding the clip 25 over the LED 20. The other parts of the structure are the same as that in FIG. 4.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A lens 201 is mounted over the LED 20 in the structure shown in FIG. 7. The lens can focus, parallelize, or diversify the light emitted from the LED 20.

[0026] FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the inverted U-shaped bottom groove 256 used in FIGS. 2–8, an L-shaped bottom plate 456 of the clip 45 is used.

[0027] For better electrical contacting, an elastic spring (not shown in the Figures) can be inserted between the LED and the cover 256 or between the LED and the lower metal plate 22.

[0028] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. Such modifications are all within the scope of this invention.