Abstract:
An LED strip lighting fixture having an array of LEDs mounted on a frangible rigid aluminum base having a predetermined thickness, the thickness including predetermined points of weakness, whereby the rigid, preferably aluminum, base can be broken at the predetermined points of weakness. The rigid base has disposed thereon a laminated integrated circuit on which are mounted a plurality of electrical elements including a plurality of light emitting diodes in series electrical connection on the laminated integrated circuit whereby the frangible sections of the rigid base provide for easy customization in providing predetermined length dimensions of the rigid aluminum base and LED mounted lighting fixture. A secondary benefit of the interconnectability of the integral base and LED combination is that the heat of expansion and subsequent contraction of the metal base is accommodated by the mount and housing to reduce tick and ping noise.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a non-provisional of Provisional application Ser. No. 61/906,111, filed Nov. 19, 2013, now pending, and of Provisional application Ser. No. 62/027,164, filed Jul. 21, 2014, now pending, the entire specifications of which is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to light emitting diodes (LEDs) and more specifically to LEDs mounted on rigid circuit boards with an integrated aluminum heat sink where the circuit boards are frangible and also include the heat sink as an integrated element. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Light emitting diode (LED) lamps are replacing incandescent lamps because of lower energy consumption, increased efficiency and longer lifetimes of the lamps. Low-intensity LEDs can provide efficient luminosity without requiring excessively large heat sinks. For low power LEDs, heat can be dissipated through multi-layered printed circuit board. The heat dissipation therethrough is normally sufficient to keep the LED junction temperature under the maximum rated value set by the manufacturer. However, increasing power and LED intensity requires an external sink for dissipating heat which cannot be adequately channeled through the printed circuit board and lamp base. 
         [0006]    With mounting of LEDs in large arrays to provide increasing luminosity, use of numerous densely packed LEDs becomes increasingly difficult because of the need to provide large heat sinks to remove heat, without detracting from the appearance of the lamps and avoiding possibly blocking some of the emitted light. The self contained nature of LEDs, which are usually powered through electronic circuits having an outside power source, require that the heat sink efficiently remove heat from the circuits and from the LED itself. Especially when higher intensity LED lamps are used, the heat dissipation requirements increase and heat sinking properties of various thermally conductive materials have been relied on in providing the heat sink capacity for concentrated arrays of LEDs. 
         [0007]    Thermal management of high power LEDs is generating intense scrutiny in the field. Since common FR4 circuit boards do not provide a high level of heat dissipation, it has been found that aluminum is a good heat sink material. For example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,1921,55, an aluminum base plate is used for mounting LEDs. This type of heat sink removes heat from the integrated circuits associated with the LEDs and acts to transfer the heat from the base to an outer housing which acts as the external heat sink for removing heat. 
         [0008]    It has also been found desirable in the manufacture of LED arrays to provide circuitry that is capable of being subdivided by manual methods without affecting the ability to connect the underlying circuitry to a source of power and to control mechanisms. In U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2013/0083533 to Janik et al., proposes to use a base for an array of LEDs that is frangible so that it can be folded into a space for use in a lamp that resembles in form a normal incandescent bulb. Janik et al. propose for dissipating heat in higher intensity LED lamps, individual LEDs mounted on a thermally conductive medium, such as an aluminum plate. However, mounting LEDs on a plate of even nominal thickness will reduce the view angle of the emitted light, resulting in a noticeable band of lower intensity light when projected on a nearby surface. Thus, the need for a frangible board that permits the folding into a configuration that fits into the space available. 
         [0009]    Another method use of an array of LEDs is in a line array along a strip or elongated fixture which has a variable length. Architectural lighting applications call for long, seamless linear lighting fixtures that may be visible in plain sight. Some products available in the form of FR4 fiberglass/epoxy rigid circuit boards can be manufactured in varying lengths and can be assembled with soldered pins in an additive fashion to make the arrays in desirable lengths. This type of rigid light engine assembly is sometimes prone to connection failures between the sections due to shock or vibration in transit during installation and through rugged use. An increase in labor time and costs for assembly results in many instances because the junctions must be soldered by hand. The many solder junctions and mechanical electrical connections can also create a weak point in the circuit. Metal linear fixtures may expand and contract as the light array warms up and cools down, fatiguing solder joints over time and causing premature failures as well as other problems with noise and ingress protection. 
         [0010]    A linear array should ideally be suitable for direct view applications (diffused light versus pixelation or ‘dots’), and should also be able to be cut to desired lengths to fit millwork, coves, shelving, etc. so as to mitigate the appearance of dead spots without light. Thin, flexible circuit boards are currently employed for these applications. So called “tape lights,” in which strips of somewhat flexible tape on which LEDs are mounted, serve this function, but several drawbacks exist with such use. Among these are the inability to adequately remove heat from mid-power LEDs because these flexible materials, although allowing to be cut to a desired size by, for example scissors, the heat sink capabilities of such flexible tape materials remain wanting. The requirement for a fit to size linear array heretofore has not been addressed in the context of high intensity LED arrays that generate a significant amount of heat so as to impair the operation of the devices with continuous use. What is needed is a variable length, frangible linear LED heat sink with circuit board manufacturing techniques that is made from aluminum or other rigid heat sink material. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Accordingly, there is provided herein a strip lighting fixture having an array of Light Emitting Diodes comprising a frangible rigid aluminum base extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end, the base having a predetermined thickness, the thickness including predetermined points of weakness, whereby the rigid aluminum base can be broken at the predetermined points of weakness, a laminated integrated circuit disposed on a surface of the rigid aluminum base, a plurality of electrical connections disposed at positions adjacent each of the predetermined points of weakness and the first and second ends of the rigid aluminum base, and a plurality of light emitting diodes in series electrical connections to the laminated integrated circuit whereby the frangible sections of the rigid aluminum base provide for a easy customization in providing predetermined length dimensions of the rigid aluminum base and LED mounted lighting fixture. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The present invention will now be discussed in further detail below with reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of a basic section of a linear LED array according to the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the basic section of a linear LED array of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of plural basic sections of linear LED arrays according to the present invention in a joined, unbroken state; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the plural basic sections of linear LED arrays of  FIG. 3  where the plural sections are in a joined, unbroken state; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates in a detail perspective view of the plural section LED array of  FIG. 4  showing a score line between two adjacent sections for enabling the frangible break point according the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a detail perspective view of the fixture housing for use with the inventive LED array configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 24 , a basic section  10  of an LED array according to the present invention is illustrated. The basic section  10  includes a longitudinally extending base or substrate  12  having a predetermined length, for example, four inches, but as small as one inch long is possible. Beveled edges  14  are disposed adjacent a bottom surface  13  at either end  16 ,  18 , the bevels extending in the transverse direction to the longitudinal length of the substrate  12 . Preferably, the substrate  12  comprises a metal having good heat conductive properties, but for cost and efficiency reasons, aluminum is preferred. The nominal thickness of the substrate as measured from the surface  11  to the surface  13  is about ¾ inch, although this may be modified depending on the configuration desired. Also adjacent each end  16 ,  18  are two posts  20  for electrical connections to the external power source (not shown). 
         [0020]    Laminated onto the top surface  11  of the substrate  12  is an integrated circuit strip  22  shown in broken lines. Strip  22  extends between each end  16 ,  18  of the substrate  12  and as will be described below, can be a single layer of laminate material with metallic or metalized leads  24  extending therethrough and providing an electrical circuit between the elements of the device basic section  10 . Conveniently, each of the posts  20  are provided with an electrical connection  26  to the strip  22  so as to provide power and control to the circuitry  24  of the strip  22  and to the other elements of the device basic section  10 . The power and control is provided from an external network and power supply, such as an electrical grid (not shown) being connected to the posts  20  at installation. 
         [0021]    Attached to appropriate locations on the strip  22  are several electrical elements, such as diodes, resistors, etc. (not specifically shown). Light emitting diodes  30  are shown to be in an array evenly spaced for each other and connected to the electrically conductive laminated strip  22  by soldering or other appropriate means. When LEDs  30  are soldered onto the laminated strip  22 , the LEDs  30  are electrically connected to the circuitry  24  and comprise part of the circuit of each of the basic portions  10 . The LEDs  30  can be standard commercially available LEDs, such as Citizen CLL 625 type LEDs, preferably each able to carry a load of 3 volts, at 0.25 watts and providing 25 Lumens. Other types of these LEDs  30 , having different characteristics and specifications, can be used if necessary to provide for different applications, as needed, and a person having sufficient skill in the art can easily replace and substitute appropriate ones of the LEDs as needed for a specific application. 
         [0022]    It is important to note that each of he LEDs are directly mounted onto the surface of  11  of the rigid aluminum base  12  and provide a mounting surface that is in direct interfacing relationship with the surface  11 . This interface provides for direct heat conduction from each of diodes  30  to the surface of the aluminum base  12  such as to provide a sufficient amount of heat sink capability to the diode and to maintain the temperature thereof in an operational range that retains the long term life of the diode. The thickness of the aluminum base  12  has sufficient dimensions to wick off the excessive heat generated by the most intense of commercially used mid and high power LEDs used in lighting of this type. Additional customization is possible to provide for thicker or thinner aluminum bases  12  depending on the desired characteristics of the application in which it is desired to install the device. 
         [0023]    Also in line and taking a central position of each device basic section  10  is an Integrated Circuit (IC) current regulator  32  for providing a continuous steady current throughout the IC strip  22 . The current regulator  32  is important to maintain a steady light intensity, and also to provide the capability of configuring the system to enable it to vary the light intensity as desired by the user. The IC current regulator  32  is also commercially available and comprises, for example, a Calentech NSI45020AT1G type IC current regulator. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , several of the basic sections  10  are shown attached to each other as they would be when manufactured. As these are integral when originally manufactured, the top portions of the substrates  12  are connected to each other at their ends, that is, one end  16  is connected to the end  18  of an adjoining basic section  10 . When the laminated strip  22  is applied to the top surface  11  of the basic sections  10 , it is applied as a single strip  22  for the length of the connected plural sections  10  all along its longitudinal extension, without a break in the circuitry  24 . The strip  22  is also provided at each of the posts  20  with a separate electrical connection  26  to the circuitry  24 , or can be electrically connected thereto by appropriate connection such as soldering or spot welding. 
         [0025]    At a bottom surface of the adjoining basic section  10 , the beveled edges  14  provide score lines  36  at each of the ends  16 ,  18  so that the dimension between the apex of the score line  14  and the top surface  11  is much smaller than the thickness dimension between the surfaces  11 ,  13 . Thus, it is easy to break away one basic section  10  from the remaining sections  10 , making each of the sections frangible and capable of providing plural sections  10  having a desired length for any particular application. The scoring  36  allows for the luminaire to be broken by hand, to fit within custom length fixture housings. Custom length fixture housings can be cut to predetermined dimensions at the assembly plant. 
         [0026]    While  FIGS. 3 and 4  show a device having three plural sections  10  adjoining each other, having a nominal length of 12 inches, any length of the device can be specified up to 96 inches, the maximum length allowed for shipment by most common carriers. Even longer devices can be customized and to be sent by special courier so long as the length of the device can be transported to the installation location without damage. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it is seen in the detailed view that the score line  36  provides for a much weaker point of contact and provides a point where the device components can easily be separated in the lateral or transverse direction. The user can break the integral plural section device at a score line  36 , thereby rendering a plural basic section device  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  into a smaller, but equally operational basic section  10 , having a desired length, such as a basic section  10  of four inches as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Because each section has an external electrical connection to the external power source at each of the posts  20 , the user need only break away the sections  10  that are to be used in an application and then connect the sections at either end to the power supply at the posts  20 . 
         [0028]    Attaching the substrate  11  having eh desired length to a housing  80 , and ultimate installation of the housing in the desired location to provide for the lighting is now described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 6 . A mount  70  having mounting clips  72  at opposed ends can engage appropriately shaped and oriented slots  82  in the housing  80  so that the mounting  70  retains the housing in sturdy and rugged attachment to the appropriate architectural feature. A lens  86 , either clear or partially translucent, or both, can provide a cover for the housing. Insertion of the strip of the aluminum base  10  in which the diodes  30  are mounted within housing  80 , with the surface  11  being downwardly facing (in  FIG. 6 ) so that the light from the LEDs is directed through the lens  86  and into the area in which lighting is desired, completes the installation. The ends of the housing  80  are open and thus provide easy access for electrical connections to the posts  20  disposed at the appropriate longitudinal ends of the plural sections closes to the open ends of the housing  80 . 
         [0029]    The end-to-end connectability of the mounting clips  72  provides for independent suspension of each basic section  10  or plurality of basic sections  10  and provides an added benefit. The basic sections  10  are integral and mounted essentially as one element within the housing  80 , and thus expansion of the rigid base  12  of each plurality of base sections  10  due to heating thereof by the continued emission of light and heat absorption thereof is accommodated by the configuration illustrated and disclosed herein. That is, as the expansion often leads to snap and crackles when adjoining pieces of expanding metal impinge on each other or on the housing elements, the configuration of the mount  70  and housing  80  result in mitigation of the noise that is created when the metal either expands with heating or contracts when the device is turned off and the metal cools. 
         [0030]    Several features of the invention are illustrated and described above that provide distinct advantages and significant improvements to the lighting of commercial or residential spaces. First is the ability for an assembler to size the internal luminaire to the appropriate length to fit within custom architectural lighting applications. Another significant feature is to provide of an adequate heat sink to dissipate the heat generated by the recently developed and commercially available mid and high power diodes while simultaneously minimizing dead spots on the ends of the luminarie by maintaining the diodes all the way to the ends  16 ,  18 . Also important to the installer is the ability to provide a customized installation of a luminaire having a specified length to fit within a particular application, without requiring extensive rework on the job site. For example, if a luminarie of about 20 inches is required for a space, a housing  80  of that length is installed by inserting into the mounting clip  70  as described above, and a LED array of twenty inches is snapped off of a longer plural section device, i.e., a length having perhaps 5 of the basic sections  10 . This plural section is then inserted into the housing  80  which by sliding lengthwise into the appropriate slot in the housing  80 , and connecting the posts  20  only at the ends of the plural section device to the power source and switch that can be used to control the intensity or on/off status of the light fixture. 
         [0031]    The invention herein has been described and illustrated with reference to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 , but it should be understood that the features and operation of the invention as described is susceptible to modification or alteration without departing significantly from the spirit of the invention as disclosed above. For example, the dimensions, size and shape of the various elements may be altered to fit specific applications, for example, other shapes than the bevels  14  can be used to provide the score lines  36 , such as transversely extending slots. Other modifications are possible, as described in the above specification. Accordingly, the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein are for illustrative purposes only and the invention is not limited except by the following claims.