Heat sink retaining structure for light emitting device board assemblies, and methods

An assembly includes a board, a heat sink, one or more retainers, and/or one or more light-emitting diode packages. The board includes a face surface, a rear surface opposite the face surface, and side edges. The one or more retainers are configured to secure the board to the heat sink. One or more light-emitting diode packages can be secured to the board for creating a light-emitting device assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter generally relates to board assemblies for attaching a board to a heat sink. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to assemblies that include apparatuses for attaching, for example, a printed circuit board to a heat sink that can be used in different applications including light emitting device assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Printed circuit boards are often used in many applications to operate or run electronic devices. Due the circuitry on such printed circuit boards and the amount of energy used to operate them, these printed circuit boards can often generate a large amount of heat. To improve the operability, the printed circuit boards are often attached to a device or substrate that can facilitate dissipation of the heat away from the printed circuit boards. By removing the heat, the printed circuit boards can operate at lower temperatures. By operating at lower temperatures, the components of the printed circuit boards can more readily function in their intended manner. In some cases, the lower operating temperatures can allow for the use of smaller components on the printed circuit boards to permit the printed circuit boards to be offered in smaller sizes.

The devices or substrates that are attached to the printed circuit boards, hereinafter referred to as heat sinks or heat sink structures, often directly or indirectly contact the printed circuit boards and draw heat away from the printed circuit boards. The heat sinks can be made of materials that are thermally conductive to more readily pull or conduct heat away from the printed circuit boards. Additionally, the size and shape of the heat sinks can improve heat dissipation from the printed circuit boards.

The use of heat sinks in conjunction with electrical boards, such as printed circuit boards, can be especially advantageous when the printed circuit board is being used in a lighting fixture, such as a light-emitting diode fixture, that tends to generate even more heat than just a printed circuit board alone. Various implementations of light-emitting diode lighting fixtures are becoming available in the marketplace to fill a wide range of applications. Such different lighting applications in which light-emitting diodes can be used include domestic lighting, billboard and display lighting, automotive and bicycle lighting, emergency lighting, traffic and railway lighting, and floodlight and flashlight use. Light-emitting diodes are smaller than incandescent bulbs and use less energy. In addition, light-emitting diodes have a longer life than standard incandescent light bulbs. Accordingly, the use of light-emitting diodes in lighting applications can provide significant energy savings, increased lamp life, smaller lamp size, and flexibility in the design. For these reasons, lighting manufacturers are increasingly interested in unique lighting fixtures incorporating light-emitting diodes that may also have appeal to their intended customers. For the light-emitting diode fixtures to operate properly and to provide improved lighting, heat needs to be dissipated from the light-emitting diode.

As stated above, good direct or indirect contact between the heat sink and printed circuit boards is desired to increase the effectiveness of heat dissipation from the printed circuit boards, especially those that include light-emitting diodes. Typically, printed circuit boards are attached to the heat sinks by screws or the like. The screws have a tendency to unscrew or back out, which, in turn, permits the amount of contact between the printed circuit board and the heat sink to decrease. This results in a lessening of the thermal transfer to the heat sink. Additionally, depending on the force used to drive the screws into the heat sink, bowing of the printed circuit board can also decrease the contact between the printed circuit board and the heat sink. For example, if one or more of the screws are fastened to tightly, the clamping force at the pressure point where the screw contacts the printed circuit board can cause the printed circuit board to bend upwardly.

Further, when using screws to hold printed circuit boards to heat sinks, the ability to remove and reattach the printed circuit board to the heat sink while still optimizing thermal transfer after reattachment is often lessened. Once a screw is driven into the heat sink, the frictional hold between the screw and the heat sink is often lessened if the screw is removed and reinserted into the same hold. This can lead to a tendency of the screws to loosen or back out.

While using heat sinks in conjunction with printed circuit boards can improve heat dissipation, providing good contact between the printed circuit boards and the heat sinks can be important. Good clamp forces between the heat sinks and the printed circuit boards can improve the contact between them. Additionally, the ability to quickly attach the printed circuit board to the heat sink in a repeatable fashion is desirable to improving related manufacturing. Further, the ability to remove and reattach the printed circuit boards while still providing good clamping force and contact between the printed circuit board and the heat sink is desired.

SUMMARY

In accordance with this disclosure, board assemblies for attaching a board to a heat sink, light-emitting device assemblies and methods of making the same are provided. For example, one or more retainers for attaching a board to a heat sink that can be used in light emitting assemblies are provided. It is, therefore, an object of the present disclosure to provide board assemblies and/or light-emitting device assemblies for attaching a board to a heat sink that can provide good clamping force and contact between the boards and heat sinks.

This and other objects of the present disclosure as can become apparent from the present disclosure are achieved, at least in whole or in part, by the subject matter described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to possible embodiments of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in the figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not as a limitation. In fact, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the subject matter disclosed and envisioned herein covers such modifications and variations.

As illustrated in the various figures, some sizes of structures or portions are exaggerated relative to other structures or portions for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of the present invention. Furthermore, various aspects of the present subject matter are described with reference to a structure or a portion being formed on other structures, portions, or both. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, references to a structure being formed “on” or “above” another structure or portion contemplates that additional structure, portion, or both may intervene. References to a structure or a portion being formed “on” another structure or portion without an intervening structure or portion are described herein as being formed “directly on” the structure or portion.

Furthermore, relative terms such as “on” or “above” are used herein to describe one structure's or portion's relationship to another structure or portion as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms such as “on” or “above” are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, structure or portion described as “above” other structures or portions would now be oriented “below” the other structures or portions. Likewise, if the device in the figures is rotated along an axis, stricture or portion described as “above”, other structures or portions would now be oriented “next to” or “left of” the other structures or portions. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1-3illustrate a board generally designated10. Board assembly10can comprise a board12and a heat sink14. Board assembly10can comprise one or more retainer apparatuses. For example and without limitation, board assembly10can comprise a retainer that can in one aspect be configured to secure board12to heat sink14. A retainer, for instance, can be configured to be secured to heat sink14to secure board12to heat sink14. A retainer can also be configured to receive at least a portion of board12with the retainer comprising at least one leg and heat sink14being configured to receive at least a portion of the leg of the retainer to secure board14to heat sink12. In accordance with the disclosure herein, the retainer can be configured in any suitable configuration. In one aspect, the retainer can be configured to comprise portions which can function as a clip or any other suitable structure for retainment or attachment.

For example, in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-3, board assembly10comprises a top retainer20and a locking retainer30. Board assembly10can permit board12to be attached to, or secured to, heat sink14without the use of screws or adhesives. However, in some embodiments, a thermally conductive adhesive can be used between board12and heat sink14.

Board12can comprise, for example, a printed circuit board. Board12can comprise a face surface12A and a rear surface12B opposite the face surface12A. Board12can also have side edges12C around a periphery12D of the board12. Board12can be any shape that is desired or required. For example, board12can have a square cross-sectional shape, a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a circular cross-sectional shape, an oval cross-sectional shape or the like. In the embodiment shown, board12has a circular cross-sectional shape. Board12can be any suitable width, length, thickness or diameter, and it can have varying thickness across its length or width depending on the end use of board12. As shown inFIG. 1, printed circuit board12can have a mark12E to identify how it should be aligned on heat sink14and/or with the electronic device in which it will be used.

FIGS. 1,3and4A-4B illustrate top retainer20and an example of its use. Top retainer20of printed circuit board assembly10can comprise a body22configured to fit around the periphery12D of board12. Body22can create an opening28in which board12can at least partially occupy when top retainer20is attached to both board12and heat sink14. Opening28can make face surface12A of board12easily accessible. Top retainer20can comprise one or more legs24that can extend downward from body22. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-3, top retainer20comprises three legs24spaced equidistance apart around the periphery of body22. The length of legs24can vary depending on the thickness of printed circuit board12and the thickness of heat sink14. Each leg24can, in some embodiments, comprise a foot24A. Depending on how each foot24A is used, each one can extend inwardly toward the center of top retainer20or outwardly away from the center of top retainer20.

Top retainer20can further comprise one or more lips26that extend inward from body22in opening28for board12. Lips26can extend over at least a portion of side edges12C of board12when top retainer20is properly attached to board12and heat sink14of printed circuit board assembly10when assembly10is assembled. For example, top retainer20can comprise a plurality of lips26spaced equidistance apart from each other with each lip26being extendable over board12when top retainer20fastens board12to heat sink14.

Top retainer20can be made of any material that is suitable to hold printed circuit board12to heat sink14. For example, top retainer20can be made of plastic, metal, metal alloy or the like. For instance, in some embodiments, top retainer20can comprise steel. Steel as the construction material for top retainer20permits the top retainer to be strong, flexibly rigid and have a low profile. For example, when top retainer20is steel, the one or more lips26can be thin. When used in light-emitting devices, the thinness of the lip and low profile aid in decreasing any light interference between the top retainer and the light emitting diode. Steel allows for such a low profile.

Heat sink14can be made of any suitable material that is thermally conductive. For example, heat sink14can be a metal substrate. In some embodiments, heat sink14may be a thermally conductive plastic. Heat sink14can be any shape that is desired or required. For example, heat sink14can have a square cross-sectional shape, a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a circular cross-sectional shape, or the like. In the embodiment shown, heat sink14has a circular cross-sectional shape.

Heat sink14can have one or more apertures16therein through which the one or more legs24of top retainer20can extend. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-3, there are three apertures16that correspond to the three legs24of top retainer20. Heat sink14can also comprise a top surface18against which board12can be held. When printed circuit board12is placed in the opening28of the top retainer20such that the face surface12A of board12faces away from legs24and body22of top retainer20fits around the periphery12D of board12, the lips26abut the face12A and side edges12C of board12. In such a position, the legs24of top retainer20can be inserted through apertures16in heat sink14so that board12can be held in contact against top surface18of heat sink14. Alternatively, printed circuit board12can be placed in its proper position on heat sink14and top retainer20can then be inserted into heat sink14around board12to forcefully hold board12in contact against top surface18of heat sink14.

Although top retainer20can be configured and used to fit against heat sink14or any other suitable structure, locking retainer30can in one aspect be used. To hold top retainer20in place to ensure proper contact between board12and heat sink14, locking retainer30can be used to engage legs24of top retainer20As illustrated inFIGS. 2,3and5A-5B. Locking retainer30can comprise one or more locking receivers32for receiving corresponding legs24of top retainer20. Locking receivers32can extend from a body30A of locking retainer30. In particular, receivers32can extend radially outward from body30A. Each of locking receivers32of locking retainer30can comprise one or more leg engagement mechanisms, such as locking heels34A and stop flanges34B. For example, locking heels34A and stop flanges34B can extend outwardly from body30A of locking retainer30. Locking heels34A and stop flanges34B can be used to secure locking retainer30to legs24of top retainer20. For example, each leg24of top retainer20can comprise a foot24A as described above that can be engaged by one of locking heels34A and stop flanges34B of locking retainer30. As above, depending on the use of each foot24A, each foot24acan have different configurations. For example, each foot24A can extend inward toward the center of top retainer20or radially outward away from the center of top retainer20.

As stated above and shown inFIGS. 5A-5E, each of the locking receivers32can comprise locking heel34A that can engage a corresponding leg24of top retainer20upon rotation of the locking retainer30in a direction C. Similarly, locking heel34A can be disengaged from the corresponding leg24of top retainer20upon rotation of locking retainer30in a direction opposite of, or in a reverse direction to, the direction C. It is to be understood that the positioning and alignment of locking heels34A and stop flanges34B can be reversed on locking retainer30and thus the direction of rotation for engagement and disengagement with top retainer20can be reversed as well.

Locking heels34A can be ramped so that as locking retainer30is rotated locking heels34A push harder against each foot24A of each leg24. In this manner, locking retainer30can increase the clamping force of top retainer20. Each locking heel34A can be angled downwardly as measured from a first end34A1where the corresponding leg24will initially engage locking heel34A to a second end34A2opposite the first end34A1. For example, locking heel34A can be angled at an angle α from first end34A1to the second end34A2. In this manner, top retainer20, after being placed around board12and its legs24being placed through apertures16of heat sink14, can be pulled against board12and heat sink14so that board12is held more tightly against heat sink14by locking heels34A as locking retainer30is rotated in direction C. This is due to foot24A (shown in dashed lines inFIG. 5E) of the corresponding leg24of top retainer20being pulled downwardly along an angled edge34A3between first end34A1and second end34A2of locking heels34A as locking retainer30is rotated in direction C. The angle α can be any angle that allows the tightening of the hold of top retainer20while not damaging top retainer20.

As described above and shown inFIGS. 5A-5E, each of locking receivers32can also comprise stop flange34B that can stop a corresponding leg24of top retainer20upon rotation of locking retainer30in a direction C to prevent over-rotation. Each stop flange34B can comprise an abutment35that foot24A and/or leg24can abut or rest against after locking retainer30has been rotated to the point where leg24of top retainer20is fully engaged as shown inFIG. 5E. Abutment35can extend radially outward from an end34B1of stop flange34B distal from body30A of locking retainer30. In such embodiments, abutment35can extend below second end34A2of locking heel34A so as to be in alignment with foot24A of leg24when locking retainer30has been rotated to fully engage top retainer20as partially shown inFIG. 5E.

Locking retainer30can also comprise slots36for accepting a tool, like a screw driver, for rotating locking retainer30in a rotational direction A as shown inFIG. 2(or direction C as shown inFIG. 5D) from a non-engagement position to an engagement position. Locking retainer30can rotate in a reverse direction to unlock locking retainer30from an engagement position to a non-engagement position. Locking retainer30can also comprise an anti-back out feature, such as a locking flange38that assists in holding locking retainer30in place. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, locking flange38, can comprise an angled projection38A that engages a slot (not shown) in heat sink14to hold locking retainer30in place. It is contemplated that locking flange38can have other configurations as compared to the one shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B.

Thus, in the manner described above, board12can be placed within top retainer20. Top retainer20can then be placed on heat sink14with the one or more legs24extending through heat sink14and locking retainer30being securable to one or more leg24of top retainer20. In this manner, due the length of each leg24that is determined based on the thickness of printed circuit board12and heat sink14, rear surface12B of board12can be firmly and tightly held in contact with top surface18of heat sink14. By providing uniformity in the contact across rear surface12B of board12against top surface18of heat sink14, more uniform and more effective heat dissipation from printed circuit board12can occur.

To prevent the stretching of legs24on top retainer20with the removal and reattachment of top retainer20and board12, legs24of top retainer20can fit through apertures16in heat sink14without contacting interior walls16A of heat sink14that form apertures16. This increases the repeatable use of the same top retainer20with heat sink14and board12.

In some embodiments, a locking retainer is not needed as noted previously. In such embodiments, the top retainer can extend into the heat sink and engage the heat sink, either inside the heat sink or outside the heat sink to hold the retainer to the heat sink. For example, the legs of the top retainer can be elastic in nature and can clip or otherwise fasten or be secured into place on the heat sink. For instance a foot can be on each of the legs that can clip or otherwise attach to or into an indention on the heat sink. The top retainer can in such embodiments rotate into a locking position or can be pushed into a locking position.

FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate a light emitting device assembly generally designated50that can be used to provide light when secured into certain lighting fixtures. Light emitting device assembly50can comprise a board52having a face surface52A and a rear surface52B opposite face surface52A. Board52can also comprise side edges52C around a periphery52D of board52. Board52can further comprise light emitting diode packages60thereon. Board52can have electrical contacts53for electrical connection with a power source for providing electricity to light-emitting diode package60as described below in more detail. Light emitting device assembly50can also comprise a heat sink54for dissipating heat from board52and a retainer70configured to secure board52to heat sink54.

Retainer70can have a body72that can be configured to fit around periphery52D of board52. Body72can form an opening78therein for receiving board52. Contacts73can extend into opening78to provide electrical connection with electrical contact53of board52. One or more legs74can extend downward from body72of retainer70. Retainer70can also comprise a lip76that can extend over at least a portion of side edges52C of board52when board52is inserted into retainer70. As above, board52can comprise a printed circuit board.

Light emitting device assembly50also comprise a heat sink54to which retainer70can help hold board52to facilitate dissipation of heat. Heat sink54can have a top surface18on which the printed circuit board52can be mounted. Heat sink54can also have an aperture56therein through which leg74of retainer70can extend. Heat sink54can be configured to allow for external fins80to be attached around a periphery54A of heat sink54to increase the thermal transfer from board52. Periphery54A can comprise slots54B into which fins80can be inserted. Fins80can be spaced apart to increase the thermal transfer.

As above, board52can be placed within retainer70so that body72fits around at least a portion of periphery52D of board52. Additionally, lips76can reside over at least a portion of side edges52C to securely hold board52. Retainer70can then be placed on heat sink54with leg74extending through aperture56of heat sink54to secure board52to heat sink54.

Light-emitting device assembly50can also comprise a globe82that can be in the form of a diffuser dome that aids in dispersing the light emitted by the light-emitting diode package. Additionally, light-emitting device assembly50can comprise a driver90for driving printed circuit board52. Body72of retainer70can comprise a plastic molded portion72A around a primary retainer structure72B that can comprise legs74. For example, primary retainer structure72B can comprise a metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, or the like. Plastic molded portion72A can be molded around primary retainer structure72B and contacts73. In such a manner, primary retainer structure72B can be electrically insulated from contacts73.

Plastic molded portion72A of body72can also comprise a retention ring72C for holding globe82to retainer70and light-emitting device assembly50. For example, globe82can have a lip84. Retention ring72C of body72can hold lip84to hold globe82in place. For instance, lip84can fit under a portion of retention ring72C to hold globe82to retainer70. In this manner, retainer70can serve as a retention apparatus for both board52and globe82.

Driver90can comprise driver contacts92for providing power to board52and light-emitting diode package60. Each of the contacts73can be configured to have a driver contact surface73A and a board contact surface73B. Heat sink54can also define contact apertures54C through which driver contact surface73A can extend when retainer70is placed in position over board52and through heat sink54. When retainer70is placed over board52and locked into place, driver contact surfaces73A of contacts73can provide an electrical connection with driver contacts92of driver90and board contact surfaces73B of contacts73can provide an electrical connection with electrical contacts53of board52. In this manner, power can be provided to board52and light-emitting diode package60in such an embodiment as illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B.

As above, board52can comprise any shape. For example, board52can have a cross-sectional shape of a circle, square, rectangle or oval. The shape of board52is designed to meet the needs of the light emitting device assembly. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6Afor example, the cross-sectional shape of board52is in the form of a square.

Retainer70can comprise a plurality of lips76that can be spaced equidistance apart from each other with each lip76being extendable over board52when top retainer70fastens board52to heat sink54.

In some embodiments, a locking retainer is not needed. In such embodiments, the top retainer can extend into the heat sink and engage the heat sink, either inside the heat sink or outside the heat sink to hold the retainer to the heat sink. For example, the legs of the top retainer can be elastic in nature and can clip or otherwise be attached and secured into place on the heat sink. For instance a foot can be on each of the legs that can attach to or into an indention on the heat sink, such as for example by clipping. The top retainer can in such embodiments rotate into a locking position or can be pushed into a locking position.

Alternatively, in other embodiments as shown inFIG. 6A, legs74of top retainer70can fit through apertures56in heat sink54without contacting interior walls of heat sink54that form the apertures. In such an embodiment, a locking retainer100can be used to secure top retainer70to heat sink54. Locking retainer100can comprise one or more receivers102for receiving, respectively, one or more legs74of retainer70. Legs74of top retainer70can comprise a foot74A that can be engaged by locking retainer100. For example, the one or more receivers102of locking retainer100can comprise leg engagement mechanisms in the form of flanges104A and104B for securing locking retainer100to legs74of top retainer70.

Each of the one or more receivers102can comprise a locking heel104A for engaging a corresponding leg74to tightly hold top retainer70to heat sink54to further press board52against heat sink54. Each of the one or more receivers102can also comprise a stop flange104B that can stop a corresponding leg74of top retainer70upon rotation of locking retainer100in a direction C to prevent over-rotation. Generally, stop flange104B can be in a position where locking heel104A holds corresponding leg74at its tightest point. Locking heels104A and stop flanges104B can be configured in a manner similar to the locking heels and stop flanges described above with respect toFIGS. 5A-5E. However, other configurations are also contemplated.

Locking retainer100can also comprise a slot106for accepting a tool, such as a screw driver, for rotating locking retainer100from a non-engagement position to an engagement position. Slots106of locking retainer100can also be used to rotate locking retainer100from an engagement position to a non-engagement position. Locking retainer100can further comprise an anti-back out feature such as a locking flange108.

Light-emitting diode package60that can be placed on board52can have a top surface and a bottom surface (not shown). The diodes can be positioned on the top surface of light-emitting diode package60and the electrical contacts for electrical connection to board52can be on the bottom surface of light-emitting diode package60. Electrical contacts53on board52can provide power to light-emitting diode package60. A plurality of light-emitting diode packages can be provided for placement on board52and electrical connection to the electrical contacts on board52.

Different light-emitting device assembly embodiments can have many different shapes and sizes.FIG. 7shows another embodiment of a light-emitting device assembly110similar to light-emitting device assembly50described above. Light-emitting device assembly110can comprise a light source112that can comprise a light-emitting diode package and a printed circuit board and a heat sink structure114that can comprise fins114A that are integral to heat sink114or can be removably attachable thereto. Light-emitting device assembly110can also comprise a retainer116as described above that can be used to attach and hold light source112, and in particular the printed circuit board, to heat sink structure114. Retainer116can be attached in different manners. For example, retainer116can lockingly engage heat sink structure114or legs on retainer116can extend through heat sink structure114with a locking retainer (not shown) engaging retainer116to hold or secure retainer116and light source112to heat sink structure114.

Light-emitting device assembly110can also comprise an optical cavity120in heat sink structure114with light source112mounted to top surface of a platform114B of heat sink structure114in optical cavity120. Light-emitting device assembly110can also comprise a diffuser dome130mounted to heat sink structure114, over the optical cavity120. For example, diffuser dome130can be mounted around a portion of fins114A of heat sink structure114.

Diffuser dome130can be made of the suitable materials, but in this embodiment, diffuser dome130can be oval or egg-shaped to provide a different light emission pattern. Diffuser dome130can be mounted over cavity120and can comprise diffusing or scattering particles. The scattering particles can be provided in a curable binder that is formed in the general shape of dome. Additionally, or alternatively, scattering structures may also be provided as part of the diffuser dome. In some embodiments, scattering structures can be provided in lieu of the scattering particles. Different binder materials can be used such as silicones, epoxies, glass, inorganic glass, dielectrics, BCB, polymides, polymers and hybrids thereof. In some embodiments, white scattering particles can be used with the dome having a white color. This gives dome130a white appearance that is generally more visually acceptable or appealing to consumers than the color of the phosphor. For example, diffuser dome130can comprise white titanium dioxide particles that can give diffuser dome130its overall white appearance.

Diffuser dome130can provide the added advantage of distributing the light emitting from the optical cavity in a more omnidirectional and/or uniform pattern. Light from the light source in the optical cavity can be emitted in a generally forward or Lambertian pattern and the shape of diffuser dome130along with the scattering properties of the scattering particles/structures causes light to emit from diffuser dome130in a more omnidirectional emission pattern. An engineered dome can have scattering particles/structures in different concentrations in different regions or can be shaped to a specific emission pattern. In some embodiments, the dome can be engineered so that the emission pattern from the lamp complies with the Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Star defined omnidirectional distribution criteria. In some embodiments, the light-emitting device assemblies can comprise an A-type retrofit LED bulb that meets the DOE Energy Star. One requirement of this standard met by the light-emitting device assembly110is that the emission uniformity must be within 20% of mean value from 0 to 135° viewing and; >5% of total flux from the light-emitting device assembly must be emitted in the 135-180° emission zone, with the measurements taken at 0, 45, 90° azimuthal angles. Light-emitting device assembly110can be efficient, reliable and cost effective.

Light-emitting device assembly110can comprise a mounting mechanism of the type to fit in conventional electrical receptacles. In the embodiment shown, light-emitting device assembly110can comprise a screw-threaded portion132for mounting to a standard Edison socket. Alternatively, light-emitting device assembly110can comprise a standard plug and the electrical receptacle can be a standard outlet, a bayonet mount, a pin base, such as a GU24 base unit, or it can be a clip and the electrical receptacle can be a receptacle which receives and retains the clip (e.g., as used in many fluorescent lights).

FIGS. 8 through 10show another embodiment of a light-emitting device assembly140according to the present subject matter that can be similar to light-emitting device assembly110shown inFIG. 7. Light-emitting device assembly140can comprise a light source142that can comprise a light-emitting diode package and a printed circuit board and a heat sink structure144that can comprise fins144A that can be integral to heat sink144or can be removably attachable thereto. Light-emitting device assembly140can also comprise a retainer146as described above that can be used to attach and hold light source142, and in particular the printed circuit board, to heat sink structure144. As described above, retainer146can engage heat sink structure144to hold light source142to heat sink144. Alternatively, portions of retainer146can extend through heat sink144and a locking retainer (not shown) can engage retainer146to hold retainer146and light source142to heat sink structure144.

Light-emitting device assembly140can also comprise an optical cavity150in heat sink structure144. Light source142can be mounted to the top surface of a platform144B of heat sink structure144in optical cavity150. Light-emitting device assembly140can further comprise a diffuser dome160and a screw-threaded portion162. Diffuser dome160, in this embodiment, is flattened on top to provide the desired emission pattern.

Light-emitting device assembly140can comprise an interface layer148between light source142and heat sink structure144. In some embodiments, interface layer148can be electrically insulating to electrically isolate heat sink structure144from light source142. Electrical connection can then be made to the top surface of the light source.

Embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the drawings and described above are exemplary of numerous embodiments that can be made within the scope of the appended claims. It is contemplated that the configurations of light-emitting device assemblies and methods of making the same can comprise numerous configurations other than those specifically disclosed.