Patent Publication Number: US-8540391-B2

Title: Light emitting diode interconnection system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter described herein relates generally to solid state lighting systems and, more particularly, to a light emitting diode (LED) interconnection system. 
     Solid state light systems generally include a LED soldered to a circuit board. The circuit board is configured to be mounted in a lighting fixture. The lighting fixture includes a power source to provide power to the LED. The circuit board is wired to the lighting fixture power source. The circuit board may be wired to the lighting fixture using wires that are soldered to the circuit board and the fixture. Alternatively, the circuit board may be wired to the fixture using multiple connectors that extend between the circuit board and the fixture. Generally, wiring the circuit board to the light fixture power source requires several wires and/or connectors. Each wire and connector must be individually joined between the circuit board and the lighting fixture. Electrically engaging the wires and connectors enables the power source to carry an electrical current to the LED. 
     However, solid state lighting systems are not without disadvantages. Wiring the circuit board with multiple connectors and/or multiple wires generally requires a significant amount of space. In fixtures where space is limited, the wires and connectors may require additional time to connect. Additionally, having multiple wires to connect requires multiple terminations, increasing the time required to connect the LEDs. Moreover, using multiple wires and connectors increases the possibility of mis-wiring the lighting system. In particular, LED light fixtures are frequently installed by unskilled labor, thereby increasing the possibility of mis-wiring. Mis-wiring the lighting system may result in substantial damage to the LED. Also, in a system where wires are soldered between the circuit board and the fixture, the wires become difficult to replace and/or rewire. Specifically, the soldering must be removed from the wires prior to replacing and/or rewiring the wires. This may damage the LED. Generally. LEDs are expensive to replace. 
     A need remains for a solid state lighting system that reduces the need to connect multiple wires and/or connectors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) assembly is provided. The assembly includes a connector having a LED end and a cable end. The connector includes electrical contacts having a cable contact and a LED contact. The cable contacts are positioned on the cable end of the connector and configured to terminate a cable and electrically connect to a power pathway of the cable. The LED contacts are positioned on the LED end of the connector. A LED circuit board is provided having circuit board contacts. The LED circuit board is configured to engage the LED end of the connector so that the LED contacts of the connector electrically engage the circuit board contacts of the LED circuit board. A LED is mounted on the LED circuit board. The LED is electrically coupled to the circuit board contacts of the LED circuit board. The circuit board contacts and the electrical contacts of the connector form electrical pathways between the connector and the LED. A first electrical pathway is configured to direct an electrical current from the power pathway of the cable to the LED. A second electrical pathway is configured to direct the electrical current from the LED back to the power pathway of the cable. 
     In another embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) interconnection system is provided. The system includes a cable having a driver end and a termination end. The cable has power pathways and return pathways extending between the driver end and the termination end. The driver end is configured to engage a driver to carry an electrical current to the power pathways. The termination end is configured to join the power pathways and the return pathways and configured to return the electrical current to the driver. A connector is provided having a cable contact and a LED contact joined to the cable contact. The cable contact terminates the cable and electrically connects to the power pathways to carry the electrical current to the LED contact. A LED assembly is provided having circuit board contacts joined to a LED. The LED contact of the connector engaging the circuit board contacts of the LED assembly to carry the electrical current to the LED. 
     In another embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) interconnection system is provided. The system includes a driver configured to produce an electrical current. A cable is provided having a driver end and a termination end. The cable has power pathways extending between the driver end and the termination end. The driver end engages the driver to carry the electrical current to the power pathways. A connector is provided having a LED end and a cable end. The connector includes electrical contacts having a cable contact and a LED contact. The cable contacts are positioned on the cable end of the connector to terminate the cable and electrically connect to the power pathways of the cable. The LED contacts are positioned on the LED end of the connector. A LED circuit board is provided having circuit board contacts. The LED circuit board engages the LED end of the connector so that the LED contacts of the connector electrically engage the circuit board contacts of the LED circuit board. A LED is mounted on the LED circuit board. The LED is electrically coupled to the circuit board contacts of the LED circuit board. The circuit board contacts and the electrical contacts of the connector form electrical pathways between the connector and the LED. A first electrical pathway directs the electrical current from the power pathway of the cable to the LED. A second electrical pathway directs the electrical current from the LED back to the power pathway of the cable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a light emitting diode (LED) interconnection system formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a portion of the system shown in  FIG. 1  and formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a connector formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the connector housing shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the electrical contact shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the connector stuffer shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of a connector and a cable formed in accordance with an embodiment and in a preassembled position. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the connector and the cable shown in  FIG. 7  and in an assembled position. 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a LED board formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of a connector and a LED board formed in accordance with an embodiment and in a preassembled position. 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the connector and the LED board shown in  FIG. 10  and in an assembled position. 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a connector formed in accordance with an embodiment and coupled to a LED board. 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a connector formed in accordance with an embodiment and coupled to a LED board. 
         FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a connector formed in accordance with an embodiment and coupled to a LED board. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of a cable terminator formed in accordance with an embodiment and in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the cable terminator shown in  FIG. 15  and in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of a second connector of a wire-to-wire plug assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the second connector, shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of a first connector of the wire-to-wire plug assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of the first connector, shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a top perspective view of a wire-to-board assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  is a top perspective view of a plug formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  is a top perspective view of a cable formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 24  is a top perspective view of another LED interconnection system formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded view of a connector formed in accordance with an embodiment and coupled to a cable. 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the cable, shown in  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a side perspective view of a connector formed in accordance with an embodiment and coupled to a fixture. 
         FIG. 28  is a top perspective view of an alternative cable terminator formed in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 29  is another top perspective view of the cable terminator, shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a light emitting diode (LED) interconnection system  100  for a solid state lighting system. The system  100  includes a driver  102  that provides power for the system  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, the driver  102  provides power as an electrical current. The driver  102  may include a circuit board that carries the electrical current throughout the system  100 . A cable  104  is electrically joined to the driver  102 . The cable  104  includes a driver end  112  and a termination end  114 . The driver end  112  of the cable  104  is joined to the driver  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cable  104  is a ribbon cable having conductive pathways  106 . The conductive pathways  106  are configured to carry the electrical current through the system  100 . The conductive pathways  106  include power pathways  108  and return pathways  110 . The illustrated embodiment shows two power pathways  108  and two corresponding return pathways  110 . Alternatively, the system  100  may have only one power pathway  108  and one corresponding return pathway  110 . In another embodiment, the system may include any number of power pathways  108  and corresponding return pathways  110 . The power pathways  108  carry the electrical current from the driver to the termination end  114  of the cable  104 . A termination circuit  116  is provided at the termination end  114  of the cable  104 . The termination circuit  116  joins the power pathways  108  and the return pathways  110 . The return pathways carry the electrical current back to the driver  102  to complete an electrical circuit throughout the system  100 . 
     At least one connector  118  is coupled to the cable  104  between the driver end  112  and the termination end  114  of the cable  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the connector  118  is an insulation displacement connector. The connector  118  includes cable contacts  120  and LED contacts  122 . The cable contacts  120  are joined to the LED contacts  122 . In one embodiment, the cable contacts  120  and the LED contacts  122  may be integrally stamped and formed. The cable contacts  120  pierce the cable and electrically engage the power pathways  108 . The cable contacts  120  carry the electrical current to the LED contacts  122 . 
     A LED board  124  is coupled to the connector  118 . The LED board  124  includes a circuit board  126  having a LED  128  and a temperature sensor  130  joined thereto. The temperature sensor  130  measures the temperature of the LED board  124  to detect whether the LED board  124  is overheating. Optionally, the LED board  124  may not include a temperature sensor  130 . The LED board  124  also includes circuit board connectors  132  electrically engaging the LED  128  and the temperature sensor  130 . The LED contacts  122  of the connector  118  are configured to electrically engage the circuit board connectors  132  of the LED board  124 . The circuit board connectors  132  carry power from the power pathways  108  to the LED  128  and the temperature sensor  130 . One power pathway  130  carries power to the LED  128  and the other power pathway  130  carries power to the temperature sensor  130 . In an embodiment that does not include a temperature sensor  130 , the system  100  may only require one power pathway  108  and one return pathway  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the power pathways  108  are spliced with the connector  118  to direct the electrical current along an electrical input pathway  134  from the power pathway  108  to the LED  128  and the temperature sensor  130 . The electrical current then exits the LED  128  and the temperature sensor along an electrical output pathway  136 . The output path  136  channels the electrical current from the LED  128  and the temperature sensor  130  back to the power pathway  108 . The electrical input pathway  134  and the electrical output pathway  136  connected to the LED  128  are illustrated as being positioned outside the electrical input pathway  134  and the electrical output pathway  136  connected to the temperature sensor  130 . It should be noted that the electrical input pathway  134  and the electrical output pathway  136  connected to the LED  128  may be positioned inside the electrical input pathway  134  and the electrical output pathway  136  connected to the temperature sensor  130 . 
       FIG. 2  is a view of an embodiment of the system  100 . The components of  FIG. 2  that are the same as the components of  FIG. 1  are labeled using the same reference numbers. The driver  102  includes wires  138  extending therefrom. The wires  138  are configured to carry the electrical current. The wires  138  include a driver end  140  and a mating end  142 . The driver end  140  of each wire  138  is joined to the driver  102 . The mating end  142  of each wire  138  is joined to the driver end  112  of the cable  104 . The cable  104  is illustrated as a ribbon cable having a insulation  144 . The insulation  144  encloses and insulates the power pathways  108  and the return pathways  110 . The cable  104  and the wires  138  are joined with a wire-to-wire plug assembly  146 . 
     The wire-to-wire plug assembly  146  includes a first connector  150  and a second connector  152 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first connector  150  is configured as a jack and the second connector  152  is configured as a plug. Alternatively, the first connector  150  may be configured as a plug and the second connector  152  may be configured as a jack. The mating end  142  of each wire  138  is coupled to the first connector  150  of the wire-to-wire plug assembly  146 . The driver end  112  of the cable  104  is joined to the second connector  152 . The first connector  150  is configured to engage the second connector  152  to mate the wires  138  and the cable  104 . Connectors  118  are joined to the cable  108 . The connectors  118  provide the electrical current to LED boards  124  to power the LEDs  128 . A cable terminator  148  is provided on the termination end  114  of the cable  104 . The cable terminator  148  includes the termination circuit  116  to join the power pathways  108  and the return pathways  110 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a connector  118 . The connector  118  includes a housing  154  and a stuffer  156  coupled to the housing  154 . The housing  154  may joined to the stuffer  156  with latches, notches, or the like. Alternatively, the housing  154  may be press-fit to the stuffer  156 . In other embodiments, the housing  154  may be coupled to the stuffer  156  using any other suitable connection means. The connector  118  includes a cable end  170  and a LED end  172 . The cable end  170  of the housing  154  includes recesses  158  formed therein. The cable end  170  of the stuffer  156  also includes recesses  160 . When the stuffer  156  is joined to the housing  154 , the recesses  158  align with the recesses  160  to form openings  162  in the cable end  170  of the connector  118 . Adjacent openings  162  are joined by slots  164  formed between the housing  154  and the stuffer  156 . The slots  164  and the openings  162  are configured to receive the cable  104 . The openings  162  receive the conductive pathways  106  of the cable. 
     The LED end  172  of the connector  118  includes electrical contacts  166 . The electrical contacts  166  include a LED contact  168 . The LED contacts  168  extend from the LED end  172  of the connector  118 . The LED contacts  168  are configured to engage the circuit board  126  of the LED board  124 . The LED contacts  168  are configured to provide power to the LED  128 . In one embodiment, the LED contacts  168  are formed as springs. The springs provide pressure on the circuit board  126  to electrically engage the circuit board  126 . Alternatively, the LED contacts  168  may be configured to solder to the circuit board  126 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the connector housing  154 . The housing  154  is formed from an electrically insulative material. The cable end  170  of the connector housing  154  includes the recesses  158 . The electrical contacts  166  extend into the recesses  158 . The electrical contacts  166  include a cable contact  174 . The cable contact  174  may be formed integrally with the LED contacts  168  of the electrical contacts  166 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The cable contact  174  includes prongs  180  having a gap  182  therebetween. The cable contacts  174  extend from the recesses  158 . The LED contacts  168  extend through slots  176  formed in the LED end  172  of the connector housing  154 . The prongs  180  of the cable contacts  174  are configured to pierce the insulation  144  of the cable  104  and engage the power pathways  108  of the cable  104 . The power pathway  108  is received within the gap  182  between the prongs  180 . Alternatively, the cable contact  174  may include only one prong  180  that pierces the power pathway  108 . The cable contacts  174  are configured to channel the electrical current to the LED contact  168  to provide power to the LED  128 . An opening  178  is formed in the cable end  170  of the connector housing  154 . The opening  178  extends through two of the recesses  158 . The opening  178  is configured to receive a wire bisector (not shown) that is configured to bisect the power pathways  108 . 
     The cable end  170  of the housing  154  includes notches  184  formed therein. The notches  184  are configured to be engaged by the stuffer  156  to retain the stuffer  156  on the housing  154 . Optionally, the cable end  170  of the housing  154  may include latches to engage the stuffer. The LED end  172  of the housing  154  also includes notches  186 . The notches  186  are configured to be engaged by the LED end  172  of the stuffer  156 . Alternatively, the LED end  172  of the housing  154  may include latches to engage the stuffer  156 . In another embodiment, the stuffer  156  and the housing  154  may be press-fit together with pins and apertures formed on the stuffer  156  and the housing  154 . Alignment tabs  188  are provided on the LED end  172  of the housing  154 . The alignment tabs  188  engage the LED end  172  of the stuffer  156  to align the stiffer  156  with respect to the housing  154  when the stuffer  156  and the housing  154  are joined. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the stuffer  156 . The stuffer  156  is formed from an electrically insulative material. The cable end  170  of the stuffer  156  includes latches  190  that are configured to mate with the notches  184  formed in the housing  154 . Alternatively, the cable end  170  may include notches configured to receive latches formed on the housing  154 . Slots  192  are provided within the recesses  160 . When the stuffer  156  is mated to the housing  154 , the cable contacts  174  of the housing  154  engage the power pathways  108  of the cable  104  and are received within the slots  192 . The slots  192  enable the cable contacts  174  to entirely engage the power pathways  108 . 
     A wire bisector  194  extends from the stuffer  156 . The wire bisector  194  is formed integrally with the stuffer  156 . Alternatively, the wire bisector  194  may be formed separately and configured to be inserted into the stuffer  156 . When the stuffer  156  is coupled to the housing  154 , the wire bisector  194  splices the power pathways  108  and is received in the opening  178  of the housing  154 . The wire bisector  194  splices the power pathways  108  so that the electrical current in the power pathways  108  is directed to and from the LED contacts  168  of the connector  118 . In an alternative embodiment, the power pathways  108  may be pre-bisected prior to the cable  104  being inserted into the connector  240 . The wire bisector  194  may be formed from an electrically insulative material, for example, plastic. Alternatively, a tip  196  of the wire bisector  194  may be formed from metal and a body  198  of the wire bisector may be formed from an electrically insulative material. The metal tip  196  is configured to splice the power pathways  108 . After the stuffer  156  is fully engaged with the housing  154 , the metal tip  196  rests within the opening  178  where the metal tip  196  does not make contact with the power pathways  108 . In this position, the insulated body  198  of the wire bisector  194  abuts the power pathways  108  to insulate the power pathways  108  and direct the electrical current to the LED contact  168 . In another embodiment, the entire wire bisector  194  is formed from metal. The wire bisector  194  is coated with a dielectric material to insulate the wire bisector. 
     The LED end  172  of the stuffer  156  includes latches  200 . The latches  200  are configured to engage the notches  186  formed on the housing  154  to retain the stuffer  156  on the housing  154 . Alternatively, the LED end  172  of the stuffer  156  may include notches configured to receive latches formed on the housing  154 . Protrusions  202  extend from the LED end  172  of the stuffer  156 . The protrusions  202  are configured to be received within the slots  176  of the housing  154 . The protrusions press against the LED contacts  168  positioned within the slots  176  to provide a spring force to the LED contacts  168 . The LED end  172  of the stuffer also includes alignment notches  204 . The alignment notches  204  are configured to receive the alignment tabs  188  of the housing  154  to align the stuffer  156  with respect to the housing  154 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the connector  118  and the cable  104  in a preassembled position  206 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the connector  118  and the cable  104  in an assembled position  208 . The cable  104  is positioned between the connector housing  154  and the connector stuffer  156 . The cable  104  is positioned so that the conductive pathways  106  are aligned with the recesses  158  and  160 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The cable contacts  174  are aligned with the power pathways  108 . The latches  190  and  200  align with the notches  184  and  186 , respectively. The alignment tabs  188  are aligned with the alignment notches  204 . When the stuffer  156  is engaged with the housing  154 , the cable contacts  174  pierce the insulation  144  of the cable  104  and engage the power pathways  108  to direct the electric current to the LED contacts  168 . The latches and  200  engage with the notches  184  and  186 , respectively, to retain the stuffer  156  on the housing  154 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the LED board  124 . The LED board  124  includes circuit board contacts  214 . The LED board  124  includes circuit board contacts  214  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) positioned on an end  218  of the LED board  124 . The circuit board contacts  214  are electrically joined to the LED  128 . The circuit board contacts  214  may be formed as conductive pads. The circuit board contacts  214  are configured to engage the LED contacts  168  of the connector  118  to direct the electrical current to the LED  128 . 
     The LED board also includes an engagement mechanism  216  positioned on an end  218  of the LED board  124 . The engagement mechanism  216  is configured to couple to the connector  118 . The engagement mechanism  216  is surface mounted to the LED board  214 . The engagement mechanism  216  may be soldered, press-fit, or otherwise coupled to the LED board  124 . The engagement mechanism  216  surrounds the circuit board contacts  214 . The engagement mechanism  216  includes a center panel  220  and clips  222  extending from the center panel  220 . The center panel  220  has an alignment opening  228  extending therethrough. The clips  222  form slots  224 . The clips  222  also include a latch  226 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the connector  118  and the LED board  124  in a preassembled position  210 .  FIG. 11  illustrates the connector  118  and the LED board  124  in an assembled position  212 . The connector  118  is coupled to the LED board to provide power to the LED  128 . The connector  118  includes an alignment tab  230  positioned on the housing  154  of the connector  118 . The alignment tab  230  is sized for the opening  228  in the center panel  220 . When the connector  118  is joined to the LED board  124 , the alignment tab  130  is received within the opening  228  to align the LED contacts with the circuit board contacts  214 . Alignment tabs  232  are also provided on the connector housing  154 . The alignment tabs  232  position within the slots  224  formed by the clips  222  of the engagement mechanism  216 . The alignment tabs  232  further align the connector  118  with respect to the LED board  124 . The alignment tabs  188  of the connector  118  are shaped to correspond to the shape of the latches  226  formed on the clips  222  of the engagement mechanism  216 . The latches  226  lock to the alignment tabs  188  when the connector  118  is joined to the LED board  124  to retain the connector  118  to the LED board  124 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a connector  400 . The connector  400  is configured to engage the cable  104  and the LED board  124 . The connector  400  includes the same components as the connector  118 . The connector  400  also includes a cable terminator  402  having the cable termination circuit  116  therein. The cable terminator  402  is inserted into a side  404  of the connector  400  opposite the cable  104 . The cable terminator  402  joins the power pathways  108  and the return pathways  110  to return the electrical current to the driver  102 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an alternative connector  240  coupled to the LED board  124 . The connector  240  is joined to the LED board  124  to provide power to the LED  128 . The connector  240  includes a connector stuffer  244  that receives a wire bisector  242  in an opening (not shown) formed therein. The wire bisector  242  is configured to splice the power pathways  108  of the cable  104  to redirect the power pathways  108  to and from the LED board  124 . The stuffer  244  also includes a latch  246  extending therefrom. The connector  240  includes a housing  248  coupled to the stuffer  244 . The housing  248  has alignment tabs  250  extending therefrom. 
     The LED board  124  includes an engagement mechanism  252  positioned thereon. The engagement mechanism  252  includes a center panel  254  and flanges  256  extending therefrom. The flanges  256  form slots  258 . The slots  258  receive the alignment tabs  250  of the connector  240  to align the connector  240  with respect to the LED board  124 . The latch  246  of the connector  240  engages the center panel  254  of the engagement mechanism  252  to lock the connector  240  onto the LED board  124 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another connector  260  coupled to the LED board  124 . The connector  260  joins to the LED board  124  to provide power to the LED  128 . The connector  260  includes a latch  262  having a hook  264 . The latch  262  extends from the connector  260  and forms a slot  266 . The LED board  124  includes an engagement mechanism  268  having flanges  270 . A hook  272  extends from the flanges  270 . The flanges  270  rest within the slot  266  formed by the latch  262  of the connector  260 . The flanges  270  rest within the slot  266  to align the connector  260  with the LED board  124 . The hook  264  of the latch  262  locks with the hook  272  of the engagement mechanism  268  to lock the connector  260  to the LED board  124 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the cable terminator  148  in an open configuration  278 . The cable terminator  148  includes a housing  280  and a stuffer  282 . The stuffer  282  is configured to be received within the housing  280 . The housing  280  includes slots  284 . The slots  284  are configured to receive the stuffer  282 . Recesses  286  are formed in the housing  280  between the slots  284 . The recesses  286  are configured to receive the conductive pathways  106  of the cable  104 . The stuffer  282  includes flanges  288 . The flanges  288  are configured to be received within the slots  284  of the housing  280 . Recesses  290  are formed in the stuffer  282  between the flanges  288 . The recesses  290  of the stuffer  282  align with the recesses  286  of the housing  280 . The recesses  290  are configured to receive the conductive pathways  106  of the cable  104 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates the cable terminator  148  in a closed configuration  292 . In the closed configuration  292 , the stuffer  282  is slid into engagement with the housing  280 . The flanges  288  of the stuffer  282  slide through the slots  284  of the housing  280  to form the cable terminator  148 . The stuffer  282  engages the housing  280  so that the recesses  286  of the housing  280  align with the recesses  290  of the stuffer  282  to form openings  294 . The conductive pathways  106  of the cable  104  are received within the openings  294  to terminate the cable  104 . The termination circuit  116  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is housed within the cable terminator  148 . The termination circuit  116  couples the power pathways  108  to the return pathways  110  to complete a circuit for the electrical current running through the cable  104 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an exploded view of the second connector  152  of the wire-to-wire plug assembly  146 . The second connector  152  includes a cable end  320  and a mating end  322 . The second connector  152  includes a housing  300 , a stuffer  302 , and an electrical contact  304 . The housing  300  is configured to couple to the stuffer  302 . The electrical contact  304  is configured to be housed within the second connector  152  between the housing  300  and the stuffer  302 . The electrical contacts  304  include a cable contact  306  and a mating contact  308 . The mating end  322  of the housing  300  includes slots  310  that receive the electrical contacts  304  therein. The cable end  320  of the housing  300  includes recesses  312  configured to receive the conductive pathways  106  of the cable  104 . The electrical contacts  304  are positioned so that the cable contacts  306  rest within the recesses  312 . 
     The stuffer  302  includes a latch  314  that is configured to engage a notch  316  formed on the housing  300  to mate the stuffer  302  to the housing  300 . The stuffer  302  also includes recesses (not shown) that correspond to the recesses  312  formed in the housing  300 . The recesses  312  formed in the housing  300  and the recesses formed in the stuffer  302  receive the conductive pathways  106  of the cable  104  so that the cable contacts  306  pierce the cable  104  and engage the conductive pathways  106 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates the second connector  152  coupled to the cable  104 . The latch  314  of the stuffer  302  is secured to the notch  316  formed in the housing  300 . The cable  104  is secured to the cable end  320  of the connector  152 . The conductive pathways  106  are positioned within openings (not shown) formed by the recesses  312  of the housing and the corresponding recesses of the stuffer  302 . The cable contacts  306  engage the conductive pathways  106  of the cable  104  to direct the electrical current to the mating contacts  308 . The mating contacts  308  extend from openings  318  formed in the mating end  322  of the second connector  152 . The mating contacts  308  are configured to engage corresponding contacts on the first connector  150  of the wire-to-wire plug assembly  146 . Alternatively, the mating contacts  308  may directly engage a LED board  124 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates the first connector  150  of the wire-to-wire plug assembly  146  in a pre-assembled position  330 .  FIG. 20  illustrates the first connector  150  in an assembled position  332 . The first connector  150  includes a wire end  334  and a mating end  336 . The first connector  150  has a housing  338  and a stuffer  340 . The housing  338  includes wire contacts  342 . The wire contacts  342  are electrically coupled to mating contacts  350  (shown in  FIG. 18 ) that extend along the mating end  336  of the housing  338 . The stuffer  340  includes openings  344  that are aligned with the wire contacts  342 . The openings  344  are configured to receive the wires  138  extending from the driver  102 . A latch  346  extends from the stuffer  340 . The latch  346  is configured to engage a notch  348  formed on the housing  338 . 
     In the assembled position  332 , the latch  346  of the stuffer  340  engages the housing  338  to join the housing  338  to the stuffer  340 . The wires  138  are positioned within the opening  344  formed in the stuffer  340 . When the stuffer  340  is coupled to the housing  338 , the wires  138  are forced against the wire contacts  342 . The wire contacts  342  pierce the wires  138  to direct the electrical current from the wires  138  to the mating contacts  350 . The mating end  336  of the first connector  150  is configured to engage the mating end  322  of the second connector  152 . When the first connector  150  is coupled to the second connector  152  the mating contacts  308  of the second connector  152  engage the mating contacts  350  of the first connector  150 . The first connector  150  and the second connector  152  engage to direct the electrical current from the wires  138  to the cable  104 . 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a wire-to-board assembly  361  formed in accordance with an embodiment and that may be used with the system  100 . The wire-to-board assembly  361  incorporates the second connector  152 . The wire-to-board assembly  361  enables the second connector  152  to be coupled directly to the driver  102 . The wire-to-board assembly may eliminate the need for the wires  138 . The wire-to-board assembly  361  includes a plug  362  that is joined to the driver  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the plug  362  includes a circuit board contact  364 . The circuit board contact  364  is joined to a circuit board  366  (shown in  FIG. 22 ) of the driver  102 . The circuit board  366  generates the electrical current to power the LEDs  128 . The plug  362  includes mating contacts  368 . The second connector  152  is configured to be received within the plug  362 . The mating contacts  308  of the second connector  152  engage the mating contacts  368  of the plug  362  to direct the electrical current to the cable  104 . 
       FIG. 23  illustrates the cable  104 . The conductive pathways  106  extend through the cable  104 . The illustrated embodiment shows four conductive pathways  106 . Alternatively, the cable  104  may include only two conductive pathways  106  or more than four conductive pathways  106 . The number of conductive pathways  106  corresponds to a number of components attached to the cable  104 . Each component requires a power pathway  108  and a return pathway  110 . Optionally, the cable  104  may also include ground pathways. The conductive pathways  106  are covered and protected by the insulation  144 . 
     The conductive pathways  106  are separated by spacers  370  formed in the insulation  144 . The conductive pathways  106  are illustrated having equal spacing. Alternatively, the spacing between the conductive pathways  106  may vary. The insulation  144  includes a first polar flap  372  and an opposite second polar flap  374 . The first polar flap  372  has a length  376  and the second polar flap  374  has a length  378  that differs from the length  376 . The polar flaps  172  and  174  have different lengths  176  and  178 , respectively, to align the cable  104  within the connectors  118 . The polar flaps  172  and  174  align the cable  104  to ensure that the cable  104  is not inserted into the connectors  118  upside-down. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates another LED interconnection system  600  for a solid state lighting system and formed in accordance with an embodiment. The system  600  includes a driver  602  that includes wires  604  extending therefrom. The driver  602  may include a circuit board that carries an electrical current throughout the system  600 . The wires  604  are configured to carry the electrical current. The wires  604  include a driver end  606  and a mating end  608 . The driver end  606  of each wire  604  is joined to the driver  606 . The mating end  608  of each wire  604  is joined to a wire-to-wire plug assembly  610 . The wire-to-wire plug assembly  610  includes a first connector  612  and a second connector  614 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first connector  612  is configured as a jack and the second connector  614  is configured as a plug. Alternatively, the first connector  612  may be configured as a plug and the second connector  614  may be configured as a jack. The mating end  608  of each wire  604  is coupled to the first connector  612  of the wire-to-wire plug assembly  610 . A cable  616  is electrically joined to the second connector  614 . The second connector  614  engages the first connector  612  to mate the wires  604  with the cable  616 . 
     The cable  616  includes a driver end  618  and a termination end  620 . The driver end  618  of the cable  616  is joined to the second connector  614  of the wire-to-wire plug assembly  610 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cable  616  is a ribbon cable having power pathways  622  and return pathways  624 . The power pathways  622  carry the electrical current from the driver  602  to the termination end  620  of the cable  616 . A cable terminator  626  is joined to the termination end  620  of the cable  616 . The cable terminator  626  includes a termination circuit (not shown) that joins the power pathways  622  and the return pathways  624 . The return pathways  624  carry the electrical current back to the driver  602  to complete an electrical circuit throughout the system  600 . 
     At least one connector  628  is coupled to the cable  616  between the driver end  618  and the termination end  620  of the cable  616 . In an exemplary embodiment, the connector  628  is an insulation displacement connector. The connector  628  is joined to a fixture panel  630 . The connector  628  is coupled to the fixture panel  360  so that the cable  616  extends along an underside  632  of the fixture panel  630 . When the connector  628  is joined to the fixture panel  630 , the underside  632  of the fixture panel  630  and the wire  616  are not visible. The connector  628  includes a LED connector  634  that extends through an opening in the fixture panel  630 . 
     A LED board  636  is coupled to the LED connector  634  of the connector  628 . The LED board  636  includes a circuit board  638  having a LED  640  joined thereto. The LED board  636  electrically engages the connector  628  to provide power to the LED  640 . The power pathways  622  carry power to the LED  640 . The power pathways  622  are spliced within the connector to direct the electrical current to the LED  640 . The electrical current then exits the LED  640  and is channeled back to the power pathway  622 . 
       FIG. 25  is an exploded view of the connector  628 . The connector  628  includes a housing  642  and a stuffer  644 . The housing  642  includes the LED connector  634  having a slot  646  formed therein. The slot  646  is configured to receive the LED board  636 . A notch  654  is formed in the LED connector  634  and is configured to be engaged by the stuffer  644 . Openings  648  are formed in the housing  642  opposite the slot  646 . The housing  642  includes a cable connector  650  joined to the LED connector  634 . The cable connector  650  includes recesses  652  that receive the power pathways  622  and the return pathways  624  of the cable  616 . 
     The stuffer  644  includes a housing latch  656 . When the housing  642  is joined to the stuffer  644  the housing latch  656  engages the notch  654  to mate the housing  642  and the stuffer  644 . The stuffer  644  also includes a fixture latch  658  configured to engage the fixture panel  630 . Recesses  660  are formed in the stuffer  644  and are configured to receive the power pathways  622  and the return pathways  624  of the cable  616 . Slots  662  are formed in the recesses  660 . 
     The connector  628  includes electrical contacts  664 . The electrical contacts  664  include a LED contact  668  and a cable contact  670 . The LED contacts  668  are configured to be inserted into the openings  648  formed in the housing  642 . The LED contacts  668  extend through the openings  648  and into the slot  646 . The LED contacts  668  are configured to engage the LED board  636 . The cable contacts  668  extend toward the stuffer  644  and are configured to engage the power pathway  622  of the cable  616 . The stuffer  644  includes a wire bisector  672  that is received through the stuffer  644  to splice the power pathways  622 . 
       FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the connector  628  coupled to the cable  616 . The cable  616  is positioned between the stuffer  644  and the housing  642 . The housing latch  656  of the stuffer  644  engages the notch  654  of the housing  642 . Another housing latch  674  is provided on the stuffer  644  opposite the housing latch  656 . The housing latch  674  engages a notch  676  formed on the housing  642 . The latches  656  and  674  retain the stuffer  644  on the housing  642 . 
     An alignment flange  678  extends from the electrical contact  664 . The flange  678  is retained within a slot  680  formed in the housing  642 . The flange  678  retains the electrical contact  664  within the housing  642 . The LED contacts  668  extend into the slot  646  and are accessible to a LED board  636  inserted into the slot  646 . The cable contact  670  extends into the stuffer  644  and is received within the slot  662 . 
     The cable  616  is positioned between the housing  642  and the stuffer  644  so that the power pathways  622  and the return pathways  624  are positioned between the recesses  652  and  660 . The cable contact  670  pierces the cable  616  and engages a power pathway  622 . The cable contact  670  directs the electrical current between the power pathway  622  and the LED contact  668 . 
       FIG. 27  illustrates the connector  628  coupled to the fixture panel  630 . The fixture panel  630  includes the underside  632  and a LED side  682 . An opening  684  extends through the fixture panel  630 . The connector  628  is inserted into the opening  684  and is retained by the fixture latch  658 . The fixture latch  658  engages a side  686  of the opening  684  to retain the connector  628  within the fixture panel  630 . The connector  628  is joined to the fixture panel  630  so that the cable  616  extends along the underside  632  of the fixture panel  630 . When installed the cable  616  is not visible on the underside  632  of the fixture panel  630 . The LED connector  634  is positioned on the LED side  682  of the fixture panel  630 . The LED board  636  is configured to be inserted into the slot  646  so that the LED board is positioned on the LED side of the fixture panel  630 . 
       FIG. 28  illustrates an alternative cable terminator  700  formed in accordance with an embodiment.  FIG. 29  illustrates another view of the cable terminator  700 . The cable terminator  700  functions both as a connector and a cable terminator. The cable terminator  700  receives a cable  702  having power pathways  704  and return pathways  706 . The cable terminator  700  includes electrical contacts (not shown) that engage the power pathways  704  to provide power to a LED board (not shown). The power pathways  704  are spliced with a wire bisector  708  to direct an electrical current to the electrical contacts. The wire bisector  708  is configured to be received within a slot  710  that provides access to the power pathways  704 . 
     A termination slot  712  is also provided in the cable terminator  700 . The termination slot  712  provides access to both the power pathways  704  and the return pathways  706 . A termination circuit  714  (shown in  FIG. 27 ) is received within the termination slot  712 . The termination circuit  714  couples the power pathways  704  to the return pathways  706  to complete a circuit. The cable terminator  700  terminates the cable  702  while also providing power to a LED board. 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the invention without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the invention, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.