Abstract:
The present invention provides an approach for overcoming the problem of using a printed circuit board for mounting LEDs in a conventional LED lamp. Provided is a lead frame by a wire binding method including: a main body ( 10 ) mounted with a semiconductor chip; an input unit ( 20 ) extending from one side of the main body ( 10 ) and having one end with a wire hole ( 21 ) with a predetermined diameter for the passage of a wire; and an output unit ( 30 ) extending from the other side of the main body ( 10 ) and having one end with a wire hole ( 21 ) with a predetermined diameter for the passage of a wire. The invention further relates to an LED power lamp using same.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a lead frame using a wire binding method and a light emitting diode (LED) power lamp including the same, and more particularly, to a lead frame using a wire binding method and an LED power lamp, in which a plurality of lead frame terminals are formed to have different lengths so as not to be mutually shorted, and therefore, a plurality of lead frames are bonded using only wires, whereby an LED lamp can be manufactured without using a printed circuit board for mounting LEDs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Generally, a printed circuit board refers to a thin plate on which various electric components, such as integrated circuits, resistors and switches, are soldered. 
         [0003]    Most circuits using electric or electronic devices are mounted on printed circuit boards. As for a typical method for manufacturing a printed circuit board, a copper foil is coated on a thin board made of an insulator such as an epoxy resin or a Bakelite resin, and a resist is printed onto circuit wires intended to remain as the copper foil. Then, the printed board is dipped into an etching solution which can dissolve copper. As a result, a portion where the resist is not printed is dissolved. When the resist is removed, the copper foil remains in a desired shape. Holes are drilled at positions where components are to be inserted, and a blue lead resist is printed onto positions where lead needs not be coated. 
         [0004]    However, in most cases of configuring circuits using such printed circuit boards, soldering is used for connecting and fixing electric or electronic components on the boards. Hence, when manufacturing or discarding such boards, persons and environments are harmfully affected. Since printed circuit boards are usually made of epoxy or Bakelite resin which is lack of ductility and has many limitations on bending, they are vulnerable to damage by an external force greater than a specific limit. Furthermore, even flexible boards which are getting the spotlight with the recent display technology development have trouble solving the above problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a lead frame using a wire binding method, which requires no soldering and therefore contributes to the protection of environment. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an LED power lamp, which requires no printed circuit board for mounting LEDs. 
         [0007]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an LED power lamp, in which a plurality of lead frames are mutually connected through wires in a simple manner and thus manufacturing thereof can be easily achieved. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lead frame using a wire binding method, which includes: a main body mounted with a semiconductor chip; an input port extending from one side of the main body and having one end portion with a wire hole with a predetermined diameter, such that a wire passes through the wire hole in a connected state; and an output port extending from the other side of the main body and having one end portion with a wire hole with a predetermined diameter, such that a wire passes through the wire hole in a connected state. 
         [0009]    In the present invention, the wire holes are formed by winding the input port and the output port, which extend from the main body, at least one turn. 
         [0010]    In the present invention, the input port and the output port are covered with an insulating material, except for the end portions where the wire the wire holes are formed. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lead frame using a wire binding method, which includes: a main body mounted with a semiconductor chip; a common terminal extending from one side of the main body and having an end portion with a wire hole with a predetermined diameter, such that a wire passes through the wire hole in a connected state; and a plurality of power terminals extending from the other side of the main body and having end portions with wire holes with a predetermined diameter, such that wires pass through the wire holes in a connected state, wherein the plurality of power terminals are formed to have different lengths. 
         [0012]    In the present invention, the wire holes are formed by winding the common terminal and the plurality of power terminals, which extend from the main body, at least one turn. 
         [0013]    In the present invention, the common terminal and the plurality of power terminals are covered with an insulating material, except for the end portions where the wire holes are formed. 
         [0014]    In the present invention, the wires passing through the wire holes of the power terminals are not directly connected together. 
         [0015]    In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an LED power lamp, which includes: a power supply unit for supplying a voltage; a voltage division unit for dividing the voltage supplied from the power supply unit by dropping the supplied voltage to a predetermined voltage; a first wire electrically connected to the voltage division unit; a plurality of lead frames for receiving a voltage from the first wire; a second wire having one side connected to the voltage division unit and grounded, and connected to output ports of the lead frames; and a plurality of LEDs mounted on main bodies of the lead frames to emit light. 
         [0016]    In the present invention, both sides of the first wire and the second wire are fixed by fastening members. 
         [0017]    In accordance with still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an LED power lamp, which includes: a power supply unit for receiving a voltage; a voltage division unit for dividing the voltage supplied from the power supply unit by dropping the supplied voltage to a predetermined voltage; a first wire electrically connected to the voltage division unit; a plurality of lead frames for receiving a common voltage from the first wire; a plurality of second wires having one side connected to the voltage division unit and grounded, and connected to a plurality of power terminals of the lead frames, respectively; and a plurality of LEDs mounted on main bodies of the lead frames to emit light. 
         [0018]    In the present invention, both sides of the first wire and the plurality of second wires are fixed by fastening members. 
         [0019]    As described above, in the lead frame employing the wire binding method and the LED power lamp using the same in accordance with the present invention, the terminals connected to the main body of the lead frame are connected using only the wires, and thus soldering is not required to configure a separate circuit for the connection, thereby contributing to the protection of environment. 
         [0020]    Also, the LED power lamp in accordance with the present invention requires no printed circuit board because the LED is mounted on the lead frame and the lead frame is connected using the wires. 
         [0021]    Additionally, the LED power lamp in accordance with the present invention can be easily manufactured because the plurality of lead frames on which the LEDs are mounted can be easily connected together through the wires. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1 to 4  show a lead frame using a wire binding method in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5 to 8  show a lead frame using a wire binding method in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show LED power lamps employing the lead frames using the wire binding method in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Hereinafter, a lead frame using a wire binding method and an LED power lamp employing the same in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 to 4  show a lead frame using a wire binding method in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  FIGS. 5 to 8  show a lead frame using a wire binding method in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and  FIGS. 9 and 10  show LED power lamps including the lead frames using the wire binding method in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a lead frame in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body  10  mounted with a semiconductor chip, an input port  20  extending from one side of the main body  10 , and an output port  30  extending from the other side of the main body  10 . 
         [0028]    The main body  10  is of an insulator for mounting the semiconductor chip, for example, an LED  160 . The input port  20  extends from the one side of the main body  10  to form a contact point with which the semiconductor chip is contacted. The output port  30  extends from the other side of the main body  10 . 
         [0029]    The input port  20  is of a conductive metal material which extends from one side of the main body  10  and is partially included in the main body  10  to form a contact point with the semiconductor chip. A wire hole  21  with a predetermined diameter of, for example, 0.3 mm, is formed at an end center portion of the input port  20 , such that a wire passes through the wire hole  21  in a connected state. The wire hole  21  may be formed by sufficiently elongating the input port  20  and winding an end portion of the elongated input port  20  at least one turn. 
         [0030]    The output port  30  is provided in the same manner as that of the input port  20 . The output port  30  is provided at the other side of the main body  10  and connected to another wire different from the wire connected to the input port  20 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a lead frame in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention includes a main body  10  mounted with a semiconductor chip, a common terminal  40  extending from one side of the main body  10 , a first power terminal  50  extending from the other side of the main body  10 , a second power terminal  60  arranged in parallel to the first power terminal  50  and having a length greater than that of the first power terminal  50 , and a third power terminal  70  arranged in parallel to the second power terminal  60  and having a length greater than that of the second power terminal  60 . 
         [0032]    As described above, the main body  10  is an insulator for mounting the semiconductor chip, for example, an LED  160 . The common terminal  40  extends from the one side of the main body  10  and connects to the semiconductor chip. In the same manner as that of the common terminal  40 , the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  extend from the other side of the main body  10 . 
         [0033]    The common terminal  40  is of a conductive metal material which extends from one side of the main body  10  and is partially included in the main body  10  to form a contact point with the semiconductor chip. A wire hole  21  for the passage of a wire with a predetermined diameter of, for example, 0.3 mm, is formed at an end center portion of the common terminal  40 , such that a wire passes through the wire hole  21  in a connected state. In the same manner as that of the common terminal  40 , the wire hole  21  may be formed by sufficiently elongating the common terminal  40  and winding an end portion of the elongated common terminal  40  at least one turn. 
         [0034]    The first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  have the same shape as that of the common terminal  40 . However, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  extend from the other side of the main body  10 . The second power terminal  60  is longer than the first power terminal  50  by a predetermined length b, and the third power terminal  70  is longer than the second power terminal  60  by a predetermined length c, thereby having length differences a, b and c. The wires passing through and connecting to the wire holes  21  formed in the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  are not directly connected to one another, thereby preventing electrical shorting caused by the mutual connection of the wires. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, the input port  20 , the output port  30  and the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  are covered with an insulating material, except for their end portions where the wire holes  21  are formed, thereby preventing electrical shorting between the wires passing through and connecting to the wire holes  21 . 
         [0036]    Meanwhile, electrical shorting between the wires can be prevented by the length differences, and electrical shorting may also be prevented by forming the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  with height differences. 
         [0037]    In order for secure connection between the wires and the terminals, the end portions where the wire holes  21  are formed are compressed such that the wires passing through and connecting to the input port  10 , the output port  20 , and the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  can be fixedly connected to the terminals. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , an LED power lamp employs the lead frame using the wire binding method in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The LED power lamp includes a power supply unit  80  for supplying a voltage, a voltage division unit  90  for dividing the voltage supplied from the power supply unit  80  by dropping the supplied voltage to a predetermined voltage, a first wire  100  connected to the voltage division unit  90 , a plurality of lead frames  110  of the first embodiment for receiving a voltage through the first wire  100 , a second wire  120  connected to the ground of the voltage division unit  90  and connected to output ports  30  of the lead frames  110 , and a plurality of LEDs  160  mounted on main bodies  10  of the lead frames  110 . 
         [0039]    The power supply unit  80  is a type of a plug which transfers an office, domestic or commercial voltage, for example, 220 V, to lamps. The power supply unit  80  may be configured in various shapes according to the size and type of a power lamp. 
         [0040]    The voltage division unit  90  is a circuit which drops the voltage supplied from the power supply unit  80  to a predetermined voltage and applies the dropped voltage through the first wire  100  to the input ports  20  of the lead frames  110  in order for light emission of the LEDs  160 . That is, the voltage division unit  90  supplies a driving voltage necessary for the light emission of the LEDs  160  mounted on the lead frames  110 . 
         [0041]    The first wire  100  has one end portion connected to the voltage division unit  90  so that the voltage regulated by the voltage division unit  90  is provided to the input ports  20  of the lead frames  110 . The first wire  100  passes through the wire holes  21  of the input ports  20  of the lead frames  110  in a connected state. The first to fifth wires  100 ,  120   130 ,  140  and  150  are made of a conductive metal material (for example, a copper wire), which is not covered with an insulator. 
         [0042]    The second wire  120  has one end portion connected to the ground of the voltage division unit  90  and passes through the wire holes  21  of the output ports  30  of the lead frames  110  in a fixedly connected state. 
         [0043]    The LEDs  160  are mounted on the main bodies  10  of the lead frames  110 . The LEDs  160  are supplied with the appropriate driving voltage from the voltage division unit  90  and emit light. Various types of typical LEDs may be selectively used as the LEDs  160 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , an LED power lamp employs the lead frame using the wire binding method in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. The LED power lamp includes a power supply unit  80  for supplying a voltage, a voltage division unit  90  for dividing the voltage supplied from the power supply unit  80  by dropping the supplied voltage to a plurality of predetermined voltage levels, a first wire  100  connected to the voltage division unit  90 , a plurality of lead frames  110  of the second embodiment for receiving a common voltage through the first wire  100 , a plurality of second wires  130 ,  140  and  150  having one side connected to the ground of the voltage division unit  90  and connected to first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70 , and a plurality of LEDs  160  mounted on main bodies  10  of the lead frames  110 . 
         [0045]    The power supply unit  80 , the first wire  100 , and the LEDs  160  are substantially identical to those of the LED power lamp in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0046]    The voltage division unit  90  is a circuit which divides the supplied voltage by dropping the supplied voltage to a voltage to be supplied to the common terminal  40  and voltages to be supplied to the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70 . The LEDs  160  mounted on the lead frames  110  may be controlled by regulating the voltages to be applied to the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  through the voltage division unit  90 . For example, in the case in which the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  are terminals for light emission of red, green and blue areas of the LEDs  160  mounted on the lead frames  110 , respectively, for example, +3 V is applied to the common terminal  40 , 0 V is applied to the first power terminal  50 , and +3 V is applied to the second and third power terminals  60  and  70 . As a result, the red area corresponding to the first power terminal  50  is activated and the LED lamp in the red area emits red light. In this manner, the LEDs  160  may provide a variety of color illumination by individually or simultaneously controlling the three terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  through the voltage division unit  90 . 
         [0047]    The second wires  130 ,  140  and  150  are connected to the ground of the voltage division unit  90  and connected to the first, second and third power terminals  50 ,  60  and  70  of the lead frames  110 , respectively, so that the predetermined voltages controlled by the voltage division unit  90  are applied to the LEDs  160 . 
         [0048]    In the LED power lamps employing the lead frames in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention, both sides of the wires  100 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  and  150  used therein are fixed by fastening members  170 , for example, plastic brackets, thereby preventing the wires from being directly connected together due to their extension. 
         [0049]    In the LED power lamps including the lead frames in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of LEDs are electrically connected through the wires and thus they can be bent or transformed in various shapes. Hence, bar-shaped LED lamps may be easily manufactured. By making an outer case of a plastic material having excellent ductility, the components of the LED lamp within the case may be protected. Also, lamps can be manufactured in various shapes suitable for their purposes, for example, an image shape or a text shape.