FR2601519A1 - Device for simultaneously joining and powering a set of light-emitting diodes - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for simultaneously joining and powering with electric current a set of light-emitting diodes which are distributed in a number and any geometry and can be modified as required, characterised in that it consists of a sheet obtained by the superposition of two layers of electrically-conductive spongy materials, these layers being separated and covered by layers of insulating spongy materials, the layers of conducted materials being connected to a source of electric current via a transformer, the said diodes being powered via the layers of conductive material simply by plugging their leads (pins) into the said sheet, the first lead (pin) stopping at the first of the conductive layers while the other reaches the second layer after having passed through the first by means of an insulating sheath.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for assembling and simultaneously supplying electric current to a group of diodes distributed in any number, according to any geometry, modifiable at will.

 This device essentially consists of the superposition of two layers of electrically conductive sponge material, separated and covered by layers of insulating sponge material, the layers of conductive material being connected to a source of electric current, by means of a suitable transformer. . Any diode inserted by simply driving its pins into this device, the first pin stopping at the first of the conductive layers, while the other reaches the second after having crossed the first by means of an insulating sheath, will thus be excited and will emit its own light.

 The essential interest of this device is to allow the insertion of an unlimited number of diodes, both juxtaposed relative to each other, and separated, so as to constitute either a surface or a linear pattern, the location of these diodes on the device being of course arbitrary and not limited by the presence of caps or specific supply points.

 The device can be made of relatively rigid material, that is to say have a final geometric shape, for example a sphere, a plate, of appropriate size, or, according to a particularly advantageous variant, be flexible or malleable, so to be able to be adapted on any support, even of irregular shape, which thus makes it possible to place on this support a group of diodes reproducing the shape of this support.

 The applications of this device are very numerous, in particular in the signaling field, if we consider that a diode, whose consumption is extremely low, emits very directive monochromatic light, so that it can be visible at a considerable distance. For example, a group of diodes consuming only 2 watts of power in total will have the same visual effect in the signaling field as a beacon lamp consuming 500 watts.

The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which
FIG. 1 illustrates the basic principle of the invention, and
Figure 2 illustrates, without limitation, an application of this principle.

 Referring to Figure 1, there is shown schematically on a very large scale all of the basic elements of the invention, namely two layers of sponge electrically conductive material 2 and 4 separated by a layer of sponge insulating material 3 , and covered by two layers of insulating material 1 and 5, at least the upper layer 1 of which is preferably spongy.

 The conductive layers 2 and 4 are connected by conductors 6 and 7 to a transformer itself connected to a source of electrical current supply 9, so that the layers 2 and 4 can each be considered as an equipotential level.

 Of course, the thicknesses of layers 1 to 5 are only a few millimeters, so that this assembly constitutes a composite sheet, as will be discussed below.

 In this composite sheet is plugged in at least one light-emitting diode (LED) 13, by its pins 10 and 11. The pin 10 reaches only the conductive layer 2 through the layer 1, which ensures both the insulation and the mechanical support. The pin 11 reaches the layer 4, crossing the preceding layers 1-2-3, the insulation with respect to the conductive layer 2 being provided by an insulating sheath 12.

 Said diode is therefore supplied by the two equipotentials 2 and 4, whatever the location where it is inserted in the ribbon cable 1-5.

 The materials that can be used to form the different layers are very varied, as long as they are 11 spongy 11.

By the term "spongy" is meant the property that the material must have of being able to be perforated or easily traversed practically at any point; preferably, but not necessarily, a perforation closes when the perforating element is extracted, which allows the reuse of the material, that is to say the placement of diodes several times after their extraction.

 The insulating material of layers 1, 3 and 5 may consist of any synthetic resin foam, such as neoprene, polystyrene, polyurethane or the like, or alternatively of porous, natural or synthetic rubber. This material may, depending on the applications envisaged, be rigid or more or less flexible or malleable. Layer 5 can also be thinner and form a simple non-spongy film.

 The conductive material of layers 2 and 4 can consist of a metal in fibrous or particulate form, for example aluminum foam, iron wool, or in a plastic material made conductive by association with a conductive powder, for example carbon or metal, or by agglomeration with metallic wool, or even porous carbon.

 The insulating sheath 12 can be produced by means of any varnish applied to the pin 11, for example made of epoxy resin, or consist of a tube of insulating material threaded on this pin.

As was briefly explained at the outset, the advantage of the invention is twofold
1. Possibility of inserting one or more diodes at any point on the ribbon 1-5.

 2. Possibility of giving said tablecloth any shape, final or modifiable at will.

 With regard to point 1, it should be noted that this possibility leads to creating, by means of a single support ply, light patterns of unlimited aspects, by juxtaposition of diodes in linear patterns (crossed, circular lines, in the form of letters, numbers or any sign) or superficial (plane or 3-dimensional geometric surfaces).

 With regard to the second point, it should be noted that if the advantage of plies having determined fixed shapes is already considerable, as has just been said, a very important variant is that in which the ply is deformable, and can adapt to a support of any shape, the diodes then being distributed over the shape of this support. I1 must relate this application to the fact that the same sheet can be reused several times with displacement or replacement of the diodes, which makes the device according to the invention an entirely new product, which can be adopted as a practically universal accessory for beaconing and signaling; its optical efficiency is remarkable since, as the LED emits directive monochromatic light, it is much more visible than the bulbs used in signaling and beaconing devices. Furthermore, its consumption of electrical energy is insignificant which, in addition to the economy represented by its substitution for said bulbs, makes it possible to provide for its use in place of certain elements currently acting only by reflection, such as panels and terminals. signaling.

 To illustrate an embodiment of a lighting unit using the invention, there is shown in Figure 2 a "diode bulb", consisting of a device according to the invention arranged in a spherical configuration.

 In this drawing we find the equipotential layers 2 and 4 supplied, via conductors 6 and 7, by a transformer 8. These layers are generally spherical in appearance and concentric with the insulating layers 1 and 3. As a result, the layer 5 of Figure 1 is no longer required. The assembly is joined to a base 16 carrying the supply conductors 14 and 15, so that the assembly can be used as an ordinary screwed bulb. On the periphery of the layer 1 are inserted diodes 13a, 13b, etc., juxtaposed, and supplied by the equipotential layers.

 The assembly can be used, for example, as a beacon unit in the air or maritime field with excellent optical efficiency for insignificant current consumption.

 Thus, for example, provision is made, according to the invention, to supply groups of light diodes implanted in systems according to the invention with photovoltaic batteries, to constitute beaconing for helicopter terrain, in particular in the mountains, where does not have a power supply. Such a perfectly efficient beacon installation is completely autonomous, the batteries recharging themselves during the day, to power the beacons at night.

 From the manufacturing point of view, an advantage of the system according to the invention is linked to the possibility of inserting the diodes into the support ply at any location, and repeatedly. This possibility makes it possible to eliminate the requirement for precision of the printed circuits, and therefore to allow a wider tolerance of implantation, which, at the same time ensures a greater speed of operation and an opening towards an implementation. by robotic implantation by a microcomputer, catching up with irregularities linked to the curving of the water table.

 In addition, given the low supply voltage, this plugging can be carried out without danger even when the sheet is energized, this allows a very high production rate, the operating test being instantaneous; similarly the system is safe for children.

Finally, in terms of power supply, the transformer 8 is a mini-transformer reducing the voltage from 220 V to 0.5-3 V depending on the type of diode; in this regard, it should first of all be noted that the usual tension being of the order of 1.2 - 2
Volts, it is possible to power a system according to the invention from a 12 Volt automobile battery, so that this system can constitute, for example, a very effective presence indicator or hazard warning light with ten times the autonomy of a standard battery.

 In addition, this supply being done in direct current, if the source is alternating, with a rectifier connected in an appropriate way, one can, from this source, supply two series of diodes, either of different colors, or emitting alternately for create a blink, all effects relating to signaling, and / or advertising animation.

Claims (8)

1. Device for assembling and simultaneously supplying electric current to a group of light-emitting diodes distributed in any number, and according to any geometry, modifiable at will, characterized in that it consists of a sheet obtained by the superposition of two layers of materials electrically conductive spongy, separated and covered by layers of insulating spongy material, the layers of conductive material being connected to a source of electric current, by means of a transformer, said diodes being supplied by the layers of conductive material by simple plugging their pins into said sheet, the first pin stopping at the first of the conductive layers, while the other reaches the second after having crossed the first by means of an insulating sheath. 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the material constituting the insulating layers consists of any synthetic resin foam, such as neoprene, polystyrene, polyurethane or the like, or even porous rubber, natural or synthetic. 3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the material constituting the conductive layers consists of a metal in fibrous or particulate form, for example aluminum foam, iron wool, or a plastic material made conductive by association with a conductive powder, for example carbon or metal, or by agglomeration with a metallic wool, or even in porous carbon. 4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said ply is rigid.  5. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said sheet is flexible or malleable. 6. Applications of the device according to claims 1 to 5, in the production of beaconing and optical signaling installations. 7. Application according to claim 6 to permanent autonomous beaconing of mountain helicopter terrains, the supply of the emitting diodes of the beaconing at night resulting from the charge during the day, of photovoltaic batteries. 8. Application according to claim 6, for signaling and optical animation, powering the system resulting from the use, on an alternative source, of a rectifier connected to two series of diodes emitting simultaneously and / or alternately , in the same color or in two different colors.