Power conversion device, and electric bulb provided with the same

The present invention relates to, for example, a power conversion device that converts AC power into DC power and a light bulb using the same.

Heat-generating light bulbs are widely used as light bulbs that use commercial power. In recent years, an LED light bulb using an LED element as a light source has been proposed in place of this heat-generating light bulb. LED light bulbs have the advantages of power saving and long life compared to incandescent light bulbs. In order to insert an LED bulb into a power socket for an incandescent bulb and use it, it is necessary to convert the power inside the LED bulb. FIG. 4 shows an example of a conventional LED bulb. The LED bulb X shown in the figure includes a base 91, a power converter 92, and an LED element 93. The base 91 includes an eyelet 91a and a shell 91b, and is a part that receives commercial AC 100V power. The power conversion device 92 is for converting AC 100V power into DC power suitable for the LED element 93, and includes an input terminal 92a and an output terminal 92b. The input terminal 92a conducts to the eyelet 91a and the shell 91b via the lead wire 94. The output terminal 92b is conductive to the LED element 93. The LED element 93 is a light source of the light bulb X, and is lit by the DC power supplied from the output terminal 92b. The light bulb X can be used as a substitute for an incandescent light bulb in a state of being fitted in a power socket provided in a general lighting device, and can reduce power consumption and replacement frequency.

However, the power converter 92, which is a component of the LED light bulb X, is often manufactured in large quantities at a certain place and then transported to the place where the LED light bulb X is manufactured. At this time, there is a problem that the electronic elements constituting the power conversion device 92 are accidentally damaged. Further, when manufacturing the LED bulb X, it is necessary to solder the lead wire 94 to the eyelet 91a and the shell 91b in order to make the input terminal 92a and the eyelet 91a and the shell 91b conductive. The base 91 is relatively small so that it can be attached to a general power socket. Soldering inside the base 91 is complicated and reduces the production efficiency.

<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-242733</text></patcit>

<p> The present invention has been conceived under the above circumstances, and the present invention is to provide a power conversion device having a low risk of damage and capable of increasing manufacturing efficiency, and a light bulb using the power conversion device. Make it an issue.</p>

<p> The power conversion device provided by the first aspect of the present invention is a plurality of input terminals into which power is input, and power input by converting the power input from the plurality of input terminals into specifications suitable for a light source and outputting the power. It is a power conversion device built in a light bulb equipped with a conversion unit and a plurality of output terminals for outputting the power converted by the power conversion unit, and seals the power conversion unit. It is characterized by having a resin package that stops it.</p><p> According to such a configuration, the power conversion unit can be protected by the resin package. Therefore, for example, when manufacturing a light bulb using the power conversion device, it is possible to prevent damage to the power conversion unit.</p><p> In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a male screw is formed in the resin package, and the plurality of input terminals move forward and backward when the resin package is rotated along the male screw. It includes a protruding one and one protruding outward in the radial direction when the resin package is rotated along the male screw. According to such a configuration, the power conversion device can be easily attached to the base by rotating the power conversion device with respect to the base of a general light bulb. Further, by attaching the power conversion device, it is possible to bring the plurality of input terminals into contact with the power supply portion of the base.</p><p> The light bulb provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes a base, a light source, and a power conversion device provided by the first aspect of the present invention. It is characterized in that a female screw that can be screwed with respect to the male screw is formed.</p><p> According to such a configuration, the power conversion device can be easily attached to the base by rotating the power conversion device with respect to the base.</p><p> Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.</p>

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show an example of an AC / DC converter and an LED bulb according to the present invention. The LED light bulb B of the present embodiment includes an AC / DC converter A1, a base 6, an LED element 7, and a translucent cover 8, and is an example of a light bulb referred to in the present invention.

The base 6 is a part for receiving power from a commercial AC 100V power socket, and has an eyelet 6a and a shell 6b. The eyelet 6a is made of metal and is provided so as to penetrate inward and outward at the bottom of the base 6. The shell 6b is formed by, for example, pressing a metal plate, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The shell 6b is provided with spiral irregularities. As a result, the outer surface of the shell 6b is a male thread conforming to JIS standards such as E17, and the inner surface thereof is a female thread having the same specifications as the above-mentioned male thread.

The LED element 7 is an example of a light source referred to in the present invention. The LED element 7 has a structure in which semiconductors made of, for example, gallium nitride are laminated, and emits light having a predetermined wavelength by supplying DC power. The LED element 7 is mounted on the block 71. The block 71 plays a role of promoting heat dissipation from the LED element 7, for example. Block 71 is supported by stay 72. The LED element 7 is electrically connected to the output terminal 4 of the AC / DC converter A1 via the conductive member 73.

The translucent cover 8 is for protecting the LED element 7, and is made of glass, a transparent resin, or the like capable of transmitting light from the LED element 7. In the present embodiment, the translucent cover 8 has a substantially spherical shape. The translucent cover 8 is attached to the base 6 via a resin cup 81.

The AC / DC converter A1 is for converting AC power input from the base 6 into DC power suitable for the LED element 7, and is an example of the power conversion device referred to in the present invention. The AC / DC converter A1 includes a substrate 1, a plurality of electronic elements 2, input terminals 3A and 3B, output terminals 4, and a resin package 5.

The substrate 1 is an insulating substrate made of, for example, a glass epoxy resin, and has a substantially rectangular shape, for example. A plurality of electronic elements 2 are mounted on the substrate 1. In addition, input terminals 3A and 3B extend from the board 1.

The plurality of electronic elements 2 are for realizing the function of converting AC power to DC power, which is the main function of the AC / DC converter A1, and are an example of the power conversion unit referred to in the present invention. As the plurality of electronic elements 2, for example, a diode for rectification and an IC chip in which a switching circuit, a drive circuit, a current detection circuit, and a voltage detection circuit are built are mounted.

The resin package 5 is for protecting a plurality of electronic elements 2, and is made of, for example, a black epoxy resin. The resin package 5 seals a part of the substrate 1 and a plurality of electronic elements 2. A male screw 5a is formed on the resin package 5. The male thread 5a has a shape and size along the inner surface of the shell 6b of the base 6. As a result, the AC / DC converter A1 can be screwed into the base 6.

The input terminals 3A and 3B are for receiving commercial AC power supply via the base 6, and are exposed from the resin package 5. The input terminal 3A protrudes in the direction in which the AC / DC converter A1 moves forward and backward when the AC / DC converter A1 is rotated to be screwed into the base 6. Therefore, when the AC / DC converter A1 is screwed into the base 6, the input terminal 3A comes into contact with the eyelet 6a. The input terminal 3B protrudes outward in the radial direction when the AC / DC converter A1 is rotated to be screwed into the base 6. Therefore, when the AC / DC converter A1 is screwed into the base 6, the input terminal 3B comes into contact with the shell 6b. The two input terminals 3B provided in the present embodiment are electrically connected to each other by a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the substrate 1.

The output terminal 4 is for supplying DC power to the LED element 7, and is formed on a portion of the substrate 1 exposed from the resin package 5. The output terminal 4 and the LED element 7 are connected by a conduction support member 71.

Next, the operations of the AC / DC converter A1 and the LED bulb B will be described.

According to this embodiment, the electronic element 2 mounted on the AC / DC converter A1 is completely covered with the resin package 5. Therefore, after manufacturing the AC / DC converter A1, when the AC / DC converter A1 is brought into the place where the LED bulb B is manufactured, or when the AC / DC converter A1 is attached to the base 6, the electronic element 2 is mistaken. There is no risk of damage.

The AC / DC converter A1 can be easily attached to the base 6 by rotating the AC / DC converter A1 with respect to the base 6 so that the male screw 5a is along the inner surface of the shell 6b. Further, when the AC / DC converter A1 is attached to the base 6, the input terminal 3A comes into contact with the eyelet 6a, and the input terminal 3B comes into contact with the shell 6b. Therefore, it is possible to electrically connect the AC / DC converter A1 and the base 6 without performing work such as soldering, and it is possible to improve the manufacturing efficiency of the LED bulb B.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, the same or similar elements as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment.

In the AC / DC converter A2 shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the resin package 5 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. In the present embodiment, the resin package 5 is formed with four planes 5b. The four planes 5b are said to face 90 ° different from each other. Due to the formation of the four planes 5b, the male screw 5a is divided into four in the circumferential direction.

Even with such an embodiment, it is possible to prevent damage to the electronic element 2 and efficiently manufacture an LED bulb using the AC / DC converter A2. Further, by forming the shape having the flat surface 5b, the amount of resin required to form the resin package 5 can be reduced.

The power conversion device according to the present invention and a light bulb using the same are not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific configuration of the power conversion device according to the present invention and each part of the light bulb using the power conversion device can be freely redesigned.

The power conversion device referred to in the present invention is not limited to an AC / DC converter, and may be any device such as an inverter device having a configuration for converting power specifications into desired specifications. The present invention can be applied to various types of light bulbs, such as those provided with a fluorescent tube, in addition to the light bulb provided with an LED element as a light source.

<figref num="1">It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the AC / DC converter and the LED light bulb which concerns on this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a perspective view which shows an example of the AC / DC converter which concerns on this invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is a perspective view which shows another example of the AC / DC converter which concerns on this invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the conventional AC / DC converter and LED bulb.</figref>

Code description

A1, A2 AC / DC converter (power converter) B LED bulb 1 Board 2 Electronic element (power converter) 3A, 3B Input terminal 4 Output terminal 5 Resin package 5a Male screw 6 Base 6a Eyelet 6b Shell 7 LED element (light source) ) 8 Translucent cover