具体实施方式：
[0030]One embodiment of an LED light bulb device 20 in accordance with principles of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The device 20 includes a bulb body 22, a bulb base 24, one or more flexible circuit strips 26, LEDs 28, a power conversion circuitry assembly 30 (shown in FIG. 3), an optional isolation assembly 32 (referenced generally), and an optional heat sink ring 34. As a point of reference, the flexible circuit strips 26 and the LEDs 28 are located within the bulb body 22 and thus are “hidden” in the view of FIG. 1; the bulb body 22 is illustrated as transparent in FIG. 2 to reveal the flexible circuit strips 26 and several of the LEDs 28. While six of the flexible circuit strips 26 are shown, any other number, either greater or lesser, is equally acceptable. Details on the various components are provided below. In general terms, however, various ones of the LEDs 28 are mounted to respective ones of the flexible circuit strips 26. The flexible circuit strips 26, in turn, are formed and adhered to an interior face of the bulb body 22 so as to arrange the LEDs 28 to be inwardly-aiming. The flexible circuit strips 26 incorporate features that promote this assembly as described below. Further, the flexible circuit strips 26 are electrically connected to the power conversion circuitry assembly 30 that can be located within the optional isolation assembly 32. The bulb base 24 provides for threaded connection to a standard light bulb socket or fixture. When connected to, and energized by, a standard light bulb socket or fixture, power from the power circuitry assembly 30 is delivered to the LEDs 28 via the corresponding flexible circuit strip 26, causing the LED light bulb device 20 to emit light. Further, the flexible circuit strips 26 transfer heat generated by the corresponding LEDs 28 to the surrounding environment via the bulb body 22 as described below as well as through the optional heat sink ring 34 (when provided).
[0031]The bulb body 22 defines a shape that is akin to a “standard” or known AC bulb (e.g., an Edison incandescent light bulb or A-19 (per ANSI C78.20-2003 standards) format). The bulb body 22 can be formed of any material appropriate for use as a light bulb such as plastic or glass (e.g., clear or “frosted” glass or plastic) or other material. The bulb body 22 can have various shapes and sizes (e.g., pear shape (A19), rounded globe, pyramidal (flood light), candle-shaped, etc.).
[0032]As best shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the bulb body 22 is formed as an integral, homogenous structure (e.g., a blow molded plastic) defined by a continuous bulb body wall 40 that forms an interior region 42. As a point of reference, in the various views, one or more horizontal contour lines or edges are illustrated along the bulb body 22; it will be understood that where the bulb body 22 is a homogeneous structure (e.g., a blow molded body), a discernible contour “line” or edge or seam will not exist. In other embodiments, the bulb body 22 can be formed by two or more separately formed and subsequently assembled sections. Regardless, the wall 40 can be viewed as a continuous structure, extending (longitudinally) between a closed top end 44 and an open lower end 46 that is otherwise open to the interior region 42. Thus, the wall 40 effectively encloses the interior region 42. Further, the wall 40 defines an interior face 48 opposite an exterior face 50. The exterior face 50 can have various curves or curvatures in longitudinal extension between the top and lower ends 44, 46. A thickness of the wall 40 can be uniform or substantially uniform, such that the curves or curvatures along the exterior face 50 are replicated at the interior face 48. Alternatively, a thickness of the wall 40 directly “behind” one or more of the LEDs 28 can be variable to enhance heat transfer. With embodiments in which the bulb body 22 has a shape akin to a conventional Edison light bulb (e.g., A-19 or pear shape), the interior face 48 can be viewed as forming the interior region 42 to have a neck region 52 with a slightly increasing diameter in extension from the lower end 46, a first bulbous region 54 along which the diameter of the interior region 42 more dramatically increases in extension from the neck region 52, and a second bulbous region 56 along which the diameter of the interior region 42 decreases in extension from the first bulbous region 54 to the closed top end 44. As described in greater detail below, it has been surprisingly found that the multiple, tight contours, compound curves, and nearly spherical surface regions along the interior face 48 as otherwise generated by the A-19 shape (or similar shapes commonly employed with light bulbs) present unique problems or obstacles to the application of a separate body on to the interior face 48 (e.g., the flexible circuit strips 26). Aspects of the present disclosure solve and overcome these problems and obstacles.
[0033]The bulb body 22 can optionally incorporate features that facilitate assembly with other components of light bulb device 20. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates ridges 60 formed at the lower end 46. Assembly of the bulb body 22 to other components can be achieved in a wide variety of other fashions such that in other embodiments, the ridges 60 can assume other forms or can be omitted. In yet other embodiments, features can be formed along the interior face 48 configured to promote mounting of the flexible circuit strips 26. The bulb body 22 can include or provide one or more features that facilitate rapid assembly to other components of the device 20 as implicated by the FIGS. 1-4.
[0034]The base 24 is akin to a conventional light bulb base, and has a threaded exterior surface 70 for engaging a standard threaded AC light socket or fixture to hold and power the LED light bulb device 20 to the AC light socket or fixture as is known in the art. Along these same lines, the base 24 is optionally formed from a conductive material (e.g., metal) as is typically employed with conventional light bulbs. The bulb-to-socket connection provided by the base 24 (or other components of the power conversion circuitry assembly 30) can be of other types common in the industry. The base 24 (and other components of the power conversion circuitry assembly 30) can have various constructions for connection to an AC power socket including, but not limited to, the Edison screw base such as the E26 medium screw base.
[0035]In some constructions, the flexible circuit strips 26 are identical and can each be a flexible circuit or flex circuit as known in the art. For example, the flexible circuit strips 26 can include a flexible, non-conductive or dielectric core material with circuitry traces or paths to each of the LEDs 28 mounted or formed thereon. In some embodiments, the flexible circuit strips 26 are flexible, laminated structures including two copper (or other conductive metal) layers (in one non-limiting example, 2 ounce copper layers) and a dielectric material. For example, the flexible circuit strips 26 can be or include dielectric thermal substrates or thermal clad laminates available from DuPont under the trade designation CooLam®. As a point of reference, with the flex circuit construction, the flexible circuit strips 26 can each be flexed or deflected to a desired shape, for example a shape dictated by the bulb body 22. Thus, in the exploded view of FIG. 3 in which the flexible circuit strips 26 are shown as having a particular shape apart from the bulb body 22, it will be understood that the flexible circuit strips 26 can be flexed or deflected to the desired shape. In some embodiments, the flexible circuit strips 26 have sufficient rigidity to hold an imparted shape.
[0036]In some embodiments the flexible circuit strips 26 are adhered to the interior face 48 of the bulb body 22 as part of the manufacture of the light bulb device 20, and must be flexed or deflected in order to be inserted into the bulb body 22 and then pressed or otherwise formed to a shape of the interior face 48. Moreover, in related embodiments, the LEDs 28 are populated on to the flexible circuit strips 26 prior to assembly to the interior face 48. The flexible circuit strips 26 incorporate various features that uniquely facilitate these assembly techniques. As a point of reference, many electrically conductive and heat spreading materials used in flex circuitry have limited elastic properties, and thus are prone to crumpling or crimping when formed, bent, or deflected. This attribute can be particularly extreme or problematic when forming the material to compound curves (such as the compound curves associated with interior face 48 of the bulb body 22 as described above). Further, to efficiently fabricate the flexible circuit strips 26 as well as to populate the circuitry with requisite electrical components, it is desirable to do so with the flexible circuit strips 26 in a flat form. Following fabrication, it is desirable to keep any bending and/or forming forces to a minimum to retain the integrity of the bonding of circuit components to the flex circuit. The likelihood of crumpling and/or crimping is intensified by beginning with a flat material form and then imparting forces short of coining forces to form the flexible circuit strips 26 to the shape of the interior face 48 of the bulb body 22.
[0037]In some embodiments, the flexible circuit strips 26 are configured to address one or more of the above concerns. One of the flexible circuit strips 26 is shown in isolation in FIGS. 5A-5C. As a point of clarification, FIGS. 5A-5C reflect the flexible circuit strip 26 as having a curvature such as following formation of the flexible circuit strip 26 to a shape of the interior face 48 (FIG. 4) of the bulb body 22 (FIG. 3); it will be understood, however, that the flexible circuit strip 26 can be forced or deflected to other shapes, including a flattened shape (for example, prior to assembly to the bulb body 22). With this in mind, the flexible circuit strip 26 generally defines opposing, front and rear surfaces 80, 82. The front surface 80 is configured for mounting of the LEDs 28 (FIG. 3), whereas the rear surface 82 is configured for attachment to the bulb body interior face 48. With these conventions in mind, the flexible circuit strip 26 is elongated, extending between a trailing end 84 and a leading end 86, and defining opposing, first and second side edges 90, 92. In some embodiments, a perimeter shape of the flexible circuit strip 26 can exhibit a slightly increasing width from the trailing end 84 toward the leading end 86 to a location approximately mid-way along a length of the flexible circuit strip 26, and a slightly decreasing width from the location approximately mid-way along the length to the leading end 86.
[0038]One or more notches 94 are formed along or in the first side edge 90, and a corresponding one or more notches 96 are formed along or in the second side edge 92. Corresponding ones of the notches 94, 96 are laterally aligned (e.g., FIG. 5A identifies laterally aligned notches 94a, 96a) and serve to demarcate the flexible circuit strip 26 into two or more sections 100. Each section 100 is generally sized and shaped to receive at least one of the LEDs 28 at a pad region 102 (e.g., in some embodiments, a single one of the LEDs 28 is carried by a corresponding, single one of the pad regions 102), with the notches 94, 96 between immediately adjacent ones of the sections 100 serving to relieve stress in the flexible circuit strip 26 as the flexible circuit strip 26 is formed to a particular shape (such as when applying or forming the flexible circuit strip 26 to the compound shape and curvature of the bulb body interior face 48 (FIG. 4)). Further, the vertical spacing between axially adjacent ones of the notches 94 in the first side edge 90, and between axially adjacent ones of the notches 96 in the second side edge 92 establish tabs 110, 112 at opposite sides of the corresponding pad region 102. The tabs 110, 112 are readily formable or deflectable relative to the corresponding pad region 102, permitting closer conforming of the flexible circuit strip 26 to the curvatures of the bulb body interior face 48. FIGS. 5A and 5C reflect that in some embodiments, a horizontal fold line 120 is optionally formed in the flexible circuit strip 26 between each of the immediately adjacent ones of the sections 100 (e.g., the horizontal fold line 120 extends between or intersects the corresponding pair of aligned notches 94, 96). The horizontal fold line 120 promotes flexing or deflection of the immediately adjacent sections 100 relative to one another. Further, FIGS. 5A and 5C reflect that in some embodiments, first and second vertical fold lines 122, 124 are optionally formed in the flexible circuit strip 26 between the tabs 110, 112, respectively, and the corresponding pad region 102 at each of the sections 100. The vertical fold lines 122, 124 promote flexing or deflection of the tabs 110, 112, respectively, relative to the pad region 102. The fold lines 120-124 can be formed in various fashions as are known in the art. Alternatively, one or all of the fold lines 120-124 need not be overtly formed in the flexible circuit strip 26, with flexible circuit strip 26 naturally assuming the flexed shape as shown when forced or pressed against a shape-defining surface. In more general terms, while the sections 100 identified above may be akin to facets that are foldable relative to one another, this facet-like construction is in no way a required feature of the present disclosure. Rather, some aspects of the present disclosure are more broadly directed toward features that promote forming of the flexible circuit strip 26 to the shape and contour of the bulb body interior face 48 while minimizing stretch requirements.
[0039]The notches 94, 96 can assume a wide variety of forms. In some embodiments, the notches 94, 96 are each formed as cuts or punch-outs through a thickness of the flexible circuit strip 26, projecting or extending inwardly (from the corresponding side edge 90, 92 toward an axial centerline of the elongated shape of the flexible circuit strip 26). In other embodiments, one or more of the notches 94, 96 (and/or notches in addition to the notches 94, 96) can be formed entirely internal to a width of the flexible substrate strip 26 (i.e., a notch through a portion or an entirety of a thickness of the flexible circuit strip 26, but not extending or open to either of the opposing side edges 90, 92). The notches 94, 96 can extend generally perpendicular to a plane of the corresponding side edge 90, 92, or can extend at a non-perpendicular angle, one example of which is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C (e.g., one or more of the notches 94, 96 can extend inwardly from the corresponding side edge 90, 92 and generally in a direction of the trailing end 84). Each of the notches 94, 96 terminates at an interior end 130, 132, respectively. The interior end 130, 132 is the end or portion of the notch 94, 96 closest to the axial centerline of the flexible circuit strip 26, and can be rounded as shown. Regardless, the interior ends 130, 132 of a corresponding aligned pair of the notches 94, 96 are spaced from one another (at opposite sides of the axial centerline) to leave sufficient surface area along the flexible circuit strip 26 for circuitry (not shown) to extend to and between each of the pad regions 102 (and thus to the LED 28 (FIG. 3) mounted thereto). Similarly, a vertical spacing between adjacent ones of the notches 94, 96 (and thus a vertical dimension of each of the pad regions 102) provides sufficient surface area for the mounting of at least one of the LEDs 28. With this construction, the pad regions 102 collectively define a vertical center zone 140 (referenced generally) along which the circuitry and LEDs are located.
[0040]In some embodiments, the notches 94, 96 can have a highly similar, optionally identical, shape and format, with the interior ends 130 of the first notches 94 being axially or vertically aligned, and the interior ends 132 of the second notches 96 being axially or vertically aligned in some embodiments (it being noted that a size or length of particular ones of the notches 94, 96 will vary as a function of the width of the flexible circuit strip 26 at the location where the particular notch 94, 96 is formed). The notches 94, 96 can assume a variety of other shapes or configurations, and can be formed in various manners. For example, one or more of the notches 94, 96 can be slits, slots, cuts, holes, perforations, gaps, serrations, inward mini-crimps, or any another stress-relieving format. In yet other embodiments, one or more of the notches 94, 96 can be characterized as a variation or variable width of the flexible circuit strip 26 (e.g., the notches 94, 96 need not be discernable “cuts” in the material of the flexible circuit strip 26 in some embodiments, but instead reflect a variable shape or width in which the flexible circuit strip 26 is “narrower” between LED pads). Regardless of form and regardless of whether the notches 94, 96 extend to the corresponding side edge 90, 92 or are entirely internal to a width of the flexible circuit strip 26, the location, shape and spacing of the notches 94, 96 can be selected to match the specific materials used for the flexible circuit strip 26. Both the thickness and the elastic properties of those materials can dictate a minimum spacing and format of the notches 94, 96 appropriate for accommodating or matching the contours of the bulb body interior face 48 (FIG. 4). The spacing of the notches 94, 96 and of the tabs 110, 112 are desirably created at pre-determined distances to permit thermal adhesive to fill the reduced but remaining space variations to the bulb body interior face 48 as described below. The tabs 110, 112 can be bent/folded to conform to the bulb body interior face 48 and to approximate the horizontal curve of the bulb body 22. The tabs 110, 112 also support folding or bending along the vertical center zone 140 in following vertical curves of the bulb body interior face 48. The stress-reducing notches 94, 96 minimize the likelihood of adhesive failure when the flexible circuit strip 26 is adhered to the bulb body interior face 48 as described below.
[0041]In addition to facilitating closely forming the flexible circuit strip 26 to the contours of the bulb body interior face 48 (FIG. 4) by relieving forming stresses, the notches 94, 96 can optionally be configured to generate an artistic or decorative effect. As described below, in some embodiments, the flexible circuit strip 26 may be visually perceptible from an exterior of the bulb body 22 (e.g., when the LEDs 28 (FIG. 3) are powered, when the LEDs 28 are not powered, or both). With this in mind, one or more of the notches 94, 96 (or one more cuts or notches in addition to the notches 94, 96) can be formatted to have an artistic or other aesthetically pleasing effect, form letters or pictorial shapes, etc. when viewed. In related alternative embodiments, indicia (e.g. pictures, words, fanciful illustrations, advertisements, etc.) can be applied or otherwise displayed on the rear surface 82 so as to be visually perceptible through the bulb body 22.
[0042]Returning to FIG. 3, in some embodiments two or more of the flexible circuit strips 26 can be integrally formed. For example, all of the flexible circuit strips 26 can be homogenously formed as part of a singular circuit strip assembly 150. The assembly 150 can be formed from a single, homogenous flex circuit structure or laminate, with the flexible circuit strips 26 interconnected at, and extending from, a base 152. Connector pads 154, 156 optionally project from the base 152, and are arranged to establish electrical connection with corresponding components of the power conversion circuitry assembly 30, delivering power to the circuitry trace(s) along each the flexible circuit strips 26.
[0043]In some embodiments, the circuit strip assembly 150 laterally spaces the flexible circuit strips 26 from one another in a manner that effectively groups the flexible circuit strips 26 into pairs. For example, FIG. 3 identifies a first grouped pair of flexible circuit strips at 26a, 26b. The two flexible circuit strips 26a, 26b are laterally spaced from one another by a lateral gap 160 (identified in FIG. 7A), a size of which is selected to permit necessary deflection or bending of the flexible circuit strips 26a, 26b when applied to the bulb body interior face 48 (FIG. 4) while arranging the LEDs 28 carried thereby at appropriate locations for centric light output.
[0044]In related embodiments, the single, continuous structure of the circuit strip assembly 150 (e.g., including the dielectric core material and circuitry traces) forms all of the flexible circuit strips 26 as well as other circuit trace surface area (e.g., tabs) at which the requisite power conversion components are integrated (including, for example, smart bulb circuit components). Further, the structure can form portions for hot and neutral connections, therefore providing a simplified method for maintaining powered LEDs along a path conforming to the shape of the bulb body 22. Once again, the structure can be a “standard” two ply circuit; one part for circuitry traces and a second part for thermal conductivity. The layers are separated and can be used for the power conversion components as described below. While the flexible circuit strips 26 have been described as being integrally formed, in other embodiments, some or all of the flexible circuit strips 26 are formed independent or discrete from one another.
[0045]With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the LEDs 28 can assume a variety of forms known in the art and conventionally employed for inorganic light-emitting diodes. The LEDs 28 can alternatively be organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The selected format of the LEDs 28 may or may not produce white light, and can have various color temperatures (e.g., the LEDs 28 can be high temperature (on the order of 6500 Kelvin) products). Further, the packaging associated with the LEDs 28 may or may not incorporate color or Kelvin-modifying materials such as phosphor, quantum dots, nanocrystals, nano-fiber, and/or other coatings or layers for enhancing the light emitted by the LEDs 28. The LEDs 28 can be formed or assembled to the corresponding flexible circuit strip 26 in various fashions, including standard packaging, die-on-flex packaging, chip-on-board, wafer-layering with sputter coating that permits, for example, non-sapphire based LEDs, etc. The LEDs 28 can be mounted in ceramic packages or other package formats mounted as known-good-die (KGD) as otherwise described above but mounted directly as die to the flexible circuit strip 26 using variously known methods. It has surprisingly been found that in some embodiments, use of chip-on-board or known-good-die placed directly on the flexible circuit strips of the present disclosure can provide benefits over packaged LEDs. The smaller footprint for flatness is reduced and is thus conducive to the flexible circuit strip 26 being formed to more closely follow the curvature and contours of the bulb body interior face 48.
[0046]The power conversion circuitry assembly 30 (shown only in FIG. 3) can assume a wide variety of forms appropriate for converting AC energy (e.g., 120 volts) to DC energy appropriate for energizing the LEDs 28; or where the LEDs 28 are configured to operate based on an AC power input, the power conversion circuitry assembly 30 can incorporate components configured to convert or transform a provided AC power supply to an AC power format appropriate for powering the LEDs 28. For example, the power conversion circuitry assembly 30 can include one or more high operating temperature power transforming or converting components (e.g., MOSFET and inductors) as well as other circuitry components such as power filtering components carried by at least one board 200. The board(s) 200 can be a rigid, flexible, or a mix of rigid and flexible printed circuitry substrate or board having or forming various circuitry traces.
[0047]The isolation assembly 32, where provided, includes an insulator sleeve 210 and an optional floor 212. The insulator sleeve 210 is configured for partitioning the bulb base 24 and the optional heat sink ring 34 from circuitry components of the power circuitry assembly 30. Alternatively, the insulator sleeve 210 can be replaced with an electrically insulative material coating. In some embodiments, the insulator sleeve 210 incorporates features for mated assembly with the circuit strip assembly 150, such as slat 214. Further, the insulator sleeve 210 can include or form a groove 216 for mounting of the optional heat sink ring 34 as described below.
[0048]In some embodiments, a thermal potting compound is employed at or within the base 24 (or thermal cavity) for thermal conductivity and improved safety/distances for high pot testing. With this in mind, the floor 212, where provided, provides a stop for the potting compound at the base 24, effectively “filling” the neck region 52 of the bulb body 22 to constrain the potting material. The floor 212 can be sealed to the bulb body 22 in various manners, and optionally is configured to maximize reflection and light reflections of the LED light bulb device 20. For example, the floor 212 can be a flexible membrane-type material, such as a die-cut piece of white silicone elastomer. Alternatively, the floor 212 can be a molded liquid silicone rubber part. In other embodiments, the floor 212 can be omitted.
[0049]The optional heat sink ring 34 is separate from the flexible circuit strips 26 and is made of an appropriate heat sink material (e.g., metal, molded plastic, ceramic, etc.). In some embodiments, the optional heat sink ring 34 is ring shaped for assembly to the bulb body 22. Alternatively, the optional heat sink ring 34 can have a variety of different constructions that include one or more structures in addition to the ring.
[0050]The present disclosure is in no way limited to the power conversion circuitry assembly 30, the isolation assembly 32 and the optional heat sink ring 34 as described and shown. Any configuration capable of providing power from a standard electrical socket to the flexible circuit strips 26 in a format appropriate for powering the LEDs 28 and electrically isolated from an exterior of the bulb body 22 is acceptable.
[0051]FIG. 4 illustrates the LED light bulb device 20 upon final assembly (with the power conversion circuitry 30 (FIG. 3) omitted from the view for ease of illustration). In general terms, each of the flexible circuit strips 26 is mounted directly on to the interior face 48 of the bulb body wall 40, with the flexible circuit strips 26 each forced to a form that closely follows the shape and contour defined by the interior face 48. For example, the flexible circuit strips 26 can be formed or flexed or deflected when pressed against the interior face 48 to follow or accommodate the natural curvatures presented along the neck, first bulbous and/or second bulbous regions 52-56. The tabs 110, 112 associated with each section 100 can be deflected or bent or formed to better ensure a more conforming fit. The notches 94, 96 relieve stress in the flexible circuit strip 26 when pressed or formed to the shape of the interior face 48, such that the flexible circuit strip 26 exhibits minimal or no crimping upon final assembly. The flexible circuit strips 26 can be adhered to the interior face 48 by an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive. Spacing, if any, between the flexible circuit strip 26 and the interior face 48 is filled with the adhesive. The adhesive can be coated or applied on to the rear surface 82 (FIG. 5B) of each of the flexible circuit strips 26 prior to placement against the interior face 48. The adhesive is thermally conductive.
[0052]The LEDs 28 associated with each of the flexible circuit strips 26 are located within the interior region 42 (i.e., are “inside” of the bulb body wall 40) and thus are protected by the bulb body 22. Further, the LEDs 28 are arranged to be inwardly “aiming”, or otherwise facing in a general direction of an axial or longitudinal centerline defined by the shape of the bulb body 22. As shown, the flexible circuit strips 26 extend longitudinally along the interior face 48 from a location at or adjacent the open lower end 46 in a direction of the top end 44. Relative to an exposed length of the bulb body 22 (i.e., distance between the optional heat sink ring 34 and the top end 44), the flexible circuit strips 26 can each extend approximately ⅔ the exposed length, although other distances (either greater or lesser) are also acceptable. In this regard, one or more of the LEDs 28 provided along each of the flexible circuit strips 26 can be arranged at a desired angle relative to a shape of the bulb body wall 40 at which the LED 28 is ultimately positioned to provide optimal illumination from the LED light bulb device 20. For example, the “top-most” LED carried by one or more of the flexible circuit strips 26 is naturally arranged to “aim” downwardly (due to the flexible circuit strip 26 following the natural contour or shape of the bulb body 22), projecting light out toward the base or neck region 52. Conversely, one or more “lower” LEDs carried by one or more of the flexible circuit strips 26 is naturally arranged to “aim” upwardly (again, due to the flexible circuit strip 26 following the natural contour or shape of the bulb body 22), projecting light out toward the closed top end 44.
[0053]Assembly of the remaining components of the LED light bulb device 20 can assume a variety of forms. With the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the insulator sleeve 210 is mounted within the base 24. The power conversion circuitry assembly 30 (not shown in FIG. 4) is connected to the insulator sleeve 210. The flexible circuit strips 26 are electrically connected to corresponding components of the power conversion circuitry assembly 30. The optional heat sink ring 34 is mounted to the insulator sleeve 210, and the bulb body 22 is mounted to the optional heat sink ring 34. Finally, the floor 212 is secured over the power conversion circuitry assembly 30.
[0054]Upon final assembly, the optional heat sink ring 34 is generally aligned with or surrounds components of the power conversion circuitry assembly 30, serving to transfer heat in an electrically isolated manner. While a portion of the each of the flexible circuit strips 26 is also located proximate the optional heat sink ring 34 (i.e., that portion making electrical contact with the power conversion circuitry assembly 30), LED light bulb devices of the present disclosure are, in some embodiments, characterized by the absence of a separate metal heat sink body in close proximity to substantial portions of the flexible circuit strips 26, and in particular immediately adjacent the LEDs 28. Instead, it has surprisingly been found that sufficient heat transfer is accomplished by placing or abutting the circuit strip 26 directly against the bulb body wall 40. Heat generated by operation of the LEDs 28 sufficiently transfers to the ambient environment through the corresponding flexible circuit strip 26, the thermally conductive adhesive, and the bulb body wall 40, as well as along the flexible circuit strip 26 and to the optional heat sink ring 34. Optionally, small metal heat sink bodies (e.g., heat sink buttons) can be assembled to the bulb body 22 immediately opposite a corresponding one the flexible circuit strips 26, and in particular directly opposite a corresponding one of the LEDs 28 carried thereby; the heat sink button projects through a thickness of the bulb body wall 40 and is in thermal contact with the flexible circuit strip 26 to more directly conduct heat to ambient. In other optional embodiments, a flexible linear fin or wire can be assembled to the flexible circuit strip 26 in manner that permits desired deflection/flexing of the flexible circuit strip 26 in matching a shape of the bulb body 22 while providing an additional path for heat transfer.
[0055]During operation, the flexible circuit strips 26 deliver power to the LEDs 28 mounted thereto, causing the LEDs 28 to emit light. In this regard, the LEDs 28 can be arranged along a length of the bulb body 22 to “aim” in a desired direction to more fully illuminate the interior region 42. Notably, by optionally locating the LEDs 28 in