Light hardening device and a light source suitable for use in a light hardening device

• US 20020186558A1
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
• Original Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
• Inventors: Rohner, Gottfried, Plank, Wolfgang, Stahl, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 6,767,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/004 Hand-held apparatus, e.g. guns
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A light hardening device is provided and includes a light source having a plurality of LEDs supplied by an electrical energy source, and a cooling device arranged upstream of the light source and operable to cool the light hardening device. The LED arrangement is disposed on a rear surface of a cooling body and the light hardening device has a connection in the manner of a halogen glow lamp. Also, a light source is provided having a plurality of LEDs, a cooling body on which the LEDs are mounted, and a connector element and an overall exterior geometry, each of which corresponds to the respective connector element and overall exterior geometry of a conventional reflecting halogen glow lamp having a rated voltage of 12 volts.

Claims

1. A light hardening device comprising:

a light source having a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs being supplied by an electrical energy source; and

a cooling device arranged upstream of the light source and operable to cool the light hardening device, the LED arrangement being disposed on a rear surface of a cooling body and the light hardening device having a connection in the manner of a halogen glow lamp.

2. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body is substantially conically shaped and the LED arrangement is disposed on the peak of the cone.

3. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body includes means for circulating a cooling medium therearound.

4. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the light source reaches a light guide element in a reflection free manner.

5. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body is disposed in heat transfer relation to a ribbed element body, the ribbed element body having cooling ribs disposed on its outer surface.

6. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body is configured on its side turned away from the LED arrangement in a configuration substantially conforming to the exterior form of a reflecting halogen glow lamp.

7. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body is in heat transfer relation to a ribbed element body on the side of the cooling body turned away from the LED arrangement.

8. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body comprises metal and is, especially, formed with a hollow interior.

9. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body includes passages through which extend a plurality of connections which connect with two plug elements on the side of the cooling body disposed in opposition to the light source which are configured for receipt in socket elements of a halogen glow lamp.

10. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device is configured as a forced air device.

11. A light hardening device according to claim 1, whereby the LED arrangement including the cooling body is configured for a storage voltage of between 10 and 14 volts and is configured for deployment in lieu of a reflecting halogen glow lamp.

12. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the LED arrangement emits light in the spectral region between 350 and 600 nanometers and, especially, is provided with a plurality of LEDs which emit light at an emission maximum in the range of short wave lengths and emit light at a further emission maximum at a longer wave length.

13. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the light source has a light output of more than 400 milliwatts per square centimeter, preferably, 800 milliwatts per square centimeter and, especially preferably, approximately 1,000 milliwatts per square centimeter.

14. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body is operable to receive an impulse/pause transmitter which is operable to intermittently control the LED arrangement.

15. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling body including the LED arrangement is disposable in a tension fit mounting in a combination comprised of a ribbed element body and a counter ribbed element body which are connected to one another and, especially, are connected to one another by threaded means.

16. A light hardening device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of LEDs are arranged on the rear surface in matrix form whereby the LEDs are disposed parallel to one another and in rows for creating an operational voltage between 10 and 14 volts and the LEDs substantially fill out the rear surface.

18. A light source according to claim 17, wherein the light source is disposable in a light hardening device in lieu of a conventional reflecting halogen glow lamp for emitting light to effect the light hardening of a light hardenable mass.

17. A light source comprising:

a plurality of LEDs;

a cooling body on which the LEDs are mounted; and

a connector element and an overall exterior geometry,

each of which corresponds to the respective connector element and overall exterior geometry of a conventional reflecting halogen glow lamp having a rated voltage of 12 volts.