Light-generating apparatus having a reflector

• US 20040264197A1
• Filed: 04/06/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auer Lighting GmbH (Saratoga Lighting Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Schot Glas
• Inventors: Holdmann, Torsten, Bewig, Lars, Zirfas, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 7,244,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/294
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/60 characterised by the use of a forced flow of gas, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/03 with provision for venting for vehicle head lights F21S45/33; for vehicle rear lights F21S41/192
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings

Abstract

The invention envisages a light-generating apparatus that provides effective cooling of the reflector, the apparatus comprising a reflector and a device for improving the dissipation of heat from the reflector.

Claims

1. A light-generating apparatus comprising:

a reflector; and

a device for improving heat dissipation from the reflector.

2. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation is connected to or is arranged on an outside portion of the reflector.

3. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a surface that absorbs thermal radiation.

4. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a coating that absorbs thermal radiation.

5. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coating is arranged on or applied to an outside portion of the reflector.

6. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a surface having a plurality of eddy-generating structures.

7. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the a plurality of eddy-generating structures comprises a plurality of circular depressions.

8. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a heat sink connected to a region of the reflector.

9. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat sink has a shape corresponding to a shape of the region of the reflector.

10. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a thermally conducting layer arranged on an outside portion of the reflector.

11. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an air cooling device.

12. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the air cooling device comprises a ventilator or convective cooling device.

13. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one luminous device.

14. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one luminous device comprises a short-arc lamp or a halogen lamp.

15. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a cold-light reflector.

16. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an antishatter housing.

17. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a housing having at least one light-shielded opening.

18. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a thermolube connection with the reflector.

19. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a cup clinging to the reflector.

20. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a metal foil in contact with the reflector.

21. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal, glass, glass ceramic, plastic, and any combinations thereof.

22. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the reflector comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyether imide, polymethyl methacrylate, cyclic olefin, olefin copolymer, polyether sulfone, and any combinations thereof.

23. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a composite material.

24. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a CVD or PVD coating on the reflector.

25. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector has a self-cleaning surface.

35. The reflector as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cup comprises a resilient material.

36. The reflector as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cup has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the reflector.

26. A reflector comprising:

a device for improving heat dissipation from the reflector.

27. The reflector as claimed in claim 26, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a coating on at least one region of a surface of the reflector.

28. The reflector as claimed in claim 27, wherein the at least one region is an outside region of the reflector.

29. The reflector as claimed in claim 27, wherein the coating absorbs thermal radiation.

30. The reflector as claimed in claim 27, wherein the coating comprises a thermally conductive layer.

31. The reflector as claimed in claim 27, wherein the coating comprises a first layer absorbing radiation and a second layer arranged over the first layer, the second layer being thermally conductive.

32. The reflector as claimed in one of claims 26, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a plurality of eddy-generating structures in at least one region of a surface of the reflector.

33. The reflector as claimed in claim 32, wherein the plurality of eddy-generating structures comprise depressions.

34. The reflector as claimed in claim 26, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a plurality of surface-enlarging cooling structures.