Illumination apparatus and method

• US 20060023448A1
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Epistar Corporation (Ennostar, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mok, Thye Linn, Kuan, Yew Cheong, Tan, Kheng Leng, Pang, Siew It, Lee, Kian Shin, Afif, Fakhrul Arifin Mohd, Yoganandan, Sundar Natarajan, Abdul Karim, Norfidathul Aizar, Ou, Wen Ya, Oon, Su Lin
• Granted Patent: US 7,241,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/026 by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources F21S10/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/63 using electrically-powered vibrating means; using ionic wind
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/12 characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0206 by printed thermal vias
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/066 Heatsink mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10106 Light emitting diode [LED]

Abstract

Illumination apparatus includes a support structure, at least one light emitting element, and a heat sink thermally coupled to the light emitting element. The light emitting element and heat sink are moveable in relation to the support structure. An actuator system moves the at least one light emitting element and the heat sink with respect to the support structure.

Claims

1. Illumination apparatus, comprising:

a support structure;

at least one light emitting element;

a heat sink thermally coupled to said at least one light emitting element, said at least one light emitting element and said heat sink being moveable in relation to said support structure;

an actuator system operatively associated with said at least one light emitting element, said actuator system moving said at least one light emitting element and said heat sink with respect to said support structure, wherein movement of said heat sink induces air flow around said heat sink.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, said at least one light emitting element being mounted to said first side of said printed circuit board, said heat sink being mounted to said second side of said printed circuit board.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting element comprises a light emitting diode.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting element comprises a light emitting element that emits light that is about a color red, a light emitting element that emits light that is about a color green, and a light emitting element that emits light that is about a color blue.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light emitting elements are arranged in a plurality of rows, and wherein said heat sink comprises a plurality of heat sinks mounted to said rows of light emitting diodes, said rows of light emitting elements and said heat sinks being independently moveable with respect to said support structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heat sink comprises at least one fin.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuator system moves said heat sink and said at least one light emitting element as a unitary structure with respect to said support structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuator system comprises a piezoelectric actuator.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuator system comprises a motor.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a drive system operatively associated with said motor, said drive system converting rotational movement of a motor shaft to linear movement.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting system operatively associated with said support structure and said at least one light emitting element, said mounting system allowing said at least one light emitting element and said heat sink to be moved with respect to said support structure.

12. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting element comprises a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a plurality of triads, said plurality of triads being arranged in a repeating order in side by side relation to form a two-dimensional array of light emitting elements.

13. The illumination apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of triads extends over a length, and wherein said actuator system moves said plurality of triads a distance of at least said length of said triad.

14. The illumination apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuator system reciprocally moves said light emitting elements at a frequency of at least about 60 Hz.

15. A method, comprising:

mounting at least one light emitting element with a heat sink to a support structure so that said at least one light emitting element and said heat sink are movable with respect to said support structure; and

moving said at least one light emitting element and said heat sink with regard to said support structure.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein moving comprises continuously moving said at least one light emitting element and said heat sink with regard to said support structure.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein moving comprises linearly moving said at least one light emitting element and said heat sink with regard to said support structure.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein moving comprises reciprocally moving said at least one light emitting element and said heat sink with regard to said support structure.

19. An illumination system, comprising:

a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side;

a plurality of light emitting elements mounted to said first side of said printed circuit board, said plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a two dimensional array of light emitting elements;

a heat sink mounted to said second side of said printed circuit board;

a mounting system operatively associated with said printed circuit board, said mounting system allowing said printed circuit board to be moved with respect to a support structure; and

an actuator system operatively associated with said printed circuit board, said actuator system moving said printed circuit board with respect to said support structure.

20. The illumination system of claim 19, wherein said plurality of light emitting elements comprise light emitting elements that emit light that is about a color red, light that is about a color blue, and light that is about a color green.