Light-Emitting Diode Illumination Apparatuses

• US 20110074296A1
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tsung-Chi Wang, Yu-Nung Shen
• Original Assignee: Tsung-Chi Wang, Yu-Nung Shen
• Inventors: Wang, Tsung-Chi, SHEN, Yu-Nung
• Granted Patent: US 8,684,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/112
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/275 Details of bases or housings, i.e. the parts between the light-generating element and the end caps; Arrangement of components within bases or housings F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/61 using light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/086 with lighting device attached sideways of the standard, e.g. for roads and highways
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/506 of globes, bowls or cover glasses
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/51 using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/58 characterised by the coolants
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/767 the planes containing the fins or blades having directions perpendicular to the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/90 on two opposite sides of supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

The present invention relates to an LED illumination apparatus. The apparatus includes a body having a lower portion adapted for coupling to a power socket and an upper portion provided with a power source module accommodating chamber. A heat-dissipating module includes a funnel-shaped hollow case disposed at a top end of the upper portion and filled with a coolant fluid, wherein the hollow case has a small diameter open end adjacent to the body and a large diameter open end remote from the body. A light source module includes amounting substrate disposed at the small diameter open end, an LED mounted on the mounting substrate, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber in a manner electrically connected to and supplying working power to the LED.

Claims

1. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body having a lower portion adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and an upper portion provided with a power source module accommodating chamber;

a heat-dissipating module including a funnel-shaped hollow case disposed at a top end of the upper portion of the body and filled with a coolant fluid, wherein the hollow case has a small diameter open end adjacent to the body and a large diameter open end remote from the body and having a greater diameter than that of the small diameter open end; and

a light source module including a mounting substrate disposed at the small diameter open end, at least one light-emitting diode (LED) operatively mounted on the mounting substrate, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body in a manner electrically connected to and supplying working power to the LED.

2. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hollow case is provided at the small diameter open end with a heat-dissipating member, which includes a heat-dissipating body and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins radially extending from the heat-dissipating body to the case in a manner contacting with coolant fluid filled within the case, and wherein the mounting substrate is disposed on the heat-dissipating member.

3. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible container disposed within the hollow case and used for accommodating the coolant fluid.

4. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source module further comprises a transparent protective shield for housing the mounting substrate.

5. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a lens for sealing the large diameter open end of the hollow case, and a phosphor powder layer coated on an inner surface or an outer surface of the lens, or on an inner surface or an outer surface of the protective shield, or on the mounting substrate in a manner covering the LED mounted on the mounting substrate.

6. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting substrate is erectedly disposed and includes two mounting surfaces on which the LED is operatively mounted in a manner electrically connected to the power source module.

7. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body having a lower portion adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and an upper portion provided with a power source module accommodating chamber;

a heat-dissipating module including a lamp cover provided at a top end of the upper portion of the body and a coolant fluid filled within the lamp cover; and

a light source module including a mounting substrate disposed within the lamp cover, at least one LED operatively mounted on the mounting substrate, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body in a manner electrically connected to and supplying working power to the LED.

8. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a heat-dissipating member and a transparent protective shield, wherein the heat-dissipating member includes a heat-dissipating body disposed at a top end of the upper portion of the body and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins radially extending from the heat-dissipating body, and wherein the transparent protective shield houses the mounting substrate.

9. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a phosphor powder layer coated on an inner surface or an outer surface of the transparent protective shield, or on an inner surface or an outer surface of the lamp cover, or on the mounting substrate in a manner covering the LED mounted on the mounting substrate.

10. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

an elongated housing sealed at both ends by respective seal members and composed of a first elongated transparent hollow tube and a second first elongated transparent hollow tube, wherein the first elongated transparent hollow tube has a diameter greater than that of the second elongated transparent hollow tube, and wherein the second tube is disposed within the first tube in an eccentric manner, so that the second transparent tube has an outer surface in contact, in part, with an inner surface of the first transparent tube, thereby defining a coolant fluid accommodating space between an non-contact portion of the outer surface of the second transparent tube and an non-contact portion of the inner surface of the first transparent tube, which is adapted for accommodating a coolant fluid;

a reflective plate fixed within the second tube in a manner extending from one end to the other end of the second tube, wherein the reflective plate has a reflective surface arranged to face a surface where the first and second tubes are brought in contact with each other; and

a light source module including two mounting substrates each being disposed on an inner surface of a corresponding one of the seal members, at least two LEDs each being mounted on a corresponding one of the mounting substrates, mounting electrodes each extending outwardly from an outer surface of a corresponding one of the seal members and adapted for directly coupling to a commercially available power socket, and a power source module electrically connected to the LEDs and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LEDs.

11. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the reflective plate is protruded at its central portion towards the surface where the first and second tubes are brought in contact with each other.

12. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured as an elongated hollow transparent tube filled with a coolant fluid, the housing having two ends opposite to each other; and

a light source module including two mounting substrates each being disposed at one of the two ends of the housing, at least two LEDs each being mounted on a corresponding one of the mounting substrates, mounting electrodes extending outwardly from the two ends of the housing and adapted for directly coupling to a commercially available power socket, and a power source module electrically connected to the LEDs and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LEDs, wherein the LEDs are mounted such that the LED mounted at one of the two ends of the housing emits light towards the LED mounted at the opposite end of the housing.

13. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a reflective plate fixed within the housing in a manner extending from one end to the other end of a second tube, wherein the reflective plate is protruded at its central portion.

14. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a reflective layer coated on part of an outer or inner surface of the housing.

15. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising two seal members for sealing the two ends of the housing, wherein the mounting substrates are each disposed on an inner surface of a corresponding one of the seal members.

16. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured as an elongated hollow tube formed with a longitudinally extending elongated opening on its wall, wherein the housing has two ends opposite to each other and a reflective plate is disposed inside of the housing and extends from one end of the housing to the opposite end of the housing, and wherein the reflective plate has a central portion protruded towards the opening, and wherein a power source module accommodating space is defined in the housing at a backside of the reflective plate; and

a light source module comprising two longitudinally extending elongated mounting substrates disposed on an inner surface of the housing in a manner facing each other, each having an LED mounting surface facing the protruded central portion of the reflective plate;

a plurality of LEDs mounted on the LED mounting surfaces of the mounting substrates;

mounting electrodes provided at the two ends of the housing and adapted for directly coupling to a commercially available power socket; and

a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating space of the housing and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LEDs.

17. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a transparent plate for sealing the elongated opening of the housing.

18. Alight-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured as an elongated hollow tube filled with a coolant fluid; and

a light source module comprising a plurality of the mounting substrates disposed on an outer surface of the housing, a plurality of LEDs mounted on the mounting substrates, mounting electrodes extending outwardly from both ends of the housing and adapted for directly coupling to a commercially available power socket, and a power source module electrically connected to the LEDs and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LEDs.

19. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the housing is composed of a first housing portion having a large, generally C-shaped cross-section and a second housing portion having a small, generally C-shaped cross-section, with open portions of the first and second C-shaped housing portions facing each other, so that the housing has a generally T-shaped cross-section, wherein the mounting substrates are disposed on an outer surface of the second housing portion, and wherein the light source module further comprises a transparent cover which covers over the second housing portion and is integrated with the first housing portion to form a cylindrical outline.

20. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured as a transparent elongated hollow tube filled with a coolant fluid; and

a light source module including a mounting substrate extending between two ends of the housing, a plurality of LEDs mounted in an array on the mounting substrate, mounting electrodes extending outwardly from the two ends of the housing and adapted for directly coupling to a commercially available power socket, and a power source module electrically connected to the LEDs and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LEDs.

21. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a reflective layer coated on part of an outer or inner surface of the housing.

22. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the light source module further comprises a reflective plate having a mounting portion, on which the mounting substrate of the light source module are mounted, and wing portions extending from both sides of the mounting portion at an inclined angle of greater than 90°

with respect to the mounting portion.

23. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body having a lower portion adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and an upper portion;

a heat-dissipating module including at least one heat-dissipating fin set disposed in an array configuration within the upper portion of the body, and at least one heat pipe, wherein the heat-dissipating fin set includes a hollow tubular body and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins radially extending from the hollow tubular body, and wherein the heat pipe is disposed within the body of the heat-dissipating fin set and protruded at both ends thereof from the body of the heat-dissipating fin set; and

a light source module comprising a mounting substrate disposed at one end of the upper portion of the body, at least one LED, and a power source module disposed within the body and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED, wherein the mounting substrate is formed with a through hole at a position corresponding to the heat pipe, so as to allow the heat pipe to be inserted at its end into the through hole, and wherein the LED is operatively mounted at the one end of the heat pipe that penetrates through the through hole of the mounting substrate.

24. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the light source module further comprises a transparent protective shield that serves as a lamp cover, wherein the protective shield is disposed on the upper portion of the body in a manner covering over the mounting substrate, so as to protect the LED from external damage, and wherein the protective shield is filled with an insulative coolant fluid to reduce the working temperature of the LED.

25. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the upper portion of the body is provided with a coolant fluid accommodating section, in which a coolant fluid is filled, and wherein the heat pipe is arranged to traverse across the coolant fluid accommodating section, so as to enhance the heat transfer performance of the heat pipe.

26. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the heat pipe is composed of first to fourth heat pipe portions, wherein the first heat pipe portion of the heat pipe has a first end at which the LED is mounted, wherein the second heat pipe portion of the heat pipe comprises two heat pipes disposed at both sides of the second end of the first heat pipe portion opposite to the first end, wherein the third heat pipe portion of the heat pipe comprises four heat pipes disposed at both sides of the corresponding ends of the second heat pipe portion distal to the first heat pipe portion, and wherein the fourth heat pipe portion of the heat pipe comprises eight heat pipes disposed at both sides of the corresponding ends of the third heat pipe portion distal to the second heat pipe portion.

27. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured as an elongated hollow tube formed with a longitudinally extending elongated opening on its wall, a longitudinally extending elongated reflective plate having a generally V-shaped cross-section being disposed inside of the housing, wherein a power source module accommodating space is defined in the housing at a backside of the reflective plate; and

a light source module comprising a longitudinally extending elongated mounting substrate disposed on a central portion of the reflective plate, the mounting substrate having two LED mounting surfaces, each facing a corresponding one of two reflective portions extending inclinedly and upwardly from the central portion of the reflective plate;

a plurality of LEDs mounted on the LED mounting surfaces of the mounting substrate;

mounting electrodes provided at both ends of the housing and adapted for directly coupling to a commercially available power socket; and

a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating space of the housing and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LEDs.

28. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured as an elongated hollow tube formed with a longitudinally extending V-shaped groove on its wall, wherein a coolant fluid accommodating space is defined in the housing at a backside of the groove and used to accommodate a coolant fluid; and

a light source module comprising two longitudinally extending elongated mounting substrates disposed back-to-back on a bottom portion of the groove, such that the respective mounting substrates have an LED mounting surface facing a corresponding groove wall of the groove, wherein the light source module further comprises a plurality of LEDs mounted on the LED mounting surfaces of the mounting substrates, mounting electrodes provided at both ends of the housing and adapted for directly coupling to a commercially available power socket, a power source module for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LEDs, and a heat pipe disposed between and in contact with the mounting substrates and extending into the coolant fluid accommodating space.

29. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and provided with a power source module accommodating chamber, and a lamp cover disposed on an upper portion of the body, wherein the lamp cover includes a coolant fluid accommodating section disposed adjacent to the upper portion of the body, in which a coolant fluid is filled; and

a light source module comprising a mounting substrate disposed within the accommodating section of the lamp cover, at least one LED operatively mounted on the mounting substrate, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body and electrically connected to the LED and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED.

30. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the power source module accommodating chamber is filled with a sealing glue, so as to prevent the coolant fluid from entering the power source module accommodating chamber.

31. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and provided with a power source module accommodating chamber, and a lamp cover disposed on an upper portion of the body and filled with a coolant fluid; and

a light source module comprising a lead frame disposed within the lamp cover, at least one LED operatively mounted on the lead frame, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body and electrically connected to the LED via the lead frame and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED.

32. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the lead frame includes two lead wires extending upwardly from the body, and wherein the at least one LED includes a first surface on which a first electrode is mounted and a second surface on which a second electrode is mounted, the first electrode and the second electrode being electrically connected to the corresponding lead wires of the lead frame, respectively, so that the at least one LED is supported and secured in position by the lead wires, whereby the light emitted from all of the six surfaces of the at least one LED can be completely used for illumination.

33. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and provided with a power source module accommodating chamber, and a lamp cover disposed on an upper portion of the body and filled with a coolant fluid; and

a light source module comprising at least one mounting substrate extending upwardly from the upper portion of the body, at least one LED operatively mounted on the mounting substrate, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body and electrically connected to the LED and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED.

34. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and provided with a power source module accommodating chamber, and a lamp cover disposed on an upper portion of the body and filled with a coolant fluid; and

a light source module comprising at least one heat pipe extending upwardly from the upper portion of the body, predetermined circuit traces overlaid on a surface of the heat pipe, at least one LED operatively mounted on the surface of the heat pipe in a manner electrically connected to the predetermined circuit traces, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body and electrically connected to the predetermined circuit traces and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED.

35. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a housing comprising an outer tube and an inner tube sleeved within the outer tube, wherein the outer tube is formed with a longitudinally extending elongated opening and the inner tube is formed with a longitudinally extending protruded portion protruded out through the opening of the outer tube; and

a light source module comprising a longitudinally extending elongated bracket disposed within the inner tube at a position near the protruded portion, and a mounting substrate disposed on the bracket at a position between the bracket and the protruded portion, at least one LED operatively mounted on the mounting substrate, mounting electrodes provided at both ends of the housing and adapted for directly coupling to a commercially available power socket, and a power source module for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED.

36. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising a coolant fluid filled in a remaining space within the inner tube other than a space where the protruded portion is positioned.

37. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and provided with a power source module accommodating chamber, and a lamp cover disposed at a top end of the body and filled with a coolant fluid; and

a light source module comprising a reflective frame disposed within the lamp cover and extending upwardly from the top end of the body, at least one mounting substrate disposed on the reflective frame, at least one LED operatively mounted on the mounting substrates, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body and electrically connected to the LED and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED.

38. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and provided with a power source module accommodating chamber, a lamp cover disposed at a top end of the body, a heat pipe disposed within the lamp cover and extending upwardly from the top end of the body, and a coolant fluid pack disposed within the lamp cover and sleeved around the heat pipe and filled with a coolant fluid; and

a light source module comprising a mounting substrate disposed at the top end of the body and within the lamp cover, at least one LED operatively mounted on the mounting substrate, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body and electrically connected to the LED and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED.

39. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a body adapted for coupling to a commercially available power socket and provided with a power source module accommodating chamber, and a lamp cover disposed at a top end of the body and filled with a coolant fluid;

a heat-dissipating member disposed within the lamp cover, including a heat-dissipating body disposed at a top end of the body and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins radially extending from the heat-dissipating body; and

a light source module comprising a mounting substrate disposed at the top end of the body and within the lamp cover, at least one LED operatively mounted on the mounting substrate, a light diffusing member extending upwardly from the heat-dissipating member and spreading in a sectorial form along a direction away from the LED to thereby scatter the light emitted from the LED out of the lamp cover, and a power source module disposed within the power source module accommodating chamber of the body and electrically connected to the LED and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED.

40. A light-emitting diode illumination apparatus, comprising:

a housing including an upper half cover and a transparent lower half cover and having a rear end adapted for coupling to a lamp holder, so that the housing is fastened to the lamp holder; and

a light source module, including;

a heat pipe fixed inside of the housing and having a first end portion extending to the rear end of the housing and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion;

a mounting substrate disposed at the second end portion of the heat pipe, so that the mounting substrate has a mounting surface facing the lower half cover;

at least one LED operatively mounted on the mounting surface of the mounting substrate;

a power source module disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the LED and adapted for converting mains power into a usable power source for the LED; and

a coolant fluid pack filled with a coolant fluid, which is disposed within the housing and sleeved around the heat pipe.

41. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the coolant fluid pack extends from the first end portion of the heat pipe to a bottom portion of the lamp holder.

42. The LED illumination apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the heat pipe is formed inside with a plurality of mini-channels filled with the coolant fluid, wherein a via hole is formed on a surface which resides in the second end portion of the heat pipe and faces the lower half cover, and wherein the mounting substrate of the light source module is a transparent mounting substrate secured on the second end portion of the heat pipe, so that the LED mounted on the mounting surface of the mounting substrate is present within the heat pipe, and wherein the light emitted during operation of the LED will exit from the heat pipe through the mounting substrate.