Illuminating device for illuminating background surfaces

• US 5,367,441 A
• Filed: 02/16/1993
• Issued: 11/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wustlich Holding GmbH
• Original Assignee: Wustlich Holding GmbH
• Inventors: Wustlich, Hans-Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/017,865
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 362/97, 362/98, 362/99, 362/243, 362/249, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/97.1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2109/00 Light sources with light-generating elements disposed on transparent or translucent supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0409 Arrangements for homogeneous illumination of the display surface, e.g. using a layer having a non-uniform transparency arrangements of reflectors G09F13/14
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/05 indicating exit way or orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• 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: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An illuminating device for illuminating a background surface of a surface display has a frame with inner reflecting surfaces. A circuit board with leads closes off the interior of the frame. The circuit board is made of a light-transmissive material and serves as the background surface to be illuminated. The circuit board comprises leads and light-emitting diode chips connected to the leads so as to be controllable. A scattering body in the form of a light-transmissive potting compound containing scattering centers is filled into the interior of the frame. The circuit board is preferably a circuit board with a cover layer of a non-light-transmissive material from which the coating of non-light-transmissive material has been removed by etching. The scattering centers are preferably in the form of glass particles.

Claims

1. An illuminating device for illuminating a background surface of a surface display, said illuminating device comprising:

a frame having inner reflecting surfaces;

a circuit board with leads, said circuit board made of a light-transmissive material and connected to said frame so as to form the background surface to be illuminated and close off the interior of said frame, said circuit board comprising leads and light-emitting diode chips connected to said leads so as to be controllable; and

a scattering body in the form of a light-transmissive potting compound containing scattering centers and filled into said interior of said frame.

2. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein said circuit board is a circuit board with a cover layer of a non-light-transmissive material from which circuit board said coating of non-light-transmissive material has been removed by etching.

3. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein said potting compound is a plastic material and wherein said scattering centers are glass particles.

4. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein said frame further comprises stays for supporting said circuit board.

5. An illuminating device according to claim 4, wherein said stays are arranged in a net structure.

6. An illuminating device according to claim 4, wherein said stays are made of fiberglass.