Light source

• US 6,170,963 B1
• Filed: 03/30/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Arnold, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US09/050,611
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 362/227, 362/231, 362/249, 362/247, 362/800, 355/70, 399/4, 399/5, 358/474, 358/494, 358/509, 358/483, 350/341.7, 257/98, 257/99, 257/100, 377/63, 313/500, 313/498
• US Class Current: 362/246
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8806 Specially adapted optical and illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/62 Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the semiconductor body, e.g. lead-frames, wire-bonds or solder balls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An LED module comprises a housing with a first connective feature of a predetermined shape and a second connective feature of a complimentary shape, such that when the LED module is attached to another module, the first connective feature of the LED module engages a second connective feature of the other module such that relative motion between the modules is inhibited.

Claims

1. An LED module adaptable to be attached to another, similar module, said LED module comprising:

a housing, at least a portion of said housing defining at least one surface, said housing having a first connective feature of a predetermined shape and a second connective feature of a complimentary shape, so that when said LED module is attached to another module, said first connective feature of said LED module engages a second connective feature of the other module such that relative motion between the modules is inhibited;

at least one LED die on said housing; and

electrical connectors on said housing, wherein said first connective feature and said second connective feature are positioned on said at least one surface of said housing.

2. An LED module according to claim 1 wherein said electrical connectors are soldering pads and said housing is diffusely reflective.

3. An LED module according to claim 1 wherein said LED module also includes a slot in said housing.

4. An LED module according to claim 1 wherein said LED module also includes an aperture snap formed on said housing.

5. An LED module according to claim 3 wherein said LED module also includes an aperture snap formed on said housing.

6. An LED module according to claim 1 wherein said LED die is mounted on an inclined surface with respect to said electrical connectors.

7. An LED module according to claim 2 wherein said LED die is mounted on an inclined surface with respect to said electrical connectors.

8. A light source comprising:

a plurality of LED modules adapted to be attached to another, similar module, each of said LED modules including a housing with a plurality of first connective features of a predetermined shape and a plurality of second connective features of a complimentary shape, at least one of said plurality of first connective features being positioned adjacent to at least one of said plurality of second connective features on said housing, at least one LED on said housing, and electrical connectors on said housing;

wherein said plurality of LED modules are attached to other, similar modules and are aligned relative to one another by engaging said first connective features of said plurality of LED modules with the second connective features of adjacent modules.

9. A light source according to claim 8 wherein said at least one LED of one of said plurality of LED modules is operable to emit light of a different wavelength relative to said at least one LED of another of said plurality of LED modules.

10. A light source according to claim 9 wherein at least some of said LED modules also include an aperture snap formed on at least some of said housings.

11. A light source comprising:

a plurality of LED modules, each of said LED modules including a housing with a plurality of connective features integral to said housing, at least one LED on said housing, and solder pads on said housing;

wherein said plurality of LED modules are attached to one another and are aligned relative to one another by said connective features; and

each of said LED modules also include a slot in said housing, each of said slots being adjacent and aligned to a slot of an adjacent LED module such that a continuous slot is formed over at least a portion of said plurality of LED modules, said continuous slot being operable to receive a reflective sheet.

12. A light source according to claim 11 wherein said at least one LED of said plurality of LED modules is operable to emit light of a different wavelength relative to said at least one LED of another of said plurality of LED modules.

13. An LED module adaptable to be attached to another, similar module, said LED module comprising:

a housing with a first connective feature of a predetermined shape and a second connective feature of a complimentary shape, so that when said LED module is attached to another module, said first connective feature of said LED module engages a second connective feature of the other module such that relative motion between the modules is inhibited, and wherein said LED module also includes an aperture snap formed on said housing.

14. The LED module of claim 13 further including a slot in said housing.

15. A light source comprising:

a plurality of LED modules adapted to be attached to another, similar module, each of said LED modules including a housing with a plurality of first connective features of a predetermined shape and a plurality of second connective features of a complimentary shape, at least one LED on said housing, and electrical connectors on said housing;

wherein said plurality of LED modules are attached to other, similar modules and are aligned relative to one another by engaging said first connective features of said plurality of LED modules with the second connective features of adjacent modules, and wherein at least some of said LED modules also include an aperture snap formed on at least some of said housings.

16. The light source according to claim 15 wherein said at least one LED of one of said plurality of LED modules is operable to emit light of a different wavelength relative to said at least one LED of another of said plurality of LED modules.