Light-generating apparatus having a reflector

• US 7,244,051 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2004
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Auer Lighting GmbH (Saratoga Lighting Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Schott AG (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Inventors: Bewig, Lars, Holdmann, Torsten, Zierfas, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARTER, WILLIAM JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/818,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20040264197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 362/296, 362/294, 362/345
• US Class Current: 362/345
• 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 having a reflector substrate; and

a device for improving heat dissipation from the reflector, the device for improving heat dissipation having a coating that absorbs thermal radiation, wherein the coating is applied to an outside portion of the reflector substrate, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a surface having a plurality of eddy generating structures, and wherein the plurality of eddy-generating structures comprises a plurality of circular depressions.

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

3. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heat sink has a shape corresponding to a shape of the region of the reflector.

4. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the heat sink comprises a cup clinging to the reflector.

5. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cup comprises a resilient material.

6. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cup has the shape that corresponds to the shape of the reflector.

7. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the device for improving heat dissipation comprises a thermolube connection between the heat sink and the coating.

8. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a thermally conducting layer.

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

10. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the air cooling device comprises a ventilator or convective cooling device.

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

12. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one luminous device comprises a short-arc lamp or a halogen lamp.

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

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

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

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

17. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 16, 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.

18. 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.

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

20. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a CVD or PVD coating on the reflector.

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

22. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a first layer absorbing radiation and a second layer arranged over the first layer, the second layer being thermally conductive.

23. The light-generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of eddy generating structures are in at least one region of the surface of the reflector.

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