Light source module with a thermoelectric cooler

• US 7,611,263 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2008
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd., Fuzhun Precision Industry Company Limited (Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd., Fuzhun Precision Industry Company Limited (Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Huang, Chung-Yuan, Zha, Xin-Xiang, Yu, Ye-Fei, Kuo, Jer-Haur, Jan, Shun-Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, LAURA K
• Application Number:
  US12/107,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20090168429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 362/800, 362/249.01, 362/294, 362/249.02
• US Class Current: 362/249.02
• 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: F21V 29/00 Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting fixtures combined with outlets for air-treatment systems F24F13/078
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/51 using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/677 the fans being used for discharging
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/80 with pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A light source module (100) includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (13), a heat dissipation device (30) and a thermoelectric cooler (20). The thermoelectric cooler has a cold side (21) and a hot side (23). The light emitting diodes are in thermal engagement with the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler. The heat dissipation device is in thermal engagement with the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler.

Claims

1. A light source module, comprising:

an LED module comprising a plurality of LEDs;

a heat dissipation device comprising a base, a plurality of fins located on a top surface of the base and a fan arranged at a lateral side of the fins for generating an airflow, an outlet opening of the fan being positioned facing channels between the fins whereby the air flow generated by the fan is driven to flow through the fins;

a thermoelectric cooler having a cold side and a hot side, the cold side being in thermal engagement with the light emitting diodes, and the hot side being in thermal engagement with a bottom surface of the base of the heat dissipation device; and

a layer of thermal grease being sandwiched between the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler and the bottom surface of the base for enhancing heat transfer efficiency therebetween.

2. The light source module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fins extend upwardly from a top surface of the base.

3. The light source module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottom surface of the base has a shape and size corresponding to a top surface of the hot side.

4. The light source module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heat dissipation device comprises at least one heat pipe.

5. The light source module as claimed in claim 4, wherein one end of the at least one heat pipe is attached to one of the top surface of the base and the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler, and another end of the at least one end of the heat pipe is connected to the fins.

6. The light source module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LED module further comprises a printed circuit board attached to the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler, the LEDs are mounted on the printed circuit board.

7. A light source module, comprising:

an LED module comprising a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs electrically connected to the printed circuit board;

a heat dissipation device comprising a base, a plurality of fins located on a top side of the base, and a fan attached to a lateral side of the fins for generating an airflow, the fan having an outlet opening facing channels between the fins, the airflow provided by the fan flowing through the fins so that heat of the heat dissipation device can be dissipated quickly;

a thermoelectric cooler having a cold side and a hot side, the cold side thermally contacting with the printed circuit board of the LED module, and the hot side thermally contacting with a bottom surface of the base of the heat dissipation device; and

a layer made of heat conductive material being sandwiched between the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler and the bottom surface of the base, the heat conductive material being chosen from a group consisting of metal and thermal grease.

8. A light source module, comprising:

an LED module comprising a plurality of LEDs;

a heat dissipation device comprising a base, a plurality of fins extending upwardly from a top surface of the base and a fan arranged at a lateral side of the fins for generating an airflow, the fan having an outlet opening facing the fins so that the airflow generated by the fan is driven to flow through the fins;

a thermoelectric cooler having a cold side and a hot side, the cold side being in thermal engagement with the light emitting diodes, and the hot side being in thermal engagement with a bottom surface of the base of the heat dissipation device; and

a layer of metal being sandwiched between the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler and the bottom surface of the base for enhancing heat transfer efficiency therebetween.

9. The light source module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat dissipation device further comprises a heat pipe, one end of the heat pipe being attached to the top surface of the base and the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler directly, and the other end of the heat pipe extending through the fins.