Compact, high efficiency, high power solid state light source using a solid state light-emitting device

• US 8,033,704 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optim LLC
• Original Assignee: Optim LLC
• Inventors: Krupa, Robert J., Root, Thomas V., Lorenz, Peter G.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAWHNEY, HARGOBIND S
• Application Number:
  US11/636,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20070086205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,765 Days
• Field of Search: 362554-556, 362/119, 362/516, 362/517, 362/551, 362572-574, 362/612, 362/613, 362/615, 362/621, 257/81, 257/79, 257/82, 257/88, 257/94, 257/98, 257/99, 385/119, 385/34, 385/92, 385115-117, 385/120, 385/121, 385/901, 250/227.24
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0653 with wavelength conversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298

Abstract

A compact, high-efficiency, high-power, solid state light source, comprising a high-power solid state light-emitting device, a light guide having a proximal light-receiving end proximate the light-emitting device and a distal light-transmitting end spaced farther from the light-emitting device, and a mechanical light guide fixing device coupled to the light guide near its proximal end, to hold the proximal end of the light guide in position near the light-emitting device.

Claims

1. An illumination device comprising:

two or more light sources, each light source comprising a high-powered solid state light emitting device comprising a light emitting semiconductor chip with a lens and coupling gel removed, the light emitting semiconductor chip comprising a light emitting surface; and

a light guide comprising a light-receiving end and a light-transmitting end,

wherein the light-receiving end is placed directly against the light emitting surfaces of the two or more light sources, said light-receiving end matching the size of the light-emitting surfaces of the light emitting semiconductor chips.

2. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light emitting semiconductor chips emit white light.

3. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the high-powered solid state light emitting devices are coated with a wavelength conversion phosphor.

4. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light emitting semiconductor chips have different spectral outputs.

5. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light emitting semiconductor chips have a form factor selected from the group consisting of square or round.

6. The illumination device of claim 5 wherein the light guide has a square or round diameter.

7. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises a fiber optic light guide.

8. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises a bundle of optical fibers.

9. The illumination device of claim 8 wherein the fibers have diameters of about 30 to 50 micrometers.

10. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises a liquid light guide.

11. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises plastic or glass fibers.

12. The illumination device of claim 11 wherein the plastic or glass fibers form a taper.

13. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises a plastic or glass rod.

14. The illumination device of claim 13 wherein the plastic or glass rod forms a taper.

15. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein the light guide comprises a combination of a solid taper and a fiber bundle.

16. The illumination device of claim 1 further comprising a battery power source.

17. An illumination device comprising:

two or more light sources, each light source comprising a high-powered solid state light emitting device comprising a light emitting semiconductor chip, wherein an emitting surface of the light emitting semiconductor chip is provided with a wavelength conversion coating, with lens and coupling gel removed; and

a light guide comprising a light-receiving end and a light-transmitting end,

wherein the light-receiving end is placed directly against the wavelength conversion coatings of the two or more light sources, said light-receiving end matching the size of the light-emitting semiconductor chips.

18. The illumination device of claim 17 wherein the light emitting semiconductor chips emit white light.

19. The illumination device of claim 17 wherein the light emitting semiconductor chips have different spectral outputs.

20. The illumination device of claim 17 wherein the light emitting semiconductor chips have a form factor selected from the group consisting of square or round.