High powered light emitter packages with compact optics
First Claim
1. A light emitter, comprising:
- a substantially planar supporting surface comprising a thermally conductive heat spreader and a reflective layer on said thermally conductive heat spreader, said reflective layer shaped to define a discontinuity;
a solid state light source on said reflective layer and in thermal communication with said thermally conductive heat spreader to draw heat away from said light source, said supporting surface providing a substantially planar surface around said light source; and
an encapsulant on said substantially planar supporting surface and surrounding said light source, said reflective layer between said encapsulant and said thermally conductive heat spreader, said encapsulant only constrained at an interface with said solid state light source and said substantially planar supporting surface, such that said encapsulant is capable of expanding and contracting in response to a change in temperature;
wherein said encapsulant comprises a curved external surface and substantially straight surface which is inwardly angled with respect to said substantially planar supporting surface, said curved external surface adjacent to said substantially straight surface, said inwardly angled encapsulant surface both refracting and reflecting light emitted by said light source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light emitter includes a planar supporting surface, a light source positioned on the spreader region, and an encapsulant positioned on the spreader region to surround the light source. Except where constrained by adhesion to the planar supporting surface, the encapsulant is capable of expanding and contracting in response to a change in temperature so that forces caused by differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the different components is minimized. One or more reflective elements can be positioned proximate to the light source to increase the light emitting efficiency of the light emitter. The reflective elements can include a reflective layer on the spreader region and/or a reflective layer on a portion of the encapsulant.
213 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A light emitter, comprising:
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a substantially planar supporting surface comprising a thermally conductive heat spreader and a reflective layer on said thermally conductive heat spreader, said reflective layer shaped to define a discontinuity; a solid state light source on said reflective layer and in thermal communication with said thermally conductive heat spreader to draw heat away from said light source, said supporting surface providing a substantially planar surface around said light source; and an encapsulant on said substantially planar supporting surface and surrounding said light source, said reflective layer between said encapsulant and said thermally conductive heat spreader, said encapsulant only constrained at an interface with said solid state light source and said substantially planar supporting surface, such that said encapsulant is capable of expanding and contracting in response to a change in temperature; wherein said encapsulant comprises a curved external surface and substantially straight surface which is inwardly angled with respect to said substantially planar supporting surface, said curved external surface adjacent to said substantially straight surface, said inwardly angled encapsulant surface both refracting and reflecting light emitted by said light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13)
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6. A light emitter, comprising:
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a heat spreader comprising a substantially planar reflective top surface comprising a discontinuity; a solid-state light source on said reflective top surface, with said heat spreader providing support for said light source and drawing heat away from said light source; an encapsulant positioned to surround said light source, said encapsulant only constrained in the areas around said light source by adhesion to said heat spreader and the surfaces of said light source, such that said encapsulant is capable of expanding and contracting in response to a change in temperature; wherein said encapsulant comprises a curved external surface and a substantially straight surface which is inwardly angled with respect to said substantially planar reflective top source, said curved external surface adjacent to said substantially straight surface, said inwardly angled encapsulant surface both refracting light emitted by said light source. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14)
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15. A light emitter, comprising:
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a supporting surface comprising a heat spreader and a reflective layer, said reflective layer on said heat spreader; a light source on said reflective layer; and an encapsulant on said supporting surface and surrounding said light source, said encapsulant only constrained at an interface with said light source and said supporting surface; wherein said encapsulant comprises a curved external surface and a substantially straight surface which is inwardly angled with respect to said supporting surface such that at least some light emitted by said light source is transmitted through said surface, said curved external surface adjacent to said substantially straight surface.
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Specification