LED lighting assembly with improved heat management

• US 6,966,677 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emissive Energy Corporation
• Original Assignee: Robert D. Galli
• Inventors: Galli, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Payne, Sharon E.
• Application Number:
  US10/833,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 362/373, 362/800, 362/200, 362/202, 362/208, 362/294, 362/547, 362/555, 362/543, 165/80.2, 165/80.3, 165/185, 174/16.3, 361/704, 361/707, 361/710, 257/706, 257/707, 257/712, 257/713, 313/512
• US Class Current: 362/373
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/143 the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/47 Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/767 the planes containing the fins or blades having directions perpendicular to the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

The present invention provides a lighting assembly that incorporates a high intensity LED package into an integral housing for further incorporation into other useful lighting devices. The present invention primarily includes three housing components, namely an inner mounting die, an outer enclosure and an outer housing that cooperate to enhance the heat management of the overall assembly. The inner and outer components cooperate to retain the LED package, provide electrical and control connections, provide integral heat sink capacity and includes an integrated reflector cup. Surface area enhancements on the outer surface of the outer enclosure are aligned with openings in the outer housing to allow efficient air flow around the LED assembly to enhance cooling. In this manner, high intensity LED packages can be incorporated into lighting assemblies with reduced risk of overheating and malfunction.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode assembly comprising:

a light emitting diode package including;

a front luminescent portion,

a mounting base,

a heat transfer plate on a rear surface of said mounting base, and

a first and second contact lead extending from the sides of said mounting base;

an interior mounting die, said interior die being thermally conductive, said interior die having a first end thereof configured to receive said mounting base of said light emitting diode, wherein said heat transfer plate is in thermal communication with said interior die;

an exterior enclosure, said exterior enclosure being thermally conductive, said enclosure having a tubular outer wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface and a front wall with an aperture therein, said interior surface of said outer wall and said front wall cooperating to form a cavity for receiving said interior mounting die, wherein said luminescent portion of said light emitting diode extends through said aperture in said front wall, said interior die being in thermal communication with said exterior enclosure, wherein, in assembled relation, said light emitting diode, said interior mounting die and said exterior enclosure form a lighting head sub-assembly; and

surface area enhancements extending outwardly from said exterior wall of said exterior enclosure.

2. The light emitting diode assembly of claim 1, wherein said surface area enhancements are selected from the group consisting of:

a plurality of spaced apart concentric fins, an array of a plurality of spaced apart pins and a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal fins.

3. The light emitting diode assembly of claim 1, wherein said aperture in said front wall of said exterior enclosure is a reflector.

4. The light emitting diode assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a tubular outer housing having a side wall with vent openings therein and an opening in a first end thereof, said lighting head sub-assembly being received into said first end of said outer housing, wherein said surface area enhancements are disposed adjacent said vent openings.

5. A heat sink assembly for mounting a light emitting diode comprising:

an interior mounting die, said interior die having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said first end configured to receive a light emitting diode, wherein said light emitting diode is in thermal communication with said interior mounting die, said interior mounting die being thermally conductive;

an exterior enclosure, said enclosure having a tubular outer wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface and a front wall with an aperture therein, said interior surface of said outer wall and said front wall cooperating to form a cavity for receiving said interior mounting die, said aperture being aligned with said first end of said interior die to allow a portion of said light emitting diode to extend through said aperture in said front wall.

6. The light emitting diode assembly of claim 5, wherein said aperture in said front wall of said exterior enclosure is a reflector.

7. The heat sink assembly of claim 5, further comprising:

surface area enhancements extending outwardly from said exterior wall of said exterior enclosure.

8. The light emitting diode assembly of claim 7, wherein said surface area enhancements are selected from the group consisting of:

a plurality of spaced apart concentric fins, an array of a plurality of spaced apart pins and a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal fins.

9. The heat sink assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

a tubular outer housing having a side wall with vent openings therein and an opening in a first end thereof, said exterior enclosure and said interior mounting die being received into said first end of said outer housing, wherein said surface area enhancements are disposed adjacent said vent openings, thereby allowing air to pass through said vent openings and over said surface area enhancements to cool said exterior enclosure and said interior mounting die.

10. A flashlight assembly comprising:

at least one bailey, said battery having a first and second electrical contact, said first contact;

a flashlight head assembly connected to said at least one battery and including,

a light emitting diode having a front luminescent portion and a rear mounting base, said mounting base having a heat transfer plate on a rear surface thereof and a first and second contact lead extending from the sides thereof,

an interior mounting die, said interior die being electrically conductive and thermally conductive, said interior die having a first end thereof capable of receiving said rear mounting base of said light emitting diode, wherein said heat transfer plate is in thermal communication with said interior die and said first contact lead is in electrical communication with said interior die, said interior die having a channel in one side thereof extending from said recess is said first end of said interior die to a second end of said interior die opposite said first end, said second contact lead of said diode extending into said channel,

an electrically conductive lead in electrical communication with said second contact lead, said electrically conductive lead extending along said channel in said interior mounting die, and

an exterior enclosure, said exterior enclosure being thermally conductive, said enclosure having a tubular outer wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface and a front wall with an aperture therein, said interior surface of said outer wall and said front wall cooperating to form a cavity for receiving said interior mounting die, wherein said luminescent portion of said light emitting diode extends through said aperture in said front wall, said exterior enclosure including surface area enhancements on the exterior surface thereof, said interior die in thermal communication with said exterior enclosure; and

means for selectively energizing said light emitting diode disposed between and in electrical communication with said second contact of said battery and said circuit electrically conductive lead.

11. The flashlight assembly of claim 10, wherein said aperture in said front wall of said exterior enclosure is a reflector.

12. The flashlight assembly of claim 10, wherein said surface area enhancements are selected from the group consisting of:

a plurality of spaced apart concentric fins, an array of a plurality of spaced apart pins and a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal fins.

13. A light emitting diode assembly comprising:

a light emitting diode having a front luminescent portion and a mounting base, said mounting base having a heat transfer plate on a rear surface thereof and a first and second contact lead extending from the sides thereof;

an interior mounting die, said interior die being thermally conductive, said interior die having a first end thereof configured to receive said mounting base of said light emitting diode, wherein said heat transfer plate is in thermal communication with said interior die;

an exterior enclosure, said exterior enclosure being thermally conductive, said enclosure having a tubular outer wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface and a front wall with an aperture therein, said interior surface of said outer wall and said front wall cooperating to form a cavity for receiving said interior mounting die, wherein said luminescent portion of said light emitting diode extends through said aperture in said front wall, said interior die being in thermal communication with said exterior enclosure, wherein, in assembled relation, said light emitting diode, said interior mounting die and said exterior enclosure form a lighting head sub-assembly;

surface area enhancements extending outwardly from said exterior wall of said exterior enclosure; and

a tubular outer housing having a side wall with vent openings therein and an opening in a first end thereof, said lighting head sub-assembly being received into said first end of said outer housing, wherein said surface area enhancements are disposed adjacent said vent openings, wherein air is allowed to freely flow through said vent openings and over said surface area enhancements to cool said lighting head sub assembly.

14. The light emitting diode assembly of claim 13, wherein said surface area enhancements are selected from the group consisting of:

a plurality of spaced apart concentric fins, an array of a plurality of spaced apart pins and a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal fins.

15. The light emitting diode assembly of claim 13, wherein said aperture in said front wall of said exterior enclosure is a reflector.