LED lamp and lamp/reflector assembly

• US 7,186,010 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Tucker, Michael, Tessnow, Thomas, Coushaine, Charles M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward; John Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Makiya; David
• Application Number:
  US10/939,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20050281047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 362/294, 362/345, 362/373, 362/574, 362/264
• US Class Current: 362/547
• 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: F21S 41/148 the main emission direction of the LED being perpendicular to the optical axis
• 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: F21S 45/50 Waterproofing
• 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: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An LED lamp (10) having a substantially concave heat sink (12) having a raised, frusto-conical center (14) surrounded by an outer rim (16). The heat sink (12) is preferably aluminum or other metal and at least the frusto-conical center preferably has a reflective coating. To further aid in heat removal the outer rim (16) can be provided with a plurality of apertures (16a). A side-emitting LED (18) is mounted on the frusto-conical center (14). A cover (26) is fixed to the outer surface (22) and defines a volume (28) between the frusto-conical center (14) and the cover (26). A circuit (30) is located within the volume (28) and an electrical connection (32) provides connection to the LED (18). In another embodiment a cover (26a) is provided with studs (54) and a reflector (42a) is provided with studs (56) that engage barbs (50) formed in a heat sink (12a).

Claims

1. An LED light source for a vehicle comprising:

a substantially concave reflector having an aperture in its bottom;

an LED lamp having a substantially concave heat sink having a raised, frusto-conical center surrounded by an outer rim, said frusto-conical center being positioned within said aperture and being fixed to said reflector;

a side-emitting LED mounted on said frusto-conical center;

a circumferential planar area between said frusto-conical center and said outer rim having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a cover fixed to said outer surface in a manner to define a volume between said frusto-conical center and said cover;

a printed circuit board located in said volume having electrical connection to said LED; and

at least one electrical contact in said cover for carrying electrical charges to said printed circuit board.

2. The LED light source of claim 1 wherein said LED lamp is fixed to said reflector by a double-sided tape positioned between said inner surface of said circumferential planar area and said reflector.

3. The LED light source of claim 2 wherein said cover includes a flange and said flange is fixed to said outer surface.

4. The LED light source of claim 3 wherein said flange is fixed to said outer surface by a double-sided tape.

5. An LED source for a vehicle comprising:

a substantially concave reflector having an aperture in its bottom with an annular flat surface surrounding said aperture;

a plurality of reflector studs on said annular flat surface projecting rearward away from said reflector;

an LED lamp having a substantially concave heat sink with a raised, frusto-conical center surrounded by an outer rim, said frusto-conical center being positioned within said aperture;

a side-emitting LED mounted on said frusto-conical center;

a circumferential planar area between said frusto-conical center and said outer rim, said circumferential planar area having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a plurality of barbs formed in said circumferential planar area;

a cover fixed to said outer surface in a manner to define a volume between said frusto-conical center and said cover, said cover having a circumferential flange having a plurality of cover studs projecting forwardly toward said reflector;

a printed circuit board located in said volume having electrical connection to said LED; and

at least one electrical contact in said cover for carrying electrical charges to said printed circuit board;

said reflector studs and said cover studs being engaged in said plurality of barbs formed in said circumferential planar area.

6. The LED light source of claim 5 wherein said LED lamp has a double-sided tape positioned between said inner surface of said circumferential planar area and said reflector.

7. The LED light source of claim 6 wherein said LED lamp has a double-sided tape between said cover flange and said outer surface.