Patent Application
20100327750
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to LED illuminating apparatuses, and particularly to a tubular LED illuminating apparatus with a great heat dissipating capability.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are one kind of semiconductor element. Nowadays, LEDs are extensively used as light sources for illuminating apparatuses, due to their high luminous efficiency, low power consumption and long work life.
An LED illuminating apparatus, for example, an LED lamp generally requires a plurality of LEDs, and most of the LEDs are driven at the same time, which results in a quick rise in temperature of the LED lamp. Since generally the LED lamps do not have heat dissipation devices with good heat dissipating efficiencies, operation of the conventional LED lamp has a problem of instability because of the rapid increase of heat. Especially, an LED light tube which has a shell made of plastic or glass, which degrades the heat dissipation efficiency. If the LED lamp is used in a state of high temperature for a long time, the life time thereof is dramatically shortened. Furthermore, the shell for the LED light tube is generally a closed tube, whereby assembly thereof is difficult.
Therefore, what is needed is an LED illuminating apparatus which can overcome the above described shortcomings
Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various embodiments of the present LED illuminating apparatus in detail.
Referring to
The lampshade 11 has a semi-cylindrical shape and defines a plurality of vents 111 at a top thereof and grooves 112 at two lateral sides thereof. The vents 111 arranged on a center line O1O2 of the lampshade 11, and the grooves 112 are symmetrically defined about the central line O1O2. In this embodiment, the vents 111 each are rectangular. The grooves 112 each are also rectangular. It can be understood that the vents 111 and grooves 112 may be in a shape of sector or circle, etc. The lampshade 11 is made of a material with a good heat conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.
The cover 12 has a semi-cylindrical shape and engaged with the lampshade 11 to form the tube. The grooves 112 of the lampshade 11 engaged with lateral sides of the cover 12 to form a plurality of through holes which communicating with ambient air. The cover 12 is transparent or light pervious, such as glass, plastic, or other transparent/translucent material.
The heat dissipation module 13 is received in the hollow tube defined by the lampshade 11 and the cover 12. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation module 13 is integrally extruded by a metal block. The heat dissipation module 13 includes a base 131 and a plurality of fins 132 extending the base 131 in arrays and spaced from each other. In this embodiment, the base 131 is generally arc-shaped, and includes a semicircular heat conductive portion 1311 and two supporting portions 1312 inwardly extending from two opposite ends of the heat conductive portion 1311. The fins 132 are projected upwardly from a convex surface of the base 131 along a longitudinal direction thereof and have a uniform extending height. Upper free ends of the fins 132 cooperatively form an imaginary semicircular, convex surface. Each of the supporting portions 1312 has a flat surface away from the convex surface of the base 131 and configured for supporting the light source 14.
The light source 14 received in the hollow tube includes a substrate 141 and a plurality of spaced LEDs 142 evenly mounted on the substrate 141 along a lengthwise direction of the substrate 141. The substrate 141 is securely attached to the flat surface of the supporting portions 1312. Each LED 142 is mounted in a thermally conductive relationship with the substrate 141. Light emitting from the LEDs 142 travels through the cover 12 to an outside of the LED illuminating apparatus 10 for lightening.
The connectors 15 are secured at the two opposite ends of tube cooperatively formed by the lampshade 11 and the cover 12, and configured for covering the two open axial ends of the hollow tube. The connectors 15 are provided for connecting with an external power source via two sockets (not shown) of a lamp holder (not shown) whereby the LEDs 142 can obtain the required electrical power for generating light. The connectors 15 are electrically connected with the LEDs 142. In the present embodiment, two ends of the base 131 respectively secured at inner surfaces of the connectors 15; therefore, the heat dissipation module 13 and the light source 14 can space a distance from inner surfaces of the lampshade 11 and the cover 12.
A driving circuit module 16 is arranged on one surface of the substrate 141 and opposite to the LEDs 142. The driving circuit module 16 electronically connects with the LEDs 142 and the connectors 15.
Heat generated by LEDs 142 is transferred to the fins 132 via the base 131, and dissipated to environment air through the lampshade 11. Furthermore, air in the hollow tube is heated by the LEDs 142 and then floats upwardly. The heated air escapes to the ambient atmosphere of the lampshade 11 via the vents 111 and the grooves 112 defined in the lampshade 11. Cooling air in the ambient atmosphere enters into the hollow tube, whereby a natural air convection is circulated between the hollow tube and the ambient atmosphere. Thus, the LED illuminating apparatus 10 with a great heat dissipating capability, and the brightness, lifespan, and reliability of the LED illuminating apparatus 10 will be improved. Also, the LED illuminating apparatus 10 has the lampshade 11 and the cover 12 engaged with the lampshade 11; therefore, the LED illuminating apparatus 10 is assembled more easily than the conventional LED light tube which has a shell with a configuration of a monolithic tube.
Referring to
The heat dissipation module 20 includes a flat base 231 and a plurality of fins 232 extending upwardly from the base 231 in arrays and spaced from each other. Heights of fins 232 gradually decrease along a center one of the fins 232 toward lateral sides of the fins 232. Upper free ends of the fins 232 cooperatively form an imaginary convex surface. Lateral sides of the base 231 is sandwiched between the lampshade 21 and the cover 22, and exposed to ambient air. The light source 24 can be selected from a packaged LED, an LED chip or an LED wafer consisting of a plurality of LED chips, which is mounted on one surface (i.e., bottom surface) of the base 231 facing the cover 22. In the present embodiment, a circuit is formed on the bottom face of the base 231 to which the light source 24 is electrically connected. The circuit is electrically connected with the connectors 25.
In the present embodiment, a light guide film 222 is formed on an inner surface of the cover 22. Light emitted from the light source 24 travels through the light guide film 222 uniformly. In other embodiments, the light guide film 222 can be formed on an outer surface of the cover 22, and a polarizing film or diffusion film can be formed on the inner surface of the cover 22.
It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200910303649.X | Jun 2009 | CN | national |
