1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates to an LED light source, and more particularly to an LED light source using a light-guiding module applicable with various types of LED modules.
2. Description of Related Art
An LED light source is a type of solid-state lighting that utilizes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a source of illumination. LEDs convert electricity to light via current through a junction region comprising two different semiconductors, by which electrons and holes coupled at the junction region generate the light. LED advantages of resistance to impact and nearly limitless lifetime under specific conditions make an LED light source a cost-effective yet high quality replacement for incandescent and fluorescent lamps.
Known implementations of LED modules in an LED light source use a plurality of individual LEDs to generate light reflected by a light-guiding module to obtain sufficient illumination of suitably wide distribution. A conventional light-guiding module is integrally fabricated and suited only for use in the type of LED light source for which its use is intended, such that in order to equip a variety of LED light sources, development and manufacture of a wide range of light-guiding module types are required, representing considerable cost and material burdens.
What is needed, therefore, is a light-guiding module suitable for application with a variety of LED light source types, thereby overcoming the described limitations.
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, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Referring to
The LED module 10 comprises an elongated printed circuit board 12 and a plurality of spaced LEDs 14 evenly mounted on a top side of the printed circuit board 12. The LEDs 14 are arranged in two parallel rows symmetrical relative to a longitudinal central axis of the printed circuit board 12. The printed circuit board 12 defines a plurality of extending orifices 120 therein; in this embodiment, an amount of the extending orifices 120 is three. The orifices 120 are evenly arranged in the longitudinal central axis of the printed circuit board 12.
The light-guiding module 60 comprises a frame 20 and two light guiding unit arrays 30 engaging with the frame 20. The frame 20 has a rectangular and elongated shape corresponding to the printed circuit board 12 of the LED module 10. The frame 20 defines a plurality of extending holes 280 in a longitudinal central axis of the frame 20 and corresponding to the extending orifices 120 of the printed circuit board 12. The frame 20 forms a pair of elongated recesses 23 in an upper portion thereof. The recesses 23 are spaced from each other and symmetrical relative to a longitudinal central axis of the frame 20. Each recess 23 is shaped to have a narrow top mouth 231 and a wide bottom portion 232 (please see
The lower portion of the frame 20 forms three ribs 28 in each receiving voids 26 to divide each receiving voids 26 into four segments (not labeled). The ribs 28 are located in alignment with the extending holes 280 along a transverse direction of the frame 20 to strengthen the frame 20. Each recess 23 includes two undercuts 230 defined at two opposite sides of thereof. The undercuts 230 of each recess 23 are parallel to each other and face to each other. The undercuts 230 of each recess 23 make the recess 23 have a trapezoidal cross section. One lateral end of each of the recesses of the frame 20 is opened to define an entrance 220 at the corresponding lateral end of each recess 23. An opposing lateral end of each recess 23 of the frame 20 is closed by a corresponding lateral end of the frame 20 to terminate each recess 23. The cutouts 230 of each of the recesses 23 function as runners for fittingly receiving the flanges 3310 of the base 331 of a corresponding light guiding unit 33 therein, thereby mounting the corresponding light guiding unit 33 on the frame 20.
The light guiding unit arrays 30 comprise a plurality of light guiding units 33 individual from each other. Each of the light guiding units 33 is integrally manufactured. Each of the light guiding units 33 is located corresponding to each of the LEDs 14. Referring also to
Referring also to
According to the previously mentioned descriptions, the individual light guiding units 33 are assembled into the frames 20 to form the light-guiding modules 60, suitable for the LED module 10 of the disclosed embodiment and further for various types of frames to suit different types of LED module in different LED light sources.
It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2008 1 0067419 | May 2008 | CN | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4628421 | Saar | Dec 1986 | A |
7033060 | Dubuc | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7674010 | Griffiths et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
20060164833 | Parkyn et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20070230171 | Hiratsuka | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070279904 | Tasch et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1967045 | May 2007 | CN |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20090290342 A1 | Nov 2009 | US |