Patent Application
20130307399
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Application No. 10-2012-0052481 filed on May 17, 2012, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field
This relates to a lighting apparatus, and more particularly, to a lighting apparatus which may omnidirectionally radiate light.
2. Background
Light sources that provide lighting may include, for example, incandescent lamps, discharge lamps, fluorescent lamps, and other such devices may be applied in various environments, such as for domestic use, industrial use, aesthetic purposes and the like. Resistive light sources, such as incandescent lamps, may have relatively low efficiency and high light emission, discharge lamps may have relatively high cost and requires high voltage, and fluorescent lamps may cause environmental problems due to use of mercury. A lighting apparatus including a light emitting diode (LED) may provide color diversity, design autonomy, and other advantages while also addressing some of the shortfalls of these other types of light sources.
The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Hereinafter, a lighting apparatus in accordance with various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention only to describe the disclosure in more detail, but do not limit the technical scope of the disclosure.
In the drawings, the same or similar elements may be denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted. For convenience of description, the sizes and shapes of constituent elements shown in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced.
Further, although terms, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or regions, it will be understood that the these terms are not intended to limit the elements, components, regions, layers and/or regions., but are used only to discriminate one element, component, region, layer and/or region from other elements, components, regions, layer and/or regions.
An LED may include a semiconductor element which emits light when forward voltage is applied thereto. An LED may have a relatively long lifespan and relatively low power consumption and its electrical, optical and physical characteristics may lend themselves to mass production. However, an LED may generate relatively high heat during operation. If this heat is not properly radiated/dispersed through, for example, a heat sink, efficiency of a light apparatus using LEDs may be lowered.
Further, if the heat generated by the LED is transmitted to a component of the lighting apparatus other than the heat sink, the component may be overheated or damaged, or, if the component is a bulb, the bulb may be deformed.
An LED may have a relatively narrow irradiation angle, and thus light distribution characteristics may be affected. Particularly, a lighting apparatus employing LEDs may have a relatively narrow irradiation angle, and if such a lighting apparatus is installed on the ceiling, the lighting apparatus may radiate light only to an area directly under the lighting apparatus or to an area close to the lighting apparatus. Thus, an LED lighting apparatus installed in this manner may provide a sufficient intensity of illumination to the area directly under the lighting apparatus or the area close to the lighting apparatus, but may not provide a sufficient intensity of illumination to a relatively distant space. Therefore, in order to maintain a sufficient intensity of illumination throughout a wide space, a larger number of lighting apparatuses may be required, thus increasing installation and operation costs.
A lighting apparatus 100 in accordance with the embodiment shown in
The heat sink 110 may include a plurality of heat radiation fins 113 and 113′, the mounting block 115 may be provided on the heat sink 110 and may have a top surface 116 and a plurality of side surfaces 117, and the bulb 140 may be disposed on the heat sink 110 and surround the mounting block 115. The light emitting modules 120 may each include a first substrate 121 disposed on the side surface 117 of the mounting block 115 and LEDs 122 mounted on the first substrate 121 (see
The heat radiation fins 113 and 113′ of the heat sink 110 may be separated from the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140 by a designated interval so as to prevent interference with light irritated within a designated light distribution angle by the LEDs 122. Further, the heat radiation fins 113/113′ may be shaped and installed so that they do not protrude into an area within a range of 120° to 140° with respect to the central axis C of the heat sink 110. This will be described in more detail later with reference to
As described above, the lighting apparatus 100 may include the heat sink 110 including the mounting block 115 having the top surface 116 and the plurality of side surfaces 117, the bulb 140 disposed on the heat sink 110 and surrounding the mounting block 115 such that a central area 140a of the bulb 140 corresponds to a top surface 116 of the mounting block 115, and the light emitting modules 120 each including the first substrate 121 disposed on the side surface 117 of the mounting block 115 and the LEDs 122 mounted on the first substrate 121 to irradiate light towards the side surface area 140b of the bulb 140. The lighting apparatus 100 may also include a second reflector 150 disposed on the heat sink 110 and having a surface 152 downwardly inclined from the side surfaces 117 of the mounting block 115 to the heat sink 110 so as to not interfere with light within a designated distribution angle irradiated from the LEDs 122. As described above, the lighting apparatus 100 may also include the first reflector 190 disposed on the mounting block 115 and reflecting light irradiated from the LEDs 122 towards the side surface area 140b or the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140, and the electronic module 160 electrically connected to the light emitting modules 120. The lighting apparatus 100 may also include a housing 170 accommodating the electronic module 160, and a power socket 180 mounted on the housing 170 and electrically connected to the electronic module 160.
The bulb 140 may have various shapes, taking into consideration various design characteristics, and may diffuse light irradiated from the light emitting modules 120 and adjust the direction of light emitted to the outside of the bulb 140. In one embodiment, if the bulb 140 functions as a diffusion member, the bulb 140 may scatter or diffuse light and may thus remove directionality of light and convert linearly directed light into surface light emitted through the overall surface of the bulb 140.
Further, the bulb 140 may be divided into the central area 140a, the side surface area 140b extending from the central area 140a, and the lower end area 140c close to the heat sink 110 with respect to the central axis C of the heat sink 110. In certain embodiments, the central area 140a, the side surface area 140b and the lower end area 140c may have different curvatures. For example, as shown in
The electronic module 160 converting commercial power for input into the light emitting modules 120 may be disposed within the housing 170, and the housing 170 may insulate the heat sink 110 and the electronic module 160 from each other. The power socket 180 to which commercial power is supplied may be mounted on the housing 170. Further, a space between the housing 170 and the electronic module 160 may be filled with an insulating material.
Guide parts 171 to facilitate mounting of the electronic module 160 within the housing 170 may be provided on the housing 170, thereby allowing the mounting position of the electronic module 160 to be confirmed and reducing assembly time.
The housing 170 may be formed integrally with the heat sink 110, may be formed of, for example, metal to perform radiation of heat generated from the light emitting modules 120, or may be formed separately from the heat sink 110 and be mounted on the heat sink 110. Particularly, if the housing 170 is formed separately from the heat sink 110, the housing 170 may be inserted into an insertion part provided at the lower end of the heat sink 110, and may be inserted up to a region adjacent to the mounting block 115 to reduce the electrical connection length with the light emitting modules 120.
The electronic module 160 may also include other components, such as, for example, a converter converting commercial power into DC power and a transformer adjusting an amplitude of voltage.
The heat sink 110 may be formed of, for example, a metal or a resin material having excellent thermal conductivity and may rapidly radiate heat generated from the light emitting modules 120, with the plurality of heat radiation fins 113 increasing a contact area with external air provided on the heat sink 110.
Light emitting modules may be categorized into a top view type in which LEDs are disposed to mainly irradiate light towards the central area 140a of the bulb 140, and a side view type in which LEDs are disposed to mainly irradiate light towards the side surface area 140b of the bulb 140. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
As described above, the light emitting module 120 may include the first substrate 121 disposed on the side surface 117 of the mounting block 115, and one or more LEDs 122 mounted on the first substrate 121. The mounting block 115 may have the shape of a polygonal prism having three to N (N>3) side surfaces, and a plurality of light emitting modules 120 respectively mounted on the side surfaces 117 of the mounting block 115. In such an arrangement, the first substrate 121 may denote substrates mounted on each of the side surfaces 117 of the mounting block 115, and a second substrate 123, to be described later, may denote a substrate mounted on the top surface 116 of the mounting block 115.
The light emitting modules 120 may include the second substrate 123 disposed on the top surface 116 of the mounting block 115 and electrically connected to a connector 161 of the electronic module 160. The second substrate 123 may also be electrically connected to the first substrates 121, and thus the electronic module 160 may be electrically connected to the first substrates 121 through the second substrate 123. That is, power may be supplied to the second substrate 123 through the connector 161 of the electronic module 160, and then supplied to the LEDs 122 of the first substrates 121.
A through hole 118 may be provided in the mounting block 115 through which the connector 161 of the electronic module 160 electrically connected to the second substrate 123 may pass. That is, the mounting block 115 may have the shape of a hollow polygonal prism, and in one embodiment, the mounting block 115 may have a hollow regular prism shape and the light emitting modules 120 may be respectively mounted on the four side surfaces 117 of the mounting block 115.
With reference to
The mounting block 115 may be formed of, for example, a metal or a resin material having high thermal conductivity in order to rapidly transmit light generated from the light emitting modules 120 to the heat sink 110, and may be formed integrally with the upper portion of the heat sink 110.
The lighting apparatus 100 may also include a thermal conductive pad P disposed between the mounting block 115 and the light emitting modules 120.
With reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in
However, the LEDs 122 forming the light emitting modules 120 may have a relatively strong straightness of light and a relatively narrow light distribution angle of, for example, about 120°. In the case of this type of side view type light emitting modules 120, light at some light distribution angles may not be radiated to the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140, and the above-described omnidirectional light distribution requirements may not be fully satisfied.
In order to provide for omnidirectional light distribution, the first reflector 190 may reflect light irradiated from the LEDs 122 to the side surface area 140b or the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140.
Specifically, with reference to
With reference to
With reference to
Mounting grooves 195 may be provided at the cap part 191 of the first reflector 190, and mounting protrusions 121a provided at the first substrates 121 may be inserted into the mounting grooves 195. Therefore, the first reflector 190 may be easily mounted on the first substrates 121 and the mounting position of the first reflector 190 may be easily aligned by the mounting protrusions 121a and the mounting grooves 195.
Since the first reflector 190 is fastened to the top surface 116 of the mounting block 115, with the cap part 191 surrounding a boundary between the second substrate 123 and the first substrates 121 and the connector 161, the lighting apparatus 100 may have an appealing external appearance quality.
Further, the reflective part 192 may be upwardly inclined (with reference to
As discussed above, the lighting apparatus 100 may include the second reflector 150 mounted on the heat sink 110 and having downwardly inclined surfaces 152 and 154 that extend towards the heat sink 110 from the side surfaces 117 of the mounting block 115 so as to prevent interference with light within a designated light distribution angle irradiated from the LEDs 122.
Prevention of interference with light within the designated light distribution angle irradiated from the LEDs 122 not only means that components (for example, the second reflector) are not located in an area within the light distribution angle of the LEDs 122, but also that light irradiated from the LEDs 122 is not reflected towards the central area 140a of the bulb 140, but is reflected towards the side surface area 140b and/or the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140.
The second reflector 150 may radiate light at a designated light distribution angle, irradiated from the side view type light emitting modules 120, towards the side surface area 140b and the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140 together with the first reflector 190.
The inclined surfaces 152 and 154 of the second reflector 150 may be downwardly inclined at an angle of, for example, 120° to 140° with respect to the side surfaces 117 of the mounting block 115. In more detail, the inclined surfaces 152 and 154 of the second reflector 150 may be downwardly inclined at an angle of 120° to 140° with respect to the central axis C of the mounting block 115. This angle takes into consideration the light distribution angle (about 120°) of the LEDs 122, and may be determined within the above angle range in consideration of the separation distance between the second reflector 150 and the LEDs 122, the size of the second reflector 150, and other such factors.
With reference to
In
With reference to
The second reflector 150 may include a ring 151 surrounding a partial area of the mount part 114 of the heat sink 110, and an insertion groove 153 provided at the outer circumferential surface of the ring 151 such that the bulb 140 is inserted into the insertion groove 153.
The inclined surfaces 152 and 154 of the second reflector 150 may include a first inclined surface 152 formed in the circumferential direction of the upper end of the ring 151, and second inclined surfaces 154 formed at the upper end of the first inclined surface 152 so as to partially surround a portion of the first substrates 121.
The first inclined surface 152 and the second inclined surfaces 154 may be downwardly inclined at an angle of 120° to 140° with respect to the central axis C of the mounting block 115. The first inclined surface 152 and the second inclined surfaces 154 may be inclined at the same angle, or may be inclined at different angles.
Further, the second inclined surface 154 may have a structure that surrounds a partial area of the first substrate 121, particularly, an area of the first substrate 121 including the groove 121b, and may thus stably support the first substrate 121. That is, the second reflector 150 may support the first substrates 121 as well as provide a space in which the bulb 140 is mounted.
Through the first inclined surface 152 and the second inclined surfaces 154 having the above structure, interference of light irradiated from the LEDs 122 with the second reflector 150 within a designated light distribution angle may be prevented, or light irradiated from the LEDs 122 may be reflected to the side surface area 140b and/or the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140.
As described above, a lighting apparatus 100 as embodied and broadly described herein may uniformly emit light irradiated from the LEDs 122 to the side surface area 140b and the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140 through the second reflector 150 located below the LEDs 122 forming the side view type light emitting modules 120 and the first reflector 190 located above the LEDs 122, and may thus satisfy the above omnidirectional light distribution requirements.
Further, in addition to satisfaction of the omnidirectional light distribution requirements, a lighting apparatus 100 as embodied and broadly described herein may uniformly radiate light irradiated from the LEDs 122 to the side surface area 140b and the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140 through the first reflector 190 and the second reflector 150, and may thus provide light to a wider space as compared to a case in which light from the LEDs 122 is radiated only to the central area 140a of the bulb 140.
In order to improve rear light distribution characteristics and/or scattering characteristics, the bulb 140 may include the first diffusion part 141 formed at the upper end thereof and the second diffusion part 142 formed at the lower end thereof. The first diffusion part 141 and the second diffusion part 142 may have different curvatures. For example, the diameter of the second diffusion part 142 may linearly decrease as the second diffusion part 142 becomes more distant from the LEDs 122 (with reference to
Further, in order to increase scattering characteristics, the LEDs 122 may be located at a boundary B between the first diffusion part 141 and the second diffusion part 142. For example, the LEDs 122 may be disposed such that the optical irradiation axis L1 having the maximum light amount passes through the boundary B between the first diffusion part 141 and the second diffusion part 142.
Hereinafter, another function of the second reflector 150 will be described in detail.
As described above, the mount part 114 on which the mounting block 115 is provided and the recess 122 into which the insertion groove 153 of the second reflector 150 is inserted may be provided at the upper end of the heat sink 110, and an insertion part into which the housing 170 is inserted may be provided at the lower end of the heat sink 110. Further, the recess 112 may be provided in a space between the mount part 114 and the heat radiation fins 113, and the mount part 114 may protrude further upward from the heat sink 110 than the heat radiation fins 113.
During operation of the lighting apparatus 100, the light emitting modules 120 generate a large amount of heat, and such heat is emitted to the outside through the heat sink 110. When the bulb 140 directly the heat sink 110, heat generated from the light emitting modules 120 may be transmitted to the bulb 140 through the heat sink 110, and bulb 140 may be deformed by such high temperature heat.
In order to prevent such deformation of the bulb 140, the lighting apparatus 100 in accordance with this embodiment may include the second reflector 150 disposed between the heat sink 110 and the bulb 140 to reduce the amount of heat transmitted from the heat sink 110 to the bulb 140. That is, the second reflector 150 may separate the heat sink 110 and the bulb 140 from each other so as to prevent direct contact between the heat sink 110 and the bulb 140. For example, the second reflector 150 may include the ring 151 surrounding a partial area or more of the mount part 114, and the insertion groove 153 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the ring 151 such that the bulb 140 is inserted into the insertion groove 153.
If the second reflector 150 passes through the recess 112 and is fastened to the heat sink 110, heat of the heat sink 110 may be transmitted to the mount end 143 of the bulb 140 by fastening devices formed of, for example, a metal material, and thus the second reflector 150 may be fastened to the upper portion of the mount part 114 through one or more fastening devices 155 and 156.
Further, with reference to
As shown in
In certain embodiments, the second reflector 150 may be fastened directly to the heat sink 110 and thus may be formed of a material having excellent heat resistance, such as, for example, a material having low thermal conductivity to reduce heat transmitted from the heat sink 110 to the bulb 140, and high reflectivity to reflect light irradiated from the light emitting modules 120 to omnidirectional areas of the bulb 140.
Further, an inclined part 114a may be provided in the circumferential direction of the upper end of the mount part 114 of the heat sink 110. The inclined part 114a may have the same inclination angle of the first inclined surface 152 of the second reflector 150.
The above-described second reflector 150 may radiate light at a designated light distribution angle, irradiated from the side view type light emitting modules 120, towards the side surface area 140b and the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140 together with the first reflector 190, and may include the plural inclined surfaces 152 and 154 to prevent interference with light irradiated from the LEDs 122 within a designated light distribution angle or to reflect the light towards the side surface area 140b or the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140.
If the heat radiation fins 113/113′ excessively protrude towards the bulb 140, light irradiated from the LEDs 122 or light reflected through the first reflector 190 and/or the second reflector 150 may collide with the heat radiation fins 113/113′, and thus it may be difficult to obtain desired light distribution characteristics.
Therefore, the heat radiation fins 113 or 113′ may be separated from the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140 by a designated interval so as to prevent such interference, such as for example, may be separated from the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140 by 3 mm to 5 mm.
Further, the heat radiation fins 113/113′ may include inclined surfaces 113′a having designated curvature formed at regions thereof corresponding to the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140, and may have a convex structure (in case of the heat radiation fins 113) or a concave structure (in case of the heat radiation fins 113′) towards the bulb 140.
As previously discussed, the heat radiation fins 113/113′ are separated from the lower end area 140c of the bulb 140 by a designated interval so as to prevent interference with light within a designated light distribution angle irradiated from the LEDs 122 regardless of the shape of the heat radiation fins 113/113′, and the heat radiation fins 113/113′ may be provided so as not into protrude to an area within a range of 120° to 140° with respect to the central axis C of the heat sink 10 in the same manner as the inclined surfaces 152 and 154 of the second reflector 150 (with reference to
As apparent from the above description, a lighting apparatus in accordance with embodiments as broadly described herein may radiate light irradiated from LED light sources at a uniform light amount throughout omnidirectional areas of a bulb.
Further, lighting apparatus in accordance with embodiments as broadly described herein may light a wider space using light irradiated from the LED light sources.
Further, a lighting apparatus in accordance with embodiments as broadly described herein may reduce heat transmitted from a heat sink to the bulb.
Moreover, a lighting apparatus in accordance with embodiments as broadly described herein may reduce the number of parts, reduce manufacturing costs, and increase mass-production possibility.
A lighting apparatus is provided which omnidirectionally radiates light irradiated from LED light sources at a uniform light amount.
A lighting apparatus is provided which lights a wider space using light irradiated from LED light sources.
A lighting apparatus is provided which reduces heat transmitted from a heat sink to a bulb.
A lighting apparatus is provided which reduces the number of parts, reduces manufacturing costs, and increases mass-production possibility.
A lighting apparatus embodied and broadly described herein may include a heat sink provided with a plurality of heat radiation fins, a mounting block provided on the heat sink and having an top surface and a plurality of side surfaces, a bulb disposed on the heat sink and the surrounding the mounting block, light emitting modules, each of which includes a first substrate disposed on each of the plurality of side surfaces of the mounting block and LEDs mounted on the first substrate to irradiate light towards a side surface area of the bulb, a electronic module electrically connected to the light emitting modules, and a first reflector mounted on the mounting block and reflecting light irradiated from the LEDs towards a lower end area of the bulb.
The plurality of heat radiation fins of the heat sink may be separated from the lower end area of the bulb by a designated interval so as to prevent interference with light within a designated light distribution angle irradiated from the LEDs.
Inclined surfaces having designated curvature may be formed at regions of the plurality of heat radiation fins corresponding to the lower end area of the bulb.
The plurality of heat radiation fins may be provided so as not to protrude to an area of a range of 120° to 140° with respect to the central axis of the heat sink.
The first reflector may include a cap part surrounding the upper portion of the mounting block and a reflective part extending from the outer circumferential surface of the cap part.
Mounting protrusions may be provided on the first substrates of the light emitting modules and mounting grooves into which the mounting protrusions are inserted may be provided at the cap part of the first reflector.
The reflective part may have a ring shape.
The reflective part may be upwardly or downwardly inclined at a designated angle with respect to the plurality of side surfaces of the mounting block.
The light emitting modules may be disposed on the top surface of the mounting block, and may further include a second substrate electrically connected to the electronic module and the first substrates of the light emitting modules.
A through hole through which a connector of the electronic module electrically connected to the second substrate passes may be provided on the mounting block.
Protrusions may be provided on the plurality of side surfaces of the mounting block, and grooves into which the protrusions are inserted may be provided on the first substrates of the light emitting modules.
The lighting apparatus may further include a first fastening member passing through the second substrate and fixed to the mounting block and a second fastening member passing through the first reflector and the second substrate and fixed to the mounting block.
The lighting apparatus may also include a second reflector mounted on heat sink and having downwardly inclined surfaces towards the heat sink from the plurality of side surfaces of the mounting block so as to prevent interference with light within the designated light distribution angle irradiated from the LEDs.
The inclined surfaces of the second reflector may be downwardly inclined at an angle of 120° to 140° with respect to the central axis of the heat sink.
The heat sink may include a mount part on which the mounting block is provided and a recess into which the second reflector is inserted and which is provided between the mount part and the plurality of heat radiation fins.
The second reflector may include a ring part surrounding a partial area or more of the mount part and an insertion groove part provided on the outer circumferential surface of the ring part such that the bulb is inserted into the insertion groove part.
The inclined surfaces of the second reflector may include a first inclined surface formed in the circumferential direction of the upper end of the ring part and second inclined surfaces formed at the upper end of the first inclined surface so as to surround a partial area or more of the first substrates of the light emitting modules.
The first inclined surface and the second inclined surfaces may be downwardly inclined at an angle of 120° to 140° with respect to the central axis of the heat sink.
The bulb may be detachably mounted on the insertion groove part.
The bulb may include a first diffusion part formed at the upper end thereof and a second diffusion part formed at the lower end thereof, and the first diffusion part and the second diffusion part may have different curvatures.
The lighting apparatus may further include a thermal conductive pad disposed between the mounting block and the light emitting modules.
Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2012-0052481 | May 2012 | KR | national |
