Claims
- 1. A method of making an illuminated signage system, comprising:
providing a sign member comprising at least one channel defined by a plurality of surfaces; providing a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) modules, each of the LED modules comprising:
a plurality of LEDs; a plurality of electrically conductive contacts, each of the LEDs electrically communicating with at least one of the contacts; a dielectric layer having a first side and a second side, the contacts being connected to the first side; a main body layer; and an adhesive layer, the main body layer being disposed between the dielectric layer and the adhesive layer; electrically connecting the plurality of LED modules to each other; and adhering the adhesive layer of each module to at least one of the channel surfaces.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a thermally conductive tape.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tape comprises a backing, and additionally comprising removing the backing to expose the adhesive layer.
- 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the tape layer comprises a pair of flexible tape members that extend from opposing edges of the module, and additionally comprising engaging the flexible tape members with the channel surface.
- 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the thermally conductive tape layer comprises a thin metallic layer.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the main body has a thermal conductivity greater than about 100 W/mK.
- 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the channel surface has a thermal conductivity greater than about 100 W/mK.
- 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the main body is substantially flat.
- 9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one channel surface is flat, and additionally comprising adhering at least one of the modules to the flat channel surface.
- 10. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising adhering at least one module to each of at least two of the channel surfaces.
- 11. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising providing a translucent lens and attaching the lens to a front of the channel.
- 12. The method of claim 11 additionally comprising arranging the modules on the channel surfaces so that light from the modules does not shine directly at the lens.
- 13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of modules are arranged electrically in parallel.
- 14. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising electrically connecting the modules to one another before adhering them to the channel surface.
- 15. The method of claim 14 additionally comprising forming a linear chain of modules by electrically connecting adjacent modules.
- 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the modules are arranged in a dispenser, and additionally comprising drawing successive modules from the dispenser and adhering them into place in the channel.
- 17. A lighting system comprising:
a plurality of lighting modules adapted to be mounted on a surface of a heat conductive member, each module comprising: a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); a plurality of electrically conductive contacts, each of the LEDs electrically communicating with at least one of the contacts in a manner so that the LEDs are configured in a series array between opposing first and second edges of the module; and a dielectric layer having a first side and a second side, the contacts being connected to the first side; a first electrically conductive power trace and a second electrically conductive power trace disposed on the first side of the dielectric layer, a first one of the contacts being electrically connected to the first trace, and a second one of the contacts being electrically connected to the second trace, the first contact being electrically connected to a positive lead of the series array of LEDs, and the second contact being electrically connected to a negative lead of the series array of LEDs; wherein each of the modules further includes an adhesive layer adapted to fasten the module to a surface of a heat conductive member such that heat from the module is drawn into the heat conductive member through the adhesive, and wherein a plurality of modules are electrically interconnected in a manner so that the first and second power traces of a first module are connected to the first and second power traces of a second module.
- 18. A lighting system as in claim 17, wherein the first and second modules are connected by a first wire extending between the first traces of the modules and a second wire extending between the second traces of the modules.
- 19. A lighting system as in claim 17, wherein a connector is disposed on each of the first and second modules in electrical communication with the first and second traces of the respective module, and a pair of wires have a wire connector on each end of the pair of wires, the wire connectors being adapted to matingly engage the module connectors.
- 20. A lighting system as in claim 17, wherein each of the modules includes a main body layer disposed between the dielectric layer and the adhesive layer.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/948,338, which was filed on Sep. 5, 2001, and which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/301,951, which was filed on Jun. 29, 2001. Both of the priority applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60301951 |
Jun 2001 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09948338 |
Sep 2001 |
US |
Child |
10417896 |
Apr 2003 |
US |