Abstract:
A light emitting unit, an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same, an apparatus for molding a lens thereof, and a light emitting device package thereof, which are capable of achieving an enhancement in light extraction efficiency and an improvement in mass productivity, are disclosed. The light emitting unit manufacturing apparatus includes a mold including a first mold and a second mold coupled to each other under a condition in which at least one light emitting unit is interposed between the first and second molds, a groove formed in one of the first and second molds at a position facing the light emitting unit, the groove having a lens shape, and a passage extending from an outer surface of the mold to the groove.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0052037, filed on Jun. 9, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a light emitting unit, an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same, an apparatus for molding a lens thereof, and a light emitting device package thereof, and more particularly, to a light emitting unit, an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same, an apparatus for molding a lens thereof, and a light emitting device package thereof which are capable of achieving an enhancement in light extraction efficiency and an improvement in mass productivity. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Generally, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, which are a kind of light reception type flat display, have no ability to emit light by itself. For this reason, such an LCD device forms an image by selectively transmitting illumination light irradiated from the external of the LCD device. To this end, a light source must be arranged at the back side of the LCD device, in order to illuminate the LCD device. This light source is called a “backlight unit (BLU)”. 
         [0006]    Such a backlight unit must uniformly irradiate light over the overall surface of a liquid crystal panel. To this end, where light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used for light emitters of the backlight unit, it is necessary to arrange a lens on a package of each LED, in order to obtain a uniform brightness distribution of illumination light. 
         [0007]    For an example of a method for installing a lens on an LED package, there is a method in which a lens is injection-molded using an epoxy resin or polycarbonate (PC)-based resin, and the molded lens is attached to an LED package. 
         [0008]    The attachment of the lens to the LED package may be achieved using a method shown in  FIG. 1 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an encapsulate material  11  is filled in a region defined over an LED  12  of an LED package  10 , and a lens  20  is then attached to an upper surface of the LED package  10  filled with the encapsulate material  11 . 
         [0009]    In this case, for the encapsulate material  11  of the LED package  10 , a material such as silicon is used. However, when the lens  20 , which is made of an epoxy resin or a PC-based material, is attached to the encapsulate material  11  which is a silicon, the following problems may occur. 
         [0010]    First, when the lens  20  is made of an epoxy resin, it has no bonding force to silicon, which is used for the encapsulate material  11 . For this reason, an air layer is formed between the two materials. 
         [0011]    When an air layer is formed between the two materials, as mentioned above, light may be totally reflected while passing through the silicon encapsulate material  11  and the epoxy resin lens  20 . As a result, a part of light emerging from the LED  12  cannot directly reach the lens  20 . 
         [0012]    Since the light travels along a complex path between the encapsulate material  11  and the lens  20  due to such a total reflection phenomenon, the number of light beams finally emerging out of the LED package  10  is reduced. As a result, a reduction in light amount occurs. For this reason, practically, a degradation in brightness occurs. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, when the epoxy resin used for the lens  20  is exposed to a high temperature condition for a prolonged period of time, a yellowing phenomenon may occur. For this reason, when the lens  20  may be discolored in the manufacture thereof, so that it may function as a main factor of a degradation in light amount. 
         [0014]    Second, when the lens  20  is injection-molded using a PC-based resin, interfaces are formed between the silicon encapsulate material  11  and the PC lens  20 , similarly to the former case. Due to a full reflection phenomenon occurring at the interfaces, a degradation in the light amount of the LED package  10  may occur. 
         [0015]    Meanwhile, in the case of a modulized LED package, it is generally formed using a reflow process. A temperature increase to about 270° C. may occur during the reflow process. 
         [0016]    However, in association with the PC lens  20 , there is a difficulty in executing the reflow process. This is because the material of the PC lens  20  is a thermoplastic resin, so that the PC lens  20  may be deformed at a temperature of 160° C. or more due to melting thereof. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a light emitting unit, an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same, an apparatus for molding a lens thereof, and a light emitting device package thereof that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
         [0018]    An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting unit, an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same, an apparatus for molding a lens thereof, and a light emitting device package thereof which are capable of basically solving formation of interfaces between a lens and an encapsulate, and thus, achieving a maximum light extraction efficiency and an improvement in mass productivity. 
         [0019]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0020]    To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a light emitting unit manufacturing apparatus comprise: a mold including a first mold and a second mold coupled to each other under a condition in which at least one light emitting unit is interposed between the first and second molds; a groove formed in one of the first and second molds at a position facing the light emitting unit, the groove having a lens shape; and a passage extending from an outer surface of the mold to the groove. 
         [0021]    In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for molding lenses on light emitting units comprises: a mold including a first mold and a second mold coupled to each other under a condition in which the light emitting units are interposed between the first and second molds; grooves formed in one of the first and second molds at positions facing the light emitting units, respectively, each groove having a lens shape; a passage extending from an outer surface of the mold to the grooves; and an injection port connected to the passage. 
         [0022]    In another aspect of the present invention, a light emitting device package comprises: a package body on which a light emitting device is mounted; and a lens directly molded on the package body mounted with the light emitting device, wherein there is no interface between the lens and the package body. 
         [0023]    In another aspect of the present invention, a light emitting device package comprises: a package body on which a light emitting device is mounted; a filler arranged on the package body; and a lens molded integrally with the filler. 
         [0024]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a light emitting unit comprises simultaneously molding a filler and a lens on the light emitting unit. 
         [0025]    In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a light emitting device package comprises: mounting a light emitting device on a package body; and directly molding a lens on the light emitting device mounted on the package body. 
         [0026]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional method used to attach a lens to a light emitting diode; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view illustrating another example of a lens-shaped groove according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating an example of a passage according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view illustrating a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart for explaining a light emitting unit manufacturing method according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0037]    The present invention may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 
         [0038]    Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. 
         [0039]    It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. 
         [0040]    These terms are only used to distinguish one region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second region, layer or section, and similarly, a second region, layer or section may be termed a first region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a mold  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The mold  100  includes two parts coupled to each other while receiving light emitting units  200  therebetween. 
         [0042]    In detail, the mold  100  includes a first mold  110  and a second mold  120 . Lens-shaped grooves  121  are formed in one of the first and second molds  110  and  120  at positions corresponding to the light emitting units  200 , respectively. A passage  122  is formed in the mold  100  such that the passage  122  is connected to the grooves  121 . 
         [0043]    Each groove  121  is formed to have a shape correspond to an engraved shape of the lens to be formed on each light emitting unit  200 . 
         [0044]    The grooves  121  and passage  122  may be provided at any one of the first and second molds  110  and  120 . For simplicity of description, the following description will be given in conjunction with the case in which the grooves  121  and passage  122  are provided at the second mold  120 . 
         [0045]    The passage  122  connects the grooves  121  to the outside of the second mold  120  formed with the passage  122 . Preferably, an injection port  123  is formed at an outer end of the passage  122 . 
         [0046]    The passage  122  includes a plurality of branch passages branched from the injection port  123  to respective grooves  121 . Preferably, the branch passages are identical in terms of a length extending from the injection port  123  to each groove  121 . 
         [0047]    The injection port  123  may be formed at the second mold  120  where the passage  122  is formed. The injection port  123  may have a diameter larger than that of the passage  122 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the injection port  123  may have a funnel shape. 
         [0048]    The light emitting units  200  are arranged on the first mold  110  such that the lens-shaped grooves  121  are positioned on the light emitting units  200 , respectively, when the first and second molds  110  and  120  are coupled to each other. 
         [0049]    A plurality of light emitting units  200  may be arranged on the first mold  110 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, a plurality of lens-shaped grooves may also be arranged. 
         [0050]    Each light emitting unit  200  may be a light emitting diode (LED) package including a lead frame. The light emitting units  200  may also be LEDs arranged on a printed circuit board (PCB). 
         [0051]    Accordingly, a plurality of lenses can be simultaneously molded on the upper surfaces of the light emitting unit  200 , respectively, by coupling the first and second molds  110  and  120 , and injecting a material for formation of the lenses into the injection port  123 , thereby molding the lenses. 
         [0052]    Meanwhile, various lens shapes may be applied to the lens-shaped grooves  121  formed in the second mold  120 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0053]    Using the second mold  120  which includes grooves  121  having different lens shapes, as described above, it is possible to simultaneously mold lenses having different shapes. In this case, it is possible to obtain various light combinations, using lenses of various shapes. 
         [0054]    As described above, the passage  122  may be formed such that the lengths from the injection port  123  to respective grooves  121  are identical. Also, the passage  122  may be branched to group the grooves  121  or light emitting units  200  into groups each including at least two grooves  121  or light emitting units  200 . 
         [0055]    In this arrangement, there is an advantage in forming the passage  122  such that the lengths from the injection port  123  to respective grooves  121  are identical. The passage  122  may include first passages  122   a  each extending from the injection port  123  to an entrance of the associated group where the associated grooves  121  are distributed, and second passages  122   b  branched from each first passage  122   a , and respectively connected to the grooves  121  of the group associated with the first passage  122   a.    
         [0056]    A liquid material for molding of lenses flows along the passage  122  after being injected into the injection port  123 . In this case, the liquid material are injected from the injection port  123  into the grooves  121  at the same pressure. If the lengths of the passage  122  from the injection portion  123  to respective grooves  121  are different from each other, it is difficult to achieve uniform injection of the liquid material. 
         [0057]    The first and second molds  110  and  120  are coupled to each other under the condition in which the light emitting units  200  are interposed between the first and second molds  110  and  120 . The injection port  123  is then connected to an injection molding machine (not shown), in order to fill the liquid material in a space between the first and second molds  110  and  120 , namely, a space defined by the lens-shaped grooves  121  and light emitting units  200 . 
         [0058]    The liquid material for molding of lenses is then injected into the mold  100  by the injection molding machine. The injected liquid material is injected into the space between the first mold  110  having the grooves  121  and the second mold  120 . 
         [0059]    The injected liquid material for molding of lenses is then cured. Thus, lenses are molded on the light emitting units  200  in a bonded state, respectively. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a mold  100  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The mold  100  includes a first mold  110  and a second mold  120 . Lens-shaped grooves  121  are formed in the first mold  110  of the mold  100 . A light emitting unit  200  is arranged on the second mold  120 . 
         [0061]    Passages  122  are formed in the second mold  120  such that the passage  122  is connected to the grooves  111 , as in the first embodiment. An injection port  123  is formed at an outer end of the passage  122 . 
         [0062]    The light emitting unit  200 , which is attached to the second mold  120 , may comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED packages. In particular, for the light emitting unit  200 , a plurality of LED packages  220  mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB)  210  may be used. 
         [0063]    Where the LED packages  220  mounted on the PCB  210  are arranged on the second mold  120 , it is preferred that the PCB  210  be connected to the passage  122 . 
         [0064]    The lens-shaped grooves  111  are arranged in the first mold  110  at positions corresponding to the LED packages  220 , respectively. Each lens-shaped groove  111  is shaped to completely cover the associated LED package  220 . 
         [0065]    The first and second molds  110  and  120  are coupled to each other under the condition in which the light emitting unit  200  is interposed between the first and second molds  110  and  120 . The injection port  123  is then connected to an injection molding machine (not shown), in order to fill a liquid material for molding of lenses in a space between the first and second molds  110  and  120 , namely, a space defined by the lens-shaped grooves  121  and light emitting unit  200 . 
         [0066]    The liquid material for molding of lenses is then injected into the passage  122  of the mold  100  by the injection molding machine. The injected liquid material is injected into the space between the first mold  110  having the grooves  111  and the second mold  120 . 
         [0067]    The injected liquid material for molding of lenses is then cured. Thus, lenses are molded on the light emitting unit  200  in a bonded state. 
         [0068]    The remaining configurations in this embodiment are identical to that of the first embodiment, so that no description thereof will be given. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0069]    Where the LED packages  220  mounted on the PCB  210  are used for the light emitting unit  200 , leads are printed on the PCB  210  to configure a desired circuit. 
         [0070]    In this case, when the first and second molds  110  and  120  are coupled to each other, a pressure of several tons is applied to the leads printed on the PCB  210 . As a result, the leads may be damaged. 
         [0071]    In order to prevent the leads of the PCB  210  from being damaged due to the coupling pressure between the first and second molds  110  and  120 , PCB protectors  230  or  231 , which are made of a material having an elasticity, may be provided at contact portions of the mold or PCB  210 , as shown in  FIG. 6  or  7 . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , each PCB protector  230  may be arranged around the associated lens-shaped groove  111  while having the same shape as the lens-shaped groove  111 . In particular, each PCB protector  230  may be formed in the form of a strip extending along the periphery of the associated lens-shaped groove  111 . 
         [0073]    Alternatively, PCB protectors  231  may be formed on the PCB  210 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The PCB protectors  231  formed on the PCB  210  function to alleviate the pressure applied between the PCB  210  and the first mold  110  when the first and second molds  110  and  120  are coupled to each other. 
         [0074]    Meanwhile, the PCB protectors  231  may have the form of circular protrusions having a height larger than that of the leads on the PCB  210 . 
         [0075]    Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing light emitting units including lenses, using a light emitting unit manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, will be described. The following description will be given in conjunction with the case in which a single light emitting unit  200  including a plurality of lenses is manufactured. 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the light emitting unit  200  is first arranged between the first mold  110  and the second mold  120  such that the LEDs or LED packages of the light emitting unit  200  are aligned with the grooves  111  or  121 . In this state, the first and second molds  110  and  120  are coupled to each other (S 1 ). 
         [0077]    Thereafter, the first and second molds  110  and  120  are heated to increase the temperatures of the first and second molds  110  and  120  (S 2 ). The reason why the temperatures of the first and second molds  110  and  120  should be increased is to prevent the lens-molding liquid material injected through the injection port  123  from being cured during flowing of the liquid material through the passage  122 . 
         [0078]    The lens-molding liquid material is then injected into the lens-shaped grooves  111  or  121  (S 3 ). In this case, the injection of the lens-molding liquid material can be uniformly achieved because the lengths of the passage  12  from the injection port  123  to respective grooves  111  or  121  are identical, as described above. 
         [0079]    As described above, it is preferred that the lens-molding liquid material injected through the injection port  123  be an epoxy resin or a silicon resin. This is because the epoxy resin and silicon resin are thermosetting materials, so that they are not deformed even at a high temperature of the mold  100 . 
         [0080]    Subsequently, the liquid material injected into the lens-shaped grooves  111  or  121  through the injection port  123  and passage  122  is cured (S 4 ). 
         [0081]    Finally, the first and second molds  110  and  120  are separated from each other. Thus, a direct molding process is completed. In accordance with the direct molding process, a light emitting unit  200  integrally formed with lenses can be manufactured. 
         [0082]    In the light emitting unit  200  manufactured in the above-described manner, there is no interface between the PCB, on which LED packages or LEDs are mounted, to constitute the light emitting unit  200 , and each lens, because the lenses are integrally formed on the light emitting unit  200 . 
         [0083]    That is, no adhesive coating process is required for bonding of lenses to the light emitting unit  200 . Accordingly, there is no interface, for example an adhesive interface, between the light emitting unit  200  and each lens. 
         [0084]    The lenses molded in accordance with the above-described direct molding process may function as fillers on the light emitting unit  200 . In this case, the fillers and lenses may be considered as being simultaneously formed using a material such as an epoxy resin or a silicon resin. 
         [0085]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.