Abstract:
An LED diffusion assembly having a concave tip portion shaped and dimensioned for the diffusion of light emitted thereby. The assembly includes a bulb portion and first and second leads extending within the bulb shaped portion. The assembly also includes LED dice embedded in the bulb shaped portion and coupled to the first and second leads in a manner allowing for transfer of electrical energy to the LED dice. The bulb portion includes a concave tip substantially opposite the LED dice, wherein the concave tip is shaped and dimensioned for diffusing light emitted by the LED dice.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an LED lamp. More particularly, the invention relates to an LED diffusion assembly for use in various LED applications where diffusion of the emitted light is desired. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     As the ability to effectively diffuse the light emitted by an LED becomes more efficient, their usefulness in various applications similarly increases. For example, LEDs are now commonly found in automobile tail lights and commercial signs. The use of LEDs in these applications results in the replacement of larger more expensive light sources with smaller, high output light sources without sacrificing the desired illumination levels. 
     As such, a need continually exists for LED diffusion arrangements offering improved and efficient dispersion of light generated by LEDs. The present invention provides such an LED diffusion assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly having a concave tip portion shaped and dimensioned for the diffusion of light emitted thereby. The assembly includes a bulb portion and first and second leads extending within the bulb portion. The assembly also includes LED dice embedded in the bulb portion and coupled to the first and second leads in a manner allowing for transfer of electrical energy to the LED dice. The bulb portion includes a concave tip substantially opposite the LED dice, wherein the concave tip is shaped and dimensioned for diffusing light emitted by the LED dice. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein the bulb portion is formed from an epoxy resin. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein the bulb portion is formed from glass. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein a first end of the first lead is embedded within the bulb portion and coupled to the LED dice and a first end of the second lead is embedded within the bulb portion and coupled to the LED dice. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein the concave tip includes a plurality of facets. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein the concave tip includes a diameter D, a height H and a concave angle α. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein α is preferably approximately between 85 degrees and 170 degrees. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein D is greater than approximately 2 mm. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein H/D is less than approximately 58%. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein the minimum Culer convex radius is approximately 1 mm. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein the concave tip is shaped as a diamond pavilion having a diameter D, a height H and a concave angle α. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein α is preferably approximately between 85 degrees and 170 degrees. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an LED diffusion assembly wherein the bulb portion is formed as a composite. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an LED diffusion assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the concave tip in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is cross sectional view of the concave tip in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of sockets which may be used in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
     With reference to FIG. 1, an LED diffusion assembly  10  is disclosed. The LED diffusion assembly  10  is generally composed of an LED lamp  12  mounted within a socket  14 . The LED lamp  12  has a concave tip portion  16  shaped and dimensioned for the diffusion of light emitted thereby. 
     The LED lamp  12  generally includes a bulb portion  18 . While a specific shaped bulb portion is contemplated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other shapes may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The bulb portion  18  is generally formed from epoxy resin, or any other appropriate resin or glass known to those of skill in the art. Similarly, a composite material may be used in accordance with the present invention. Such a composite material would be formed from different materials in layers, or some other form, through the use of adhesive, fusion, brazing, etc. 
     The bulb portion  18  includes generally smooth sides  20  with a concave tip portion  16 . The concave tip portion  16  will be discussed below in greater detail. The side surfaces of the bulb portion  18  may be treated in various ways know to those skilled in the art to provide desired illumination. With the exception of the concave tip portion  16  discussed below in substantial detail, the manner in which the bulb portion  18  is treated is not critical and may be readily varied to suit specific needs without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     The LED lamp  12  further includes a pair of leads  22   a ,  22   b . One end  23   a ,  23   b  of each lead  22   a ,  22   b  extends outside of the bulb portion  18  and the other end  25   a ,  25   b  of each lead is embedded in the bulb portion  18 . Finally, the LED lamp  12  includes a pair of LED chips (dice)  24   a ,  24   b  respectively connected to the ends  25   a ,  25   b  of the first and second leads  22   a ,  22   b  embedded in the bulb portion  18 . The LED dice  24   a ,  24   b  are connected to the first and second leads  22   a ,  22   b  using conventional techniques in such a manner that electrical power may be selectively supplied to the LED dice  24   a ,  24   b.    
     The present LED lamp  12  is provided with at least one LED dice for emitting light of appropriate color (wavelength). While a preferred embodiment discloses an LED lamp using a pair of LED dice, those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the LED lamp may use one or more LED dice without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, an LED emitting a requested color of light can be obtained by appropriately arranging a plurality of red, green, and blue LED dice. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the bulb portion is approximately 3 mm through 10 mm, though obviously, the diameter can be larger or smaller than these values without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Referring to the concave tip portion  16  of the LED lamp  12  disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is generally formed in such a way to diffuse light as it is emitted from the LED dice  24   a ,  24   b . In accordance with a preferred embodiment as disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the concave tip portion  16  generally takes the form a diamond pavilion having a diameter D, a height H and a concave angle α. Based upon the facets of the diamond pavilion defining the concave tip portion  16  of the LED lamp  12 , light emitted by the LED dice  24   a ,  24   b , and traveling within the epoxying making up the bulb shaped portion  18 , is deflected at a greater rate than the same light traveling through air. As such, when the light emitted by the LED dice  24   a ,  24   b  exits the epoxy of the bulb shaped portion  18 , the light bends away into the air. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment described above, α is preferably approximately between 85 degrees and 170 degrees. In addition, D is greater than approximately 2 mm and the depth (i.e., H/D) is less than approximately 58%. Finally, the minimum Culer convex radius is approximately 1 mm. While these ranges are given in accordance with a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate the possible variations within the spirit of the present invention. 
     Various sockets  14   a ,  14   b  which may be used in accordance with present LED lamp  12  are disclosed in FIGS. 4 to  5 . Each of the circular sockets  14   a ,  14   b  repeatedly comprises a flange  26   a ,  26   b  provided at the top or bottom of the socket  14   a ,  14   b , an insulating material  28   a ,  28   b  incorporated into the flange  26   a ,  26   b , and two opposing electrodes  30   a , 32   a ,  30   b ,  32   b  set inside the insulating material  28   a ,  28   b  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The LED lamp  12  is inserted into the socket  14   a ,  14   b , making a connection between the electrodes  30   a ,  32   a ,  30   b , 32   b  and the leads  22   a ,  22   b . The two leads  22   a ,  22   b  extending downward from the base of the inserted LED lamp  12  are bent upward along the outside of the lamp  12 . In this state, the lamp  12  is inserted into either socket  14   a ,  14   b  in such way that the two leads  22   a ,  22   b  respectively connect with the two electrodes  30   a ,  32   a ,  30   b ,  32   b . These electrodes are connected to the power source (not shown) through an appropriate conductor. Thus, the socket  14   a ,  14   b  can be fixed to the power source, and only the LED lamp  12  can be optionally removed from the power source or exchanged. 
     By providing the present LED assembly  10  with a concave tip portion  16  having a plurality of facets cut therein, the present invention is capable of effectively diffusing the light generated by the LED dice  24   a ,  24   b.    
     While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.