Patent Publication Number: US-8994294-B2

Title: LED flash module, LED module, and imaging device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2012-002073, filed on Jan. 10, 2012, and 2012-045030, filed on Mar. 1, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an LED flash module, an LED module and an imaging device, and more particularly relates to an LED flash module, an LED module and an imaging device, which are capable of reducing time required for charging with a low voltage operation and achieving compactness and lightness. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There have been conventional digital cameras and monitoring cameras incorporating a flash device. A xenon lamp is mainly used as a light source for the flash device because of its short time large light output and high color rendition. 
     As shown in  FIG. 43 , such a flash device includes a xenon lamp  401 , an inverter  402 , an aluminum electrolytic condenser  403 , a switch circuit  404  and so on. Electric charges charged in the aluminum electrolytic condenser  402  are converted into a current by a switching operation using the inverter  402  in order to emit light from the xenon lamp  401 . 
     However, it takes time for such a conventional flash device to charge the aluminum electrolytic condenser  403  once light is emitted, which may result in difficulty in continuous emission and impossibility to achieve continuous lighting. 
     In addition, such a conventional flash devices using the xenon lamp  401  require plastic protection against high voltages and is hard to achieve compactness or lightness due to its large volume. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides some embodiments of an LED flash module, an LED module and an imaging device, which are capable of reducing the time required for charging using a low voltage operation and achieving compactness and lightness. 
     According to some embodiments, there is provided an LED flash module including: a module substrate; an energy device which is disposed on the module substrate, having a laminated body of two or more layers including positive and negative active material electrodes and positive and negative lead-out electrodes, which are integrally formed, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative active material electrodes and configured to pass electrolytes and ions, the two or more layers being laminated such that the lead-out electrodes are exposed from the positive and negative active material electrodes and the active positive and negative material electrodes are alternated; an LED module arranged on the module substrate and including a plurality of LED blocks arranged in a first direction, each LED block including a plurality of LED elements which are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and which emit light with power supplied from the energy device; a charger circuit which is arranged on the module substrate and charges the energy device; and a control circuit arranged on the module substrate and configured to control emission of the LED elements, wherein a wiring length from one of the LED elements to a plus terminal of a power supply portion supplying power to the LED elements and a wiring length from the one of the LED elements to a minus terminal of the power supply portion is substantially same for all LED elements. 
     According to some other embodiments, there is provided an LED module including a plurality of LED blocks arranged in a first direction, each LED block including a plurality of LED elements arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein a wiring length from one of the LED elements to a plus terminal of a power supply portion supplying power to the LED elements and a wiring length from the one of the LED elements to a minus terminal of the power supply portion is substantially same for all LED elements. 
     According to some other embodiments, there is provided an imaging device including the above-described LED flash module. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic plan view of an LED flash module according to a first embodiment, when viewed from a front surface of the LED flash module. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic plan view of the LED flash module according to the first embodiment, when viewed from a rear surface of the LED flash module. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic circuit block diagram of the LED flash module according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of an energy device at the time of charging in the LED flash module according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a flow chart for illustrating an operation in an LED torch mode in the LED flash module according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic plan view of an LED module according to the first embodiment for illustrating a configuration of an LED block. 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic plan view of the LED module according to the first embodiment for illustrating a wiring length. 
         FIG. 5  is a view for illustrating a voltage difference between a plus (+) terminal of a power supply and a minus (−) terminal of the power supply according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view of the LED block of the LED module according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic planar configuration view for illustrating a method of manufacturing the LED module according to the first embodiment, in which a white resin dam is coated in the form of a figure ‘8’ shape around the LED elements. 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic planar configuration view for illustrating a method of manufacturing the LED module according to the first embodiment, in which a white resin dam is coated in the form of a rectangle around the LED elements. 
         FIG. 7C  is a schematic planar configuration view for illustrating a method of manufacturing the LED module according to the first embodiment, in which a white resin dam is coated in the form of a rectangle around the LED elements. 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic plan view for illustrating an effect of the LED flash module according to the first embodiment, showing one LED block. 
         FIG. 8B  is a schematic plan view for illustrating an effect of the LED flash module according to the first embodiment, showing four arranged LED blocks. 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic planar view of an LED module according to a second embodiment for illustrating a configuration of an LED block. 
         FIG. 9B  is a schematic plan view of the LED module according to the second embodiment for illustrating a wiring length. 
         FIG. 10A  is a schematic plan view of an LED flash module according to a third embodiment, when viewed from a front surface of the LED flash module. 
         FIG. 10B  is a schematic plan view of the LED flash module according to a third embodiment, when viewed from a rear surface of the LED flash module. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic circuit block diagram of the LED flash module according to the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 12A  is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of an energy device at the time of charging in the LED flash module according to the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 12B  is a flow chart for illustrating an operation in an LED torch mode in the LED flash module according to the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 13A  is a schematic plan view of an LED module according to the third embodiment for illustrating a configuration of a rectangular LED block. 
         FIG. 13B  is a schematic plan view of an LED module according to the third embodiment for illustrating a configuration of a square LED block. 
         FIG. 14  is an XY chromaticity diagram of an XYZ colorimetric system according to CIE (Commission Internationale de L &#39;Eclairage) 1931. 
         FIG. 15A  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view showing an example of arrangement of LED elements according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 15B  shows partial enlargement of  FIG. 15A . 
         FIG. 16A  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view showing another example of arrangement of LED elements according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 16B  shows partial enlargement of  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 17A  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view showing another example of arrangement of LED elements according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 17B  shows partial enlargement of  FIG. 17A . 
         FIG. 18A  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view showing another example of arrangement of LED elements according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 18B  shows partial enlargement of  FIG. 18A . 
         FIG. 19A  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view showing an example of a sectional structure of a module substrate according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 19B  is a sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 19A , showing a condition where a white resin is applied. 
         FIG. 19C  is a sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 19A , showing a condition where a fluorescent layer is applied. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic bird&#39;s eye structural view of a laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic sectional view of a sealing part of the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 22A  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating a method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, showing a condition before a release paper is peeled off. 
         FIG. 22B  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating a method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, showing a condition after a release paper is peeled off. 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view of a module substrate mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic sectional view of the module substrate mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic sectional view of the module substrate mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view of a three-terminal laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIGS. 27A to 27F  are schematic planar pattern configuration views illustrating variations of the three-terminal laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIGS. 28A to 28F  are schematic planar pattern configuration views illustrating variations of the three-terminal laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic bird&#39;s eye structural view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic bird&#39;s eye structural view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 32  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 33A  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view for illustrating a method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 33B  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating a method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, showing a state where the laminated energy device is mounted on a module substrate. 
         FIG. 34  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 35  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 36A  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating variations of a bending process of a lead-out electrode in the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, showing a case where no bending process is carried out. 
         FIG. 36B  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating variations of a bending process of a lead-out electrode in the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, showing a case where a bending process is carried out. 
         FIG. 36C  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating variations of a bending process of a lead-out electrode in the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, showing a case where no bending process is carried out. 
         FIG. 36D  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating variations of a bending process of a lead-out electrode in the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, showing a case where a bending process is carried out. 
         FIG. 37A  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, in which a lead-out electrode is folded in such a manner that a surface where a sticking agent of an EDLC (Electric Double Layer Capacitor) is exposed is bonded to an external surface of a hard coat. 
         FIG. 37B  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, in which a lead-out electrode is folded in such a manner that a surface where a sticking agent of the EDLC is exposed is bonded to an opposite surface to a substrate surface. 
         FIG. 38A  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, in which the EDLC is fixed to a rear surface of the module substrate. 
         FIG. 38B  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, in which an end of a laminate sheet makes contact with or cover a particular part. 
         FIG. 39  is a schematic sectional view for illustrating another method of mounting the laminated energy device, which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 40  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view illustrating a basic structure of an EDLC internal electrode in the laminated energy device, which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 41  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view illustrating a basic structure of a lithium ion capacitor internal electrode in the laminated energy device, which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 42  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view illustrating a basic structure of a lithium ion battery internal electrode in the laminated energy device, which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. 
         FIG. 43  is a schematic block diagram of a conventional flash device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention(s). However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, systems, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the various embodiments. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. It is however noted that figures in the drawings are just schematic and a relationship between thickness and dimension of elements, a thickness ratio of layers and so on may be drawn opposed to the reality. Therefore, details of the thickness and dimension should be determined based on the following detailed description. In addition, it is to be understood that different figures in the drawings may have different dimension relationships and ratios. 
     The following embodiments provide devices and methods to embody the technical ideas of the present disclosure and material, shape, structure, arrangement and so on of elements in the disclosed embodiments are not limited to those specified in the following description. Various modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure which are defined by the claims. 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 8B . 
     (Configuration of LED Flash Module) 
     An LED flash module according to a first embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2 , includes a module substrate  111 ; an energy device (for example, EDLC (Electric Double Layer Capacitor))  18  which is disposed on the module substrate  111  and has a laminated body of two or more layers including positive and negative active material electrodes and positive and negative lead-out electrodes  34 , which are integrally formed, and a separator  30  (see  FIGS. 40 to 42 ) which is interposed between the positive and negative active material electrodes and passes electrolytes and ions, the two or more layers being laminated such that the lead-out electrodes  34  are exposed from the positive and negative active material electrodes and the positive and negative active material electrodes are alternated; an LED module  320  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and includes a plurality of LED blocks  320   a  to  320   f  arranged in a first direction (for example, a horizontal direction), each LED block including a plurality of LED elements which is arranged in a second direction (for example, a vertical direction) perpendicular to the first direction and emits light with power supplied from the energy device  18 ; an EDLC charger circuit  311  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and charges the energy device  18 ; and an LED driver control circuit  313  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and controls emission of the LED elements, wherein a wiring length from one of the LED elements to a plus terminal  321  of a power supply portion supplying power to the LED elements and a wiring length from the one of the LED elements to a minus terminal  322  of the power supply portion is substantially the same for all LED elements. 
     Each of the LED blocks  320   a  to  320   f  may include, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , comb-like wiring patterns  321   a  and  322   a , which may be disposed in an interdigital relationship with each other. 
     The LED module  320  may be mounted on a front surface of the module substrate  111  and the charger circuit  311  and the LED driver control circuit  313  may be mounted on a rear surface of the module substrate  111 . 
     The LED driver control circuit  313  may selectively illuminate desired ones of the plurality of LED elements. 
     More specifically,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic plan views of an LED flash module according to a first embodiment, when viewed from a front surface and a rear surface of the LED flash module, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1A , an LED module  320  is mounted on a front surface of a module substrate  111 . The LED module  320  includes  6  LED blocks  320   a  to  320   f  arranged in a horizontal direction. Each of the LED blocks  320   a  to  320   f  includes a plurality of LED elements arranged in a vertical direction, details of which will be described later. Although the LED module  320  includes 6 LED blocks  320   a  to  320   f , it is to be understood that the number of LED blocks is not particularly limited but may be, for example, 7 or more. As shown in  FIG. 1B , on a rear surface of the module substrate  111  are mounted an LED flash driver  310 , external attachment transistors Tr 1  to Tr 3 , external attachment resistors R 1  to R 3 , a connector  340  and other components. In addition, lead-out electrodes  34  are welded to solder connections  24  of the module substrate  111 . An energy device  18  is a laminated energy device such as, for example, EDLC (Electric Double Layer Capacitor) or the like. The EDLC accumulates electric charges using an electric double layer formed at an interface between an electrode and electrolytes, thereby providing higher endurance against rapid charging/discharging than secondary batteries using a chemical reaction. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the LED flash module according to the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the LED flash driver  310  includes an EDLC charger circuit  311 , a charger control circuit  312 , an LED driver control circuit  313  and an LED constant current control circuit  314 . The EDLC charger circuit  311  charges the energy device  18  with power supplied from a battery  330 . The charger control circuit  312  controls the EDLC charger circuit  311  based on a CHG signal or a C_Fin signal. The LED driver control circuit  313  controls emission of a plurality of LED elements based on a Flash signal or a Torch signal. Desired ones of the plurality of LED elements can be selectively turned on/off in the respective LED block. The LED constant current control circuit  314  drives the LED module  320  with power supplied from the battery  330 . 
     (Operation of LED Flash Module) 
     First, an operation of the energy device  18  at the time of charging will be described. The EDLC charger circuit  311  in the LED flash driver  310  charges the energy device  18  with the power supplied from the battery  330  (Steps S 1  and S 4  in  FIG. 3A ). The CHG signal and the C_Fin signal are input to the charger control circuit  312 . When the CHG signal is input to the charger control circuit  312 , the charger control circuit  312  switches between charge ON and OFF. When the charging of the energy device  18  is completed (Steps S 2  and S 5  in  FIG. 3A ), a flag is output from the C_Fin signal. When the energy device  18  is under a charging operation, the LED module  320  emits no light. 
     An operation in an LED flash mode will be described next. When the Flash signal is input with the charging completion state of the energy device  18 , the external attachment transistors Tr 1  to Tr 3  are turned on by LED_CNT 1  to LED_CNT 3  signals, respectively, to cause current to flow into the LED module  320 , thereby lighting the LED flash on (Step S 3  in  FIG. 3A ). At this time, the energy device  18  is put into a charging OFF state by the CHG signal. The current in the LED flash mode is adjusted by the external attachment resistors R 1  to R 3 . 
     An operation of an LED torch mode will be described next. The LED constant current control circuit  314  in the LED flash driver  310  drives the LED module  320  with power supplied from the battery  330  (Step S 12  in  FIG. 3B ). At this time, the external attachment transistors Tr 1  to Tr 3  are put into an OFF state by the LED_CNT 1  to LED_CNT 3  signals, respectively. The current in the LED torch mode is adjusted by an external attachment resistor R 4 . Lighting the LED torch on during the charging operation of the energy device  18  may be avoided as it may make a voltage of the battery  330  too low. Accordingly, the charging of the EDLC may be stopped before start of the LED torch lighting (Steps S 11  and S 12  in  FIG. 3B ) and may be restarted after end of the LED torch lighting (Steps S 13  and S 14  in  FIG. 3B ). 
     (Configuration of LED Module) 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the LED module  320  according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of LED blocks arranged horizontally, each block including a plurality of LED elements arranged vertically. It is here assumed that each group of LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  forms one LED block. The LED module  320  employs a COB (Chip On Board) structure in which a bear chip (LED elements themselves) is directly mounted on wiring patterns on a module substrate, wire-bonded and sealed by resin. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the LED module  320  according to the first embodiment includes a comb-like first wiring pattern  321   a  and a comb-like second wiring pattern  322   a  and the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  are mounted on the first wiring pattern  321   a  and are wire-bonded to the second wiring pattern  322   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the comb-like wiring pattern  321   a  and the comb-like wiring pattern  322   a  are disposed in an interdigital relationship with each other. That is, the comb teeth of the comb-like wiring pattern  321   a  is formed to extend in a downward direction from a plus terminal  321  of a power supply portion and the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  are mounted on the comb teeth of the comb-like wiring pattern  321   a . In addition, the comb teeth of the comb-like wiring pattern  322   a  is formed to extend in an upward direction from a minus terminal  322  of the power supply portion and the comb teeth of the wiring pattern  321   a  are wire-bonded to the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the LED module  320  according to the first embodiment corresponds to a single wire type. 
     Thus, a wiring length from one of the LED elements to the plus terminal  321  of the power supply portion and a wiring length from one of the LED elements to the minus terminal  322  of the power supply portion is substantially the same for all LED elements. For example, in  FIG. 4B , a wiring pattern for the LED element  334   a  is indicated by a solid line L 11  and a wiring pattern for the LED element  333   a  is indicated by a dashed line L 12 . As can be seen from  FIG. 4B , the length of the solid line L 11  is approximately equal to the length of the dashed line L 12 . In other words, the total length of current flow for all of the LED elements is substantially the same. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a variation of voltage drop V 1  becomes approximately equal to a GND level rise V 2  and a difference V 3  between a voltage of the plus (+) terminal  321  of the power supply and the minus (−) terminal  322  of the power supply becomes constant. As a result, since a voltage applied to each LED element becomes constant, it is possible to emit light from each LED element with equal brightness. 
     (Configuration of LED Block of LED Module) 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view of an LED block of the LED module according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows a sectional structure where an LED element  364  is mounted on the module substrate  111 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the wiring patterns  321   a  and  322   a  are formed on the module substrate  111 . The LED element  364  is mounted on the wiring pattern  321   a  and a top electrode (not shown) of the LED element  364  is connected to the wiring pattern  322   a  by a bonding wire  365 . A fluorescent layer  367  made by dispersing a first emission fluorescent material  368  and a second emission fluorescent material  369  in a transparent resin is provided within a white resin dam  366 . 
     For example, the LED element  364  may be configured with a blue LED made of a nitride-based semiconductor. In this case, both of the first emission fluorescent material  368  and the second emission fluorescent material  369  may be a yellow fluorescent material. Alternatively, in order to secure color rendition, the first emission fluorescent material  368  and the second emission fluorescent material  369  may be a red fluorescent material and a green fluorescent material, respectively. 
     In this embodiment, examples of the yellow fluorescent material having the blue LED as an excitation light source may include a Ce-added YAG (Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce) fluorescent material, an Eu-added α-sialon (CaSiAlON:Eu) fluorescent material, a silicate fluorescent material ((Sr, Ba, Ca, Mg) 2 SiO 4 :Eu) and the like. That is, some of blue light of the blue LED is converted into yellow light by the yellow fluorescent material to obtain white light, which is a mixture of blue light and yellow light. 
     In addition, examples of the green fluorescent material having the blue LED as an excitation light source may include an Eu-added β-sialon (Si 6-z Al z O z N 8-z :Eu) fluorescent material, a Ce-added CSSO (Ca 3 Sc 2 Si 3 O 12 :Ce) fluorescent material and the like. 
     In addition, examples of the red fluorescent material having the blue LED as an excitation light source may include an Eu-added CaAlSiN 3  (CaAlSiN 3 :Eu) fluorescent material and the like. 
     In addition, the LED element  364  may be configured with an ultraviolet LED made of a nitride-based semiconductor. In this case, both of the first emission fluorescent material  368  and the second emission fluorescent material  369  may be a yellow fluorescent material. Alternatively, in order to secure color rendition, the first emission fluorescent material  368  and the second emission fluorescent material  369  may be a red fluorescent material and a yellow fluorescent material, respectively. 
     Examples of the blue fluorescent material having the ultraviolet LED as an excitation light source may include ones capable of converting ultraviolet light into blue light, such as, for example, a halogen acid salts fluorescent material, an aluminate fluorescent material, a silicate fluorescent material and the like. In addition, examples of an activator material may include elements such as cerium, europium, manganese, gadolinium, samarium, terbium, tin, chromium, antimony and the like. Among these, europium, for example, may be used. The content of activator material in the fluorescent material may be within a range of 0.1 to 10 mol %. 
     The yellow fluorescent material having the ultraviolet LED as an excitation light source may be either a fluorescent material which absorbs blue light and emits yellow light or a fluorescent material which absorbs ultraviolet light and emits yellow light. In this embodiment, if the first emission fluorescent material  368  and the second emission fluorescent material  369  may be a red fluorescent material and a yellow fluorescent material, respectively, in order to secure color rendition, a fluorescent material which absorbs ultraviolet light and emits yellow light in order to, for example, further improve emission efficiency. Examples of the fluorescent material which absorbs blue light and emits yellow light may include organic fluorescent materials such as an arylsulfonamide•melamine formaldehyde cocondensation dye, a perylene-based fluorescent material and the like, and inorganic fluorescent materials such as aluminate, phosphate, silicate and the like. Among these, the perylene-based fluorescent material and the YAG-based fluorescent material may be utilized because of their long time usability. In addition, examples of an activator material may include elements such as cerium, europium, manganese, gadolinium, samarium, terbium, tin, chromium, antimony and the like. Among these, cerium, for example, may be used. The content of activator material in the fluorescent material may be within a range of 0.1 to 10 mol %. A combination of YAG and cerium may be, for example, a combination of the fluorescent material and the activator material. 
     In addition, examples of the fluorescent material which absorbs ultraviolet light and emits yellow light may include fluorescent materials such as (La, Ce)(P, Si)O 4 , (Zn, Mg)O and the like. In addition, examples of an activator material may include terbium, zinc and the like. 
     The content of the first emission fluorescent material  368  and the second emission fluorescent material  369  in the fluorescent layer  367  may be within a range of 1 to 25 wt % although it may be properly determined depending on the types of LED elements  364  and fluorescent materials. 
     In addition, white LEDs may be mounted on the LED flash module according to this embodiment using a general-purpose package for LED mounting. 
     In addition, as one of LED configurations, white LEDs may be configured, for example by receiving “blue LEDs+green LEDs+red LEDs” in one package. As one example of such a multi-chip, a fluorescent material which emits yellow light by excitation of blue light may be combined with a multi-chip of “ultraviolet LEDs+blue LEDs”. The yellow fluorescent material may be configured with one small-sized package since it is not affected by infrared light, and may be mounted in a smaller space since it occupies a smaller area. 
     (Method of Manufacturing LED Module) 
       FIGS. 7A to 7C  are schematic plan views used to illustrate a method of manufacturing the LED module  320  according to the first embodiment. In  FIGS. 7A to 7C , a square indicates an LED element, a hatched area indicates a fluorescent layer  367 , and a solid arrow indicates a coating path of a white resin dam  366 . The height and width of the white resin dam  366  is 0.5 to 2.0 mm or so and 0.5 to 1.0 mm or so, respectively. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the white resin dam  366  may be coated in the form of a figure ‘8’ shape around the LED elements in such a manner that it has a closed area for respective LED block and the fluorescent layer  367  may be coated in the figure 8-shaped white resin dam  366 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the white resin dam  366  may be coated in the form of a rectangle around the LED elements, and dams  336   a  to  336   c  acting as partitions may be coated in the rectangular white resin dam  366  in such a manner that they defines a closed area for respective LED block, and the fluorescent layer  367  may be coated in each closed area partitioned by the dams  366   a  to  366   c . As another alternative, as shown in  FIG. 7C , the white resin dam  366  may be coated in the form of a rectangle around the LED elements in such a manner that it has a closed area for respective LED block and the fluorescent layer  367  may be coated in the rectangular white resin dam  366 . 
     As described above, the LED flash module  320  according to the first embodiment uses the energy device  18 , such as an EDLC, to reduce time required for charging and achieve consecutive emissions and continuous lighting. In addition, the energy device  18  is used to realize low voltage and energy saving. In addition, the energy device  18  is so thin as to make the LED flash module more compact. 
     In addition, the LED flash module  320  according to the first embodiment is laid out in such a manner that the wiring length from one of the LED elements to the plus terminal  321  of the power supply portion and the wiring length from the one of the LED elements to the minus terminal  322  of the power supply portion is substantially the same for all LED elements. As a result, since voltage drops by the wirings are substantially equal to each other for all of the LED elements, it is possible to emit light from each LED element with equal brightness. 
     In addition, since the LED flash module according to this embodiment has the block configuration where the LED elements are vertically arranged, an extension (X 1 ) of mutual relation with adjacent LED elements becomes larger than an extension (Y 1 ) of one LED element, as shown in  FIG. 8A . This allows a horizontal illumination angle to be widened, as shown in  FIG. 8B  (Y 2 &lt;X 2 ). When the required number of LED blocks is arranged, it is possible to easily cope with a wide angle such as a 16:9 aspect ratio or the like. 
     In addition, since the LED flash module according to the first embodiment uses a thin energy device such as EDLC, its volume may correspond to about 20% to 25% of a volume of conventional xenon lamps, which may result in its compactness and lightness. 
     In addition, since the LED flash module according to the first embodiment uses LED modules and an energy device such as EDLC, it is possible to reduce time required for charging with a low voltage operation. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment will now be described with an emphasis placed on differences from the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , an LED module  320  according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of LED blocks arranged horizontally, each block including a plurality of LED elements arranged vertically. Like the first embodiment, it is here assumed that each group of LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  forms one LED block. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 9A , the LED module  320  according to the second embodiment includes a comb-like first wiring pattern  321   a  and a second comb-like wiring pattern  322   a , the LED block has a floating island wiring patterns on which the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  are mounted, and the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  are wire-bonded to the first wiring pattern  321   a  and the second wiring pattern  322   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , in the second embodiment, the wiring patterns of the LED block has the floating island wiring patterns, and the comb-like wiring patterns  321   a  and  322   a  wire-bonded to the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  are disposed in an interdigital relationship with each other. That is, the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  are mounted on the respective individual floating island-shaped wiring patterns. In addition, the comb teeth of the comb-like wiring pattern  321   a  is formed to extend in a downward direction from a plus terminal  321  of a power supply portion and the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  are mounted on the comb teeth of the comb-like wiring pattern  321   a . In addition, the comb teeth of the comb-like wiring pattern  322   a  is formed to extend in an upward direction from a minus terminal  322  of the power supply portion and the comb teeth of the comb-like wiring pattern  321   a  are wire-bonded to the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d.    
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , the LED module  320  according to the second embodiment corresponds to a double wire type. 
     Thus, a wiring length from a plus terminal  321  of the power supply portion to one LED element and a wiring length from the LED element to a minus terminal  322  of the power supply portion is substantially the same for all of the LED elements. For example, in  FIG. 9B , a wiring pattern for the LED element  334   a  is indicated by a solid line L 11  and a wiring pattern for the LED element  333   a  is indicated by a dashed line L 12 . As can be seen from  FIG. 9B , the length of the solid line L 11  is approximately equal to the length of the dashed line L 12 . In other words, the total length of current flow for all of the LED elements is substantially the same. As a result, like the first embodiment, since a voltage applied to each LED element becomes constant, it is possible to emit light from each LED element with equal brightness. 
     As described above, in the LED flash module  320  according to the second embodiment, the wiring patterns of the LED block are in the form of floating island and the wiring patterns  321   a  and  322   a  wire-bonded to the LED elements  331   a  to  331   d ,  332   a  to  332   d ,  333   a  to  333   d  and  334   a  to  334   d  are in the interdigital form. With this configuration, since voltage drops by the wirings are substantially equal to each other for the LED elements, the same effects as the first embodiment can be achieved. 
     In addition, since the LED flash module according to the second embodiment uses a thin energy device such as EDLC, its volume may correspond to about 20% to 25% of a volume of conventional xenon lamps, which may result in a more compact and brighter light source. 
     In addition, since the LED flash module according to the second embodiment uses LED modules and the energy device  18  such as EDLC, it is possible to reduce the time required for charging using a low voltage operation. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment will now be described with an emphasis placed on differences from the first and second embodiments with reference to  FIGS. 10A to 14 . 
     (Configuration of LED Flash Module) 
     An LED flash module according to a third embodiment includes a module substrate  111 ; an energy device (for example, EDLC)  18 , which is disposed on the module substrate  111  and has a laminated body of two or more layers including positive and negative active material electrodes and positive and negative lead-out electrodes  34 , which are integrally formed, and a separator  30  (see  FIGS. 40 to 42 ) which is interposed between the positive and negative active material electrodes and passes electrolytes and ions, the two or more layers being laminated such that the lead-out electrodes  34  are exposed from the positive and negative active material electrodes and the positive and negative active material electrodes are alternated; an LED module  320  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and includes a plurality of LED blocks  320   g  and  320   h  arranged in a first direction (for example, a horizontal direction), each LED block including a plurality of LED elements which is arranged in a second direction (for example, a vertical direction) perpendicular to the first direction and emits light with power supplied from the energy device  18 ; an EDLC charger circuit  311  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and charges the energy device  18 ; and an LED driver control circuit  313  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and controls emission of the LED elements, wherein color rendition of the LED blocks  320   g  and  320   h  is variable. 
     The LED driver control circuit  313  drives the LED blocks  320   g  and  320   h  individually and controls at least one of a value of current flowing into each of the LED blocks  320   g  and  320   h  and lighting time. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are schematic plan views of the LED flash module according to the third embodiment, when viewed from front and rear surfaces of the LED flash module, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 10A , an LED module  320  is mounted on a surface of a module substrate  111 . The LED module  320  includes  2  LED blocks  320   g  and  320   h  horizontally arranged. Each of the LED blocks  320   g  and  320   h  includes a plurality of LED elements arranged vertically. A white resin dam  366  is coated around the LED elements and fluorescent layers  371  and  372  having different color renditions are coated on a region surrounded by the white resin dam  366  (which will be described later). The rear surface of the module substrate  111  has the same configuration as that in the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10B . 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram of the LED flash module according to the third embodiment. This LED flash module includes, but is not limited to, an I2C interface  315  in communication with a microcomputer (not shown) and so on. The I2C interface  315  is connected to the charger control circuit  312  and the LED driver control circuit  313 . The LED driver control circuit  313  can selectively turns on/off desired ones of the plurality of LED elements in the LED block. In addition, this circuit can selectively turns on/off a particular area of the LED block. The LED constant current control circuit  314  includes a DAC (Digital Analog Converter)  314   a  for each LED block. Other configurations have basically the same as those in the first embodiment. 
     (Operation of LED Flash Module) 
     When the LED flash module is powered on, a value of current flowing into each LED block and lighting time are input from the microcomputer to the LED flash module and are set in a register of the I2C interface  315  (Step S 22  in  FIG. 12A ). The current value and the lighting time are properly determined depending on the circumstances. Thereafter, an operation performed until the LED flash is lit on after the charging of the energy device  18  is completed is the same as that in the first embodiment (Steps S 22  to S 24  in  FIG. 12A ). The current in the LED flash mode is adjusted by external attachment resistors R 1  to R 3  and a DAC  314   a . The current in the LED torch mode is adjusted by an external attachment resistor R 4  and the DAC  314   a  (Steps S 33  and S 34  in  FIG. 12B ). 
     The LED driver control circuit  313  according to the third embodiment drives the LED blocks individually and controls a value of current flowing into each LED block and lighting time. At that time, a current value and lighting time preset in a register for each LED block is referenced. Lighting time control may use a pulse modulation method such as PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), PNM (Pulse Number Modulation) or the like. One or both of the current value and the lighting time may be controlled. For example, the current value may be roughly adjusted and then the lighting time may be finely adjusted. 
     (Configuration of LED Module) 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the LED module  320  according to the third embodiment may include the white resin dam  366  coated around the LED elements and the fluorescent layers  371  and  372  which have different color renditions and are coated on a region surrounded by the white resin dam  366 . 
       FIG. 13A  is a schematic plan view of a rectangular LED module  320 , showing two LED blocks  320   a  and  320   h  arranged vertically, with a yellow fluorescent layer  371  coated on the LED block  320   g  and a red•yellow fluorescent layer  372  coated on the LED block  320   h.    
       FIG. 13B  is a schematic plan view of a rectangular LED module  320 , showing three LED blocks  320   i ,  320   j  and  320   k  arranged vertically, with a green•yellow fluorescent layer  373  coated on the LED block  320   i , a yellow fluorescent layer  374  coated on the LED block  320   j  and a red•yellow fluorescent layer  375  coated on the LED block  320   k.    
     In this manner, fluorescent layers having different color renditions are coated on different LED blocks to control a current value flowing into each LED block and lighting time. Thus, an emission balance for each LED block is varied to provide a variable color rendition. 
     (Fluorescent Layer) 
       FIG. 14  shows an XY chromaticity diagram of an XYZ colorimetric system according to CIE (Commission Internationale de L &#39;Eclairage) 1931. This XY chromaticity diagram can be referenced to select a fluorescent layer. That is, different combinations of fluorescent layers having different color renditions can be employed. The material of the fluorescent layers is the same as that described in the first embodiment and therefore, details of which are not repeated for the purpose of brevity. 
     As described above, the LED flash module according to the third embodiment includes the LED blocks  320   g  and  320   h  having a variable color rendition. Therefore, when the LED flash module is applied to imaging devices such as digital cameras, video cameras and so on, its color rendition can be varied depending on the circumstances, thereby providing arrangements different from before. 
     In addition, in this embodiment, the color rendition can be varied with the LED flash module instead of an image process. Although a xenon lamp having a fixed color rendition needs to change the color rendition using an image process, the third embodiment can alleviate a load of such an image process. 
     In addition, although different fluorescent layers having different color renditions are illustrated in this embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, different combinations of LEDs having different emission colors may provide different color renditions through control of the value of current flowing into each LED and the lighting time. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     A fourth embodiment will now be described with an emphasis placed on differences from the first to third embodiments with reference to  FIGS. 15A to 19C . 
     An LED flash module according to a fourth embodiment includes a module substrate  111 ; an energy device (for example, EDLC)  18  which is disposed on the module substrate  111  and has a laminated body of two or more layers including positive and negative active material electrodes and positive and negative lead-out electrodes  34 , which are integrally formed, and a separator  30  (see  FIGS. 40 to 42 ), which is interposed between the positive and negative active material electrodes and passes electrolytes and ions, the two or more layers being laminated such that the lead-out electrodes  34  are exposed from the positive and negative active material electrodes and the positive and negative active material electrodes are alternated; an LED module  320  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and includes a plurality of LED blocks  320   g  and  320   h  arranged in a first direction (for example, a horizontal direction), each LED block including a plurality of LED elements which is arranged in a second direction (for example, a vertical direction) perpendicular to the first direction and emits light with power supplied from the energy device  18 ; an EDLC charger circuit  311  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and charges the energy device  18 ; and an LED driver control circuit  313  which is arranged on the module substrate  111  and controls emission of the LED elements, wherein, when the LED elements are arranged in plural rows, anode electrodes A or cathode electrodes C of LED elements  364  in adjacent rows  364   h  and  364   l  are arranged to face with each other and an anode wiring or a cathode wiring on the module substrate  111  is a common wiring C 11 . 
     COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE  
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  are schematic planar pattern configuration views showing an example of arrangement of LED elements  364  according to a fourth embodiment, showing two-row arrangement of the LED elements  364 .  FIG. 15B  shows partial enlargement of  FIG. 15A . As shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the two-row arrangement of the LED elements  364  requires anode wirings A 1  and A 2  and cathode wirings C 1  and C 2  at both sides of each LED element  364 . 
     That is, in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , anode electrodes A of the LED elements  364  forming an upper row  364   h  are connected to the anode wiring A 1  on the module substrate  111  via bonding wires  365 A such as, for example, Au wires and so on. On the other hand, cathode electrodes C of the LED elements  364  forming the upper row  364   h  are connected to the cathode wiring C 1  on the module substrate  111  via bonding wires  365 C. 
     In addition, in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , anode electrodes A of the LED elements  364  forming a lower row  364   l  are connected to the anode wiring A 2  on the module substrate  111  via the bonding wires  365 A. On the other hand, cathode electrodes C of the LED elements  364  forming the lower row  364   l  are connected to the cathode wiring C 2  on the module substrate  111  via bonding wires  365 C. 
     (Example of Zigzag-Shaped Arrangement) 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  are schematic planar pattern configuration views showing an example of arrangement of LED elements  364  according to the fourth embodiment, showing two-row arrangement of the LED elements  364 . In this example, cathode electrodes C of LED elements  364  of adjacent rows  364   h  and  364   l  are arranged to face with each other. Accordingly, cathode wirings can be made common to allow all of the cathode electrodes C to be connected to the common wiring C 11  on the module substrate  111 . Thus, since the number of wirings on the module substrate  111  can be made smaller than that in the comparative example, it is possible to make width between the rows  364   h  and  364   l  smaller, thereby reducing an area of the module substrate  111 . 
     In addition, in this example, the LED elements  364  are arranged in the form of zigzag for each row  364   h  and  364   l . Thus, since the bonding wires  365 A and  365 C are mounted perpendicular to the common electrode C 11 , the length thereof can be made shortest. 
     (Example of the Same Row Arrangement) 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  are schematic planar pattern configuration views showing an example of arrangement of LED elements  364  according to the fourth embodiment. In this example, like  FIGS. 16A and 16B , cathode electrodes C of LED elements  364  of adjacent rows  364   h  and  364   l  are arranged to face with each other. Thus, an area of the module substrate  111  can be reduced in a manner similar to  FIGS. 16A and 16B . 
     In this example, the LED elements  364  are in the same row arrangement. The phase “the same raw arrangement” refers to arrangement of the rows  364   h  and  364   l  in the same longitudinal direction. Thus, the horizontal width (in X direction) of the module substrate  111  can be made smaller than that in  FIGS. 16A and 16B . 
     In addition, when the LED elements  364  are in the same row arrangement, the bonding wire  365 C is mounted in a direction inclined with respect to the common electrode C 21 . This can prevent the facing bonding wires  365 C from contacting with each other. 
     (Example of Three-Row Arrangement) 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  are schematic planar pattern configuration views showing an example of arrangement of LED elements  364  according to the fourth embodiment, showing three-row arrangement of the LED elements  364 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , cathode electrodes C of LED elements  364  of adjacent rows  364   h  and  364   m  are arranged to face with each other. In addition, anode electrodes A of LED elements  364  of adjacent rows  364   m  and  364   l  are arranged to face with each other. Accordingly, all of the cathode electrodes C can be connected to the common wiring C 31  on the module substrate  111  and all of the anode electrodes A can be connected to the common electrode A 31  on the module substrate  111 . Thus, since the number of wirings on the module substrate  111  is made smaller than that in the comparative example, thereby further reducing the area of the module substrate  111 . 
     It should be understood that the number of wirings can be reduced by one line whenever the number of rows of the LED elements increases by one, in case of four or more-row arrangement of LED elements  364 . That is, since a layout can be repeated when the number of rows is increased, LED elements  364  can be mounted with higher density according to the increase in the number of rows of the LED elements, which may result in smaller product size. 
     (Sectional Structure) 
       FIGS. 19A to 19C  show examples of a sectional structure of the module substrate  111  according to the fourth embodiment,  FIG. 19A  being a schematic planar pattern configuration view,  FIG. 19B  being a sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 19A , showing a condition where a white resin  381  is applied, and  FIG. 19C  being a sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 19A , showing a condition where a fluorescent layer  367  is applied. 
     As described previously, this embodiment employs the COB structure. That is, an LED bear chip (LED elements  364 ) divided into several LED blocks are mounted on the module substrate  111  in the form of an array and is electrically bonded to the module substrate  111  by means of bonding wires  365 . A volume compensating dummy chip  382  such as a Si chip or the like is mounted below the LED elements  364 . The white resin  381  is used to increase reflection efficiency of the LED elements  364 . In this condition, a silicon-based white resin coated for each LED block to produce a dam  366  and the fluorescent layer  367  is coated on the inner side of the dam  366 . The LED blocks are made of the same resin but at least two kinds of different fluorescent layers are coated on different LED blocks. 
     Although two-row arrangement of LED elements  364  in the inner side of one dam  366  is herein illustrated, an additional dam  366  may be formed between the two-row arranged LED elements  364 . In this case, it should be understood that different fluorescent layers  367  may be coated for different rows (different LED blocks) divided by the additional dam  366 . 
     As described above, in the LED flash module according to this embodiment, when a plurality of rows of LED elements  364  is arranged, the anode electrodes A or the cathode electrodes C of the LED elements  364  in adjacent rows  364   h  and  364   l  are arranged to face each other and the anode wiring or the cathode wiring on the module substrate  111  is the common wiring C 11 . Thus, since the number of wirings on the module substrate  111  is reduced, the area of the module substrate  111  is accordingly reduced, which may result in smaller product size. In addition, since more LED elements  364  can be mounted in the same area, it is possible to realize products with higher luminance. 
     In addition, although multi-row arrangement of LED elements  364  is herein illustrated, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other words, such arrangement is not limited to LED elements  364  but may be applied to different elements which require multi-row arrangement. 
     (Laminated Energy Device) 
     A laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments will be now described. The laminated energy device  18  can be mounted on the module substrate  111  in different ways with no particular limitation. For example, the laminated energy device  18  may be mounted on the module substrate  111  as below. In the following description of a method of mounting the laminated energy device  18 , it is configured that light emitted from LED elements is not blocked by the laminated energy device  18 , although a positional relationship between the LED elements and the laminated energy device  18  may not be explicitly stated. 
       FIG. 20  is a bird&#39;s eye structural view of the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 20 , a sealing member  14  is mounted in one surface of a laminate sheet covering a body of the laminated energy device  18 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the sealing member  14  includes a sticking agent  13  coated on the one side of the laminate sheet and a release paper  15  covering a surface of the sticking agent  13 . An insulating material having thermal conductivity, for example, may be used for the sticking agent  13 . The release paper  15  is made by performing a peeling process for a surface of paper. A method of attaching the sealing member  14  to the laminate sheet is not particularly limited. For example, it is convenient to peel off a release paper of one side of a double-sided tape and attach the one side to the laminate sheet. Although the attachment of the sealing member  14  to one side of the laminate sheet is herein illustrated, the sealing member  14  may be attached to both sides of the laminate sheet. 
     —Mounting Method— 
     Subsequently, a method of mounting the laminated energy device  18  will be described. 
     First, the release paper  15  covering the laminate sheet is peeled off, as shown in  FIG. 22A . With the sticking agent  13  exposed to a portion where the release paper  15  is peeled off, the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to a predetermined mounting position on the module substrate  111 , as shown in  FIG. 22B .  FIG. 23  is a schematic planar pattern configuration view of the module substrate  111  in this state and  FIG. 24  is a schematic sectional view taken along line I-I in  FIG. 23 . As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , leading ends  34   t  of lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  are arranged to be set near welding holes  25   a  and  25   b  of solder connections  24   a  and  24   b . At this point, the long and soft lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  are in an unstable state as they are not fixed to the module substrate  111 , while a body of the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to the module substrate  111  by means of the sticking agent  13 . Here, as shown in  FIG. 25 , a heat-resistant rubber  26  or the like is used to press the lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  against the module substrate  111  and solder welding (electrical connection) to the welding holes  25   a  and  25   b  of the solder connections  24   a  and  24   b  is carried out. Thus, the solder welding of the lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  can be carried out under a state where the body of the laminated energy device  18  and the lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  are both fixed to the module substrate  111 . 
     The lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  may be bent in advance in a height direction of the module substrate  111  (hereinafter referred to as “substrate height direction”). The substrate height direction corresponds to a vertical direction in  FIG. 24  or  25 . Thus, since the leading ends  34   t  of the lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  become closer to the welding holes  25   a  and  25   b  of the solder connections  24   a  and  24   b , it is possible to carry out the solder welding more simply. A degree of bending may be within a range of several millimeters to several tens millimeters, although it may be appropriately varied depending on thickness, mounting position and so on of the laminated energy device  18 . 
     Although the two lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  are herein illustrated, three lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  may be provided, as shown in  FIG. 26 . This three-terminal laminated energy device  18  corresponds to two two-terminal laminated energy devices  18  connected in series.  FIGS. 27A to 27F  and  FIGS. 28A to 28F  illustrate variations of arrangement of three lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  included in the three-electrode laminated energy device  18 . As shown in  FIGS. 27A to 27F  and  FIGS. 28A to 28F , the three lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  can be lead out of any side of the laminated energy device  18 . The three-electrode laminated energy device  18  is the same as the two-electrode laminated energy device  18  in that the sealing member  14  is attached to the laminated sheet. 
       FIGS. 29 and 30  are views used to illustrate another method of mounting the laminated energy device  18 . First, parts such as an EDLC charger circuit  311 , a DC/DC converter  160  and so on are mounted on the module substrate  111  and are electrically connected to the module substrate  111  by wire bonding. In addition, the lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  of the laminated energy device  18  are pressed against and solder-welded to a predetermined position of the module substrate  111 . Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 30 , parts such as the EDLC charger circuit  311 , the DC/DC converter  160  and so on are covered by a hard coat  200 . Then, with the release paper  15  of the laminated energy device  18  peeled off, the lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  are bent and a surface where the sticking agent  13  of the laminated energy device  18  is exposed is attached to an external surface of the hard coat  200 . This can provide the module substrate  111  insulated by the hard coat  200  and utilize a limited substrate space in an efficient manner since the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to the hard coat  200 . 
       FIGS. 31 and 32  are views used to illustrate another method of mounting the laminated energy device  18 .  FIGS. 31 and 32  are the same as  FIGS. 29 and 30  except that the lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  are further extended to fix the laminated energy device  18  to the rear surface of the module substrate  111 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 31 , parts such as an EDLC charger circuit  311 , a DC/DC converter  160  and so on are mounted on the module substrate  111  and are electrically connected to the module substrate  111  by wire bonding. In addition, the lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  of the laminated energy device  18  are pressed against and solder-welded to a predetermined position of the module substrate  111 . Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 32 , parts such as the EDLC charger circuit  311 , the DC/DC converter  160  and so on are covered by a hard coat  200 . Then, with the release paper  15  of the laminated energy device  18  peeled off, the lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  are bent and a surface where the sticking agent  13  of the laminated energy device  18  is exposed is attached to the rear surface of the module substrate  111 . As used herein, the phase “the rear surface of the module substrate  111 ” refers to the opposite surface to a surface on which parts such as the EDLC charger circuit  311 , the DC/DC converter  160  and so are mounted. This can provide the module substrate  111  insulated by the hard coat  200  and utilize a limited substrate space in an efficient manner since the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to the rear surface of the module substrate  111 . 
     Although it is herein illustrated that the laminated energy device  18  is bonded to the external surface of the hard coat  200  or the rear surface of the module substrate  111  after the solder welding of the lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  is carried out, such a mounting procedure is not limited thereto. For example, the solder welding of the lead-out electrodes  34   a ,  34   b  and  34   c  may be carried out after the laminated energy device  18  is bonded to the external surface of the hard coat  200  or the rear surface of the module substrate  111 . 
     As described above, with the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, the laminated energy device  18  can be stably mounted on the module substrate  111  since the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to a mounting position by the sticking agent  13 . This can improve reliability of electrical connection and is therefore particularly effective for automated mounting of the laminated energy device  18  and hence mass production of the module substrate  111 . In addition, when the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to the external surface of the hard coat  200  or the rear surface of the module substrate  111 , it is possible to utilize a limited substrate space in an efficient manner. 
       FIGS. 33A and 33B  are views used to illustrate a method of mounting the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments,  FIG. 33A  being a schematic planar pattern configuration view and  FIG. 33B  being a schematic sectional view showing a state where the laminated energy device  18  is mounted on the module substrate  111 . As shown in  FIGS. 33A and 33B , a laminate sheet  40  is subjected to press processing such that it has a shape to surround the module substrate  111 . That is, typically, after the laminate sheet  40  is compressed and sealed along a predetermined laminate line, an unnecessary portion of the laminate sheet  40  is removed by subjecting a line slightly deviated from the laminate line to press processing. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 33A , press processing is carried out with the laminate sheet  40  left in both sides of the laminated energy device  18 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 33B , when the laminated energy device  18  is mounted on the module substrate  111 , the module substrate  111  can be enclosed by the laminate sheet  40  provided in both sides of the laminated energy device  18 . The module substrate  111  may be enclosed in various ways, as will be described later. In addition, it is sufficient if only the laminated energy device  18  can be fixed to the module substrate  111 . The laminate sheet  40  may be made of an insulating film or the like and has preferably high adhesion to the module substrate  111 . 
       FIGS. 34 and 35  are views used to illustrate another method of mounting the laminated energy device  18 . In  FIG. 34 , reference numerals  210   a  and  210   b  denote wires interconnecting various parts. As shown in  FIGS. 34 and 35 , the laminated energy device  18  may be fixed to the rear surface of the module substrate  111  with parts such as the EDLC charger circuit  311 , the DC/DC converter  160  and so on covered by the hard coat  200  and the module substrate  111  may be enclosed by the laminate sheet  40  provided in both sides of the laminated energy device  18 . 
     As described above, with the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments, the laminated energy device  18  can be stably mounted on the module substrate  111  since the module substrate  111  may be enclosed by the laminate sheet  40 . In addition, enclosure of parts such as the EDLC charger circuit  311 , the DC/DC converter  160  and so on by the laminate sheet  40  can provide advantages of stable mounting of the parts and protection against unnecessary electrical connection. 
     Although it is illustrated in this embodiment that the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to the module substrate  111  by the sticking agent  13 , whether or not the sticking agent  13  is used is not particularly limited. That is, a certain effect can be anticipated in that the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to the module substrate  111  just by enclosing the module substrate  111  by the laminate sheet  40 . 
       FIGS. 36A to 36D  are views used to illustrate variations of a bending process of the lead-out electrode  34  in the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments.  FIG. 36A  shows a case where no bending process is carried out and  FIG. 36B  shows a case where a “^”-shaped bending portion  34   s  is provided in a middle portion of the lead-out electrode  34 . The “^”-shaped bending portion  34   s  allows the lead-out electrode  34  to absorb a stress caused by any load applied thereto.  FIG. 36C  shows a case where the lead-out electrode  34  is smoothly inclined in a left side of  FIG. 36C  without being subjected to any bending process and  FIG. 36D  shows a case where the lead-out electrode  34  is provided with a bending portion  34   k  and thus sharply inclined in the left side of  FIG. 36D . While the height of a leading end  34   t  of the lead-out electrode  34  may be adjusted by either  FIG. 36C  or  FIG. 36D ,  FIG. 36D  allows the leading end  34   t  of the lead-out electrode  34  to be closer to the laminated energy device  18  than  FIG. 36C . 
       FIGS. 37A and 37B  are views used to illustrate another method of mounting the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. In  FIG. 37A , the lead-out electrode  34  is folded in such a manner that a surface where the sticking agent  13  of the laminated energy device  18  is exposed is bonded to the external surface of the hard coat  200 . In  FIG. 37B , the lead-out electrode  34  is folded in such a manner that a surface where the sticking agent  13  of the laminated energy device  18  is exposed is bonded to an opposite surface to a substrate surface where parts such as the EDLC charger circuit  311 , the DC/DC converter  160  and so on are mounted. In other words, the lead-out electrode  34  covers only the opposite surface to the substrate surface on which the laminated energy device  18  is mounted. On that purpose, in this case, the length Δf the lead-out electrode  34  in the substrate height direction is set to be longer than the height Δthe module substrate  111 . 
       FIGS. 38A and 38B  are views used to illustrate another method of mounting the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. In  FIG. 38A , the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to the rear surface of the module substrate  111  and only the opposite surface to the substrate surface on which the laminated energy device  18  is mounted is covered by the laminate sheet  40  provided in both sides of the laminated energy device  18 . This configuration is particularly effective when a part  210  is an LED. That is, the module substrate  111  can be enclosed by the laminate sheet  40  without blocking light from the LED  210 . Although the laminate sheet  40  may cover just the substrate surface, an end of the laminate sheet  40  may make contact with or cover a particular part  42   E in this case, the length Δf the laminate sheet  40  is set to be longer than the height ΔT of the module substrate  111 , as shown in  FIG. 38B . 
       FIG. 39  is a view used to illustrate another method of mounting the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. In  FIG. 39 , the laminated energy device  18  is fixed to the module substrate  111  by both of the lead-out electrode  34  and the laminate sheet  40 . An end of the laminate sheet  40  covers the external surface of the hard coat  200 . In this manner, various mounting methods may be combined where appropriate. 
     Although the EDLC has been illustrated as the laminated energy device  18  in the above description, a lithium ion capacitor or a lithium ion battery may be employed as the laminated energy device  18 . A basic structure of each internal electrode will now be described. 
     (EDLC Internal Electrode) 
       FIG. 40  shows a basic structure of an EDLC internal electrode in the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. The EDLC internal electrode includes at least one layer of active material electrodes  10  and  12 , a separator  30  which is interposed between the active material electrodes  10  and  12  and passes only electrolytes and ions, and lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  which are exposed from the active material electrodes  10  and  12  and are connected to a power source V. The lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b  are made of, for example, an aluminum foil and the active material electrodes  10  and  12  are made of, for example, activated carbon. The separator  30  is larger (i.e., has a wider area) than the active material electrodes  10  and  12  so that it can cover the entire surface of the active material electrodes  10  and  12 . The separator  30  requires heat resistance if it particularly needs to cope with reflow, although it has no principle dependency on the kind of energy device. The separator  30  may be made of polypropylene or the like if it requires no heat resistance. The separator  30  may be made of cellulose or the like if it requires any heat resistance. The EDLC internal electrode is impregnated with electrolytes and the electrolytes and ions are migrated at the time of charging/discharging through the separator  30 . 
     (Lithium Ion Capacitor Internal Electrode) 
       FIG. 41  shows a basic structure of a lithium ion capacitor internal electrode in the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. The lithium ion capacitor internal electrode includes at least one layer of active material electrodes  11  and  12 , a separator  30  which is interposed between the active material electrodes  11  and  12  and passes only electrolytes and ions, and lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   w h are exposed from the active material electrodes  11  and  12  and are connected to a power source V. The positive active material electrode  12  is made of, for example, activated carbon and the negative active material electrode  11  is made of, for example, Li-doped carbon. The positive lead-out electrode  34   a  is made of, for example, an aluminum foil and the negative lead-out electrode  34   i is made of, for example, a copper foil. The separator  30  is larger (i.e., has a wider area) than the active material electrodes  11  and  12  so that it can cover the entire surface of the active material electrodes  11  and  12 . The lithium ion capacitor internal electrode is impregnated with electrolytes and the electrolytes and ions are migrated at the time of charging/discharging through the separator  30 . 
     (Lithium Ion Battery Internal Electrode) 
       FIG. 42  shows a basic structure of a lithium ion battery internal electrode in the laminated energy device  18  which may be applied to the LED flash modules according to the first to fourth embodiments. The lithium ion capacitor internal electrode according to this embodiment includes at least one layer of active material electrodes  11  and  12   a , a separator  30  which is interposed between the active material electrodes  11  and  12   a  and passes only electrolytes and ions, and lead-out electrodes  34   a  and  34   b   1  which are exposed from the active material electrodes  11  and  12   a  and are connected to a power source V. The positive active material electrode  12   a  is made of, for example, LiCoO 2  and the negative active material electrode  11  is made of, for example, Li-doped carbon. The positive lead-out electrode  34   a  is made of, for example, an aluminum foil and the negative lead-out electrode  34   b   1  is made of, for example, a copper foil. The separator  30  is larger (i.e., has a wider area) than the active material electrodes  11  and  12   a  so that it can cover the entire surface of the active material electrodes  11  and  12   a . The lithium ion battery internal electrode is impregnated with electrolytes and the electrolytes and ions are migrated at the time of charging/discharging through the separator  30 . 
     As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an LED flash module, an LED module and an imaging device, which are capable of reducing time required for charging with a low voltage operation and achieving compactness and lightness. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in the above by ways of the first to fourth embodiments, it is to be understood that the description and drawings constituting parts of the present disclosure are merely illustrative but not limitative. Various alternative embodiments, examples and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art when reading from the above description and the drawings. 
     Thus, the present disclosure is intended to encompass different embodiments which are not described herein. 
     The LED flash modules and the LED modules of the present disclosure may be applied to flash devices which can be applied to imaging devices such as digital cameras, monitoring cameras and so on. Further, the LED flash modules and the LED modules of the present disclosure may be applied to products equipped with a plurality LED devices such as LED lamps and so on. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosures. Indeed, the novel methods and apparatuses described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosures. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosures.