Patent Publication Number: US-8967836-B2

Title: Light having a lens and body with a threaded connection and a groove and a protrusion connection therebetween

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0082218, filed on Jul. 27, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a lighting device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, indoor or outdoor light bulbs or fluorescent lights are widely used. Light bulbs or fluorescent lights should be frequently replaced due to short lifespan thereof. Also, conventional fluorescent lights deteriorate and luminance gradually decreases with time. 
     In order to solve these problems, a variety of types of lighting modules using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of realizing superior control, rapid response speed, high electric light conversion efficiency, long lifespan, low consumption power, superior brightness and sensitive lighting are developed. 
     Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are devices which convert electric signals into light using characteristics of compound semiconductors. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have advantages of low consumption power, semi-permanent lifespan, rapid response speed, safety and eco-friendliness, as compared to conventional light sources such as fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Accordingly, a great deal of research to replace conventional light sources with light emitting diodes is underway and use of LEDs as light sources of lighting devices such as indoor and outdoor liquid crystal display devices, electronic signboards and streetlights is increasing. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments provide a lighting device in which a lens is coupled to a body by screw coupling to stabilize physical durability and light orientation. 
     In one embodiment, a lighting device includes: a body having an inside wall to provide a cavity, the inside wall being provided with a first screw; a light source disposed in the cavity; a power supply disposed at one side of the body to supply power to the light source; and a lens disposed on the light source, the lens being provided with a second screw coupled to the first screw. 
     In another embodiment, a lighting device includes: a body having an inside wall to provide a cavity, the inside wall being provided with a first screw; a light source disposed in the cavity; a power supply disposed in the body to supply power to the light source; and a lens disposed on the light source, the lens being provided with a second screw coupled to the first screw so that the lens is spaced from the light source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Details of the embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a lighting device according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a lighting device according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a lighting device according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view illustrating the cross-section taken along the direction D-D′ of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 5 to 9  are sectional views illustrating a lighting device according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is defined only by the categories of the claims. In certain embodiments, detailed descriptions of device constructions or processes well known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring appreciation of the disclosure by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Spatially-relative terms such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”, or “upper” may be used herein to describe one element&#39;s relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that spatially-relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below. Since the device may be oriented in another direction, the spatially-relative terms may be interpreted in accordance with the orientation of the device. 
     The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used in the disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In the drawings, the thickness or size of each layer is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience of description and clarity. Also, the size or area of each constituent element does not entirely reflect the actual size thereof. 
     Angles or directions used to describe the structures of light emitting devices according to embodiments are based on those shown in the drawings. Unless there is, in the specification, no definition of a reference point to describe angular positional relations in the structures of the light emitting devices, the associated drawings may be referred to. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the annexed drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a lighting device according to one embodiment.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a lighting device according to one embodiment.  FIG. 3  an exploded perspective view illustrating a method for coupling a lens to a body in a lighting device according to one embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a sectional view illustrating the cross-section taken along the direction of D-D′ of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the lighting device of one embodiment includes a body  110  having an upper part to provide a cavity, the upper part being provided with a first screw  112 , a light source  130  disposed in the cavity, a power supply  150  disposed at one side of the body  110 , to supply power to the light source  130 , and a lens  140  disposed on the light source  130  and provided with a second screw  142  coupled with the first screw  112 . 
     The body  110  receives light generated in the light source  130  and radiates the light. The body  110  may be made of a material having superior light emission efficiency. For example, the body  110  may comprise at least one of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), silver (Ag), tin (Sn) and a plastic. 
     When the body  110  comprises a metal material, electric insulating treatment between the body  110  and the power supply  150  may be performed, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, when the body  110  is made of a plastic having low electric conductivity, the power supply  150  may contact the body  110 , although the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The body  110  may comprise a thermoconductive plastic having thermoconductivity higher than a general plastic. The thermoconductive plastic may have a structure that exhibits maximum heat-radiation performance making the best of characteristics such as conduction, convection, and radiation. 
     The body  110  is provided in an upper part thereof with a cavity  116 . The cavity  116  may be formed by a recessed portion of the upper part of the body  110 . The body  110  includes an inside wall and a bottom surface to provide the cavity  116 . The cavity  116  may be formed on the boundary between the bottom surface formed in the upper part of the body  110  and the inside wall that forms a slope with the bottom surface. A light source  130  or a substrate  120  may be disposed on the bottom surface. 
     The first screw  112  may be formed on the inside wall to provide the cavity  116 . The body  110  may be coupled to the lens  140 . The body  110  may be coupled to the lens  140  by screw bonding. 
     A heat radiator  105  may be formed outside of the body  110 . The heat radiator  105  may include a structure to emit heat. The heat radiator  105  may include a plurality of protrusions or grooves continuously formed in a side surface of the body  110  and thus have an increased surface area that contacts air. 
     The body  110  may have an inner area. The body  110  may include a power supply  150  in the inner area. The body  110  may have an area where the cavity  116  and the power supply  150  are disposed. 
     The lighting device may further include a substrate  120  disposed on the bottom surface that provides the cavity  116  of the body  110 , or on the power supply  150  described below. 
     The substrate  120  may be electrically connected to the light source  130 . The substrate  120  may be electrically connected to the power supply  150 . The substrate  120  receives power from the power supply  150  and transfers the same to the light source  130 . 
     The substrate  120  may include a circular plate shape, but it includes various shapes without limiting thereto. For example, the substrate  120  may have a polygonal plate shape. 
     The substrate  120  may be a circuit pattern-printed insulator. For example, the substrate  120  may include a general printed circuit board (PCB), a metal core PCB, flexible PCB, a ceramic PCB or the like. The substrate  120  may be a chip on board (COB) that is integrated with the light source  130 , although the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The substrate  120  may include a material that efficiently reflects light. The substrate  120  may have an upper surface that has color, capable of efficiently reflecting light, such as white or silver. 
     The lighting device may further include a heat sink (not shown) between the substrate  120  and the body  110 . The heat sink (not shown) may transfer heat, which is generated in the light source  130  and is then transferred to the substrate  120 , to the body  110 . 
     The substrate  120  may be disposed in the body  110 . The heat sink (not shown) may have a portion that is disposed on the bottom surface to provide the cavity  112  of the body  110 . The substrate  120  may be disposed between the bottom surface to provide the cavity  112  and the light source  130 . 
     The heat sink (not shown) may be made of a highly thermoconductive material. For example, the heat sink (not shown) may be made of a metal. In another embodiment, the heat sink is made of aluminum (Al). The heat sink (not shown) receives heat generated in the light source  130 . The heat sink (not shown) is inserted into the body  110  to transfer heat from the light source  130  into the body  110 . 
     The heat sink (not shown) may be made of a material having high light reflectivity. The heat sink (not shown) may reflect light generated in the light source  130  to an upper part of the body  110 . 
     The light source  130  may be disposed on the bottom surface to provide the cavity  116  of the body  110 . A substrate  120  may be disposed between the light source  130  and the bottom surface to provide the cavity  116 . A heat sink (not shown) may be disposed between the light source  130  and the bottom surface to provide the cavity  116  of the body  110 , but the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The light source  130  may be electrically connected to the power supply  150  described below. The light source  130  may emit light. The light source  130  may include an element that emits light using characteristics of semiconductor materials. For example, the light source  130  may include a light emitting diode (LED). 
     The light emitting diode (not shown) may convert electrical signals into infrared light or visible light using compound semiconductor characteristics. The light emitting diode (not shown) may be electrically connected to a lead frame (not shown) of a light emitting device package (not shown). 
     The light source  130  may include a red, green, blue or white light emitting diode that emits red, green, blue or white light, but the type and number thereof are not limited. The light emitting diode may be of a lateral or vertical type, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The light source  130  may include a phosphor. The phosphor absorbs light and thereby emits light having a changed wavelength. The phosphor may include at least one of yellow, red and green phosphors, when the light emitting diode is a blue light emitting diode. For example, the phosphor may include at least one of Garnet (YAG, TAG), silicate, nitride, and oxynitride. 
     The light source  130  may face the bottom of the lens  140 . The light source  130  may be spaced from the lens  140  described below. The light source  130  is spaced from the lens  140  by a predetermined distance to allow a greater amount of light to be incident upon the lens  140 . 
     The power supply  150  may be disposed in the body  110 . The power supply  150  may be inserted into an area provided in the body  110 . The power supply  150  may be electrically connected to the substrate  120 . The power supply  150  may be electrically connected through the substrate  120  to the light source  130  and control operation of the light source  130 , but the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The power supply  150  may include a support substrate (not shown) and a plurality of components (not shown) mounted on the support substrate (not shown). 
     The power supply  150  may convert alternating current supplied from the outside into direct current that may be stably used for the lighting device. The power supply  150  may supply a voltage or current required for the lighting device. 
     Examples of the plurality of components may include, but are not limited to, a direct current convertor that converts alternating current supplied from an exterior power source into direct current, a driver (not shown) to control driving of the light source  130 , an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective element (not shown) to protect the light source  130  from an electric shock (not shown) or the like. The power supply  150  may be provided in a lower part thereof with a socket connected to an exterior power source. 
     The power supply  150  prevents noise of alternating current input outside from being transferred to the light source  130 . The power supply  150  may include a band-pass filter that removes ripples or noise of the power rectified into direct current. The power supply  150  may convert filtered direct current into power that satisfies specifications required for the light source  130 . 
     The lens  140  is disposed on the light source  130  and is coupled to the body  110 . The lens  140  receives light from the light source  130  and emits light. The lens  140  focuses or emits light generated in the light source  130 . The lens  140  may be a circular plate, but the shape thereof may be changed according to the shape of the cavity  116  of the body  110  without limiting thereto. 
     The lens  140  may partially or entirely have a predetermined curvature. The lens  140  may be spaced from the light source  130  by a predetermined distance. The lens  140  may extend in a depth direction of the cavity  112  such that it corresponds to the light source  130 . When the number of the light sources  130  is plural, the lens  140  may have a plurality of parts that extend in the depth direction of the cavity  112 . 
     The lens  140  may have a diameter that decreases from the top to the bottom. For example, the lens  140  has a maximum diameter in a part thereof that contacts the top of the body  110  and a minimum diameter in a part thereof that faces the light source  130 . The lens  140  may have a cylindrical shape, the diameter of which is changed according to height. 
     An inclination of the side surface of the lens  140  may have the same as that of the inside wall of the cavity  116 . 
     The lens  140  may be fixed on the body  110  by screw coupling. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the lens  140  may be coupled to the body provided with a first screw  112  on the cavity  116 . The lens  140  may be provided at the side thereof with a second screw  142 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second screw  142  of the lens  140  may be coupled to the first screw  112  of the body  110 . 
     An adhesion unit (not shown) may be disposed between the lens  140  and the body  110 . The adhesion unit (not shown) prevents movement of a region where the lens  140  is coupled to the body  110 . The adhesion unit (not shown) may be filled between the lens  140  and the body  110 . The adhesion unit (not shown) may include a material to adhere metal to non-metal. 
     The adhesion unit (not shown) adheres the lens  140  to the body  110 . The adhesion unit (not shown) may be disposed between the first screw  112  and the second screw  142 . The adhesion unit (not shown) prevents tightening or loosening of screw coupling caused by exterior physical shock. The adhesion unit (not shown) enhances optical orientation or physical durability of the lighting device. The adhesion unit (not shown) may include silicone (Si), but the material of adhesion unit is not limited thereto. 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along the direction D-D′ of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the lens  140  may be disposed on the light source  130 . The lens  140  focuses light irradiated from the light source  130  and emits the same upwardly. The lens  140  may be spaced from the light source  130 . The lens  140  is spaced from the light source  130  by a predetermined distance to prevent exterior physical shock from being transferred to the light source  130 . The lens  140  may be coupled to the body  110  by screw coupling. 
     When the second screw  142  formed in the lens  140  is coupled to the first screw  112  formed in the body  110 , the lens  140  may be spaced from the light source  130 . 
     The side of the cavity  116  may be spaced from the side of the lens  140 . The cavity  116  may be coated with a highly reflective material, for example, aluminum (Al) or silver (Ag), but the material is not limited thereto. The cavity  116  may reflect light emitted from the light source  130 . The cavity  116  may reflect light irradiated from the light source  130  toward the lens  140 . 
     The power supply  150  may be disposed in an area present in the body  110 . The power supply  150  may be electrically connected to the substrate  120 . The power supply  150  is disposed in the body  110  to improve electric stability. 
       FIGS. 5 to 9  are sectional views illustrating a lighting device according to one embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the lens  140  may include a first protrusion  144  having a protruded side. The first protrusion  144  may be present in plural. 
     The body  110  may include a groove  118  formed by recessed portions of the inside wall to provide the cavity  116 . The groove  118  may be present in plural. The number of the grooves  118  may be the same as the number of the first protrusions  144 . 
     The groove  118  may be coupled to the first protrusion  144 . When the numbers of the groove  118  and the first protrusion  144  are plural, a plurality of grooves  118  may correspond to a plurality of first protrusions  144 . The lens  144  may be fixed on the body  110  by which the first protrusion  144  is coupled to the groove  118 . 
     The groove  118  spaces the lens  144  from the light source  130 . The groove  118  prevents a phenomenon in which the lens  144  is excessively deeply embedded in the body  110  and thus contacts the light source  130 . The lens  144  is spaced from the light source  130  to prevent defects caused by deterioration. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a lighting device according to another embodiment. 
     The lens  140  may extend to the top of the body  110 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the lens  140  may include a circular plate  146 , the top of which extends in a circumferential direction. 
     The circular plate  146  may be formed on the second screw  142  of the lens  140 . The disclosure may include various embodiments in which the shape of the circular plate of lens  140  is not limited. For example, the disclosure may include other embodiments in which a side surface of the lens is fixed to the body  110 . The circular plate  146  may contact the top of the body  110 . 
     The circular plate  146  firmly couples the lens  140  to the body  110 . The circular plate  146  prevents a phenomenon, in which the lens  140  descends to the bottom surface to provide the cavity  116 , through screw coupling between the lens  140  and the body  110 . The circular plate  146  prevents the lens  140  from contacting the light source  130 . 
     The circular plate  146  may contact the top of the body  110 . The circular plate  146  contacts the top of the body  110  and thereby minimizes introduction of foreign matter into the cavity  116 . 
     The adhesion unit (not shown) may be disposed between the circular plate  146  and the top of the body  110 . The adhesion unit (not shown) prevents occurrence of a gap between the lens  140  and the top of the body  110 . The adhesion unit (not shown) blocks introduction of foreign matter into the light source  130 . 
     The adhesion unit (not shown) may comprise a material to adhere metal to non-metal. For example, the adhesion unit (not shown) may include silicon (Si), but may include various materials without limitation thereto. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the lens  140  may include a second protrusion  148  formed by a protruded portion of both ends of the diameter of the top of the lens  140 . The second protrusion  148  may be present in plural. For example, the second protrusion  148  may be formed at both ends of the diameter of the top thereof  140 . 
     The body  110  may be provided in a portion of the top thereof with a first mark  114 . The first mark  114  may be formed on the body  110  by printing or injection molding, but there are various embodiments of the formation method of the first mark  114  without limitation thereto. 
     The first mark  114  enables the lens  140  to be disposed at a suitable position of the body  110  using the position relation with the second protrusion  148 . 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 8 , when the second protrusion  148  is formed at both ends of the diameter of the top thereof  140 , two second protrusions  148  and the first mark  114  may be disposed in a straight line. When the lens  140  is coupled to the body  110  by screw coupling, the lens  140  is spaced from the light source  130  by a suitable distance, while the screw is turned, until two second protrusions  148  and the first mark  114  are disposed in a straight line. 
     The light source  130  is spaced from the lens  140  to improve optical properties in which light generated in the light source  130  is incident on the lens  140 . The light source  130  is spaced from the lens  140  to improve durability in which physical shock applied to the lens  140  from outside is transferred to the light source  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , in the lighting device according to one embodiment, an adhesion unit  160  may be disposed between the lens  140  and the body  110 . The adhesion unit  160  may comprise a material to adhere metal to non-metal. For example, the adhesion unit  160  may contain silicon (Si). The adhesion unit  160  may be disposed between the first screw  112  and the second screw  142 , but the position thereof is not limited thereto. 
     The lighting device according to one embodiment includes a heat-radiator to increase a surface area at the outside of the body, to improve heat radiation property. 
     The lighting device according to one embodiment is provided at the inside of the body with a power supply, to provide electrical stability. 
     The lighting device according to one embodiment exhibits improved mechanical stability, since the protrusion at the side of the lens is coupled to the groove of the body. 
     In the lighting device according to one embodiment, the top of the lens extends in the form of a circular plate in a circumferential direction, the lens is firmly coupled to the body and introduction of foreign matter into the light source can be thus prevented. 
     In the lighting device according to one embodiment, an adhesion unit containing silicon (Si) is disposed between the body and the lens, to prevent introduction of foreign matter into the light source and thereby enhance durability. 
     In the lighting device according to one embodiment, the lens is coupled to the body by screw coupling, optical connection between the lens and the light source becomes strong and optical efficiency can be thus maximized. 
     Particular features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure and not necessarily in all embodiments. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments or may be changed by those skilled in art to which the embodiments pertain. Therefore, it is to be understood that contents associated with such combination or change fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.