Patent Publication Number: US-8529090-B2

Title: Independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a light source module, in particular, to an independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     All the conventional lamps, such as mercury lamps, incandescent lamps, and halogen lamps have defects of low efficiency, high power consumption, and high maintenance cost. Therefore, the conventional lamps are gradually replaced by light-emitting diode lamps. 
     Light-emitting diodes are semiconductor devices, and are mainly composed of semiconductor materials of III-V group element compounds. This semiconductor material has the characteristic of transforming electric energy into light based on the principle of combining electrons in the semiconductor material with holes to release excessive energy in form of light, thereby achieving the light-emitting effect. 
     The light-emitting of the light-emitting diodes is not realized by heating or discharging, but belongs to the cold light-emitting, so the lifespan of the light-emitting diode devices may be over 100,000 hours in the conditions of good heat dissipation, and the idling time is not required. In addition, the light-emitting diode devices have the advantages of rapid response time (about 10 −9  seconds), small volume, small power consumption, low pollution (mercury free), high reliability, and suitable for mass production. Therefore, the light-emitting diode devices are widely applied in, for example, light sources of scanners, liquid crystal display&#39;s backlight, illumination of automobiles, traffic signs, and ordinary illumination devices. However, the light-emitting diodes still have the following defects in use. 
     1. The light generated by the light-emitting diodes has strong directivity, the undesired uniformity and glare make users uncomfortable. 
     2. The relative position of the conventional light-emitting diode light source and the lamp casing may affect the light distribution curve. Therefore, once the shape of the luminaire is changed, the overall optical design must be redesigned. Thus, elements such as the light-emitting diode light sources, the secondary optical devices, and the lamp casing cannot be altered freely, which increases the difficulty in product design. 
     3. The light-emitting diodes generate large amount of heat during operation, the brightness and lifespan of the light-emitting diodes are influenced by the operating temperature. Therefore, when the power of the light-emitting diode increases, the requirements on heat dissipation become stricter accordingly. 
     4. The conventional light-emitting diode light source is usually disposed in the lamp casing and uses the luminaire&#39;s casing to dissipate heat, and therefore the light-emitting diode light source and the luminaire&#39;s casing cannot be detached independently. Therefore, once the light-emitting diode light source failed required maintenance or replacement, the entire luminaire must be detached, which increases the operation difficulty and the maintenance cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module, which is easy to maintain and performs preferred illumination effect. 
     As embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides an independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module, adapted to be installed in a luminaire&#39;s casing having an opening and an accommodating cavity. The independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module includes an installing device, a light-emitting diode array, and a secondary optical light guide plate. The light-emitting diode array and the secondary optical light guide plate are disposed in the installing device. The independently light-emitting diode light source module is disposed inside the accommodating cavity and is assembled in the luminaire&#39;s casing via the installing device, and the opening exposes the light source module. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the installing device includes a lamp box having a first light output end, the light-emitting diode array and the secondary optical light guide plate are disposed in the lamp box, and the secondary optical light guide plate is located at the first light output end. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the lamp box and the secondary optical light guide plate are integrally formed. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the installing device further includes a lampshade having a second light output end, the lampshade is disposed at the first light output end, and the secondary optical light guide plate is located between the lampshade and the light-emitting diode array. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the secondary optical light guide plate and the lampshade are integrally formed. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the lamp box, the lampshade, and the secondary optical light guide plate are integrally formed. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module further includes an optical glass disposed between the first light output end and the second light output end. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the optical glass includes a prism sheet. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a material of the installing device is metal. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the installing device has a first fixing member, and the luminaire&#39;s casing has a second fixing member. The first fixing member and the second fixing member are engaged to fix the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module in the luminaire&#39;s casing. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting diode array includes a circuit board and at least one light-emitting diode light source. The light-emitting diode light source is disposed on the circuit board. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting diode light source has a plurality of light-emitting diodes, and the light-emitting diodes are arranged along a first axis direction. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the secondary optical light guide plate has at least one slot and a plurality of light guide plates. The slot exposes the light-emitting diode light source, and the light guide plates are disposed at two sides of the slot. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide plates are disposed asymmetrically along a second axis direction, and the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. 
     In view of the above, the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module of the present invention assembles the light-emitting diode light source as an independent component in the luminaire&#39;s casing, so as to achieve the quick detachment and assembly. Therefore, the detachable light-emitting diode light source module may be detached independently and conveniently for maintenance and replacement, and the installing device may be made of a material with high coefficient of thermal conductivity to be contributive to heat dissipation. In addition, the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module of the present invention has the secondary optical light guide plate, and thus the illumination region of the light-emitting diode light source can be adjusted. Therefore, the illumination range and light pattern of the light-emitting diode light source can be controlled through the design of the secondary optical light guide plate, such that the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module can be used in different environments. Moreover, the secondary optical light guide plate and the optical film may uniformize the light emitted by the light-emitting diode light source, and thus avoiding glare and achieve better illumination effect. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module and a luminaire&#39;s casing according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating arrangement of the light-emitting diode light source in  FIG. 1  on a circuit board. 
         FIG. 3  is a light intensity distribution diagram of an independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module without the secondary optical light guide plate. 
         FIG. 4  is a light intensity distribution diagram of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  is adapted to be installed on a luminaire&#39;s casing  200 , and the luminaire&#39;s casing  200  has an opening  210  and an accommodating cavity  220 . The independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  is disposed inside the accommodating cavity  220 , and the opening  210  exposes the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100 . The independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  includes an installing device  110 , a light-emitting diode array  120 , and a secondary optical light guide plate  130 . The light-emitting diode array  120  and the secondary optical light guide plate  130  are assembled on the installing device  110 , and the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  is assembled in the luminaire&#39;s casing  200  via the installing device  110 . 
     The light-emitting diode array  120 , for example, has a circuit board  122  and a plurality of light-emitting diode light sources  124 . In addition, the circuit board  122  may provided with a plurality of circuit loop protection elements  126 , for protecting the circuit loop connected with the light-emitting diode light source  124 . The protection elements  126  are, for example, zener diodes. 
     In addition, the material of the installing device  110  is, for example, a material with high coefficient of thermal conductivity such as metal, such that the heat generated by the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  in operation may be successfully transferred to the luminaire&#39;s casing  200 , and then dissipated to the outside. In addition, the installing device  110  may also have heatsink structures such as heatsink plates to facilitate the heat dissipation. 
     In this embodiment, the installing device  110  includes a lamp box  112  having a first light output end  112   a . The light-emitting diode array  120  and the secondary optical light guide plate  130  are disposed in the installing device  110 , and the secondary optical light guide plate  130  is located at the first light output end  112   a . Moreover, the installing device  110  further includes a lampshade  114 . The secondary optical light guide plate  130  is located between the lampshade  114  and the light-emitting diode array  120 . The lampshade  114  has a second light output end  114   a , such that the light emitted by the light-emitting diode array  120  exits through the first light output end  112   a  and the second light output end  114   a . In addition, the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  further includes an optical film  140  disposed between the first light output end  112   a  and the second light output end  114   a . The optical film  140  is, for example, a prism sheet, for uniformizing the light. 
     In this embodiment, the lampshade  114  is, for example, locked on the lamp box  112  by a plurality of screws  150 . It should be noted that in this embodiment, the lamp box  112 , the lampshade  114 , and the secondary optical light guide plate  130  are independent elements, but may also be integrally formed. For example, the lamp box  112  and the lampshade  114  may be integrally formed. Or, the lampshade  114  and the secondary optical light guide plate  130  may be integrally formed. Or, the lamp box  112  and the secondary optical light guide plate  130  may be integrally formed. Or, the lamp box  112 , the lampshade  114 , and the secondary optical light guide plate  130  are integrally formed. 
     In addition, the installing device  110  has a first fixing member  116 , and the luminaire&#39;s casing  200  has a second fixing member  230 . The first fixing member  116  and the second fixing member  230  are engaged to fix the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  in the luminaire&#39;s casing  200 . For example, the first fixing member  116  may be a hook, and the second fixing member  230  has a slot. The first fixing member  116  passes through the second fixing member  230  to fix the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  in the luminaire&#39;s casing  200 . 
     It should be noted that although a plurality of light-emitting diode light sources  124  is taken as an example in this embodiment, in an embodiment (not shown) of the present invention, only one light-emitting diode light source may be disposed, and the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     Since the installing device  110 , the light-emitting diode array  120 , and the secondary optical light guide plate  130  are assembled with in the luminaire&#39;s casing  200  in the form of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100 , the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  has the advantage of easy detachment, which brings convenience to the maintenance and replacement of the circuit board  122 , the light-emitting diode light source  124 , and the secondary optical light guide plate  130 . Furthermore, the installing device  110  may be made of a material of high coefficient of thermal conductivity such as metal, such that the heat dissipation effect of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  is improved. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating arrangement of the light-emitting diode light sources in  FIG. 1  on the circuit board. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in this embodiment, the light-emitting diode light source  124  includes, for example, a plurality of light-emitting diodes  124   a , and the light-emitting diodes  124   a  are arranged along a first axis x. The secondary optical light guide plate  130  has a plurality of slots  132  disposed corresponding to the light-emitting diode light source  124 , and a plurality of light guide plates  134  extending along the first axis x are disposed at two sides of the slots  132 . The light radiated by the light-emitting diode light source  124  exits through the slots  132 , reflected by the light guide plates  134 , and then exits through the opening  210  of the luminaire&#39;s casing  200 . 
     The direction of the light emitted by the light-emitting diode light source  124  may be controlled through the design of the light guide plates  134 , so as to control the illumination range and light pattern of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100 , and thus the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module  100  may be applied in different environments. Moreover, the secondary optical light guide plate  130  also has the effect of uniformizing the light emitted by the light-emitting diode light source  124 , and has the function of preventing glare, thereby achieving better illumination effect. 
     In detail, three axes, namely a first axis x, a second axis y, and a third axis z, are set to be perpendicular to one another, and the light guide plates extend along the first axis x and are arranged along the second axis y. The arrangement positions and heights of the light guide plates may satisfy the following equations. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Y 
                     - 
                     
                       Y 
                       0 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       
                         n 
                         = 
                         0 
                       
                       N 
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       
                         
                           a 
                           n 
                         
                         ⁡ 
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             Z 
                             - 
                             
                               Z 
                               0 
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       n 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   1 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     Y 
                     - 
                     
                       Y 
                       0 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       
                         n 
                         = 
                         0 
                       
                       M 
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       
                         
                           b 
                           n 
                         
                         ⁡ 
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             Z 
                             - 
                             
                               Z 
                               0 
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       n 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   2 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     Y 0  indicates the position of the light-emitting diode light source at the second axis y. Z 0  indicates the position of the light-emitting diode light source at the third axis z. Y indicates the position of the light guide plates at the second axis y. Z indicates the height of the light guide plates at the third axis z. a n  and b n  are coefficients, and N and M are numbers of terms. In this embodiment, formula (1) and formula (2) may be used to dispose the light guide plates at two sides of the light-emitting diode light source. That is to say, those skilled in the art may adjust a n , b n , N, and M at will, so as to make the illumination light pattern of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module meet the requirements of different environments. In addition, the shape of the light guide plates is not limited to the shape as shown in  FIG. 2 . The light guide plates may have different shapes according to different environments, for example, the light guide plates may be designed to be curved. 
     The application of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module of the present invention in a street lamp is taken as an example for illustration.  FIG. 3  is a light intensity distribution diagram of an independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module without the secondary optical light guide plate.  FIG. 4  is a light intensity distribution diagram of an independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Table 1 shows light intensity distribution values of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module in  FIG. 3 , and Table 2 is a light intensity distribution diagram of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , Table 1, and Table 2, in the environment of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , for example, a road width is set to be 6 m, a lamp-post arm is set to be 66 cm, and an elevation of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module is set to be 14 degrees. The first axis x is set to be a travelling direction, the second axis y is set to be a road width direction, and the third axis z is a direction perpendicular to the road surface. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Y(mm) 
                 X(mm) 
                 Light intensity 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 6000.0000 
                 9000.000 
                 1.65220 
               
               
                 0.000000 
                 9000.000 
                 1.309228 
               
               
                 6000.000 
                 −9000.000 
                 1.070086 
               
               
                 0.000000 
                 −9000.000 
                 1.278767 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Y(mm) 
                 X(mm) 
                 Light intensity 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 6000.0000 
                 9000.000 
                 1.856652 
               
               
                 0.000000 
                 9000.000 
                 1.727982 
               
               
                 6000.000 
                 −9000.000 
                 1.945574 
               
               
                 0.000000 
                 −9000.000 
                 1.742406 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The street lamp is disposed at one side of the road, and an ideal light pattern thereof extends along the first axis x. Thus, the light guide plates may be disposed along the second axis y in an asymmetrically curved surface, so as to reflect the light diffused to the second axis y, such that the light emitted by the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module is concentrated along the second axis y, and shifts towards the positive direction of the second axis y. That is to say, M and N are set to be different, and a n  and b n  are set to be different, so as to dispose the light guide plates in an asymmetrically curved surface. It can be seen from  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  that the light guide plates make the light to be concentrated in a road width boundary L 1  and a road width boundary L 2 , thus achieving better illumination effect. 
     In view of the above, the present invention at least has the following advantages. 
     1. The circuit board, the light-emitting diode light source, the secondary optical light guide plate, and the installing device are installed in the luminaire&#39;s casing in the form of a light source module, and the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module has the advantage of easy detachment. Therefore, the maintenance and replacement of the circuit board, the light-emitting diode light source, and the secondary optical light guide plate become more convenient. 
     2. The installing device is made of a material of high coefficient of thermal conductivity such as metal, such that the heat dissipation effect of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module is improved. 
     3. The direction of the light emitted by the light-emitting diode light source may be controlled through the design of the light guide plates, so as to control the illumination range and light pattern of the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module, and thus the independently detachable light-emitting diode light source module may be applied in different environments. 
     4. The secondary optical light guide plate has the effect of uniformizing the light emitted by the light-emitting diode light source, and has the function of preventing glare, thus achieving better illumination effect. 
     5. An optical film is provided between the first light output end and the first light output end, so as to achieve the dust-proof and moisture-proof effects of the light-emitting diode light source, and further uniformize the light emitted by the light-emitting diode light source, thereby achieving better illumination effect. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.