Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a utility application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/055,858, filed May 23, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/057,289, filed May 30, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/118,202, filed Nov. 26, 2008, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0002]    Throughout this application, several patents and references are referenced. Disclosure of these patents and references in their entirety is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to electrical lighting devices and systems and, more specifically, lighting apparatuses using at least one single-chip or multi-chip light-emitting diode (“LED”), back-reflecting collection optics for LEDs, and an improved heat sink mounting apparatus which promotes efficient heat dissipation generated from the LED while minimizing light obstruction and glare. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    For years, people have used traditional incandescent or fluorescence lighting apparatuses in order to address their interior lighting concerns. However, such lighting apparatuses present a number of drawbacks. For example, the popular AR111 halogen apparatus presents the following drawbacks—relatively high power consumption, inefficiency of light dispersion due to the placement of its metal shield in the line sight of the halogen bulb, and its limited effectiveness in preventing glare from the halogen bulb. 
         [0005]    Recently, a number of LED lighting apparatuses have been designed to replace the AR111 halogen apparatus, as well as other traditional incandescent or fluorescence lighting apparatuses. Typically, in such LED lighting apparatuses, the LED light source is located at the center of a reflector with its light emission directed outward from the reflector. Additionally, there are LED lighting apparatuses, such as PAR38, which use multiple LEDs with their light emissions directed outward from one or more reflectors. These configurations are unable to achieve narrow beam angles, and result in considerable glare since observers are not shielded from the LED light source. Further, these configurations inefficiently distributes heat; thereby, making the use of high-powered LEDs in these configurations practically prohibitive. 
         [0006]    To address these problems, alternative LED lighting apparatuses which use a mirror or reflective surface to reflect light back in the direction of the LED light source have been disclosed. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,769 to McCullough et al. entitled “Light-Emitting Diode Reflector Assembly Having a Heat Pipe,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,921 to Jacobson et al. entitled “Back-Reflecting LED Light Source”, and PCT International Publication No. WO 2006/033998 to Magna International Inc. entitled “Thermal Management System for Solid State Automotive Lighting.” 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In light of the above, there exists a need to further improve the art. Specifically, there is a need for an LED lighting apparatus that eliminates or reduces glare, and has an improved, compact thermally-conductive assembly which promotes efficient heat dissipation generated from the LED (such as a high-powered LED) while minimizing obstruction of the light path and the number of components needed in such assembly. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a lighting apparatus comprises a main housing; a reflector disposed within the main housing, the reflector having a front side and a rear side; a top rim thermally coupled to one end of the main housing; a heat conducting body positioned to face the front side of the reflector, the heat conducting body comprising a heat pipe thermally coupled to the top rim; at least one light-emitting diode thermally coupled to the heat conducting body, the at least one light-emitting diode being positioned to face directly at the front side of the reflector so that light emitted from the at least one light-emitting diode is directed to the front side of the reflector. The light emitted from the at least one LED is substantially or entirely directed to the front side of reflector, and is substantially or entirely reflected from the front side of reflector past the at least one LED and the heat conducting body. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the heat conducting body is substantially S-shaped and comprises a middle portion that is bar-shaped; and curved wing portions extending from the middle portion, each the curved wing portion being coupled to the top rim. The middle portion of the heat conducting body can also be substantially bar-shaped. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the heat conducting body provides a pathway for heat to flow from the at least one light-emitting diode toward the top rim. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the reflector has a central optical axis; the lighting apparatus further comprising a mounting platform coupled to the heat conducting body and positioned near or at the central optical axis of the reflector and thermally coupled to the at least one light-emitting diode. The mounting platform is made of thermally-conductive material such as copper, aluminum or any other high-heat conductive material. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the heat conducting body is bar-shaped, and wherein at least one end of the heat conducting body is thermally coupled to the top rim. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the reflector has a central optical axis, and wherein one end of the heat conducting body is positioned near or at the central optical axis of the reflector, and is thermally coupled to the at least one light-emitting diode. 
         [0014]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, the lighting apparatus further comprises a metal cladding coupled to at least a substantial portion of the heat conducting body. The metal cladding is made of a thermally-conductive material such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper or any other high-heat conductive material. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the reflector is in the shape of a hyperbola, ellipse or parabola. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the top rim is circular and is made of a thermally-conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, zinc or other high-heat conductive material. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the main housing is substantially frustoconical in shape, and is made of a thermally-conductive material (such as aluminum, copper, zinc or any other high-heat conductive material). The main housing can include one or more heat dissipating fins. The main housing can also be cylindrical or cubical in shape. 
         [0018]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, the lighting apparatus further comprises a plastic housing, coupled to the main housing; and a lamp base coupled to the plastic housing. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the lamp base is an E26 lamp base, a GU10 lamp base, an E27 lamp base, or a GU24 lamp base. 
         [0020]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, the lighting apparatus further comprises a mounting plate thermally coupled to the at least one light-emitting diode; and a mounting platform thermally coupled to the mounting plate and the heat conducting body. The mounting plate is made of a thermally-conductive material, such as copper or any other high-heat conductive material. 
         [0021]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, the lighting apparatus further comprises a glass cover coupled to the top rim, wherein the glass cover at least covers the reflector, the heat conducting body, and the at least one light-emitting diode from external environment. 
         [0022]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a lighting apparatus comprising a main housing having a generally frustoconical shape; a conic-shaped reflector disposed within the main housing, the conic-shaped reflector having a front side, a rear side and a central optical axis; a circular top rim coupled to the main housing; a substantially S-shaped heat pipe positioned to face the front side of the conic-shaped reflector, the substantially S-shaped heat pipe comprising a middle portion comprising a mounting platform located at or near the central optical axis of the conic-shaped reflector, and two curved wing portions, the curved wing portions respectively coupled to each end of the middle portion and coupled within the top rim; at least one light-emitting diode thermally coupled to the mounting platform and positioned facing directly at the front side of the conic-shaped reflector so as that light emitted from the at least one light-emitting diode is directed to the front side of the conic-shaped reflector. 
         [0023]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, the lighting apparatus further comprises a metal core PCB coupled to the at least one light-emitting diode and the mounting platform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    For the purposes of illustrating the present invention, the drawings reflect a form which is presently preferred; it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the precise form shown by the drawings in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from the top side of a lighting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view from the bottom side of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an “X-ray” view from the bottom side of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional perspective view from the top side of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional perspective view from the bottom side of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a known heat pipe (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Heat_Pipe_Mechanism.png); 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a lighting apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view from the bottom side of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is another cross-sectional perspective view of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a heat conducting body (cladded heat pipe) with an LED coupled directly onto according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a heat conducting body (non-cladded heat pipe) with an LED coupled directly onto according to another aspect of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a lighting apparatus (which includes an S-shaped heat conducting body) according to another aspect of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of the top rim and a heat sink mounting apparatus (which includes a metal cladding, an S-shaped heat conducting body, a mounting platform, a mounting plate, and an LED) of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 ; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view from the top side (without a glass cover) of the lighting apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , and in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a lighting apparatus  1  has a reflector  4  which is coupled to a top rim  3 , wherein the top rim  3  is coupled to a heat conducting body  2 . The heat conducting body  2  contains a heat pipe  8  which is cladded by a cladding  9 , and a mounting platform  5  located on one side of the heat conducting body  2  facing opposite the front side of the reflector  4 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , an LED  6  is coupled to a metal core printed circuit board (“PCB”)  7  which is then coupled to the mounting platform  5 . The mounting platform  5  is shaped (which, in this aspect of the present invention, is circular) in such a manner that it provides increased non-glare protection from the LED relative to existing lighting apparatuses. 
         [0046]    In this aspect of the present invention, the LED  6  is located above at or near a central optical axis  300  of the reflector  4 , and is positioned so that light emitted from the LED  6  is substantially or entirely directed to the front side of the reflector  4 ; thereby, as shown in  FIG. 6 , allowing the reflector  4  to collect and colliminate the light emitted from LED  6 , and reflect the colliminated light away from the reflector  4  and past LED  6  and the heat conducting body  2 . The heat conducting body  2  intercepts very little of the exiting reflected, colliminated light from reflector  4  due to its flat, narrow construction. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the flat, narrow construction of the heat conducting body  2  creates a small cross-section  10  to the exiting reflected, colliminated light from reflector  4 . 
         [0047]    In this aspect of the present invention, the heat generated from the LED  6  travels the following heat path through the lighting apparatus: metal core PCB  7 , mounting platform  5 , cladding  9 , heat pipe  8 , cladding  9 , and then top rim  3  and reflector  4 . The heat generated from the LED  6  can also travel through metal core PCB  7 , mounting platform  5 , cladding  9 , heat pipe  8 , and then top rim  3  and reflector  4 . The top rim  3  and reflector  4  act as heat sinks. 
         [0048]    Another aspect of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8-13 . Specifically, the lighting apparatus  50  contains a reflector  53  which is coupled to a top rim  52 , wherein the top rim  52  is coupled to a heat conducting body  51 . The heat conducting body  51  contains a heat pipe  56  which is cladded by a cladding  59 , and a mounting platform  54  located on one side of the heat conducting body  51  facing opposite the reflector  53 . The LED  55 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , is coupled to a metal core PCB  60  which is then coupled to the mounting platform  54 . 
         [0049]    This aspect of the present invention includes a main housing  57  which has one or more heat dissipating fins  58  for maximizing surface area; thereby, increasing its heat dissipation capacity. The top rim  52 , reflector  53 , and the main housing  57  act as heat sinks, with the main housing  57  acting as the primary heat sink. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the main housing  57  is coupled to a reflector edge  63 . There is an air gap  62  between the reflector  53  and the main housing  57 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The size of air gap  62  can vary depending on the size of the reflector  53 . The heat generated from the LED  55  travels a heat path which includes travelling through metal core PCB  60 , mounting platform  54 , cladding  59 , heat pipe  56 , cladding  59 , and then top rim  52 , reflector  53  and main housing  57 . The heat can also travel through metal core PCB  60 , mounting platform  54 , cladding  59 , heat pipe  56 , and then top rim  52 , reflector  53  and main housing  57 . 
         [0051]    Another aspect of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 18-20 . Here, the lighting apparatus  500  includes a main housing  501 ; a reflector  502  having a front side and a rear side; a top rim  503  coupled to the main housing  501 ; a heat conducting body  1000  which is positioned on the front side of the reflector  502  and coupled to the top rim  503 ; an LED  504  being positioned facing directly at the front side of the reflector  502  so that light emitted from the LED  504  is substantially or entirely directed to the front side of the reflector  502 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 19 , the heat conducting body  1000  is substantially S-shaped and includes a middle portion  1001  that is bar-shaped or substantially bar-shaped; and curved wing portions  1002  and  1003  which extend from each end of the middle portion  1001 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , curved wing portions  1002  and  1003  are coupled to the top rim  503 , wherein the top rim  503  has slots  520  and  521  which permit the curved wing portions  1002  and  1003  to fit within the slots  520 ,  521 , respectively; thereby, permitting coupling of the heat conducting body  1000  and the top rim  503 . The heat conducting body  1000  and the top rim  503  can also be coupled via soldering, thermal epoxy or any other techniques known in the art which are used to couple the heat conducting body  1000  to the top rim  503 . 
         [0053]    The heat conducting body  1000  includes a mounting platform  530  which is positioned near or at the central optical axis of the reflector  502 , and a mounting plate  531  coupled between the mounting platform  530  and LED  504 . The heat conducting body  1000  also includes a heat pipe is located at the middle portion  1001  and/or one or both of the curved wing portions  1002  and  1003 . 
         [0054]    A metal cladding  550  can be coupled to the heat conducting body  1000 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a substantial portion of the middle portion  1001  of the heat conducting body  1000  is coupled to the metal cladding  550 . The metal cladding  550  can bemused to secure and direct electrical cable or wires which extends from the top rim  503  to the LED  504  along the middle portion  1001  of the heat conducting body  1000 , and is made of a thermally-conductive material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper or any other high-heat conductive material. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , the present invention can include a glass cover  800  which is coupled to the top rim  503  and a cap rim  509 . The glass cover  800  protects at least the reflector  502 , the heat conducting body  1000 , the mounting platform  530 , the mounting plate  531  and LED  504  from environmental hazards, such as water and dust. The glass cover can also be used in conjunction with the aspects of the present invention set forth in  FIGS. 1-6  and  8 - 13 . 
         [0056]    The present invention can also include a plastic housing  700  that is coupled to the bottom end of the main housing  501 , and a lamp base  701  (e.g., an E26 lamp base, a GU10 lamp base, an E27 lamp base) that is coupled to the plastic housing  700 . 
         [0057]    Heat Conducting Body 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the heat conducting body  2 ,  51  contain a heat pipe  8 ,  56  which is cladded by a cladding  9 ,  59 , and a mounting platform  5 ,  54  located on one side of the heat conducting body  2 ,  51  facing opposite the reflector  4 ,  53 . The cladding  9 ,  59  can be made of a thermally-conductive material such as aluminum, copper, graphite or zinc, and can include a mounting platform  5 ,  54 . The cladding  9 ,  59  can be used to increase structural strength of the heat pipe  8 ,  56 , assist in transferring and spreading the heat from the LED  6 ,  55  to the heat pipe, and assist in the transferring and spreading the heat from the heat pipe  8 ,  56  to the heat sinks, such as top rim  3 ,  52 , reflector  4 ,  53  and main housing  57 . 
         [0059]    As discussed above, and as shown in  FIG. 19 , the heat conducting body  1000  can be coupled to a metal cladding  550 . Metal cladding  550  covers a substantial portion of the middle portion  1001  of the heat conducting body  1000 , and is used for aesthetic purposes, securing electric cable or wires between heat conducting body  1000  and metal cladding  550 , and/or directing such electric cable or wires to the LED  504 . The metal cladding  550  can be made of thermally-conductive material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper or any other high-heat conductive material. 
         [0060]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the LED  91  can be directly affixed onto a heat conducting body  90  (via the mounting platform  92  of cladding  93 ). 
         [0061]    In another aspect of the present invention, the heat pipe is not cladded. For example,  FIG. 15  shows a heat conducting body  100  wherein an LED  103  is coupled onto a mounting platform  102 , which is, in turn, directly coupled to a heat pipe  101 . The mounting platform  102  can be cylindrically-shaped, and can partially or completely encase at least the center of the heat pipe  101 . 
         [0062]    The heat pipe (such as heat pipe  8 ,  56 ,  101 ) can be made of porous copper incorporating a large number cavities filled with pure water. As shown in  FIG. 7 , water within the heat pipe evaporates to vapor as it absorbs thermal energy from a heat source. See  400  in  FIG. 7 . The vaporized water then migrates along the vapor cavity to cooler sections of the heat pipe. See  401  in  FIG. 7 . There, the vapor quickly cools and condenses back to fluid, and the fluid is absorbed by the wick, releasing thermal energy. See  402  in  FIG. 7 . The fluid then returns along the inner cavities to the heated sections (See.  403  in  FIG. 7 ), and repeats the heat pipe thermal cycle described above. The heat pipe use the above-described mechanism to transmit thermal energy from the LED to heat sinks, such as the top rim  3 ,  52 , reflector  4 ,  53 , and main housing  57 ,  501 . 
         [0063]    The heat pipe can be flattened (in a cross-section direction) into a thin strip in order to minimize light absorption. 
         [0064]    Another aspect of the present invention includes a heat conducting body with one or more heat pipes. For multiple heat pipes, each heat pipe is connected to a center hub (like a spoke on a wheel) positioned near or at the central optical axis of a reflector. The center hub acts as a mounting platform for one or more LEDs, and is made of thermally-conductive material such as aluminum, copper or any other high-heat conductive material. 
         [0065]    In another aspect of the present invention, the heat conducting body extends up to or near the central axis of a reflector and being coupled to the top rim at only one connection point (such as connection point  900  or  901  for  FIG. 1 , or connection point  910  or  911  for  FIG. 8 ). As a result, the heat conducting body does not form a chord to or a diameter of the top rim of  FIGS. 1 and 8 . At or near the central axis of the reflector, the heat conducting body includes a mounting platform with an LED directly coupled thereto, or an LED coupled to a metal core PCB or a mounting plate, which is then coupled to the mounting platform. This alternative aspect of the present invention reduces light blockage caused by the heat conducting body and improves lens efficiency, while promoting heat dissipation and anti-glare. 
         [0066]    The mounting platform  5 ,  54 ,  102 ,  530  are made of a thermally-conductive material such as aluminum, copper or any other high-heat conductive material. Also, as mentioned above, the mounting platform provides increased non-glare protection from the LED relative to existing light apparatuses. In the present invention, the possibility of direct glare from the LED is eliminated (or at least mitigated) since (1) the LED is coupled onto the mounting platform and positioned facing directly at the reflector so as that light emitted from the LED is substantially or entirely directed to the reflector, and (2) the mounting platform is shaped (e.g., circular) in a manner which prevents a direct view of the LED at any viewing angle. 
         [0067]    Reflector 
         [0068]    The reflector  4 ,  53 ,  502  are made of a thermally-conductive material such as aluminum, and act as a heat sink. Alternatively, the reflector  4 ,  53 ,  502  can be made of a non-thermally-conductive material such as plastic. 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , light emitted from the LED  6  is substantially or entirely directed toward the reflector  4 , wherein the reflector  4  collimates the light emitted from the LED  6  into a light beam and reflects the light beam with a particular beam angle. The beam angle can range from 2 to 60 Full Width Half Maximum (“FWHM”) degree. To eliminate or reduce glare, the reflector  4  of the present invention is designed to collect substantially or entirely the light emitted from the LED  6 , and redirect the light in a manner which eliminates (or at least mitigates) luminance of the present invention within a direct glare zone (i.e., approximately 45 to 85 degree with respect to vertical). 
         [0070]    The reflector  4 ,  53 ,  502  can take a variety of shapes to achieve various light beam patterns. It can be shaped in any conic section (e.g., hyperbola, ellipse or parabola), used singularly or in various combinations, in two-dimension or three-dimensional shapes. 
         [0071]    LED 
         [0072]    An LED can be an LED module with one or more chips. The LED can be a high-powered LED. One or more LEDs can be used in the present invention. 
         [0073]    The LED  6 ,  55 ,  504  are coupled to a metal core PCB  7 ,  60  or a mounting plate  531 . In the alternative, the LED  91 ,  103  are coupled to the mounting platform  92  and  102 . The LED can be soldered onto a metal core PCB, mounting plate, or mounting platform. Thermal paste, thermal grease, soldering, reflow soldering or any other soldering materials or techniques known in the art can be used to couple the LED onto the metal core PCB, mounting plate, or mounting platform. 
         [0074]    Metal Core PCB or Mounting Plate 
         [0075]    The present invention includes a metal core PCB (see metal core PCB  7 ,  60  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 12 ). The metal core PCB includes LED circuitry, and acts as a heat-transporting medium. For example, the metal core PCB comprises a base metal plate (copper or aluminum, which is approximately 0.8 to 3 mm thick), a dielectric layer (laminated on top of the base metal plate, which is approximately 0.1 mm thick), and a copper circuit track (printed on top of dielectric layer, which is approximately 0.05 to 0.2 mm thick). 
         [0076]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a metal core PCB is not included in the present invention in order to further reduce thermal resistance; thereby, reducing LED junction temperature and increasing maximum LED power. 
         [0077]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a mounting plate  531  is used, wherein the mounting plate  531  being coupled to the LED  504  and to the mounting platform  530 . The mounting plate is made of a thermally-conductive material such as copper or any other high-heat conductive material, and approximately 0.8 to 3 mm thick. Mechanical techniques (such as screws) known in the art are used to couple the mounting plate to the mounting platform, and a thermal grease or paste with high thermal conductivity can be used between the mounting plate and mounting platform. 
       Top Rim and Cap Rim 
       [0078]    The top rim  3 ,  52 ,  503  are made of a thermally-conductive material, such as aluminum, copper or zinc or any other high-heat conductive material. The top rim  3  acts as a primary heat sink (for example, see  FIG. 1 ), or, like top rim  52 ,  503 , as a secondary heat sink (for example, see  FIGS. 8 and 18 ). 
         [0079]    As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 18 , the present invention includes a cap rim  509  which helps secures the glass cover  800  to the top rim  503 . 
       Main Housing, Plastic Housing and Lamp Base 
       [0080]    The main housing  57 ,  501  are made of a thermally-conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, zinc or any other high-heat conductive material. The main housing  57 ,  501  act as a primary heat sink (for example, see  FIGS. 8 and 17 ). As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 17 , the main housing  57 ,  501  can have one or more fins  58  or  570  and/or take a conical-like shape to increase its surface area in order to increase its heat dissipation capacity. The main housing  57 ,  501  can be substantially frustoconical in shape. The main housing can also be cylindrical or cubical in shape. 
         [0081]    In an aspect of the present invention, one end of the main housing  57 ,  501  are coupled with a plastic housing  700 , the plastic housing  700  coupled to a lamp base  701  (e.g., an E26 lamp base, a GU10 lamp base, an E27 lamp base, a GU24 lamp base). The plastic housing  700  contains main circuit boards, and electrically insulate such main circuit boards from the main housing  57 ,  501 . 
         [0082]    It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the main housing can be utilized in conjunction with the aspect of the present invention set forth in  FIGS. 1-6 , and the plastic housing  700  and lamp base  701  can be utilized with the aspects of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and  FIGS. 8-13 . 
         [0083]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Technology Category: 2