BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The instant disclosure relates to a light-guiding member and a light bulb having
the same; more particularly, to a light-guiding member and light bulb having the same,
where the light-emitting diode (LED) is used as the light source.
Description of Related Art
[0002] LEDs have many advantages such as being more energy efficient, have longer service
life, and being brighter, among others. Because of these attributes, LEDs have been
adopted progressively for widespread use with lighting devices, such as LED light
bulbs.
[0003] Nevertheless, LED light source, such as LED dies, is rather uni-directional and can
only project light through a specific light output surface (usually the top surface
of a die), thus lighting up only a limited amount of space. This behavior may significantly
reduce the brightness, particularly in the lateral direction such as near the conducting
cap portion of the light bulb. To address the issue, one of the existing techniques
involves using a light-guiding structure to assist with re-distributing the light
projections. However, such technique may result in uneven light distribution and cause
visual issues for users. Tremendous efforts have been inputted by industrial manufacturers
to develop a light bulb capable of providing a wider light projection and uniform
brightness.
[0004] To address the above issues, the inventor strives via industrial experience and academic
research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitations
described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The instant disclosure provides a light-guiding member and a light bulb having the
same. The light bulb can achieve a wider light projection and uniform brightness.
[0006] The light bulb comprises a connecting cap, a heat-dissipating seat, a LED module,
a light-guiding member, and a bulb. The heat-dissipating seat is arranged on one end
of the connecting cap, and the LED module is disposed on the heat-dissipating seat.
The light-guiding member is connected to the heat-dissipating seat and covers the
LED module. At least one microstructure is formed on the surface of the light-guiding
member to change the light projection path. The bulb is disposed over the light-guiding
member.
[0007] The instant disclosure also provides a light-guiding member used with a LED module.
The distinctive feature of the light-guiding member is the inclusion of at least one
microstructure formed on the surface thereof for changing the light projection path.
The light-guiding member has a rounded base portion, which is arranged above the LED
module.
[0008] Through the microstructure of the light bulb of the instant disclosure, the light
projection path of the LED module can be adjusted to provide wider light projection
and uniform brightness.
[0009] In order to further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the
instant disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and
appended drawings in connection with the instant disclosure. However, the appended
drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, rather than being used to restrict
the scope of the instant disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a light bulb for a first embodiment of the instant
disclosure.
[0011] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the light bulb for the first embodiment of the instant
disclosure.
[0012] Fig. 3A is a schematic view of a light-guiding member having a plurality of microstructures
for the first embodiment of the instant disclosure.
[0013] Fig. 3B is a schematic view of a plain light-guiding member without microstructures
for the first embodiment of the instant disclosure.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the light-guiding member for a second embodiment of
the instant disclosure.
[0015] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the light-guiding member for a third embodiment of
the instant disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] [First Embodiment]
[0017] Please refer to Fig. 1, which shows a light bulb of the instant disclosure. The light
bulb comprises a connecting cap 1, a heat-dissipating seat 2, a LED module 3, a light-guiding
member 4, a bulb 5, and a power-supply module 6.
[0018] The connecting cap 1 is arranged on one end (bottom end) of the heat-dissipating
seat 2, and the light-guiding member 4 is connected to the other end (top end) thereof.
In the instant exemplary embodiment, an E27 style threaded cap is used. The LED module
3 is disposed on the heat-dissipating seat 2 and covered by the light-guiding member
4. The bulb 5 is arranged over the light-guiding member 4, and the power-supply module
6 is received within the light bulb.
[0019] Please refer to Fig. 2, which shows the connecting cap 1 having a mounting portion
11 and an assembling portion 12. The outer appearance and function of the connecting
cap 1 are not the main focus of the instant disclosure, therefore no further elaboration
is given hereinafter. Being arranged inside of the connecting cap 1, the power-supply
module 6 is connected electrically to the LED module 3 and the interior surface of
the mounting portion 11, to establish electrical connection with the external power
source, e.g., power outlet.
[0020] The heat-dissipating seat 2 is arranged on the assembling portion 12 of the connecting
cap 1. The heat-dissipating seat 2 is made from thermally conductive material such
as aluminum metal, alumina, aluminum nitride, or plastic. However, the material choice
is not restricted. Structurally, the heat-dissipating seat 2 can have a hollow or
solid body. For the instant embodiment, the heat-dissipating member 2 has an aluminum
hollow body, to enhance the heat dissipation efficiency of the light bulb. Moreover,
based on applications, a nano-coating can be applied to the exterior surface of the
heat-dissipating seat 2 in forming a thermal radiation layer thereon (not labeled).
Thereby, heat can be dissipated by means of thermal radiation to the ambient to increase
the heat dissipation rate.
[0021] The LED module 3 includes at least one LED. When multiple LEDs are available, the
LEDs can be grouped in a particular array. Likewise, based on applications, the LED
module 3 can be produced in a variety of types. For example, the LED module 3 can
include surface mount LED or cylindrical packaged LED.
[0022] The light-guiding member 4 is arranged on the heat-dissipating seat 2. In particular,
the light-guiding member 4 has a light-guiding portion 41, a rounded base portion
42, and a top portion 43. The base portion 42 is arranged adjacently to one end of
the heat-dissipating seat 2, whereas the top portion 43 is arranged away from the
heat-dissipating seat 2. The light-guiding member 4 can be sized according to the
type of the LED module 3.
[0023] The base portion 42 is arched and arranged over the LED module 3. Without restriction,
the base portion 42 can be arched in such a way to work cooperatively with the LED
module 3, to achieve a wider light projection angle or desired projection angle of
the user. The top portion 43 can be produced in a variety of shapes based on needs
without restriction, such as being circular, rectangular, or rhombus-like shaped,
among others.
[0024] The bulb 5 has a main body 51 and a narrowed mating portion 52 extending therefrom.
The main body 51 is spherically shaped and hollowed; however, the main body 51 is
not restricted structurally. The mating portion 52 of the bulb 5 is mounted to the
assembling portion 12 of the connecting cap 1. The bulb 5 can be a glass bulb that
is transparent or frosted in allowing light to project therethrough. Thereby, light
emitted by the LED module 3 can be directed by the light-guiding member 4 and pass
through the bulb 5 to project outwardly.
[0025] Please refer to Fig. 3A, which shows the light-guiding member 4. At least one microstructure
411 is formed on the light-guiding portion 41 and at least one microstructure 421
is formed on the base 42, where the microstructures 411 and 421 serve to change the
light projection path. However, when in use, at least one microstructure (not shown)
can also be formed on the top potion 43, but is not restricted thereto. To obtain
the microstructures, a mold can first be made to take the shape of the microstructures,
and followed by using injection molding or roll forming technique to produce the light-guiding
member 4 with preferred microstructures thereon. However, the manufacturing method
of the light-guiding member 4 is not restricted.
[0026] For the instant embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3A, multiple microstructures 411 and
421 are formed on the light-guiding portion 41 and the base portion 42, respectively.
Each of the microstructures 411 and 421 are formed concavedly on the surface of the
light-guiding member 4 and arranged in a continuous fashion. The purpose of the microstructures
411 and 421 is to change the light projection angle and direction for better lighting
effect. The actual shape of each of the microstructures 411 and 421 is not restricted,
which may be hemispherical, semi-elliptical, or having multiple continuously connected
surfaces. Please compare to Fig. 3B, which shows the light paths projecting from the
light-guiding member 4 without any microstructure formed thereon. As shown in Fig.
3A, the presence of the microstructures 411 and 421 alter the projecting directions
of the light emitted from the LED module 3. The alteration enables the light bulb
to illuminate a wider area by increasing the brightness in the rearward and lateral
directions. Moreover, the microstructures 411 and 421 can diffuse the light in allowing
the light to project uniformly from the bulb 5.
[0027] [Second Embodiment]
[0028] Please refer to Fig. 4, which shows the light-guiding member 4 for a second embodiment
of the instant disclosure. The same numerals have been used in Fig. 4 to indicate
identical components between the embodiments. The second embodiment differs from the
previous embodiment by: each of the microstructures 411 and 421 are formed protrudingly
on the surface of the light-guiding member 4. Thereby, the light bulb of the instant
disclosure can be equipped with the light-guiding member 4 having protruding microstructures
formed thereon.
[0029] [Third Embodiment]
[0030] Please refer to Fig. 5, which shows the light-guiding member 4 for a third embodiment
of the instant disclosure. The same numerals have been used in Fig. 5 to indicate
identical components between the embodiments. The third embodiment differs from the
first embodiment by: the microstructures 411 and 421 are arranged in isolated groups
on the surface of the light-guiding member 4. The distance between each group of microstructures
can be adjusted according to needs without restrictions. Thus, the microstructures
411 and 421 can be arranged arbitrarily on the light-guiding member 4.
[0031] Based on the above, the light bulb of the instant disclosure utilizes the microstructures
411 and 421 to adjust the projection paths of light emitted from the LED module 3.
Thereby, the light bulb can illuminate a wider area, such as by improving brightness
in the lateral direction in providing more uniform brightness.
[0032] The descriptions illustrated
supra set forth simply the preferred embodiments of the instant disclosure; however, the
characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All
changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in
the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated
by the following claims.
1. A light bulb, comprising:
a connecting cap (1);
a heat-dissipating seat (2) disposed on one end of the connecting cap (1);
a LED module (3) disposed on the heat-dissipating seat (2);
a light-guiding member (4) arranged on the heat-dissipating seat (2) to receive light
output from the LED module (3), wherein at least one microstructure (411, 421) is
formed on the light-guiding member (4) to modify the light projection path of the
LED module (3); and
a bulb (5) covering the light-guiding member (4).
2. The light bulb of claim 1, wherein the light-guiding member (4) has a base portion
(42) formed on one end thereof for covering the LED module (3).
3. The light bulb of claim 1, wherein the microstructure (411, 421) is formed concavedly
or protrudingly on the light-guiding member (4).
4. The light bulb of claim 3, wherein for multiple microstructures (411, 421), the microstructures
(411, 421) are arranged continuously or in isolated groups on the light-guiding member
(4).
5. The light bulb of claim 1, wherein the bulb (5) is transparent.
6. The light bulb of claim 5, wherein the bulb (5) has a main body (51) and a mating
portion (52) extending therefrom, wherein the connecting cap (1) has an assembling
portion (12), and wherein the mating portion (52) of the bulb (5) is mounted on the
assembling portion (12) of the connecting cap (1).
7. The light bulb of claim 1, further comprising a power supply module (6) disposed within
the connecting cap (1) and connected electrically to the LED module (3) and the connecting
cap (1).
8. A light-guiding member (4) for a LED module (3), comprising:
a base portion (42) correspondingly arranged above the LED module (3) for receiving
a light output thereof; and
at least one microstructure (411, 421) for modifying the light projection path of
the output of the LED module (3).
9. The light-guiding member (4) of claim 8, wherein the microstructure (411, 421) is
formed concavedly or protrudingly thereon.
10. The light-guiding member (4) of claim 9, wherein for multiple microstructures (411,
421), the microstructures (411, 421) are arranged continuously or in isolated groups
thereon.