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(11) | EP 2 363 633 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | LED water-proofing diffuser embedded into shell plate |
| (57) The present invention provides an LED water-proofing diffuser embedded into the shell
plate, of which said LED water-proofing diffuser comprising: an LED baseplate retaining
shell, which is a 3D holding space formed by an end wall and a circumferential flange;
and an LED assembly port is formed at the other end of the circumferential flange;
an LED diffusing portion, which is of a hollow shape protruding from the end wall
of the LED baseplate retaining shell; and the LED diffusing portion is available with
light transmittance and includes a peripheral wall; an embedded positioning portion,
integrally formed onto the exterior of the end wall or circumferential flange of the
LED baseplate retaining shell or the exterior of the diffusing portion; said embedded
positioning portion can be embedded securely into the hole of existing shell plate;
with this design, said LED water-proofing diffuser can be assembled with a single
or a few LED units; and waterproofing is made possible within the space of the LED
water-proofing diffuser, thus reducing significantly the fabrication cost of the LED
water-proofing structure and realizing excellent waterproofing effect as well as better
convenience of replacement or maintenance; so the LED water-proofing diffuser of the
present invention will be widely applied to LED water-proofing structures such as:
traffic marking panel, advertisement, and ornament.
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BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an LED fitting, and more particularly to an innovative one which can be assembled with LED unit.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] At present, LED has been widely applied to many light-emitting products such as: common lamps, projectors, traffic lights, traffic marking panels, advertisement lamp boxes, decorative lights and car lights, in lieu of conventional luminous bodies.
[0003] Despite of the outstanding performance of LED, there are a lot of technical problems to be addressed, for example, LEDs must be arranged at interval and also linked by electrical wire or circuit board to show the light-emitting effect; however, every linking position is vulnerable to water ingress or moisture in the operating environment of the products; in such case, the electrical wire or circuit board of LED is possibly burnt due to short circuit; hence, water-proofing packaging of electric structure is a crucial technology issue when the operational safety and service life of LED products are considered.
[0004] The water-proofing conventional LED products are structurally designed in such a way that the electrical wire or circuit board is poured and covered with water-proof adhesive; such water-proofing structure can meet the water-proofing requirements, but a huge amount of water-proof adhesive has to be utilized, leading to higher fabrication cost and longer fabrication time against the customers; moreover, such a water-proofing structure brings about time-consuming and difficult replacement in the event of LED damage.
[0005] Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
[0006] Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The enhanced efficacy of the present invention is as follows:
Based on the unique structural design of the present invention that "the LED water-proofing diffuser embedded into shell plate" comprises: LED baseplate retaining shell, LED diffusing portion and embedded positioning portion, said LED water-proofing diffuser can be assembled with a single or a few LED units; and waterproofing is made possible within the space of the LED water-proofing diffuser, thus reducing significantly the fabrication cost of the LED water-proofing structure and realizing excellent waterproofing effect as well as better convenience of replacement or maintenance and higher industrial benefits.
[0008] The improvements brought about by this invention are as follow:
Firstly, based on the structural design that a protruding rib flange is formed internally onto the end wall of the LED baseplate retaining shell, the protruding rib flange can limit the assembly depth of the LED substrate; meanwhile, a spacing can be formed between the LED substrate and end wall of the LED baseplate retaining shell, thereby achieving appropriate heat-sink cooling effect to extend the service life of LED unit.
Secondly, it is characterized by that the embedded locating portion is formed onto the diffusing portion; since the outer diameter of the diffusing portion is smaller than that of the LED substrate housing, a smaller hole area for assembly can be obtained, thus further minimizing the gap of LED lights and improving the waterproofing effect.
Thirdly, based on the technical characteristics that the diffusing portion also consists of a light bulge extended from the end wall and the embedded locating portion is located correspondingly to the light bulge, the light spots of LED can be controlled in tune with different lamps through the design of light bulges with varying diameters; this is because the diameter of the light spots of LED prescribed in some national regulations is required to be smaller than that of LED unit in the respective industry, making it possible to further reduce the light spots by cutting down the diameter of the light bulge.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009]
FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention for the assembly relation of the LED water-proofing diffuser and LED. unit.
FIG. 2 shows an exploded sectional view of the present invention for the assembly relation of the LED water-proofing diffuser and LED unit (note: without sectioning of LED unit).
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the present invention that the LED water-proofing diffuser is embedded into the shell plate (note: partial sectioning of shell plate).
FIG. 4 shows a plain sectional view of the present invention that the LED water-proofing diffuser is embedded into the shell plate.
FIG. 5: an application view of the present invention that the LED water-proofing diffuser is applied to traffic marking panel.
FIG. 6 shows an application view of the present invention that the LED water-proofing diffuser is applied to advertisement.
FIG. 7 shows an application view of the present invention that the LED water-proofing diffuser is applied to platy ornament.
FIG. 8 shows another preferred embodiment of the embedded positioning portion of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view showing the assembly relation of LED waterproof diffuser and LED unit of the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows an exploded sectional view showing the assembly relation of LED waterproof diffuser and LED unit of the present invention (note: unsectioned LED unit).
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the present invention that the LED waterproof diffuser is embedded onto the shell plate (note: partial section of shell plate; an embedded positioning portion is integrally formed onto the exterior of the LED diffuser).
FIG. 12 shows a plane sectional view of the present invention that the LED waterproof diffuser is embedded onto the shell plate. (note: an embedded positioning portion is integrally formed onto the exterior of the LED diffuser).
FIG. 13 shows another application view of the embedded locating portion of the present invention.
FIG. 14 shows an application view of the present invention that the end surface of the light bulge is designed into a curved plane.
FIG. 15 shows an application view of the present invention that the embedded locating portion is arranged onto the peripheral wall of the diffusing portion.
FIG. 16 shows an application view of the present invention that the embedded locating portion is provided with a frictional positioning flange.
FIG. 17 shows another application view showing the radial profile of the diffusing portion and light bulge of the present invention.
FIG. 18 shows another application view showing the radial profile of the diffusing portion and light bulge of the present invention.
FIG. 19 shows an application view of the present invention that the embedded locating portion comprises a liner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] FIGS. 1~4 depict preferred embodiments of an LED water-proofing diffuser of the present invention embedded into shell plate, which, however, are provided for only explanatory objective for patent claims. Said LED water-proofing diffuser A comprising:
an LED baseplate retaining shell 10, which is a 3D holding space formed by an end wall 11 and a circumferential flange 12; and an LED assembly port 13 is formed at the other end of the circumferential flange 12;
an LED diffusing portion 20, which is of a hollow shape protruding from the end wall 11 of the LED baseplate retaining shell 10; and the LED diffusing portion 20 must be available with light transmittance;
an embedded positioning portion 30, integrally formed onto the exterior of the end wall 11 (shown in FIGS. 1~4) or circumferential flange 12 of the LED baseplate retaining shell 10 (shown in FIG. 8) or the exterior of the LED diffuser (shown in FIGS. 9~19); said embedded positioning portion 30 can be embedded securely into the hole 06 of existing shell plate 05 (shown in FIGS. 3, 4); the embedded positioning portion 30 of the preferred embodiment comprises of several hooks 31 arranged at interval.
[0011] Of which, the LED diffusing portion 20 is protruded from the center of the end wall 11 of the LED baseplate retaining shell 10 (shown in FIGS. 1~8).
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, the LED water-proofing diffuser A is assembled externally onto an LED unit 40, which comprises at least an LED module 41, an LED substrate 42 and electrical wire 43; the LED baseplate retaining shell 10 of LED water-proofing diffuser A is used for accommodating the LED substrate 42 of LED unit 40, and the LED diffusing portion 20 is used for accommodating the LED module 41 of LED unit 40; moreover, waterproof agent 50 is poured into the LED baseplate retaining shell 10 to seal the LED substrate 42.
[0013] Based upon above-specified structural design, said LED unit 40 permits to protect the exposed LED module 41 against moisture by assembly of the LED water-proofing diffuser A; besides, the LED substrate 42 and the electrical connecting position of LED substrate 42 and electrical wire 43 can also be protected against moisture by accommodation of the LED baseplate retaining shell 10 and sealing of waterproof agent 50.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 4, a protruding rib flange 14 is formed internally onto the end wall 11 of the LED baseplate retaining shell 10; the protruding rib flange 14 can limit the assembly depth of the LED substrate 42; meanwhile, a spacing can be formed between the LED substrate 42 and end wall 11 of the LED baseplate retaining shell 10, thereby achieving appropriate heat-sink cooling effect to extend the service life of LED unit 40.
[0015] She said LED water-proofing diffuser A is operated as follows:
Referring to FIG. 5, said LED water-proofing diffuser A is applied to a traffic marking panel 60; the traffic marking panel 60 comprises of a main body 61, an LED unit 40 set on the marking surface 62 of the main body 61, and an LED water-proofing diffuser A assembled externally on to said LED unit 40; of which the main body 61 is provided with a hole 63 for assembly/positioning of the LED unit 40 and embedding of the LED water-proofing diffuser A; the structural details and configurations of the LED water-proofing diffuser A and LED unit 40 are disclosed in FIGS. 3, 4.
[0016] Referring also to FIG. 6, said LED water-proofing diffuser A is applied to an advertisement 70; the advertisement 70 comprises of a main body 71, an LED unit 40 set on the advertisement surface 72 of the main body 71, and an LED water-proofing diffuser A assembled externally on to said LED unit 40; of which the advertisement surface 72 of the main body 71 is provided with a hole 73 for embedding of the LED water-proofing diffuser A and positioning of the LED unit 40.
[0017] Referring also to FIG. 7, said LED water-proofing diffuser A is applied to a platy ornament 80; the platy ornament 80 comprises of a main body 81, an LED unit 40 set on the platy surface 82 of the main body 81, and an LED water-proofing diffuser A assembled externally on to said LED unit 40; of which the platy surface 82 of the main body 81 is provided with a hole 83 for embedding of the LED water-proofing diffuser A and positioning of the LED unit 40.
[0018] Referring also to FIG. 8, another preferred embodiment of said embedded positioning portion, wherein the embedded positioning portion 30 is formed externally onto the circumferential flange 12 of the LED baseplate retaining shell 10, and composed of a plurality of oblique elastic sheets 33 with latching portion 32; so the elastic sheets 33 can be embedded securely into the hole 06 of existing shell plate 05.
[0019] Below explains more about that an embedded positioning portion integrally formed onto the exterior of the LED diffuser 20.
Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, the embedded locating portion 30 consists of a snapping flange 34 and a stopping flange 35; of which the stopping flange 35 is abutted onto the inner surface of the shell plate 05 for limitation (shown in FIG. 12); the snapping flange 34 is snapped into one end of the hole 06 of the shell plate 05 (shown in FIG. 12), or embedded securely into hole 06 of the shell plate 05.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 13, the embedded locating portion 30 is provided with a plurality of stepped teeth 36; in this preferred embodiment, the embedded locating portion 30 can be adapted to be assembled robustly in response to the size of hole 06 of the shell plate 05.
[0021] Referring also to FIG. 15, the embedded locating portion 30,including a snapping flange 34 and a stopping flange 35, is arranged externally onto the peripheral wall 22 of the diffusing portion 20.
[0022] Referring also to FIG. 16, the embedded locating portion 30 is provided with a frictional positioning flange, which is composed of refined lugs, raised teeth or ribs protruded laterally onto the light bulge 23 (or diffusing portion 20), allowing to snap into the hole of the shell plate through frictional engagement.
[0023] Amongst the aforementioned structural pattern, there is a gap between LED element 41 and diffusing portion 20 (marked by W in FIG. 12) as a preferred option; this is because the embedded locating portion 30 of the present invention is arranged externally onto the diffusing portion 20, a gap between LED element 41 and diffusing portion 20 could ensure better elasticity of the embedded locating portion 30; moreover, this could reduce the probability of damage of LED element 41 under external pressure.
[0024] Referring also to FIGS. 9~12, the present invention is also characterized by that, the diffusing portion 20 consists of a light bulge 23 extended from the end wall 21; and the embedded locating portion 30 is located correspondingly to the light bulge 23; the end surface 231 of the light bulge 23 is of either a flat surface (shown in FIG. 9), a curved surface (shown in FIG. 14), a tapered surface or a toothed surface; moreover, the light bulge 23 can be designed into either a solid cylinder or a hollow tube.
[0025] The radial profile of the peripheral wall 22 of the diffusing portion 20 and the light bulge 23 is of either a round, elliptical, rectangular, oblong or polygonal shape; referring to FIG. 9, the radial profile of the diffusing portion 20 and the light bulge 23 is of a round shape; referring also to FIG. 17, the radial profile of the diffusing portion 20B and the light bulge 23B is of a rectangular shape; referring also to FIG. 18, the radial profile of the diffusing portion 20C and light bulge 23C is of an oblong shape.
[0026] Referring also to FIG. 19, the embedded locating portion 30 also comprises a liner 37, which is made of solid or flexible materials in a circular or C-shaped pattern; with the arrangement of the liner 37, compact and robust assembly is made possible in response to the shell plate 05 of different thickness; referring to FIG. 19, the gap between the snapping flange 34 and stopping flange 35 of embedded locating portion 30 is bigger than the thickness of the shell plate 05; so, the liner 37 can be filled reliably between the stopping flange 32 and shell plate 05; said liner 37 is also suitable to the embedded locating portion disclosed in FIGS. 13 and 16.
an LED baseplate retaining shell, which is a 3D holding space formed by an end wall and a circumferential flange; and an LED assembly port is formed at the other end of the circumferential flange;
an LED diffusing portion, which is of a hollow shape protruding from the end wall of the LED baseplate retaining shell; and the LED diffusing portion is available with light transmittance and includes a peripheral wall; an embedded positioning portion, integrally formed onto the exterior of the end wall or circumferential flange of the LED baseplate retaining shell or the exterior of the diffusing portion; ; said embedded positioning portion can be embedded securely into the hole of existing shell plate. Of which, the LED diffuser is solid structure.