Light emitting device

[00002] 1. Field of the Invention

[00003] This invention relates to a light emitting device, more particularly to a light emitting device configured for enhanced heat dissipation.

[00004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[00005] Conventional light emitting devices normally include a metal frame for mounting of an LED (light emitting diode) die (or a plurality of LED dies) thereon, and a transparent enclosure that encloses an upper part of the metal frame and the LED die. Since heat is generated upon activation of the LED die(s), the LED die(s) may be damaged as a result of a large amount of heat accumulated inside the transparent enclosure. As such, there is a need for effectively dissipating the heat generated by the LED die(s).

[00006] The object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting device configured for enhanced heat dissipation.

[00007] According to this invention, a light emitting device comprises: a conductive die-mounting base that has opposite upper and lower surfaces and that is formed with at least one through-hole extending through the upper and lower surfaces and defined by a hole-defining wall, and a conductive first lead extending downwardly from the lower surface; at least one LED die mounted on the upper surface of the die-mounting base and connected electrically to the first lead through the die-mounting base; at least one conductive wire; a conductive second lead spaced apart from the first lead and having an upper end that extends into the through-hole and that cooperates with the hole-defining wall to define a gap therebetween, and a lower end that extends downwardly and outwardly of the through-hole from the upper end, the second lead being connected electrically to the LED die through the conductive wire; and a dielectric material filled in the gap for insulating electrically the second lead from the die-mounting base and for conducting heat generated by the LED die during activation of the LED die through the die-mounting base, the dielectric material, and the second lead, thereby enhancing heat dissipation of the LED die.

[00016] For the sake of brevity, like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

[00017] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the first preferred embodiment of a light emitting device according to this invention. The light emitting device includes: a conductive die-mounting base 10 that has opposite upper and lower surfaces 11, 12 and that is formed with at least one through-hole 15 extending through the upper and lower surfaces 11, 12 and defined by a hole-defining wall 15′, and a conductive first lead 16 extending downwardly from the lower surface 12; at least one LED die 30 mounted on the upper surface 11 of the die-mounting base 10 and connected electrically to the first lead 16 through the die-mounting base 10; at least one conductive wire 40; a conductive second lead 20 spaced apart from the first lead 16 and having an upper end 201 that extends into the through-hole 15 and that cooperates with the hole-defining wall 15′ to define a gap 6 therebetween, and a lower end 202 that extends downwardly and outwardly of the through-hole 15 from the upper end 201, the second lead 20 being connected electrically to the LED die 30 through the conductive wire 40; and a dielectric material 21 filled in the gap 6 for insulating electrically the second lead 20 from the die-mounting base 10 and for conducting heat generated by the LED die 30 during activation of the LED die 30 through the die-mounting base 10, the dielectric material 21, and the second lead 20, thereby enhancing heat dissipation of the LED die 30. Preferably, the dielectric material 21 is made from a high thermal conductive material.

[00018] Configuration of the die-mounting base 10 and connection of the second lead 20 to the die-mounting base 10 (or intersecting of the second lead 20 with the die-mounting base 10) are advantageous in that the size of the light emitting device can be reduced as compared to the conventional light emitting devices which have the second lead separated from the die-mounting base 10.

[00019] In this embodiment, the light emitting device includes a plurality of LED dies 30 that are equiangularly disposed around a periphery of the through-hole 15. The second lead 20 is cylindrical in shape. The upper end 201 of the second lead 20 is radially enlarged from the lower end 202 of the second lead 20.

[00020] The die-mounting base 10 is formed with a depression 14 that is indented inwardly from the upper surface 11 of the die-mounting base 10, and has a rim portion 13 that surrounds the depression 14. Each of the LED dies 30 is disposed in the depression 14. The through-hole 15 is in spatial communication with and intersects the depression 14. An insulating transparent cover 52 has a peripheral edge 521 seated on the rim portion 13 to cover the depression 14.

[00021] The die-mounting base 10 is further formed with a flange 17 that extends outwardly and laterally from the rim portion 13. A retaining cap 51 has a crown portion 511 seated on and connected securely to the peripheral edge 521 of the transparent cover 52 and surrounding and contacting the rim portion 13 of the die-mounting base 10, and a brim portion 512 extending laterally and outwardly from the crown portion 511 and seated on the flange 17 of the die-mounting base 10 so as to retain the cover 52 on the die-mounting base 10. The crown portion 511 of the retaining cap 51 is formed with a central opening S10 for passage of light emitted by the LED dies 30 through the transparent cover 52.

[00022] FIG. 3 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the light emitting device according to this invention. The light emitting device is similar to the previous embodiment, except that the second lead 20 is star-like in shape, and includes a plurality of radial terminals 22, each of which has two opposite sides 221. Each of the LED dies 30 is disposed adjacent to and is connected electrically to a respective one of the opposite sides 221 of a respective one of the terminals 22 through the respective one of the conductive wires 40.

[00023] FIG. 4 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of the light emitting device according to this invention. The light emitting device is similar to the first embodiment, except that the die-mounting base 10 is formed with a plurality of through-holes 15 and that the light emitting device includes a plurality of second leads 20, each of which extends into a respective one of the through-holes 15, and a plurality of LED dies 30, each of which is connected electrically to a respective one of the second leads 20 through a respective one of the conductive wires 40. Each of the through-holes 15 is in spatial communication with and intersects the depression 14.

[00024] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the fourth preferred embodiment of the light emitting device according to this invention. The light emitting device is similar to the first embodiment, except that the die-mounting base 10 further has a surrounding wall portion 130 extending downwardly from the rim portion 13 for enhancing heat dissipation, and that each of the through-holes 15 is formed in the rim portion 13 of the die-mounting base 10, and is offset from the depression 14. Preferably, the surrounding wall portion 130 of the die-mounting base 10 is formed with a plurality of grooves 170 for increasing heat dissipating area thereof.

[00025] FIG. 7 illustrates the fifth preferred embodiment of the light emitting device according to this invention. The light emitting device is similar to the fourth embodiment, except that a transparent resin enclosure 50 is provided instead of the assembly of the retaining cap 51 and the transparent cover 52 to enclose the rim portion 13 of the die-mounting base 10.

[00026] The direct connection between the second lead 20 and the die-mounting base 10 of the light emitting device of this invention enhances heat dissipation of the LED die(s) 30 as compared to the aforesaid conventional light emitting devices. In addition, the configuration of the assembly of the die-mounting base 10 and the second lead(s) 20 can reduce the size of the light emitting device as compared to the conventional light emitting devices having the second leads separated from the die-mounting base.

[00027] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.