Arrays of optoelectronic devices and method of making same
US5660461A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49179
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A low cost LED array is formed from a plurality of modular units that are snapped together. Each modular unit consists of one or more U-shaped lead frame substrates which are overmolded with a thermoplastic insulator material. The lead frame substrates act as heat dissipators. The LEDs are then bonded onto the upper surfaces of the lead frame substrates. A reflector unit is separately molded and has one cone-shaped reflector for each light emitting diode. The reflector unit is aligned and affixed to the top of the lead frame unit such that the LED is disposed in the center of each cone. Each of the reflector units has several dovetail-shaped connectors which enable the completed module to be connected to adjacent modules to form the array. The modules are then electrically connected together in series or in parallel according to the particular application. The arrays may be used for plant growth or in photodynamic therapy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.