U.S. patent application number 15/597238 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-09 for method and apparatus for increasing luminous intensity of an ultraviolet light emitting diode.
The applicant listed for this patent is NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Kuan-Chang Chang, Ting-Chang Chang, Bo-Wei Chen, Chih-Cheng Shih, Tsung-Ming Tsai, Chung-I Yang.
Application Number | 20180227997 15/597238 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61011339 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180227997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Ting-Chang ; et
al. |
August 9, 2018 |
Method and Apparatus for Increasing Luminous Intensity of an
Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diode
Abstract
A method for increasing the luminous intensity of an ultraviolet
light emitting diode includes heating an ultraviolet light emitting
diode to a working temperature, and supplying electricity to the
ultraviolet light emitting diode at the working temperature to make
the ultraviolet light emitting diode emit ultraviolet light. An
apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of an ultraviolet
light emitting diode includes a substrate, an ultraviolet light
emitting diode mounted on the substrate, an electric heater mounted
on the substrate, a temperature sensor, and a controller
electrically connected to the ultraviolet light emitting diode, the
electric heater, and the temperature sensor. The controller can
heat the ultraviolet light emitting diode through the substrate.
When the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode reaches a working temperature, the
controller supplies electricity to the ultraviolet light emitting
diode to make the ultraviolet light emitting diode emit ultraviolet
light.
Inventors: |
Chang; Ting-Chang;
(Kaohsiung City, TW) ; Chang; Kuan-Chang;
(Kaohsiung City, TW) ; Tsai; Tsung-Ming;
(Kaohsiung City, TW) ; Shih; Chih-Cheng;
(Kaohsiung City, TW) ; Chen; Bo-Wei; (Kaohsiung
City, TW) ; Yang; Chung-I; (Kaohsiung City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY |
Kaohsiung City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
61011339 |
Appl. No.: |
15/597238 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 33/645 20130101;
H01L 33/62 20130101; H01L 25/167 20130101; H05B 45/10 20200101 |
International
Class: |
H05B 33/08 20060101
H05B033/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2017 |
TW |
106103988 |
Claims
1. A method for increasing the luminous intensity of an ultraviolet
light emitting diode, comprising: mounting the ultraviolet light
emitting diode on a substrate, with an electric heater mounted on
the substrate; using a controller to control the electric heater to
heat the ultraviolet light emitting diode through the substrate,
and using a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode; using the controller to supply
electricity to the ultraviolet light emitting diode when the
ultraviolet light emitting diode reaches a working temperature; and
making the ultraviolet light emitting diode to emit an ultraviolet
light.
2. The method for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
working temperature is in a range between 90.degree. C. and
110.degree. C.
3. (canceled)
4. An apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode, comprising: a substrate; the
ultraviolet light emitting diode mounted on the substrate; an
electric heater mounted on the substrate; a temperature sensor for
detecting a temperature of the ultraviolet light emitting diode;
and a controller electrically connected to the ultraviolet light
emitting diode, the electric heater, and the temperature sensor,
wherein the controller is configured to heat the ultraviolet light
emitting diode through the substrate, wherein when the temperature
sensor detects that the temperature of the ultraviolet light
emitting diode reaches a working temperature, the controller
supplies electricity to the ultraviolet light emitting diode to
make the ultraviolet light emitting diode to emit an ultraviolet
light.
5. The apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
working temperature is in a range between 90.degree. C. and
110.degree. C.
6. The apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
electric heater is located adjacent to the ultraviolet light
emitting diode.
7. The apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
substrate includes two opposite sides, and wherein the ultraviolet
light emitting diode and the electric heater are respectively
mounted on the two opposite sides of the substrate.
8. The apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
ultraviolet light emitting diode and the electric heater are
mounted on a same side of the substrate.
9. The apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
controller is a microcontroller unit or a digital signal
processer.
10. The apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
temperature sensor is a thermistor, a platinum resistor temperature
sensor, or a thermocouple.
11. The apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
electric heater is a cooling chip having a hot end.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The application claims the benefit of Taiwan application
serial No. 106103988, filed on Feb. 7, 2017, and the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus
for improving performances of an electronic element and, more
particularly, to a method and an apparatus for increasing the
luminous intensity of an ultraviolet light emitting diode.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] With the progress of semiconductor technology,
semiconductors, such as light emitting diodes, having different
functions have been developed for various electronic devices.
[0004] Taking an ultraviolet light emitting diode as an example, a
conventional lighting element can emit light when supplied with a
D.C. power. Theoretically, the luminous intensity of the lighting
element is in direct proportion to the current of the lighting
element. However, the current of the lighting element is related to
the working temperature. Under the conventional conditions of use,
the luminous intensity decreases as the working temperature of the
lighting element increases, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0005] Thus, the prior art is inconvenient in use. Improvement is,
therefore, required to improve the utility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide a method
and an apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of an
ultraviolet light emitting diode without changing current
procedures for production of the ultraviolet light emitting
diode.
[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
method and an apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of an
ultraviolet light emitting diode without modifying the structure of
the ultraviolet light emitting diode.
[0008] A method for increasing the luminous intensity of an
ultraviolet light emitting diode according to the present invention
includes heating an ultraviolet light emitting diode to a working
temperature, and supplying electricity to the ultraviolet light
emitting diode at the working temperature to make the ultraviolet
light emitting diode emit ultraviolet light.
[0009] In an example, the ultraviolet light emitting diode is
mounted on a substrate, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode is
heated through the substrate.
[0010] An apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of an
ultraviolet light emitting diode according to the present invention
includes a substrate, an ultraviolet light emitting diode mounted
on the substrate, an electric heater mounted on the substrate, a
temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the ultraviolet
light emitting diode, and a controller electrically connected to
the ultraviolet light emitting diode, the electric heater, and the
temperature sensor. The controller is configured to heat the
ultraviolet light emitting diode through the substrate. When the
temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the ultraviolet
light emitting diode reaches a working temperature, the controller
supplies electricity to the ultraviolet light emitting diode to
make the ultraviolet light emitting diode emit ultraviolet
light.
[0011] In an example, the working temperature is in a range between
90.degree. C. and 110.degree. C. The electric heater can be located
adjacent to the ultraviolet light emitting diode. The ultraviolet
light emitting diode and the electric heater can be respectively
mounted on two opposite sides of the substrate or on the same side
of the substrate. The controller can be a microcontroller unit or a
digital signal processer. The temperature sensor can be a
thermistor, a platinum resistor temperature sensor, or a
thermocouple. The electric heater can be a cooling chip having a
hot end.
[0012] In the method and apparatus for increasing the luminous
intensity of an ultraviolet light emitting diode according to the
present invention, the current ultraviolet light emitting diode can
be preheated before supply of electricity. The ultraviolet light
emitting diode can be supplied with electricity after having been
heated to the working temperature. Thus, the luminous intensity of
the ultraviolet light emitting diode can be increased to increase
the optical/electrical conversion efficiency and the lighting
effect.
[0013] The present invention will become clearer in light of the
following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this
invention described in connection with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a luminous intensity-temperature diagram of a
conventional ultralight light emitting diode.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic block diagram of an apparatus for
increasing the luminous intensity of an ultraviolet light emitting
diode of an embodiment according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic block diagram illustrating a method
for increasing the luminous intensity of an ultraviolet light
emitting diode of an embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a luminous intensity-temperature diagram of an
ultraviolet light emitting diode according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic block diagram of an apparatus for
increasing the luminous intensity of an ultraviolet light emitting
diode of an embodiment according to the present invention. The
apparatus for increasing the luminous intensity of an ultraviolet
light emitting diode of this embodiment includes a substrate 1, an
ultraviolet light emitting diode 2, an electric heater 3, a
temperature sensor 4, and a controller 5. The substrate 1 is used
for mounting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2, the electric
heater 3, and the temperature sensor 4. The controller 5 is
electrically connected to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2,
the electric heater 3, and the temperature sensor 4.
Non-restrictive examples according to the present invention will be
set forth hereinafter.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 2, the substrate 1 can be made of an
electrically insulating material suitable for heat conduction, such
as a substrate for an ultraviolet light emitting diode. The
substrate 1 includes two opposite sides 11 and 12. The ultraviolet
light emitting diode 2 can be of a conventional design. Both of the
ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 and the electric heater 3 are
mounted to the substrate 1. The electric heater 3 is an electric
element that generates heat, such as a cooling chip having a hot
end. The electric heater 3 can be located adjacent to the
ultraviolet light emitting diode 2. For example, the ultraviolet
light emitting diode 2 and the electric heater 3 are mounted on
different sides 11 and 12 or the same side (such as the side 11) of
the substrate 1. The temperature sensor 4 can be, but not limited
to, an electric element capable of detecting temperature, such as a
thermistor, a platinum resistor temperature sensor, or a
thermocouple. The temperature sensor 4 can detect the temperature
of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the controller
5 is an electric element capable of storing data, generating
signals, and providing surveillance, such as a microcontroller unit
(MCU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The controller 5 can
execute a control program and can store data required for executing
the control program. The controller 5 can control the electric
heater 3 to heat the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 through the
base 1. When the temperature sensor 4 detects that the temperature
of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 increases to a working
temperature which can range from 90.degree. C. to 110.degree. C.,
the controller 5 supplies electricity to the ultraviolet light
emitting diode 2 to emit ultraviolet light. For example, the
ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 can receive a D.C. power larger
than the conductive voltage value of the ultraviolet light emitting
diode to emit ultraviolet light, which can be appreciated by one
having ordinary skill in the art.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic block diagram illustrating a method
for increasing the luminous intensity of an ultraviolet light
emitting diode of an embodiment according to the present invention.
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the method for increasing the
luminous intensity of an ultraviolet light emitting diode includes
a preheating step S1 and a lighting step S2. The preheating step S1
includes heating the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 to the
working temperature. For example, the ultraviolet light emitting
diode 2 is heated through the substrate 1. The lighting step S2
includes supplying electricity to the ultraviolet light emitting
diode 2 at the working temperature to make the ultraviolet light
emitting diode 2 emit ultraviolet light.
[0022] In use of the embodiment according to the present invention,
the electric heater 3 preheats the ultraviolet light emitting diode
2 to the working temperature, and the controller 5 supplies
electricity to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 that has been
preheated to the working temperature, making the ultraviolet light
emitting diode 2 emit ultraviolet light. As shown in FIG. 4, the
luminous intensity of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2
increases as the working temperature increases. In comparison with
the luminous intensity of the conventional ultraviolet light
emitting diode 2 that is supplied with electricity without
preheating (see FIG. 1), the luminous intensity of the ultraviolet
light emitting diode 2 according to the present invention that has
been preheated to the working temperature can be reliably increased
when the driving current is the same.
[0023] Thus, in the above embodiment according to the present
invention, the current ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 can be
preheated before supply of electricity. The ultraviolet light
emitting diode 2 can be supplied with electricity after having been
heated to the working temperature. Thus, the luminous intensity of
the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 can be increased to increase
the optical/electrical conversion efficiency and the lighting
effect.
[0024] Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general
characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated,
the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all
respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the
invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by
the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *