It’s reported that Nittoh Kogaku KK exhibited an LED light source module for use in low-power advertising signage as a reference at Kogen (light source) 2008, an exhibition that took place at Pacifico Yokohama from Oct 22 to 24, 2008.
Nittoh explained that when a 1,200 x 600mm signboard is illuminated, a brightness of 2,000lx can be obtained with 10 of these light source modules and a power consumption of 25W. To achieve 2,000lx with the same size signboard, about 100 LEDs and 35 to 80W of power consumption were required before.
This light source module combines a high-power white LED and a 160 x 160mm special optical lens. The optical lens realizes surface light emission from a 160 x 160mm large area using only one LED, based on the structure that guides light from the LED to the surface of the signboard at a high efficiency.
Light source modules with a similar structure have already been developed for LCD backlights, but the Nittoh spokesperson said, "No one has ever realized such a module for signage boards because cost requirements are severer than for modules for LCD panels." To fulfill such requirements for a low cost, the company devised the optical lens' structure and avoided using optical sheets and other additional components.
The company has not set a specific price yet, but "the price for 10 light source modules will be lower than that for 100 LEDs," the spokesperson said.
The light source module is 15mm thick. The color temperature of the emission color is 6,500K, and the product life is about 50,000 hours. Nittoh aims to commercialize the technology in about spring 2009, the comapny said.
