Thanks to their energy efficiency and operating safety, LEDs for lighting purposes represent a big opportunity for the lighting industry. The high power density of modern LEDs places the greatest challenge on safe, practical heat dissipation, to achieve trouble-free operation, good luminous efficiency and a long service life.

Hamburg, April 6 2010 – Although LEDs are clearly more energy efficient than light bulbs, which convert around 95% of current into heat and not into light, LEDs also waste a considerable amount of heat. Unlike in traditional light bulbs, this is not emitted as radiant heat but has to be dissipated through heat sinks. Without additional cooling measures, temperatures sometimes reaching well over 100°C would destroy LEDs. The dimension of the heat sinks depends on the number of the LEDs installed on the supporting substrate and the power they consume. Unlike other manufacturers, Sharp (Hall 4.2, Booth J71) does not refer to the non-measurable junction temperature of the LED, but to the measurable temperature of the substrate. At a substrate temperature of 80°C, all Sharp LEDs have a specified service life of 40,000 operating hours.

The supporting material used by Sharp for almost all its high power LED products is high quality ceramic. This allows an effi-cient dissipation of heat and helps to keep the size of the required heat sinks to a minimum, thanks to its good heat conductivity properties. Although standard heat sinks are freely available on the market, the shape of cooling elements may be chosen at will as long as they guarantee the required heat dissipation. For this reason, heat sinks can also be used specifically as design elements when creating LED lamps. Fischer Elektronik has developed concepts which are specially adapted to the constantly growing demand for LED heat sinks. In addition to many standard heat sinks which can be used to dissipate heat from the LEDs, it also offers specially modified heat sink variants for LEDs and versions which are specially adapted to individual Sharp LED products. With its standard portfolio, Fischer Elektronik already offers a comprehensive range of different types of aluminium heat sinks which can be installed in many popular housing models used in the lighting industry.

The LEDs are fixed to the heat sink using either double-sided, heat conductive adhesive film or a suitable thermal adhesive. Ad-ditional safety can be achieved by using optional screw fittings. The standard surface finishes are anodised in black or natural. When considering the overall system of a light, Fischer Elektronik closes an important gap, using its expertise in application-related heat management to complete Sharp's LED partner network. In addition to the standard heat sinks it offers, Fischer is also considered a specialist for customised modifications and special designs. The product experts at Fischer Elektronik are at your disposal for any requests and further information.

Availability

Samples can already be obtained via Fischer Elektronik and Sharp sales offices and distribution partners in Europe.

Please visit us at the Light + Building

From 11th to 16th of April 2010
Booth (Hall 4.2, Booth J71)
Messe Frankfurt

Note:

The availability of the products and components mentioned in this press release is restricted to the European markets. For availability of these products and components outside Europe, please check with the Sharp Device Sales Offices in the respective markets.

Contact Sharp:
Sharp Microelectronics Europe
Service hotline: +49 (0)180 507 35 07 (0.14 €/min. from the fixed network of DTAG.)
Service e-mail: info.sme@sharp.eu

Contact Fischer Elektronik:

Fischer Elektronik GmbH und Co. KG
Nottebohmstraße 28
D – 58511 Lüdenscheid
Service-Hotline: +49 (0) 23 51/ 435 - 0
Service Email: info@fischerelektronik.de
www.fischerelektronik.de

About Sharp Microelectronics Europe

Sharp Microelectronics Europe, Hamburg, Germany, is a divisional company of Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH, which is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies shaping the next generation of electronic ap-plications and products. With a portfolio of more than 2,000 components in the ranges of TFT LCDs in screen sizes up to 108 inches, high brightness white and colour LEDs, optoelectronics, CCD and CMOS camera sensors, photovoltaic components, RF-, IC- und LSI-components as well as advanced packaging and integration skills Sharp Microelectronics Europe offers groundbreaking solutions in particular for appli-cations in automotive electronics, mobile / communications technology, industrial automation, TV- and consumer electronics, e-signage and LED based lighting technology. Sharp is dedicated to the improvement of people’s lives and environmental protection through the use of ad-vanced technologies. Technology and product development at Sharp is strongly determined by innovation, quality, usability and saving of re-sources. Reprint free of charge / Specimen copy requested. For further information and illustration material see: www.sharpsme.com

Responsible:

Sharp Microelectronics Europe
Ralf Schäfer
Sonninstraße 3
20097 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (040)/2376-2487
Fax: +49 (0)40/2376-15-2487
E-mail: press.sme@sharp.eu

Sharp Microlelectronics Europe
Katharina von Buelow
Sonninstraße 3
20097 Hamburg
Telefon: +49 (040)/2376-2349
Fax: +49 (0)40/2376-15-2349
E-Mail: Katharina.Buelow@sharp.eu