A light engine ( 10 ) has a light engine subassembly ( 12 ) comprising: a housing ( 14 ) having a longitudinal axis ( 16 ), a tubular portion ( 18 ) with a surrounding wall ( 20 ) and a closed end ( 22 ). A slot ( 24 ) is formed in the surrounding wall ( 20 ) and terminates at the closed end ( 22 ). A solid-state light source ( 26 ) is mounted adjacent the closed end ( 22 ), the solid-sate light source having energizing wires attached thereto and exiting the housing via the slot ( 24 ). A light dispenser ( 36 ) having a first end ( 37 ) is fixed in the tubular portion ( 18 ) and extends for a given distance along the longitudinal axis ( 16 ). The light engine can be used for backlighting.
1. A light engine subassembly for a light engine comprising;
a housing having a longitudinal axis, said housing including a tubular portion with a surrounding wall and a closed end;
a slot formed in said surrounding wall terminating at said closed end; and
a solid-state light source mounted adjacent said closed end, said solid-sate light source having energizing wires attached thereto and exiting said housing via said slot.
2. The light engine subassembly of claim 1 wherein said tubular portion includes a plurality of ribs formed on the inside surface thereof.
3. The light engine subassembly of claim 1 wherein said housing includes mounting means.
4. The light engine subassembly of claim 1 wherein a side of said housing includes a plurality of heat-radiating fins.
5. The light engine subassembly of claim 4 wherein said plurality of heat-radiating ribs is positioned opposite said slot.
6. The light engine subassembly of claim 1 wherein said slot is sealed by a plug.
7. A light engine comprising;
a light engine subassembly comprising:
a housing having a longitudinal axis, said housing including a tubular portion with a surrounding wall and a closed end;
a slot formed in said surrounding wall terminating at said closed end;
a solid-state light source mounted adjacent said closed end, said solid-sate light source having energizing wires attached thereto and exiting said housing via said slot; and
a light dispenser having a first end fixed in said tubular portion and extending for a given distance along said longitudinal axis.
8. The light engine of claim 7 wherein said light dispenser is an acrylic rod.
9. The light engine of claim 8 wherein said acrylic rod is fixed in said tubular portion by an acrylic potting material.
10. The light engine of claim 7 wherein said solid-state light source is mounted to said closed end by a thermal adhesive.
11. The light engine of claim 7 wherein said light dispenser has a second end fixed in a reflector housing.
12. The light engine of claim 11 wherein said reflector housing comprises a tubular body having a closed end with a reflector surface formed thereon.