Solid state lamp using modular light emitting elements

• US 10,107,456 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Original Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Inventors: Dau, Wilson, Lerman, Louis, York, Allan Brent, Steele, Robert V., Teng, Jacqueline, Lerman, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ulanday, Meghan
• Application Number:
  US14/485,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20150131327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/235 Details of bases or caps, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within bases or caps F21K9/238 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/003 Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/005 for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/506 of globes, bowls or cover glasses
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/90 on two opposite sides of supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A solid state lamp, such as one that can replace an incandescent light bulb, has a base portion having an electrical connector for connection to a source of power, such as an Edison-type connector for connection to the mains voltage. An AC/DC converter in the base converts the mains voltage to a suitable light emitting diode (LED) drive voltage. A plurality of receptacles on the base connects to electrodes of plug-in modules. Each plug-in module supports a plurality of low power LEDs connected in series. The strings of LEDs on different modules are connected in parallel when connected to the receptacles. The modules and base are configured to allow a user to operate the lamp with different combinations of modules to generate a desired light output from the lamp. For example, the user can recreate the lumens equivalent of a 20 W, 40 W, or 60 W bulb by using one, two, or three modules.

Claims

1. A plug-in light emitting diode (LED) module comprising:

electrical plugs; and

a light sheet comprising

two or more substrates,

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) sandwiched between and distributed across the substrates, the LEDs being electrically coupled with the electrical plugs, wherein

a first subset of the LEDs is disposed on a first surface of a first one of the substrates, the first subset including multiple first of the plurality of LEDs that are oriented to emit light along a first direction, and

a second subset of the LEDs is disposed on a second surface of the first substrate opposing the first surface or a second surface of a second one of the substrates, the second subset including multiple second of the plurality of LEDs that are oriented to emit light along a second direction opposing the first direction, the multiple second of the plurality of LEDs of the second subset of LEDs having opposite orientation relative to the multiple first of the plurality of LEDs of the first subset of LEDs, and

diffusers arranged to receive the light emitted by the first subset of the LEDs along the first direction,

wherein, when the electrical plugs are connected to a power source, light emitted by the first subset of the LEDs is issued by the plug-in LED module on one side of the light sheet as diffuse output light, and light emitted by the second subset of the LEDs is issued by the plug-in LED module on opposing side of the light sheet as directional output light along the second direction.

2. The plug-in LED module of claim 1, wherein

a length of the light sheet is longer than a width of the light sheet, and

the electrical plugs are located adjacent the width of the light sheet.

3. The plug-in LED module of claim 2, wherein the length of the light sheet is less than 3″

.

4. The plug-in LED module of claim 3, wherein the length of the light sheet is in a range from 2″

to 3″

.

5. The plug-in LED module of claim 1, wherein the light sheet is curved.

6. The plug-in LED module of claim 1, wherein the LEDs are LED dies.

7. The plug-in LED module of claim 1, wherein the directional output light issued by the remaining subset of LEDs is narrow spot light.