DIFFUSE ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20030076281A1
• Filed: 06/15/1999
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: LYS, IHOR, MORGAN, FREDERICK MARSHALL
• Granted Patent: US 7,352,339 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/44
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/004 simulating flames

Abstract

The systems and methods disclosed herein relate to sources of diffuse illumination for providing substantially uniform illumination to a surface. The diffuse illumination arises from varying the diffusion angle of light generated by an LED system. To vary the diffusion angle, a translucent member is placed between the LED system and the surface. Light emitted from the LED system across the translucent member can subsequently can uniformly cover the surface.

Claims

1. A modular LED system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum;

a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines a color of light generated by the plurality of LEDs; and

a translucent member associated with the LEDs for determining a diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED.

2. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member increases the diffusion angle of light emitted from at least one LED.

3. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member decreases the diffusion angle of light emitted from at least one LED.

4. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member includes a translucent lens that is part of each LED.

5. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the translucent member increases the diffusion angle of light emitted from the at least one LED.

6. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the translucent member decreases the diffusion angle of light emitted from the at least one LED.

7. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member is substantially cylindrical in shape to permit the plurality of LEDs to be situated therein.

8. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the translucent cylindrical member can affect the diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs.

9. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the translucent cylindrical member can vary the diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs as the cylindrical member is axially rotated about the LEDs.

10. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the translucent cylindrical member includes individually distinct areas, each distinct area being positioned over at least one LED to alter the diffusion angle of light emitted from the at least one LED.

11. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 10, wherein each individually distinct area extends circumferentially about the housing.

12. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 11, wherein each individually distinct area can be rotated about a longitudinal axis independent of the other individually distinct areas.

13. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member includes an array of lenticular lenses disposed on the member.

14. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member includes a plurality of individual lenticular lenses.

15. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 14, wherein each lenticular lens includes a recess adapted to complementarily receive at least one LED.

16. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 4, 7, 10, 12, 13 or 14, wherein the distribution of light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to a surface is substantially uniform.

17. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 4, 7, 10, 12, 13 or 14, wherein light emitted from the LEDs provides a color grid across a surface against which light is distributed.

18. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a substantially linear array.

19. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

20. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a three-dimensional array.

21. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 19 or 20, further comprising:

a connector for removably coupling the modular LED system to another modular LED system.

22. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are disposed on a cylindrical member.

23. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a power module for providing electrical current from a power source to the LED system.

24. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1 further including means for programming the processor.

25. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1 further including a mechanism for facilitating communication between the LEDs and the processor.

26. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the translucent member includes a variable focal length lens made from a translucent shape changing polymer.

27. A modular LED system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum;

a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines the relative brightness of different LEDs;

a power module for providing electrical current from a power source to the light module; and

a translucent member disposed in spaced relation to the LEDs for determining a diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED.

28. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 27, wherein the translucent member includes an array of lenticular lenses disposed on the member.

29. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 27, wherein the translucent member is substantially cylindrical in shape to permit the plurality of LEDs to be situated therein.

30. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 29, wherein the translucent cylindrical member can affect the diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs as the cylindrical layer is axially rotated about the LEDs.

31. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 28, 29, or 30, wherein distribution of light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to a surface is substantially uniform.

32. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 28, 29, or 30, wherein light emitted from the LEDs provides a color grid across a surface against which light is distributed.

37. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 28, 29, or 30, wherein light emitted from the LEDs provides a color grid across a surface against which light is distributed.

33. A modular LED system comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum;

a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines the relative brightness of different LEDs;

a power module for providing electrical current from a power source to the light module; and

a translucent member in fitting engagement with the LEDs for determining a diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED.

34. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 33, wherein the translucent member includes a translucent lens that is part of each LED.

35. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 33, wherein the translucent member includes a plurality of individual lenticular lenses, each disposed on an LED.

36. A modular LED system as set forth in claim 34 or 35, wherein distribution of light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to a surface is substantially uniform.

38. A method for illuminating a surface, comprising:

providing a plurality of LEDs; and

disposing between the LEDs and the surface at least one translucent member to affect a diffusion angle of light emitted from the LEDs to the surface, so as to substantially uniformly illuminate the surface.

39. A method as in claim 38, wherein in the step of disposing the translucent member includes a translucent lens on each LED.

40. A method as in claim 38, wherein in the step of disposing the translucent member includes an array of lenticular lenses disposed on the member.

43. A method as in claim 38, wherein in the step of disposing the translucent member includes a substantially cylindrical translucent member.

44. A method as in claim 38, wherein in the step of disposing the translucent member includes a substantially cylindrical translucent member having distinct areas, each distinct area being positioned over at least one LED to alter the diffusion angle of light emitted from the at least one LED.

45. A method as in claim 38, wherein in the step of disposing the translucent member includes a substantially cylindrical translucent member having distinct areas that extend circumferentially about the member.

46. A method as in claim 38, wherein in the step of disposing the translucent member includes a substantially cylindrical translucent member having distinct areas that extend circumferentially about the member, which distinct areas are independently rotatable.

47. A method as in claim 38, wherein in the step of disposing the translucent member includes a plurality of individual lenticular lenses disposed on the plurality of LEDs.

48. A method for illuminating a surface, comprising:

providing a plurality of LEDs; and

disposing between the LEDs and the surface a translucent member to provide light emitted from the LEDs with a plurality of diffusion angles;

generating a color grid against the surface.

49. A method for manufacturing a modular LED system, comprising:

arranging a plurality of LEDs in a predetermined array;

providing a member having a plurality of lenses arranged in an array similar to that of the plurality of LEDs, each lens having a recess to complementarily receive an LED;

engaging the plurality of LEDs with the plurality of lenses so that each lens complementarily receives an LED.

50. A method as set forth in claim 49, wherein in the step of providing, the lenses are spatially adjustable on the member.

51. A method as set forth in claim 50 further including spatially adjusting each lens not in alignment with its corresponding LED to permit subsequent engagement between the lens and the LED.

52. A method as set forth in claim 49 further including disengaging the lenses from the member.