Light Emitting Diode Replacement Lamp

• US 20080024070A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LEDVANCE LLC (MLS Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TerraLUX Incorporated
• Inventors: Catalano, Anthony, Harrison, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,597,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/185R
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/04 by movement of reflectors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/675
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/02 with provision for adjustment F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/045 the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/007 Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane combination of two or more refractors F21V5/008
• 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: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/60 Reflective elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/40 : Details of LED load circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 : via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Abstract

The invention is a replacement for a conventional incandescent or halogen light bulb. Besides providing regular illumination, it has advantages over a conventional bulb while maintaining the bulb'"'"'s decorative function, such as visual effects associated with the bulb'"'"'s envelope or shade. The invention comprises a connector equivalent to a standard light bulb base, at least one light emitting diode (LED), and a driving circuit hosted on a module such as a printed circuit board and adapting the supply voltage to the requirements of the LED. Compensation for the effects of temperature may be included. The invention may also include other circuitry to support various enhanced features such as novel decorative features or control over the brightness, color, or other characteristics-all potentially varying over time or being controlled remotely.

Claims

1. An illumination device to replace a standard incandescent light bulb, including a halogen light bulb, and to provide decorative illumination characteristics, comprising

a standard light bulb power connector equivalent to the power connector of the standard bulb, which the device replaces, and adapted to fit into at least one standard bulb power source;

at least one light emitter;

driving circuitry electrically connected to the power connector and compact enough to fit into the volume envelope of the standard light bulb, and comprising a solid state circuit which regulates the source voltage and current and provides the voltage and current required by each light emitter; and

a decorative illumination feature.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a circuit to respond to commands from a wireless remote control device.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a circuit to respond to the level of environmental, ambient illumination.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a circuit which includes a proximity sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a circuit to communicate with other illumination devices.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a battery to provide continued operation if the source voltage fails.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a protective circuit preventing excessive current flow through the LEDs.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a protective circuit preventing heating of components beyond their maximum ratings.

9. The device of claim 8, in which the protective circuit comprises a component which is responsive to temperature and is disposed so to regulate the heat generation of the illumination device

10. The device of claim 1, in which the source voltage is D.C. (direct current).

11. The device of claim 1, in which the source voltage is A.C. (alternating current).

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a shade.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the shade further comprises translucent material.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the shade contains penetrations.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the decorative illumination is directed onto the shade.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the source of the decorative illumination is at least one LED with an orientation different from that of an LED providing general, non-decorative illumination.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the source of the decorative illumination is at least one LED with a color spectrum different from that of an LED providing general, non-decorative illumination.

18. The device of claim 1, further comprising an array of one or more lenses, positioned with respect to at least one LED to direct and focus its light in a prescribed way.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the lens array is moveable.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the lens array is electrically moved by piezoelectric motion controllers.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the lens array is moved by an electric motor.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein the light emitter emits at least one color.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the light emitter is a solid state light emitting device.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the solid state light emitting device is a light emitting diode.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein the light emitter is group of densely packed light emitting semiconductor chips bonded to a common base.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the common base is thermally conductive.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the common base is reflective.

28. The device of claim 25, wherein the common base consists of a printed circuit board.

29. The device of claim 25, wherein the chips are electrically connected in series.

30. The device of claim 25, wherein the chips are electrically connected in parallel.

31. The device of claim 1, wherein the driving circuit operates at a frequency above 1000 Hertz.

32. The device of claim 1, wherein the driving circuit provides substantially constant current through each light emitter.

33. The device of claim 1, wherein the driving circuit provides substantially constant voltage for each light emitter.

34. The device of claim 1, wherein the source voltage is greater than or equal to that required for the light emitters.

35. The device of claim 1, wherein the source voltage is less than or equal to that required for the light emitters.

36. The device of claim 1, wherein the source voltage may vary from a voltage above that required for the light emitters to a voltage below that required for the light emitters.

37. The device of claim 1, wherein the decorative illumination feature comprises circuitry to control the illumination characteristics.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the illumination characteristics include color.

39. The device of claim 37, wherein the illumination characteristics include intensity.

40. The device of claim 37, wherein the illumination characteristics include a rate of flashing.

41. The device of claim 37, wherein the illumination characteristics include patterns of light.

42. The device of claim 37, wherein the circuitry controls the characteristics of the general illumination of the device.

43. The device of claim 37, wherein the circuitry controls the characteristics of the decorative illumination of the device.

44. The device of claim 37, wherein the illumination characteristics are for functional purposes.

45. The device of claim 37, wherein the illumination characteristics are for decorative purposes.

46. The device of claim 37, wherein the circuitry varies the illumination characteristics over time.

47. The device of claim 37, wherein the circuitry changes illumination characteristics in response to interruptions of the power to the circuitry within a predetermined time interval.

48. The device of claim 1, wherein the decorative illumination feature comprises switches allowing mechanical control of the illumination characteristics.

49. The device of claim 1, wherein the decorative illumination feature comprises a mechanical actuator that alters the pattern and color of the illumination.

50. The device of claim 1, wherein the decorative illumination feature comprises a motor that changes the position of a mirror.

51. The device of claim 1, wherein the decorative illumination feature comprises a mask creating a predetermined pattern of shapes and colors.

52. The device of claim 1, wherein the decorative illumination feature comprises a multi-faceted mirror.

53. The device of claim 1, wherein the decorative illumination feature comprises a diffractive optical component.

54. The device of claim 1, wherein the decorative illumination feature comprises circuitry to pulse the light.

55. An improved source of decorative illumination which comprises

a source of alternating current or direct current electrical power provided though a standard light bulb power socket;

a standard light bulb power connector to mate with the socket;

at least one electrically powered light source such as an incandescent filament;

in which the source provides a decorative illumination function in addition to a general, non-decorative illumination function;

wherein the improvement comprises

a solid state light emitting device as the light source;

driving circuitry electrically connected to the power connector compact enough to fit into the volume envelope of a standard light bulb with said power connector and comprising a solid state circuit which regulates the source voltage and current and provides the voltage and current required by each light emitter;

wherein the decorative illumination function comprises circuitry to control the illumination characteristics.

56. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises a circuit to respond to commands from a wireless remote control device.

57. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises a circuit to respond to the level of environmental, ambient illumination.

58. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises a circuit which includes a proximity sensor.

59. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises a circuit to communicate with other illumination devices.

60. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises a battery to provide continued operation if source voltage fails.

61. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises a protective circuit preventing excessive current flow through the LEDs.

62. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises a protective circuit preventing heating of components beyond their maximum ratings.

63. The improvement of claim 62, wherein the protective circuit comprises a component which is responsive to temperature and is disposed so to regulate the heat generation of the illumination device.

64. The improvement of claim 55, in which the source voltage is D.C. (direct current).

65. The improvement of claim 55, in which the source voltage is A.C. (alternating current).

66. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises a shade.

67. The improvement of claim 66, in which the shade comprises translucent material.

68. The improvement of claim 66, in which the shade contains penetrations.

69. The improvement of claim 66, wherein the decorative illumination is directed onto the shade.

70. The improvement of claim 69, wherein the source of the decorative illumination is at least one LED with an orientation different from that of an LED providing the general illumination function.

71. The improvement of claim 69, wherein the source of the decorative illumination is at least one LED with a color spectrum different from that of an LED providing the general illumination function.

72. The improvement of claim 55, which further comprises an array of one or more lenses, positioned with respect to at least one LED to direct and focus its light in a prescribed way.

73. The improvement of claim 72, wherein the lens array is moveable.

74. The improvement of claim 73, wherein the lens array is electrically moved by piezoelectric motion controllers.

75. The improvement of claim 73, wherein the lens array is moved by an electric motor.

76. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the solid state emitting device is a light emitting diode.

77. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the solid state emitting device is group of densely packed light emitting semiconductor chips bonded to a common base.

78. The improvement of claim 77, wherein the common base is thermally conductive.

79. The improvement of claim 77, wherein the common base is reflective.

80. The improvement of claim 77, wherein the common base consists of a printed circuit board.

81. The improvement of claim 77, wherein the chips are electrically connected in series.

82. The improvement of claim 77, wherein the chips are electrically connected in parallel.

83. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the driving circuitry operates at a frequency above 1000 Hertz.

84. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the driving circuitry provides substantially constant current through each light emitter.

85. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the driving circuitry provides substantially constant voltage for each light emitter.

86. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the source voltage is greater than or equal to that required for the light emitters.

87. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the source voltage is less than or equal to that required for the light emitters.

88. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the source voltage may vary from more than that required for the light emitters to less than that required for the light emitters.

89. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the illumination characteristics include color.

90. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the illumination characteristics include intensity.

91. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the illumination characteristics include a rate of flashing.

92. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the illumination characteristics include patterns of light.

93. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the circuitry controls the characteristics of the general illumination.

94. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the circuitry controls the characteristics of the decorative illumination.

95. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the illumination characteristics are for functional purposes.

96. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the illumination characteristics are for decorative purposes.

97. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the circuitry varies the illumination characteristics over time.

98. The improvement of claim 55, wherein the circuitry changes illumination characteristics in response to interruptions of the power to the circuitry within a predetermined time interval.

99. The improvement of claim 55, further comprising switches allowing mechanical control of the illumination characteristics.

100. The improvement of claim 55, further comprising a mechanical actuator that alters the pattern and color of the illumination.

101. The improvement of claim 55, further comprising a motor that changes the position of a mirror.

102. The improvement of claim 55, further comprising a mask creating a predetermined pattern of shapes and colors.

103. The improvement of claim 55, further comprising a multi-faceted mirror.

104. The improvement of claim 55, further comprising a diffractive optical component.

105. The improvement of claim 55, further comprising circuitry to pulse the light.

106. A method of providing illumination capable of replacing the illumination from incandescent light bulbs, including halogen light bulbs, comprising steps of

providing a standard light bulb power connector the same as that of a conventional light bulb which the device replaces and adapted to fit into at least one of many standard light bulb power sockets;

electrically connecting a circuit module to the input power contacts of the power connector;

electrically connecting at least one LED to the output of the module;

physically connecting each LED to the module;

physically connecting the module to the power connector;

fitting the module and all LEDs into the volume envelope of the incandescent light bulb;

converting the input voltage to the voltage required by the LEDs;

providing decorative illumination in addition to general, non-decorative illumination.

107. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of directing some or all of the illumination onto a shade.

108. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of responding to commands from a wireless remote control device in order to control the characteristics of the illumination.

109. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of providing manual control of the characteristics of the illumination.

110. The method of claim 109, in which a switch provides the manual control.

111. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of responding to commands from a wireless remote control device.

112. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of detecting the level of environmental, ambient illumination.

113. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of changing the illumination in response to a proximity sensor.

114. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of communicating with other illumination devices.

115. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of continuing operation if source voltage fails.

116. The method of claim 115, in which a back-up battery provides for the continuing operation.

117. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of preventing excessive current flow through the LEDs.

118. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of preventing heating of components beyond specified temperatures.

119. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of utilizing a D.C. (direct current) source voltage.

120. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of utilizing an A.C. (alternating current) source voltage.

121. The method of claim 106, further comprising a step of positioning at least one lens with respect to at least one LED to focus and direct its illumination to change the illumination characteristics.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein the positioning is accomplished by moving the lens electro-mechanically.