Light emitting diode (LED) based lighting systems

• US 20080218992A1
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intematix Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intematix Corporation
• Inventors: Li, Yi-Qun
• Granted Patent: US 7,972,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/06 by suspension
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/037 the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 1/00 Shades for light sources , i.e. lampshades for table, floor, wall or ceiling lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 1/17 the material comprising photoluminescent substances
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0824 Ground spikes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/08 the material comprising photoluminescent substances
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/12 the coatings comprising photoluminescent substances
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/32 characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A lighting system comprises at least one excitation source (5), preferably an LED, operable to generate and radiate excitation radiation of a first wavelength (λ₁); a shade (4) configured to at least in part surround the at least one source (5) and remotely located thereto; and at least one phosphor (16) provided in or on at least a part of the shade (4), wherein the phosphor (16) emits radiation of a different wavelength in response to incident excitation radiation. The phosphor can be provided on a part of an outer or inner surface of the shade. Alternatively, or in addition, the phosphor is incorporated within the shade. The lighting system finds particular application as a hanging, a desk, a floor standing, a wall mountable, a spot, an outdoor or an accent lighting fixture.

Claims

1. A lighting fixture comprising:

at least one excitation source operable to generate and radiate excitation radiation of a first wavelength;

a shade located remotely to the at least one source and configured to at least in part surround the at least one source to thereby prevent at least in part direct viewing of the at least one source and at least one phosphor provided in at least a part of the shade, wherein the phosphor emits radiation of a different wavelength in response to incident excitation radiation.

2. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the shade is configured such that excitation energy travels a distance of at least one centimeter from the excitation source to the shade.

3. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one phosphor is selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

being incorporated within at least a part of the shade and a combination thereof.

4. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising first and second phosphors selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

providing the first phosphor on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade and the second phosphor on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

being incorporated within at least a part of the shade and a combination thereof.

5. The lighting fixture of claim 4, wherein the first and second phosphors comprise respective layers.

6. The lighting fixture of claim 4, wherein the first and second phosphors are provided as a mixture in at least one layer.

7. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising a reflector configured to reflect excitation radiation towards the at least one phosphor.

8. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the excitation source comprises a light emitting diode.

9. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the excitation source is operable to emit radiation of wavelength in a range 350 to 500 nm.

10. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising heat sinking means in thermal communication with the excitation source.

11. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the fixture is configured from the group consisting:

a hanging, a desk, a floor standing, a wall mountable, a ceiling mountable, a spot, an outdoor and an accent lighting fixture.

12. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising light sensing means to detect for the presence of ambient light and circuit means for automatically switching the lighting fixture on when the ambient light falls below a predetermined threshold.

13. The lighting fixture of claim 12, further comprising a solar power generating means for generating electrical energy to operate the excitation source.

14. A shade for a lighting fixture of a type comprising at least one excitation source operable to generate and radiate excitation radiation of a first wavelength;

the shade being located remotely to the at least one source and configured to at least in part surround the at least one source to thereby prevent at least in part direct viewing of the at least one source and wherein at least one phosphor is provided in at least a part of the shade.

15. The shade of claim 14, wherein the shade is configured such that excitation energy travels a distance of at least one centimeter from the excitation source to the shade.

16. The shade of claim 14, wherein the at least one phosphor is selected from the group consisting of:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

being incorporated within at least a part of the shade; and

a combination thereof.

17. The shade of claim 14, further comprising first and second phosphors selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

providing the first phosphor on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade and the second phosphor on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

being incorporated within the shade; and

a combination thereof.

18. The shade of claim 16, wherein the first and second phosphors comprise respective layers.

19. The shade of claim 16, wherein the first and second phosphors are provided as a mixture in at least one layer.

20. A lighting fixture comprising:

at least one light emitting diode operable to generate and radiate excitation radiation of wavelength 350 to 500 nm;

a shade located remotely to the at least one source and configured to at least in part surround the at least one light emitting diode to thereby prevent at least in part direct viewing of the at least one source;

at least one phosphor provided in at least a part of the shade, wherein the phosphor emits radiation of a different wavelength in response to incident excitation radiation; and

solar power generating means for generating electrical energy to operate the light emitting diode.

21. The lighting fixture of claim 20, wherein the shade is configured such that excitation energy travels a distance of at least one centimeter from the excitation source to the shade.

22. The lighting fixture of claim 20, further comprising light sensing means to detect for the presence of ambient light and circuit means for automatically switching the lighting system on when the ambient light falls below a predetermined threshold.

23. The lighting fixture of claim 22, further comprising a rechargeable power source for powering the lighting system when the ambient light falls below a predetermined threshold, the circuit means being further operable to recharge the rechargeable power source from the solar power generating means.

24. The lighting fixture of claim 20, wherein the at least one phosphor is selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

being incorporated within at least a part of the shade; and

a combination thereof.

25. The lighting fixture of claim 20, further comprising first and second phosphors selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

providing the first phosphor on at least a part of an inner surface of the shade and the second phosphor on at least a part of an outer surface of the shade;

being incorporated within the shade; and

a combination thereof.

26. The lighting fixture of claim 25, wherein the first and second phosphors comprise respective layers.

27. The lighting fixture of claim 25, wherein the first and second phosphors are provided as a mixture in at least one layer.

28. A lighting fixture comprising:

at least one light emitting diode operable to generate and radiate excitation radiation of wavelength 350 to 500 nm;

a shade located remotely to the at least one light emitting diode and configured to at least in part surround the at least one light emitting diode to thereby prevent at least in part direct viewing of the at least one light emitting diode;

at least one phosphor provided in at least a part of the shade, wherein the phosphor emits radiation of a different wavelength in response to incident excitation radiation; and

heat sinking means in thermal communication with the at least one light emitting diode.

29. The lighting fixture of claim 28, wherein the shade is configured such that excitation energy travels a distance of at least one centimeter from the light emitting diode to the shade.