Illumination Device with Light Emitting Diodes and Moveable Light Adjustment Member

• US 20090103293A1
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SBC Xicato Corporation
• Original Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
• Inventors: Harbers, Gerard, Pugh, Mark A., Tseng, Peter K., de Roos, Menne T., Yriberri, John S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,984,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/62 using mixing chambers, e.g. housings with reflective walls
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• 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 10/007 using rotating transparent or colored disks, e.g. gobo wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• 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 14/08 by movement of the screens or filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/002 using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/26 the material comprising photoluminescent substances
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/30 the coatings comprising photoluminescent substances
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/06 for filtering out ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/45 by adjustment of photoluminescent elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/33 : annular
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A light emitting device is produced using one or more light emitting diodes within a light mixing cavity formed by surrounding sidewalls. The light emitting device includes a light adjustment member that is movable to alter the shape or color of the light produced by the light emitting device. For example, the light adjustment member may alter the exposure of the wavelength converting area to the light emitted that is emitted by the light emitting diode in the light mixing cavity. Alternatively, the height of a lens may be adjusted to change the width of the beam produced. Alternatively, a movable substrate with areas of different wavelength converting materials may adjustably cover the output port of the light mixing cavity to alter the color point of the light produced.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode illumination device comprising:

a board;

at least one light emitting diode mounted on the board;

at least one reflective sidewall coupled to the board and configured to surround the at least one light emitting diode, the at least one reflective sidewall defines a light mixing cavity;

a first type of wavelength converting material covering a first wavelength converting area of the light mixing cavity that is exposed to light produced by the at least one light emitting diode;

a movable color adjustment member positioned to alter the exposure of the first wavelength converting area to the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode; and

an output port through which light within the light mixing cavity is transmitted.

2. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises at least one packaged light emitting diode.

3. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the movable color adjustment member includes the first type of wavelength converting material.

4. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength converting area is on the movable color adjustment member, the light emitting diode illumination device further comprising a second type of wavelength converting material covering a second wavelength converting area on the movable color adjustment member, the second wavelength converting area being different than the first wavelength converting area and wherein the movable color adjustment member is rotatable relative to the at least one light emitting diode.

5. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 4, wherein the movable color adjustment member is positioned in the center of the light mixing cavity and extends from the board towards the window.

6. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 5, wherein the movable color adjustment member has one of a conical and a dome shape.

7. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 4, wherein the movable color adjustment member is positioned around a perimeter of the light mixing cavity.

8. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 7, wherein the movable color adjustment member includes the at least one reflective sidewall.

9. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the movable color adjustment member includes the at least one reflective sidewall that is movable vertically with respect to the at least one light emitting diode.

10. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the movable color adjustment member comprises the board and the at least one light emitting diode mounted on the board being movable with respect to the at least one reflective sidewall.

11. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the movable color adjustment member is a rod member having a length that extends into the light mixing cavity, the rod member includes the first type of wavelength converting material, wherein the length of the rod member that extends into the light mixing cavity is adjustable.

12. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 11, wherein the rod member includes an end, wherein the first type of wavelength converting material is at the end.

13. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 11, wherein the rod member includes threads wherein the length of the rod member that extends into the light mixing cavity is adjustable by screwing the rod member into or out of the light mixing cavity.

14. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the movable color adjustment member is a rod member that extends into the light mixing cavity, the rod member includes the first type of wavelength converting material, wherein the shape of the rod member inside the light mixing cavity is adjustable.

15. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 14, wherein the rod member includes a flexible portion configured to expand and constrict a diameter of the rod member to adjust the surface area that is exposed to the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode.

16. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the movable color adjustment member is manually adjustable.

17. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator coupled to the movable color adjustment member, wherein the actuator adjusts the movable color adjustment member.

18. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the movable color adjustment member comprises a movable translucent window, the movable translucent window configured to be positioned at different heights from the at least one light emitting diode, wherein the first type of wavelength converting material is on the at least one reflective sidewall and the first wavelength converting area of the light mixing cavity is adjustable by altering the height of the movable translucent window.

19. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 18, wherein the movable translucent window includes a second type of wavelength converting material.

20. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, further comprising a window that covers the output port.

21. A light emitting diode illumination device comprising:

a board;

at least one light emitting diode mounted on the board;

at least one reflective sidewall configured to surround the at least one light emitting diode, the board and the at least one reflective sidewall define a light mixing cavity, wherein light exits the light mixing cavity through an output port that is opposite the board;

at least one type of wavelength converting material covering a first wavelength converting area of the light mixing cavity that is exposed to light produced by the at least one light emitting diode; and

a movable light adjustment member positioned to receive light from the light mixing cavity, wherein movement of the movable light adjustment member alters the light that exits the light mixing cavity.

22. The light emitting diode device of claim 21, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises at least one packaged light emitting diode.

23. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 21, wherein the movable light adjustment member is a lens configured to be positioned at different heights from the at least one light emitting diode.

24. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 23, wherein the lens is coupled to a screw element that extends through the light mixing cavity, the lens is configured to be positioned at different heights by screwing the screw element into or out of the light mixing cavity.

25. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 23, wherein positioning the lens at different heights produces beams of light with different widths.

26. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 21, wherein the movable light adjustment member is a movable translucent window with a second type of wavelength converting material, wherein the first type of wavelength converting material is on the at least one reflective sidewall and the first wavelength converting area of the light mixing cavity is adjustable by altering the height of the movable translucent window.

27. An light emitting diode illumination device comprising:

a board;

at least one light emitting diode mounted on the board;

at least one reflective sidewall coupled to the board and configured to surround the at least one light emitting diode, the at least one reflective sidewall defines a light mixing cavity;

an output port through which light within the light mixing cavity is transmitted; and

a color selection plate movably coupled to the reflective sidewall and covering the output port, the color selection plate comprising a substrate having a plurality of areas with different wavelength converting material compositions, wherein the color selection plate is movable to align a selected one of the plurality of areas with the output port to change the color of the light transmitted through the output port.

28. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 27, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises at least one packaged light emitting diode.

29. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 27, wherein the color selection plate rotates about an axis to position the selected one of the plurality of areas over the output port.

30. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 27, wherein the color selection plate slides to position the selected one of the plurality of areas over the output port.

31. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 27, wherein the plurality of areas are separated.

32. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 27, wherein the plurality of areas are continuously connected.

33. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 27, wherein the color selection plate is thermally coupled to a heat sink.

34. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 27, wherein different wavelength converting material compositions comprises different concentrations of a wavelength converting material, different densities of wavelength converting material and different wavelength converting materials.