SOLID STATE LIGHTING DEVICES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

• US 20090160363A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cree Lighting Company (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Byrd, Kenneth R., Van De Ven, Antony Paul, Negley, Gerald H., Harris, Michael, Myers, Peter J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,866,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/294
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback

Abstract

Lighting devices comprising first, second and third strings of solid state lighting devices. One aspect further comprises means for supplying first fixed current through the first string, means for supplying second fixed current through the second string, and means for supplying current through the third string. In a second aspect, the first and second strings emit light within a specific area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram, and the third string emits light of dominant wavelength 600-640 nm. A third aspect further comprises a power line and a power supply configured to supply a first and second fixed currents through the first and second strings, respectively, and supply a current to the third string. A method of making a lighting device, comprising measuring color output, adjusting current to first, second and/or third strings, and permanently setting currents to the first and second strings.

Claims

1. A lighting device, comprising:

at least a first string of solid state lighting devices, a second string of solid state lighting devices and a third string of solid state lighting devices;

at least a first power line;

means for supplying a first fixed current through said first string of solid state lighting devices when line voltage is supplied to said power line;

means for supplying a second fixed current through said second string of solid state lighting devices when line voltage is supplied to said power line; and

means for supplying through the third string of solid state lighting devices a third string current.

2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said means for supplying a first fixed current comprises a means for supplying a first fixed current which is based on;

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string, and

a target zone for a hue of light output from said lighting device;

said means for supplying a second fixed current comprises a means for supplying a second fixed current which is based on;

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string, and

a target zone for a hue of light output from said lighting device; and

said means for supplying a third current comprises a means for supplying a third current which is based on;

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string, and

a target zone for a hue of light output from said lighting device.

3. A lighting device as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for supplying a first fixed current comprises a means for supplying a first fixed current which is further based on a target zone for lumen output from said lighting device, said means for supplying a second fixed current comprises a means for supplying a second fixed current which is further based on a target zone for lumen output from said lighting device, and said means for supplying a third current comprises a means for supplying a third current which is further based on a target zone for lumen output from said lighting device.

4. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said first string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said first string, emits light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38,

said second string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said second string, emits light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and

said third string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said third string, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 640 nm.

5. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

if power is supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices, hues of light emitted by each solid state lighting device on said first string fall within a first color bin;

if power is supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices, hues of light emitted by each solid state lighting device on said second string fall within a second color bin; and

said first color bin is different from said second color bin.

6. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if current is supplied to said first power line, a color of light exiting said lighting device has x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

7. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said third string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said third string, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 640 nm; and

if current is supplied to said first power line, a color of light exiting said lighting device has x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

8. A lighting device, comprising:

at least a first string of solid state lighting devices, a second string of solid state lighting devices and a third string of solid state lighting devices,

said first string of solid state lighting devices comprising at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said first string, emits light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38,

said second string of solid state lighting devices comprising at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said second string, emits light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38,

said third string of solid state lighting devices comprising at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said third string, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 640 nm.

9. A lighting device as recited in claim 8, wherein:

if power is supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices, hues of light emitted by each solid state lighting device on said first string fall within a first color bin;

if power is supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices, hues of light emitted by each solid state lighting device on said second string fall within a second color bin; and

said first color bin is different from said second color bin.

10. A lighting device as recited in claim 8, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises a power line and circuitry wherein;

if any line voltage is supplied to said power line, a first current would pass through each solid state lighting device in said first string of solid state lighting devices.

11. A lighting device as recited in claim 8, wherein said lighting device further comprises:

a sensor which senses an intensity of a mixture of light emitted by said first string of solid state lighting devices and light emitted by said second string of solid state lighting devices; and

circuitry which adjusts a current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices in response to said intensity of a mixture of light emitted by said first string of solid state lighting devices and light emitted by said second string of solid state lighting devices.

12. A lighting device as recited in claim 8, wherein said lighting device further comprises a power line, and if current is supplied to said power line, a color of light exiting said lighting device has x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

13. A method of making a lighting device, said method comprising:

measuring a first color output of a lighting device while supplying a first string initial current to a first string of solid state lighting devices, a second string initial current to a second string of solid state lighting devices and a third string initial current to a third string of solid state lighting devices,

said lighting device comprising at least said first string of solid state lighting devices, said second string of solid state lighting devices, said third string of solid state lighting devices and a power line,

adjusting the current supplied to at least one of said first string of solid state lighting devices, said second string of solid state lighting devices and said third string of solid state lighting devices such that a first string final current is supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices, a second string final current is supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices and a third string final current is supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices;

permanently setting said first string of solid state lighting devices, such that if any line voltage is supplied to said power line, said first string final current will be supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices;

permanently setting said second string of solid state lighting devices, such that if any line voltage is supplied to said power line, said second string final current will be supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

said first string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said first string, emits light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38,

said second string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said second string, emits light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38,

said third string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said third string, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 640 nm.

15. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein after said adjusting the current supplied to at least one of said first string of solid state lighting devices, said second string of solid state lighting devices and said third string of solid state lighting devices, a color of a mixture of light emitted by said lighting device corresponds to a point on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram having u′

, v′

coordinates in which said u′

coordinate is within a predetermined u′

coordinate range and said v′

coordinate is within a predetermined v′

coordinate range.

16. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said method further comprises supplying current to said first string of solid state lighting devices, said second string of solid state lighting devices and said third string of solid state lighting devices for at least a period of time which is sufficient that any additional changes in temperature caused by continued operation of the lighting device does not result in a difference in color output that would be perceivable by a person with average eyesight.

17. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said adjusting the current supplied to at least one of said first string of solid state lighting devices, said second string of solid state lighting devices and said third string of solid state lighting devices comprises:

adjusting the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices to a third string adjusted current;

then measuring a second color output of said lighting device while supplying said first string initial current to said first string of solid state lighting devices, said second string initial current to said second string of solid state lighting devices and said third string adjusted current to said third string of solid state lighting devices,

then increasing the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices to a first string adjusted current and decreasing the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices to a second string adjusted current.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein:

after said adjusting the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices to a third string adjusted current, a color of a mixture of light emitted by said lighting device corresponds to a point on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram having u′

, v′

coordinates in which said u′

coordinate is within a predetermined u′

coordinate range, and

after said increasing the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices to a first string adjusted current and decreasing the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices to a second string adjusted current, a color of a mixture of light emitted by said lighting device corresponds to a point on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram having u′

, v′

coordinates in which said v′

coordinate is within a predetermined v′

coordinate range.

19. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said method further comprises:

measuring lumen output by said lighting device after said adjusting the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices to a third string adjusted current; and

proportionately adjusting the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices, the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices and the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices after said adjusting the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices to a third string adjusted current.

20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said method further comprises:

measuring lumen output by said lighting device after said increasing the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices to a first string adjusted current and decreasing the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices to a second string adjusted current; and

proportionately adjusting the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices, the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices and the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices after said increasing the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices to a first string adjusted current and decreasing the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices to a second string adjusted current.

21. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said adjusting the current supplied to at least one of said first string of solid state lighting devices, said second string of solid state lighting devices and said third string of solid state lighting devices comprises:

adjusting the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices to a third string adjusted current;

then measuring a second color output of said lighting device while supplying said first string initial current to said first string of solid state lighting devices, said second string initial current to said second string of solid state lighting devices and said third string adjusted current to said third string of solid state lighting devices,

then adjusting the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices to a first string adjusted current and/or adjusting the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices to a second string adjusted current.

22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein:

after said adjusting the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices to a third string adjusted current, a color of a mixture of light emitted by said lighting device corresponds to a point on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram having u′

, v′

coordinates in which said u′

coordinate is within a predetermined u′

coordinate range, and

after said adjusting the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices to a first string adjusted current and/or adjusting the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices to a second string adjusted current, a color of a mixture of light emitted by said lighting device corresponds to a point on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram having u′

, v′

coordinates in which said v′

coordinate is within a predetermined v′

coordinate range.

23. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said method further comprises:

measuring lumen output by said lighting device after said adjusting the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices to a third string adjusted current; and

proportionately adjusting the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices, the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices and the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices after said adjusting the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices to a third string adjusted current.

24. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said method further comprises:

measuring lumen output by said lighting device after said adjusting the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices to a first string adjusted current and/or adjusting the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices to a second string adjusted current; and

proportionately adjusting the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices, the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices and the current supplied to said third string of solid state lighting devices after said adjusting the current supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices to a first string adjusted current and/or adjusting the current supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices to a second string adjusted current.

25. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein after permanently setting said first string of solid state lighting devices and said second string of solid state lighting devices, if current is supplied to a power line of said lighting device, a color of light exiting said lighting device will have x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

26. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said method further comprises setting the third string final current relative to the intensity of a mixture of light emitted by at least the first string of solid state lighting devices and the second string of solid state lighting devices.

27. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said method further comprises setting the third string final current relative to the intensity of a mixture of light emitted by all solid state lighting devices in the lighting device which emit BSY light.

28. A lighting device, comprising:

at least a first string of solid state lighting devices, a second string of solid state lighting devices and a third string of solid state lighting devices;

a power line; and

a power supply, said power supply being configured to;

(1) supply a first fixed current through said first string of solid state lighting devices when line voltage is supplied to said power line;

(2) supply a second fixed current through said second string of solid state lighting devices when said line voltage is supplied to said power line; and

(3) supply a third current through said third string of solid state lighting devices.

29. A lighting device as recited in claim 28, wherein:

said power supply is configured to;

(1) supply a first fixed current which is based on;

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string, and

a target zone for a hue of light output from said lighting device;

(2) supply a second fixed current which is based on;

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string, and

a target zone for a hue of light output from said lighting device; and

(3) supply a third current which is based on;

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a hue of light output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said first string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said second string,

a lumen output from said solid state lighting devices in said third string, and

a target zone for a hue of light output from said lighting device.

30. A lighting device as recited in claim 29, wherein said power supply is configured to:

supply a first fixed current which is further based on a target zone for lumen output from said lighting device,

supply a second fixed current which is further based on a target zone for lumen output from said lighting device, and

supply a third current which is further based on a target zone for lumen output from said lighting device.

31. A lighting device as recited in claim 28, wherein:

said first string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said first string, emits light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38,

said second string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said second string, emits light having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38, and

said third string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said third string, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 640 nm.

32. A lighting device as recited in claim 28, wherein:

if power is supplied to said first string of solid state lighting devices, hues of light emitted by each solid state lighting device on said first string fall within a first color bin;

if power is supplied to said second string of solid state lighting devices, hues of light emitted by each solid state lighting device on said second string fall within a second color bin; and

said first color bin is different from said second color bin.

33. A lighting device as recited in claim 28, wherein if current is supplied to said first power line, a color of light exiting said lighting device has x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

34. A lighting device as recited in claim 28, wherein:

said third string of solid state lighting devices comprises at least one solid state lighting device which, if power is supplied to said third string, emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 640 nm; and

if current is supplied to said first power line, a color of light exiting said lighting device has x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within 10 MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.