LIGHT SOURCE HAVING A REFRACTIVE ELEMENT

• US 20100301728A1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridgelux Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bridgelux Incorporated
• Inventors: Posselt, Jason, Helbing, Rene, Scott, Keith
• Application Number:
  US12/766,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20100301728A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/46
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• 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: F21V 29/677 the fans being used for discharging
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/17 forming a single encapsulated light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/50 Wavelength conversion elements

Abstract

A light emitting apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of solid state light emitting cells having a planar arrangement on the substrate, and a refractive element arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that light emitted from the light source has a substantially spherical emission pattern. The refractive element may also be arranged with the solid state light emitting cells to mix the emitted light.

Claims

1. A light source, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of solid state light emitting cells having a planar arrangement on the substrate; and

a refractive element arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that light emitted from the light source has a substantially spherical emission pattern.

2. The light source of claim 1 further comprising phosphor arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that the light emitted from the light source is white light.

3. The light source of claim 1 wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells includes a phosphor layer.

4. The light source of claim 1 further comprising a boundary on the substrate, wherein the solid state light emitting cells is arranged within the interior of the boundary, the light source further comprising phosphor deposited within the interior of the boundary.

5. The light source of claim 1 wherein the solid state light emitting cells comprises first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells, wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells in the first set includes a phosphor layer and each of the solid state light emitting cells in the second set does not include a phosphor layer.

6. The light source of claim 5 wherein the refractive element is arranged with the solid state light emitting cells to mix the light emitted from the first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells.

7. The light source of claim 5 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the first set comprises a blue LED and each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises an LED having that emits a longer wavelength than the blue LEDs.

8. The light source of claim 7 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises a red, red-orange, orange or amber LED.

9. The light source of claim 1 wherein the refractive element comprises a surface facing the solid state light emitting cells and a phosphor layer on the surface.

10. The light source of claim 1 wherein the refractive element comprises a diffusion coated surface facing the solid state light emitting cells.

11. The light source of claim 1 wherein the refractive element is attached to the substrate.

12. The light source of claim 1 wherein the refractive element has a refractive index different from air.

13. The light source of claim 1 wherein the refractive element has a partially spherical shape positioned over the solid state light emitting cells.

14. The light source of claim 13 wherein the partially spherical shape of the refractive element is greater than a hemisphere but less than a full sphere.

15. A light source, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of solid state light emitting cells arranged on the substrate to emit light in substantially the same direction; and

a refractive element arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that the light is emitted from the light source with a substantially spherical emission pattern.

16. The light source of claim 15 further comprising phosphor arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that the light emitted from the light source is white light.

17. The light source of claim 15 wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells includes a phosphor layer.

18. The light source of claim 15 further comprising a boundary on the substrate, wherein the solid state light emitting cells is arranged within the interior of the boundary, the light source further comprising phosphor deposited within the interior of the boundary.

19. The light source of claim 15 wherein the solid state light emitting cells comprises first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells, wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells in the first set includes a phosphor layer and each of the solid state light emitting cells in the second set does not include a phosphor layer.

20. The light source of claim 19 wherein the refractive element is arranged with the solid state light emitting cells to mix the light emitted from the first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells.

21. The light source of claim 19 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the first set comprises a blue LED and each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises an LED having that emits a longer wavelength than the blue LEDs.

22. The light source of claim 21 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises a red, red-orange, orange or amber LED.

23. The light source of claim 15 wherein the refractive element comprises a surface facing the solid state light emitting cells and a phosphor layer on the surface.

24. The light source of claim 15 wherein the refractive element comprises a diffusion coated surface facing the solid state light emitting cells.

25. The light source of claim 15 wherein the refractive element is attached to the substrate.

26. The light source of claim 15 wherein the refractive element has a refractive index different from air.

27. The light source of claim 15 wherein the refractive element has a partially spherical shape positioned over the solid state light emitting cells.

28. The light source of claim 27 wherein the partially spherical shape of the refractive element is greater than a hemisphere but less than a full sphere.

29. A light source, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of solid state light emitting cells having a planar arrangement on the substrate; and

a refractive element positioned over the solid state light emitting cells so that light emitted from the light source has a substantially spherical emission pattern.

30. The light source of claim 29 further comprising phosphor arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that the light emitted from the light source is white light.

31. The light source of claim 29 wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells includes a phosphor layer.

32. The light source of claim 29 further comprising a boundary on the substrate, wherein the solid state light emitting cells is arranged within the interior of the boundary, the light source further comprising phosphor deposited within the interior of the boundary.

33. The light source of claim 29 wherein the solid state light emitting cells comprises first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells, wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells in the first set includes a phosphor layer and each of the solid state light emitting cells in the second set does not include a phosphor layer.

34. The light source of claim 33 wherein the refractive element is arranged with the solid state light emitting cells to mix the light emitted from the first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells.

35. The light source of claim 33 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the first set comprises a blue LED and each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises an LED having that emits a longer wavelength than the blue LEDs.

36. The light source of claim 35 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises a red, red-orange, orange or amber LED.

37. The light source of claim 29 wherein the refractive element comprises a surface facing the solid state light emitting cells and a phosphor layer on the surface.

38. The light source of claim 29 wherein the refractive element comprises a diffusion coated surface facing the solid state light emitting cells.

39. The light source of claim 29 wherein the refractive element is attached to the substrate.

40. The light source of claim 29 wherein the refractive element has a refractive index different from air.

41. The light source of claim 29 wherein the refractive element has a partially spherical shape positioned over the solid state light emitting cells.

42. The light source of claim 41 wherein the partially spherical shape of the refractive element is greater than a hemisphere but less than a full sphere.

43. A light source, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of solid state light emitting cells having a planar arrangement on the substrate; and

means for refracting light emitted from the solid state light emitting cells so that the light is emitted from the light source with a substantially spherical emission pattern.

44. The light source of claim 43 further comprising phosphor arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that the light emitted from the light source is white light.

45. The light source of claim 43 wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells includes a phosphor layer.

46. The light source of claim 43 further comprising a boundary on the substrate, wherein the solid state light emitting cells is arranged within the interior of the boundary, the light source further comprising phosphor deposited within the interior of the boundary.

47. The light source of claim 43 wherein the solid state light emitting cells comprises first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells, wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells in the first set includes a phosphor layer and each of the solid state light emitting cells in the second set does not include a phosphor layer.

48. The light source of claim 47 wherein the means for refracting light comprises a refractive element arranged with the solid state light emitting cells to mix the light emitted from the first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells.

49. The light source of claim 47 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the first set comprises a blue LED and each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises an LED having that emits a longer wavelength than the blue LEDs.

50. The light source of claim 49 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises a red, red-orange, orange or amber LED.

51. The light source of claim 43 wherein the means for refracting light comprises a refractive element having a surface facing the solid state light emitting cells and a phosphor layer on the surface.

52. The light source of claim 43 wherein the means for refracting light comprises a refractive element having a diffusion coated surface facing the solid state light emitting cells.

53. The light source of claim 43 wherein the means for refracting light is attached to the substrate.

54. The light source of claim 43 wherein the means for refracting light has a refractive index different from air.

55. The light source of claim 43 wherein the means for refracting light comprises a refractive element having a partially spherical shape positioned over the solid state light emitting cells.

56. The light source of claim 55 wherein the partially spherical shape of the refractive element is greater than a hemisphere but less than a full sphere.

57. A light source, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of solid state light emitting cells on the substrate;

the solid state light emitting cells comprising first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells, wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells in the first set includes a phosphor layer and each of the solid state light emitting cells in the second set does not include a phosphor layer; and

a refractive element arranged with the solid state light emitting cells to mix the light emitted from the first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells.

58. The light source of claim 57 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the first set comprises a blue LED and each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises an LED having that emits a longer wavelength than the blue LEDs.

59. The light source of claim 58 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises a red, red-orange, orange or amber LED.

60. The light source of claim 58 wherein the refractive element is arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that light emitted from the light source has a substantially spherical emission pattern.

61. The light source of claim 58 further comprising a boundary on the substrate, wherein the solid state light emitting cells is arranged within the interior of the boundary, the light source further comprising phosphor deposited within the interior of the boundary.

62. The light source of claim 58 wherein the refractive element comprises a surface facing the solid state light emitting cells and a phosphor layer on the surface.

63. The light source of claim 58 wherein the refractive element comprises a diffusion coated surface facing the solid state light emitting cells.

64. The light source of claim 58 wherein the refractive element is attached to the substrate.

65. The light source of claim 58 wherein the refractive element has a refractive index different from air.

66. The light source of claim 58 wherein the refractive element has a partially spherical shape positioned over the solid state light emitting cells.

67. The light source of claim 66 wherein the partially spherical shape of the refractive element is greater than a hemisphere but less than a full sphere.

68. A lamp, comprising:

a housing having a base and a transparent bulb portion mounted to the base; and

a light source within the housing, the light source comprising;

a substrate;

a plurality of solid state light emitting cells having a planar arrangement on the substrate; and

a refractive element arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that light emitted from the light source has a substantially spherical emission pattern.

69. The lamp of claim 68 further comprising phosphor arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that the light emitted from the transparent bulb portion is white light.

70. The lamp of claim 68 wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells includes a phosphor layer.

71. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the light source further comprises a boundary on the substrate, wherein the solid state light emitting cells is arranged within the interior of the boundary, the light source further comprising phosphor deposited within the interior of the boundary.

72. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the solid state light emitting cells comprises first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells, wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells in the first set includes a phosphor layer and each of the solid state light emitting cells in the second set does not include a phosphor layer.

73. The lamp of claim 72 wherein the refractive element is arranged with the solid state light emitting cells to mix the light emitted from the first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells.

74. The lamp of claim 72 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the first set comprises a blue LED and each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises an LED having that emits a longer wavelength than the blue LEDs.

75. The lamp of claim 74 wherein each of the light emitting cells in the second set comprises a red, red-orange, orange or amber LED.

76. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the refractive element comprises a surface facing the solid state light emitting cells and a phosphor layer on the surface.

77. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the refractive element comprises a diffusion coated surface facing the solid state light emitting cells.

78. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the refractive element is attached to the substrate.

79. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the refractive element has a refractive index different from air.

80. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the refractive element has a partially spherical shape positioned over the solid state light emitting cells.

81. The lamp of claim 80 wherein the partially spherical shape of the refractive element is greater than a hemisphere but less than a full sphere.

82. The lamp of claim 68 further comprising a fan arranged within the housing to cool the solid state light emitting cells.

83. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the base is configured to electrically and mechanically mate with a lamp socket.

84. The lamp of claim 68 wherein the base comprises electrical contacts coupled to the solid state light emitting cells.

85. The lamp of claim 84 wherein the base comprises a cap configured to mechanically mate with the lamp socket, the cap comprising one of the electrical contacts.

86. The lamp of claim 85 wherein the base further comprises a tip having another one of the electrical contacts.

87. The lamp of claim 85 wherein the cap comprises a screw cap.

88. A lamp, comprising:

a housing having a base and a transparent bulb portion mounted to the base;

a light source within the housing, the light source comprising a plurality of solid state light emitting cells and a refractive element arranged with the solid state light emitting cells so that light emitted from the light source has a substantially spherical emission pattern; and

means for cooling the light source.

89. The lamp of claim 88 wherein the means for cooling the light source comprises a fan arranged within the housing to cool the solid state light emitting cells.

90. The lamp of claim 89 wherein the fan comprises an electronic fan.

91. The lamp of claim 88 wherein the means for cooling the light source comprises one or more heat pipes supporting the light source.

92. The lamp of claim 91 wherein the means for cooling the light source further comprises a plurality of spaced apart thermally conductive plates in the base, wherein the one or more heat pipes are arranged with the plates to dissipate heat generated by the solid state light emitting cells.

93. The lamp of claim 91 wherein the means for cooling the light source further comprises a plurality of spaced apart thermally conductive plates in the base, wherein the one or more heat pipes extend through the plates.

94. The lamp of claim 91 wherein the means for cooling the light source further comprises one or more vents in the base, wherein the one or more heat pipes are arranged with the vents to dissipate heat generated by the one or more solid state light emitting cells.

95. The lamp of claim 88 wherein the light source further comprises a substrate, the solid state light emitting cells having a planar arrangement on the substrate.

96. The lamp of claim 88 wherein the light source further comprises a substrate, the solid state light emitting cells being arranged on the substrate to emit light in substantially the same direction.

97. The lamp of claim 88 wherein the light source further comprises a substrate, the solid state light emitting cells having a planar arrangement on the substrate, and wherein the refractive element is positioned over the solid state light emitting cells.

98. The lamp of claim 88 wherein the light source further comprises a substrate, the solid state light emitting being arranged on the substrate, and wherein the solid state light emitting cells comprises first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells, and wherein each of the solid state light emitting cells in the first set includes a phosphor layer and each of the solid state light emitting cells in the second set does not include a phosphor layer;

and wherein the refractive element is arranged with the solid state light emitting cells to mix the light emitted from the first and second sets of solid state light emitting cells.