Solid State Lamp Using Modular Light Emitting Elements

• US 20110163681A1
• Filed: 02/22/2011
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Original Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Inventors: Lerman, George, Teng, Jacqueline, Lerman, Louis, Steele, Robert, York, Allan Brent, Dau, Wilson
• Granted Patent: US 8,410,726 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/191
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• 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 9/235 Details of bases or caps, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within bases or caps F21K9/238 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/003 Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/005 for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/506 of globes, bowls or cover glasses
• 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 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• 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: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A solid state lamp, such as one that can replace an incandescent light bulb, has a base portion having an electrical connector for connection to a source of power, such as an Edison-type connector for connection to the mains voltage. An AC/DC converter in the base converts the mains voltage to a suitable light emitting diode (LED) drive voltage. A plurality of receptacles on the base connects to electrodes of plug-in modules. Each plug-in module supports a plurality of low power LEDs connected in series. The strings of LEDs on different modules are connected in parallel when connected to the receptacles. The modules and base are configured to allow a user to operate the lamp with different combinations of modules to generate a desired light output from the lamp. For example, the user can recreate the lumens equivalent of a 20 W, 40 W, or 60 W bulb by using one, two, or three modules.

Claims

1. A solid state lamp comprising:

a base portion having an electrical connector for connection to a source of power;

a plurality of receptacles on the base for receiving a plurality of modules containing light emitting diodes (LEDs) and providing drive current to the LEDs; and

a plurality of modules, each module having electrical connectors for connection to associated receptacles on the base, the receptacles supporting the modules when the modules are electrically connected to the receptacles,

wherein the modules and base are configured to allow a user to select a number of modules to connect to the base and to operate the lamp with different combinations of modules to generate a desired light output from the lamp.

2. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the modules contain LEDs connected in series.

3. The lamp of claim 2 wherein the LEDs in different modules are connected in parallel when electrically connected to the receptacles.

4. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module comprises a strip of LEDs, connected in series, mounted on a support structure.

5. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module comprises two surfaces, wherein light is emitted from both surfaces.

6. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module is a flat plane on which the LEDs are mounted.

7. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module comprises LEDs arranged along an arc.

8. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module is wedge shaped and emits light in an arc.

9. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module is identical.

10. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the modules comprise cylinders having different diameters so that the modules can be concentrically mounted on the base when connected to their associated receptacles, wherein at least an outer module passes light from an inner module.

11. The lamp of claim 1 wherein light is emitted 360 degrees around the lamp by two or more modules.

12. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module contains bare LEDs encapsulated by substrates.

13. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module contains at least 10 LEDs connected in series.

14. The lamp of claim 1 wherein there are at least three sets of receptacles on the base for supporting at least three modules.

15. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the electrical connector is an Edison-type screw-in connector.

16. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the modules have electrodes that plug into associated receptacles.

17. The lamp of claim 1 wherein each module comprises a strip of LEDs, wherein each strip comprises:

a first substrate having first conductors;

a second substrate having second conductors; and

bare, unpackaged LED dies sandwiched between the first substrate and second substrate, wherein the first conductors and the second conductors connect dies on each strip in series.

18. The lamp of claim 1 further comprising a wavelength conversion material over the LEDs for generating white light.

19. The lamp of claim 1 further comprising an AC/DC power converter in the base.

20. A method of controlling light output from a solid state lamp, the lamp comprising a base portion having an electrical connector for connection to a source of power, and a plurality of receptacles on the base for receiving a plurality of modules containing light emitting diodes (LEDs) and providing drive current to the LEDs, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of modules, each module having electrical connectors for connection to associated receptacles on the base, the receptacles supporting the modules when the modules are electrically connected to the receptacles; and

plugging in any of a plurality of combinations of modules into the receptacles to generate a desired light output from the lamp.