LED LIGHT TUBE WITH DUAL SIDED LIGHT DISTRIBUTION

• US 20110235318A1
• Filed: 03/25/2011
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Altair Engineering Incorporated
• Inventors: IVEY, John, SIMON, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,057,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/217.05
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/275 Details of bases or housings, i.e. the parts between the light-generating element and the end caps; Arrangement of components within bases or housings F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/69 Details of refractors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0016 on lighting devices that also provide for direct lighting, e.g. by means of independent light sources, by splitting of the light beam, by switching between both lighting modes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like 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: H05K 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09063 Holes or slots in insulating substrate not used for electrical connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10106 Light emitting diode [LED]

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of LED-based lights for use in fluorescent fixtures that emanate light in a plurality of directions. One embodiment disclosed herein of an LED light for use in a fluorescent light fixture comprises a housing and a circuit board having a first surface configured to face an illumination area, the circuit board mounted in the housing and defining a plane conceptually dividing the housing into a first portion and a second portion. At least one LED is mounted on the first surface of the circuit board and is configured to emanate light in a first direction. Light distribution means is configured to distribute a portion of the light emanated in the first direction to at least a second direction different than the first direction.

Claims

1. An LED light for use in a fluorescent light fixture comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board having a first surface configured to face an illumination area, the circuit board mounted in the housing and defining a plane conceptually dividing the housing into a first portion and a second portion;

at least one LED mounted on the first surface of the circuit board and configured to emanate light in a first direction; and

light distribution means configured to distribute a portion of the light emanated in the first direction to at least a second direction different than the first direction.

2. The LED light of claim 1, wherein the light distribution means comprises:

the first portion of the housing facing the first surface of the circuit board configured to deflect the portion of the light to the at least second direction; and

apertures in the circuit board configured to pass the portion of the light in the at least second direction through the circuit board.

3. The LED light of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the housing comprises at least one deflecting area configured to direct the portion of the light through the apertures.

4. The LED light of claim 3, wherein the at least one deflecting area is a reflector.

5. The LED light of claim 2, wherein the apertures are located inboard from longitudinal edges of the circuit board.

6. The LED light of claim 2, wherein the apertures are located along a center of the circuit board.

7. The LED light of claim 2, wherein the apertures are cut outs along longitudinal edges of the circuit board.

8. The LED light of claim 1, wherein the light distribution means comprises:

apertures along longitudinal edges of the circuit board; and

a light pipe forming the second portion of the housing, the light pipe having light inlets corresponding to the apertures to receive light reflected from the first portion of the housing.

9. The LED light of claim 2, wherein the light distribution means further comprises:

a light pipe forming the second portion of the housing, the light pipe having light inlets, wherein each aperture is located to correspond to a respective light inlet to receive light reflected from the first portion of the housing.

10. The LED light of claim 1, wherein the light distribution means comprises:

at least one LED mounted on a second surface of the circuit board and configured to emanate light in at least the second direction.

11. The LED light of claim 10, wherein the at least one LED mounted on the first side of the circuit board is a first plurality of LEDs and the at least one LED mounted on the second side of the circuit board is a second plurality of LEDs, the second plurality being less than the first plurality.

12. An LED light for use in a fluorescent light fixture comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board having a first surface configured to face an illumination area, the circuit board mounted in the housing and defining a plane conceptually dividing the housing into a first portion and a second portion;

a plurality of LEDs mounted on the first surface of the circuit board and configured to emanate light in a first direction through the first portion of the housing; and

apertures in the circuit board configured to pass light reflected by the first portion of the housing in at least a second direction through the second portion of the housing.

13. The LED light of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the housing comprises at least one diffusion/refraction area configured to direct a portion of the light through the apertures.

14. The LED light of claim 12, wherein the apertures are located inboard from longitudinal edges of the circuit board.

15. The LED light of claim 12, wherein each aperture is located between respective LEDs.

16. The LED light of claim 12, wherein the apertures are cut outs along longitudinal edges of the circuit board.

17. The LED light of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the housing is a light pipe having light inlets corresponding to the apertures to receive light reflected from the first portion of the housing.

18. An LED light for use in a fluorescent light fixture comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board having a first surface configured to face an illumination area and an opposing second surface;

a first plurality of LEDs mounted on the first surface of the circuit board and configured to emanate light in a first direction through the first portion of the housing; and

a second plurality of LEDs mounted on the second surface of the circuit board and configured to emanate light in a second direction through the second portion of the housing.

19. The LED light of claim 18, wherein the second plurality of LEDs is less than the first plurality of LEDs.

20. A method of distributing light in more than one direction from an LED light for use in a fluorescent light fixture having a reflector comprising:

emanating light in a first direction from at least one LED positioned on a circuit board facing an illumination area;

deflecting a portion of the light emanated in the first direction in a second direction with a portion of a housing;

passing the portion of the light emanated in the second direction through apertures in the circuit board; and

reflecting light back toward the illumination area with the reflector.