MULTIPLE CONFIGURATION LIGHT EMITTING DEVICES AND METHODS

• US 20120086024A1
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Published: 04/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creeled Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Andrews, Peter S., Rosado, Raymond, Laughner, Michael P., Emerson, David T., Britt, Jeffrey C
• Granted Patent: US 9,627,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• 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 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01322 Eutectic Alloys, i.e. obtained by a liquid transforming into two solid phases
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19107 off-chip wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/58 Optical field-shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/62 Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the semiconductor body, e.g. lead-frames, wire-bonds or solder balls

Abstract

Multiple configuration light emitting diode (LED) devices and methods are disclosed wherein LEDs within the device can be selectively configured for use in higher voltage, or variable voltage, applications. Variable arrangements of LEDs can be configured. Arrangements can include one or more LEDs connected in series, parallel, and/or a combination thereof. A surface over which one or more LEDs may be mounted can comprise one or more electrically and/or thermally isolated portions.

Claims

1. A multi-configurable light emitting diode (LED) device comprising:

a mounting pad comprising at least first and second electrical elements, and at least first and second portions that are separated from the first and second electrical elements, the first portion electrically isolated from the second portion; and

at least a first LED and a second LED arranged over the mounting pad, wherein the first LED is arranged over the first portion and the second LED is arranged over the second portion, the first and second LEDs being selectively configurable to be electrically connected in series or in parallel.

2. The LED device according to claim 1, further comprising a submount.

3. The LED device according to claim 1, comprising a gap disposed between the first and second portions.

4. The LED device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second portions extends from the first or second electrical elements.

5. The LED device according to claim 4, further comprising a third LED and a fourth LED.

6. The LED device according to claim 5, wherein the first, second, third and fourth LEDs are selectively configurable to be electrically connected in series or in parallel.

7. The LED device according to claim 5, wherein the first group of LEDs is connected in parallel to the second group of LEDs.

8. The LED device according to claim 1, further comprising a lens arranged over the first and second LEDs.

9. The LED device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting pad comprises first, second, third, and fourth portions, the portions being electrically isolated from each by one or more gaps disposed therebetween.

10. The LED device according to claim 9, wherein the each of the first, second, third, and fourth portions is electrically isolated from at least one of the first and second electrical elements.

11. The LED device according to claim 1, wherein the LED device is selectively configurable to operate at different desired voltages.

12. A multi-configurable light emitting diode (LED) device comprising:

a mounting pad comprising a plurality of electrically isolated portions;

a plurality of LEDs, each arranged over a different one of the electrically isolated portions of the mounting pad; and

the LED device being selectively configurable in at least each of the following arrangements or combinations thereof;

(i) at least a first LED and a second LED electrically connected either in series or parallel;

(ii) at least a third LED and a fourth LED electrically connected in series or in parallel; and

(iii) a first group of at least first and second LEDs electrically connected in series or parallel to a second group of at least third and fourth LEDs.

13. The LED device according to claim 12, wherein the first and second LEDs are arranged over first and second portions of the mounting pad and the third and fourth LEDs are arranged over third and fourth portions of the mounting pad.

14. The LED device according to claim 13, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth portions of the mounting pad are electrically isolated from each other by one or more gaps disposed therebetween.

15. The LED device according to claim 14, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth portions of the mounting pad can be selectively configurable such that the portions can selectively electrically communicate using one or more conductive wires.

16. The LED device according to claim 12, wherein the mounting pad and first and second electrical elements comprise a conductive pattern where at least a portion of the mounting pad extends from the first electrical element.

17. The LED device according to claim 12, comprising a submount.

18. The LED device according to claim 17, wherein a lens is disposed over the submount.

19. The LED device according to claim 16, comprising a protective layer disposed over the conductive pattern.

20. The LED device according to claim 12, wherein the LED device is selectively configurable to operate at different desired voltages.

26. The method according to claim 20, comprising selectively configuring the LED device to operate at different desired voltages.

21. A method for selectively configuring light emitting diodes (LEDs), the method comprising:

providing an LED device comprising;

a mounting pad comprising at least first and second electrical elements, and at least first and second portions that are separated from the first and second electrical elements, the first portion electrically isolated from the second portion; and

at least a first LED and a second LED arranged over the mounting pad, wherein the first LED is arranged over the first portion and the second LED is arranged over the second portion, the first and second LEDs being selectively configurable to be electrically connected in series or in parallel; and

selectively configuring the first group of LEDs by electrically connecting the LEDs of the first group in series or in parallel.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

providing the first and second LEDs as a first group arranged over the mounting pad;

providing a second group of LEDs arranged over the mounting pad; and

selectively configuring the second group of LEDs by electrically connecting the LEDs of the second group series or in parallel.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising electrically connecting the first group of LEDs in parallel with the second group of LEDs.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein providing the second group of LEDs comprises providing a third LED arranged over a third portion of the mounting pad and a fourth LED arranged over a fourth portion of the mounting pad.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising selectively configuring a least one of the first, second, third, and fourth portions of the mounting pad to electrically communicate with another portion of the mounting pad using one or more conductive wires.

27. A multi-configurable light emitting diode (LED) device comprising:

a plurality of electrically isolated portions;

a plurality of LEDs each arranged over at least a different one of the electrically isolated portions; and

the LEDs being selectively configurable to be electrically connected in series with each other, in parallel with each other, or both in series and in parallel with each other.

28. A multi-configurable light emitting diode (LED) device comprising:

a plurality of LEDs; and

the LEDs being selectively configurable to be electrically connected in at least three different electrical configurations.