High Intensity Light Source with Interchangeable Optics

• US 20130058099A1
• Filed: 05/25/2012
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Korrus Incorporated (MKD Electric, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
• Inventors: Shum, Frank, Jue, Clifford
• Application Number:
  US13/480,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20130058099A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/294
• 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 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/168 the parts being resilient rings acting substantially isotropically, e.g. split rings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0005 of sources having contact pins, wires or blades, e.g. pinch sealed lamp F21V19/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/006 the substrate being distinct from the light source holder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/87 Organic material, e.g. filled polymer composites; Thermo-conductive additives or coatings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/061 the material being glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/062 the material being plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An illumination source configured to output light having a user-modifiable beam characteristic includes a LED light unit for providing a light output in response to an output driving voltage, a driving module for receiving an input driving voltage for providing the output driving voltage to the LED light unit, a heat sink coupled to the LED light unit for dissipating heat produced by the LED light unit and the driving module, a reflector coupled to the heat sink for receiving the light output, for outputting a light beam having a first beam characteristic, and a lens coupled to the heat sink for receiving the light beam having the first beam characteristic and for outputting a light beam having a second beam characteristic, wherein the lens is selected by the user to achieve the second beam characteristic, and wherein the lens is coupled to the heat sink by the user.

Claims

1. An illumination source configured to output light having a user-modifiable beam characteristic comprising:

a LED light unit configured to provide a light output in response to an output driving voltage;

a driving module coupled to the LED light unit, wherein the driving module is configured to receive an input driving voltage and is configured to provide the output driving voltage;

a heat sink coupled to the LED light unit, wherein the heat sink is configured to dissipate heat produced by the LED light unit and by the driving module;

a reflector coupled to the heat sink, wherein the reflector is configured to receive the light output, and wherein the reflector is configured to output a light beam having a first beam characteristic; and

a lens coupled to the heat sink, wherein the lens is configured to receive the light beam having the first beam, and wherein the lens is configured to output a light beam having a second beam characteristic;

wherein the lens is selected by the user to achieve the second beam characteristic; and

wherein the lens is coupled to the heat sink by the user.

2. The illumination source of claim 1 wherein the lens comprises:

a transmissive optical lens; and

a retaining ring coupled to the transmissive optical lens, wherein the retaining ring is configured to couple the transmissive optical lens to the heat sink.

3. The illumination source of claim 2 wherein the retaining ring consists of an incomplete circle.

4. The illumination source of claim 1 wherein the lens that is coupled to the heat sink is configured to require use of a tool to decouple the lens from the heat sink.

5. The illumination source of claim 1 wherein an intensity for the light output is greater than approximately 1500 candela.

6. The illumination source of claim 1 wherein the first beam characteristic is selected from a group consisting of:

beam angle, cut-off angles, roll-offs characteristic, and field angle.

7. The illumination source of claim 1

wherein the heat sink comprises a plurality of heat dissipation fins;

wherein at least one of the plurality of heat dissipation fins includes a retaining mechanism; and

wherein the lens is configured to be coupled to the at least one heat dissipation fin via the retaining mechanism.

8. The illumination source of claim 7 wherein the retaining mechanism is selected from a group consisting of:

an indentation on the heat dissipation fin, and a clip coupled to the heat dissipation fin.

9. The illumination source of claim 1 wherein the heat sink comprises an MR16 form factor heat sink.

10. The illumination source of claim 1 wherein the driving module comprises a GU5.3 compatible base.

11. A method for configuring a light source to provide a light beam having a user-selected beam characteristic comprising:

receiving a light source, wherein the light source comprises;

a LED light unit configured to provide a light output in response to an output driving voltage;

a driving module coupled to the LED light unit, wherein the driving module is configured to receive an input driving voltage and is configured to provide the output driving voltage;

a heat sink coupled to the LED light unit, wherein the heat sink is configured to dissipate heat produced by the LED light unit and by the driving module; and

a reflector coupled to the heat sink, wherein the reflector is configured to receive the light output, and wherein the reflector is configured to output a light beam having a first beam characteristic;

receiving a user selection of a lens to achieve a second beam characteristic, wherein the lens is configured to receive the light beam having the first beam characteristic and wherein the lens is configured to output a light beam having the second beam characteristic;

receiving the lens in response to the user selection of the lens, separate from the light source; and

coupling the lens to the light source.

12. The method of claim 11

wherein the lens comprises:

an optical lens; and

a retaining ring coupled to the optical lens, wherein the retaining ring is configured to couple the optical lens to the heat sink; and

wherein coupling the lens to the heat sink comprises;

compressing the retaining ring about the optical lens;

disposing the retaining ring that is compressed within a portion of the heat sink; and

releasing the retaining ring such that the retaining ring is coupled to the portion of the heat sink.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the retaining ring comprises a circular shaped metal.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

decoupling the lens from the heat sink using a tool;

wherein the decoupling step requires use of a tool to decouple the lens from the heat sink.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein an intensity for the light output is greater than approximately 1500 candela.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the first beam characteristic is selected from a group consisting of:

beam angle, cut-off angles, roll-offs characteristic, and field angle.

17. The method of claim 11

wherein the heat sink comprises a plurality of heat dissipation fins;

wherein at least one of the plurality of heat dissipation fin includes a retaining mechanism, and

wherein coupling the lens to heat sink comprises coupling the lens to the at least one heat dissipation fin via the retaining mechanism.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the retaining mechanism is selected from a group consisting of:

an indentation on the heat dissipation fin, and a clip coupled to the heat dissipation fin.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the heat sink comprises an MR16 form factor heat sink.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the driving module comprises a GU5.3 compatible base.