LIGHT SOURCES INCORPORATING LIGHT EMITTING DIODES

• US 20130200797A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Inventors: Timmermans, Jos, Raymond, Jean C., Ivey, John
• Application Number:
  US13/836,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20130200797A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/113
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/272 Details of end parts, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within end parts F21K9/278 takes precedence
• 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 19/0085 at least one conductive element acting as a support means, e.g. resilient contact blades, piston-like contact
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/86 Ceramics or glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/15 Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/13 the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L33/00
• 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: H05B 33/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

Taught herein are various light sources using light emitting diodes. A light source includes a housing, a connector configured for connection to an electrical socket and coupled to an end of the housing, at least one organic light emitting diode sheet mounted inside the housing and in electrical communication with the connector, and a power supply circuit for supplying electrical current to the at least one organic light emitting diode through the connector.

Claims

1. A light source comprising:

a housing;

a connector configured for connection to an electrical socket and coupled to an end of the housing;

at least one organic light emitting diode sheet mounted inside the housing and in electrical communication with the connector; and

a power supply circuit for supplying electrical current to the at least one organic light emitting diode through the connector.

2. The light source of claim 1 wherein the at least one organic light emitting diode sheet is at least one flexible sheet arranged into a curved shaped within the housing.

3. The light source of claim 2 wherein the at least one flexible sheet is a single organic light emitting diode sheet.

4. The light source of claim 1 wherein the connector comprises a first bi-pin electrical connector shaped to be coupled with a fluorescent light tube socket, the light source further comprising:

a second bi-pin electrical connector disposed at an opposing end of the circuit board from the first bi-pin electrical connector, the second bi-pin electrical connector shaped to be coupled with a fluorescent light tube socket.

5. The light source of claim 1, further comprising:

a circuit board in electrical communication with the connector, the at least one organic light emitting diode sheet mounted in electrical communication with the circuit board.

6. The light source of claim 5 wherein the power supply circuit is mounted on the circuit board.

7. The light source of claim 1 wherein the power supply circuit comprises a rectifier for converting AC to DC power and a modulating circuit for modulating the DC power.

8. The light source of claim 1 wherein the at least one organic sheet is in contact with at least a portion of the housing and surrounded by at least a portion of the housing.

9. The light source of claim 8 wherein the power supply circuit comprises a rectifier for converting AC to DC power, at least one current-limiting circuit and means for modulating the DC power.

10. The light source of claim 9 wherein the connector comprises a first bi-pin electrical connector shaped to be coupled with a fluorescent light tube socket and wherein the housing portion is substantially tubular, the light source further comprising:

a second bi-pin electrical connector disposed at an opposing end of the hollow tube from the first bi-pin electrical connector, the second bi-pin electrical connector shaped to be coupled with a fluorescent light tube socket.

11. The light source of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a potting material and wherein the potting material is one of clear and tinted.

12. The light source of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a rigid hollow structure including at least one of glass and plastic.

13. The light source of claim 1, further comprising:

a circuit board in electrical communication with the connector, the at least one organic light emitting diode sheet mounted in electrical communication with the circuit board; and

a heat sink extending from the circuit board to dissipate heat.

14. The light source of claim 13 wherein the heat sink is integral with the circuit board.