LED retrolift lamp for exit signs

• US 5,726,535 A
• Filed: 04/10/1996
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Technical Consumer Products, Inc. (Quality Light Source GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Ellis Yan
• Inventors: Yan, Ellis
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US08/630,166
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 315/51, 315/71, 315/187, 315/185 R, 315/193, 315/224, 315/294, 315/310, 362/227, 362/234, 362/252, 362/226, 362/250, 362/240, 362/800, 362/812
• US Class Current: 315/185.00R
• 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 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/10 coming into action when lighting device is overloaded, e.g. thermal switch
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/061 the material being glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear 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: H05B 45/357 specially adapted for retrofit LED light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A retrofit lamp having light emissive diodes, and more particularly, to a retrofittable lamp configured as a standard incandescent lamp which can be used effectively in illuminated signs, such as an exit sign, for operation on each cycle of A/C voltage applied. The newly designed solid-state lamp features a base that can be rotated, approximately 160 degrees, to allow for the optimal positioning of the LED array to maximize the light intensity directed toward the illuminated area.

Claims

1. An LED retrofit lamp for exit signs, comprising:

a cylindrical glass envelope associated with a screw base, the base adapted for insertion in a standard bulb socket;

an illumination means having circuitry for connection with an A/C source through a nondissipative voltage dropping element, the illumination means comprising a plurality of LEDs arranged in two serial LED strings, comprising first and second LED strings, each string connected in parallel with the other, enclosed in the glass envelope;

a rotatable assembly for rotating the illumination means against a frictional contact with the envelope, within a rotating range of less than 160 degrees with reference to the base; and

,

a means for anchoring the illumination means in a desired optimal view, rotative position with reference to the base.

2. The LED retrofit lamp for exit signs described in claim 1, wherein the illumination means further comprises a dual sided printed circuit board assembly having an upper surface and a lower surface, the circuit board having a plurality of embedded semiconductor chips, constructed of an electrically insulating, encapsulating material for maintenance of isolation between the chips;

and, the two serial LED strings mounted on both the upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board.

3. The LED retrofit lamp for exit signs according to claim 2, wherein the each LED string is connected in series with a half wave rectifier, such that the first string conducts in the opposite direction of the second string.

4. The LED retrofit lamp for exit signs according to claim 3, wherein the nondissipative voltage dropping element comprises a capacitor connected in series to the LED arrays which are connected in parallel.

5. The LED retrofit lamp for exit signs according to claim 4, further comprising a means for protection against a voltage surge associated with the two LED strings.

6. The LED retrofit lamp for exit signs according to claim 5, wherein the means for protection against a voltage surge comprises a varistor positioned in parallel with the LED strings.

7. The LED retrofit lamp for exit signs according to claim 6, wherein the rotatable assembly for rotating the illumination means comprises the glass envelope fixed to a molded base, a plastic insert secured to the screw base by fasteners, and a frictional retainer positioned intermediate the insert and the glass envelope for the frictional contact with, and retention of, the glass envelope and enclosed illumination means in a desired rotative position.

8. An improved solid-state lamp, comprising:

a glass envelope associated with a screw base, the base adapted for insertion in a standard bulb socket;

an illumination means having circuitry for connection with an A/C source, the illumination means enclosed in the glass envelope;

a rotatable assembly for rotating the illumination means with reference to the base;

a means for anchoring the illumination means in a desired optimal view, rotative position with reference to the base;

wherein the illumination means further comprises a dual sided printed circuit board assembly having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of serially connected LEDs mounted on both the upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board;

wherein the plurality of LEDs comprises first and second serial arrays of LEDs connected in parallel, each array connected in series with a half wave rectifier, such that the first array conducts in the opposite direction of the second array;

further comprising a means for limiting current connected in series to the LED arrays which are connected in parallel;

wherein the means for limiting current comprises a capacitor;

wherein the means for limiting current further comprises a varistor positioned in parallel with the LED arrays;

wherein the rotatable assembly for rotating the illumination means comprises the glass envelope fixed to a molded base, a plastic insert secured to the screw base by fasteners, and a frictional retainer positioned intermediate the insert and the glass envelope for frictional contact with, and retention of, the glass envelope and enclosed illumination means in a desired rotative position.

9. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 8, wherein the means for anchoring the illumination means in a desired optimal view, rotative position with reference to the base comprises the plastic insert which anchors the rotatable assembly and glass envelope to the screw base, and the insert having a pair of tabs, which are fixed stops, extending upward from the rotatable assembly to mate with the plastic insert and restrict a rotation of, and to anchor, the insert within a rotating range of less than 160 degrees.

10. An improved solid-state lamp described in claim 9, wherein the first and second serial arrays of LEDs each comprises 12 LEDs connected in series with a half wave rectifier and 12 LEDs are mounted on each surface of the circuit board to form a light stick comprising a total of 24 LEDs.

11. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips embedded in the circuit board.

12. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 11, wherein the dual sided printed circuit board assembly is comprised of an electrically insulating encapsulating material for maintenance of electronic isolation between the chips.

13. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 12, wherein the circuit board comprises two pieces to expedite wave soldering LEDs on a single surface of each piece, the board pieces adhered together to form a light stick.

14. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 8, further comprising a current limiting means in series with said strings.

15. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 14, wherein said current limiting means comprises an impedance means.

16. The improved solid-state lamp according to claim 15, wherein said impedance means comprises an inductor.

17. The improved solid-state lamp according to claim 15, wherein said impedance means comprises a capacitor.

18. An improved solid state-lamp, comprising:

an illuminating means communicating with an A/C power source;

the illuminating means comprising a first string of serial LEDs connected in series with a half wave rectifier to the A/C source for conducting current in a first direction;

a second string of serial LEDs connected in series with a half wave rectifier to the A/C source for conducting current in a second direction opposite to the first current direction of the first string;

the first string and second string connected in parallel;

a nondissipative voltage dropping element positioned between the A/C source and the first and second LED strings; and

, both strings of serial LEDs connected across the power source, whereby a positive half cycle of A/C voltage provides conduction with consequent illumination of the first string and a nonconductive state in the second string; and

, an alternate negative half cycle of A/C voltage provides conduction with consequent illumination of the second string and a nonconductive state in the first string, for constant illumination of the lamp.

19. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 18, wherein the nondissipative voltage dropping element comprises a capacitor.

20. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 19, further comprising a means for protection against transient voltage surges connected in parallel with the first and second LED strings.

24. Improvements for an LED lamp for use in exit signs as a retrofittable replacement lamp in a standard incandescent bulb socket and powered by standard A/C voltage mounted in a glass envelope, said improvements embodied by said lamp comprising two strings of serially connected LEDs, that are oppositely directed and mounted on opposite sides of a dual sided printed circuit board, the strings connected in parallel and each string in series with a half-wave rectifier forward of a parallel voltage suppressing means that is also forward of a series connected, nondissipative current limiting means, having a screw base connected with a rotatable insert, and a plastic base adhered to the envelope and in frictional contact with a retainer positioned between the envelope and said insert, said lamp adapted for rotation to an optimum position to produce a maximum constant illumination area.

21. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 26, wherein the means for protection comprises a varistor.

22. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 21, further comprising a tube lock adapting the lamp to rotate to optimally position the LEDs and produce the maximum illuminated area.

23. An improved solid-state lamp according to claim 22, wherein the LED strings are mounted on a circuit board with semiconductor chips embedded therein, the board formed of two pieces adhered together, to form a light stick.

25. The improvements for an LED lamp according to claim 24 above, wherein said nondissipative current limiting means comprises a reactive impedance element.

26. The improvements for an LED lamp as in claim 25, further comprising said insert attached to the base by fasteners.

27. The improvements for an LED lamp of claim 26, further comprising a pair of tabs positioned on said plastic base to restrict a rotation of the insert within a range from 0 to 160 degrees.