Matrix structure based LED array for illumination

• US 6,288,497 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2000
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Chang, Chin, Peng, Shaomin
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, DAVID HUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/534,210
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 315/185.R, 315/192, 315/191, 362/800, 362/812
• US Class Current: 315/185.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 31/50 specially adapted for ac
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/40 Details of LED load circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A matrix structure-based light-emitting diode array includes a plurality of input resistances connected in parallel to one terminal of a current source, and a plurality of output resistances connected in parallel to another terminal of a current source. Light-emitting diodes are then used to connect each of the input resistances to each of the output resistances. Arranged as such, no two light-emitting diodes is connected in parallel and, as such, the failure of any one light-emitting diode does not extinguish any of the other light-emitting diodes.

Claims

1. A matrix structure based light-emitting diode array for illumination comprising:

an input terminal coupled to a first terminal of a current source for receiving a current signal;

an output terminal coupled to a second terminal of said current source;

a plurality of input current regulating elements coupled in parallel to said input terminal;

a plurality of output current regulating elements coupled in parallel to said output terminal; and

a plurality of light-emitting diodes connecting each input current regulating element to each output current regulating element, whereby none of the light-emitting diodes are connected in parallel.

2. The matrix structure-based light-emitting diode array as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said light-emitting diodes has an anode connected to one of said plurality of input current regulating elements, and a cathode connected to one of said plurality of output current regulating elements.

3. The matrix structure-based light-emitting diode array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of input current regulating elements equals, in number, the plurality of output current regulating elements.

4. The matrix structure-based light-emitting diode array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of input current regulating elements is greater, in number, than said plurality of output current regulating elements.

5. The matrix structure-based light-emitting diode array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of input current regulating elements is smaller, in number, than the plurality of output current regulating elements.

6. The matrix structure-based light-emitting diode array as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of input and output current regulating elements are resistors.

7. A light-emitting diode arrangement comprising:

an input terminal coupled to a first terminal of a current source for receiving a current signal;

an output terminal coupled to a second terminal of said current source;

a plurality of input current regulating elements coupled in parallel to said input terminal;

a plurality of output current regulating elements coupled in parallel to said output terminal; and

a plurality of matrix structure-based light-emitting diode arrays serially arranged between said plurality of input and output current regulating elements, each of said matrix structure-based light-emitting diode arrays comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes connecting each input node of said array to each output node of said array, wherein the number of output nodes in any one of said arrays is equal to the number of input nodes in a following one of said arrays, and wherein the number of input nodes in a first array of said serially arranged plurality of matrix structure-based light-emitting diode arrays is equal to the number of said plurality of input current regulating elements, and the number of output nodes in a last array of said serially arranged plurality of matrix structure-based light-emitting diode arrays is equal to the number of said plurality of output current regulating elements.

8. The light-emitting diode arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of input current regulating elements equals, in number, the plurality of output current regulating elements.

9. The light-emitting diode arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of input current regulating elements is greater, in number, than said plurality of output current regulating elements.

10. The light-emitting diode arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of input current regulating elements is smaller, in number, than the plurality of output current regulating elements.

11. The light-emitting diode arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plurality of input and output current regulating elements are resistors.