Light emitting diode lamp with individual LED lenses

• US 6,502,956 B1
• Filed: 03/25/1999
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leotek Electronics USA Corporation (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leotek Electronics USA Corporation (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Wu, Chen H.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US09/277,091
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 362/236, 362/244, 362/245, 362/327, 362/335, 362/339, 362/255, 362/240, 362/545, 362/396, 362/368, 313/500, 313/512
• US Class Current: 362/237
• 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 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• 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]
• 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: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An LED lamp including a housing, a circuit board mounted to the housing, an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board, a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that are activated to emit a light output when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical connector, and a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs. Each LED cover includes a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED, and a side portion that attaches to either the PCB or the LED to secure the LED cover in place. The LED covers can be individually movable or replaced to modify the overall distribution pattern of the LED lamp.

Claims

1. An LED lamp, comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that when activated emit a light output; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED;

wherein each of the plurality of LED covers includes a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place;

wherein the light output is redirected asymmetrically by the lens portions, and wherein for each of the plurality of LED covers, the side portion is movably attached to the circuit board so that a light distribution pattern emanating therefrom can be adjusted by moving the LED cover.

2. An LED lamp, comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that when activated emit a light output;

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED;

wherein each of the plurality of LED covers includes a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place; and

a plurality of spacers each disposed between one of the LEDs and the circuit board.

3. The LED lamp of claim 2, wherein the plurality of spacers have various heights so that the LEDs are disposed at various heights above the circuit board.

4. An LED lamp, comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that when activated emit a light output; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED;

wherein each of the plurality of LED covers includes a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place, and wherein at least two of the LED covers have lens portions that are shaped differently from each other in order to create different light distribution patterns emanating therefrom.

5. An LED lamp, comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that when activated emit a light output; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED;

wherein each of the plurality of LED covers includes a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place, and wherein for each LED cover, the side portion and the lens portion are separate elements attached to each other.

6. An LED lamp, comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that when activated emit a light output; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED;

wherein each of the plurality of LED covers includes a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place, and wherein for each LED cover, the side portion and the lens portion are are separate elements that are movably attached to each other.

7. An LED lamp, comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted to the housing;

an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that are activated to emit a light output when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical connector; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including;

a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED, and

a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place;

wherein the light output is redirected asymmetrically by the lens portions, and wherein for each of the plurality of LED covers, the side portion is movably attached to the circuit board so that a light distribution pattern emanating therefrom can be adjusted by moving the LED cover.

8. An LED lamp, comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted to the housing;

an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that are activated to emit a light output when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical connector; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including;

a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED, and

a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place; and

a plurality of spacers each disposed between one of the LEDs and the circuit board.

9. The LED lamp of claim 8, wherein the plurality of spacers have various heights so that the LEDs are disposed at various heights above the circuit board.

10. An LED lamp, comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted to the housing;

an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that are activated to emit a light output when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical connector; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including;

a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED, and

a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place;

wherein at least two of the LED covers have lens portions that are shaped differently from each other in order to create different light distribution patterns emanating therefrom.

11. An LED lamp, comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted to the housing;

an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that are activated to emit a light output when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical connector; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including;

a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED, and

a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place;

wherein for each LED cover, the side portion and the lens portion are separate elements attached to each other.

12. An LED lamp, comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted to the housing;

an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that are activated to emit a light output when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical connector; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including;

a lens portion that redirects the light output from the one LED, and

a side portion that attaches to the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place;

wherein for each LED cover, the side portion and the lens portion are movably attached to each other.

13. An LED lamp, comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that when activated emit a light output; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including a lens portion that asymmetrically redirects the light output from the one LED;

wherein each of the plurality of LED covers includes a side portion that movably attaches to the LED so that the LED cover can be rotated relative to the LED to modify the asymmetrical redirection of the light output from the LED.

14. The LED lamp of claim 13, wherein the side portion of each LED cover engages with a side portion of the LED in a friction fit to movably secure the LED cover in place.

15. The LED lamp of claim 13, wherein the side portion of each LED cover terminates in a clip portion that engages with the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place.

16. The LED lamp of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of LED covers includes a side portion that reflects light, emitted from a side portion of the LED, toward the lens portion.

17. The LED lamp of claim 13, wherein at least two of the LED covers have lens portions that are shaped differently from each other in order to create different light distribution patterns emanating therefrom.

18. An LED lamp, comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that when activated emit a light output; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including a lens portion that assymetrically redirects the light output from the one LED;

wherein each of the plurality of LED covers includes a side portion that movably attaches to the LED so that the LED cover can be rotated relative to the LED to modify the asymmetrical redirection of the light output from the LED, and wherein for each LED cover, the side portion and the lens portion are separate elements that are movably attached to each other.

19. An LED lamp, comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted to the housing;

an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that are activated to emit a light output when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical connector; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including;

a lens portion that asymmetrically redirects the light output from the one LED, and

a side portion that movably attaches to the LED so that the LED cover can be rotated relative to the LED to modify the asymmetrical redirection of the light output from the LED.

20. The LED lamp of claim 19, wherein the side portion of each LED cover engages with a side portion of the LED in a friction fit to movably secure the LED cover in place.

21. The LED lamp of claim 19, wherein the side portion of each LED cover terminates in a clip portion that engages with the circuit board to secure the LED cover in place.

22. The LED lamp of claim 19, wherein for each of the plurality of LED covers, the side portion reflects light, emitted from a side portion of the LED, toward the lens portion.

23. The LED lamp of claim 19, wherein at least two of the LED covers have lens portions that are shaped differently from each other in order to create different light distribution patterns emanating therefrom.

24. An LED lamp, comprising:

a housing;

a circuit board mounted to the housing;

an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board;

a plurality of LEDs mounted to the circuit board that are activated to emit a light output when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical connector; and

a plurality of LED covers each mounted to cover one of the plurality of LEDs, each LED cover including;

a lens portion that asymmetrically redirects the light output from the one LED, and

a side portion that movably attaches to the LED so that the LED cover can be rotated relative to the LED to modify the asymmetrical redirection of the light output from the LED;

wherein for each LED cover, the side portion and the lens portion are separate elements that are movably attached to each other.