Lighting device and lighting method

• US 7,901,107 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Van De Ven, Antony Paul, Negley, Gerald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar; Stephen F
• Application Number:
  US12/117,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20080304261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/97.3, 362/231, 362/249.02, 362/260, 362/545, 362/612, 362/800, 313/485, 257/89, 257/98, 315/307
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/62 using mixing chambers, e.g. housings with reflective walls
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• 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 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]

Abstract

A lighting device comprising one or more solid state light emitters which emit near ultraviolet light and one or more lumiphors which emit light having a wavelength in the range of from 490 nm to 555 nm, which in the absence of other light would produce a mixture of light within an area defined by x, y coordinates (0.32, 0.40), (0.36, 0.48), (0.43, 0.45), (0.42, 0.42), and (0.36, 0.38). The lighting device may further comprise one or more 600 nm to 630 nm light emitters, and a mixture of light emitted from the lighting device may be within ten MacAdam ellipses of the blackbody locus. Also, packaged solid state light emitters and methods of lighting.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters; and

at least a first luminescent material;

wherein;

said first group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the near ultraviolet range;

said first luminescent material, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 490 nm to about 555 nm;

if said first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters and (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of solid state light emitters consists of a single solid state light emitter.

3. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a plurality of solid state light emitters.

4. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

5. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first package, said first package comprising at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters and at least a first lumiphor comprising said first luminescent material.

6. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from about 380 nm to about 430 nm.

7. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a peak wavelength in the range of from about 380 nm to about 410 nm.

8. A lighting device as recited in claim 7, wherein said first luminescent material, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength of about 490 nm.

9. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first luminescent material, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength of about 490 nm.

10. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device further comprises at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

11. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein if said first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated and said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm is illuminated, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

12. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first package, said first package comprising at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters and at least one of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

13. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first package, said first package comprising at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters, at least a portion of said first luminescent material, and at least one of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

14. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm is at least one solid state light emitter.

15. A lighting device as recited in claim 14, wherein at least one of said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm comprises a light emitting diode.

16. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one light emitter which emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm comprises at least a second luminescent material.

17. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device comprises at least a first packaged solid state light emitter and a second packaged solid state light emitter,

said first packaged solid state light emitter comprising a first of said first group of solid state light emitters and a portion of said first luminescent material;

said second packaged solid state light emitter comprising a second of said first group of solid state light emitters.

18. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting device further comprises an encapsulant and is in the form of a packaged solid state light emitter.

19. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises at least a first power line, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters and (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

20. A lighting device as recited in claim 19, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises at least a second luminescent material,

said second luminescent material, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second luminescent material would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

21. A lighting device as recited in claim 19, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises a second group of solid state light emitters,

said second group of solid state light emitters, if illuminated, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm, and

if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

22. A lighting device as recited in claim 19, wherein if energy is supplied to said first power line, a mixture of all light emitted from said lighting device from solid state light emitters and luminescent material which emit light having a dominant wavelength which is outside the range of between 600 nm and 700 nm would have x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

23. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises at least a second luminescent material,

said second luminescent material, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm, and

said first luminescent material and said second luminescent material is provided in a single first group-second group lumiphor.

24. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said lighting device further comprises a second luminescent material,

said second luminescent material, if excited, would emit light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm, and

said lighting device comprises at least a first mixed lumiphor, said first mixed lumiphor comprising at least a portion of said first luminescent material and at least a portion of said second luminescent material.

25. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if said first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, said mixture would have a CRI Ra of at least 85.

26. A method of lighting, comprising:

illuminating a first group of solid state light emitters, such that said first group of solid state light emitters emits light having a peak wavelength in the near ultraviolet range;

exciting a first luminescent material, such that said first luminescent material emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 490 nm to about 555 nm;

wherein;

a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters and (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material would, in the absence of any additional light, have a mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates which define a point which is within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram enclosed by first, second, third, fourth and fifth line segments, said first line segment connecting a first point to a second point, said second line segment connecting said second point to a third point, said third line segment connecting said third point to a fourth point, said fourth line segment connecting said fourth point to a fifth point, and said fifth line segment connecting said fifth point to said first point, said first point having x, y coordinates of 0.32, 0.40, said second point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.48, said third point having x, y coordinates of 0.43, 0.45, said fourth point having x, y coordinates of 0.42, 0.42, and said fifth point having x, y coordinates of 0.36, 0.38.

27. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein at least one of said first group of solid state light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

28. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein light emitted from said first group of solid state light emitters excites at least a portion of said first luminescent material.

29. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said method further comprises exciting at least a second luminescent material, such that said second luminescent material emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second luminescent material would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

31. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein light emitted from said first group of solid state light emitters excites at least a portion of said second luminescent material.

32. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein light emitted from said first group of solid state light emitters excites at least a portion of said first luminescent material and at least a portion of said second luminescent material.

33. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said method further comprises illuminating a second group of solid state light emitters, such that said second group of solid state light emitters emits light having a dominant wavelength in the range of from about 600 nm to about 630 nm.

34. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein a mixture of (1) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first group of solid state light emitters, (2) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said first luminescent material, and (3) light emitted from said lighting device which was emitted by said second group of solid state light emitters would, in the absence of any additional light, have a combined illumination having x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is within twenty MacAdam ellipses of at least one point on the blackbody locus on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram.

35. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein at least one of said second group of solid state light emitters comprises a light emitting diode.

36. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said mixture has a CRI Ra of at least 85.