Lighting structure comprising at least one light-emitting diode, method for making same and uses thereof

• US 8,044,415 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2006
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Original Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Inventors: Armand, Philippe, Messere, Rino
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Minh-Loan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEUNG LOPEZ, FEIFEI
• Application Number:
  US12/090,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20090114928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,841 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 257/88
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10005 laminated safety glass or glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10541 comprising a light source or a light guide
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10559 Shape of the cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/1077 containing polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10788 containing ethylene vinylacetate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/745 using lighting panels or mats, e.g. electro-luminescent panels, LED mats
• 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: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• 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 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: H01L 33/52 : Encapsulations

Abstract

A luminous structure based on light-emitting diodes, which includes: a first dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a first electrode; a second dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a second electrode that faces the first electrode and lies in a different plane; at least a first light-emitting diode including a semiconductor chip including, on first and second opposed faces, first and second electrical contacts, the first electrical contact being electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrical contact being electrically connected to the second electrode, and at least the first element at least partly transmitting radiation within the ultraviolet or in the visible.

Claims

1. A luminous structure, comprising:

a first dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a first electrode;

a second dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a second electrode that faces the first electrode and lies in a different plane; and

at least a first light-emitting diode (LED) including a semiconductor chip,

wherein a first electrical contact is disposed on a first face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrical contact is disposed on a second face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the second electrode, the first and second faces of the semiconductor chip are opposed faces, and at least the first dielectric element is configured to at least partly transmit radiation within the ultraviolet or in the visible, and

the semiconductor chip is configured to emit light via the first and second faces of the semiconductor chip.

2. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact is electrically connected directly to the first electrode, and the second electrical contact is electrically connected directly to the second electrode.

3. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact is at least one layer, and the second electrical contact is at least one layer.

4. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the first LED is free of an envelope encapsulating the chip, and the first LED includes the chip.

5. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the first LED includes a partial protective envelope leaving the first and second contacts free.

6. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

current leads that are coupled to the first and second electrodes and that are screen-printed conducting strips.

7. The luminous structure according to claim 2, further comprising:

means for maintaining at least one of the direct connections between the first and second electrodes and the first and second electrical contacts, respectively.

8. The luminous structure according to claim 7, wherein the connection-maintaining means include means for applying controlled pressure on at least one of the main faces.

9. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one elastic and/or flexible electrically conducting part placed between the first electrical contact and the first electrode to permanently maintain at least the first electrical connection, and

wherein the part includes a spring or a flexible tab folded at least into two.

10. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a conducting layer distributed over or substantially covering the associated main face.

11. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a thin conducting metallic low-emissivity and/or solar-protection layer covered with one or more thin dielectric layers and inserted between dielectric layers, the thin conducting layer at least partly forming one of the first and second electrodes.

12. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a conducting grid made up of linear elements and substantially occupying the associated main face.

13. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a conducting grid of conducting wires that are partially integrated into the associated main face.

14. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least a second LED, and

wherein the second LED is in a reverse position with respect to the first LED.

15. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of LEDs and means for driving the LEDs to emit radiation either permanently or intermittently, and either of a given color or of different colors, or to address the LEDs.

16. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second electrodes include a grid of conducting elements along a given orientation, the grids forming, in projection, a mesh.

17. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of LEDs, and

wherein the LEDs are assembled on one or more coplanar conducting supports, making up part of or forming one of the first or second electrodes and being thin and/or extending beyond the associated main face.

18. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of first coplanar dielectric elements carrying first electrodes and with a plurality of first LEDs, the first dielectric elements being associated with a glass substrate.

19. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second dielectric elements includes a glass element.

20. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second dielectric elements includes a sheet of glass, or a sheet of clear or extra clear soda-lime-silica glass.

21. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the luminous structure is substantially a mineral structure.

22. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second dielectric elements includes polymeric film, or a PET film.

23. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second dielectric elements includes an adhesive or a lamination interlayer.

24. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein a portion bounded by the first dielectric element and the second dielectric element forms a substantially laminated portion.

25. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the first and second dielectric elements are kept a substantially constant distance apart and define an internal space filled with a dielectric and incorporating the first LED.

26. The luminous structure according to claim 25, wherein the internal space is under a low vacuum.

27. The luminous structure according to claim 25, wherein the dielectric includes a resin.

28. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the first LED is placed in a through-hole of a solid third dielectric element inserted between the first and second dielectric elements.

29. The luminous structure according to claim 28, further comprising:

at least a second LED and placed in the hole.

30. The luminous structure according to claim 28, wherein the third dielectric element includes a lamination interlayer.

31. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one phosphor coating associated with one of the first and second dielectric elements, and

wherein radiation excites the phosphor.

32. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the structure is substantially transparent outside a LED zone.

33. The luminous structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a receiver diode that receives control signals for remotely controlling the first LED.

34. The luminous structure according to claim 1, wherein the luminous structure forms an illuminating, decorative, architectural, display, or indicating glazing.

35. A luminous structure, comprising:

a first dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a first electrode;

a second dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a second electrode that faces the first electrode and lies in a different plane; and

at least a first light-emitting diode (LED) including a semiconductor chip,

wherein a first electrical contact is disposed on a first face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrical contact is disposed on a second face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the second electrode, the first and second faces of the semiconductor chip are opposed faces, and at least the first dielectric element is configured to at least partly transmit radiation within the ultraviolet or in the visible, and

the first LED includes a partial protective envelope leaving the first and second contacts free.

36. A luminous structure, comprising:

a first dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a first electrode;

a second dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a second electrode that faces the first electrode and lies in a different plane;

at least a first light-emitting diode (LED) including a semiconductor chip; and

at least one elastic and/or flexible electrically conducting part placed between the first electrical contact and the first electrode to permanently maintain at least the first electrical connection,

wherein a first electrical contact is disposed on a first face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrical contact is disposed on a second face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the second electrode, the first and second faces of the semiconductor chip are opposed faces, and at least the first dielectric element is configured to at least partly transmit radiation within the ultraviolet or in the visible, and

the at least one elastic and/or flexible electrically conducting part is a spring or a flexible tab folded at least into two.

37. A luminous structure, comprising:

a plurality of first coplanar dielectric elements carrying first electrodes and with a plurality of first light-emitting diodes, the first dielectric elements being associated with a glass substrate;

a second dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a second electrode that faces one of the first electrodes and lies in a different plane; and

the plurality of first light-emitting diodes each including a semiconductor chip,

wherein a first electrical contact is disposed on a first face of one of the semiconductor chips and is electrically connected to one of the first electrodes, the second electrical contact is disposed on a second face of the one of the semiconductor chips and is electrically connected to the second electrode, the first and second faces of the one semiconductor chip are opposed faces, and each first dielectric elements are configured to at least partly transmit radiation within the ultraviolet or in the visible.

38. A luminous structure, comprising:

a first dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a first electrode;

a second dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a second electrode that faces the first electrode and lies in a different plane;

at least a first light-emitting diode (LED) including a semiconductor chip; and

at least a second LED,

wherein a first electrical contact is disposed on a first face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrical contact is disposed on a second face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the second electrode, the first and second faces of the semiconductor chip are opposed faces, and at least the first dielectric element is configured to at least partly transmit radiation within the ultraviolet or in the visible,

the first LED is placed in a through-hole of a solid third dielectric element inserted between the first and second dielectric elements, and

the at least second LED is placed in the hole.

39. A luminous structure, comprising:

a first dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a first electrode;

a second dielectric element with a substantially plane main face associated with a second electrode that faces the first electrode and lies in a different plane;

at least a first light-emitting diode (LED) including a semiconductor chip; and

a receiver diode that receives control signals for remotely controlling the first LED,

wherein a first electrical contact is disposed on a first face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrical contact is disposed on a second face of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the second electrode, the first and second faces of the semiconductor chip are opposed faces, and at least the first dielectric element is configured to at least partly transmit radiation within the ultraviolet or in the visible.