Light emitting device (LED) lighting systems for emitting light in multiple directions and related methods

• US 8,210,717 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2011
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Medendorp, Nicholas W. Jr., Hiller, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): SEMBER, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US13/158,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20110242809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 362/240.02, 362/249.06, 362/241, 362/243, 362245-248, 362/310, 362/296.07, 362/296.08, 362/307, 362/308, 36231101-31103, 362/341, 362/329, 362/249
• US Class Current: 362/249.02
• 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 8/06 by suspension
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0016 on lighting devices that also provide for direct lighting, e.g. by means of independent light sources, by splitting of the light beam, by switching between both lighting modes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/33 annular
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/90 on two opposite sides of supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Lighting systems for emitting light in multiple directions including one or more light emitting devices (LEDs) and a housing configured to receive the one or more LEDs are provided. The one or more LEDs are configured to generate light in a first direction to illuminate a first area proximate to the lighting system. The housing is configured to reflect a portion of the generated light so as to allow a remaining portion of the generated light to pass through the housing in a second direction, different from the first direction, and illuminate a second area proximate to the lighting system. Related methods are also provided herein.

Claims

1. A lighting system for emitting light in multiple directions comprising:

at least two light emitting devices (LEDs); and

a housing configured to receive a first of the at least two LEDs on a first surface of the housing and a second of the at least two LEDs on a second surface of the housing, the first of the two LEDs being configured to generate light in a first direction to illuminate a first area proximate to the lighting system and the second of the at least two LEDs being configured to generate light in a second direction, different from the first direction, to illuminate a second area proximate to the lighting system, different from the first area, wherein the first and second directions proximate to the lighting system are outside the housing.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially reflective.

3. The lighting system of claim 2, wherein the housing defines a cavity, wherein the first surface of the housing comprises an internal surface of the cavity and wherein the second surface of the housing comprises an external surface of the cavity.

4. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein the first area is below the housing and the second area is above the housing.

5. A lighting system comprising:

at least one light emitting device (LED) configured to generate light in a first direction; and

at least one LED configured to generate light in a second direction, different from the first direction;

a reflective housing configured to direct the generated light in a primary direction to illuminate a selected area proximate to the lighting system,

wherein the at least one LED configured to generate light in a first direction is positioned on an inside surface of the housing and is configured to illuminate the selected area; and

wherein the at least one LED configured to generate light in the second direction is positioned on an outside surface of the housing and configured to illuminate a second area, different from the selected area, proximate the lighting system.

6. The lighting system of claim 5, wherein the housing is substantially reflective and defines a cavity.

7. The lighting system of claim 5, wherein the selected area is below the housing and the second area is above the housing.

8. The lighting system of claim 5, wherein the first and second areas proximate the lighting system are outside of the housing.

9. A method for emitting light in multiple directions using lighting systems including light emitting devices (LEDs) comprising:

generating light in a first direction to illuminate a first area proximate to the lighting system using a first of at least two LEDs positioned on a first surface of the housing; and

generating light in a second direction, different from the first direction, to illuminate a second area proximate to the lighting system, different from the first area, using a second of the at least two LEDs positioned on a second surface of the housing, wherein the first and second areas proximate to the lighting system are outside the housing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first surface of the housing is inside the housing and wherein the second surface of the housing is outside the housing.