Illumination device with light emitting diodes and moveable light adjustment member

• US 8,317,359 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2011
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SBC Xicato Corporation
• Original Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
• Inventors: Harbers, Gerard, Pugh, Mark A., de Roos, Menne T., Yriberri, John S., Tseng, Peter K.
• Primary Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, EVAN P
• Application Number:
  US13/166,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20110249433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 362/231, 362/230, 362/293
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/62 using mixing chambers, e.g. housings with reflective walls
• 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: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/007 using rotating transparent or colored disks, e.g. gobo wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/04 by movement of reflectors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/675
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/08 by movement of the screens or filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/002 using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/26 the material comprising photoluminescent substances
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/30 the coatings comprising photoluminescent substances
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/06 for filtering out ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/45 by adjustment of photoluminescent elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/33 : annular
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A light emitting device is produced using one or more light emitting diodes within a light mixing cavity formed by surrounding sidewalls. The light emitting device includes a light adjustment member that is movable to alter the shape or color of the light produced by the light emitting device. For example, the light adjustment member may alter the exposure of the wavelength converting area to the light emitted that is emitted by the light emitting diode in the light mixing cavity. Alternatively, the height of a lens may be adjusted to change the width of the beam produced. Alternatively, a movable substrate with areas of different wavelength converting materials may adjustably cover the output port of the light mixing cavity to alter the color point of the light produced.

Claims

1. An light emitting diode illumination device comprising:

a board;

at least one light emitting diode mounted on the board;

at least one reflective sidewall coupled to the board and configured to surround the at least one light emitting diode, the at least one reflective sidewall defines a light mixing cavity;

an output port through which light within the light mixing cavity is transmitted; and

a color selection plate movably coupled to the at least one reflective sidewall and covering the output port, the color selection plate comprising a substrate having a plurality of areas with different wavelength converting material compositions, wherein the color selection plate is movable to align a selected one of the plurality of areas with the output port to change a color of the light transmitted through the output port.

2. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises at least one packaged light emitting diode.

3. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the color selection plate rotates about an axis to position the selected one of the plurality of areas over the output port.

4. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the color selection plate slides to position the selected one of the plurality of areas over the output port.

5. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of areas are separated.

6. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of areas are continuously connected.

7. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the color selection plate is thermally coupled to a heat sink

8. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 1, wherein the different wavelength converting material compositions comprises different concentrations of a wavelength converting material, different densities of wavelength converting material and different wavelength converting materials.

9. A light emitting diode illumination device comprising:

a light mixing cavity configured to surround at least one light emitting diode such that light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode directly enters the light mixing cavity, the light mixing cavity comprising a top surface area, a bottom surface area, and a side surface area;

a first type of wavelength converting material covering a first wavelength converting area of the light mixing cavity; and

a moveable color adjustment member positioned to alter exposure of the first wavelength converting area to the light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode, wherein the moveable color adjustment member is positioned in one of a center of the light mixing cavity extending towards an output port, and around a perimeter of the light mixing cavity.

10. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 9, wherein the top is an output port through which light within the light mixing cavity is transmitted.

11. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 9, wherein the side surface area is reflective and includes the first type of wavelength conversion material.

12. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 9, wherein the moveable color adjustment member includes the first type of wavelength converting material.

13. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 9, wherein the moveable color adjustment member includes a second type of wavelength converting material.

14. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 9, wherein the moveable color adjustment member includes a second wavelength converting area different from the first wavelength converting area, the second wavelength converting area including a second wavelength converting material.

15. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 9, wherein the moveable color adjustment member is rotatable relative to the at least one light emitting diode.

16. The light emitting diode illumination device of claim 9, wherein the moveable color adjustment member has one of a conical and a dome shape.

17. A method comprising:

collecting an amount of light emitted from at least one light emitting diode into a light mixing cavity, the light mixing cavity configured to surround the at least one light emitting diode such that the amount of light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode directly enters the light mixing cavity, the light mixing cavity comprising a top surface area, a bottom surface area, and a side surface area, a first type of wavelength converting material covering a first wavelength converting area of the light mixing cavity;

positioning a movable color adjustment member relative to the at least one light emitting diode to alter exposure of the first wavelength converting area to light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode, wherein the moveable color adjustment member is positioned in one of a center of the light mixing cavity extending towards an output port, and around a perimeter of the light mixing cavity; and

transmitting light from the light mixing cavity through an output port of the light mixing cavity.