Lighting device

• US 8,328,376 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creeled Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Negley, Gerald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Laura
• Application Number:
  US12/570,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20100020532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84
• US Class Current: 362/84
• 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 13/14 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements, reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• 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 33/505 characterised by the shape, e.g. plate or foil
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/507 the elements being in intimate contact with parts other than the semiconductor body or integrated with parts other than the semiconductor body

Abstract

A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface of the luminescent element being at least twice as large as the illumination surface of the light emitter. Also, a lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface of the luminescent element surface being at least twice as large as and substantially parallel to the illumination surface of the light emitter. Also, a lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface area of a projection of the luminescent element being at least twice as large as a surface area of a projection of the light emitter.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter;

a housing; and

at least one luminescent element,

the luminescent element spaced from the first solid state light emitter,

the luminescent element comprising at least a first luminescent element region and a second luminescent element region, the first luminescent element region comprising a first luminescent material, the second luminescent element region comprising a second luminescent material, the first luminescent material, upon being excited, emitting light of a first wavelength or range of wavelengths, the second luminescent material, upon being excited, emitting light of a second wavelength or range of wavelengths, the second wavelength or range of wavelengths differing from the first wavelength or range of wavelengths,

the luminescent element and the housing surrounding an internal space, and

at least the first solid state light emitter in the internal space.

2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode chip.

3. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the luminescent element comprises a matrix in which a luminescent material is contained.

4. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one scattering layer.

5. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one brightness enhancing film.

6. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the luminescent element is also a scattering layer.

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

the lighting device comprises at least the first and a second solid state light emitter,

the first solid state light emitter emits light of a first wavelength,

the second solid state light emitter emits light of a second wavelength, and

the first wavelength differs from the second wavelength.

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

the lighting device further comprises a housing,

the housing comprises at least one reflective element,

at least a portion of the reflective element is substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical.

9. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein the luminescent element is attached to the housing.

10. A lighting device comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter and a second solid state light emitter; and

at least one luminescent element,

the luminescent element spaced from the first solid state light emitter,

the luminescent element comprising at least a first luminescent element region and a second luminescent element region, the first luminescent element region comprising a first luminescent material, the second luminescent element region comprising a second luminescent material, the first luminescent material, upon being excited, emitting light of a first wavelength or range of wavelengths, the second luminescent material, upon being excited, emitting light of a second wavelength or range of wavelengths, the second wavelength or range of wavelengths differing from the first wavelength or range of wavelengths,

the first solid state light emitter emits light of a first wavelength,

the second solid state light emitter emits light of a second wavelength,

the first wavelength differs from the second wavelength.

11. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein the first solid state light emitter is a light emitting diode chip.

12. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein the luminescent element comprises a matrix in which a luminescent material is contained.

13. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one scattering layer.

14. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein the lighting device further comprises at least one brightness enhancing film.

15. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein the luminescent element is also a scattering layer.

16. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein:

the luminescent element is attached to a housing,

the luminescent element and the housing define an internal space, and

at least the first solid state light emitter is positioned within the internal space.

17. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein:

the lighting device further comprises a housing,

the housing comprises at least one reflective element,

at least a portion of the reflective element is substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical.

18. A lighting device comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter;

at least one luminescent element, the luminescent element comprising at least one luminescent material, the luminescent element spaced from the first solid state light emitter; and

at least one secondary optics element,

the luminescent element comprising at least a first luminescent element region and a second luminescent element region,

the first luminescent element region comprising a first luminescent material,

the second luminescent element region comprising a second luminescent material,

the first luminescent material, upon being excited, emits light of a first wavelength or range of wavelengths,

the second luminescent material, upon being excited, emits light of a second wavelength or range of wavelengths, and

the second wavelength or range of wavelengths differing from the first wavelength or range of wavelengths.

19. A lighting device as recited in claim 18, wherein:

the lighting device comprises at least the first and a second solid state light emitter,

the first solid state light emitter emits light of a first wavelength,

the second solid state light emitter emits light of a second wavelength, and

the first wavelength differs from the second wavelength.

20. A lighting device as recited in claim 18, wherein:

the luminescent element is attached to a housing,

the luminescent element and the housing define an internal space, and

at least the first solid state light emitter is positioned within the internal space.

21. A lighting device as recited in claim 18, wherein:

the lighting device further comprises a housing,

the housing comprises at least one reflective element,

at least a portion of the reflective element is substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical.