Lighting devices that comprise one or more solid state light emitters

• US 8,773,007 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2011
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creeled Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Van De Ven, Antony Paul, Thieken, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Joseph L
• Application Number:
  US13/022,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20110211351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 313/318.01, 362/249.02, 362/311.02
• US Class Current: 313/318.01
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/238 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/003 Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0055 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/002 Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/006 the substrate being distinct from the light source holder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• 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 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/745 the fins or blades being planar and inclined with respect to the joining surface from which the fins or blades extend
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/75 with fins or blades having different shapes, thicknesses or spacing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/767 the planes containing the fins or blades having directions perpendicular to the light emitting axis
• 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 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 : characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 : Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 : on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Light engine modules comprise a support member and a solid state light emitter, in which (1) the emitter is mounted on the support member, (2) a region of the support member has a surface with a curved cross-section, (3) the emitter and a compensation circuit are mounted on the support member, (4) an electrical contact element extends to at least two surfaces of the support member, and/or (5) a substantial entirety of the module is located on one side of a plane and the emitter emits light into another side of the plane. Also, a module comprising means for supporting a light emitter and a light emitter. Also, a lighting device comprising a housing member and a light emitter mounted on a removable support member. Also, a lighting device comprising a module mounted in a lighting device element. Also, a method comprising mounting a module to a lighting device element.

Claims

1. A light engine module, comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter support member;

at least a first solid state light emitter; and

at least first, second and third electrical connection structures,

the first electrical connection structure extending through the solid state light emitter support member and making electrical connection to at least a first component and a second component, the first component on a first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member, the second component on a second surface of the first solid state light emitter support member,

the second electrical connection structure extending through the solid state light emitter support member and making electrical connection to at least a third component and a fourth component, the third component on the first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member, the fourth component on the second surface of the first solid state light emitter support member,

the third electrical connection structure extending through the solid state light emitter support member and making electrical connection to at least a fifth component and a sixth component, the fifth component on the first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member, the sixth component on the second surface of the first solid state light emitter support member,

the first electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity,

the second electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity,

the third electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity,

the fourth electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity,

the fifth electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity,

the sixth electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity,

the first solid state light emitter on the first solid state light emitter support member.

2. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein the light engine module further comprises:

a first circuit board, the first circuit board on the first solid state light emitter support member, at least the first solid state light emitter on the first circuit board; and

a second circuit board, the second circuit board on the first solid state light emitter support member.

3. A light engine module as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one compensation circuit component is mounted on the second circuit board.

4. A light engine module as recited in claim 2, wherein the light engine module further comprises at least one power supply component, and wherein at least one of the electrical connection structures electrically connects the first circuit board to the second circuit board.

5. A light engine module as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first solid state light emitter support member is a circuit board,

the first solid state light emitter is mounted on a first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member, and

at least one compensation circuit component is mounted on a second surface of the first solid state light emitter support member.

6. A light engine module, comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter support member;

at least a first solid state light emitter; and

at least first and second electrical contact regions, the entireties of each of the first and second electrical contact regions electrically conductive, the first electrical contact region on a first side of the first solid state light emitter support member, the second electrical contact region on a second side of the first solid state light emitter support member,

the first solid state light emitter support member having a first surface, on which the first solid state light emitter is mounted,

the first and second electrical contact regions aligned, whereby a line segment defined between a portion of the first electrical contact region and a portion of the second electrical contact region is substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the first solid state light emitter support member.

7. A light engine module, comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter support member;

at least a first circuit board;

at least a first solid state light emitter; and

at least first and second electrical contact regions, the entireties of each of the first and second electrical contact regions electrically conductive, the first electrical contact region on a first side of the first solid state light emitter support member, the second electrical contact region on a second side of the first solid state light emitter member,

the first circuit board having a first surface, on which the first solid state light emitter is mounted,

the first and second electrical contact regions aligned, whereby a line segment defined between a portion of the first electrical contact region and a portion of the second electrical contact region is substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the first circuit board.

8. A light engine module comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter;

at least first and second circuit boards;

at least a first support structure,

the first solid state light emitter on the first circuit board,

the first circuit board on a first surface of the first support structure,

the second circuit board on a second surface of the first support structure, at least a first electrical component on a surface of the second circuit board that faces away from the first circuit board, the first electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity.

9. A light engine module as recited in claim 8, wherein the light engine module further comprises a second support structure, the first support structure attached to the second support structure.

10. A lighting device comprising a light engine module as recited in claim 8 mounted in a lighting device element.

11. A method comprising mounting a light engine module as recited in claim 8 to a lighting device element.

12. A method comprising:

mounting a first circuit board on a first surface of a first support structure in a light engine module comprising at least a first support structure, at least a first solid state light emitter on the first circuit board, and

mounting at least a first electrical component on a surface of the first support structure that faces away from the first surface of the first support structure, the first electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity,

the first support structure at least partially electrically insulative.

13. A light engine module comprising:

at least a first solid state light emitter;

at least a first circuit board;

at least a first support structure,

the first solid state light emitter on the first circuit board,

the first circuit board on a first surface of the first support structure, at least a first electrical component on a surface of the first support structure that faces away from the first surface of the first support structure, the first electrical component configured to perform at least one electrical function other than conducting electricity,

the first support structure at least partially electrically insulative.

14. A lighting device comprising a light engine module as recited in claim 13 mounted in a lighting device element.

15. A lighting device as recited in claim 14, wherein the light engine module is removably mounted in the lighting device element.

16. A light engine module as recited in claim 13, wherein a first notch is provided in the first circuit board.

17. A light engine module comprising:

a first circuit board;

at least a first solid state light emitter mounted on the first circuit board;

a first support structure;

an electrical conductor; and

an insulation element,

the first circuit board on the first support structure,

the electrical conductor electrically connected to at least one component on the first circuit board;

the first support structure having at least a first indented region, the insulation element having a protrusion extending into at least a portion of the first indented region.

18. A light engine module comprising:

a first circuit board;

at least a first solid state light emitter mounted on the first circuit board;

a first support structure;

an electrical conductor; and

an insulation element,

the first circuit board on the first support structure,

the electrical conductor electrically connected to at least one component on the first circuit hoard;

the insulation element having at least a first indented region, the first circuit board extending into at least a portion of the first indented region.

19. A lighting device comprising:

a light engine module; and

a lighting device element,

the light engine module at least partially within the lighting device element,

at least a first surface of the light engine module in contact with at least a first surface of the lighting device element, the first surface of the light engine module comprising at least a first electrical contact, the first surface of the lighting device element comprising at least a second electrical contact, at least a first portion of the first electrical contact in contact with at least a first portion of the second electrical contact.

20. A lighting device as recited in claim 19, wherein the lighting device element comprises at least one ledge for supporting the light engine module.

21. A light engine element comprising:

a light engine module; and

at least a first interface element connected to the light engine module, the first interface element comprising at least two fins, the first interface element configured to hold the light engine module and to be held in place relative to a lighting device element.