Interchangeable LED bulbs

• US 8,823,270 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Santa's Best
• Original Assignee: 1 Energy Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Yu, Jing Jing, Du, Shengwang
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Tuyet Thi
• Application Number:
  US13/213,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20120217896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 315/185.S, 315/247, 315/209.R, 315312-326
• US Class Current: 315/185.S
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/167 comprising optoelectronic devices, e.g. LED, photodiodes
• 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: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/808 Figure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

Disclosed are circuits that allow LED bulbs to be replaced regardless of color or construction of the LED element. When used for an LED light string, replacing an LED bulb does not affect the operation of the entire string. When used for other illumination purpose, for example, room light, the bulbs are interchangeable because they have the same operating voltage and current. A standardized input impedance is selected for all of the LED bulbs regardless of construction and color. A resistor circuit is used to create the standardized input impedance while optimizing the operating parameters of the LED element. The resistor circuit includes a bypass element so that if a LED element burns open, a series wired LED string will not go dark. This eliminates the necessity for parallel connected LED bulbs and allows enjoyment of other advantages and economies of series wired LED strings.

Claims

1. An interchangeable LED bulb having a standardized input impedance that is based upon an input current (I_in) and an input voltage (V_in) applied to said interchangeable LED bulb when said interchangeable LED bulb that is disposed in an LED light string without substantially affecting performance and luminosity of said light string comprising:

an LED element having an operating voltage (V_LED) that is applied across said LED element and an operating current (I_LED) that flows through said LED element when said interchangeable LED bulb is placed in said LED light string;

a first resistor that is connected in series said LED element having a resistive value that is approximately equal to (V_in−

V_LED)/I_LED

a second resistor that is connected in parallel with said first resistor and said LED element having a resistive value that is approximately equal to (V_in/(I_in−

I_LED) said first resistor and said second resistor being selected to have resistive values so that said LED element has a substantially predetermined luminosity and said interchangeable LED bulb has an input impedance that is substantially equal to said standardized input impedance so that said LED light string maintains a substantially uniform luminosity in said LED light string.

2. The interchangeable bulb of claim 1 wherein said operating voltage V_LED and said operating current I_LED are substantially optimal for providing both longevity and brightness of said LED element.

3. The interchangeable bulb of claim 1 wherein a power source for said LED light string is an alternating current.

4. The interchangeable bulb of claim 1 wherein a power source for said LED light string is a direct current.

5. The interchangeable bulb of claim 1 wherein said operating voltage V_LED and said operating current I_LED are substantially optimal for providing both longevity and brightness of said LED element.

6. The interchangeable bulb of claim 5 wherein:

I_in≧

I_LED; and

V_in≧

V_LED.

7. The interchangeable bulb of claim 6 wherein:

I_in≧

I_LED; and

V_in≧

V_LED.

8. The interchangeable bulb of claim 7 further comprising:

an epoxy encapsulating package that is disposed around said LED element, said first resistor and said second resistor.

9. The interchangeable bulb of claim 7 further comprising:

an epoxy encapsulating package that is disposed around said LED element, said first resistor and said second resistor.

10. A method of making an interchangeable LED bulb for an LED light string, said interchangeable LED bulb having a first resistor, a second resistor and an LED element, comprising:

selecting a standardized input impedance for said interchangeable LED bulb that is substantially equal to input impedances of other LED bulbs in said LED light string, by determining an input voltage (V_in) and an input current (I_in) to be applied to said interchangeable LED bulb when said interchangeable LED bulb is inserted in said LED light string;

selecting an operating current (I_LED) and an operating voltage (V_LED) for said LED element of said interchangeable LED bulb to create a substantially predetermined luminosity of said LED elements;

connecting a first resistor in series with said LED element;

connecting a second resistor in series with said first resistor and said second resistor in parallel with said LED element;

selecting resistive values for said first resistor and said second resistor so that said LED element creates said substantially predetermined luminosity and said interchangeable LED bulb has an input impedance that is substantially equal to said standardized input impedance.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein a power source for said LED light string is an alternating current.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein a power source for said LED light string is a direct current.

13. The method of claim 10further comprising:

selecting a substantially optimal operating current and a substantially optimal operating voltage (V_LED) for said LED element to provide adequate brightness and a prolonged lifetime for said LED element.

14. The method of claim 13 where said method of selecting a standardized input impedance by determining an input voltage (V_in) and an input current (I_in) comprises:

selecting an input current (I_in) as follows;

I_in≧

I_LED;

selecting an input voltage (V_in) as follows;

V_in≧

V_LED.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

encapsulating said LED element, said first resistor and said second resistor in epoxy.

16. An interchangeable LED bulb having a standardized input impedance that is substantially equal to input impedances of other LED bulbs in an LED light string, said standardized input impedance being based upon an input current (I_in) and an input voltage (V_in) that is applied to said interchangeable LED bulb when said interchangeable LED bulb is disposed in an LED light string comprising:

an LED element that forms a part of said interchangeable LED bulb having an operating voltage V_LED that is applied across said LED and an operating current I_LED that flows through said LED element when said interchangeable LED bulb is placed in said LED light string;

a first resistor that forms a part of said interchangeable LED bulb, that is connected in series with said LED element having a resistive value that is approximately equal to V_LED/(I_in−

I_LED);

a second resistor that forms a part of said interchangeable LED bulb, that is connected in parallel with said first resistor and said LED element having a resistive value that is approximately equal to (V_in−

V_LED)I_n, wherein said first resistor and said second resistor are selected to have resistive values so that said LED element creates a luminosity that is substantially the same as other LED elements in said LED light string, and said interchangeable LED bulb has an input impedance that is substantially equal to said standardized input impedance so that a substantially uniform luminosity is created from said interchangeable LED bulb and said other LED bulbs in said LED light string.

17. The interchangeable bulb of claim 16 wherein said operating voltage V_LED and said operating current I_LED are substantially optimal for providing both longevity and brightness of said LED element.

18. The interchangeable bulb of claim 16 wherein a power source for said LED light string is an alternating current.

19. The interchangeable bulb of claim 16 wherein a power source for said LED light string is a direct current.

20. The interchangeable bulb of claim 16 wherein:

I_in≧

I_LED; and

V_in≧

V_LED.

21. The interchangeable bulb of claim 20 further comprising:

an epoxy encapsulating package that is disposed around said LED element, said first resistor and said second resistor.

22. The interchangeable bulb of claim 20 further comprising:

an epoxy encapsulating package that is disposed around said LED element, said first resistor and said second resistor.