Illumination device

• US 9,416,940 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CoeLux S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Light in Light S.r.l.
• Inventors: Di Trapani, Paolo, Pigazzini, Marta Cecilia
• Primary Examiner(s): Breval, Elmito
• Assistant Examiner(s): Snyder, Zachary J
• Application Number:
  US14/148,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20140192509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: F21K 9/61 using light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• 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 9/02 for simulating daylight F21V9/04, F21V9/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• 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: F21V 9/40 with provision for controlling spectral properties, e.g. colour, or intensity
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0047 for use with a light source G02B19/009, G02B19/0095 take precedence; details of lighting devices in general F21V; non-semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S3/005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0071 adapted to illuminate a complete hemisphere or a plane extending 360 degrees around the source
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/30 Collimators
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0242 by means of dispersed particles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0041 provided in the bulk of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2933/0091 Scattering means in or on the semiconductor body or semiconductor body package H01L33/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/50 : Wavelength conversion elements

Abstract

An embodiment of an illumination device comprising a broad band artificial light source and a non-liquid chromatic diffuser transparent to visible light comprising a dispersion of elements of nanometrical dimensions of a first material with of certain refractive index in a second material with different refractive index, wherein the light is scattered producing a separation and different distribution between cold and hot components of the light originally produced by the source, according to a scattering process in “Rayleigh” regime. The device allows illumination effects similar to those of natural outdoor environments to be reproduced in indoor environments.

Claims

1. An illumination device comprising:

a broad-band artificial light source comprising one or more active elements which are configured to emit photons or to absorb photons and then re-emit photons at a higher wavelength; and

a chromatic diffuser;

wherein the maximum dimension of said chromatic diffuser is equal to or greater than twice the minimum dimension of the projection of the largest of said active elements in a plane perpendicular to the maximum emission direction of said light source, wherein the maximum dimension of said chromatic diffuser is defined as the maximum distance between any two points belonging to the projection of the chromatic diffuser in a plane perpendicular to the maximum emission direction; and

wherein the chromatic diffuser is configured to produce a narrow inner cone of transmitted light and a wider outer cone of diffused light, the transmitted light being more intense and warmer than the diffused light.

2. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the broad-band artificial light source is formed by a blue or ultraviolet LED or laser diode, associated with a phosphor which is configured to emit at least in the yellow region.

3. The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a lens configured to collimate the transmitted light.

4. The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a lens configured to collimate the radiation generated by the broad-band artificial light source so as to form the inner cone, or to reduce the angle of divergence of said radiation.

5. The illumination device according to claim 2, further comprising a lens configured to collimate the radiation generated by the broad-band artificial light source so as to form the inner cone, or to reduce the angle of divergence of said radiation.

6. The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of light sources.

7. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the broad-band artificial light source is formed by a plurality of white light LEDs.

8. The illumination device according to claim 1, comprising an array of blue or ultraviolet LEDs, an array of phosphors and an array of collimating lenses, each LED being optically coupled to a corresponding phosphor, each phosphor being coupled to a corresponding lens.

9. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein said broad-band artificial light source comprises a plurality of lenses, each lens being optically coupled to a corresponding active element, said lenses being interposed between the active elements and the chromatic diffuser.

10. An illumination device comprising:

a broad-band artificial light source comprising one or more active elements which are configured to emit photons or to absorb photons and then re-emit photons at a higher wavelength; and

a chromatic diffuser;

wherein the maximum dimension of said chromatic diffuser is equal to or greater than twice the minimum dimension of the projection of the largest of said active elements in a plane perpendicular to the maximum emission direction of said light source, wherein the maximum dimension of said chromatic diffuser is defined as the maximum distance between any two points belonging to the projection of the chromatic diffuser in a plane perpendicular to the maximum emission direction; and

wherein the chromatic diffuser is configured to produce, at each point of it, a corresponding narrow inner cone of transmitted light and a corresponding wider outer cone of diffused light, the transmitted light being more intense and warmer than the diffused light.