Light emitting diode replacement lamp

• US 9,429,280 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2013
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LEDVANCE LLC (MLS Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TerraLUX Incorporated
• Inventors: Catalano, Anthony W., Harrison, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US14/104,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20140168986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 362/240, 362/249.02, 362/257, 362/551, 362/555, 362/545
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/238 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/61 using light guides
• 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: F21K 9/68 Details of reflectors forming part of the light source
• 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: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• 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 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• 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 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• 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: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 : the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/58 : Optical field-shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/60 : Reflective elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 : Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 : Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 : using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/40 : Details of LED load circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

In various embodiments, an illumination device includes a housing, a power connector for connecting the illumination device to a power socket and receiving input power, a light emitter for direct illumination disposed within the housing, a circuit for regulating the input power and providing the regulated power to the light emitter, and a decorative illumination element for providing decorative illumination.

Claims

1. An illumination device comprising:

a housing;

a power connector for connecting the illumination device to a power socket and receiving an input power;

a light emitter disposed within the housing;

a circuit for regulating the input power and providing the regulated power to the light emitter; and

an optical component for directing a first portion of light generated by the light emitter for direct illumination in a first direction and a second portion of light generated by the light emitter for decorative illumination in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction,

a plurality of light channels extending between the housing and the optical component for directing the second portion of light, thereby providing the decorative illumination.

2. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of light is more intense than the second portion of light.

3. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of light exits through a cover attached to the housing to provide direct illumination.

4. The illumination device of claim 3, wherein the cover is substantially transparent.

5. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a substantially translucent shade, the second portion of light exiting the shade to provide decorative illumination.

6. The illumination device of claim 5, wherein the shade contains openings through which the second portion of light exits the housing for providing the decorative illumination.

7. The illumination device of claim 1, further comprising a secondary optical component for further conditioning the second portion of light for decorative illumination.

8. The illumination device of claim 7, wherein the further conditioned second portion of light and the direct illumination are distinct in terms of at least one of a direction, a color, or an intensity.

9. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the light channels are partially or substantially filled with an optical waveguide material.

10. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the light channels are substantially empty.

11. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein portions of the housing connected to the light channels define openings allowing the second portion of light to exit the housing.

12. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the light channels each extend in a substantially straight line from the optical component to the housing.

13. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein, in each light channel, (i) a first portion of the light channel directs light generally towards the housing, the light not exiting the housing from the first portion of the light channel, and (ii) a second portion of the light channel, different from the first portion, directs light in a direction approximately parallel to an outer contour of the housing, light exiting the housing from the second portion of the light channel.

14. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the optical component comprises a total-internal-reflection optic.

15. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the light emitter comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

16. A method of using an illumination device to provide direct illumination and decorative illumination, the method comprising:

generating light with a light emitter disposed within a housing;

directing a first portion of light generated by the light emitter outside the housing in a first direction for direct illumination; and

via an optical component disposed within the housing, directing a second portion of light generated by the light emitter outside the housing in a second direction for decorative illumination, the second direction being different from the first direction,

wherein the second portion of light is directed through a plurality of light channels extending between the housing and the optical component.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the light channels each extend in a substantially straight line from the optical component to the housing.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein, in each light channel, (i) a first portion of the light channel directs light generally towards the housing, the light not exiting the housing from the first portion of the light channel, and (ii) a second portion of the light channel, different from the first portion, directs light in a direction approximately parallel to an outer contour of the housing, light exiting the housing from the second portion of the light channel.

19. An illumination device comprising:

a housing comprising a substantially translucent shade;

a power connector for connecting the illumination device to a power socket and receiving an input power;

a light emitter disposed within the housing;

a circuit for regulating the input power and providing the regulated power to the light emitter; and

an optical component for directing a first portion of light generated by the light emitter for direct illumination in a first direction and a second portion of light generated by the light emitter for decorative illumination in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction,

wherein the shade contains openings through which at least some of the second portion of light exits the housing for providing the decorative illumination.

20. The illumination device of claim 19, wherein the first portion of light is more intense than the second portion of light.

21. The illumination device of claim 19, wherein the first portion of light exits through a cover attached to the housing to provide direct illumination.

22. The illumination device of claim 21, wherein the cover is substantially transparent.

23. The illumination device of claim 19, further comprising a secondary optical component for further conditioning the second portion of light for decorative illumination.

24. The illumination device of claim 23, wherein the further conditioned second portion of light and the direct illumination are distinct in terms of at least one of a direction, a color, or an intensity.

25. The illumination device of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of light channels extending between the housing and the optical component for directing the second portion of light to the openings in the shade, thereby providing the decorative illumination.

26. The illumination device of claim 25, wherein the light channels are partially or substantially filled with an optical waveguide material.

27. The illumination device of claim 25, wherein the light channels are substantially empty.

28. The illumination device of claim 27, wherein portions of the housing connected to the light channels define openings allowing the second portion of light to exit the housing.

29. The illumination device of claim 25, wherein the light channels each extend in a substantially straight line from the optical component to the housing.

30. The illumination device of claim 25, wherein, in each light channel, (i) a first portion of the light channel directs light generally towards the housing, the light not exiting the housing from the first portion of the light channel, and (ii) a second portion of the light channel, different from the first portion, directs light in a direction approximately parallel to an outer contour of the housing, light exiting the housing from the second portion of the light channel.

31. The illumination device of claim 19, wherein the optical component comprises a total-internal-reflection optic.

32. The illumination device of claim 19, wherein the light emitter comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

33. A method of using an illumination device to provide direct illumination and decorative illumination, the method comprising:

generating light with a light emitter disposed within a housing, the housing comprising a substantially translucent shade;

directing a first portion of light generated by the light emitter outside the housing in a first direction for direct illumination; and

via openings in the shade, directing a second portion of light generated by the light emitter outside the housing in a second direction for decorative illumination, the second direction being different from the first direction.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the second portion of light is directed through a plurality of light channels to the openings in the shade, the plurality of light channels extending between the housing and the optical component.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the light channels each extend in a substantially straight line from the optical component to the housing.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein, in each light channel, (i) a first portion of the light channel directs light generally towards the housing, light not exiting the housing from the first portion of the light channel, and (ii) a second portion of the light channel, different from the first portion, directs light in a direction approximately parallel to an outer contour of the housing, the light exiting the housing from the second portion of the light channel.