Lighting devices comprising solid state light emitters

• US 9,458,999 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Van De Ven, Antony Paul, Chan, Wai Kwan, Wah, Ho Chin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US14/212,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20140198503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 362/235, 362/249.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/68 Details of reflectors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/02 of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters specially adapted for vehicle exteriors F21S41/00-F21S45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting device comprising a trim element, an electrical connector and at least one solid state light emitter, the lighting device weighing less than one kilogram. If current of about 12 watts (or in some cases about 15 watts, or in some cases not more than about 15 watts) is supplied to the electrical connector, the at least one solid state light emitter will illuminate so that the lighting device will emit white light of at least 500 lumens. Also, a lighting device that weighs less than one kilogram and can generate white light of at least 500 lumens using a current of not more than about 15 watts. Also, a lighting device for mounting in a recessed housing, comprising a unitary structure trim element that conducts heat away from at least one solid state light emitter and dissipates at least some of the heat outside of the recessed housing.

Claims

1. A mixing chamber sub-assembly, comprising:

a mixing chamber reflector, the mixing chamber reflector comprising a reflective structure, a first region of the reflective structure defining a first opening, a second region of the reflective structure defining a second opening; and

at least one element selected from among [1] a diffuser film that substantially covers the second opening, and [2] a lens that substantially covers the second opening.

2. A mixing chamber sub-assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber sub-assembly is configured to be removably attached to a trim element.

3. A mixing chamber sub-assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber reflector is substantially frustoconical.

4. A mixing chamber sub-assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the mixing chamber reflector is configured to be positioned on a first surface on which at least a first solid state light emitter is mounted, with a periphery of the first opening in contact with the first surface and extending around a region in which the first solid state light emitter is mounted on the first surface, and such that light emitted by the first solid state light emitter can exit the reflective structure through the second opening.

5. A mixing chamber sub-assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein:

the first opening is substantially circular and in a first plane, and

the second opening is substantially circular and in a second plane, the second plane substantially parallel to the first plane.

6. A mixing chamber sub-assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the mixing chamber sub-assembly further comprises a mixing chamber element, and

a surface of the mixing chamber reflector is in contact with a surface of the mixing chamber element.

7. A mixing chamber sub-assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the mixing chamber sub-assembly comprises both a diffuser film and a lens,

the mixing chamber sub-assembly further comprises a lens retainer,

the lens and the diffuser film substantially cover the second opening, and

the lens retainer holds the lens and the diffuser against the second region of the reflective structure.

8. A lighting device comprising:

a trim element; and

a mixing chamber sub-assembly removably attached to the trim element, the mixing chamber sub-assembly comprising a mixing chamber reflector,

the mixing chamber reflector comprising a reflective structure, a first region of the reflective structure defining a first opening, a second region of the reflective structure defining a second opening,

the mixing chamber sub-assembly further comprising at least one element selected from among a diffuser film that substantially covers the second opening and a lens that substantially covers the second opening.

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

the mixing chamber sub-assembly further comprises a mixing chamber element, and

a surface of the mixing chamber reflector is in contact with a surface of the mixing chamber element.

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

the mixing chamber sub-assembly comprises both a diffuser film and a lens,

the mixing chamber sub-assembly further comprises a lens retainer, and

the lens and the diffuser film substantially cover the second opening, and

the lens retainer holds the lens and the diffuser against the second region of the reflective structure.

9. A lighting device comprising:

a trim element; and

a mixing chamber sub-assembly comprising a mixing chamber reflector,

the mixing chamber sub-assembly removably attached to the trim element, the mixing chamber reflector comprising a reflective structure, a first region of the reflective structure defining a first opening, a second region of the reflective structure defining a second opening, the mixing chamber reflector configured to be positioned on a first surface on which at least a first solid state light emitter is mounted, with a periphery of the first opening in contact with the first surface and extending around a region in which the first solid state light emitter is mounted on the first surface, and such that light emitted by the first solid state light emitter can exit the reflective structure through the second opening.

10. A lighting device as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the first opening is substantially circular and in a first plane, and

the second opening is substantially circular and in a second plane, the second plane substantially parallel to the first plane.

13. A lighting device comprising:

a trim element; and

a mixing chamber sub-assembly comprising a mixing chamber reflector and a mixing chamber element,

the mixing chamber sub-assembly removably attached to the trim element,

a surface of the mixing chamber reflector in contact with a surface of the mixing chamber element.