Solid state lamp using light emitting strips

• US 9,557,018 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2015
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Original Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Inventors: Steele, Robert V., Lerman, Louis, York, Allan Brent, Dau, Wilson, Teng, Jacqueline, Lerman, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Breval, Elmito
• Application Number:
  US14/929,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20160069518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• 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 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/235 Details of bases or caps, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within bases or caps F21K9/238 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/237 Details of housings or cases, i.e. the parts between the light-generating element and the bases; Arrangement of components within housings or cases F21K9/238 takes precedence
• 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 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• 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: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/14 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements, reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/12 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/14 Bayonet-type fastening
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0025 the fastening means engaging the conductors of the light source, i.e. providing simultaneous fastening of the light sources and their electric connections
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/00 Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices F21V17/00, F21V19/00 take precedence; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q, stands for supporting apparatus or articles in general F16M11/00; Hand grips
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/10 Arrangement of heat-generating components to reduce thermal damage, e.g. by distancing heat-generating components from other components to be protected
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• 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: F21V 5/10 : comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 : Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/06 : with parabolic curvature
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/00 : Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters coloured shades F21V1/00; elements characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/502
• 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 9/32 : characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/38 : Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 : Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 : comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 : Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 : Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/20 : on convex supports or substrates, e.g. on the outer surface of spheres
• 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 2107/90 : on two opposite sides of supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/15 : Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 : the devices being arranged next to each other
• 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: H01L 33/62 : Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the semiconductor body, e.g. lead-frames, wire-bonds or solder balls

Abstract

In one embodiment, an LED lamp has a generally bulb shape. The LEDs are low power types and axe encapsulated in thin, narrow, flexible strips. The LEDs are connected in series in the strips to drop a desired voltage. The strips are affixed to the outer surface of a bulb form to provide structure to the lamp. The strips are connected in parallel to a power supply, which may be housed in the lamp. Since many low power LEDs are used and are spread out over a large surface area, there is no need for a large metal heat sink. Further, the light emission is similar to that of an incandescent bulb. In other embodiment, there is no bulb form and the strips are bendable to have a variety of shapes. In another embodiment, a light sheet is bent to provide 360 degrees of light emission. Many other embodiments are described.

Claims

1. A solid state lamp comprising:

one or more strips, each of the strips comprising first and second electrical contacts at opposing ends of the strip, a substrate, and one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on the substrate operatively interconnected with the first and second electrical contacts and configured to emit light during operation, wherein the substrate transmits at least some of the light emitted by the LEDs;

a base structure having first and second electrical connection locations operatively connected, respectively, with the first and second electrical contacts of the strips and configured to provide electrical power to the one or more strips; and

a connector affixed to the base structure and configured to operatively connect the base structure to an external power source,

wherein the first electrical connection location is disposed proximate the connector and the second electrical connection location is disposed distal of the connector.

2. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the one or more strips are shaped to mimic the appearance of filaments in an incandescent light bulb during operation.

3. The solid state lamp of claim 1, further comprising a bulb extending from the connector and surrounding the one or more strips and the base structure.

4. The solid state lamp of claim 3, wherein the bulb is substantially transparent.

5. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein each strip is configured to emit light around an axis of the strip.

6. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrical contacts of each strip are located at opposite ends of the strip.

7. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more strips further comprises a phosphor coating covering the one or more LEDs and the one or more LEDs are configured, during operation, to emit light towards the phosphor and the phosphor is configured to convert light received from the one or more LEDs into converted light.

8. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the one or more LED strips are electrically connected in parallel.

9. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the base structure comprises a transparent material.

10. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the one or more strips are electrically connected in series.

11. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the one or more strips extend along a straight line from the first electrical contact to the second electrical contact.

12. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the base structure comprises a wire frame that includes the first and second electrical connection locations.

13. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a screw socket connector or bayonet socket connector.

14. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the connector is an Edison-type connector.

15. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured for connection to a socket by rotation about a connector axis, and the first and second electrical connection locations are at different positions along the connector axis.

16. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the LEDs are LED dies.

17. The solid state lamp of claim 16, wherein the LED dies are encapsulated in the strip.

18. The solid state lamp of claim 17, wherein each strip comprises a layer of material extending over multiple of the LED dies.

19. The solid state lamp of claim 16, wherein sides of the LED dies are encapsulated by phosphor infused in a binder material.

20. The solid state lamp of claim 19, wherein the binder material is a silicone.

21. The solid state lamp of claim 16, wherein the LED dies are disposed on a single side of the substrate.

22. The solid state lamp of claim 16, wherein the LED dies are disposed in a single row on the substrate.

23. The solid state lamp of claim 16, wherein at least some of the strips are curved.

24. The solid state lamp of claim 16, wherein the connector defines a lamp axis about which the lamp is rotated when installing the lamp in a conventional light socket, and at least a portion of at least some of the strips extend along the lamp axis non-parallel to the lamp axis.

25. The solid state lamp of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of at least some of the strips extend along the lamp axis non-parallel to each other.

26. The solid state lamp of claim 24, wherein the connector is an Edison screw-in connector.

27. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein each LED emits light in a substantially Lambertian pattern.

28. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein the substrate is formed from a transparent material.

29. The solid state lamp of claim 1, wherein each strip comprises a phosphor in a binder material and the one or more LEDs are configured, during operation, to emit light towards the phosphor and the phosphor is configured to convert light received from the one or more LEDs into converted light.

30. The solid state lamp of claim 29, wherein the binder material is a silicon binder material.

31. The solid state lamp of claim 29, wherein the LEDs are encapsulated in each strip, the encapsulant comprising a layer of a material extending over multiple of the LEDs.