Sealed and sealable lighting systems incorporating flexible light sheets and related methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lighting system comprising:
- a substantially planar flexible substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
first and second spaced-apart power conductors disposed over the substrate;
a plurality of light-emitting strings disposed over the first surface of the substrate, each light-emitting string (i) comprising a plurality of interconnected light-emitting elements spaced along the light-emitting string, (ii) having a first end electrically coupled to the first power conductor, and (iii) having a second end electrically coupled to the second power conductor, wherein the power conductors supply power to each of the light-emitting strings;
a plurality of conductive traces disposed over the first surface of the substrate and each (i) electrically interconnecting two light-emitting elements, or (ii) electrically connecting a light-emitting element to a power conductor;
a plurality of control elements each (i) electrically connected to at least one light-emitting string and (ii) configured to utilize power supplied from the power conductors to control the current to the at least one light-emitting string to which it is electrically connected; and
a polymeric top housing disposed over the first surface of the substrate and sealed to the first surface of the substrate at a contact point between the top housing and the first surface of the substrate to form a sealed region between the top housing and the substrate, the sealed region containing therewithin the plurality of light-emitting strings and at least some of the conductive traces,wherein the top housing defines a plurality of shaped regions each (i) associated with a light-emitting element and (ii) spaced apart from and not in contact with the light-emitting element with which it is associated.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with certain embodiments, lighting systems include flexible light sheets and one or more sealed regions containing light-emitting elements, the sealed regions defined by seals between a top housing and a bottom housing and/or the light sheet. The top housing defines a plurality of shaped regions each associated with a light-emitting element and spaced apart from and not in contact with the light-emitting element with which it is associated.
86 Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A lighting system comprising:
-
a substantially planar flexible substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; first and second spaced-apart power conductors disposed over the substrate; a plurality of light-emitting strings disposed over the first surface of the substrate, each light-emitting string (i) comprising a plurality of interconnected light-emitting elements spaced along the light-emitting string, (ii) having a first end electrically coupled to the first power conductor, and (iii) having a second end electrically coupled to the second power conductor, wherein the power conductors supply power to each of the light-emitting strings; a plurality of conductive traces disposed over the first surface of the substrate and each (i) electrically interconnecting two light-emitting elements, or (ii) electrically connecting a light-emitting element to a power conductor; a plurality of control elements each (i) electrically connected to at least one light-emitting string and (ii) configured to utilize power supplied from the power conductors to control the current to the at least one light-emitting string to which it is electrically connected; and a polymeric top housing disposed over the first surface of the substrate and sealed to the first surface of the substrate at a contact point between the top housing and the first surface of the substrate to form a sealed region between the top housing and the substrate, the sealed region containing therewithin the plurality of light-emitting strings and at least some of the conductive traces, wherein the top housing defines a plurality of shaped regions each (i) associated with a light-emitting element and (ii) spaced apart from and not in contact with the light-emitting element with which it is associated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
36. A lighting system comprising:
-
a substantially planar flexible substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; first and second spaced-apart power conductors disposed over the substrate; a plurality of light-emitting strings disposed over the first surface of the substrate, each light-emitting string (i) comprising a plurality of interconnected light-emitting elements spaced along the light-emitting string, (ii) having a first end electrically coupled to the first power conductor, and (iii) having a second end electrically coupled to the second power conductor, wherein the power conductors supply power to each of the light-emitting strings; a plurality of conductive traces disposed over the first surface of the substrate and each (i) electrically interconnecting two light-emitting elements, or (ii) electrically connecting a light-emitting element to a power conductor; a plurality of control elements each (i) electrically connected to at least one light-emitting string and (ii) configured to utilize power supplied from the power conductors to control the current to the at least one light-emitting string to which it is electrically connected; a polymeric top housing disposed over the first surface of the substrate; and a polymeric bottom housing disposed over the second surface of the substrate and sealed to the top housing at a contact point between the top housing and the bottom housing to form a sealed region between the top housing and the bottom housing, the sealed region containing the substrate therewithin, wherein the top housing defines a plurality of shaped regions each (i) associated with a light-emitting element and (ii) spaced apart from and not in contact with the light-emitting element with which it is associated. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
-
Specification