LED lighting system

• US 20070183156A1
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LED Smart Inc.
• Original Assignee: LED Smart Inc.
• Inventors: Shan, Xinxin
• Granted Patent: US 7,307,391 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/277
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/43 General lighting
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/78 for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0038 Illumination systems for cabins as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2203/00 Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs
• 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 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/66 Details of globes or covers forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/15 Strips of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/19 Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/195 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/50 characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/47 Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/104 using feather joints, e.g. tongues and grooves, with or without friction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 27/02 Cable inlets
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 : characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/10 : for land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/30 : for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 : comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 : Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/345 : Current stabilisation; Maintaining constant current
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 : Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 : Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/56 : involving measures to prevent abnormal temperature of the LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Abstract

A light emitting diode lighting device and system that can be used for illuminating the interior and/or exterior of vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, signage or buildings is provided. It includes a voltage feedback constant current power supply circuitry and high power LEDs. The printed circuit assemblies are firmly mounted onto a continuous or semi-continuous mounting channel case that also works as a heat sink. By this means, it not only increases the reliability of the LED lighting tube but also it provides sufficient heat dissipation capability for the heat generated by the LEDs. Since the operating temperature of the LEDs is controlled and stays in cool condition, it dramatically increases the LED'"'"'s lifetime and efficiency. The end caps of this LED lighting device are fully compatible with existing conventional fluorescent light fixtures and can directly replace those fluorescent lighting tubes in vehicles, mass-transit, watercrafts, aircrafts, signage or buildings with minimal modifications.

Claims

1. An LED lighting system, comprising:

a housing forming a channel and being heat conductive and rigid;

at least a first end of the housing having electrical connectors for connection to a power source;

an LED array extending along the housing within the channel, each LED in the LED array having a power rating of greater than 0.5 watts; and

onboard current control circuitry for the LED array, the onboard current control circuitry being carried by the housing and being in electrical communication with the electrical connectors.

2. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the housing incorporates electrical connectors at a second end of the housing.

3. The LED lighting system of claim 2 in which the electrical connectors at each of the first end and the second end of the housing are fluorescent light receptacle attachment pins.

4. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the onboard current control circuitry is located within the channel.

5. The LED lighting system of claim 4 in which:

the LED array is divided into sets of LEDs; and

the onboard current control circuitry is formed of multiple current controllers, each current controller of the multiple current controllers providing current control for a corresponding set of LEDs in the LED array.

6. The LED lighting system of claim 5 in which the onboard current control circuitry is configured to provide constant current to the LEDs of the LED array.

7. The LED lighting system of claim 6 in which the housing is made of a unitary piece of material that is both heat conductive and rigid.

8. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the onboard current control circuitry is configured to provide constant current to the LEDs of the LED array.

9. The LED lighting system of claim 1 further comprising a light transparent cover for the channel.

10. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the housing is made of a unitary piece of material that is both heat conductive and rigid.

18. A lighting system comprising multiple LED lighting systems according to claim 1 installed in a vehicle.

19. The lighting system of claim 18 in which the vehicle is a watercraft, aircraft or land vehicle.

20. A lighting system comprising multiple LED lighting systems according to claim 1 installed in a building or in signage.

11. An LED lighting system, comprising:

a housing;

at least a first end of the housing having electrical connectors for connection to a power source;

an LED array extending along the housing, each LED in the LED array having a power rating of greater than 0.5 watts, the LED array being arranged in sets of LEDs;

onboard current control circuitry for the LED array, the onboard current control circuitry being carried by the housing and being in electrical communication with the electrical connectors; and

the onboard current control circuitry being formed of multiple current controllers, each current controller of the multiple current controllers providing current control for a corresponding set of LEDs in the LED array.

12. The LED lighting system of claim 11 in which the onboard current control circuitry is configured to provide constant current to the LEDs of the LED array.

13. The LED lighting system of claim 12 in which the housing incorporates electrical connectors at a second end of the housing.

14. The LED lighting system of claim 13 in which the electrical connectors at each of the first end and the second end of the housing are fluorescent light receptacle attachment pins.

15. The LED lighting system of claim 14 in which the housing is heat conductive and rigid.

16. The LED lighting system of claim 15 further comprising a light transmitting cover for the housing.

17. The LED lighting system of claim 15 in which the housing is made of a unitary piece of material that is both heat conductive and rigid.