LED LAMP WITH LED BOARD HEAT SINK

• US 20150308628A1
• Filed: 04/23/2014
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Athalye, Praneet, Progl, Curt
• Granted Patent: US 9,488,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: F21V 23/002 Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/33 annular
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A LED lamp includes an optically transmissive enclosure and a base connected to the enclosure. LEDs are mounted on a substrate for emitting light when energized though an electrical path from the base. The substrate and the LEDs are mounted outside of the enclosure for transmitting light from the plurality of LEDs into the enclosure.

Claims

1. A LED lamp comprising:

an enclosure, the enclosure being at least partially optically transmissive;

a base connected to the enclosure;

an LED assembly comprising a plurality of LEDs for emitting light when energized though an electrical path from the base, the LED assembly and the plurality of LEDs being mounted outside of the enclosure for transmitting light through the enclosure into the interior of the enclosure.

2. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the base comprises an Edison base.

3. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the plurality of LEDs are disposed near the surface of the enclosure and are positioned to direct light primarily toward the enclosure.

4. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the plurality of LEDs are disposed about the periphery of the enclosure.

5. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the LED assembly comprises a LED board, the plurality of LEDs being mounted to the LED board.

6. The lamp of claim 5 wherein the LED board comprises a thermally conductive material.

7. The lamp of claim 5 wherein the electrical path comprises an electrical conductor formed on the LED board.

8. The lamp of claim 5 wherein the LED board comprises one of a MCPCB, flex circuit and a lead frame.

9. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the outer dimensions of the lamp fall within the ANSI standards for an A19 bulb.

10. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the LED assembly is formed into a three-dimensional shape that comprises portions that are shaped to conform to the shape of the enclosure.

11. The lamp of claim 10 wherein the LED board is bent to form the three-dimensional shape.

12. The lamp of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of LED boards where each of the plurality of LED boards supports at least one LED.

13. The lamp of claim 12 wherein the plurality of LED boards are connected to one another by a support.

14. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the plurality of LEDs are disposed in an optically transmissive channel formed in the enclosure.

15. The lamp of claim 14 wherein the channel defines a recess that substantially surrounds the light emitting portion of the plurality of LEDs.

16. The lamp of claim 14 wherein the channel is disposed in front of and to the sides of the plurality of LEDs.

17. The lamp of claim 14 wherein the LED assembly is dimensioned to enclose the channel such that light is reflected by the LED assembly into the enclosure.

18. The lamp of claim 14 wherein the LED assembly is ring shaped.

19. The lamp of claim 1 wherein a metal band is thermally coupled to the LEDs.

20. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the LED assembly is located at the approximate center of the enclosure.

21. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the plurality of LEDs face at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the lamp.

22. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the LED assembly is exposed to the ambient environment such that heat is dissipated from the plurality of LEDs via the LED assembly.

23. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the lamp is a directional lamp comprising a reflective surface and a lens defines an exit surface of the lamp.

24. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the base contains at least a portion of the lamp electronics.

25. The lamp of claim 1 wherein an electrical conductor in the electrical path extends between the LED assembly and the base.

26. The lamp of claim 25 wherein the electrical conductor extends outside of the enclosure between the LED assembly and the base.

27. The lamp of claim 26 wherein the electrical conductor extends in a channel formed in the outside of the enclosure.

28. The lamp of claim 25 wherein the electrical conductor extends inside of the enclosure between the LED assembly and the base.

29. The lamp of claim 28 wherein the electrical conductor extends through a hole in the enclosure.

30. The lamp of claim 25 wherein the electrical conductor comprises a part of the LED assembly.