Light emitting diode (LED) light bulbs

• US 6,948,829 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2004
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dialight Corporation (Dialight PLC)
• Original Assignee: Dialight Corporation (Dialight PLC)
• Inventors: Chen, Yuming, Verdes, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cranson, Jr., James W
• Application Number:
  US10/765,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20050162864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 362/545, 362/236, 362/252, 362/800, 362/294, 362/227, 362/126, 362/230, 315/71
• US Class Current: 362/227
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• 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 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• 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: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A light emitting diode (LED) light bulb that includes plural individual elements as sub-assembly elements of the overall light bulb. Different sub-assembly elements of a lens, a LED printed circuit board, a housing also functioning as a heat sink, a lower housing, and other individual sub-assembly components are utilized. The LED printed circuit board sub-assembly containing the LEDs can also be provided relatively close to a base.

Claims

1. A light bulb comprising:

(a) a board supporting at least one light emitting diode (LED);

(b) a base housing;

(c) a heat sink housing configured to be secured to said base housing at a first end of said heat sink housing and configured to receive said board at a second end of said heat sink housing, opposite to said first end of said heat sink housing, said heat sink housing further configured to have sufficient thermal mass to act as a heat sink; and

(d) a power supply sub-assembly configured to fit into said base housing and to provide power to said at least one LED on said board.

2. A light bulb according to claim 1, further comprising:

(e) a lens to fit over said board and to connect to said heat sink housing at said second end of said heat sink housing.

3. A light bulb according to claim 1, wherein said at least one LED includes plural LEDs mounted on said board.

4. A light bulb according to claim 1, wherein said at least one LED includes plural LEDs mounted on said board.

5. A light bulb according to claim 1, wherein said lens is made of plastic.

6. A light bulb according to claim 2, wherein said lens is made of plastic.

7. A light bulb comprising:

(a) means for supporting at least one light emitting diode (LED);

(b) first means for housing said means for supporting; and

(e) second means for housing to be secured to said first means for housing at a first end of said second means for housing and for receiving said means for supporting at a second end of said second means for housing, opposite to said first end of said second means for housing, said second means for housing further configured to have sufficient thermal mass to act as a heat sink.

8. A light bulb according to claim 7, further comprising:

(d) means to fit into said first means for housing and for providing power to said at least one LED on said means for supporting.

9. A light bulb according to claim 7, further comprising:

(d) light output means for fitting over said means for supporting and to connect to said second means for housing at said second end of said second means for housing.

10. A light bulb according to claim 8, further comprising:

(e) light output means for fitting over said means for supporting and to connect to said second means for housing at said second end of said second means for housing.

11. A light bulb according to claim 7, wherein said at least one LED includes plural LEDs mounted on said means for supporting.

12. A light bulb according to claim 8, wherein said at least one LED includes plural LEDs mounted on said means for supporting.

13. A light bulb according to claim 9, wherein said light output means is made of plastic.

14. A light bulb according to claim 10, wherein said light output means is made of plastic.

15. A light bulb comprising:

(a) a board supporting at least one light emitting diode (LED);

(b) a base housing; and

(c) a heat sink housing forming an outer portion of the light bulb and configured to be secured to said base housing at a first end of said heat sink housing and configured to receive said board at a second end of said heat sink housing, opposite to said first end of said heat sink housing, said heat sink housing further configured to have sufficient thermal mass to act as a heat sink.

16. A light bulb according to claim 15, further comprising:

(d) a power supply sub-assembly configured to fit into said base housing and to provide power to said at least one LED on said board.

17. A light bulb according to claim 15, further comprising:

(d) a lens to fit over said board and to connect to said heat sink housing at said second end of said heat sink housing.

18. A light bulb according to claim 16, further comprising:

(e) a lens to fit over said board and to connect to said heat sink housing at said second end of said heat sink housing.

19. A light bulb according to claim 15, wherein said at least one LED includes plural LEDs mounted on said board.

20. A light bulb according to claim 16, wherein said at least one LED includes plural LEDs mounted on said board.

21. A light bulb according to claim 17, wherein said lens is made of plastic.

22. A light bulb according to claim 18, wherein said lens is made of plastic.