LED lighting system

• US 7,307,391 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LED Smart Inc.
• Original Assignee: LED Smart Inc.
• Inventors: Shan, Xinxin
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens; Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, JIMMY T
• Application Number:
  US11/351,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20070183156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 315/77, 315/195, 315/291, 315/294, 315/307, 315/312, 362/545, 362/800, 362/257, 362/294, 362/487, 362/488, 362/490, 362/555, 313/21, 313/317
• US Class Current: 315/291
• 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 spanning between a first end and a second end, the channel having side walls;

the housing forming a rigid backbone structure having a length between the first end and the second end and having a width, the length being longer than the width;

the first end and the second end of the housing each having electrical connectors for connection to a power source;

an LED array divided into sets of LEDs, the LED array extending along the length of the housing within the channel, each LED in the LED array having a power rating of greater than 0.5 watts;

the housing being sufficiently heat conductive to provide heat dissipation for the LEDs;

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

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;

a domed transparent or translucent cover secured to the side walls of the housing over the channel; and

the first end and the second end of the housing each being capped by respective caps that prevent movement of the transparent or translucent cover in relation to the housing.

2. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the electrical connectors at each of the first end and the second end of the housing are fluorescent light receptacle attachment pins.

3. The LED lighting system of claim 2 in which the housing is made of a unitary piece of material that is both heat conductive and rigid.

4. The LED lighting system of claim 2 in which the onboard current control circuitry is configured to provide constant current to the LEDs of the LED array.

5. The lighting system of claim 2 in which the side walls of the housing have a curvature, and the domed transparent or translucent cover forms a continuation of the curvature of the side walls.

6. The lighting system of claim 3 in which the side walls of the housing have a curvature, and the domed transparent or translucent cover forms a continuation of the curvature of the side walls.

7. A lighting system comprising multiple LED lighting systems according to claim 5 installed in or on a vehicle.

8. A lighting system comprising multiple LED lighting systems according to claim 5 installed in a building or in signage.

9. The lighting system of claim 7 in which the vehicle is a watercraft, aircraft or land vehicle.