Lighting device and lighting method

• US 7,997,745 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Van De Ven, Antony Paul, Negley, Gerald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Payne; Sharon E
• Application Number:
  US11/737,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20070278503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 362/231, 362/84, 257/89
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/62 using mixing chambers, e.g. housings with reflective walls
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting device, comprising a first group of solid state light emitters and a first group of lumiphors, wherein at least some of the first group of solid state light emitters are contained in a first group of packages, each of which also comprises at least one of the first group of lumiphors. If all of the first group of solid state light emitters which are contained in the first group of packages are illuminated and/or if current is supplied to a power line, (1) a combined illumination from the first group of packages would, in the absence of any additional light, have color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point, and (2) at least 20% of the packages would emit light having color coordinates spaced from the first point. Also, methods of lighting.

Claims

1. A lighting device, comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters; and

at least a first luminescent material,

wherein;

at least some of said first group of solid state light emitters are in a first group of packages, each of which also comprises at least some of said first luminescent material;

if said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, a combined illumination from said first group of packages would, in the absence of any additional light, have u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE, Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point; and

if said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, at least 20% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define respective points which are each spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 5 packages.

3. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 10 packages.

4. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 20 packages.

5. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 50 packages.

6. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 100 packages.

7. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 40% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.15.

8. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 60% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.15.

9. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 80% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.15.

10. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 20% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.20.

11. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 40% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.20.

12. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 60% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.20.

13. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 80% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.20.

14. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 20% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.25.

15. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 40% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIR Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.25.

16. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 60% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.25.

17. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 80% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.25.

18. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 20% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.15.

19. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 40% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

20. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 60% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

21. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein if all of said first group of solid state light emitters which are in said first group of packages are illuminated, each of at least 80% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

49. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first luminescent material in at least some of said first group of packages is dispersed in at least one binder.

22. A method of lighting, comprising:

illuminating a first group of solid state light emitters, each of said first group of solid state light emitters in one of a first group of packages, each of which also comprises at least a first luminescent material,

wherein;

a combined illumination from said first group of packages would, in the absence of any additional light, have u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point; and

at least 20% of said first group of packages emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define respective points which are spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 5 packages.

24. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 10 packages.

25. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 20 packages.

26. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 50 packages.

27. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said first group of packages comprises at least 100 packages.

28. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 40% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.15.

29. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 60% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.15.

30. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 80% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.15.

31. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 20% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.20.

32. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 40% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.20.

33. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 60% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.20.

34. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 80% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.20.

35. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 20% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.25.

36. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 40% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.25.

37. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 60% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.25.

38. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 80% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.25.

39. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 20% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.15.

40. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 40% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

41. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 60% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

42. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein each of at least 80% of said first group of packages emits light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

50. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said first luminescent material in at least some of said first group of packages is dispersed in at least one binder.

43. A lighting device, comprising:

a first group of packages, each of said packages containing at least one solid state light emitter, wherein if each of said at least one solid state light emitter in each of said packages is illuminated, a combined illumination from said first group of packages would, in the absence of any additional light, have u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point; and

if each of said at least one solid state light emitter in each of said packages is illuminated, at least 20% of said packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define respective points which are spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

44. A lighting device as recited in claim 43, wherein at least some of said packages comprise two or more solid state light emitters.

45. A method of lighting, comprising:

illuminating a first group of packages, each of said first group of packages containing at least one solid state light emitter,

wherein;

a combined illumination from said first group of packages would, in the absence of any additional light, have u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point; and

at least 20% of said first group of packages emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define respective points which are spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

46. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein at least some of said packages comprise two or more solid state light emitters.

47. A lighting device, comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters;

at least a first luminescent material; and

at least a first power line, each of said first group of solid state light emitters electrically connected to said first power line,

wherein;

at least some of said first group of solid state light emitters are in a first group of packages, each of which also comprises at least some of said first luminescent material;

if current is supplied to said first power line;

(1) a combined illumination from said first group of packages would, in the absence of any additional light, have u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point; and

(2) at least 20% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define respective points which are spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

51. A lighting device as recited in claim 47, wherein said first luminescent material in at least some of said first group of packages is dispersed in at least one binder.

48. A lighting device, comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters;

at least a first luminescent material; and

at least a first power line, said first power line directly or switchably electrically connected to said lighting device,

wherein;

at least some of said first group of solid state light emitters are in a first group of packages, each of which also comprises at least some of said first luminescent material;

if current is supplied to said first power line;

(1) a combined illumination from said first group of packages would, in the absence of any additional light, have u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point; and

(2) at least 20% of said first group of packages would emit light having u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define respective points which are spaced from said first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.

52. A lighting device as recited in claim 48, wherein said first luminescent material in at least some of said first group of packages is dispersed in at least one binder.

53. A lighting device, comprising:

a first group of solid state light emitters; and

at least a first luminescent material,

wherein;

if the first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, a combined illumination comprising (1) light emitted by the first group of solid state light emitters which exits the lighting device without being converted by the first luminescent material and (2) light emitted by the first group of solid state light emitters which exits the lighting device after being converted by the first luminescent material would, in the absence of any additional light, have u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point; and

if the first group of solid state light emitters is illuminated, for each of at least 20% of the first group of solid state light emitters, a combination of (1) light emitted by the solid state light emitter which exits the lighting device without being converted by the first luminescent material and (2) light emitted by the solid state light emitter which exits the lighting device after being converted by the first luminescent material would have u′

, v′

color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a point which is spaced from the first point by a distance of not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.30.