LED-based light having rapidly oscillating LEDs

• US 8,256,924 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2008
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Inventors: Simon, David L., Ivey, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Y My Quach
• Application Number:
  US12/210,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20100067231A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249.07, 362269-275, 362232-234, 362/249.11, 36224901-24903, 362/35, 362/220, 362/221, 362/225, 362/227, 362/235, 362/236, 362/240, 362/249.1, 362/800, 362/217.01, 362/217.02, 362/217.08, 362/219, 362/249.09, 362/253, 362/254, 362285-287, 362/498, 362/555, 362/FOR.103, 362/FOR.105, 313/498, 392/393
• US Class Current: 362/249.03
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• 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]

Abstract

An LED-based light includes a support structure. At least one oscillator is connected to the support structure. At least one LED is coupled to each oscillator. The oscillator can oscillate the LED to produce a light blurring effect.

Claims

1. An LED-based light comprising:

a support structure;

a plurality of oscillators connected to and substantially evenly spaced along the support structure, the plurality of oscillators each including a microelectromechanical system;

a plurality of LEDs, wherein each of substantially all of the plurality of oscillators is coupled to at least one LED of the plurality of LEDs; and

a light transmitting lens enclosing the plurality of LEDs;

wherein each microelectromechanical system is a smaller or a substantially similar size than its corresponding at least one LED and is operative in response to a current to continuously move the at least one LED between at least a first position and a second position during operation of the at least one LED at a sufficient speed to produce a light blurring effect; and

wherein a light produced by the plurality of LEDs and transmitted through the lens is substantially uniformly distributed.

2. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of alight emitted from the at least one LED at the first position is at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the light emitted from the at least one LED at the second position.

3. The LED-based light of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of circuit boards, wherein each of least some of the plurality of oscillators is connected to at least one of the plurality of circuit boards for movement of the at least one circuit board relative to the support structure, and wherein the at least one LED is mounted on the circuit board for movement with respect to the support structure between the first position and the second position.

4. The LED-based light of claim 1, further comprising:

a tubular housing; and

two pin-carrying end caps connected to opposing ends of the housing;

with at least one of the end caps in electrical communication with the LEDs; and

wherein the support structure includes a circuit board positioned in the tubular housing.

5. The LED-based light of claim 4 wherein at least one of the pin-carrying end caps is in electrical communication with the plurality of oscillators.

6. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of oscillators are evenly spaced along a length of the support structure.

7. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein the plurality of oscillators are evenly spaced along a circumference of the support structure.

8. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein at least one of the microelectromechanical systems includes a cam, a motor and a lever wherein:

the motor is coupled to the cam and operable to rotate the cam in response to the current and the lever is pivotally coupled between the cam and the support structure and operable to move the at least one LED between the first position and the second position upon rotation of the cam.

9. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein at least one of the substantially all of the plurality of oscillators is coupled to a single LED.

10. A replacement light for a conventional fluorescent tube usable in a fluorescent fixture comprising:

a support structure;

a plurality of oscillators connected to the support structure, the plurality of oscillators each including a microelectromechanical system;

a plurality of LEDs, wherein each of substantially all of the plurality of oscillators is coupled to at least one LED of the plurality of LEDs;

wherein each microelectromechanical system is a smaller or a substantially similar size than its corresponding at least one LED and is operative in response to a current to continuously move the at least one LED between at least a first position and a second position during operation of the at least one LED at a sufficient speed to produce a light blurring effect between the first and second positions;

a light transmitting lens enclosing the at least one LED, wherein alight produced by the plurality of LEDs and transmitted through the lens is substantially uniformly distributed about the lens; and

at least one electrical connector at a longitudinal end of the support structure in electrical communication with the at least one LED.

11. The LED-based light of claim 10, wherein a longitudinal axis of a light emitted from the at least one LED at the first position is at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the light emitted from the at least one LED at the second position, a line of light forming between the axes;

and wherein lines of light produced by the plurality of LEDs are aligned such that the light produced by the plurality of LEDs substantially uniformly distributed along a longitudinal length of the light.

12. The LED-based light of claim 11, wherein the lens is configured to radially distribute the lines of light produced by the plurality of LEDs.

13. The LED-based light of claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of circuit boards, wherein each of at least some of the plurality of oscillators includes at least one of the plurality of circuit boards for movement of the at least one circuit board relative to the support structure, and wherein the at least one LED is mounted on the circuit board for movement with respect to the support structure between the first position and the second position.

14. The LED-based light of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrical connector is further in electrical communication with the plurality of oscillators.

15. The LED-based fight of claim 10, wherein the support structure includes a circuit board;

and wherein the at least one electrical connector includes a pair of pin-carrying end caps.

16. A method of distributing light produced by a plurality of LEDs in an LED-based light usable in a fluorescent fixture, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of microelectromechanical systems;

connecting each of substantially all of the plurality of microelectromechanical systems to at least one of the plurality of LEDs;

mounting the plurality of microelectromechanical systems along a support structure; and

providing electrical connections to permit powering of the plurality of microelectromechanical systems during operation to continuos oscillate the plurality of LEDs at a sufficient speed to produce a light blurring effect during operation;

wherein the plurality of LEDs are positioned about the support structure in a sufficient number such that a substantially uniform and non-directional light is produced by the plurality of oscillating LEDs.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising

enabling the angle of orientation of the plurality of LEDs to change during their operation.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein providing electrical connections comprises:

providing electrical connections to permit power of the plurality of microelectromechanical systems and the plurality of LEDs by a common power source.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing a controller configured to vary an oscillation frequency of the at least one microelectromechanical system.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing a microelectromechanical motor configured to drive the microelectromechanical system.