CN113175628A

CN113175628A - LED bulb

Info

Publication number: CN113175628A
Application number: CN202110302765.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大卫·艾伦
Original assignee: Fiber Optic Designs Inc
Current assignee: Fiber Optic Designs Inc
Priority date: 2020-10-13
Filing date: 2021-03-22
Publication date: 2021-07-27
Also published as: CN215636600U

Abstract

The invention relates to an LED bulb which comprises a bulb shell, electrode lead wires and four LED arrays, wherein the electrode lead wires and the four LED arrays are arranged inside the bulb shell, the electrode lead wires are used for being electrically connected with an external power supply through the bottom of the bulb shell, and the four LED arrays are arranged on the electrode lead wires and are electrically connected with the electrode lead wires; the four LED arrays are divided into two groups, and each group of arrays comprises two LED arrays; in each group of arrays, one ends of the two LED arrays close to the bottom of the bulb shell are separated from each other, and the other ends far away from the bottom of the bulb shell are connected; and an included angle is formed between the planes of the two groups of arrays. The present invention improves the viewing angle of the LED array in the LED bulb from various angles and improves the light emission pattern to achieve more uniform light emission.

Description

LED bulb

Technical Field

The invention relates to a bulb, in particular to an LED bulb.

Background

LEDs are highly reliable, bright in color, energy efficient, long-lived, and operate at low temperatures, and thus are becoming a very popular light source for holiday decorations and lighting. A recent development known in the art is the use of chip-on-board (COB) arrays of LEDs, in which the LED chips or dies are mounted directly to a PCB board and then covered with silicone, possibly with a phosphor layer, to produce a wide-angle emitter that mimics the appearance of an incandescent filament.

However, the prior art discloses relatively long (3.5 cm), 0.5 watt (45 v) or larger LED arrays mounted in a vertical manner or obliquely with respect to the stem of the bulb, which makes the simulation of incandescent filaments less effective and unsuitable for many decorative applications. More recently, shorter low power LED arrays have been developed for use in holiday decorative bulbs requiring lower lumen output, and therefore these LED arrays need to be enclosed in smaller enclosures for C7, C9 or G40 size bulbs, or for use in low voltage applications such as solar or series-driven light strings. These shorter LED arrays are mostly mounted inside the bulb in a horizontal manner with respect to the stem of the bulb envelope in order to better simulate the appearance of an incandescent filament.

All of the above LED array types and their arrangements have an optimal viewing angle, a less than optimal viewing angle and a poor light distribution pattern. Therefore, the performance, appearance and utility of LED bulbs used in the decorative lighting industry for christmas such as christmas remain to be improved.

Disclosure of Invention

Based on this, the present invention aims to provide an LED bulb to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

The technical scheme adopted by the invention is as follows:

an LED bulb comprises a bulb shell, electrode leads and four LED arrays, wherein the electrode leads and the four LED arrays are arranged inside the bulb shell, the electrode leads are used for being electrically connected with an external power supply through the bottom of the bulb shell, and the four LED arrays are arranged on the electrode leads and are electrically connected with the electrode leads; the four LED arrays are divided into two groups, and each group of arrays comprises two LED arrays; in each group of arrays, one ends of the two LED arrays close to the bottom of the bulb shell are separated from each other, and the other ends far away from the bottom of the bulb shell are connected; and an included angle is formed between the planes of the two groups of arrays.

Further, the two LED arrays in each group of arrays are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the bulb shell.

Further, the two arrays are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the bulb shell.

Further, the included angle formed between the planes of the two arrays is an acute angle.

Further, the four LED arrays are electrically connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel.

Further, each LED array is a COB-packaged LED array, and includes a plurality of LED chips electrically connected to each other.

Further, the plurality of LED chips in each LED array are connected in series or in parallel with each other.

Further, the LED lamp also comprises a mounting base, wherein the mounting base is fixed at the bottom of the bulb shell.

Further, the bulb shell is a C7 model, a C9 model or a spherical bulb shell.

Furthermore, the bulb shell is made of glass or plastic.

The LED light bulb of the present invention can be used for decorative lighting for christmas and the like, which better simulates the appearance of incandescent light bulbs of similar size and shape when lit and unlit, making improvements over the prior art. The present invention improves the viewing angle of the LED array in the LED bulb from various angles and improves the light emission pattern to achieve more uniform light emission.

For a better understanding and practice, the invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a prior art four decorative LED light bulb employing an array of upright LEDs.

Fig. 2 is a prior art four decorative LED light bulb, wherein fig. 2(a) - (c) are three decorative LED light bulbs utilizing horizontal LED arrays and fig. 2(d) is one decorative LED light bulb utilizing vertical LED arrays.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an LED bulb according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a photograph of an LED light bulb according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of an LED light bulb according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein fig. 5(a) is a schematic view from one viewing angle, fig. 5(b) is a schematic view at 90 degrees from the viewing angle of fig. 5(b), and fig. 5(c) shows the LED light bulb connected to an edison base.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of an LED bulb according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a photograph of an LED bulb with different light emitting viewing angles in the prior art, wherein fig. 7(a) is a photograph with an optimal viewing angle, fig. 7(b) is a photograph with an angle of 90 degrees from the optimal viewing angle, and fig. 7(c) is a photograph with an angle of 180 degrees from the optimal viewing angle.

Fig. 8 is a photograph of the LED bulb according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which fig. 8(a) is a photograph at a front view angle, fig. 8(b) is a photograph at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the front view angle, fig. 8(c) is a photograph at an angle of about 180 degrees with respect to the front view angle, and fig. 8(d) is a photograph at an angle of about 270 degrees with respect to the front view angle.

Detailed Description

In the description of the present specification, it is to be noted that, for the terms of orientation, such as "central", "lateral (X)", "longitudinal (Y)", "vertical (Z)", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate that the orientation and positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of description and simplicity of description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting the specific scope of the present invention.

A prior art LED bulb is introduced.

Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate various decorative LED light bulbs of the prior art in which electrode leads 103 are molded into and through the bulb stem 101 to form electrical connections with a chip-on-board (COB) array 102 of LEDs, and then a bulb shell 104 is blown around the bulb stem 101, electrode leads 103 and LED array 102 to form a permanent seal against moisture, corrosion and airborne contaminants.

In both of the LED light bulbs shown in fig. 1(a) and 1(c), respectively, a single bar of COB-packaged LED arrays 102 is mounted vertically to a bulb stem 101; in two kinds of LED light bulbs shown in fig. 1(b) and 1(d), respectively, two or more COB-packaged LED arrays 102 are obliquely and vertically mounted to a bulb stem 101. These mounting means are due to the length of the COB-packaged LED array 102, which is typically 3.5 cm in length, and is obviously too long to be mounted horizontally on the bulb stem 101. Additionally, the COB packaged LED array 102 of the prior art includes a 0.5 watt emitter having 15 or more LED chips or dies connected in series requiring a minimum drive voltage of DC 45V, and is therefore not suitable for series application in christmas light strings, nor for lower lumen output in supply voltages C7, C9 specifications, or other christmas light bulbs.

Of the three LED bulbs shown in fig. 2(a) - (c), respectively, a smaller low-power LED array 102 is employed, and the LED array 102 is mounted horizontally. Although the fig. 2(a) - (C) show three different decorative bulbs representing a common C7, C9 gauge and globe shape, respectively, it should be noted that the bulbs are nearly identical in structure and construction, with the electrode leads 103 molded into the bulb stem 101 and passing through the bulb stem 101 to form an electrical connection with the chip-on-board (COB) array 102 of LEDs, and then the bulb envelope 104 blown around the bulb stem 101, electrode leads 103 and LED array 102 to form a permanent seal against moisture, corrosion and airborne contaminants.

Fig. 2(d) shows a decorative LED bulb of the prior art, in which an LED array 102 is mounted in an upright manner inclined to an elongated bulb stem 101, the elongated bulb stem 101 supporting top and bottom mounting points of the LED array 102 and accommodating electrode leads 103. The lamp envelope 104 is then blown around the bulb stem 101, the electrode leads 103 and the LED array 102 to form a permanent seal to prevent moisture, corrosion and airborne contaminants. At first sight the LED array 102 forms an "X" shaped pattern similar to the present invention, however, upon closer examination it is apparent that the LED array 102 is mounted in an angled upright manner around the elongated bulb stem 101 without the configuration changing the light emitting pattern of the array, unlike the array arrangement of the present invention.

The present invention provides a decorative LED light bulb that can be used for christmas and the like that better simulates the appearance of an incandescent light bulb of similar size and shape when lit and unlit, improving upon the prior art. The present invention improves the viewing angle of the LED array in the LED bulb from various angles and improves the light emission pattern to achieve more uniform light emission.

The following describes an embodiment of the LED bulb of the present invention in detail.

Referring to fig. 3-6, the LED bulb according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a bulb shell 104, electrode leads 103, and four LED arrays 102. The bulb 104 has a cavity therein.

The electrode lead wires 103 and the four LED arrays 102 are disposed inside the bulb shell 104, the electrode lead wires 103 are used for being electrically connected with an external power source through the bottom of the bulb shell 104, and the four LED arrays 102 are mounted on the electrode lead wires 103 and are electrically connected with the electrode lead wires 103.

The four LED arrays 102 are divided into two groups, each group including two LED arrays 102; in each set, the ends of the two LED arrays 102 near the bottom of the bulb 104 are separated from each other, and the other ends of the two LED arrays away from the bottom of the bulb 104 are connected to form an inverted "V" shape as viewed in fig. 5 (a); the two arrays form an included angle between the planes, as shown in fig. 5 (b).

Specifically, the two LED arrays 102 in each group are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the bulb 104. The two arrays are arranged symmetrically along the central axis of the bulb 104. More preferably, the included angle formed between the planes of the two arrays is acute, as shown in fig. 5 (b).

As shown in fig. 3, 4 and 6, when viewed from the side of the outer periphery of the LED bulb, one LED array 102 in one group of arrays and one LED array 102 in the other group of arrays form an "X" shaped light emitting pattern from most of the viewing angle directions, which allows most of the light to be emitted in at least four overlapping directions, providing an emission pattern closer to 360 degrees, resulting in a more uniform light distribution of the LED bulb at each angle.

With the above arrangement of the four LED arrays 102, the LED bulb can appear to be a large fraction of the four LED arrays 102 at every conceivable viewing angle, so the LED bulb appears uniformly bright regardless of orientation.

Specifically, the four LED arrays 102 may be electrically connected in series, parallel, or both.

Specifically, each LED array 102 is a COB packaged LED array, including a plurality of LED chips electrically connected to each other. The plurality of LED chips in each LED array 102 may be connected in series or in parallel with each other.

The material of the bulb shell 104 may be glass or plastic. The bulb shell 104 may be a bulb shell of other specifications, such as a C7 model, a C9 model, or a sphere, but is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings.

Similar to the prior art, the electrode leads 103 are threaded through the bulb stem 101 and the bulb shell 104 is then blown around the bulb stem 101, the electrode leads 103 and the LED array 102 to form a permanent seal to prevent moisture, corrosion and airborne contaminants.

It should also be noted that the mounting base of the LED light bulb of the various embodiments is intentionally omitted, as there are many types and well known in the art. The LED light bulb of the present invention may further include a mounting base secured to the bottom of the bulb housing 104. As shown in fig. 5(c), the LED light bulb of the present invention can be implemented with the well-known edison base (screw base) to allow for use with conventional lighting systems.

The LED bulb provided by the invention realizes the following beneficial effects:

(1) it is well known that the light emission pattern of LEDs has a high degree of directionality, which is alleviated when COB-packaged LED arrays are used. The phosphor coating on the COB-packaged LED array emits light around the entire array, however, most of the light is emitted in a direction above the printed circuit board on which the LED chips are mounted. According to the known prior art, most of the light emitted by the prior art LED light bulbs is directed in one or two directions, as opposed to the light emission of an incandescent light bulb at 360 degrees.

Compared with the prior art, the LED bulb adopts the specific arrangement of four LED arrays, so that an X-shaped light emitting pattern is formed in most of the visual angles, most of light is allowed to be emitted in at least four overlapped directions, an emission mode closer to 360 degrees is provided, and the light distribution of the LED bulb at all angles is more uniform.

(2) The invention also improves the luminous viewing angle of LED bulbs, especially in decorative lighting (e.g., christmas lights) applications. Again, due to the inherent directionality of the LEDs, the prior art LED light bulb always has an optimal viewing angle that appears brightest, which appears very bright and uniform when the prior art light bulb is viewed at the optimal viewing angle or directly in the direction of emission of the LED chips, but may appear dim when the same light bulb is viewed at a position offset from the optimal viewing angle, or the LED array appears as a small spot of light that almost disappears compared to the brightness observed at the optimal viewing angle.

Compared with the prior art, the X-shaped luminous pattern formed by the four LED arrays in the LED bulb presents all the views at or close to the optimal viewing angle, or at least presents a large part of the four LED arrays at each imaginable viewing angle, so that the LED bulb looks uniform and bright regardless of the direction, and the LED bulb is a remarkable improvement of the prior art.

(3) Compared with the prior art, the LED bulb also has the advantages of easy manufacture and no need of special tools.

Many of the examples in the prior art require more than two electrode leads to power multiple arrays, and an elongated glass bulb stem or center stem to support the electrode leads and arrays. The LED light bulb of the present invention does not require a plurality of electrode leads or elongated mounting posts, thereby reducing costs and simplifying manufacturing processes.

In order to facilitate an intuitive understanding of the improvement of the present invention over the prior art, the following description will be made by comparing fig. 7 and 8.

A COB-packaged LED array is horizontally installed in the LED bulb of the prior art, so that the LED bulb has an optimal viewing angle, that is, when the eye looks towards the emitting direction of the LED chips in the LED array, the LED bulb will appear bright and uniform, as shown in fig. 7 (a); however, when viewed at a viewing angle of 90 degrees from the optimum viewing angle, the LED array is seen to appear as a small spot, and the LED bulb appears dull, almost disappearing compared to the brightness observed at the optimum viewing angle, as shown in fig. 7 (b); and the brightness of the LED bulb is seen to decrease when viewed at a viewing angle of 180 degrees from the optimal viewing angle.

The LED bulb provided by the invention can emit light very uniformly at the viewing angles shown in figures 8(a) to (d) through the special arrangement mode of the four LED arrays, and simultaneously ensures enough brightness, and the LED bulb provided by the invention does not have the worst viewing angle shown in figure 7 (b). The front view angle of fig. 8(a) approximates the emission direction of the LED chips in the two LED arrays in the figure, where the LED bulb is uniformly bright, while at various viewing angles of approximately 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees from the front view angle, as shown in fig. 8(b), 8(c), and 8(d), respectively, the LED arrays exhibit an "X" shaped light emission pattern, which is still uniformly bright. In addition, it can be easily imagined that at all other viewing angles to the peripheral side of the LED light bulb, not shown in fig. 8, the LED light bulb is also uniformly bright.

As can be seen from comparing fig. 7 and 8, the present invention improves the viewing angle of the LED arrays in the LED bulb from various angles and improves the light emission pattern, thereby achieving more uniform light emission, and it should be noted that the significant improvement of the LED bulb of the present invention over the LED bulb of fig. 7 using the horizontal LED arrays cannot be simply attributed to the increase of the number of the LED arrays because the power of the LED arrays of the two is not specifically limited and is not discussed, and more importantly, the arrangement of the LED arrays significantly improves the light emission viewing angle and the light emission effect of the bulb.

The above-mentioned embodiments only express several embodiments of the present invention, and the description thereof is more specific and detailed, but not construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that, for a person skilled in the art, several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept, which falls within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An LED bulb, its characterized in that: the LED bulb comprises a bulb shell, electrode leads and four LED arrays, wherein the electrode leads and the four LED arrays are arranged inside the bulb shell, the electrode leads are used for being electrically connected with an external power supply through the bottom of the bulb shell, and the four LED arrays are arranged on the electrode leads and are electrically connected with the electrode leads; the four LED arrays are divided into two groups, and each group of arrays comprises two LED arrays; in each group of arrays, one ends of the two LED arrays close to the bottom of the bulb shell are separated from each other, and the other ends far away from the bottom of the bulb shell are connected; and an included angle is formed between the planes of the two groups of arrays.

2. The LED bulb of claim 1, wherein: and the two LED arrays in each group of arrays are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the bulb shell.

3. The LED bulb of claim 2, wherein: the two arrays are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the bulb shell.

4. The LED bulb of claim 3, wherein: the included angle formed between the planes of the two groups of arrays is an acute angle.

5. The LED bulb of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the four LED arrays are electrically connected in series, parallel or series-parallel.

6. The LED bulb of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: each LED array is a COB packaged LED array and comprises a plurality of LED chips which are electrically connected with each other.

7. The LED bulb of claim 6, wherein: the plurality of LED chips in each LED array are connected in series or in parallel with each other.

8. The LED bulb of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the bulb lamp further comprises a mounting base, and the mounting base is fixed to the bottom of the bulb shell.

9. The LED bulb of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the bulb shell is a C7 type, C9 type or spherical bulb shell.

10. The LED bulb of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the bulb shell is made of glass or plastic.