TW200942075A - Lighting unit and thermal management system and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a thermal management system for a lighting unit (1000) including a light source (1004), wherein the thermal management system includes a converting element (1020) configured and disposed to absorb at least some of the light generated by the light source (1004) and emit converted light in response thereto, wherein the intensity of the converted light decays in accordance with a temperature dependent characteristic of said converting element (1020). The system further includes a sensing element (1006) configured to sense a first intensity of the converted light, and one or more subsequent decreased intensities thereof during an off-state of said light source (1004). The system is configured to determine, based at least in part on first intensity and the one or more subsequent intensities, a value indicative of an operating temperature of the light source (1004).

Description

200942075 VI. Description of the Invention: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to lighting units. More specifically, the various inventive methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to temperature measurement and/or management of a light source. [Prior Art] Digital illumination technology, i.e., illumination based on a semiconductor light source such as a light emitting diode (LED), provides a viable alternative to conventional fluorescent, hid, and incandescent lamps. The functional advantages and benefits of LEDs include high energy conversion and optical efficiency, affordability, lower operating costs, and many other advantages and benefits. Recent advances in LED technology have provided efficient and robust full-spectrum illumination sources that enable various lighting effects in many applications. Some of the features of the fixtures embodying such sources are a lighting module that includes one or more LEDs capable of producing different colors (eg, red 'green and blue'), and for independently controlling the output of the LEDs A processor that produces various color and color-changing illumination effects is discussed in detail, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 6, , 16, 038 and 6, 211, 626. The development of luminous fluxes for illuminators such as solid state semiconductors and organic LEDs, and improvements in improvements, have made these devices suitable for general illumination applications, including architectural, recreational, and road lighting. Light-emitting diodes are becoming increasingly competitive with light sources such as incandescent, fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps. Typically, such lighting units comprise one or more LED or LED packages each comprising a substrate on which one or more LEDs are mounted. The temperature of the LEDs 138035.doc 200942075 may also change as the ambient temperature changes 'or as the power used to drive the LEDs changes. Such changes in LED temperature can result in wavelength shifts, changes in luminous flux output, and other such generally undesirable effects. In white light or color-changing LED sources, such wavelength shifts and changes in luminous flux output that may be different for an identical or different batch of LEDs may affect the color temperature and/or output intensity of the source. In addition, the LED temperature can rise significantly, for example, when driving a high current LED (e.g., a high intensity LED) to maximize the output of the illumination unit, which can result in a reduction in LED lifetime and/or operational efficiency. Therefore, there is a need to effectively monitor and/or control temperature changes in the LED illumination unit. Some known methods for measuring the junction temperature of a light-emitting diode include measuring the LED package temperature and/or the LED forward voltage. "With this method, a thermistor is mounted close to the LED package and is in good condition." Hot contact. If the thermal resistance between the LED junction and the thermistor is known or can be estimated, the LED junction temperature is determined. However, this approach can be limited by the thermal capacity of the lED package and the thermal management system that typically contains passive heat sinks or heat pipes. With this measurement technique, sudden changes in LED junction temperature due to changes in LED drive current cannot be measured at a rate faster than the thermal time constant between the LED junction and the thermistor. In another method, the forward voltage across the LED junction and the electrical leads is determined in part by the circuit resistance. When the LED is operating in the linear region of its current-voltage (I_v) characteristic curve, the forward voltage is changed. It is due to Joule heating and is therefore linearly proportional to the corresponding change in junction temperature of the LED. However, this method is limited by the low circuit resistance of high-intensity LEDs, which produces small changes in the forward voltage. Therefore, it may be difficult to accurately measure the absolute voltage in the presence of electrical switching noise from the 138035.doc 200942075 LED driver, thereby creating the difficulty of accurately evaluating the junction temperature of the LED. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a lighting unit and thermal management system and method thereof that can determine and/or manage the temperature of a light source at a desired rate and/or accuracy of data acquisition. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This disclosure is directed to an inventive method and apparatus for temperature measurement and/or management of a light source. In its various embodiments, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for measuring the junction temperature of LEDs in a manner that provides the desired rate and/or accuracy of the data acquisition. In general, in one aspect, the invention focuses on a thermal management system for a lighting unit that includes a light source configured to generate light. The system further includes a conversion element configured and arranged to absorb at least some of the light generated by the light source and responsive thereto to emit converted light, the intensity of the converted light being dependent on temperature dependent characteristics of the conversion element Attenuating; and a sensing element configured to sense a first intensity of the converted light and one or more subsequent reduced intensities during the off state of the light source. The system is configured to determine a value indicative of an operating temperature of one of the light sources based at least in part on the first intensity and the one or more subsequent intensities. The conversion element can comprise a phosphor material, a quantum dot material or a luminescent dopant material. According to another aspect of the present invention, a lighting unit is provided, comprising: a light source configured to emit light; a conversion element configured and arranged to absorb at least some of the light emitted by the light source And responding to the transmission 138035.doc -6 - 200942075 for the light change 'the intensity of one of the converted lights is attenuated according to one of the temperature dependent characteristics of the conversion element; a sensing element configured to sense the conversion a first intensity of light, and one or more subsequent reductions in intensity during the off state of the light source; and a thermal management module operatively coupled to the sensing element and configured A value indicative of an operating temperature of one of the light sources is determined from the first intensity and the one or more subsequent intensities. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the thermal management module is further configured to respond to a value to adjust an operational characteristic of the illumination unit. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for managing an operating temperature of a lighting unit including a light source configured to illuminate is provided. The method contemplates the steps of: converting at least some of the light generated by the light source via a conversion element having a temperature dependent characteristic; sensing a first intensity of the converted light during an on state of the light source Sensing one or more subsequent intensities of the converted light during an off state of the light source; and determining the source from the first intensity and the one or more subsequent intensities based on the temperature dependent characteristic A value of one of the operating temperatures. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step of returning a value to adjust an operational characteristic of the illumination unit. The term "LED" as used herein for the purposes of this disclosure should be understood to include any electroluminescent diode that is capable of responding to the 彳 § to generate an illuminating or another type of carrier injection/connection. Face-based system. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that respond to current to illuminate, luminescent polymers, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent strips, and the like. In particular, the term lED refers to the type of light-emitting diode (including semiconductor and organic light-emitting diodes) of 138035.doc 200942075, which can be configured to produce various parts of the infrared spectrum, the ultraviolet spectrum, and the visible spectrum. Light shots in one or more (generally including radiation wavelengths from approximately 400 nm to approximately 700 nm). Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to, various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, slap LEDs, dial LEDs, and white LEDs (discussed further below). It should also be appreciated that LEDs can be configured and/or controlled to generate radiation having various bandwidths (e.g., full width at half maximum, or FWHM) for a given spectrum (e.g., narrow bandwidth, wide bandwidth), and Given the various dominant wavelengths within a general color classification. For example, an embodiment of an LED (e.g., a white LED) configured to produce intrinsic white light can include a plurality of dies that respectively emit different spectra of electroluminescence that are combined in combination to form an intrinsic white light. In another embodiment, a white LED can be associated with a phosphor material that converts electroluminescence having a first spectrum into a different second spectrum. In one example of this embodiment, an electroluminescent "pumping" light-breaking material having a relatively short wavelength and a narrow bandwidth spectrum sequentially radiates a longer wavelength light having a broad spectrum. • It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the physical and/or electrical package type of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED can refer to a single illumination device having a plurality of dies that are configured to separately emit different spectra of radiation (e.g., spectra that may or may not be individually controlled). Additionally, an LED can be associated with a phosphor that is considered to be an integral part of the LED (e.g., some of the types of white LEDs). In general, the term LED may refer to packaged 138035.doc 200942075 LED, non-packaged LED, surface mount led, on-board wafer LED, T-package mounted LED, radial package LED, power package LED, including kit and/or optics An LED or the like of a certain type of component (for example, a diffusion lens). The term "light source" shall be taken to mean any one or more of a variety of sources of radiation, including but not limited to LED-based sources (including one or more LEDs as defined above), incandescent sources (eg, incandescent lamps) , halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, sources of lining, high-intensity discharge sources (eg, sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other similar sources of electroluminescence, sources of fire luminescence (eg, Flame), source of candle illumination (eg, hood lamp, source of carbon arc radiation), source of photoluminescence (eg, source of gas discharge), source of cathodoluminescence using electron saturation, source of electroluminescence, source of crystalline luminescence, source of active luminescence , sources of thermal luminescence, sources of frictional luminescence, sources of acoustic luminescence, sources of radio luminescence, and luminescent polymers. A given source of light can be configured to produce electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum, outside the visible spectrum, or a combination of both. Therefore, in this article, the terms light "&"Lai " Further, a light source can include a ® or multiple filters (e.g., 'color filters), lenses, or other optical components as an integral component. Furthermore, it should be understood that the light source can be configured for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, indication, display, and/or illumination. An "illuminance source" is a source of light that is specifically configured to produce a || shot with sufficient intensity to effectively illuminate an interior or exterior space. In this context, "full intensity" Sufficient radiant power generated in the visible spectrum of the environment or environment to provide ambient illumination (ie, light that can be indirectly perceived and can be reflected from one or more of the various intermediate surfaces, for example, in whole or in part) The unit "lumens" 138035.doc 200942075 is often used to represent all light emitted from a light source in all directions based on radiant power or "luminous flux".

❹ The term ''spectrum') should be understood to mean any one or more frequencies (or wavelengths) of radiation produced by one or more sources. Thus, the term spectrum refers to frequencies (or wavelengths) that are not only in the visible range, but also in the infrared, ultraviolet, and other regions of the total electromagnetic spectrum (or wavelength). In addition, a given spectrum may have a relatively narrow bandwidth (e.g., FWHM having a substantially small frequency or wavelength component) or a relatively wide bandwidth (several frequencies or wavelength components having various relative intensities). It should also be understood that a given spectrum may be the result of mixing two or more other spectra (e.g., mixing radiation emitted from multiple sources). For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "color" is used interchangeably with the term "spectral". However, the term "color" is generally used to refer primarily to the nature of the radiation perceived by an observer (although this use is not intended to limit the scope of the term). Therefore, the term "different colors" implies implicitly Multiple spectra of different wavelength components and/or wavelengths. It should also be understood that the term "color" can be used in conjunction with both white and non-white light. The term "color temperature" is generally used in conjunction with white light in this article, although This use is not intended to limit the scope of this term. Color temperature essentially refers to a particular color content or shade of white light (eg, light red, light blue). The color temperature characteristics of a given radiation sample are traditionally based on (four) shots in nature and in discussion. The temperature of a blackbody light body with the same spectrum of the sample, in degrees Kelvin (κ). The color temperature of the black body radiator falls from the approximation κ (usually regarded as previously seen to the naked eye) to 10,000 degrees. ΚThe above range e; white force is generally perceived at 138035.doc 200942075 degrees 1500 to 2000 degrees K above the color temperature. Lower color temperature generally indicates a more pronounced red component or " The warmth feels white light, while the higher color temperature generally indicates white light with a more pronounced blue component or "cooler feel". By way of example, the fire has an approximate color of 18 degrees and vice versa, a # incandescent bulb has an approximation The color temperature of the 1988 degree, the morning light has a color temperature of approximately 3 degrees, and the cloudy sky has a similar color and temperature. "A color image observed under white light with a color temperature of approximately 3000 degrees κ has relative A reddish hue, but the same-color image observed under white light with approximately 1 degree and vice versa s has a relatively light blue hue. The term ''lighting fixture' is used herein to refer to a specific form factor) One or more lighting units, assemblies, or packages, an embodiment or configuration. The term "lighting unit" is used herein to refer to a device that includes one or more of the same or different types of light sources. The unit may have any of a variety of mounting configurations for the light source, enclosure/housing configuration and shape and/or electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Additionally, a given lighting unit view The location may be associated with (for example, including, and/or being packaged with) various other components (eg, control circuitry) associated with the operation of the (4) light source. One " LED based "Lighting unit" means a lighting unit that includes one or more of the above [ED-based light sources, alone or in combination with other non-LED based light sources. One "Multichannel" Lighting unit refers to An LED-based or non-LeD-based lighting unit comprising at least two light sources configured to generate different spectra of radiation, each of which may be referred to as one of the multi-channel lighting units &quot ; channel ". The term "controller" is used herein to generally describe various devices associated with the operation of one or more light sources 138035.doc 200942075. A controller can be implemented in a number of ways (e.g., with dedicated hardware) to perform the various functions discussed herein. A "processor" is an example of a controller that uses one or more microprocessors that can be programmed with software (e.g., microcode) to perform the various functions discussed herein. A controller can be implemented with or without a processor, and can also be implemented as a dedicated hardware for performing some functions and a processor (such as one or more programs) for performing other functions. A combination of a microprocessor and associated circuitry). Examples of controller components that can be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In various embodiments, a processor or controller can be associated with one or more storage media (generally referred to herein as "memory", such as non-volatile and non-volatile computer memory (eg, RAM, PR) 〇M, epr〇m and EEpR〇M), floppy disks, CDs, optical discs, tapes, etc.). In some embodiments, the storage medium may be encoded in one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. The various storage media may be fixed in a processor or controller or may be transferable, such that the one or more programs stored therein can be loaded into a processor or controller for implementation as discussed herein. Various aspects of the invention. The term "program" or "computer program" is used herein in its ordinary sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be used to program one or more processors or controllers. The term "addressable" is used herein to refer to a device (eg, a 138035.doc • 12· 200942075 source, a lighting unit or fixture, a control associated with one or more light sources or lighting units). Or processor, other non-illumination related devices, etc.) configured to receive information intended for use in a plurality of devices including itself (eg, 'behicles') and to selectively respond to specific Information. The term "addressable" is generally used in conjunction with a networked environment (or a "network" as discussed further below), where multiple devices are via a communication medium or some wanted media And light together. In an item network implementation, one or more devices coupled to a network are used as a controller for cycling to one or more other devices of the network (eg, in a master/slave relationship) . In another embodiment, a networked environment can include one or more dedicated controllers configured to control one or more of the devices coupled to the network. Generally, a plurality of devices spliced to the network can access data present on the (or other) communication medium; however, a given device can be "addressable" because it is configured to be based on (for example) one or more specific identifiers assigned to it (for example, "addressable to select (4) will be exchanged with the network (ie, from the receiving and receiving data to the network). The term "network" as used herein refers to any interconnection of two or more devices, including controllers or processors, that facilitates coupling and/or coupling between any two or more devices. The transmission of information to multiple devices in the network (eg, for device control, data storage, data exchange, etc.) should be readily understood, and various implementations of networks suitable for interconnecting multiple devices may include various networks. Any of a variety of communication protocols, and in any of the various networks in accordance with the present disclosure, any connection between two devices, I38035.doc ^ 200942075, can represent between the two systems. a dedicated company Connected to a non-dedicated connection. In addition to carrying information intended for the two devices, this non-dedicated connection may also carry one of the two devices not necessarily intended for use (eg, an open network connection) In addition, it should be readily appreciated that various networks such as the devices discussed herein may use one or more wireless, line/cable' and/or fiber optic links to facilitate the transfer of information throughout the network. The term "user interface" used in the user" refers to an interface between one or more devices of the user or operator and the communication between the user and the device, etc. Examples of user interfaces used in various embodiments of the disclosure include, but are not limited to, switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, a mouse, keyboard, numeric keypad, various types of game controllers (eg, game manipulation) Rods, ruling balls, display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUI), touch screens, microphones, and other types of sensors that can receive some form of human product Stimulate and respond to it to produce a signal. • It should be understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in more detail below (if such concepts are not mutually contradictory) are contemplated as part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. All combinations of the subject matter of the claims at the end of the disclosure are intended to be part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein. It should also be understood that any of the disclosures disclosed herein may also be The terms in the content should be based on the meanings most consistent with the specific concepts disclosed herein. [Embodiment] 138035.doc -14- 200942075 Applicants have recognized and understood the advantageous rate and/or accuracy required to obtain the data. Degree to determine and / or manage the temperature of a light source. In view of the foregoing, various specific embodiments and embodiments of the present invention are directed to a lighting unit and a thermal management system and method therefor. Generally, a lighting unit as described herein in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention includes one or more light sources and one or more conversion elements configured to convert light emitted by the one or more light sources At least some of the beta-converted light is emitted in accordance with a temperature dependent characteristic of the (equal) conversion element (e.g., a time-temperature dependent conversion light intensity function, etc.). The lighting unit further includes - or a plurality of sensing elements for sensing different times of the converted light; and a thermal management module operatively coupled to the sensing elements and A converted light intensity configured to self-sensing determines a value indicative of an operating temperature of the one or more light sources based on a temperature dependent characteristic of the converting element. Optionally, according to some embodiments, the lighting unit can be further adapted to respond to (or) determine a value to adjust one or more operational characteristics of the lighting unit, via the thermal management module, or Integrating or different from another mode in some embodiments, the operating temperature of the light source of the lighting unit can be monitored to avoid operating the light source at temperatures that can cause significant and/or significant damage. / or cause undesirable output fluctuations 'change and / ; =. For example, the temperature of the light source may change as the ambient temperature changes, or as the power of a light source is changed. Such changes may be raised above an acceptable threshold at which point the operating conditions of the source (e.g., efficiency, _, spectral power distribution, etc.) may degrade 138035.doc -15-200942075. In particular, for some applications, the (equal) light source of a given lighting unit can be driven with as much current as possible to achieve maximum light output. Such high drive currents constantly increase the temperature of the source, etc., which reduces the desired lifetime of the source and reduces its operational efficiency. This is especially relevant for high-intensity LED systems that dissipate large amounts of heat. An indication of the operating temperature of a light source can therefore be used to reduce damage to the light source while helping to extend its useful life and/or maintain a desired output. Moreover, thermal effects can become increasingly important in a lighting unit that combines, for example, different light sources of different colors to produce a combined optical output. Such a lighting unit (eg, a multi-color lighting unit, a white lighting unit, a color changing lighting sheet 70, etc.) may experience significant and potentially harmful when operating conditions of one or more of its constituent light sources begin to diverge due to changes in operating temperature effect. For example, if the spectral power distribution of a given source changes due to an increase in temperature (eg, spectral broadening, peak output wavelength shift, luminous flux output variation and/or fluctuation, etc.), the combined output of the illumination unit (eg, color temperature, Color quality, color rendering index, output intensity, etc.) can also be changed. For some multi-color, white and/or color-changing lighting unit applications, such spectral changes can be important and should therefore be monitored and rectified as best and as quickly as possible. Furthermore, 'because the heat-induced output variations of individual light sources can be different for different colors or for light sources from the same or different batches', it may be advantageous to monitor each light source independently, or for each group, array and/or The clusters provide appropriate compensation when needed. In order to reduce such thermal effects, for example to reduce or avoid transient color shifts, 138035.doc * 16 - 200942075 shifts, changes in luminous flux output, and/or undue damage, the present invention provides - a lighting unit and a thermal management system and method thereof And configured to estimate one or more temperature dependent characteristics of the lighting unit (eg, one or more temperature dependent characteristics of one or more of its component parts), and determine a light source of the lighting unit Or multiple operating temperatures. The system can be further configured as needed to responsively adjust one or more operational characteristics of the lighting unit that can affect or be affected by temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature is determined continuously and/or instantaneously.

❷ 管理, management and optional adjustments ❶ For example, immediate or near-instant temperature decisions can be provided because the converted light intensity readings or the temperature of the other such readings can be sensed and relatively short Respond within the delay. For example, in some embodiments, the conversion element is arranged in close proximity to a source of light whose temperature is estimated. As described above, and in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a lighting unit includes - or a plurality of light sources 'and a thermal management system for monitoring the operating temperature of the source or sources of the light source, and optionally Respond to changes in operating temperature to adjust it—or multiple operating characteristics. The system generally includes or a plurality of conversion elements configured and arranged to absorb at least some of the light produced by the (etc.) light source and to respond thereto to emit converted light. For example, in some embodiments, the intensity of the converted light may be attenuated according to one of the temperature-dependent characteristics of the conversion element, that is, the converted light intensity may be expressed by a subtraction function (9) such as exponential decay, hyperbolic decay, etc. Or at least: the system includes one or more sensing elements grouped to sense, for example, one of the first intensities of the converted light, and the -of-light source-off 138035.doc • 17- 200942075 One or more of the converted light during the state, so the temperature dependent attenuation can be sensed by the sensing element. Based on such sensing intensities, the thermal management system is configured to determine an operating temperature of one of the conversion elements that is indicated when the conversion element is placed in close proximity and/or thermally coupled to one or more corresponding light sources (etc.) corresponds to one of the operating temperatures of the light source. The thermal management system is also configured, as needed, to respond to changes in its perceived operating temperature to adjust one or more operational characteristics of the one or more light sources. The adjustments may occur automatically in accordance with a predetermined set of rules or heuristics, or may be implemented by a user of the thermal management system to adjust operational characteristics based on detected changes in temperature. As a general event, a value representing a first light intensity and a value representing a subsequent light intensity can be used for each of the temperature indicating values to determine and determine the nature of the change in light intensity as a function of time and temperature. In some embodiments in which the light sources operate in accordance with a duty cycle, the first and subsequent light intensity decisions can be from the same cycle or different cycles. In such embodiments, the first value can be determined by using a first light intensity determined in the current cycle, or an approximation thereof can be obtained by using a first light intensity previously determined in another cycle. To decide. The first light intensity may be determined at any point during the on-state portion of the cycle, at a point in time after the end of the on-state portion, or during a portion of the off-state of a cycle. The one or more subsequent light intensity decisions occur (a) during the off state and (b) after a point in a current cycle in which a first light intensity is determined to occur] or in which the first light intensity is used In the case of an approximation of the decision, after a point in the loop, the point corresponds to the point at which the first light intensity decision is made in a first 138035.doc 200942075 j loop. It will be appreciated that the readings may be repeated for each duty cycle or for an intermittent cycle to provide a continuous and/or immediate indication of the temperature of the light source. As explained in more detail below with reference to particular embodiments and examples, if the temperature dependent intensity function is known (eg, via known material properties and/or predetermined via system/conversion component calibration), then from the first intensity reading and One or more subsequent intensity readings can be obtained using various mathematical methods and techniques known in the art to obtain an estimate of the temperature of the conversion element. It should be understood that the terms first intensity and its subsequent strength are used herein for the simple purpose of the description and can be interpreted to define the strength of different values obtained by the temperature dependent intensity function obtained to identify the temperature dependent properties of the conversion element. Various Combinations of Readings FIG. 1 provides a high-level diagram generally referring to a lighting unit using the number 1 ,, the lighting unit including a thermal management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that after reading the following description, the specific embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 provides only one example of a lighting unit and its thermal management system contemplated herein' and variations of this example (some of which are The description in the different examples is not intended to depart from the general scope and nature of the disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, lighting unit 1000 includes one or more light sources 1004 operatively mounted within the lighting unit. The lighting unit further includes a conversion element 1020 disposed on an output lens or package of the light source 1004 and configured to absorb at least some of the light generated by the light source and to responsive thereto to emit converted light. A sensing component 1006 is also provided for at least partially sensing a strength of 138035.doc -19-200942075 converted light and communicating a value indicative of the intensity to a thermal management module, which is described herein as hot Management/drive module 1〇1〇. In general, the illumination unit 70 also includes one or more drive modules (eg, software, firmware, hardware, driver circuits, and/or are schematically integrated in the thermal management/drive mode) for driving the light source of the illumination unit. Other such drive components within the group). In this embodiment, the thermal management/drive module is optionally provided in an operationally integrated manner to drive the light source via the drive circuit 1 8 while maintaining an acceptable operating temperature, such as via the conversion element and Sense® is monitored by the measuring component. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conversion elements can be arranged in a number of different ways without departing from the general scope and nature of the disclosure. For example, in the illumination unit 1100 depicted in FIG. 2, the (equal) conversion element 1120 forms a dispersion within one of the encapsulating materials of the light source 1104, and the resulting converted light is sensed by a sensing element 1106. The sensing component is configured to communicate a value indicative of the intensity of the converted light to a thermal management/drive module 1110, as discussed above. In the illumination unit 1200 depicted in FIG. 3, and in accordance with another embodiment, the conversion element 1220 is 'provided by a coating on the light source substrate 1202, which in this particular embodiment is arranged A portion of light that is used to absorb backscatter from light source 1204. The converted light generated by the conversion element is sensed at least in part by a sensing element 1206 configured to communicate a value indicative of the intensity of the converted light to a thermal management/drive module 1210, as discussed above. In the illumination unit 1300 depicted in FIG. 4, and in accordance with another embodiment 138035.doc • 20 200942075, the conversion element 1320 is provided by a coating on one of the LED dies of the light source 1304. The converted light is sensed by a sensing element 1306 configured to communicate a value indicative of the intensity of the converted light to a thermal management/media module 1310, as discussed above. It should also be understood that although the above specific embodiments describe a single sensing element 1006, 1106, 1206, and 1306 that are respectively disposed toward one of the periphery of the lighting unit, one or more sensing elements may be provided at different locations, so the conversion The light system is directly and/or indirectly surfaced to the sensing elements. For example, in each of the specific embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 through 4, the sensing element is external to a package associated with the light source. This is advantageous or necessary when the size of the sensing element and/or the limited space provided within the package is prohibited from mismatching. Clearly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a similar package associated with the light source can be constructed to include sensing elements on or within the package. Figure 5 provides a diagram of a similar illumination unit 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The lighting unit 200 of this example includes three light sources 204 operatively mounted within the lighting unit. The lighting unit further includes various conversion elements configured to absorb at least some of the light generated by the light sources or a subset thereof and responsive thereto to emit converted light. The lighting unit also includes different sensing elements, such as sensing elements 206, for sensing the intensity of the radiation emitted from one or more of the conversion elements and communicating a value indicative of it to a thermal management/driver Module. In this particular embodiment, each of the three light sources 204 is monitored via the (equal) sensing element 206. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a different number of light sources can be selected for monitoring without departing from the general scope and nature of one of the disclosures 138035.doc -21 - 200942075. In this particular embodiment, a conversion element 223 disposed on one of the die substrates 202 of each of the light sources is shown. Additional or alternative conversion elements are also provided as a coating for each light source package 222 (eg, on its lens), as a coating on the LED die 220 itself, and/or dispersed within the LED package 221. For example, embedded in an encapsulating material or the like. It will be appreciated that one or more of the above examples may be used interchangeably in different embodiments to provide a similar effect, as other examples can be considered herein, including, for example, operatively coupling one of each light source to a lighting unit substrate (not A conversion component is shown without departing from the general scope and nature of the disclosure. In this example, the 'lighting unit 2' further includes circuitry 208 that is operatively coupled to the light source 204 and directed to the thermal management/drive module 21A. The thermal management/lumbar motion module is generally configured to respond to the converted intensity values communicated from the sensing component 206 to the module to monitor and adjust the operational characteristics of each of the light sources of the lighting unit to manage its temperature. For example, by managing a drive current given to it. For example, the (equal) sensing element is operatively coupled to a thermal management/drive module of the illumination unit that is configured to drive light source 204 via circuit 208 while maintaining monitoring via the (equal) sensing element An acceptable operating temperature. It should be understood that although the present embodiment describes one or more sensing elements 206 disposed toward the periphery of the illumination unit 200, one or more of the sensing elements may be provided at different locations, so the converted light system is directly and/or Indirectly coupled to the sensing elements. For example, in the particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the sensing element is external to the light source package. This is advantageous or necessary when the sensing element 138035.doc • 22- 200942075 is sized and/or provided that the space limitation within the package is forbidden to mismatch. Clearly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a similar type of light source package can be constructed to include a sensing element on or in each of the individual packages or in a selected number of such packages. Μ This technique also requires the presence of sensing elements 2〇6 that are more or less than the source 2〇4 or ΙΜ奂 element. For example, each of the one or more sensing elements need not correspond to a respective light source, or a conversion element associated therewith, because a particular sensing element 206 can be optically coupled to it associated with the f-light source In the case of a conversion element, a different number of light sources 204 can be operated in conjunction. The exemplary illumination units 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, and 200, described above and described in Figures 5 through 5, may further include additional components, such as primary optical components (eg, light source or light source package lenses, diffusers, edge protection coatings) Or a cover, lamp or color filter, etc.), secondary optics (eg reflectors, lenses, diffusers, collimators, etc.), and/or other such Φ optics and/or structures (eg reticle, housing) Etc.) components. The optional content of these and other such additional components should be understood by those skilled in the art and is therefore not to be construed as a departure from the general scope and nature of the disclosure. 'Light source' The lighting unit may comprise one or more light sources in different combinations of type, color and/or size. For example, the illumination unit can comprise a single or single type of light source, such as a light source comprising a single color, or two or more different types comprising a light source, which provide a combined spectral power distribution, such as providing a given Color temperature or quality light. Examples of the latter may include I38035.doc -23· 200942075 but are not limited to red, green and blue light sources (RGB), red, amber, green and blue light sources (RAGB) and are easily understood by those skilled in the art. Other such combinations. Generally, the one or more light sources can be configured in one or more groups, one or more arrays, or one or more clusters thereof. The light sources may be coated with a conversion element, or in close proximity to the conversion element 'the conversion element capable of absorbing radiation at - or a plurality of first wavelengths and emitting radiation of the wavelengths at one or more second wavelengths The ones fall within one or the same region of the spectrum, such as the infrared, visible and/or ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some embodiments, the light source is driven according to a given cycle (sometimes referred to by those skilled in the art as "working cycles"), wherein the light system is substantially unrecognized therefrom The light source emits light from a certain duration (,, on state ") after a duration of light emission ("off state"). In some embodiments, the individual or common disconnected states of the one or more light sources may be shorter than perceived by the naked eye, thereby establishing an effect in which the unbroken state may be recognized by the user. Additionally, the one or more light sources can be in an alternate duty cycle in which the off state does not correspond. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the one or more light sources can be configured to provide different effects in different numbers and/or types of arrays, groups, and/or clusters. Individual light sources, or groups, arrays and/or clusters thereof, can be independently mounted or part of a self-contained light source package containing various numbers of drive circuits, sensing and/or optical components. In a particular embodiment of the invention, one or more of the one or more light sources may be associated with one or more common or separate conversion elements, wherein 138035.doc -24· 200942075 is selected to select only the light source The temperature can generally provide a representative estimate of the lighting unit. In some embodiments, each of the one or more light sources is associated with one or more common or separate conversion elements to obtain, for example, an average source estimate or a respective source estimate. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a light source may further comprise a lens, a protective material, a filter, a diffuser, or other elements or features known in the art. The material may be constructed of glass or a transparent polymer or plastic or other material. This material can be used, for example, to direct or focus light and filter or change the color of the light. Each of the one or more light sources in one of the coating elements, the non-coated elements, or various combinations thereof, and the one or more sensing elements can be optionally mounted to the respective and/or common substrates For example, a PCB or a immersive semiconductor device. Additionally, a lighting unit can include one or more light source packages, each light source package including one or more light sources operatively mounted to a package substrate that provides the necessary light source electrode coupling (eg, electrode turns, traces) Etc.) to operate, monitor, and control the (etc.) source. In some embodiments, one or more light source packages can be mounted on separate and/or common substrates (e.g., a PCB or an embedded semiconductor device). Conversion Element The one or more conversion elements comprise, in whole or in part, a substance that is capable of receiving or absorbing radiation and responding to an absorption illuminator to emit a conversion illuminator. Generally, the characteristics of both received and emitted radiation may be individual wavelengths, which may fall within one or the same region of the electromagnetic spectrum 'eg, 138035.doc -25- 200942075 in the spectrum, infrared, ultraviolet, and/or Or in the visible area. Furthermore, the conversion element can emit a specific one or more spectral characteristics (for example having - or a plurality of specific peak emission lines and/or bands ' and/or: or a plurality of specific absorption lines and/or With) conversion radiation. For example, 'wavelength selective conversion material can be used to convert light produced by one or more selected sources' while remaining unresponsive to other sources. Similarly, the conversion material that emits the predefined emission band (4) converted light can be used in combination.

Using only the sensors and/or choppers of the wavelengths of the (four)j-converted light, the conversion element can absorb (four) and then via photoluminescence (which may include, but is not limited to, fluorescent light). And/or phosphorescence) to emit converted radiation. In general, the characteristic of the intensity of the converted light generated by the one or more conversion elements in response to an optical signal can be a time function in which the converted light intensity changes over time upon removal of the optical signal. The parameters of this time function can generally be associated with one or more characteristics of the conversion element, and are characteristically associated with its temperature. Thus, by sampling the intensity of the converted light over time during one of the states of the corresponding light source, the parameters can be approximated and the conversion element characteristics associated therewith can be determined. In a particular embodiment in which the temperature sensitive conversion element is disposed in close proximity to or coated on a corresponding light source, a value indicative of the operating temperature of one of the light sources can be assessed by: in one of the light sources The sample converted light intensity changes during the off state and the sample is compared to a predefined temperature dependent value or curve for the conversion element. 138035.doc • 26- 200942075 For example, in one embodiment, the temperature indication value is within the same off state by one of the first intensity and one of the corresponding sources (eg, near the beginning and during the same off state) One or more of the converted light thereafter is determined. It should be understood that intensity readings can also be recycled from different disconnected states to provide a similar effect. In some embodiments, if the first intensity can be sufficiently compared to one or more subsequent off-state strengths to extract one or more parameters characterized by a strength function of the conversion element, then the removal can be removed. The first intensity of the converted radiation is estimated before the source is excited (i.e., during the turn-on of a corresponding source). For example, in one embodiment, the sensing element is adapted to sense only the converted light (eg, via a suitable filter or the like), so if the beginning of the off state is known ' then the first intensity Only the saturation converted light intensity that is sufficiently comparable to a steady state or subsequent intensity is indicated. In another embodiment, the first intensity reflects both a steady state or saturated converted light intensity and one of the one or more light sources, in which case the sensed intensity at the beginning of the open state will be A difference change that should be resolved when comparing the first intensity to its subsequent intensity is marked. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, in some embodiments, the conversion elements may correspond to the light source in a one-to-one relationship. It is also possible to have a single conversion element for a plurality of light sources or a plurality of conversion elements for a single light source. In different embodiments, the conversion element is a single conversion element, or one of different types of conversion elements. mixture. In some embodiments, the conversion element comprises a phosphor, generally referred to as a substance exhibiting phosphorescence or fluorescence 138035.doc -27 200942075, but may also refer to a substance exhibiting other photoluminescent properties, such as is familiar with The technician knows. Phosphors and other such conversion elements can each be characterized' because they have a unique decay time constant. The decay time constant refers to the intrinsic property of a smectic body and can be accounted for as a value related to the rate at which the intensity of the post-emissive radiation is reduced by the removal of the excitation energy. A particular type of phosphor typically has a given decay time constant for one of its uniqueities. If a time constant of a particular phosphor is known and its temperature dependence, then two or more time-separated converted light intensity readings are used. The evaluation can be used to determine or approximate the current time constant and to determine a value indicative of the scale temperature by proportional or interpolation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of mathematical methods and methods can be used to achieve this value without departing from the general scope and nature of the disclosure. For example, data comparison, data fitting and interpolation, and the like can be viewed as a current parameter that takes a function of the intensity of the conversion element and evaluates the temperature of the conversion element and its associated light source in accordance with such parameters. Some specific embodiments of the invention include a phosphor having a time constant of about 1 〇〇ns (eg, YAG:Ce3+), thus requiring a sensing element having nanosecond resolution' while other embodiments may include Second or longer decay time constant phosphor (eg YAG:Cr). Other embodiments of the present invention may use squama having a longer decay time constant of about ten microseconds, which has hitherto only been known for use in the phosphors of the state of the art rather than in the field of light sources. The (equal) conversion element can be coated with the light source or placed in close proximity to the source' for example in thermal contact therewith. In some embodiments, the (equal) conversion element can form part of a coating or cover of the light source. In other embodiments having 138035.d〇c -28- 200942075, the (equal) conversion element can be dispersed in different media forming additional elements and/or features of the light source, such as an output lens (eg, a hemispherical lens) ), filters, protective coverings, and/or other structural, electrical, and/or optical components are readily understood by those skilled in the art. For example, when a light source includes a lens or a protective cover, the material used to form the lens or protective cover can contain the conversion element or can be "doped". The conversion element may further comprise a scale material, a quantum dot material, a luminescent dopant material or a plurality of such materials among other photoluminescent materials. The conversion element may further comprise a transparent primary material in which the phosphor material, the quantum dot material or the luminescent dopant material is dispersed. The powdered phosphor material is usually an inorganic material doped with a lanthanide (rare earth) element or an ion such as chromium, titanium, vanadium, cobalt or cerium. Steel elements are steel, decoration, enamel, quotation, moment, Peng, pin, chaos, test, shop, shovel, slant, sputum, sputum and sputum. Inorganic materials include, but are not limited to, sapphire (Al2〇3), gallium arsenide (GaAs), beryllium aluminum oxide (BeAl2〇4), magnesium fluoride (MgF2), indium sulfide (inP), gallium decarbide (GaP) , Ji Ming Shi Quanshi (YAG or Υ3Α15〇1ζ), yttrium-containing garnet, yttrium-aluminum lanthanide compound, yttrium aluminum lanthanide lanthanide compound, yttrium oxide (Υ2〇3), calcium halophosphate or lanthanum or cerium (Ca) , Sr, Ba) 5 (P04) 3 (Cl, F), compound CeMgAln019, lanthanum lanthanum (LaP04), lanthanide pentabrominated material ((lanthanide) (Mg, Zn) B5O10), compound BaMgAl10O17, compound SrGa2S4 Compound (Sr, Mg, Ca, Ba) (Ga, A1, In) 2S4, compound SrS, compound ZnS, and cerium nitride. There are several exemplary phosphors that can be excited at about 250 nm. An example red luminescent phosphor system Y2〇3: Eu3+. An example of yellow light 138035.doc 29· 200942075 Light-construction system YAG: Ce3+. Example green luminescent phosphors include CeMgAl"〇19:Tb3+, ((镧) p〇4:Ce3+, Tb3+) and GdMgBs〇(6)ce3+,

Tb3+. An example blue luminescent phosphorescent system BaMgAli〇〇i7: Eu2+ and (Sr, Ba, Ca) 5 (P〇4) 3Cl: Eu2+. For longer-wavelength LED excitation in or near the 400 to 450 nm wavelength region, exemplary inorganic materials include yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG or Y3ai5〇2), yttrium-containing garnet, yttrium oxide (γ2〇3), YV04, SrGa2S4, (Sr, Mg, Ca, Ba) (Ga, Al, In) 2S4,

SrS and tantalate. Exemplary can bodies for LED excitation in the wavelength range from 4 〇〇 to 45 〇 nm include YAG: Ce3+, YAG: H〇3+, YAGp^+,

SrGa2S4: Eu2+, SrGa2S4: Ce3+, SrS, Eu2+ and a nitride nitride doped with Eu2+. Quantum dot materials are small particles of inorganic semiconductor having a particle size of less than about 4 nanometers. Suitable quantum dot materials include, but are not limited to, Cds, CdSe,

Small particles of ZnSe InAs, GaAs, and GaN. Quantum dot materials can absorb light at one wavelength and then re-emit light at different wavelengths depending on particle size, particle surface properties, and inorganic semiconductor materials. The Sandia National Laboratory has demonstrated the use of white light generated by 2 nm CdS quantum dots excited by near-ultraviolet led light. An efficiency of approximately 6% is achieved at low quantum dot concentrations dispersed in a large volume of transparent primary material. Because of their small size, quantum dot materials dispersed in a transparent host material exhibit low optical backscatter. Suitable luminescent dopant materials include, but are not limited to, organic laser dyes such as coumarin fluorescein rose and conjugated dyes. Other types of luminescent dopant materials are steel-based hybrids, which can be used in X polymer materials 138035.doc -30· 200942075. Steel elements are steel, trim, fins, convergence, moment, m #, steel, chin, oblique, recorded, mirror and box. - Example steel elements are skewed. Transparent main materials include polymeric materials and inorganic materials. Polymer materials include, but are not limited to, acrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, fluorinated propionic acid, perfluorinated acrylic acid, fluorophosphate polymer, fluorinated polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorohydrogenated, Sol-Gel, Epoxy, Thermoplastic, Thermosetting, and Polyoxo "Examples of inorganic materials include, but are not limited to, cerium oxide = optical glass and chalcogenide glass. A single type of powdered phosphor material, powdered quantum dot material or powdered luminescent dopant material may be incorporated into the one or more conversion elements or powdered phosphor material, quantum dot material, and/or luminescent dopant A mixture of one of the material materials can be incorporated into the (etc.) conversion element. If a second wavelength range of light requires a broad spectral emission range, it is advantageous to utilize a mixture of more materials than this material. The (etc.) conversion element can be transparent, translucent or partially reflective. The optical properties of the (etc.) conversion element strongly depend on the material used for the layer. A conversion element containing particles having a wavelength less than visible light and dispersed in a transparent main material can be highly transparent or translucent with only a small amount of light scattering. A switching element that contains particles that are approximately equal to or greater than the wavelength of visible light typically scatters light strongly. Such materials will be partially reflective. If the (equal) conversion element is partially reflective, it can be embodied as a layer that is sufficiently thin that it emits at least a portion of the light incident on the layer. The conversion element can be applied as a coating on the inner surface of the light recycling envelope or substrate, which can be applied as a coating on the light output surface of an LED, 138035.doc -31- 200942075 or can be partially filled Substantially filling or completely filling any of the additional elements or features commonly used in conjunction with a light source, such as an output lens (eg, a hemispherical lens), a filter, a protective covering, or other electrical and/or optical component Internal capacity. By placing the (equal) conversion element in contact, or in close proximity to the emissive layer of a source, the difference in temperature between the conversion element and the source will be substantially negligible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other examples of the conversion elements can be considered in various configurations herein without departing from the general scope and nature of the disclosure. Sensing Element The one or more sensing elements are configured to receive radiation of a particular wavelength, wavelength band or broad spectrum and measure its intensity. Measurements can generally be made at discrete points in time. Because the sensing element has the ability to make rapid measurements, the sensing element is capable of performing real-time detection and measurement of radiation. An instant measurement is generally defined to mean that the measurement reflects the actual state of the item measured at or very close to the measurement time in an ongoing or continuous manner." Typically, the one or more sensing elements comprise a device or a plurality of A device configured to receive an apex at - or a plurality of predetermined wavelengths or ranges thereof and to establish and transmit a signal related to the intensity of the received radiation. The one or more sensing devices can be configured to estimate the Hammer intensity' at a given point in time and thus can determine the radiation intensity at discrete time points or continuously. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in some embodiments, the sensing elements 138035.doc -32. 200942075 can be made to correspond to the light source in a one-to-one relationship. It is equally possible to have a single sensing element for a plurality of light sources or a plurality of sensing elements for a single light source. Depending on the type of conversion element used, the delay between the first intensity and its subsequent intensity reading can be on the order of nanoseconds, microseconds or longer. Considering the signal-to-noise ratio, the desired source operation, and other such considerations, if a longer period of time may be required depending on the level of accuracy and precision that may be required in a particular application. The one or more sensing elements can include different types and/or different numbers of radiation sensing devices that can include, for example, one or more optical sensors, photodiodes, semiconductor diode detectors, Optical capacitors and/or the like. The one or more sensing elements are generally optically coupled directly or indirectly to one or more common or separate conversion elements, the latter being applied to or in close proximity to a common, selective or separate source to convert the resulting light, The sensed converted light intensity can be communicated to the thermal management module to evaluate the temperature of the (equal) conversion element and a light source associated therewith. Thus, embodiments of the present invention allow for relatively direct and response temperature determination of important light sources within the lighting unit. Thermal Management System/Module In general, the thermal management system/module is configured to receive signals from the (equal) sensing element and, for example, to determine one or more light sources or sub-units thereof The signals are interpreted by a set of values of one of the operating temperatures. This value can be determined at predetermined time or time intervals or can be determined continuously. When certain thresholds are reached, the temperature indication value can, for example, be recorded or responded to by 138035.doc • 33· 200942075 to cause a user’s attention, for example, on a special basis. Modify the operational characteristics of the lighting unit. Optionally, by using predetermined rules or heuristics, the substantially optimal operating conditions of the lighting unit can be additionally automatically maintained, thereby maintaining a substantially optimal quality and lifetime of a lighting unit. The one or more light sources and the one or more A plurality of sensors are communicably coupled to the apparatus for viewing and optionally adjusting operational characteristics of the one or more light sources

member. Such operational characteristics may include, but are not limited to, electrical input, light emission, intensity of light, duration of light emission, duration of non-light emission, light emission and non-light emission data, and material time Regular or irregular. Each of the light sources in the illumination unit may be included in one of the coating element, the non-coated element, or any combination thereof, and the one or more sensing elements may be optionally mounted to separate and/or common substrates, such as a PCB Or - embedded semiconductor device. Furthermore, the '-lighting unit may comprise one or more light source packages, each light source package comprising operatively mounted on the package substrate or a plurality of light sources'. The package substrate provides the necessary light source electrode coupling (eg electrode pads, traces, etc.) ) to operate, monitor, and control the (etc.) light source. In some embodiments, or multiple light source packages may be mounted on separate and/or common substrates (e.g., a PCB or an embedded semiconductor device). In general, there are components associated with estimating timing strength measurements, performing calculations, and transmitting and receiving data and performing calculations. Such: a piece may optionally be incorporated into the one or more sensing elements, a portion of one or more light sources 'or a separate element' that may be mounted to the respective and / 138035.doc -34- 200942075 or Common substrate. The member can also be communicatively coupled to each of the one or more sensing elements or one or more light sources. Information collected by the one or more sensing elements configured to receive radiation emitted from respective and/or various combinations of selected sources can be used to determine the operating temperature of the selected source. In an exemplary embodiment, the (equal) light source operates in accordance with a cycle comprising a repeating on state and an off state. Generally, a first intensity is determined and then one or more subsequent intensities are determined. Since the intensity of the transmitted converted radiation varies according to a known temperature dependent function, two or more measurements can be used to estimate one of the indicated temperatures. In some embodiments, the first and/or one or more second decisions of light intensity may comprise a single measurement indicative of individual intensity at a given time. In other embodiments, one of the light intensities may comprise a single measurement over a fixed period of time, thus providing an indication of the integer or sum of the intensities during the time period. For example, a previous on-state reading-integrated reading can be used to provide a temperature-increasing sampling time (integration is fully scaled to evaluate one of a single degree during an off-state. In such embodiments, female readings are not A single reading) may allow for the use of, for example, lower and less expensive analog to digital (A/D) electronic devices.

External 'different light sources can be operated according to unsynchronized cycles, magnitude levels. This thus enables individual work cycles on the light source without significantly affecting the quality of the light emitted by the illumination unit. Moreover, not all of the light sources in the lighting unit need to provide a temperature indication because an accurate indication can be obtained by a decision in one, some or all of the light sources in a lighting unit. In some exemplary embodiments, when the one or more light sources are cycled according to a continuous cycle, the (four), etc. (four) - immediate or continuous temperature may be determined. Alternatively, discrete temperature decisions can be made at any desired point in time during one or more selected and/or periodic time cycles. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the monitoring and control component is configured to adjust the control of the temperature in one or more selected sources and, for example, to a current of the sources The signal is maintained at a substantially constant optical output. In another embodiment, the monitoring and control component adjusts a current (e.g.,) to avoid overheating and thereby reduce the likelihood of damaging the selected source. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various types of monitoring φ and control components, such as microcontrollers, hardware, software and/or firmware implementations or circuits and the like, can be considered herein without departing from the disclosure. General category and nature. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the level of accuracy based on the desired output and the need to achieve this output may require various levels of control, thereby affecting the complexity of the drive mechanism and the optional control system associated with it. In some embodiments, the temperature dependent intensity function of the one or more conversion elements can be defined or at least approximated by an exponential decay characterized by a temperature dependent time constant. For example, in one embodiment, the intensity function of a single phosphor is given by the following equation 138035.doc -36- 200942075. W, /r (1) where Ιο is after the excitation radiation is removed ( For example, the initial intensity at time zero), the intensity at which it is time t, and the temperature dependent time constant. The decay time constant τ is generally defined as the time of phosphor emission from 1〇 to I〇/e or approximately 〇368. Typical time constants for phosphors range from 30 to 1 〇〇 Msec for bismuth-based phosphorescent systems and 10 to 30 nsec for Ce-based phosphorescent systems. For example, the YAG:Ce3+ phosphor has a decay time of less than 1 〇〇 nsec. In some embodiments, the intensity function of a phosphor mixture is obtained by summing the individual exponential decays for each of the constituent phosphors having respective values of 10 and τ (e.g., equation (1)). provide. This sum can generally be approximated by the hyperbolic decay given by: (X and β are constants. Those skilled in the art should understand that although the above example uses phosphorescence that is reasonably defined by an exponential or hyperbolic decay function) Body, but other mathematical means known in the art for simulating the behavior of the intensity of converted light emitted from a conversion element after removal of the source of excitation may be considered herein without departing from the general scope of the disclosure. And the nature. That is, other types of time constants and mathematical models known in the art also enable the required operations to have the methods and configurations disclosed herein. The present invention will now be described with reference to specific examples. It should be understood that the following examples are pre-138035 Doc-37-200942075 describes specific embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention in any way. Example 1:

In a specific exemplary embodiment, the thermal management system includes a sensing element (eg, a Shixia diode) connected to a fast analog to digital converter or the same as the holding amplifier, wherein the thermal sensing system The measuring component is configured to receive radiation from a phosphor coated LED. In a first measurement, the sensor output is measured while a known amount of current is used to supply energy to the LED. The LED is then disabled and a second measurement is performed after a delay of approximately (4) the optical body time constant. If the temperature dependence of the phosphor time constant is known, then the ratio of the second measurement to the first measurement will indicate the phosphor temperature. If the phosphor is coated with LED dies, the phosphor temperature will be substantially equal to the LED junction temperature. Given a typical YAG:Ce3+phosphorite time constant of 1〇〇nsec, the time delay between the LED's disability and the second sensor measurement will require a resolution of a few nanoseconds in order to accurately measure the second and the second A ratio of measurements. Example 2: Figure 6 shows an example data result 2000 of a sensing element resident on a lighting unit that begins during an on state of a light source and ends during one of the light source off states The intensity of the converted light emitted from a conversion element is measured during the time interval. Data 2 can be exemplified for information obtained by one of the discrete indications of temperature or a single cycle within a duty cycle. The reading taken during an on state 2010 shows that the intensity of the light emitted by the source and the conversion element is in a stable or saturated state (i.e., non-changing condition). As illustrated herein by two different embodiments A and B, which are described herein together for ease of comparison, the intensity readings after the end of the on state of the light source are shown from a steady state operational strength (A) The characteristic is continuously reduced by 2040, or additionally the first step difference (B) of the steady state operational strength resulting from a substantially identical characteristic decrease in intensity 2〇4〇. For example, in the example described by the specific embodiment A, the light directed to the sensing element can be suitably shielded or filtered such that only the converted light system is incident thereon, the sensing element can also or alternatively be configured The wavelength of a given range is only or for most of the response, wherein one of the peak wavelengths of the converted light falls within this range but wherein one of the peak wavelengths of the light source of the illumination unit may not fall within this range. Conversely, in the example described by the specific embodiment B, the sensing element can be configured such that a substantial portion of the light emitted by the (equal) light source is thus sensed 'so that when the (equal) light source is connected Switching between the on and off states results in a significant step difference in the intensity reading. As depicted in the two embodiments of Figure 6, there is an attenuation in the intensity of the light emitted by the conversion element during the off state of the source. In this example, the attenuation is after an exponential decay curve of 2〇4〇, thereby having a specific time constant defined at a particular temperature. For example, the time constant can represent the time of the sampling time 2030, where the intensity is approximately equal to 36.8% of the initial intensity defined at the sampling time 2020. Further, for example, a temperature dependent time constant for the conversion element (e.g., phosphor) is assumed to mean that the 138035.doc • 39-200942075 number attenuation curve 2040 will be shorter or longer depending on the temperature of the conversion element. The sampling time 2030 thus defines the sampling time, which is inferred from the ratio of the measured intensity of the time at which it can be self-sampling time 2030 to the measured intensity of the initial time of the sampling time 2〇2〇. The equation that can be used to determine this temperature is represented by equation (1) for exponential decay and equation (2) for hyperbolic attenuation. In some embodiments, the ratio versus temperature value is pre-computed and stored in a lookup table accessible by, for example, the controller, from which the temperature can be inserted from the measurement ratio. In a specific embodiment, one of the first estimates of light intensity is performed at the time of the initial intensity at the sampling time 2020 and one of the light intensities is thereafter estimated at the time of the initial intensity at the sampling time 2020. It is implemented at the end of the time interval beginning with a duration equal to the time constant. In an alternative embodiment, if the magnitude of the step change (applicable only to the specific embodiment B) that occurs after the end of the sampling time 2〇2〇 in the on state is known or relatively constant, then An estimate can be made at any time during the steady state phase 2〇1〇. In another embodiment, the first estimate is 'but'- or a plurality of subsequent estimates during the off state during the off state of the light source at a given time. Appeared afterwards. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the first and one or more subsequent estimates can provide an indication of the temperature of the conversion element and thus the source by comparing the initial intensity at the sampling time 2020 with the intensity at about the time constant. A value, or in the alternative, any number of estimates performed during the off state can be used to determine the temperature dependence in the behavior of the attenuation of the intensity of the converted light 138035.doc -40. 200942075. Example 3: = shows additional sample data results 2100 for a light source or light source package operating in accordance with a duty cycle. In a particular and specific embodiment, an indication of temperature can be obtained in any of the cycles illustrated in circle 7 in accordance with any of the variations as described above with respect to FIG. • « ^ ^ Bu / Difficulty means that the value can be estimated during each on/off cycle according to the pattern or periodically (for example, every 5th cycle), this 蛊 Φ from the top; 1 & This will provide a continuous indication of the temperature of the source/package corresponding to a conversion element. As a further alternative, it is not necessary to implement a first reading for each temperature indication. For example, 'only in the first cycle (or, for example, every first temperature measurement) ten implementation of the first teaching 'and if the change in the initial strength of the conversion element is relatively constant' then this value can be combined in which the temperature indication is required Any number obtained during the other cycles is subsequently evaluated for use. This variation can provide a reduction in the computational resources required, which may be needed when frequent temperature fingers φ T are needed to instantly determine small fluctuations in temperature. For example, a first reading can be taken during the first cycle 2150 after removal of the excitation source (ie, the light source) and the value can be broken in each of the subsequent cycles 2152, 2154, 2156, 2158, and 2160. The subsequent reading taken at different sampling times during state 214 is used to obtain an indication of the temperature in each cycle. Alternatively, the first reading can be taken during the first and third cycles and the subsequent reading can be taken in each cycle. Other such changes should be apparent to those skilled in the art. In general, such embodiments or variations thereof may be implemented using fast samples and holding amplifiers using, for example, 138035.doc -41. 200942075 slow and inexpensive A/D converters. Although a number of inventive embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art should readily envision various other components for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein. And/or the structure' and each of such variations and/or modifications are believed to be within the scope of the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. More specifically, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are intended to be exemplary and that actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations are dependent upon the teachings of the invention. Specific applications or several applications. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain many equivalents of the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Therefore, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the invention may be DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The specific embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, package, and/or method described herein. Further, any combination of 'two or more such features' systems, quotients, materials, kits and/or methods are not mutually exclusive in the context of such features, systems, commodities, materials, kits and/or methods. The following are included in the scope of the invention of the present disclosure. All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood as defining the meaning of the definitions and/or defining the items in the documents incorporated by reference. As used herein, the indefinite article """ &""" unless otherwise indicated, should be understood as 138035.doc -42· 200942075 Refers to "at least one." As used herein, the phrase "and/or" should be understood to mean "any or both" of the elements so combined, that is, in some cases And separate components that are present in other instances. Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be interpreted in the same manner (ie, one or more of the elements so combined). Other elements of the component that are expressly identified by the "and/or" clause, whether or not they are related or unrelated to a clearly identified component. Thus, as a non-limiting® example, reference to "A and/or B" when used in conjunction with a language (eg "include") can refer only to A in a particular embodiment (optionally included) In another embodiment, only B (optionally including elements other than A) is included; in another embodiment, both A and b (including other elements as needed) and the like. As used herein, in the specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. Example β, for example, when separating items in a list " or " or " and/or " should be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., comprising at least one of a number of components or a list of components, but also including more than one, and optionally including additional unlisted items. It is only clearly indicated that the opposite term (such as "only one " or " is exactly one "), or when used in the scope of patent application, consists of, consists of several units or 7L pieces. The list is exactly one component. Generally, when the term precedent (such as "any ", "one", "only one " or " is exactly one "), as the term "" should only be interpreted as indicating an exclusive alternative (ie one or the other but not both). When used to apply for the 138035.doc -43- 200942075 range, "consisting essentially of It has its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. As used herein, in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" in the reference to the list of one or more elements is understood to mean any element selected from the list of elements. At least one element of one or more of the elements, but not necessarily the one of the one of the elements listed in the list of the elements. This definition also allows for the presence of elements that are explicitly identified in the list of elements referenced in the phrase "at least one "" reference, whether or not they are related or unrelated to an explicitly identified element. Thus, as a non-limiting example, at least one of "A and B" (or equivalently at least one of A4b", or equivalently " at least one of "A and/or B" In a specific embodiment, it refers to at least one, optionally including more than one A, wherein B is not present (and optionally includes elements other than B); in another embodiment, at least one 'view' Desirably includes more than one B, wherein there is no Μ and optionally includes elements other than a); in another specific embodiment, means at least one, optionally including more than one A; and at least one, Optionally including more than one B (and optionally other elements); etc. It should also be understood that 'the method steps are included in any method that includes more than one step or action claimed herein unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Or the order of actions is not limited to the order in which the steps or actions of the method are stated. In the patent application, and in the above specification, such as "Package 138035.doc • 44 - 20 0942075 contains all transitional phrases including ", "bearer",, with ","with","involving ","hold", "constitution" and the like It should be understood that it is a start-up, that is, includes but is not limited to this. Only the transitional phrase "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of " should be closed or semi-closed excessive phrases. The reference numerals in the claims are for convenience only and are not to be construed as limiting in any way. [Simplified illustrations] In the drawings, the same reference characters generally refer to the same parts in all the different views. In addition, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis of the invention is generally set forth to illustrate the principles of the invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a lighting unit including a thermal management system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 2 illustrates a lighting unit including a thermal management system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a lighting unit including a heat pipe system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 4 illustrates a lighting unit including a thermal management system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates a lighting unit including a thermal management system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. A graphical representation of one of the intensity readings taken during a single on/off cycle of a light source of a lighting unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A graphical representation of one of the intensity readings taken during a plurality of on/off cycles of a light source of 138035.doc -45- 200942075.

[Main component symbol description] 200 illumination unit 202 die substrate 204 light source 206 sensing component 208 circuit 210 thermal management / drive module 220 LED die 221 LED package 222 light source package 223 conversion component 1000 lighting unit 1004 light source 1006 sensing component 1008 Drive Circuit 1010 Thermal Management Module 1020 Conversion Element 1100 Lighting Unit 1104 Light Source 1106 Sensing Element 1110 Thermal Management / Drive Module 1120 Conversion Element 138035.doc -46· 200942075

1200 Lighting Unit 1202 Substrate 1204 Light Source 1206 Sensing Element 1210 Thermal Management / Drive Module 1220 Conversion Element 1300 Lighting Unit 1304 Light Source 1306 Sensing Element 1310 Thermal Management / Drive Module 1320 Conversion Element

138035.doc 47-

Claims (1)

200942075 VII. Patent Application Range: 1. A thermal management system for a lighting unit (1000) comprising a light source (10〇4) configured to generate light, the system comprising: a conversion element (1020) ) configured and arranged to absorb at least some of the light generated by the light source (1004) and responsive thereto to emit converted light, the intensity of the converted light being dependent on the conversion element (1〇2〇) Attenuated by a temperature dependent characteristic; a sensing element (1 〇〇 6) configured to sense a first intensity of the converted light and during an off state of the light source (1〇〇4) One or more of its subsequent reduced intensities; wherein the system is configured to determine a value indicative of an operating temperature of one of the light sources (1004) based at least in part on the first intensity and the one or more subsequent intensities . 2. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the conversion element (1020) is disposed on an output lens or a package of the light source. 3. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the conversion element (1020) is dispersed within an encapsulation material optically coupled to the light source (1004). 4. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the light source (1004) is an LED comprising a substrate and wherein the conversion element (1〇2〇) is a coating deposited on the substrate. 5. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the light source (1004) is an LED crystal grain and wherein the conversion element (1020) is a coating formed on the LED die. 6. If a thermal management system of jg, i $1 is requested, wherein the conversion element (1020) is fabricated using a single conversion material or a mixture of different conversion materials, 138035.doc 200942075. 7. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the conversion element (1〇2〇) comprises a scale material, a quantum dot material, or a luminescent dopant material. 8. A lighting unit (1〇〇〇) comprising: a light source (1004) configured to emit light; a conversion element (1 020) configured and arranged to absorb the light source (1004) generating at least some of the light and responding thereto to emit converted light 'the intensity of one of the converted lights is attenuated according to a temperature dependent characteristic of one of the conversion elements (1020); a sensing element (1006) Configuring to sense one of the first intensity of the converted light and one or more subsequent reduced intensities during one of the off states of the light source (1004); and a thermal management module (1010) An operatively coupled to the sensing element (1006) and configured to determine one of the operating temperatures indicative of one of the light sources (1〇〇4) based at least in part on the first intensity and the one or more subsequent intensities Value. 9. The illumination unit (1) of claim 8, wherein the conversion element (1〇2〇) is disposed on an output lens or a package of the light source (1004). 10. The lighting unit (1000) of claim 8, wherein the converting element (1〇2〇) is dispersed within an encapsulating material optically coupled to the light source (1004). The illumination unit (1) of claim 8, wherein the light source (10〇4) is an LED comprising a substrate and wherein the conversion element (1020) is a coating deposited on the substrate. 12. The lighting unit (1000) of claim 8, wherein the light source (1〇〇4) is a 138035.doc 200942075 particle and wherein the conversion element (102〇) is a coating formed on the LED die . 13. The illumination unit (1000) of claim 8 wherein the conversion element (1020) is configured to emit converted light having - or a plurality of predetermined spectral characteristics. 14. The lighting unit (1〇〇〇) of claim 8 wherein the conversion element (1〇2〇) is made of a single conversion material or a mixture of different conversion materials. 15. The illumination unit (1000) of claim 8, wherein the conversion element (1〇2〇) comprises a phosphor material, a quantum dot material, or a luminescent dopant material. 16. The lighting unit (1〇〇〇) of claim 8, wherein the thermal management module (1〇1〇), i advances the configuration value to adjust the lighting unit (1 〇〇〇) One or more operational characteristics. 17. A method for managing an operating temperature of a lighting unit (1). The lighting unit (1000) includes a light source (1004) configured to emit light, the method comprising the steps of: a conversion element (1 〇 2 〇) of temperature dependent characteristics to convert at least some of the light generated by the light source (1004); sensing one of the converted light during one of the light source (1004) being turned on Sensing the intensity of the converted light during one of the off states of the light source (1004) or a plurality of subsequent intensities; and based at least in part on the first intensity and the one or more of the converted light according to the temperature dependent characteristic The post strength determines a value indicative of the operating temperature of one of the light sources (1〇〇4). The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises a response value to adjust one or more operational characteristics of the lighting unit (1000). 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the temperature dependent characteristic is defined by a curve or a hyperbola. An index 138035.doc