WO2013009728A2 - Led light bulb replicating the light pattern of an incandescent light bulb - Google Patents

Led light bulb replicating the light pattern of an incandescent light bulb Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013009728A2
WO2013009728A2 PCT/US2012/046005 US2012046005W WO2013009728A2 WO 2013009728 A2 WO2013009728 A2 WO 2013009728A2 US 2012046005 W US2012046005 W US 2012046005W WO 2013009728 A2 WO2013009728 A2 WO 2013009728A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
bulb
shell
led
light bulb
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/046005
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2013009728A3 (en
Inventor
Ronald J. Lenk
Carol Lenk
Original Assignee
Reliabulb, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Reliabulb, Llc filed Critical Reliabulb, Llc
Publication of WO2013009728A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013009728A2/en
Publication of WO2013009728A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013009728A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V3/00—Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21K9/00—Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
    • F21K9/20—Light sources comprising attachment means
    • F21K9/23—Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
    • F21K9/232—Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to replicating the luminous pattern of an incandescent light bulb in a light-emitting diode (LED) light bulb, and more particularly, to having two sets of scattering surfaces to replicate the desired light pattern.
  • LED light-emitting diode
  • LEDs are highly energy-efficient light sources, which may make LEDs more desirable than other light sources, for example incandescent or fluorescent lighting.
  • light emitted by LEDs tends to be fairly directional, that is, the emitted light tends to be projected primarily along a forward axis, which is typically an axisymmetric axis of the LED bulb.
  • a forward axis which is typically an axisymmetric axis of the LED bulb.
  • light intensity from the LEDs drop off, often fairly dramatically. Accordingly, an LED bulb having improved scattering properties is required.
  • the invention provides for an LED light bulb that has an interior scattering volume.
  • the LED light bulb also has a shell that also disperses light.
  • the two scatterers together produce a scattering that is more effective than would be achieved with just the shell scattering alone, while weighing considerably less than a filled bulb would. Further, the two scatterers also absorb less light than a filled bulb would.
  • the interior scattering volume is spaced sufficiently far away from the shell that the shell dispersion remains effective.
  • the LEDs are included on a printed circuit board (PCB) in or proximate to the neck of the light bulb.
  • the interior scattering volume is approximately hemispherical, enclosing the LEDs and providing for approximately equiangular distribution of the scattered light.
  • the interior scattering volume may be of such a size that a portion of its surface approximates in position the position of a filament in an incandescent bulb.
  • the shell may consist of a light-scattering material, such as a gel or other material.
  • the shell is either roughened and/or has a light dispersion agent on it, such as kaolin.
  • the interior scattering volume may consist of a light-scattering material, such as a gel or other material.
  • the interior scattering volume may either be roughened and/or have a light dispersion agent on it, such as kaolin.
  • the interior scattering volume and the shell may scatter light using the same mechanism.
  • FIG. 1 is a drawing of an LED light bulb with an inner scattering volume and a shell that further disperses light according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.
  • One method of scattering the light from the LEDs is to provide a shell for the LED light bulb that incorporates scattering ability.
  • a LED light bulb could include a roughened shell and/or a coating on the shell.
  • the roughening or coating is generally located on the inside of the shell, so that the outside of the shell remains smooth and so that the coating will is protected from abrasion during installation.
  • this method may not work well with the directional light from LEDs, because the shells are typically thin. The light emitted by the LED may only be partially dispersed, resulting in an inadequate light distribution pattern.
  • Another method of scattering light is to fill the LED light bulb with a substance that scatters the light emitted by the LEDs.
  • the fill material can partially or wholly remedy the directionality of the light emitted from the LEDs by scattering the light into a more uniform pattern.
  • gel has been suggested as the fill material.
  • a gel can be made that disperses light.
  • Other substances having light scattering properties are envisioned.
  • Filling the LED light bulb with a scattering material may add weight.
  • the weight of the bulb may be significantly increased.
  • an LED light bulb that includes scattering material may exceed regulatory requirements on weight or may make the bulb unsuitable for use in certain fixtures.
  • the path length from the LEDs through the fill material to the light emitting surface must be sufficiently greater than the mean free path length of the light inside the fill material to ensure that multiple scattering events take place.
  • typical gels for example, approximately one to two inches of gel is necessary to achieve approximately omni-directional scattering of the light. This amount of gel contributes a significant weight to the bulb.
  • the fill material chosen may also absorb a portion of the light emitted by the LEDs.
  • fill materials both scatter and absorb light. The long path length required to get adequate light scattering also leads to significant light absorption, reducing the light output of the bulb.
  • the fill material reduces the ability of the shell to scatter light because any surface roughening or coating of the shell is smoothed or filled in by the fill material, thereby preventing the shell from effectively scattering light.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a multi-scattering LED light bulb, such that the weight of the LED light bulb is substantially less than that of a filled bulb.
  • LED light bulbs according to the present disclosure further include an additional non-interfering scattering in the interior of the bulb that, acting together with the shell scattering, results in the desired light scattering for the bulb, while minimizing light absorption and weight.
  • FIG. 1 is a drawing of an LED light bulb 10 that includes an inner scattering volume 20 and a shell 30 that further disperses light.
  • the inner scattering volume 20 includes an outer surface 21 that is separated a distance from shell 30.
  • the interior surface of the shell 30 includes a roughened or coated surface.
  • LEDs 40 are mounted on a PCB 50 inside the LED light bulb 10, and emit light 60.
  • the light 60 crosses the gap 70 between the LEDs 40 and the inner scattering volume 20, and enters into the inner scattering volume 20, where it is diffused.
  • the light 80 is more uniformly distributed than the light 60 emitted from the LEDs 40.
  • the outer surface 21 of the inner scattering volume 20 is placed in approximately the same location as a filament would have been placed in an incandescent bulb, relative to the connector.
  • the light 80 emitted from the outer surface 21 of the inner scattering volume 20 next reaches the shell 30 of the LED light bulb 10. This shell 30 of the LED light bulb 10 further diffuses the light 80.
  • the light 90 Upon emission from the outer surface 31 of the shell 30, the light 90 replicates the luminous pattern of an incandescent light bulb. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of the embodiments provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A design that replicates the luminous pattern of an incandescent light bulb in a light- emitting diode (LED) light bulb, and more particularly, has two sets of scattering surfaces to fully replicate the desired light pattern.

Description

LED LIGHT BULB REPLICATING THE LIGHT PATTERN OF AN
INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULB
The present invention relates to replicating the luminous pattern of an incandescent light bulb in a light-emitting diode (LED) light bulb, and more particularly, to having two sets of scattering surfaces to replicate the desired light pattern.
LEDs are highly energy-efficient light sources, which may make LEDs more desirable than other light sources, for example incandescent or fluorescent lighting. However, light emitted by LEDs tends to be fairly directional, that is, the emitted light tends to be projected primarily along a forward axis, which is typically an axisymmetric axis of the LED bulb. Off the forward axis, light intensity from the LEDs drop off, often fairly dramatically. Accordingly, an LED bulb having improved scattering properties is required. The invention provides for an LED light bulb that has an interior scattering volume.
The LED light bulb also has a shell that also disperses light. The two scatterers together produce a scattering that is more effective than would be achieved with just the shell scattering alone, while weighing considerably less than a filled bulb would. Further, the two scatterers also absorb less light than a filled bulb would. The interior scattering volume is spaced sufficiently far away from the shell that the shell dispersion remains effective.
In one embodiment, the LEDs are included on a printed circuit board (PCB) in or proximate to the neck of the light bulb. The interior scattering volume is approximately hemispherical, enclosing the LEDs and providing for approximately equiangular distribution of the scattered light. The interior scattering volume may be of such a size that a portion of its surface approximates in position the position of a filament in an incandescent bulb. In one embodiment, the shell may consist of a light-scattering material, such as a gel or other material. In another embodiment, the shell is either roughened and/or has a light dispersion agent on it, such as kaolin. The approximately equiangular distribution of the light emitted from the surface of the interior scattering volume is further scattered by the shell roughening and/or light dispersion agent, resulting in a well-dispersed light output from the shell. In one embodiment, the interior scattering volume may consist of a light-scattering material, such as a gel or other material. In another embodiment, the interior scattering volume may either be roughened and/or have a light dispersion agent on it, such as kaolin. In one embodiment, the interior scattering volume and the shell may scatter light using the same mechanism.
The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and is incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a drawing of an LED light bulb with an inner scattering volume and a shell that further disperses light according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawing and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
According to the design characteristics, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment is given below.
One method of scattering the light from the LEDs is to provide a shell for the LED light bulb that incorporates scattering ability. Such a LED light bulb could include a roughened shell and/or a coating on the shell. The roughening or coating is generally located on the inside of the shell, so that the outside of the shell remains smooth and so that the coating will is protected from abrasion during installation. However, this method may not work well with the directional light from LEDs, because the shells are typically thin. The light emitted by the LED may only be partially dispersed, resulting in an inadequate light distribution pattern. Another method of scattering light is to fill the LED light bulb with a substance that scatters the light emitted by the LEDs. By scattering the light, the fill material can partially or wholly remedy the directionality of the light emitted from the LEDs by scattering the light into a more uniform pattern. In particular, gel has been suggested as the fill material. A gel can be made that disperses light. Other substances having light scattering properties are envisioned.
Filling the LED light bulb with a scattering material may add weight. When a light bulb is filled, the weight of the bulb may be significantly increased. In some cases, an LED light bulb that includes scattering material may exceed regulatory requirements on weight or may make the bulb unsuitable for use in certain fixtures.
Significantly reducing the weight of the fill material may be difficult. Without being bound by theory, in order to accomplish sufficient dispersion of the light, the path length from the LEDs through the fill material to the light emitting surface must be sufficiently greater than the mean free path length of the light inside the fill material to ensure that multiple scattering events take place. Thus with typical gels, for example, approximately one to two inches of gel is necessary to achieve approximately omni-directional scattering of the light. This amount of gel contributes a significant weight to the bulb.
The fill material chosen may also absorb a portion of the light emitted by the LEDs. In generally, fill materials both scatter and absorb light. The long path length required to get adequate light scattering also leads to significant light absorption, reducing the light output of the bulb.
Previous attempts at combining the fill concept with the shell scattering concept have not produced the desired results. In general, the fill material reduces the ability of the shell to scatter light because any surface roughening or coating of the shell is smoothed or filled in by the fill material, thereby preventing the shell from effectively scattering light. The present disclosure is directed to a multi-scattering LED light bulb, such that the weight of the LED light bulb is substantially less than that of a filled bulb. LED light bulbs according to the present disclosure further include an additional non-interfering scattering in the interior of the bulb that, acting together with the shell scattering, results in the desired light scattering for the bulb, while minimizing light absorption and weight.
FIG. 1 is a drawing of an LED light bulb 10 that includes an inner scattering volume 20 and a shell 30 that further disperses light. The inner scattering volume 20 includes an outer surface 21 that is separated a distance from shell 30. The interior surface of the shell 30 includes a roughened or coated surface.
As shown in FIG. 1, LEDs 40 are mounted on a PCB 50 inside the LED light bulb 10, and emit light 60. The light 60 crosses the gap 70 between the LEDs 40 and the inner scattering volume 20, and enters into the inner scattering volume 20, where it is diffused. Upon emission from the outer surface 21 of the inner scattering volume 20, the light 80 is more uniformly distributed than the light 60 emitted from the LEDs 40. The outer surface 21 of the inner scattering volume 20 is placed in approximately the same location as a filament would have been placed in an incandescent bulb, relative to the connector. The light 80 emitted from the outer surface 21 of the inner scattering volume 20 next reaches the shell 30 of the LED light bulb 10. This shell 30 of the LED light bulb 10 further diffuses the light 80. Upon emission from the outer surface 31 of the shell 30, the light 90 replicates the luminous pattern of an incandescent light bulb. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of the embodiments provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An LED light bulb, comprising:
a shell;
at least one LED inside said shell;
an interior light scattering volume inside said shell, optically coupled to said at least one LED, and scattering some or substantially all of the light emitted from said at least one LED;
a gap between said interior light scattering volume and said shell; and
wherein said shell scatters some or substantially all of the light emitted from said interior light scattering volume.
2. An LED light bulb as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said interior light scattering volume is approximately hemispherical.
3. An LED light bulb as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said gap between said interior light scattering volume and said shell places the surface of said interior light scattering volume at approximately at the location of a filament in an incandescent bulb.
4. An LED light bulb as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said interior light scattering volume scatters light by having a roughened surface.
5. An LED light bulb as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said interior light scattering volume scatters light by means of a coating.
6. An LED light bulb as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said interior light scattering volume consists of a material that scatters light.
7. An LED light bulb as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said shell scatters light by having a roughened surface.
8. An LED light bulb as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said shell scatters light by means of a coating.
9. An LED light bulb as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said shell consists of a material that scatters light.
PCT/US2012/046005 2011-07-12 2012-07-10 Led light bulb replicating the light pattern of an incandescent light bulb WO2013009728A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161506688P 2011-07-12 2011-07-12
US61/506,688 2011-07-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013009728A2 true WO2013009728A2 (en) 2013-01-17
WO2013009728A3 WO2013009728A3 (en) 2013-06-20

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015097136A1 (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-02 Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives Spherical lighting device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009535851A (en) * 2006-05-02 2009-10-01 スーパーバルブス・インコーポレイテッド Method of light dispersion and preferential scattering of light of a predetermined wavelength for light-emitting diodes and light bulb constituted thereby
US20100097821A1 (en) * 2008-10-16 2010-04-22 Osram Sylvania, Inc. Light emitting diode-based lamp having a volume scattering element
WO2010128419A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-11 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Light source comprising a light emitter arranged inside a translucent outer envelope
US20100327745A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2010-12-30 Mahendra Dassanayake Opto-thermal solution for multi-utility solid state lighting device using conic section geometries
US20110095686A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Light Prescriptions Innovators, Llc Solid-state light bulb

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009535851A (en) * 2006-05-02 2009-10-01 スーパーバルブス・インコーポレイテッド Method of light dispersion and preferential scattering of light of a predetermined wavelength for light-emitting diodes and light bulb constituted thereby
US20100097821A1 (en) * 2008-10-16 2010-04-22 Osram Sylvania, Inc. Light emitting diode-based lamp having a volume scattering element
WO2010128419A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-11 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Light source comprising a light emitter arranged inside a translucent outer envelope
US20100327745A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2010-12-30 Mahendra Dassanayake Opto-thermal solution for multi-utility solid state lighting device using conic section geometries
US20110095686A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Light Prescriptions Innovators, Llc Solid-state light bulb

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015097136A1 (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-02 Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives Spherical lighting device
FR3016023A1 (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-03 Commissariat Energie Atomique SPHERICAL SHAPE LIGHTING DEVICE
US9791126B2 (en) 2013-12-26 2017-10-17 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives Spherical lighting device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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