Lighting apparatus

Abstract

A lighting apparatus includes an elongated light strip, a bracket and a driver. The elongated light strip includes a flexible substrate, a first color band, a second color band and a third color band. The first color band, the second color band and the third color band are arranged in parallel on the flexible substrate. The bracket is used for supporting and bending the elongated light strip. The driver is connected to the first color band, the second color band and the third color band to emit a light of a required light parameter.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus, comprising: an elongated light strip comprising a flexible substrate, a first color band, a second color band and a third color band, wherein the first color band, the second color band and the third color band are arranged in parallel on the flexible substrate; a bracket for supporting and bending the elongated light strip; and a driver connected to the first color band, the second color band and the third color band to emit a light of a required light parameter, wherein the flexible substrate is made of a transparent material, wherein the elongated light strip further comprises an auxiliary strip attached to the flexible substrate, wherein the auxiliary strip has a greater bending resistance than the flexible substrate to keep a bending form of the elongated light strip when an external force is removed.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first color band, the second color band and the third color band emit lights of different colors.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first color band emits a red light, wherein the second color band emits a green light, wherein the third color band emits a blue light.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first color band comprises multiple first LED modules covered with a red fluorescent layer, wherein the second color band comprises multiple second LED modules covered with a green fluorescent layer, wherein the third color band comprises multiple third LED modules.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first LED modules, the second LED modules and the third LED modules are blue LED chips.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first color band is placed between the second color band and the third color band.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second color band is placed between the first color band and the third color band.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the third color band is placed between the first color band and the second color band.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, wherein two adjacent first LED modules are separated with a first distance.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first LED modules and the second LED modules are misaligned on the flexible substrate.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first LED modules, the second LED modules and the third LED modules are aligned on the flexible substrate.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the elongated light strip comprises an antenna band arranged in parallel with the first color band, the second color band and the third color band.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the elongated light strip further comprises a fourth color band, wherein the fourth color band emits a white light.

14. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, wherein adjacent first LED modules are connected with wires to connect the first LED modules in series.

15. The lighting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first color band, the second color band and the third color band each has two electrodes electrically connected to the driver to be separately controlled by the driver to mix the required light parameter.

16. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first color band has multiple types of first LED modules with different color temperatures, wherein the light parameter comprises a mixed color temperature controlled by the driver.

17. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, further comprises a bracket for fixing the elongated light strip to spread the elongated light strip in a bulb shell.

18. The lighting apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bracket is disposed on a central base, wherein the central base is connected to the bulb shell to form a closed space for containing the elongated light strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a light bulb example.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a second view of the light bulb example of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a third view of the light bulb example of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit example of a lighting apparatus.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a circuit example of a lighting apparatus.

(6) FIG. 6A illustrates a LED package module example.

(7) FIG. 6B illustrates another view of the example in FIG. 6A.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates another LED package module example.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a light strip example.

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a cross diagram of the cross-sectional line 450 in FIG. 8.

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an elongated light strip example.

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of an elongated light strip example.

(13) FIG. 12A illustrates a first example of an elongated light strip.

(14) FIG. 12B illustrates a second example of an elongated light strip.

(15) FIG. 12C illustrates a third example of an elongated light strip.

(16) FIG. 13 illustrates a light bulb apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) This invention implements following concept in various light bulbs, downlight light, spot lights, any luminous devices and/or electronic devices with light components. LED (Light Emitted Diode) modules, not limited, are preferred in following embodiments.

(18) In an embodiment, a light apparatus includes a white set of LED modules and a non-white set of LED modules. The white set of LED modules include multiple LED modules with more than one type of optical characteristic. For example, the white set of LED modules has a first LED module with a first color temperature that is close to sunrise sunshine. In addition, the white set of LED modules also has a second LED module with a second color temperature that is close to noon time sunshine. Both the first LED module and the second LED module are “white” LED modules although they may have different color temperatures.

(19) The non-white set of LED modules may include LED modules with multiple colors that are not white. For example, the LED modules in the non-white LED set may emit red light, blue light or green light.

(20) The LED modules in the white set of LED modules or the non-white set of LED modules may contain the same LED chips, e.g. blue light LED chips, covered with different fluorescent layers for converting the original light of the LED chips to desired optical characteristic, e.g. white lights with different color temperatures, red light, green light or blue light.

(21) The light apparatus includes a driver circuit for providing a driving current supplying to the white set of LED modules and the non-white set of LED modules. The driver circuit may supply different current to change emitted light strengths of the white set of LED modules and the non-white set of LED modules to blend a mixed overall light of the LED light apparatus. For example, the LED modules of different color temperatures in the white set of LED modules receive different currents to adjust overall color temperature of the white set of LED modules. In the example mentioned above, the first LED module may receive a 0.05 A current and the second LED module may receive a 0.50 A current. The overall color temperature would appear with a 1 to 10 ratio between the color temperatures of the first LED module and second LED module. By changing the current ratio, the overall color temperature may be adjusted to a desired value dynamically. In addition to change the current, the overall mixed light optical characteristic may also be adjusted by other techniques like adjusting duty ratio of the LED module.

(22) In an embodiment, the white set of LED modules and the non-white set of LED modules are categorized into two groups operated in separate modes respectively. Specifically, in such embodiment, the white set of LED modules and the non-white set of LED modules are not operated at the same time for mixing a desired optical characteristic.

(23) For example, the light apparatus may have a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the white set of LED modules are turned on while the non-white LED modules are turned off. In the first mode, the LED modules with different color temperatures or other optical characteristic may be adjusted respectively to mix a desired color temperature or other optical characteristic as mentioned above. In the second mode, the non-white set of LED modules are turned on, and the LED modules in the non-white set of LED modules are adjusted separately for mixing a desired color or other optical characteristic. In other words, in such embodiments, the white set of LED modules are not used together with the non-white set of LED modules for mixing a desired optical characteristic. The light apparatus has the white set of LED modules and the non-white set of LED modules at the same time, but the two sets of LED modules are not combined for mixing a desired optical characteristic.

(24) In a white light mode (the first mode mentioned above), the output white light is generated by one or more white LEDs. The white LEDs (the white set of LED modules) can have different color temperatures so that the user can adjust to a specific color temperature by mixing the different white LEDs. None of the R, G, and B LEDs (the non-white set of LED modules) emit light in the white light mode. In other words, the white output light is generated by only mixing light from different white LEDs, not by using any R or G or B LEDs. In one embodiment, Ra8 of the white light mode is always lower than 85.

(25) In a color light mode (the second mode mentioned above), the output color light is generated only by mixing the R, G, and B LEDs. None of the white LEDs emit light in the color light mode. That is, the output color light is generated only by mixing light from the R, G, B LEDs, not by using any of the white LEDs.

(26) Thus, in this case, the whites LEDs and the R, G, B LEDs do not emit light simultaneously.

(27) Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which illustrate a light bulb example implementing the concept mentioned above.

(28) In FIG. 1, a light bulb, as a light apparatus, includes a bulb shell 101, a bulb body housing 107. There is a plugging terminal 1071 inserted to a bottom of the bulb body housing 107. A heat sink component 105 like a metal cup is attached for bringing heat of a light source plate 104 to the bulb body housing 107.

(29) There is a driver circuit board enclosed by the bulb body housing 107. The driver circuit is connected to the plugging terminal 1071 and the cap terminal 103 for receiving an external power source. The driver circuit board is mounted with a driver circuit 109 and a wireless circuit 108. The driver circuit 109 generates one or multiple driving currents by converting the external power source, like 110V or 220V alternating current source.

(30) The wireless circuit 108 is used for receiving and/or sending a status to an external device like a mobile phone or a remote control. The commands from the external device may indicate the driver circuit 109 to change current or duty ratio to a white set of LED components and a non-white set of LED components.

(31) The light source plate 104 mounted with the LED modules has a pluggable socket 106 for receiving a pin of the driver circuit board for supplying electricity to the LED modules on the light source plate 104. By using the pluggable socket 106, welding may be replaced with an easier assembling structure. The wireless circuit 108 may implement one or multiple wireless protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-wave and an antenna 102 is protruding upwardly for transmitting and/or receiving signal for the wireless circuit 108. 1

(32) In FIG. 2, the bulb shell has an elastic hook 110 to be connected to the bulb body housing, which may strengthen the structure of the light apparatus.

(33) In FIG. 3, there is a white set of LED modules and a non-white set of LED modules. The white set of LED modules include a first white LED module 114 and a second white LED module 115. The first white LED module 114 and the second white LED module 115 are both white LED modules but have different color temperatures. As mentioned above, in a first mode, the first white LED module 114 and the second white LED module 115 may be adjusted for mixing a desired color temperature.

(34) The non-white set of LED modules has a red LED module 111, a green LED module 112, a blue LED module 113. By adjusting current or duty ratio of the red LED module 111, the green LED module 112 and the blue LED module 113, the light apparatus may emit different light colors in the second mode.

(35) In FIG. 4, an illustrative circuit diagram is provided for explaining how to implement the driver circuit.

(36) In FIG. 4, the driver circuit has a bridge circuit 201 for filtering an AC current. A DC to AC converter 202 is used for generating a stable DC current supplying to a wireless circuit 2062 and a driver chip 203. The wireless circuit 2062 is connected to an antenna 2061 for receiving an external command. The driver chip 203 receives the DC current may be controlled by a manual switch, a default setting, or the external command received by the wireless circuit 2062 for generating separate driving currents respectively to a white set of LED components 205 and a non-white set of LED components 204. The white set of LED components 205 may have a first white LED component 2051 and a second white LED component 2052 with different color temperatures. The non-white set of LED components 204 may include a red LED component 2041, a green LED component 2042, a blue LED component 2043.

(37) There are multiple ways to implement the circuit. For example, FIG. 5 illustrate another circuit design.

(38) In FIG. 5, the bridge circuit 301 filters an AC current. There are two AC-DC converters 302, 303 respectively supplying power to a white set of LED components 304 and a non-white set of LED components 305. The wireless circuit 306 receives signals from an antenna 307. The signals may include an external command for changing the currents of the AC-DC converters 302, 303 for changing color temperatures or colors as mentioned above in the first mode or the second mode.

(39) In FIG. 6A, a LED package module is illustrated. The LED package module has multiple LED chips 401, 402, 403 mounted on a substrate 414 that emit lights with different optical parameters, e.g. different colors, spectrums. In this example, there are three fluorescent layers 411, 412, 413 covering the LED chips 401, 402, 403. When the LED chips 401, 402, 403 have different optical parameters, the lights through the same fluorescent layers 411, 412, 413 provide output lights with different optical parameters, e.g. different color temperatures, different colors.

(40) In FIG. 6B, the LED package module is illustrated from a top view. In FIG. 6B, the LED chips 401, 402, 403 are wired to the same types of LED chips, e.g. connected in series, and then electrically connected to pads 421, 422, 423, 424 for connecting to external circuits.

(41) In FIG. 6B, multiple different LED chips may be integrated into one LED package module, which may be mounted in desired patterns on a light apparatus to achieve the needed optical effects.

(42) In FIG. 7, LED chips 431, 432, 433 on a substrate 444 are placed with different heights so that when the LED chips 431, 432, 433 may emit different output lights when lights of the LED chips 431, 432, 433 passes through different layer combination of fluorescent layers 441, 442, 443, even the LED chips 431, 432, 433 are the same type of LED chips.

(43) FIG. 8 illustrates a filament, which ratio is adjusted to be fit in a drawing. In FIG. 8, the filament includes a substrate 451, which may be a flexible substrate. In other words, the filament may be bent to a desired curve shape. The material of the flexible substrate may be selected from a flexible printed circuit board structure, and may be added with a thin aluminum layer for keep the bent shape when an external force applied thereon is removed.

(44) LED chip layers 452, 454 are mounted on both sides of the substrate 451. Fluorescent layers 453, 455 cover the LED chip layers 452, 454 for generating desired optical spectrums. There are two electrodes 456, 457 disposed at two ends of the filament. LED chips on the LED chip layers 452, 454 may be connected in parallel, in series, or in series and in parallel, depending on design requirements.

(45) FIG. 9 illustrates a cross diagram of the cross-sectional line 450 in FIG. 8.

(46) In FIG. 9, a substrate 465 is mounted with insulation layers 464, 466 on both sides. Metal conductor layers 463, 467 are disposed on the insulation layers 464, 466. LED chips 462, 469 are electrically connected to conductor layers 463, 467 to be connected with other LED chips in series or in parallel or connected to a driving current. Fluorescent layers 461, 469 cover the LED chips 462, 469.

(47) In FIG. 12, a light bulb apparatus, which is a type of a lighting apparatus, includes an elongated light strip 703, a bracket 702 and a driver 706.

(48) The light bulb apparatus has a bulb shell 701. The bulb shell 701 is connected to a central base 704 to form a closed space for enclosing the elongated light strip 703. The bracket 702 in this example has a central bar 7021 and an extending hook 7022 for fixing bending points of the elongated light strip 703 to spread the elongated light strip to emit light to more directions.

(49) In some embodiments, the central base 704 is made of glass material. During assembly, the central base 704 is heated to be melt and then connected to the bulb shell 701 which is also made of glass material. Wires are partly embedded in the central base for electrically connecting the elongated light strip to the driver 706.

(50) Please see FIG. 10, which illustrates a side view of an elongated light strip example. The elongated light strip includes a flexible substrate 613. Multiple color bands are disposed on the flexible substrate 613. In FIG. 11, a first color band has multiple LED modules 610 covered by a first fluorescent layer 612, e.g. a red fluorescent layer, to emit a red light by the first color band.

(51) Adjacent first LED modules 610, 6011 are connected by a wire 611 that is also covered by the first fluorescent layer 612. In some embodiments, to enhance a shape strength, an auxiliary strip 614 is attached to the flexible substrate 613.

(52) Please see FIG. 10, which shows a top view of an elongated light strip example. In FIG. 10, the elongated light strip has a first color band 601, a second color band 602 and a third color band 603. The first color band 601 has multiple first LED modules 604. The second color band 602 has multiple second LED modules 605. The third color band has multiple third LED modules.

(53) The first color band 601, the second color band 602 and the third color band 603 are arranged in parallel on the flexible substrate.

(54) The bracket is used for supporting and bending the elongated light strip, as shown in FIG. 13.

(55) In FIG. 13, the driver 705 is connected to the first color band, the second color band and the third color band to emit a light of a required light parameter. The driver may control the first color band, the second color band and the third color band by supplying different driving currents to mix a required light parameter.

(56) In some embodiments, the first color band, the second color band and the third color band emit lights of different colors.

(57) In some embodiments, the first color band emits a red light.

(58) The second color band emits a green light.

(59) The third color band emits a blue light.

(60) In some embodiments, the first color band includes multiple first LED modules covered with a red fluorescent layer.

(61) The second color band includes multiple second LED modules covered with a green fluorescent layer.

(62) The third color band includes multiple third LED modules.

(63) In some embodiments, the first LED modules, the second LED modules and the third LED modules are blue LED chips. Although the first LED modules, the second LED modules and the third LED modules contain the same blue LED chips, the first LED modules and the second LED modules are covered with different fluorescent layers. Therefore, the first LED modules and the second LED modules may produce lights of different colors with the fluorescent layers.

(64) In FIG. 12A, the first color band 616 is placed between the second color band 615 and the third color band 617.

(65) In FIG. 12B, the second color band 615 is placed between the first color band 616 and the third color band 617.

(66) In FIG. 12C, the third color band 617 is placed between the first color band 616 and the second color band 615.

(67) The three arrangement styles respectively have different features. FIG. 12A places the red color band in the middle to provide a soft visual light effect.

(68) FIG. 12B places the green color band in the middle to provide a sharp visual light effect.

(69) FIG. 12C places the blue color band in the middle to separate two different fluorescent layers particularly when the blue color band does not need an additional fluorescent layer because the LED modules contain blue LED chips.

(70) In FIG. 11, two adjacent first LED modules 610, 6011 are separated with a first distance 6012.

(71) In FIG. 12A, the first LED modules 618 and the second LED modules 619 are misaligned on the flexible substrate.

(72) In some embodiments, the first LED modules, the second LED modules and the third LED modules are aligned on the flexible substrate. Unlike the example shown in FIG. 12A, the first LED modules, the second LED modules and the third LED modules may be aligned to provide a different mixing effect. In addition, such arrangement makes it easier to produce the elongated light strip.

(73) In FIG. 12C, the elongated light strip includes an antenna band 620 arranged in parallel with the first color band 616, the second color band 615 and the third color band 617.

(74) In FIG. 12C, the elongated light strip further includes a fourth color band 621.

(75) The fourth color band 621 emits a white light. In other words, the elongated light strip has light sources of red, green, blue and white to mix a desired light parameter.

(76) In some embodiments, adjacent first LED modules are connected with wires to connect the first LED modules in series.

(77) In FIG. 10, the first color band 601, the second color band 602 and the third color band 603 each has two electrodes 607, 608, 609 electrically connected to the driver to be separately controlled by the driver to mix the required light parameter.

(78) In some embodiments, the flexible substrate is made of a transparent material.

(79) In some embodiments, the elongated light strip further includes an auxiliary strip attached to the flexible substrate.

(80) The auxiliary strip has a greater bending resistance than the flexible substrate to keep a bending form of the elongated light strip when an external force is removed.

(81) In some embodiments, the first color band has multiple types of first LED modules with different color temperatures.

(82) The light parameter includes a mixed color temperature controlled by the driver.

(83) In some embodiments, further includes a bracket for fixing the elongated light strip to spread the elongated light strip in a bulb shell.

(84) In some embodiments, the bracket is disposed on a central base.

(85) The central base is connected to the bulb shell to form a closed space for containing the elongated light strip.

(86) In some embodiments, a larger length of elongated light strip may be made with following steps.

(87) First, multiple LED modules are disposed on a flexible substrate. Wires are disposed for connecting the multiple LED modules into three color bands as mentioned above.

(88) Fluorescent layers are placed to respectively cover the color bands to generate different colors. The elongated light strip may be cut to a required length. Two electrodes are added on two opposite sides of the cut elongated light strip.

(89) The red fluorescent layer may contain fluoride fluorescent powder Mn4+, fluosilicate, AxMFy, where A=Li, Na, K, Ca, Sr, Ba. The green fluorescent layer comprises β-SiALON powder.

(90) In addition to the above-described embodiments, various modifications may be made, and as long as it is within the spirit of the same invention, the various designs that can be made by those skilled in the art are belong to the scope of the present invention