MULTI-VOLTAGE AND MULTI-BRIGHTNESS LED LIGHTING DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING SAME

Abstract

An LED lighting device is disclosed. The example LED lighting device includes a first LED circuit having at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series and at least one additional LED circuit having at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series. The LED lighting device also includes a switch having user selectable positions for providing user control to select DC voltage level options to change a DC voltage level that is delivered to at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit. One user selectable position decreases a brightness level individually of the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit. Another user selectable position individually disconnects the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit from a mains power source.

Claims

1: An LED lighting device comprising: a first LED circuit having at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series; at least one additional LED circuit having at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series, wherein providing power to the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit with different DC voltage levels causes the first LED circuit to emit a different level of brightness than the at least one additional LED circuit, and wherein the first LED circuit is configured to emit a different color of light than the at least one additional LED circuit when the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit are provided with the different DC voltage levels; and a switch having user selectable positions for providing user control to select DC voltage level options to change the DC voltage level that is delivered to at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit for: (a) decreasing the brightness level individually of the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit, and (b) individually disconnecting the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit from a mains power source, wherein the LED lighting device is configured to be connected to and powered by the mains power source.

2: The LED lighting device of claim 1, wherein the switch has at least three positions to provide user control, wherein at least one of the three user control positions increases the brightness level of at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit when the user switches the switch.

3: The LED lighting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the user selectable positions increases the level of DC voltage or current provided to one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit when the user switches the switch to the position.

4: The LED lighting device of claim 1, wherein switching of the switch provides at least two different levels of DC voltage or current via at least one of a driver integrated circuit or at least one resistor to at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit.

5: The LED lighting device of claim 4, wherein the driver integrated circuit, the at least one resistor, the first LED circuit, and the at least one additional LED circuit are mounted on a PCB substrate that comprises a reflective material.

6: The LED lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a lighting device packaged assembly including a heat sink having a reflective material and a lens, wherein the LED lighting device is integrated into the lighting device packaged assembly.

7: The LED lighting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the positions of the switch selected by the user increases the brightness of the first LED circuit and decreases the brightness of the at least one additional LED circuit.

8: An LED lighting device comprising: a first LED circuit having at least two LEDs; at least one additional LED circuit connected in parallel to the first LED circuit, wherein the first LED circuit is configured to emit a different color of light than the at least one additional LED circuit, wherein the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit each includes at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series, and wherein the phosphor coated LEDs in the first LED circuit emit a different color of light than the phosphor coated LEDs in the at least one additional LED circuit; and a switch having at least three selectable positions, at least one of the switch positions causing a decrease in the brightness level of light emitted from the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit, wherein decreasing the brightness level of at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit causes a change in the color of light that is emitted from the LED lighting device, wherein the switch selectable positions are selectable by a user switching the positions of the switch, and wherein the LED lighting device is configured to be connected to and powered by a mains power source.

9: The LED lighting device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the at least three selectable positions increases the brightness level of at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit when the user switches the switch.

10: The LED lighting device of claim 8, wherein switching of the switch provides one of at least two different levels of DC voltage or current via at least one of a driver integrated circuit or at least one resistor to at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit.

11: The LED lighting device of claim 8, wherein the switch, the first LED circuit, and the at least one additional LED circuit are integrated into a packaged product of the LED lighting device, the packaged product including a heat sink having a reflective material and a lens cover.

12: The LED lighting device of claim 11, wherein the switch, the first LED circuit, and the at least one additional LED circuit are mounted to a PCB substrate having a reflective material.

13: The LED lighting device of claim 8, further comprising a lighting device packaged assembly including a heat sink having a reflective material and a lens, wherein the LED lighting device is integrated into the lighting device packaged assembly.

14: The LED lighting device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the switch positions selected by the user increases the brightness of the first LED circuit and decreases the brightness of the at least one additional LED circuit.

15: An LED lighting device comprising: a first LED circuit; at least one additional LED circuit connected in parallel to the first LED circuit, wherein the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit each includes at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series, and wherein the phosphor coated LEDs in the first LED circuit emit a different color of light than the phosphor coated LEDs in the at least one additional LED circuit; and a switch having selectable positions that provide a means for: (a) switching a voltage level input to the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit to produce a change in brightness of at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit, and (b) switching on or off at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit, wherein the switch selectable positions for (a) and (b) are selectable by a user switching the switch, and wherein the LED lighting device is configured to be connected to and powered by a mains power source.

16: The LED lighting device of claim 15, wherein the switch has at least three user selectable positions, wherein at least one of the three user selectable positions increases the brightness level of at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit when the user switches the switch.

17: The LED lighting device of claim 15, wherein the switching of the switch provides at least two different levels of DC voltage or current via at least one of a driver integrated circuit or at least one resistor to at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit.

18: The LED lighting device of claim 15, wherein the switch, the first LED circuit, and the at least one additional LED circuit are mounted on a PCB substrate that comprises a reflective material.

19: The LED lighting device of claim 15, further comprising a lighting device packaged assembly including a heat sink having a reflective material and a lens, wherein the LED lighting device is integrated into the lighting device packaged assembly.

20: The LED lighting device of claim 15, wherein the switch has at least three selectable positions, and wherein at least one of the positions selected by the user increases the brightness of the first LED circuit and decreases the brightness of the at least one additional LED circuit.

21: An LED lighting device comprising an LED driver having an AC mains voltage input and a lower voltage DC output connected to: a first LED circuit having at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series, at least one additional circuit having at least two phosphor coated LED connected in series that emit a different color of light than the LEDs in the first LED circuit, and a switch having user selectable positions for selecting different levels of DC voltage or current to be provided in response to a user switching the switch and selecting between which of a first LED circuit having the at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series and the at least one additional LED circuit having the at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series receives a lower level of DC voltage or current than the other LED circuit to cause the LED lighting device to emit a first color of light when the first LED circuit receives the lower level of DC voltage or current and at least a second color of light when the at least one additional LED circuit receives the lower level of DC voltage or current.

22: The LED lighting device of claim 21, wherein the switch has at least three user selectable positions, wherein at least one of the three user selectable positions increases the level of DC voltage or current provided to one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit when the user switches the switch to the position.

23: The LED lighting device of claim 21, wherein switching of the switch provides at least two different levels of DC voltage or current via at least one of a driver integrated circuit and at least one resistor to at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit.

24: The LED lighting device of claim 21, wherein the driver integrated circuit, the at least one resistor, the first LED circuit, and the at least one additional LED circuit are mounted on a PCB substrate that comprises a reflective material.

25: The LED lighting device of claim 24, wherein the PCB substrate is integrated in to a lighting device packaged assembly comprising a heat sinking reflective material and a lens.

26: The LED lighting device of claim 21, further comprising a lighting device packaged assembly including a heat sink having a reflective material and a lens, wherein the LED lighting device is integrated into the lighting device packaged assembly.

27: The LED lighting device of claim 21, wherein the switch has at least three selectable positions, and wherein at least one of the positions selected by the user increases the brightness of the first LED circuit and decreases the brightness of the at least one additional LED circuit.

28: An LED lighting device comprising: a first LED circuit having at least two phosphor coated LEDs; at least one additional LED circuit having at least two phosphor coated LEDs, wherein the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit are powered by a DC voltage source, wherein the first LED circuit is configured to emit a different color of light than the at least one additional LED circuit, wherein the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit each includes at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series, and wherein the phosphor coated LEDs in the first LED circuit emit a different color of light than the phosphor coated LEDs in the at least one additional LED circuit; and a switch having selectable positions that provide a means for: (a) decreasing the brightness level individually of the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit, and (b) selectively disconnecting the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit from the DC voltage source, wherein the switch selectable positions are selectable by a user switching the positions of the switch, and wherein the LED lighting device is configured to be connected to and powered by a mains power source.

29: An LED lighting device comprising: a first LED circuit; at least one additional LED circuit connected in parallel to the first LED circuit, wherein the first LED circuit is configured to emit a different color of light than the at least one additional LED circuit, wherein the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit each includes at least two phosphor coated LEDs connected in series, and wherein the phosphor coated LEDs in the first LED circuit emit a different color of light than the phosphor coated LEDs in the at least one additional LED circuit; a switch having selectable positions for individually providing one of at least two levels of DC voltage or current to at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit, wherein at least one of the at least two levels of DC voltage or current decreases the brightness level of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuits, and wherein decreasing the brightness level of at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit causes a change in the color of light that emits from the LED lighting device, and wherein the switch selectable positions are selectable by a user switching the positions of the switch; a PCB assembly, wherein the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit are mounted to the PCB assembly; and a heat sinking lighting device package, wherein the PCB assembly is integrated into the lighting device package, wherein the lighting device package includes a reflective material, a lens, wire leads for electrical connection of the lighting device package to an AC mains voltage power source, and wherein the lighting device package is configured for mechanical fit and connection to a device associated with a lighting system.

30: The LED lighting device of claim 29, wherein switching of the switch provides at least two different levels of DC voltage or current via at least one of a driver integrated circuit or at least one resistor to at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0058] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and,

[0059] FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0060] FIG. 1 discloses a schematic diagram of a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 10. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 10 comprises at least two AC LED circuits 12 configured in a imbalanced bridge circuit, each of which have at least two LEDs 14. The at least two AC LED circuits have electrical contacts 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d at opposing ends to provide various connectivity options for an AC voltage source input. For example, if 16a and 16c are electrically connected together and 16b and 16d are electrically connected together and one side of the AC voltage input is applied to 16a and 16c and the other side of the AC voltage input is applied to 16b and 16d, the circuit becomes a parallel circuit with a first operating forward voltage. If only 16a and 16c are electrically connected and the AC voltage inputs are applied to electrical contacts 16b and 16d, a second operating forward voltage is required to drive the single chip 18. The single chip 18 may also be configured to operate at more than one brightness level “multi-brightness” by electrically connecting for example 16a and 16b and applying one side of the line of an AC voltage source to 16a ad 16b and individually applying the other side of the line from the AC voltage source a second voltage to 26b and 26c.

[0061] FIG. 2 discloses a schematic diagram of a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 20 similar to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 10 described above in FIG. 1. The at least two AC LED circuits 12 are integrated onto a substrate 22. The at elast two AC LED circuits 12 configured in a imbalanced bridge circuit, each of which have at least two LEDs 14. The at least two AC LED circuits have electrical contacts 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d on the exterior of the substrate 22 and can be used to electrically configure and/or control the operating voltage and/or brightness level of the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device.

[0062] FIG. 3 discloses a schematic diagram of a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 30 similar to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 10 and 20 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 30 comprises at least two AC LED circuits 32 having at least two LEDs 34 connected in series and anti-parallel configuration. The at least two AC LED circuits 32 have electrical contacts 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d at opposing ends to provide various connectivity options for an AC voltage source input. For example, if 36a and 36c are electrically connected together and 36b and 36d are electrically connected together and one side of the AC voltage input is applied to 36a and 36c and the other side of the AC voltage input is applied to 36b and 36d, the circuit becomes a parallel circuit with a first operating forward voltage. If only 36a and 36c are electrically connected and the AC voltage inputs are applied to electrical contacts 36b and 36d, a second operating forward voltage is required to drive the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness lighting device 30. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness lighting device 30 may be a monolithically integrated single chip 38, a monolithically integrated single chip integrated within a LED package 38 or a number of individual discrete die integrated onto a substrate 38 to form a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness lighting device 30.

[0063] FIG. 4 discloses a schematic diagram of the same multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED device 30 as described in FIG. 3 having the at least two AC LED circuits 32 connected in parallel configuration to an AC voltage source and operating at a first forward voltage. A resistor 40 may be used to limit current to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 30.

[0064] FIG. 5 discloses a schematic diagram of the same multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED device 30 as described in FIG. 3 having the at least two AC LED circuits 32 connected in series configuration to an AC voltage source and operating at a second forward voltage that is approximately two times greater than the first forward voltage of the parallel circuit as described in FIG. 4. A resistor may be used to limit current to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device.

[0065] FIG. 6 discloses a schematic diagram of a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 50. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 50 comprises at least two AC LED circuits 52, each of which have at least two LEDs 54 in series and anti-parallel relation. The at least two AC LED circuits 52 have at least three electrical contacts 56a, 56b and 56c. The at least two AC LED circuits 52 are electrically connected together in parallel at one end 56a and left unconnected at the opposing ends of the electrical contacts 56b and 56c. One side of an AC voltage source line is electrically connected to 56a and the other side of an AC voltage source line is individually electrically connected to 56b and 56c with either a fixed connection or a switched connection thereby providing a first brightness when AC voltage is applied to 56a and 56b and a second brightness when an AC voltage is applied to 56a, 56b and 56c. It is contemplated that the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 50 is a single chip, an LED package, an LED assembly or an LED lamp. The multi-brightness switching capability.

[0066] FIG. 7 discloses a schematic diagram similar to the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED device 50 shown in FIG. 6 integrated within a lamp 58 and connected to a switch 60 to control the brightness level of the multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 50.

[0067] FIG. 8 discloses a schematic diagram a multi-brightness LED lighting device 62 having at least two bridge rectified 68 series LED circuits 69. Each of the at least two bridge rectified 68 series LED circuits 69 that are connected to and rectified with an LED bridge circuit 68 comprising four LEDs 70 configured in a bridge circuit 68. The at least two bridge rectified 68 series LED circuits 69 have at least two LEDs 71 connected in series and electrical contacts 72a, 72b and 72c. When one side of an AC voltage is applied to 72a and the other side of an AC voltage line is applied to 72b and 72c individually, the brightness level of the multi-brightness LED lighting device 62 can be increased and/or decreased I a fixed manner or a switching process.

[0068] FIG. 9 discloses a schematic diagram the multi-brightness LED lighting device 62 as shown above in FIG. 8 with a switch 74 electrically connected between the multi-brightness LED lighting device 62 and the AC voltage source 78.

[0069] FIG. 9 discloses a schematic diagram of at least two single voltage LED circuits integrated with a single chip or within a substrate and forming a multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED device.

[0070] FIG. 10 discloses a schematic diagram of a single chip LED bridge circuit 80 having four LEDs 81 configured into a bridge circuit and monolithically integrated on a substrate 82. The full wave LED bridge circuit has electrical contacts 86 to provide for AC voltage input connectivity and DC voltage output connectivity.

[0071] FIG. 11 discloses a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a single chip multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 90. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 90 has at least two series LED circuits 92 each of which have at least two LEDs 94 connected in series. The at least two series LED circuits 92 have electrical contacts 96 at opposing ends to provide a means of electrical connectivity. The at least two series LED circuits are monolithically integrated into a single chip 98. The electrical contacts 96 are used to wire the at least two series LEDs circuit 92 into a series circuit, a parallel circuit or an AC LED circuit all within a single chip.

[0072] FIG. 12 discloses a schematic diagram of the same multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 90 as shown above in FIG. 11. The multi-voltage and/or multi-brightness LED lighting device 90 has at least two series LED circuits 92 each of which have at least two LEDs 94 connected in series. The at least two series LED circuits can be monolithically integrated within a single chip or discrete individual die can be integrated within a substrate to form an LED package 100. The LED package 100 has electrical contacts 102 that are used to wire the at least two series LEDs circuit into a series circuit, a parallel circuit or in anti-parallel to form an AC LED circuit all within a single LED package.