SSL lamp that includes three or more crossed elongated light emitting structures

Abstract

Disclosed is a SSL lamp that includes three or more elongated light emitting structures. A respective first end of each of the three or more elongated light emitting structures are arranged such that they define a first polygon. A portion of each of the three or more elongated light emitting structures are arranged in vicinity of each other such that the three or more elongated light emitting structures crosses each other at a smallest angle of at least 30 degrees, thereby forming a common neck.

Claims

1. SSL lamp comprising: three or more elongated light emitting structures, wherein a respective first end of each of the three or more elongated light emitting structures are arranged such that they define a first polygon, and wherein a portion of each of the three or more elongated light emitting structures are arranged in vicinity of each other such that the three or more elongated light emitting structures crosses each other at a smallest angle (, ) of at least 30 degrees, thereby forming a common neck, and wherein a respective second end of each of the three or more elongated light emitting structures are arranged such that they define a second polygon, the first and second polygons being rotated relative each other.

2. SSL lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the S three or more elongated light emitting structures is an active light emitting structure in the form of an elongated LED filament.

3. SSL lamp (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the three or more elongated light emitting structures is an active light emitting structure in the form of an elongated light emitting structure comprising a solid state laser.

4. SSL lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the three or more elongated light emitting structures is a passive light emitting structure in the form of an elongated light scattering feature.

5. SSL lamp according to claim 1, wherein the three or more elongated light emitting structures are active light emitting structures in the form of elongated LED filaments.

6. SSL lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first polygon and the second polygon are of equal shape.

7. SSL lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first polygon and the second polygon are of equal size.

8. SSL lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the three or more elongated light emitting structures are arranged with a corresponding angle with respect to a normal direction of the first polygon.

9. SSL lamp according to claim 1, comprising three elongated light emitting structures arranged in a tripod configuration.

10. SSL lamp according to claim 1, comprising four elongated light emitting structures arranged in a quadrupod configuration.

11. SSL lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent bulb configured to at least partially enclose the three or more elongated light emitting structures.

12. SSL lamp according to claim 11, wherein the transparent bulb comprises an opening through which the first polygon fits.

13. SSL lamp according to claim 11, wherein the transparent bulb comprises an opening through which the second polygon fits.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiments of the invention. The figures should not be considered limiting the invention to the specific embodiment; instead they are used for explaining and understanding the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a SSL lamp comprising three elongated elongated light emitting structures arranged in a tripod configuration;

(3) FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates a SSL lamp comprising four elongated elongated light emitting structures arranged in a quadrupod configuration;

(4) FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates a SSL lamp comprising three elongated elongated light emitting structures arranged differently as compared to FIG. 1;

(5) As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of embodiments of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

(7) Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, here is conceptually depicted a SSL lamp 100 according to an embodiment. The SSL lamp 100 comprises three elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106. All three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are elongated in the sense that their length exceeds three times their width. The light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged such that their lower ends 102a, 104a, 106a, defines a polygon 150, first polygon 150, in form of a triangle. In other words, a triangle is defined by connecting the respective ends 102a, 104a, 106a by straight lines, as shown in phantom in FIG. 1.

(8) A central portion of each of the light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged in vicinity of each other such that the three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other.

(9) A common neck 120 is formed where the three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the respective elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other in an angled fashion at the common neck 120.

(10) More specifically, the elongated light emitting structures 102 and 104 crosses each other defining two angles, namely angle and angle . Angle and angle together amount to 180 degrees. The elongated light emitting structures 102 and 104 crosses each other such that the smallest angle, in the depicted SSL lamp 100 angle , exceeds 30 degrees. Also the angle exceeds 30 degrees. In order for the smallest angle of and to exceed 30 degrees the other angle of and cannot exceed 150 degrees as the sum of and is 180 degrees. Any angle of and may be the smallest angle. It is to be understood that corresponding angles are defined where each of the elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other, although not explicitly indicated in FIG. 1.

(11) The light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged such that their upper ends 102b, 104b, 106b, defines another polygon 152, second polygon 152, also in form of a triangle. In other words, the light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged in a tripod configuration.

(12) In the depicted SSL lamp 100 of FIG. 1, the polygons 150, 152 are of equal shape, although being rotated relative to each other. Moreover, the polygons 150, 152 are of equal size in the depicted SSL lamp 100 of FIG. 1. The polygons 150, 152 are of equal size since the respective light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other at a respective center with respect to a longitudinal direction thereof. Further, the light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged with a corresponding angle with respect to a normal direction of the polygon 150. By crossing the respective light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 at different locations, polygons 150, 152 of different sizes may be achieved. In other words, other ratios between the sizes of the respective polygons 150, 152 may be achieved. Further, the polygons 150, 152 may be tilted with respect to each other.

(13) In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, the three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are active light emitting structures in form of elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106. Light is thus generated in and emitted from all three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106. All three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are electrically indirectly connected to the socket 112 via a driver, not shown. The socket 112 is used for attaching the SSL lamp 100 to a corresponding fitting, not shown. The elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 are mechanically fixed with respect to the socket 112. Various techniques and fixing elements may be used to fix the elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 with respect to the socket 112 as is known in the art.

(14) Further, the elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 are arranged in a transparent bulb 110. The transparent bulb 110 encloses the elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106. By enclosing the elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 by a bulb, the SSL lamp 100 will resemble the appearance of a conventional incandescent lamp. At the same time the bulb 110 may protect the commonly delicate elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 from being brought into contact with external objects, which otherwise may damage the elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106. Moreover, handling of the SSL lamp 100 may be simplified and the risk of electrical chock may be reduced by employing a bulb 110.

(15) The bulb 110 is at its lower portion employed with an opening 114 through which the elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 may be inserted, before the opening 114 is sealed off by the socket 112. The opening 114 has a shape and size, such that the elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 may be arranged in their intended positions and electrically connected to the socket 112 and each other, before being inserted into the bulb 110. In other words, the polygons 150 and 152 fit through the opening 114. The LED filaments 102, 104, 106 may be indirectly connected to the socket 112 via a driver, not shown.

(16) The elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 of FIG. 1 are all of the same type meaning for instance that they are of equal size and shape, are emitting the same amount of light in terms of light flux, are emitting light having the same color temperature and color distribution. It is however to be noted that different types of elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 may be used in the same SSL lamp 100. By using different types of elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106, the appearance and light distribution of the SSL lamp 100 may thus be tailored. For instance, elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106, having different lengths and shapes, emitting different amounts of light of different color temperature may be used as an example. Moreover, elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106 of different colors may be used. Furthermore, light emitting structures comprising solid state lasers may be used as an alternative to elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106.

(17) Now referring to FIG. 2 here is conceptually depicted a SSL lamp 100 according to another embodiment. The SSL lamp 100 comprises four elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108. All four light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 are elongated in the sense that their length exceeds three times their width. The light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 are arranged such that their lower ends 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a defines a polygon 150, first polygon 150, in form of a rectangle. In other words, a rectangle is defined by connecting the respective ends 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a by straight lines, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2. A central portion of each of the light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 are arranged in vicinity of each other such that the four light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 crosses each other.

(18) A common neck 120 is formed where the four light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 crosses each other. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the respective elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 crosses each other in an angled fashion at the common neck 120.

(19) More specifically, the elongated light emitting structures 102 and 104 crosses each other defining two angles, namely angle and angle . Angle and angle together amount to 180 degrees. The elongated light emitting structures 102 and 104 crosses each other such that the smallest angle, in the depicted SSL lamp 100, angle , exceeds 30 degrees. Also the angle exceeds 30 degrees. In order for the smallest angle of and to exceed 30 degrees the other angle of and cannot exceed 150 degrees as the sum of and is 180 degrees. Any angle of and may be the smallest angle. It is to be understood that corresponding angles are defined where each of the elongated LED filaments 102, 104, 106, 108 crosses each other, although not explicitly indicated in FIG. 2.

(20) The light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 are arranged such that their upper ends 102b, 104b, 106b, 108b define another polygon 152, second polygon 152, also in form of a rectangle. In other words, the light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 are arranged in a quadrupod configuration.

(21) In the depicted SSL lamp 100, the polygons 150, 152 are of equal shape, although being rotated relative to each other. Moreover, the polygons 150, 152 are of equal size in the depicted SSL lamp of FIG. 2. The polygons 150, 152 are of equal size since the respective light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 crosses each other at a respective center with respect to a longitudinal direction thereof. By crossing the respective light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 at different locations, polygons of different sizes may be achieved, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Further, the polygons 150, 152 may be tilted with respect to each other.

(22) In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2, the four light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 are of two different kinds. More specifically, the light emitting structures 102, 108 are active light emitting structures in form of elongated LED filaments 102, 108 whereas light emitting structures 104, 106 are passive light emitting structures in form of elongated light scattering features 104, 106. The elongated light scattering features 104, 106 are formed of rod shaped elements of a translucent material having a rough surface for scattering of light.

(23) Light is thus generated in and emitted from the light emitting structures 102, 108 whereas no light is generated in the light emitting structures 104, 106. Light generated and emitted by the LED filaments 102, 108 is however impinging on the light scattering features 104, 106. The light impinging on the light scattering features 104, 106 is thus scattered by and conducted within the light scattering features 104, 106. In other words, light will be emitted from the light scattering features 104, 106.

(24) The active light emitting structures 102, 108 are indirectly electrically connected to the socket 112 via a driver, not shown, whereas the passive light emitting structures 104, 106 are not electrically connected to the socket 112. The elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 are mechanically fixed with respect to the socket 112. Various techniques and fixing elements may be used to fix the elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 with respect to the socket 112 as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1.

(25) Further, the elongated LED filaments 102, 108 and the light scattering features 104, 106 of FIG. 2 are arranged in a transparent bulb 110, similarly to what has been described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. The bulb 110 of FIG. 2 is at its lower portion employed with an opening 114 through which the elongated LED filaments 102, 108 and the light scattering features 104, 106 may be inserted, before the opening 114 is sealed off by the socket 112. The polygons 150, 152 fits through the opening 114.

(26) The elongated LED filaments 102, 108 of FIG. 2 are of the same type. However, LED filaments 102, 108 of different types may be used as described in conjunction with FIG. 1 above. The light scattering features 104, 106 of FIG. 2 are of the same type. However, light scattering features 104, 106 of different types may be used. For instance, the size and shape of the light scattering features may be varied. Moreover, the type of light scattering features may be varied.

(27) Also the number of elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 may be varied, in fact any number equal to or greater than three may be used, such as 6, 10 or 23 just to give a few non-limiting examples.

(28) Moreover, the distribution between active light emitting structures and passive light emitting structures among the light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 may be varied. However, in practice at least one of the elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 will have to be an active light emitting structure, or no light will be generated by the SSL lamp 100. For instance, one active light emitting structure, such as a LED filament, may be used with a plurality of passive light emitting structures. Correspondingly, one passive light emitting structure, such as light scattering feature, may be used with a plurality of active light emitting structures. In fact, any number of active light emitting structures may be used with any number of passive light emitting structures, as long as the total number of light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 is equal to or greater than three and at least one light emitting structure is active.

(29) Now referring to FIG. 3 here is conceptually depicted a SSL lamp 100 according to another embodiment. The SSL lamp 100 of FIG. 3 comprises three elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, just like the SSL lamp 100 of FIG. 1. The three elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 of FIG. 3. are however arranged differently as compared to the three elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the three elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are not symmetrically arranged. Further, the three elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are not of equal type. As depicted in FIG. 3, the light emitting structure 104 is longer than the light emitting structures 102, 106.

(30) The light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged such that their lower ends 102a, 104a, 106a, defines a polygon 150, first polygon 150, in form of a triangle, and their upper ends 102b, 104b, 106b, defines a polygon 152, second polygon 152, in form of a triangle. In other words, the light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged in what may be referred to as a tilted tripod configuration. In the depicted SSL lamp 100 of FIG. 3, the polygons 150, 152 are not of equal shape or size and are being rotated relative to each other. Polygon 150 is smaller than polygon 152. It is to be noted that the first polygon 150 and the second polygon 152 are slightly tilted with respect to each other. In other words, respective planes defined by the first polygon 150 and the second polygon 152 are not parallel. The first polygon 150 and the second polygon 152 may be tilted with any angle with respect to each other.

(31) A non-central portion of each of the light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged in vicinity of each other such that the three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other. The three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other at a smallest angle of at least 30 degrees as explained above in conjunction with FIG. 1.

(32) A common neck 120 is formed where the three light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the respective elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 crosses each other in an angled fashion at the common neck 120.

(33) The elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106 are arranged in a transparent bulb 110 employed with an opening 114 as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Further, a socket 112 is provided as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1.

(34) In the above the present invention has been exemplified by describing a limited number of embodiments. It is however to be understood that a large number of embodiments and variations may easily be effected by combining what is described for the respective embodiments. Just to give a few more non-limiting examples, it is to be understood that the arrangement of the elongated light emitting structures 102, 104, 106, 108 may be greatly varied irrespective of the general design of the SSL lamp 100 and the bulb 110 used therein. It is to be understood that the shape and size of the bulb 110 and socket 112 may be varied depending on specific needs. Moreover, the bulb 110 and/or socket 112 may be omitted. Moreover, the shape, size, light flux, color temperature, etcetera of the elongated active light emitting features 102, 104, 106, 108 may be varied without departing from the scope of the present inventive concept. Furthermore, the shape, size, extension, orientation, type, opacity, color, width, length etcetera of the passive light emitting features 104, 106 may be varied without departing from the scope of the present inventive concept.

(35) Also the physical dimensions of the SSL lamp 100 may be varied without departing from the scope of the present application. This allows for that the general inventive concept may be used in number of retrofit applications as well as in tailor-made specific applications.

(36) Hence, although the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. Variations to the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by the skilled addressee in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Furthermore, in the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality.