LIGHTING DEVICE

Abstract

A light emitting device configured to emit light with a total color temperature (CT.sub.tot), said light emitting device comprising at least one first light emitting diode (LED) filament, and at least one second LED filament, wherein each of the at least one first LED filament and the at least one second LED filament comprises an elongated carrier, and an array of light emitting diodes mounted on said substrate; and a controller for individually controlling said at least first LED filament and said at least one second LED filament, wherein said at least one first LED filament is arranged to emit light of a first color temperature (CT.sub.1), said first color temperature being controllable in a first color temperature range, from CT.sub.1.sup.low to CT.sub.1.sup.high, wherein said at least one second LED filament is arranged to emit light of a second color temperature (CT.sub.2), said second color temperature being controllable in a second color temperature range, from CT.sub.2.sup.low to CT.sub.2.sup.high, and wherein said controller is configured to control said total color temperature (CTtot) from a first total color temperature (CT.sub.tot,1) to a second total color temperature (CT.sub.tot,2) by controlling the first color temperature, and the second color temperature according to a preselected control scheme, such that the difference between the first color temperature and the second color temperature (ΔCT) is not constant during the change of CT.sub.tot.

Claims

1. A light emitting device configured to emit light with a total color temperature, CT.sub.tot, said light emitting device comprising: at least one first light emitting diode, LED, filament, and at least one second LED filament, wherein each of the at least one first LED filament and the at least one second LED filament comprises an elongated carrier, and an array of light emitting diodes mounted on said carrier; and a controller for individually controlling said at least first LED filament and said at least one second LED filament, wherein said at least one first LED filament is arranged to emit light of a homogeneous color having a first color temperature, CT.sub.1, said first color temperature being controllable in a first color temperature range, from C.sub.1.sup.low to CT.sub.1.sup.high, wherein said at least one second LED filament is arranged to emit light of a homogeneous color having a second color temperature, CT.sub.2, said second color temperature being controllable in a second color temperature range, from CT.sub.2.sup.low to CT.sub.2.sup.high, and wherein said controller is configured to change the first and second color temperature by controlling all LEDs of each LED filament simultaneously, such that all LEDs of a LED filament emit light of the same color temperature therewith controlling said total color temperature, CT.sub.tot, from a first total color temperature, CT.sub.tot,1, to a second total color temperature, CT.sub.tot,2, by independently controlling the first color temperature and the second color temperature according to a preselected control scheme, such that the difference between the first color temperature and the second color temperature, ΔCT, is not constant during changing CT.sub.tot from CT.sub.tot,1, to CT.sub.tot,2.

2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein CT.sub.1.sup.low and CT.sub.2.sup.low are below 2500 K, preferably below 2400 K, and more preferably below 2300 K, and/or wherein CT.sub.1.sup.high and CT.sub.2.sup.high are above 2700, preferably above 2900, and more preferably above 3500 K.

3. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein said first color temperature range and said second color temperature range overlap.

4. The light emitting device according to claim 3, wherein, for said first total color temperature (CT.sub.tot,1), the first color temperature (CT.sub.1) is equal to said second color temperature (CT.sub.2).

5. The light emitting device according to claim 3, wherein said first color temperature range and said second color temperature range coincide.

6. The lighting emitting device according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to change said first and second color temperature by controlling the array of LEDs of each LED filament simultaneously.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to change said first and second color temperature by controlling the array of LEDs of each LED filament individually.

8. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein for increasing the total color temperature said preselected control scheme includes: in a first stage, increasing said difference (ΔCT), and in a second, subsequent stage, reducing said difference (ΔCT).

9. The light emitting device according to claim 8, wherein said second stage is initiated when the color temperature of said at least one first filament has been increased by at least 400 K, preferably at least 500 K, and more preferably at least 600 K.

10. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the total number of first LED filaments is greater than the total number of second LED filaments.

11. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the total number of first LED filaments is smaller than the total number of second LED filaments.

12. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs of said first and second LED filaments are configured to emit white light.

13. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs of said first and second LED filaments are red, green and blue LEDs.

14. A retrofit light bulb, comprising at least one light emitting device according to claim 1, a transmissive envelope at least partly surrounding said at least one first LED filament and said at least one second LED filament, and a connector for electrically and mechanically connecting said light bulb to a socket.

15. A method for controlling a light emitting device, comprising at least one first LED filament and at least one second LED filament, configured to emit light with a total color temperature (CT.sub.tot), comprising: controlling a first color temperature of the at least one first LED filament, and a second color temperature of the at least one second LED filament thereby controlling the total color temperature to reach a preset value, wherein said controlling is performed according to a preselected control scheme, such that the difference between the first color temperature and the second color temperature is not constant during changing the total color temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a retrofit light bulb including a number of LED filaments.

[0037] FIG. 2a demonstrates a top view of such an LED filament according to at least on embodiment of the invention.

[0038] FIGS. 2b-2d demonstrate side views on LED filaments according to different embodiments of the invention.

[0039] FIGS. 3a-3c illustrate different embodiments of LED filaments from which color tunable white light is emitted.

[0040] FIG. 4a depicts a retrofit lightbulb containing two LED filaments, one with a first color temperature tunability range, and the other with a second color temperature tunability range.

[0041] FIG. 4b shows a top view cross sectional view of a retrofit lightbulb containing three LED filaments with a first color temperature tunability range, and three LED filaments with a second color temperature tunability range, giving a total number of six LED filaments.

[0042] FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d show illustrative plots of different preselected control schemes for increasing the total color temperature of the light emitting device.

[0043] FIG. 6 demonstrates a flow chart describing the stages of the preselected control scheme.

[0044] FIG. 7 depicts a graph of the change in the difference of the first and second color temperatures (ΔCT) with respect to time.

[0045] 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

[0046] 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.

[0047] FIG. 1 demonstrates a retrofit light bulb 10 including at least two LED filaments 100 accommodated within an envelope 11. The LED filaments 100 (explained in more detail below) are connected to a controller 15, and the electrical (or mechanical) connector 12, through connecting wires 13. Similar to the typical incandescent light bulbs, here in FIG. 1, the electrical connector 12, here a threaded Edison connector such E26 or E27 in order to connect the lamp 10 to an electric socket (not shown). Note that in this text, retrofit light bulb and lamp are used to refer to the same object, and may be used interchangeably unless noted otherwise.

[0048] According to the present invention, the LED lighting device 10, comprises at least one first filament 100a (FIG. 4A), arranged to emit light in a first color temperature range (CT.sub.1.sup.low−CT.sub.1.sup.high), and at least one second filament 100b, arranged to emit light in a second temperature range (CT.sub.2.sup.low−CT.sub.2.sup.high). The first and second color temperature ranges may typically be different, such that the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature. However, it is important to be noted that, the first color temperature range may overlap the second color temperature range. This may provide the advantage of better aesthetics as a result of a more homogeneous color temperature of both types of filaments. Otherwise, it may be that due to very different color temperatures, the two different types of filaments will become distinguishable by the naked eye of the user.

[0049] According to at least one embodiment, CT.sub.1.sup.low and CT.sub.2.sup.low are below 2500 K, preferably below 2400 K, and more preferably below 2300 K, and/or wherein CT.sub.1.sup.high and CT.sub.2.sup.high is preferably above 2700, more preferably above 2900, most preferably above 3500 K.

[0050] It may also be that the color temperatures are in certain ranges, for instance it may be that CT.sub.1.sup.low and CT.sub.2.sup.low are preferably in the range from 1800 to 2500 K, more preferably from 2000 to 2400 K, most preferably from 2100 to 2300 K. At the higher end of the color temperatures ranges, according to at least one embodiment CT.sub.1.sup.high and CT.sub.2.sup.high is preferably in the range from 2700 to 4500 K, more preferably from 2900 to 4000 K, most preferably from 3000 to 3500 K.

[0051] In the context of this invention, the LED filaments 100 of the lighting device the lamp 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be described as follows. FIG. 2 demonstrates such an LED filament 100. The LEDs 110, are arranged on an elongated carrier 120 for instance a substrate. Please note that in this text the terms “carrier” and “substrate” may be used interchangeably, and unless stated otherwise, are meant to imply the same meaning. Preferably, the LED filament 100 has a length L and a width W, wherein L>5W. The LED filament 100 may be arranged in a straight configuration similar to FIG. 2, or in a non-straight configuration such as for example a curved configuration, a 2D/3D spiral or a helix.

[0052] The LED filament 100 may comprise an encapsulant 150 at least partly covering the plurality of LEDs 110. As illustrated in the side view schematics of FIGS. 2b and 2d, the encapsulant 150 may also at least partly cover at least one of the first major 130 and/or second major surface 140. The encapsulant 150 may be a polymer material which may be flexible such as for example a silicone.

[0053] The carrier 120 may be rigid (made from e.g. a polymer, glass, quartz, metal or sapphire) or flexible (e.g. made of a polymer or metal e.g. a film or foil).

[0054] A carrier 120 of rigid material may provide better cooling of the LED filament 100, meaning the heat generated by the LED 110 may be distributed by the rigid substrate 120.

[0055] A carrier 120 of flexible material may provide shape freedom for designing the aesthetics of the LED filament 100 due to flexibility.

[0056] It should be noted that, the thermal management of thin, flexible material (such as foils) may typically be poorer compared to rigid material. However, on the other hand, having rigid material as the substrate 120, may limit the shape design of the LED filament 100.

[0057] The carrier 120 may comprise a first major surface 130 and an opposite second major surface 140. the LEDs 110 are arranged on at least one of these surfaces (FIGS. 2a and 2c).

[0058] The carrier 120 may be light transmissive, such as translucent, or preferably light transparent. The transmissive substrate may be composed of for example polymer, glass, quartz, etc.

[0059] The advantage of a light transmissive substrate may be that the light emitted from the LED 110 may propagate through the substrate 120, leading to a substantially omnidirectional light emission.

[0060] For transmissive substrates, the encapsulant 150 may be disposed on both sides of the filament 100.

[0061] Alternatively, the carrier 120 may be light reflective. In this embodiment light emitted by the LEDs 110 is reflected off the surface of the substrate on which the LEDs 110 are arranged on (130 and/or 140), thus hindering light from propagating the filament substrate 120.

[0062] Further, the LEDs 110 may be arranged for emitting LED light e.g. of different colors or spectrums. The encapsulant 150 may comprise a luminescent material that is configured to at least partly convert LED light into converted light. The luminescent material may be a phosphor such as an inorganic phosphor and/or quantum dots or rods.

[0063] Each of the LEDs 110 of the LED filament 100 may emit white light as shown in FIG. 1. The LEDs 110 may emit cool white or warm white light. The LEDs 110 may be blue or UV LEDs covered by an encapsulant 150, such that the encapsulant 150 includes luminescent material, such as phosphor particles. The luminescent material will provide a wavelength conversion of the light from the LEDs 110, and the light emitted from this section will be white light consisting of a mix of blue/UV light and wavelength converted light. The white light may have a color temperature on the black body line.

[0064] Alternatively, or simultaneously, as demonstrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the LED filament 100 may comprise groups 210 of red (R) 211, green 212 (G), and blue 213 (B) LEDs, wherein light emitted from each of the RGB 211,212, 213 LEDs are combined to produce white light with a cool or warm color temperature. The red 211, green 212, and blue 213 LEDs in each group can be arranged as groups 210 shown in FIG. 3a, or disposed one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the LED filament 100 such as illustrated in FIG. 3b.

[0065] The white light may have an adjustable color temperature. This may be achieved by including at least two different types of LEDs, e.g. red 211 and blue 213 LEDs. By controlling the relative intensity of each type of LED, the color temperature of the emitted light can be controlled.

[0066] FIG. 3c illustrates another approach for obtaining color temperature adjustability. In this embodiment the LED filament 100 may comprise only one type of LEDs (e.g. blue LEDs 213), and instead have different areas covered by different types of encapsulant 151, 152, 153, etc. Again, by controlling the relative intensity of LEDs 110 associated with different encapsulant 151, 152, 153 etc., the color temperature of the emitted light can be controlled.

[0067] The color controllable LEDs may include a plurality of LED groups 210 each including a red LED 211, a green LED 212, and a blue LED 213.

[0068] The LED filament 100 may comprise multiple sub-filaments.

[0069] FIG. 4a demonstrates one embodiment of the lamp 10, comprising two LED filaments 100a and 100b, which each are arranged to emit light in a first and second color temperature, respectively.

[0070] The total number of the LED filaments; sum of both first 100a and second filaments 100b, in the LED filament lighting device 10, is preferably more than two, more preferably more than four, most preferably more than five such as six or eight.

[0071] In various embodiments, the total number of first LED filaments 100a may be greater than, less than, or equal to the total number of second LED filament 100b.

[0072] FIG. 4b demonstrates the top view of an embodiment of the invention in which the number of first LED filaments 100a are equal to the number of second LED filaments 100b, and equal to three.

[0073] According to aspects of the present invention, for increasing the total color temperature, the controller 15 of the light emitting device 10 operates on a preselected control scheme. FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c schematically demonstrate the steps of a preselected control scheme as plots of the color temperature versus time, while FIG. 6 shows a flow chart describing the stages of the preselected control scheme.

[0074] Depicted in FIG. 5a, in a first stage, the controller 15 increases the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a from a to b, while maintaining the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b at a, demonstrated respectively as steps S1, and S2 of FIG. 6. In a second, subsequent stage, increasing the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b from c to d, while maintaining the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a at b, demonstrated as respectively as steps S3 and S4 in FIG. 6.

[0075] FIG. 5b shows another preselected control scheme that is slightly different from that demonstrated in FIG. 5a. Here, in a first stage, the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a is increased from a to b, while the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b is reduced from a to c. Again, this stage of FIG. 5b respectively corresponds with steps S1 and S2 of the flow chart in FIG. 6. In a second, subsequent stage, the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b is increased, while the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a is reduced from b to d. This stage of FIG. 5b corresponds with steps S3 and S4 of FIG. 6.

[0076] FIG. 5c shows another alternative for the preselected control scheme. Here, in a first stage, the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a is increased from a to b, while the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b is slightly increased from a to c. Again, this stage of FIG. 5b respectively corresponds with steps S1 and S2 of the flow chart in FIG. 6. In a second, subsequent stage, the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b is increased, while the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a is slightly increased from b to d. This stage of FIG. 5b corresponds with steps S3 and S4 of FIG. 6. It should be noted that, with the word “slightly increased”, it is meant to imply that the second color temperature in stage 1, and the first color temperature in stage 2, is increased less than the first color temperature, and the second color temperature, respectively.

[0077] It may be such that points b and c coincide in time (as demonstrated in the graph of FIG. 5a). This would mean that in FIG. 6, the steps S1 and S2 would coincide precisely in time, and steps S3 and S4 start simultaneously. Alternatively, the stage of increasing the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b (step S3 in FIG. 6) may be advanced or delayed in time with respect to the point in time when the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a reaches its maximum (point b). According to the latter alternative, this would translate to steps S3 and S4 starting at different points in time. FIG. 5b demonstrates a control scheme wherein increasing the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b is delayed in time with respect to point b. In other words, in the latter embodiment of the control scheme, step S3 of FIG. 6 is delayed with respect to step S4.

[0078] FIG. 5d, shows a similar preselected control scheme demonstrated in FIG. 5b, in which in the first stage, the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a is increased from a to b, while the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b is reduced from a to c, and in a second, subsequent stage, the color temperature of the filament(s) 100b is increased, while the color temperature of the filament(s) 100a is reduced from b to d. However, in the graph of FIG. 5d, CT.sub.1.sup.low and CT.sub.2.sup.low do not overlap, leading to a ΔCT.sub.start that is larger than zero. Similarly, CT.sub.1.sup.high and CT.sub.2.sup.high do not overlap, leading to a ΔCT.sub.end that is larger than zero. Preferably the differences between CT.sub.1.sup.low and CT.sub.2.sup.low (ΔCT.sub.start), and the difference between CT.sub.1.sup.high and CT.sub.2.sup.high (ΔCT.sub.end), are less than 500 K, more preferably less than 300 K, most preferably less than 100 K. In alternative preselected control schemes different combinations of FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, and or other variations may occur.

[0079] It is preferable that the second stage of the preselected control scheme be carried out after the first color temperature is increased at least 400K, more preferably 500K, most preferably 600K. According t the graphs of FIGS. 5a through 5d this would translate to “a−b>400K, or a−b>500K, or a−b>600K”.

[0080] FIG. 7 depicts a graph of the change in the difference of the first and second color temperatures (ΔCT) with respect to time. It can be seen that, ΔCT is not constant, and changes with time. In the first stage of the preselected control scheme—described in steps 1 and 2 of FIG. 6, ΔCT increases with time. However, when the second stage is initiated-described in steps 3 and 4 of FIG. 6—ΔCT decreases with time. In the graph of FIG. 7, it is observed that, ΔCT.sub.start and ΔCT.sub.end do not correspond to the same value, and ΔCT.sub.start is larger than ΔCT.sub.end. However, in alternative embodiments, it may be that ΔCT.sub.start is higher, or alternatively equal to ΔCT.sub.end. If ΔCT.sub.start and/or ΔCT.sub.end are not equal to zero, then CT.sub.1.sup.low and CT.sub.2.sup.low and/or CT.sub.1.sup.high and CT.sub.2.sup.high do not overlap, meaning that in the graphs of FIG. 5, at point a and/or point d of the preselected control scheme CT.sub.1.sup.low is not equal to CT.sub.2.sup.low, and/or CT.sub.1.sup.high is not equal to CT.sub.2.sup.high. The embodiment corresponding to the graph of FIG. 7 therefore, corresponds to the preselected control scheme of FIG. 5d. Alternatively, if ΔCT.sub.start and/or ΔCT.sub.end are zero, then ΔCT.sub.start and/or ΔCT.sub.end are not equal to zero, then CT.sub.1.sup.low and CT.sub.2.sup.low and/or CT.sub.1.sup.high and CT.sub.2.sup.high do not overlap. Embodiments where both CT.sub.1.sup.low and CT.sub.2.sup.low, and CT.sub.1.sup.high and CT.sub.2.sup.high are overlapping correspond to the preselected control schemes demonstrated in FIGS. 5a through 5c. It may also be that the slope of the plot in stages 1 and 2 have an equal absolute value. In this case, stage 1 and stage 2 of the preselected control scheme are carried out at equal rates. Alternatively, it may be that the slopes differ in their absolute value. In this case, the rate at which stages 1 and 2 are carried out will differ.

[0081] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the number of LED filaments and their detailed arrangement may be different than those shown herein.

[0082] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. 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. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.