Light emitting module

Abstract

The present invention relates to light emitting module, comprising: a mixing chamber (10) arranged to mix light, the mixing chamber (10) comprising a base (12) having a highly reflective inner surface, a circumferential side wall (14) having a highly reflective inner surface, and a semi-reflective light exit window (16); and at least one light emitting diode (5) arranged on the inner surface of the circumferential side wall (14) such that light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode (5) is emitted into the mixing chamber (10) for mixing of the emitted light within the mixing chamber (10), wherein the semi-reflective light exit window (16) is arranged to couple out light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode (5) and mixed within the mixing chamber (10), wherein the aspect ratio of a width (W) and a height (H) of the mixing chamber (10) is in the range of 1 to 8, wherein the reflectivity of the semi-reflective light exit window (16) is in the range from 30% to 80% for light emitted from the light emitting diode (5).

Claims

1. A light emitting module, comprising: a mixing chamber arranged to mix light, the mixing chamber being defined by a base having a highly reflective inner surface, a circumferential side wall having a highly reflective inner surface, and a semi-reflective light exit window, wherein the highly reflective inner surface of the base has a periphery; and at least one light emitting diode arranged on an inner surface of the circumferential side wall and at the periphery of the base, the at least one light emitting diode facing the circumferential side wall such that light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode is emitted into the mixing chamber for mixing of the emitted light within the mixing chamber and light is emitted from the at least one light emitting diode to the base and the circumferential side wall, wherein the semi-reflective light exit window is arranged to couple out light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode and mixed within the mixing chamber, wherein the aspect ratio of a width and a height of the mixing chamber is in the range of 1 to 8 and the height represents an approximate distance between the at least one light emitting diode and the semi-reflective light exit window, and the reflectivity of the semi-reflective light exit window is in the range from 30 to 80% for light emitted from the light emitting diode, to increase the light mixing while the efficiency is not lowered, and wherein the at least one light emitting diode is arranged on a flexible strip mounted on the inner surface of the circumferential side wall.

2. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the absorbance, for light emitted from the light emitting diode, of the semi-reflective light exit window is less than 2%.

3. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting diode is arranged adjacent to the base.

4. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein highly reflective is reflective in the range from 90%-100% for light emitted from the light emitting diode.

5. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the base and a cross section, taken in a plane being parallel with the base, of the circumferential side wall are shaped as one of a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle and a hexagon.

6. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the light exit window is diffusive.

7. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the light exit window is curved and/or having a domed shape.

8. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting module further comprises a reflective structure.

9. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is ring shaped and comprises an inner wall having a highly reflective surface facing the at least one light emitting diode.

10. The light emitting module according to claim 1, further comprising electronic components arranged on the base.

11. The light emitting module according to claim 1, further comprising a cavity between the base and a reflective foil in which one or more electronic components are arranged.

12. A lamp comprising a light emitting module according to claim 1.

13. A luminaire comprising a light emitting module according to claim 1.

14. The light emitting module according to claim 8, wherein the reflective structure is arranged at the base.

15. A luminaire comprising a light emitting module comprising a lamp according to claim 12.

16. A light emitting module, comprising: a mixing chamber arranged to mix light, the mixing chamber being defined by a base having a highly reflective inner surface, a circumferential side wall having a highly reflective inner surface, and a semi-reflective light exit window, wherein the highly reflective inner surface of the base has a periphery; and at least one light emitting diode arranged on an inner surface of the circumferential side wall and proximate the periphery of the base, a center of the at least one light emitting diode is arranged a distance from the highly reflective inner surface of the base where the distance is smaller than a size of the at least one light emitting diode, the at least one light emitting diode facing the circumferential side wall such that light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode is emitted into the mixing chamber for mixing of the emitted light within the mixing chamber and light is emitted from the at least one light emitting diode to the base and the circumferential side wall, wherein the semi-reflective light exit window is arranged to couple out light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode and mixed within the mixing chamber, wherein the aspect ratio of a width and a height of the mixing chamber is in the range of 1 to 8 and the height represents an approximate distance between the at least one light emitting diode and the semi-reflective light exit window, and the reflectivity of the semi-reflective light exit window is in the range from 30 to 80% for light emitted from the light emitting diode, to increase the light mixing while the efficiency is not lowered, and wherein the at least one light emitting diode is arranged on a flexible strip mounted on the inner surface of the circumferential side wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) This 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, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a light emitting module according to embodiments;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates simulations of efficiency plotted as a function of uniformity depending on different reflectivity of the light exit window and different aspect ratios of the width and height of the mixing chamber;

(4) FIGS. 3-5 illustrate by way of example different configurations of the light mixing chamber seen in cross section from the side,

(5) FIG. 6 illustrates a lamp according to embodiments,

(6) FIG. 7 illustrates a luminaire according to embodiments, and

(7) FIGS. 8-10 illustrate by way of example different configurations of the light emitting module with a light mixing chamber seen in cross section from the side,

(8) 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

(9) 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.

(10) In FIG. 1 an embodiment of a light emitting module 1 according to the present invention is schematically shown. The light emitting module 1 comprises a mixing chamber 10 and a plurality of light emitting diodes, LEDs, 5.

(11) The mixing chamber 10 comprising a base 12, a circumferential side wall 14 and a light exit window 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the mixing chamber 10 is having a cylindrical shape. Moreover, the base 12 and the light exit window 16 are oval, more precisely they are circular. Furthermore, the cross section, taken in a plane being parallel with the base 12, of the circumferential side wall 14 is also oval, more precisely circular.

(12) The mixing chamber 10 has a width W and a height H. The height H of the mixing chamber 10 is defined as the height of the circumferential side wall 14. This height H of the mixing chamber 10 for the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 might also be seen as the distance between the base 12 and the light exit window 16. The width W of the mixing chamber 10 is defined as having a base surface extension being the smallest distance between two opposite points on the periphery of the base surface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the width W of the mixing chamber 10 is the diameter of the base 12. As mentioned above, an aspect ratio of the width W and the height H of the mixing chamber 10 within the range of 1 to 8 may increase the light mixing of the light mixing module 1 while the efficiency of the light mixing module 1 is not lowered beyond what is acceptable. Tests have been performed evaluating the efficiency and the uniformity of light coupled out from the light emitting module depending on the aspect ratio. These tests has been performed with a mixing chamber 10 with a width W of 150 mm, in this cylindrical example the width is the diameter, where the reflectivity of the light exit window 16 is kept at 50% and where the height H of the mixing chamber 10 is varied between 10 mm and 50 mm, the LEDs 5 being placed adjacent to the base 12 which is means that the distance from the centre of the LEDs to the inner surface of the base 12 is 5 mm. The inner surface of the base 12 and the light exit window are planar. The tests show that the contrast, which is the ratio of highest intensity and lowest intensity, which means that a lower contrast corresponds to a more uniform illumination, of the light emitted from the light emitting module 1 is rapidly decreasing from 18 to 2 when the height H is increased from 10 mm to 20 mm (i.e. the aspect ratio is decreased from 15 to 7.5). When the height H is increased from 20 to 45, the contrast is decreased from 2.0 to 1.7. Moreover, the tests show that the efficiency is more or less linearly decreased from 96.0% to 94.5% when the height is increased from 15 mm to 50 mm.

(13) The base 12 has a highly reflective inner surface. Highly reflective is to be seen as having a reflectivity in the range of 90%-100% for light emitted by the plurality of LEDs 5. Moreover, the absorbance of the base 12 is close to zero for light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 5. Having an absorbance close to zero gives that the efficiency of the light emitting module is kept high. The base 12 may be made of metal or glass, and the base 12 may either be covered by a sheet of reflecting material or be painted with a coating reflector. The sheet of reflecting material may be MCPET foil manufactured by Furukawa Electric. The coating reflector may be for example TiO2 powder particles mixed with clear silicone. Instead of TiO2 powder, Al2O3 and/or BaSO4 powder may be used and mixed with clear silicone.

(14) The circumferential side wall 14 has a highly reflective inner surface. Highly reflective is to be seen as having a reflectivity in the range of 90%-100% for light emitted by the plurality of LEDs 5. Moreover, the absorbance of the circumferential side wall 14 is close to zero for light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 5. Having an absorbance close to zero gives that the efficiency of the light emitting module is kept high. It was proposed to use a wide printed circuit board (PCB), covering the whole circumferential side wall 14 of the light emitting module 1 (so the width of the PCB is the same as the height of the circumferential side wall 14). According to other embodiments, the lower part of the circumferential side wall 14 is made of a PCB and the remaining part is made of metal or glass. The circumferential side wall 14 may be covered by a sheet of reflecting material or may be painted with a coating reflector in the same way as the inner surface of the base 12. In the case of using a sheet of reflecting material, there should be holes in the material where the LEDs 5 are positioned. The mixing chamber 10, i.e. the base 12 and the circumferential side wall 14 may be manufactured to be as white as possible. This may minimize light absorption in the mixing chamber and the efficiency of the light emitting module 1. The light exit window 16 is semi-reflective. More specifically, the reflectivity of the light exit window 16 is in the range of 30%-80% for light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 5. The absorbance of the light exit window 16 is preferably less than 2% for light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 5. By having such a low absorbance in the light exit window 16 gives that the efficiency of the light emitting module 1 is kept high. As a non-limiting example the light exit window 16 may be made of Makrofol. However, other material such as Lexan MB-grades, Lexalite Lumieo and Flexi-Lume may also be used. It is also possible to use layers of scattering particles such as TiOx or AlOx in polymers such as silicone rubbers and adjust the reflectivity by the concentration of the particles and/or the thickness of the layer.

(15) The light exit window 16 may also comprise beams shaping optics, such as a diffuser and/or a layer with structures for polarizing and/or collimating light. Such layers can have microstructures for collimating light and/or shaping the beam. Examples of such layers are BEF (brightness enhancement film) and reflective polarizing films available from companies such as 3M.

(16) According to tests evaluating the efficiency of the light emitting module 1 depending on the reflectivity of the light exit window 16, the efficiency decreases from around 92% to 75% when the reflectivity increases from 80% to 90%. For reflectivity below 80%, the efficiency increases from 92% to 97% for a reflectivity of 20%.

(17) Depending on the wavelength range of the light emitted from the LEDs 5 the light exit window 16 may further comprise luminescent material. The luminescent material converts at least a part of light of a first color which impinges on the luminescent material into light of a second color.

(18) The plurality of LEDs 5 are arranged on the inner surface of the circumferential side wall 14 such that light emitted from the at least one light emitting diode 5 is emitted into the mixing chamber 10 for mixing of the emitted light within the mixing chamber 10. The LEDs 5 are furthermore preferably placed adjacent to or near the base 12 as explained below, which according to some embodiments means that the distance from the centre of the LEDs 5 to the inner surface of the base 12 is 5 mm. This is of course dependent on the size of the LEDs 5. According to further embodiments, the position of the LEDs 5 relative to the base 12 is larger. In an embodiment the plurality of LEDs are arranged on a flexible strip and the strip is mounted on the inner surface of the side wall of the light mixing chamber. The strip is in an embodiment highly reflective. In another embodiment one or more electronic components are additionally provided on the reflective and flexible strip, such as driver electronics and electrical wiring.

(19) The plurality of LEDs 5 may be arranged to emit light in a wide range of wavelengths. For example each of the LEDs 5 may be arranged to emit white light. According to another example various LEDs 5 may be arranged to emit light of a specific color. For example, at least one of the plurality of LEDs 5 may be arranged to emit red light, at least one of the plurality of LEDs 5 may be arranged to emit green light and at least one of the plurality of LEDs 5 may be arranged to emit blue light. The light emitted from these LEDs 5 will thereafter mix inside the mixing chamber 10 producing white light. According to another example the LEDs 5 may be arranged to emit blue light and, if so, the light exit window 16 preferably comprises luminescent material converting a part of the blue light impinging on the luminescent material into light of another color. By this the light emitted from the light emitting module will for example be seen as white light.

(20) In FIG. 2 simulations of efficiency are plotted as a function of uniformity, in the graph the uniformity is represented as the contrast, defined as the ratio of the highest intensity and lowest intensity as described above, of the light emitted from the light emitting module, for various mixing chamber 10 width W and height H aspect ratios, W/H (in the Figure indicates as D/h), and for light exit windows 16 with various reflectivity. The simulations are made for cylindrical light emitting modules 1 having a circular base 12 and a circular light exit window 16. Moreover, the absorbance of the semi-reflective light exit window 16 was set to be 2%. Furthermore the plurality of LEDs 5 was placed adjacent to the base 12.

(21) Each dotted line represents a certain aspect ratio. Each dotted line is plotted showing the contrast versus the efficiency when the reflectivity of the light exit window 16 is increased in steps of 5 from 10% to 90%. As can be understood from the above, a lower reflectivity results in a higher efficiency and a higher contrast (i.e. a lower uniformity). Consequently, the value of each dotted line having the highest efficiency represents the lowest reflectivity of the light exit window 16.

(22) Each solid line represents a certain reflectivity of the light exit window 16. Each line is plotted showing the contrast versus the efficiency when the height H of the mixing chamber 10 is varied from 10 mm to 50 mm in steps of 5 mm whilst the width W is kept at 150 mm. As can be understood from the above, a smaller height H results in a higher contrast and a higher efficiency. Consequently, the right most value of each solid line represents the smallest height H of the light mixing chamber 10.

(23) From FIG. 2 it can be concluded that optimum situation with regard to efficiency and uniformity is achieved with the aspect ratio in the range of 1 to 8 while the reflectivity of the semi-reflective light exit window 16 is in the range of 30% to 80%.

(24) FIG. 3 shows by way of example a light mixing chamber 10 seen in cross section from the side. The light mixing chamber 10 in FIG. 3 has a planar light exit window 16 and a curved base 12.

(25) FIG. 4 shows by way of example a light mixing chamber 10 seen in cross section from the side. The light mixing chamber 10 in FIG. 4 has a curved light exit window 16 and a planar base 12. As mentioned above, the shape of the light exit window 16 and the base 12 may influence the uniformity of light coupled out from the light exit window 16.

(26) FIG. 5 shows by way of example a light mixing chamber 10 seen in cross section from the side. This light mixing chamber 10 is similar to the one shown in FIG. 1. The difference is that a reflective structure 20 has been arranged at the base 12 of the light mixing chamber 10. The light mixing chamber 10 may of course contain any number of such a reflective structure 20. In that case, the reflective structures 20 may be differently shaped. The reflective structure may also be arranged at the side wall 14. The reflective structure 20 may be in the form of facets. The reflective structure 20 may also be in the form of surface roughness i.e. a texture of the surface. Any other suitable structures may be used. By adding a reflective structure to the light mixing chamber 10, the light mixing properties of the chamber 10 may be further improved.

(27) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a retrofit lamp 60 based on the above described concept. The lamp 60 comprises a retrofit fitting, or lamp base, 62 which includes a heat sink, a power driver and electrical connections. On the lamp base 62 is provided a light emitting module 1 according to the first aspect of the invention. It is to be noted that embodiments of the lamp are not limited to lamps that are shaped as in FIG. 6. Other shapes, like tube or a traditional light bulb, are possible as well. Moreover, the light emitting module 1 may be a part of a larger structure provided on the lamp base 62. Alternative lamp types, such a spot lamps or down lighter may be used as well. The lamps may comprise a plurality of light emitting modules 1 as well.

(28) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a luminaire 70 according to the third aspect of the invention. The luminaire 70 comprises a light emitting module 1 according to the first aspect of the invention. In other embodiments, the luminaire 70 comprises a lamp (reference 60 in FIG. 6) according to the second aspect of the invention.

(29) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a light emitting module 1 with a light mixing chamber seen in cross section from the side. In this embodiment, one or more electronic components 30 are provided on the base 12 of the light mixing chamber, such as for example driver electronics, an electrical converter, a sensor (e.g. remote control sensor, light sensitive sensor, a motion sensor), a battery, etc. In this embodiment a light reflective foil 21 covers the one or more electronic components 30, but in other embodiments the light reflective foil 21 is not present and in that case the one or more electronic components 30 may be highly reflective, for example by using white paint.

(30) FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a light emitting module 1 with a light mixing chamber seen in cross section from the side. In this embodiment the light mixing chamber comprises a cavity 18 in the form of a protrusion extending from the base 12, in which one or more electronic components 30 are placed, examples of such components being specified above. A reflective foil 21 is provided to cover the one or more electronic components 30 that are placed in the chamber or protrusion 18. In an embodiment the reflective foil 21 may extend over the entire base 12. The cavity or protrusion 18 may fit easily in a junction box.

(31) In an embodiment (not shown) the light mixing chamber is increased in height and the one or more electronic components 30 are provided on the base 12 of the light mixing chamber and are covered by a reflective foil 21 that extends between the side walls 14 over the whole diameter or width of the light mixing chamber. The increased height provides a housing or cavity between the base 12 and the reflective foil 21 for the one or more electronic components 30.

(32) In an embodiment (not shown) one or more electronic components 30 are provided externally and adjacent to the side wall 14 of the light mixing chamber. In this embodiment a hollow space is provided outside the side wall 14 of the light mixing chamber in which the one or more electronic components 30 are mounted.

(33) FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a light emitting module 1 with a light mixing chamber seen in cross section from the side. In this embodiment the light mixing chamber is ring shaped and comprises an inner wall 15 that defines a chamber or housing, in the form of a recess of the base 12, in which one or more electronic components 30 are provided, for example mounted on the base 12 of the light mixing chamber. In this embodiment the light output of the light emitting module 1 is ring-shaped. The inner wall 15 has a highly reflective inner surface, which is the surface that faces the light emitting diodes 5.

(34) 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 shape of the base is disclosed as being circular or ellipsoid, but other shapes of the base are equally possible. The base may for example be shaped as a square, a hexagon or a triangle. This is equally valid for the cross section of the side wall. Moreover, the base and the cross section of the side wall may be differently shaped.

(35) 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.