LIGHTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A LIGHTING DEVICE

Abstract

A lighting device for providing decorative lighting is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lighting device comprises a base, said base comprises a base for retro-fitting a traditional incandescent light bulb, a continuous optical element in which a string of a plurality of light emitting diodes is arranged, and an envelope encapsulating said continuous optical element such that the lighting device resembles a traditional incandescent light bulb.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A light guide comprising: a string of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the LEDs being mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (PCB); and wherein the light guide is shaped as a continuous optical element that encapsulates the string of a plurality of LEDs and the flexible PCB.

22. The light guide of claim 21, wherein a portion of the light guide is spirally wound.

23. The light guide of claim 21, wherein a wavelength of the light emitted by the string of a plurality of LEDs is adjustable.

24. The light guide of claim 21, wherein the plurality of LEDs are amber colored LEDs.

25. The light guide of claim 22, wherein the portion of the light guide is spirally wound in a first direction and includes a substantially planar portion in a second direction.

26. A lighting device comprising: a light guide, wherein the light guide includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (PCB); and an envelope, wherein the envelope encapsulates the light guide.

27. The lighting device of claim 26 further comprising a base, wherein the base comprises at least one of a bayonet base and a screw base.

28. The lighting device of claim 26 further comprising electronic driver circuitry configured to control a light intensity of the plurality of LEDs.

29. The lighting device of claim 28 further comprising a light dimmer to control operation of the LEDs in a dimmed mode.

30. The lighting device of claim 26, wherein the lightguide is spirally wound.

31. The lighting device of claim 26, wherein a wavelength of the light emitted by the string of a plurality of LEDs is adjustable.

32. The lighting device of claim 26, wherein the plurality of LEDs are amber colored LEDs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a light guide according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a light guide according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0033] FIG. 4 is a general outline of a method of manufacturing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a lighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a lighting device 1 comprising a first light emitting element 101 and a second light emitting element 102. The first light emitting element 101 is optically coupled to a light guide 110 having an out-coupling surface 111. The optical coupling can be provided e.g. via an optical element (not shown) arranged between the first light emitting element 101 and the light guide 110 or by linking the first light emitting element 101 directly to the light guide 110, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] Optionally, the lighting device may be provided with additional first light emitting elements being optically coupled to the light guide 110. For example, one first light emitting element may be coupled to a first end of the light guide 110 and another first light emitting element may be coupled to another end of the light guide 110 (opposite to the first end).

[0037] Further, the lighting device may be provided with additional second light emitting elements 102 for providing functional lighting.

[0038] The first light emitting element 101 and/or the second light emitting element 102 may for instance be light emitting diodes, LEDs, such as e.g. laser LEDs. For example, an amber colored LED, providing a warm light, may be used as the first light emitting element 101, thereby resulting in a light guide resembling a warm glowing filament (when the first light emitting element is activated/on). An alternative is to provide e.g. phosphor (or any other wavelength converting material) on top of the light guide (i.e. at the out-coupling surface of the lightguide) and select a phosphor providing a warm colored light. According to another example, the first light emitting element 101 may comprise a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED, thereby together providing a white light, which may be modulated into different colors by controlling the red, green and blue LED.

[0039] Further, an LED of a colder color (which may be more efficient), such as white, may be used as the second light emitting element 102, thereby providing light being suitable for functional lighting. According to another example, the second light emitting element 102 may comprise a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED, thereby together providing a white light, which may be modulated into different colors by controlling the red, green and blue LED. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such color configuration, the light emitting elements 101, 102 in the lighting device may be of any desired color.

[0040] The light guide 110 may comprise an optical fiber (like an optical wave guide) made of a suitable material such as plastics or glass-fiber. The use glass-fiber material is advantageous because of its optical quality and material characteristics (e.g. sensitivity to heat). The optical fiber may be of a shorter or longer length allowing a simple or more complex design. For example, the optical fiber may be spirally wound in order to resemble a traditional retro-filament.

[0041] The out-coupling of light from the out-coupling surface 111 of the light guide 110 may be achieved (and/or enhanced) in different ways. Some of the light may be out-coupled due to curvatures of the light guide 110. Moreover, the light guide 110 may be provided with diffusing means for out-coupling the light. In general, any optical distortion added to the light guide will provide out-coupling of light. The diffusing means may be provided e.g. by making the out-coupling surface 111 rough (e.g. by sand-blasting, scratching, or molding in a texture in the surface), or by providing indents or small protrusions in the out-coupling surface 111. Further, particles (e.g. white paint) and/or vacuum/gas bubbles (e.g. created by local laser heating) may be provided on or inside the light guide such that light is scattered out of the light guide.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide 110 may comprise at least one connecting port 112 to which the first light emitting element 101 may be optically coupled. The present embodiment is advantageous in that it allows a great part of the light emitted from the first light emitting element 101 to be received and out-coupled by the light guide 110, thereby serving a decorative purpose, and still a great part of the light emitted from the second light emitting element 102 provides an illumination without unnecessary considerable energy-losses in any light guide.

[0043] However, some (i.e. a relatively small part) of the light emitted from the second light emitting element(s) 102 may be coupled into the light guide 110 via the out-coupling surface 111, and thus, coupled out again via the out-coupling surface 111, thereby contributing to the illumination out of the light guide 110.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternative design of a light guide according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a light guide in the form of a light guide plate 210 being optically coupled to a first light emitting element 201. Some of the light emitted from the first light emitting element 201 is coupled out via an edge 211 which may be curved (and optionally rough), thereby resulting in the appearance of a filament such as in a traditional light bulbs. Further, light may be coupled out via diffusing means provided inside the light guide plate 210 or on the surface of the light guide plate 210.

[0045] It will be appreciated that the light guide may be designed in any desired three-dimensional shape, such as a spherical or prismatic shape. Further, the diffusing means may be provided at any desired position in or on the light guide. For example, the diffusing means may form a pattern (such as a filament-resembling pattern).

[0046] With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown another design of a light guide according to yet another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a light guide 320 in the form of a continuous optical element 323 in which a string of a plurality of LEDs 321 is arranged. The LEDs 321 may be mounted on a small flexible PCB (printed circuit board) 322 with the continuous optical element 323 on top of it (or encapsulating it).

[0047] Turning again back to FIG. 1, further embodiments of the invention will be described. The lighting device 1 may further comprise an envelope 130 encapsulating the first light emitting element 101, the second light emitting element 102 and the light guide 110. Preferably, the envelope 130 is transparent (or at least semi-transparent) such that the light guide 110 is visible for providing a decorative effect. Further, the envelope 130 may be formed as a bulb resembling a traditional incandescent light bulb. The lighting device 1 may further comprise a base 140 at which the first light emitting element 101 and the second light emitting element 102 are arranged. The base 140 may comprise a bayonet base or a screw base 141 (e.g. of the type E14, E26 or E27), which is advantageous in that the lighting device can be fitted in conventional lamp fittings and used as a replacement for a traditional incandescent light bulb (retro-fitting). The base 140 may further comprise a heat-sink 142 for cooling the light emitting diodes 101, 102. Optionally, the light emitting elements 101, 102 may be arranged such that an upper portion of the heat-sink 142 (or an upper portion of the base 140) hides the light emitting elements 101, 102 (as shown in FIG. 1) for reducing the risk of direct view of them. Further, the inside of the upper portion of the heat-sink 142 may be reflective such that all (or at least almost all) light emitted from the light emitting elements 101, 102 can be output from the lighting device.

[0048] The lighting device may further comprise a diffusing/scattering element (not shown) in form of a plate on top of the second light emitting elements 102. For example, such plate may be arranged on top of the base 140. The plate may be provided with a hole where light emitted from the first light emitting element 101 may go through to be coupled into the light guide 110.

[0049] The lighting device 1 may further comprise electronic driving means 150 provided with a power supply for converting the mains voltage supply into an output signal suitable for driving the light emitting elements 101, 102. The electric driving means 150 may further comprise an electronic circuitry configured to control the light intensity of the first light emitting element 101 and/or the second light emitting element 102 such that the light intensity of the second light emitting element 102 is adjustable relative to the light intensity of the first light emitting element 101. Further, the electronic circuitry may be configured to slightly modulate the brightness (or color) of the first light emitting element 101, or to sequentially switch on and off the first light emitting element 101, for providing a flame and flickering effect of the light guide 110. The electronic circuitry may further contain a transfer function for correlating an input signal (such as input current or input voltage) with a light output and/or an emission color of the first and second light emitting elements. The electric driving means 150 may be controlled by a remote control unit, by buttons on the base 140 or by any other type of user interface.

[0050] In an embodiment of the invention, the first light emitting element 101 and/or the second light emitting element 102 may be dimmable. In an embodiment of the invention, the lighting device supports traditional incandescent light dimmers such that the light emitting elements can operate in a dimmed mode.

[0051] With reference to FIG. 4, a method of manufacturing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 shows the general outline of a method 400 of manufacturing a lighting device. The method comprises a step 410 of providing a first light emitting element, a step 420 of providing a light guide having an out-coupling surface, and a step 430 of optically coupling the first light emitting element to the light guide. Further, the method 400 comprises a step 440 of providing a second light emitting element dedicated for direct illumination from the lighting device.

[0052] While specific embodiments have been described, the skilled person will understand that various modifications and alterations are conceivable within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

[0053] For example, additional light guides with associated first light emitting elements may be provided in the lighting device. Further, the lighting device can be applied in standalone retro-fit incandescent bulb replacements as well as in dedicated new luminaries. Moreover, the lighting device is not limited to be designed as a conventional light bulb. It can also be designed e.g. as a tubular-shaped lamp with connectors at both ends of the tube.