BEAM SHAPING FOR SPIRAL LED FILAMENT SYSTEMS

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a light-emitting diode, LED, filament system (770) comprising a LED filament (100) and a controller (771). The LED filament comprises a carrier (120) arranged in the shape of a spiral formed by successive loops (250). The LED filament further comprises a plurality of LEDs (110) arranged in a linear array on one side of the carrier. The LEDs are arranged along the carrier in sections (140a-f), each section having a position along the spiral-shaped carrier. The controller is configured to control a power supply to a section, or to a group of sections, of the LED filament. The controller is adapted to control a section based on its position, or a group of sections based on the positions of the sections of said group.

Claims

1. A light-emitting diode, LED, filament system comprising: a LED filament comprising: a carrier arranged in the shape of a spiral formed by successive loops; a plurality of LEDs arranged in a linear array on one side of said carrier; wherein said LEDs are arranged along the carrier in sections and each section has a position along the spiral-shaped carrier; and a controller configured to control a power supply to a section, or to a group of sections, of the LED filament; wherein said controller is adapted to control: a section based on its position, or a group of sections based on the positions of the sections of said group, wherein said position of a section is defined by a height and an angle, said height being related to a distance from an end portion of the LED filament to the section along a central axis (A) of the spiral shape, and said angle being related to the position of the section along a loop relative to a starting point of the loop, and wherein each loop of the LED filamant comprises N sections, and wherein N borders between said N sections of a loop are aligned with N borders between N sections of a successive loop, along the height of the spiral-shaped carrier.

2. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein LEDs of a section are controllable by said controller to emit light with a variable intensity.

3. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein LEDs of a section are controllable by said controller to emit light with variable color.

4. (canceled)

5. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein a loop of the spiral comprises N sections, said number N being in the range 2-8.

6. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein said sections comprise at least a first set of sections and a second set of sections, wherein sections of said first set and sections of said second set are arranged along the carrier in a repetitive manner.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein a radius of the loops of the spiral varies along a height of the spiral.

10. The LED filament system of claim 9, wherein a length of a section in a loop having a smaller radius is shorter than a length of a section in a loop having a larger radius.

11. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein each section comprises at least two LEDs.

12. The LED filament of claim 1, wherein the LEDs of a section are electrically connected in series.

13. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to control a power supply to a first section, or to a first group of sections, differently than a power supply to a second section, or to a second group of sections.

14. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to control the powering of the sections, or the groups of sections, of the LED filament such that the luminous flux of the LED filament is substantially constant over time.

15. The LED filament system of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to control the powering of the sections, or the groups of sections, of the LED filament based on a desired direction of light-emission, such that sections which emit light in a desired direction are turned on, and other sections are turned off.

16. A lighting device comprising: a LED filament system as defined by claim 1; an at least partially light-transmissive envelope, at least partially enveloping at least the LED filament of the LED filament system; a base on which said envelope is mounted, said base being adapted for connection with a luminaire socket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0062] Exemplifying embodiments will now be described in more detail, with reference to the following appended drawings:

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a plan view and a side view of a LED filament, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a LED filament arranged in a spiral-shape formed by successive loops, and a plan view of a loop, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a LED filament arranged in a spiral-shape having alternating first and second sections, and a plan view of a loop of the LED filament, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a LED filament arranged in a spiral-shape in which the radius of the loops varies along the height of the spiral, and a side view of the LED filament in an extended state, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0067] FIG. 5 shows a section of the LED filament in which the LEDs are electrically connected in series, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a section of the LED filament in which the LEDs of each type are electrically connected in series, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0069] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a LED filament system, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0070] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a lighting device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0071] As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of the elements and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of the embodiments. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Exemplifying embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which currently preferred embodiments are shown. The 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.

[0073] With reference to FIG. 1, a LED filament 100 in accordance with some embodiments will be described.

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a LED filament 100, and a side view of the same LED filament 100. In FIG. 1, the LED filament 100 is extended in a straight configuration, for illustrative purposes.

[0075] The LED filament 100 comprises a carrier 120. The carrier 120 may be flexible such that it may be wound into a spiral shape. However, a rigid carrier which may be shaped as a spiral may also be used. A plurality of LEDs 110 is arranged in a linear array on a side of the carrier 120. Specifically, the LEDs 110 are arranged in a single row along the carrier 120. The LEDs 110 are arranged in sections 140a-f. The sections 140a-f are individually controllable, in that powering to the LEDs 110 within each section 140a-f may be controlled by a controller. In other words, one of the sections 140a-f may be separately controlled from the other sections such that, for example, a power supplied to the LEDs of a first section 140a may be different from a power supplied to the LEDs of a second section 140b.

[0076] Further, as represented in the side view, the LED filament 100 comprises an encapsulant 130. The encapsulant 130 covers the plurality of LEDs 120, and the side of the carrier 120 on which the LEDs 110 are arranged. The encapsulant 130 may comprise wavelength converting material and/or light-scattering material. In embodiments in which the encapsulant 130 comprises wavelength converting material, the wavelength converting material may itself have a light-scattering effect.

[0077] The color of the light emitted by the LED filament 100 may be affected by the type of LEDs 110 and the type of encapsulant 120 used for the LED filament.

[0078] For example, the LED filament 100 may be arranged to emit white light with a single color temperature, for which the intensity of the different sections 140a-f may be controlled. In such embodiments, the LEDs 110 may be LEDs adapted to emit blue and/or UV light, such LEDs may provide a high efficiency. The encapsulant 120 may comprise a wavelength converting material such as yellow and red phosphors. Light converted by the phosphors may together with non-converted light from the LEDs form white light. Alternatively, the LEDs 110 may comprise a combination of blue and red LEDs. In such embodiments, the wavelength converting material may partially convert the blue light to form white light.

[0079] Alternatively, the LED filament 100 may be arranged to emit white light with a variable color temperature and/or a variable intensity. In such embodiments, the LEDs 110 may comprise LEDs of at least two different types. LEDs of the first type may be arranged to emit white light of a first color temperature, and LEDs of the second type may be arranged to emit white light with a second color temperature, different from the first color temperature.

[0080] Furthermore, to provide intensity and/or color control, the LEDs 110 may comprise a combination of red, green, and blue LEDs. In such embodiments, the encapsulant may comprise light-scattering material.

[0081] It will be appreciated that a LED filament, in general, provides LED filament light and comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a linear array. Preferably, the LED filament has a length LF and a width W, wherein LF>5W. The LED filament may be arranged in a non-straight configuration such as for example a curved configuration, a 2D/3D spiral or a helix. Preferably, the LEDs are arranged on an elongated carrier like for instance a substrate, that 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).

[0082] In case the carrier comprises a first major surface and an opposite second major surface, the LEDs are arranged on at least one of these surfaces. The carrier may be reflective or light transmissive, such as translucent or transparent. Specifically, the carrier may be semi-reflective.

[0083] The LED filament may comprise an encapsulant at least partly covering at least part of the plurality of LEDs. The encapsulant may also at least partly cover at least one of the first major or second major surface. The encapsulant may be a polymer material which may be flexible such as for example a silicone. Further, the LEDs may be arranged for emitting LED light e.g. of different colors or spectrums. The encapsulant 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.

[0084] The LED filament may comprise multiple sub-filaments. With reference to FIG. 2, a LED filament 200 arranged in the shape of a spiral, in accordance with some embodiments, will be described.

[0085] FIG. 2 shows an illustration of a LED filament 200 arranged in a spiral shape. The LED filament 200 may be equivalent to the LED filament 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 except that it is arranged in a different shape. The LED filament 200 may include a rigid carrier or a flexible carrier as long as it can be shaped as a spiral. The spiral extends along a central axis A. For illustrative purposes, the LED filament 200 is depicted having the shape of a uniform cylinder. This appearance may be achieved by embedding the LEDs and the carrier in the encapsulant, such that the encapsulant covers all sides of the carrier.

[0086] The LED filament 200 may be arranged such that the surface of the carrier on which the LEDs are arranged is facing away from the central axis A. Further, the LEDs may be arranged such that a light-emitting surface of each LED is facing away from the central axis A. Thus, a large portion of the light emitted by the LED filament 200 may be directed away from the LED filament 200.

[0087] In embodiments in which the carrier is (partially) light-transmissive, the LED filament 200 may be arranged such that 60-90% of the LED filament light is emitted in a direction away from the central axis A. For example, the LED filament 200 may be arranged such that the surface of the carrier on which the LEDs are arranged, and/or a light-emitting surface of each LED, is facing away from the central axis A. Alternatively, or additionally, a semi-reflective carrier may be used.

[0088] The LED filament 200 winds in successive loops 250 around the central axis A, with a substantially constant radius r. A loop 250 is also shown, viewed from above. A loop 250 is formed by a portion of the LED filament 200 which winds 360 degrees around the central axis A.

[0089] The spiral-shaped LED filament has a height H, which corresponds to a distance along the central axis from a first end portion or first extremity 201 of the LED filament 200 to a second end portion or second extremity 202 (opposite to the first extremity 201) of the LED filament 200.

[0090] Also depicted is one of the sections 240. The position of the section 240 can be defined or described by a height h of the section 240 and an angle θ of the section 240. The height h of the section is the distance along the central axis from the first end portion 201 to the section 240. The angle θ of the section 240 is the angle formed between a ray drawn from the beginning 251 of the loop 250 to the central axis A and a ray drawn from the beginning of the section 240 to the central axis A.

[0091] With reference to FIG. 3, a LED filament comprising a first set of sections and a second of set of sections, in accordance with some embodiments, will be described. FIG. 3 shows a sideview of a LED filament 300 and a plan view of one of the loops 350 of the LED filament 300. The LED filament 300 may be equivalent to the LED filament 200, described with reference to FIG. 2, except that it comprises a first set of sections 340a-b, and a second set of sections 341a-b. The sections 340a-b of the first set and the sections 341a-b of the second set are alternatingly arranged along the LED filament 300. Specifically, each loop 350 comprises two sections 340a-b of the first set and two sections 341a-b of the second set. Furthermore, the sections of the different loops are aligned in a direction along the central axis of the spiral-shaped LED filament 300. For instance, one of the sections 340a of the first set of the loop 350 is aligned with a section of the first set of each of the other loops. In the figure, the section 340a of the first set of the loop 350 is aligned with a section of the first set of each of the other loops.

[0092] The LED filament 300 may be controlled to perform beam sweeping. Such a lighting effect may be achieved by successively illuminating sections arranged in sequential angular ranges. For example, first, a first section 340a in each loop may be illuminated. The other sections 341a, 340b, and 341b may either be turned off, or they may be illuminated with a lower intensity than the first section 340a. In this first instance, most of the light emitted by the LED filament 300 will be directed in the direction of the first section 340a, e.g. in a range from 0 to 90 degrees.

[0093] Secondly, a second, adjacent, section 341a in each loop may be illuminated. The other sections 340a, 340b, and 341b may once again be either turned off, or illuminated with a lower intensity than the second section 341a. Most of the light emitted by the LED filament 300 will now be directed in the direction of the second section 341a, e.g. in a range from 90 to 180 degrees.

[0094] Next, a third section 340b in each loop, adjacent to the second section 341a, may be illuminated, while the other sections are turned off or dimmed. Most of the light emitted by the LED filament 300 will then be directed in the direction of the third section 340b, e.g. in a range from 180 to 270 degrees.

[0095] Finally, a fourth section 341b in each loop, adjacent to the third section 340b, may be illuminated, while the other sections are turned off or dimmed (i.e. illuminated with a lower intensity). Most of the light emitted by the LED filament 300 will then be directed in the direction of the fourth section 341b, e.g. in a range from 270 to 360 degrees.

[0096] If this process is performed repeatedly, the beam of light emitted by the LED filament may be perceived as sweeping around the LED filament 300. During this process, the controller may be adapted to control the illumination of the sections such that the luminous flux of the LED filament 300 remains substantially constant over time, as the beam sweeps around the LED filament.

[0097] The sections 340a-b of the first set may further be configured to emit light with a different color temperature than the sections 341a-b of the second set. In such embodiments, the color temperature of the light emitted by the LED filament may be adjusted by adapting the intensity of the light emitted by the sections 340a-b of the first set and the sections 341a-b of the second set.

[0098] With reference to FIG. 4, a LED filament 400 in which the radius of the loops varies along the height of the LED filament, in accordance with some embodiments, will be described. FIG. 4 shows a side view of a LED filament 400 having a spiral-shape, and a side view of the same LED filament 400 in an extended configuration. The LED filament 400 may be equivalent to the LED filament 200 described with reference to FIG. 2, except that the radius r of the loops varies along the height H of the LED filament 400.

[0099] The LED filament 400 winds around a central axis A. The radius r of the loops increases along the height h from a first end portion 401 towards a center portion 403 of the

[0100] LED filament 400. The radius r of the loops decreases again along the height H from the center portion 403 towards the second end portion 402 of the LED filament 400.

[0101] In the extended version of the LED filament 400, the different sections 441, 442, 443 of the LED filament 400 are illustrated. Near the end portions 401, 402, the sections 441 have a shorter length. The length of the sections increases towards the center portion 403 of the LED filament. Specifically, each loop of the LED filament 400 comprises two sections of equal length.

[0102] With reference to FIG. 5, a section 541 of the LED filament 500 in which the LEDs 112 are electrically connected in series, in accordance with some embodiments, will be described.

[0103] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a part of a LED filament 500. The LED filament 500 may be equivalent to any of the LED filaments 100-400 described with reference to the preceding figures. FIG. 5 shows a section 541 of the LED filament 500 comprising four LEDs 112. A LED 111 from a section to the left of the section 541 and a LED 113 of a section to the right of the section 541 are also shown. The LEDs 112 are electrically connected in series via the first electrical connector 562. Thus, the intensity of the LEDs 112 of the section 541 may be controlled simultaneously by controlling the powering of the LEDs 112 via the first electrical connector 561. Furthermore, the LEDs 111, 113 from the adjacent sections are connected in series via the second electrical connector 562.

[0104] With reference to FIG. 6, a section 640 of a LED filament comprising red LEDs 610a, green LEDs 610b, and blue LEDs 610c, in accordance with some embodiments, will be described. FIG. 6 shows a section 640 of a LED filament. The LED filament may be equivalent to any of the LED filaments 100-400 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4, except that it comprises red, green and blue LEDs.

[0105] In the section 640, two red LEDs 610a, two green LEDs 610b, and two blue LEDs 610c are arranged in a single row on the substrate 120. The two red LEDs 610a are electrically connected in series via the first electrical connector 660a. The two green LEDs 610b are electrically connected in series via the second electrical connector 660b. The two blue LEDs 610c are electrically connected in series via the third electrical connectors 660c. Connecting the LEDs of the same type (color) in series may allow for the intensity of the LEDs to be controlled at the same time. Thus, the powering of the red LEDs 610a, the green LEDs 610b, and the blue LEDs 610c may be controlled separately. By controlling the powering of the LEDs, the intensity of the light emitted by the LEDs may be controlled. Controlling a ratio of intensity between the different types (colors) of LEDs, the color of the combined light emitted by the section 641 may be controlled.

[0106] With reference to FIG. 7, a LED filament system, in accordance with some embodiments, will be described.

[0107] FIG. 7 shows a LED filament system 770 comprising a LED filament 700 and a controller 771. The LED filament 700 may be equivalent to any of the LED filaments described above with reference to the preceding figures. The controller 771 is connected to the LED filament 700 by means of an electrical connection 772.

[0108] Each loop of the spiral-shaped LED filament 700 comprises a first section 740 and a second section 741. The first sections 740 of the different loops are aligned along the height of the LED filament 700, and the second sections 741 of the different loops are aligned along the height of LED filament. The controller 771 is configured to control the powering of the sections 740, 741. In the illustration, the controller 771 is controlling the first sections 740 to be illuminated, and the second sections 741 to be turned off (not illuminated). As a result, light emitted by the LED filament is distributed mostly to one side of the LED filament (e.g. in a range from 0 to 180 degrees). The controller 771 may first control all the first sections 741 (which are aligned) to be illuminated. Next, the controller 771 may control all the second sections 742 to be illuminated. While the second sections 742 are illuminated, the first sections 741 may be switched off. This control pattern may be repeated.

[0109] The first sections 741 may form a first set of sections, and the second sections 742 may form a second set of sections.

[0110] With reference to FIG. 8, a lighting device 880 in accordance with some embodiments will be described.

[0111] FIG. 8 is a side view of a lighting device 880 in accordance with some embodiments. The lighting device 880 comprises a LED filament system 870, which may be equivalent to the LED filament system 770 described with reference to FIG. 7. The lighting device further comprises an at least partially light-transmissive envelope 870. The LED filament 800 of the LED filament system 870 is arranged within the envelope 881. In other words, the envelope 881 envelops the LED filament 800.

[0112] Further, the lighting device comprises a base 882, on which the envelope 881 is mounted. In the present embodiment, the controller 871 of the LED filament system 870 is arranged on the base 882 and within the envelope 881. In other embodiments, the controller 871 may be arranged within the base 882. Electrical connectors 872 connect the LED filament 800 with the controller 871.

[0113] The base 882 is adapted to be connected to a luminaire socket. Specifically, the base 882 is adapted to be connected to a socket of Edison type.

[0114] A holding structure 883 is also mounted on the base 882 for holding the LED filament 800 in place within the lighting device 880. The spiral-shaped LED filament 800 is arranged with its central axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lighting device 880.

[0115] 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.

[0116] Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements or in various combinations with or without other features and elements.

[0117] 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, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality.

[0118] The mere fact that certain features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used to advantage.