Light emitting module comprising led arrays for symmetrical and asymmetrical lighting

Abstract

A light-emitting module (100) is disclosed, the light-emitting module comprising a first light-emitting diode, LED, array (104) arranged on a substrate (102). The first LED array has a first perimeter (106) and comprises a plurality of first LEDs (108) configured to emit first light. The light-emitting module further comprises a second LED array (110) arranged on the substrate. The second LED array has a second perimeter (112), smaller than the first perimeter and comprises a plurality of second LEDs (114) configured to emit second light. The second LED array is arranged off-center within the first LED array. Further, the light-emitting module comprises a controller (116) configured to individually control the first LED array and the second LED array.

Claims

1. A light-emitting module comprising: a first light-emitting diode, LED, array being arranged on a substrate and having a first perimeter, said first LED array comprising a plurality of first LEDs configured to emit first light; a second LED array being arranged on the substrate and having a second perimeter smaller than said first perimeter, said second LED array comprising a plurality of second LEDs configured to emit second light; and a controller configured to individually control the first LED array and the second LED array, wherein the second LED array is arranged off-center within said first LED array and, wherein said first perimeter encloses a first surface area and said second perimeter encloses a second surface area, and wherein at least 70% of the second surface area is arranged in one half of the first surface area wherein an optical structure is arranged along the second perimeter to redirect said first light and said second light toward the substrate and/or toward a housing in which the substrate is arranged.

2. The light-emitting module of claim 1, further comprising a semi-reflective light exit window configured to couple out light emitted by the first LED array and the second LED array, wherein said optical structure has a height (H) which is in the range of 0.3-0.7 times a gap (G) between said substrate and said semi-reflective window.

3. The light-emitting module of claim 1, wherein said first perimeter is circular and has a first radius R1 and said second perimeter is circular and has a second radius R2, and wherein said first and second radii fulfil the relation 0.3R1?R2?0.8R1.

4. The light-emitting module of claim 1, wherein first LEDs of the first LED array are arranged surrounding the second LED array.

5. The light-emitting module of claim 1, wherein said second LED array further comprises first LEDs, wherein said first light has a first LED color temperature T1 and said second light has a second LED color temperature T2, and wherein a difference between the first LED color temperature T1 and the second LED color temperature T2 is larger than 500 K.

6. The light-emitting module of claim 5, wherein the first LED color temperature T1 is lower than, or equal to, 3500 K and the second LED color temperature T2 is higher than, or equal to, 4000 K.

7. The light-emitting module of claim 1, wherein said second LED array is free of first LEDs, wherein said first light has a first LED color temperature T1 and said second light has a second LED color temperature T2, and wherein a difference between the first LED color temperature T1 and the second LED color temperature T2 is smaller than 300 K.

8. The light-emitting module of claim 1, wherein said second LED array further comprises third LEDs configured to emit third light having a third LED color temperature T3, and wherein a first LED color temperature T1 of the first light is at least 500 K higher than the third LED color temperature T3.

9. The light-emitting module of claim 1, further comprising a semi-reflective light exit window configured to couple out light emitted by the LEDs of the first and second LED array, wherein a gap height (G) between the substrate and the semi-reflective light exit window is 1-4 times an average pitch (P) between the LEDs.

10. The light-emitting module of claim 1, wherein light emitted by said first LED array has a first array color temperature CT1; light emitted by said second LED array has a second array color temperature CT2; and said controller is configured to select between at least two control modes, wherein: in a first control mode, both the first LED array and the second LED array are turned on, and the second array color temperature CT2 is equal to the first array color temperature CT1; and in a second control mode, the second LED array is turned on, the first LED array being turned off, or the first LED array being turned on and controlled to emit light with a lower intensity than in the first control mode, the first array color temperature CT1 being the same as in the first control mode.

11. The light-emitting module of claim 10, wherein, in said second control mode, the second array color temperature CT2 is the same as the first array color temperature CT1.

12. The light-emitting module of any of claim 10, wherein, in said second control mode, the second array color temperature CT2 is different from the first array color temperature CT1.

13. A luminaire comprising a light-emitting module as defined in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplifying embodiments will now be described in more detail, with reference to the following appended drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is an illustration of a light-emitting module, in accordance with some embodiments;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an example of a second perimeter positioned inside a first perimeter, in accordance with some embodiments;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a light-emitting module, in accordance with some embodiments;

(5) FIG. 4 is an illustration of a light-emitting module in which the second LED array comprises first LEDs, in accordance with some embodiments;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a light-emitting module comprising third LEDs in accordance with some embodiments.

(7) 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

(8) 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.

(9) With reference to FIG. 1, a light-emitting module 100, in accordance with some embodiments, will be described.

(10) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a light-emitting module 100. The light emitting module comprises a substrate 102, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). On the substrate 102, a first light-emitting diode (LED) array 104 and a second LED array 110 are arranged. The first LED array 104 comprises a plurality of first LEDs 108 arranged within a first perimeter 106. The second LED array 110 comprises a plurality of second LEDs 114, arranged within a second perimeter 112. The second LED array 110 is arranged off-center within the first LED array 104. The relation between the first and second perimeters 106, 112 will be further described below with reference to FIG. 2.

(11) In FIG. 1, all LEDs (first LEDs 108) which are arranged inside the first perimeter 106 and outside the second perimeter 112 are part of the first LED array 104. All LEDs (second LEDs 114) which are arranged inside the second perimeter 112 are part of the second LED array 110. The LEDs 108 of the first array 104 may be interconnected. The LEDs 114 of the second array 110 may be interconnected.

(12) The LED module 100 further comprises a controller 116, which is connected to the first and second LED arrays 104, 110 via a connector 118. The controller 116 is configured to individually control the first LED array 104 and the second LED array 110.

(13) In an embodiment, the controller 116 may be configured to individually turn the first LED array 104 and the second LED array 110 on and off without varying parameters such as the intensity and the color temperature. In other embodiments, the controller may be configured to individually control an intensity and/or a color of light emitted by the LEDs of the first LED array 104 and/or the second LED array 114.

(14) For example, the first LEDs 108 are adapted to emit first light, which may have a first LED color temperature T1, and the second LEDs 114 are adapted to emit second light, which may have a second LED color temperature T2. The LED color temperatures may be related such that |T1-T2|500 K, and specifically, the first LED color temperature may be higher, such that T2-T1?500 K. For example, the LED color temperatures may be T1?3500 and T2?4000. In the present embodiment, the first LED array 104 comprises only first LEDs 108, meaning that the first LED array emits first light, and that the first array color temperature is equal to the first LED color temperature CT1=T1. Similarly, the second LED array 110 comprises only second LEDs 114, meaning that the second LED array emits second light, and that the second array color temperature is equal to the second LED color temperature CT2=T2.

(15) With reference to FIG. 2, the relation between, and relative positions of, the first perimeter 106 and the second perimeter 112, in FIG. 1 will be further described.

(16) The first perimeter 106 is circular, having a first radius R1. The second perimeter 112 is also circular, having a second radius R2, which is smaller than the first radius. Specifically, the first and second radii are related such that 0.3R1?R2?0.8R1.

(17) The second LED array 110 is arranged within the first LED array 104, such that the second perimeter 112 is arranged within the first perimeter 106. Further, the second LED array 110 is arranged off-center within the first LED array 104 such that a center point C2 of the second perimeter 112 is arranged in a different position than the center point C1 of the first perimeter 106. Expressed differently, the center C1 of the first perimeter 106 does not coincide with the center C2 of the second perimeter 112 and an optical axis of the first perimeter passing through C1 does not either coincide with an optical axis of the second perimeter passing through C2.

(18) The first perimeter 106 encloses a first surface area 120 and the second perimeter encloses a second surface area 122. The second LED array 112 is arranged off-center within the first LED array 104 such that at least 70% of the second surface area 122 is arranged in one half (e.g. the two left quadrants) of the first surface area 120.

(19) With reference to FIG. 3, light mixing within a LED module 300, in accordance with some embodiments, will be described.

(20) FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a LED module 300 such as the LED module 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

(21) The substrate 102, the first LEDs 108, the second LEDs 114, the first perimeter 106 and the second perimeter 112 may be equivalent to the corresponding features described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and will not be further described herein with reference to FIG. 3.

(22) The LED module 300 in FIG. 3 further comprises a housing 126, in which the substrate 102 (and the LEDs disposed on it) is arranged. A semi-reflective light-exit window 128 is arranged above the substrate 102 such that the substrate, the housing 126 and the light-exit window 128 form a mixing chamber 130. In the mixing chamber 130, light from the different LEDs 108, 114 may reflect on surfaces of the mixing chamber 130. Reflection within the mixing chamber 130 may cause a re-direction of light. Light may thus exit the LED module 300 in more directions or angles, which may give the light emitted by the light-emitting module 300 a softer or less sharp appearance.

(23) For example, the semi-reflectivity of the light-exit window may ensure that some light emitted by the LEDs 108, 114 is reflected back into the mixing chamber 130, to be further mixed before being coupled out through the semi-reflective light-exit window 128. At least the upper surface of the substrate and/or the inner surfaces of the housing (i.e. the surfaces facing the mixing chamber 130) may be highly reflective. The substrate may for example have a reflectivity of at least 80%. Providing reflective surfaces delimiting (at least some portions of) the mixing chamber may increase mixing of the light within the mixing chamber.

(24) In FIG. 3, an optical structure 124 is arranged along the second perimeter 112. This optical structure is arranged to redirect (reflect) light from the first LEDs 108 towards the first area outside the second perimeter 112, and to redirect second light from the second LEDs 114 towards the second area inside the second perimeter 112. Thus, the first light emitted by the first LEDs 108 is mixed, and the second light emitted by the second LEDs 114 is mixed, while mixing between the first light and second light is reduced.

(25) In order for avoiding or at least reducing the occurrence of a sharp line between the light emitted by the first LED array (in the first area, outside the second perimeter 112) and the light emitted by the second LED array (in the second area, inside the second perimeter 112), a height H of the optical structure 124 may be related to the gap G between the substrate and the window 128 such that 0.3?H?0:7G. This may allow some mixing between the LEDs of the first LED array, outside the second perimeter, and the LEDs of the second LED array, inside the second perimeter.

(26) Further, in order to improve mixing, the gap G may be related to the average pitch (distance) between the LEDs disposed on the substrate, such that P?G?4P.

(27) With reference to FIG. 4, a light-emitting module 400 in accordance with some embodiments will be described.

(28) The light-emitting module 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 may be equivalent to the light-emitting modules 100, 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3, except in the arrangement of the LEDs 108, 108a-c, 114.

(29) Firstly, the second LED array 410 is arranged closer to the first perimeter 106, such that the first LEDs 108 do not completely surround the second LED array. Rather, a gap is formed between two first LEDs 108a, 108b, along a portion of the second perimeter 112. The LEDs 108, 108a-b of the first LED array 104 are therefore arranged in a crescent, similar to a waning or waxing moon.

(30) Secondly, in FIG. 4, the second LED array 110 of the light-emitting module 400 further comprises a plurality of first LEDs 108c. The second LED array 410 may therefore emit first light (using the first LEDs 108c), second light (using the second LEDs 114) or a combination of first light and second light.

(31) As the first LED array 104, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises only first LEDs 108, the first array color temperature CT1 is the same as the first LED color temperature, i.e. CT1=T1.

(32) The second array color temperature CT2, on the other hand, may be equal to the first LED color temperature T1, if the second LEDs 114 are turned off. Alternatively, it may be equal to the second LED color temperature T2 if the first LEDs 108c (i.e. the first LEDs located within the second perimeter or the first LEDs located in the second LED array) are turned off. Further, the second array color temperature CT2 may be varied in a range between T1 and T2 depending on the ratio of light emitted from the second LED array by the first LEDs 108c and the second LEDs 114.

(33) The controller (not illustrated) may be configured to select a first mode and a second mode. In a first mode the first LED array 104 and the second LED array 410 emit light with the same array color temperature, i.e. (CT1=CT2=T1). In a second mode, the first LED array 104 may be turned off, or controlled to emit light with a lower intensity than in the first mode. The second LED array may, in the second mode, be controlled to emit light with the same color temperature, i.e. CT2=T1, as the first LED array or with a different color temperature (CT2?T1) than the first LED array, such as the second LED color temperature CT2=1.sub.2.

(34) With reference to FIG. 5, a light-emitting module 500 having third LEDs 132 will be described.

(35) The light-emitting module 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be equivalent to the light-emitting modules 100, 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3, except that the second LED array 510 further comprises third LEDs 132.

(36) The third LEDs 132 may be adapted to emit third light, which may have a third LED color temperature T3. The second LED array 510 may therefore emit second light, third light, or a combination of second light and third light.

(37) The third LED color temperature may be related to the first LED color temperature such that T1-T3?500 K.

(38) In some embodiments, a combination of second light and third light may provide a second array color temperature which is at least substantially equivalent to the first array color temperature.

(39) 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.

(40) For example, the first and/or second LED array may comprise more LEDs of other types.

(41) 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.

(42) 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. 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.