LED CIRCUITS AND ASSEMBLIES
`
`RELATED A.FPLICATIONS
`
`[0001]
`
`The application claims the priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/997,71,
`
`filed October 6, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`The present invention relates generally to light-emitting diode {"LED") circuits and
`
`assemblies; and more specifically to scalable alternating current ("AC") driven LED circuits and
`
`assemblies.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`]0003]
`
`While not intending to limit the scope of the claims or disclosure, in brief summary,
`
`the present disclosure and claims are directed to providing improved ease of designing and
`
`building lighting fixtures using AC-driven LEDs. Disclosed and claimed are LED circuits
`
`having scalable circuit configurarions and LED package assembly configurations which can be
`
`used in an AC-drive platform to more easily match the voltage requirements of the lighting
`
`fixtures} or systems in which the LED's are desired.. Circuits and LED package assemblies ate
`
`claimed and disclosed which reduce objectionable flicker produced from AC-driven LEDs and to
`
`produce more light per component. Packaged LED's are provided for lighting design according
`
`to the invention which address flicker at low frequencies (e.g. 50!60 Hz) while being scalable as
`
`desired for a particular lighting goal without resort to designing individual assemblies at the
`
`semiconductor die level. Circuits are also disclosed and claimed which provide for some of the
`
`LEDs in a circuit to be on during both positive and negative phases of an AC source, to among
`
`other things, address flicker. Also, circuits are claimed and disclosed where a basic circuit
`
`design provides a voltage and current performance whereby scalability or matching a particular
`
`1
`
`Acuity v. Lynk
`Acuity Ex.1014
`IPR PAGE 1
`
`

`
`voltage requirement is achieved by configuring LEDs in the basic design and/or by joining one
`
`or more of the basic circuits together in series or parallel to achieve the design requirement.
`
`[0004]
`
`According to an embodiment of the invention an AC-driven LED circuit is proposed
`
`having a first parallel circuit having LEDs. Each LED having an input and an output, and the
`
`circuit having at least first and second branches connecting at first and second common points,
`
`the common points providing input and output for an AC driving current for the circuit. The first
`
`branch having a first and a second LED, and the second branch having a third and a fourth LED.
`
`The first LED is connected to the second LED in opposing series relationship with the inputs of
`
`the first and second LEDs defining a first branch junction. The third LED is connected to the
`
`fourth LED in opposing series with the outputs of the third and fourth LEDs defining a second
`
`branch junction. The first and second branches are connected to one another such that the output
`
`of the first LED is connected to the input of the third LED at the first common point and the
`
`output of the second LED is connected to the input of the fourth LED at the second common
`
`point. A first cross-connecting circuit branch having at least a fifth LED, the first cross-
`
`connecting circuit being configured such that the input of the fifth LED is connected to second
`
`branch junction and the output is connected to the first branch junction.
`
`[OOQS]
`
`According to another embodiment of the invention, an AC-driven LED circuit may
`
`comprise one or more additional parallel circuits each being the same as the first parallel circuit
`
`identified above. Each additional circuit being conductively connected to the first parallel circuit
`
`and to one another at the their common points for providing an input and an output for an AC
`
`driving current of the circuit. According to other embodiments, the additional parallel circuits
`
`may be connected in series to the first parallel circuit and to one another or the additional parallel
`
`circuits may be connected in parallel to the first parallel circuit and to one another.
`
`2
`
`IPR PAGE 2
`
`

`
`[0006]
`
`According to another embodiment of the invention, n additional LEDs, in pairs, may
`
`be provided in the circuit wherein the pairs are configured among the first and second branch
`
`circuits of each of the respective parallel circuits, such that current flows through the respective
`
`fifth diode of each parallel circuit upon both a negative and positive phase of the AC driving
`
`source and so that the current draw through each of the respective parallel circuits during both
`
`AC phases is substantially the same.
`
`[0007]
`
`According to another embodiment the AC-driven LED circuit further comprises x
`
`cross-connecting circuit branches each having one or more LEDs and being configured such that
`
`current flows through each of the respective one or more LEDS upon both a negative and
`
`positive phase of the AC driving source and so that the current draw through each of the
`
`respective parallel circuits during both AC phascs is substantially the same.
`
`[OOQ8]
`
`According to another embodiment of the invention, an AC-driven LED-assembly
`
`comprises at least a first and a second LED each discretely packaged, the LEDs being connected
`
`in an AC circuit and each LED package being mounted to a substrate at a distance from the other
`
`of preferably approximately 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less. In an
`
`embodiment the packaged LEDs also each have a length of preferably approximately 2.5 mm or
`
`less, and. mare preferably 2.0 mm or less. In an embodiment the packaged LEDs also each have
`
`a width of preferably approximately 2.5 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less. In an
`
`embodiment the LED packages are arranged with respect to each other in a linear spatial
`
`relationship while in another embodiment the LED packages are arranged with respect to each
`
`other in an XY rectilinear spatial relationship.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`3
`
`IPR PAGE 3
`
`

`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment of the
`
`invention;
`
`FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment of the
`
`invention;
`
`FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment of the
`
`invention;
`
`FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment of the
`
`invention;
`
`FIG. 5 is a schemaric view of an AC-driven LED circuit according to an embodiment of the
`
`invention;
`
`FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of an AC-driven LED assembly according to an embodiment of
`
`the invention;
`
`FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of an AC-driven LED assembly according to an embodiment of
`
`the invention; and,
`
`FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an AC-driven LED assembly according to an embodiment of
`
`the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
`
`[0009
`
`While this invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are
`
`shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the
`
`invention with the understanding that the present disclosures are to be considered as
`
`exemplifications of the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the broad aspects
`
`of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. Like components in the various FIGS. will be
`
`given like reference numbers.
`
`4
`
`IPR PAGE 4
`
`

`
`[0010]
`
`FIG. 1discloses an AC-driven LED circuit 10 including a first parallel circuit 12
`
`having a first branch 14, and a second branch 16. Branches 14, 16 connect at first common point
`
`18 and second common point 20. T'he common points 18, 20 provide input and output for an AC
`
`driving current from a driver 24 for the circuit.
`
`[001 I ] The first branch 14 has a first LED 26 and a second LED 28, and the second branch
`
`16 having a third LED 30 and a fourth LED 32. The first LED 26 is connected to the second
`
`LED 28 in opposing series relationship with the inputs of the first and second LEDs 26, 28
`
`defining a first branch junction 34. The third LED 30 is connected to -the fourth LED 32 in
`
`opposing series with the outputs of the third and fourth LEDs 30, 32 defining a second branch
`
`junction 36.
`
`(0012] The first and second branches 34, 36 are connected to one another such that the
`
`output of the first LED 26 is connected to the input of the third LED 30 at the first common point
`
`18 and the output of the second LED 28 is connected to the input of the fourth LED 32 at the
`
`second common point 20. A first cross-connecting circuit branch 38 has a fifth LED 4d. The
`
`first cross-connecting circuit branch 38 being configured such that the input of the fifth LED 40
`
`is connected to second branch junction 36 and the output is connected to the first branch junction
`
`34.
`
`[0013]
`
`As wi11 be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the LED's 26 and 32 will provide
`
`light only upon one half of an AC wave, pulse or phase, while LEDs 28 and 30 will provide light
`
`only upon the opposite wave, pulse or phase. At lower frequencies, e.g. mains frequencies, if the
`
`LEDs are spaced pursuant to another aspect of the invention (disclosed below) at preferably
`
`approximately 3.0 mm or less preferably approximately 2.0 mm or less, then the amount of
`
`noticeable flicker may not be unacceptable. However, the cross connecting circuit 38 and diode
`
`5
`
`IPR PAGE 5
`
`

`
`40 will be on (produce light) in both phases of the AC dzive and hence mitigate flicker which
`
`may be evidenced in its surrounding GEDs 26, 28, 30 and 32.
`
`[0014]
`
`FIG. 2 discloses an AC-driven LED circuit 50 which is a modification of AC-driven
`
`LED circuit 10. Circuit 50 further mirigates flicker. Circuit SO provides an additional cross-
`
`connecting circuit branch 42 having LED 44. The ZEDS 40, 44 are configured such that current
`
`flows through each upon both a negative and positive phase of the AC driving source 24. It
`
`should be appreciated that according to the invention x number of such cross connecting circuit
`
`branches (such as 38, 42) may be added as desired, however, since the LEDs {such as LEDs 40,
`
`44) are in parallel with each other, their voltage demand will be divided while their current draw
`
`will not. Hence a suitable driver need be provided for this circumstance.
`
`[0015] To increase the light output of the circuit of the invention, it should be noted as
`
`disclosed in FIG. 3 that additional or n LEDS may be provided in the branches 14 and 16.
`
`Specifically FIG. 3 discloses an AC-driven circuit 60 which is a modification of circuit 50.
`
`Circuit 6Q provides for addirional LEDs 46 and 48. The pair of LEDs aze configured among the
`
`first and second branch circuits 14, 16 of the parallel circuit 15 such that current flows through
`
`the respective diodes 40, 44 upon both a negative and positive phase of the AC driving source 24
`
`and so that the current draw through parallel circuit 15 during both AC phases is substantially the
`
`same.
`
`[016] It should be noted that according to the invention, n pairs of LEDs can be configured
`
`among first and second branch circuits of a respective parallel circuit, such that current flows
`
`through the respective cross connecting circuit branch. LEDs of a parallel circuit upon both a
`
`negative and positive phase of the AC driving source and so that the current draw through each
`
`of the respective pazallel circuits during both AC phases is substantially the same. More LEDs
`
`D
`
`IPR PAGE 6
`
`

`
`in the branch circuits divide the crarrent from the higher ctznent LEDs in cross connecting
`
`circuits 38, 42.
`
`[0017]
`
`According to another aspect of the invention, to further mitigate the amount of flicker
`
`perceived, adding to the light provided and to scalability, addirional parallel circuits, each being
`
`the same as the first parallel circuit, maybe conductively connected to the first parallel circuit in
`
`series or parallel at the their common points 18, 20 fox providing an input and an output for an
`
`AC driving current for the circuit.
`
`[0018]
`
`For instance, FIG. 4discloses an AC-driven LED circuit 70 which includes additional
`
`parallel circuits 1 S connected in series at common points l 8, 20. Additionally, as seen in FIG. 5,
`
`an AC-driven LED circuit 80 includes additional parallel circuits 15 connected in parallel at
`
`common points 18, 20. This errabodiment shows the utility of providing a scalable circuit that
`
`can be manufactured modularly and used to connect to match higher voltage requirements e.g.
`
`circuit 15 may draw drawing 12 V AC while two such circuits 15 in series would meet 24V AC
`
`requireemnts.
`
`[0019]
`
`Preferably, the number and type of LEDs in the AC-driven LED circuit draws a
`
`combined current and connbined voltage which is substantially equal to the nominal voltage
`
`capacity of the AC drive source.
`
`[0020]
`
`As shown in FIG. 6, an AC-driven LED assembly 90 has a first and a second LED 82
`
`each discretely packaged, the LEDs being connected in an AC circuit and each LED package 82
`
`being mounted to a substrate 92 at a distance dl from the other of preferably approximately 3
`
`mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less. The AC-driven LED assembly 40 also has
`
`packaged LEDs 84 each having a width d2 and a length d3 of preferably approximately 2.5 mm
`
`or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less.
`
`7
`
`IPR PAGE 7
`
`

`
`[002 Y ] FIG. 6discloses an AC-driven LED assembly 90 wherein the LED packages 84 aze
`
`arranged with respect to each other in a lineaz spatial relationship, while FIG. 7 discloses an
`
`assembly 100 wherein the LED packages 84 are arranged with respect to each other in an XY
`
`rectilinear spatial relationship.
`
`[0022]
`
`As can be seen in FIG. 8, when LED packages 84 are placed at 3 mm or less, the light
`
`produced therefrom intersects, thereby reducing or eliminating the effects of flicker.
`
`[0023] As would be known to one skilled in the art, various embodiments of the LED
`
`packages, substrates, and assemblies may be produced, such as creating an AC-driven circuit
`
`where all circuits and LEDs are formed on a semiconductor, where the LED are discretely
`
`packaged apart from the circuits, and where each parallel circuit is formed on a printed circuit
`
`board.
`
`[0024]
`
`While in the preceding there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the
`
`invention, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in other specific
`
`forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present
`
`embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and
`
`the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. While specific embodiments have
`
`been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly
`
`departing from the characteristics of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by
`
`the scope of the accompanying Claims.
`
`E:3
`
`IPR PAGE 8
`
`

`
`CLAIMS
`
`I claim:
`
`1.
`
`An AC-driven LED circuit comprising:
`
`a first parallel circuit having LEDs, each LEL7 having an input and an output, and the
`
`circuit having at least first and second branches connecting at first and second common points,
`
`the common points providing input and output for an AC driving current for the circuit;
`
`the first branch having a first and a second LED, and the second branch having a third
`
`and a fourth LED;
`
`the first LED is connected to the second LED in opposing series relationship with the
`
`inputs of the first and second LEDs defining a first branch junction;
`
`the third LED is connected to the foeuth LED in opposing series with the outputs of the
`
`third and fourth LEDs defining a second branch junction,
`
`the fixst and second branches are connected to one another such that the output 4f the first
`
`LED is connected to the input of the third LED at the first common point and the output of the
`
`second LED is connected to the input of the fourth LED at the second common point; and,
`
`a first cross-connecting circuit branch having at least a fifth LED, the first cross-
`
`connecting circuit branch being configured such that the input of the fifth LED is connected to
`
`the second branch junction and the output is connected to the first branch junction.
`
`2.
`
`The AC-driven LED circuit according to claim 1 further comprising one or more
`
`additional parallel circuits each being the same as the first parallel circuit, each additional circuit
`
`being conducrively connected Co the first pazallel circuit and to one another at the their common
`
`points for providing ar► input and an output for an AC driving current for the circuit.
`
`IPR PAGE 9
`
`

`
`3.
`
`An AC-driven LED circuit according to claim 2 wherein the additional parallel circuits
`
`are connected in series to the first parallel circuit and to one another.
`
`4.
`
`An AC-driven LED circuit according to claim 2 wherein the additional parallel circuits
`
`are connected in parallel to the first gazallel circuit and to one another.
`
`5.
`
`The AC-driven LED circuit according to claim 1-4 further comprising n additional LEDs,
`
`in pairs, wherein the pairs are configured among the first and second branch circuits of each of
`
`the respective pazallel circuits, such that current flows through the respective fifth diode of each
`
`parallel circuit upon both a negative and positive phase of the AC driving source and so that the
`
`current draw through each of the respective parallel circuits during both AC phases is
`
`substantially the same.
`
`6.
`
`The AC-driven LED circuit according to claims 1-5 further comprising, for each parallel
`
`circuit, xcross-connecting circuit branches each having one or more LEDs and being config,~ured
`
`such that current flows through each of the respective one or more LEDS upon both a negative
`
`and positive phase of the AC driving source and so that the current draw through each of the
`
`respective parallel circuits during both AC phases is substantially the same.
`
`7.
`
`The AC-driven LED circuit according to claims 1-b wherein the number and type of
`
`LEDs of the AC-driven LED circuit draw a combined current which is substantially equal to the
`
`nominal current capacity of the AC-source.
`
`10
`
`IPR PAGE 10
`
`

`
`The AC-driven LED circuit according to claims 1-7 wherein the number and type of
`
`LEDs of the AC-driven LED circuit drops a combined voltage which is substantially equal to the
`
`nominal voltage capacity of the AC-source.
`
`9.
`
`The AGdriven LED circuit according to claims 1-3 and 5-7 wherein the first parallel
`
`circuit and each other parallel circuit has a voltage drop of twelve volts.
`
`10. An AC-driven LED assembly comprising:
`
`at least a first and a second LED each discretely packaged, the LEDs being connected in
`
`an AC circuit and each LED package being mounted to a substrate at a distance from the other of
`
`preferably approximately 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less.
`
`11.
`
`The AC-driven LED assembly according to claims 10-1 t wherein the packaged LEDs
`
`each have a length of preferably approximately 2.5 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or
`
`less.
`
`12.
`
`The AC-driven LED assembly according to claims 10-12 whexein the packaged LEDs
`
`each have a width of preferably approximately 2.5 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or
`
`less.
`
`13.
`
`The AC-driven LED assembly according to claims 10-13 wherein the LED packages are
`
`arranged with respect to each other in a linear spatia3 relationship.
`
`11
`
`IPR PAGE 11
`
`

`
`14.
`
`The AC-driven LED assembly according to claims 10-13 wherein the LED packages are
`
`arranged with respect to each other in an XY rectilinear spatial reiarionship.
`
`15.
`
`The AC-driven LED circuits of claims 1-9 wherein all circuits and the LEDs are formed
`
`on a semiconductor.
`
`16.
`
`The AC-driven LED circuits of claims 1-9 wherein the LEDs are discretely packaged
`
`apart from the circuits.
`
`17.
`
`The AC-driven LED assemblies of claims I 1-15 and 17 wherein each parallel circuit is
`
`formed on a printed circuit board.
`
`12
`
`IPR PAGE 12
`
`

`
`ABSTRACT
`
`,An AC-driven LED circuit 10 includes a first parallel circuit 12 having a first branch 14 and a
`
`second branch 16 which connect at first and second common point 18, 20. The common points
`
`18, 20 provide input and output for an AC driving current fram a driver of the circuit. The first
`
`branch 14 has a first LED 26 and a second LED 28, the first LED 26 being connected to the
`
`second LED 28 in opposing series relationship with the inputs of the first and second LEDs 26,
`
`28 defining a first branch junction 34. A second branch 16 has a third LED 30 and a fourth LED
`
`32, the third LED 30 is connected to the fourth LED 32 in opposing series relationship with the
`
`outputs of the third and fourth LEDs 30, 32 defining a second branch junction 36. Improvement
`
`in performance and scalability is provided by adding n diodes to a given parallel circuit and x
`
`crass connecting circuit branch diodes (40, 44) and providing one or more parallel circuits (15)
`
`in series and or parallel. .An AC-driven LED assembly with discretely packaged LEDs being
`
`connected in an AC circuit and being sized preferably substantially 2.5 mm or less in length and
`
`width, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less; and being mounted to a substrate at a distance from
`
`the other of preferably approximately 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2.0 mm or less.
`
`13
`
`IPR PAGE 13
`
`

`
`7
`
`u
`
`FIG. 1
`FIG. 1
`
`IPR PAGE 14
`IPR PAGE 14
`
`

`
`~~
`
`32-
`
`~b
`
`FIG. 2
`FIG. 2
`
`IPR PAGE 15
`IPR PAGE 15
`
`

`
`D
`
`32
`
`~ v
`
`FIG. 3
`FIG. 3
`
`IPR PAGE 16
`IPR PAGE 16
`
`

`
`~ ~G
`
`.~
`
`~~
`
`FIG. 4
`FIG. 4
`
`IPR PAGE 17
`IPR PAGE 17
`
`

`
`FIG.5
`
`LLr
`
`~'
`
``~\~
`
`IPR PAGE 18
`IPR PAGE 18
`
`

`
`IPR PAGE 19
`
`~
`
`~w
`
`~w
`
`~
`D
`~_.__j
`
`M
`
`v~'
`
`~
`
`S
`
`

`
`*2~
`
`FIG. 8
`
`IPR PAGE 20