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`Ex. 1011
`
`EX. 1011
`
`
`
`
`
`US008777449B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 8,777,449 B2
`Van De Ven et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jul. 15, 2014
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(54) LIGHTING DEVICES COMPRISING SOLID
`STATE LIGHT EMITTERS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Hong Kong
`(CN); Wai Kwan Chan, Hong Kong
`(CN); Ho Chin Wah, Hong Kong (CN)
`
`(73) Assignee: Cree, Inc., Durham, NC (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 319 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 12/566,861
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 25, 2009
`
`4,839,535 A
`4,841,422 A
`4,918,487 A
`5,138,541 A
`5,151,679 A
`5,175,528 A
`5,345,167 A
`5,397,938 A
`5,528,467 A
`
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`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`EP
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`101162745
`1 881 259
`
`4/2008
`1/2008
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2011/0075422 A1
`
`Mar. 31, 2011
`
`U.S.App1N0. 29/344,219, filed Sep. 25, 2009, Van de Ven.
`
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`F21S 4/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`USPC .... .. 362/249.02; 362/401; 362/407; 362/640;
`362/646
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ........... .. 362/340, 646, 650, 249.02, 401, 407
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`
`Primary Examiner 7 Anabel Ton
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Burr & Brown, PLLC
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A lighting device comprising a trim element, an electrical
`connector and at least one solid state light emitter, the lighting
`device weighing less than one kilogram. Ifcurrent of about 12
`watts (or in some cases about 15 watts, or in some cases not
`more than about 15 watts) is supplied to the electrical con-
`nector, the at least one solid state light emitter will illuminate
`so that the lighting device will emit white light of at least 500
`lumens. Also, a lighting device that weighs less than one
`kilogram and can generate white light of at least 500 lumens
`using a current of not more than about 15 watts. Also, a
`lighting device for mounting in a recessed housing, compris-
`ing a unitary structure trim element that conducts heat away
`from at least one solid state light emitter and dissipates at least
`some of the heat outside of the recessed housing.
`
`14 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US 8,777,449 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`(56)
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15, 2014
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`inF
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`US 8,777,449 B2
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`1
`LIGHTING DEVICES COMPRISING SOLID
`STATE LIGHT EMITTERS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTIVE SUBJECT MATTER
`
`The present inventive subject matter is directed to lighting
`devices. In some aspects, the present inventive subject matter
`is directed to lighting devices that comprise one or more solid
`state light emitters, e.g., one or more light emitting diodes.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`There is an ongoing effort to develop systems that are more
`energy-efficient. A large proportion (some estimates are as
`high as twenty-five percent) ofthe electricity generated in the
`United States each year goes to lighting, a large portion of
`which is general illumination (e.g., downlights, flood lights,
`spotlights and other general residential or commercial illumi-
`nation products). Accordingly, there is an ongoing need to
`provide lighting that is more energy-efficient.
`Solid state light emitters (e.g., light emitting diodes) are
`receiving much attention due to their energy efficiency. It is
`well known that incandescent light bulbs are very energy-
`inefficient light sourcesiabout ninety percent ofthe electric-
`ity they consume is released as heat rather than light. Fluo-
`rescent light bulbs are more efficient than incandescent light
`bulbs (by a factor of about 10) but are still less efficient than
`solid state light emitters, such as light emitting diodes.
`In addition, as compared to the normal lifetimes of solid
`state light emitters, e.g., light emitting diodes, incandescent
`light bulbs have relatively short lifetimes, i.e., typically about
`750-1000 hours. In comparison, light emitting diodes, for
`example, have typical lifetimes between 50,000 and 70,000
`hours. Fluorescent bulbs generally have lifetimes (e.g.,
`10,000-20,000 hours) that are longer than those of incandes-
`cent lights, but they typically provide less favorable color
`reproduction. The typical lifetime of conventional fixtures is
`about 20 years, corresponding to a light-producing device
`usage of at least about 44,000 hours (based on usage of 6
`hours per day for 20 years). Where the light-producing device
`lifetime of the light emitter is less than the lifetime of the
`fixture, the need for periodic change-outs is presented. The
`impact of the need to replace light emitters is particularly
`pronounced where access is difficult (e.g., vaulted ceilings,
`bridges, high buildings, highway tunnels) and/or where
`change-out costs are extremely high.
`There are a number of challenges presented with using
`light emitting diodes in lighting devices. In many cases, addi-
`tional components are added to the lighting devices in order to
`address these challenges. Additional components tend to
`increase the weight of lighting devices, as well as the size of
`lighting devices. It would be desirable to provide a lighting
`device that comprises one or more solid state light emitters, in
`which such challenges are addressed and yet the lighting
`device is lightweight and/or can fit within the same or sub-
`stantially the same space that is provided for comparable
`conventional
`lighting devices (e.g.,
`lighting devices that
`include one or more incandescent light sources and/or one or
`more fluorescent light sources). The ability for the lighting
`device to be lightweight and/or to fit in a space that is similar
`to (or identical to) a space into which conventional devices
`can fit is important when retro -fitting a lighting device, as well
`when installing a lighting device in new construction (let
`alone when shipping it).
`One such challenge results from the fact that the emission
`spectrum of any particular light emitting diode is typically
`concentrated around a single wavelength (as dictated by the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`light emitting diode’s composition and structure), which is
`desirable for some applications, but not desirable for others,
`(e.g., for providing general illumination, such an emission
`spectrum generally does not provide light that appears white,
`and/or provides a very low CR1). As a result, in many cases
`(e.g., to make devices that emit light perceived as white or
`near-white, or to make devices that emit light that is not
`highly saturated) it is necessary to employ light sources (e. g.,
`one or more solid state light emitters and optionally also one
`or more other types of light sources, e.g., additional light
`emitting diodes, luminescent materials, incandescent lights,
`etc.) that emit light of different colors. There are a variety of
`reasons that one or more solid state light emitters might cease
`emitting light and/or vary in their intensity of light emission,
`which can throw offthe balance of color output and cause the
`lighting device to emit light that is perceived as being of a
`color that differs from the desired color of light output. As a
`result, in many of such devices, one challenge that necessi-
`tates the inclusion ofadditional components, is that there may
`be a desire to provide additional circuitry that can adjust the
`current supplied to respective solid state light emitters (and/or
`other light emitters) in order to maintain the balance of color
`output among the light emitters that emit light of different
`colors in order to achieve the desired color output. Another
`such challenge is that there may be a desire to mix the light of
`different colors emitted from the different solid state light
`emitters by providing additional structure to assist in such
`mixing.
`One example of a reason that one or more solid state light
`emitters might vary in their intensity of light emission is
`temperature change (resulting, e.g., from change in ambient
`temperature and/or heating up of the solid state light emit-
`ters). Some types of solid state light emitters (e. g., solid state
`light emitters that emit light of different colors) experience
`differences in intensity of light emission (if supplied with the
`same current) at different temperatures, and frequently such
`changes in intensity occur to differing extents for emitters that
`emit light of different colors as temperature changes. For
`example, some light emitting diodes that emit red light have a
`very strong temperature dependence in at least some tempera-
`ture ranges (e.g., AllnGaP light emitting diodes can reduce in
`optical output by ~20% when heated up by ~40 degrees C.,
`that is, approximately —0.5% per degree C.; some blue light
`emitting lnGaN+YAGzCe light emitting diodes can reduce in
`optical output by about —0.15%/degree C.).
`Another example of a reason that one or more solid state
`light emitters might vary in their intensity of light emission is
`aging. Some solid state light emitters (e.g., solid state light
`emitters that emit
`light of different colors) experience
`decreases in intensity of light emission (if supplied with the
`same current) as they age, and frequently such decreases in
`intensity occur at differing rates.
`Another example of a reason that one or more solid state
`light emitters might vary in their intensity of light emission is
`damage to the solid state light emitter(s) and/or damage to
`circuitry that supplies current
`to the solid state light
`emitter(s).
`Another challenge presented in making a lighting device
`with light emitting diodes, that often necessitates the inclu-
`sion of additional components, is that the performance of
`many solid state light emitters may be reduced when they are
`subjected to elevated temperatures. For example, many light
`emitting diode light sources have average operating lifetimes
`of decades as opposed to just months or 1-2 years for many
`incandescent bulbs, but some light emitting diodes’ lifetimes
`can be significantly shortened if they are operated at elevated
`temperatures. A common manufacturer recommendation is
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`US 8,777,449 B2
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`3
`that the junction temperature of a light emitting diode should
`not exceed 85 degrees C. if a long lifetime is desired. There
`may be a desire to counteract such problems,
`in many
`instances, by providing additional structure (or structures) to
`provide a desired degree of heat dissipation.
`Another challenge presented in making a lighting device
`with light emitting diodes, that often necessitates the inclu-
`sion of additional components, arises from the relatively high
`light output from a relatively small area provided by solid
`state emitters. Such a concentration of light output may
`present challenges in providing solid state lighting systems
`for general illumination in that, in general, a large difference
`in brightness in a small area may be perceived as glare and
`may be distracting to occupants. In many instances, therefore,
`there is a desire to provide additional structure to assist in
`mixing the emitted light and/or creating the perception that
`the emitted light is output through a larger area.
`Another challenge presented in making a lighting device
`with light emitting diodes, that often necessitates the inclu-
`sion of additional components, is that light emitting diodes
`are typically run most effectively on low voltage DC current,
`while line voltage typically is much higher voltage AC cur-
`rent. As a result, there is often a desire to provide circuitry that
`converts line voltage, e. g., fromAC to DC and/or that reduces
`voltage.
`In addition, in some circumstances, there is a desire either
`to retrofit or install a lighting device in a circuit that has a
`conventional dimmer. Some dimmers operate based on sig-
`nals contained in the current supplied to the lighting device
`(for example, duty cycle of an AC signal, e.g., from a triac),
`for which additional circuitry is generally needed. An
`example of a lighting device that includes some or all ofthese
`various additional components, retrofits into many conven-
`tional recessed lighting housings and works with many con-
`ventional dimmers is the LR6 from Cree LED Lighting Solu-
`tions of Morrisville, NC. The LR6 is a 6 inch recessed
`downlight that provides 650 delivered lumens of light, con-
`sumes only 12 watts of electrical power and has a CRI of 92.
`The LR6 weighs slightly less than 1 kg.
`It would be desirable to be able to make lighting devices
`that include solid state light emitters in order to achieve high
`wall plug efficiency, while providing consistently good color
`quality, suitable brightness and good solid state light emitter
`lifetimes, in a lighting device that is of light weight (e.g., in
`comparison to other lighting devices that comprise solid state
`light emitters, for example, devices that comprise one or more
`solid state light emitters and that provide some or all of the
`features described herein).
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE
`SUBJECT MATTER
`
`In some aspects, the present inventive subject matter pro-
`vides lighting devices (and lighting devices that can provide
`such features, e. g., in which high efficiency, consistently good
`output light color quality, good solid state light emitter life-
`time, suitable brightness and light weight are all provided.
`In some embodiments according to the present inventive
`subject matter, including some embodiments that include or
`do not include any of the features as discussed herein, (1) a
`single element performs two or more functions that are per-
`formed by plural elements in other lighting devices, (2) heat
`dissipation is provided to some degree by the trim element,
`and/or (3) fewer interfaces have to be crossed by heat on its
`way to being dissipated (e.g., in some embodiments, one or
`more solid state light emitters can be mounted on the trim
`element).
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`In accordance with an aspect of the present inventive sub-
`ject matter, there is provided a lighting device that comprises
`a trim element.
`
`In accordance with another aspect of the present inventive
`subject matter, there is provided a lighting device that com-
`prises a trim element and at least one solid state light emitter,
`and in which the lighting device weighs not greater than one
`kilogram (and in some cases not greater than about 2.4
`pounds, in some cases less, e.g., not greater than about 750
`grams or not greater than about 500 grams, or not greater than
`about 14, 12, 10 or 9 ounces).
`In some embodiments according to the present inventive
`subject matter, including some embodiments that include or
`do not include any of the features as discussed herein, if a
`current (e.g., AC or DC current) of about 12 watts (in some
`cases, 13 watts, 14 watts, 15 watts or less than 15 watts, e.g.,
`in some cases about 11 watts, 10 watts, 9 watts 8 watts (or
`less) is supplied to the lighting device, light having a bright-
`ness of at least about 500 lumens will be emitted by the
`lighting device (in some cases, at least about 400 lumens, 425
`lumens, 450 lumens, 475 lumens, 525 lumens, 550 lumens,
`575 lumens, 600 lumens, 700 lumens, 800 lumens, 900
`lumens, 1000 lumens or more, can be generated by supplying
`current of 12 watts, or any of such lumen outputs can be
`achieved by supplying current of 8 watts, 9 watts, 10 watts, 1 1
`watts, 13 watts, 14 watts, or 15 watts). In some embodiments,
`the lighting device has an aperture diameter of about 4.5
`inches or greater and delivers at least 575 lumens of light.
`In some embodiments according to the present inventive
`subject matter, including some embodiments that include or
`do not include any of the features as discussed herein, the
`lighting device emits white light.
`In some embodiments according to the present inventive
`subject matter, including some embodiments that include or
`do not include any of the features as discussed herein, the
`lighting device emits light at a shield angle of at least 15
`degrees.
`In some embodiments according to the present inventive
`subject matter, including some embodiments that include or
`do not include any of the features as discussed herein, if a
`current is supplied to the lighting device to cause the lighting
`device to emit light having a brightness of at least 5001umens
`(or at least about 400 lumens, 425 lumens, 450 lumens, 475
`lumens, 525 lumens, 550 lumens, 575 lumens, 600 lumens,
`7001umens, 8001umens, 9001umens, 10001umens or more),
`the temperature ofthe at least one solid state light emitter will
`be maintained at or below a 25,000 hour rated lifetime junc-
`tion temperature (and in some embodiments, at least a 35,000
`hour rated lifetime junction temperature or at least a 50,000
`hour rated lifetime junction temperature) for the solid state
`light emitter in a 25° C. surrounding environment (and, in
`some embodiments, in a 300 C. surrounding environment, or
`a 350 C. or higher surrounding environment).
`In some embodiments according to the present inventive
`subject matter, including some embodiments that include or
`do not include any of the features as discussed herein, the
`lighting device has a wall plug efficiency of at least 25 lumens
`per watt, in some cases at least 35 lumens per watt, in some
`cases at least 50 lumens per watt, in some cases at least 60
`lumens per watt, in some cases at least 70 lumens per watt,
`and in some cases at least 80 lumens per watt.
`In some embodiments according to the present inventive
`subject matter, including some embodiments that include or
`do not include any of the features as discussed herein, at least
`one of the at least one solid state light emitter is mounted on
`the trim element.
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`US 8,777,449 B2
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`5
`In some embodiments according to the present inventive
`subject matter, including some embodiments that include or
`do not include any ofthe features as discussed herein, the trim
`element comprises at least a portion of a mixing chamber
`sub-assembly.
`The inventive subject matter may be more fully understood
`with reference to the accompanying drawings and the follow-
`ing detailed description of the inventive subject matter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device
`100.
`
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lighting device 100.
`FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a driver sub-
`assembly 101 of the lighting device 100.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe driver sub-assembly 101.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a trim sub-
`assembly 102 of the lighting device 100.
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the trim sub-assembly 102.
`FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a mixing cham-
`ber sub-assembly 103 of the lighting device 100.
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mixing chamber sub-
`assembly 103.
`FIG. 9 depicts a light fixture 90 in accordance with the
`present inventive subject matter.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE
`SUBJECT MATTER
`
`The present inventive subject matter now will be described
`more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
`drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive subject
`matter are shown. However, this inventive subject matter
`should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments
`set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so
`that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will
`fully convey the scope of the inventive subject matter to those
`skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements through-
`out. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all
`combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
`
`The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describ-
`ing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be
`limiting of the inventive subject matter. As used herein, the
`singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the
`plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates oth-
`erwise. It will be further understood that the terms “com-
`
`prises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,
`specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, opera-
`tions, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
`presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
`steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
`thereof.
`
`When an element such as a layer, region or substrate is
`referred to herein as being “on”, being mounted “on” or
`extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or
`extend directly onto the other element or intervening ele-
`ments may also be present. In contrast, when an element is
`referred to herein as being “directly on” or extending
`“directly onto” another element, there are no intervening
`elements present. Also, when an element is referred to herein
`as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can
`be directly connected or coupled to the other element or
`intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an
`element is referred to herein as being “directly connected” or
`“directly coupled” to another element, there are no interven-
`
`6
`ing elements present. In addition, a statement that a first
`element is “on” a second element is synonymous with a
`statement that the second element is “on” the first element.
`
`5
`
`The expression “in contact wit ”, as used herein, means
`that the first structure that is in contact with a second structure
`is in direct contact with the second structure or is in indirect
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`contact with the second structure. The expression “in indirect
`contact wit ” means that the first structure is not in direct
`
`contact with the second structure, but that there are a plurality
`of structures (including the first and second structures), and
`each of the plurality of structures is in direct contact with at
`least one other of the plurality of structures (e. g., the first and
`second structures are in a stack and are separated by one or
`more intervening layers). The expression “direct contact”, as
`used in the present specification, means that the first structure
`which is “in direct contact” with a second structure is touch-
`
`ing the second structure and there are no intervening struc-
`tures between the first and second structures at least at some
`location.
`
`A statement herein that two components in a device are
`“electrically connected,” means that there are no components
`electrically between the components that affect the function
`or functions provided by the device. For example, two com-
`ponents can be referred to as being electrically connected,
`even though they may have a small resistor between them
`which does not materially affect the function or functions
`provided by the device (indeed, a wire connecting two com-
`ponents can be thought of as a small resistor); likewise, two
`components can be referred to as being electrically con-
`nected, even though they may have an additional electrical
`component between them which allows the device to perform
`an additional function, while not materially affecting the
`function or functions provided by a device which is identical
`except for not including the additional component; similarly,
`two components which are directly connected to each other,
`or which are directly connected to opposite ends of a wire or
`a trace on a circuit board, are electrically connected. A state-
`ment herein that two components in a device are “electrically
`connected” is distinguishable from a statement that the two
`components are