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Title:
LIGHT EMITTING DIODE RECEPTACLE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/169224
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a light source (100) that comprises a receptacle (122), a light element (106) and control circuitry for controlling the light element. The control circuitry includes an electrolytic capacitor (116). The light source (100) further comprises a barrier (118) within the receptacle (122). The barrier (118) defines a cavity (120) within the receptacle (122) and the electrolytic capacitor (116) is located within the cavity (120) such that the barrier (118) at least substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor (116) within the cavity (120).

Inventors:
SUTARDJA SEHAT (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2014/033824
Publication Date:
October 16, 2014
Filing Date:
April 11, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD (BB)
SUTARDJA SEHAT (US)
International Classes:
F21K99/00; F21V23/00; F21V29/15; F21Y101/02
Foreign References:
US20120161630A12012-06-28
US20120212960A12012-08-23
JP2008218424A2008-09-18
Other References:
DATABASE WPI Week 201151, Derwent World Patents Index; AN 2011-J15708, XP002728786
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LEMOND, Kevin, T. et al. (PLLC601 W. Riverside Ave,Suite 140, Spokane WA, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A light source comprising:

a receptacle;

a light element;

control circuitry for controlling the light element, wherein the control circuitry includes an electrolytic capacitor; and

a barrier within the receptacle, wherein the barrier defines a cavity within the receptacle, and wherein the electrolytic capacitor is located within the cavity such that the barrier at least substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity.

2. The light source of claim 1, wherein the light element comprises a light emitting diode.

3. The light source of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises openings defined adjacent to the cavity.

4. The light source of claim 3, wherein the barrier comprises a thermally conductive material.

5. The light source of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises an insulating material.

6. The light source of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a thermally conductive material.

7. The light source of claim 1, wherein the barrier fully encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity.

8. A light source comprising:

a receptacle;

a light emitting diode;

control circuitry for controlling the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry includes an electrolytic capacitor; and

a barrier within the receptacle, wherein the barrier comprises an insulating material, wherein the barrier defines a cavity within the receptacle, and wherein the electrolytic capacitor is located within the cavity such that the barrier at least substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity.

9. The light source of claim 8, wherein the receptacle comprises openings defined adjacent to the cavity.

10. The light source of claim 8, wherein the receptacle comprises a thermally conductive material.

11. The light source of claim 8, wherein the barrier fully encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity.

12. A method comprising:

providing a light source, wherein the light source comprises

a receptacle,

a light emitting diode,

control circuitry for controlling the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry includes an electrolytic capacitor, and

a barrier within the receptacle, wherein the barrier defines a cavity within the receptacle, and wherein the electrolytic capacitor is located within the cavity such that the barrier at least substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity; and

operating the light source;

wherein the cavity is configured to inhibit an ambient temperature of the cavity from rising due to heat generated by one or both of (i) the light emitting diode and (ii) the control circuitry.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the receptacle comprises openings defined adjacent to the cavity; and

the cavity is configured to inhibit an ambient temperature of the cavity from rising due to heat generated by one or both of (i) the light emitting diode and (ii) the control circuitry by heat escaping from the cavity through the openings.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the receptacle comprises a thermally conductive material; and

the cavity is configured to inhibit an ambient temperature of the cavity from rising due to heat generated by one or both of (i) the light emitting diode and (ii) the control circuitry by heat escaping from the cavity through the receptacle.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the barrier comprises an insulating material; and

the cavity is configured to inhibit an ambient temperature of the cavity from rising due to heat generated by one or both of (i) the light emitting diode and (ii) the control circuitry by blocking heat via the barrier.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the receptacle comprises openings defined adjacent to the cavity; and

the cavity is further configured to inhibit an ambient temperature of the cavity from rising due to heat generated by one or both of (i) the light emitting diode and (ii) the control circuitry by heat escaping through the openings.

Description:
LIGHT EMITTING DIODE RECEPTACLE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/810,972, filed April 11, 2013, the entire specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHN ICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to light emitting diodes, and more particularly to light emitting diodes in lighting receptacles.

BACKGROUN D

[0003] Most light sources today are either compact fluorescent lamp (CFC) light sources or light emitting diode (LED) light sources. A primary component of LED circuitry for LED light sources is an electrolytic capacitor. Generally, the performance of electrolytic capacitors is susceptible and sensitive to the ambient or surrounding temperature close to the electrolytic capacitor. A temperature differential of merely a few degrees can have a significant impact on performance of the electrolytic capacitor in a LED light source. Since LED circuitry is often subject to high temperature due to the heat generated from operation of the LED, as well as by the components themselves, any adverse affect on the electrolytic capacitor caused by such high temperature will affect the effective lifespan of the LED circuitry and/or the LED itself. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an effective way to mitigate the adverse effects that result from high ambient temperature around the electrolytic capacitor due to operation of the LED light source.

SUMMARY

[0004] In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a light source that comprises a receptacle, a light element and control circuitry for controlling the light element. The control circuitry includes an electrolytic capacitor. The light source further comprises a barrier within the receptacle. The barrier defines a cavity within the receptacle and the electrolytic capacitor is located within the cavity such that the barrier at least substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity.

[0005] In various embodiments, the present disclosure also provides a light source that comprises a receptacle, a light emitting diode and control circuitry for controlling the light emitting diode. The control circuitry includes an electrolytic capacitor. The light source further comprises a barrier within the receptacle. The barrier comprises an insulating material and defines a cavity within the receptacle. The electrolytic capacitor is located within the cavity such that the barrier at least substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity.

[0006] In various embodiments, the present disclosure also provides a method comprising providing a light source, wherein the light source comprises a receptacle, a light emitting diode, control circuitry for controlling the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry includes an electrolytic capacitor, and a barrier within the receptacle, wherein the barrier defines a cavity within the receptacle, and wherein the electrolytic capacitor is located within the cavity such that the barrier at least substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity. The method further comprises operating the light source, wherein the cavity is configured to inhibit an ambient temperature of the cavity from rising due to heat generated by one or both of (i) the light emitting diode and (ii) the control circuitry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TH E DRAWINGS

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals designate like structural elements. Embodiments herein are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example LED light source, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0009] Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an LED light source, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a light emitting diode (LED) light source 100. A first end of the LED light source 100 is configured for attachment or coupling to, for example, a circuit board (not illustrated), a power supply such as, for example, an electrical socket (not illustrated), etc., for providing power to the LED light source 100 to thereby operate the LED light source 100. A second end 104 generally includes a light element in the form of a LED 106. In accordance with the various embodiments, the LED 106 may actually be located at the first end 102.

[0011] Control circuitry is included for operation of the LED light source 100. The control circuitry generally includes one or more resistors 108, one or more inductors 110, a rectifier bridge 112 and a controller 114, e.g., a processor. More or fewer components may be included. Such components are generally well known and therefore, they will not be described further herein.

[0012] The control circuitry of the LED light source 100 also includes an electrolytic capacitor 116. The electrolytic capacitor 116 is generally located in a mid-portion of the LED light source 100 away from the LED 106 and the rest of the control circuitry. In accordance with various embodiments, a barrier 118 is provided around the electrolytic capacitor 116 to shield or block the electrolytic capacitor 116 from heat generated by the other components of the LED light source 100, including the LED 106 and the rest of the control circuitry. The barrier 118 can be made of metal or other suitable material. Thus, the barrier 118 generally defines an internal cavity 120 in which the electrolytic capacitor 116 is located. In general, the barrier 118 is coupled to a receptacle 122 of the LED light source 100 such that the barrier 118 fully encloses or substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor 116 within the receptacle 122.

[0013] In accordance with various embodiments, the receptacle 122 of the LED light source 100 includes openings 124 in the form of, for example, holes or slits, defined within the receptacle 122. The openings 124 allow for heat within the cavity 120 defined by the barrier 118 to escape from the cavity 120, thereby keeping the ambient temperature around the electrolytic capacitor 116 lower. [0014] In accordance with various embodiments, the barrier 118 is made of an insulating material. In accordance with other embodiments, the barrier 118 includes any sturdy type of material and is coated with an insulating material or includes an insulating material attached thereto. In such embodiments, the barrier 118 can block some or all of the heat generated by the LED 106 and/or the control circuitry from entering the cavity 120 to thereby help keep the ambient temperature of the cavity 120 lower and thereby keeping the ambient temperature around the electrolytic capacitor 116 lower.

[0015] In accordance with other embodiments, the barrier 118 is made of a thermally conductive material to thereby allow heat within the LED light source 100 to easily pass through the barrier 118 into the cavity 120. With such an embodiment, the heat will generally pass through the openings 124 defined within the receptacle 122 of the LED light source 100 to thereby help keep the ambient temperature of the cavity 120 lower and thereby keeping the ambient temperature around the electrolytic capacitor 116 lower.

[0016] In accordance with an embodiment, the receptacle 122 of the LED light source 100 is made of a thermally conductive material to thereby allow heat to pass out of the LED light source 100 through the receptacle 122 of the LED light source 100. In such an embodiment, the openings 124 may not be included if desired. With such an embodiment, the heat within the cavity 120 will generally pass through the receptacle 122 of the LED light source 100 to thereby help keep the ambient temperature of the cavity 120 lower and thereby keeping the ambient temperature around the electrolytic capacitor 116 lower.

[0017] Various combinations of the features described herein may be included if desired. For example, the receptacle 122 of the LED light source 100 may be a thermally conductive material to allow heat to escape from the LED light source 100 through the receptacle 122 and the barrier 118 may be made of an insulating material or a thermally conductive material depending on the application. Likewise, various materials for the barrier 118 and/or the receptacle 122 can be utilized with or without openings 124 defined in the LED light source's receptacle 122.

[0018] The light source 100 may comprise more components that have not been described for simplicity and clarity. For example, the light source 100 may include a lens or cover (not illustrated) at the end 104 that encloses the receptacle 122 and thereby encloses the various elements of the light source 100 within the receptacle 122. The present disclosure is applicable to LED light sources that are used with electronic devices, light bulbs, etc. The present disclosure may also be applicable to other light sources.

[0019] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 200 of operating an LED light source, for example, LED light source 100. At 202, a light source is provided, wherein the light source comprises a receptacle, a light emitting diode, control circuitry for controlling the light emitting diode, wherein the control circuitry includes an electrolytic capacitor, and a barrier within the receptacle, wherein the barrier defines a cavity within the receptacle, and wherein the electrolytic capacitor is located within the cavity such that the barrier at least substantially encloses the electrolytic capacitor within the cavity. At 204, the light source is operated, wherein the cavity is configured to inhibit an ambient temperature of the cavity from rising due to heat generated by one or both of (i) the light emitting diode and (ii) the control circuitry.

[0020] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a structure that fully or substantially encloses an electrolytic capacitor of an LED light source. By isolating the electrolytic capacitor within the surrounding structure, the electrolytic capacitor is shielded from most, if not all, of the heat generated by the remaining LED circuitry or the LED. By keeping the heat away from the electrolytic capacitor, the ambient temperature in the immediate vicinity surrounding the electrolytic capacitor is reduced. The performance of the electrolytic capacitor is thus improved which, in turn, extends the effective lifespan of the LED circuitry and/or the LED, and thereby the LED light source.

[0021] The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, over/under, and/or, or top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of embodiments described herein to any particular orientation.

[0022] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase "A/B" means A or B. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase "A and/or B" means "(A), (B), or (A and B)." For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" means "(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)." For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase "(A)B" means "(B) or (AB)" that is, A is an optional element.

[0023] Various operations are described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order- dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described may be performed in a different order than the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed and/or described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments. [0024] The description uses the phrases "in an embodiment," "in embodiments," or similar language, which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous.

[0025] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments described herein be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.