This disclosure relates generally to lighting. More particularly, the disclosure relates to LED space lights and modules for LED space lights.
In general, a space light is used to provide even soft light, typically in a stage environment or an indoor/outdoor setting. Space lights may also be useful in green screen/blue screen lighting, which has become more prevalent in recent years due to an increase of films being shot for 3D viewing and the advancement in camera technology.
Conventional space lights using tungsten bulbs are unreliable. And, to provide adequate lighting, their power consumption is large and they generate a large amount of heat. For example, a conventional space light such as a 6K space light may comprise six 1000 W (1K) bulbs (a.k.a. globes) This 6K space light may require 50 amps to operate. The operational lifetime of a 1K bulb is approximately 400 hours. As a result, conventional tungsten bulb space lights have a short operational lifetime, utilize a large amount of electrical energy, have heat dissipation challenges, impose large heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and high costs in locations where they are installed. And, the tungsten bulb uses halogen gas which is a corrosive and highly toxic gas and has restrictions regarding disposal thereof.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
Disclosed is a modular light emitting diode (LED) space light. According to one aspect, a modular light emitting diode (LED) space light including a top plate including a top plate slot; a bottom plate including a bottom plate slot; at least one module having at least one light emitting diode (LED), wherein the at least one module is adapted to fit between the top plate and the bottom plate correspondingly in the top plate slot and the bottom plate slot; and at least one passive heat sink coupled to the at least one module to dissipate heat generated by the at least one LED.
According to another aspect, a module for inserting into a light emitting diode (LED) space light, the module including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on at least one printed circuit board (PCB); a passive heat sink; a front module plate including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion includes ridges, wherein the ridges and the passive heat sink thermally propagate heat emitted by the plurality of LEDs.
According to yet another aspect, a modular light emitting diode (LED) space light including a top plate including at least six top plate slots; a bottom plate including at least six bottom plate slots; at least six modules with each module having at least one light emitting diode (LED), wherein each of the at least six modules is adapted to fit between the top plate and the bottom plate correspondingly in one of the at least six top plate slots and in one of the at least six bottom plate slots in a radial pattern; and at least six passive heat sinks with one of the at least six passive heat sinks coupled to one of the at least six modules to dissipate heat generated by the at least one LED mounted on the one of the at least six modules.
According to yet another aspect, a module for inserting into a light emitting diode (LED) space light, the module including a passive heat sink housed within the module; a front module plate including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion includes ridges, wherein the ridges and the passive heat sink thermally propagate heat emitted by a plurality of LEDs; a plurality of grooves on the module adapted to fit at least one top plate groove or at least one bottom plate groove of the LED space light; and at least one printed circuit board (PCB) associated with the bottom portion for mounting the plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein the plurality of LEDs emit light through the bottom portion.
Possible advantages of the present disclosure may include longer operational lifetime, less power consumption, decreased heat dissipation challenges and environmental compatibility. Additional possible advantages may include use of less and/or lighter external cabling and/or power feeds in order to energize the space light, and ease of adjusting the color temperature(s) of a space light.
It is understood that other aspects will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described various aspects by way of illustration. The drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
a illustrates an example side view of a top plate with a bottom plate.
b illustrates an example side view of a top plate with a bottom plate and a module fitted between the top plate and the bottom plate.
a illustrates an example front view of a module.
b illustrates an example top view of the module of
c illustrates an example side view of the module of
d illustrates an example bottom view of the module of
a illustrates an example of a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) with a reflector.
b illustrates an example of a diffuser covering an aperture of a reflector.
a illustrates a perspective view of an example modular LED space light with a top housing on its top plate.
b illustrates a side view of the example modular LED space light of
a illustrates a perspective view of an example modular LED space light with a bottom housing on its bottom plate.
b illustrates a side view of the example modular LED space light of
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various aspects of the present disclosure and is not intended to represent the only aspects in which the present disclosure may be practiced. Each aspect described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration of the present disclosure, and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the present disclosure. Acronyms and other descriptive terminology may be used merely for convenience and clarity and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
In one example, six modules 120 are mounted between the top plate 110 and the bottom plate 130. The six modules may be spaced apart from each other, for example, spaced evenly along a circular shape (e.g. at 60° angles) as illustrated in
In one example, the “h” dimension is between 2 inches to 12 inches. One skilled in the art would understand that the “h” dimension illustrated herein is merely an example and that other dimensions are also within the scope and/or spirit of the present disclosure. In one example, the top plate 110 and the bottom plate 130 are fitted to each other by at least one or more of the following: a strut, a pin, a dowel or a rod, etc. One skilled in the art would understand that other structural components and methods of fitting the top plate 110 with the bottom plate 130 may be used and be within the scope and/or spirit of the present disclosure.
As illustrated in
In one example, the quantity of top plate openings 114 is the same as the quantity of bottom plate openings 134. And, each top plate opening 114 is vertically aligned with a corresponding bottom plate opening 134. By aligning the top plate openings 114 with the bottom plate openings 134, direct paths of air flow are created to improve heat flow of the LEDs. And, having improved heat flow may prolong the operating life of the LEDs. In yet one example, at least one top plate opening 114 is not aligned to a bottom plate opening 134.
In one example, a power supply 170 (not shown) may be housed within a cavity 171 (see
Although as illustrated in
In one example, the top plate 110 and/or the bottom plate 130 are made of Aluminum. However, the top plate 110 and/or the bottom plate 130 may be made of any ferrous material or any non-ferrous material. Some examples of suitable material may include but are not limited to composites such as carbon fiber, carbon nanotube, steel, stainless steel, steel alloys, plastic, thermal plastic, etc.
In one example, the top plate 110 or the bottom plate 130 is cut using a water jet laser to achieve high precision. However, one skilled in the art would understand that many cutting process may be used to achieve a top plate or a bottom plate to achieve the purposes and/or scope of the present disclosure. In one example, the bottom plate 130 includes one or more holes 137 for attaching one or more modules 120 and/or for attaching the bottom plate 130 to the top plate 110.
a illustrates an example side view of a top plate with a bottom plate. The top plate 110 and the bottom plate 130 are fitted together such that they are spaced apart by an “h” dimension. In one example, the top plate 110 includes one or more grooves 160 and the bottom plate 130 includes one or more grooves 160. The grooves 160 allow a module 120 to slide in between the top plate 110 and the bottom plate 130 as illustrated in
In one example, where a module 120 fails to function appropriately and needs to be replaced, repaired or maintained, only the affected module needs to be removed from the modular LED space light 110. In this scenario, the affected module can slide out of the grooves 160 and another module can slide into the grooves 160 to take its place. That is, it is not necessary to remove or replace the entire space light when a module 120 fails to function appropriately or needs maintenance.
In one example, the top plate 110 and the bottom plate 130 are fitted to each other by at least one or more mechanism 150 which may be one of the following: a strut, a pin, a dowel or a rod, etc. Other examples of mechanism 150 not listed herein may be used without affecting the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
a illustrates an example front view of a module 120. In one aspect, the module 120 includes a front module plate 122, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 128 (see
In one aspect, each module 120 has its own passive heat sink 125. Because the modules 120 are spaced apart, the LEDS mounted on each module 120 have better ventilation, are kept cooler and therefore may prolong its operating life. In another aspect, a centralized passive heat sink is used for the modular LED space light 100. The centralized passive heat sink may be housed within the cavity 171 formed between the top plate center portion 115 and the bottom plate center portion 135. Or, if the modular LED space light 100 includes either a top housing 200 (see
b illustrates an example top view of the module 120 of
d illustrates an example bottom view of the module of
The quantity of LEDs 128 on each of the three PCBs 127a, 127b, 127c may be the same or may be different. In one example, a module 120 may include as few as one LED. In another example, a module 120 may include as many as 50 LEDs. In yet another example, a module 120 includes 28 LEDs mounted on one or two or three PCBs. In yet another example, a module 120 includes 36 LEDs mounted on one or two or three PCBs. The quantity of LEDs on one module may differ from the quantity of LEDs on another module in the same modular LED space light. And, the quantity of PCBs on one module may differ from the quantity of PCBs on another module in the same modular LED space light.
In one example, the LEDs 128 on each of the three PCBs 127a, 127b, 127c may be of different types or may be of the same types. An LED has an intrinsic color temperature. In one example, an LED type is categorized (a.k.a. LED bin) by its intrinsic color temperature. In another example, an LED type is categorized by the intensity or lumen output of the light emitted by the LED. In yet another example, an LED type is categorized by the directionality of the light emitted by the LED. In yet another example, an LED type is categorized by the spectral width (i.e., bandwidth) of the light emitted by the LED. In yet another example, an LED type is categorized by the coherence of the light emitted by the LED. In yet another example, an LED type is categorized by the power efficiency of the light emitted by the LED. One skilled in the art would understand that there are many examples of LED types and that the examples of LED types disclosed herein are not exclusive. Other LED types may be used without affecting the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
a illustrates an example of a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) with a reflector. In one aspect, one or more of the LEDs 128 are mounted on the PCB 127 with a reflector 180. The reflector 180 includes a reflector wall 182 and an aperture 184. In one example, the reflector wall 182 has a wavy contour for shaping the light emitted by the LED.
In one aspect, the reflector wall 182 is coated to adjust the spectral properties of the reflector wall 182. As the spectral properties of the reflector wall 182 are adjusted (for example by coating), the observed color temperature of the light emitted by the LED is correspondingly adjusted. In one example the reflector wall 182 is coated by vapor deposition or spray deposition. One would understand that the reflector wall may be coated by other techniques without affecting the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
The remote phosphor plate 195 modifies the intrinsic color temperature of the LEDs (e.g., blue die pump LEDs) to an observed color temperature to meet an illumination purpose. For example, the color of a group of LEDs is changed to a different color through the use of the remote phosphor plate 195. In another example, color tuning may be used to implement a desired observed color temperature.
In one aspect, one or more additional optic (such as but not limited to a diffuser, a reflector, a remote phosphor plate and/or an acrylic lens) may be used with the LED.
In one aspect, use of one or more of the disclosed combinations, including but not limited to, quantity of LEDs on a PCB, quantity of LEDs on a module, types of LEDs on a PCB, types of LEDs on a module, quantity of modules on a modular LED space light, one or more reflector mounted with the LEDs, one or more diffusers mounted with the LEDs, one or more remote phosphor plates used, and/or color tuning etc. allows for modifying the intrinsic color temperature of the LEDs to an observed color temperature to meet an illumination purpose.
In one example, the modular LED space light 100 includes a power cord 142 (see
a illustrates a perspective view of an example modular LED space light 100 with a top housing 200 on its top plate 110.
a illustrates a perspective view of an example modular LED space light 100 with a bottom housing 300 on its bottom plate 130.
In one example, the modular LED space light 100 uses classic dimensions (e.g., dimensions that have been historically used in the entertainment industry). As such, the modular LED space light 100 may fit existing space light accessories in the industry. Examples of accessories used with the modular LED space light 100 include silk skirts attached to the top plate 110 of the modular LED space light 100 to soften light illumination, and/or solid skirts attached to the top plate 110 to block light in certain directions (e.g., side directions). In one example, a target is placed below the silk or solid skirt attached to the modular LED space light 100 to block light illumination or diffuse light illumination. The silk skirts and/or solid skirts may also be attached to the bottom plate 130. And, examples of accessories may include standard transport carts for carrying the modular LED space light 100. The accessories listed are only examples and there are other accessories not listed herein which the modular LED space light 100 may accommodate without the need for modification to either the modular LED space light 100 and/or the accessory.
Four stackable modular LED space lights 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d are illustrated in
In one example, the modular LED space light 100 as disclosed herein may offer approximately 150,000 hours of operating life, which is equivalent to leaving a light on for 24 hours a day for approximately 17 years. Having a long operating life reduces the need for replacements and thus allows for cost savings.
In one example, the modular LED space light 100 may weigh approximately 40.5 pounds as compared to conventional LED space lights which are much heavier, for example, weighing approximately 70 lbs.
In one example, the modular LED space light 100 may weigh approximately 40.5 pounds.
The modular LED space light 100 may be used in a variety of lighting applications, for example, in the entertainment industry such as for lighting in special events, films, television and/or theatre sets, movie studio sets and/or productions.
One skilled in the art would further appreciate that the various illustrative components, logical blocks, modules, circuits, and/or algorithm steps described in connection with the examples disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, firmware, computer software, applications (including specialized programs for downloading onto mobile devices) or combinations thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and/or algorithm steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.
Additionally, any illustrative flow diagrams, logical blocks, modules and/or algorithm steps described herein may also be coded as computer-readable instructions carried on any computer-readable medium known in the art or implemented in any computer program product known in the art. In one aspect, the computer-readable medium includes non-transitory computer-readable medium.
Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies, such as but not limited to, DMX, DMX512, RG-45, infrared, radio, microwave, and multiple access technologies then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies, such as but not limited to, infrared, radio, microwave and multiple access technologies are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
The present application for patent is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 13/347,625 entitled Modular LED Space Light filed Jan. 10, 2012, pending, and assigned to the assignees hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 13347625 | Jan 2012 | US |
Child | 14736915 | US |