Led-Based Light Bulb

Abstract

A light source ( 10 ) comprises a light engine ( 16 ), a base ( 24 ), a power conversion circuit ( 30 ) and an enclosure ( 22 ). The light engine ( 16 ) comprises at least one LED ( 12 ) disposed on a platform ( 14 ). The platform ( 14 ) is adapted to directly mate with the base ( 24 ) which a standard incandescent bulb light base. Phosphor ( 44 ) receives the light generated by the at least one LED ( 12 ) and converts it to visible light. The enclosure ( 22 ) has a shape of a standard incandescent lamp.

1 . A light source ( 10 ) comprising: 
 a light engine ( 16 ) for generating light of one of a plurality of wavelengths, the light engine ( 16 ) including: 
 a platform ( 14 ), and  
 at least one LED ( 12 ) disposed on the platform ( 14 );  
   an enclosure ( 22 ) surrounding a light generating area of the light engine ( 16 );    a base ( 24 ) including a heat sink ( 26 ) for conducting thermal energy away from the at least one LED ( 12 ), into which heat sink ( 26 ) the light engine ( 16 ) is mounted; and    a conversion circuit ( 30 ) for supplying electric power to the light engine ( 16 ).    
     
     
         2 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , further including: 
 a luminescent converting element ( 44 ) to receive the light generated by the light engine ( 16 ) and convert at least some of the received light to visible light.    
     
     
         3 . The light source as set forth in  claim 2 , further including: 
 a light guide ( 36 ) disposed within the enclosure ( 22 ).    
     
     
         4 . The light source as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the luminescent converting element ( 44 ) is adjacent at the least one LED ( 12 ).  
     
     
         5 . The light source as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the light guide ( 36 ) provides an appearance of a filament.  
     
     
         6 . The light source as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the light guide ( 36 ) comprises an optical fiber with one of internal diffusers, external diffusers, and other frustrated TIR (Total Internal Reflection) features to allow the light to escape at preselected locations.  
     
     
         7 . The light source as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the light guide ( 36 ) comprises a reflector.  
     
     
         8 . The light source as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the reflector is comprised of a reflective metal.  
     
     
         9 . The light source as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the luminescent converting element ( 44 ) is disposed on or within the light guide ( 36 ).  
     
     
         10 . The light source as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the luminescent converting element ( 44 ) is disposed on or in the enclosure ( 22 ).  
     
     
         11 . The light source as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the luminescent converting element ( 44 ) includes a transparent phosphor.  
     
     
         12 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the transparent phosphor comprises one of: 
 an organic phosphor,    an organic complex of a rare earth metal,    a nanophosphor, and    a quantum dot phosphor.    
     
     
         13 . The light source as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 one of an index matching material and a lensing material encompassing the at least one LED ( 12 ).    
     
     
         14 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the base ( 24 ) is adapted for mating with the light engine ( 16 ).  
     
     
         15 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink ( 26 ) comprises: 
 a slug ( 32 ) inserted into the base ( 24 ) for conducting the thermal energy from the at least one LED ( 12 ) to at least one of the base ( 24 ) and ambient air.    
     
     
         16 . The light source as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the slug ( 32 ) comprises: 
 a plurality of fins ( 34 ) disposed in one of a radial and a cylindrical tube longitudinal design about an outer periphery.    
     
     
         17 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink ( 26 ) extends radially from the base ( 24 ) to conduct the thermal energy to ambient air.  
     
     
         18 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the conversion circuit ( 30 ) comprises: 
 an AC to DC converter.    
     
     
         19 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the platform ( 14 ) comprises one of: 
 a metal clad, FR4, and CEM-1 printed circuit board hosting the at least one LED.    
     
     
         20 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure ( 22 ) comprises a substantially transparent enclosure of a variety of shapes  
     
     
         21 . The light source as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the enclosure ( 22 ) comprises a light diffusing coating.  
     
     
         22 . The light source as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an index matching fluid between the light engine ( 16 ) and the enclosure ( 22 ).    
     
     
         23 . A modular adaptable LED lighting system ( 10 ) comprising: 
 a screw base module ( 24 );    at least two light modules ( 16 ) having different light emission characteristics, each light module ( 16 ) including: 
 a platform ( 14 ) which is adapted for mating with the base module ( 24 ), and  
 at least one LED ( 12 ) disposed on the platform ( 14 ) for generating light in a range from ultraviolet to infrared wavelenthgs;  
   an enclosure ( 22 ), which surrounds the light produced by the light module ( 16 ) such that at least a portion of the light is transmitted through the enclosure ( 22 ); and    a power module ( 30 ) for energizing the at least one LED ( 12 ).