WO2011067565A1

WO2011067565A1 - J type led light unit

Info

Publication number: WO2011067565A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/002215
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerald Burke; Keith Gough
Original assignee: MICART (HOLDINGS) LLP; Global Tech China Ltd
Current assignee: MICART (HOLDINGS) LLP; Global Tech China Ltd
Priority date: 2009-12-01
Filing date: 2010-12-01
Publication date: 2011-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-01
Also published as: GB2488064A; HK1133533A2; GB201208439D0

Abstract

A J Type light unit (10) is shown in Figure 1. The unit includes Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) (1), a cooling fan (3), a power supply and contact point where all are installed in a housing. The self contained unit enables simple replacement of the LEDs and the cooling fan and reduces the waste of resources.

Description

J Type LED Light Unit

Field of the technology

The present invention relates to a J Type light unit and in particular but not exclusively to a low voltage light unit that includes a J Type light bulb and a cooling arrangement.

Background of the technology

Light sources having J Type bulbs, which have electrical connectors at either end of a linear bulb, are well known. There are in the main two types of J Type light sources, one kind has a simple fluorescent tube as the light source and in such arrangements the tube is simply replaced should defects occur. However these types of light sources have the disadvantage in that they do not reach the highest brightness immediately after being turned on and it takes some time for a tube to light up and the brightness is also not adjustable, which is an inconvenience to users who may want the light to be dimmed. The other kind of J Type bulb is the R7 linear halogen bulb. These types of bulb are extremely inefficient in terms of illuminants and life expectancy.

There is the added problem that known light sources need to be cooled. It is known to use cooling fans but to date the cooling effect is poor and the cooling fan components can easily get overheated and burn out. Further, known cooling fans cannot easily be replaced and as a consequence, if the cooling fan or lamp tube is faulty the whole unit is discarded. In particular with J Type lamps it is not possible to replace the cooling fan or lamp tube.

The way light emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) give off heat and the way halogen bulbs give off heat are completely different. Halogen bulbs give off heat from the light they output into the external environment. LEDs give off heat from behind the light source, and if this is not dispersed correctly the LEDs will lose their brightness and eventually stop working. This means that there are problems in substituting an LED bulb for a halogen bulb in a lighting system. The present invention seeks to overcome the problems of the prior art by providing a light source that can replace existing J Type bulbs and in particular halogen bulbs and which overcomes the reliability issues with known arrangements.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is a replacement for either of the two known lamps since it utilises new high powered Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology as its light source.

According to the invention there is provided a J Type lamp light unit including a support for one or more LEDs and a power supply and control wherein there is also a fan positioned above the one or more LEDs to dissipate heat from the LEDs.

Preferably, the support has a first and a second face the first face of the support having one or more LEDs and the second face being associated with the power supply contact and control, the first and second faces being connected by a bridging surface which supports the fan above the first face having the LEDs.

It is envisaged that the LEDs, the fan and the power supply contact point are connected with the control circuit.

In a preferred arrangement the axis of rotation of the fan is substantially at right angles to the face of the support having the LEDs. This allows for very efficient heat removal by the creation of convention currents. The rotation of the fan disperses the heat that is being produced by the LEDs because as air around the LEDs is heated it rises and then is circulated by the fan.

Preferably, the power supply contact point includes a coupling for a J Type lamp bulb base. It is envisaged that there are several LEDs arranged on the support to form an illuminative surface.

It is preferred that the power supply contact point and the control circuit are placed on the side of the frame with no LEDs.

Typically the power supply contact point is placed above the control circuit and the cooling fan is placed on the upper surface of the support.

It is envisaged that once the control circuit obtains electricity from the J Type lamp via the power supply contact point, it will control the LEDs and the cooling fan to start operation.

Preferably the support is made of a heat conductive material. It is preferred that the material is aluminium based.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical appliance including a unit according to the invention; such appliances may include general lighting systems, security lights, flood lights etc.

Description of the drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 : is the example of implementation of this utility model, and Figure 2 is the rear view of Figure 1. Detailed description of the embodiments A light unit is shown in Figure 1. The unit includes Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 1 , and these LEDs are positioned on a support 5. The support is generally rectilinear in shape with first 11a and second faces 11 b on opposite sides of the support. The LEDs are positioned on a first face 11a of the support to form an array which provides an illuminative surface. On a second face of the support there is a control circuit 2 which is connected to a power supply contact 4. The power supply contact point 4 and the control circuit 2 are both placed on the same side of the support 5. A cooling fan 3 is positioned on a surface 12 of the support which bridges the first and second faces on which the LEDs and power supply respectively are positioned. The fan is positioned so it sits above the array of LEDs.

Typically the fan is a brushless fan and uses no external ventilation and is primarily used to create air convection to move the heat from the LED and electronic driver to the outer body or housing of the product or the open air. The use of such a fan has advantages over known devices in that the circulation of air causes very efficient cooling. Furthermore the use of the arrangement of the invention avoids the problems with the noise that can be produced by fans and dust or moisture ingress. The method we have employed is the only effective way to move heat from the LEDs to achieve the correct operation of higher powered LEDs and driver ensuring the electrolytic capacitors do not overheat, especially in confined or enclosed spaces, with or without ventilation, and typically where moisture ingress or weather proofing is required for the lighting fixture

Typically the support is made of aluminium and supports the function of the fan to soak heat away from the LEDs. The aluminium support provides the physical mounting for the fan. There is also a plastic, non conductive housing for the electronic components. The placement of the fan relative to the components ensures that the electronics are cooled to optimum application temperature, application temperature being the temperature required to operate one or many LEDs Further, as the LEDs have additional support from the LED lamp body to the lamp holder, it is not purely relying on the electrical contact pins to hold it in the correct position and maintain that position to provide optimum illumination. The support also ensures that the fan position is also maintained above the driver and LEDs. This is the optimum position to drive the heat away from the LEDs and electronics to the body or housing or the open air.

The electronics incorporate an internal failsafe circuit to ensure that should the unit overheat or if the unit receives excessive voltage/current the driver will automatically adjust the power down so the light will still work, without damage to the unit or the LEDs.

Because the fan is positioned above the LEDs when positioning the unit maximum illumination is obtained because the fan does not obscure the LEDs.

The driver/ballast has been designed to be incorporated within the complete LED (halogen lamp) replacement unit so that it can simply be exchanged by anyone without expertise. Incorporating the electronics in to the replacement unit allows for optimal operating voltage to be applied to power the LEDs. This also removes the need to add the electronics to the exterior of the light which would entail considerable specialist rewiring.

The unit can provide a LED version of the halogen lamp and this can replace a standard R7, J Type or similar type of halogen lamp. This provides a huge savings in energy and energy cost and can go in to many lighting products where halogen lamps are used. Because of the efficiency of LEDs this also has the advantage in that where halogen lamps are used in difficult to access positions, such as where security lights are mounted, by having a unit where the bulb does not need to be replaced so often, there is a major advantage in not having to replace bulbs.

The unit of the invention can be produced in all wattages, length, style, voltage, in a single end or double ended version which can be made to suit any type of cap (method of holding the lamp in place in the relevant light fitting, for example Rs7, J Type, BC, SBC, ES , SES, MES etc. Furthermore the unit can replace any type or configuration of halogen lamp filament and this is achieved by combining the driver with the LEDs and a fan to remove critical heat away from the LEDs.

The combination of having the driver, LEDs, heat dissipation unit fan and electrical contacts all in one unit overcomes the problem of high temperature which adversely affect the operation of the LEDs.

The length of the J Type lamp light bulb of this present utility is the same as the normal J Type lamp light bulb. The power supply contact point 4 matches with the contact point of the J Type lamp bulb base. To use the unit the power supply contact point 4 is plugged into the J Type lamp bulb base, and the control circuit 2 will obtain electricity and control the LED 1 and the cooling fan 3 to operate. Once the LED 1 or the cooling fan 3 is damaged, it is not required to replace the whole set of J Type lamps, only to replace the J Type lamp bulb of this present utility is enough.

The advantage of the present invention is to the use of the unit as a LED light source which is not only energy saving and which has a long life, but also allows the light source to reach its highest light intensity rapidly. The invention also allows for the ability to replace the normal J Type lamp switch with a dimmable switch, meaning the J Type lamp light bulb can be dimmable. As the light bulb is replaceable, users will only have to replace the J Type lamp light bulb with cooling fan once the LED luminary or the cooling fan component is damaged. It is not required to replace the whole set of J Type lamp, thus saving cost and reducing wastage.

It should be noted that the above mentioned embodiment illustrates rather than limits the invention and that alterations or modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as described. Furthermore, the invention not only covers individual embodiments but also combinations of embodiments described.

Claims

1. A J Type lamp light unit (10) including a support (5) for one or more LEDs (1) and a power supply and control circuit wherein there is also a fan (3) positioned above the one or more LEDs to dissipate heat from the LEDs.

2. A J Type light unit according to claim 1 , wherein the support (5) has a first and a second face (11a, 11 b), the first face of the support (11a) having one or more LEDs (1) and the second face (11 b) being associated with the power supply contact and control circuit, the first and second faces being connected by a bridging surface (12) which supports the fan (3) above the first face having the LEDs.

3. A J Type light unit according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the LEDs, the fan (3) and the power supply contact point are connected with the control circuit.

4. A J Type light unit according to any preceding claim wherein the power supply contact point includes a coupling for a J Type lamp bulb base.

5. A J Type light unit according to any preceding claim wherein a plurality of LEDs are arranged on the support (5) to form an illuminative surface.

6. A J Type light unit according to any preceding claim wherein the axis of rotation of the fan (3) is substantially at right angle to the face of the support (5) having the LEDs.

7. A J Type light unit according to any preceding claim wherein the power supply contact point and the control circuit are placed on the side of the support (5) with no LEDs.

8. A J Type light unit according to claim 7, wherein the power supply contact point is placed above the control circuit and the cooling fan (3) is placed on the upper surface (12) of the support (5).

9. A J Type light unit according to any preceding claim wherein the control circuit obtains electricity from the J Type lamp via the power supply contact point and this controls the LEDs and the cooling fan (3) to start operation.

10. A J Type light unit according to any preceding claim wherein the support (5) is made of a heat conductive material.

11. A J Type light unit according to claim 10, wherein the heat conductive material is a metal such as an aluminium based material.

12. An electrical appliance having a J Type light unit according to any preceding claim.

13. An electrical appliance according to claim 11 wherein the appliance is selected from one or more of the following, a security light, a flood light, a lamp.

Abstract

A J Type Light Unit