Illumination – Light source and modifier – Adjustable or repositionable light source or light source...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-15
2002-03-19
Quach-Lee, Y. My (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Adjustable or repositionable light source or light source...
C362S184000, C362S188000, C362S800000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06357893
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for using a plurality of light sources to illuminate an area or aperture. The invention discloses improvements to devices using a plurality of light sources where the plurality of light sources are multiple wavelengths and may be light emitting diodes (also called in this application “LEDs”). The inventions contained within the text are directed at hand held flashlights, theatrical lighting, and may have other applications. Theatrical lighting is used in concerts, special events, nightclubs, television studios, restaurants and theme parks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When using a lighting device to illuminate an area it is often found necessary to change the profile of the projected light to match the object to be illuminated. When using a conventional hand held flashlight for example often the flashlight is equipped with a means for changing the profile of the emitted light from a spot to a wash. When using a conventional reflector and a single light source the reflector is often moved in relative position to the source to accomplish changing the profile. U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,523 to Lindabury discloses an illumination device that moves the lamp in relative position to the reflector.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,884 to Richardson discloses a variable beamwidth stage light with a single light source, relying on an axially movable reflector for changes in beamwidth. The reflector is constructed of a plurality of reflective leaves that are moved by a motor to change the focal length of the reflector. When working with a plurality of light sources, various methods have been disclosed that enable the multiple light sources to be converged or diverged. U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,070 to Chiu discloses an adjustable ring for concentrating multiple beams of light. Chiu discloses an apparatus for changing the angle of incidence of a plurality of light sources arranged in a ring. A threaded holder surrounds the ring of light sources while a cam mechanism adjusts the angle of the light sources that is operated by turning the threaded holder. U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,766 to Bailey et al. discloses a multi-color focusable LED stage light. A linear actuator is operable to move a base member containing an array of LEDs which in turn cause the LED array to change the direction of the optical axes of a substantial number of LEDs. By deforming the base member
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in Bailey, the LEDs can be converged or diverged on an area to be illuminated.
The Bailey patent does not discuss the issues of thermal management. High intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) have a critical upper temperature operating limit. This can easily be exceeded when the LEDs are arranged in-groups as in the Bailey patent and the ambient air temperature rises.
Multiparameter lights of the prior art utilize a single light source with motors to vary the focus, color, position and intensity. U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,351 to Ballmoos et al. titled: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF A PLURALITY OF FLOODLIGHTS discloses a number of floodlights especially for the illumination of a stage or studio, in which the parameters azimuth, elevation, brightness, focus and color of a bundle of light rays of each floodlight are adjusted to an optimum value for any one of a plurality of lighting effects.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,187 to Bornhorst titled: Computer controlled lighting system having automatically variable position, color, intensity and beam divergence illustrates another example of the prior art. Each of the instruments houses a central lamp and an optical system designed to collimate the light from the lamp and vary the parameters of the light by inserting motor driven optical components into the light by remote control.
Multiparameter lights are generally controlled by a central control system via a serial data communications system. An operator operating the central control system may control each multiparameter light separately to adjust the parameters. Each multiparameter light may be provided with a communications address so that each multiparameter light may be addressed separately by an operator operating the control system
Multiparameter lights of the prior art are depicted in the High End Systems Product Line 1997 brochure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in one embodiment provides an inexpensive method of converging and diverging a plurality of light sources by mounting the light sources to a flexible substrate that may be deformed to change the angular relationship of the plurality of light sources. Mechanical systems for deforming the base member or substrate are disclosed.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible substrate is laminated with a conductive material to supply electrical current to a plurality of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes are arranged symmetrically around the substrate to provide uniform illumination. A battery cell supplying electrical current is engaged with the flexible substrate as to provide electrical contact and to provide a variable force on the substrate. The variable force on the flexible substrate flexes the substrate and in turn changes the direction of the concentration or rays of light from the light sources, (which may be light emitting diodes), changing the angle of incidence of the light emitted by the light sources. A threaded member may be used to adjust the force on the flexible substrate applied by the battery cell.
In another embodiment of the present invention an electromagnetic force is applied to the flexible substrate and used to deform the substrate. In yet another embodiment of the invention a motor and lead screw is used to selectively deform the substrate. In another embodiment, a cam is used.
In another embodiment of the present invention a light is constructed with multiple light sources that include multiple wavelengths. The light sources' intensity or enabling may be individually controlled by wavelength groups or each individual LED may be controlled. Furthermore subgroups of the same wavelength or subgroups of multiple wavelengths may be individually enabled or there intensity controlled. The plurality of light sources may consist of light sources that emit wavelengths for red, green and blue light. The light utilizing the multiple light sources may use the red, green and blue wavelengths in a system of additive color mixing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,766 to Bailey et al., is incorporated by reference herein and specifies a system of additive color mixing. The multiple light sources may also contain additional wavelength LEDs such as amber or yellow LEDs. Also broad-spectrum visible white light emitting diodes such as those manufactured by Nichia Chemical Corporation of Japan may be included. A broad spectrum white light source may be added to the plurality of light sources to aid in the overall output of white light or to be mixed into variations of the colored light sources to produce further variations of pastel colors that would not be achievable by using a conventional additive Red, Green and Blue color mixing system.
The term “white light LED” refers to a light emitting diode that provides a spectrum that is seen by the human eye for all purposes as white.
In yet another embodiment a substrate is mounted with a plurality of light sources. One of the important design restraints found while designing lighting instruments is the removal of heat generated by the light source. High intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) have a critical upper temperature operating limit. This can easily be exceeded when the LEDs are arranged in-groups and the ambient air temperature rises. In one embodiment of the present invention this problem is solved by the use of ventilation holes placed through the flexible substrate. Ventilation holes are strategically placed in the substrate as to provide airflow either by a forced air system or by convection and to assist in dissipation of unwanted heat that is generated by the light sources and increase the life of the light sources.
In
Quach-Lee Y. My
Tencza Jr. Walter J.
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