Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing light fixtures for flexible LED circuit boards. The flexible LED circuit boards include an array of LED packages and the surface of the flexible circuit boards is highly reflective. A flexible LED circuit board may be shaped to conform to a rigid preform and the preform may be concave, convex, corrugated, or have any other custom shape. The shape of the preform, as well as the location of the LEDs within the flexible LED circuit may determine the light distribution of the light fixture. Alternatively, the lighting fixture may have multiple rods held in place with side plates and a flexible LED circuit board may be woven between the rods. A set of hole patterns in the side plates determine the location of the rods and the rods will determine the shape of the flexible LED circuit.

Abstract: There is described an edge assembly for attaching to flexible substrates. An example assembly may comprise at least a first edge component and a compression retainer component. The first edge component may include at least one conductor to mate with one or more conductors on a surface of a flexible substrate after the first edge component is affixed to an edge of the flexible substrate by the compression retainer component. The edge assembly may also comprise a second edge component, wherein the flexible substrate may be compressed between the first and second edge components and held in place by the compression retainer component. The first edge component may further comprise an extension, including the at least one conductor, that may be used to convey power from a power source to the flexible substrate. The extension is accessible from outside the flexible substrate via a port in the compression retainer component.

Abstract: A formed lighting device having a shape that extends in three dimensions is provided. The formed lighting device includes a formed flexible substrate having a shape, and a stretchable conductive trace located on the formable flexible substrate. A plurality of solid state light sources are attached to the stretchable conductive trace. The shape of the substrate, and thus the lighting device, extends in three dimensions and includes a three-dimensional structure that beam shapes light emitted from one of the solid state light sources. The three-dimensional structure may be a plurality of peaks and a corresponding plurality of valleys. A set of solid state light sources in the plurality of solid state light sources may be located in the plurality of valleys.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing light fixtures for flexible LED circuit boards. The flexible LED circuit boards include an array of LED packages and the surface of the flexible circuit boards is highly reflective. A flexible LED circuit board may be shaped to conform to a rigid preform and the preform may be concave, convex, corrugated, or have any other custom shape. The shape of the preform, as well as the location of the LEDs within the flexible LED circuit may determine the light distribution of the light fixture. Alternatively, the lighting fixture may have multiple rods held in place with side plates and a flexible LED circuit board may be woven between the rods. A set of hole patterns in the side plates determine the location of the rods and the rods will determine the shape of the flexible LED circuit.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for integrating the LED lead frame into the LED circuit fabrication process. The LED packages within the lead frame may be spaced according to the final spacing of the LED packages on the finished circuit board, such that multiple LED packages may be attached to a circuit board at a time by applying the lead frame to circuit board and then removing portions of the lead frame, leaving the LED packages attached to the board. The LED packages may be attached using solder or conductive epoxy, in some embodiments. Alternatively, part of the lead frame may include conductive wires forming one or more strings of LED packages. An entire string of LED packages may then be removed from the lead frame in a single motion and placement may be performed for a string of LED packages all at once rather than for individual LED packages.

Abstract: A light guide 2 for a ceiling downlight module 1 provides a batwing light distribution in a compact, flat form factor using edge-lit source light injection. A plurality of solid state light sources 16 inject light from peripheral side surface 12 inward into light guide 2 which has a disc-shaped light guide body 4 having a set of concentric annular steps or faces 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 between which inwardly-facing light-exit rings or facets 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 are formed. Light exiting the ring-shaped facets 24-34 provides substantial light intensity in lateral directions away from a normal optical axis A of light guide 2. Light exiting from facets 24-34 created an advantageous and aesthetically pleasing appearance of lighted rings.

Abstract: An end cap for a solid-state lighting device is described that provides an electrical connection(s) between an external power source and at least one solid-state emitter disposed in a hollow member of the lighting device. An outer wall extends a first distance and an inner wall extends a second distance from an inward-facing side of the end cap base. A gap between the inner wall and the outer wall accommodates the insertion of the hollow member. A contactor electrically coupled to a conductive member on an opposite side of the end cap extends into the gap. The contactor exerts a force on a flexible conductor and provides a power supply path to or power return path from the at least one solid-state emitter. Preferably, the lighting device includes an array of solid-state emitters disposed on a flexible substrate.

Abstract: There is herein described an LED lamp suitable for replacing conventional fluorescent lamps. The LED lamp has a tubular body and a flexible circuit board as compared to the rigid circuit boards used in other similar lamps. The flexible circuit board has a plurality of LEDs, electric circuitry for powering the LEDs, and a curvature that is maintained by a retention means. The curvature of the flexible circuit board substantially corresponds to the curvature of the tubular body which places the LEDs further away from the front surface of the lamp thereby allowing for improved diffusion and light distribution.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board is described that includes a flexible substrate, at least one ridge defining a flexion zone and a component mounting area. The flexion zone acting to dissipate at least a portion of a force applied to the substrate, so as to insulate the component mounting area from the force. Light sources using such flexible circuit boards and methods for making such circuit boards are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a curved component of a lamp or luminaire comprising forming a sheet segment into a curved portion after forming an electrically conductive trace on the sheet segment and after placing a plurality of LEDs on the sheet segment is described. A luminaire provided by the method of manufacturing is also described herein.

Abstract: There is herein described an LED lamp comprising a thermoformed circuit board and a tubular lamp body having a diffuser. The thermoformed circuit board comprises a substrate, an intermediate circuit board having electrical conductors, and a coverlay laminated to the substrate. The intermediate circuit board and electrical conductors are disposed between the substrate and the coverlay which has openings in which light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted and electrically connected to the electrical conductors of the intermediate circuit board. Each of the substrate and coverlay is comprised of a formable polymer material and the thermoformed circuit board has an elongated shape with an arcuate cross section. Since the thermoformed circuit board has a curvature that can be substantially the same as the curvature of the tubular lamp body, the LED may be located approximately at the circumference of the lamp.

Abstract: There is herein described an LED lamp comprising a tubular body having a diffuser portion and a circuit board portion. The circuit board portion has a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted thereon and electric circuitry for providing power to the LEDs. In one embodiment, the circuit board and diffuser portions are integrally formed from a sheet of a translucent polymer. As the circuit board forms a part of the tubular body of the lamp, the LEDs are located at the circumference of the lamp instead of near the center. Such a configuration improves diffusion and distribution of the light. Moreover, since the circuit board is not contained within the tubular body, there is no enclosure to trap excess heat which is an additional advantage.

Abstract: There is herein described an LED lamp suitable for replacing conventional fluorescent lamps. The LED lamp has a tubular body and a flexible circuit board as compared to the rigid circuit boards used in other similar lamps. The flexible circuit board has a plurality of LEDs, electric circuitry for powering the LEDs, and a curvature that is maintained by a retention means. The curvature of the flexible circuit board substantially corresponds to the curvature of the tubular body which places the LEDs further away from the front surface of the lamp thereby allowing for improved diffusion and light distribution.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for attaching SMDs to a flexible substrate using conductive epoxy bond pads. Each bond pad includes a set of elongated strips of conductive epoxy that are applied and cured onto the flexible substrate in an adjacent and parallel fashion. The bond pads are used to attach SMDs to the flexible substrate and also provide the conductive contacts for a printed circuit. A circuit may be printed on the flexible substrate using conductive ink that partially covers the bond pads, leaving a portion of the pads exposed. A second layer or strip of conductive epoxy may be applied over and across the exposed portions of the bond pad strips in order to attach an SMD. The number, size, and orientation of the epoxy bond pad strips may be determined by the amount of bending the flexible substrate is expected to withstand and/or the orientation of the bend.

Abstract: Structures for transitioning between two layers of differing lattice parameters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the structures are in the form of a superlattice that serves as a strain relieving transition between two layers of differing lattice parameters. By controlling the properties of the superlattice, the superlattice can exhibit desirable properties such as transparency to light and lattice matching to one of the two layers of differing lattice parameters. Optoelectronic devices such as light emitting diodes including such superlattices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for attaching SMDs to a flexible substrate using conductive epoxy bond pads. Each bond pad includes a set of elongated strips of conductive epoxy that are applied and cured onto the flexible substrate in an adjacent and parallel fashion. The bond pads are used to attach SMDs to the flexible substrate and also provide the conductive contacts for a printed circuit. A circuit may be printed on the flexible substrate using conductive ink that partially covers the bond pads, leaving a portion of the pads exposed. A second layer or strip of conductive epoxy may be applied over and across the exposed portions of the bond pad strips in order to attach an SMD. The number, size, and orientation of the epoxy bond pad strips may be determined by the amount of bending the flexible substrate is expected to withstand and/or the orientation of the bend.

Abstract: Structures for transitioning between two layers of differing lattice parameters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the structures are in the form of a superlattice that serves as a strain relieving transition between two layers of differing lattice parameters. By controlling the properties of the superlattice, the superlattice can exhibit desirable properties such as transparency to light and lattice matching to one of the two layers of differing lattice parameters. Optoelectronic devices such as light emitting diodes including such superlattices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Substrates for electronic components are disclosed. In some example embodiments, a light source is provided with a substrate, at least one electronic package coupled to said substrate by an adhesive at an associated mounting location, and a stiffener proximate to said mounting location for reducing flexing of said substrate in said mounting location compared to flexing of said substrate in said mounting location in the absence of said stiffener.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing light fixtures for flexible LED circuit boards. The flexible LED circuit boards include an array of LED packages and the surface of the flexible circuit boards is highly reflective. A flexible LED circuit board may be shaped to conform to a rigid preform and the preform may be concave, convex, corrugated, or have any other custom shape. The shape of the preform, as well as the location of the LEDs within the flexible LED circuit may determine the light distribution of the light fixture. Alternatively, the lighting fixture may have multiple rods held in place with side plates and a flexible LED circuit board may be woven between the rods. A set of hole patterns in the side plates determine the location of the rods and the rods will determine the shape of the flexible LED circuit.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing light fixtures for flexible LED circuit boards. The flexible LED circuit boards include an array of LED packages and the surface of the flexible circuit boards is highly reflective. A flexible LED circuit board may be shaped to conform to a rigid preform and the preform may be concave, convex, corrugated, or have any other custom shape. The shape of the preform, as well as the location of the LEDs within the flexible LED circuit may determine the light distribution of the light fixture. Alternatively, the lighting fixture may have multiple rods held in place with side plates and a flexible LED circuit board may be woven between the rods. A set of hole patterns in the side plates determine the location of the rods and the rods will determine the shape of the flexible LED circuit.