A light bulb

Abstract

A lamp bulb is disclosed which comprises a feedthrough (26) for accommodating electrical conductors (24) passing through a glass stem (23) of the lamp bulb (10). The lamp bulb (10) comprises a light engine (21) arranged within a sealed light-transmitting surface structure (22), a feedthrough sealed in a glass stem (23) supporting the light engine (21) and extending through the glass stem (23), a plurality of wires (24) electrically isolated from each other and extending through the feedthrough (26) and being hermetically sealed in the feedthrough (26), the wires (24) connecting the light engine (21) to at least one power and signal source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of lighting technology, and more specifically, to a light bulb comprising a multi-wire hermetically sealed feeder in a glass core. Background Technology

[0002] A traditional incandescent light bulb or lamp typically consists of a light-transmitting surface structure, a filament, a central core, and connecting wires. The surface structure is usually a spherical glass shell and is arranged to distribute the light produced by the filament. The filament is typically made of tungsten and is located inside the light-transmitting surface structure. The core, usually made of glass, is located at the center of the surface structure and supports the filament. Connecting wires are arranged to ensure power is supplied through the components of a traditional incandescent light bulb.

[0003] For a conventional incandescent light bulb, there are usually two wires (called lead wires) passing through the glass core and arranged to connect to the positive and negative contacts ("+" and "-") of the power supply located in the bulb base.

[0004] In contrast, newly developed adjustable LED filament lamps typically require more than two wires to pass through the glass core. One reason is that the light engine of an LED filament lamp, equivalent to the filament of a conventional bulb, includes not only LEDs (which can be of different colors) but also components such as communication elements for receiving signals used to control the LED light source. Therefore, more than two—typically three to six—interconnecting lines may be needed between the driver and the light engine located within the hermetically sealed bulb for power and signals.

[0005] For traditional incandescent light bulbs, during the manufacturing process, the lead wires are melted or pressed into a molten glass core at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. Such high temperatures make it impossible to insulate the wires from each other, as the insulation would melt during core formation.

[0006] Furthermore, the number of wires that would traditionally be melted within a glass core is currently limited to a maximum of four wires. Wires melted in this manner are also subject to limitations in size and material.

[0007] All of the above factors make it difficult or impossible to lay out the required number of wires in the glass core using conventional methods.

[0008] Therefore, there is a real need for a light bulb that can accommodate a large number of wires in a glass core, as well as a method for manufacturing such a light bulb. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In a first aspect of this disclosure, a light bulb is proposed, comprising: a light engine arranged within a space surrounded by a light-transmitting surface structure and a glass core column;

[0010] The glass core column comprises interconnected flared and tubular sections, which support the light engine and are fused to the light-transmitting surface structure through its flared sections.

[0011] The feedthrough extends through the glass core and is fixed in the tubular section by fusion.

[0012] The feedthrough carrier is provided with a plurality of electrically isolated electrical conductors that extend through the glass core and connect the optical engine to at least one power and signal source. The feedthrough carrier is made of ceramic or glass, and the glass core has a first melting point Tm1 and the feedthrough carrier has a second melting point Tm2, ​​wherein Tm2-Tm1>=75°C.

[0013] This disclosure is based on the understanding that a feedthrough fixed or fused within a glass core can accommodate multiple electrically isolated conductors (e.g., wires or conductive traces), such as more than four conductors (e.g., five, six, or even twelve). Therefore, more conductors can be used to connect the filament or light engine to power and signal sources, while avoiding the problems of conventional lamps. The feedthrough with the conductors effectively forms a single unit, which can be fixed as a whole within the tubular portion of the core. With the lamp according to the invention, the risk of the conductors coming into contact with each other or being housed relatively close to each other within the core after being fixed in it is eliminated. Therefore, not only is the reliability and safety of the lamp improved, but a relatively large number of current conductors can also pass through the glass core to reach the light engine housed in the space, compared to lamps according to the prior art.

[0014] The light bulb may have the following characteristics: the feedthrough is made of ceramic or glass, wherein the glass core has a first melting point Tm1 and the feedthrough has a second melting point Tm2, ​​wherein Tm2-Tm1>=75°C. This minimum or greater temperature difference helps to seal the feedthrough within the tubular portion of the glass core, as this reduces the risk of excessive deformation of the feedthrough and thus reduces the risk of contact between electrical conductors and / or damage (such as breakage).

[0015] The light bulb according to the invention may have the following features: a space is hermetically sealed by a light-transmitting surface structure and a glass core, wherein the feedthrough is hermetically fixed in the tubular portion along the sealed length, for example by fusion or melting, and wherein the electrical conductor extends hermetically through the glass core. The hermetically sealed space allows the bulb to have a space filled with a specific gas (e.g., a gas such as neon), which is confined within it. This improves heat conduction from the light engine to the light-transmitting surface structure and the outside, and thus results in better lamp performance and maintenance.

[0016] The technical solution disclosed herein can have the following characteristics: a feedthrough tube or sleeve can be used as the feedthrough body, which is molten in and passes through a glass core. Typically, an electrical conductor is then implemented as a connecting conductive wire. The connecting wire is then embedded or encapsulated and sealed within the feedthrough tube. This means that multiple wires will not be subjected to temperatures exceeding, for example, 1400 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the wires can be made of cheaper materials (such as copper instead of tungsten). Another advantage of this solution is that the wires can be made thinner and can be individually insulated, allowing more wires to be accommodated within the feedthrough tube sealed in the glass core.

[0017] The light bulb can have the following characteristics: the glass core has a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the feedthrough has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, wherein the difference between the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion does not exceed |2.5*10⁻⁶ / K|, such as not exceeding |1*10⁻⁶ / K|. By limiting the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the core and the feedthrough, the risk of damage (such as breakage) to the fixed connection between the core and the feedthrough is offset, making the bulb more reliable. Furthermore, a more reliable hermetic seal is achieved.

[0018] In embodiments of this disclosure, the feedthrough tube is made of metal. Metal is a highly suitable material for feedthrough tubes because it can withstand the high temperatures required to seal the tube within the glass core while ensuring an airtight seal between the tube and the glass core. In specific embodiments of this disclosure, the metals include Kovar (an iron-nickel-cobalt alloy), Vacovit, tungsten, molybdenum, (Cr)NiFe, and Al₂O₃. These are all readily available materials and can be used to form the tube sealed within the glass core.

[0019] On the other hand, in another embodiment of this disclosure, the feedthrough is made of ceramic or glass. Ceramic materials can also withstand high temperatures. Examples of ceramics may include Al2O3 (with a melting point of 2072°C) or SiAlON (with a melting point of 2745°C). Glass types having a higher transition temperature or melting temperature than the glass used for the bulb wick may include fused silica or fused silica glass (melting point 1650°C).

[0020] In embodiments of this disclosure, multiple conductors are hermetically sealed within a feedthrough using a resilient and adhesive sealing compound. The sealing compound helps ensure an airtight seal between the feedthrough and each conductor. Therefore, the sealing compound needs to exhibit sufficient elasticity and adhesion to the insulation of the feedthrough and conductors to compensate for the mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the materials of the feedthrough and conductors. A sealing compound with both elasticity and adhesiveness is suitable for this purpose.

[0021] In exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the sealing compound includes one of an adhesive and an epoxy resin. Specifically, the sealing compound may include epoxy resin, amorphous silica, oxybis(ethyleneoxy)bis(propylamine), titanium dioxide, butyl 2,3-epoxypropyl ether, non-fibrous alumina, and bisphenol A epichlorohydrin. These compounds have suitable properties for hermetically sealing wires within a feedthrough.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, multiple conductors are individually insulated using an insulating layer having a coefficient of thermal expansion that matches that of the conductors. Since the conductors do not need to withstand the high temperatures required to melt the conductors within the glass core when embedded in a feedthrough tube already sealed within the glass core, a very thin insulating material can be applied to each conductor. This thin insulating layer ensures that the conductors are firmly insulated from each other, allowing more conductors to be embedded in the feedthrough tube to accommodate new lamps requiring more wiring.

[0023] In embodiments of this disclosure, the insulation layer is made of either a polyester film (mylar) or silicone resin. Because each conductor is individually insulated with a very thin insulation layer, similar to the design used in Litz wires, it is not necessary to maintain isolation between the conductors in the feedthrough before and after sealing. This facilitates easier conductor insertion or encapsulation.

[0024] In embodiments of this disclosure, the multiple conductors have diameters ranging from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. Since the conductors are not exposed to temperatures corresponding to the melting point of glass at 1400 degrees Celsius, a diameter in the 0.2-0.5 mm range is sufficient to provide the required electrical and mechanical properties for the conductors.

[0025] In embodiments of this disclosure, the number of wires is three or more (such as six or nine). This is particularly advantageous for novel bulbs or lamps that require at least four connecting wires to connect the filament or light engine to the power and signal sources, thereby allowing the bulb or lamp to be controlled in different ways and providing the user with more lighting operation modes as needed.

[0026] In embodiments of this disclosure, the feedthrough has an inner diameter ranging from 1.0 mm to 3.5 mm. The feedthrough has a sufficiently large inner diameter to accommodate the required number of conductors. The inner diameter can be selected based on the diameter of the conductors and the number of conductors to be inserted into the feedthrough. The feedthrough typically has a wall thickness ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mm to provide adequate thermal insulation properties to adequately protect the conductive wires passing through it from heat generated during the fixing / sealing process.

[0027] The light bulb may have the following characteristics: the feedthrough is made of an electrically insulating material, and the electrical conductor is a conductive trace disposed on the surface of the feedthrough. Such conductive traces can be readily and routinely obtained by screen printing, bonding of thick films (e.g., 0.1-1 mm thick), or via physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), chemical solution deposition (CSD), or by photolithography, which typically provides thin films (e.g., 0.001-0.1 mm thick). Suitable materials for the conductive traces are, for example, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, or cermet. Suitable cermets are, for example, refractory oxides containing alumina and metals containing typically 0.1-0.2 volume fractions of tungsten or molybdenum; or aluminum nitride and aluminum metal from about 40% to about 50% by weight. In this case, the light bulb may have the following characteristics: the traces are made of copper or cermet materials, including alumina and / or aluminum nitride as refractory oxides and aluminum, molybdenum, and / or tungsten as metals. These materials are suitable for this purpose. When the tubular portion of the glass core is fused and / or sealed with a rod-shaped feedthrough having conductive traces deposited thereon, a secure or hermetically sealed passage of electrical conductors through the glass core is achieved.

[0028] The light bulb may have the following characteristics: the feedthrough is made of ceramic or glass, and the electrical conductor is a conductive trace (e.g., a solid rod or bar) disposed on the outer surface of the feedthrough. This rod-shaped or bar-shaped feedthrough is fixed or sealed to a tubular portion of the core to obtain an electrical conductor passing through the glass core in a desired manner. Optionally, as an alternative or additional method for the electrical conductor to pass through the core, a solid rod or bar with conductive traces is provided as a first feedthrough, which serves as a substitute for multiple loose wires and is fixed or sealed to a second feedthrough (i.e., a feedthrough tube). The combined feedthrough configuration of the first and second feedthroughs can then be sealed as a single unit to a tubular portion of the glass core to obtain the desired passage of the electrical conductor through the glass core.

[0029] In a second aspect of this disclosure, a method for manufacturing a light bulb according to a first aspect of this disclosure is provided. The method comprises the following steps:

[0030] I) For example, by melting or gluing, the feedthrough is fixed in the tubular portion of the glass core;

[0031] II) Provide a feedthrough having a plurality of electrically isolated electrical conductors;

[0032] III) Connect the plurality of electrical conductors to the light engine contacts supported by the glass core pillar;

[0033] IV) Arrange the light engine in a space surrounded by a light-transmitting surface; and

[0034] V) The space is enclosed by assembling the glass core and the light-transmitting surface structure by fusing the light-transmitting surface with the flared portion of the glass core.

[0035] Considering that the sealing compound used to seal the wire in the feedthrough may not withstand the relatively high temperatures used to fix the feedthrough in the glass core (e.g., via melt sealing), the method of this disclosure first seals the feedthrough within the glass core. Then, the wire is implanted and sealed within the feedthrough tube at a suitable temperature. The given order of steps I and II eliminates concerns about damage to the wire if subjected to high temperatures. Alternatively, steps I and II can be performed in reverse order, for example, when the feedthrough carrier is used with conductive traces deposited thereon.

[0036] In embodiments of the method disclosed herein, the space is hermetically sealed by a light-transmitting surface structure and a glass core, the feeder is hermetically fixed in the tubular portion along the sealed length, and the electrical conductor extends hermetically through the glass core. The method further includes the steps of filling the light-transmitting surface structure with gas via a gas feed tube and sealing the space by hermetically sealing the tubular portion.

[0037] In embodiments of this disclosure, the method further includes the step of shielding the gas feed tube so that the feed tube is less prominent and the scattering of light is counteracted.

[0038] The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be best understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts, or parts that perform the same or equivalent functions or operations. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 An incandescent light bulb according to the prior art is shown schematically.

[0040] Figure 2 A light bulb according to this disclosure is shown schematically.

[0041] Figures 3A to 3C An enlarged view of a feedthrough disposed in a glass core according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, as well as cross-sections of some examples of feedthroughs in which electrical conductors are sealed.

[0042] Figures 4A to 4B An enlarged and detailed view of a feedthrough according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, the feedthrough having conductive traces according to the present disclosure on its outer surface.

[0043] Figure 5 An embodiment of a method for manufacturing a light bulb according to the invention is illustrated schematically in the form of a flowchart. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Embodiments contemplated by this disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The subject matter disclosed should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the illustrated embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0045] Figure 1 An incandescent light bulb 10 according to the prior art is schematically shown. The bulb 10 includes a filament 11 arranged within a space 9, which is hermetically sealed by a light-transmitting surface structure 12 and a glass core 13. The filament 11 is typically made of tungsten or an external suitable metallic material and serves for both electrical conductivity and light emission. The gas-sealed light-transmitting surface structure 12 typically has a spherical shape and serves to protect the internal components of the bulb 10. The sphere 12 is typically made of hard glass, such as soda-lime glass, to withstand higher temperatures.

[0046] The bulb 10 also includes a core post 13, which is made of glass and is used to protect the wires 14 arranged therein, and to support and lift the filament 11 into the spatial orientation within the sphere 12 so as to dissipate light in a spatial light distribution.

[0047] A wire 14 (often referred to as a lead wire) connects the filament 11 to a power source (not shown) arranged in the base 15 of the bulb 10 to transfer current from the base 15 to the filament 11. The wire 14 is typically made of nickel-plated copper.

[0048] While a standard incandescent bulb 10 typically has two wires 14, newly developed adjustable bulbs may require more wires, such as three to six or ten interconnecting wires for connecting to power and signal lines.

[0049] The following will refer to Figure 2 , Figures 3A to 3C and Figures 4A to 4B Describes a light bulb according to this disclosure.

[0050] Figure 2 A light bulb 20 according to this disclosure is shown schematically. Figure 3A An enlarged view 30 of the feedthrough is schematically shown—in Figures 3A to 3B The middle section is the feed tube—which is placed inside the glass core column, with the wires sealed inside the feed tube. Figure 3B A cross-sectional view 40 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the feedthrough, in which conductive connecting wires are sealed within the feedthrough. Figure 3C A cross-sectional view 40 of another feedthrough structure is schematically shown.

[0051] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3AThe bulb 20 may include one or more filaments, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), serving as a light engine 21a. These filaments are arranged within a space 19 that is hermetically sealed by a light-transmitting surface structure 22 and a core 23. The filaments or multiple filaments 21 are supported by a glass core 23, which includes a flared end 231 and a tubular portion 232. Multiple wires 24, 24b are arranged to connect the filaments 21 to at least one signal and power control (not shown) disposed at or within a base 25 of the bulb 20.

[0052] A feeder 26, tube or sleeve 26b, which may be made of glass, metal or ceramic, is provided and fixed in a glass core 23 and arranged to accommodate a plurality of electrical conductors 24 in the line 24b shown in the figure. Figure 2 An example of a feedthrough, tube, or sleeve 26b is shown, which is arranged to accommodate five conductors 24b: a common neutral wire and four leads for electrically connecting each conductive lead 24b to a corresponding LED filament 21. However, those skilled in the art will envision that more or fewer conductors 24b can be arranged in the feedthrough tube 26b, for example... Figure 3B As shown, there are seven wires 24b.

[0053] The feedthrough carrier 26 (represented as metal tube 26b in the figure) can be melted along the sealing length SL in the sealing region 233 of the tubular portion 232 of the glass core 23, for example, during the manufacture of the glass core 23. Alternatively, the prefabricated glass core 23 can be provided with a feedthrough channel in which the feedthrough tube 26b will be installed and sealed to provide airtightness and / or inlet protection in accordance with inlet protection specifications.

[0054] The airtightness between the feed tube 26b and the glass core 23 can be maintained by selecting an appropriate combination of materials for the glass and the tube. For example, commonly known combinations of materials defined for incandescent light bulbs can be used.

[0055] As an example, the feed tube 26b can be made of one of the group of metals including kovar (iron-nickel-cobalt alloy), vacovit, tungsten, molybdenum, (Cr)NiFe, and Al2O3. Meanwhile, the core 23 can be made of glass (such as soda-lime glass). Examples of suitable glasses for the core 23 are given in Table 1.

[0056]

[0057]

[0058] Table 1. Examples of soda-lime glass.

[0059] Multiple conductors 24, including power lines and signal lines, may be embedded or encapsulated within a feedthrough duct 26b. To ensure airtightness between the feedthrough duct 26b and the conductors 24b, a sealing compound 41 may be filled within the feedthrough duct 26b and around the conductors 24b, such as... Figure 3B As shown.

[0060] A suitable sealing compound 41 exhibits sufficient elasticity and adhesion to the insulation layer 42 surrounding the feed tube 26b and the conductor 24b, as shown in the following reference. Figure 3B This is to compensate for the mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the material of the feed tube 26b and the insulation layer 42 of the conductor 24b. For example, one of the following groups can be used as the sealing compound 41: epoxy resin, amorphous silica, oxybis(ethyleneoxy)bis(propylamine), titanium dioxide, butyl 2,3-epoxypropyl ether, non-fibrous alumina, and bisphenol A epichlorohydrin resin.

[0061] To ensure electrical isolation between conductors 24b, each conductor 24b is individually insulated with a very thin insulation layer 42 in a manner similar to Litz wire. The insulation layer 42 can be made of, for example, polyester film or silicone resin. Therefore, it is not necessary to maintain isolation between conductors 24b in the feedthrough 26b before and after sealing the conductors 24b.

[0062] The insulating layer 42 has a coefficient of thermal expansion that matches that of the conductor 24b. For example, a polyester film has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 1.7 x 10⁻⁶ compared to copper. -5 [in / in / ℃] (ASTM-D696) Matched coefficient of thermal expansion.

[0063] The advantage of using copper wire is that it can be directly soldered to the power supply and filament in the bulb base 25, which is advantageous compared to conventional bulbs, where the wires 14 in the glass core 13 can only be soldered.

[0064] The polyester film has a melting temperature of ~250°C, which will provide sufficient resistance for the assembly process described later.

[0065] Individually insulated conductors help ensure airtightness. This limits the mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the insulation and conductor materials. The length of the conductor insulation and the conductor joint is also advantageous when sealing is involved.

[0066] The concept is to first seal the feedthrough tube 26b within the glass core 23 before encapsulating the wire 24b within it. Then, the wire 24b is encapsulated or implanted into the sealed feedthrough tube 26b. In this way, the wire 24b is not exposed to the glass melting temperature corresponding to approximately 1400°C. Therefore, the diameter of the wire 24b can be reduced compared to conventional through-glass feedthroughs.

[0067] The conductor 24b can have a diameter ranging from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. The number of conductors 24b housed in the tube 26b can depend on the diameter of the inner tube. For a five-channel colored filament bulb, a feedthrough of at least five conductors 24b is required, which can be achieved with an inner tube diameter of 1.0 mm to 3.5 mm.

[0068] The airtightness between each pair of glass cores and the feed tube, the airtightness between the feed tube and the sealing compound, the airtightness between the sealing compound and the wire insulation layer around the wire, and the airtightness between the wire insulation layer and the wire itself help to ensure the airtight mounting or implantation of multiple wires 24b in the feed tube 26b, while ensuring mutual electrical isolation between the wires 24b.

[0069] Figure 3C A cross-sectional view 40 of an alternative feedthrough configuration is schematically shown, through which the electrical conductor 24 can extend through the core column. The alternative feedthrough configuration includes a first feedthrough 26a (i.e., a solid rod or bar 26a) provided with conductive traces 24a as the electrical conductor 24, serving as an alternative to multiple loose wires, and is fixed or sealed into a second feedthrough (i.e., a feedthrough tube 26b). The first feedthrough 26a is fixed within the second feedthrough 26b with an encapsulation material 41. The combined feedthrough configuration of the first feedthrough 26a and the second feedthrough 26b can then be sealed as a single unit into a tubular portion of the glass core column to achieve the desired passage of the electrical conductor 24 through the glass core column.

[0070] Figures 4A to 4B An enlarged view 30 schematically shows a glass core 23 having mounted / supported LED light engines 21a (i.e., multiple (i.e., five) LED filaments 21); and having a feedthrough carrier 26 (in Figures 4A to 4B The glass rod 26a is disposed in the glass core 23; it has a plurality (i.e., seven) conductive traces 24a deposited thereon as electrical conductors 24, which in this case are obtained by screen printing, but this can alternatively be obtained by, for example, bonding, PVD, CVD, CSD or by photolithography. Figure 4B The illustration shows what is sealed in Figure 4A A more detailed view of a portion of the feedthrough carrier in the core pillar shown in the embodiment. The glass of the glass core pillar 23 is composed of a first glass (i.e., glass with reference number 220 having the properties given in Table 1). The glass rod feedthrough 26a is composed of a second glass (i.e., glass with reference number 342 having the properties given in Table 1). The matching properties of the first and second glasses enable the glass rod feedthrough 26a and the conductive trace 24a to be suitably and hermetically sealed along the sealing length SL into the tubular portion 232 of the glass core pillar, as shown in the embodiment. Figure 4A As shown. A spiral-shaped LED light engine 21a is mounted on a glass core pillar. This LED light engine 21a includes multiple independently controllable LED filaments 21, each filament 21 being connected (the connection is not shown, but it can be conveniently obtained through a male-to-female, plug-like structure) to a corresponding conductive trace 24a on a feedthrough 26a. The conductive trace 24a is made of copper. Figure 4A The core 23 shown, having a supported light engine 21a, can be appropriately applied as such Figure 2 The lamp shows the core column and the alternative supported light engine.

[0071] Figure 5 An embodiment of a method 50 for manufacturing a light bulb according to the present disclosure is schematically shown in a flowchart-type diagram.

[0072] Considering the high temperature required to melt the feed tube in the glass core, as a first step 51 of the method 50 of this disclosure, the feed carrier is fixed, for example, melted in the glass core.

[0073] Next, in step 52, multiple wires are fed into the feedthrough tube and then connected to the light engine contacts (such as the contacts of each of the multiple filaments). Alternatively, steps 51 and 52 can be performed in reverse order.

[0074] Following steps 51 and 52, in step 53, the light engine is arranged in a space surrounded by a light-transmitting surface and a glass core.

[0075] Subsequently, in step 54, the glass core is assembled with the light-transmitting surface structure, the glass core now having a tube fixed / sealed therein and wires positioned appropriately within the tube. This can be done in a conventional manner—for example, via fusion of the flared end of the core to the light-transmitting surface structure.

[0076] Subsequently, in step 55, the bulb may optionally be filled with gas and sealed, and then in step 56, the gas feed tube may be shielded.

[0077] This disclosure is not limited to the examples disclosed above, and those skilled in the art can modify and enhance it beyond the scope of this disclosure as disclosed in the appended claims without having to apply inventive skills and for use in any data communication, data exchange, and data processing environment, system, or network.

Claims

1. A light bulb, comprising: The light engine is arranged in a space surrounded by a translucent surface structure and a glass core column; The glass core column includes interconnected flared and tubular portions, the core column supporting the light engine and fused to the light-transmitting surface structure through its flared portion; The feedthrough extends through the glass core and is fixed in the tubular portion by fusion. The feedthrough is provided with a plurality of electrically isolated electrical conductors that extend through the glass core and connect the optical engine to at least one power and signal source. The feeder is made of ceramic or glass, and the glass core has a first melting point Tm1 and the feeder has a second melting point Tm2, ​​wherein Tm2-Tm1>= 75℃.

2. The light bulb according to claim 1, wherein the space is hermetically sealed by the light-transmitting surface structure and the glass core; The feeder is hermetically and airtightly fixed within the tubular portion along its sealed length, and The electrical conductor extends through the glass core in an airtight manner.

3. The light bulb according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the glass core has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the feedthrough has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, wherein the difference between the first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second coefficient of thermal expansion is no more than 1. 10 -6 / K.

4. The light bulb according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeder is a feed tube, and the electrical conductor is a plurality of wires extending through the feed tube in an airtight manner.

5. The light bulb of claim 4, wherein the feed tube is made of metal, ceramic or glass.

6. The light bulb according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of said wires are hermetically sealed within the feed tube using an elastic and adhesive sealing compound.

7. The light bulb according to claim 6, wherein the sealing compound comprises one of an adhesive and an epoxy resin, preferably the sealing compound comprising at least one of the following: epoxy resin, amorphous silica, titanium dioxide, non-fibrous alumina, oxybis(ethyleneoxy)bis(propylamine), butyl 2,3-epoxypropyl ether, bisphenol A epichlorohydrin resin.

8. The light bulb according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the plurality of said wires are individually insulated by an insulating layer having a coefficient of thermal expansion that matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of said wires.

9. The light bulb of claim 8, wherein the insulating layer is made of either a polyester film or a silicone resin.

10. The light bulb according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeder is a feed carrier made of an electrically insulating material, and the electrical conductor is a conductive trace disposed on the surface of the feed carrier.

11. The light bulb of claim 10, wherein the feed carrier is made of ceramic or glass, and wherein the electrical conductor is the conductive trace disposed on the outer surface of the feed carrier.

12. The light bulb of claim 10, wherein the trace is made of copper or a cermet material, the cermet material comprising alumina and / or aluminum nitride as refractory oxides and aluminum, molybdenum and / or tungsten as metals.

13. The light bulb according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12, wherein at least four of the plurality of electrical conductors extending through the glass core and connecting the light engine to at least one power and signal source are present.

14. A method for manufacturing a light bulb according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the following steps: I) Fix the feedthrough body in the tubular part of the glass core column; II) Providing the feedthrough having a plurality of electrically isolated electrical conductors; III) Connect the plurality of electrical conductors to the light engine contacts supported by the glass core pillar; IV) Arrange the light engine in a space surrounded by a light-transmitting surface; as well as V) The space is sealed by assembling the glass core and the light-transmitting surface structure by fusing the light-transmitting surface with the flared portion of the glass core.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the space is hermetically sealed by the light-transmitting surface structure and the glass core, the feedthrough is hermetically fixed in the tubular portion along the sealed length, and the electrical conductor extends hermetically through the glass core. The method further includes the step of filling the space with gas through the tubular portion before the tubular portion is hermetically sealed.

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