LED bulb

Abstract

We offer LED light bulbs that allow you to easily obtain gamma wave stimulation in your daily life. [Solution] In an LED light bulb 10 used with a commercial frequency AC power supply of 50Hz or 60Hz, the power connector 2 is supplied with power from the light bulb socket. The LED board 7 has LED elements 77 mounted on it. The main board 4 has a control circuit mounted on it that controls the emission of light from the LED elements 77. The LED cover 8 houses the LED board 7, and light from the LED elements 77 is transmitted through the spherical illumination section 88. The housing 3 is a combination of a bell-shaped upper housing 31 to which the power connector 2 is connected at the top and a cylindrical lower housing 32, with the main board 4 housed inside. A specific frequency is defined as a frequency of 26Hz to 44Hz within the gamma wave frequency band. The control circuit causes the LED elements 77 to emit light using a drive signal that superimposes a signal of the specific frequency onto the commercial frequency AC.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an LED bulb.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, based on research reports indicating that stimulating the brain with gamma waves of about 40 Hz is effective in improving dementia, devices that generate 40 Hz sounds or lights are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for a gamma wave sound signal processing device. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a light therapy system equipped with a stroboscopic blue light source that operates at the frequency of gamma waves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The prior art of Patent Document 2 generates gamma wave light for the purpose of medical applications such as the treatment and prevention of dementia. In this type of light therapy device, in order to obtain a medical effect, for example, it is required to continuously observe the flashing of light for about one hour a day. However, since the 40 Hz light flickers, it is unpleasant to continuously observe it. Also, it is burdensome for the general healthy population to spend time simply observing the flashing of light, not for a genuine medical purpose. Therefore, it is not suitable as a device for easily obtaining gamma wave stimulation in daily life.

[0006] Furthermore, while Patent Document 2 describes that a phototherapy device includes a lighting fixture equipped with an LED-based light source (e.g., a lamp), it does not disclose any specific configuration of the lighting fixture.

[0007] This invention was created in view of these points, and its purpose is to provide an LED light bulb that allows users to easily obtain gamma wave stimulation in their daily lives. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to an LED light bulb used with a commercial AC power supply of 50Hz or 60Hz, comprising a power connector (2), an LED substrate (7), a main substrate (4), an LED cover (8), and a housing (3).

[0009] The power connector receives power from the light bulb socket. The LED board has LED elements (77) mounted on it. The main board has a control circuit that controls the light emission of the LED elements. The LED cover houses the LED board, and the light from the LED elements is transmitted through the spherical illumination section (88). The housing consists of a bell-shaped upper housing (31) with the power connector connected to the top and a cylindrical lower housing (32), with the main board housed inside.

[0010] The gamma wave frequency range of 26Hz to 44Hz is defined as a specific frequency. The control circuit uses a drive signal, which is created by superimposing a signal of this specific frequency onto a commercial frequency AC, to make the LED element emit light.

[0011] The LED light bulb of the present invention contains gamma waves in a specific frequency signal superimposed on the commercial frequency AC. Therefore, compared to using only gamma waves for lighting, flickering is suppressed to a level that is not noticeable to the average person. Consequently, by using it as a lighting fixture in living rooms, toilets, kitchens, etc., users can easily obtain gamma wave stimulation in their daily lives.

[0012] Preferably, the LED light bulb of the present invention further comprises a heat sink (5) made of an aluminum alloy, provided between the housing and the LED substrate, and having a plurality of heat dissipation fins (55). An insulating thermal conductive bond (6) is applied between the heat sink and the LED substrate to transfer the heat generated on the LED substrate by the energization of the LED element to the heat sink.

[0013] This suppresses heat generation in the LED substrate even during prolonged continuous use, thereby improving reliability.

[0014] However, the main board requires a large amount of space for mounting the control circuit, resulting in a problem where the axial length is longer than that of a typical LED bulb. Therefore, more preferably, the main board is formed in a shape that conforms to the axial cross-sectional shape of the internal space of the housing, and is housed in the housing with the board surface oriented parallel to the axis of the housing.

[0015] This allows for a more compact shaft length for LED bulbs. Consequently, mounting constraints on lighting fixtures are reduced, improving versatility. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] External view of an LED light bulb according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an LED light bulb. [Figure 3] Axial cross-sectional view of an LED light bulb, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional perspective view of an LED light bulb, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the wiring pattern layout of the main board. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] (One embodiment) An LED bulb according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. This LED bulb is used with an AC power supply having a commercial frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an LED bulb 10 according to an embodiment includes a power connector 2, a housing 3, a main board 4, a heat sink 5, an LED board 7, and an LED cover 8. The housing 3 is configured by combining a bell-shaped upper housing 31 and a cylindrical lower housing 32. Although not a tangible member, a gel-like insulating thermal conduction bond 6 applied between the heat sink 5 and the LED board 7 is schematically illustrated according to the spatial shape of the application portion.

[0018] The power connector 2 corresponds to the E26 size of the base standard and is screwed into the bulb socket. Although the concavo-convex shape on the outer peripheral surface of the power connector 2 is exactly spiral, the inclination of the spiral is omitted for the convenience of illustration. The power connector 2 is connected to the top of the upper housing 31, and power is supplied from the bulb socket.

[0019] The upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are combined by, for example, an engagement structure of claws and recesses. The main board 4 is housed inside the housing 3 in which the upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are combined. The main board 4 has a control circuit for controlling the light emission of the LED element mounted thereon. This control circuit causes the LED element to emit light by a drive signal obtained by superimposing a signal of a specific frequency on an alternating current of the commercial frequency. The specific frequency will be described later.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows the wiring pattern layout of the main board 4. Although detailed description is omitted, elements such as an inductor L, an electrolytic capacitor EC, a Zener diode ZD, a resistor R, and an IC chip U that constitute the control circuit are mounted on the main board 4. The wiring pattern is formed in multiple layers. Since the control circuit has a special function compared to a general LED bulb, the types and numbers of elements are large, and the space required for mounting the control circuit is large. When controlling the LED, the IC chip U indicated by the two-dot chain line ellipse generates heat.

[0021] The main board 4 does not have a simple rectangular shape but presents a shape similar to an isosceles trapezoid. The upper side and the lower side are parallel straight lines orthogonal to the axial direction, and the upper side is shorter than the lower side. The left and right side edges consist of inclined curved portions facing the inner wall of the upper housing 31 and straight line portions perpendicular to the lower side facing the inner wall of the lower housing 32. The portion facing the inner wall of the upper housing 31 curves slightly inward and inclines inward from bottom to top, reaching both ends of the upper side.

[0022] In this way, the main board 4 is formed in a shape following the axial cross-sectional shape of the internal space of the housing 3, and is accommodated in the housing 3 with the board surface parallel to the axis of the housing 3. Thereby, even though the space required for mounting the control circuit on the main board 4 is larger compared to a general LED bulb, the axial length of the LED bulb 10 can be made compact.

[0023] The heat sink 5 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape from an aluminum alloy (for example, A6063) and has a function of absorbing and discharging heat. The heat sink 5 is provided between the housing 3 and the LED board 7 and has a plurality of heat dissipation fins 55 extending in the radial direction of the tube portion 53. In one embodiment, multiple stages of heat dissipation fins 55 are arranged in the axial direction to form a circumferential heat dissipation groove, ensuring a large surface area in contact with the outside air.

[0024] On the end face of the heat sink 5 on the side of the LED board 7, a recess 56 recessed one step from the outer edge is formed. The insulating heat conductive bond 6 is a gel-like substance having insulating properties and high heat conductivity, and is applied to the surface of the LED board 7 on the side of the heat sink 5. The LED board 7 has chips of a plurality of LED elements 77 mounted thereon.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the lower housing 32, heat sink 5, and LED board 7 are fitted together by overlapping them, with mounting holes provided in corresponding positions. The LED board 7 is fixed to the bottom surface of the recess 56 of the heat sink 5 via an insulating thermal conductive bond 6. Wiring (not shown) connecting the main board 4 and the LED board 7 is inserted through the inside of the cylindrical portion 53 of the heat sink 5.

[0026] The LED elements 77 mounted on the LED substrate 7 emit light and generate heat when power is applied. The insulating thermal conductive bond 6 maintains an insulating distance between the LED substrate 7 and the heat sink 5, and also transfers the heat generated from the LED substrate 7 by the power application of the LED elements 77 to the heat sink 5. As shown by the block arrows in Figure 3, the heat transferred from the LED substrate 7 to the heat sink 5 via the insulating thermal conductive bond 6 is released into the outside air through the heat dissipation fins 55 of the heat sink 5.

[0027] The LED cover 8 is formed in a roughly hemispherical cup shape. The opening edge 86 of the LED cover 8 fits into the inner circumference of the recess 56 of the heat sink 5. The LED substrate 7 is housed inside the opening of the LED cover 8. When the LED element 77 is energized, the light from the LED element 77 is transmitted through the spherical illumination section 88.

[0028] In one embodiment of the LED bulb 10, the light brightness is 800 lm (lumens) or more, and the light color can be changed to daylight white, cool white, or warm white. The Ra value, a unit of color rendering that indicates how well it reproduces the colors of natural light, is 90 or higher. The beam angle is wide, making it suitable for lighting living rooms, toilets, kitchens, etc.

[0029] In the LED light bulb 10 with this configuration, as described above, the control circuit of the main board 4 causes the LED elements 77 on the LED board 7 to emit light using a drive signal that superimposes a signal of a specific frequency onto an AC current of 50Hz or 60Hz commercial frequency. The term "specific frequency" is defined as a frequency within the gamma wave frequency band, specifically between 26Hz and 44Hz.

[0030] According to Wikipedia, "Gamma waves are said to be generated when a group of nerve cells emit electrical signals at a frequency of approximately 40 times per second (40 Hz), but are usually considered to be between 26 Hz and 70 Hz." Based on this, the lower limit of the specific frequency is set at 26 Hz. In addition, to avoid overlap with the 50 Hz or 60 Hz commercial frequencies that are superimposed on this frequency, the frequency band of 50 Hz ± 10% or more (45 Hz and above) is excluded, and the upper limit of the specific frequency is set at 44 Hz.

[0031] However, considering the gamma wave stimulation to the brain, the actual target frequency is 40 Hz. Therefore, it is preferable that the practical specific frequency be set within a frequency range centered around 40 Hz, including a predetermined error (e.g., 40 ± 4 Hz, 40 ± 2 Hz, 40 ± 1 Hz, etc.).

[0032] The control circuit adjusts the brightness of the LED element 77 by adjusting the pulse width of the PWM control. The control circuit also generates a 40Hz ripple voltage and superimposes it on the PWM signal used for LED control. By appropriately adjusting the duty cycle of the control IC's PWM signal, the peak of the 40Hz ripple voltage is suppressed to below an acceptable level. As a result, the flickering of the LED element 77 is suppressed to the point where it is no longer visually noticeable as blinking.

[0033] Conventional phototherapy devices for medical use require continuous viewing of 40Hz light flashes, making them unsuitable as everyday lighting fixtures for healthy individuals. In contrast, the LED bulb 10 of one embodiment contains gamma waves in a specific frequency signal superimposed on the commercial frequency AC, thus suppressing flicker to a level that is not noticeable to the average person. Therefore, by using it as a lighting fixture in living rooms, toilets, kitchens, etc., users can easily obtain gamma wave stimulation in their daily lives.

[0034] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the LED light bulb 10, the heat generated on the LED substrate 7 by the energization of the LED element 77 is transferred to the heat sink 5 via the insulating thermal conductive bond 6, and the heat is dissipated to the outside air from the heat sink 5. This suppresses heat generation on the LED substrate 7 even during prolonged continuous use, thereby improving reliability.

[0035] Furthermore, the shape of the main board 4 on which the control circuit is mounted, and the arrangement of the components within the housing 3, allow for a more compact axial length of the LED bulb 10. This reduces the constraints on mounting to lighting fixtures and improves versatility.

[0036] (Other embodiments) (a) In the above embodiment, one main board 4 is housed in the housing 3, but in other embodiments, two or more main boards on which control circuits are mounted separately may be housed in the housing.

[0037] (b) In the above embodiment, the heat sink 5 has multiple stages of heat dissipation fins 55 arranged in the axial direction to form a circumferential heat dissipation groove, but in other embodiments, multiple rows of heat dissipation fins may be arranged in the circumferential direction to form an axial groove.

[0038] (c) As a means of transferring heat from the LED substrate 7 to the heat sink 5, if an equivalent heat dissipation effect to that of the insulating thermal conductive bond 6 can be obtained, an insulating plate-shaped or thin-film shaped member such as rubber may be used.

[0039] The present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 10. LED light bulbs, 2. Power connector, 3. Housing, 31... Upper housing, 32... Lower housing, 4. Main board, 5... Heat sink, 55... Heat dissipation fins, 6. Insulating thermal conductive bond, 7...LED circuit board, 77...LED element, 8...LED cover, 88...Lighting unit.

Claims

[Claim 1] LED light bulbs used with AC power supplies of commercial frequency 50Hz or 60Hz, A power connector (2) from which power is supplied from the light bulb socket, An LED substrate (7) on which an LED element (77) is mounted, A main board (4) on which a control circuit for controlling the light emission of the LED element is mounted, The LED cover (8) houses the LED substrate and allows light from the LED element to pass through the spherical illumination section (88), The housing (3) comprises a bell-shaped upper housing (31) to which the power connector is connected at the top, and a cylindrical lower housing (32), with the main circuit board housed inside. Equipped with, If we define the frequency range of 26 Hz to 44 Hz within the gamma wave frequency band as a specific frequency, The control circuit is an LED light bulb that causes the LED element to emit light using a drive signal obtained by superimposing the signal of a specific frequency onto a commercial frequency AC.

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