Small-Form-Factor LED Lamp with Color-Controlled Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
LED lighting systems struggle to replicate the dimming behavior and color temperature characteristics of traditional incandescent bulbs, particularly in decorative fixtures, where a natural light pattern and self-contained, dimmable solutions are required.
Innovation Solution
The use of small-footprint LEDs with disparate spectral outputs and a guide optic to adjust correlated color temperature (CCT) through disproportionate power adjustments, combined with reflective materials and varied LED device package configurations, allows for a candelabra-style lamp that mimics incandescent bulb behavior, including a CCT range of 1200K to 3500K that reduces when dimmed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If LED systems use multiple spectral outputs with disproportionate power adjustment to change CCT during dimming, then the color temperature behavior replicates incandescent bulbs, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LED system is segmented into multiple independent light emitting elements with different spectral outputs (e.g., warm white LEDs at 2000K and cool white LEDs at 4000K). Each segment can be independently controlled through separate current adjustment circuits, allowing disproportionate power adjustment to achieve natural dimming behavior with CCT reduction from 4000K to 2000K as overall intensity decreases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters (current levels) of different LED spectral components during dimming operations. By adjusting the current ratio between warm and cool white LEDs, the correlated color temperature parameter is varied in conjunction with overall brightness, replicating the characteristic incandescent bulb behavior where color temperature decreases as intensity decreases.
2Volume of moving object
If small-footprint LEDs are used in decorative lamps, then the lamp size is reduced and form factor is improved, but the optical mixing and uniformity become more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary optical element (diffuser or light guide) is introduced between the small-footprint LEDs and the emission surface. This mediator component facilitates optical mixing by scattering and redistributing light from multiple spectral outputs, achieving uniform color and intensity distribution despite the compact LED arrangement and small overall lamp volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple LED chips with different spectral outputs are merged into a single compact package or closely spaced array on a small mounting surface. By combining warm and cool white LEDs in close proximity with integrated optical elements, the system achieves effective optical mixing within a minimal footprint, maintaining both compact size and color uniformity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LED chips with different spectral outputs are used, then color mixing capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A universal LED module design is employed that integrates multiple spectral output chips (warm white, cool white, and potentially colored LEDs) within a single standardized package. This multi-functional module can be directly mounted using conventional through-hole or surface-mount techniques, providing versatile color mixing capability while simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need for complex custom assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple LED chips with different spectral outputs are nested within a single LED device package or closely integrated on a common substrate. This nesting approach consolidates multiple light sources into one assembly unit, improving color mixing capability while reducing assembly complexity by treating the multi-chip structure as a single replaceable component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables a lamp that provides a natural, omnidirectional light pattern with improved color mixing and uniformity, effectively replicating the dimming behavior of incandescent bulbs while maintaining energy efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
Light emitting diode (LED) lighting systems are becoming more prevalent as replacements for legacy lighting systems
Implementation Method 2
an optic receives the light from the at least one LED, for example, by being installed over a mounting surface for the LED or LEDs
Implementation Method 3
the use of reflective materials
Data Source
AI summary
A small form factor LED lighting system provides for color-controlled dimming. Embodiments of the invention use one or more small-footprint LED(s) that can emit light of different correlated color temperatures (CCTs, colors or spectral outputs). The CCT of the fixture or bulb can change when dimmed by disproportionate adjustment of the driving power for each color. The small size and footprint of the LEDs enables use in decorative LED lamps, such as those designed to replace candelabra style incandescent bulbs. Various options can be used to tune the performance and lighting characteristics of a lamp according to embodiments of the invention, such as the use of differing LED device package optics, the use of reflective materials in and/or around LED device packages, and the use of a secondary optic to produce an omnidirectional light pattern.