Multi-voltage and multi-brightness LED lighting devices and methods of using same
A single chip multi-voltage or multi-brightness LED lighting device having at least two LED circuits. Each of the at least two LED circuits having at least two LEDs connected together in series. Each of the at least two LED circuits are electrically unconnected to each other in a parallel relationship, have a forward operating drive voltage of at least six volts and are monolithically integrated on a single substrate. A method of manufacturing a single chip with two or more LED circuits configurable by means of connecting the circuits so as to provide optional operating voltage level and/or desired brightness level wherein the electrical connection may be achieved and/or completed at the LED packaging level when the single chips are integrated into the LED package. Alternatively, the LED package may have external electrical contacts that match the integrated chips within. Optionally allowable, the drive voltage level and/or the brightness level select-ability may be passed on through to the exterior of the LED package and may be selected by the LED package user, the PCB assembly facility, or the end product manufacturer.
1. An LED lighting device comprising:
at least two LED circuits;
at least three voltage input electrical contacts, wherein
a first voltage input electrical contact connected to both of the at least two LED circuits,
a second voltage input electrical contact is connected to a first of the at least two LED circuits, and
a third voltage input electrical contact is connected to a second of the at least two circuits, wherein each of the at least two LED circuits include plurality of LEDs and the at least three voltage input electrical contacts are arranged such that
the first voltage input electrical contact is connected to a cathode of one of the plurality of LEDs in both of the at least two LED circuits;
the second voltage input electrical contact is connected to an anode of one of the plurality of LEDs in the first of the at least two LED circuits; and
the third voltage input electrical contact is connected to an anode of one of the plurality of LEDs in the second of the at least two LED circuits.
2. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of LEDs in each of the at least two LED circuits are connected in series.
3. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of LEDs in each of the at least two LED circuits are connected in an anti-parallel configuration.
4. The LED lighting device of claim 3 wherein each of the at least two LED circuits includes
a first portion of the plurality of LEDs connected in a first series string of LEDs,
a second portion of the plurality of LEDs connected in a second series string of LEDs,
the first portion of the plurality of LEDs and the second portion of LEDs connecting at a first branch junction and a second branch junction in an anti-parallel manner.
5. The LED lighting device of claim 4 wherein
the first voltage input electrical contact connects to the first branch junction of both of the at least two LED circuits;
the second voltage input electrical contact connects to the second branch junction of the first of the at least two LED circuits; and
the third voltage input electrical contact connects to the second branch junction of the second of the at least two LED circuits.
6. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the LED lighting device is an LED package.
7. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the at least two LED circuits are integrated on a single chip.
8. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the at least two LED circuits are integrated on discrete chips so that each of the at least two LED circuits is on a separate chip.
9. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the at least two LEDs forming each of the at least two LED circuits are discrete die integrated on a substrate.
10. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the LED lighting device is an LED assembly of discretely packaged LEDs.
11. An LED lighting device comprising:
at least two LED circuits, each LED circuit having a bridge rectifier and at least one LED connected across the output of the bridge rectifier;
at least three voltage input electrical contacts, wherein
a first voltage input electrical contact connected to both of the at least two LED circuits,
a second voltage input electrical contact is connected to a first of the at least two LED circuits, and
a third voltage input electrical contact is connected to a second of the at least two circuits, wherein
the first voltage input electrical contact is connected to a first input of the bridge rectifier in both of the at least two LED circuits;
the second voltage input electrical contact is connected to a second input of the bridge rectifier in the first of the at least two LED circuits; and
the third voltage input electrical contact is connected to a second input of the bridge rectifier in the second of the at least two LED circuits.