WO2010140112A1

WO2010140112A1 - Illumination apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010140112A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/052430
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kun-Wah Yip; Di LOU; Xiaoyan Zhu
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2009-06-02
Filing date: 2010-06-01
Publication date: 2010-12-09

Abstract

The present invention proposes an illumination apparatus (10), comprising a radiation source (11) and a carrier (12) coated with at least two kinds of phosphor provided on at least two regions of the carrier, wherein the irradiation region on the carrier (12) irradiated by the radiation source can switch between the at least two phosphor-coated regions of the carrier. Since the irradiation region on the carrier irradiated by the radiation source (11) can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor, the illumination apparatus disclosed in the present invention can generate light of different color temperatures.

Description

ILLUMINATION APPARATUS

Technical field

The present invention relates to illumination apparatuses. More particularly, the present invention relates to an illumination apparatus capable of generating light of different color temperatures.

Background of the invention

Currently, eye care lamps in the market can be classified into two types. One type is a lamp of high color temperature (HCT), such as Eye-Fi from Philips which can generate light of a color temperature of 4200K, and LOVEEYE from Panasonic which can generate light of a color temperature of 4700K; the other type is a lamp of low color temperature (LCT), such as HALOPIN from OSRAM which can generate light of a color temperature of 2700K.

Reading under HCT light can protect the reader's eyes and is also helpful to keep the reader alert. However, continuous reading under HCT light can biologically suppress people's desire to sleep and leads to insomnia.

Reading under LCT light near sleeping time enables the reader to gradually acquire a feeling of sleepiness while the light still provides a sufficient light level for reading. However, continuous reading under LCT light cannot introduce a sufficient alertness level for the reader and leads to a low reading efficiency.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides an illumination apparatus capable of generating light of different color temperatures.

White light is the mixture of light of different colors. Currently, the phosphor-conversion white light can be achieved by the following approaches: 1) the UV light excites red, green and blue phosphors, and white light being a mixture of red, green and blue light results; 2) the blue light excites yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) phosphor and yellow light results, then the yellow light mixes with the blue light which passes through the YAG phosphor and is not absorbed, thus two-wavelength-type white light is generated.

For the first approach, white light of different color temperatures can be achieved by adjusting the proportions of the red, green and blue phosphors. For the second approach, white light of different color temperatures can be achieved by adjusting the proportions of the components of the YGA phosphor.

Based thereon, according to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an illumination apparatus, comprising a radiation source and a carrier coated with at least two kinds of phosphor, wherein said at least two kinds of phosphor are respectively coated on at least two regions of said carrier, and the irradiation region irradiated by said radiation source on said carrier switches between said at least two regions of said carrier.

Since the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on said carrier can switch between said at least two regions of said carrier, the illumination apparatus provided in the present invention can generate light of different color temperatures.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said carrier is a light tube, said at least two kinds of phosphor are respectively coated on at least two regions of the inner side of said light tube, and said radiation source is located inside said light tube, wherein the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on said inner side of said light tube switches between said at least two regions of said inner side of said light tube.

Optionally, a shield is arranged between said radiation source and said light tube and configured to prevent said radiation source from irradiating other regions when said radiation source irradiates one region of said at least two regions of said inner side of said light tube.

Optionally, said shield is a reflector.

When the radiation source irradiates one region of said at least two regions of said inner side of the light tube, the reflecting surface facing the radiation source prevents the radiation source from irradiating other regions and reflects the radiation to said one region, which is beneficial to promoting the light generation efficiency.

Optionally, said illumination apparatus is a desk lamp, comprising a lamp shade, a lamp base and a lamp post, wherein one end of said lamp post is connected with said lamp shade and the other end is connected with said lamp base, and said light tube is located inside said lamp shade.

Since the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on the inner side of the light tube can switch between said at least two regions coated with phosphor, the desk lamp according to an embodiment of the illumination apparatus provided in the present invention can generate at least two kinds of light of different color temperatures.

Specifically, when one of the two kinds of phosphor coated on the inner side of the light tube is configured to generate HCT light and the other kind is configured to generate LCT light, the reader can choose the color temperature of the reading light according to his/her personal preference. If the reader needs to concentrate on reading, then the desk lamp can be adjusted to generate HCT light. If the reader just wants to do some leisurely reading before going to sleep, then the desk lamp can be adjusted to generate LCT light.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, said carrier comprises at least two sheets, said at least two kinds of phosphor being respectively coated on said at least two sheets, and one region of at least two regions of said carrier corresponding to one sheet, wherein said irradiation region of said radiation source switches between said at least two sheets.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, said carrier is a sheet and said at least two kinds of phosphor are respectively coated on at least two regions of said sheet, wherein the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on said sheet switches between said at least two regions of said sheet.

Optionally, said illumination apparatus is a desk lamp, comprising a lamp shade, a lamp base and a lamp post, one end of said lamp post being connected with said lamp shade and the other being connected with said lamp base, wherein a slit is arranged on said lamp shade to accommodate said sheets, and said radiation source is located inside said lamp shade and above said sheets.

Brief description of the drawings

The above and other objects, characteristics and merits of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGl illustrates a schematic diagram of an illumination apparatus 10 according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG.2 illustrates an embodiment of the illumination apparatus 10 in FIGl;

FIG3 illustrates an example of the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG2;

FIG4 illustrates another embodiment of the illumination apparatus 10 in FIGl;

FIG5 illustrates an example of the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG4;

In the drawings, same or analogous reference numerals are used to represent same or analogous devices (modules) throughout the Figures.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are elaborated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGl illustrates a schematic diagram of an illumination apparatus 10 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIGl, the illumination apparatus 10 comprises a radiation source 11 and a carrier 12. The carrier 12 is coated with two kinds of phosphor, denoted by ^ "and respectively, and the two kinds of phosphor are respectively coated on two regions of the carrier 12.

It should be noted that it is taken as an example in FIGl that the carrier 12 is coated with two kinds of phosphor and the two kinds of phosphor are coated on two regions of the carrier 12 respectively. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in practical applications, the carrier 12 can be coated with at least two kinds of phosphor and the at least two kinds of phosphor can be coated on at least two regions of the carrier 12 respectively.

The irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the carrier 12 can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor.

For example, by changing the irradiation angle of the radiation source 11, the irradiation

77} region on the carrier 12 can be switched from the region denoted by "tzzl" to the region denoted

by "^βώj", or from the region denoted by "Ka" to the region denoted by "

Alternatively, a shield (not shown in FIGl) can be arranged between the carrier 12 and the radiation source 11. By moving the shield, the irradiation region on the carrier 12 can be switched from the region denoted by ^ to the region denoted by or from the region

denoted by "E SXSa"" t too t thhee r reeggiioonn d deennootteedd b bvy "" /Α

Certainly, other means can be applied to make the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the carrier 12 switch between the two regions of the carrier 12. For example, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the carrier 12 can switch between the two regions of the carrier 12 by moving the carrier 12 so as to change its relative position with respect to the radiation source 11. This is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and is not elaborated here.

The radiation source 11 in FIGl comprises, but is not limited to, a UV radiation source and a blue light radiation source. The UV radiation source can comprise a gas discharge UV light tube and a UV light emitting diode, etc, and the blue light radiation source can comprise a blue light emitting diode, etc.

Hereinafter, the two kinds of phosphor coated on carrier 12 are illustrated, wherein, for example, the radiation source 11 is a UV radiation source. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the mechanism also applies to the condition when the radiation source 11 is a blue light radiation source.

When the radiation source 11 in FIG.1 is a UV radiation source, optionally, the two kinds of phosphor coated on the carrier 12 are both made up of red, green and blue phosphors. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that by adjusting the proportions of the red, green and blue phosphors and making the UV radiation source irradiate mixtures of different proportions of red, green and blue phosphors, light of different color temperatures can be achieved.

Based on this, in order to generate light of different color temperatures by illumination apparatus 10, optionally, the two kinds of phosphor coated on the carrier 12 in FIGl can be chosen from mixtures of different proportions of red, green and blue phosphors. When the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the carrier 12 switches from one region coated with phosphor to the other region, the light generated by the illumination apparatus 10 switches from light of one color temperature to light of the other color temperature. Optionally, one kind of phosphor coated on the carrier 12 is configured to generate HCT light and the other is configured to generate LCT light. By controlling the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the carrier 12, switching between the two regions coated with phosphor is possible, thus enabling the light generated by the illumination apparatus 10 to switch between HCT light and LCT light.

It should be noted that the manner of coating is not limited to the manner of coating shown in FIGl. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any manner of coating that enables switching of the irradiation region, irradiated by radiation source 11, on the carrier 12 between the two kinds of phosphor coated on the carrier 12 will fall into the scope of the present invention. For example, the two kinds of phosphor coated on the carrier 12 can be non-neighboring or partially overlapping.

The carrier 12 in FIGl can have various forms, such as a light tube, a sheet, etc. Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is described, wherein, for example, the carrier 12 in FIGl is a light tube or a sheet.

FIG.2 illustrates an embodiment of the illumination apparatus 10 in FIGl. The carrier 12 in FIG.2 is a light tube.

In FIG.2, the illumination apparatus 10 comprises a radiation source 11, a light tube 12 and a shield 13. The radiation source 11 is located inside the light tube 12 and the shield 13 is arranged between the radiation source 11 and the light tube 12.

In the Figure, the radiation source 11 is cylindrical, the shield 13 is semi-cylindrical, the light tube 12 is cylindrical and the radii of the light tube 12, the shield 13 and the radiation source 11 decreases successively.

It should be noted that the shapes of the radiation source 11, the shield 13 and the light tube 12 in FIG.2 are exemplary. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in practical applications, the radiation source 11, the shield 13 and the light tube 12 are not limited to the shapes in FIG.2.

For example, the radiation source 11 and the light tube 12 can be of triangular prismatic, elliptic cylindrical or other irregular shape.

The shield 13 can be in any shape, provided it can prevent the radiation source 11 from irradiating other kinds of phosphor when the radiation source 11 irradiates one kind of phosphor on the inner side of the light tube 12.

Optionally, the radiation source 11 and the light tube 12 are made of glass pervious to light.

Optionally, the shield 13 is made of plastic.

Optionally, the radiation source 11 is a gas discharge UV light tube.

For the sake of simplicity, for example the inner side of the light tube 12 is coated with two kinds of phosphor which are respectively coated on two regions of the inner side of the light tube 12. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in practical applications, the inner side of the light tube 12 can be coated with at least two kinds of phosphor and the at least two kinds of phosphor can be coated on at least two regions of the inner side of the light tube 12.

Optionally, the two kinds of phosphor are coated on the inner side of the light tube 12 in a bisectional, neighboring manner.

For convenient description, the two regions coated with two kinds of phosphor on the inner side of the light tube 12 are referred to as the first phosphor region and the second phosphor region, respectively.

As shown in FIG.2, the radiation source 11 is located inside the light tube 12 and the shield is arranged between the radiation source 11 and the light tube 12.

When the radiation source 11 irradiates the first phosphor region on the inner side of the light tube 12, the shield 13 is configured to prevent the radiation source 11 from irradiating the second phosphor region, and vice versa.

Optionally, the surface of the shield 13 facing the radiation source 11 is a reflecting surface. When the radiation source 11 irradiates the first phosphor region on the inner side of the light tube 12, the shield 13 is configured to prevent the radiation source 11 from irradiating the second phosphor region and to reflect the light, which the radiation source 11 irradiated on the reflecting surface of the shield 13, to the first phosphor region on the inner side of the light tube 12, thereby promoting the light generation efficiency of the light tube 12, and vice versa.

Optionally, the reflecting surface of the shield 13 can be obtained by coating a metal film on the surface of the shield 13 facing the radiation source 11.

The irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the first and second phosphor regions.

For example, the radiation source 11 and the shield 13 are fixed, and by rotating the light tube 12, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the first and second phosphor regions.

Alternatively, the radiation source 11 and the light tube 12 are fixed, and by rotating the shield 13, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the first and second phosphor regions.

Optionally, the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG.2 further comprises a driver (not shown in FIG.2).

When the radiation source 11 and the shield 13 are fixed, the driver is connected with the light tube 12 and configured to drive the light tube 12 to rotate relative to the radiation source 11 and the shield 13, so that the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the first and second phosphor regions.

Optionally, the driver is a motor.

It should be noted that the driver is not a necessary component of the illumination apparatus 10. By rotating the light tube 12 or the shield 13 manually, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the first and second phosphor regions likewise.

Optionally, the illumination apparatus 10 further comprises a controller (not shown in FIG.2). The controller is configured to send controlling signals to the driver for controlling the operation of the driver.

When the driver is connected with the light tube 12, the driver receives the controlling signals from the controller, and drives the light tube 12 to rotate relative to the radiation source 11 and the shield 13 so that the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch from the first to the second phosphor region, or from the second to the first phosphor region.

Alternatively, when the driver is connected with the shield 13, the driver receives the controlling signals from the controller, and drives the shield 13 to rotate relative to the light tube 12 and the radiation source 11 so that the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch from the first to the second phosphor region, or from the second to the first phosphor region.

It should be noted that the shield 13 in FIG.2 is not a necessary component. As a variation, if the light radiated by the radiation source 11 propagates at an angle of, for example, 90 degrees, by merely rotating the light tube 12 or the radiation source 11, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the first and second phosphor regions.

Optionally, the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG.2 can be a desk lamp, a wall lamp, a ceiling lamp, etc. Hereinafter, by way of example, the illumination apparatus 10 is a desk lamp.

FIG.3 illustrates an example of the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG.2. The illumination apparatus 10 in FIG.3 is a desk lamp.

In FIG.3, the desk lamp 10 comprises a lamp shade 14, a lamp post 15 and a lamp base 16. One end of the lamp post 15 is connected with the lamp shade 14 and the other end is connected with the lamp base 16.

The desk lamp 10 further comprises a light tube 12, a radiation source 11 and a shield 13, wherein the light tube 12 is located inside the lamp shade 14, the radiation source 11 is located inside the light tube 12, and the shield 13 is arranged between the radiation source 11 and the light tube 12. As described above, the shield 13 is not a necessary component of the desk lamp 10.

In the embodiment, for example, the inner side of the light tube 12 is still coated with two kinds of phosphor which are respectively coated on two regions of the inner side of the light tube 12. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in practical applications, the inner side of the light tube 12 can be coated with at least two kinds of phosphor and the at least two kinds of phosphor can be coated on at least two regions on the inner side of the light tube 12.

Optionally, one kind of phosphor coated on the inner side of the light tube 12 is configured to generate HCT light, and the other is configured to generate LCT light. By rotating the light tube 12 or the shield 13, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor, so that the desk lamp 10 can generate HCT light or LCT light.

If the reader needs to concentrate on his reading, then he can rotate the light tube 12 or the shield 13 to make the radiation source 11 irradiate the phosphor capable of generating HCT light, so that the desk lamp 10 generates HCT light.

If the reader wants to do some leisurely reading before going to sleep, then he can rotate the light tube 12 or the shield 13 to make the radiation source 11 irradiate the phosphor capable of generating LCT light, so that the desk lamp 10 generates LCT light.

Optionally, the desk lamp 10 comprises a driver (not shown in FIG.3). The driver can be connected with the light tube 12 or the shield 13. Optionally, the driver is a motor.

When the driver is connected with the light tube 12, the driver is configured to drive the light tube 12 to rotate relative to the radiation source 11 and the shield 13, so that the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor on the inner side of the light tube 12.

It should be noted that the driver is not a necessary component of the desk lamp 10. Optionally, by rotating the light tube 12 or the shield 13 manually, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the inner side of the light tube 12 can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor likewise.

Optionally, the desk lamp comprises a controller (not shown in FIG.3). The controller is configured to send controlling signals to the driver for controlling the operation of the driver.

Optionally, the controller comprises a button. The reader can trigger the controller to send control signals to the driver for controlling the operation of the driver by pushing the button.

Alternatively, the controller comprises a clock. When a certain o'clock has arrived, the controller is triggered to send control signals to the driver for controlling the operation of the driver.

FIG.4 illustrates another embodiment of the illumination apparatus 10 in FIGl. The carrier 12 in FIG.4 is a sheet.

In FIG.4, the illumination apparatus 10 comprises a radiation source 11, a sheet 12 and a shield 13. The shield 13 is arranged between the radiation source 11 and the sheet 12.

It should be noted that the shapes of the radiation source 11, the sheet 12 and the shield 13 in FIG.4 are exemplary. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the radiation source 11, the sheet 12 and the shield 13 are not limited to the shapes in FIG.4.

Optionally, the sheet 12 is a diffusive plate.

Optionally, the shield 13 is made of plastic.

Optionally, the radiation source 11 is a UV light emitting diode or a blue light emitting diode.

For simplicity, hereinafter, by way of example the sheet 12 is coated with two kinds of phosphor and the two kinds of phosphor are coated on two regions of the sheet 12. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in practical applications, the sheet 12 can be coated with at least two kinds of phosphor and the at least two kinds of phosphor can be coated on at least two regions of the sheet 12.

Optionally, the two kinds of phosphor can be coated on the sheet 12 in a bisectional, neighboring manner.

For convenient description, the two regions coated with phosphor of the sheet 12 are respectively referred to as the first phosphor region and the second phosphor region hereinafter.

As shown in FIG.4, the shield 13 is arranged between the radiation source 11 and the sheet 12.

When the radiation source irradiates the first phosphor region of the sheet 12, the shield 13 is configured to prevent the radiation source 11 from irradiating the second phosphor region, and vice versa.

Then the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch between the first and the second phosphor regions.

For example, the radiation source 11 and the sheet 12 are fixed, and by moving the shield 13, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch from the first to the second phosphor region or from the second to the first phosphor region.

Optionally, the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG.4 further comprises a driver (not shown in FIG.4). When the radiation source 11 and the sheet 12 are fixed, the driver is connected with the shield 13 and configured to drive the shield 13 to move relative to the sheet 12 and the radiation source 11, so that the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch between the first and the second regions of the sheet 12.

Optionally, the driver is a motor.

It should be noted that the driver is not a necessary component of the illumination apparatus 10. By moving the shield 13 manually, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch between the first and the second phosphor regions likewise.

Optionally, the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG.4 further comprises a controller (not shown in FIG.4), the controller is configured to send control signals to the driver for controlling the operation of the driver.

When the driver is connected with the shield 13, the driver receives the control signals from the controller, and drives the shield 13 to move relative to the sheet 12 and the radiation source 11 so that the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch from the first to the second phosphor region, or from the second to the first phosphor region.

It should be noted that the shield 13 in FIG.4 is not a necessary component. As a variation, if the area of the sheet 12 is large enough and the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 is smaller than either region coated with phosphor of the sheet 12, then, by merely moving the sheet 12, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor.

It should further be noted that the carrier may be a sheet coated with two kinds of phosphor which are respectively coated on two regions of the sheet. As a variation, the carrier can be composed of two sheets, each coated with one kind of phosphor. By changing the sheet, the irradiation region irradiated by the radiation source 11 can switch between the two sheets so that the illumination apparatus 10 can generate light of two color temperatures. Certainly, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in the variation, the number of sheets comprised in the carrier is not limited to two. Optionally, the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG.4 can be a desk lamp, a wall lamp, a ceiling lamp, etc. Here, for example, the illumination apparatus 10 is a desk lamp.

FIG.5 illustrates an example of the illumination apparatus 10 in FIG.4. In FIG.5, the illumination apparatus 10 is a desk lamp.

In FIG.5, the desk lamp 10 comprises a lamp shade 14, a lamp post 15 and a lamp base 16. One end of the lamp post 15 is connected with the lamp shade 14 and the other end is connected with the lamp base 16. A slit 141 is arranged on the lamp shade 14 to accommodate the sheet 12.

The desk lamp 10 further comprises a radiation source 11, a sheet 12 and a shield 13, wherein the radiation source 11 is located inside the lamp shade 14, the sheet 12 can be inserted in the slit 141 of the lamp shade 14, and the shield 13 is arranged between the radiation source 11 and the sheet 12. As described above, the shield 13 is not a necessary component of the desk lamp 10.

In the embodiment, for example, the sheet 12 is still coated with two kinds of phosphor and the two kinds of phosphor are respectively on the two regions of the sheet 12. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in practical applications, the sheet 12 can be coated with at least two kinds of phosphor and the at least two kinds of phosphor can be respectively coated on at least two regions of the sheet 12.

Optionally, one kind of phosphor coated on the sheet 12 is configured to generate HCT light and the other is configured to generate LCT light.

By moving the shield 13, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor of the sheet 12, so that the desk lamp 10 can generate HCT light or LCT light.

If the reader needs to concentrate on reading, then the reader can move the shield 13 so as to make the radiation source 11 irradiate the phosphor capable of generating HCT light, so that the desk lamp 10 generates HCT light.

If the reader just wishes to do some leisurely reading before going to sleep, then the reader can move the shield 13 so as to make the radiation source 11 irradiate the phosphor capable of generating LCT light, so that the desk lamp 10 generates LCT light.

Optionally, the desk lamp 10 comprises a driver (not shown in FIG.5). The driver is connected with the shield 13 and configured to drive the shield 13 so as to move relative to the sheet 12 and the radiation source 11, so that the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor.

Optionally, the driver is a motor.

It should be noted that the driver of the desk lamp 10 is not a necessary component. Optionally, by moving the shield 13 manually, the irradiation region, irradiated by the radiation source 11, on the sheet 12 can switch between the two regions coated with phosphor.

Optionally, the desk lamp 10 comprises a controller (not shown in FIG.5). The controller is configured to send control signals to the driver for controlling the operation of the driver.

It should be noted that the desk lamp 10 in FIG.5 is exemplary.

In a variation, the sheet 12 comprised in the desk lamp 10 can be replaced by two sheets, each coated with one kind of phosphor. In the variation, there is no need to use the shield 13, and by merely changing the sheet inserted in the slit 141 of the lamp shade 14, the irradiation region irradiated by the radiation source 11 can switch between the two sheets, thus enabling the desk lamp 10 to generate light of two color temperatures.

Naturally, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in practical applications, the number of sheets comprised in the desk lamp 10 is not limited to two.

It should be further noted that aforesaid embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. The present invention is not limited by the aforesaid embodiments.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The scope of protection of the invention is not restricted by the reference numerals in the claims; the word "comprising" does not exclude parts other than those mentioned in the claims; the word "a(n)" preceding an element does not exclude a plurality of those elements; means forming part of the invention may be implemented in the form of dedicated hardware or in the form of a programmed processor; the usage of the words first, second and third, et cetera, does not indicate any ordering, these words are to be interpreted as names.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An illumination apparatus, comprising: a radiation source; and a carrier coated with at least two kinds of phosphor which are respectively coated on at least two regions of said carrier; wherein the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on said carrier switches between said at least two regions of said carrier.

2. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said carrier is a light tube, said at least two kinds of phosphor are respectively coated on at least two regions of the inner side of said light tube, and said radiation source is located inside said light tube, wherein the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on said inner side of said light tube switches between said at least two regions of said inner side of said light tube.

3. An illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a shield is arranged between said radiation source and said light tube and configured to prevent said radiation source from irradiating other regions when said radiation source irradiates one region of said at least two regions of said inner side of said light tube.

4. An illumination apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said shield is a reflector.

5. An illumination apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said light tube and said radiation source are arranged rotatably relative to each other so that the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on said inner side of said light tube switches between said at least two regions of said inner side of said light tube.

6. An illumination apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said shield is arranged rotatably with respect to said radiation source so that the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on said inner side of said light tube switches between said at least two regions of said inner side of said light tube.

7. An illumination apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said illumination apparatus further comprises a driver configured to drive said light tube to rotate relative to said radiation source or to drive said radiation source so as to rotate relative to said light tube.

8. An illumination apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said illumination apparatus further comprises a driver configured to drive said shield so as to rotate relative to said radiation source.

9. An illumination apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said illumination apparatus further comprises a controller configured to send control signals to said driver for controlling the operation of said driver.

10. An illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said radiation source is a UV radiation source.

11. An illumination apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein said illumination apparatus is a desk lamp comprising a lamp shade, a lamp base and a lamp post, wherein one end of said lamp post is connected with said lamp shade and the other end is connected with said lamp base, and said light tube is located inside said lamp shade.

12. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises at least two sheets, said at least two kinds of phosphor are respectively coated on said at least two sheets, and one region of at least two regions of said carrier corresponds to one sheet, wherein said irradiation region of said radiation source switches between said at least two sheets.

13. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said carrier is a sheet and said at least two kinds of phosphor are respectively coated on at least two regions of said sheet, wherein the irradiation region, irradiated by said radiation source, on said sheet switches between said at least two regions of said sheet.

14. An illumination apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said illumination apparatus is a desk lamp comprising a lamp shade, a lamp base and a lamp post, one end of said lamp post being connected with said lamp shade and the other end being connected with said lamp base, wherein a slit is arranged on said lamp shade to accommodate said sheets, and said radiation source is located inside said lamp shade and above said sheets.

15. An illumination apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said radiation source is a blue light emitting diode or a UV light emitting diode.