Patent Grant
10837610
Lighting devices such as, but not limited to, track lights, can include configurations that allow for adjustment of the direction of emitted light or light beam. Such lighting devices may include a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED). Typically, the brightness of an LED light source is directly related to the speed in which heat can be transferred away from the LED component, which should desirably be maintained under about 105° Celsius. However, if the LED component is mounted on a moveable structure, such as a free floating fixture head that is movable to adjust a light beam direction, heat may not be efficiently transferred from the LED component through the moveable structure. Therefore, the brightness of light emitted from the LED light source may be reduced.
If the lighting device has a light source that is mounted directly to a fixture housing of substantial mass and suitable heat conductive material, the fixture housing may help to dissipate heat away from the LED light source, to improve LED performance. However, in lighting devices having light sources fixed to fixture housings of sufficient mass for heat dissipation, it may not be possible to adjust the direction of a downlight beam. In addition, if the lighting device includes a fixture head that is moveable together with the optics to adjust the direction of emitted light, some light may be blocked by the bezel or housing containing the optics and light source, when the fixture head is moved.
One or more examples and aspects described herein relate to an optic assembly having an adjustable optic in which loss of light is reduced. Other examples and aspects described herein relate to a lighting device and a lighting device assembly including that optic assembly. One or more examples and aspects described herein relate to an optic assembly having an adjustable optic, a lighting device or a lighting device assembly that includes that optic and has improved heat transfer characteristics.
According to an example embodiment, a lighting device assembly includes: a heat sink; a light source attached to one end of the heat sink; and an optic assembly including an optic having a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the light source, the optic being configured to pivot about the light source while the portion of the light source remains within the recess.
In an example embodiment, the recess may include a focal point of the optic within a depth of the recess, and the recess may configured to keep the portion of the light source at the focal point of the optic throughout a full range of motion of the optic.
In an example embodiment, a width of the recess may be greater than a width of the heat sink, and the recess may be configured to receive at least a portion of the heat sink.
In an example embodiment, the recess may include a side wall, and the top edge of the side wall may be configured to contact a sidewall of the heat sink to limit a degree amount of pivoting by the optic.
In an example embodiment, the lighting device may further include: a housing member having a cavity configured to hold the optic assembly, and the optic assembly may be configured to slideably engage the cavity of the housing member.
In an example embodiment, the optic assembly may include a holding member configured to receive the optic, the holding member having a curved outer surface configured to slideably engage a curved surface of the cavity of the housing member.
In an example embodiment, the holding member may be configured to pivot the optic about the light source in a 360 degree plane.
In an example embodiment, the lighting device assembly may further include a friction member, and the holding member may be configured to slideably engage the friction member to maintain a pivoted position of the optic.
In an example embodiment, the lighting device assembly may further include a top member configured to enclose the housing member, and another end of the heat sink opposite to the one end may be exposed through the top member.
In an example embodiment, the other end of the heat sink may be configured to contact a surface of an object to which the lighting device is mounted to transfer heat from the light source to the object.
According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an optic assembly includes: an optic having a recess configured to receive at least a portion of a light source; and a holding member configured to receive the optic, and to slideably engage a cavity of a housing member in which the holding member is received to pivot the optic about the light source while the portion of the light source remains within the recess.
In an example embodiment, the recess may include a focal point of the optic within a depth of the recess, and the recess may be configured to keep the portion of the light source at the focal point of the optic throughout a full range of motion of the optic.
In an example embodiment, the recess may include: a sidewall; and a bottom surface facing the light source. A top edge of the sidewall may be configured to limit a degree amount of pivoting by the optic.
According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a lighting device includes: a fixture housing configured to dissipate heat from a light source; and a lighting device assembly attached to the fixture housing, the lighting device assembly including: a heat sink having one end contacting the fixture housing, and configured to transfer heat from the light source to the fixture housing; the light source attached to another end of the heat sink opposite to the one end; and an optic assembly including an optic having a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the light source, the optic being configured to pivot about the light source while the portion of the light source remains within the recess.
In an example embodiment, the recess may include a focal point of the optic within a depth of the recess, and the recess may be configured to keep the portion of the light source at the focal point of the optic throughout a full range of motion of the optic.
In an example embodiment, the heat sink and the light source may be fixed relative to the fixture housing, and the optic may be pivotally moveable relative to the fixture housing.
In an example embodiment, the recess may include a side wall, and the top edge of the side wall may be configured to contact a sidewall of the heat sink to limit a degree amount of pivoting by the optic.
In an example embodiment, the lighting device assembly may further include: a housing member having a cavity configured to hold the optic assembly, and the optic assembly may be configured to slideably engage the cavity of the housing member.
In an example embodiment, the lighting device assembly may further include a friction member, and the optic assembly may be configured to slideably engage the friction member to maintain a pivoted position of the optic.
In an example embodiment, the lighting device assembly may further include a top member configured to enclose the housing member, and the one end of the heat sink may be exposed through the top member to contact the fixture housing.
The above and other aspects and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of the present invention may not be described. Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the attached drawings and the written description, and thus, descriptions thereof may not be repeated. Further, features or aspects within each example embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other example embodiments.
In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated and/or simplified for clarity. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of explanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or in operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section described below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including,” “has,” “have,” and “having,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.
As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present invention refers to “one or more embodiments of the present invention.” As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.
According to various embodiments, a light source of a lighting device assembly may be attached to one end of a heat sink, and another end of the heat sink may be closely related to (integral or in contact with) a surface of an object (e.g., a fixture housing or other object of sufficient heat conveying mass) to which the lighting device assembly is mounted. Accordingly, heat transferred from the light source may be improved.
According to various embodiments, the light source of the lighting device assembly may be extended within a recess of an optic, and the optic may move (e.g., pivot and/or rotate) freely about the light source while the light source remains within the recess of the optic and in a fixed relation with the optic. Accordingly, light emitted from the light source may be beam-shifted to a portion of the optic that is pivoted outward, and thus, light loss may be reduced.
In various embodiments, the lighting device assembly 100 may be mounted to various structures and/or incorporated into various structures. For example, as shown in
In various embodiments, the optic assembly 104 may include a lens filter 116, a holding member 118, an optic 120 (one or more lens, filter or combination thereof), and a locking member (e.g., a locking ring) 122. The lens filter 116 may change a characteristic of emitted light (e.g., color, brightness, focus, polarization, linear spread filter, wall wash filter, baffles, glare guards, snoots, and/or the like). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the lens filter 116 may be optional or omitted.
The holding member 118 receives the optic 120, and may facilitate the movement (e.g., pivot and/or rotation) of the optic 120 within the housing member 102. For example, the holding member 118 may slideably engage a cavity of the housing member 102 in a ball and socket manner. In various embodiments, the holding member 118 may have an outer surface having a curvature that is held within a corresponding cavity (with a corresponding mating curvature and dimension) within the housing member 102. For example, the outer surface of the holding member 118 may have a shape of a portion of a sphere, and may be held within a corresponding sphere-shaped cavity within the housing member 102. Accordingly, the optic 120 may pivot in any direction (e.g., on a 360 degree plane) within the housing member 102, by slideably engaging the cavity of the housing member 102. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, the pivoting directions of the optic 120 may be limited or reduced, for example, by providing stop surfaces or a shape of the surface of the holding member 118 and/or a shape of the cavity within the housing member 102, that limits movement in one or more directions.
The optic 120 may include a recess R or opening (discussed below with reference to
The locking member 122 may lock the optic 120 to the holding member 118. For example, the locking member 122 may have a tubular (or ring) shape, and may lock (e.g., twist-lock) the optic 120 at a position within the holding member 118. The light source assembly 106 and heat sink 108 may extend through the locking member 122 into the recess of the optic 120. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the locking member 122 may be omitted. For example, in other embodiments, the optic 120 may have a self-locking (e.g., twist-lock) mechanism to be locked within the holding member 118, and in this case, the locking member 122 may be omitted.
In various embodiments, the light source assembly 106 may include a light source 128. The light source 128 may include, for example, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), or an array of multiple LEDs. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the light source 128 may include any suitable light source (e.g., LED, incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, combinations thereof, and/or the like). In some embodiments, the light source 128 may emit white light. In other embodiments, the light source 128 may emit any suitable color or frequency of light, or may emit a variety of colored lights. For example, when the light source includes an array of LEDs, each of the LEDs (or each group of plural groups of LEDs in the array) may emit a different colored light (such as, but not limited to white, red, green, and blue), and, in further embodiments, two or more of the different colored lights may be selectively operated simultaneously to mix and produce a variety of different colored lights, or in series to produce light that changes in color over time.
In various embodiments, the light source assembly 106 may further include an attachment element 124 and a frame member 126. The light source 128 may be attached (or mounted) to the heat sink 108 via the attachment element 124 and the frame member 126. For example, the frame member 126 may be arranged over the light source 128, and connected to the heat sink 108 via the attachment element 124 with the light source 128 interposed therebetween. The attachment element 124 may include one or more of any suitable attachment elements, for example, a screw, a nail, a clip, an adhesive, and/or the like. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the frame member 126 may be omitted, and the light source 128 may be directly attached (or mounted) to the heat sink 108.
In various embodiments, the heat sink 108 may draw heat away from the light source 128. Accordingly, the heat sink 108 may be made of any suitable material, composition, or layers thereof having sufficient heat transfer and/or dissipation qualities, for example, aluminum, copper, and/or the like. In an example embodiment, the heat sink 108 may be formed (e.g., cast) from solid aluminum. The heat sink 108 may have a shape corresponding to an elongated body (e.g., a pedestal) that extends from the top member 112 to the recess of the optic 120. The heat sink 108 may be in direct contact with the light source assembly (and, in particular, with the light source 128) and may extend the light source assembly 106 at least partially into the recess of the optic 120. In particular embodiments, the heat sink 108 holds the light source assembly 106 in a position in which the light source assembly 106 remains fully within the recess of the optic 120, throughout the full range of adjustable movement (e.g., pivot and/or rotation) of the optic 120 within the holding member 118, such that all light emitted from the light source assembly 106 passes through the optic 120 (with minimal loss). In other embodiments, the light source assembly 106 is held in a position in which the light source assembly 106 remains fully within the recess of the optic 120, throughout some, but not the full extent of motion of the optic 120 within the holding member 118. In an example embodiment, the heat sink 108 may also be partially extended into the recess of the optic 120, and may remain at least partially within the recess of the optic 120 throughout the full range of adjustable movement (e.g., pivot and/or rotation) of the optic 120.
In various embodiments, an end of the heat sink 108 may be exposed through the top member 112, for example, as shown in
The friction member 110 may provide a friction surface to maintain a pivoted position of the optic 120 and the holding member 118 within the housing member 102. For example, when the optic 120 is pivoted (with the holding member 118) to a desired position within the housing member 102, the friction surface of the friction member 110 frictionally engages the outer surface of the holding member 118, to prevent or substantially prevent the holding member 118 from shifting to a different position from the desired position due to gravity (i.e., without manual force). Preferably, the frictional force may be overcome by manual force applied to manually adjust or move (pivot and/or rotate) the optic 120 and the holding member 118 relative to the housing member 102. Accordingly, the friction member 110 or the engaging surface of the holding member 118 may include any suitable material to provide the friction surface, for example, but not limited to, silicone, rubber, and/or the like. In further examples, the friction surface of the friction member 110 or the engaging surface of the holding member 118 includes contour, roughness or other features that enhance friction. In an embodiment, the friction member 110 may have a shape of an upper hemisphere of a sphere, so that the engaging surface of the holding member 118 can slideably engage with the friction member 110. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in some embodiments, the friction member 110 may be omitted. In this case, an interior surface of the cavity of the housing member 102 and/or an exterior surface of the holding member 118 may include a friction surface as described above, to maintain a pivoted position of the optic 120.
The top member 112 may enclose the top of the housing member 102. For example, the top member 112 may include threading that mates with threading of the housing member 102, to be twist-locked on the housing member 102. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the top member 112 may enclose or connect to the top of the housing member 102 via any suitable method, such as, but not limited to, mating tabs and/or grooves, clips, screws, nails, adhesives, welding, combinations thereof, or the like.
As shown in
In various embodiments, optic 120 includes a side wall 402 having a top edge 404 that defines the recess R. A focal point of the optic 120 is located within a depth d of the recess R, such that the light source 128 remains at the focal point throughout the full range of motion (e.g., pivot and/or rotation) of the optic 120. In various embodiments, a width (or diameter) w of the recess R may limit a maximum degree amount (e.g., 10°, 30°, 45°, and the like) that the optic 120 may pivot about the light source 128. For example, the maximum degree amount that the optic 120 may pivot about the light source 128 may correspond to the width w of the recess R and a width (or diameter) of the heat sink 108 within the recess R, such that the optic 120 may pivot about the light source 128 until the top edge 404 of the recess R contacts a side wall of the heat sink 108. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the width w of the recess R may be wider than the width of the heat sink 108 such that at least a portion of the heatsink 108 may be received within the recess R, and may remain within the recess R to allow the optic 120 to pivot about the light source 128 by a desired degree amount.
In various embodiments, an upper surface 408 of the optic 120 may include a reflective surface (e.g., provided by a layer or coating of reflective material, contours, or combination thereof) to reflect light towards an emitting surface E of the optic 120. In various embodiments, the bottom surface of the recess R of the optic 120 may include one or more reflective elements 410 to reflect light towards the emitting surface E of the optic 120. In some embodiments, each of the reflective elements 410 may have an inner annular side surface that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a focal axis of the optic 120, and an outer annular side surface that is angled relative to the focal axis of the optic 120. The angle of the outer annular side surface of each of the reflective elements 410 may slope downward (e.g., towards the emitting surface E) and outward (e.g., towards the sidewall 402). In some embodiments, the outer annular side surface may include a reflective surface (e.g., provided by a layer or coating of reflective material, contours, or combination thereof), to reflect light towards the emitting surface E of the optic 120. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the reflective elements 410 may be omitted or may have different shapes.
As shown in
In various embodiments, the light source assembly 106 extends at least partially within the recess R of the optic 120 in each of the first position and the second position of the optic 120, and the light source 128 may be stationary with respect to the housing member 102 and the friction member 110, such that the optic 120 may freely move and pivot about the light source 128. The maximum amount or degree that the optic 120 can pivot about the light source assembly 106 may be limited by the width (or diameter) w of the recess R and the width (or diameter) of the side wall of the heat sink 108. For example, as shown in
In various embodiments, the light source 128 of the light source assembly 106 may be stationary with respect to the housing member 102 and the friction member 110, and may remain at the focal point of the optic 120 within the depth d of the recess R throughout the full range of motion of the optic 120. Accordingly, as shown in
As discussed above, in various embodiments, heat may be transferred from the light source directly to a surface of an object (e.g., fixture housing) via the heat sink, and thus, heat transferred from the light source may be improved, and brightness of the light source may be improved. Further, in various embodiments, the optic may move (e.g., pivot and/or rotate) freely about a stationary light source, while keeping at least a portion of the light source within a recess of the optic throughout the full range of motion of the optic, to minimize light loss.
The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting, and modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Thus, while certain embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that certain modifications and changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims, and equivalents thereof.
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