Patent Application
20090122572
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to household fans. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating direct and/or indirect and aesthetic LED lighting from a ceiling fan.
2. Related Art
With ever-rising energy costs, and a renewed emphasis on energy efficiency, many people are looking to replace or retrofit their existing lighting systems (including overhead fans) with newer energy-efficient systems. In addition, many companies are exploring energy efficient lighting for new construction projects. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a popular new choice for lighting because: they are more energy efficient than compact fluorescents (CFLs); when they are first turned on, they deliver virtually all of their light output within milliseconds; they are not prone to failure due to power cycling; and they are typically packaged in arrays of multiple LEDs which minimizes the effects of a failed LED.
While LEDs present a cost-effective and energy-efficient long-term solution, they do present some inherent challenges. For example, LEDs can direct a majority of their light in a narrow beam. Hence, if a person happens to view the light from a point directly in that beam, the light will appear much brighter and could possibly cause vision damage.
Furthermore, many LEDs can require thermal management; otherwise, overheating can cause a loss of light output and premature failure of the LEDs. Note that placement of thermal management systems can prove problematic when retrofitting existing systems with LED lights.
Hence, what is needed is an apparatus for providing energy-efficient lighting while addressing the challenges listed above.
One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus that is configured to provide direct and/or indirect as well as aesthetic lighting from a fan. The apparatus comprises: a motor; a motor housing; one or more fan blades rotating around the motor housing; and one or more stationary light sources coupled to the motor housing. Note that the stationary light sources are configured to direct light into the fan blades, thereby causing the fan blades to illuminate, thus providing lighting to areas of the fan that could not be illuminated in a practical manner because the rotation of the fan prohibited running wires to the blades.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the light sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
In some embodiments of the present invention, the illumination of the blades provides enough light for general illumination of a space without the need for additional functional lighting.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the fan blades are comprised of a material that transmits light, and the edges of the fan blades are treated to enhance illumination of the edges of the fan blades. Note that this treatment can include: sanding, frosting, roughing, texturing, or any surface treatment that enhances illumination.
In some embodiments of the present invention, a design is created in the fan blades, and the design is illuminated by the light from the stationary LEDs that is transmitted through the fan blades. Note that the design could be created using many different techniques, such as: etching, cutting, routing, and burning.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the fan blades are comprised of a layer of optical fiber such that one end of an optical fiber is directed toward the stationary LEDs, and one end of the optical fiber is directed away from the plane of rotation. In these embodiments, the light can be directed approximately perpendicular to the plane of rotation (toward the ground if the fan is a ceiling fan).
In some embodiments of the present invention, the stationary LEDs are comprised of LEDs of two or more colors.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a color-cycling mechanism that energizes specific LEDs of different colors in a cycle to achieve a desired color output. This color-cycling mechanism is configured to adjust at a speed at which the color-cycling mechanism cycles through the LEDs of different colors. Note that the speed may be zero so that the desired color output remains constant.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a timing mechanism that controls illumination of the stationary LEDs according to a rotational speed of the fan blades to create an appearance of an image on a section of the plane of rotation that is occupied by the fan blades.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a timing mechanism that controls illumination of the stationary LEDs according to a rotational speed of the fan blades to minimize strobe and flicker effects as the fan blades rotate around the stationary LEDs.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus comprises ribs on an inside edge of the fan blades adjacent to the stationary LEDs. Note that the ribs create a cooling effect for the stationary LEDs by directing an airflow across the stationary LEDs.
One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus that is configured to provide functional lighting from a fan, comprising a lighting assembly. In these embodiments, the light assembly comprises: one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) coupled to the lighting assembly such that the LEDs direct their light in a direction which is different from a desired direction of illumination; and a reflective housing around the LEDs that reflects the light from the LEDs in the desired direction of illumination.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a lens coupled to the reflective housing to diffuse light leaving the reflective housing.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a heat sink coupled to the LEDs to direct heat away from the LEDs.
Note that the heat sink is situated so that it is cooled by the fan.
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a ceiling fan with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein the ceiling fan channels light to the fan blades and facilitates a wireless and seamless transfer of light. In some embodiments of the present invention, the fan also includes an LED lighting kit that can be executed in various designs utilizing various optical pathways.
Some features of embodiments of the present invention include:
In some embodiments of the present invention, the surfaces of the fan blades 106 are frosted or sanded to transmit the light out of fan blades 106 and enhance the ambient lighting effect. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the present invention, logos or pictures may be etched into the fan blades so that the logos or pictures are illuminated by the light that is transmitted by fan blades 106.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the inside edge of fan blades 106, immediately adjacent to LEDs 102, is textured, ribbed, or comprises some structure to facilitate air flow over LEDs 102 to provide cooling for LEDs 102.
Note that in some embodiments of the present invention, multiple colored LEDs, such as RGB (red, green, and blue) can also be applied to this concept. With specific control of each colored diode in LEDs 102, color change and image projection is possible.
Note that the frosted edges of fan blades 106 enhance the lighting effect by reflecting the light out of fan blades 106.
In one embodiment of the present invention, lighting kit 200 comprises three individual LED light units 202 (each holding an array of LEDs) that can be rotated and or pivoted to control the direction of light. Coupled behind each unit is a heat sink 204 (creating a path for thermal dissipation) and central driver unit 206. Note that heat sink 204 can include any type of heat sink, and is known to those skilled in the art. A diffusive lens or acrylic cover 208 is also attached to the exterior face of each unit to both minimize glare and offer protection to the LEDs. Such an approach can be applied to a variety of fan types, increasing both energy savings and overall performance.
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Color-cycle mechanism is coupled to stationary LEDs 102 (not all couplings are shown), as well as to timing mechanism 304. In some embodiments of the present invention, color-cycle mechanism 302 and timing mechanism 304 are incorporated into one mechanism.
Stationary LEDs 102 can include LEDs of different colors, such as red, green, blue, and white, as well as multiple color LED assemblies wherein the assembly is capable of creating different colors. Color mechanism 302 controls which colors are illuminated at any given moment, and can control the speed at which fan 100 cycles through the colors.
In some embodiments of the present invention, timing mechanism 304 controls illumination of the stationary LEDs 102 according to a rotational speed of fan blades 106 to create an appearance of an image on a section of the plane of rotation that is occupied by fan blades 106. In addition, timing mechanism 304 controls illumination of the stationary LEDs 102 according to a rotational speed of fan blades 106 to minimize (or maximize if desired) strobe and flicker effects caused by fan blades 106 repeatedly blocking and revealing stationary LEDs 102.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the inside edge of fan blades 106 comprise ribs 306 adjacent to stationary LEDs 102. Note that ribs 306 create a cooling effect for stationary LEDs 102 by directing an airflow across stationary LEDs 102. Furthermore, ribs 306 can be attached to fan blades 106, or can be cut into fan blades 106.
Ceiling fan 100 and LED light kits 200-700 have several important advantages over traditional systems available on the market today. The nature of LED's and the amount of energy they require make the following features possible in ceiling fan 100:
In order to utilize the LED light kits 200-700 as a possible retrofit, the variations in pre-existing lighting kit geometry and attachment mechanisms may require adapters. Most ceiling fans utilize a standard attachment thread. By designing a universal adapter part, nearly all LED ceiling fan lighting kits demonstrated above are valid solutions for retrofit.
The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
This application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/986,498, filed on 8 Nov. 2007, entitled “LED Ceiling Fan with LED Lighting Kit,” by inventors Erik R. Page and Hideki Kawata having attorney docket number UC08-187-1PSP.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60986498 | Nov 2007 | US |
