Light fixtures are commercially available for a variety of lighting applications. Some types of lighting fixtures are available with pre-installed sensors, either for detecting motion, ambient light, or both. Such sensors can be used to activate the light fixture or otherwise change the operational state of the light.
In a typical implementation, sensors are installed on the fixtures by default. Customers wanting to purchase a light fixture may have to pay an increased price for a fixture that includes the sensor, despite not having a use for it. Thus, purchasing light fixtures can pose an unnecessary economic burden. Therefore, a need exists for providing a fixture with an optional sensor.
The present invention includes a light fixture and a method of making in which sensors can be optionally retrofitted in the field onto existing units or configured on new units at the time of purchase. A light fixture without sensors can be modified by adding one or more holes in a fixture body to allow one or more sensors to be added. The resulting modified light fixture results in cost savings to customers by not requiring a light fixture to include a sensor if a sensor is not needed.
Additionally, installation is simplified since a sensor can be plugged in to an already existing circuit provided on the fixture, saving time and therefore money. As modified according to the present method, a fixture would look aesthetically more clean, as the sensor would be retained inside the fixture, optionally behind a lens covering the fixture, and would not be visible on the outside, as with many common types of current light sensors.
The invention pertains to a light fixture with an optional DC lighting sensor and methods of installation of such a sensor into existing light fixtures. Specifically, the disclosed method of installing the sensor includes installing pre-cut holes into the light fixture or perforations that can be removed and replaced by said sensor. The present invention thus includes a light fixture with an optional sensor and a method to modify existing light fixtures for installing a sensor.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fixture is provided that includes an option of adding a sensor.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a DC sensor is used as an alternative to an AC sensor.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the installed sensor can dim the lights by a percentage, depending on the light surrounding the sensor and whether the sensor detects motion.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,
A terminal is provided for powering the 12V DC Sensor 102, When powered on, a photocell 104 in the sensor 108 measures ambient light in a surrounding area such that, upon detecting a predetermined low light level, the photocell 104 generates a signal to activate the light source if the area is too dark. A motion sensor 106 is used to detect motion such that, upon detection of a predetermined motion level, the motion sensor 106 generates a signal to activate the light source. First, the photocell 104 senses whether the room is dark or not, then the motion sensor 106 detects movement. If no movement is detected after a period of time, the sensor 108 could dim the lights a percentage, based on the ambient light. A timer measures a predetermined period of time such that, upon detecting no movement at the motion sensor, the light level of the light source is reduced by a predetermined amount;
The DC sensor 108 can be held in place by a variety of suitable alternative components. For example, the DC sensor 108 includes plastic tabs 110 (as shown in the
In another exemplary embodiment, as depicted in
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, referenced in
With reference to
A method is now disclosed herewith for making the product as disclosed herein above. In a first embodiment, a perforated pre-cut hole is formed in a panel of a light fixture. The pre-cut hole is covered with a removable sticker. The sticker can be removed to allow a DC sensor to placed down into the hole. The same sticker or another sticker is placed over the sensor to keep dust out of the fixture. The DC sensor is then held in place using either magnets formed on the sensor and panel or screws penetrating the panel that retain plastic tabs on the sensor. A female 3-pin connector of the sensor is connected to a male connector on the driver box.
A second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except the driver box has a separate DC output connection that is located in the junction box. A perforated pre-cut hole is made on the panel and covered with a sticker. The sticker can be removed to allow the DC sensor to be placed down into the hole. The same or another sticker is placed over the sensor to keep dust out of the fixture. The DC sensor is then held in place using either magnets formed on the sensor and panel or screws penetrating the panel that retain plastic tabs on the sensor. A female 3-pin connector of the sensor is connected to a male connector on the driver box.
A third embodiment has a DC output connection built directly on the PCB board. A pre-cut perforation is formed onto the panel, which is concealed behind a lens that covers the light fixture. A DC sensor is installed by removing the pre-cut perforation and placing the sensor into the newly created hole. The DC sensor is then held in place using either magnets formed on the sensor and panel or screws penetrating the panel that retain plastic tabs on the sensor. A female 3-pin connector of the sensor is connected to a male connector on the driver box.
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Numerous embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/959,612, entitled ARTICLE AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION OF DC LIGHTING SENSOR, filed Jan. 10, 2020, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
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205038204 | Feb 2016 | CN |
102195994 | Dec 2020 | KR |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210215330 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62959612 | Jan 2020 | US |