The present invention generally relates to lighting. More specifically, the present invention relates to LED lighting.
There is a need for a controlled lighting source using LEDs which maximizes light utilization, reduces glare/spill, and which can be easily mounted and aimed.
Aspects of the invention provide an optical module using a compact LED light source which is configured for controlled distribution of light in a particular pattern. These modules may be used to provide useful lighting at very low wattage/lumen output levels, and may be mounted by standardized means within various types of fixtures. The assembled module projects an elliptical light pattern that shines down (relative to the horizontal axis of the optical module as defined below), and mostly to either side of the luminaire. One or more modules may be mounted in fixtures which will further control the beam pattern.
Aspects of the invention provide a system of lighting wherein a module having a standardized configuration is used in hconjunction with standardized fixtures having an aesthetic housing and specific pattern control optics in order to provide lighting that can be customized for a particular application.
These and other objects, features, advantages, or aspects of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification.
From time to time in this description reference will be taken to the drawings which are identified by figure number and are summarized below.
To further understanding of the present invention, specific exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail. Frequent mention will be made in this description to the drawings. Reference numbers will be used to indicate certain parts in the drawings. The same reference numbers will be used to indicate the same parts throughout the drawings unless otherwise indicated.
An embodiment according to aspects of the invention comprises a compact LED light source 10,
The circuit board 20,
Inner surface of boss 25,
A reflective or opaque coating or insert 24,
Module 10 serves to direct light both horizontally and vertically as shown in
The light source may be mounted to or within a fixture as part of an optic system which provides further control of the light pattern on a target area as illustrated in
LEDs 30,
After forming, board 20,
When board 40 is formed, traces 70,
FPC products are widely available. Examples include, but are not limited to the “Flexbase” PET product, available from Sheldahl corporation of Northfield, Minn. (USA) and DuPont™ Kapton® polyimide from DuPont corporation, Wilmington, Del. (USA).
Circuit traces may be of conventional printed circuit design if the grooves 50,
Power connections 91 and 92,
Alternative means or methods for assembly could include forming the board 20,
Available LEDs suitable for use with the invention can vary widely with regard to beam spread or beam angle, therefore, locations of the LEDs and angular positioning of the panels may be varied according to intended usage or specifications of the compact light source and will be affected by choice of LEDs. LEDs may be controlled by use of suitable controllers. One embodiment according to aspects of the invention uses four identical Cree model XPE LEDs, available commercially from Cree Inc., of Durham N.C. (http://www.cree.com/products/xlamp_xpe.asp). Other embodiments might vary either the specifications of the LEDs in order to vary the shape or intensity of the beam emitted from the light source 10, or might vary the output of identical LEDs by the use of multiple controllers, or by proportionally varying the power to each LED from a single controller.
Advantages of the compact light source according to aspects of the invention include providing a smooth spread of light about an axis using more than one LED source. This allows the light to be spread as a function of the physical positioning of the LEDs. This can simplify lighting design for a light source using multiple LEDs, since optics designed for a single LED typically cannot be used effectively with multiple distributed LEDs. Instead, the invention provides a simple means to use multiple LEDs, each effectively having its own optic. Additionally, a light cutoff system designed to cut off light from a single LED typically cannot be used with a multiple LED design without adverse effects.
Application
A primary application is envisioned to be as a light source for bollard-style lamps such as in
Of course, the light source 10 could be used with other style fixtures which might be found in public parks, along sidewalks, etc., and would readily be applicable to illuminating vertical surfaces such as walls or signs merely by changing its orientation as in
As envisioned, a lighting system such as might be used for aesthetic/architectural effect in a public area can be modified to allow the use of the compact LED light source module 10 (described herein) as a source of light. One use of said light source 10 is to illuminate paths of walkways, without substantially creating glare or unwanted light, such as described in U.S Pat. No. 8,256,921 or U.S Pat. No. 7,976,199, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
To create a system of lighting, many variables relating to the light source and its associated optics may be controlled. The system envisioned herein facilitates providing for some of those variables in an aesthetically pleasing manner. For example, the light source may be adjusted as to its height from ground and its angle from horizontal. Optics such as lenses or visors may be adjusted as to their size, shape, position and angle relative to the light source.
One embodiment according to aspects of the current invention uses the compact LED light source 10,
The compact LED light source may be mounted on a structure at a specific distance from the ground, within an aesthetic housing such as a globe light fixture (150
In general, outside edges of the pattern control optic are used to somewhat sharply cut off the beam emitted by the light source. As an edge of the pattern control optic (e.g., 115,
Differently configured pattern control optics 100 might be manufactured according to these variations, or the optic might be made field-adjustable by bending, adjusting moveable panels, etc. Thus it is possible to make the emitted pattern very narrow for a narrow sidewalk with large spacing between posts along the sidewalk. Conversely, if the posts are installed next to a wider walkway or road, the pattern may be extended farther away from the pole or mounting structure, perpendicular to the direction of the walkway. For different effects, the pattern control optic can be moved in or out relative to the light source or it can have its angle from horizontal (or relative to the horizontal axis of rotation of the light source) changed, thereby affecting the shape of the light beam emitted from the aesthetic housing.
One way to accomplish the preceding is to create a pattern control optic which is positioned within the aesthetic housing using the structural shape of the housing as a reference. The pattern control optic is further designed to interact with the beam from the light source, based on the position of the light source within the housing. Since the light source is also positioned relative to the aesthetic housing, a specific beam pattern will be emitted from the aesthetic housing, based on the relative positioning of the light source and the pattern control optic, and without necessitating a change in the shape of the standard fixture for the purpose of controlling the light pattern.
Alternatively, the pattern control optic may simply be fastened within, or manufactured as a part of, the aesthetic housing, using standard fastening and adjustment mechanisms such as slots or rails for in/out positioning and pivots or arc slots for rotational adjustment. Alternatively, the optic may be positioned in the fixture during manufacture in a position known to provide a given light pattern, which would then allow production of standard fixtures in different configurations or models for selection by the designer.
Thus, for a given aesthetic housing design, a lighting installation may be created which maintains the desired external appearance and which provides illumination which is targeted to a specific area. Records may be kept of installations so that similar installations may be performed by repeating or modifying installation specifications as appropriate. Also, standard components may be designed and manufactured which provide a wide range of pre-fitted components to provide standard beam shape such that lighting designers could specify a collection of architectural/aesthetic light structures/mounts (such as e.g. globe lights or bollard posts) with a standard internal pattern control optic to be used with (for example) a standard sidewalk width such as 4 feet, a standard pole placement such as every 20 feet. Different internal optics could be designed for curves, corners, wider or narrower sidewalks, extended pole spacing, etc.
Many options and alternative are possible: pattern control optic 100 may simply block unwanted light or may be patterned, specular, reflective, refractive, light absorptive, etc. in order to redirect or reuse light that is blocked or constrained. Pattern control optic 100 may be constructed out of aluminum sheet, molded thermoplastic, or various other materials. It may be vacuum formed, punched, etc. to provide a one piece interface between the aesthetic housing and the light source, or it may use intermediate mounting structures, have tabs, holes, etc. for appropriate mounting.
Examples are shown in use with bollard type aesthetic housings, but globe-style lights 150,
The invention may take many forms and embodiments. The preceding examples are but a few of those. To give some sense of some options and alternatives, a few examples are given below.
For example, the method of mounting the LEDs might be changed. More or fewer LEDs might be used. Circuit boards might be formed before or after mounting the LEDs. LEDs might be mounted individually on the heat sink/base 15 or on individual boards 40 which are attached to the heat sink/base and connected by jumpers, flexible traces, etc. The circuit board might be scored, machined, extruded, or otherwise manipulated to create the folding lines. The cover 22 might have an aperture rather than a clear lens, or might have the cover, or might have tabs formed onto the ends so that the board could be fastened directly to the cover, or use some other means of mounting. The base, circuit board, and cover might be manufactured as an integral or interchangeable part of a fixture. Two or more LEDs might be mounted on each face of the circuit board. Many other variations are possible as well, and are expected as the utility and versatility of the invention is further developed.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional application Ser. No. 61/321,394 filed Apr. 6, 2010, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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