Patent Application
20140268797
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a light assembly for recessed positioning within a ceiling.
Conventional downlight fixtures use light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) or other suitable light sources. Because LEDs and other light sources give off thermal energy, heat sinks are sometimes incorporated into the fixture to facilitate heat dissipation from the light sources. The downlight fixture also typically includes one or more reflectors and one or more diffuser lenses that help diffuse and direct the light as desired. To alter the output and distribution of the light source (such as its beam angle, diffusing light pattern, color, etc.), the entire assembly must be removed from the ceiling, which is time consuming and cumbersome.
The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should not be understood to limit the subject matter described, herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described, in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the entire specification of this patent, all drawings and each claim.
In certain embodiments, a versatile light engine for recessed positioning in a ceiling is provided that allows for quick and easy customization of the light engine's light output and distribution without having to remove the light engine from the installation in some embodiments, the light engine includes an optic holder with threads that engage threads of a mounting ring coupled to a lower reflector. In some embodiments, the light engine also includes an upper reflector that releasably interfaces with the optic holder. Due to the configuration of the light engine, the upper reflector and/or the lower reflector and/or the diffuser lens can be easily replaced without having to remove the light engine from the installation.
A full and enabling disclosure including the best mode of practicing the appended claims and directed to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification. The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different features is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.
The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended, to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
Embodiments of a light assembly (one embodiment of which is shown assembled in
As shown in
Light engine 14 also includes an optic holder 24 mounted below the heat sink 18. In some embodiments, optic holder 24 attaches to the heat sink 18 or light source 20 (such as the PCB 22h) with mechanical fasteners or in any suitable way. A passageway 50 extends entirely through the optic holder 24 so as to define an inner surface 52. When the optic holder 24 is mounted below the heat sink 18, light from the light source 20 is emitted through the passageway 50 of the optic holder 24. Fins 17 may be, but do not have to be, provided on the outer wall 54 of the optic holder 24 to facilitate heat dissipation from the light engine 14. In some embodiments, optic holder 24 is formed of cast metal, although it may be formed of any suitable material.
A plurality of threads 26 are provided, on the outer surface of the optic holder on an end of the optic holder 24 distal the heat sink 18. While the threads 26 are shown extending around the outer surface of the optic holder 24, in some embodiments they extend around the inner surface 52 of the optic holder 24.
This configuration allows for easy installation and removal of the upper reflector 30 within and from the optic holder 24 without the use of tools. This tool-less assembly and disassembly also allows the upper reflector 30 to be easily replaced with a different upper reflector having different optical properties thereby to adjust the beam angle and other properties of the light distribution. Tabs 32 or other retention features may be provided on the upper reflector 30 to bear against the inner surface 52 of the optic holder 24 to prevent the upper reflector 30 from inadvertently rotating relative to, and disengaging from, the optic holder 24, thus ensuring the upper reflector 30 remains in a locked, position without requiring use of fasteners or other separate components or tools.
Optic assembly 28 also includes a lower reflector 36, which may be a metal or plastic reflector having a reflective inner surface. In some embodiments, the lower reflector 36 is generally in the shape of a truncated cone, however the lower reflector 36 is not intended to be limited to such a shape. Lower reflector 36 includes a mounting ring 40, which can be formed integrally with the lower reflector 36 or, in other embodiments, is a separate component that is attached by adhesive or any other suitable means to lower reflector 36. A plurality of threads 38 is provided on the inner surface of the mounting ring 40, although in other embodiments such threads may be provided, on an outer surface of the mounting ring 40.
A diffuser lens 34, having optical properties to distribute the emitted light as desired, is interposed between the upper reflector 30 and lower reflector 36. In some embodiments, diffuser lens 34 is attached to the upper reflector 30 using adhesive, mechanical snaps and/or fasteners, or by any other suitable means. In other embodiments, diffuser lens 34 is retained within the optic assembly 28 by the lower reflector 36. For example, the lower reflector 36 or mounting ring 40 may include a ledge 58 upon which the diffuser lens 34 can rest so as to be supported in the optic assembly 28.
The threads 38 on the mounting ring 40 of the lower reflector 36 engage with the threads 26 on the optic holder 24 to attach the lower reflector 36 to the optic holder 24. Mounting rings 40 of different heights may be provided on the lower reflector 36 to accommodate positioning and retention of other optical attachments (e.g., lenses, louvers, filter assemblies and the like) within the mounting ring 40 to further distribute the emitted light as desired.
Use of the mounting ring 40 allows for quick and easy customization of the light output of the light engine 14. For example, the lower reflector 36 can be replaced with a lower reflector having different optical properties simply by unscrewing the mounting ring 40 from the optic holder 24. Similarly, removal of the mounting ring 40/lower reflector 36 allows access to the upper reflector 30, which can easily be replaced as discussed above. Finally, the diffuser lens 34 and other optical attachments can be substituted for others having different optical properties by simply disengaging the mounting ring 40 from the optic holder 24. All of these replacements/substitutions can occur quickly and without the need for tools. In this way, the beam angle, beam intensity, diffusing light pattern, light output, color, focusing, etc. may be adjusted in nearly any conceivable combination without having to remove the light engine 14 from the installation.
In some embodiments, the light engine 14 is retained on the mounting pan 12 by torsions springs 42 mounted on mounting arms 44 that are attached to the light engine 14 (such as, but not limited to, the optic holder, as shown in
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Further modifications and adaptations to these embodiments ents will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and subcombinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.
