This invention relates to a retrofit kit for retrofitting an LED light engines into existing fixtures, particularly existing fluorescent light fixtures.
Traditional light fixtures presently used in a typical office or commercial environments comprise a troffer with at least one fluorescent lamp to illuminate a space. For many years the most common fluorescent lamps for use in indoor lighting have been the linear T5 (⅝ inch diameter), T8 (1 inch diameter), and the T12 (1½ inch diameter). Such bulbs are inefficient and have a relatively short lamp life. Thus, efforts have been made to identify suitable alternative illumination sources for indoor lighting applications. Light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) have been identified as one alternative to traditional fluorescent bulbs.
An LED typically includes a diode mounted onto a die or chip, where the diode is surrounded by an encapsulant. The die is connected to a power source, which, in turn, transmits power to the diode. An LED used for lighting or illumination converts electrical energy to light in a manner that results in very little radiant energy outside the visible spectrum. LEDs are extremely efficient, and their efficiency is rapidly improving. For example, the lumen output obtained by 20 LEDs may soon be obtained by 10 LEDs.
However, in comparison to simply changing a light bulb in a conventional light fixture, exchanging an existing fluorescent fixture for a light fixture that uses LEDs as a light source can be labor intensive and costly. Such replacement typically requires access to the area above the ceiling. Environmental concerns, such as asbestos contamination and asbestos removal, become an issue when disturbing the ceiling. Moreover, the area above the ceiling collects dirt and dust, which can dislodge during LED replacement and thereby increase the time and cost of clean-up after installation. Additionally, exposed electrical wiring is common in such areas, which creates a safety hazard for workers removing old fixtures. A licensed electrician may be required to install the new fixtures based upon common safety codes. Thus, businesses and consumers are reticent to invest in a new LED light fixture when the effort and costs are compared to maintaining an existing fluorescent light fixture.
Efforts have also been made to retrofit an existing fluorescent light fixture with an LED light source. However, existing fluorescent light fixtures may come in any number of different sizes and configurations. Specifically, LED retrofit kits may not be generally compatible with existing fluorescent light fixtures. Oftentimes, a given LED retrofit kit may only be compatible with existing light fixtures that share a common mounting arrangement. Even if the LED retrofit kit is compatible, it may be difficult to install, particularly for a single worker. Therefore, there exists a need for an LED retrofit kit that is generally compatible with existing light fixtures, and that may be easily installed by a single worker.
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 be understood not 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 appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.
Embodiments of the invention provide retrofit kits for retrofitting LED light engines into existing light fixture housings. The retrofit kit includes a hook bracket that may be mounted in the housing and from which an end of the LED light engine can be suspended so as to permit an installer to electrically connect the LED light engine. The retrofit kit also includes a mounting bracket to secure the free end of the LED light engine into the housing after the LED light engine has been rotated upwardly into the housing from the hanging position.
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 the present invention relate to retrofit kits for retrofitting existing luminaires containing fluorescent or other light sources with light emitting diode (“LED”) based light sources. Some embodiments of the retrofit kit include (1) a light engine 10; (2) a mounting bracket 20; (3) a hook bracket 30; and (4) a lens 40.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, a separate lens retaining channel 14 is mounted on the base 13. The lens retaining channel 14 includes upstanding lens retainer flanges 15 that help to retain lens 40, as discussed in more detail below. One of skill in the art will understand that the base 13 and lens retaining channel 14 could be integrally-formed such that the lens retainer flanges 15 extend directly from the base 13.
At least one printed circuit board (“PCB”) 12 populated with a plurality of LEDs 11 is mounted on the lens retaining channel 14 (or directly on the base 13 if the lens retaining channel 14 and base 13 are integrally formed). Each PCB 12 can have wiring for connecting to a power supply, which can be shared between PCBs 12 or each PCB 12 could have its own power supply. The LEDs 11 may be single-die or multi-die LEDs, DC or AC, or can be organic light emitting diodes. White, color, or multicolor LEDs 11 may be used. Moreover, the LEDs 11 mounted on a PCB 12 need not all be the same color; rather, mixtures of LEDs 11 may be used. Furthermore, in some embodiments no PCB 12 is needed; rather, the LEDs 11 are chip-on-board LEDs.
The light engine base 13 is sized to fit within the channel of an existing light fixture. The light engine base 13 may be formed to fit within specific housing dimensions (e.g., 1×4, 1×8, etc.) or it may be provided in a size that generally will fit within most generic existing light fixtures (e.g., it will universally fit with existing fixtures).
Apertures 16 are formed in one end of the light engine base 13. As shown in
Mounting bracket 20 is associated with the light engine 10, typically but not necessarily proximate the end of the light engine base 13 opposite the apertures 16. The mounting bracket 20 is designed to help secure the light engine 10 (and more specifically, in some embodiments one end of the light engine 10) within an existing fixture housing 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting bracket 20 extends across the light engine 10 via clearance slots 19 provided in the lens retainer flanges 15. Once inserted through the slots 19, mounting bracket wings 21 extend from each side of the light engine 10. In some embodiments, the clearance slots 19 are wider than the mounting bracket 20 so as to permit translation of the mounting bracket 20 within the clearance slot 19 for positioning purposes (if needed). In other embodiments, discrete mounting bracket wings 21 may be mounted or otherwise provided on the light engine 10 and need not be connected by the central portion 22 of the mounting bracket 20 (such clearance slots 19 in the lens retainer flanges 15 are not needed in such embodiments).
Fastener apertures 23 are provided on each mounting bracket wing 21 and are designed to receive a fastener 24 (e.g., screws, self-tapping screws, bolts, pins, rivets, or any other mechanical fastening device) that engages both the mounting bracket 20 and existing housing 50 so as to retain the light engine 10 in the existing housing 50. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting bracket 20 may be configured to snap into the housing of an existing light fixture.
Hooks 31 extend from plate 32 of the hook bracket 30. In certain embodiments, the hooks 31 will extend coplanar with the plate 32, while in other embodiments the hooks 31 will extend at an angle (e.g., anywhere greater than 0° up to 90°) relative to the plate 32 (i.e., the hooks 31 are upstanding from the plate 32). In cases where the hooks 31 are coplanar with the plate 32, the hook bracket 30 may be mounted at an angle so that the hooks 31 will extend at an angle (e.g., anywhere greater than 0° up to 90°) relative to the housing 50. The illustrated hooks 31 are L-shaped and have a wide portion 34 and a narrow portion 35. During installation, hook bracket 30 is installed in an housing such that the hooks 31 extend upwardly in the housing. The light engine 10 is suspended from the hooks 31 of the hook bracket 30 by engagement of the hooks 31 within the apertures 16 of the light engine 10. The hooks 31 may be L-shaped, as shown, or take on any other shape as desired or required for a particular application so long as the hooks 31 can interlock with the apertures 16 on a light engine 10 to retain the light engine 10 in a hanging position. For example, in certain embodiments, the hooks 31 may be T-shaped to complement T-shaped apertures 16 in the light engine 10. In some embodiments, the hooks 31, and corresponding apertures 16, may also comprise a simple rectangular shape without a change in width. Regardless, of the hook shape, one end of the light engine 10 is positioned on the hook bracket 30 such that the hooks 31 engage with the apertures 16 on the light engine 10 and the opposed end of the light engine 10 is free-hanging. When the light engine 10 is in a hanging position, the upstanding hooks 31 serve as stops that engage the edge of the apertures 16 to prevent any downward movement of the light engine 10. The light engine 10 will not disengage from the hooks 31 unless the light engine 10 is lifted upwardly so that the apertures 16 may pass over the upstanding hooks 31.
As shown in
The retrofit kits disclosed herein may be installed in existing fixture housings of any dimensions, including but not limited to 1×4, 1×8, 2×4, etc. In some embodiments, a single retrofit kit is provided in a fixture. However, it will be appreciated that multiple retrofit kits may be installed in longer fixtures (e.g., 1×8 fixtures).
Prior to installation, the existing light fixture is stripped of its existing light sources and their associated wiring and electronics. The method of stripping the existing light fixture will vary depending upon the particular type of light sources, their associated hardware and electrical connections, and the configuration of the existing light fixture. Generally, the process for removal of the lighting elements from an existing light fixture will include: (i) removing electrical power from the existing light fixture housing 50; (ii) disconnecting any light sources and associated hardware from the existing light fixture; and (iii) removing unnecessary brackets or hardware, if any, from the housing 50. The remaining housing 50 is then in a bare condition and ready to receive the retrofit kit.
The hook bracket 30 is then installed into the housing 50. If a single retrofit kit is to be installed in the housing 50, the hook bracket 30 may be mounted at either end of the housing 50.
In certain embodiments (such as longer fixture housing 50), multiple retrofit kits may be necessary such that multiple light engines 10 are installed in a series arrangement (i.e., end-to-end) within the housing 50. Each light engine 10 may be held within the housing 50 via its own mounting bracket 20 and hook bracket 30. While hook brackets 30 (one from each retrofit kit) could be installed on opposing ends of the housing 50 and the mounting brackets 20 positioned more centrally in the housing 50, in other embodiments the mounting brackets 20 are positioned on opposing ends of the housing 50 and the hook brackets 30 are positioned more centrally. The basic installation of the retrofit kit (as discussed below) remains the same regardless of the location of the hook bracket 30 and mounting bracket 20 within the housing 50.
Referring to
As shown in
In certain embodiments, the apertures 16 and hooks 31 may have wide portions 17, 34 and narrow portions 18, 35. These wide 17, 34 and narrow 18, 35 portions may serve to provide additional interlocking functions to reduce the potential for the apertures 16 to disengage from the hooks 31 and unintentionally release the light engine 10. To engage or disengage the hooks 31 from the apertures 16, the light engine 10 would need to be aligned both angularly (i.e., to an angular position that is relatively above that of hanging) and longitudinally to align the wide portion 17 of the aperture 16 with the wide portion 34 of the hook 31. In these embodiments, if the wide portion 17 of the aperture 16 is not aligned with the wide portion 34 of the hook 31, the interference between the wide portion 34 of the hook 31 with the narrow portion 18 of the aperture 16 will prevent the aperture 16 from inadvertently being lifted off the hook 31 and releasing the light engine 10.
Referring to
After the completion of the necessary electrical connections, the light engine 10 may be rotated upwardly into position within the housing 50. During this rotation, the narrow portion 35 of hook 31 can translate within the narrow portion 18 of aperture 16 if such movement is needed to properly position the light engine 10. Abutment between the wide portion 34 of hook 31 and the narrow portion 18 of aperture 16 prevents disengagement of the hook 31 from the aperture 16 and thus retains that end of the light engine 10 in the housing 50. During the rotation of the light engine 10, a worker may feed any wires, tethers, connectors, or the like up into the channel or other space within the housing 50.
Referring to
As mentioned above, in certain embodiments, multiple light engines 10 may be installed in series into a single housing 50, such as shown in
Referring to
The lens 40 may be positioned on the light engine 10 (as discussed above) before or after the light engine 10 is installed within the housing 50. As shown in
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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/012,500, filed on Jun. 16, 2014, entitled “Methods for Retrofitting a Luminaire with LEDs and Luminaires Containing the LEDs,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by this reference.
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