The present disclosure relates to a lighting device and related methods. More particularly but not exclusively, the invention relates to a lighting device that mimics the appearance of a flame.
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as examples and are not limited by figures of the following drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:
The present application discloses various embodiments of lighting devices that mimic the appearance of a flame. In various embodiments, light may be generated in a color that mimics a flame and a moving reflector may simulate movement characteristics of a flame. Lighting devices consistent with the present disclosure may be used in a variety of applications (e.g., indoor and outdoor light fixtures, permanent or temporary applications) and in a variety of form factors (e.g., light bulbs, night lights, lighting fixtures, flashlights, accent lights, decorative lights, strand lights, etc.).
Various lighting devices consistent with the present disclosure may include a lighting element, a control system, a casing, and a power system. The lighting element may direct light toward a reflector. In various embodiments, a plurality of Red-Green-Blue-White (RGBW) light emitting diodes (LEDs) may generate the light directed by the lighting elements. A control system may establish parameters of the system (e.g., on/off status, light color, brightness, movement of the reflector, etc.). A power supply may receive power from an external source and condition the power for use by the lighting device.
In some embodiments, various parameters of a lighting device consistent with the present disclosure may be controlled using a mobile application. Such parameters may include light color, light patterns, and/or movement of the reflector. The lighting device may include an interface to communicate with the application. Such an interface may support communication using Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15), including Bluetooth Low Energy and Bluetooth mesh, and/or Wi-Fi (IEEE 801.11).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
A number of techniques and steps are disclosed in connection with various embodiments. Each of these has individual benefits and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description does not repeat every possible combination of the individual steps. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are within the scope of the invention and the claim.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of specific embodiments, and is not intended to limit the claims as understood by one of skill in the art.
Bulb cover 102 may be formed of a transparent or translucent material that allows light to escape lighting device 100 while providing protection for the elements disposed within bulb cover 102. Bottom casing 106 may similarly house various elements, such as electrical and optical components, of lighting device 100.
PCB assembly 108 may include various electrical components operable to convert AC to DC power. Additional elements disposed on PCB assembly 108 may include a communication subsystem configured to enable lighting device 100 to be controlled by an external device (not shown), such as an application operating on a mobile computing device.
In some embodiments, various parameters of a lighting device consistent with the present disclosure may be controlled using a mobile application. Such parameters may include light color, light patterns, and/or movement of the reflector. The lighting device may include an interface to communicate with the application. Such an interface may support communication using Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15) or Wi-Fi (IEEE 801.11).
A plurality of light pipes 110 may conduct light from a plurality of light sources toward a reflector 118. In various embodiments, light pipes 110 may be embodied as an optical fiber or a solid transparent plastic rod for transmitting light. Light pipes 110 may direct light toward reflector 118, which may move to simulate the motion of a flame.
Element holder 112 may engage with various elements (e.g., light pipes 110, reflector pin 116, and reflector 118). Element holder 112 may hold each of the elements in a specific arrangement. Reflector pin 116 may be coupled to element holder 112 and may be used to suspend reflector 118. Recess 120 may be configured to receive reflector pin 116. A connection between reflector pin 116 and reflector 118 may allow reflector 118 to pivot, and such motion may simulate the motion of a flame.
Reflector 118 may include a magnet 114 that may be used to move reflector 118. PCB assembly 108 may include a magnetic element 122 to interact with magnet 114 and to cause reflector 118 to move. Magnetic element 122 may comprise an electromagnet that can be selectively activated to generate an attractive or repulsive force. Controlled cycling of magnetic element 122 may result in a desired motion of reflector 118.
In the illustrated embodiment, reflector 118 comprises three sides offset by 120 degrees. The motion of reflector 118 may create a different pattern for each of the plurality of light pipes 110. In other embodiments, reflector 118 may comprise a different number of sides (e.g., 4 sides, 5 sides, etc.).
Element holder 112 may receive light pipes 110a-110c. Element holder 112 may also receive reflector pin 116 and reflector 118. Reflector 118 may include recess 120 to receive reflector pin 116. Recess 120 may include sufficient area to permit reflector 118 to move. Reflector 118 may receive magnet 114. Magnet 114 may be disposed above magnetic element 122. Bulb cover 102 and bottom casing 106 may create a shell around the other elements.
First portion 202 may include a plurality of LEDs 210a, 210b, and 210c. LEDs 210a-210c may be a part of a lighting subsystem configured to generate a light output and direct the light output to a reflector, such as reflector 118 illustrated in
A plurality of magnetic elements 208 may be disposed around the center of first portion 202 and may interact with a magnet in a reflector. Changing the magnetic field of magnetic elements 208 may induce motion in the reflector. A plurality of other components 206 (e.g., resistors, capacitors, transistors etc.) may also be disposed on printed circuit board 200. Such components may generate direct current from an alternating current and perform other functions.
Second portion 204 may include a wireless communication chip 214. Wireless communication chip 214 may enable communication via WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication protocols. Wireless communication chip 214 may allow a user to control various aspects of the lighting device including printed circuit board 200, such as the color and/or brightness of a light source, and/or motion of a reflector. In various embodiments, a user may be able to control power, light intensity, motion, and color through an application in communication with wireless communication chip 214. A connector 212 may be configured to couple to an alternating current power source.
Communication subsystem 508 may communicate with an application 504. Although a mobile application is specifically illustrated, communication subsystem 508 may receive communication from a variety of types of devices and using a variety of communication technologies and protocols. Application 504 may allow a user to control various parameters of lighting device 500 (e.g., color, brightness, movement, etc.).
Control subsystem 510 may control various aspects of lighting device 500. In some embodiments, control subsystem 510 may generate electrical signals that result in a desired action, while in other embodiments, control subsystem 510 may issue commands or instructions to other subsystems. Control subsystem 510 may include a processing element and computer-readable media (both transitory and non-transitory) to implement such functionality.
Lighting subsystem 514 may generate and direct light. In one specific embodiment, lighting subsystem 514 may include a plurality of LEDs to generate light, a plurality of light pipes to direct the light, and a reflector to reflect the light. Lighting subsystem 514 may generate different colors and brightness and may implement other functions to mimic the appearance of a flame.
Movement subsystem 512 may generate movement to mimic the motion of a flame. In one embodiment, a three-sided reflector may be coupled to a magnet, and the magnet may interact with a variable electromagnetic field generated by an electromagnet. Selectively activating the electromagnet may induce motion to mimic the appearance of a flame.
Protective cover 602 may be formed of a transparent or translucent material that allows light to escape lighting device 600 while providing protection for the elements disposed within protective cover 602. Bottom casing 606 may house various elements, such as electrical and optical components of lighting device 600.
PCB assembly 608 may include various electrical components operable to convert AC to DC power. Additional elements disposed on PCB assembly 608 may include a communication subsystem configured to enable lighting device 600 to be controlled by an external device (not shown), such as an application operating on a mobile computing device.
In some embodiments, various parameters of a lighting device consistent with the present disclosure may be controlled using a mobile application. Such parameters may include light color, light patterns, and/or movement of the reflector. The lighting device may include an interface to communicate with the application. Such an interface may support communication using Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15) or Wi-Fi (IEEE 801.11).
A plurality of light pipes 610 may conduct light from a plurality of light sources toward a reflector 618. In some embodiments, light pipes 610 may be embodied as an optical fiber or a solid transparent plastic rod for transmitting light. Light pipes 610 may direct light toward reflector 618, which may move to simulate the motion of a flame.
Top casing 612 may engage with various elements (e.g., light pipes 610, reflector pin 616, and reflector 618). Top casing 612 may hold each of the elements in a specific arrangement. Reflector pin 616 may be attached to top casing 612 and may be used to suspend reflector 618. Hinge joint 620 may be configured to receive reflector pin 616. A connection between reflector pin 616 and reflector 618 may allow reflector 618 to move, and such motion may simulate the motion of a flame.
Reflector 618 may include a magnet 614 that may be used to move reflector 618. PCB assembly 608 may include an electromagnet 622 to interact with magnet 614 and to cause reflector 618 to move. Electromagnet 622 may be designed to be selectively activated to generate an attractive or repulsive force. Controlled cycling of electromagnet 622 may result in a desired motion of reflector 618.
In the illustrated embodiment, reflector 618 comprises three sides offset by 120 degrees. The motion of reflector 618 may create a different pattern for each of the plurality of light pipes 610. In other embodiments, reflector 618 may comprise a different number of sides (e.g., 4 sides, 5 sides, etc.).
Retaining O-ring 624 may be fastened to reflector 618 through O-ring groove 626 to hold reflector 618 in desired position within top casing 612. Reflector 618 may be assembled by sliding down over reflector pin 616 and attaching O-ring 624 from the bottom of reflector 618.
PCB assembly 608 may consist of a plurality of LEDs 628. Light generated by LEDs 628 may be directed toward reflector 618. LEDs 628 may be configurable to emit light of a desired color and brightness. PCB assembly 608 may also contain an LED driver 630 to regulate a desired amount of power to LEDs 628. LED driver 630 may receive power from a power supply contained in PCB assembly 608.
PCB assembly 608 may also contain an Internet of Things (I) module 632 that may enable wireless communication via WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication protocols. IOT module 632 may allow a user to control various aspects of the lighting device including PCB assembly 608, such as the color and/or brightness of LEDs 628, and/or motion of reflector 618. In some embodiments, a user may be able to control power, light intensity, motion, and color through an application in communication with IOT module 632.
Light pipes 610 may be configured to direct light from an LED 628 onto reflector 618. In some embodiments, an input 648 of light pipes 610 may match the shape of a corresponding LED 628. The shape of the light pipes 610 change from a rectangular cross section at an input 648 to a circular cross section at an output 646. In some embodiments, light pipes 610 may be tapered to increase light output efficiency. Output 646 may also comprise a textured, patterned or Fresnel lens exit surface. Such a surface may diffuse light exiting light pipes 610. Such diffusion may be particularly useful in conjunction with a multi-color light source, such as an RGBW LED. Light from an RGBW LED may include multiple elements corresponding to different colors, and as such, diffusing the light may improve the consistency at output 646.
Light pipes 610 may be configured primarily to direct light from LEDs 628 to reflector 618, and secondarily to direct light upward for ambient lighting. Light pipes 610 may further be configured to evenly distribute light across reflector 618, and to reduce off axis glare.
An arm 754 may extend between electrical connector 752 and an adapter base 756. Arm 754 may provide structural support to adapter base 756. As shown, adapter 750 is configured such that lighting device 700 is installed with a base (shown as 704 in
While specific embodiments and applications of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the precise configurations and components disclosed herein. Accordingly, many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of this disclosure. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/325,029, filed on Mar. 29, 2023, titled “LIGHTING DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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10488005 | Roberts | Nov 2019 | B2 |
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Innovation Q+ NPL Search (Year: 2023). |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20230313958 A1 | Oct 2023 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63325029 | Mar 2022 | US |