A system and method consistent with the present disclosure broadly relates to LED lighting. More particularly, the present disclosure is consistent with providing an LED lighting facility that is configurable to a variety of applications.
The need for greater efficacy in lighting sources has increased the demand for LED lighting fixtures. However, the use of LEDs in applications that produce luminosity sufficient for room lighting require current control and heat management that challenges the lighting designer. Therefore new an innovative methods and systems for the electrical, mechanical, and thermal design of LED fixtures is needed.
The present disclosure is a modular linear LED lighting system with an LED light housing providing a flexible architectural slot light system that has multiple configurations based on the same base body design, with various applications that may be created from the common base fixture. The linear LED lighting system may take the place and/or match the performance of a traditional fluorescent light, halogen incandescent light, and like linear architectural fixture types. In embodiments, the function of the linear LED lighting system may combine and/or exceed qualities of traditional sources into a more versatile fixture, with all the performance benefits of LED lighting. In embodiments, the linear LED lighting system may provide for a modular housing configured with removable and/or replaceable optional mounting attachments, such as on multiple sides.
In embodiments, the linear LED lighting system may provide for multiple compartments, wherein the linear LED light housing may be configured with at least two separate internal compartments such as with one for housing and heat sinking an LED set and one for housing and heat sinking LED driver electronics, each of the internal compartments having a unique mounting surface with one for mounting an LED set and one for mounting LED driver electronics, where one of the compartments is an electronics and power compartment for safely housing LED driver electronics and with a raceway for containing wires that traverse the housing while allowing user access to the separate compartment, and the like.
In embodiments, the linear LED lighting system may provide for a linear series internal attachment system. The linear LED light housing may be configured with an open side end exposing a mechanical attachment point while protecting a user from internal electronics, such that a second linear LED light housing with an open side end can be abutted and mechanically secured forming an extended length linear LED light housing. The system may include mechanically securing two linear LED light housings together by abutting their open ends and attaching an internal bracket through a top end of the housings, such as where all exposed electrical components are safely contained in a separated compartment. The system may include a mechanical assembly connection device to hold the two linear LED light housings together during assembly such that the device is temporarily configured to provide a structurally rigid temporary assembly while providing an opening for a user to make the necessary electrical interconnections prior to abutting the housings together for mechanical attachment.
In embodiments, the system may provide an end cap electrical interconnect, such as where the linear LED light housing has an open side end where a quick connect electrical connection is mounted such that another linear LED light housing with a matching open end can be electrically connected, or where an end cap with exiting power wires can be safely connected.
In embodiments, the system may include optics components, such as where the linear LED light housing has at least two compartments, one for safely containing and separating LED driver electrics from another that contains an LED set. The LED set may have a linear configuration generally following the linear nature of the housing and a factory-configured optical package to secure individual optics in relation to each of the LEDs of the LED set.
In embodiments, the system may include the ability to provide dimming functionality, where the linear LED lighting system is adapted to connect to and be dimmed by a conventional AC dimmer.
These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
The disclosure and the following detailed description of certain embodiments thereof may be understood by reference to the following figures:
The present disclosure will now be described in detail by describing various illustrative, non-limiting embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The claims should be consulted to ascertain the true scope of the disclosure.
This illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is a modular linear LED lighting system with an LED light housing providing a flexible architectural slot light system that has multiple configurations based on the same base body design. The various applications that may be created from the common base fixture include recessed, pendant uplight, pendant downlight, surface mount, and the like, as well as cantilevered and wall-wash light fixtures in many different architectural environments, where modular linear LED lighting housings may be interconnected to form extended linear LED lighting configurations through the attachment of two or more modules.
The linear LED lighting system of the present disclosure may take the place and/or match the performance of a traditional fluorescent light, halogen and incandescent point source lamps, and like linear architectural fixture types. In embodiments, the function of the linear LED lighting system may combine and/or exceed qualities of traditional sources into a more versatile fixture, with all the performance benefits of LED lighting. For example, the linear LED lighting system may provide for the replacement of a traditional non-LED point source fixture where illumination at a distance is required, such as MR16, PAR20, and the like. Application environments for which the linear lighting system may be specified may include an open office, private office, meeting and board rooms, auditoriums, reception areas, corridors, wall washing, library stack lighting, general indirect room lighting, waiting areas, court rooms, high ceiling atriums, large volume spaces, and the like.
The linear LED lighting system may provide for a modular, multiple attachment system, where the Linear LED light housing may be configured with removable and replaceable optional mounting attachments on two or more sides. Installation and mounting may include a T-slot along the top of a common spine of the modular housing to accept fittings for surface attachment, aircraft cables, stem tubes, and the like for downlight pendant mounting. The fixture may be capable of indirect pendant mounting from the same continuous screw slots on the bottom face as where the optical lenses and louvers mount. Recessed and cantilevered mounting option fittings may slide into T-slots on both sides of the fixture housing. In embodiments, slots may be integrated into the fixture so that they become decorative elements, and also allow for recessed and/or hidden setscrews to allow for the seamless joining of fixture body sections. Recessed mounting accessory options may include a trim-less mud flange, types of lay-in grid attachments, and the like. In embodiments, the base modular fixture may have an aluminum housing that may serve as the heat sink, a polycarbonate lens with a gasket, an integral driver with electrical quick disconnects between module lengths, and the like. The modules may be manufactured in certain lengths, such as two foot, three foot, four foot, eight foot, twelve foot, and the like. The base modular fixture may have methods to accept various lensing and visual shielding offered as accessories. The fixture rating may be for indoor, outdoor, damp locations, and the like, and have an ingress protection rating, such as IP20, IP40, IP44, and the like.
The linear LED lighting system may provide for a housing with multiple compartments. For instance, the linear LED light housing may be configured with at least two separate internal compartments, such as one for housing and heat sinking an LED set and one for housing and heat sinking LED driver electronics. The linear LED light housing may be configured with at least two separate internal compartments, each of the internal compartments having a unique mounting surface, such as one for mounting an LED set and one for mounting LED driver electronics. The linear LED light housing may be configured with at least two separate internal compartments, such as where one of the compartments is an electronics and power compartment for safely housing LED driver electronics and a separate raceway for containing wires that traverse the housing while allowing user access to the separate compartment after the fixture has been installed.
The base fixture construction may incorporate methods for seamlessly joining the modules into continuous linear lengths, thus creating a linear series internal attachment system. For instance, the fixture body may have universal accessory mounting “T” slots that become an integral part of the aesthetic of the fixture when not being utilized. The linear LED light housing may be configured with an open side end exposing a mechanical attachment point while protecting a user from internal electronics, such that a second linear LED light housing with an open side end can be abutted and mechanically secured forming an extended length linear LED light housing. Abutting their open ends and attaching an internal bracket through a top end of the housings, where all exposed electrical components are safely contained in a separated compartment, may accomplish mechanically securing two linear LED light housings. Mounting accessories may determine how the base fixture is configured and applied in each application. The accessories may be sold separately on an as-needed basis to be easily installed by a contractor and inventoried according to the fixture forecasting. Accessories may coordinate with the base extrusion method of fixing the parts seamlessly together. The recessed mounting options may include trims that have air-handling functions for return air plenums.
The system may include a mechanical assembly connection device to hold the two linear LED light housings together during assembly such that the device is temporarily configured to provide a structurally rigid temporary assembly while providing an opening for a user to make the necessary electrical interconnections prior to abutting the housings together for mechanical attachment. For example, a user may wish to assemble a multi-module LED linear light assembly, where the assembly is being mounted on a wall or suspended from the ceiling. To facilitate the assembly, the user may be able to structurally secure the modules together with a mechanical assembly connection device between each pair of modules. In this way, the user may construct a structurally rigid lighting assembly that leaves spaces for subsequent electrical interconnection. Once the electrical interconnections are made, the user may then abut the modules and make mechanical connections. This may allow a single person to assemble the lighting system. In embodiments, the mechanical assembly connection device may be mounted on the housing such that it is always available for use in separating two modules a part while maintaining an overall structural integrity. The mechanical assembly connection device may be mounted internal to the housing such that when two modules are abutted together the mechanical assembly connection device is not visible. In embodiments, the mechanical assembly connection device may be attached and removed as needed.
The fixture endcaps may have multiple functions, such as sealing the ends of the fixture in both recessed and exposed applications, provide the point of entry for power cables into the fixture, act as the junction box, and the like. Endcaps may have the capability to be opened from below for inspections by electrical inspectors in inaccessible hard ceilings. The endcaps may have the option to become decorative elements in exposed pendant, surface, cantilever, and the like applications, and as such have the ability to make the fixture a sculptural element in a space if so desired. The endcap may provide for electrical interconnection, such as a linear LED light housing with an open side end where a quick-connect electrical connection may be mounted such that another linear LED light housing with a matching open end may be electrically connected or where an end cap with exiting power wires may be safely connected. In embodiments, there may be multiple endcap configurations for the various applications.
The linear LED lighting system may provide for various LED light engine capabilities, such as a white light LED in warm 2700K, 3000K, cool 4000K, or for alternate correlated color temperatures (CCT), and the like. The system may provide for dimming control, where the dimming control may be a leading edge incandescent TRIAC, trailing edge ELV compatible, 277V 0-10V dimming, and the like. The linear LED lighting system may be adapted to connect to and dimmed by a conventional AC dimmer. Dimming down to less than 1% on incandescent TRIAC and ELV compatible dimmers may include a wall box, panel, and other BMS and daylight systems. The driver may have quick-disconnects enclosed within the housing to continue power between fixture lengths. The driver board may be replaceable and have quick disconnect connectors to each LED board and the main power. The housing may incorporate mechanical devices to facilitate the field replacement of driver boards. A wiring method to include an emergency power circuit may be integral to each fixture body length. In embodiments, for 277V, a dimmable 0-10V data cable and connector(s) may be incorporated into each fixture body length.
In embodiments, there may be multiple illumination output levels, such as a low output (e.g. to equal the lumens of a typical single T8 or T5 lamp in cross-section), a high output (e.g. to equal the lumens of either two (2) T8, two (2) T5, or a single T5HO in cross-section), and the like. In an example, a low power module may provide for 600 lumens at 2700K/3000K, 700 lumens at 4000K, 9 Watts/LF, 65 lumens/Watt, and the like. A high power module may provide for 850 lumens at 2700K/3000K, 950 lumens at 4000K, 13 Watts/LF, 65 lumens/Watt, and the like. In embodiments, a two-tier output level may match the performance and intensity of a linear incandescent halogen point source (e.g. MR-16), linear picture light, wall graze fixture with rectilinear spread lens, and the like.
In embodiments, the linear LED lighting system may include an optics package, where the LED lighting housing has at least two compartments, with one of the compartments for safely containing and separating LED driver electrics from another compartment containing an LED set. The LED set may have a linear configuration generally following the linear nature of the housing. In embodiments, the optics package may be factory installed, user removable and replaceable, and the like, to secure individual optics in relation to each of the LEDs of the LED set. In embodiments, the base fixture may include a clear polycarbonate lens to shield direct contact with the LEDs, and to protect the internal base optic. Each base fixture may come with this narrow angle, shadow-less clear lens.
The optical and shielding accessories for the linear LED lighting system may include optical light shaping lenses, film and diffusers, louver systems, and the like. The base fixture may include a clear polycarbonate lens to shield direct contact with the LEDs in the fluorescent performance option, and to shield the internal base optic in the point source performance option. The optical lenses may be in addition to a base clear polycarbonate lens and have the ability to shape the light distribution into specific angles to cover a multitude of applications. The overall length of the optical lenses may coordinate with the lengths of the fixture extrusions. The accessory optical lens may consist of a polycarbonate lens that attaches to the fixture to accept lengths of thin film from rolls to be securely fastened by pressure without need for hardware to keep the two together. The tooled accessory lens lengths may accept various film distributions.
The linear LED lighting system may include a plurality of accessory components for mounting, joining modules, shielding, optical lenses, sensors, endcaps, and the like. Mounting accessories may include a pendant uplight aircraft cable with Y-connector and attachments, a pendant downlight aircraft cable with T-slot connector, pendant aircraft cable powered and non-powered canopies, cantilever wall canopy and multiple length stems and adjustable knuckle for aiming the fixture towards or away form the wall, surface bracket with T-slot connector, recessed lay-in grid, recessed air handling trim attachment (e.g. integral to recessed attachments, a second line of all recessed mounting methods), recessed tie back attachment (e.g. stem or wire) with T-slot connector, and the like. Section joiners may include a 90° corner, a T-connector, an X-connector, and the like. Shielding may include a parabolic louver, straight blade louver, and the like. Optical lenses may include 10°, 20°, 40°, 60°, 80°, 10°×60°, very wide optic for uplight pendent configuration, and the like. Sensors may include a daylight sensor, motion sensor, a smoke detector, a temperature sensor, and the like. Endcaps may include a recessed endcap with power feed, recessed endcap with power feed and data feed, recessed endcap with no power or data, pendant uplight endcap with power feed, pendant uplight endcap with power feed and data, pendant endcap with no power or data, decorative endcaps, and the like.
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In embodiments, there may be different optical configurations available, such as to simulate a fluorescent light, a point source, and the like. For example,
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While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and are encompassed herein.
All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.
This application claims the benefit of the following provisional application, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Provisional Application 61/547,786, filed Oct. 17, 2011. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/653,999, filed Oct. 17, 2012, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61547786 | Oct 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13653999 | Oct 2012 | US |
Child | 15822046 | US |