Patent Application
20240068643
This invention relates to lights, and more particularly, relates to outdoor light fixture assemblies.
Luminaires are often used to illuminate outdoor structures or plants. In some cases, a luminaire can have a beam pattern that is not round. In these cases, it can be beneficial to aim the beam of light relative to the luminaire in such a way that the beam of light aligns with a particular feature of a structure or plant or otherwise illuminates an object in an aesthetically pleasing way.
In some embodiments the luminaire comprises an illuminating light source and a fixture. This invention provides an apparatus and a method for rotating a beam of light relative to a fixture after the fixture is installed.
In some embodiments, the shape of the projected light can be round, square, rectangular, oval, star, or any other shape.
An aspect is directed to a light fixture. The light fixture comprises a diffuser plate, a drive gear, a driven gear mounted to the diffuser plate, and a hermetically sealed light source comprising multiple LEDs and configured to emit a beam of light. The beam of light can be rotated about an axis of the light fixture without breaking the hermetic seal.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the driven gear is a ring gear.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the ring gear comprises a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the drive gear.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the plurality of teeth are disposed on an internal surface of the ring gear.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the plurality of teeth are disposed on an outer surface of the ring gear.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the driven gear comprises two or more segments, and wherein the two or more segments are mounted to an outer circumference of the diffuser plate.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein at least one of the two or more segments engages to another one of the two or more segments.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the sealed light source is configured to emit the beam of light, and wherein the beam of light has a non-symmetrical shape.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the non-symmetrical shape is oval.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the diffuser plate has a planar shape.
Additional aspects further comprise a heatsink having a plurality of fins, the heatsink being configured to dissipate heat generated by the hermetically sealed light source.
Additional aspects further comprise a housing configured to be disposed in the heatsink and support the hermetically sealed light source.
Additional aspects further comprise a circuit board, the circuit board being electrically coupled to the hermetically sealed light source.
Additional aspects further comprise a cover lens positioned so that the beam of light passes through the cover lens.
Additional aspects further comprise a plurality of lens aligned with the multiple LEDs.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the plurality of lens is total internal reflector (TIR) lens.
An aspect is directed to a light fixture. The light fixture comprises a drive gear assembly comprising a first plurality of teeth, a driven gear assembly comprising a second plurality of teeth configured to engage with the first plurality of teeth, and a hermetically sealed light source comprising multiple LEDs and configured to emit a beam of light. The hermetically sealed light source rotating in unison with the driven gear assembly. Rotation of the drive gear assembly causes the beam of light to rotate about an axis of the light fixture without breaking the hermetic seal.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the drive gear assembly comprises a gear and an operator portion.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the gear and the operator portion are rotationally locked together.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the gear and the operator portion are longitudinally locked together.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the gear and the operator portion comprise a snap lock.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the operator portion can be selectively disengaged from the gear.
Additional aspects further comprise a seal, the seal being disposed between the gear and the operator portion.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the operator portion is configured to be rotated by a tool.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the driven gear assembly comprises a 360-degree ring gear and a diffuser plate, the 360-degree ring gear being coupled to the diffuser plate.
An aspect is directed to a method for making radial adjustments to a light fixture configured to emit a beam of light. The light fixture comprises a drive gear assembly and a driven gear assembly. The method comprises engaging a tool with an operator portion of the drive gear assembly and rotating the operator portion to cause rotation of the driven gear assembly. The rotation of the driven gear assembly causes the beam of light to rotate about an axis of the light fixture.
Additional aspects further comprise wherein the driven gear assembly comprises a ring gear having a first plurality of teeth on an internal surface of the ring gear, wherein the drive gear assembly comprises a gear having a second plurality of teeth on an outer surface of the gear, and wherein rotating the operator portion to cause rotation of the driven gear assembly further rotationally engages the first plurality of teeth with the second plurality of teeth.
The features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will now be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.
The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments. The invention(s) disclosed herein, however, can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout. The features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of several embodiments that are intended to be within the scope of the development herein disclosed. These and other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) herein disclosed.
In some embodiments, the drive gear 102 can be formed to be operated by hand, a tool (e.g., manual or power), a motor, or other similar devices. For example, In some embodiments, the drive gear 102 can be formed to be operated with a tool. In some cases, the drive gear 102 can be formed to receive the tool (e.g., a hex head, socket head, Philips head, torques head, square head, flat head, or any other shape). For example, in certain embodiments, the light fixture 100 comprises an operator portion 106. One or more seals 108 may be used to prevent incursion of air, water, or debris into the light fixture 100 between the operator portion 106 and a sidewall in the heat sink 126 formed to receive it.
In certain embodiments, a user can control rotation of the light fixture 100 by directly rotating the light fixture 100 via, for example, their hand or a hand tool such as a wrench, power tool (e.g., drill, etc.), screw driver, etc. For example, the user can engage an adapter of a drill with the operator portion 106. Once engaged, the user can adjust the rotation clocking of the light fixture 100 via operation of the trigger for the drill. Once in the desired position, the user can remove the drill and lock the clocking of the light fixture 100.
In certain embodiments, the user can control rotation of the light fixture 100 remotely. In certain embodiments, the light fixture 100 can include one or more motors which can be remotely controlled by the user. Exemplary motors include an electric motor which may be a brushed or brushless direct current (DC) motor. For example, the light fixture 100 can include a step motor. In certain embodiments, the user can command the motor to a specific position via a wired or wireless connection. In certain embodiments, the light fixture 100 can include a position sensor configured to provide feedback on the position of the motor. In other embodiments, the light fixture 100 need not include a position sensor and operates in an open-loop configuration.
In certain embodiments, the motor is controlled by a wireless remote control device (smartphone, computer, etc.). For example, in certain embodiments, the wireless remote control device communicates with the light fixture 100 through a bidirectional wireless communication link. In certain embodiments, the wireless remote control device sends commands and receives status information on the operation of the motor. For example, the wireless remote control device can receive input from the user for generating commands that are sent wirelessly to the light fixture 100 to control operation of the motor. In certain embodiments, the display of the wireless remote control device can display real time status information that is received wirelessly from the light fixture 100. Of course, in certain embodiments, the wireless remote control device can simply send commands without receiving status information on the operation of the motor. In certain embodiments, the light fixture 100 comprises a controller configured to receive the wireless commands and generate control signals for operation of the motor.
In certain embodiments, the commands sent to the light fixture 100 are based at least partially on a desired angle or clocking of the beam 101. For example, returning to
In certain embodiments, the one or more features of the structure or plant to be used for alignment of the beam 101 are identified by the user. For example, the user can identify a feature (location, line, point, etc.) displayed on a smartphone. Once identified, the wireless remote control device can send a command to operate the motor so as to align the beam 101 with the identified feature.
In certain embodiments, the one or more features of the structure or plant to be used for alignment of the beam 101 are auto identified. For example, in certain embodiments, the user inputs a picture of the building to be illuminated (or being illuminated) by the light fixture 100 via a camera device (e.g., smartphone, fixed outdoor camera, etc.). A processor running software (e.g., an app on a smartphone) identifies candidate features. The candidate features can include desirable geometry for aligning the beam 101 (e.g., vertical axis, horizontal axis, specific building feature, etc.). In certain embodiments, the candidate features identified by the software are displayed to the user. The user can select from the displayed features or enter their own feature. In certain embodiments, the software auto selects the feature. Once selected, the wireless remote control device can send a command to operate the motor so as to align the beam 101 with the selected feature.
In certain embodiments, the picture is of the building as it is being illuminated by the light fixture 100. In this embodiment, the software can compare the alignment of a current beam 101 pattern on the building to a more desirable alignment and recommend a clocking adjustment to the user. Once the user selects the recommended clocking adjustment, the wireless remote control device can send a command to operate the motor so as to adjust the beam 101 to the desired alignment.
In certain embodiments, a plurality of desired alignments is identified (user or auto identified) for the light fixture 100. For example, the light fixture 100 can switch between a first desired alignment and a second desired alignment based on, for example, time of day, periodic, weather, user defined, etc.
As is illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the drive gear 102 and the operator portion 106 can be joined with features that rotationally lock the two pieces together. In some embodiments, the two pieces can also be locked together in a longitudinal direction. For example, in certain embodiments, a snap lock 112 is employed that prevents the operator portion 106 and the drive gear 102 from being separated during normal operation (see
In some embodiments, the driven gear 104 can be a one-piece gear. In some embodiments, the driven gear 104 can comprise more than one piece. In some embodiments, the driven gear 104 can comprise two, three, four or more segments 130. In some cases, the more than one segment 130 can be connected to each other. In some cases, the multiple segments 130 can be mounted to a diffuser plate 132. In certain embodiments, the multiple segments 130 are mounted to an outer circumference of the diffuser plate 132.
In certain embodiments, the light fixture 100 comprises a housing 114 configured to be disposed in the heatsink 126 when the light fixture 100 is assembled. The housing 114 supports a circuit board 116 which is electrically coupled to the one or more light sources 118. In certain embodiments, the shape of the beam 101 can be determined by the one or more lenses 120 that cover the light sources 118. The operator portion 106 of the drive gear 102 may extend through a portion of the housing 114 such as a notch or other section to reach the driven gear 104. As the operator rotates the operator portion 106, the teeth 146 of the drive gear 102 engage the teeth 148 of the driven gear 104 and rotate the attached diffuser plate 132. An outer circumferential surface of the driven gear 104 may be supported by an interior surface of the heat sink 126, enabling the assembly including the driven gear 106 and the diffuser plate 132 to rotate smoothly.
In certain embodiments, the light fixture 100 comprises a cover lens holder 140 and a ring seal 142. In certain embodiments, the cover lens holder 140 supports the cover lens 124 when the cover lens 124 is assembled to the light fixture 100 with the ring seal 142 providing a sealing surface between the cover holder 140 and the heat sink 126.
In some embodiments, it can be beneficial to manufacture the light fixture 100 in such a way that the light source 118 is sealed from the outdoor elements. In some embodiments, a combination of at least two of the housing 114, the light source 118, reflectors of the lens 120, and the lenses 120 can be hermetically sealed with the seals 108 and 142. Keeping the light fixture 100 that creates the shaped beam 101 hermetically sealed can reduce moisture inside the light fixture 100 which can cause fogging, condensation, or possible electronic failure. In some embodiments, the rotating beam 101 adjustment mechanism (e.g., drive gear assembly 134 and the driven gear assembly 136) disclosed herein can be incorporated into the light fixture 100 to allow the beam 101 to be aimed as desired without disturbing the hermetically sealed light fixture 100. In some embodiments, the hermetically sealed light fixture 100 can be filed with an inert gas, or any low moisture content gas. In some embodiments, the area inside of the hermetically sealed light fixture 100 can be a vacuum. In some embodiments, the area inside of the hermetically sealed light fixture 100 can be pressurized.
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the development as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the development. As will be recognized, the present development may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems, devices, and methods may be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment may be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art may translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
The above description discloses several methods of manufacture and materials of the present development. This development is susceptible to modifications in the methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of the development disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that this development be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but that it covers all modifications and alternatives coming within the true scope and spirit of the development as embodied in the attached claims.
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the improvements as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. As will be recognized, the present invention may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 63/400,342, filed Aug. 23, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Any and all priority claims identified in the Application Data Sheet, or any corrections thereto, are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63400342 | Aug 2022 | US |
