Patent Application
20160047537
The present disclosure generally relates to luminaires and, more particularly, to a luminaire having various sensing and communication capabilities.
Many commercial buildings, parking structures, transportation areas or structures (e.g., tunnels), and the like are equipped with lighting systems that typically include several luminaires or light fixtures configured to illuminate certain areas. Some such systems are equipped to energize upon detecting the presence of pedestrians or vehicles within a certain zone in order to improve energy efficiency and/or light pollution. Some such systems also are equipped with wired/wireless communications to facilitate communication with a control server, for example, or even other luminaires.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides a luminaire that includes a housing, light source, lens, and one or more communication modules. The light source is disposed in the housing. The lens is coupled to the housing and covers the light source. The communication modules are disposed within a support element coupled to the housing and disposed along a center axis of the luminaire extending upward from an apex of the lens.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a luminaire that includes a housing, light source, support element, lens, one or more communication modules, and motion sensor. The light source is disposed in the housing. The support element is coupled to and extends downward from the housing. The lens is coupled to the housing and covers the light source and the support element. The communication modules are disposed within the support element. The motion sensor is coupled to the support element and is configured to detect motion within a pre-determined range of the luminaire. The light source is configured to emit light responsive to the motion sensor detecting motion within the pre-determined range.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a luminaire that includes a housing, light source, lens, and motion sensor. The light source is disposed in the housing. The lens is coupled to the housing and covers the light source. The motion sensor is disposed adjacent the lens and is configured to detect motion within a pre-determined distance from the luminaire. The light source is configured to emit light responsive to the motion sensor detecting motion within the pre-determined distance.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.
Though not explicitly illustrated herein, the luminaire 100 can be associated with a lighting system or a portion thereof, such as, for example, a lighting system included or employed in a parking garage (or a floor or section of the parking garage), commercial building (or a portion thereof), roadway, tunnel, or other structure (or a portion thereof), residential home or building, or other indoor or outdoor space or environment. In some versions, the lighting system can include a plurality of luminaires 100. In one version, the lighting system can include a plurality of uniformly constructed luminaires 100. In another version, the lighting system can include a plurality of luminaires 100 of different types, sizes, and/or shapes. The plurality of luminaires 100 can be connected to one another via a wired or wireless connection (e.g., such as to form a mesh network).
It will be appreciated that such a lighting system can be interfaced with a control system (e.g., the SmartSense control system designed by Kenall Manufacturing Co.) configured to intelligently control the components of the lighting system. In such a situation, the luminaires 100 of the lighting system may be communicatively connected to and, once commissioned, controlled by a central controller or similar device or component of the control system. As such, the luminaires 100 may transmit data, such as operating status, driver status, hardware information, occupancy data, daylight levels, temperature, power consumption, to the central controller (or similar device) and may receive, from the central controller (or similar device), operational instructions (e.g., turn on, turn off, dim, etc.) and/or other data (e.g., operational data from other luminaires 100).
As shown in
Turning now to
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With continued reference to
Although not depicted herein, it will be understood that one or more drivers (e.g., LED drivers), a heat sink, one or more boards (e.g., a user interface board), wiring, various control components (e.g., a local controller), one or more communication modules (e.g., one or more antennae, one or more receivers, one or more transmitters), and/or other electrical components can be arranged or disposed within the housing body 121 or the mounting base 122 of the housing 104. For example, control components, such as a local controller communicatively connected to the central controller for the control system, can be arranged or disposed within the housing 160 of the mounting base 122.
In other versions, the housing 104 can be constructed differently. Specifically, the housing 104 can have a different size, shape, and/or be made of one or more materials other than or in addition to die cast aluminum (e.g., stainless steel). For example, the housing 104 can have a rectangular, square, triangular, irregular, or other suitable shape. More specifically, the body 121 and/or the mounting base 122 can vary in shape, size, and/or construction. In one version, the mounting base 122 may not include the housing 160, with the result that the housing 104 may not include control components or the control components may be disposed elsewhere.
In other versions, the printed circuit board 140 and the LED board 164 can vary in shape, size, and/or be arranged differently relative to one another and/or to the housing 104. While the printed circuit board 140 and the LED board 164 are each circular in shape, the printed circuit board 140 and/or the LED board 164 can instead have a rectangular, square, triangular, irregular, or other suitable shape. The printed circuit board 140 and the LED board 164 can be coupled to the housing 104 in a different manner than the apertures and fasteners described above (e.g., using adhesive, using some other mechanical connection). In other versions, the LED board 164 can include greater or fewer LEDs disposed thereon and/or the LEDs can be arranged in a different manner. For example, the LED board 164 can include six (6) LEDs, twenty-four (24) LEDs, seventy-two (72) LEDs, or some other number of LEDs. Other types of lighting for the luminaire 100 are also envisioned, with the light source 108 taking the form of one or more fluorescent, incandescent, plasma, or other lights.
With reference back to
In other versions, the lens 112 can have a different size, a different shape, and/or be coupled to the housing 104 in a different manner. For example, the lens 112 can have a rectangular, cylindrical, square, triangular, oval, irregular, or any other suitable shape, with the result that the lens 112 can distribute light in a different manner. A differently-shaped lens 112 may, for example, be used when the luminaire 100 is used in a different environment (e.g., when the luminaire 100 is mounted beneath an underpass, when the luminaire 100 is mounted in a stairwell). As another example, the lens 112 need not include the aperture 180, such as, for example, when the motion sensor 120 is wholly mounted within or outside of the lens 120.
The bracket 204 in this version is substantially flat and shaped like a donut, with an annular body 230 and a central opening 232 defined in the body 230. The bracket 204 includes a pair of tabs 236 that are coupled to and project upward and inward (toward the central opening 232) from opposite portions of an outer perimeter edge 240 of the bracket 204. Each tab 236 in this version is a T-shaped tab that is coupled to and projects upward and inward from the perimeter edge 240 at an approximately 60 degree angle relative to the bracket 204.
Finally, the printed circuit board 208 is sized to be disposed or seated within the hollow interior 224 of the support post 220. The printed circuit board 208 in this version has an A-shape, with a substantially triangular body 250 and a pair of substantially triangular arms 254 that project downward from a bottom end of the body 250. The body 250 and the arms 254 in turn define a substantially rectangular opening 256 therebetween.
Moreover, the electronics control assembly 116 can include one or more communication modules to communicatively couple components of the printed circuit board 208 to the local controller (e.g., a controller disposed within the housing 160), other luminaires 100 in the lighting system, the central controller, and/or other components of the control system interfaced with the lighting system. The communication modules can include one or more wireless communication modules and/or one or more wired communication modules. The one or more communication modules can thus facilitate wireless and/or wired communication between components of the printed circuit board 208 and the local controller, other luminaires 100, the central controller, and/or other control system components. More specifically, the one or more communication modules can facilitate the transfer of various data, such as occupancy or motion data, operational instructions (e.g., turn on, turn off, dim, etc.), etc., between the components of the printed circuit board 208 and the local controller, other luminaires 100, the central controller, and/or other control system components.
In the depicted version, the one or more communication modules include a first antenna 258 and a second antenna 262 each formed (e.g., printed, etched) into or onto the printed circuit board 208. For example as depicted, the first antenna 258 is an ANT-916-CW antenna configured to facilitate the above-described wireless communication at a frequency of approximately 916 MHz, while the second antenna 262 is an ANT-2.4-CW antenna configured to facilitate the above-described wireless communication at a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz. It will thus be appreciated that the first and second antennae 258, 262 may facilitate wireless communication at different frequencies.
In other versions, the electronics control assembly 116 can include additional, different, or fewer components. Specifically, the support post 200, the bracket 204, and/or the printed control board 208 can vary in shape, size, and/or construction. While the support post 200 has a concave conical shape, the support post 200 can instead have a rectangular, cylindrical, triangular, irregular, or other shape. Similarly, the bracket 204 can instead have a rectangular, triangular, irregular, or other shape, and/or can have a different (e.g., thicker) profile. The openings 228B and the tabs 236 can also vary in construction. For example, the tabs 236 can have a different shape and/or can be angled at a different angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the bracket 204. In some versions, the support post 200 and the bracket 204 can be coupled to one another in a different manner (e.g., not using the openings 228B and the tabs 236). In some versions, particularly when the support post 200 has a different shape, the printed circuit board 208 can have a different shape and/or size.
Moreover, while the electronics control assembly 116 includes wireless communication modules in the form of the first and second antennae 258, 262 etched into the printed circuit board 208, in other versions the communication modules can (i) include only one of the antennae 258, 262, more than two antennae, one or more different antennae, one or more other wireless modules, and/or one or more wired communication modules, and/or (ii) be arranged differently in the electronics control assembly 116 (e.g., arranged differently within the support post 200 or coupled to an exterior portion of the support post 200). It should further be appreciated that other known wireless communication protocols (e.g., wireless Ethernet, IEEE-802.11, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio-frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), ZigBee, near field communication) may be utilized.
With reference to
As illustrated in
The inner rim 332 has an outer perimeter wall 334, an inner perimeter wall 338, and a channel 339 defined by and between the outer and inner perimeter walls 334, 338. The channel 339 is generally sized to receive the wall 324 of the body portion 304 when the lens portion 308 is coupled to the body portion 304. Two rectangular notches 346 are formed in opposite portions of the inner perimeter wall 338 (only one notch 346 is visible in
While the motion sensor 112 in this version takes the form of the passive infrared motion sensor 300, the motion sensor 112 can alternatively take the form of a microwave motion sensor, an ultrasonic motion sensor, a tomographic motion sensor, or another type of motion sensor. In other versions, the passive infrared motion sensor 300 can vary in shape, size, and/or construction. Additional, fewer, or different components are envisioned. For example, the body portion 304 and the lens portion 308 can be integrally formed. In some versions, the body portion 304 and/or the lens portion 308 can vary in shape and/or size. When, for example, the aperture 180 of the lens 112 varies in shape and/or size, the lens 340 of the lens portion 308 can likewise have a different shape (e.g., a rectangular prism) and/or size. As another example, the wall 324 of the body portion 304 and the channel 339 of the lens portion 308 can vary in shape and/or size and still engage one another.
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It will be appreciated that the components of the luminaire 100 can be assembled in a different manner and still produce the intended configuration. In other versions, some of the components of the luminaire 100 can be assembled in a different order than described herein. For example, the lens 112 can be mounted or secured to the bottom side 128 of the housing body 121 after the lens portion 308 of the motion sensor 300 has been coupled to the body portion 304 of the motion sensor 300. In other versions, the components of the luminaire 100 can be coupled to one another in a different manner. For example, instead of being supported by the housing 104, the support post 200 can be supported by the lens 112 (e.g., by resting directly on the lens 112). As another example, the body portion 304 and the lens portion 308 of the motion sensor 300 can be integrally formed with one another or coupled to one another in a different manner.
In any event, when assembled, the components of the electronics control assembly 116 and the body portion 304 of the motion sensor 300 are disposed between the housing 104 and the lens 112, as illustrated in
In operation, the lens 340 of the motion sensor 300 is, by virtue of being centered on and extending downward from the luminaire 100, positioned to accurately detect motion, whether from a person, an animal, a vehicle, or another object, within a pre-determined range of or distance from the luminaire 100. The way in which the motion sensor 300 detects motion is known in the art, so will not be described herein. The pre-determined range or distance can be 50 feet, 100 feet, or some other distance set by the local controller (in the housing 104), the central controller, and/or a user of the luminaire 100 or the control system.
In any event, when the motion sensor 300 detects motion (i.e., occupancy) within the pre-determined range, this information is communicated to the components of the printed circuit board 208, which can in turn transmit this information to the local controller (in the housing 104). The local controller can, responsive to this information, subsequently cause the light source 108 to emit light or to emit more light. Alternatively or additionally, the components of the printed circuit board 208 (e.g., the antennae 258, 262) can transmit this information to the central controller and/or other luminaires 100. Based on this information, other luminaires 100, particularly adjacent luminaires 100, can be controlled accordingly (e.g., turned on, turned off, or dimmed).
Conversely, when the motion sensor 300 does not detect motion (i.e., no occupancy) within the pre-determined range, this information is similarly communicated to the printed circuit board 208, which can in turn transmit this information to the local controller. If the light source 108 is emitting light at the time of this detection (of no motion), the local controller can, responsive to this information, subsequently cause the light source 108 to emit less light (i.e., dim) or no light at all. Alternatively or additionally, the components of the printed circuit board 208 (e.g., the antennae 258, 262) can transmit this information to the central controller and/or other luminaires 100. Based on this information, other luminaires 100, particularly adjacent luminaires 100, can be controlled accordingly (e.g., turned off, turned on, or dimmed).
In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the luminaire described herein advantageously includes various optically positioned sensing and communication components that, for example, allow the luminaire to energize upon detecting the presence of people, animals, or vehicles within a pre-determined range of or distance from the luminaire and communicate data, such as operating data, instructions, and occupancy data, with a control system and/or other luminaires.
Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.
As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the description. This description, and the claims that follow, should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
This detailed description is to be construed as examples and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this application.
