Patent Grant
12247730
The present disclosure relates to luminaires, and more particularly luminaires that illuminate vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Low and high bay luminaires are often mounted at mounting heights that typically range between 15 feet and 50 feet above a finished floor. Today, the most common luminaire light source is based on a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LED light source is planar and hosts an array of individual LEDs, with the light emitted from this planar LED light source directed toward the floor below. The luminaire is typically suspended from a structure above by cables, chains, or a conduit.
As discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/401,448 (See
The luminaire's height from the floor is H1, and H2 is the top edge of the vertical surface of the rack illuminated by the luminaires. These figures show that the highest vertical light levels emitted by the luminaire across the face of the vertical plane occurs well above an adult human eye level, contrary to where it should be. A band of higher light intensity should extend above and below the adult human eye level, in a range, along the length of the face of the vertical surface. Herein, the range is an inclusive range of 3′ above the finished floor 1 to 7′ above the finished floor 1—this range of 3′ to 7′ is sometimes referred to herein as “the inclusive range” and is intended to cover a height above finished floor of the aisleway on the vertical surface that defines one side of the aisleway, the vertical surface usually being racks of goods, or a wall. A portion of the energy (region 6a) associated with the exceedingly intense light levels is wasteful. Further, the human eye is configured to home in on well-lit surfaces. As a result, surfaces within the range in these figures is relatively dim.
These figures also show a poor vertical uniformity ratio between maximum light levels that occur in a region in which light levels exceed 60% of a target, and minimum light levels in a region in which light is below 60% of a target. Most striking is the relatively short distance between an intense light level surface and a dim lit surface nearby. According to the IESNA guidebook for indoor illumination, an acceptable ratio between maximum to minimum light levels is 3:1. The present figures exceed this ratio as is evident from light levels seen in Tables 1 and 2, as will be discussed below.
Tables 1 and 2 show light levels, in foot candles, on 2.5′×4′ (height×length) subregions of a vertical surface of respective conventional lighting systems over aisleways. In these examples, the height of the vertical surface is 22.5′ although a similar distribution is present for higher vertical surfaces. In each of Tables 1 and 2 eye level is just above the second row from the bottom. As can be seen, while the light levels at eye levels are around 30 to 32 foot candles, subregions above eye level far exceed the light levels at eye level, with some subregions reaching over 100 foot candles. In the case of Example 1 (Table 1), the peak light intensity is not near eye level, where the goods for sale are often located, but well above eye level, around 17.5′. Thus, significant energy is wasted illuminating less interesting portions of the vertical surface, and the unnecessarily high light intensities gives rise to more glare than desirable for the consumer walking in the aisleway. In the case of Example 2 (Table 2) the luminaires are tilted toward the vertical surface, and have lower output candle power. These combine to lower the peak level to about 15′ above the floor (6th row from the bottom), but also cause a much larger region of lower light intensity toward the top of the vertical surface (see the top three rows) as well as create “hot spots” (light exceeding 60% of target) on the vertical surface with large bright subregions compared to surrounding dim subregions: compare the bright subregions at the 3rd and 4th rows from the top and in the 3rd/4th columns (first bright subregions with illumination levels as high as 92 foot candles), and 7th/8th columns (second bright subregions with illumination levels as high as 96 foot candles) as compared to adjacent dim subregion (light levels below 60% of target) such as at the 3rd row from the top and 5th/6th columns (20 and 14 foot candles). Furthermore, in example 2 (Table 2) the upper portion of the vertical surface (see the top two rows) are dimly illuminated. This variation in illumination level is highly disparate with hot spot subregions at 96 foot candles, and dim subregions in the single digits. As with the case of example 1 (Table 1), the peak light intensity is well above eye level. Thus merely tilting the luminaire toward the vertical surface, and adjusting the output levels of adjacent luminaires does not provide the ideal illumination pattern on the vertical surface of an elongated space, and the does not create a peak illumination at eye level.
As recognized by the present inventor, a deficiency of present-day luminaires installed in elongated spaces (such as over aisleways) is that the emitted light forms “hot spots” over the vertical surfaces that define the elongated space. The light emitted is cast on surfaces well above eye level for an adult human, and thus is not distributed in an efficient manner. Furthermore, another issue of ceiling-supported luminaires is their respective spacing because ineffective spacing often results in uncomfortable glare as experienced by occupants in the aisleway.
In view of the above, there are four primary constraints that architects, engineers, and lighting designers face when designing the illumination of elongated spaces with low and high bay luminaires. These constraints include:
According to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the present innovation solves the luminaire form driven optical constraints by introducing orientation specific optical lens/es over the LED light source/s. The use of orientation specific optics can be comprised in conjunction with at least one of, a mechanical orientation mounting device and a heat dissipating structure with coupled light sources and optical lens/es configured to rotate horizontally about a driver housing.
Consistent with the prior applications, the present application describes and shows an orientation specific luminaire suspended from a support structure adjacent to at least one vertical surface. The orientation specific luminaire comprises a housing that supports a lamp, the housing including a downward facing side that faces a floor of an elongated space, and has a predetermined orientation set in relation to at least one of a longitudinal axis of the elongated space and the first vertical surface that defines a first side of the elongated space. The elongated space described herein is referred to as the aisle.
A lamp comprising a plurality of light sources that are distributed across the planar structure is covered by at least one lens, and the lens disposed over the plurality of light sources directs the light emitted from the plurality of light sources to provide directional light that illuminates a plurality of vertical subfields distributed along the first vertical surface and across a plurality of horizontal illuminated subfields distributed along at least one of the floors of the aisle and a specified height above the floor of the aisle.
The first vertical surface includes an inclusionary range subfield that extends at least a portion of the length of an aisle. The inclusionary range subfield can be defined as a longitudinal area with a vertical midpoint that can be located 2′-0″ above and 2′-0″ below the average adult human eye level. In the present application, an adult human eye level is defined as 5′-0″ as vertically measured on a surface of the first vertical surface above an aisle floor. While the vertical height of the midpoint of the inclusionary range subfield above the surface the aisle floor can remain at or in the proximity to the 5′-0″ adult human eye level mark.
The height of the bottom and/or the top boundaries of the inclusionary range subfield from the aisle floor can vary. The height of the inclusionary range boundaries from the aisle's floor can be defined as the distance an adult human cone of vision extends up and down from an adult human facing a first vertical surface of an aisle, wherein the adult human eyes are perpendicular to the first vertical surface. The 2′-0″ top and bottom range boundaries are common to racked merchandising displays.
The orientation specific luminaire is configured to support a lamp with at least one of symmetrical and asymmetrical lensed optics. The lamp coupled to the down facing side that faces the floor can provide space ambient illumination. In addition, at least one second lamp can be oriented in the opposite direction to the downward facing lamp. The second lamp, while also providing ambient illumination, can be configured to illuminate at least one surface above the luminaire. The second lamp can be disposed above the down facing lamp that illuminates at least one of a floor and a floor and at least one first surface.
The orientation specific luminaire can also be configured to support at least one egress lamp emitting at least one of a linear light emittance pattern. The egress lamp can be supported by the downward facing side of the housing. At least one egress lamp coupled to the downward facing side of the housing can rotate about its vertical axis. The central longitudinal axis of the linear light emittance pattern of the egress lamp emitted light is configured to align with a longitudinal central axis of a path of egress below the orientation specific luminaire.
Both the ambient lighting lamp and the egress lighting lamp can be controlled. The control of these light sources and their associated electronic devices can be by wire and/or wirelessly. At least one device coupled to an orientation specific luminaire can have a unique digital address. At least one wireless communication device can provide point to point or mashed network connectivity. A microprocessor with code coupled to at least one of the ambient lighting lamp and the egress lighting lamp can be configured to perform at least one of monitoring, testing, reporting, and alerting a remote client about the operational condition of an ambient and/or egress lighting lamp.
Prior orientation specific luminaire applications of the present family described advances in optical lens design that enable directing light to subfields where needed at the right illumination intensity. The applications also described several benefits associated with incorporating novel egress lamp technology with an ambient lighting orientation specific luminaire. The present application expands on novel illumination ratios that contribute to reducing power consumption while improving visual acuity and other utilities resulting from incorporating egress illumination with ambient illumination in one orientation specific luminaire.
Other solutions are provided throughout the detailed description that follows.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an orientation specific lensed optics disposed over a light source of a luminaire illuminates vertical and horizontal surfaces regardless of the luminaire form. The luminaire is coupled to a mounting device and the mounting device is free to rotate about its vertical axis to align the luminaire with other like luminaires and/or room geometry while the mounting device is coupled to a structure above by a single point of attachment.
The Orientation Specific Luminaire—Illuminating elongated spaces such as narrow walkways with adjacent high vertical surface/s is known to be difficult. The orientation specific luminaire is designed to overcome this illumination difficulty. The orientation specific luminaire is coupled to a plurality of lenses. The luminaires lenses' optical design enables illuminating surfaces within elongated spaces no matter the space geometry.
Within the elongated space, mounting the orientation specific luminaire coupled to the lensed optics requires orienting the luminaire in relation to at least one vertical surface. The orientation of the luminaire can take place when a luminaire light source is electrified or unelectrified.
Orienting the luminaire can be done by directly coupling the luminaire to a support structure with optimal mounting orientation or by employing an intermediate orientation device/s. The intermediate orientation device/s can be coupled to the luminaire's support structure and/or to the luminaire.
The Luminaire's Light Source—The luminaire's light source can include a plurality of planar LED lamps that couple to a retaining surface. The retaining surface can be a planar board or a luminaire planar surface that faces the floor below. Most commonly, the planar board with a plurality of LED lamps is configured to couple the luminaire's planar surface that faces the floor below.
The plurality of the coupled lamps is arranged on at least one planar surface in substantially the same orientation. The lamps arranged on the retaining planar surface can be configured in at least one of, a concentric and an orthogonal fashion. The retaining planar surface can be square, round, rectangular, or any irregular form. The lamps' size, form, luminosity, chromaticity, color temperature, and input power can be substantially the same. In at least one embodiment, a lamp/s with at least one different property and/or functionality can couple to the retaining planar surface.
The Luminaire's Lensed Optics—At least two optical lenses can be placed over at least two lamps that are coupled to a planar lamp retaining surface. As will be discussed herein, the lenses can have 3D structure the produce pre-configured optical light emittance properties. The lenses can be configured as a stand-alone structure that is placed over a single LED lamp, or as a structure that can include a plurality of lenses that are dedicated to and placed over a plurality of LED lamps. The latter structure can be shaped to complement the form of the lamp retaining planar surface.
All or the plurality of the floor facing orientation specific luminaire's lenses can employ substantially the same optics above the same plurality of lamps. The light emittance pattern of the lenses is configured to illuminate at least one vertical surface and one horizontal surface below. The illuminance light level intensity over any one surface within the elongated space is determined by the number of lamps coupled to the planar retaining surface with dedicated lenses above.
The lenses are configured to direct the lamp's light in a specific light emittance pattern. In an elongated space, the horizontal light transmittance pattern is generally rectangular, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the generated pattern typically coincides with the central longitudinal axis of an aisle or a corridor.
The intensity of the light emitted through the plurality of lenses can be directed toward different regions of the elongated space surfaces. Typically, the light level and illumination uniformity ratio for an elongated walkway surface, disregarding power consumption efficacy, can be accomplished rather easily. Not so for vertical illuminance.
The average adult human eye level is approximately 5′-0″ above floor. The eyes of a person looking forward in an elongated space land on vertical surfaces that are approximately 30° above and below the person's eye. Hence, the illuminance of the vertical surface/s 2′-0″ above and below the human eye must be higher than other illuminance levels on the same vertical surface beyond the stated range.
Furthermore, it has been established among persons trained in the art of illumination that high light emittance angles exceeding 45° from a luminaire nadir constitute offensive glare angle.
The person traversing an elongated space subject to high glare angles will experience visual discomfort and compromised visual acuity. The present innovation lens design is configured to include directing a lamp light where needed at the specified intensity and reducing or eliminating luminaire emitted offensive glare angles in an elongated space.
The present application describes an orientation specific luminaire with coupled lensed optics that can deliver a prescribed light level intensity where needed and predetermined prescribed uniformity ratios within a surface and between surfaces within an elongated space while increasing spacing between like luminaires, reducing luminaire energy consumption, and reducing apparent glare.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
General Discussion of Embodiments
A luminaire's light source can be covered by an optical lens (which itself may include sub lenses) that controls the directionality of the emitted light. The light source may also be covered by a translucent protective lens, which disperses the luminaire's light in roughly a natural +/−1200 light dispersion pattern of a LED lamp.
The LED luminaire with coupled LED lamps can also employ a reflector and/or a refractor. At least the refractor, or the refractor and reflector, can substitute for a protective optical lens over the LED light source. In embodiments discussed herein, both a protective lens over the LED and a refractor may be used together or separately.
The LED luminaire can have several forms including round, square, and rectangular. The decision to use one form of luminaire over another is driven by architectural, economic, and performance considerations. Among the performance considerations a designer must consider is whether each luminaire form provides for the light emittance pattern compatible with the needs of the space to be illuminated. These illumination needs can include at least one of, a horizontal and a vertical surface/s.
As recognized by the present inventor, objectives for a project to illuminate an elongated space at specified intensity levels to targeted surface/s should include using a minimal amount of energy, and generating minimum glare, while maintaining a good uniformity ratio (e.g., 3:1). To achieve these objectives, a lighting designer, when specifying a luminaire, would first need to evaluate whether the luminaire's form with its light emittance pattern is compatible with the space needs. The lighting designer may also have to consider the luminaire's orientation. Such a consideration becomes relevant where orientations of at least two like formed neighboring luminaires must be common and set in relation to the space in which the luminaires are mounted. For this reason, with at least one luminaire form, the lighting designer must consider the choice of the mechanical means of the luminaire support as it affects the associated labor component, the production time, and material costs.
The lens optics over the light source of a rectangular formed luminaire can generate a variety of light dispersion patterns; however, its architectural form imparts lighting directionality by having one horizontal central axis longer than the other horizontal central axis. Further, its installation may require more than one point of mounting support. As recognized by the present inventor, more than one mounting support point, as compared with a single support point, necessitates additional costly structural support members and requires longer installation time and thus increases the installation costs.
Lens optics over a square luminaire can also generate a variety of light dispersion patterns; however, for architectural reasons, it requires orientation alignment with other like luminaires. An advantage of the square luminaire over the rectangular luminaire, as recognized by the present inventor, is that it can be mounted from a single mounting point, and its form is directionally neutral.
Lens optics over the light source of a round luminaire are also directionally neutral. The luminaire can also be mounted from a single mounting point. Round luminaires are often used in retail and institutional spaces which are wide open, but conventional optics over round luminaires are not conventionally viewed as conducive for use in elongated spaces, mainly for their lack of directionality. The elongated spaces, for example, can be racked aisles within a big box retail space.
Corridors and aisles where rectangular, square, and round shaped luminaires are used represent a substantial portion of all real estate for retail “big box” outlets, warehousing spaces, and manufacturing spaces.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/406,136, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a mechanical orientation mounting device, which may be used with the orientation specific luminaire described herein. The present disclosure further elaborates on the mounting device's connectivity to a luminaire below it and a supporting structure above it.
A luminaire with or without orientation specific light source optics coupled to the orientation specific mechanical mounting device is able to have a user-settable alignment with a like luminaire and/or with a feature of the space in which it is disposed such as an aisleway below or a supporting structure above. Once the luminaire's orientation is set by way of setting the orientation of the mechanical mounting device, the mechanical mounting device can then be permanently secured, which in turn secures the luminaire in position. It is noted that having two cables and/or chains connecting the luminaire to a mounting device assures restoration of the luminaire's orientation to its set position under a condition where the luminaire is accidently hit by a moving object (e.g., a ladder being moved, etc.).
Further, the two suspended support mounting members provide redundant restraints, and thus can protect life and property, when one support mounting member fails. The orientation specific mechanical mounting device can be configured for a single point of connectivity to the structure above. The mounting device coupled to a luminaire can facilitate luminaire alignment regardless of the luminaire form and its optical light dispersion pattern.
In elongated spaces that include racked aisles (aisles have a floor flanked with racks/shelves or a wall on at least one side, but often on both sides), the luminaires can be tasked with illuminating the horizontal surfaces including the floor and furniture that rests on the floor, and the vertical surfaces including walls and/or face of the rack/s. In spaces intended to display merchandising product, the illuminance of the rack's vertical surface is of great importance, as this is where the merchandise is displayed and a shopper will observe it.
The merchandise is often displayed in proximity to an adult human's eye level (e.g., in an inclusive range of 3′ to 7′, but typically an average height of 5′). For convenience, this document will refer to eye level as being five feet above a finish floor, but the level can be anywhere between three feet and seven feet depending on the circumstances. Therefore, in elongated spaces where merchandise is displayed on racks, the luminaires are configured to provide the most intense light level/s to fall on the vertical face of the rack at about an adult human's eye level, where merchandise that is on display for sale is located. Above, and possibly below, the human eye level, the rack may include storage space for items that are housed until needed. The racked region above the rack(s) around human eye level are accessible via a lift, or ladder, by store personnel and often extend up to 30 feet or so above the finished floor.
Luminaires placed above an aisle flanked by elongated rack space are expected to deliver specified light levels at specific locations, or subregions, along the horizontal and vertical surfaces that define the aisleway. In merchandising and stocking spaces the intense light levels should illuminate vertical surface at, above and below an adult human eye level. In addition, in some applications, the luminaires may be configured to also illuminate the ceiling or support structure above.
An aspect of the presently described luminaire is that it directs its primary light source toward the floor below and/or at least one adjacent vertical surface. In at least one embodiment a plurality of luminaires with LED light sources coupled thereto are located above a racked aisle and are incrementally spaced apart from one another at predetermined distances, usually along a center plane that extends from the middle of the aisle and is parallel to at least one vertical racked wall at the edge of the aisle. Each of the luminaires' light sources are tasked with illuminating at least a portion of a vertical surface comprising the face of a rack adjacent to an aisle, and at least a portion of the aisle's floor surface.
To attain optimal efficiency, the form of a printed circuit board (PCB) that hosts the plurality of the LED lamps comes into play. The orientation of the LED lamps coupled to the PCB can differ from legacy practices, and include planar as well as non-planar topologies (e.g., curved such as parabolic surfaces, and the like). Over the LED light source (i.e., between the LEDs and the regions illuminated by the LEDs), an optical lens is positioned that directs the light toward horizontal and vertical targeted fields of illumination. The lens optionally includes a plurality of sub-lenses that can include at least one dedicated optical lens per LED. Likewise, the sub-lenses may provide the directed optics for a group of LEDs, such as 2, 3, 4 . . . 50. The group of LEDs may be linearly arranged, or grouped in two dimensional arrays if the PCB is planar, or even a 3 dimensional grouping with a PCB that is non-planar.
The present exemplary embodiment includes two crescent shaped PCB's populated with planar LED lamps. Each crescent shown in this embodiment is tasked with illuminating one or more sub fields of illumination on a vertical surface of a rack, as well as one or more sub fields of illumination of the floor of the aisle, adjacent to the lower edge of the vertical surface of the rack. In a different embodiment, the same PCB arrangement includes one or several sections. For example, a three section PCB can be configured with two sections to illuminate the racks, and the third section configured to illuminate the floor between the two racks. As a complement to the LEDs arranged on the crescent shaped PCBs, additional LEDs with optional directional, and orientation settable optics, maybe be hosted in a central hub region that is unoccupied by the pair of crescent shaped PCBs, where the crescent shaped PCBs have an arcuate shape.
The PCB that retains a plurality of LED lamps thereon may be segmented into one or several boards, wherein the board/s can have at least one of a different form, orientation, and number of light sources coupled thereto. The optical lens/es (sometimes referred to herein as “optics”) disposed over the PCB retaining the plurality of lamps directs the light emitted from the plurality of the LED lamps toward a designated subfield of illumination target. The targeted subfield of illumination can have at least one of, a specified horizontal and vertical light level intensity value. A subfield of illumination is a sub region of the vertical surface or horizontal surface of the elongated space (aisleway flanked with one or more vertical structures on either or both sides of the floor of the aisleway).
The PCB is fabricated with wiring that provides controllably amounts of electricity to the plurality of the coupled LED lamps and can be configured to controllably operate an individual lamp or groups of lamps. The control of the LED lamps can be different from one another and/or in unison with one another, having optical lens/es over a single or a plurality of LED lamps. The control can be provided by hardwired circuitry (e.g., application specific integrated circuit, ASIC) or programmable circuitry such as one or more processors having one or more central processing units (CPUs) coupled to one or more memories that hold computer readable code therein that, upon execution by the one or more processors, configures the processors to control the electrical flow and illumination control of the LEDs, and/or a luminaire driver, hosted by the luminaire.
The LED lamps coupled to the PCB can differ by at least one of, shape, size, input power, color temperature, and chromaticity. The luminaire driver/s and/or a controller can drive different LED lamps and/or plurality of grouped LED lamps.
The PCB, with or without the dedicated optics, can be replaceable. The PCB can be configured either as orientation specific or non-orientation specific. A switch and/or a rotatable dial device coupled to the luminaire can be configured to manually control (or controlled electrically via a controllable motor such as a stepping motor controlled by a local controller, or a remote wireless controller) at least one aspect of the operation of at least a portion of the lamps coupled to the PCB. In addition, the light emitted can be controlled via at least one of a local/remote communication device and/or sensing device/s.
To maintain an acceptable uniformity ratio of illumination, the light pattern emitted on a subfield of illumination from at least one luminaire can overlap another subfield of illumination. The subfield of illumination can be on a horizontal surface, a vertical surface, or a combination thereof. Given the small size of LED lamps, in at least one embodiment, the orientation of each LED lamp does not have to follow the same form as the surface of the PCB. For example, legacy round PCB's with coupled LED lamps commonly distribute the lamps in concentric rings about a vertical center axis of the PCB. By contrast, in at least one embodiment the LED lamps coupled to a PCB can be arranged orthogonally. In this arrangement, the orientation of at least one side of any one square LED lamp coupled to the PCB is substantially parallel to the orientation of the rack, and at least the adjacent side of the square LED lamp is substantially perpendicularly oriented to the rack.
As will be discussed in more detail below, the present innovation uses both the concentric and the orthogonally arranged LED lamps coupled to a crescent formed PCB of a luminaire mounted above a racked aisle. The LED lamp arrangement described can apply to any form of luminaire light source retaining surface. The orthogonal arrangement of the LED light sources with their respective optical lens/es enable better design control over the zonal distribution of the light emitted by the PCB section/s.
The design of the optical lens of the orientation specific luminaire accounts for at least one of, the luminaire's mounting height from the floor, the distance between a targeted surface and at least one luminaire coupled LED light source, the horizontal and/or vertical target light level intensity specified over a subfield of illumination, offensive glare angles, and inherent optical losses for the light emitted in any one direction.
Aisle widths of elongated spaces can vary by the building use type; however, in retail, manufacturing, and distribution spaces, the width of an aisle commonly ranges from six to twelve feet. Both the vertical surfaces of the elongated space and the elongated space floor can be divided into subzones configured in relation to a luminaire mounted above. The subzones can be further divided into short, medium and long zones. These zones can further be divided into a plurality of subfields of illumination that are contiguous to one another.
The luminaire mounted above an elongated aisle space can employ zone specific lens optics configured to illuminate at least two of the subfields of illuminations. In at least one embodiment, a luminaire with a plurality of lamps can target one or several subfields of illumination, wherein a subfield of illumination near the luminaire can be illuminated by wide angle optical lens/es covering a large subfield area, while a remote subfield can be illuminated by a narrower lens optics (with higher directivity) that may cover a smaller subfield area, albeit with a higher light intensity than without the higher gain optics.
The optics of the orientation specific luminaire is configured to attain specified light levels within a subfield of illumination. The specified light level is referenced herein as the target light level intensity. The lens/es can be placed over at least one of, a single LED lamp, a plurality of LED lamps, a single LED PCB, and a plurality of PCB's. The lens/es can couple to at least one of the PCB and the heat dissipating structure of the luminaire.
The present innovation teaches and shows novel illuminance ratios between the floor 1 of an aisle's horizontal subfield/s of illumination and/or a parallel to the floor horizontal surface above a luminaire, namely a ceiling surface 39 (
The first vertical surface 2 can comprise at least three subfields that are vertically stacked on one another to form the full height of the first vertical surface 2. The subfields include the inclusionary range subfield 41 (
In preceding applications, the applicant has described that the light level intensity across the vertical height of the first vertical surface is distributed in such a manner that the highest average light levels, vertically measured, fall on the inclusionary range subfield 41 surface followed by the bottom range subfield 42 surface and then followed by the top range subfield 43 surface. The top range subfield 43 shows the lowest average light levels.
In preceding applications, the applicant has described that to minimize glare, the high angle light rays emitted by the orientation specific luminaire 5 over an elongated space aisle are directed toward the at least the first vertical surface 1 of the aisle. The applicant teaches and shows that light exit angles exceeding 45° from nadir are considered glare angles to be avoided.
The present application further expands human visual acuity perceived by controlling the light intensity, relative light uniformities across a plurality of surfaces 1, 2, 39, and perceived luminaire glare.
The lighting industry has established a standard to rate glare. The Unified Glare Rating (UGR) standard regards the value of 30UGR as extremely visually discomforting whereas 10UGR is regarded as almost unnoticeable glare. The present application sets 20UGR as the top acceptable limit for the at least the orientation specific luminaire's 5 and a like in form luminaire perceived glare. The UGR value for luminaires 5 suspended over a racked aisle 10 with an adult human 20 positioned at the central longitudinal axis of a racked aisle 10 looking straight down the aisle is configured to be at 16.0UGR or less.
It is noted that along with improved uniformity ratios, directing light to where it is needed, maintaining well balanced uniformity ratios, and limiting a luminaire's apparent glare is important. Low glare levels allow the human eye pupil to relax. The pupil can then expand, resulting in an increase in a person's visual acuity. As the person's visual acuity improves, less intense light is needed to perform a task while the person's visual comfort improves. In addition, lowering the light intensity contributes to energy usage reduction with the corresponding reduction in associated costs.
To maintain balanced illumination within an enclosed space, every surface 1, 2, 39 exposed to an occupant's eyes should be illuminated. In lighting applications where two light sources 3, are flush mounted, the mid-point on the ceiling surface 39 above and between should not be dimly lit. If the mid-point is dimly lit, an occupant will perceive the light sources 3 as excessively harsh regardless of the illumination quality below the light source 3.
The present orientation specific luminaire 5 and a non-orientation specific luminaire of similar type are configured to be suspended from a ceiling surface 39 above, with at least one light source 3 directed toward the above ceiling surface 39. The light source 3 directing light toward the ceiling surface 39 above can be above the light source 3 that directs light down toward a floor 1 and/or toward at least one first vertical surface 2. The light source coupled to the luminaire 5 configured to direct light toward the ceiling surface 39 can be positioned in a manner that the emitted light is unobstructed by the luminaire 5.
To maintain well-balanced ceiling surface 39 illumination, the illumination designer must know the illumination light level requirements for the floor surface 1 and the at least one first vertical surface 2 illumination target level. The designer should then decide on reasonable illumination ratios within any one subfield/range of illumination surfaces and acceptable ratios from one surface to another. Once decided, the designer can specify the light source output and the luminaire's lens optics 24 emitting the up-light component.
The optical lens 24 over the light source 3 emitting light toward the ceiling surface 39 above typically emits a wide pattern beam with a lesser flux intensity perpendicular to the planar surface of the light source 3 than the flux intensity directed sideways. The light source 3 flux intensity can be configured in relation to the distance between the light source 3 and the ceiling surface 39 to be illuminated above, the ceiling surface 39 area to be illuminated, the average light level target, and the illumination uniformity ratio to be attained.
The orientation specific luminaire 5 and a like luminaire type can also retain a down facing light source 3 that is configured to illuminate a path of egress onto the floor 1 below. In at least one embodiment, the egress light source 3 can couple to a bottom surface of the orientation specific luminaire 5 and can rotate about its vertical axis. The egress light source 3 can operate independently of other coupled light sources 3 emitting at least one linear light pattern over a floor below the luminaire 5.
Finally, it is further taught that the human eye naturally gravitates toward the brightest surface within an enclosed space. To save energy and to improve visual acuity and human visual comfort, it is important to establish balanced illuminance values within each subfield and a balanced illumination relationship between one subfield surface and another. These relationships can be quantified and can be expressed by means of ratios.
Establishing the illumination ratios between several exposed surfaces while meeting illumination light level targets where needed and generating good uniformity ratios within subfield surfaces in a manner that the human eye perceives as a well-balanced assembly constitute the essence of well-balanced lighting design.
The essence of good lighting design lies with establishing balanced illumination ratios over exposed room surfaces while meeting target illumination light levels where needed and maintaining good uniformity ratios within the bounds of the surface's subfields. The optical and mechanical innovations of at least the present orientation specific luminaire make energy efficient, well-balanced and pleasant lighting design uniquely attainable. To attain the desired results, at least one of the following principles and illumination design ratios is utilized:
A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In a different embodiment, at least one element of the mechanical orientation device can couple the top surface of the luminaire enabling the luminaire to rotate about its central vertical axis. The single point mount can eliminate the need for a secondary support structure (not shown), saving material costs and installation production time.
The single point mount can eliminate the need for a secondary support structure (not shown), saving material costs and installation production time. The present embodiment includes an orientation specific luminaire 5 with orientation specific optics and a mechanical orientation device that enables orienting the luminaire 5 in relation to at least one of, the longitudinal axis of the racked aisle 10 and a vertical surface of a rack face 2.
For graphic clarity the present figure shows the light rays 16 extending away from the orientation specific luminaire across only one half of the racked aisle 40. The light rays 16 also show only one vertical slice of light rays 16 extending from the aisle floor 1 to the top tier of the racked surface 2. The light rays illuminating the targeted subfield of illumination can overlap their illumination coverage onto at least one adjacent subfield of illumination 8. It is noted that precisely overlapping the illumination coverage over the subfields of illumination 8 can improve the illumination uniformity of the entire field of illumination.
The exit angles of the emitted light, the lens light dispersion optical pattern, and the LED lamp intensity are set in relation to the height 25 of the vertical surface 2 that the orientation specific luminaire 5 is tasked to illuminate.
It is noted that the structure of the present embodiment re-directs light from a light source from a horizontal planar surface of the orientation specific luminaire 5 onto a vertical surface 2 of an elongated space, concentrating the light emitted along a horizontal band 19 at a specific height above a floor 30 while maintaining an excellent maximum to minimum uniformity ratio of 3:1 across the entire surface of the vertical surface 2. The vertical uniformity ratio discussed can be constructed as a base line for good design. The lensed optics of the present orientation specific luminaire can be configured to provide better lighting uniformity ratios.
Therefore, the eye coverage of an adult human looking straight at a vertical surface 2 of an elongated space illuminated by an orientation specific luminaire 5 falls on a higher vertical illuminance band extending across a portion of the vertical height 25 of the vertical surface 2. The vertical illuminance band width can vary based on the width of the horizontal aisle 1 and/or the placement of the orientation specific luminaire 5 above. However, the illumination ratios pertaining to the vertical illuminance on the vertical surface 2 of the elongated space can remain unchanged.
A scaled adult human traversing the horizontal surface of the elongated space aisle 1 is shown juxtaposed next to a high vertical surface 25. The vertical surface 2 represents a racked surface. The adult human eyes level 30 above the horizontal aisle surface is approximately 5′-0″ as shown in dashed line.
The adult human cone of vision is approximately 60°. The eyes of an adult human looking straight at the rack 2 face perceive a vertical area centered at approximately the human eye level 30. The intense illuminance band extending the length of the vertical surface 2 face is formed by the adjacent surfaces above/below (dashed lines 19) the human eye level 30. The portion of the surface within the upper and lower dashed lines of horizontal band 19 is an illustration of the inclusive range.
The figure illustrates that by dividing the light emitted through each luminaire 5 lensed optics into a horizontal surface and a vertical surface, the overall luminaire efficiency is increased. Limiting the horizontal surface 1 optical light exit angle of the luminaire 5 to a maximum of 45° reduces luminaire's optical losses and eliminates veiling glare, wherein the balance of the downwardly directed light of the luminaire 5, that includes high exit angle light rays, can then be directed away from the eyes of an adult human traversing the horizontal surface of the aisle 1 toward the vertical racked surface 2.
The distance between the two luminaires 5 mounted above an elongated space has financial implications for material, installation, energy, and maintenance costs. Therefore, spacing luminaires as far apart as possible is desirable.
The optical lenses of the orientation specific luminaire are configured to provide the light level intensity where needed, maintain lighting uniformity, and reduce glare while positioned far apart. It is noted that the H3/H1 ratio (known as the spacing to mounting height ratio) of the present orientation specific luminaire coupled to the lensed optics can be at least 1.35.
The component tasked with illuminating the vertical surface 2 is further divided into two horizontal bands, one that illuminates vertical surfaces equal to or less than a 45° exit angle in relation to nadir, referred to herein as the low angle band, and the other band where the light exit angles in relation to nadir exceed 45° referred to herein as the high angle band. It is noted that the high angle band is higher than the eye level of an adult human 30.
Further, a review of
The polar diagram of the lensed optics of the orientation specific luminaire shows that peak vertical light emittance from the luminaire in relation to nadir 16 is between 20° and 20° (e.g., 15°) on either side of nadir 16 transversely to the elongated space longitudinal axis. The radiation pattern in the vertical component is highly directional as it has no up-light component and a lower light emittance intensity between nadir 16 and 10° at both sides of nadir 16.
The polar diagram of the lensed optics of the orientation specific luminaire shows that the horizontal light emittance pattern from the luminaire is roughly rectangular, with no null zones, wherein the longitudinal long axis of the pattern generated coincides with the long longitudinal axis of the elongated space or is parallel to at least one adjacent vertical surface. The pattern also shows relative equal light emittance intensity along the long “legs” of the rectangular pattern. The light emitted along the long legs is configured to illuminate the vertical surfaces of the elongated space.
The present figure shows the “wings” extending outwardly and away from one another in the opposite direction. This emission pattern shown infers that each of the “wings” is configured to illuminate vertical surfaces at an opposite side to one another. In a different optical arrangement, where an only one sided “butterfly” wing is used, the luminaire light emittance is directed toward a single vertical surface. In at least one lens optical embodiment, the other side of the lens can have a different light distribution.
The floor directed light 332 of the present wire frame 3D web is shown between the two “wings”. The floor directed light 332 intensity outwardly is shorter than the vertical surface directed light 332. The present innovation restricts the light emitted over the horizontal surface of the elongated space to eliminate/reduce apparent glare by limiting the light exiting the luminaire to below 45° from the luminaire's nadir. As a result, the light emission intensity pattern is shorter.
As with the horizontal light emittance pattern shown in
The lens board structure 368 with the plurality of lamp dedicated lenses can be mounted to a luminaire structure positioned precisely over the lamp the individual lens is dedicated to. A luminaire can employ at least one lens board structure. The lens board structure 368 can include domed lenses that are at least one of, a symmetrical light distribution pattern, an asymmetrical light distribution pattern, and a combination of both light distribution patterns thereof.
The light source retaining board with lensed optics 24 above, of the orientation specific and/or the non-orientation specific luminaire 5 can take any form. The use of reduced form light source in conjunction with dedicated reduced lens optics is a relatively new optical design approach. This design approach marks a departure from art that relies on a light source retaining board with a lens optical distribution of narrow, medium, and wide light patterns.
The lenses used with the luminaire 5 may be customized for an application while capable of illuminating at least one vertical and horizontal surface/s meeting light levels targeted.
The present figure orientation specific lens optical light emittance pattern is pre-configured in relation to at least one horizontal surface and at least one adjacent vertical surface, and a plurality of same design lenses placed over their respective dedicated lamps illuminate the targeted surfaces at the targeted illuminance levels where needed.
The present figure orientation specific lens optical light emittance pattern is pre-configured in relation to at least one horizontal surface and at least one adjacent vertical surface, and a plurality of same design lenses placed over their respective dedicated lamps illuminate the targeted surfaces at the targeted illuminance levels where needed.
The light sources 3, 361 coupled to the PCB 15, 362 can be energized by at least one circuit (not shown). The plurality of circuits can control the light emitted by an individual PCB 15, 362 or individual lights on the PCB 15, 362. For example, during off hours, LEDs that emit UV light can decontaminate a space. The PCB 15, 362 with its coupled light sources 3, 361 and lensed optics can be detachable and replaceable by different lensed optics 24, 360 as needed.
The present embodiment shows at least two lamps 3, 361 covered by the lensed optics 24, 360 at opposite side of the luminaire 5 structure. Having the lamps 3, 361 positioned above and away from the electronic device housing 22 of the luminaire 5 eliminates the risk of shadowing a portion of the ceiling. Further, placing the up-light lamps 3, 361 at the luminaire's 5 outer perimeter having a through air gap between these up-light lamps 5 and the downlight directed lamp 5 light helps cool the lamps 5 during operation.
Other elements shown coupled to the luminaire 5 include a mounting cable/chain 6, a power and/or data conductor 17, and the luminaire's electronic device housing 22.
The elongated space shown in the present figure is a racked aisle 10. Buildings with racked aisles 10 are common to supermarkets, retail big box stores, manufacturing, and warehouse distribution spaces.
While buildings with racked aisles 10 can vary by aisle width 31, rack height 37 and different user types, they all have a common denominator—the highest light level needed by all users across the vertical surface of a rack, the first surface 2, is in proximity to an adult human eye level 30. An adult human eye level 30 in the western hemisphere is about 5′-0″ above finished floor 1.
The orientation specific luminaire's 5 novel lensed optics 24 disposed over the coupled downward facing light source 3 is configured to emit the luminaire's 5 light from nadir 35 down and sideways toward the first vertical surface 2 in an asymmetrical pattern. The asymmetrical emitted light elongated dispersion pattern direction is parallel to at least the first vertical surface 2 adjacent to the aisle the orientation specific luminaire 5 is suspended next to above.
The polar curve of the present figure also shows that the most intense light emitted falls over the racked first vertical surface 2 approximately at an adult person's 20 eye level 30. This polar curve is in contrast with the intensity light level distribution graphs of present-day art shown in
The inclusionary range 41 is bound by top and bottom boundaries. The inclusionary range 41 bottom boundary is also the top boundary of the bottom range subfield 42. The bottom range subfield 42 extends from the inclusionary range 41 bottom boundary to the floor 1 below. The top range 43 extends from the top boundary of the inclusionary range 41 to the top of the first vertical surface 2. In at least one embodiment the number of ranges can vary; however all first vertical surface 2 configurations including lensed optics 24 tasked with illuminating an inclusionary range subfield 41 must have at least two subfield ranges.
Across the transverse direction of the racked aisle's 10 floor 1, the light emitted intensity by the orientation specific luminaire 5 is reduced at the aisle's center. The optical lens 24 of the orientation specific luminaire 5 can be configured to use the floor 1 surface as a reflective surface to enhance the light levels over the bottom range subfield 42 of the first vertical surface 2. The luminaire's 5 downwardly directed light falling on the floor 1 can be redirected toward the bottom range subfield 42.
The present electromechanical and optical innovation provides the means to control the light intensity over subfields surfaces 41, 42, 43 where the light is needed, maintains excellent uniformity ratios within vertical and horizontal surfaces' subfields, minimize or significantly reduce glare, and maintains balanced illumination ratios among the elongated space surfaces' subfields.
The present application teaches and shows a means to perfect complex illumination design that considers at least one of, surfaces' reflectance values, location of surfaces to be illuminated in relation to at least one light source, relation between one illuminated surface and another, glare mitigation, use of unique lensed optics over a plurality of light sources, and meeting target light levels over a plurality of surfaces by following the illumination ratios prescribed.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/436,081, filed 8 Feb. 2024, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/401,448, filed 30 Dec. 2023 (now U.S. Pat. No. 12,038,170), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/381,231, filed Oct. 18, 2023 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,901,718), and claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/548,311, filed 13 Nov. 2023. This application has common inventorship with, and contains subject matter related to that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/113,098, filed Feb. 23, 2023 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,788,692), as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/433,140, filed 5 Feb. 2024, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/406,136, filed 6 Jan. 2024, both of which are continuations-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/381,231, filed 18 Oct. 2023 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,901,718), the entire contents of each of the above disclosures are being incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6210018 | Kassay | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 10323824 | Lim | Jun 2019 | B1 |
| 20100270933 | Chemel | Oct 2010 | A1 |
| 20100296285 | Chemel | Nov 2010 | A1 |
| 20120307503 | Wilcox | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20140376220 | Shen et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20160348855 | Zampini | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20170175953 | Van Boven | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170257925 | Forbis | Sep 2017 | A1 |
| 20180231200 | Hierzer | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180292071 | Tarsa | Oct 2018 | A1 |
| 20190338917 | Chen et al. | Nov 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2021046108 | Mar 2021 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Office Cumminication (PCT Article 17(3)(a) and Rule 40.1 and 40.2(e)) issued on Jan. 30, 2025, in corresponding International application No. PCT/IB2024/061185, 15 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63548311 | Nov 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18436081 | Feb 2024 | US |
| Child | 18798429 | US | |
| Parent | 18401448 | Dec 2023 | US |
| Child | 18436081 | US | |
| Parent | 18381231 | Oct 2023 | US |
| Child | 18401448 | US |
