Patent Application
20120243213
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to solar powered light systems such as those primarily in close proximity to residences for the purpose of illuminating walkways or providing decorative lighting; more particularly the present invention pertains to a system for controlling the light emitted by a solar powered outdoor light.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past several years, the technology associated with solar panels and light emitting diodes has seen rapid development. Specifically, while solar panels were once almost a novelty item or an item used only in remote locations, both the cost of solar panels has decreased and the output of electrical energy from solar panels has increased. Similarly, while light emitting diodes had only limited applications for many years, both the cost of light emitting diodes has decreased and the output of light energy has increased. Accordingly, the power available from solar panels has grown to a level where the power requirements for a light emitting diode having an acceptable light output level for use in an outdoor setting can now be met with a solar panel. Similarly, the cost of both solar panels and light emitting diodes have both decreased to the point where an outdoor light fixture using electrical energy obtained from solar panels and emitting light from light emitting diodes is affordable to most homeowners.
The convergence of the development of the technology associated with solar panels and the technology associated with light emitting diodes has created a market where small outdoor lighting fixtures used to mark walkways or to enhance the appearance of landscaping are now in demand by homeowners. These small outdoor lighting fixtures include solar panels to capture light energy and then turn the light energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy is then stored in a battery and then directed, when needed, to an array of light emitting diodes which illuminate on receipt of the electrical energy obtained from the battery.
Early outdoor lighting fixtures using a solar panel to provide the electrical power for light emitting diodes simply provided continuous illumination at a fixed level of brightness when sufficient electrical power is available. While such outdoor lighting fixtures are satisfactory at providing continuous illumination at a fixed level of brightness, they did not provide users with an array of creative lighting effects. Accordingly, a need remains in the art of solar powered outdoor lighting fixtures to provide a system by which the light output of an LED may be varied to create a different effect than simple continuous illumination at a fixed level of brightness.
The outdoor lighting fixture of the present invention provides a solar powered lighting fixture having a different lighting effect than simple continuous illumination at a fixed level of brightness. More specifically, the outdoor lighting fixture of the present invention provides a solar powered lighting fixture having one or more light emitting diodes whose brightness may be varied by the user. The outdoor lighting system includes a dimmer switch mechanism in its electronic circuitry that allows a user to vary the brightness of the emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the dimmer switch mechanism modulates the pulse width of electricity provided to the one or more light emitting diodes. In another embodiment, the dimmer switch mechanism modulates the frequency of the one or more light emitting diodes. By adjusting the brightness of the light emitting diodes the operational time of the lighting fixture may also be modified. That is, by dimming or lessening the brightness of the light emitting diodes, the operational time of the lighting fixture will be extended as compared to the operational time at full brightness. Thus, with this added functionality, users can adjust the brightness of the lighting fixture according to their individual needs when using the lighting fixture.
A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.
All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.
As may be seen in
On top of the outdoor light fixture 10 and configured over the light diffusing lens 20 is a top or lampshade element 40. The top or lampshade element 40 is constructed and configured to cover the opening 22 at the top of the light diffusing lens element 20. On the top surface 42 of the lampshade element 40 is located a solar panel 44 which receives light energy and converts light energy from the sun into electrical energy. A light sensor 46 whose utility will be explained below may also be configured on the top surface 42 of the lampshade element 40. If the solar panel 44 comprises a crystalline solar panel, then the outdoor light fixture 10 must be located where it will receive sunlight during the daylight hours. Alternatively, if the solar panel 44 comprises an amorphous solar panel, then ambient light, even on a cloudy day, will be sufficient to produce the electrical energy necessary to cause the light emitting diodes to emit light upon receipt of electrical energy.
As shown in
Referring now to
A light sensor 46 and other circuit elements are included in the preferred embodiment to turn the LED module 50 on and off when the light sensor 46 detects a certain level of light. The light sensor 46 is typically isolated from the LEDs 52, 54 and 56 so that the light sensor 46 does not receive light from the LEDs 52, 54 and 56. When the light sensor 46 detects a certain level of light above a predetermined threshold (for example, the light sensor 46 is exposed to sunlight), the light sensor 46 prevents the flow of electricity from the batter 62 to the LED module 50. Conversely, when the light sensor 46 detects a light level below a predetermined threshold (e.g., the sensor is exposed to darkness), the light sensor 46 permits the flow of electricity from the batter 62 to the LED module 50.
The circuit 60 further includes a dimmer switch mechanism 64, which allows a user to vary the brightness of the light emitting diodes. In a preferred embodiment, the dimmer switch mechanism 64 comprises a rotary variable resistor or rheostat, which is configured so that the rotary actuator extends through the bottom surface 26 of the top or lampshade element 40.
In one embodiment, the dimmer switch mechanism 64 modulates the pulse width of electricity provided to the one or more light emitting diodes. In another embodiment, the dimmer switch mechanism 64 modulates the frequency of the one or more light emitting diodes. By adjusting the brightness of the light emitting diodes the operational time of the lighting fixture may also be modified. That is, by dimming or lessening the brightness of the light emitting diodes, the rate at which the electrical circuit 60 draws electrical current from the rechargeable batter 62 is decreased. Thus, the operational time of the lighting fixture is extended as compared to the operational time at full brightness. With this added functionality, users can adjust the luminance or brightness of the lighting fixture according to their individual needs when using the lighting fixture.
While the present invention has been disclosed according to its preferred and alternate embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand the other embodiments have been enabled by the foregoing description. Such other embodiments shall be included in the scope and meaning of the appended claims.
It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that there has been described herein an improved outdoor light fixture. Although the invention hereof has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other adaptations and modifications can be employed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation; and thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, but on the contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
