An embodiment of the invention relates to a compact recessed lighting system that includes an integrated interface module that allows for easy connections and interchangeability with associated parts of the recessed lighting system. Other embodiments are also described.
Recessed lighting systems are typically installed or mounted into an opening in a ceiling or a wall. Recessed lighting systems generally consist of various components of different shapes and sizes. For example, different styles of trims, reflectors, and light source modules may be used to accommodate different needs of consumers.
Although current recessed lighting systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, switching between different components can be tedious and cumbersome. In particular, current recessed lighting systems require the removal of numerous screws and fasteners to change a single component of the system. Further, changing a single component, such as a trim, may require replacement of other components in the system so that the proper connections are established and efficient distribution of light may be accomplished. Thus, there is a need for a recessed lighting system that enables efficient interchangeability between different components.
The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment of the invention in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one.
Several embodiments are described with reference to the appended drawings are now explained. While numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.
In one embodiment, the recessed lighting system 1 includes one or more heat sinks 8 to dissipate heat generated by the light source module 6. As shown in
The heat sink 8 may be composed of any thermally conductive material. For example, the heat sink 8 may be made of aluminium alloys, copper, copper-tungsten pseudoalloy, AlSiC (silicon carbide in aluminium matrix), Dymalloy (diamond in copper-silver alloy matrix), E-Material (beryllium oxide in beryllium matrix), and/or thermally conductive plastics or ceramics.
In one embodiment, the recessed lighting system 1 may include a lens 3. The lens 3 may be formed to converge, diverge, or otherwise modify (e.g., filter) light emitted by the light source module 6. The lens 3 may be a simple lens comprised of a single optical element or it may be a compound lens comprised of an array of simple lenses (elements) with a common axis. In one embodiment, the lens 3 also provides a protective barrier for the light source module 6 and shields the light source module 6 from moisture or inclement weather. The lens 3 may also assist in the diffusion of light and increase the uniformity of light over the surface of the recessed lighting system 1. The lens 3 may be made of any at least partially transparent material, including glass and hard plastics. In one embodiment, the lens 3 and the trim 2 are contained in a single indivisible unit to work in conjunction to focus and adjust light emitted by the light source module 6. In other embodiments, the lens 3 and the trim 2 are separate, divisible elements as shown in
In one embodiment, the recessed lighting system 1 may include one or more trims 2. The trims 2 may be interchangeable such that multiple trims 2 may be separately used with the recessed lighting system 1. For example, a first trim 2 may be coupled to the integrated interface module 5. Thereafter, this first trim 2 may be detached from the integrated interface module 5 without the use of tools and a second trim 2 may be installed. The trims 2 serve the primary purpose of covering the exposed edge of the ceiling or wall where a hole is formed in which the recessed lighting system 1 resides, while still allowing light from the light source module 6 to be emitted into a room through its upper and lower openings 15A and 15B. In doing so, the trims 2 help the recessed lighting system 1 appear seamlessly integrated into the ceiling or wall.
The trims 2 may be made of any material or set of materials. For example, the trims 2 may be made of one or more of aluminum plastic polymers, alloys, copper, copper-tungsten pseudoalloy, AlSiC (silicon carbide in aluminum matrix), Dymalloy (diamond in copper-silver alloy matrix), and E-Material (beryllium oxide in beryllium matrix).
In one embodiment, the trims 2 are capable of coupling to the integrated interface module 5 while in other embodiments the trims 2 are capable of coupling to one or more other components of the recessed lighting system 1. The trims 2 may couple to the integrated interface module 5 using any connecting mechanism, including resins, clips, screws, bolts, or clamps. In one embodiment, the trims 2 may include a ridge 14 for coupling to corresponding elements of the integrated interface module 5 as shown in
As noted above, the recessed lighting system 1 may include multiple trims 2 of different shapes and sizes. Each of these differently shaped and/or sized trims 2 may be capable of being coupled to the same integrated interface module 5. The size and design of the trims 2 installed with the recessed lighting system 1 may depend on the size of the hole in which the recessed lighting system 1 has been fitted and that the trim 2 must conceal, as well as the aesthetic decisions of the consumer. In these embodiments, the ridge 14 of each of the trims 2 may be uniform while the other elements of the trims 2 may be distinct.
In some embodiments, the reflector insert 4 may be used to bridge differences in size or shape between the integrated interface module 5 and the trim 2. However, the use of the reflector insert 4 may be optional and, as noted above, may be only used when the shapes and/or sizes of the integrated interface module 5 and the trim 2 do not align or do not allow connection, and/or provide a non-ideal connection, which allows the leakage of light. In particular, as shown in the examples of
In one embodiment, the reflector insert 4 may be held within the integrated interface module 5 through the use of the lens 2, which may be coupled to the integrated interface module as will be described in greater detail below. As shown in
Returning to the trims 2, in addition to concealing a hole in which the recessed lighting system 1 is installed, the trims 2 may be used to focus light generated by the light source module 6. For example, the trims 2, as shown in
Turning now to the integrated interface module 5, the techniques and devices for combining and/or coupling each of the components of the recessed lighting system 1 together will now be described. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the integrated interface module 5 allows components of the recessed lighting system 1 to be combined while reducing the number of fasteners needed to do so, and the overall complexity of changing parts or installing the recessed lighting system 1 into a structure may be simplified.
The integrated interface module 5 may be a shell and/or enclosure that 1) prevents the exposure of heat from the light source module 6 to items inside a ceiling or crawl space (e.g., insulation) in which the recessed lighting system 1 has been installed and 2) directs light emitted by the light source module 6 along with a trim 2 and/or reflector insert 4 to generate a more focused beam of light. The integrated interface module 5 may be formed of metals, polymers, metal alloys, and/or other heat insulating materials.
In one embodiment, the integrated interface module 5 may include an open front face 18A and an open rear face 18B. The space between the front and rear faces defines the cavity 17C. Similar to the cavities 17A and 17B, the cavity 17C may be shaped to focus light from the light source module 6, which is situated along the open rear face 18B, toward the open front face 18A and out into a room in which the recessed lighting system 1 is installed via a trim 2, the reflector insert 4, and/or the lens 3. For example, the shape of the cavity 17C may be defined by a frusto conical shaped wall as shown; however, in other embodiments the cavity 17C may be in any other shape that facilitates the focusing of light (e.g., frusto pyramidal). In one embodiment, front surfaces of the walls that define the cavity 17C may be coated with or may include one or more reflecting elements that assist in the adjustment of light emitted by the light source module 6. For example, the walls for the cavity 17C may be coated with a shiny enamel or include one or more mirrors or retroreflectors or a microcellular polyethylene terephthalate (MCPET) material to adjust the focus of light emitted by the light module 6. In other embodiments, the cavity 17C may contain various other optic elements to assist in the focusing of light emitted by the light source module 6.
Referring to
In one embodiment, a base end 21 of each of the contacts 7 may be secured to a corresponding fastener block 20 through the use of resins, clips, screws, rivets, or any other fastener. The fastener blocks 20 may also facilitate the connection of corresponding wires that deliver electricity to the contacts 7 from the power source 12. For example, a screw may be used to attach the base end 21 of each contact 7 to the fastener block 20. In this example wires from the power source 12 may be wrapped around each screw. Accordingly, the wires may deliver electricity to the contacts 7 via the connection as the fastener blocks 20.
As described above, the guides 22 may be grooves that are sized to receive the fingers 23 of the electrical contacts 7. Although the contacts 7 may be fastened at the base end 21 to the integrated interface module 5, the fingers 22 may remain unattached from the integrated interface module 5. By being fastened to the integrated interface module 5 at only one end (i.e., the base end 21), the electrical contacts 7 are pivotable/bendable such that a firm but adjustable electrical connection may be established with corresponding electrical leads 28 on the light source module 6. In one embodiment, the guides 22 provide a barrier to prevent the fingers 23 from being overly depressed/bent while in contact with the leads 28 of the light source module 6. Accordingly, the guides 23 ensure that the electrical contacts 7 and the leads 28 maintain a firm connection to facilitate the transfer of electricity between the power source 12 and the light source module 6. Since the electrical contacts 7 only make contact with electrical leads 28 of the light source module 6 instead of a soldered or otherwise more permanent connection, the light source module 6 may be replaced or adjusted within minimal effort.
In one embodiment, a wall 24 may separate a base end 21 and a finger 23 of a first electrical contact 7 from a base end 21 and a finger 23 for a second electrical contact 7. The wall 24 prevents the contacts 7 from coming into contact and causing an electrical short circuit.
In one embodiment, the integrated interface module 5 may include a set of light module mounting blocks 26. The light module mounting blocks 26 may be used for coupling the integrated interface module 5 to the light source module 6 and/or the heat sink 8. For example, the light module mounting blocks 26 may be defined by a set of tabs that include holes for receiving a screw or other fastener. In this embodiment, the light source module 6 and the heat sink 8 may each include a set of holes 29 and 30, respectively, for receiving corresponding screws or fasteners 31. Accordingly, the light source module 6 may be sandwiched between the integrated interface module 5 and the heat sink 8. The fasteners 31 may secure the unified connection between the integrated interface module 5, the light source module 6, and the heat sink 8 using the holes 29 and 30. Although described as holes 29 and 30, the holes 29 and 30 may be replaced with any device or mechanism that allows the coupling of the integrated interface module 5, the light source module 6, and the heat sink 8 as described above. In these embodiments, the fasteners 31 may be clips, screws, bolts, clamps, or any other type of connecting mechanism. By utilizing one set of fasteners (i.e., the fasteners 31) to connect multiple components (i.e., the integrated interface module 5, the light source module 6, and the heat sink 8), the recessed lighting system 1 reduces the number of parts and the overall complexity in comparison to conventional systems.
In one embodiment, the integrated interface module 5 may include a channel 33 for receiving a trim 2. The channel 33 may be defined by a set of walls that form a corresponding set of concentric circles with the front face 18A of the integrated interface module 5. In one embodiment, the channel 33 may be sized to receive the ridge 14 of multiple different trims 2. For example, as described above, multiple trims 2 with openings 15A and 15B and flanges 16 of different shapes and sizes may have a uniformly sized and shaped ridge 14. The ridges 14 for each of the trims 2 may fit snuggly into the channel 33 with applied pressure and without the need for tools. Accordingly, trims 2 may be easily coupled to the integrated interface module 5 by forcing the ridge 14 of a trim 2 into the channel 33. Similarly, a trim 2 may be removed by forcing/pulling a corresponding ridge 14 from the channel. As described above, the integrated interface module 5 allows the replacement and adjustment of trims 2 of different shapes and sizes without the use of tools and with minimal effort.
As described above, the recessed lighting system 1 provides a reduced set of components while ensuring adaptability and easy installation into a structure. In particular, by including an integrated interface module 5 that allows the light source module 6, the trim 2, the lens 3, and the heat sink 8 to be easily replaced with minimal tools and minimal fasteners, the recessed lighting system 1 described herein provides a more efficient and user friendly design in comparison to traditional systems.
While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.
This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. provisional application No. 61/971,459 filed Mar. 27, 2014.
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