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 the various lighting fixtures in a group of solar powered outdoor lights.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, many homeowners have added outdoor lights to illuminate pathways or sidewalks, to guide visitors to entrances or to enhance the appearance of the residence or the surrounding landscape. Initially such outdoor light systems used house current and low wattage incandescent light bulbs. Next it was determined that low wattage, low voltage incandescent light bulbs could be used to reduce the power consumption associated with having a set of outdoor lights near a residence. Such systems required the of a voltage reduction device which reduces the voltage of house current down to the level of voltage required to cause the low wattage low voltage light bulb to illuminate.
It was then discovered that the power requirements of a low voltage, light source could be met by the electrical energy produced by a small solar panel. Accordingly, solar panels were included in individual light fixtures.
In recent years, the increase in the availability and light output of low cost light emitting diodes (LEDs) has caused the low voltage, low wattage incandescent light bulbs used in outdoor, solar powered residential home lighting systems to be replaced with an LED. Along with the use of LED came a flexibility with regard to lighting effects that could be obtained from placing multiple LEDs, possibly even of different colors into individual light fixtures. The power requirements of LEDs were such that a solar panel could be used to convert light energy into the amount of electrical energy needed to illuminate an LED.
In prior art system using low voltage, low wattage incandescent light bulbs, the only way to change the lighting effect was to disassemble each individual light fixture and change out the bulb. If less light was needed, then a lower wattage incandescent light bulb was placed in each individual light fixture. If different colors were desired, each individual incandescent light bulb had to be replaced with a light bulb emitting the desired color of light.
Such a system of replacing light bulbs each time a different lighting effect was desired has become difficult and inconvenient for home owners. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a system which will allow for creation of different lighting effects from a set of solar powered lighting fixtures without have to experience the inconvenience and difficulty of changing out the light bulbs in individual light fixtures.
The system of the present invention allows for the creation of different lighting effects from a set of solar powered LED lighting fixtures and eliminates the inconvenience and difficulties associated with changing out the bulbs in individual lighting fixtures when different lighting effects are desired.
In one embodiment, the remotely controlled LED light fixture system of the present invention comprises an electrical transformer which may be connected using a standard electrical plug to house current. The transformer reduces the house current to a voltage used by the light sources in the individual light fixtures in a group of light fixtures typically used near residential structures. The system also includes a series of light fixtures electrically connected to the transformer and to one to another. In a preferred embodiment the individual light fixtures are connected to one another by means of a quick secure electro/mechanical connection. The system further includes an infrared remote receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control transmitter. The infrared remote receiver is positioned between the transformer and the series of light fixtures and controls the flow of electricity between the transformer and the series of light fixtures. The remote control transmitter is configured to send a variety of different signals to the infrared remote receiver.
In another embodiment, the source electrical energy is not from house current, but rather, is obtained from light energy that is converted by a solar collector module into electrical energy. The solar collector module includes a solar panel electrically connected to the series of light fixtures by means of electrical wire. In a preferred embodiment, the solar panel comprises a double junction amorphous solar panel arrangement. In a preferred embodiment the individual light fixtures are connected to one another by means of a quick secure electro/mechanical connection.
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.
With reference to
Each light fixture 10 includes a ground mount element 16 for securing the fixture 10 to the ground and an elevation element 14 for elevating the light source 12 above the ground. It is noted that the elevation element 14 typically includes a conduit through which a wire carrying electrical current can access the light source 12. The light sources 12 on each light fixture 10 may comprise one or more LEDs. When multiple LEDs are included in a single light fixture 10, the multiple LEDs may be of one color, or alternatively may be of a variety of colors.
The system further includes an infrared remote receiver 6 for receiving control signals from a remote control transmitter 20. The infrared remote receiver 6 is positioned between the transformer 6 and the series of light fixtures 10 and controls the flow of electricity between the transformer 6 and the series of light fixtures 10. The remote control transmitter 20 is constructed and arranged to send a variety of different signals to the infrared remote receiver 6. As shown in
Practitioners of the art will quickly recognize the utility of such a system when the integrated control chip 23 is programmable such that a sequence of different lighting effects may be programmed into the remote control transmitter 20.
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
For example, the remote control transmitter 20 can signal the infrared remote receiver 6 to illuminate the individual light sources 12 at their brightest setting. Alternatively, the remote control transmitter 20 can signal the infrared remote receiver 6 to illuminate the individual light sources 12 at a medium setting. In addition, the remote control transmitter 20 can signal the infrared remote receiver 6 to illuminate only certain colored LEDs in each individual light source 12. Finally, the remote control transmitter 20 can signal the infrared remote receiver 6 to turn the individual light sources 12 off.
As noted previously, either of the embodiments disclosed in
Thus, each individual light fixture 50 featuring a quick secure connection comprises a ground mount element 56 for securing the fixture 50 to the ground and an elevation element 54 for elevating the light source 52 above the ground. It is noted that the elevation element 14 typically includes a conduit through which a wire carrying electrical current can access the light source 52. The light sources 52 on each light fixture 50 may comprise one or more LEDs. When multiple LEDs are included in a single light fixture 50, the multiple LEDs may be of one color, or alternatively may be of a variety of colors. Each individual light fixture 50 further includes an electrical conduit 42 hardwired to the socket base 68. The distal end of the electrical conduit 42 includes a complementary plug for attaching to another light fixture.
In a preferred embodiment of the quick secure connection shown best in
As shown in
It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that there has been described herein an improved remotely controlled LED light fixture system. 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.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/904,216 filed Mar. 1, 2007, the technical disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60904216 | Mar 2007 | US |