Patent Application
20240255128
Recessed lighting typically requires openings in structures for installation and servicing of light fixtures. Typically, the openings are sized to accommodate removal and replacement of light bulbs and perhaps associated reflectors and trims. In proportion to a typical space in which the fixtures are installed, the openings are often large enough to allow glare. The glare, and sometimes the openings themselves may detract from architectural features of the space. Fixtures that use small-scale light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), have become popular. The light sources do not require openings that are as large as the typical recessed lighting openings. However, LED fixtures may have ancillary components that are larger than the light sources, and thus would require openings larger than those required by the light sources alone, thus diminishing any aesthetic benefit that could be achieved with smaller openings sized for the LED light sources.
It would therefore be desirable to provide improved apparatus and methods for a removable recess lighting assembly.
The leftmost digit (e.g., “L”) of a three-digit reference numeral (e.g., “LRR”), and the two leftmost digits (e.g., “LL”) of a four-digit reference numeral (e.g., “LLRR”), generally identify the first figure in which a part is called-out.
Apparatus and methods for lighting are provided.
The apparatus may include a light fixture. The light fixture may include a removable recess lighting assembly. The lighting assembly may include a light-emitting diode (“LED”) light source. The LED light source may include an LED. The LED light source may include a plurality of LEDs. The lighting assembly may define a central axis. The lighting assembly may include a light engine base. The lighting assembly may include an LED brace. The brace may be fastened to the base. The LED light source may be disposed in between the light engine base and the LED brace. The lighting assembly may be removable. The lighting assembly may be removable through an aperture. The aperture may be defined in the light fixture.
The light fixture may include a heat sink. The heat sink may be mounted in a structure.
Table 1 lists illustrative structures.
The structure may include a panel. The heat sink may be disposed in a housing. The housing may be mounted on a first side of the panel. In operation, the LED light source may emit light to a second side of the panel.
Table 2 lists illustrative panel materials.
The light fixture may include a spackle plate. The aperture may be defined in the spackle plate. The lighting assembly may be removeable through the aperture defined in the spackle plate. The spackle plate may be disposed flush against the second side of the panel. The spackle plate may retain a surface treatment.
Table 3 lists illustrative surface treatments.
In operation, the lighting assembly may be serviced without causing damage to the structure in which the light fixture is mounted. The lighting assembly may be removed without causing damage to the panel included in the structure. In new construction, the light fixture may be mounted before the structure is built. After the construction is done, the lighting assembly may be removable by a linear pull along the central axis.
The lighting assembly may be releasably connected to the light fixture. The lighting assembly may be magnetically connected to the light fixture. Removing the lighting assembly may not cause damage to the structure. The lighting assembly may be removed without causing damage to the surface treatment. The lighting assembly may be removed through the aperture in the light fixture. The lighting assembly may be removed through the aperture in the spackle plate. The lighting assembly may be removed with a tool. The tool may remove the lighting assembly without damaging the structure.
The lighting assembly may be removable without removal of the spackle plate. The heat sink may be not removable through the aperture in the spackle plate. The heat sink may be not removable through the aperture in the light fixture.
Table 4 lists illustrative ranges which may include the ratio of the size of the diameter of the aperture and the size of the diameter of the heat sink.
The heat sink may include a docking pad. The docking pad may include a magnet. The heat sink may retain the lighting assembly. The light fixture may include a magnetically dockable lighting assembly. The lighting assembly may be docked to the pad. The lighting assembly may be docked to the pad by insertion of the lighting assembly into the aperture.
The lighting assembly may be magnetically retained by the heat sink. The light engine base may include a material that is configured to magnetically connect to the heat sink. The magnetic material may form a ring.
Table 5 lists illustrative materials.
The heat sink may release the lighting assembly. The heat sink may release the lighting assembly in response to a translation of the lighting assembly along the central axis. The translation may be a translation without a rotation of the light assembly about the central axis.
The LED and the heat sink may be configured such that the heat sink may draw heat from the LED. The heat sink may draw heat from the LED when the lighting assembly is magnetically mounted in the heat sink. The light fixture may include thermal adhesive. The thermal adhesive may provide or enhance thermal communication between the LED light source and the light engine base. The thermal adhesive may enable the heat transfer from the LED to the heat sink.
The light fixture may include a reflector. The reflector may be positioned to form a beam of light emitted by the LED light source. The reflector may engage the spackle plate. The reflector may include a trim. The trim may releasably engage the reflector. The trim may engage the spackle plate. In a cross-sectional view transverse to the central axis, the trim may have a round shape. In a cross-sectional view transverse to the central axis, the trim may have a rectangular shape. In a cross-sectional view transverse to the central axis, the trim may have any other suitable shape.
The apparatus may include a tool for removing the lighting assembly from the heat sink. The tool may include a handle. The handle may include a first extension member. The tool may include a tubular base. The tubular base may include a second extension member. The tubular base may be releasably attached to the handle. The tubular base may be threadingly attached to the handle.
The first extension member may detach the reflector from the light fixture. The first extension member may disengage the reflector from the spackle plate. The first extension member may disengage the trim from the spackle plate.
The second extension member may engage with a receptacle in the lighting assembly. The second extension member may release the lighting assembly. The releasing of the lighting assembly may be along the central axis. The second extension member may release the lighting assembly in response to a force from a user. The force may be a linear force.
The light fixture may include one or more thermally insulated bushings. The light fixture may include one or more thermally insulated gaskets. The light fixture may include one or more spacers. The one or more thermally insulated bushings, thermally insulated gaskets, and spacers may reduce an amount of heat conducted from the LED light source to the spackle plate.
The light fixture may include a power lead. The power lead may provide power to the LED light source. The power lead may include a connector. The connector may be attached at an end of the power lead. The end of the power lead may be drawn below the spackle plate when the light assembly is removed from the heat sink.
The light fixture may include a lighting controller. The lighting controller may provide to the LED included in the light source a dimming signal. The lighting controller may provide to the LED included in the light source a color control signal. The lighting controller may provide to the LED included in the light source a dim-to-warm correlation signal.
The lighting assembly may include the beam adjusting lens. The beam adjusting lens may change an angle of a beam of light from the LED light source.
The LED light source may be configured as a downlight. The LED light source may be configured as a wall-wash light. The LED light source may be configured as any suitable kind of light.
The light fixture may include a power supply. The power supply may be disposed outside the housing of the heat sink. The power supply may be disposed inside the housing of the heat sink.
The power supply may provide power for generating light from the LEDs included in the light fixture. The power supply may be an enclosed-electronics power supply. The power supply may include an integrated wiring compartment. The wiring compartment may support streamlined installation.
The power supply may include a plurality of power output channels. Each of the output power channels may include circuitry. Each of the output channels may represent a branch of the power supply. The plurality of output power channels may be controlled by a single controller.
The power supply may include a plurality of LED modules. Each of the LED modules may be light fixtures. Each LED module may include a plurality of LED light sources. Each LED module may correspond to one of the power output channels. Each power output channel may provide a current to a corresponding LED module. Each power output channel may provide a current to a corresponding light fixture. The current may be a regulated current.
The power output channels may include output terminals. The power supply may include six output terminals. The terminals may include quick connectors for conductors from 24-12 AWG or any other suitable size. The quick connectors may include solid, stranded, fine-stranded material. The quick connectors may include any other suitable material conductors.
The connectors may include a lever. A user may pull the lever up, insert a conductor and push the lever back down to make electrical contact between the terminal and the conductor.
The power supply may include over-voltage protection. The power supply may include short circuit protection. The power supply may include overcurrent protection. The power supply may include an overcurrent protection circuit. The overcurrent protection circuitry may protect the power supply from overcurrent, over-voltage, and short circuit conditions.
The power supply may include a voltage conditioning circuit. The voltage conditioning circuit may receive an input voltage. The voltage conditioning circuit may receive an input voltage of 120-277 VAC. The input voltage may be a line voltage. The voltage conditioning circuit may receive the line voltage from a power source. The voltage conditioning circuit may condition the line voltage.
An LED module may have an operating voltage. The light fixture may have an operating voltage. The voltage conditioning circuit may generate a boosted voltage from the line voltage. The boosted voltage may be greater than the line voltage. The line voltage may be boosted using boost circuity. The boost circuitry may be included in the voltage conditioning circuit. The line voltage may be boosted to stabilize the current. The boosted voltage may be transmitted through inductor-inductor-capacitor (“LLC”) circuity. The LLC circuitry may also be included in the voltage conditioning circuit. The LLC circuitry may include a transformer. The transformer may reduce the boosted voltage. The voltage conditioning circuit may provide to the power output channels a conditioned voltage. The conditioned voltage may be greater than the operating voltage The conditioned voltage may be transmitted to the overcurrent protection circuit.
The overcurrent protection circuit may receive the conditioned voltage. The conditioned voltage may be a DC voltage. The conditioned voltage may be a constant voltage. The conditioned voltage may be a constant DC voltage. The conditioned voltage may be any suitable conditioned voltage. The overcurrent protection circuit may use the conditioned voltage. The overcurrent protection circuit may limit the conditioned voltage. The overcurrent protection circuit may use the conditioned voltage to feed to each of the power output channels output current.
A power output channel may provide regulated current to an LED module at the operating voltage. A power output channel may provide regulated current to a connected light fixture at the operating voltage. The operating voltage may be lower than the voltage received by the overcurrent protection circuit. The power output channels may include step-down circuitry. The step-down circuitry may include a buck converter. The step-down circuitry may further reduce the conditioned voltage. The step-down circuitry may reduce the conditioned voltage using a transformer. The step-down circuitry may reduce the conditioned voltage using any suitable voltage step-down circuitry components. The stepped-down voltage may be used to provide the regulated current to the LED modules. The stepped-down voltage may be used to provide regulated current to the connected light fixtures.
In total, the output current of each of the power output channels may have a power that is no greater than a predetermined power limit. The predetermined power limit may correspond to an Underwriters Laboratories (“UL”) Class 2 classification. A UL Class 2 classification may ensure that the output current is considered safe to touch and does not require primary safety protection at the LED level. The power supply may be a Class 2 UL listed power supply. The power supply may be a cUL listed power supply.
The predetermined power limit may be factory set. The predetermined power limit may be non-user selectable. The predetermined limit may be nominally 96 W. The predetermined limit may be any other suitable value.
Table 6 lists illustrative ranges of maximum total power output.
The plurality of LED modules may include a number of operational LED modules. The number may be user selectable. The number may be limited by the predetermined power limit. The plurality of LED modules may be a plurality of light fixtures. A single LED module may be connected to a single power output channel. A series of LED modules may be connected to a single power output channel. The series of LED modules may include a user selectable number of LED modules. The series of LED modules may be limited by the predetermined power limit. The plurality of power output channels may have a total maximum allowable power output. Based on the total maximum allowable power output, the power limit for each power output channel may be different. The power limit for each power output channel may depend on an amount of LED modules that are connected to each power output channel. The maximum allowable power for each of power output channel may be the maximum allowable power of the power output channels divided by the number of connected LED modules.
The plurality of LED modules may include a first LED module. The plurality of LED modules may include a second LED module. The first LED module and the second LED module may receive power from the same power output channel. The first LED module and the second LED module may be connected in series with each other. The first LED module and the second LED module may be connected electrically in parallel with each other.
The overcurrent protection circuit may prevent user exposure, from the LED modules in aggregate, to power greater than the predetermined limit. The protection may occur independent of the number of LED modules connected to the power output channels.
The power supply may provide a dimming function to adjust the brightness of the LEDs. The power supply may be compatible with one or more of a TRIAC dimmer, an ELV dimmer, a 0-10V dimmer, and any other suitable dimmer.
Each of the LED modules may have a brightness. The brightness for each LED module may be controlled by a user. The apparatus may include a microcontroller. The microcontroller may include a dimming mode setting. The microcontroller may adjust the brightness of each of the modules. The microcontroller may adjust the brightness of each of the LED modules based on a dimming signal. The dimming signal may correspond to the dimming mode setting. The diming mode setting may be user selectable.
Table 7 lists illustrative dimming signals.
The microcontroller may adjust individually the brightnesses of the connected LED modules. The microcontroller may adjust together the brightnesses of the connected LED modules. The microcontroller may adjust the brightnesses based on the user selected dimming signal.
A power output channel may be controlled individually. The power output channel may be controlled via a DMX controller or protocol. If multiple power output channels are controlled through 0-10V or TRIAC/ELV, all of the power output channels controlled through 0-10V or TRIAC/ELV may be controlled together.
If the unit has DMX function, it may have a switch that may allow a user to select between dimming modes. The modes may include TIRAC/ELV/0-10V or DMX function. The power supply may be a power supply that does not operate in both modes concurrently.
The power supply may include a user interface (“UI”). The UI may include a switch. The UI may include a rotary dial. The UI may include four switches. Three of the switches may be for setting a DMX address. One of the switches may be for setting a dimming curve. The UI may provide data feedback to the microcontroller.
Each of the plurality of LED modules may be operable at a brightness. The microcontroller may control the brightness. The microcontroller may include a dimming mode setting. The microcontroller may include a dimming curve setting. The power supply may provide a dimming curve. The dimming curve may be adjustable. The dimming curve may be user-adjustable. The microcontroller may be configured to adjust the brightness of each of the modules. The brightness may be adjusted based on a dimming signal corresponding to the dimming curve. The microcontroller may adjust a correlated color temperature (“CCT”) of each of the modules. The CCT may be based on the dimming curve and the brightness.
The microcontroller may adjust the brightness and the CCT temperature of each LED module individually. The microcontroller may adjust the brightness and CCT temperature of the LED modules together.
The power output channels, the overcurrent protection circuit; and the voltage conditioning circuit may be included in a power-limited power supply. The limited power supply may include the microcontroller. The regulated current may be regulated based on a control signal received from the microcontroller.
The light fixture may be mounted to an architectural structure. The architectural structure may include structural support. The architectural structure may include a panel. The panel may include plaster, sheet rock, wood or any other suitable material. The fixture may be mounted to the structural support on one side of the panel. The fixture may illuminate a space on the other side of a panel.
The fixture may include a heat sink. The fixture may include a magnet.
The fixture may include a detachable lighting unit. The detachable lighting unit may include the lighting assembly.
The lighting unit may include a light engine. The light engine may include a light source. The light source may include one or more LEDs.
The lighting unit may include a metal ring that is configured to be detachably held by the magnet. The lighting unit may include a heat-conducting base. The base may be configured to conduct heat from the LED to the heat sink when the lighting unit is magnetically coupled to the fixture.
The lighting unit may include an LED holder. The holder may hold the LED. The holder may hold the LED against the base to provide heat transfer from the LED to the base. The LED holder may include the LED brace.
The light source may emit a beam that propagates through a hole in the panel. The fixture may be too large to pass through the hole. The light engine may be detachable from the rest of the fixture. The light engine may pass through the hole.
The fixture may include an optical component. The optical component may include one or more of a reflector, a refractor or any other suitable optical component. The fixture may include trim. The trim may be adjustable. The trim may have an adjustable length along a central axis of the light engine. The trim may have an adjustable angle relative to the central axis. The fixture may include a beam adjusting lens. The lens may change an angle of the beam. The lens may change a shape of the beam. The lens may change a direction of the beam. The lens may change a direction of the beam in a vertical plane. The lens may change a direction of the beam in a horizontal plane.
A reflector may be arranged to form a beam from light from the LED. The reflector may direct the beam through the hole. The trim may extend from the reflector through the hole. The trim may be snapped to the reflector.
The apparatus may include a tool for removing the light engine. The tool may have a first extension that is configured to engage a ledge of the trim and pull the trim away from the light engine and through the hole.
The tool may have a second extension that is configured to engage the LED holder. The second extension may detach the lighting unit from the heat sink. The second extension may detach the lighting unit from the heat sink by pulling axially downward. The second extension may detach the lighting unit from the heat sink without rotating the lighting unit relative to the heat sink. The second extension may detach the lighting unit from the heat sink without rotating the lighting unit relative to other parts of the fixture.
Power leads to the light source may include connectors so that the light engine may be disconnected from a power supply after being separated from the rest of the fixture. The power supply may be located outside of the fixture. The power supply may be located inside the fixture.
The apparatus may include a lighting controller. The controller may be integral with the power supply. The controller may be configured to provide dimming to the fixture. The controller may be configured to provide color control to the fixture. The color control may include mixing of light from LEDs of different colors. The colors may include red, green, blue, violet, and white of one or more CCTs. The controller may provide one or more dim-to-warm curves. The curves may correlate a color of the LEDs, such as a mixed white color, with a dimming level.
Selected components of the apparatus are described below in reference to the figures.
Illustrative embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the principles of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, functional and procedural modifications, additions or omissions may be made, and features of illustrative embodiments, whether apparatus or method, may be combined, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Fixture 100 may include housing enclosure assembly 201, light assembly 203, spackle frame assembly 205, and trim assembly 207. Housing enclosure assembly 201 may include housing 102. Housing 102 may include die-cast aluminum. Housing 102 may include any other suitable material. Housing enclosure assembly 201 may include housing ring 204. Housing ring 204 may include steel. Housing ring 204 may include any other suitable material. Housing enclosure assembly 201 may include housing ring mounting screws 206. Housing ring mounting screws 206 may include steel. Housing ring screws 206 may include any other suitable material. Housing ring mounting screws 206 may be used to fasten housing ring 204 to housing 102.
Housing enclosure assembly 201 may include heat sink 208. Heat sink 208 may include aluminum extrusion. Heat sink 208 may include any other suitable material. Heat sink 208 may be used to dissipate the heat produced by a light emitting diode (“LED”) light source disposed in the fixture. Housing enclosure assembly 201 may include heat sink mounting screws 210. Heat sink mounting screws 210 may include steel. Heat sink mounting screws 210 may include any other suitable material. Heat sink mounting screws 210 may be used to fasten heat sink 208 to housing 102. Housing enclosure assembly 201 may include magnet ring 212. Magnet ring 212 may be embedded in heat sink 208. Magnet ring 212 may be flush with heat sink surface. Magnet ring 212 may be used to mount light engine assembly 203.
Housing enclosure assembly 201 may include light engine receptacle 214. Light engine receptacle 214 may include aluminum. Light engine receptacle 214 may include any other suitable material. Light engine receptacle 214 may be used as the receiving base to have light engine assembly 203 seated. Light engine receptacle 214 be used to have light engine assembly 203 centered around a central axis, such like axis L1 (shown in
Light engine assembly 203 may include light engine base ring 218. Light engine base ring 218 may include steel. Light engine base ring 218 may include any other suitable material. Light engine base ring 218 may be used as the means for attaching light engine assembly 203 to magnet ring 212 embedded in heat sink 208. Light engine assembly 203 may include light engine base 220. Light engine base 220 may include copper. Light engine base 220 may include any other suitable material. Light engine base 220 may be used for mounting the LED and transferring heat generated from the LED to heat sink 208. Light engine assembly 203 may include set screws 222. Set screws 222 may be used for attaching light engine base ring 218 to light engine base 220.
Light engine assembly 203 may include a light-emitting diode (“LED”) light source 224. LED light source 224 may include an LED chip on board (“COB”). LED light source 224 may be soldered with two wire leads. Light engine assembly 203 may include LED brace 226. LED brace 226 may include polycarbonate (“PC”). LED brace 226 may include any other suitable material. LED brace 226 may be used to attach LED light source 224 to light engine base 220. Light engine assembly 203 may include LED brace mounting screws 228.
Fixture 100 may include baseplate 130. Baseplate 130 may include aluminum. Baseplate 130 may include any other suitable material. Baseplate 130 may be seated on top of a structure. Baseplate 130 may be used for supporting the weight of fixture 100.
Spackle frame assembly 205 may include bushings 232. Bushings 232 may be thermally insulating. Bushings 232 may include foam plastic. Bushings 232 may include any other suitable material. Spackle frame assembly 205 may include spacer 234. Spacer 234 may include aluminum. Spacer 234 may include any other suitable material. Bushings 232 may be placed on top of spacer 234. Spacer 234 may be used with bushings 232 to fill up the gap between housing 102 and spackle frame assembly 205. Spackle frame assembly 205 may include gasket 236. Gasket 236 may be thermally insulated. Gasket 236 may include foam. Gasket 236 may include any other suitable material. Gasket 236 may be used to seal the gap between housing 102 and spackle frame assembly 205.
Spackle frame assembly 205 may include collar plate 138. Collar plate 138 may include steel. Collar plate 138 may include any other suitable material. Collar plate 138 may be used to block the surface treatment from getting inside housing 102. Collar plate 138 may be riveted to spackle plate 140 with three rivets. Spackle frame assembly 205 may include spackle plate 140. Spackle plate 140 may include stainless steel. Spackle plate 140 may include any other suitable material. Spackle plate 140 may be used to seal the structure opening. Spackle plate 140 may be used as the base for applying the surface treatment. It may be desirable to omit a spackle plate to mount the fixture on a wood ceiling. Spackle frame assembly 205 may include spackle plate assembly mounting screws 242. Spackle plate assembly mounting screws 242 may be used to mount spackle frame assembly 205 to housing enclosure assembly 201.
Fixture 100 may include structure mounting screws 144. Structure mounting screws 144 may be used to mount spackle plate 140 to housing 102. Structure mounting screws 144 may be screwed into the structure and baseplate 130.
Trim assembly 207 may include reflector 246. Reflector 246 may include PC. Reflector 246 may include any other suitable material. Reflector 246 may be used to redistribute the light. Narrow flood, flood and wide flood reflectors may be provided. Trim assembly 207 may include trim 248. Trim 248 may include PC. Trim 248 may include any other suitable material. Trim 248 may be used to cover the structure opening. Collar plate 138 may be configured, with its collar, to hold trim 248. Trim 248 may be used to serve as an optical and glare control. Trim 248 options may include round and square downlight or wall wash trims, round and square pinholes, and any other suitable trim options. Reflector 246 may be held on the top of trim 248 by two tabs. The tabs may be disposed on reflector 246. The tabs may be disposed on trim 248.
Fixture 1100 may include housing 1102. Housing 1102 may include heat sink 1104. Heat sink 1104 may be fastened to housing 1102. Heat sink 1104 may include magnet spacer 1118. Magnet spacer 1118 may allow for room to attach magnet 1120 to heat sink 1104. Magnet spacer 1118 may be ring shaped. Magnet spacer 1118 may not be magnetic. Magnet 1120 may be ring shaped. Magnet 1120 may be taped to heat sink 1104 with conductive tape. Heat sink 1104 may include light engine receptacle 1122. Light engine receptacle 1122 may be configured to receive light engine base 1128. Light engine receptacle 1122 may include light engine base ring 1124. Light engine receptacle 1122 may include set screw 1126. Set screws 1126 may be used to attach light engine base ring 1124 to light engine base 1128.
Light engine base 1128 may include one or more of the magnetic materials. The magnetic material included in light engine base 1128 may be ring shaped. Light engine base 1128 may be configured to be magnetically docked to magnet 1120 included in heat sink 1104 using the magnetic material. Light engine base 1128 may be removable from heat sink 1104 in response to a linear pull by a user. The magnetic force between light engine base 1128 and magnet 1120 may be configured such that the user will be able to remove light engine base 1128 with the linear pull. The linear pull may be along central axis L1. Light engine base 1128 may define central axis L1.
Light engine base 1128 may include LED brace 1130. LED brace 1130 may be fastened to light engine base 1128. LED brace 1130 may be configured to hold LED light source 1132. LED light source 1132 may include one or more LEDs. LED brace 1130 may be configured to hold LED light source 1132 against light engine base 1128. LED light source 1132 may be connected to light engine base 1128 with a thermal adhesive. LED light source 1132 may generate heat during operation. Heat sink 1104 may be configured to dissipate the heat generated by LED light source 1132. Excess heat may degrade or weaken components of fixture 1100. Heat sink 1104 may be configured and dimensioned to dissipate enough heat from LED light source 1132. Light engine base 1128, LED brace 1130, and LED light source 1132, may together form a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly may be configured to be magnetically docked to heat sink 1104. The lighting assembly may be configured to be removable from heat sink 1104.
Housing 1102 may include housing ring 1140. Housing ring 1140 may be configured to be fastened to housing 1102. Fixture 1100 may include spackle plate 1108. Spackle plate 1108 may be fastened to housing 1102 via spackle plate mounting screws 1142. Spackle plate mounting screws 1142 may be screwed into housing ring 1140.
Spackle plate 1108 may include collar plate 1110. Collar plate 1110 may define collar 1134. Collar plate 1110 may include gasket 1112. Gasket 1112 may be a thermally insulating gasket. Gasket 1112 may be an electrically insulating gasket. Gasket 1112 may include any suitable gasket. Gasket 1112 may be ring shaped. Collar plate 1110 may include spacer 1114. Spacer 1114 may include bushing 1116. Bushing 1116 may be a thermally insulating bushing. Bushing 1116 may include an electrically insulating bushing. Bushing 1116 may include any suitable bushing. Collar plate 1110 may include one or more of spacer 1114 and bushing 1116. One or more of gasket 1112, spacer 1114, and bushing 1116 may include thermal non-conductive materials. One or more of gasket 1112, spacer 1114, and bushing 1116 may include electrical non-conductive materials. One or more of gasket 1112, spacer 1114, and bushing 1116 may be configured to reduce heat transfer from LED light source 1132 to spackle plate 1108.
Collar 1134 may be configured to engage with reflector 1136. Reflector 1136 may include trim 1138. Trim 1138 may be releasably engaged with reflector 1136. Reflector 1136 may be configured to form a beam of light emitted by LED light source 1132.
Fixture 1100 may include baseplate 1106. Baseplate 1106 may be seated on top of a panel. The panel may be part of the structure. The panel may include sheet rock. The panel may include plaster. The panel may include any suitable panel material. Baseplate 1106 may be used for supporting the weight of fixture 1100.
When the panel includes wood, the top rim of the collar may be disposed lower than a top rim of the collar used with a sheet rock panel.
Assembly 4600 may include reflector 4606. Reflector 4606 may have one or more features in common with reflector 4602. Reflector 4606 may include trim 4608. Reflector 4606 may be configured to form a beam of light emitted by an LED light source. Reflector 4606 may be configured to engage a spackle plate. Trim 4608 may be configured to releasably engage the reflector. Trim 4608 may include a rim. The rim may be visible from a bottom view of reflector 4606.
Lighting apparatus 4800 may include user interface 4808. User interface 4808 may accept user inputs relating to the plurality of lighting settings. The plurality of lighting settings may include one or more of the following: fixture group selection, tunable color mode, intensity mode, color presets, intensity presets, color palette, dim-to-warm settings, dim-to-warm control mode, dim-to-warm intensity, and any other suitable lighting settings.
Table 8 lists illustrative input formats.
Lighting system controller 4802 may include a transmitter. Lighting system controller 4802 may include a receiver. One or both of the transmitter and the receiver may be configured to be in communication with user interface 4808. Lighting system controller 4802 may be in communication with LED driver 4804. LED driver 4804 may be in communication with LED module 4806. The communication may be wired. The communication may be wireless.
The apparatus may include a fixture (not shown). The fixture may include one or more of system controller 4802, LED driver 4804, LED module 4806 and user interface 4808. The fixture may be included in a group of fixtures, such as room downlights. The apparatus may include a fixture support (not shown). The fixture support may include one or more of system controller 4802, LED driver 4804, LED module 4806 and user interface 4808.
LED driver 4804 may include a microcontroller. The microcontroller may control the color and brightness level of LEDs included in LED module 4806. The microcontroller may control the light emitted by the LEDs. The microcontroller may control color of LEDs included in LED module 4806 using a dim-to-warm mode. The microcontroller may control the brightness level of LEDs included in LED module 4806 using a dim-to-warm mode. The microcontroller may control the color of LEDs included in LED module 4806 using a tunable color mode. The microcontroller may control the brightness level of LEDs included in LED module 4806 using a tunable white mode.
LED driver 4804 may receive a command. The command may be received from lighting system controller 4802.
Table 9 shows illustrative commands and illustrative command descriptions.
Lighting system controller 4802 may provide to the lighting system controller wired inputs. The wired inputs may include, for example, triode for alternating current (“TRIAC”)/electronic low voltage (“ELV”), 0-10V or any other suitable input.
The user may use a software application to cause the lighting system controller to set a wdLevel (“warm dim” level) of a fixture or group. This may allow a single wired input (TRIAC/ELV or 0-10V) to control a fixture or group as if it were a dim-to-warm fixture.
For devices with a DMX input the user may configure a DMX channel to set the wdLevel of a fixture or group. This may allow a single DMX channel to control a fixture or group as if it were a dim-to-warm fixture.
When interacting with fixtures or groups capable of a dim-to-warm feature, the application control may display a toggle to set the fixture to dim-to-warm mode. When in dim-to-warm mode, the application may display a single slider representing the wdLevel of the fixture or group. The application may be an application that does not display separate intensity CCT controls.
The fixture settings for applicable fixtures may also allow for the setting of the wdLow and wdHigh value for those fixtures.
The fixture may calculate the brightness and color temperature to emit when a wdLevel command is received.
The user-selectable controls may include preset CCT control 4907. Preset CCT control 4907 may include presets 4912, 4914, 4916, and 4918. Presets 4912, 4914, 4916, and 4918 may each correspond to a preset CCT value. The user may use preset CCT control 4907 to select a CCT of light emitted by LED module 4806.
View 4900 may include drop-down list 4902 from which the user may select a group of fixtures to control. The group of fixtures may include direct lighting fixtures. The group of fixtures may include indirect lighting fixtures. View 4900 may include mode switch 4904. Mode switch 4904 may be configured to enable a selection between a tunable color mode (such as that shown) and a dim-to-warm mode.
The two or more user-selectable controls may include continuous CCT control 5007. Continuous CCT control 5007 may include low-CCT end 5012. Continuous CCT control may include high-CCT end 5014. Continuous CCT control 5007 may include a range of CCTs from low-CCT end 5012 to high-CCT end 5014. The user may use continuous CCT control 5007 to select a desired CCT of light to be emitted by LED module 4806.
View 5000 may include drop-down list 5002 from which the user may select a group of fixtures to control. The group of fixtures may include direct lighting fixtures. The group of fixtures may include indirect lighting fixtures.
A user may select high-intensity CCT partition set point 5112 using high-intensity CCT partition set-point selector 5104. The user may select low-intensity CCT partition set-point 5114 using low-intensity CCT partition set-point selector 5106. View 5100 may indicate correlation curve 5116 between the selected high-intensity CCT partition set-point 5112 and the low-intensity CCT partition set-point 5114. The user interface may provide the user with a control for selecting correlation curve 5116.
View 5100 may include drop-down list 5102 from which the user may select a group of fixtures to control. The group of fixtures may include direct lighting fixtures. The group of fixtures may include indirect lighting fixtures.
View 5200 may include drop-down list 5202 from which the user can select a group of fixtures to control. The group of fixtures may include direct lighting fixtures. The group of fixtures may include indirect lighting fixtures. View 5200 may include mode switch 5204. Mode switch 5204 may be configured to enable a selection between a tunable color mode and a dim-to-warm mode (such as that shown).
In the dim-to-warm mode, the user may select a brightness from brightness control 5206. The microcontroller may use the selected brightness to compute a corresponding CCT for LED module 4806 based on the selections shown in the dim-to-warm parameter selector view (shown in
CCT scheme 5400 may include CCT partition curves Mi,j. i may indicate a preset lighting power PSLPk such as PSLP1 or PSLP2. j may indicate a CCT partition set-point Rl such as R1, R2 or R3. A CCT partition set-point selector may be used to select a PSLPk. The selector may be used to select a CCT partition set-point Rl.
Curves Mi,j may be defined using a controller. The controller may have one or more features in common with one or both lighting system controller 4802 and the microcontroller included in LED driver circuit 4804. Curves Mi,j may be stored in the microcontroller. Curves Mi,j may be calculated using the controller.
Each of curves Mi,j may identify a CCT value that is to be displayed in connection with a given lighting power level.
A user may select a preset lighting power PSLP such as PSLP2. The user may set a CCT partition set-point. The CCT partition set-point may correspond to a CCT partition R such as Rl. The user may set scene S. Scene S may be defined by a lighting power LP. Scene S may be defined by a partition P. Scene S may be defined by a lighting power LP and a partition P. Scene S may be a preset dim to warm correlation.
When the light source is set to scene S, the user may use dimmer switch to reduce the lighting power of the LEDs. The reduction may proceed in discrete steps. The reduction may be a continuous reduction. The controller may detect the reduction. The controller may determine a curve M2,1 that is constrained by scene S, PSLP2 and R1. For each reduced lighting power between scene S and PSLP2, The controller along with a power supply may control the lighting module to provide light having a CCT corresponding to M2,1. Target X is the CCT partition set-point defined by R1. M2,1 may be flat between target X and OFF.
CCT scheme 5500 may include CCT partition curves Ni,j. i may indicate a preselected lighting power PSLPk such as PSLP3 or PSLP4. j may indicate a CCT partition Rl such as R4, R5 or R6. The CCT partition set-point selector may be used to select a PSLPk. The selector may be used to select an Rl.
Curves Ni,j may be defined in the controller. Curves Ni,j may be stored in the controller. Curves Ni,j may be calculated in the controller.
Each of curves Ni,j may identify a CCT value that is to be displayed in connection with a given lighting power level.
A user may select a preset lighting power PSLP such as PSLP4. The user may set a CCT partition set-point. The CCT partition set-point may correspond to a CCT partition R such as R6. The user may set scene T. Scene T may be defined by a lighting power LP. Scene S may be defined by a partition P. Scene S may be defined by both a lighting power LP and a partition P.
When the lighting module is set to scene T, the user may use the dimmer switch to increase the lighting power of the LEDs. The increase may proceed in discrete steps. The increase may be a continuous increase. The controller may detect the increase. The controller may determine a curve N4,6 that is constrained by scene T, PSLP4 and R6. For each increased lighting power between scene T and PSLP4, the controller may control the lighting module to provide light having a CCT corresponding to N4,6. Target Y is the CCT partition set-point defined by R1. N4,6 may be flat between target Y and a higher LP.
One or more of lighting system controller 4802, LED driver circuit 4804, LED module 4806, user interface 4808, and any other suitable lighting apparatus component may perform one or more of the functions of a system for controlling fixtures, such as that shown and described in U.S. Publication No. 2021/0352790 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Table 10 lists illustrative networks.
Architecture 5600 may define one or more network segments. A first segment may include inputs 5606. A second segment may include fixtures such as fixtures 5616 and 5618 in fixture arrangement 5602. A segment may include one or more individually addressable devices. A segment may include one or more addressable groups.
Fixture arrangement 5602 may include fixture support 5610. Fixture arrangement 5602 may be supported by mount M. Mount M may fix fixture support 5610 to structure S. Structure S may include a ceiling, a wall, a beam, cabinet, a free-standing object or any other suitable structure. Fixture support 5610 may support one or more fixtures such as fixture 5616. Fixture support 5610 may support one or more fixtures such as fixture 5618. One or more of fixtures 5616 and 5618 may be disposed on top of fixture support 5610. One or more of fixtures 5616 and 5618 may be disposed on bottom of fixture support 5610. One or more of fixtures 5616 and 5618 may be disposed on a side of fixture support 5610. One or more of fixtures 5616 and 5618 may be disposed on an end of fixture support 5610.
Fixture control module 5604 may include fixture controller 5620. Fixture control module 5604 may include user interface 5622. Fixture control module 5604 may include receptacle 5624. Fixture controller 5620 may be in electrical communication with line power 5626. Line power 5626 may provide two-phase or three-phase power at 110 V or 220 V, DC voltage at any suitable level, or any other suitable voltage. Receptacle 5624 may receive a dimmer voltage from electronic dimmer 5630. Fixture 5616 may operate over a range of operational levels. Fixture 5616 may operate at a maximum operational level. The dimmer voltage may have a maximum voltage. A proportion of the maximum dimmer voltage that is represented by the dimmer voltage may correspond to an operational level at which a fixture 5616 is to be operated. The dimmer voltage proportion, if applied to the maximum operational level, may define the operational level at which a fixture 5616 is to be operated.
The operational level may be a power level, a current level, or any other suitable level.
Input 5606 may include user communication device 5628. User communication device 5628 may include user interface 4808. Input 5606 may include electronic dimmer 5630.
Fixture controller 5620 may be in wired electrical communication with fixture arrangement 5602. The wired electrical communication may be provided by cable 5617. The wired electrical communication may provide power to fixture arrangement 5602. The wired electrical communication may provide control messages to fixture arrangement 5602. Fixture controller 5620 may provide the power and the control messages over different conductors. Fixture controller 5620 may provide the power and the control messages simultaneously over a conductor, as is done in power line control methods.
Fixture controller 5620 may be in wireless communication with fixture arrangement 5602. The wireless electrical communication may provide control messages to fixture arrangement 5602.
Communication between fixture controller 5620 and fixture arrangement 5602 may be wholly or in part by wired electrical communication. Communication between fixture controller 5620 and fixture arrangement 5602 may be wholly or in part by wireless electrical communication. Communication between fixture controller 5620 and fixture arrangement 5602 may be wholly or in part by wireless communication. The wireless communication may include optical communication. The wireless communication may include acoustic communication. Communication between fixture controller 5620 and fixture arrangement 5602 may be partially by wired electrical communication and partially wireless communication.
Fixture control module 5604 may be in communication with input 5606.
User interface 5622 may provide communication functions for fixture control module 5604. The communication may include transmission of a user command to fixture control module 5604. The communication may include transmission of fixture information to input 5606. The fixture information may include a fixture parameter. The communication may be wireless. The communication may be wired.
User interface 5622 may receive a user command from communication device 5628. User interface 5622 may include a data input device. The data input device may include one or more of a touch screen, a key pad and any other suitable device. User interface 5622 may receive a user command from communication device 5628. Control over a fixture may be passed from user communication device 5628 to user interface 5622. Control over a fixture may be passed from user interface 5622 to user communication device 5628. The control may be passed by the user. The control may be configured to be passed automatically. The control may be configured to be passed automatically upon the fulfilment of a condition. The condition may be a temporal condition. The condition may be based on a fixture parameter. The condition may be based on an ambient lighting condition. The condition may be based on any suitable condition.
Electronic dimmer 5630 may provide TRIAC/ELV dimming. Electronic dimmer 5630 may receive electrical current from line power 5632.
Architecture 5600 may include one or more sensors. The sensors may include a range sensor such as sensors 5634 and 5636. The range sensor may sense a distance to a surface. The sensors may include a temperature sensor such as sensors 5638 and 5640. The temperature sensor may sense an ambient temperature. The temperature sensor may sense a temperature or a differential temperature of a surface at a distance from the sensor. The sensors may include motion sensors such as sensors 5642. The sensors may include one or more light sensors such as sensors 5644. The light sensor may sense visible light. The light sensor may sense energy associated with one or more wavelengths of light.
The lighting apparatus may include architecture for controlling fixtures such as is described in U.S. Publication No. 2021/0352790 which is incorporated by reference herein.
Fixture support 5800 may include spine 5802. Fixture support may include panel 5804. Fixture support may include panel 5806. Spine 5802, panel 5804 and panel 5806 may define fixture docking area 5808. Spine 5802, panel 5804 and panel 5806 may define connector slot 5810. Panel 5804 and panel 5806 may define fixture slot 5812. Fixtures such as fixture 5616 may be docked in docking area 5808. Fixtures such as fixtures 5618 may be mounted in fixture slot 5812. Fixture docking tier 5814 may be disposed between panel 5804 and 5806.
Tier 5814 may include back-plate 6004. Back-plate 6004 may extend above, and define a right limit of, connection field 5912. Connection field 5912 may provide access, from above tier 5814 to conductors in tier 5814. A connector bridging from another fixture support to fixture support 5800 may thus be made without interfering with fixture docking area 5808 below tier 5814.
Docking tier 5814 may include conductor 6006. Docking tier 5814 may include conductor 6008. Docking tier 5814 may include conductor 6010. Docking tier 5814 may include conductor 6012. A pair of the conductors, one positive and one negative, may be a communication bus that may transmit communications 5700. A pair of the conductors, one positive and one negative, may be a power rail that may transmit power from a transformer. Docking tier 5814 may include magnetic strip 6014. Back-plate 6004 may include ribs such as ribs 6016. Back-plate 6004 may include grooves 6018, 6020, 6022 and 6024. Together with bridge 5902, grooves 6018, 6020, 6022 and 6024 may form slots 6026, 6028, 6030 and 6032.
Panel 5804 may include groove 6034. Panel 5806 may include groove 6036. The grooves may engage with a complementary feature on a fixture such as fixture 5616. Panel 5804 may include ridge 6038. Panel 5806 may include ridge 6040. The ridges may engage with a complementary feature on the fixture.
Docking tier 5814 may be disposed in slot 6028.
Fixture support 5800 may include slot 6041. Slot 6041 may be above tier 5814. Slot 6041 may receive a fixture support connector.
Fixture support 5800 may include slot 6042. Slot 6042 may be above slot 6041. Slot 6042 may include grooves 6044 and 6046. Slot 6042 may receive a fixture such as fixture 5618.
Fixture support 5800 may include overhangs 6048 and 6050.
Fixture support 5800 may define U-channel 6052. U-channel 6052 may be defined by docking tier 5814, panel 5804 and panel 5806. Panel 5804 may include distal edge 6054. Panel 5806 may include distal edge 6056. The fixture may be retractable within U-channel 6052. A lowest extreme of the fixture may be retracted above distal edge 6054. A lowest extreme of the fixture may be retracted above distal edge 6056. The lowest extreme may be a lip.
Fixture support 5800 may have docking area width 6058.
Magnetic strip 6014 may be disposed in groove such as strip 6160. Tier 5814 may include lip 6162 for retaining magnetic strip 6014. Gap 6164 may expose magnetic strip 6014. Gap 6164 may have a magnetic permeability that is less than that of body 6168 of tier 5814. Gap 6164 may be a gap that includes no solid material.
Protected power supply 6202 may include voltage conditioning circuity 6204. Voltage conditioning circuity may include constant power supply 6206. Voltage conditioning circuity 6204 may receive line voltage. Voltage conditioning circuitry 6204 may convert received line voltage from AC to DC voltage. Voltage conditioning circuitry 6204 may rectify the voltage. Voltage conditioning circuitry 6204 may condition the voltage. Voltage conditioning circuitry 6204 may boost the voltage. Voltage conditioning circuitry 6204 may step down the voltage.
The stepped down voltage may be transmitted through protection circuitry 6208. Protection circuity 6208 may ensure a constant current. Protection circuitry 6208 may protect the power supply from overcurrent. Protection circuitry 6208 may regulate the current being transmitted to current regulated output channels 6212 through 6214. Current regulated output channel 6212 may be a first current regulated output channel. Current regulated output channel 6214 may be an nth current regulated output channel. There may be a plurality of current regulated output channels in between current regulated output channel 6212 and current regulated output channel 6214.
Protected power supply 6202 may include microcontroller 6210. Microcontroller 6210 may transmit pulse width modulated (“PWM”) signals to current regulated output channels 6212 and 6214. Microcontroller 6210 may transmit PWM signals to the nth number of current regulated output channels. Microcontroller 6210 may transmit a dimming signal to the LED modules connected to current regulated output channels 6212 and 6214. Microcontroller 6210 may transmit a dimming signal to LED modules connected to the nth number of current regulated output channels.
The dimming signal may include a digital multiplexing (“DMX”) dimming signal. The dimming signal may include a triode for alternating current (“TRIAC”) dimming signal. The dimming signal may include 0-10V dimming signal. The dimming signal may include an electrical low voltage (“ELV”) dimming signal. The dimming signal may include any suitable dimming signal.
Apparatus 6200 may define user plug/play domain 6216. User plug/play domain 6216 may include LED module 6218. LED module 6218 may include some or all of the parts described above in relation to one or more of fixture 100, fixture 300, fixture 700, fixture 1100, fixture 3602, fixture 4102, and lighting apparatus 4800. LED module 6218 may be connected to current regulated output channel 6212. LED module 6218 may be plugged into current regulated output channel 6212. LED module 6218 may receive power from current regulated output channel 6212. User plug/play domain 6216 may include LED module 6220. User plug/play domain 6216 may include LED module 6222. LED module 6220 may be connected in series with LED module 6222. LED module 6220 may be a first LED module. LED module 6222 may be an mth LED module. There may be a plurality of LED modules connected in series with LED modules 6220 and 6222. LED modules 6220, 6222, and any other connected LED modules may receive power from current regulated output channel 6214.
User plug/play domain may include a plurality of LED modules. The plurality of LED modules may be connected to the plurality of current regulated output channels. Protected power supply 6202 may include a number of current regulated output channels. User plug/play domain may include a corresponding number of pluggable ports to the number of current regulated output channels.
Table 11 lists illustrative number of current regulated output channels.
Each of the current regulated output channels may provide power to an LED module plugged into the corresponding port. When there is no LED module plugged into a current regulated output channel, the current regulated output channel may not provide power through the corresponding port. The current regulated output channels may have a maximum total power output.
Table 12 lists illustrative ranges of maximum total power output.
Each of the current regulated output channels may provide a different amount of power. Each of the current regulated output channels may provide a different amount of power depending on how many current regulated output channels are connected to LED modules. Each of the current regulated output channels may provide a different amount of power depending on how many LED modules are plugged into each corresponding port. Each of the current regulated output channels may provide a different amount of power depending on the maximum total power output.
EMI circuitry 6301 may contain rectifier bridge 63104 (BD1). Rectifier bridge 63104 may rectify the AC line voltage. The rectified voltage may be smoothed into a DC waveform using a capacitor. EMI circuitry 6301 may output a DC voltage. EMI circuitry 6301 may output a DC voltage through terminal 6306. EMI circuitry 6301 may convert line voltage of 120-277 VAC to 120 VDC. EMI circuitry 6301 may output 120 VDC through terminal 6306.
EMI circuitry 6301 may include ELV-IN terminal 6304. ELV-IN terminal 6304 may connect to TRIAC/ELV circuitry 6333. ELV-IN terminal 6304 may transmit an input voltage from EMI circuitry 6301 to TRIAC/ELV circuitry 6333. The input voltage may be transmitted before it is converted to a DC voltage. The input voltage transmitted may be AC voltage. The voltage may be transmitted to TRIAC/ELV circuitry 6333 to provide a signal for phase angle dimming to microcontroller 6327. The AC voltage may be used to determine a dimming level from a phase cut dimmer.
Boost circuitry 6303 may receive power from voltage common collector (“VCC”) circuitry 6307. Boost circuitry 6303 may receive power from VCC circuitry 6307 through terminal 6308 (VCC2).
LLC circuitry 6305 may output voltage through terminals 6320 (V1) and 6322 (V2). The voltage may be transmitted from terminals 6320 and 6322 to a second side of circuit 6300. The output voltage may be stepped down from 450 VDC received from boost circuitry 6303.
LLC circuitry may include transformer 63106. Transformer 63106 may step down the 450 VDC received from boost circuitry 6303 through terminal 6310. Transformer 63106 may output a stepped-down voltage through terminals 6320 and 6322. The voltage transmitted from terminals 6320 and 6322 may be the same voltage. The voltage transmitted from terminal 6320 may be different from the voltage transmitted from terminal 6322. The voltage transmitted from terminals 6320 and 6322 may have the same polarity. The voltage transmitted from terminals 6320 and 6322 may have different polarities. The voltage transmitted from terminals 6320 and 6322 may have a power that does not exceed the predetermined limit.
LLC circuitry 6305 may be connected to VCC circuitry 6307. LLC circuitry 6305 may be connected to VCC circuitry 6307 through terminals 6312 (AUX1) and 6316 (VCC). VCC circuitry 6307 may supply power to LLC circuitry 6305 through terminals 6312 and 6316.
LLC circuitry 6305 may include integrated circuit (“IC”) 63108. IC 63108 may be an IC as that available from Monolithic Power Systems, Kirkland, Washington, under the trade name HR1001C LLC with Surge Enhancement. IC 63108 may include a current-sensing pin. The current-sensing pin may include a current-sensing resistor. The current-sensing pin may include a current-sensing capacitor. The current-sensing pin may sense a current on the primary side of circuit 6300. LLC circuitry 6305 may include current-sensing terminal 6318 (CS1). Current-sensing terminal 6318 may capture current from the primary side of circuit 6300. Current-sensing terminal 6318 may transmit the sensed current to the current-sensing pin in IC 63108. The current-sensing pin may enable a mode such as overcurrent regulation, overcurrent protection, and capacitive mode protection. A mode, such as overcurrent regulation, overcurrent protection, and capacitive mode protection, may protect circuit 6300 from an overcurrent condition.
LLC circuitry 6305 may include capacitor 63150. Capacitor 63150 may be placed across the ground. Capacitor 63150 may be placed between the primary and secondary sides of circuit 6300. Capacitor 63150 may be placed between the primary and secondary sides of circuit 6300 for EMI suppression.
Protection circuitry 6309 may be connected to quick discharge circuitry 6313. Protection circuitry 6309 may be connected to quick discharge circuitry 6313 through terminal 6326.
Protection circuitry 6309 may include operational amplifier 6330 (U5-A). Operational amplifier 6330 may be an operational amplifier such as that available from Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas, under the trade name LM358. Operational amplifier 6330 may include an inverting amplifier. Circuitry around operational amplifier 6330 may include a current loop. The circuitry may set a maximum output current. The circuitry may limit the current in abnormal states, such as overload, short circuit, and any other suitable abnormal state.
Voltage may be transmitted from terminals 6320 and 6322 to a negative terminal (2) of operational amplifier 6330. The voltage flowing through the negative terminal (2) may be compared to the voltage of a positive terminal (3) of operational amplifier 6330. Positive terminal (3) may be a reference voltage. The reference voltage may be calculated from a voltage divider including resistors R27, R5, and R36 and voltage 6336 (2.5 VDC).
When the voltage of negative terminal (2) is greater than the voltage in the positive terminal (3), current may flow to photocoupler 6332. The current may flow to light emitter 63112 of photocoupler 6332. Light emitter 63112 may transmit current to phototransistor 63114 included in photocoupler 6332. Phototransistor 63114 may be disposed in LLC circuitry 6305. The current may flow from phototransistor 63114 to the ground. The flow of current to the ground may regulate the voltage. Keeping the voltage regulated may enable current control of current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325.
When the voltage of positive terminal (3) is greater than the voltage in negative terminal (2), the output voltage may be a high voltage. Because of the high voltage output, current may not flow through photocoupler 6332. When the output is a high voltage, the current may continue flowing through protection circuitry 6309 to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325.
Protection circuitry 6309 may output a regulated voltage of 24 VDC on the secondary side of circuit 6300. Protection circuitry 6309 may output a voltage of 24 VDC through terminal 6328. Protection circuitry may output a voltage of 24 VDC through terminal 6328 to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325.
Current regulated output channel 6315 may include terminal 6340 (PWM1). Terminal 6340 may be a PWM terminal. Current regulated output channel 6315 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327. Current regulated output channel 6315 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327 through terminal 6340. Terminal 6340 may transmit signals from microcontroller 6327. The signals may include dimming signals. The signals may include correlated color temperature (“CCT”) signals. The signals may include any suitable lighting control signal.
Current regulated output channel 6315 may output a current through output jack 63116. Output jack 63116 may connect to one or more LED modules. The one or more LED modules may each include one or more LEDs. Current regulated output channel 6315 may output a current regulated based on a PWM signal transmitted through terminal 6340.
Current regulated output channel 6317 may include terminal 6344 (PWM2). Terminal 6344 may be a PWM terminal. Current regulated output channel 6317 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327. Current regulated output channel 6317 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327 through terminal 6344. Terminal 6344 may transmit signals from microcontroller 6327. The signals may include dimming signals. The signals may include CCT signals. The signals may include any suitable lighting control signal.
Current regulated output channel 6317 may output a current through output jack 63118. Output jack 63118 may connect to one or more LED modules. The one or more LED modules may each include one or more LEDs. Current regulated output channel 6317 may output a current regulated based on a PWM signal transmitted through terminal 6344.
Current regulated output channel 6319 may include terminal 6348 (PWM3). Terminal 6348 may be a PWM terminal. Current regulated output channel 6319 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327. Current regulated output channel 6319 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327 through terminal 6348. Terminal 6348 may transmit signals from microcontroller 6327. The signals may include dimming signals. The signals may include CCT signals. The signals may include any suitable lighting control signal.
Current regulated output channel 6319 may output a current through output jack 63120. Output jack 63120 may connect to one or more LED modules. The one or more LED modules may each include one or more LEDs. Current regulated output channel 6319 may output a current regulated based on a PWM signal transmitted through terminal 6348.
Current regulated output channel 6321 may include terminal 6352 (PWM4). Terminal 6352 may be a PWM terminal. Current regulated output channel 6321 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327. Current regulated output channel 6321 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327 through terminal 6352. Terminal 6352 may transmit signals from microcontroller 6327. The signals may include dimming signals. The signals may include CCT signals. The signals may include any suitable lighting control signal.
Current regulated output channel 6321 may output a current through output jack 63122. Output jack 63122 may connect to one or more LED modules. The one or more LED modules may each include one or more LEDs. Current regulated output channel 6321 may output a current regulated based on a PWM signal transmitted through terminal 6352.
Current regulated output channel 6323 may include terminal 6356 (PWM5). Terminal 6356 may be a PWM terminal. Current regulated output channel 6323 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327. Current regulated output channel 6323 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327 through terminal 6356. Terminal 6356 may transmit signals from microcontroller 6327. The signals may include dimming signals. The signals may include CCT signals. The signals may include any suitable lighting control signal.
Current regulated output channel 6323 may output a current through output jack 63124. Output jack 63124 may connect to one or more LED modules. The one or more LED modules may each include one or more LEDs. Current regulated output channel 6323 may output a current regulated based on a PWM signal transmitted through terminal 6356.
Current regulated output channel 6325 may include terminal 6360 (PWM6). Terminal 6360 may be a PWM terminal. Current regulated output channel 6325 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327. Current regulated output channel 6325 may be in electronic communication with microcontroller 6327 through terminal 6360. Terminal 6360 may transmit signals from microcontroller 6327. The signals may include dimming signals. The signals may include CCT signals. The signals may include any suitable lighting control signal.
Current regulated output channel 6325 may output a current through output jack 63126. Output jack 63126 may connect to one or more LED modules. The one or more LED modules may each include one or more LEDs. Current regulated output channel 6325 may output a current regulated based on a PWM signal transmitted through terminal 6360.
Microcontroller 6327 may receive an input voltage of 5 VDC. Microcontroller 6327 may receive the input voltage through terminal 6364. Microcontroller 6327 may receive the input voltage from microcontroller VCC circuitry 6329. The input voltage may power microcontroller 6327.
Microcontroller 6327 may be in electronic communication with dimming circuitry including DMX circuitry 6331, TRIAC/ELV circuitry 6333, and 0-10V circuitry 6335. Microcontroller 6327 may be in electronic communication with DMX circuitry 6331 through terminals 6368 (485_RX), 6370 (485_CAP), 6372 (485_CTL), 6374 (485_TX), and 6376 (485_RESET). DMX circuitry 6327 may send a DMX signal to microcontroller 6327 through terminals 6368, 6370, 6372, 6374 and 6376. Microcontroller 6327 may transmit the DMX signal to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325. The DMX signal may control the dimming level of LED modules connected to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325 using a DMX protocol.
Microcontroller 6327 may be in electronic communication with TRIAC/ELV circuitry 6333 through terminal 6388 (ELV_PWM). ELV/TRIAC circuitry 6333 may transmit a TIRAC/ELV signal to microcontroller 6327 through terminal 6388. Microcontroller 6327 may transmit the TRIAC/ELV signal to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325. The TRIAC/ELV signal may control the dimming level of LED modules connected to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325 using a TRIAC/ELV phase-cut.
Microcontroller 6327 may be in electronic communication with 0-10V circuitry 6335. Microcontroller 6327 may be in electronic communication with 0-10V circuitry 6335 through terminals 6392 (0-10VOUTPWM1) and 6394 (0-10VAD). 0-10V circuitry 6335 may transmit a 0-10V signal to microcontroller 6327 through terminals 6392 and 6394. Microcontroller 6327 may transmit the 0-10V signal to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325. The 0-10V signal may control the dimming level of LED modules connected to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325 using the 0-10V signal.
Microcontroller 6327 may throttle current to one or more of current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325 through PWM terminals 6340, 6344, 6348, 6352, 6356 and 6360 respectively. The current may be throttled based on signals received from the dimming circuitry included in circuit 6300. Microcontroller 6327 may prevent current transmission to one or more current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325. Microcontroller 6327 may limit current transmission to one or more current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and/or 6325. Microcontroller 6327 may increase current transmission to one or more current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and 6325.
Microcontroller 6327 may receive dimming curve setting information from dimming curve selection circuitry 6337. Microcontroller 6327 may receive dimming curve setting information from dimming curve selection circuitry 6337 through terminals 6382 (P2_D8), 6384 (P2_D4), and 6386 (P2_D2). Microcontroller 6327 may store a dimming curve corresponding to the received dimming curve setting information. Microcontroller 6327 may apply the stored dimming curve to the PWM signals transmitted to current regulated output channels 6315, 6317, 6319, 6321, 6323, and/or 6325.
Microcontroller 6327 may include terminals 63128 (RX), 63130 (TX), 63132 (SWIDO), and 63134 (SWCLK). Terminals 63128, 63130, 63132 and 63134 may be used for data transmission. Microcontroller 6327 may include terminal 6390 (24V_UVP). Terminal 6390 may be used to transmit a feedback signal. The feedback signal may give feedback to microcontroller 6327. The feedback signal may give feedback to microcontroller 6327 to check whether or not the 24 VDC is stable. Microcontroller 6327 may include terminal 6366 (C-LED) connecting microcontroller 6327 to an LED. Microcontroller 6327 may include terminal 63136 (RST) to connect microcontroller 6327 to reset circuitry.
Microcontroller 6327 may include terminal 63158 (SW_ON). Terminal 63158 may connect microcontroller 6327 to switch 63160. Switch 63160 may be a 350 mA/700 mA current switch. Switch 63160 may enable a user to select an output current option. Microcontroller 6327 may include terminal 63140 (DIM_MODE). Terminal 63140 may connect microcontroller 6327 to switch 63162. Switch 63162 may be an ELV/0-10V/DMX dim mode switch. Switch 63162 may enable a user to select a dimming mode.
DMX circuitry 6331 may include IC 63151. IC 63151 may be a RS-485 transceiver. IC 63151 may translate user selected dimming levels received from microcontroller 6327 into signals transmitted using data lines 6378 and 6380. IC 63151 may output signals to data lines 6378 and 6380. IC 63151 may be powered through terminal 6364.
Circuit 6300 may include one or more of the items, along with illustrative descriptions of the items, listed in Table 13.
Functions of electrical circuits, or parts thereof, disclosed herein may be incorporated into or combined with other electrical circuits, or parts thereof, disclosed herein, or with other suitable electrical circuits.
All ranges and parameters disclosed herein shall be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein, every number between the endpoints, and the endpoints. For example, a stated range of “1 to 11” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 11; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more (e.g. 1 to 6.1), and ending with a 36 maximum value of 11 or less (e.g., 2.3 to 10.4, 3 to 8, 4 to 7), and finally to each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 contained within the range.
Thus, apparatus, methods and apparatus for lighting have been provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.
This is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/441,514, filed on Jan. 27, 2023, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/454,817, filed on Mar. 27, 2023, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/529,133 filed on Jul. 26, 2023 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/529,426, filed on Jul. 28, 2023.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63441514 | Jan 2023 | US | |
| 63454817 | Mar 2023 | US | |
| 63529133 | Jul 2023 | US | |
| 63529426 | Jul 2023 | US |
