WO2021222671A1

WO2021222671A1 - Complex environment edge-lit troffer

Info

Publication number: WO2021222671A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/030033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Andrew KIFF
Original assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
Priority date: 2020-05-01
Filing date: 2021-04-30
Publication date: 2021-11-04

Abstract

A light fixture includes a housing configured to be secured to a support surface. The housing includes a first end, a second end, and a first side and a second side extending between the first end and the second end. A control component positioned in the housing. A door assembly is releasably connected to the housing. The door assembly has a frame member bordering a central opening, a light emitter positioned in the frame member, and a light guide connected to the frame member. The light guide includes a major surface and a minor surface. The light emitter is positioned to emit light into the minor surface. The light guide is configured to direct light emitted in the minor surface out through the major surface.

Description

COMPLEX ENVIRONMENT EDGE-LIT TROFFER

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to light fixtures, and particularly to a recessed light fixture.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Numerous lighting fixtures for directly illuminating areas are generally known. A common lighting assembly used in ceilings of commercial buildings includes a troffer with one or more downwardly-facing light emitters. A modular dropped ceiling grid is generally formed of interconnected inverted T-bars that are permanently attached to rigid ceiling supports, via wires or other structural means, to form a rectangular or square grid structure. Troffer lighting fixtures and ceiling tiles rest within the rectangular or square grid structure to complete the drop ceiling. Troffer lighting fixtures include a housing having four sidewalls forming a square or rectangular shape to fit within the rectangular or square grid structure. When installed, the housing is recessed within the drop ceiling.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to certain exemplary embodiments, a light fixture includes a housing configured to be secured to a support surface. The housing includes a first end, a second end, and a first side and a second side extending between the first end and the second end. A control component positioned in the housing. A door assembly is releasably connected to the housing. The door assembly has a frame member bordering a central opening, a light emitter positioned in the frame member, and a light guide connected to the frame member. The light guide includes a major surface and a minor surface. The light emitter is positioned to emit light into the minor surface. The light guide is configured to direct light emitted in the minor surface out through the major surface.

[0004] According to certain exemplary embodiments, a door assembly for a ceiling mounting light includes a set of frame members connected together to define a central opening. A light panel assembly is connected to the frame members and extending at least partially across the central opening. The light panel assembly including a diffuser, a light guide, and a reflector. A light emitter is connected to at least one of the frame members. The light emitter oriented to emit light into an edge of the light panel. The light guide is configured to reflect light emitted into the edge of the guide out through a major surface of the light guide. The set of frame members is configured to releasably connected to a housing so that the frame members, light panel assembly, and light emitter are removable from the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The aspects and features of various exemplary embodiments will be more apparent from the description of those exemplary embodiments taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0006] FIG. l is a bottom-perspective view of a light fixture in a surrounding ceiling panel.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a top-perspective view of the light fixture of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a bottom-perspective view of the light fixture of FIG. l with the door assembly separated from the housing. [0009] FIG. 4 is a partial, top-perspective view of the door assembly of FIG. 3. [0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective, sectional view of the door assembly of FIG. 4.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an example of a troffer light fixture 100 is supported in a recessed position relative to a ceiling 102 such that the bottom of the troffer is substantially flush with the ceiling 102. The light fixture 100 includes a central opening through which light is emitted to an area for example a room. In certain aspects, the light fixture 100 has a rectangular or square shape and is sized to fit in a specific ceiling opening. For example, the light fixture 100 may be sized to fit within a 2 ft. by 2 ft., 1 ft. by 2 ft., 1 ft. by 4 ft., 2 ft. by 4 ft., or other similar recesses. Other rectilinear or curvilinear shapes can also be used.

[0013] As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light fixture 100 includes a housing 110 and a door assembly 112. The housing 110 includes first and second sides 114, first and second ends 116, and a top 118. The first and second sides 114 can each include a lower vertical section 120 and an upper vertical section 122 connected by a horizontal section 124. This forms a stepped configuration where a lower portion of the housing 110 is wider than the upper portion. A flange 125 can extend from the sides 114 and ends 116. The sides 114, ends 116, top 118, and flange 125 can be formed from one or more extruded metallic members. In certain aspects, the housing 110 can be formed as a unitary structure. For example the housing 110 can be formed from a single piece of stamped material and folded into an appropriate shape. [0014] As best shown in FIG. 3, the housing 110 contains one or more associated electrical control components 126, such as drivers, controllers, sensors, etc. for operating one or more light emitters. The control components 126 can be connected to the top 118 of the housing 110. In the illustrated example, the control components 126 are each individually mounted to a base 128 that is attached to a lower surface of the top 118. The control components 126 can then be removed individually or as a group from the housing 110 as needed. The Knockouts 130 are formed in the housing 110 so that one or more main power supply lines (not shown) can be run inside of the housing 110 and connected to one or more of the control components 126.

[0015] As best shown in FIGS. 4-6, the door assembly 112 includes a frame 132, a light panel assembly 134, and one or more sets of light emitters 136. The frame 132 can be configured to provide an inset door that fits within the footprint of the housing no or as an overlap door that substantially covers the housing. The door assembly 112 is removably connected to the housing no. For example, the frame 132 can be connected to the housing no by one or more fasteners. One or more hangers (not shown) can be connected to the housing no and the frame 132 so that the door assembly 112 can be disconnected from the housing no but remain attached in a hanging position. This enables the interior of the housing no to be accessed for service or other reasons. Other connections for the housing no and door assembly 112 can be used, such a hinge assembly.

[0016] The frame 132 includes first and second side members 138 and first and second end members 140. The frame members 138, 140 are connected together to define a central opening. The size, shape, and configuration of the frame members 138, 140 can be adjusted based on the housing type and ceiling openings. The frame members 138, 140 can be formed from one or more extruded metallic members. [0017] Each of the frame members 138, 140 can include an outer flange 142 and an inner portion 144. The outer flange 142 can extend substantially parallel to the inner portion 144 or at an oblique angle to the inner portion 144. The outer flange 142 extends outwardly from the housing 110 to cover any gaps in the opening formed in the ceiling 102. A gasket 146 can be positioned on the outer flange 142 to form a more secure connection with the surrounding ceiling panels.

[0018] The inner portion 144 includes a first protrusion 148 and a second protrusion 150. The protrusions 148, 150 can extend upwardly into the housing 110 or around the housing 110 when the door assembly 112 is connected thereto. The first protrusion 148 defines a first channel 152 and a second channel 154. The first and second channels 152, 154 can be configured to receive fasteners to connect one or more components to the inner portion 144. The second protrusion 150 has a stepped configuration. In certain aspects, the second protrusion 150 receives a light emitter 136.

[0019] The light emitter 136 includes a base, for example a printed circuit board

(PCB) 156. The PCB 156 is oriented vertically resting on the second protrusion 150.

The PCB 156 can be secured to the respective frame member through one or more fasteners that extend into the first channel 152 formed in the first protrusion 148. A connector 158 is attached to the PCB 156. The connector 158 can be a plug-type connector that is used to connect to one or more of the control components 126 positioned in the housing no. For example, the connector 158 can include a female receptacle that receives a male connector attached to a conductor. The conductor can extend between the door assembly 112 and the control components 126 in the housing 110, and provide power to one or more light emitting elements.

[0020] The light emitting elements can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) 160. In some aspects a plurality of LEDs 160 are connected to and extend from the PCB 156 toward the central opening. The LEDs 160 are generally aligned with one another in a linear manner along the PCB 156. The PCB 156 and LEDs 160 are oriented to emit light horizontally, substantially parallel to the ceiling panels 102, toward the light panel assembly 134. Light emitters 136 can be connected to one or more of the frame members 138, 140. In the illustrated embodiment, light emitters 136 are connected to each of the frame members 138. 140, though any number of light emitters 136 can be used.

[0021] The light panel assembly 134 includes a diffuser 162, a light guide 164, and a reflector 166. The light guide 164 is positioned between the diffuser 162 and the reflector 166. Each of the diffuser 162, light guide 164, and reflector 166 have a major surface oriented toward the opening and a minor surface, or edge, oriented substantially perpendicular to the major surface. The LEDs 160 are aligned with the edge of the light guide 164 and configured to emit light into the light guide 164. The light guide 164 includes optical elements that create internal reflection so that light is transferred form the LEDs through the light guide 164 and redirected out of the opening. This edge-lit configuration allows for a thinner housing than standard rear- lit configurations. The diffuser 162 helps to smooth the light and acts as a protective lens over the light guide 164. The reflector 166 is positioned over the light guide 164 to ^ keep light from exiting into the housing no, reflecting it back down through the light guide 164 and out of the opening.

[0022] In some embodiments, a cover 168 is positioned over the LEDs 160. The cover 168 has a substantially Z-shaped configuration with an upper flange 170, a lower flange 172, and a wall 174 connecting the upper and lower flanges 170, 172. Fasteners can extend through the upper flange 170 into the second channel 154 to connect the cover 168 to the frame member 138, 140. The lower flange 172 engages the reflector 166, providing support to the light panel assembly 134.

[0023] The light emitters 136 and light panel assembly 134 are part of the door assembly 112 so that they are removable from the housing no with the door 112. This enables easier room-side access to both the light emitters 136 and to the internal control components 126 while still allowing for an ingress protective door with the benefits of an edge-lit fixture.

[0024] The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodiments has been provided for the purpose of explaining the general principles and practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Any of the embodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with one another to form various additional embodiments not specifically disclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and are intended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope of the appended claims. The specification describes * Ί specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.

[0025] As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the structure of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular position or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or “approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

Claims

What is Claimed:

1. A light fixture comprising: a housing configured to be secured to a support surface, the housing including a first end, a second end, and a first side and a second side extending between the first end and the second end; a control component positioned in the housing; and a door assembly releasably connected to the housing, the door assembly having a frame member bordering a central opening, a light emitter positioned in the frame member, and a light guide connected to the frame member, wherein the light guide includes a major surface and a minor surface, wherein the light emitter is positioned to emit light into the minor surface, and wherein the light guide is configured to direct light emitted in the minor surface out through the major surface.

2. The light fixture of claim l, wherein the light emitter includes a PCB and a plurality of LEDs.

3. The light fixture of claim 2, wherein the light emitter includes a connector, and wherein the connector receives a conductor connected to the control component.

4. The light fixture of claim l, wherein the frame member includes a first projection and a second projection, and wherein the second projection includes a stepped portion for receiving the light emitter.

5. The light fixture of claim 4, wherein the first projection includes a first channel and a second channel.

6. The light fixture of claim 4, wherein a cover is connected to the first projection.

7. The light fixture of claim 6, wherein the cover includes an upper flange engaging the first projection.

8. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a diffuser positioned beneath the light guide and a reflective sheet positioned above the light guide.

9. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the control component includes a driver.

10. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the support surface includes a drop panel ceiling grid.

11. A door assembly for a ceiling mounting light fixture comprising: a set of frame members connected together to define a central opening; a light panel assembly connected to the frame members and extending at least partially across the central opening, the light panel assembly including a diffuser, a light guide, and a reflector; and a light emitter connected to at least one of the frame members, the light emitter oriented to emit light into an edge of the light panel, wherein the light guide is configured to reflect light emitted into the edge of the guide out through a major surface of the light guide, and wherein the set of frame members is configured to releasably connected to a housing so that the frame members, light panel assembly, and light emitter are removable from the housing.

12. The light fixture of claim 11, wherein the light emitter includes a PCB and a plurality of LEDs.

13. The light fixture of claim 12, wherein the light emitter includes a connector, and wherein the connector is configured to receive a conductor.

14. The light fixture of claim 11, wherein the frame member includes a first projection and a second projection, and wherein the second projection includes a stepped portion for receiving the light emitter.

15. The light fixture of claim 14, wherein the first projection includes a first channel and a second channel.

16. The light fixture of claim 14, wherein a cover is connected to the first projection.

17. The light fixture of claim 16, wherein the cover includes an upper flange engaging the first projection and a lower flange engaging the reflector.

18. The light fixture of claim 14, wherein a bottom side of the light emitter engages the second projection and a rear side of the light emitter engages the first projection.

19. The light fixture of claim 11, wherein the support surface includes a drop panel ceiling grid.

20. The light fixture of claim 11, further comprising a gasket positioned between the at least one of the frame members and the housing.

~ w ~