GB2490880A

GB2490880A - Modular light emitting device

Info

Publication number: GB2490880A
Application number: GB1107962.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Cook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-13
Filing date: 2011-05-13
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: GB201107962D0

Abstract

A modular light emitting device comprises a lens element 2, a body element 7 which is selectively connectable to the lens element, and a power element 12 which can have a range of controlling circuitry and which is selectively connectable to the body element. The power element has first electrical conductors 13 for connection to a power supply, and second electrical conductors 10 for connection to corresponding connectors 8 on the body element. The body element includes a light source 5 that may be a single or array of LEDs, fibre optic lighting or a filament lamp. The lens element, body element and power element may be releasable connected together. A sensor element 14 may be provided to control the light source according to external influences. The sensor may detect heat and/or smoke and control an audio output or transmit a signal to an external system.

Description

Light Emitting Device The present invention relates to a modular light emitting device, and more particularly to a light emitting device which can utilise an interchangeable lens element, a body element and a power element with control features as necessity dictates. Furthermore, the invention relates to a light emitting device having at least an integrated body element and power element which are not intended to be separated, along with a sensor device for providing a sensing function.

A problem associated with present light emitting devices is that with certain types of light source, the lens and the body will all last far longer than the control electronics as long as the heat dissipation is controlled. However, the lens can also be damaged during use with extreme conditions such as heat. This invention give the ability to replace only the failed or damaged elements of the light emitting device or change the controlling circuitry whilst continuing to use the remainder of the device. The invention also gives more flexibility in the assembly of the light emitting device where different power supplies, for example, in different environments and different countries with different controlling features, and lens can be added to the body to form different light emitting devices. This invention also allows for the manufacturing plant to hold component parts and therefore reduced stock.

A problem associated with light emitting devices having integrated bodies and power circuits, which is the majority of bulbs on the market, is that sensing devices cannot be readily incorporated to improve functionality.

The present invention seeks to provide solutions to the above stated problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular light emitting device comprising a lens element, a body element which is selectively connectable to the lens element, and a power element which can have a range of controlling circuitry and which is selectively connectable to the body element, the power element having at least one first electrical conductor for electrical connection to a power supply, at least one second electrical conductor for electrical connection with a third fixed electrical conductor on the body element, and a controller for controlling an input voltage and/or current from a power supply, a sensor dependent on the medium being sampled with associated circuitry, the lens element, body element and power element when interconnected together providing a rigid light emitting device for connection to a power supply.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 58, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi light emitting device that incorporates a light source with integral electronic control circuitry, at least one sensor element, a power element having at least one first electrical connector, a body element, a lens element which when all elements are assembled form a rigid multi light emitting device.

Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 60 to 100, inclusive, The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a modular light emitting device, in accordance with the first aspect of invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of a modular light emitting device, in accordance with the first aspect of invention; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a third embodiment of a modular light emitting device, in accordance with the first aspect of invention; and Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a light emitting device, in accordance with the second aspect of invention.

Referring firstly to FIgure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of a modular light emitting device which comprises a lens element (2), a body element (7) and a power element (12). The lens element (2) is independent of the body element (7) and is engagable therewith. As such, a plurality of different lens elements (2) can be provided for selective connection with the body element.

The or each lens element (2) is preferably unitarily formed as one-piece, and typically comprises a lens portion, sensor portion and a diffuser portion. The diffuser portion may be planar or substantially planar, may have a concave outer surface, or may have a convex outer surface. Typically, the lens is formed from plastics or glass, but any suitable transparent or translucent material can be considered and utilised.

The lens portion protrudes from an undersurface of the diffuser portion and is generally domed. An apex of the lens portion preferably includes a recessed opening for removably receiving at least part of a bulb therein. The lens portion may be faceted to collect and focus the light from the source and collimate the light beam or disperse the light In a chosen pattern The lens element (2) is engaged with the body (7) wherein the recess at the apex of the lens portion sits fully or partially over the light source(5). The lens element (2) can be fitted into the lens recess(4) and held in place with the clip(l) which fits into the clip recess(3) in the body (7), however the lens element (2) may also be attached to the body (7) by means of an adhesive where one surface of the lens element (2) either planar or perpendicular to the lens element (2) surface is sufficiently close to a planar or perpendicular surface of the body (7) for an adhesive compound or tape to have effect.

The lens element (2) can also be pressed into the body (7) wherein an element of the lens element (2) requires external force to fit tightly into the receiver in the body (7) or where an additional element such as a plate with apertures for the lens portions is fitted over the lens and uses mechanical fixings to press the lens element (2) onto/ into the body (7) or where the lens element (2) has apertures which align with apertures in the body (7) wherein mechanical fixing can be placed or where the lens element (2) fits in to an additional lens holder which has a male or female connector which mates to a n ran corresponding connector in the body (7) where the connector can be a screw thread, clip, bayonet type connector or similar.

The lens element (2) is in position when the recess at the apex of the lens sits over the light source(S) , wherein the light source(S) including its thermally conductive printed circuit board is mounted on to the heat sink plate(6) which is thermally connected to the body (7) may be mounted onto the printed circuit board or may be part of the power element (12) and aligned through an aperture in the printed circuit board and heat sink plate(6). The light source(S) can be a single or array of light emitting diodes or fiber optics lighting or filament type lamp. In the case of an light emitting diode the light source (5) would be both thermally and electrically connected to the printed circuit board and the printed circuit board is thermally connected to the heat sink plate (6) by means of thermal paste or thermal adhesive or thermal tape. The printed circuit board may also be mechanically fixed to the heat sink plate (6). The light source (5) can also be directly mounted on to the heat sink plate (6) with a heat dissipating compound or tape but care will need to be taken to match the light source (5) to the lens element (2) to make sure the lens is being used to its optimum potential or the heat sink plate(6) could be replaced with the thermally conductive printed circuit board.

For the modular light to work, the light source (5) has to be electrically connected to the third electrical contacts (8) which are preferably a pair of electrical contacts on the rear of the heat sink plate (6) but may also be a pair of electrical contacts on the rear of the printed circuit board, if the heat sink plate(6) has been replaced. It is also possible to have a single third electrical connection (8) and the body (7) would act as a conductor to complete the circuit. Additional third electrical connectors (8) may be used to conduct information other than the power to the light source On the power element (12) there isf are a set of corresponding second electrical connectors (10) where this connector/ connectors are aligned so when the power element (12) is fitted in position the second electrical connectors (10) meet and connect with and only with their corresponding third electrical connector (8). The second electrical

S

connectors (10), singular or multiple connectors, are used to deliver the correct controlled power to the light source (5).

The power element (12) is preferably releasably connectable to the body (7) by means of male or female body connector (9) and the opposing male or female power element connector (11). The male and female connectors (9) and (11) can be a screw type thread or a bayonet type connection or a push together fitting where there is an interference fit between the two parts to maintain the engagement. A releasable or non-releasable adhesive can be used to connect the power element (12) to the body (7), or a toothed effect moulding can be fitted to or machined into the body (7) or moulded as part of the body (7) as the body connector (9). In this latter case, the reverse effect moulding is fitted to or machined into or moulded as part of the power element (12) as the power element connector (11) where the power element (12) becomes easy to push into the body (7) and the tooth effect holds the two parts rigidly together.

The power element (12) is where the input voltage/ current is controlled to give the correct voltage! current in the correct waveform to the light source (5) to give the required effect. The power element (12) preferably but not exclusively has the first electrical connector/ connectors (13) to one end of the power element (12) and the second electrical connector! connectors (11) to the opposite end. The power element (12) encompasses the electrical! electronic control circuitry also includes the outer casing where this casing can be a moulded case that hinges along the side to allow the circuitry to be fitted and then clipped together or part of the case may be detachable to allow the circuitry to be fitted into the case before re assembling the case or the case may be moulded around the circuitry. The case of the power element (12) is preferably a rigid structure so that if required, the light fitting to which the modular light emitting device is fitted may clamp around or hold onto the power element (12) to retain electrical connections and retain the modular light emitting device in the light fitting.

The first electrical connector (13) comprises at least one connector but more normally two connectors for the supply of voltage! current to the device but also additional connectors may also be included. The power connectors within the first electrical connector (13) are arranged, preferably but not exclusively, in a standard format to fit all existing electrical power connectors but also future power connectors. The first electrical connectors (13) may be used to retain the modular light emitting device into the light fitting as well as conducting the voltagef current. Additional connectors which may be fitted within the first electrical connectors (13) are not exclusively at the same point as the power connectors of the first electrical connector (13) but can form additional connectors at any point of the power element (12). These additional first electrical connectors (12) can be used for additional low level power as used in emergency lighting or to accept any additional control signal or send a signal where the sensor (14) may be wired to detect heat or smoke and a signal can be sent back to a monitoring device.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a second embodiment of a modular light emitting device. References similar to those of the first embodiment refer to like parts, and further

detailed description is omitted,

The modular light emitting device again comprises a lens element (2), a body element (7) and a power element (12), all of which are separable and interchangeably connectable.

However, this embodiment also includes a sensor element (14) provided, in this case, on the power element (12).

Preferably, the lens element includes a sensor portion which aligns with a sensing head of the sensor element (14). The sensor portion of the lens element may be planar, concave, convex with a clear or translucent finish. The sensor portion may have elements to focus the medium being sampled onto the sensor or the sensor portion may be an aperture in the lens element for the sensor to protrude through or be seated behind.

Although on the power element (12), the sensor element (14) may be on the body (7).

The sensor (14) can also be mounted on the heat sink plate(6) or, as part of the power element (12), can be aligned with the lens through an aperture in the heat sink plate(6).

Where a printed circuit board mounted sensor is used, the third electrical connectors (8) may be utilised to feed information about the medium being sampled to the controller in the power element (12).

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a third embodiment of a modular light emitting device, References similar to those of the second embodiment refer to like parts, and

further detailed description is omitted.

However, this embodiment also includes a sensor element (14) provided, in this case, as a modular component between the body element (7) and the power element (12).

The interconnection of the sensor module (14) may be via any of the connection means mentioned above.

The sensor (14) is, preferably but not exclusively, part of the power element (12) where a sensor (14) can be used to control the output voltage! current! signal to the light source (5) or send an external signal according to different external or internal influences. The sensor (14) may be fitted in the lens element, the body element or as a separate element which when fitted into the device, preferably but not exclusively, between the power element (12) and body element (7) give a rigid modular light emitting device. The control circuitry can be fitted around the sensor (14) or more preferably in the power element (12), The sensor element (14) mentioned above is preferably but not exclusively one or more of: The sensor may be used to detect specific lighting levels and adjust itself to keep the required lighting; The sensor may be used to detect people were the light may turn its self off or to a reduced light level saving energy but not leaving public areas in complete darkness; The sensor may be used to detect gasses like carbon monoxide and make a visual display or send a signal to another system; The sensor may be used to detected heat or smoke and may send a signal to an external system; The sensor may sense a power cut and automatically take power from either an internal or external battery system to give emergency lighting; The sensor may detect temperature and send an external signal to another system or give a visual indication such as altered light levels or changing colour; The sensor may detect humidity and send an signal to an external system or give a visual indication.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown an embodiment of a non-modular light emitting device having a plurality of functions.

The non-modular light emitting device has all of the functions of any one of the 3 embodiments of the modular light emitting device with the body element and power element and, preferably but not exclusively, the lens element to be formed as a single entity -the body housing (15) Where the lens element (2) is not formed as part of the body housing (15) the lens can be over-moulded or inserted as part of the production process or fixed in any one of the options discussed in embodiments 1 -3.

The light emitting device (5); the sensor (14); the electronic control circuitry,previously housed within the power element (12) ; the first electrical connectors (13) all operate as discussed in embodiments 1 -3 and are fitted during the manufacture) assembly process of the non-modular light emitting device.