Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
  • F21V23/02—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S8/00—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
  • F21S8/02—Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R33/00—Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection via a counterpart which is structurally associated with the apparatus, e.g. lamp holders; Separate parts thereof
  • H01R33/945—Holders with built-in electrical component
  • H01R33/9453—Holders with built-in electrical component for screw type coupling devices
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R33/00—Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection via a counterpart which is structurally associated with the apparatus, e.g. lamp holders; Separate parts thereof
  • H01R33/94—Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part

Definitions

• This invention relates to extra low voltage (ELV) lamp adaptors for light fittings and in particular to adaptors suitable for application to downlight or spotlight fittings where the adaptor is retrofitted to a light fitting in place of the standard GLS or incandescent reflector lamp.
• EUV extra low voltage
• Compact Fluorescent lamps are usually of the one or two piece (replaceable tube) construction, and are designed to convert an electricity supply to the different frequencies and voltage etc. required to operate a fluorescent (miniature) tube. This operation usually involves the use of electronic components and or ferrite ballasts. These lamps claim energy running savings of up to 80%, but have several inherent design limitations.
• Compact Fluorescent lamps are first, physical size. Many of the available variations of Compact Fluorescent lamps will not fit in an existing light fitting designed to use a GLS or incandescent reflector lamp. Second, numerous lighting applications of Compact Fluorescent lamps are unsuitable as the light fitting may require short term switching cycles, dimming or frequent or immediate switching which are either outside the capabilities of the control gear of the lamp or not conducive to the life of the fluorescent tube.
• the actual shape (design) of the body in light fittings such as downlights may result in overheating by the blocking of cooling openings, and thus reduce the tube lamp life or light output, or at worst the premature failure of the control gear and/or effect the original hard wiring of the light fitting.
• a comparable light output Compact Fluorescent lamp when used in a light fitting incorporating an integrated reflector to provide directional beam control primarily designed around the focal point of a GLS, or an incandescent reflector lamp, will produce insufficient light on the task plane, when compared with the normally fitted GLS or incandescent Reflector lamp's light output in conjunction with the reflector design.
• the instant invention has developed a particularly condensed range of adaptors incorporating electronics to reduce the A.C supply voltage at the output lampholder to ELV.
• the physical shape of the adaptors provide no disruption to the original illumination function of the light fitting, and with a suitable ELV lamp, lamp holder and/or supplementary or integrated reflector or other accessories the adaptor provides improved light efficiency and efficacy, lower operating energy requirements, extended lamp life and superior colour temperature over GLS or Incandescent Reflector lamps.
• the invention provides in one broad aspect an adaptor for a general A.C. voltage supply lampholder comprising a general A.C. supply voltage lamp cap adapted to mechanically and electrically engage a general A.C. voltage supply lampholder of a general A.C. supply voltage lightfitting, a transforming means housed within said adapter and electrically connected to said lamp cap and adapted to step down the said lamp holders A.C. supply voltage output to a voltage suitable for use with an extra low voltage lamp, and an extra low voltage lampholder electrically connected to said transforming means and adapted to mechanically and electronically engage an extra low voltage lamp, wherein said adapter is shaped to fully contain said transforming means and to fit in the confines and cavities of a general A.C.
• the adaptor may be self contained in a housing with the lamp cap available at one position on the housing, the extra low voltage lamp holder available at another position on the housing and the transforming means located within the housing.
• the lamp cap, transforming means and extra low voltage lamp holder are preferably juxtapositioned one on top of the other in a stackwise arrangement so as to minimize the amount of electrical wiring required to operate the adaptor as any unnecessary wiring results in voltage drops and unnecessary heating problems.
• the adaptor's shape may be particularly designed to provide air gaps between the housing of the adaptor and the extra low voltage lamp holder, but particularly between the housing and the confines and cavities of the light fitting to which the adaptor is fitted.
• the air gaps facilitate air flow and subsequent cooling to aid in the efficient operation of the adaptor whilst in the restrictions of a light fitting.
• the transformer means of the adaptor most preferably incorporates a transformer of a high frequency ferrite slim line type in conjunction with the necessary electronic and electrical components to convert the general A.C. supply voltage to power a range of extra low voltage lamps of different wattages.
• an auxiliary reflector may be fitted to the adaptor at or near the extra low voltage lamp so as to particularly focus the extra low voltage lamp light rays.
• the reflector may be physically attached to the adaptor at or near the point of attachment of the extra low voltage lamp thereby substantially encasing the extra low voltage lamp so as to reflect a substantial portion of the light emitted from the lamp.
• a reflector may be incorporated into a specialized extra low voltage lamp, commonly referred to as having a pre-focused reflector.
• the adaptor may be shaped to fit in the confines of a variety of existing lightfittings and in one aspect of the invention the adaptor may be shaped to fit into the confines and cavities of existing downlights. In another aspect the adaptor may be shaped to fit into the confines and cavities of existing spotlights. In yet another aspect the adaptor may be shaped to fit into the confines of a traffic signal lantern. In a further aspect the adaptor may be shaped to fit into approximately same space occupied by a general service lamp and thereby be adapted to replace GLS lamps lamps in light fittings other than downlights and spotlights.
• the lamp cap, transformer and extra low voltage lamp holder may be positioned stackwise and substantially centrally within the housing of the adaptor.
• the electronic components may be physically positioned or located on one side of the printed circuit board located within the housing of the adaptor and the high frequency transformer on the other side of the board, in particular, the side of the board positioned adjacent to the extra low voltage lamp holder.
• the transformer and electronic components are positioned on alternate sides of the printed circuit board.
• the lamp cap; transformer and extra low voltage lamp holder may be positioned stackwise and substantially centrally within the housing of the adaptor and the transformer and associated electricals and electronic components are physically located on both sides of the printed circuit board.
• Figure 1 shows a partial cross-section of a saucer shaped version of the adaptor for use in downlights.
• Figure 2 shows a partial cross-section of the adaptor mounted in position replacing the original light source (GLS lamp).
• the downlight is of the cone or darklight configuration incorporating a reflector designed to perform around the light output and characteristics of a common GLS lamp nominally of the 100W lamp envelope or incandescent reflector lamp giving good general illumination on the task plane below the fitting, whilst at the same time providing by means of the reflector design, medium/narrow high efficiency light distribution, with sharp cut off angles and a visible area of low brightness for normal viewing angles (hence the generic name: Darklighter).
• Figure 3 shows three identical downlight fittings lamped with: a GLS lamp, figure 3A; an energy saving compact fluorescent, figure
• Figure 4 shows a perspective top view of a downlight version adaptor.
• Figure 5 shows top 5A, side 5B and bottom 5C views of a downlight adaptor.
• Figure 6 shows two variations of the adaptor, a flat saucer style 6A for mainly recessed downlight use and a more cylindrical style 6B for use in spotlights and other light fittings.
• Figure 7 shows a partial cross section of the cylindrical style adaptor.
• Figure 8 shows the cylindrical style adaptor in place in various enclosed and universal tubular style spotlights and compares them with generally fitted A.C. supply voltage lamps.
• Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the cylindrical style adaptor for spotlights and other lighting fixtures.
• Figure 10 shows a selection of the type of GLS and incandescent lamps the adaptors will replace to save energy and extend maintenance periods.
• Figure 11 shows the relative axial focal plane of existing lamps and one reason for the two different and preferred shapes of the adaptors.
• Figures 12 shows the ability of the optional reflector to be used to provide various beam spreads from the one reflector profile. The lamp position remains stationery, moving the reflector in a linear plane focuses or defocus's the lamp and alters the beam spreads.
• Figure 13 shows a polar curve (light distribution) of a reflector profile designed to duplicate the performance of an incandescent reflector lamp (RO80) so as to give a narrow beam of spotlight. Illustrated also is the capability of different reflector finishes to affect the beam spread with figure 13A showing an RO80 reflector in hammertone finish and positioned 9.755 mm from origin and 25.825 mm base of reflector and figure 13B showing an RO80 reflector with diffuse finish in the same position.
• RO80 incandescent reflector lamp
• Figure 14 shows new polar curves when the same reflector profile as figure 13 is shifted in relationship to the fixed focal point of the ELV lamp to give a broad beam of directional light (flood) with figure 14A showing an RO80 reflector in hammertone finish 14.725 mm from origin 16.933 mm base of reflector and figure 14B showing an RO80 reflector with diffuse finish in the same position.
• Figure 15 shows another type of ELV lamp incorporating a prefocused reflector and the adaptor is fitted with a heat shield.
• Figure 16 shows an adaptor fitted with a metal or other material reflector for use in directing or diffusing light sideways to the direction of the original lampholder. Universal position.
• Figure 17 shows an adaptor fitted with a glass or other material diffuser to diffuse and direct light in a special beam spread. Universal position.
• Figure 18 shows a partial cross section of an adaptor fitted with an integrated light or movement sensor.
• Figure 19 shows a cross section of a traffic signal lamp with an adaptor and special reflector to retrofit GLS lamped traffic signal lanterns. Note the reflector is designed to take into account the use of a lens to redirect light from the reflector.
• ELV lampholder 4. ELV reflector to control or duplicate various light beam spreads
• PCB Printed Circuit Board
• A.C. supply connection usually a hard wired junction box or connector
• the downlight adaptor embodiment of the invention can be seen to comprise an A.C. supply lamp cap means 1 cf any configuration that is adapted to fit into an existing A.C. supply current lampholder (not shown).
• a housing 2 is physically attached at first side 2a to the A.C. supply lamp cap and provides a suitable enclosure for the mounting of electronic components 7 on a printed circuit board located within the housing.
• the second side 2b of the housing provides an enclosure to accommodate a high frequency slimline transformer 9 electrically connected to the PCB.
• the housing 2 is provided at second side 2b with an ELV lampholder 3 physically attached thereto and electrically connected by internal wires to the output of the transformer.
• the housing 2 may comprise a first part 2a which is physically attached to the A.C. supply lamp cap and a second part 2b which is physically attached to the ELV lampholder such that the first part and second part may be press-fittable together or joined by various means at production to create a single unit.
• the resultant unit preferably provides a rigid, physically linked adaptor capable of precise dimensioning and also locates and holds in place the PCB
• the housing 2 may be produced as a single unit either epoxy or similar filled or left with air spacing fully enclosing the electronics 7, 8, 9; or combination of the above.
• the electrical connection of the A.C. supply voltage lamp cap to the input positions on the PCB and the ELV lampholder to the output connections on the PCB may be by integral wiring, press-fit terminals or other means of electrical connections adapted to engage electrical connection when the first and second parts of the housing are joined or at the point of manufacture if one piece or filled housing are used.
• Electronic components may be surface mounted with the appropriate PCB or by hand soldering or a mixture of both with the correct PCB. All electrical and electronic connections being made on the one side of the board, although some components may be mounted on the reverse side for space savings. Alternatively a double sided PCB board with components in similar configuration may be used. An appropriate ELV lamp 6 is fitted to the ELV lampholder 3 which is attached to the housing 2.
• the adaptor housing has several special design characteristics.
• a large recess 24 in the case moulding 2a enables the adaptor to be semi-recessed over an A.C. supply lampholder so as to shorten the overall height of the adaptor in situ.
• the adaptor can be seen as fitted in a standard recessed downlight 47.
• the A.C. supply connection 11 (usually a hard wired junction box or similar connection) that in turn is wired to the AC supply lampholder 12.
• the downlight 47 has standard construction comprising a frame or body 13, held in the ceiling recess by the action of the ceiling mounting clips 14 and the flange of the downlight reflector 16 abutting ceiling material 15. The reflector is held in the body by the action of spring clips 17.
• the body of a recessed downlight may vary in several different profiles 13, 13a and likewise the reflector 16 may vary in the top profile 16a, 16b; however, the basic configuration between reflector, A.C. lampholder and normal GLS lamp position remains substantially constant.
• the standard GLS or incandescent reflector lamp (if fitted) is first removed, allowing then for the standard downlight reflector 16 to be pulled down and away from the spring clip's 17 retention and withdrawn completely.
• the downlight body (frame) remaining recessed in the ceiling and no alternation to the hard wiring other than removing the GLS or incandescent reflector lamp.
• the adaptor is now fitted into the lampholder 12 and held in place mechanically, and electrically connected by the lamp cap 1.
• the standard downlight reflector 16 is now replaced to occupy the original position in the downlight body 47.
• the saucer shape of the adapter in particular that part of the housing containing the bulky transformer 9 can be seen to adapt to the space available in the downlight between the A.C. supply lampholder 12, the downlight reflector 16 and downlight body 47, without interfering with cooling gap 10 or other integral design features of the recessed downlight.
• the ELV reflector 4 is now attached to the adaptor housing 2 and an appropriate ELV lamp fitted into the ELV lampholder making mechanical and electrical connection to the electronics contained within the housing of the adaptor.
• the physical profile of the reflector 4 is designed to control and precisely direct the light from the ELV lamp, to mimic or improve the devised function of the original GLS or incandescent reflector lamp in relationship with the original design characteristics of the normal downlight reflector 16.
• FIG 3 show a normal GLS lamp 20 in downlight figure 3A, a compact fluorescent 22a and 22b in an identical downlight figure 3B, and the adaptor of the invention 2 in a third identical downlight figure 3C. All illustrate their relative working positions in this type of normal downlight.
• the noticeable features are the air gaps or cooling channels that exist in the GLS and adaptor lamped downlights (A and C), and the obvious lack of cooling in the compact fluorescent (B). This heat problem often leads to premature lamp failure or damage to the internal electronics of the compact adaptor 22a.
• the designed lighting performance characteristics of the 3A downlight (parts 47 and 16) when used with a GLS lamp 10.
• a sharp cut off angle 18 to avoid the glare of directly looking at the light source at normal viewing angles from below is a fundamental feature.
• the reflector 16 is designed to create an area of relative low brightness 19 when viewed from the normal viewing angle. (Hence the generic name Darklighter). Both these design features remain a part of the invention adapted downlight figure 3C and are even improved by the ELV reflector 4.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 these illustrate the preferred "saucer shape" and configuration of the adaptor housing most suitable for mounting into a downlight.
• the housing is constructed of two parts 2a and 2b.
• the shape reveals a deep recess 24 to allow the A.C. lampholder to be partially recessed into the adaptor housing and thus reduce the overall height of the adaptor when fitted in a downlight.
• the moulded lobes 50 visible on the bottom housing 2b are designed to create air flow chimneys when the normal reflector of a downlight is in place (see figure 2) and draw warm air away from the adaptor.
• the dotted line 49 represents the profile of the reflector opening projected over the adaptor base 2b and shows how the shape always provides air cooling channels or gaps even if the reflector top is of the smaller or higher type (see drawing 2, 16a and 16b), the lobes 50 also assist in mounting the adaptor to the A.C. lampholder by providing finger grips.
• the moulded lobes on the top of the adaptor are much lower to allow clearance between the various reflector frames (see drawing 2, 13a and 13b) but they still assist in cooling.
• the major heat is generated by the ELV lamp 6 and this heat is dissipated by direct reflection by the ELV reflector not shown on this drawing (see drawing 2 item 4) and convection by passing air around the reflector and past the adaptor housing.
• Direct heat transfer by transmission from the ELV lamp to the ELV lampholder is also cooled by providing a cooling air gap 10 between the back of the ELV lampholder and the housing.
• the small amount of heat generated by the internal electronics is kept cooled by the large air space within the adaptor shape and the designed cooling air stream over a large amount of the adaptor facing.
• the epoxy operates as a heat sink with the housing
• the other advantage is that because the actual ELV adaptor and ELV lamp are more efficient, less electricity is used that the original GLS or incandescent reflector lamp than when retrofitted to produce the same amount of light or more, and as heat is the main by product of electrically generated incandescent light, less heat is produced in the lightfitting.
• the original light fittings run cooler when retrofitted with the invention, with less heat loadings on external cooling systems and existing hard wire connections.
• Figure 6 shows the common features of both the adaptor housing 6A for downlights and the more compact shape 6B of the spotlight type. The only major difference is that where as the downlight adaptor 6A uses the overall shaped housing to dissipate heat, the spotlight shape 6B uses air channels or slots 10 to allow passage of cooling air through the adaptor. A combination may be used or both.
• the light weight of the adaptors means that little mechanical strain is caused to the A.C. supply lampholder.
• electronic transformers achieve the best low power dissipation rate over mains or ring core transformers that are the usual transformers used with hard wired ELV lighting.
• FIG 7 shows a partial cross section detailing major features of the cylindrical shaped adaptor.
• the adaptor is provided with a means of electrical and mechanical connection to an A.C. lampholder by using an A.C. supply lamp cap 1 which is connected to an adaptor housing 2 containing electronic components 7, 8, 9 used to convert the supply current to ELV, an ELV lampholder 3, a ELV lamp 6, and an appropriate optional reflector 4.
• the adaptor housing is composes of two parts, 2a which has cooling slots 10 incorporated in the mouldings and 2b which has provision for mounting an additional heat shield or accessories at 5 (see later drawings), the ELV lampholder 3, ELV lamp 6 and reflector 4 with provision for focusing 25.
• the reflector may be of any configuration to enable the duplication and light beam control of various GLS and incandescent reflector lamps it replaces.
• the reflector may be of metal, glass, plastic or other suitable materials, It may be worked or patterned to assist in light output control.
• the reflector may also be designed to carry a glass face, lens or diffusing or reflecting device if so required. The resultant actual light output control may even be a combination of all of the above.
• Complex waterproof glass reflectors may duplicate PAR 38 lamps.
• Figure 8 shows GLS lamps figure 8D and incandescent reflector lamps figure 8A, together with compact fluorescent lamps figures 8C and 8F and the cylinder adaptor figures 8B and 8E in location in the two most common styles of spotlights, namely universal tubular bodied spotlights 26, and enclosed type spotlights 27.
• Major features include rear positioned holes for cooling of spotlights 10, adjustable A.C. supply lampholders 12 and 28 and the totally inappropriate use of compact fluorescents 22 in this style of light fitting figures 8C and 8F due to a total lack of light beam control.
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of the cylindrical adaptor.
• the reflector 4 moves in a linear direction to allow focusing or defocusing of the lamp 6. This in turn alters the beam spread.
• the adjustment means 25 may be provided by threaded, keyhole location movements, by sliding the reflector or lamp in a linear direction between them or other methods of movement to achieve focusing.
• Figure 10 represents the major GLS and incandescent reflector lamps that the adaptors are designed to replace and duplicate the light characteristics thereof. All lamps are available worldwide in numerous supply voltages, a large range of wattages, sundry cap configurations, finishes vary from clear, opaque, mirrored, textured and other numerous variations.
• GLS 32 is a head mirror lamp often used for display lighting
• 21 represents the incandescent reflector lamps (soft glass) used for directional lighting mainly indoors and in varying beam widths.
• 31 illustrates a PAR hard pressed glass reflector lamp used for directional lighting outdoors or where better lighting performance than provided by type 21 is required.
• Lamps 33 and 34 represent some of the various decorative lamps that the invention seeks to replace.
• the internal electronic circuitry is designed to run several output wattages with constant secondary voltage, regardless of lamp loadings. Eg. When using a
• lamps from 10 to 100 watts can be used with no change to electronics.
• Figure 11 illustrates the reason for the two preferred style of adaptors allowing close duplication of the relative focal points in relation to the length of the lamps.
• the lines 23 drawn indicating the approximate position of the focal points.
• Figure 12 shows the ability of the reflector 4 to move in a linear direction to change the focus (the focal point of the lamp 6 remaining constant to the position of the housing 2). Furthermore the reflector may be fitted with a simple glass UV filter or lens or other means for additional control of beam spread or glare reduction or other desirable characteristics.
• Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the effects of moving a reflector designed to duplicate a RO80 incandescent reflector lamp's light characteristics, in an axial direction a distance of 4.975 mm (14.725 mm - 9.750 mm) changing the light spread from a narrow beam to a wider flood as per the polar curves 29. Note the finish of the reflector face can also effect light beam control.
• Figure 15 shows the adaptor with an optional heat reflector 35 in place at 5 and a specialized ELV lamp 36 and matched lampholder 37. Note this particular lamp has it's own built-in pre-focused light reflector so no optional light reflector
• Figure 16 shows an adaptor fitted for use in directing or diffusing light sideways to the direction of the connecting A.C. lampholder.
• the shield or partial reflector 38 may be of metal, glass, plastic or other suitable materials.
• Figure 17 shows an adaptor fitted with a glass shade 39 or other material to diffuse and or direct light in a special direction or configuration.
• This glass shade can be open or enclosed and may duplicate a lamp shape as in drawing 10 item 33.
• Figure 18 shows an adaptor with integrated light or movement sensor 43.
• Figure 19 shows the "saucer style” adaptor 2 being used to retrofit normal
• the special reflector 4 is designed to work in conjunction with the existing specialised Lens 41 to provide a very precise light pattern.
• the invention can be seen to provide a highly compact and convenient adaptor incorporating within it's structure all the electricals and electronics required to transform any available normal A.C. supply voltage down to ELV such that virtually any GLS or incandescent reflector lamps and many others can be replaced with a lower wattage (power savings) lamp, matched reflector or diffuser and adaptor combination.
• ELV lamps used are readily replaceable, universally available, last considerably longer and often cost less than the lamp they replace.
• the adaptor is fitted the replacement of lamps will be safer as they are only ELV.

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Citations (8)

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• 1994
  • 1994-02-11 CN CN94191168A patent/CN1117758A/zh active Pending
  • 1994-02-11 KR KR1019950703375A patent/KR960701335A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1994-02-11 WO PCT/AU1994/000064 patent/WO1994018497A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1994-02-11 EP EP94907455A patent/EP0693168A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1994-02-11 JP JP6517455A patent/JPH08506687A/ja active Pending
  • 1994-02-11 CA CA002155945A patent/CA2155945A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (8)

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