WO2024175408A1

WO2024175408A1 - Lamp with an antenna

Info

Publication number: WO2024175408A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/053494
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chaonan TIAN; Shanshan Qu
Original assignee: Signify Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2023-02-23
Filing date: 2024-02-12
Publication date: 2024-08-29

Abstract

A lamp (100) comprising: a lamp base (170) and a bulb envelope (180) connected to each other; a light emitting element (110); a stem (120) for mounting the light emitting element within the bulb envelope; the stem is formed from glass; an antenna (310) for wireless communication at least partially housed in the stem and being fixed at a pinch portion (123) of the stem within the bulb envelope, the antenna comprising a winding portion (311), adjacent to, but not in, the pinch portion; wherein: the stem (120) comprises a first chamber (121); and a second chamber (122); the pinch portion (123) separates the first chamber and the second chamber; and the winding portion (311) is at least partially housed in the first chamber (121).

Description

LAMP WITH AN ANTENNA

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of lamps, particularly to lamps comprising an antenna.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The increasing use of artificial light is causing a greater demand for lamps, such as lightbulbs. In particular, there is a growing demand for smart lamps that are able to communicate with other devices, e.g., to provide wireless connectivity for wireless control of the lamp. One essential structural element for enabling wireless communication is an antenna.

A conventional smart filament lamp will comprise a monopole wire antenna. This antenna is positioned within the stem of the filament lamp, the stem supporting the filament of the lamp. This positioning provides a restricted space for the antenna, which limits the maximum possible length of the antenna. To achieve a desired length for the monopole antenna, e.g., to provide a quarter wavelength antenna, it is currently considered necessary for an assembler of the lamp to manually bend the antenna when assembling the bulb. This procedure is difficult for the operator to perform quickly and accurately. As lamps will also comprise power lines, there is also a desire for the antenna to be distanced from the power lines (e.g., to reduce unintentionally coupling from the power lines to the antenna). The current need to bend the antenna increases a difficulty of distancing the power line(s) from the antenna.

There is therefore a demand for a lamp with an improved antenna arrangement or assembly.

EP 3139086A1 discloses a lighting device comprising an exhaust tube and a wireless communication antenna arranged inside the exhaust tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims.

According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a lamp comprising: a lamp base and a bulb envelope connected to each other; a light emitting element; a stem for mounting the light emitting element within the bulb envelope; an antenna for wireless communication at least partially housed in the stem and being fixed at a pinch portion of the stem within the bulb envelope, the antenna comprising a winding portion adjacent to, but not in, the pinch portion. The stem may be formed from glass. The stem may comprise a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the pinch portion separates the first chamber and the second chamber. The winding portion may be at least partially housed in the first chamber. The first chamber may be more proximate to the light emitting element than the second chamber. This provides a more efficient antenna for the lamp as it is located far away from the EMI shielding by the lamp base.

The present disclosure provides a lamp in which a winding portion of an antenna is at least partially housed within the stem. This provides an antenna having an increased overall length, which is still able to fit or be positioned at least partially within the stem that supports the light emitting element. In this way, visibility of the antenna to a viewer of the lamp is significantly reduced.

The proposed arrangement is also easier to assemble, as it does not require any bending of the antenna during assembly. Rather, the winding shape of the antenna can be prepared in advance (i.e., before assembly).

In the context of the present disclosure, a pinch portion may represent a part of the stem that fixes or secures other components of the lamp, including at least the antenna. More particularly, a pinch portion is a portion of the stem that is formed by heating the stem until it is in a molten state, and subsequently pinching/squeezing the stem to form the pinch portion and secure any components positioned within the portion that is pinched thereto.

In preferred examples, the antenna is configured to not extend from the stem in a direction towards the light emitting element. Thus, the antenna may be housed within the stem.

In some examples, the winding portion of the antenna has a helical structure. This embodiment may further improve the effective length of the antenna, whilst providing sufficient space for other components of the lamp to be positioned in the stem.

The lamp may further comprise a support for the light emitting element. In preferred examples, the support is at least partially extended from the stem; and the winding portion of the antenna is configured to wrap around a portion of the support . This provides a mechanism for increasing the length of the antenna whilst maintaining a highly compact lamp, as wrapping the winding portion around the support reduces free space within the overall lamp. In particular examples, at least part of the support is located within the stem and the winding portion of the antenna is configured to wrap around this part of the support. The first chamber may entirely house the winding portion of the antenna.

This embodiment improves the appearance of the lamp by reducing the visibility of the winding portion of the antenna (e.g., by preventing the winding portion from being exposed within the bulb envelope).

This increases an ease of manufacturing the lamp, as the pinch portion can be positioned below the winding portion for ease of locating and identifying the location for creating the pinch portion during manufacture.

The pinch portion may be configured to restrict or prevent movement of the winding portion of the antenna from the first chamber to the second chamber. This approach provides a further barrier to movement for the antenna, thereby providing a more stable and robust antenna.

The antenna may further comprise an elongate portion that extends through the second chamber. The elongate portion may be configured for connection to other communication circuitry or a communication module of the lamp.

The lamp may further comprise an exhaust tube for transporting gas to or from the bulb envelope, the exhaust tube being structurally supported by the stem. The exhaust tube may be secured to the stem at or adjacent to the pinch portion of the stem.

Preferably, the entirety of the antenna is located externally to the exhaust tub.

The lamp may further comprise one or more power lines for the light emitting element. Each power line may, for instance, be secured to the stem of the lamp at the pinch portion of the stem.

The winding portion of the antenna may comprise two or more turns, e.g., three or more turns, e.g., five or more turns. This provides an option for assemblers of the lamp to adjust or select the length of the antenna.

The light emitting element comprises one or more LED filaments. This provides a more energy efficient lamp.

The lamp base may comprise an electrical connector for electrically connecting the lamp to a lamp socket.

The lamp may be a gas filled light bulb. In particular, the lamp may be filled with an inert gas such as helium, argon, nitrogen, halogen, xenon, krypton and/or a mixture of any of these inert gases. The user of an inert gas may, for instance, improve the thermal dissipation of heat from the light emitting element for improved performance and lamp lifetime. Inert gases also prevent or reduce degradation of components within the lamp. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a lamp;

Figure 2 illustrates internal elements of a lamp;

Figure 3 illustrates an antenna-stem assembly for use in an embodiment;

Figure 4 illustrates an antenna for use in an embodiment;

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative view of the antenna; and

Figure 6 illustrates a technique for producing the antenna-stem assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

The invention provides a lamp having an antenna. The antenna has a winding portion that is positioned within a stem for the lamp. The winding portion is positioned to be adjacent to a pinch portion of the stem.

Embodiments are based on the realization that the effective length of an antenna for a lamp can be increased by configuring the antenna to have a winding portion (e.g., with a helical, curved, serpentine or zig-zag shape). However, positioning such a portion within the lamp may detract from the visual appearance of the lamp. The proposed approach positions the winding portion proximate to a pinch portion to reduce this effect. Proposed approaches can be used in any form of lamp for any suitable environment, such as an automotive environment (e.g.., a lamp for an automobile), office environments, home environments, industrial environments, clinical environments and so on.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate components of a lamp 100 for improved contextual understanding. Figure 1 provides a side view of the lamp 100, and Figure 2 provides a side view of some of the components of the lamp 100.

The lamp 100 comprises a light emitting element 110, a support 115, a stem 120, a lamp base 170 and a bulb envelope 180.

The light emitting element 110 is configured to generate and emit light. In the illustrated example, the light emitting element is formed from a filament, such as an LED filament, arranged in a helical structure. However, this is not essential and other configurations for a light emitting element 110 will be apparent to the skilled person, e.g., a bundle of filaments and/or a set of vertically arranged filaments. Thus, the light emitting element 110 may comprise one or more LED filaments. Alternatively, the light emitting element 110 may comprise one or more LED chips and/or arrays of LEDs.

The support 115 is configured to provide structural support for the light emitting element 110. In the illustrated example, the support 115 is formed from a piece of solid material (such as glass or metal) for providing structural support along the length of the light emitting element 110.

The stem 120 provides structural support to at least the support 115, as well as other components of the lamp 100. In particular, the stem 120 may be used to affix, secure or align components (including at least the support 115) within the lamp. The stem may be formed of any suitable material, and is preferably an insulating material that melts or becomes viscous upon exposure to heat - such as glass.

The lamp base 170 and the bulb envelope 180 connect to one another, and encapsulate other components of the lamp 100.

The lamp base 170 provides structural support to other components of the lamp.

The lamp base 170 may comprise an electrical connector 190 for electrically connecting the lamp 100 to a socket (not shown). The illustrated electrical connector comprises an Edison screw, but this could be readily replaced by an alternative form of electrical connector (e.g., a bayonet connector or a push-pin connector).

The bulb envelope 180 may, for instance, be formed of a transparent or translucent material that ensures illumination from the light emitting element 110 is capable of dissipating or being transmitted to the surroundings. Thus, the bulb envelope 180 may be formed from a transmissive and/or dispersive material. For example, the material of the bulb envelope 180 may be glass or a plastic.

The lamp 100 may be gas filled light bulb. In particular, the lamp base 170 and bulb envelope 180 may encapsulate or house a gas, which is preferably an inert gas such as helium, argon, nitrogen, halogen, xenon, krypton and/or a mixture of any of these inert gases. In this way, the light emitting element 110 can be located within an inert environment for reduced risk of degradation.

Turning specifically to Figure 2, the stem 120 may comprise a pinch portion 123 or pinch area. Alternative labels for the pinch portion 123 include a pinched portion, a neck portion or a tapered portion.

The pinch portion represents a part of the stem 120 that fixes or secures to other components within the lamp 100. For instance, the support 115, power lines 210, an (optional) exhaust tube (not visible) and so on may be secured to the pinch portion 123. As is well known to the skilled person, a pinch portion may be formed by melting a portion of the stem and squeezing the melted portion to grip the aforementioned components.

In particular, a pinch portion may be formed by heating the stem to a temperature where the material of the stem becomes viscous. The viscous material is then pressed or pinched to create an airtight connection between the components at the pinched location, thereby forming the pinch portion.

The pinch portion may therefore be formed from a monolithic piece of material,. This is in comparison to other portions of the stem which may be hollow.

The pinch portion 123 is provided within the bulb envelope 180 of the lamp.

More specifically, the stem 120 may comprise a first chamber 121, a second chamber 122 and the pinch portion 123. The pinch portion 123 separates the first and second chambers from one another. When viewed in at least one cross-sectional plane, the stem 120 tapers in a direction from the first chamber to the second chamber, before subsequently expanding again. This tapered section of the stem forms the pinch portion 123.

The first chamber 121 is located closer to the light emitting element 110 than the second chamber 122. Similarly, the second chamber 122 is located closer to the lamp base 170 than the first chamber 121.

The lamp 100 may further comprise a communication module 220, e.g., a wireless communication module. The communication module 220 is configured to transmit and/or receive signals (e.g., via an antenna), which may be used for controlling the operation of the lamp or transmitting signals from the lamp. For instance, the communication module 220 may receive instructions on how to operate the lamp 100 (specifically, the light emitting element 110) via one or more radio frequency signals received via the antenna. The instructions may, for instance, define one or more light characteristics for light emitted by the light emitting element, a light intensity, color, color temperature and so on.

As another example, the communication module may be used to transmit information gathered by one or more sensors (not shown) carried by the lamp. Examples sensors include temperature sensors, light intensity sensors, proximity sensors (e.g., infrared occupancy sensors) and so on.

The communication module 220 may be housed within the lamp base 170. However, this is not essential.

Of course, the lamp 100 may further comprise control circuitry and/or power/driving circuitry. The control circuitry may operate responsive to messages or instructions received by the communication module, e.g., to control one or more light characteristics of light emitted by the light emitting element 110 (examples of which have been previously provided). The control circuitry may, for instance, control the operation of power/driving circuitry in order to control the one or more light characteristics of the light emitting element 110 and therefore the lamp 100.

The operation of a communication module and associated control circuitry is well known to the skilled person, and is not explained in detail for the sake of conciseness.

The control circuitry and/or power/driving circuitry may be formed together with the communication module 220 on a single chip for ease of assembly and/or manufacture.

The present invention relates primarily to a configuration of an antenna for facilitating wireless communications for the lamp. The antenna may, for instance, be an antenna of/for a/the communications module of the lamp.

Figure 3 provides a cross-sectional view of an antenna-stem assembly 300. The antenna stem assembly 300 is the assembly of the stem 120 and the antenna 310 for the lamp. Other relevant features are illustrated for the sake of contextual understanding such as the support 115 and an exhaust tube 350 (later described).

The antenna 310 is fixed or secured to the stem 120 at the pinch portion 123 of the stem 120. In this way, the antenna is at least partially housed within the bulb envelope (not shown). It will be appreciated that the antenna 310 may be communi catively/electrically connected to a communication module (not shown in Figure 3). The antenna 310 comprises a winding portion 311. A winding portion 311 comprises one or more bends or curves that act to increase the effective length of the antenna within a restricted area or volume (e.g., compared to a single straight antenna).

The winding portion 311 is housed at least partially within the stem 120, e.g., wholly within the stem. More specifically, the winding portion is positioned adjacent to, but not within, the pinch portion 123 of the stem 120. For instance, as illustrated, the winding portion 311 may be positioned at least partially within the first chamber 121 of the stem 120, e.g., wholly within the first chamber 121.

In this way, the winding portion is positioned to be proximate to the pinch portion 123 of the stem. The winding portion is not located within the pinch portion 123. This avoids deformation to the winding portion during production or assembly of the lamp, which may affect the performance or response of the antenna.

With reference to Figure 2, it is noted that at least one power line 210 may extend out of the pinch portion 123 towards the light emitting element 110. In this approach, positioning the winding portion within the first chamber 121 of the stem 120 distances the antenna from the power line 210 (e.g., they are separated by at least the walls of the stem 120).

Turning back to Figure 3, the first chamber 121 may entirely house the winding portion 311 of the antenna 310. In this way, the pinch portion 123 may be configured to restrict or prevent movement of the winding portion 311 of the antenna 310 from the first chamber 121 to the second chamber 122. This acts to further reduce a movement of the antenna within the stem (beyond the simple securing of the antenna to the pinch portion 123).

The winding portion 311 may be the most distal portion of the antenna from the communication module (not shown). Thus, the winding portion may be the most proximate portion of the antenna 310 to the light emitting element.

The illustrated example of a winding portion 311 is a helical portion, in which the winding portion is formed to have a helical structure or shape. The winding portion may, for instance, comprise at least one turn, e.g., two or more turns.

An alternative to forming the winding portion in a helical structure or shape is to form the winding portion to have a zig-zag pattern or serpentine shape.

As previously mentioned, the lamp may comprise a support 115 for the light emitting element. This support may be at least partially housed within the stem 120. In particular, the support may pass through the first chamber 121 and be secured to stem at the pinch portion 123. The support 115 extends outwardly from the stem for supporting the light emitting element. The winding portion 311 of the antenna 310 may be configured to wrap around a portion of the support 115, e.g., a portion of the support that is housed by the stem 120. Thus, the winding portion may partially encircle or wrap around a portion of the support 115 within the first chamber 121 of the stem 120.

The antenna 310 may, as illustrated, further comprise an elongate portion 312. This elongate portion 312 may, for instance, connect the winding portion 311 to the communication module or other communication circuitry (not shown). Preferably, the elongate portion extends through the second chamber 122 of the stem. The pinch portion 123 of the stem 120 may be secured to the elongate portion 312 of the antenna 310, to thereby be secured to the antenna.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the lamp may further comprise an exhaust tube 350 for transporting gas to or from the bulb envelope. The exhaust tube may, for instance, be used to fill the bulb envelope with an inert gas (and exhaust air) during manufacture. The exhaust tube may then be capped or otherwise closed (e.g., melted with a flame) to prevent/avoid the loss of inert gas from the bulb envelope. Suitable example materials and construction techniques for forming an exhaust tube are well known in the art.

The exhaust tube 350 is structurally supported by the stem 120. In particular, the exhaust tube 350 may be structurally supported by or at the pinch portion 123 of the stem 120.

The entirety of the antenna 310 is located externally to the exhaust tube 350 (where present).

Figure 3 also demonstrates how the pinch portion may be formed from a monolithic piece of material, e.g., such that it contains no or minimal gas/air outside of any present in any components secured in/to the pinch portion such as the exhaust tube 350. This is in comparison to other portions of the stem which may be hollow.

Figures 4 and 5 provide specific views of the antenna 310 for improved understanding. Figure 4 provides a side view of the antenna 310, more clearly demonstrating how the antenna is formed from a winding portion 311 and an elongate portion 312. Figure 5 provides a top-down view of the antenna 310, which demonstrates how the winding portion 311 may have a helical structure.

Figure 6 illustrates a technique for manufacturing the antenna-stem assembly 300 according to an embodiment.

At a first point in time 610, a stem 120 is provided together with a support 115 (for the light emitting element). The stem 120 has a tube-shaped portion 615 (at least initially). The support 115 is passed into the tube-shaped portion 615 of the stem 130, so as to be at least partially housed within the tube-shaped portion 615.

In a first process 650, an antenna 310 is provided. In one example, a portion of the antenna (which, for this example, may be initially elongate) is wrapped around the support 115 to form the winding portion 311. Alternatively and preferably, the support 115 may be threaded through a winding portion 311 that has been pre-made (e.g., pre-wound) before production of the assembly 300 begins. The remainder of the antenna is positioned through the tube-shaped portion 615 of the stem. In this way, the antenna 310 is formed to have a winding portion 311 and an elongate portion 312.

In this way, at a second point in time 620 after the first process 650 is complete, there is provided a stem 120 through which a support 115 and an antenna 310 (of which a winding portion 311 is wrapped around the support) is positioned.

In a second process 660, the stem is pinched to secure the support 115 and the antenna 310. Process 660 can be performed by, for instance, heating the stem at a desired location until the material becomes viscous and/or starts to flow. The stem may then be squeezed, pinched or otherwise manipulated to bring two opposing sides of the stem 120 together at the desired location. This pinching creates the pinch portion 123 at the desired location. Thus, the desired location may be a location at which the support and antenna are present. The pinch portion thereby secures the stem to the support 115 and the antenna 310. Heating and pinching the stem in the second process 660 thereby creates the first chamber 121, the second chamber 122 and the pinch portion 123 of the stem 120 previously described.

During the second process 660, the support 115 and antenna 310 are positioned such that they are at least partially housed within the stem 120. In particular, the winding portion 311 is positioned within the stem, such that when the stem is pinched, the winding portion lies within a first chamber 311 defined within the stem.

In this way, at a third point in time 630 after the second process 660 is complete, there is provided an antenna-stem assembly 300 comprising a stem 120 and an antenna 310 partially housed in the stem. In particular, a winding portion 311 of the antenna 310 is located within a first chamber 121 of the stem.

Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "arrangement" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "arrangement" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lamp (100) comprising: a lamp base (170) and a bulb envelope (180) connected to each other; a light emitting element (110); a stem (120) for mounting the light emitting element within the bulb envelope; the stem is formed from glass; an antenna (310) for wireless communication at least partially housed in the stem and being fixed at a pinch portion (123) of the stem within the bulb envelope, the antenna comprising a winding portion (311), adjacent to, but not in, the pinch portion; wherein: the stem (120) comprises a first chamber (121); and a second chamber (122); the pinch portion (123) separates the first chamber and the second chamber; and the winding portion (311) is at least partially housed in the first chamber (121).

2. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the winding portion (311) of the antenna (310) has a helical structure.

3. The lamp of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a support (115) for the light emitting element (110) the support (115) is at least partially extended from the stem (120); and the winding portion (311) of the antenna (310) is configured to wrap around a portion of the support.

4. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the first chamber entirely houses the winding portion (311) of the antenna (310).

5. The lamp of claim 4, wherein the pinch portion (123) is configured to restrict or prevent movement of the winding portion (311) of the antenna (310) from the first chamber (121) to the second chamber (122).

6. The lamp of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antenna (310) further comprises an elongate portion (312) that extends through the second chamber (122).

7. The lamp of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first chamber (121) is closer to the light emitting element (110) than the second chamber (122).

8. The lamp of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an exhaust tube (350) for transporting gas to or from the bulb envelope, the exhaust tube being structurally supported by the stem.

9. The lamp of claim 8, wherein the entirety of the antenna (310) is located externally to the exhaust tube (350).

10. The lamp of any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising one or more power lines for the light emitting element.

11. The lamp of any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the winding portion (311) of the antenna (310) comprises two or more turns.

12. The lamp of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the light emitting element (110) comprises one or more LED filaments.

13. The lamp of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lamp base comprises an electrical connector (190) for electrically connecting the lamp to a lamp socket.

14. The lamp of any of claim 1 to 13, wherein the lamp is a gas filled light bulb.