Abstract:
A programmable and alternately configurable lighting fixture including a light emitting diode array adapted to affixed within a fixture housing. The lighting fixture includes a controller that is adapted to selectively power the plurality of light emitting diodes to provide two or more light beam patterns, each of the two or more light beam patterns selectively directable to two or more distinct lighting areas. The controller and the plurality of light emitting diodes are conductively connected to a power supply. The controller is programmable such that the lighting fixture is adaptable to various seating and lighting configurations, for instance a two seat/two beam configuration, a three seat/three beam configuration or a four seat/four beam configuration. Interchangeable lens assemblies are configured to appropriately direct and focus the selected number of lighting beams to the selected and distinct lighting areas.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present application relates generally to lighting fixtures and, more particularly, to lighting fixtures utilized in passenger vehicles, such as aircraft, trains, buses, ships, etc. 
   A variety of lighting fixtures or elements, including fixtures comprising one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), are disclosed in the prior art. In some cases, these lighting elements include one or more LEDs enclosed in a housing having an optically neutral lens. In other cases, lighting elements may include focusing or coloring optics adapted to a particular purpose. For example, LEDs may be selectively powered to control a light beam pattern, including, the shape, size, intensity and direction of the light beam pattern. A controller can provide manual or automatic control of the light beam pattern to adjust an illumination area. 
   To the extent that conventional lighting fixtures have the capability to aim or direct a beam, this capability is typically limited to expanding or limiting a beam so as to direct a beam at a particular sub-region within a larger lighting region, e.g., the area defined by an area of a seat positioned below the fixture. As a result, one such fixture is often required for each user. For instance in an aircraft, one such fixture would be installed for each seat. To the extent that conventional lighting fixtures permit variation in directing the beam of light, the variation is typically limited to directing a beam to particular sub-region of a larger region, e.g., the area defined by the area of a seat positioned below the fixture. Again, one such fixture is often required for each user, resulting in the need for the installation of one such fixture for each seat. 
   SUMMARY 
   The above-mentioned drawbacks associated with existing lighting fixtures are addressed by embodiments of the present application, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. 
   In one embodiment, a lighting fixture comprises a housing, a substrate positioned within the housing, and an illumination array affixed to the substrate, the illumination array including a plurality of illumination elements adapted to emit light. The lighting fixture further comprises a controller conductively connected to the illumination array, the controller adapted to selectively power the plurality of illumination elements to provide two or more light beam patterns. Each of the two or more light beam patterns are directed to one of the two or more distinct non-contiguous lighting areas. 
   In another embodiment, a programmable and alternately configurable lighting fixture comprises a housing including an aperture formed within the housing and a substrate positioned within the housing. The lighting fixture further comprises an illumination array affixed to the substrate, the illumination array including a plurality of illumination elements adapted to emit two or more light beam patterns through the aperture formed within the housing, and an interchangeable lens assembly adapted to direct each of the two or more light beam patterns to one of the two or more distinct lighting areas. The lighting fixture further comprises a controller conductively connected to the illumination array, the controller adapted to selectively power the plurality of illumination elements to provide the two or more light beam patterns. 
   In another embodiment, a vehicle comprises a seating configuration including at least two seats and a programmable and alternately configurable lighting fixture positioned above the at least two seats. The lighting fixture includes a housing including an aperture formed within the housing, a substrate positioned within the housing, and an illumination array affixed to the substrate, the illumination array including a plurality of illumination elements adapted to emit two or more light beam patterns through the aperture formed within the housing. The lighting fixture further comprises an interchangeable lens assembly adapted to direct each of the two or more light beam patterns to one of the two or more distinct lighting areas, each of the two or more distinct lighting areas associated with one of the at least two seats of the seating configuration, and a controller conductively connected to the illumination array, the controller adapted to selectively power the plurality of illumination elements to provide the two or more distinct non-contiguous light beam patterns. 
   These and other embodiments of the present application will be discussed more fully in the detailed description. The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present application, or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a representative front view of a two-seat seating configuration including a lighting fixture, programmed to produce two lighting beams. 
       FIG. 2  is a representative front view of a three-seat seating configuration including a lighting fixture, programmed to produce three lighting beams. 
       FIG. 3  is a representative front view of a four-seat seating configuration including a lighting fixture, programmed to produce four lighting beams. 
       FIG. 4  is a representative front view of a lighting fixture according to the one embodiment of the present application. 
       FIG. 5  is a representative bottom exploded view of a lighting fixture according to the one embodiment of the present application. 
       FIG. 6  is a representative bottom exploded view of a lighting fixture adapted to provide four lighting beams. 
       FIG. 7  is a representative bottom exploded view of a lighting fixture adapted to provide three lighting beams. 
       FIG. 8  is a representative side sectional view of a lighting fixture adapted to provide four lighting beams. 
       FIG. 9  is a representative bottom view of a printed circuit board including an array light emitting diodes, power supply and controller circuitry. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic of an aircraft including overhead lighting fixtures according to one embodiment of the present application. 
   

   Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     FIGS. 1 through 3  are representative views of various seating installations in passenger vehicles, which include overhead lighting fixtures  10 . For purposes of illustration in this disclosure, the lighting fixtures  10  are described primarily with reference to an aircraft, such as, for example, the aircraft  200  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The lighting fixtures  10  can also be used, however, in other passenger vehicles, such as buses, trains, ships, etc. 
     FIG. 1  shows a front view of a two-seat configuration S 2 , including lighting fixture  10  attached to an underside of overhead unit OH 2 . In  FIG. 1 , lighting fixture  10  is shown adapted and programmed to produce two distinct non-contiguous light beams B 1  and B 2  that illuminate separate and distinct lighting areas LA 1  and LA 2 .  FIG. 2  shows a front view of a three-seat configuration S 3 , including lighting fixture  10  attached to an underside of overhead unit OH 3 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , lighting fixture  10  is adapted and programmed to produce three distinct non-contiguous light beams B 1 , B 2  and B 3  that illuminate separate and distinct lighting areas LA 1 , LA 2  and LA 3 .  FIG. 3  shows a front view of a four-seat configuration S 4 , including lighting fixture  10  attached to an underside of overhead unit OH 4 . In  FIG. 3 , lighting fixture  10  is shown adapted and programmed to produce four distinct non-contiguous light beams B 1  through B 4  that illuminate separate and distinct lighting areas LA 1  through LA 4 . 
     FIG. 4  is a front view of one embodiment of lighting fixture  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, lighting fixture  10  comprises a housing  11  and a service signal light  18 . Housing  11  forms a part of an overhead passenger service unit (PSU), which typically comprises injection-molded plastic. Lighting fixture  10  is preferably configured to provide a variety of forward and rearward facing illuminated service and warning indicators or messages. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 through 7 , lighting fixture  10  is shown including housing  11  having aperture  19 . Illumination array  20  includes a plurality of illumination elements  22  affixed to substrate  21 . In the illustrated embodiments, the illumination elements  22  comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), each having an output power of about 1 watt and arranged at a pitch of about 1 inch. As used herein, the term “pitch” denotes the center-to-center distance between adjacent illumination elements  22  in the array  20 . In other embodiments, the illumination elements  22  may comprise a different number of LEDs, LEDs having a different output power (e.g., 3 watts, 5 watts, etc.), and/or LEDs arranged at a different pitch. In still other embodiments, the illumination array  20  may comprise a wide variety of other suitable illumination elements  22 , such as, for example, organic LEDs (OLEDs), bi-state LEDs, tri-state LEDs, digital light processing (DLP) lamps, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), film membranes, halogen lamps, phosphor coatings activated by remote sources, etc. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , lens assembly  12  is removably attachable within aperture  19  and is configured to emit four distinct non-contiguous light beams. More particularly, lens assembly  12  is divided into four distinct lens sections  13 A through  13 D by opaque lens partitions  14 A through  14 C. Lens sections  13 A through  13 D may comprise a variety of suitable materials that are substantially transparent, such as, for example, transparent polycarbonate or acrylic. In addition, lens partitions  14 A through  14 C may comprise a variety of suitable materials that are substantially opaque, such as, for example, polycarbonate or another high-performance plastic. 
   Lens assembly  12  also includes lands  16 A and  16 B which provide attachment points at either end of lens assembly  12  for connection within aperture  19 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , opaque lens partitions  14 A through  14 C divide illumination array  20  into four illumination sub-arrays  31  through  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the four illumination sub-arrays  31  through  34  comprises five 1-watt LEDs, and each illumination sub-array  31  through  34  is separately switchable by operation of an assigned and corresponding switch  15 . In other embodiments, the illumination sub-arrays  31  through  34  may comprise a different number of LEDs, LEDs having a different output power, and/or different illumination elements. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , lens assembly  112  is removably attachable within aperture  19  and is configured to emit three distinct light beams. More particularly, lens assembly  112  is divided into three distinct lens sections  113 A through  113 C by opaque lens partitions  114 A through  114 D. Again, lens assembly  112  includes lands  116 A and  116 B which provide attachment points at either end of lens assembly  112  for connection within aperture  19 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , opaque lens partitions  114 A through  114 D divide illumination array  20  into three illumination sub-arrays  131  through  133 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the three illumination sub-arrays  131  through  133  comprises five 1-watt LEDs, and each illumination sub-array  131  through  133  is separately switchable by operation of an assigned and corresponding switch  15 . In other embodiments, the illumination sub-arrays  131  through  133  may comprise a different number of LEDs, LEDs having a different output power, and/or different illumination elements. 
     FIG. 8  is a representative side sectional view of lighting fixture  10 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , adapted to provide four lighting beams B 1  through B 4 . As shown, lighting fixture  10  includes a housing  11  and a lens assembly  12 . Lens assembly  12  includes lands  16 A and  16 B which provide attachment points at either end of lens assembly  12  for connection within aperture  19 . Illumination array  20  includes a plurality of illumination elements  22  affixed to substrate  21 . Lens assembly  12  is divided into four distinct lens sections  13 A through  13 D by opaque lens partitions  14 A through  14 C. Opaque lens partitions  14 A through  14 C divide illumination array  20  into four illumination sub-arrays  31  through  34 . Each of the four distinct lens sections  13 A through  13 D of lens assembly  12  can be configured in a manner known by those skilled in the art of lens design and manufacture, to direct and focus the associated lighting beam B 1  through B 4 , to a selected and distinct lighting area, as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view of substrate  21  including illumination array  20  affixed thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, substrate  21  comprises a printed circuit board  28 . Illumination array  20  includes a plurality of illumination elements  22 . In addition, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , forward facing illumination element  23  is provided for illumination of a service signal light  18 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, illumination elements  26  and  27  may provide illumination for rearward facing warning indicators or messages. As shown in  FIG. 9 , power supply  24  and controller  25  are also shown affixed to substrate  21  and conductively connected to each other as well as to illumination array  20 . 
   Controller  25  is preferably configured to permit lighting fixture  10  to be programmed for use in any of a number of possible seating configurations, for example as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, controller  25  comprises a stamp processor including three native programs corresponding to the three seating configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The appropriate native program to control the operation of the illumination array  20  can be selected based on the lens assembly  12  inserted into aperture  19 . 
   For example, when the lens assembly  12  illustrated in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  8  is inserted into aperture  19 , the lens partitions  14 A through  14 C may contact one or more pressure switches (not shown) on substrate  21 , thereby communicating to controller  25  that lighting fixture  10  is being used to illuminate a four-seat configuration S 4 , shown in  FIG. 3 . As a result, controller  25  will select the native program corresponding to this seating configuration to control the operation of the illumination array  20 . In this example, the selected native program will control the operation of the illumination array  20  such that it is subdivided into four illumination sub-arrays  31  through  34 , each of which is separately switchable by operation of an assigned and corresponding switch  15 . When a switch  15  corresponding to a particular illumination sub-array  31  through  34  is activated, the associated illumination sub-array  31  through  34  is energized, while the illumination elements  22  located beneath opaque lens partitions  14 A through  14 C are programmed not to illuminate. 
   To provide another example, when the lens assembly  12  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is inserted into aperture  19 , the lens partitions  114 A through  114 D may contact one or more pressure switches (not shown) on substrate  21 , thereby communicating to controller  25  that lighting fixture  10  is being used to illuminate a three-seat configuration S 3 , shown in  FIG. 2 . As a result, controller  25  will select the native program corresponding to this seating configuration to control the operation of the illumination array  20 . In this example, the selected native program will control the operation of the illumination array  20  such that it is subdivided into three illumination sub-arrays  131  through  133 , each of which is separately switchable by operation of an assigned and corresponding switch  15 . When a switch  15  corresponding to a particular illumination sub-array  131  through  133  is activated, the associated illumination sub-array  131  through  133  is energized, while the illumination elements  22  located beneath opaque lens partitions  114 A through  114 D are programmed not to illuminate. 
   In the examples described above, controller  25  selects the appropriate native program for a given seating configuration based on physical contacts made between the lens partitions  14 A through  14 C or  114 A through  114 D and one or more pressure switches located on substrate  21 . Other embodiments may employ a wide variety of other suitable switching devices, such as, for example, magnetic switches, radio frequency (RF) controlled electronic switches, etc. In addition, controller  25  may select the appropriate native program based on physical contacts made in other locations (e.g., lands  16 ) or based on non-physical contacts, such as, for example, RF or infrared (IR) transmissions made to the controller  25  from the lens assembly  12  or from another suitable programming device. 
   The systems and methods described above present a number of distinct advantages over traditional passenger vehicle illumination systems. For example, conventional illumination systems typically require one overhead lighting fixture for each passenger seating area. As a result, these systems typically require a unique overhead PSU design for each unique seating configuration. 
   By contrast, using the systems and methods described above, a single illumination array  20  can be used to illuminate multiple passenger seating areas. Therefore, as described above, such an illumination array  20  can advantageously be adapted to illuminate different seating configurations by selecting different lens assemblies  12 , for example. As a result, a uniform, modular design for an overhead PSU can be implemented throughout an entire passenger vehicle or fleet of vehicles, regardless of the different seating configurations implemented in the vehicles. Such a modular design can significantly reduce the cost and complexity associated with traditional passenger vehicle illumination systems. 
   Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments that do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this invention. For instance, while  FIGS. 1 through 3  depict three possible seating and lighting configurations, the invention is in no sense limited to the depicted configurations. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined only by reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof.