Patent Publication Number: US-2023148323-A1

Title: Lighting apparatus having first and second ladder edges to prevent water from entering concealed space

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continued application of U.S. Application No. 17/240,369. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention is related to a lighting apparatus, and more particularly related to a lighting apparatus with water proof function. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The time when the darkness is being lighten up by the light, human have noticed the need of lighting up this planet. Light has become one of the necessities we live with through the day and the night. During the darkness after sunset, there is no natural light, and human have been finding ways to light up the darkness with artificial light. From a torch, candles to the light we have nowadays, the use of light have been changed through decades and the development of lighting continues on. 
     Early human found the control of fire which is a turning point of the human history. Fire provides light to bright up the darkness that have allowed human activities to continue into the darker and colder hour of the hour after sunset. Fire gives human beings the first form of light and heat to cook food, make tools, have heat to live through cold winter and lighting to see in the dark. 
     Lighting is now not to be limited just for providing the light we need, but it is also for setting up the mood and atmosphere being created for an area. Proper lighting for an area needs a good combination of daylight conditions and artificial lights. There are many ways to improve lighting in a better cost and energy saving. LED lighting, a solid-state lamp that uses light-emitting diodes as the source of light, is a solution when it comes to energy-efficient lighting. LED lighting provides lower cost, energy saving and longer life span. 
     The major use of the light emitting diodes is for illumination. The light emitting diodes is recently used in light bulb, light strip or light tube for a longer lifetime and a lower energy consumption of the light. The light emitting diodes shows a new type of illumination which brings more convenience to our lives. Nowadays, light emitting diode light may be often seen in the market with various forms and affordable prices. 
     After the invention of LEDs, the neon indicator and incandescent lamps are gradually replaced. However, the cost of initial commercial LEDs was extremely high, making them rare to be applied for practical use. Also, LEDs only illuminated red light at early stage. The brightness of the light only could be used as indicator for it was too dark to illuminate an area. Unlike modern LEDs which are bound in transparent plastic cases, LEDs in early stage were packed in metal cases. 
     In 1878, Thomas Edison tried to make a usable light bulb after experimenting different materials. In November 1879, Edison filed a patent for an electric lamp with a carbon filament and keep testing to find the perfect filament for his light bulb. The highest melting point of any chemical element, tungsten, was known by Edison to be an excellent material for light bulb filaments, but the machinery needed to produce super-fine tungsten wire was not available in the late 19th century. Tungsten is still the primary material used in incandescent bulb filaments today. 
     Early candles were made in China in about 200 BC from whale fat and rice paper wick. They were made from other materials through time, like tallow, spermaceti, colza oil and beeswax until the discovery of paraffin wax which made production of candles cheap and affordable to everyone. Wick was also improved over time that made from paper, cotton, hemp and flax with different times and ways of burning. Although not a major light source now, candles are still here as decorative items and a light source in emergency situations. They are used for celebrations such as birthdays, religious rituals, for making atmosphere and as a decor. 
     Illumination has been improved throughout the times. Even now, the lighting device we used today are still being improved. From the illumination of the sun to the time when human can control fire for providing illumination which changed human history, we have been improving the lighting source for a better efficiency and sense. From the invention of candle, gas lamp, electric carbon arc lamp, kerosene lamp, light bulb, fluorescent lamp to LED lamp, the improvement of illumination shows the necessity of light in human lives. 
     There are various types of lighting apparatuses. When cost and light efficiency of LED have shown great effect compared with traditional lighting devices, people look for even better light output. It is important to recognize factors that can bring more satisfaction and light quality and flexibility. 
     It is beneficial to design a light device that can provide water proof. When light devices are installed in outdoor environment or bathrooms, it is helpful to have such function. 
     However, cost is also an important factor to consider when designing such devices. It would be very helpful if multiple factors are considered to provide an elegant design. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, a lighting apparatus includes a light source, a light passing cover, a back cover and a rim frame. 
     The light source is used for emitting a light. 
     The light passing cover has a first ladder edge. 
     The rim frame has an inner frame and a light source holder. 
     The back cover, the rim frame and the light passing cover define a concealed space. 
     The light source is disposed in the light source holder in the concealed space. 
     The inner frame defines a light opening for the light to escape from the lighting apparatus. 
     The inner frame has a second ladder edge surrounding the light opening. 
     The first ladder edge and the second ladder edge are pressed by the back cover to press to each other. 
     Multiple ladder protrusion surfaces between the first ladder edge and the second ladder edge prevent water to enter the concealed space. 
     In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a light guide plate for guiding the light from the light source to the light opening. 
     A light guide plate is stacked upon the light passing cover to add a pressing force upon the first ladder edge toward the second ladder edge. 
     In some embodiments, the light passing cover is a light guide plate for guiding the light from the light source to the light opening. 
     In some embodiments, a diameter of the light passing cover is larger than the light opening. 
     In some embodiments, the light passing cover has a diffusion lens for diffusing the light of the light source. 
     In some embodiments, the light source includes a LED module mounted on a light source plate placed facing toward the light opening. 
     In some embodiments, the back cover has an electrode for connecting to a driver. 
     The driver converts an external power to generate a driving current supplied to the light source. 
     In some embodiments, the electrode is placed on a socket disposed on the back cover for detachably plugging a wire electrically connected to the driver. 
     In some embodiments, the first ladder edge has multiple protruding teeth. 
     In some embodiments, the rim frame has a lateral wall, a top edge of the lateral wall is corresponding to the back cover for connecting the back cover. 
     In some embodiments, the rim frame has a rim surface with a larger diameter than a bottom edge of the surrounding wall for concealing an installation opening of an installation cavity. 
     The surrounding side wall is placed inside the installation cavity. 
     In some embodiments, the light passing cover is made of plastic material and the first ladder edge has deformation when engaging the second ladder edge. 
     In some embodiments, a glue is placed between the first ladder edge and the second ladder edge. 
     In some embodiments, an elastic layer is placed between the first ladder edge and the second ladder edge. 
     In some embodiments, a sponge ring is placed inside the concealed space to absorbs water entering via the multiple ladder protrusion surfaces. 
     In some embodiments, the rim frame has an extension socket for attaching a function module outside the concealed space. 
     The extension socket provides a structural connection and wireless charging to the function module. 
     In some embodiments, the function module is attached to the socket via a magnetic unit. 
     In some embodiments, the function module communicates with a driver of the lighting apparatus 
     In some embodiments, the function module is a speaker module surrounding a side wall of the rim frame. 
     In some embodiments, a driver is attached to an inner surface of the back cover to be stored in the concealed space. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a lighting apparatus embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a side view of the embodiment in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an example of a rim frame. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an example of a light passing cover. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a back view of the example in  FIG.  1     
         FIG.  6    illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a structural diagram explains ladder surfaces. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates another embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates another type of a panel light device. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a downlight device example. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a zoom up view of ladder structure connection. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG.  8   , a lighting apparatus includes a light source  605 , a light passing cover  604 , a back cover  601  and a rim frame  606 . 
     The rim frame  606  may be made of a one-piece component or an assembly of multiple components. An example of the rim frame  606  may be found in the examples of  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  7   . But, please be noted that the rim frame  606  is not limited to the illustrated shape of square shape or the shape in that example. 
     The light source is used for emitting a light. For example, the light source may be a light strip made of a substrate mounted with multiple LED modules. These LED modules are connected in series or other way to receive a driving current and emit the light. In the example of  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  7   , the light source emits the light into a lateral wall of a light guide plate. 
     The light passing cover  604  has a first ladder edge  614 . The first ladder edge  614  is distributed surrounding a peripheral area of the light passing cover  604 . For example, if the light passing cover  604  is a square shape, the first ladder edge  614  are multiple protruding structures with concave and convex units surrounding a peripheral edge of the light passing cover. 
     The rim frame  606  has an inner frame  617  and a light source holder  618 . 
     The back cover  601 , the rim frame  606  and the light passing cover  604  define a concealed space  607 . 
     The light source  605  is disposed in the light source holder  618  in the concealed space  607 . 
     The inner frame  617  defines a light opening  608  for the light  609  to escape from the lighting apparatus. 
     The inner frame  617  has a second ladder edge  615  surrounding the light opening  604 . 
     The first ladder edge  614  and the second ladder edge  615  are pressed by the back cover  601  directly or indirectly to press to each other. For example, the back cover  601  has a protruding structure  6011  pressing a reflective layer  602 . The reflective layer  602  further presses the light guide plate  603 , and then the light guide plate  603  presses the light passing cover  604  so as to press the inner rim  617 . 
     Multiple ladder protrusion surfaces  613  between the first ladder edge  614  and the second ladder edge  615  prevent water to enter the concealed space  607 . 
     In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a light guide plate  603  for guiding the light  609  from the light source  612  to the light opening  608 . For example, the light guide plate  603  is a transparent plastic plate with a surface facing downwardly to the light opening  604 . There are multiple tiny dots disposed, e.g. by a laser machine, on the surface of the light guide plate  603  so that the light entering the light guide plate  603  escape from these tiny dots toward the light opening  608 . 
     A light guide plate  603  is stacked upon the light passing cover  604  to add a pressing force upon the first ladder edge  614  toward the second ladder edge  615 . 
     In some embodiments, the light passing cover is a light guide plate for guiding the light from the light source to the light opening. This is a variation of the example mentioned above. Persons of ordinary skilled in the art may regard the light passing cover  604  and the light guide plate  603  in  FIG.  8    to be integrated as a single unit. No repeated drawings are provided for this example for brevity. 
     In some embodiments, a diameter of the light passing cover is larger than the light opening. This is illustrated in  FIG.  8   . The light passing cover  604  has a larger diameter than the light opening so that the light passing cover  604  is stopped and held by the inner rim  617  when the light passing cover  604  is placed from top side downwardly to engage the inner rim  617 . 
     In some embodiments, the light passing cover has a diffusion lens for diffusing the light of the light source. For example, the light passing cover is roughen or added with diffusion lens for diffusing the light  609  to make the light more soft. 
     In  FIG.  9   , the light source includes a LED module  903  mounted on a light source plate  902  placed facing toward the light opening  901 . In other words, in alternative embodiments, the light source emits the light directly toward the light opening  901  without using a light guide plate in the example of  FIG.  8   . 
     In  FIG.  8   , the back cover  601  has an electrode  621  for connecting to a driver  622 . 
     The driver  622  converts an external power to generate a driving current supplied to the light source. For example, the driver  622  includes a rectifier and a filter for converting an alternating current of 110V to a direct current for used by LED modules of the light source. The driver  622  may also have a control circuit for adjusting color and/or color temperature of the light source. The driver  622  may have a wireless circuit for receiving an external command from an external device like a mobile phone to adjust the light source or perform other tasks. 
     In some embodiments, the electrode  621  is placed on a socket disposed on the back cover for detachably plugging a wire electrically connected to the driver. 
     In some embodiments, the first ladder edge has multiple protruding teeth. For example, in the example of  FIG.  8   , there are two teeth edges of the first ladder edge and the second ladder edge. There may be more than two teeth edges for the two ladder edges to match and engage to each other. 
     In some embodiments, the rim frame  606  has a lateral wall  616 , a top edge  6161  of the lateral wall  616  is corresponding to the back cover  601  for connecting the back cover  601 . The lateral wall  616  to the inner rim  617  may be a plastic unit that is water proof. The only water entrance in the bottom side of the lighting apparatus is the connection between the light passing cover  604  and the inner rim  617 . 
     In some embodiments, the rim frame has a rim surface  610  with a larger diameter than a bottom edge  616  of the surrounding wall for concealing an installation opening  632  of an installation cavity  631 . 
     The surrounding side wall  616  is placed inside the installation cavity  631 . 
     In some embodiments, the light passing cover is made of plastic material and the first ladder edge has deformation when engaging the second ladder edge. For example, the light passing cover is made of a plastic material with certain elastic characteristic. When the light passing cover is pressed over a threshold of a pressing force, the engaged surface has certain deformation to more closely engaging the second ladder edge of the inner rim. 
     In  FIG.  11   , a glue  971  is placed between the first ladder edge and the second ladder edge. Such glue may be applied before engaging the first ladder edge  973  to the second ladder edge  974 . 
     In some embodiments, an elastic layer  972  is placed between the first ladder edge  973  and the second ladder edge  974 . 
     In some embodiments, a sponge ring  975  is placed inside the concealed space to absorbs water entering via the multiple ladder protrusion surfaces. Such sponge ring  975  may absorbs any water not prevented by the ladder edge structures. 
     In  FIG.  8   , the rim frame has an extension socket  612  for attaching a function module  611  outside the concealed space  607 . In other words, to keep the water proof feature, the adding function module like wireless module, a speaker, a detector, a battery is placed outside the water proof structure. 
     The extension socket provides a structural connection and wireless charging to the function module. For example, the extension socket  612  may provide a plugging hole or may have a flat surface but use magnetic, hooking structure or other units for attaching the function module. 
     In some embodiments, the function module is attached to the socket via a magnetic unit. In such case, the alignment is performed between the function module with the lighting apparatus. 
     In some embodiments, the function module communicates with a driver of the lighting apparatus 
     In some embodiments, the function module is a speaker module surrounding a side wall of the rim frame. 
     In some embodiments of  FIG.  8   , a driver  688  may be placed inside the concealed space  607 , e.g. to be attached to an inner surface of the back cover  601  to be stored in the concealed space. For example, the back cover is used as a substrate for mounting driver components of the driver  688 . 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a downlight device. The downlight device has a rim frame  961  connected to a light passing cover  964  with the ladder structures mentioned above. There is a reflective cup  963  and a light source  962 . In such example, the back cover may be canceled and integrated directly with the rim frame  961 . 
     Please refer to  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  1    illustrates a lighting apparatus embodiment. 
     In  FIG.  1   , the lighting apparatus has a rim frame  1 , a light passing cover  2  and a bracket  3  to be installed to an installation cavity. 
       FIG.  2    shows a side view of the example in  FIG.  1   . The same reference numerals refer to the same components and are not repeated again for brevity. 
     The rim frame  1  has the second ladder edge  111  and the light passing cover  2  has the first ladder edge  221 , forming a water proof structure. 
       FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of the example in  FIG.  1   . The rim frame  1  has a side wall  12  that provides a container space for inserting the components of the lighting apparatus. 
       FIG.  4    shows an example of the light passing cover  2 . There is a central part  21  for allowing light to pass through. The edge part  22  has the first ladder edge  221  for matching the second ladder edge of the inner rim. 
       FIG.  5    shows another view of the example of the rim frame  1 . The back cover  5  has a back cover connector  51 . 
       FIG.  6    shows an exploded view of the components in the example of  FIG.  1   . 
     In  FIG.  6   , the back cover  5  has a back cover connector  51 . The back cover  5  presses the reflector layer  43  that further presses the light guide plate  42 . The reflector layer  43  and the light guide plate  42  together form an optical unit  5  that guides light to change directions. 
     The light source  41  emits light to the light guide plate  42  to emit a light. 
       FIG.  7    shows a side view illustrating the concept mentioned above. 
     The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined by the claims.