Patent Publication Number: US-10781983-B2

Title: Courtyard sensor lamp

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is a 35 USC § 371 U.S. national stage of International Application No. PCT/CN2018/075298 filed on Feb. 5, 2018, and claims priority under the Paris Convention to Chinese Patent Application Serial No. CN 201720112594.4 filed on Feb. 7, 2017. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of illumination, and more particularly, to a courtyard sensor lamp with a built-in sensor, which is suitable for use in a courtyard. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the field of illumination, a lamp, known as “courtyard sensor lamp” is used for lighting in the interior of the courtyard. There are many kinds of courtyard sensor lamps, such as a courtyard sensor lamp fixed in a courtyard or a flower bed by an upright rod, or a courtyard sensor lamp directly attached to a wall. 
     In terms of energy saving and environmental protection, the courtyard sensor lamps used in a house or in a yard is generally controlled to be turned on or turned off separately. That is, it is turned on when needed, and turned off when not needed. Therefore, each courtyard sensor lamp is provided with a switch module which is separately controllable. However, the courtyard sensor lamp is generally in a relatively empty environment (such as road side, flower bed side, or outdoor wall), and a simple external switch module may not only affect the aesthetics of the courtyard sensor lamp, but also have a reduced service life due to a large amount of water flowing into the switch module or light shining directly on the switch module. 
     For most of the courtyard sensor lamps, the sensor is separable from the switch control module, which is inconvenient for consumers to use and affects the appearance and shape of the lamp body. 
     Therefore, based on the above deficiencies, there is an urgent need in the market to provide a courtyard sensor lamp that is aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, and safe to use. 
     SUMMARY 
     Based on the above, in order to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art, the present disclosure provides a courtyard sensor lamp which is aesthetically pleasing, convenient to use, and safe to use. 
     The technical solution is as follows: a courtyard sensor lamp, which includes a arm, a cover, a light source and a lampshade. 
     The arm has a fixed end and a hanging end connected to each other. 
     The cover includes an upper cover, a lower cover, a connecting portion and a switch module, the upper cover is connected to the hanging end, the upper cover is rotatably connected to the lower cover, the connecting portion is connected to the upper cover or the lower cover, the connecting portion is provided with a through hole corresponding to the switch module, and the switch module is fixed to a upper portion of the lower cover and disposed in the connecting portion. 
     A light source is electrically connected to the switch module. 
     The lampshade is fixed below the lower cover and covers the light source. 
     The switch module is an integrated lamp sensor and sensor switch control module, and the switch module is controllable by rotation between the upper cover and the lower cover. During an operating mode, the lamp sensor faces toward the front of the courtyard sensor lamp. By rotating the upper cover or lower cover, a control button on the back of the lamp sensor can be showed. When adjustment of the lamp sensor is finished, the lamp sensor is rotated back to an original position, and then the courtyard sensor lamp can operates normally. 
     With the rotation between the upper cover and the lower cover, the switch module can be rotated accordingly to a use position or a hidden position. The switch module is hidden to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and also prevents the switch module from being exposed to the outside environment and being irradiated by sunlight or eroded by wind or rain. 
     In one embodiment, the connecting portion and the lower cover are fixed to each other, a lower portion of the upper cover is provided with an annular undulating protrusion, and an upper portion of the connecting portion is provided with a groove engaged with the undulating protrusion. The groove is an annular groove cooperating with the annular undulating protrusion. There is an interference fit between the undulating projection and the groove. 
     In one embodiment, there is at least two undulating projections and at least two grooves engaged with the at least two undulating projections respectively. A plurality of undulating projections make the structure more compact and the fit more stable. 
     In one embodiment, the connecting portion and the upper cover are fixed to each other, a lower portion of the connecting portion is provided with a concave step, and the lower cover or the switch module fixed on the lower cover is provided with a boss cooperating with the step. The lower cover is connected to the connecting portion by an engaging manner. The lower cover is covered in the connecting portion, and the switch module disposed in the lower cover is also covered and hidden by the switch module to prevent the switch module from being exposed to the outside environment and being irradiated by sunlight or eroded by wind or rain. By rotating the switch module to the corresponding through hole of the connecting portion, the switch control of the courtyard sensor lamp can be implemented. Such operation is convenient and simple. 
     In one embodiment, an angle of axial rotation between the upper cover and the lower cover is 75°≤α≤175°. When the angle is less than 75°, the rotation angle is too small, and the control is inconvenient; and when the angle is greater than 175°, the corresponding through hole of the connecting portion is opened larger, and the larger the through hole, the more rain or light entering during the rain or the sun, thereby affecting the service life. Moreover, the larger through hole also affects the aesthetics of the appearance. 
     In one embodiment, the through hole has a long groove shape formed along the rotation angle. The through hole is also a rotation track of the switch module. 
     In one embodiment, the light source is an incandescent lamp or an LED lamp. 
     In one embodiment, the light source is fixed inside the lampshade at an upper part of the lampshade by a ceramic lamp holder. The ceramic lamp holder and the switch module are connected to each other, and the switch module is connected to the electric supply. 
     In one embodiment, the switch module includes an infrared sensor and a switch knob electrically connected to each other. 
     In one embodiment, a sealing element is disposed between the upper cover, the connecting portion and the lower cover. The sealing element is a silicone seal. 
     The principles and effects of the present disclosure will be further described below in conjunction with the above technical solutions. 
     1. With the axial rotation between the upper cover and the lower cover, the switch module can be rotated to the use position or the hidden position accordingly. The switch module is hidden to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and also prevents the switch module from being exposed to the outside environment and being eroded by the sunlight, wind or rain. 
     2. The lower portion of the upper cover is provided with an annular undulating protrusion, and the upper portion of the connecting portion is provided with a groove engaged with the undulating protrusion. The groove is an annular groove cooperates with the annular undulating protrusion. There is an interference fit between the undulating projection and the groove. The rotational configuration is simple, and easy to operate. 
     3. The connecting portion and the upper cover are fixed to each other, the lower portion of the connecting portion is provided with a concave step, and the lower cover or the switch module fixed on the lower cover is provided with a boss cooperating with the step. The lower cover is connected to the connecting portion by the engaging manner, the lower cover is covered in the connecting portion, and the switch module disposed in the lower cover is also covered and hidden by the switch module to prevent the switch module from being exposed to the outside environment and being irradiated by sunlight or eroded by wind or rain. By rotating the switch module to the corresponding through hole of the connecting portion, the switch control of the courtyard sensor lamp can be implemented. Such operation is convenient and simple. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a courtyard sensor lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is another schematic structural diagram illustrating a courtyard sensor lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a courtyard sensor lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, before an upper cover and a lower cover are rotated. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a courtyard sensor lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, after the upper cover and the lower cover has been rotated. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a courtyard sensor lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with an upper cover connected to a connecting portion. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a courtyard sensor lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a lower cover connected to a connecting portion. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic structural diagram illustrating an undulating protrusion and a groove of a courtyard sensor lamp which cooperate with each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SIGNS 
       11 , fixed end;  12 , hanging end;  21 , upper cover;  22 , connecting portion;  23 , lower cover;  24 , switch module;  25 , through hole;  241 , switch knob;  211 , undulating protrusion;  221 , groove;  31 , lampshade;  32 , light source; and  33 , ceramic lamp holder. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below. 
     A courtyard sensor lamp according to the present disclosure includes an arm, a cover, a light source  32  and a lampshade  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the arm has a fixed end  11  and a hanging end  12  connected to each other. The fixed end  11  and the hanging end  12  may be integrally formed, or may be separate components that connected to each other. The fixed end  11  is provided with a screw hole for being fixed to the wall, and the hanging end  12  extends outward by a certain distance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the cover is fixedly suspended from the hanging end  12 , and the cover includes an upper cover  21  and a lower cover  23  rotatably connected to the upper cover  21  by axial rotation, and an angle of axial rotation between the upper cover  21  and the lower cover  23  is 90°.  FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram before rotation, and  FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram after the angle of axial rotation reaching 90°. The cover further includes a connecting portion  22  fixedly connected to the upper cover  21 , and a switch module  24 . The lower portion of the connecting portion  22  is provided with a concave step, and the lower cover  23  or the switch module  24  fixed on the lower cover  23  is provided with a boss that cooperates with the step. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the switch module  24  is fixed to the upper portion of the lower cover  23  and disposed in the connecting portion  22 . When the lower cover  23  is rotated, the switch module  24  is simultaneously rotated. The connecting portion  22  is provided with a through hole  25  corresponding to the switch module  24 . The switch module  24  includes an infrared sensor and a switch knob  241  that are electrically connected to each other. According to the configuration of the switch module  24 , the through hole  25  in this embodiment has a long groove shape formed along the rotation angle. The through hole  25  is also the rotation track of the switch module  24 . A sealing element is disposed between the upper cover, the connecting portion and the lower cover. The sealing element is a silicone seal. 
     In this embodiment, the switch module  24  is an integrated lamp sensor and sensor switch control module, and the switch module is controllable by rotation between the upper cover  21  and the lower cover  24 . During an operating mode, the lamp sensor faces forward the front of the courtyard sensor lamp. By rotating the upper cover or the lower cover, a control button on the back of the lamp sensor can be showed. When adjustment of the lamp sensor is finished, the lamp sensor is rotated back to an original position, and then the courtyard sensor lamp can operates normally. 
     In this embodiment, the lower cover  23  is movably connected to the connecting portion  22  by an engaging manner, and the switch module  24  disposed in the lower cover  23  is simultaneously covered and hidden by the connecting portion  22  to prevent the switch module  24  from being exposed to the outside environment and being irradiated by sunlight or being eroded by wind or rain. By rotating the switch module  24  to the corresponding through hole  25  of the connecting portion  22 , the switch control of the courtyard sensor lamp can be implemented, which is easy to operate. 
     In the embodiment, the connecting portion  22  is fixedly connected to the upper cover  21 , and the connecting portion  22  is provided with a through hole  25 . When the switch module  24  rotates with the lower cover  23  to the use position, the switch module  24  is exposed at the through hole  25 . The through hole  25  is used for the switch module  24  to communicate with the outside, which is convenient for the user to operate. When the switch module  24  is rotated to the hidden position, the switch module  24  is hidden by the connecting portion  22  to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and also prevents the switch module  24  from being exposed to outside environment and being irradiated by sunlight or being eroded by wind or rain. 
     The lampshade  31  is fixed below the lower cover  23 , and the light source  32  is disposed in the lampshade  31 . The light source  32  is electrically connected to the switch module  24 . The lampshade  31  can be a glass lampshade  31  or a plastic lampshade  31  with good optical transparency, and the light source  32  can be an incandescent lamp or an LED lamp. The light source  32  is fixed inside the lampshade  31  at an upper part of the lampshade  31  by a ceramic lamp holder  33 . The ceramic lamp cap  33  and the switch module  24  are connected to each other, and the switch module  24  is connected to an electric supply. 
     During implementation, the electric supply can supply electric power to the switch module  24 , and the user can select an infrared sensor switch or a manual switch according to the switch module  24 . After the switch is activated, the electric power is sent to the light source  32  fixedly connected to the ceramic lamp holder  33  through the wire, and light source  32  is turned on. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the connecting portion  22  and the lower cover  23  are fixed to each other, and the switch module  24  is exposed at the through hole  25 . The lower portion of the upper cover  21  is provided with an annular undulating protrusion  211 , and an upper portion of the connecting portion  22  is provided with a groove  221  which is engaged with the undulating protrusion  211 . The groove  221  is an annular groove  221  cooperating with the annular undulating protrusions  211 . An interference fit is formed between the undulating protrusion  211  and the groove  221 . There are at least two undulating protrusions  211  and at least two grooves  221  engaged with the at least two undulating protrusions  211  respectively. During implementation, the undulating protrusion  211  rotates in an annular shape along the groove  221 , thereby rotating the upper cover  21  and the lower cover  23  to each other. The switch module  24  fixed to the connecting portion  22  is rotated to the use position or the hidden position accordingly. In this embodiment, the use position may be a side of the courtyard sensor lamp that often faces the user. For example, the courtyard sensor lamp is provided on the side of the road through which the pedestrian passes in the courtyard, and the use position is the side of the courtyard sensor lamp facing the road, and the hidden position is the side of the courtyard sensor lamp facing away from the road. When the courtyard sensor lamp is not required to be operated, the upper cover  21  is rotated relative to the lower cover  23 , so that the switch module  24  faces away from the road, and the switch module  24  is not observed by the pedestrian. When the courtyard sensor lamp needs to be operated, the upper cover  21  can be rotated relative to the lower cover  23  so that the switch module  24  faces the side of the road to facilitate the operation of the courtyard sensor lamp. 
     The cooperation between the projection and the groove further prevents the upper cover  21  and the lower cover  23  from falling off during rotation. The plurality of undulating protrusions  211  make the structure more compact, and the upper cover  21  and the lower cover  23  are more stable when rotated. 
     The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any combination. For the sake of brevity of description, all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are not described. However, as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of these technical features, all should be considered as the scope of the specification. 
     The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of several embodiments of the present disclosure, and the description thereof is more specific and detailed, but is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. It should be noted that a number of variations and modifications may be made by the skilled person in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be determined by the appended claims.