Patent Publication Number: US-11662078-B2

Title: Configurable lighting system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/314,092, filed on May 7, 2021, and titled “Configurable Lighting System,” which is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/821,381, filed Mar. 17, 2020, and titled “Configurable Lighting System,” which is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/412,215, filed May 14, 2019, and titled “Configurable Lighting System,” and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,602,584 on Mar. 24, 2020, which is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/811,062, filed Nov. 13, 2017, and titled “Configurable Lighting System,” and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,299,335 on May  21 ,  2019 , which is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/435,141, filed Feb. 16, 2017, and titled “Configurable Lighting System,” and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,350 on Nov. 14, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/297,424 filed Feb. 19, 2016, and titled “Configurable Lighting System”. The entire contents of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the technology relate generally to lighting systems and more specifically to lighting systems that can be readily configured to produce illumination of different color temperatures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For illumination applications, light emitting diodes (LEDs) offer substantial potential benefit associated with their energy efficiency, light quality, and compact size. However, to realize the full potential benefits offered by light emitting diodes, new technologies are needed. 
     With luminaires that incorporate incandescent or fluorescent technology, some flexibility can be obtained by swapping lamps to meet user preferences. In such luminaires, lamp selection can provide flexibility in terms of correlated color temperature (CCT or color temperature) and light output (lumen output). For example, a compact fluorescent downlight might accept 6-, 32-, and 42-watt lamps in 2700, 3000, and 3500 K CCT. Additionally, changing lamp position and focal point in a reflector of an incandescent or fluorescent fixture can change the fixture spacing criteria (SC) of a luminaire. 
     In contrast, conventional light-emitting-diode-based luminaires typically offer reduced flexibility when the luminaire&#39;s light-emitting-diode-based light source is permanently attached to the luminaire. Stocking conventional light-emitting-diode-based luminaires at distribution to accommodate multiple configurations that users may desire can entail maintaining a relatively large or cumbersome inventory. 
     Need is apparent for a technology to provide a light emitting diode system that can adapt to various applications, for example by delivering multiple color temperatures, multiple lumens, and/or multiple photometric distributions. Need further exists for a capability to enable a single luminaire to be stocked at distribution and then quickly configured according to application parameters and deployment dictates. Need further exists for luminaires that are both energy efficient and flexible. A capability addressing one or more such needs, or some other related deficiency in the art, would support improved illumination systems and more widespread utilization of light emitting diodes in lighting applications. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, a system can configure a luminaire for providing illumination of a selected color temperature, a selected lumen output, or a selected photometric distribution based on an input. The input may be field selectable or may be selectable at a distribution center or at a late stage of luminaire manufacture, for example. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the luminaire can comprise at least two light sources having different color temperatures. In a first configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a first color temperature using a first one of the light sources. In a second configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a second color temperature using a second one of the light sources. In a third configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a third color temperature using both of the first and second the light sources. The third color temperature may be between the first and second color temperatures. The value of the third color temperature within a range between the first and second color temperatures can be controlled by manipulating the relative amounts of light output by the first and second light sources. That is, adjusting the lumen outputs of the first and second light sources can define the color temperature of the illumination produced by the luminaire in the third configuration. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the luminaire can comprise at least two light sources having different lumen outputs. In a first configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a first lumen output using a first one of the light sources. In a second configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a second lumen output using a second one of the light sources. In a third configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a third lumen output using both of the first and second light sources. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, the luminaire can comprise at least two light sources having different photometric distributions. In a first configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a first photometric distribution using a first one of the light sources. In a second configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a second photometric distribution using a second one of the light sources. In a third configuration, the luminaire can produce illumination of a third photometric distribution using both of the first and second light sources. 
     In some aspects of the disclosure, a circuit and an associated input to the circuit can configure a luminaire for providing illumination having a selected property, for example a selected color temperature, a selected lumen output, or a selected photometric distribution. The input can be settable to a first number of states. The circuit can map the first number of states into a second number of states that is less than the first number of states. For example, the input can have four states and the circuit can map these four states into three states. The three states can correspond to three different values of the illumination property, for example three different color temperatures, three different lumen outputs, or three different photometric distributions. 
     The foregoing discussion of controlling illumination is for illustrative purposes only. Various aspects of the present disclosure may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following text and by reference to the associated drawings and the claims that follow. Other aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and text. It is intended that all such aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects are to be included within this description and covered by this application and by the appended claims of the application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  1 E,  1 F,  1 G,  1 H,  1 I,  1 J, and  1 K  (collectively  FIG.  1   ) illustrate views of a luminaire in accordance with some example embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a functional block diagram of a circuit that a luminaire can comprise in accordance with some example embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a state table for a circuit that a luminaire can comprise in accordance with some example embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a schematic of a circuit that a luminaire can comprise in accordance with some example embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the above drawings. The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the embodiments described, as other equally effective embodiments are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating principles of the embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positionings may be exaggerated to help visually convey certain principles. In the drawings, similar reference numerals among different figures designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     In some example embodiments of the disclosure, a luminaire can comprise multiple groups of light emitting diodes of different color temperatures and a constant current power supply for powering the light emitting diodes. The power supply can utilize a switching scheme that can turn each group of light emitting diodes on and off to change the color temperature of the luminaire. In some example embodiments, the power supply can further vary the relative intensities of the light emitting diodes to manipulate the color temperature of the luminaire within a range. 
     For example, the luminaire can comprise a 3,000 K group of light emitting diodes and a 4,000 K group of light emitting diodes. When only the 3,000 K group is on, the luminaire can deliver 3,000 K illumination. When only the 4,000 K group is on, the luminaire can deliver 4,000 K illumination. When the 3,000 K group and the 4,000 K group are both on, the luminaire can deliver 3,500 K illumination. If the 4,000 K group of light emitting diodes is concurrently operated at a low lumen output and the 3,000 K group is operated at a high lumen output, the luminaire may deliver illumination of another selected color temperature, for example 3,100 K. 
     In some example embodiments, a controller can adjust lumen output automatically to maintain constant delivered lumens across multiple color temperatures or to suit application requirements. The controller implements the adjustment utilizing programmable driver current and/or via turning on and off various groups of light emitting diodes. Configurable color temperature or lumen output can function in combination with integral dimming, for example to facilitate interface with building automation, sensors, and dimmers. 
     In some example embodiments, luminaires can achieve an additional level of flexible configuration at a distribution center using interchangeable optics. For example, primary optics can provide medium distribution (e.g. spacing criteria equals 1.0), while a diffuser or concentrator lens can be used to achieve wide distribution (e.g. spacing criteria equals 1.4), and narrow distribution (e.g. spacing criteria equals 0.4). 
     In some example embodiments, a luminaire&#39;s configuration of delivered lumens and color temperatures can be set at the factory, at distribution, or in the field. To meet current and emerging code compliance, performance markings on a luminaire can indicate and correspond to the desired setting. Economical, field-installed nameplates can identify the various electrical and optical performance ratings and, when installed, permanently program the delivered lumens and color temperature. Other settings, such as dimming protocols, can likewise be configured. The interface between the nameplate and internal logic can use mechanical, electrical or optical means, for example. 
     Accordingly, in some embodiments of the disclosure, the technology provides product markings and supports regulatory compliance. For example, nameplates can indicate energy codes and rebate opportunities, for compliance with product labeling and to facilitate compliance confirmation by local authorities who may have jurisdiction. 
     Some representative embodiments will be further described hereinafter with example reference to the accompanying drawings that describe representative embodiments of the present technology. In the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates views of a representative luminaire  100 ;  FIG.  2    illustrates a functional block diagram of a representative circuit  200  that the luminaire  100  can comprise;  FIG.  3    illustrates a representative state table for the circuit  200 ; and  FIG.  4    illustrates a representative schematic for the circuit  200 . The technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the technology to those appropriately skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , multiple views of the luminaire  100  are shown.  FIG.  1 A  illustrates a side perspective view of the luminaire  100 .  FIG.  1 B  illustrates a top perspective view of the luminaire  100 .  FIG.  1 C  illustrates a view of the light-emitting bottom of the luminaire  100 , showing a lens  120  in a light-emitting aperture  115  of the luminaire  100 .  FIG.  1 D  illustrates a view of the light-emitting bottom of the luminaire  100  with the lens  120  removed from the light-emitting aperture  115  of the luminaire.  FIG.  1 E  illustrates a view of the light-emitting bottom of the luminaire  100  with the lens  120  and an associated reflector  130  removed from the light-emitting aperture  115  of the luminaire.  FIG.  1 F  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of the luminaire  100 .  FIG.  1 G  illustrates another cutaway perspective view of the luminaire  100 .  FIG.  1 H  illustrates another cutaway view of the luminaire  100 .  FIGS.  11 ,  1 J, and  1 K  provide detailed views of a portion of the luminaire  100  comprising a cover  126  and an associated access aperture  129  for providing internal access to the luminaire  100 . In  FIG.  1 I , the cover  126  is fully removed. In  FIG.  1 J , the cover  126  is positioned adjacent the access aperture  129 , for example in connection with attachment or removal of the cover  126 . In  FIG.  1 K , the cover  126  is attached to the luminaire  100 . 
     As best seen in the views of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the illustrated example luminaire  100  is suited for inserting in an aperture in a ceiling to provide overhead lighting. In this example embodiment, the luminaire  100  can be characterized as an overhead light or a recessed ceiling light. Various other indoor and outdoor luminaires that may be mounted in a wide range of orientations can be substituted for the luminaire  100  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     The illustrated example luminaire  100  of  FIG.  1    comprises a housing  105  that is circular with a protruding rim  110  that extends circumferentially about the housing  105 . When the luminaire  100  is installed in a ceiling aperture, the rim  100  circumscribes and covers the edge of the ceiling aperture for aesthetics, for support, and for blocking of debris from above the ceiling. Hanger clips  102  hold the luminaire  100  in place in installation. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS.  11 ,  1 J, and  1 K , the example luminaire  100  comprises an access aperture  129  and an associated cover  126 . The access aperture  129  provides access to the interior of the luminaire housing  105 , for example in the field and/or during luminaire installation. An installer can remove the cover  126  and manually set a dual inline pin (DIP) switch  131  to configure the luminaire  100  for long-term operation providing illumination with a selected color temperature, a selected lumen output, and/or a selected photometric distribution. As illustrated, the dual inline pin switch  131  is mounted on a circuit board adjacent the access aperture  129 , thereby facilitating convenient and efficient access in the field or at a distribution center, for example. 
     An electrical cable  127  extends through a wiring aperture  103  in the cover  126 . The electrical cable  127  terminates in a plug  132  that mates with a receptacle  133  that is mounted inside the housing  105  adjacent the access aperture  129  for convenient field access. 
     As illustrated, the example cover  126  comprises two notches  123 ,  124  that each receives a respective screw  128  for holding the cover  126  in place. The notch  123  is disposed on the right side of the cover  126  and is sized to receive one of the screws  128 . Meanwhile, the notch  124  is disposed on a left side of the cover  126  and is sized to receive the other screw  128 . 
     The left notch  124  and the right notch  123  are oriented so that the cover  126  is rotatable about the right screw  128  when the right screw  128  is loosely disposed in the right notch  123 . In other words, cover rotation can occur when the right screw  128  is in the right notch  123  with threads engaged but prior to tightening. In this position, the cover  126  can rotate clockwise about the right screw  128 . Thus, the right screw  128  provides an axis of rotation for the cover  126 . This clockwise rotation facilitates convenient manipulation of the cover  126  by a person working the cover  126  to cover the access aperture  129 , with the screws  128  engaged but not fully tightened. The clockwise rotation of the cover  126  about the right screw  128  provides the person with a capability to slide the left notch  124  of the cover  126  conveniently under the head of the left screw  128 . Once the cover  126  is rotated so the left notch  124  is under the head of the left screw  128 , the person (for example an installer) can tighten the two screws  128  to secure the cover  126 . 
     To remove the cover  126 , the person loosens the two screws  128  and then rotates the cover  126  counterclockwise about the right screw  128  so that the left notch  124  moves out from under the head of the left screw  128 . Once the left notch  124  is free from the left screw  128 , the installer can pull the right notch  123  out from under the right screw  128  to fully remove the cover  126 . 
     As best seen in the views of  FIGS.  1 A,  1 C,  1 F, and  1 G , the lens  120  of the luminaire  100  is positioned adjacent the lower, exit side of the light-emitting aperture  115 . As illustrated, the lens  120  can mix and blend light emitted by two groups of light emitting diodes  150 ,  155 , with each group having a different color temperature. In some embodiments, the two groups of light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  may have color temperatures that differ by at least  500  Kelvin, for example. The group of light emitting diodes  150  can be characterized as one light emitting diode light source, while the group of light emitting diodes  155  can be characterized as another light emitting diode light source. Other embodiments of a light emitting diode light source may have a single light emitting diode or more light emitting diodes than the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   . A reflector  130  is disposed in and lines the aperture  115  to guide and manage the emitted light between the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  and the lens  120 . In some embodiments, an upper lens (not illustrated) replaces the reflector  130 . 
     The light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  are mounted on a substrate  125 , for example a circuit board, and form part of a circuit  200 . In the illustrated embodiment, the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  are interspersed. In other embodiments, the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  may be separated from one another or spatially segregated according to color temperature or other appropriate parameter. As discussed in further detail below, the circuit  200  supplies electricity to the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  with a level of flexibility that facilitates multiple configurations suited to different applications and installation parameters. 
     Turning to  FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4   , some example embodiments of the circuit  200  will be discussed in further detail with example reference to the luminaire  100 . The circuit  200  can be applied to other indoor and outdoor luminaires. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , this figure illustrates an embodiment of the circuit  200  in an example block diagram form. The circuit  200  comprises a DC power supply  205  for supplying electrical energy that the circuit  200  delivers to the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155 . In an example embodiment, the circuit  200  comprises a light emitting diode driver. 
     The dual inline pin switch  131  comprises individual switches  210  that provide an input for configuring the luminaire  100  to operate at a selected color temperature. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit  200  comprises two manual switches  210 . Other embodiments may have fewer or more switches  210 . In various embodiments, the switches  210  can be mounted to the housing  105  of the luminaire  100 , for example within the housing  105  (as illustrated in  FIG.  1    and discussed above) or on an exterior surface of the housing  105 . In some embodiments, the switches  210  are mounted on the substrate  125 . In some embodiments, the switches  210  are implemented via firmware or may be solid state. 
     As an alternative to the illustrated dual inline pin switch  131 , the input can comprise multiple DIP switches, one or more single in-line pin packages (SIP or SIPP), one or more rocker switches, one or more reed switches, one or more magnetic switches, one or more rotary switches, one or more rotary dials, one or more selectors or selector switches, one or more slide switches, one or more snap switches, one or more thumbwheels, one or more toggles or toggle switches, one or more keys or keypads, or one or more buttons or pushbuttons, to mention a few representative examples without limitation. 
     As further discussed below, a controller  215  operates the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  according to state of the switches  210 . In some example embodiments, the controller  215  comprises logic implemented in digital circuitry, for example discrete digital components or integrated circuitry. In some example embodiments, the controller  215  utilizes microprocessor-implemented logic with instructions stored in firmware or other static or non-transitory memory. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the outputs of the controller  215  are connected to two MOSFET transistors  160  to control electrical flow through two light emitting diodes  150 ,  155 . The illustrated MOSFET transistors  160  provide one example and can be replaced with other appropriate current control devices or circuits in various embodiments. The switches  210  thus configure the luminaire  100  to operate with either or both of the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155 . The light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  illustrated in  FIG.  2    may represent two single light emitting diodes or two groups of light emitting diodes, for example. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a representative table  300  describing operation of the circuit  100  according to some example embodiments. In the example of  FIG.  3   , the light emitting diode  150  produces light having a color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin, and the light emitting diode  155  produces light having a color temperature of 4,000 Kelvin. 
     As shown in the example table  300 , when both of the switches  210  are in the on state, the controller  215  causes the light emitting diode  155  to be off and the light emitting diode  150  to be on. Accordingly, the luminaire  100  emits illumination having a color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin. 
     When both of the switches  210  are in the off state, the controller  215  causes the light emitting diode  155  to be on and the light emitting diode  150  to be off. Accordingly, the luminaire  100  emits illumination having a color temperature of 4,000 Kelvin. 
     When one of the switches  210  is in the off state and the other of the switches  210  is on the on state, the controller  215  causes the light emitting diode  155  to be on and the light emitting diode  150  to be on. The luminaire  100  thus emits illumination having a color temperature of 3,500 Kelvin. In some other example embodiments, the controller  215  can adjust the light output of one or both of the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  to set the color temperature to a specific value with the range of 3,000 to 4,000 Kelvin. 
     Accordingly, the controller  215  maps the four configurations of the two switches  210  to three states for configuring the two light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  for permanent or long-term operation. Mapping two switch configurations to a single mode of long-term operation can simplify configuration instructions and reduce errors during field configuration. The resulting configurations support multiple color temperatures of illumination from a single luminaire  100 . 
     Some example embodiments support fewer or more than three states of illumination. For example, in one embodiment, the luminaire  100  comprises three strings of light emitting diodes  150  that have different color temperatures, such as 3,000 Kelvin, 2,700 Kelvin, and 4,000 Kelvin. In this example, in addition to the states illustrated in  FIG.  3    and discussed above, the switching logic can support a fourth state in which only the 2,700 Kelvin string is on. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a schematic of an example embodiment of the circuit  200 . The schematic of  FIG.  4    provides one example implementation of the block diagram illustrated in  FIG.  3   . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4    in schematic form, the circuit  200  conforms to the foregoing discussion of the block diagram format of  FIG.  3   . In  FIG.  4   , the light emitting diodes  150 ,  155  of  FIG.  3    are respectively represented with groups of light emitting diodes  150 ,  155 . Additionally, the schematic details include a thermal protective switch  305  for guarding against overheating.  FIG.  4    thus provides one example schematic for an embodiment of the electrical system of the luminaire  100  illustrated in  FIG.  1    and discussed above. 
     As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill, the textual and illustrated disclosure provided herein supports a wide range of embodiments and implementations. In some non-limiting example embodiments of the disclosure, a luminaire can comprise: a housing; a substrate disposed in the housing; a first plurality of light emitting diodes that are mounted to the substrate and that have a first color temperature; a second plurality of light emitting diodes that are mounted to the substrate and that have a second color temperature; and a plurality of manual switches that are disposed at the housing for permanently configuring the luminaire to: provide illumination of the first color temperature by enabling the first plurality of light emitting diodes; provide illumination of the second color temperature by enabling the second plurality of light emitting diodes; and provide illumination of a third color temperature that is between the first color temperature and the second color temperature by enabling the first plurality of light emitting diodes and the second plurality of light emitting diodes. 
     In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the housing can comprise an aperture that is configured for emitting area illumination, and the substrate is oriented to emit light through the aperture. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the plurality of manual switches are mounted to the substrate. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the plurality of manual switches are mounted in the housing. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the plurality of manual switches are mounted to the housing. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the plurality of manual switches comprise a dual inline pin (DIP) switch. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the plurality of manual switches provide two switch states, and each of the two switch states provides illumination of the third color temperature by enabling the first plurality of light emitting diodes and the second plurality of light emitting diodes. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the housing is circular and comprises a lip configured for extending around an aperture in a ceiling. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the housing comprises a wiring port disposed on a side of the housing. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the housing comprises a light-emitting aperture in which the substrate is disposed. In some example embodiments, the luminaire further comprises: an aperture disposed at a lower side of the housing; a lens disposed at the aperture for refracting light emitted by the first and second light emitting diodes; and a reflector that is disposed between the lens and the light emitting diodes and that is operative to reflect light between the first and second light emitting diodes and the lens. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the housing is circular and comprises a lip configured for extending around an aperture in a ceiling. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the housing comprises a wiring port disposed on a side of the housing. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the housing forms a cavity associated with the aperture. In some example embodiments of the luminaire, the first and second light source are mounted to a substrate that is disposed at an end of the cavity. In some example embodiments, the luminaire further comprises a reflector that is disposed in the cavity between the lens and the first and second light sources, the reflector operative to reflect light between the first and second light sources and the lens. 
     Technology for providing a configurable a luminaire has been described. Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosures set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosures are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this application. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.