Abstract:
A light fixture that can be built upon itself to scale up or down the lumen output. More specifically, embodiments of the light fixture include an electronic housing flanked on each side with one or more light modules. The fixture can be tailored to the light needs of particular applications by adding or removing light modules from the fixture.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/366,850, filed Jul. 26, 2016 and entitled “Light Fixture,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a light fixture having improved versatility in that the fixture can be scaled up or down with relative ease to tailor the fixture for particular applications. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Different light fixtures, such as fixtures having different lumen outputs, are needed for different applications. Challenges arise in designing solutions that easily accommodate this range of options. Oftentimes, different and unique fixtures or fixture parts must be designed and offered, each targeted for a particular application. It would be useful to have a single fixture that could be built upon itself to scale up or down the lumen output. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a light fixture that can be built upon itself to scale up or down the lumen output. More specifically, embodiments of the light fixture include an electronic housing flanked on each side with one or more light modules. Each light module can be (but does not have to be) identical to the others, facilitating manufacturing and assembly. Moreover, the fixture can be tailored to the light needs of particular applications by adding or removing light modules from the fixture. 
         [0005]    The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should not be understood to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the entire specification of this patent, all drawings and each claim. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the light fixture contemplated herein. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of the light fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the electronic housing of  FIG. 1  shown in isolation. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the electronic housing shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of light module  14   d  of  FIG. 1  shown in isolation. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a partially exploded view of light module  14   d  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the light fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a partially exploded view of the light fixture of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. 
         [0015]    The Figures illustrate various views of embodiments of light fixture  10  contemplated herein. The light fixture  10  is designed to be suspended from a ceiling (such as with brackets or pendant hanger), but it is also contemplated that the light fixture  10  can be recessed within a ceiling or surface-mounted on the ceiling. Moreover, the light fixture  10  may be provided as an indoor or an outdoor fixture. 
         [0016]    In the illustrated embodiments, the light fixture  10  includes an electronic housing  12  flanked on each side by at least one light module  14 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate four light modules  14   a - 14   d,  but any number of light modules may be provided. The electronic housing  12  may house electrical components (e.g., driver, battery pack(s), etc.) that drive the light fixture  10 , and, more specifically, power and control the operation of the light modules  14 . 
         [0017]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the electronic housing  12  includes a top wall  20 , a bottom wall  22 , and side walls  24  and end walls  26  that extend between the top wall  20  and bottom wall  22  to form an enclosure for electrical components. Any or all of the top wall  20 , bottom wall  22 , side walls  24 , and end walls  26  may be formed integrally, or alternatively they may be formed separately and subsequently attached to each other using any suitable mechanical (e.g., screws or other fasteners) or chemical (e.g., adhesive) retention means. For example, it may be advantageous for the bottom wall  22  of the electronic housing  12  to be removable so as to permit access from below to the electronics housed in the electronic housing  12 . 
         [0018]    The electronic housing  12  may have any shape, including a rectilinear or curved shape. In one embodiment, angled walls  30  connect the side walls  24  and the end walls  26 . The angled walls  30  may be oriented at any angle greater than 90°, where the angle is measured between the inner surface of an angled wall  30  and the inner surface of a side wall  24  or an end wall  26 . 
         [0019]    One or more drivers  16  may be provided in the electronic housing  12 , such as by mounting to the top wall  20  of the electronic housing  12 . In use, main power comes in through the top wall  20  of the electronic housing  12  and feeds power to the light modules  14 , as described below. Communication lines may also feed from the electronic housing  12  to the light modules  14  to independently control each light module  14 . 
         [0020]    One or more of the end walls  26  may be used for mounting accessories to the light fixture  10 , such as, but not limited to, motion sensors  25 . Vent holes  32  may be provided in any of the electronic housing walls to effectuate cooling of the electronic housing  12  during use. Any number and arrangement of vent holes  32  may be provided. 
         [0021]    Any number of light modules  14  can be added to form the light fixture  10 . By way only of example, a single light module  14  may be provided on each side of the electronic housing  12 . Alternatively, multiple light modules  14  may be provided on each side of the electronic housing  12  and mechanically connected in series. The innermost light modules  14  (i.e., those closest to the electronic housing—modules  14   b  and  14   c  in the illustrated embodiment) are connected to the electronic housing  12  but subsequent light modules  14  (if provided) may be connected to adjacent light modules  14  to increase the lumen output of the light fixture  10 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate light module  14   d  in isolation. However, unless noted otherwise, the basic structure of the other light modules  14   a - 14   c  is the same as light module  14   d.  Each light module  14  includes a light module base  36  from which angled side walls  38  downwardly extend so as to form a trough. The light module base  36  and angled side walls  38  can be formed integrally or separately. The surface of the angled side walls  38  and/or light module base  36  may be highly reflective so as to reflect light emitted by the light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). 
         [0023]    LEDs  40  are positioned within the trough. In some embodiments, the LEDs  40  are mounted on the light module base  36  of each light module  14 . The LEDs  40  may be provided on printed circuit boards  42  (“PCB”) that are subsequently mounted within the trough. In other embodiments, no PCB is needed; rather, the LEDs  40  are chip-on-board LEDs  40  provided directly on the light module base  36 . The LEDs  40  may be single-die or multi-die LEDs, DC or AC, or can be organic light emitting diodes. White, color, or multicolor LEDs may be used. Moreover, the LEDs need not all be the same color; rather, mixtures of LEDs may be used. 
         [0024]    The light fixture  10  may be used as an open fixture (i.e., the light modules  14  remain open and air is free to enter each light module  14  from below) or a optic  44  may be mounted onto the light modules  14  and over the LEDs  40  to enclose each light module  14 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , light modules  14   a  and  14   b  are not provided with an optic  44  whereas light modules  14   c  and  14   d  are provided with an optic  44 . Removal of the optic  44  from light modules  14   a  and  14   b  is purely for illustrative purposes. In most situations, all of the lights modules  14  on a fixture  10  would either be provided with an optic  44  (as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) or without an optic  44 . 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the optic  44  snap fits onto the distal edges of the angled side walls  38 . The optic  44  may be retained in other ways, all of which are well within the knowledge of a person of skill in the art. The optic  44  may serve both as an aesthetic cover and to functionally direct or diffuse light to provide better lighting conditions. The optic  44  may be of any type (diffuse, prismatic, etc.) that achieves the desired light emission from the light fixture  10 . The optic  44  may have any geometry and may be provided with any surface enhancements or no surface enhancements. 
         [0026]    Module connectors  50  are provided on one end, or on each end, of a light module  14 . The module connectors  50  are used to attach the light module(s)  14  onto the light fixture  10 . The module connectors  50  may be of any shape or size. In some embodiments, the shape of the module connectors  50  complement the shape of the module connectors  50  of adjacent light modules  14  such that adjacent module connectors  50  abut and/or nest with each other. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the module connector  50  includes module connector sides  52 ,  54  and is at least partially hollow so as to define a passageway through the module connector  50 . The module connector sides  52 ,  54  can be fully or partially open such that wires may enter, extend through the passageway, and exit a module connector  50 . For example, for light modules  14   b  and  14   c,  both sides  52 ,  54  of the module connectors  50  may be at least partially open to allow wires to pass into and through the module connectors  50 . In contrast, the outermost side  54  of the module connectors  50  of the distal-most light modules  14  in the light fixture  10  may be fully closed. Such is the case with the module connector  50  of light modules  14   a  and  14   d,  whereby the outermost side  54  is closed given that wires do not need to exit those module connectors  50  to feed adjacent light modules  14  and so as to impart a polished appearance to the light fixture  10 . 
         [0028]    In use, the main power supply enters the electronic housing  12  to power the driver(s)  16  and other electronics housed in the electronic housing  12 . Power and/or communication means from the driver (e.g., cables or wires), in turn, are fed into and through the module connectors  50  to power the LEDs  40  residing in each light module  14 . In this way, the module connectors  50  act as a wireway. The light modules  14  may be connected in series or in parallel. In some embodiments, some of the LEDs  40  within a light module  14  are powered by cables feeding through a module connector  50  on a first end of the light module  14  and other LEDs with the light module  14  are powered by cables feeding through the module connector  50  located on the second, opposing end of the light module  14 . 
         [0029]    In other embodiments, power and/or communication is provided to a light module  14  wirelessly, such as via electromagnetic power transfer. By way only of example, electromagnetic induction may be used to transmit power to the light modules  14 . In such embodiments, at least the module connectors  50  of a light module  14  should be made of a material (such as, but not limited to, non-ferrous metals and polymer-based materials) that does not substantially hinder electromagnetic power transmission. In such embodiments, wireways through the module connectors  50  may be unnecessary and indeed undesirable so as to prevent detrimental tampering with and/or ingress in the light modules  14 . 
         [0030]    In another embodiment, the driver(s) are not housed in the electronic compartment. Rather, a dedicated driver for a light module  14  resides in a module connector  50  for the light module  14 . In this way, the light modules  14  are electronically autonomous. Each driver is powered by the main power supply entering the electronic housing  12  such that the light modules  14  are connected in parallel. In some embodiments, a driver is provided in the module connectors  50  on each end of a light module  14 . 
         [0031]    The module connectors  50  may be formed as a separate structure that is subsequently attached to the light modules  14 . In some embodiments, however, at least a portion of the module connectors  50  may be formed integrally with the light modules  14 . By way only of example (see  FIG. 6 ), a connector base  58  may be formed integrally with the light module base  36  and extend from each end of the light module  14 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, the light module base  36 , angled side walls  38 , and connector base  58  could be stamped from metal and then bent to assume the desired shape. 
         [0032]    A connector cover  60  is provided over the connector base  58  to form the module connector  50 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The connector cover  60  may be formed integrally with the connector base  58  or may be formed separately and then subsequently attached to the connector base  58 , such as via mechanical fasteners. In one embodiment, the connector cover  60  may be hingedly attached to the connector base  58  so as to permit access to the inside of the module connector  50  should servicing or replacement of the wires or other electronics be required. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, a protective flap  66  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ) is provided on the module connectors  50  and extends toward the LEDs  40 . Wires for driving the LEDs  40  of a light module  14  may be fed from the module connector  50  under the protective flap  66  and connected to the LEDs  40 . The protective flap  66  serves to shield those connections and can be rendered highly reflective to enhance light reflection from the light module  14  as well. 
         [0034]    The innermost light modules  14  (light modules  14   b  and  14   c  in the illustrated embodiment) are connected to the electronic housing  12  via the module connectors  50 . In some embodiments, the module connectors  50  are mechanically fastened to the electronic housing  12  such as via screws or other fasteners, adhesives, magnetic attraction or any other suitable means. Similarly, any subsequent light modules  14  added to the fixture are connected in series to adjacent light modules  14  via the module connectors  50 . By way of example, tabs  68  may be provided on and extend from the module connectors  50 . While tabs  68  are only shown extending from one side (side  52 ) of the module connectors  50 , they can extend from either or both sides  52 ,  54 . Holes in the tabs  68  may receive fasteners to attach the module connectors  50  to the electronic housing  12  or to adjacent light modules  14 . However, other fastening means are contemplated. By way only of example, light modules  14  may be designed to snap fit onto the electronic housing  12  or onto other light modules  14 . Such snap-fit connection may effectuate mechanical connection and in some embodiments may also effectuate electrical connection such that the light modules  14  are connected in series. In some embodiments, the light modules  14  include a means for attaching to either the electronic housing  12  or another light module  14  as well as a means for being attached to by the electronic housing  12  or another light module  14 . 
         [0035]    The structural components of the light fixture  10  (electronic housing  12 , light modules  14 , module connectors  50 ) may be formed of any material having suitable structural integrity and rigidity, including polymeric and metallic materials. In some embodiments, the components are formed from materials also having suitable thermal management capabilities so as to conduct heat generated by the LEDs  40 . Metallic materials, such as but not limited to steel and aluminum, may be particularly suitable. The components of the fixture can, but need not, be formed from the same materials. Moreover, the components may be formed using a variety of different technologies, including, but not limited to, extrusion, roll-forming, die-forming, stamping, casting, etc. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the light modules  14  are positioned a distance from the electronic housing  12  and each other so that air gaps  70  are formed between adjacent light modules  14  and the electronic housing  12 . These air gaps  70  help avoid creation of a thermal path between the light modules  14  and the electronic housing  12  and thus help to thermally isolate these components. 
         [0037]    In use, heat generated by the LEDs  40  is conducted and spread to the light module base  36  and angled side walls  38  for conductive cooling. Cooler air from below the fixture is permitted to move through the air gaps  70  and circulate around the light modules  14 , carrying away heat during such movement. Thus, heat dissipation from the light fixture  10  results both from conduction of heat from the LEDs  40  as well as conduction and convection of heat from a light module  14  to the air circulating through and around the light module  14 . 
         [0038]    The light modules  14  may be provided in any length. Moreover, the light fixture  10  may be easily tailored to provide the desired lumen output by adding or removing light engines from the light fixture  10 . Such customization may be accomplished during original manufacture of the light fixture  10  or on a light fixture  10  installed in the field. Providing light engines that are self-contained and all the same facilitate this customization process. 
         [0039]    While the light modules  14  are illustrated as all oriented parallel within the light fixture  10 , they need not be. Rather, the light modules  14  may extend at angles (e.g., at 90°) relative to the electronic housing  12  and/or other light modules  14  within the light fixture  10 . In this way, the light modules may form a variety of different fixture shapes and geometries. One of skill in the art would understand how to modify the design of the module connectors  50  to effectuate these different orientations. Moreover, the number of light modules  14  and/or orientation of the light modules  14  need not be the same on each side of the electronic housing  12 . 
         [0040]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Further modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and subcombinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.