LED Lamp Suitable as a Replacement for Fluorescent Lamp in Vending Machines

• US 20080094837A1
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ellenby Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ellenby Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Reger, Philip R., Dobbins, Bob M., Frontino, Louis J., Mason, Paul L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,905,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/249.01
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/009 the casing being inside the housing of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/403 for machines
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/17 forming a single encapsulated light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/48 having LEDs organised in strings and incorporating parallel shunting devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

The present invention is an efficient, long life alternative to conventional vending machine fluorescent lamp light sources that provides added control capabilities. More specifically, the present invention provides reduced energy use, improved safety, extended life, and allows attention-getting use of the machine lighting.

Claims

1. A lamp assembly mounted inside a vending machine for illuminating products in the vending machine comprising:

a. one or more light emitting diodes; and

b. a control circuit connected to the diodes,

wherein the control circuit is connected to a source of available power within the vending machine.

2. The lamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the direction of light output may be changed by changing the position of the lamp assembly.

3. The lamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the control circuit comprises one or more control circuits selected from the group of communications circuits, serial interfaces, MDB interfaces, radio frequency interfaces, infrared interfaces, and inductive interfaces.

4. The lamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the control circuit controls the light output of at least some the light emitting diodes.

5. The lamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the control circuit controls the pattern of light emitted by flashing, chasing and/or dimming at least some of the light emitting diodes.

6. The lamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the control circuit controls the color output.

7. The lamp assembly of claim 1 wherein the control circuit controls the operation of the lamp assembly based on time, temperature, sensed presence of potential consumers, or frequency of operation of the device housing the lamp assembly in order to minimize energy consumed.

8. The lamp assembly of claim 1 whereby two or more light emitting diodes are mounted on printed circuit boards.

9. The lamp assembly of claim 9 wherein the printed circuit boards are connectable to other similar printed circuit boards adapted to allow larger and longer lamps to be assembled.

10. A lamp assembly comprising one or more light emitting diodes, and a control circuit connected to the diodes, and to a source of power, the diodes and the circuit housed in a lamp housing having terminations adapted to be mounted into a socket for a fluorescent lamp.

11. The lamp assembly of claim 10 wherein the source of power is a fluorescent ballast.

12. The lamp assembly of claim 11 wherein the direction of light output may be changed by changing the position of the lamp assembly relative to the socket.

13. The lamp assembly of claim 11 further comprising one or more control circuits selected from the group of communications circuits, serial interfaces, MDB interfaces, radio frequency interfaces, infrared interfaces, and inductive interfaces.

14. The lamp assembly of claim 11 wherein the control circuit controls the light output of at least some the light emitting diodes.

15. The lamp assembly of claim 11 wherein the control circuit controls the pattern of light emitted by flashing, chasing and/or dimming at least some of the light emitting diodes.

16. The lamp assembly of claim 11 wherein the control circuit controls the color output.

17. The lamp assembly of claim 11 wherein the control circuit controls the operation of the lamp assembly based on time, temperature, sensed presence of potential consumers, or frequency of operation of the device housing the lamp assembly in order to minimize energy consumed.

18. The lamp assembly of claim 11 whereby two or more light emitting diodes are mounted on printed circuit boards.

19. The lamp assembly of claim 18 wherein the printed circuit boards are connectable to other similar printed circuit boards adapted to allow larger and longer lamps to be assembled.