BEAM ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR AN LED LIGHT FIXTURE

• US 20090237924A1
• Filed: 03/24/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Ladewig, Christopher G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,832,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/02 with provision for adjustment, e.g. for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A beam adjustment mechanism for a light fixture includes a frame assembly having an aperture substantially within the center thereof. Multiple peripheral lighting units engage the sides of the frame assembly. Each lighting unit includes an LED, a heat sink, and a reflector member. A central connecting member and/or a central lighting unit is at least partially surrounded by the peripheral lighting units. The central connecting member and/or central lighting unit is hingedly connected to at least one of the peripheral lighting units. An adjustment shaft extends through and is moveably engaged with the aperture of the frame assembly. Movement of the adjustment shaft relative to the aperture exerts a force on the central connecting member and/or central lighting unit, which causes the hingedly connected peripheral lighting units to pivot relative to the central connecting member and/or central lighting unit.

Claims

1. A beam adjustment mechanism for a light fixture, comprising:

a support having a plurality of sides;

a plurality of lighting units, each configured to engage one or more of the sides of the support;

a central connecting member at least partially surrounded by the plurality of lighting units, wherein the central connecting member is hingedly connected to at least one of the lighting units; and

an adjustment shaft moveably engaged with said support, wherein movement of the adjustment shaft relative to the support exerts a force on the central connecting member, which causes the hingedly connected lighting units to pivot relative to the central connecting member.

2. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein each lighting unit comprises at least one of an LED, a heat sink, and a reflector member.

3. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support defines an aperture.

4. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 3, wherein the support comprises an outer frame supported by a plurality of struts, wherein each of said struts is attached at a first end to the outer frame and joined at a second end to each other so as to define the aperture.

5. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 3, wherein the adjustment shaft and the aperture are correspondingly threaded;

and

wherein rotation of the adjustment shaft translates into the movement of the adjustment shaft relative to the support.

6. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 5, further comprising an adjustment knob coupled to the adjustment shaft for turning the adjustment shaft.

7. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 3, wherein the adjustment shaft and the aperture interface with a friction fit.

8. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the adjustment shaft extends through the support.

9. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a spring that hingedly connects the lighting units to the central connecting member.

10. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 9, wherein the spring is biased to cause the hingedly connected peripheral lighting units to pivot in a first direction relative to the central connecting member.

11. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein movement of the adjustment shaft in a first direction relative to the support applies a pushing force to the central connecting member, which causes the hingedly connected peripheral lighting units to pivot in a first direction relative to the central connecting member.

12. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 11, wherein pivoting the hingedly connected peripheral lighting units in the first direction results in a light beam from each of said peripheral lighting units that is directed substantially away from the central connecting member.

13. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein movement of the adjustment shaft in a second direction relative to the support applies a pulling force to the central connecting member, which causes the hingedly connected peripheral lighting units to pivot in a second direction relative to the central connecting member.

14. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 13, wherein pivoting the hingedly connected peripheral lighting units in the second direction results in a light beam from each of said peripheral lighting units that is directed substantially toward the central connecting member.

15. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising at least one hinge that hingedly connects the lighting units to the central connecting member.

16. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the central connecting member comprises a central lighting unit.

17. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support is substantially hexagonal in shape.

18. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 17, wherein the plurality of peripheral lighting units comprises six lighting units with one of said six lighting units configured to engage a respective side of the support.

19. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 2, wherein the heat sink of each lighting unit is coupled at one end to the support and to the LED on its other end.

20. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a motor coupled to the adjustment shaft such that said motor causes movement of the adjustment shaft relative to the support.

21. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein each of the lighting units is enclosed in a housing.

22. A beam adjustment mechanism for a light fixture, comprising:

a fixed support;

a first lighting unit;

an adjustment member connecting the fixed support and the first lighting unit;

at least one second lighting unit hingedly coupled to the first lighting unit via a first location and disposed to contact the fixed support at a second location.

23. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 22, wherein the fixed support comprises a plurality of struts.

24. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 23, wherein the struts further define an aperture substantially within a center of the fixed support.

25. The adjustable light fixture of claim 24, wherein the adjustment member and the aperture are correspondingly threaded;

and

wherein rotation of the adjustment member translates into the movement of the adjustment member relative to the aperture.

26. The adjustable light fixture of claim 25, further comprising an adjustment knob coupled to the adjustment member for turning the adjustment member.

27. The adjustable light fixture of claim 24, wherein the adjustment member and the aperture interface with a friction fit.

28. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 22, wherein the first lighting unit is at least partially surrounded by a plurality of second lighting units, each of the second lighting units being hingedly coupled to the first lighting unit.

29. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 22, wherein the adjustment member extends through the fixed support.

30. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 22, wherein the movement of the adjustment member relative to the fixed support exerts a force on the first lighting unit.

31. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 22, wherein the first and second lighting units each comprise at least one of an LED, a heat sink, and a reflector member.

32. The adjustable light fixture of claim 22, wherein movement of the adjustment member in a first direction relative to the fixed support exerts a pushing force on the first lighting unit, which causes the hingedly coupled second lighting units to pivot in a first direction relative to the first lighting unit.

33. The adjustable light fixture of claim 32, wherein movement of the adjustment member in a second direction relative to the fixed support exerts a pulling force on the first lighting unit, which causes the hingedly connected second lighting units to pivot in a second direction relative to the first lighting unit.

34. The adjustable light fixture of claim 22, wherein the fixed support is substantially hexagonal in shape.

35. The adjustable light fixture of claim 34, wherein the at least one second lighting unit comprises six lighting units, with each one of said six lighting units disposed to contact a respective side of the fixed support.

36. A beam adjustment mechanism for a light fixture, comprising:

an adjustment shaft;

a support comprising an aperture configured to engage the adjustment shaft;

a plurality of lighting units;

a central connecting member at least partially surrounded by the plurality of lighting units, wherein said central connecting member is hingedly connected to each of the peripheral lighting units by at least one spring biased such that the lighting units direct their light in a first direction when the at least one spring is in its natural position,

wherein the lighting units are configured to engage the support, and

wherein the adjustment shaft is moveably engaged with said aperture and is configured to exert a force on the central connecting unit.

37. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 36, wherein the peripheral lighting units further comprise at least one of an LED, a heat sink, and a reflector member.

38. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 36, wherein movement of the adjustment shaft in a first direction relative to the aperture causes the adjustment shaft to exert pressure on the central connecting unit which causes the hingedly connected peripheral lighting units to pivot in a first direction relative to the central connecting member.

39. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 36, wherein movement of the adjustment shaft in a second direction relative to the aperture causes the adjustment shaft to exert a pulling force on the central connecting unit which causes the hingedly connected peripheral lighting units to pivot in a second direction relative to the central connecting member.

40. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 36, wherein the central connecting unit comprises a lighting unit.

41. The beam adjustment mechanism of claim 36, wherein the support comprises an outer frame supported by a plurality of struts, wherein each of said struts is attached at a first end to the outer frame and joined at a second end to each other so as to define the aperture.

42. A method of converging and diverging a plurality of beams, comprising:

providing at least one first lighting unit configured to provide at least one first light beam;

providing at least one second lighting unit configured to provide at least one second light beam;

exerting a force in a first direction on the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit;

pivoting the at least one first lighting unit in a second direction in response to the force; and

pivoting the at least one second lighting unit in a third direction in response to the force,

whereby pivoting the at least one first lighting unit in the second direction and the at least one second lighting unit in the third direction results in convergence of the at least one first light beam and the at least one second light beam.

43. The method of converging and diverging a plurality of beams of claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

exerting a force in a fourth direction on the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit;

pivoting the at least one first lighting unit in a fifth direction in response to the force; and

pivoting the at least one second lighting unit in a sixth direction in response to the force,

whereby pivoting the at least one first lighting unit in the fifth direction and the at least one second lighting unit in the sixth direction results in divergence of the at least one first light beam and the at least one second light beam.

44. The method of converging and diverging a plurality of light beams of claim 42, further comprising the step of:

providing a third lighting unit configured to provide a third light beam,

whereby the third lighting unit does not pivot in response to the force.

45. The method of converging and diverging a plurality of light beams of claim 42, wherein the at least one first lighting unit and at least one second lighting uni surround a central axis;

and

wherein pivoting the at least one first lighting unit in the second direction and the at least one second lighting unit in the third direction results in convergence of the at least one first light beam and the at least one second light beam on the central axis.