LIGHTING UNIT AND METHODS

• US 20130050997A1
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Next Lighting Corp.
• Original Assignee: Next Lighting Corp.
• Inventors: Bretschneider, Eric, Berkowitz, Zach, Sosnick, Randall
• Application Number:
  US13/272,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20130050997A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/190
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/90 Methods of manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for providing illumination. A lighting unit, which may be an LED based fluorescent tube replacement, may comprise a power supply and an LED portion produced as separate modules and coupled in a manner that allows the light module and the power supply module to be connected and separated in a reproducible manner. The removable power supply module may enhance the serviceability, customizability and upgradability of the LED based system.

Claims

1. A lighting unit comprising:

a lighting module; and

one or more customizable electronics modules, wherein the one or more customizable electronics modules are compatible with the lighting module and are configured to be connected and separated with the lighting module in a reproducible manner.

2. The lighting unit of claim 1, further comprising a control module configured to drive the lighting module.

3. The lighting unit of claim 1, further comprising one or more end caps configured to be connected and separated with the lighting module in a reproducible manner.

4. The lighting unit of claim 3, further comprising one or more adaptors configured to connect the lighting module with the one or more end caps.

5. The lighting unit of claim 3, wherein the one or more end caps are configured to house and/or to connect and separate with one or more power supplies and/or one or more customizable electronics modules in a reproducible manner.

6. The lighting unit of claim 3, wherein the end caps are configured to connect two or more lighting units simultaneously in a multidirectional manner.

7. The lighting unit of claim 1, further comprising one or more power supplies configured to provide a drive condition for the lighting module.

8. The lighting unit of claim 7, wherein the one or more power supplies are located internally to the lighting unit.

9. The lighting unit of claim 7, wherein the one or more power supplies are located externally to the lighting unit.

10. The lighting unit of claim 7, wherein the power supplies comprise power conversion circuitry and/or active electronics.

11. The lighting unit of claim 1, wherein the lighting module further comprises one or more power inputs and one or more AC and/or DC power interconnects.

12. The lighting unit of claim 1, wherein the lighting module is configured to be attached to a lighting fixture.

13. A method of lighting unit assembly customization comprising:

providing a lighting module;

providing one or more compatible electronics modules with different functionalities; and

connecting and separating the lighting module and the compatible electronics modules in a reproducible manner to create customized lighting unit assemblies.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing one type of compatible electronics module and adding another compatible electronics module of a different type.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing one type of compatible electronics module and adding another compatible electronics module of the same type.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing one or more power supplies configured to provide a drive condition for the lighting module, and connecting and separating said one or more power supplies with the lighting module in a reproducible manner.

17. A lighting system comprising:

a first lighting unit comprising a first light engine;

a second lighting unit comprising a second light engine; and

one or more connectors capable of separably connecting the first lighting unit to the second lighting unit.

18. The lighting unit of claim 17, wherein the connectors are configured to allow connections between lighting units in one, two or more spatial directions.

19. The lighting unit of claim 17, wherein the connectors comprise a power supply.