ILLUMINATION GRILLE AND ASSEMBLY METHOD

• US 20140063796A1
• Filed: 08/28/2012
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Broan-Nutone LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Broan-Nutone LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Zakula, Mirko, Jonas, Kenneth J., Jacak, Corey S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,072,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0092 with heating or cooling devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/078 combined with lighting fixtures

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide an illumination grille assembly comprising a frame and a ventilation grille coupled to the frame, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes coupled with the frame and at least partially covered with a light transparent cover. Some embodiments of the invention provide a lighting and ventilating system including a main housing including an inlet through which air can be received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air can exit the main housing. A blower assembly can be supported in the main housing and it can be operable to generate a flow of air. In some embodiments, an illumination grille assembly can be coupled to the main housing to allow fluid to flow through the illumination grill assembly to the main housing. In some embodiments, the set of illumination devices can be configured and arranged to emit light through the light transparent cover.

Claims

1. An illumination grille assembly, comprising:

a frame comprising an outer portion, an inner portion and a central aperture, wherein the outer portion forms an outer edge of the illumination grille assembly and the inner portion forms an outer portion of the central aperture in the frame;

a plurality of light-emitting diodes positioned at least partially between the outer portion and inner portion of the frame;

a light-transparent cover coupled with the frame and positioned at least partially covering at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes, the cover including a cover aperture; and

a ventilation grille coupled with the cover and covering at least a portion of the cover aperture, the ventilation grille configured and arranged to permit fluid flow through at least a portion of the ventilation grille.

2. The illumination grille assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame and the light-transparent cover are a single integral component configured and arranged to at least partially cover at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

3. The illumination grille assembly of claim 1 further comprising an light engine, the light engine comprising a printed circuit board, a power module and at least one plug, wherein the printed circuit board is configured and arranged to mount at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

4. The illumination grille assembly of claim 2 further comprising an light engine, the light engine comprising a printed wiring board, a power module and at least one plug, wherein the printed wiring board is configured and arranged to mount at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

5. The lighting and ventilating system of claim 1, wherein the light-transparent cover comprises a lens.

6. The lighting and ventilating system of claim 1, wherein the wherein at least a portion of the light-transparent cover includes a tint.

7. The lighting and ventilating system of claim 1, wherein the light-transparent cover comprises a material capable of scattering light.

8. The illumination grille assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes is configured and arranged to radiate at least white light.

9. The illumination grille assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes is configured and arranged to radiate at least one of red light, green light, blue light, yellow light, and amber light.

10. The lighting and ventilating system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the light engines is configured and arranged to radiate different intensities of illumination.

11. The illumination grille assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes is configured and arranged to radiate light of difference wavelengths.

12. An illumination grille assembly, comprising:

a main housing, the main housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior space; and

an outlet;

a blower assembly, the blower assembly comprising a motor substantially surrounded by a scroll, and a blower wheel coupled to the motor and substantially enclosed by the scroll;

an illumination grille assembly coupled to the main housing and covering at least a portion of the blower assembly, the illumination grille assembly comprising;

a frame comprising an outer portion, an inner portion and a central aperture, wherein the outer portion forms an outer edge of the illumination grille assembly and the inner portion forms an outer portion of the central aperture in the frame;

a plurality of light-emitting diodes positioned at least partially between the outer portion and inner portion of the frame;

a light-transparent cover coupled with the frame and positioned to at least partially over at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes, the cover including a cover aperture; and

a ventilation grille coupled with the cover and covering at least a portion of the cover aperture, the ventilation grille configured and arranged to permit fluid flow through at least a portion of the ventilation grille.

14. The illumination grille assembly of claim 12 further comprising a light engine, the light engine comprising a printed circuit board, a power module and at least one plug, wherein the printed circuit board is configured and arranged to mount at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

13. The illumination grille assembly of claim 13 wherein the frame and the light-transparent cover are a single integral component configured and arranged at least partially over at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

15. The illumination grille assembly of claim 13 further comprising an light emitting diode light engine, the light emitting diode light engine comprising a printed circuit board, a power module and at least one plug, wherein the printed circuit board is configured and arranged to mount at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes.