INTERMEDIATE DEVICE STRUCTURE FOR ILLUMINATION POLES AND A METHOD OF USE THEREOF

• US 20140211487A1
• Filed: 01/28/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Defense Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: Exposure Illumination Architects Inc.
• Inventors: Spiro, Daniel S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,829,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/382
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/086 with lighting device attached sideways of the standard, e.g. for roads and highways
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

An intermediate device structure/system is provided. The system includes a base member and a coupler, the coupler arm being coupled to the base member and extending therefrom. The system further includes a housing configured to functionally engage the base member, the housing defining therein a cavity therein for housing electrical components of the system, including a control unit and other auxiliary devices. The base member may be coupled to a mast arm of an illumination pole and the coupler arm may be coupled to a luminaire of the illumination pole, such that the intermediate device system is configured in line between the mast arm and the luminaire. The control unit is electrically coupled to the electrical power of an illumination pole and powers the data and power connectivity between devices belonging to the intermediate device system.

Claims

1. An intermediate device system for an illumination pole comprising:

a base member having a first end and a second end;

a coupler arm having a first end and a second end, the coupler arm being coupled to the base member and extending therefrom;

a housing configured to functionally engage and be mechanically supported by the base member, the housing defining a cavity therein; and

an electronic assembly within the cavity, the electronic assembly being electrically coupled to line power of the illumination pole,

wherein the second end of the base member is configured to functionally engage a mast arm of the illumination pole, and wherein the first end of the coupler arm is configured to functionally engage a luminaire of the illumination pole, such that the intermediate device system is configured in line between the mast arm and the luminaire.

2. The intermediate device system of claim 1, further comprising a through bore in the base member from the first end of the base member to the second end of the base member;

a through bore in the coupler arm from the first end of the coupler arm to the second end of the coupler arm; and

wiring for power and signal connectivity, wherein the wiring runs within the through bore of the base member and within the through bore of the coupler arm.

3. The intermediate device system of claim 2, wherein the base member defines therein a base member opening, and wherein the housing defines therein an opening that communicates with the cavity, the base member opening and the housing opening overlapping one another to permit the wiring in the through bore of the base member to electrically couple to the electronic assembly in the cavity.

4. The intermediate device system of claim 2, wherein the base member first end and the coupler arm second end are fixedly coupled to one another, and the through bore of the base member and the through bore of the coupler arm are axially aligned.

5. The intermediate device system of claim 2, wherein the through bore of the base member is configured to receive and functionally engage the mast arm of the illumination pole, and wherein the first end of the coupler arm is configured to be inserted into a bore of the luminaire to functionally engage the luminaire.

6. The intermediate device system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a housing body and a housing covering, the housing covering being configured to releasably couple to the housing body.

7. The intermediate device system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises one or more fins on an exterior surface thereof, the fins being spaced apart from one another for heat dissipation.

8. The intermediate device system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises one or more vents in an exterior surface thereof for ingress and egress of air while resisting ingress and egress of moisture and dust.

9. The intermediate device system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises one or more data and power connectivity points in sidewalls thereof that facilitate coupling of auxiliary electronic devices to the electronic assembly.

10. The intermediate device system of claim 3, wherein the wiring electrically couples the electronic assembly to one or more auxiliary devices positioned on an exterior surface of the housing, on the illumination pole, or below a ground surface near the illumination pole, the electronic assembly being configured to control power and data connectivity of the one or more auxiliary devices through the wiring.

11. The intermediate device system of claim 1, the housing further comprising an external channel in a bottom surface of the housing, the external channel being configured to releasably engage the base member.

12. The intermediate device of claim 1, wherein the electronic assembly further comprises a communication unit, a power management and distribution unit, and a control unit, the electronic assembly being configured to govern power and data connectivity of electronic components of the intermediate device system.

13. The intermediate device of claim 12, wherein the electrical components comprise one or more processors, one or more power sources, one or more sensory devices, and one or more wireless communication devices.

14. An intermediate device system for an illumination pole comprising:

a housing defining a cavity therein, the cavity being configured to hold an object;

a base member having a first end and a second end, the base member configured to engage and mechanically support thereon the housing; and

a coupler arm having a first end and a second end, the second end of the coupler arm being coupled to the first end of the base member, the coupler arm extending from the base member, and

wherein the second end of the base member is configured to functionally engage a mast arm of the illumination pole, and wherein the coupler arm is configured to functionally engage a luminaire of the illumination pole, such that the intermediate device system is configured in line between the mast arm and the luminaire.

15. The intermediate device system of claim 14, wherein the object is an electronic assembly electrically coupled to line power of the illumination pole.

16. The intermediate device system of claim 15, wherein the electronic assembly further comprises a communication unit, a power management and distribution unit, and a control unit, the electronic assembly being configured to govern power and data connectivity of auxiliary electronic components of the intermediate device system, the auxiliary electronic components being configured to be releasably electronically and mechanically coupled to the intermediate device system.

17. The intermediate device system of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary devices further comprise one or more of an optical device, a microphone, a speaker, a photocell, a photovoltaic cell, a radar sensor, a RFID sensor, a radiation sensor, and an air quality sensor.

18. A method of forming a smart illumination pole, the method comprising:

removing a luminaire from a mast arm of an illumination pole;

inserting an intermediate device system on the mast arm;

inserting the luminaire on the intermediate device system, such that the intermediate device system is positioned in line between the mast arm and the luminaire;

electrically coupling the intermediate device system to pre-existing line power of the illumination pole.

19. The method of claim 18, the electrically coupling the intermediate device system further comprises:

electrically coupling auxiliary electronic devices to the intermediate device system;

converting the pre-existing line power to low-voltage power;

controlling the distribution of low-voltage power to each of the auxiliary electronic devices.

20. The method of claim 18, the electrically coupling the intermediate device system further comprises:

electrically coupling the luminaire to the intermediate device system;

converting the pre-existing line power to low-voltage power;

controlling the distribution of low-voltage power to the luminaire; and

communicating in real-time with local devices and remote clients.