Stack Light with In-Line Sound Module

• US 20150201261A1
• Filed: 01/13/2014
• Published: 07/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Feller, Robert P., Preischel, Will J., Sanchez, Alvaro
• Granted Patent: US 9,307,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/08 with a standard F21S6/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/002 making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing F21V21/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/02 Wall, ceiling, or floor bases; Fixing pendants or arms to the bases F21V21/08 takes precedence; bases for movable standing lamps F21V21/06
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/002 Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/323 for loudspeakers H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/345 for loudspeakers

Abstract

An in-line sound module for a modular stack light system provides electrical and mechanical connectors to allow it to be placed anywhere in the stack. Axial orientation of the audio transducer and a flexible jumpering system allow preservation of central connectors between modules. In-line configuration permits multiple sound modules to be used in a stack light and to be teamed with different beacon modules. In one embodiment the in-line sound module may also include lamps to provide beacon functionality.

Claims

1. An in-line sound module for use in a stack light of a type providing a set of beacon modules interlocking to each other and to a base unit by means of interlocking mechanical connectors and interfitting electrical connectors positioned at a top and bottom of each beacon module and at a top of the base unit, the mechanical connectors and electrical connectors together allowing multiple beacon modules and one base to be mechanically assembled into a tower with electrical communication between the base and each beacon module, the in-line sound module comprising:

a housing having sidewalls defining a chamber between an upper and lower face;

first and second mechanical connectors positioned, respectively, at the upper and lower face and adapted to releasably interlock with corresponding mechanical connectors of the beacon modules or a base;

first and second electrical connectors positioned, respectively, at the upper and lower face and adapted to releasably interface with corresponding electrical connectors of beacon modules or a base;

an audio transducer positioned within the chamber to direct sound into the chamber and through openings in the sidewall; and

electrical conductors extending between the first and second electrical connectors and from the second electrical connector to the audio transducer.

2. The in-line sound module of claim 1 wherein the audio transducer provides for electrically induced movement along an axis generally centered within the housing extending between the upper and lower faces.

3. The in-line sound module of claim 2 wherein an active surface of the audio transducer has an area of at least 50% of a cross-sectional area of the chamber perpendicular to the axis.

4. The in-line sound module of claim 3 wherein the first and second electrical connectors are substantially centered within the upper and lower face and the conductors between the first and second electrical connectors are flexible to route around an edge of the audio transducer.

5. The in-line sound module of claim 4 wherein the conductors between the first and second electrical connectors are side-by-side parallel conductive elements supported in a common flexible matrix.

6. The in-line sound module of claim 1 further including a sound directing structure within the chamber directing axial sound waves from the audio transducer through a sidewall.

7. The in-line sound module of claim 6 wherein the sound directing structure provides a horn element.

8. The in-line sound module of claim 6 wherein the sound directing structure is movable to change a direction of the directing of axial sound waves from the audio transducer through a sidewall.

9. The in-line sound module of claim 1 further including at least one lamp within the housing and wherein electrical conductors extend between at least one lamp and the second connector.

10. The in-line sound module of claim 9 wherein the lamp is at least one LED.

11. The in-line sound module of claim 9 wherein the chamber is substantially transparent.

12. The in-line sound module of claim 11 wherein the audio transducer may form one wall of the chamber.

13. The in-line sound module of claim 12 wherein the upper wall of the chamber provides a horn structure for directing sound through sidewalk of the chamber and is substantially transparent.

14. The in-line sound module of claim 1 wherein the audio transducer is selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric transducer, a magnet and coil transducer.

15. A stack light comprising:

a set of interconnected beacon modules, in-line sound modules and base,

wherein the interconnected beacon modules each provide;

(a) a transparent beacon housing;

(b) first and second mechanical connectors positioned at a top and bottom of the beacon housing releasably interlocked with corresponding mechanical connectors of corresponding beacon modules or in-line sound modules;

(c) first and second electrical connectors positioned at a top and bottom of the beacon housing releasably interfaced with corresponding electrical connectors of beacon modules or in-line sound modules; and

(d) a lamp held within the housing and communicating with a connector element of the second electrical connector;

wherein the in-line sound module provides;

(a) a sound module housing;

(b) first and second mechanical connectors positioned at a top and bottom of the sound module housing, the first mechanical connector releasably interlocking with a corresponding mechanical connector of a given beacon module and the second mechanical connector releasably interlocking with a corresponding mechanical connector of a beacon module or the base;

(c) first and second electrical connectors positioned at a top and bottom of the sound module housing, the first electrical connector releasably interfacing with a corresponding electrical connector of a beacon module and the second electrical connector releasably interfacing with a corresponding electrical connector of a beacon module or the base; and

(d) an audio transducer positioned within the sound module housing and receiving electrical power from the second electrical connector to generate a an audio signal and conveying electrical signals from the second electrical connector to the first electrical connector;

wherein the base provides;

(a) a base housing;

(b) a first mechanical connector releasably interlocking with the second mechanical connector of the beacon module or in-line sound module;

(c) a first electrical connector releasably interfacing with the second electrical connector of the beacon module or the in-line sound module;

(d) a terminal block electrically communicating with the first electrical connector; and

(e) a mounting flange providing openings for receiving machine screws to attach the mounting flange to a surface.

16. The stack light of claim 15 including a plastic dome cover having a lower face having a second mechanical connector adapted to releasably interlock with corresponding mechanical connectors of the beacon modules or the base.

17. The stack light of claim 16 wherein the plastic dome cover is transparent and further includes at least one lamp and an electrical conductor positioned on the lower face and adapted to releasably interface with corresponding electrical connectors of the beacon modules or the base.

18. The stack light of claim 15 wherein the audio transducer provides for electrically induced movement along an axis generally centered within the housing extending between upper and lower faces of the housing.

19. The stack light of claim 18 wherein an active surface of the audio transducer has an area of at least 50% of a cross-sectional area of the sound module housing perpendicular to the axis.

20. The stack light of claim 19 wherein the first and second electrical connectors are substantially centered within the upper and lower face and further providing flexible conductors between the first and second electrical connectors to route around an edge of the audio transducer