Light emitting diode troffer

• US 8,038,314 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2009
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Ladewig, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): BANNAN, JULIE A
• Application Number:
  US12/356,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20100182782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 362218-225, 36221701-21717, 362/396
• US Class Current: 362/217.12
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/02 of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters specially adapted for vehicle exteriors F21S41/00-F21S45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/008 Suspending from a cable or suspension line
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A troffer-style luminaire includes first and second side ends and a top end extending between the side ends. The side and top ends define an interior region. Light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) are coupled along interior surfaces of the side ends, within the interior region. At least some of the LEDs are coupled to the interior surfaces by being wedged between members protruding into the interior region from the interior or other surfaces. In addition, or in the alternative, one or more spring clips can apply a force that holds the LEDs against the interior surfaces. A reflector extends between the LEDs and the top member and reflects light from the LEDs towards a bottom end of the frame. The light emitted by the LEDs is directed to the reflector and then indirectly emitted through the bottom end, into a desired environment.

Claims

1. A light fixture, comprising:

a housing comprising;

a first side member comprising an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface and further comprising;

a first elongated member extending from substantially the entire longitudinal axis of the interior surface into an interior region;

a second elongated member extending from substantially the entire longitudinal axis of the interior surface into the interior region; and

an angled member extending up from the first elongated member into the interior region at a point away from the intersection of the first elongated member and the first side member;

a second side member; and

the interior region disposed substantially between the first side member and the second side member;

a substrate comprising a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a first plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the second longitudinal side disposed against the first elongated member between the angled member and the first side member, and a back side of the substrate disposed against the interior surface between the first elongated member and the second elongated member;

a spring clip releasably coupled to at least a portion of the second elongated member, wherein a portion of the clip engages the first longitudinal side of the substrate;

a reflector extending substantially between the first plurality of LEDs and a top end of the housing and reflecting light generated by the first plurality of LEDs towards a bottom end of the housing.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising:

a second plurality of LEDs coupled along an interior surface of the second side member, within the interior region,

wherein the reflector extends substantially between the top end of the housing and the first and second pluralities of LEDs, and

wherein substantially all of the light emitted from the first and second pluralities of LEDs is reflected by the reflector before exiting the fixture along the bottom end.

3. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising:

a third elongated member extending angularly from an interior surface of the second side member, into the interior region,

each of the second and third elongated members engaging and at least partially supporting an end of the reflector.

4. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises two substantially arc-shaped segments.

5. The light fixture of claim 4, further comprising:

a third elongated member extending from the interior surface of the second side member; and

wherein each arc-shaped segment comprises an end that rests on a respective one of the second and third elongated members.

6. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the first side member comprises at least one elongated member extending angularly away from the interior region, each elongated member dispersing heat from the first plurality of LEDs.

7. The light fixture of claim 6, wherein each elongated member extends substantially along a longitudinal axis of the first side member.

8. The light fixture of claim 6, wherein the second side member comprises at least one elongated member extending angularly away from the interior region, each elongated member of the second side member dispersing heat from a second plurality of LEDs disposed against the second side member.

9. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the first side member comprises a plurality of elongated members extending angularly away from the interior region, each elongated member extending substantially along a longitudinal axis of the first side member, at least one gap extending between neighboring ones of the elongated members, each gap extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the first side member.

10. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring clip releasably coupled to the second side member, the at least one spring clip applying a force to hold at least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of LEDs against the interior surface of the second side member.

11. The light fixture of claim 1,

wherein an end of the clip engages the first longitudinal side of the substrate.

12. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the clip applies a force against the substrate to hold the substrate against the interior surface of the first side member.

13. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the substrate is substantially wedged between the first side member and the angled member.

14. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a cover extending at least partially along the bottom end of the housing, between the first side member and the second side member.

15. The light fixture of claim 14, wherein the cover comprises a lens.

16. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of LEDs emit light having a color temperature between about 2500 degrees Kelvin and about 5000 degrees Kelvin.

17. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of LEDs comprise at least one white LED and at least one non-white LED.

18. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the light fixture is a troffer.

19. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a bottom member extending from the first side member, along the bottom end,

wherein the first plurality of LEDs are not visible to a person positioned directly below the bottom member.

20. A light fixture, comprising:

a housing comprising;

a first side member comprising an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface and further comprising;

a first elongated member extending from substantially the entire longitudinal axis of the interior surface into an interior region;

a second elongated member extending from substantially the entire longitudinal axis of the interior surface into the interior region; and

a plurality of longitudinally extending heat sink fins extending angularly out from the exterior surface;

a second side member comprising an inner surface and an opposing outer surface and further comprising;

a third elongated member extending from substantially the entire longitudinal axis of the inner surface into the interior region;

a fourth elongated member extending from substantially the entire longitudinal axis of the inner surface into the interior region; and

a second plurality of longitudinally extending heat sink fins extending angularly out from the outer surface; and

the interior region disposed substantially between the first side member and the second side member;

a first substrate comprising a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a first plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the second longitudinal side disposed against the first elongated member and a back side of the substrate disposed against the interior surface between the first elongated member and the second elongated member;

a second substrate comprising a third longitudinal side, a fourth longitudinal side, and a second plurality of LEDs, the fourth longitudinal side disposed against the third elongated member and a back side of the second substrate disposed against the inner surface between the third and fourth elongated members;

a first spring clip releasably coupled to a portion of the second elongated member, wherein the clip contacts the substrate and applies a force to hold the substrate against the interior surface;

a second spring clip releasably coupled to a portion of the fourth elongated member, wherein the second spring clip contacts the second substrate and holds the second substrate against the inner surface;

a reflector extending substantially between the first plurality of LEDs and a top end of the housing and reflecting light generated by the first plurality of LEDs towards a bottom end of the housing; and

wherein substantially all of the light emitted from the first plurality of LEDs is reflected by the reflector before exiting the fixture along the bottom end.