Independent modules for LED fluorescent light tube replacement

• US 8,454,193 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2011
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Inventors: Simon, David, Ivey, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US13/173,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20120008315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249.02, 362/249.13, 362/219, 362/221, 362/222, 362/223, 362/217.1, 362/217.13, 362/20
• US Class Current: 362/217.17
• 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 9/272 Details of end parts, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within end parts F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/005 for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• 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

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a LED fluorescent tube replacement lamp and lighting modules from which the lamp is constructed. One embodiment of a replacement lamp includes a plurality of interchangeable lighting modules that are configured to be electrically connected to adjacent modules. The interchangeable lighting modules can include end modules each having an end cap with pin connectors, at least one of the end modules includes electrical circuitry connected to the pin connectors for powering the modules. The lighting modules can also be center unit modules having LEDs mounted to a circuit board. The replacement lamps can be made from conceivable configurations of the lighting modules, requiring removal of only one module for repair or replacement.

Claims

1. A LED fluorescent tube replacement lamp comprising:

a plurality of interchangeable lighting modules, wherein adjacent modules are electrically connected, the plurality of interchangeable lighting modules including;

two end modules each including an end cap with at least one end connector, at least one of the end modules including electrical circuitry connected to the at least one end connector for powering the end modules;

at least one center module including electrical circuitry; and

a housing coupled between the two end modules and encompassing the at least one center module, the housing including a plurality of coaxially adjacent housing segments;

wherein any one of the two end modules and the at least one center module is replaceable with a like module.

2. The lamp of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one another connector providing an electrical connection to the at least one center module.

3. The lamp of claim 2 wherein:

the at least one another connector mechanically couples the at least one end cap to the at least one center module.

4. The lamp of claim 2 further comprising:

the electrical circuitry in the at least one center module includes a circuit board with at least one electrically connected LED; and

the at least another connector electrically connects the at least one end cap to the circuit board in the at least one center module.

5. The lamp of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one end connector on at least one of the end caps includes two connectors.

6. The lamp of claim 1 wherein:

the two end modules and the at least one center module are replaceably electrically connected.

7. The lamp of claim 1 wherein:

the electrical circuitry in at least one of the end modules includes a power converter.

8. The lamp of claim 1 further comprising:

a coupler sleeve joining adjacent housing segments.

9. The lamp of claim 1 further comprising:

a bridge support spanning and interconnecting two adjacent housing segments.

10. The lamp of claim 1 further comprising:

adjacent ends of two adjacent modules nestingly engageable.

11. A LED fluorescent tube replacement lamp comprising:

a plurality of interchangeable, electrically connected lighting modules, the plurality of lighting modules including;

two end modules, each including a housing, an end cap mounted in one end of the housing and having at least one end connector, at least one of the end modules including electrical circuitry connected to the at least one end connector for powering the lighting modules;

at least one center module including a housing encompassing a circuit board, at least one LED mounted on the circuit board, and bridge connectors coupled to opposing ends of the circuit board for separable connection to adjacent light modules;

the end modules and the least one center module coaxially arranged, with adjacent ends of the two end modules and the at least one center module joined into a unitary housing; and

wherein any one of the two end modules and the at least one center module is replaceable with a like module.

12. Lighting modules usable in a fluorescent tube replacement lamp comprising at least one of:

an end unit module including;

a tubular housing having an end cap on one end, the end cap having at least one end connector; and

a power converter within the tubular housing and electrically connected to the at least one pin connector, the power converter having electrical connecting means on an end opposite the end cap; and

a center unit module including;

a tubular housing;

electrical circuitry within the tubular housing coupled between electrical connecting means at opposing ends of the housing; and

at least one LED coupled to the electrical circuitry in the housing, wherein the end unit module and center unit module are configured to interface with an adjacent end unit or center module such that the electrical connects means electrically connect adjacent modules.

13. A LED fluorescent tube replacement lamp comprising:

a plurality of interchangeable lighting modules, wherein adjacent modules are electrically connected, the plurality of interchangeable lighting modules including;

two end modules each including an end cap with at least one end connector, at least one of the end modules including electrical circuitry connected to the at least one connector for powering the end modules; and

at least one center module including electrical circuitry, the at least one center module including a plurality of center modules; and

bridge connectors carried on the plurality of center modules for connecting the plurality of center modules;

wherein any one of the two end modules and the at least one center module is replaceable with a like module.

14. The lamp of claim 13 wherein:

the at least one end connector on at least one of the end caps includes two connectors.

15. The lamp of claim 13 wherein:

the two end modules and the at least one center module are replaceably electrically connected.

16. The lamp of claim 13 wherein:

the at least one another connector mechanically couples the at least one end cap to the at least one center module.

17. The lamp of claim 13 further comprising:

at least one another connector providing an electrical connection to the at least one center module.

18. The lamp of claim 17 further comprising:

the electrical circuitry in the at least one center module includes a circuit board with at least one electrically connected LED.

19. The lamp of claim 18 wherein:

the at least another connector electrically connects the at least one end cap to the circuit board in the at least one center module.