Systems, methods, and devices for providing a track light and portable light

• US 8,915,609 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2012
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Shah, Ashok Deepak, Bryant, Christopher Michael, Beresinski, Kenneth George
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Nimeshkumar
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, GLENN D
• Application Number:
  US13/441,491
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183, 362/398, 362/640, 362/647, 362/648, 439/38, 439/39, 439/40
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/00 Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/35 with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/15 Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/24 using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission

Abstract

A light module for use as a portable light or as a light source in a track lighting system is described herein. The light module may include a module housing containing a light emitting aperture, and a light emitting diode (LED) light source located inside the module housing, where the LED light source is aligned with the light emitting aperture. The light module further includes a driver electrically connected to the LED light source, and a chargeable power supply component electrically connected to the driver. The light module also includes at least two magnets attached to the exterior of the module housing, where at least one magnet is associated with a positive electrical terminal and another magnet is associated with a negative terminal, and where at least one magnet provides electrical power to at least one of the chargeable power supply component or driver.

Claims

1. A light module comprising:

a module housing containing a light emitting aperture;

a light emitting diode (LED) light source located inside the module housing, wherein the LED light source is aligned with the light emitting aperture;

a driver electrically connected to the LED light source;

a chargeable power supply component electrically connected to the driver;

at least two magnets attached to the exterior of the module housing, wherein at least one magnet is associated with a positive electrical terminal and another magnet is associated with a negative terminal, wherein at least one of the at least two magnets provides electrical power to at least one of the chargeable power supply component or the driver, and wherein the at least one of the at least two magnets provides mechanical connection to a track system, and wherein the light module is positionable along the track system via the at least one of the at least two magnets; and

an inductive element for providing an electromagnetic force between the module housing and the track system.

2. The light module of claim 1, wherein the module housing includes a capacitive touch sensor.

3. The light module of claim 1, wherein the LED light source is an organic LED light source.

4. The light module of claim 1, further comprising a power connector for charging the light module without use of the at least one magnet.

5. The light module of claim 1, wherein the chargeable power supply component or the driver is detachably coupled to the light module housing.

6. The light module of claim 5, wherein the chargeable power supply component or the driver that is detachably coupled to the light module housing includes the at least one magnet when detached.

7. The light module of claim 1, further comprising at least one optical element aligned with the light emitting aperture.

8. The light module of claim 7, further comprising a pivot for rotating the light source, light emitting aperture, or the optical element.

21. The light module of claim 1, wherein the track system is magnetically conductive and provides power to the light module along a length of the track system via the at least one of the at least two magnets.

9. A light module comprising:

a module housing containing a light emitting aperture, wherein the module housing includes a sensor;

a light emitting diode (LED) light source located inside the module housing, wherein the LED light source is aligned with the light emitting aperture;

a driver electrically connected to the LED light source;

a chargeable power supply component electrically connected to the driver; and

at least two magnets attached to the exterior of the module housing, wherein at least one magnet is associated with a positive electrical terminal and another magnet is associated with a negative terminal, wherein at least one of the at least two magnets provides electrical power to at least one of the chargeable power supply component or the driver, and wherein the at least one of the at least two magnets provides mechanical connection to a track system, the light module being positionable along the track system via the at least one of the at least two magnets.

10. The light module of claim 9, wherein the sensor is a capacitive touch sensor.

11. The light module of claim 9, wherein the LED light source is an organic LED light source.

12. The light module of claim 9, further comprising a power connector for charging the light module without use of the at least one magnet.

13. The light module of claim 9, wherein the chargeable power supply component or the driver is detachably coupled to the light module housing.

14. The light module of claim 13, wherein the chargeable power supply component or the driver is detachably coupled to the light module housing and includes the at least one magnet when detached.

15. The light module of claim 9, further comprising at least one optical element aligned with the light emitting aperture.

16. A light module comprising:

a module housing containing a light emitting aperture;

a light emitting diode (LED) light source located inside the module housing, wherein the LED light source is aligned with the light emitting aperture;

a driver electrically connected to the LED light source;

a chargeable power supply component electrically connected to the driver;

at least two magnets attached to the exterior of the module housing, wherein at least one magnet is associated with a positive electrical terminal and another magnet is associated with a negative terminal, wherein at least one of the at least two magnets provides electrical power to at least one of the chargeable power supply component or the driver, and wherein the at least one of the at least two magnets provides mechanical connection to a track system, the light module being positionable along the track system via the at least one of the at least two magnets; and

switching circuitry electrically connected to the chargeable power supply component and the driver, wherein the switching circuitry is configured to detect when no power is supplied by the at least one of the at least two magnets and engage the chargeable power supply component to supply power to the driver.

17. The light module of claim 16, further comprising at least one optical element aligned with the light emitting aperture.

18. The light module of claim 17, further comprising a pivot for rotating the light source, light emitting aperture, or the optical element.

19. The light module of claim 16, further comprising a power connector for charging the light module without use of the at least one magnet.

20. The light module of claim 16, wherein the chargeable power supply component or the driver is detachably coupled to the light module housing.