Magnetically-mountable lighting device and associated systems and methods

• US 9,151,453 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Inventors: Holland, Eric, Boomgaarden, Mark Penley, Thosteson, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): May, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gyllstrom, Bryon T
• Application Number:
  US13/832,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20140268768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 362/235, 362/240, 362/249.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/006 the substrate being distinct from the light source holder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/045 the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A lighting device comprising a heat sink, a light source in thermal communication with the heat sink, and a power source operably coupled with the light source. The heat sink, light source, and power source are positioned in a cavity defined by an enclosure and an optic which present a puck-like shape when assembled. A magnetic attachment member installed in the cavity of the enclosure magnetically binds the lighting device to a ferromagnetic material external to the lighting device. The power source receives an AC input voltage through inductive and/or conductive coupling, and converts the voltage to DC to support light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A controller may operate the light source based on instructions transmitted by a beam adjustment device and/or an occupancy sensor. A method aspect of the invention details steps for assembling the lighting device.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

an enclosure having

a sidewall portion that defines a tubular cavity having a first end and a second end, and

a base portion that comprises an interior and an exterior,

wherein the interior of the base portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the tubular cavity and wherein the exterior of the base portion is positioned opposite the tubular cavity to define a mounting surface;

a magnetic attachment member comprising a permanent magnet, and configured to proximately fit a perimeter of the interior of the base portion of the enclosure;

a heat sink;

a light source in thermal communication with the heat sink; and

an on-board power supply unit operatively coupled to the light source;

wherein the magnetic attachment member is positioned adjacent the interior of the base portion within the tubular cavity and is configured to magnetically bind to a ferromagnetic material that is positionable adjacent to and substantially conforms to the mounting surface of the base portion; and

wherein the heat sink, the light source, the on-board power supply unit, and the magnetic attachment member are coupled to the enclosure.

2. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the heat sink comprises a plurality of heat-dissipating fins.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the heat sink comprises at least one thermally conductive material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic, ceramic, porcelain, aluminum, and aluminum alloys.

4. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the on-board power supply unit comprises at least one of a converter and a regulator;

wherein the converter is configured to convert an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage;

wherein the regulator is configured to sustain a DC output voltage within a target DC bias range.

5. A lighting device according to claim 4 wherein the on-board power supply unit comprises at least one induction coil configured to receive the AC input voltage through inductive coupling.

6. A lighting device according to claim 4 wherein the on-board power supply unit comprises at least one wire connector configured to receive the AC input voltage through conductive coupling.

7. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

8. A lighting device according to claim 7 further comprising:

a controller operably coupled to the one or more LEDs;

a beam adjustment device configured to electronically communicate beam characteristics to the controller;

wherein the controller is programmable to selectively operate at least a portion of the one or more LEDs in response to the electronically communicated beam characteristics received by the controller from the beam adjustment device.

9. A lighting device according to claim 8 wherein the beam adjustment device is selected from at least one of a manual selection type and an automatic selection type;

wherein the manual selection type is selected from the group consisting of a twist knob and a tunable lens; and

wherein the automatic selection type selected from the group consisting of an occupancy sensor and a timer.

10. A lighting device according to claim 8 wherein the beam adjustment device is of an adjustment operation type selected from the group consisting of electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, and electronic.

11. A lighting device according to claim 8 further comprising a signal receiver;

wherein the controller is programmable to selectively operate at least a portion of the one or more LEDs in response to an electronic communication received by the controller from an external device through the signal receiver.

12. A lighting device according to claim 8 further comprising a signal transmitter configured to transmit to an external device the electronically communicated beam characteristics received by the controller from the beam adjustment device.

13. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the tubular cavity in the enclosure is configured to carry one or more of the heat sink, the light source, the on-board power supply unit, and the magnetic attachment member.

14. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the heat sink, the light source, and the on-board power supply unit are in thermal communication with the enclosure.

15. A lighting device according to claim 1 further comprising an optic attached to the enclosure and positioned adiacent the second end of the tubular cavity;

wherein the optic defines within the tubular cavity an optical chamber, and wherein light emitted by the light source enters the optical chamber and passes through the optic.

16. A lighting device comprising:

an enclosure having

a sidewall portion that defines a tubular cavity having a first end and a second end, and

a base portion that comprises an interior and an exterior,

wherein the interior of the base portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the tubular cavity and wherein the exterior of the base portion is positioned opposite the tubular cavity to define a mounting surface;

a magnetic attachment member comprising a permanent magnet, and configured to proximately fit a perimeter of the interior of the base portion of the enclosure;

a heat sink;

a light source in thermal communication with the heat sink; and

at least one power terminal electrically coupled to the light source;

wherein the magnetic attachment member is positioned adjacent the interior of the base portion within the tubular cavity and is configured to magnetically bind to a ferromagnetic material that is positionable adjacent to and substantially conforms to the mounting surface of the base portion; and

wherein the heat sink, the light source, the at least one power terminal, and the magnetic attachment member are coupled to the enclosure.

17. A lighting device according to claim 16 further comprising:

a controller operably coupled to the light source;

a beam adjustment device configured to electronically communicate beam characteristics to the controller;

wherein the controller is programmable to selectively operate the light source in response to the electronically communicated beam characteristics received by the controller from the beam adjustment device.

18. A lighting device according to claim 16 wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

19. A lighting device according to claim 18 wherein the tubular cavity in the enclosure is configured to carry at least one of the heat sink, the one or more LEDs, the at least one power terminal, and the magnetic attachment member;

wherein at least one of the heat sink, the one or more LEDs, and the at least one power terminal is in thermal communication with the enclosure.

20. A method for assembling a lighting device, the lighting device comprising an enclosure having a sidewall portion that defines a tubular cavity having a first end and a second end, and a base portion that comprises an interior and an exterior, wherein the interior of the base portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the tubular cavity and wherein the exterior of the base portion is positioned opposite the tubular cavity to define a mounting surface;

a heat sink;

one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs);

an on-board power supply unit;

a magnetic attachment member configured to proximately fit a perimeter of the interior of the base portion of the enclosure; and

an optic;

the method comprising the steps of;

positioning the magnetic attachment member adjacent the interior of the base portion within the tubular cavity;

positioning the one or more LEDs in thermal communication with the heat sink;

positioning the one or more LEDs in electrical communication with the on-board power supply unit;

inserting the heat sink, one or more LEDs, and on-board power supply unit into the enclosure through the second end of the tubular cavity;

positioning the lighting device to magnetically bind the magnetic attachment member to a ferromagnetic material that is positionable adjacent to and substantially conforms to the mounting surface of the base portion; and

attaching the optic in a position substantially covering the second end of the tubular cavity of the enclosure and such that the optic is in optical communication with the one or more LEDs.