Power supply assembly for LED-based light tube

• US 9,163,794 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2013
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Inventors: Simon, David, Ivey, John, Amrine, James, Meganck, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, EVAN P
• Application Number:
  US13/935,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20140009926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 362/222, 362/217.13, 362/219, 362/249.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/275 Details of bases or housings, i.e. the parts between the light-generating element and the end caps; Arrangement of components within bases or housings F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/12 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/004 by deformation of parts or snap action mountings, e.g. using clips
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/507 of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• 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

An LED-based light for replacing a fluorescent light in a light fixture comprises: an elongate housing, the housing having a first longitudinal portion with a first cross section and a second longitudinal portion adjoining the first longitudinal portion with a second cross section, wherein a shape of the first cross section is different from a shape of the second cross section, such that the housing includes at least one geometric asymmetry; at least one LED arranged in the housing; and a connector at and end of the housing configured for connection to a light fixture.

Claims

1. An LED-based light for replacing a fluorescent light in a light fixture, comprising:

an elongate base defining a first surface and an opposing second surface;

an LED circuit board supported on the first surface of the base, the LED circuit board including at least one LED;

a light transmitting lens attached to the base to enclose the LED-circuit board, the lens extending a substantial length of the base;

a power supply circuit board located adjacent the second surface of the base, the power supply circuit board configured to supply power to the at least one LED; and

a cover attached to the base to enclose the power supply circuit board, the cover extending only a partial length of the base, wherein

the base, the lens and the cover comprise a housing for the LED-based light, and wherein a perimeter of the housing is defined substantially by the lens and the cover along a first longitudinal portion of the housing, and substantially by the lens and the second surface of the base along a second longitudinal portion of the housing.

2. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal portion has a first cross section and the second longitudinal portion has a second cross section, and wherein a shape of the first cross section is different from a shape of the second cross section, such that the housing includes a geometric asymmetry about a plane that is normal to a longitudinal axis of the housing and that passes through a midpoint of the housing.

3. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein the lens is arcuate and the cover is substantially C-shaped, such that the first longitudinal portion has a substantially circular shaped cross section.

4. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein the lens is arcuate and the second surface of the base is substantially flat, such that the second longitudinal portion has a substantially bow shaped cross section.

5. The LED-based light of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal portion adjoins the second longitudinal portion.

6. The LED-based light of claim 1, further comprising:

a connector at and end of the housing configured for connection to a light fixture.

7. The LED-based light of claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply assembly, the power supply assembly including the power supply circuit board and the cover, wherein the power supply assembly is selectively removably attached to the base.

8. An LED-based light for replacing a fluorescent light in a light fixture, comprising:

an elongate base;

an LED circuit board supported on the base, the LED circuit board including at least one LED;

a light transmitting lens attached to the base to enclose the LED-circuit board; and

a power supply assembly, the power supply assembly including power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the at least one LED, and a cover enclosing the power supply circuitry, the cover extending only a partial length of the base, wherein

the base, the lens and the cover comprise a housing for the LED-based light, and wherein a perimeter of the housing is defined substantially by the lens and the cover along a first longitudinal portion of the housing, and substantially by the lens and the base along a second longitudinal portion of the housing.

9. The LED-based light of claim 8, the power supply assembly further comprising:

a connector configured for physical and electrical connection to a light fixture, the connector in electrical communication with the power supply circuitry.

10. The LED-based light of claim 8, wherein the lens is arcuate, and the cover is substantially C-shaped, such that the first longitudinal portion has a substantially circular shaped cross section, and wherein the base is substantially flat, such that the second longitudinal portion has a substantially bow shaped cross section.

11. The LED-based light of claim 8, wherein the lens is arcuate and the cover is substantially C-shaped, such that the first longitudinal portion has a substantially circular shaped cross section.

12. The LED-based light of claim 8, wherein the lens is arcuate and the base is substantially flat, such that the second longitudinal portion has a substantially bow shaped cross section.

13. The LED-based light of claim 8, wherein the first longitudinal portion adjoins the second longitudinal portion.

14. The LED-based light of claim 8, further comprising:

a connector at and end of the housing configured for connection to a light fixture.

15. The LED-based light of claim 8, wherein the power supply assembly is selectively removably attached to the base.