LED luminaire

• US 9,482,395 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2014
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atlas Lighting Products, Inc. (LSI Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Atlas Lighting Products, Inc. (LSI Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ellingson, Scott T., Skoczylas, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Diane
• Assistant Examiner(s): ERRETT, MITCHELL W
• Application Number:
  US14/564,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20150109782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 362/294, 362/249.02, 362/373, 362/307
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/68 Details of reflectors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/69 Details of refractors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/03 of surface-mounted type F21S8/02, F21S8/04 take precedence; details of wall or floor bases F21V21/02
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/02 Combinations of only two kinds of elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/12 Combinations of only three kinds of elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/005 Measures against vandalism, stealing or tampering F21V15/02, F21V15/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/12 by screwing
• 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 29/85 characterised by the material liquid coolants F21V29/56
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/049 Patterns or structured surfaces for diffusing light, e.g. frosted surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/06 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• 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]

Abstract

An LED luminaire includes a thermal management system and features minimal glare while allowing for use of traditional luminaire housing. The luminaire of the depicted embodiments includes a luminaire housing, an LED light module, an LED driver, a diffuser, and reflectors. The LED light module includes at least one LED array, a primary thermal interface, and a secondary thermal interface. These thermal interfaces, particularly when used in conjunction with a conductive housing, allow for optimal thermal management by utilizing both natural convection and conduction to remove the heat from inside the luminaire into the surrounding air. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the position of the LED arrays within the housing in combination with the reflector design creates an optical path resulting in an indirect light source that minimizes glare, while providing a uniform distribution of light, unlike traditional LED luminaires.

Claims

1. An LED (light emitting diode) luminaire having an anti-glare system, comprising:

a. a luminaire housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a light emission aperture opposite the back wall;

b. an LED light module, comprising an array of LEDs mounted on a circuit board, the LED light module is attached to the top wall of the housing such that a resulting light from the array of LEDs is aimed substantially toward the bottom wall of the housing;

c. at least one reflector within the luminaire housing; and

d. a prismatic diffuser disposed within the light emission aperture that covers the LED light module such that the resulting light exits the luminaire at angles below 80 degrees as measured from a downward vertical of the resulting light

wherein the diffuser comprises a first portion opposite the back wall, and a second portion opposite the top wall,

wherein the second portion is angled with respect to the first portion,

wherein at least some of the light emitted from the LED light module strikes the reflector, at least some passes directly through the first portion of the diffuser, and at least some passes directly through the second portion of the diffuser.

2. The LED luminaire of claim 1 in which the diffuser is selected from the group consisting of a borosilicate prismatic glass diffuser or prismatic plastic.

3. The LED luminaire of claim 1 in which the housing is selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, and copper.

4. An LED (light emitting diode) luminaire having a dual means for heat dissipation and an anti-glare system, comprising:

a. a luminaire housing having at least a front face with an aperture, a back portion opposite the front face, a top side extending between the front face and the back portion, and a lower portion opposite the top side;

b. an LED light module attached to the housing and comprising

i. at least one LED array comprising a plurality of LEDs, the LED light module attached to the top side of the housing and oriented in a manner such that when the LED light module is operated to provide light, a resulting light from the LED light module is aimed substantially toward the lower portion of the housing;

ii. at least one first thermal interface, and

iii. at least one second thermal interface,

wherein at least a portion of the at least one first thermal interface is interposed between the at least one LED array and the at least one second thermal interface, and wherein the at least one second thermal interface is interposed between the at least one first thermal interface and the housing;

c. at least one reflector located within the luminaire housing and positioned to direct the resulting light substantially toward the lower portion of the housing; and

d. a prismatic diffuser disposed within the aperture of the front face and covering the LED light module such that the resulting light exits the luminaire at angles below 80 degrees as measured from a downward vertical of the resulting light,

wherein the diffuser comprises a first portion along the front face, and a second portion opposite the top side,

wherein the second portion is angled with respect to the first portion,

wherein at least some of the light emitted from the LED light module strikes the reflector, at least some passes directly through the first portion of the diffuser, and at least some passes directly through the second portion of the diffuser.

5. The LED luminaire of claim 4 in which at least one of the at least one first thermal interface is selected from the group consisting of an acrylic elastomer, thermal grease, thermal tape, or thermal adhesive.

6. The LED luminaire of claim 4 in which the at least one second thermal interface is selected from the group consisting of copper or aluminum.

7. The LED luminaire of claim 4 in which the housing is selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, and copper.

8. The LED luminaire of claim 4 further comprising at least one secondary optic placed in conjunction with the at least one LED array to modify the light distribution emitted by the at least one LED array.

9. The LED luminaire of claim 4, wherein the LED light module comprises a circuit board having a metal core.

10. The LED luminaire of claim 4 comprising a plurality of LED light modules.

11. The LED luminaire of claim 4, wherein the reflector comprises a substantially planar portion generally partitioning the housing.

12. The LED luminaire of claim 11, wherein the reflector further comprises sidewall portions extending generally perpendicularly from the ends of the planar portion.

13. The LED luminaire of claim 11, wherein the LED light module comprises a circuit board with the plurality of LEDs mounted on the circuit board, and an imaginary line normal to the circuit board and passing through the center of the plurality of LEDs intersects the reflector.

14. The LED luminaire of claim 13, wherein the imaginary line intersects the reflector below a mid-point of the reflector.