LED driver systems adapted for gang boxes

• US 9,788,374 B1
• Filed: 11/23/2016
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc. (Elemental Led LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc. (Elemental Led LLC)
• Inventors: Holleschau, Randall, Petersen, Russell, Buck, Wesley
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Daniel D
• Application Number:
  US15/360,915
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 315363, 315200 R, 174 50, 174 53, 174 58, 174480
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/061 with a non-rigid pendant, i.e. a cable, wire or chain
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/08 Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light

Abstract

A power and control assembly is disclosed. An LED driver is sized and adapted to fit within a single compartment of an electrical gang box, such as a two-gang box. An alternating current (AC) dimmer or other component is installed in an adjacent compartment. The AC dimmer supplies its output to the LED driver, which converts the AC power to an appropriate direct current (DC) power for LED lighting fixtures. The LED driver is typically recessed into the compartment, and is covered by a switch or another control element. In some cases, the switch may be a mechanical dummy selected for its aesthetic or fascial characteristics. In other cases, the switch or control element may be functional. With similar multiple-gang boxes, a number of drivers may be installed in the gang box and switches may allow both dimming and zone control.

Claims

1. A power and control assembly, comprising:

an electrical gang box having at least one high-voltage compartment and at least one low-voltage compartment;

a high-voltage alternating current (AC) dimmer installed in the at least one high-voltage compartment, the AC dimmer taking household or commercial power as input and providing an AC dimming signal as output;

a driver installed in the at least one low-voltage compartment, the driver being (1) connected to the AC dimmer and receiving the AC dimming signal as input, and (2) adapted to transform and rectify the AC dimming signal into a direct current (DC) dimming signal and to provide the DC dimming signal as a single low-voltage power and dimming output; and

a fascial element installed on the low-voltage compartment, overtop of the driver, the fascial element selected from the group consisting of a mechanical dummy switch and a blank face plate.

2. The power and control assembly of claim 1, further comprising a low-voltage DC lighting fixture connected to the driver to accept and be powered by the low-voltage output.

3. The power and control assembly of claim 2, wherein the low-voltage DC lighting fixture is a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture.

4. The power and control assembly of claim 1, wherein the driver powers more than one fixture.

5. The power and control assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical gang box further comprises:

a set of grooves or channels; and

a removable barrier adapted to be received in the set of grooves or channels so as to separate between the at least one high-voltage compartment and the at least one low-voltage compartment.

6. The power and control assembly of claim 1, wherein the driver comprises an indicator light and the fascial element comprises a window or translucent area through which the indicator light shows.

7. The power and control assembly of claim 1, wherein the fascial element comprises an indicator light that is electrically connected to the driver.

8. The power and control assembly of claim 1, wherein the fascial element attaches to the driver.

9. The power and control assembly of claim 1, wherein the fascial element attaches to the gang box.

10. A power and control assembly, comprising:

an electrical gang box having at least one high-voltage compartment and at least one low-voltage compartment;

a high-voltage alternating current (AC) three-way switch installed in the at least one high-voltage compartment, the AC three-way switch taking household or commercial power as input and providing an AC signal as output;

a driver installed in the at least one low-voltage compartment, the driver being (1) connected to the AC three-way switch and receiving the AC signal as input, and (2) adapted to transform and rectify the AC signal into a direct current (DC) signal and to provide the DC signal as a single low-voltage power output; and

a fascial element installed on the low-voltage compartment, overtop of the driver, the fascial element selected from the group consisting of a mechanical dummy switch and a blank face plate.

11. The power and control assembly of claim 10, further comprising a low-voltage DC lighting fixture connected to the driver to accept and be powered by the low-voltage output.

12. The power and control assembly of claim 11, wherein the low-voltage DC lighting fixture is a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture.

13. The power and control assembly of claim 10, wherein the driver powers more than one fixture.

14. The power and control assembly of claim 10, wherein the electrical gang box further comprises:

a set of grooves or channels; and

a removable barrier adapted to be received in the set of grooves or channels so as to separate between the at least one high-voltage compartment and the at least one low-voltage compartment.

15. The power and control assembly of claim 10, wherein the driver comprises an indicator light and the fascial element comprises a window or translucent area through which the indicator light shows.

16. The power and control assembly of claim 10, wherein the fascial element comprises an indicator light that is electrically connected to the driver.

17. The power and control assembly of claim 10, wherein the fascial element attaches to the driver.

18. The power and control assembly of claim 10, wherein the fascial element attaches to the gang box.