Conduit knockout interface device for connecting a power over ethernet cable to an LED luminaire

• US 9,801,262 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2016
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies Incorporated (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies Incorporated (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Helms, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Jason M
• Application Number:
  US15/146,104
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission

Abstract

A power over Ethernet (PoE) interface device includes a knockout adapter. The knockout adapter is configured for mounting to a conduit knockout opening in an LED luminaire. The interface device includes a power assembly having an input section and an output section. The power assembly is connected to the knockout adapter such that the output section is positioned inside the luminaire when the knockout adapter is mounted to the luminaire. The power assembly further includes a data connector mounted to the input section. The data connector is configured to receive PoE signals from a data cable coupled to the data connector. Power output terminals are mounted to the output section and electrically coupled to the data connector. The power output terminals may be configured to couple the PoE signals from the data connector to an LED light source in the luminaire.

Claims

1. A power over Ethernet (PoE) interface device for use with a luminaire having a conduit knockout opening defined in the luminaire, the PoE interface device comprising:

a knockout adapter configured to be mounted to the luminaire at the conduit knockout opening;

a power assembly connected to the knockout adapter, the power assembly including

an input section having a data connector, the data connector configured to couple to a data cable and further configured to receive PoE signals from the data cable, and

an output section having power output terminals, the power output terminals electrically connected to the data connector and configured to electrically communicate the PoE signals from the data connector to an LED light source in the luminaire;

wherein the power assembly is configured to pass through the conduit knockout opening defined in the luminaire; and

wherein the power assembly is further configured to be positioned inside the luminaire when the knockout adapter is mounted to the luminaire.

2. The PoE interface device of claim 1 wherein:

the power assembly further comprises a circuit board; and

the power output terminals are electrically connected to the data connector through the circuit board.

3. The PoE interface device of claim 2, wherein the circuit board is configured to pass through the conduit knockout opening defined in the luminaire.

4. The PoE interface device of claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes powered device circuitry configured to allow a PoE protocol to detect and classify the luminaire.

5. The PoE interface device of claim 1, wherein the data connector is configured to receive the PoE signals from a PoE router.

6. The PoE interface device of claim 1, wherein the knockout adapter includes a circular outer perimeter to fit a corresponding circular knockout opening defined in the luminaire.

7. The PoE interface device of claim 6, wherein the circular outer perimeter includes a helical thread.

8. The PoE interface device of claim 6, wherein the circular outer perimeter has a diameter of substantially 0.5 inches.

9. The PoE interface device of claim 6, wherein the circular outer perimeter has a diameter of substantially 0.75 inches.

10. The PoE interface device of claim 1, wherein the knockout adapter includes a plurality of retaining clips.

11. A power over Ethernet (PoE) interface device for connecting a PoE power source to a luminaire, the luminaire including a light source and a knockout opening defined in the luminaire, the PoE interface device comprising:

a knockout adapter configured to fit the knockout opening; and

LED power circuitry connected to the knockout adapter, the LED power circuitry including;

a circuit board connected to the knockout adapter such that the circuit board may pass through the knockout opening;

a power source connector separate from the knockout adapter and connected to the circuit board, the power source connector configured to receive power from the PoE power source; and

a power output connector connected to the circuit board, the power output connector configured to deliver power to the light source.

12. The PoE interface device of claim 11, wherein the PoE power source comprises a PoE router.

13. The PoE interface device of claim 12, wherein the LED power circuitry is configured to allow the PoE router to detect and classify the luminaire.

14. The PoE interface device of claim 13, wherein the knockout adapter is further configured to maintain its position in the knockout opening and to prevent removal up to a threshold removal force.

15. The PoE interface device of claim 11, wherein the knockout opening is substantially 0.5 inches in diameter.

16. The PoE interface device of claim 11, wherein the knockout opening is substantially 0.75 inches in diameter.

17. The PoE interface device of claim 11, wherein:

the knockout adapter is located in the knockout opening of the luminaire;

the power source connector is electrically connected to a PoE router the PoE power source; and

the power output connector is electrically connected to the light source, the light source including at least one light emitting diode.

18. An LED luminaire comprising:

a luminaire housing having at least one housing panel;

at least one LED light source mounted to the luminaire housing;

a conduit knockout opening defined in the at least one housing panel, the conduit knockout opening having an opening width;

a knockout adapter mounted in the conduit knockout opening; and

a power assembly including;

a circuit board connected to the knockout adapter, the circuit board having a circuit board width smaller than the opening width of the conduit knockout opening to fit through the conduit knockout opening;

a data connector mounted to the circuit board, the data connector configured to receive PoE signals from a data cable; and

power output terminals mounted to the circuit board and electrically coupled to the data connector, the power output terminals configured to transmit the PoE signals from the data connector to the LED light source.

19. The LED luminaire of claim 18 wherein:

the power output terminals are coupled to the LED light source through at least one wire.

20. The LED luminaire of claim 18, wherein the knockout adapter has a circular outer perimeter with helical threads to fit and engage the at least one housing panel in the knockout opening.