Lighting apparatus with electrical connector and control module

• US 9,903,576 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2015
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CREE Incorporated (Wolfspeed, Inc.)
• Inventors: Creasman, Ethan, Snell, Nathan Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): May, Robert
• Application Number:
  US14/739,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20160363303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0464 the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/77 with essentially identical diverging planar fins or blades, e.g. with fan-like or star-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting apparatus has an at least partially optically transmissive enclosure and a light source located in the enclosure that is operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path. A connector is secured to the base and is configured to receive a control module for providing control information to the LED light source. The control module is rotatably mounted relative to the enclosure. The control module may comprise a sensor that turns the light source off and on, changes the color of the light source or dims the light source upon detection of the stimulus. The enclosure has a bottom member and a mounting portion secured to the bottom support where the connector is located between the mounting portion and the bottom support.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus comprising:

an at least partially optically transmissive enclosure, the enclosure comprising a base positioned at the bottom of the enclosure;

a LED light source located in the enclosure and operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path;

a connector rotatably mounted to the base configured to receive a control module comprising a sensor for controlling the LED light source such that the connector and the control module are rotatable together relative to the enclosure, the connector being electrically coupled to the control module such that the control module controls the LED light source through the connector;

a mounting member secured to the enclosure and an aperture between the mounting member and the base allowing detection of a stimulus.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 where the base comprises a bottom member, the connector located between the mounting member and the bottom member.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a transparent window between the mounting member and the bottom member.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is rotatable relative to the mounting member.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor detects the presence or absence of ambient light.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor detects the presence or absence of an object.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a drip guard surrounding the connector.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the drip guard comprises an annular flange that surrounds the connector.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor turns the LED light source off upon detection of the stimulus.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor changes the color of the emitted light upon detection of the stimulus.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control module comprises a communication module for receiving external control signals.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 11 wherein the communication module comprises a wireless receiver for receiving external wireless signals.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control module provides control information to the LED light source.

17. The lighting apparatus of claim 4 wherein the enclosure comprises a bottom member, the connector being secured to the bottom member.

14. A lighting apparatus comprising:

an at least partially optically transmissive enclosure;

a mounting member secured to the enclosure configured to mount the enclosure to a support structure;

a LED light source located in the enclosure and operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path;

an electrical connector secured to the bottom of the enclosure and positioned between the enclosure and the mounting member, the electrical connector being configured to releasably receive a control module for providing control information to the LED light source through the electrical connector;

a drip guard positioned on the bottom of the enclosure comprising an annular flange that surrounds the connector.

15. The lighting apparatus of claim 14 wherein the control module comprises a sensor for detecting external stimuli.

16. The lighting apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sensor turns the LED light source off and on upon detection of the stimuli.

18. A lighting apparatus comprising:

an at least partially optically transmissive enclosure, the enclosure comprising a base positioned at the bottom of the enclosure;

a LED light source located in the enclosure and operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path;

a connector secured to the base configured to receive a control module for controlling the LED light source, the connector being electrically coupled to the control module such that the control module controls the LED light source through the connector,

a mounting member,

a transparent window between the mounting member and the enclosure allowing detection of a stimulus by the control module, the transparent window supporting the enclosure on the mounting member.