Retrofit-Style Lamp and Fixture, Each Including a One-Dimensional Linear Batwing Lens

Abstract

A retrofit-style lamp is disclosed. The retrofit-style lamp includes a plurality of light sources, and a one-dimensional linear batwing lens. The one-dimensional linear batwing lens beam shapes light emitted by at least two light sources of the plurality of light sources. The retrofit-style lamp also includes a housing including the plurality of light sources, and attached to the one-dimensional linear batwing lens. The combination of housing and lens is then itself fitted with endcaps, including electrical connectors, for placement within a fixture, such as within an existing conventional fluorescent tube fixture located within a storage structure, for example a refrigeration case. Alternatively, the plurality of light sources, the one-dimensional linear batwing lens, and the housing may be formed, along with a power supply, as a standalone retrofit fixture for use in enclosed storage structures, such as refrigeration cases, where the retrofit fixture replaces a conventional fluorescent fixture.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to lamps, and more specifically, to retrofit-style lamps incorporating a lens.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Enclosed storage structures, such as refrigeration cases, have long had light sources and light fixtures disposed within to provide light to anyone accessing an item or items stored within the structure. Typically, such a fixture uses one or more fluorescent bulbs, usually in the shape of a tube, to disperse light within the enclosed space defined by the storage structure. Such fixtures may be located along the front corners of a vertically-elongated storage structure, such as on either side of a door that opens to the left or right, or may be located along a top corner or a front edge, when the storage structure is horizontally-elongated. When a fluorescent tube breaks or otherwise ceases to function for any reason, the non-functioning tube is removed, and a new one is put into the fixture.[0003]While fluorescent tubes are...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Embodiments of the present invention provide a retrofit-style solution for use with fixtures already located within enclosed storage structures, such as but not limited to refrigeration cases and other similar structures. The retrofit-style solution lamp described herein may use LED-based light sources, making it more energy-efficient and having a longer life than conventional light sources, such as conventional fluorescent tube lamps, and has its own incorporated optic that produces a dispersion of light that better illuminates an enclosed storage structure, such as a refrigeration case. When configured as a retrofit-style lamp, the solution replaces a conventional fluorescent tube lamp, providing the energy-efficiency and long life benefits of LED-based light sources. When configured as a fixture, the solution replaces existing conventional fluorescent fixtures as well as existing conventional LED-based fixtures with a fixture that provides energy efficiency, longer life, and a better dispersion of light, as well as being easier and less expensive to maintain and repair.

[0013]In another embodiment, there is provided an enclosed storage structure lighting fixture. The enclosed storage structure light fixture includes a housing; a power supply, wherein the power supply is connectable to the housing; a plurality of light sources located in a region defined by the housing, wherein the plurality of light sources receive power from the power supply; and a one-dimensional linear batwing lens, coupled to the housing, wherein the one-dimensional linear batwing lens beam shapes light emitted by at least two light sources of the plurality of light sources. In a related embodiment, the one-dimensional linear batwing lens may provide a substantially uniform distribution of light within a space defined in part by an enclosed storage structure, by beam shaping light emitted by the plurality of light sources.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional techniques for providing light within an enclosed storage structure, such as a refrigeration case, using an LED-based light source suffer from a variety of faults.

In some configurations, should a lens break or otherwise need to be replaced, it is not possible to simply replace the single lens, but rather the entire fixture must be replaced.

This makes a conventional LED-based light source more expensive to maintain over time than conventional fluorescent light sources, despite the cost savings of using more energy efficient LEDs in place of conventional fluorescent light sources.

Further, the 1:1 ratio between the LEDs / LED chips and the optics means that a retrofit-style option replacement of a conventional light source is impossible.

Thus, a retrofit-style replacement may result in the replacement of not only the light source, but also the existing ballast and / or power supply of the existing fixture.

That is, the 1:1 ratio makes it impossible to add an LED-based light source and its related optics to an already-existing fixture, where they would replace the conventional fluorescent tube (leaving aside the issue of whether the current ballast and / or power supply used by the already-existing fixture would be capable of supporting the LEDs).

The entire fixture must be removed and replaced, adding to installation costs in comparison to a retrofit-style solution.

Further, conventional LED-based fixtures for refrigeration cases and similar structures are typically larger and bulkier in terms of space occupied than conventional fluorescent fixtures for the same structures.

In some structures, the conventional LED-based fixture will not fit into the structure properly.

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