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

The patent describes a new LED-based light source for enclosed storage structures, such as refrigeration cases, that can replace traditional fluorescent light sources. The new light source is energy-efficient, longer-lasting, and provides better lighting. The new light source can be retrofitted into existing fixtures, making it easier and less expensive to install. The new light source has a unique lens that produces a dispersion of light that better illuminates the enclosed structure. Overall, the new light source offers a better solution for energy-efficient lighting in enclosed storage structures.

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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