Lighting units such as light bulbs

Abstract

The invention provides a lighting unit with an internal controller. The external power supply connector of the lighting unit (i.e. the electrical connector plug for connecting the lighting unit to an electrical lighting socket) comprises a manual adjustment element for selecting a setting of the controller. Thus, the manual adjustment element, which serves as a manual user interface, is integrated into the electrical plug part of the lighting unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to lighting units, and more particularly to lighting units having a built-in controller having adjustable settings, such as an adjustable color temperature. Background Technology

[0002] LED bulbs (meaning any enclosed lighting unit) typically include a built-in driver, allowing the bulb to be plugged into a standard AC lighting outlet. LEDs offer the opportunity to achieve a wide variety of lighting characteristics or effects through the built-in driver.

[0003] One lighting characteristic of particular interest is color temperature, such as cool white or warm white. Of course, the built-in driver can also be used to set other characteristics.

[0004] In order to adjust the driver settings, communication with the bulb driver is necessary. This can be achieved by providing a lighting system that has communication between all lighting units and centralized or distributed control.

[0005] However, the desired outcome is the ability to adjust driver settings for individual lighting units without those units being part of a network. The problem then arises: there is no space on the bulb for a user input interface. The exposed portion of the bulb is typically glass, and there is no easy, low-cost way to implement a user interface. It is also difficult to provide space for a user interface without increasing the bulb's size. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to an example of one aspect of the present invention, a lighting unit is provided, the lighting unit comprising:

[0007] shell;

[0008] The light source is inside the casing;

[0009] The controller, located inside the housing, is used to control the light source; and

[0010] An external connector interface is used to connect the lighting unit to an external power supply.

[0011] The external connector interface includes a manual adjustment element for selecting controller settings, and the manual adjustment element is inaccessible when the lighting unit is connected to an external power source.

[0012] The lighting unit has an adjustment element located at its external power connector. This adjustment element is inaccessible (i.e., it is hidden and covered) after the lighting unit is connected to an external power source. The adjustment element is used to pre-set the operating mode before the lighting unit is connected to the external power source. This allows, for example, a single lighting unit to have different possible functions, such as various light output characteristics, that can be pre-selected by the end user. Since this external connector interface is an essential part of the lighting unit and is invisible during use, its use means that it does not occupy space in the external design of the lighting unit. The external connector interface may include at least one connector pin, which is rotatable and serves as a manual adjustment element.

[0013] Lighting units may include, for example, light bulbs or tubular lamps.

[0014] By adding an adjustment element to the connector interface where the bulb connects to an external power source, any bulb type can be modified to provide adjustment features.

[0015] By using connector pins as a manual adjustment element, no additional space is required. The rotation position of the connector pins does not change its other function of providing power connection to an external power supply socket.

[0016] The connector pins are, for example, rotatable between at least two positions corresponding to different settings of the controller.

[0017] You can have only two settings (such as cool white or warm white), or you can have more than two settings.

[0018] The external connector interface may include a spiral connector having at least one connector pin as a central connector pin and a threaded connector surrounding the central connector pin.

[0019] Therefore, the adjustment element is integrated into the spiral lamp holder, such as the E17 or E27 lamp holder.

[0020] A metal intermediate component may be provided that makes electrical contact with the power supply terminals of the controller. The metal intermediate component makes electrical contact with the power supply terminals of the controller, and the connector pins are mechanically coupled to a switch of the controller for selecting controller settings. In one example, the metal intermediate component is a metal intermediate ring in which the connector pins are rotatably received; in another example, the metal intermediate component is a leaf spring that makes rotatable contact with the connector pins.

[0021] This intermediate component provides separation of the power delivery function and the regulation function of the connector pins.

[0022] The controller's switch may include a rotary adjustment knob that engages with a rear component via connector pins. The rotary adjustment knob may be, for example, a discrete surface-mount assembly for attachment to a printed circuit board.

[0023] The connector pins may have screwdriver slots on the front components exposed to the outside of the lighting unit. This allows end users to easily make adjustments without compromising the electrical contact between the central connector pins and the external socket.

[0024] The lighting unit may include a plastic overmolded ring located between the connector pins and the spiral connector, wherein a metal intermediate ring is secured in place by the overmolded ring.

[0025] This simplifies the manufacturing process of the intermediate ring that assembles the central connector pins.

[0026] The controller settings can include a white color temperature setting. Users often want to choose between warm white and cool (natural) white settings.

[0027] The controller settings may alternatively (or additionally) include brightness or color settings. Therefore, there are different possible controller features to choose from.

[0028] The controller settings may additionally or alternatively include beamforming settings. The lighting unit may have electronics for beam shaping control.

[0029] The light source preferably includes an LED arrangement structure, and the controller includes an LED driver.

[0030] These and other aspects of the invention will become clear and illustrated with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To better understand the invention and to more clearly illustrate how to implement it, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 This shows a typical spiral bulb base;

[0033] Figure 2 A spiral bulb holder according to an example of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 An exploded view of the bulb's base;

[0035] Figure 4 The assembled bulb base is shown in cross-section;

[0036] Figure 5 Showing the use Figures 2 to 4The lighting unit of the bulb holder;

[0037] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 An enlarged view of the bulb base area of ​​the lighting unit;

[0038] Figure 7 Show Figure 5 A perspective view of the lighting unit;

[0039] Figure 8 A first example of a tubular lamp end connector is shown;

[0040] Figure 9 A second example of a tubular lamp end connector is shown;

[0041] Figure 10 An exploded view of a spiral bulb holder (together with the drive unit) according to another example of the present invention is shown;

[0042] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the bulb holder;

[0043] Figure 12 This is an exploded view of a spiral bulb holder (together with the drive unit) according to yet another example of the present invention; and

[0044] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the bulb base. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] It should be understood that while the specific embodiments and examples illustrate exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, they are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0047] This invention provides a lighting unit with an internal controller. The external power connector of the lighting unit (i.e., the electrical connector plug for connecting the lighting unit to an electrical lighting socket) includes a manual adjustment element for selecting the settings of the controller. Therefore, the manual adjustment element, serving as a manual user interface, is integrated into the electrical plug portion of the lighting unit.

[0048] Figure 1A typical spiral bulb base 10, such as an E17 or E27 bulb base, is shown. The spiral bulb base has a central connector pin 12 and a threaded connector 14 surrounding it.

[0049] In one set of examples, the manual adjustment element of the present invention is integrated into this type of bulb base.

[0050] Figure 2 A spiral-shaped bulb base 20, such as an E17 or E27 fitting, is shown, wherein the central connector pin 22 is modified according to this example of the invention. A threaded connector 24 surrounding it is also shown. The central connector pin 22 has a screwdriver groove 26 on its front portion exposed to the outside of the bulb base (and thus to the outside of the entire lighting unit including the bulb base). Therefore, the central connector pin serves as a manual adjustment element. The screwdriver groove allows the end user to easily adjust it without compromising the function of the metal pin making electrical contact with the external socket.

[0051] As described below, the rotary adjustment is used to control the settings of the integrated driver.

[0052] Figure 3 An exploded view of the bulb base is shown.

[0053] The bulb base has a metal intermediate component 30 (ring 33 in this example), in which connector pins 22 are rotatably received. The metal intermediate ring 33 is in electrical contact with the power terminals within the lighting unit, and the back of the connector pins 22 is mechanically coupled to a switch of the built-in controller to select controller settings. The intermediate ring 33 provides separation between power delivery functionality and the adjustment functionality of the connector pins.

[0054] Figure 4 The cross-section of the assembled lamp holder is shown. An intermediate ring 33 is mounted on the back of the connector pin 22, and a plastic-coated ring 32 is disposed between the connector pin 22 and the threaded connector 24. The metal intermediate ring 33 is fixed in place by the plastic-coated ring 32. Therefore, the plastic coating fixes the relative position of the metal intermediate ring 33 and the threaded connector 24, but the connector pin 22 can rotate freely within the intermediate ring.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the top portion of the intermediate ring 33 has several grooves 31 extending radially outward from the central opening. These grooves 31 provide a degree of flexibility to the top portion of the intermediate ring 33, allowing connector pins 22 with enlarged (mushroom-shaped) heads 23 at the narrower neck end to be inserted through the central opening and positioned axially through the central opening of the ring 33, while still being rotatable. The enlarged head 23 passes through the central opening, which widens to allow the head to pass through, and then the central opening narrows around the neck.

[0056] Figure 5 Showing the use Figures 2 to 4 The lighting unit 40 of the lamp holder is a light bulb in this example.

[0057] The lighting unit 40 has a housing 42, particularly a glass cover, which is attached to the bulb base 20. A light source 44, such as a filament LED or any other type of LED arrangement, is located within the housing 42.

[0058] An integrated controller 46 is also located within the housing 42 and / or the lamp holder 20 cavity for controlling the light source 44. The controller 46 includes an LED driver.

[0059] The back of the manually adjustable element (i.e., connector pin 22 in this example) has an interface with the rotary adjustment knob 48. The rotary adjustment knob 48 is, for example, a surface-mount assembly on a PCB 50. This PCB can be the same PCB that carries the circuitry of the controller 46. The PCB can be a single-sided or double-sided PCB, and the rotary adjustment knob can be on the same side or opposite side as the controller (i.e., LED driver) assembly. The rotary adjustment knob can have an integrated shaft extending outward from the PCB, the end of which engages with the back of the connector pin 22 (e.g., ...). Figure 5 and Figure 6 (as shown), or the rotary adjustment knob can be a low-profile component with a recess that engages with a shaft extending from the back of connector pin 22.

[0060] The manual adjustment element of the bulb base (i.e., connector pin 22 in this example) is used to select the settings of the controller 46. Therefore, the adjustment element is located at the external power connector of the lighting unit. Thus, the adjustment element is inaccessible after the lighting unit is connected to an external power source, and therefore does not occupy external space of the lighting unit during use. Consequently, the lighting unit does not need to be enlarged to accommodate the adjustment function.

[0061] This adjustment is used to preset the operating mode before the lighting unit 40 is connected to an external power supply. This can, for example, enable a single lighting unit to have different possible functions that can be pre-selected by the end user, such as various light output characteristics.

[0062] Two or more settings can exist. For example, the two settings could be cool white or warm white settings. However, other settings can also be adjusted, such as brightness settings or color (but not color temperature) settings. Therefore, there are many different possible controller characteristics to choose from. It is also known to set the electronically controlled beam shape, for example, by configuring multiple LEDs with different light output beam shape characteristics and selecting which LED to activate. Thus, this setting can achieve a choice between narrow beams (e.g., work lights) and wide beams (e.g., general lighting).

[0063] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 An enlarged view of the bulb base area of ​​the lighting unit.

[0064] In this example, the rotary adjustment knob 48 includes a retaining member 60 attached to the PCB 50 and a coupled protruding rotating shaft 62. The back of the coupling pin 22 has a protrusion 64 for engaging with the end of the rotating shaft 62.

[0065] Figure 7 A perspective view of the lighting unit is shown.

[0066] The metal intermediate component 30 can be shaped as follows: Figures 10 to 13 The two examples shown are in the form of leaf spring 35.

[0067] exist Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the example shown, leaf spring 35 is soldered to PCB 50 and connected to the power terminal of controller 46. In this example, PCB 50 is hooked to controller 46. Connector pin 22 is relatively thick and covers shaft 62 via isolator 34. For safety reasons, isolator 34 is made of plastic, for example. Isolator 34 is assembled with connector pin 22 by, for example, an interference fit. Isolator 34 holds shaft 62 by friction or engagement of tenons. Therefore, the adjustment function can be achieved by rotating connector pin 22 together with isolator 34 and simultaneously driving the shaft 62 of rotary adjustment knob 48 to rotate.

[0068] The free end of the leaf spring 35 contacts the cylindrical sidewall of the connector pin 22 to ensure electrical connection between the connector pin and the PCB 50 during the rotation of the connector pin 22.

[0069] exist Figure 12 and Figure 13 In the example shown, the difference from the example above is that the connector pin 22 is thinner and has a protrusion 64 at its end. This protrusion 64 inserts into an adjustment slot on the rotary adjustment knob 48 to achieve the adjustment function.

[0070] The example above is based on a spiral lamp holder fitting. However, the invention can be applied to other types of electrical plugs and sockets.

[0071] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Two examples of tubular lamp end connectors are shown, including a pair of protruding pins 80.

[0072] exist Figure 8In the example, one of the pins is rotatable to adjust the controller settings. Of course, both pins can be rotatable to provide two different adjustment options.

[0073] exist Figure 9 In the example, an additional manual adjustment element 82 is provided between the pins. The lighting unit can therefore include a bulb or a tubular lamp. In fact, any bulb or lamp type can be modified to set the adjustment characteristics by incorporating the adjustment element at the connector interface where the bulb or lamp connects to an external power source.

[0074] By studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the singular form does not exclude multiple elements or steps.

[0075] The fact that only specific measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0076] If the term “adapted to” is used in the claims or specification, it should be noted that the term “adapted to” is intended to be equivalent to the term “constructed to”.

[0077] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A lighting unit (40), comprising: Outer shell (42); The light source (44) is located inside the housing (42); A controller (46), located within the housing (42), is used for electrically controlling the light source (44); and External connector interface (20) for connecting the lighting unit to an external power source. The external connector interface (20) includes a manual adjustment element (22) for selecting settings of the controller to send electrical signals for controlling the light source, and wherein the manual adjustment element is inaccessible when the lighting unit is connected to the external power supply. The external connector interface (20) includes at least one connector pin (22), wherein the connector pin is rotatable and serves as the manual adjustment element.

2. The lighting unit (40) according to claim 1 includes a bulb or a tubular lamp.

3. The lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector pin (22) is rotatable between at least two positions corresponding to different settings of the controller.

4. The lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external connector interface (20) comprises a spiral connector having at least one connector pin (22) as a central connector pin, and having a threaded connector (24) surrounding the central connector pin.

5. The lighting unit according to claim 4, comprising a metal intermediate component (30) electrically contacting a power terminal of the controller (46), and the connector pin (22) mechanically coupled to a switch of the controller (46) for selecting the settings of the controller.

6. The lighting unit according to claim 5, wherein the metal intermediate component (30) is a metal intermediate ring (33), and the connector pin (22) is rotatably received in the metal intermediate ring.

7. The lighting unit according to claim 5, wherein the metal intermediate component (30) is a leaf spring (35), and the connector pin (22) is rotatably in contact with the leaf spring (35).

8. The lighting unit according to claim 5, wherein the switch of the controller includes a rotary adjustment knob (48) that engages with the rear part of the connector pin (22).

9. The lighting unit according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the connector pin (22) has a screwdriver slot (26) on a front part exposed to the outside of the lighting unit.

10. The lighting unit according to claim 6, comprising a plastic overmolded ring (32) between the connector pin (22) and the spiral connector (24), wherein the metal intermediate ring (33) is fixed in place by the overmolded ring.

11. The lighting unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5-8 and 10, wherein the settings of the controller include a white color temperature setting.

12. The lighting unit according to claim 11, wherein the settings of the controller include a warm white color temperature setting and a cool white color temperature setting.

13. The lighting unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5-8 and 12, wherein the settings of the controller include brightness settings or color settings.

14. The lighting unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5-8 and 12, wherein the settings of the controller include beam shape settings.

15. The lighting unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5-8 and 12, wherein the light source comprises an LED device and the controller comprises an LED driver.

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