Lighting element adapter

Abstract

An apparatus and related method involving a lighting element adapter equipped with a male and female connector axially aligned for insertion between a lighting element and a lampholder. The male connector is configured to be connected with the lamp holder so as to receive AC provided by the lamp holder. And the female connector is matched with the male connector. The female connector is conductively connected with the male connector so as to receive AC provided by the male connector. The female connector is used for installing a lighting element and providing the AC power received from the male connector to the lighting element. The lighting element adapter is used for converting the AC received by the threaded E-type male head socket into DC and providing the generated DC to DC electric equipment connected to the lighting element adapter.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Music is often provided in various places where people gather to create an atmosphere and attract customers and guests. For example, different outdoor venues can be used for dining, listening to guest speakers, hosting concerts, etc. Many of these venues provide lighting for guests attending the event. These outdoor lighting systems can be permanent structures or temporary structures. One form of outdoor lighting is the use of café light strings. Café light strings are a type of light string that is configured to illuminate an open space such as a lawn or patio. These café lights are usually designed to be suspended between fixed structures to illuminate an open space. Summary of the invention

[0002] Some embodiments relate to a lighting element adapter, which includes an axially aligned AC power connector male and female that can mate with each other. Such a configuration allows the lighting element adapter to be inserted between a lighting element and a lamp holder. The AC power connector male is used to connect to the lamp holder to obtain AC power therefrom. The AC power connector female is conductively connected to the AC power connector male to obtain AC power therefrom. The AC power connector female is used to install the lighting element and provide the AC power received from the AC power connector male to the lighting element. The lighting element adapter also includes an AC / DC power converter, which is used to convert the AC power received from the AC power connector male to DC power, and provide the generated DC power to the DC power-consuming device connected to the adapter.

[0003] Some embodiments relate to a lamp holder, which is provided with an AC power connector that can be connected to an AC power socket to receive AC power therefrom. The lamp holder includes an AC / DC power converter, which is used to convert the AC power received from the AC power connector into DC power. The lamp holder also includes a DC power connector, which is used to provide the DC power generated by the AC / DC converter to a light-emitting lampshade. The lamp holder includes a light-emitting lampshade, which is provided with a plurality of LEDs, which generate lighting patterns after receiving the DC power through the DC power connector. The lamp holder also includes a lighting element connector that is conductively connected to the AC power connector to receive AC power therefrom, and the lighting element connector is used to install the lighting element and provide the AC power received from the AC power connector to the lighting element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The material described herein is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for the sake of clarity. In addition, where considered appropriate, reference labels are repeated in the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements.

[0005] In the figure:

[0006] Figure 1 A side view of a lighting element adapter.

[0007] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are perspective views of various embodiments of lighting element adapters.

[0008] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C is a configuration for connecting Figure 2B A perspective view of a Bluetooth speaker with a lighting element adapter shown.

[0009] Figure 4 is a configuration from Figure 2A A perspective view of a lighting element adapter is shown receiving DC power from an LED light housing.

[0010] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a Bluetooth speaker integrated with a lighting element adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] An apparatus and related method involving a lighting element adapter, the adapter having a male and a female connector axially aligned so as to be inserted between a lighting element and a lamp holder. The male connector is configured to be connected to the lamp holder to receive the AC power provided thereby. The female connector cooperates with the male connector. The female connector is conductively connected to the male connector to receive the AC power provided thereby. The female connector is used to install the lighting element and to provide the AC power received from the male connector to the lighting element. The lighting element adapter is used to convert the AC power received by the threaded male E-type socket into DC power and to provide the generated DC power to a DC power-consuming device connected thereto.

[0012] Figure 1 A side view of a lighting element adapter. Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the lighting element adapter 10 has an AC power connector male 12, an AC power connector female 14, an AC / DC power converter 16, an AC power switch 18, a DC power switch 20, and a DC power connector 22. In the embodiment shown, the DC power connector is a USB-C type power connector. Various other industry-standard low-voltage connectors can also be used to provide DC power to the device connected thereto. Such other low-voltage connectors include USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, Micro-USB, Mini-USB, lighting connectors (e.g., Apple TM For iPhone TM , iPad TM and other Apple TM Devices), barrel connectors (i.e., circular connectors commonly used for DC power inputs in laptops and other devices), etc.

[0013] In the illustrated embodiment, the AC power connector male head 12 and the female head 14 cooperate with each other. This mutual cooperation of the AC power connector male head and the female head enables the lighting element adapter 10 to be inserted between the lighting element and the lamp holder for mounting the lighting element. For example, the lighting element can be removed by removing the AC power connector male head of the lighting element from the lamp holder. The AC power connector male head 12 of the lighting element adapter 10 is manufactured according to the same standard as the AC power connector male head of the lighting element, so it can be inserted into the lamp holder. The AC power connector female head 14 of the lighting element adapter 10 is manufactured according to the same standard as the AC power connector female head of the lamp holder, so the AC power connector male head of the lighting element can be mounted.

[0014] The AC power connector male head 12 and the AC power connector female head 14 are conductively connected to each other, so that the AC power connector female head 14 can provide the AC power received by the AC power connector male head 12 to the lighting element. In the illustrated embodiment, the AC power is selectively supplied to the AC power connector female head 14 by the AC power switch 18. In other embodiments, the AC power connector female head 14 and the AC power connector male head 12 are hard-connected. Therefore, whether the lighting element is directly connected or indirectly connected to the lamp holder through the lighting element adapter 10, the lighting element can receive the AC power. In addition, the AC power connector male head 12 and the AC power connector female head 14 are axially aligned along a common axis A, as shown in FIG. Figure 1Such alignment ensures that the lighting element is located on axis A, whether it is directly connected or indirectly connected to the lamp holder through the lighting element adapter 10. Even if the lighting element adapter 10 is inserted between the lighting element and its lamp holder, the lighting element will still remain on axis A, although the lighting element will be farther away from the lamp holder. Therefore, as long as there is space along axis A, the lighting element adapter 10 can be inserted between the lighting element and its lamp holder.

[0015] The lighting element adapter 10 is designed to be of moderate size to minimize the position difference when the lighting element is directly connected to the lamp holder and indirectly connected to the lamp holder through the lighting element adapter 10. In order to reduce this position difference, the lighting element adapter is designed with the proximity between the AC power connector male 12 and the female 14 considered. Various indicators can be used to characterize this position difference. For example, this position difference can be measured as the ratio between the first axial dimension from the top of the AC power connector female 14 to the center of the bottom of the AC power connector female 14 (such as: to the thermal contact point at the bottom of the female E-type connector) and the second axial dimension from the top of the AC power connector female 14 to the center of the bottom of the AC power connector male 12 (such as to the thermal contact point at the bottom of the male E-type connector). This is the ratio of the axial dimension of the lighting contact element to the height of the lighting element adapter 10. This ratio can be greater than 25%, 33%, 40%, etc. In the extreme embodiment, when the AC power connector female 14 is adjacent to (i.e., immediately above or below) the AC power connector male 12, the ratio may be close to 50%.

[0016] Another indicator to measure this position difference can be, for example, the ratio between the third dimension from the top of the AC power connector female 14 to the bottom of the AC power connector female 14 (i.e., the actual axial dimension of the lighting contact element) and the fourth dimension from the bottom of the AC power connector female 14 to the bottom of the AC power connector male 12 (i.e., the actual lighting element displacement caused by the lighting element adapter 10). This is the ratio of the axial dimension of the lighting contact element to the actual lighting element displacement caused by inserting the lighting element adapter 10. The ratio can be greater than 50%, 67%, 75%, 90%, etc. In an extreme embodiment, when the AC power connector female 14 is immediately adjacent to (i.e., immediately above or below) the AC power connector male 12, the ratio may be close to 100%.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the AC power connector male 12 and the AC power connector female 14 are E-type lighting connectors, such as lighting connectors of E12, E17, and E26 sizes. The AC power connector female 14 is used to mount male E-type lighting connectors, which are commonly used for various types of lighting components. The AC power connector male 12 is used to connect to an E-type lighting lamp holder to receive AC operating power therefrom. Such E-type lighting connectors provide power connection through respective approximately cylindrical threaded male and female heads. The AC power connector male 12 includes an insulating region 22 for providing electrical isolation between a neutral contact point 24 and a hot contact point 26. The hot contact point 26 is located at the central end of the AC power connector male 12 along the axis A. The hot contact point 26 is located at the bottom of the approximately cylindrical AC power connector male 10. The sidewalls (e.g., the approximately cylindrical outer surface) of the AC power connector male are conductive and threaded. The conductivity of these side walls helps to make electrical connection with the side walls (e.g., the inner surface of a cylindrical shape) of the AC power connector female head of the lighting socket. The side wall threads of the AC power connector male head help to mechanically engage with the threads of the AC power connector female head of the lighting socket. Figure 1 An E-type lighting connector is shown in the embodiment, but other types of compatible lighting connectors used in the industry may also be used as connectors for the AC power connector male head 12 and the female head 14 that mate with each other.

[0018] The AC / DC power converter 16 is conductively connected to the AC power connector male head 12 to receive AC power therefrom. The AC / DC power converter 16 is used to convert the received AC power into DC power. Then, the DC power can be provided to various DC power-consuming devices commonly used in lighting places, such as Bluetooth speakers. The AC / DC power converter 16 can provide the generated DC power to the DC power-consuming devices connected thereto through the DC power connector 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the DC power is selectively supplied to the DC power connector 22 through the DC power switch 20. In other embodiments, the generated DC power is continuously provided to the DC power connector 22 without being selectively interrupted by the DC power switch.

[0019] Figures 2A-2D 1 is a perspective view of various embodiments of a lighting element adapter. Figures 2A-2D, lighting element adapters 10a, 10b and 10c are shown respectively. Each lighting element adapter 10a, 10b and 10c includes an AC power connector male 12, an AC power connector female 14, an AC / DC power converter 16 (encapsulated inside the lighting element adapter 10a-10c) and an annular groove 28, which can be configured for connecting accessories, such as a metal frame of a lampshade and / or a Bluetooth speaker. Each lighting element adapter 10a-10c differs in the way of providing DC power to DC power devices connected to them. The DC power connector 22a of the lighting element adapter 10a is a USB type DC power connector. The DC power connector 22b of the lighting element adapter 10b is located in the annular groove 28 of the lighting element adapter 10b. This configuration can provide DC power to the LED light-emitting lampshade. The DC power connector 22c of the lighting element 10c is located on or in the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 30 surrounding the AC power connector female 14. The lighting element 10c also has an AC power switch 18 and a DC power switch 20, through which the user can select whether to provide AC power to the AC power connector female 14 and whether to provide DC power to the DC power connector 22c.

[0020] In some embodiments, the lighting element adapter 10a, 10b and / or 10c may include a wireless receiver for receiving commands to configure the lighting element adapter 10. For example, the lighting element adapter 10a, 10b and / or 10c may include such a wireless receiver for receiving commands that can selectively provide the generated DC power to the DC power connector 22a, 22b and / or 22c. Similarly, in some embodiments, the wireless receiver can be used to receive commands, such as selectively providing the AC power received by the AC power connector male head 12 to the AC power connector female head 14. The wireless receiver can receive signals using industry standard protocols, or receive signals using proprietary protocols. These wirelessly transmitted signals can be optical signals or electromagnetic waves of other frequencies. Some industry standard protocols include, for example, Bluetooth (such as Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth 5.x, etc.), Wi-Fi (such as standards include 802.11a / b / g / n / acax), RF, NFC, IR, Zigbee (such as standards include 802.15.4), Z-Wave, LoRa, etc.

[0021] In some embodiments, the lighting element adapter 10a, 10b, and / or 10c may include an adapter controller that configures the lighting element adapter based on commands received by the wireless receiver. For example, the adapter controller may be configured to selectively provide DC power to the DC power connector upon receiving a command from the wireless receiver. In some embodiments, the adapter controller may be configured to selectively provide AC power received by the male AC power connector to the female AC power connector upon receiving a command from the wireless receiver.

[0022] Figures 3A-3C To configure the connection to Figure 2B A perspective view of a Bluetooth speaker with a lighting element adapter shown. Figures 3A-3C In the embodiment shown, the Bluetooth speaker 32 is connected to the lighting element adapter 10b via a connection mechanism (connection mechanism 34a or 34b). The connection mechanisms 34a and 34b can be designed to provide a mechanical connection between the Bluetooth speaker 32 and the lighting element adapter 10b and an electrical connection between the Bluetooth speaker 32 and the DC power connector 22 of the lighting element adapter 10b. In the embodiment shown, the lighting element adapter 10b is connected to a cafe light string 36. Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the illustrated embodiment, the connection mechanism 34a is configured to position the Bluetooth speaker 32 above the cafe light string 36 so as not to obstruct the light emitted by the lighting element installed in the AC power connector female 14 of the lighting element adapter 10b. Figure 3C In the illustrated embodiment, the connection mechanism 34b is configured to position the Bluetooth speaker 32 below the cafe light string 36, thereby partially blocking the light emitted by the lighting element installed in the AC power connector female 14 of the lighting element adapter 10b. In both embodiments, the sound can be emitted downward and / or in all directions around the Bluetooth speaker 32 at a 360° angle. This sound emission direction may be most effective for listeners sitting below the cafe light string 36.

[0023] Figure 4 For a configuration from Figure 2A A perspective view of an LED light housing with a lighting element adapter receiving DC operating power. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the light housing 38 includes LEDs 40, a metal frame 42, and a power connector 44. The LEDs 40 are fixed at various positions of the light housing 38. The LEDs 40 can be formed into various designs of objects or used in various shapes of objects. The operating power of the LEDs 40 is provided by the DC power connector 22 of the lighting element adapter 10a through the power connector 44, and the latter can be connected to the former. The metal frame 42 can be used to mechanically connect to the base of the lamp and / or the lighting element adapter 10a.

[0024] Figure 5 A perspective view of a Bluetooth speaker integrated with a lighting element adapter. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the integrated lighting element adapter / speaker 10d is an integrated structure, inserted between the lighting element and the lamp holder, and provides audio functions through the Bluetooth speaker 32. The Bluetooth speaker 32 is used to receive DC operating power from the AC / DC power converter located inside the lighting element adapter / speaker 10d. As is recognized in the art, the Bluetooth speaker 32 includes a Bluetooth receiver, which is used to wirelessly receive Bluetooth signals sent by a Bluetooth transmitter. The Bluetooth speaker 32 also includes an audio speaker, which produces sound based on the signal wirelessly received by the Bluetooth receiver. In some embodiments, the Bluetooth speaker 32 is configured as a node of a mesh network. The Bluetooth speaker 32 can be configured as a transceiver that can receive and send messages through a mesh network. Such a mesh network can be used to coordinate multiple speakers to ensure that multiple speakers play the same music synchronously.

[0025] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified and changed without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments may include a specific combination of functions. However, the above-described embodiments are not limited in this regard, and in different embodiments, the above-described embodiments may include only some of the functions, perform these functions in a different order, use different combinations of functions, and / or perform more functions than the functions explicitly listed. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the equivalent scope that these claims should enjoy.

Claims

1. A lighting element adapter, characterized in that: include: An AC power connector male head and an AC power connector female head that mate with each other and are axially aligned so as to be inserted between the lighting element and the lamp holder. The AC power connector male head is configured to be connected to the lamp holder so as to receive the AC power provided thereto. The AC power connector female head is conductively connected to the AC power connector male head so as to receive the AC power provided thereto. The AC power connector female head is used to install the lighting element and to provide the AC power received from the AC power connector male head to the lighting element. as well as An AC / DC power converter, used to convert the AC power received by the AC power connector male head into DC power, and provide the DC power to the DC power-consuming device connected thereto; A Bluetooth speaker is used to obtain DC power for normal operation from an AC / DC power converter.

2. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that Further including: A DC power connector is used to supply DC power generated by an AC / DC converter to a detachable DC power-consuming device connected thereto through a mutually matching DC power connector.

3. The lighting element adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that The DC power connector is located on the outer peripheral surface of the lighting element adapter between the male and female connectors that mate with each other.

4. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The AC power connector male and the AC power connector female are both E-type threaded lighting connectors, wherein the AC power connector male has a hot contact point at the end of an approximately cylindrical contact base, and a neutral contact point on a thread located on the outer surface of the approximately cylindrical contact base, and the AC power connector female has a hot contact point at the center of the bottom of an approximately cylindrical mounting socket, and a neutral contact point on a thread located on the inner surface of an approximately cylindrical receiving socket.

5. The lighting element adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that The AC power connector male head and AC power connector female head that match each other are E-type threaded lighting connectors of E26 size or E27 size.

6. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The ratio of a first axial dimension from the top of the AC power connector female to the center of the bottom of the AC power connector female to a second axial dimension from the top of the AC power connector female to the bottom of the AC power connector male exceeds 33%.

7. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The ratio of the third dimension from the top of the AC power connector female head to the bottom of the AC power connector female head to the fourth dimension from the bottom of the AC power connector female head to the bottom of the AC power connector male head exceeds 75%.

8. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The Bluetooth speaker comprises: a Bluetooth receiver for wirelessly receiving Bluetooth signals sent by the Bluetooth transmitter; and A speaker that generates sound based on the signal wirelessly received by the Bluetooth receiver.

9. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The Bluetooth speaker is designed to produce sound around the AC power connector female head.

10. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that Further including: An AC switch selectively provides the AC power received by the AC power connector male head to the AC power connector female head.

11. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1 is characterized in that Further including: A DC switch selectively supplies DC power to the DC power connector.

12. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The DC power connector is a USB power interface used to supply power to a USB device connected thereto.

13. The lighting element adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that Further including: A wireless receiver is provided for wirelessly receiving commands for configuring the lighting element adapter.

14. The lighting element adapter according to claim 13, characterized in that The wireless receiver is used for wirelessly receiving optical signals.

15. The lighting element adapter according to claim 13, characterized in that The wireless receiver is used for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic wave signals.

16. The lighting element adapter according to claim 15, characterized in that The wireless receiver is used for wirelessly receiving signals according to the Bluetooth protocol.

17. The lighting element adapter according to claim 15, characterized in that The wireless receiver is used to wirelessly receive signals according to the Wi-Fi protocol.

18. The lighting element adapter according to claim 13, wherein: Further including: An adapter controller is configured to configure the lighting element adapter based on commands received by the wireless receiver.

19. The lighting element adapter according to claim 18, characterized in that The adapter controller is used to selectively provide the DC power to the DC power connector according to a command received by a wireless receiver that controls the selective provision of the DC power.

20. The lighting element adapter of claim 18, wherein: The adapter controller is used to selectively provide the AC power received by the male head of the AC power connector to the female head of the AC power connector according to a command received by the wireless receiver that controls the selective provision of AC power.

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