Lamp with antenna

Abstract

A lamp (100) comprising: a socket (170) and a bulb enclosure (180) connected to each other; a light-emitting element (110); a stem (120) for mounting the light emitting element within the bulb enclosure, the stem being made of glass; an antenna (310) for wireless communication, the antenna (310) being at least partially housed within the stem and secured at a pinching portion (123) of the stem within the bulb enclosure, the antenna comprising a wound portion (311) and a pinching portion (123), the wound portion being adjacent to but not within the pinching portion; wherein the stem (120) comprises a first chamber (121) and a second chamber (122), the pinching portion separates the first chamber and the second chamber, and the winding portion (311) is at least partially housed within the first chamber (121).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lamps, and in particular to a lamp comprising an antenna. Background Art

[0002] The increasing use of artificial light has led to a greater demand for lamps (such as light bulbs). In particular, there is a growing demand for smart lamps that can communicate with other devices, for example, using wireless connections to provide wireless control of the lamp. One basic structural element for achieving wireless communication is the antenna.

[0003] A conventional smart filament lamp will include a monopole wire antenna. This antenna is positioned within the stem of the filament lamp, which supports the lamp's filament. This positioning provides limited space for the antenna, which limits the maximum possible length of the antenna. In order to achieve the desired length of the monopole antenna, for example, to provide a quarter-wavelength antenna, it is currently believed that the lamp assembler must manually bend the antenna when assembling the bulb. This process is difficult for the operator to perform quickly and accurately. Because the lamp will also include power lines, it is also desirable to keep the antenna away from the power lines (e.g., to reduce unintentional coupling from the power lines to the antenna). The current required to bend the antenna increases the difficulty of keeping the power line(s) away from the antenna.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a lamp having an improved antenna device or assembly.

[0005] EP 3139086A1 discloses a lighting device comprising an exhaust pipe and a wireless communication antenna arranged in the exhaust pipe. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0007] According to an example according to one aspect of the present invention, a lamp is provided, comprising: a lamp holder and a bulb capsule connected to each other; a light-emitting element; a stem for mounting the light-emitting element within the bulb capsule; and an antenna for wireless communication, the antenna being at least partially housed within the stem and secured to a pinch portion of the stem within the bulb capsule, the antenna including a coiled portion adjacent to but not within the pinch portion. The stem may be formed of glass. The stem may include a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the pinch portion separates the first chamber and the second chamber. The coiled portion may be at least partially housed in the first chamber. The first chamber may be closer to the light-emitting element than the second chamber. This provides a more efficient antenna for the lamp because it is further away from the EMI shielding of the lamp holder.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a lamp in which the coiled portion of the antenna is at least partially housed within the stem. This provides an antenna with an increased overall length, while still being able to fit or be positioned at least partially within the stem supporting the light-emitting element. In this way, the antenna's visibility to an observer of the lamp is significantly reduced.

[0009] The proposed device is also easier to assemble since it does not require any bending of the antenna during assembly. Instead, the coiled shape of the antenna can be prepared in advance (ie before assembly).

[0010] In the context of the present disclosure, a pinch portion may refer to a portion of the stem that secures or stabilizes other components of the lamp (including at least the antenna). More specifically, the pinch portion is a portion of the stem formed by heating the stem until it is in a molten state and then pinching / squeezing the stem to form the pinch portion and secure any components positioned within the pinched portion.

[0011] In a preferred example, the antenna is configured not to extend from the stem in a direction toward the light emitting element. Thus, the antenna can be housed within the stem.

[0012] In some examples, the coiled portion of the antenna has a helical structure.This embodiment can also improve the effective length of the antenna while providing sufficient space for other components of the lamp to be positioned in the stem.

[0013] The lamp may also include a support for the light-emitting element. In a preferred example, the support extends at least partially from the stem, and the coiled portion of the antenna is configured to wrap around a portion of the support. This provides a mechanism for increasing the length of the antenna while maintaining a highly compact lamp, as wrapping the coiled portion around the support reduces the free space within the overall lamp. In a specific example, at least a portion of the support is located within the stem, and the coiled portion of the antenna is configured to wrap around that portion of the support.

[0014] The first cavity may completely accommodate the coiled portion of the antenna.

[0015] This embodiment improves the appearance of the lamp by reducing the visibility of the coiled portion of the antenna (eg, by preventing the coiled portion from being exposed within the bulb envelope).

[0016] This increases the ease of manufacturing the lamp as the pinch portion can be positioned underneath the roll portion to facilitate locating and identifying the location where the pinch portion was created during manufacturing.

[0017] The pinch portion can be configured to limit or prevent the coiled portion of the antenna from moving from the first cavity to the second cavity. This approach provides a further obstacle to movement of the antenna, thereby providing a more stable and robust antenna.

[0018] The antenna may further include an elongated portion extending through the second cavity.The elongated portion may be configured for connection to other communication circuitry or a communication module of the lamp.

[0019] The lamp may further comprise an exhaust tube for conveying gas to or from the bulb envelope, the exhaust tube being structurally supported by the stem.The exhaust tube may be fixed to the stem at or near a pinch portion of the stem.

[0020] Preferably, the entirety of the antenna is located outside the exhaust pipe.

[0021] The lamp may further comprise one or more power lines for the light emitting elements.For example, each power line may be fixed to the stem of the lamp at a pinched portion of the stem.

[0022] The coiled portion of the antenna may comprise two or more turns, such as three or more turns, such as five or more turns. This provides the assembler of the lamp with the option of adjusting or selecting the length of the antenna.

[0023] The light emitting element comprises one or more LED filaments. This provides a more energy efficient lamp.

[0024] The lamp holder may include an electrical connector for electrically connecting the lamp to the lamp socket.

[0025] The lamp can be a gas-filled bulb. In particular, the lamp can be filled with an inert gas, such as helium, argon, nitrogen, halogen, xenon, krypton, and / or mixtures of any of these inert gases. The use of inert gases can, for example, improve heat dissipation from the light-emitting element to improve performance and lamp life. Inert gases also prevent or reduce degradation of components within the lamp.

[0026] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] For a better understanding of the invention, and in order to show more clearly how it may be put into practice, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 The lights are shown;

[0029] Figure 2 The internal components of the lamp are shown;

[0030] Figure 3 An antenna stem assembly used in one embodiment is shown;

[0031] Figure 4 An antenna used in one embodiment is shown;

[0032] Figure 5 shows an alternative view of the antenna; and

[0033] Figure 6 A technique for manufacturing an antenna stem assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar components.

[0036] The present invention provides a lamp having an antenna. The antenna has a coiled portion positioned within a stem of the lamp. The coiled portion is positioned adjacent to a pinched portion of the stem.

[0037] Embodiments are based on the recognition that the effective length of an antenna for a lamp can be increased by configuring the antenna to have a coiled portion (e.g., having a spiral, meander, serpentine, or zigzag shape). However, positioning such a portion within the lamp can detract from the lamp's visual appearance. The proposed method positions the coiled portion near the pinched portion to reduce this effect.

[0038] The proposed method can be used in any suitable environment with any form of lamp, such as an automotive environment (eg a lamp for a car), an office environment, a home environment, an industrial environment, a clinical environment, etc.

[0039] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Components of a lamp 100 for improving contextual understanding are shown. Figure 1 A side view of lamp 100 is provided, Figure 2 A side view of some components of lamp 100 is provided.

[0040] The lamp 100 includes a light emitting element 110 , a support 115 , a stem 120 , a lamp holder 170 and a bulb capsule 180 .

[0041] The light-emitting element 110 is configured to generate and emit light. In the example shown, the light-emitting element is formed by a filament (such as an LED filament) arranged in a spiral structure. However, this is not required, and other configurations of the light-emitting element 110 will be apparent to those skilled in the art, such as a bundle of filaments and / or a group of vertically arranged filaments. Thus, the light-emitting element 110 may include one or more LED filaments. Alternatively, the light-emitting element 110 may include one or more LED chips and / or an LED array.

[0042] The support 115 is configured to provide structural support for the light emitting element 110. In the example shown, the support 115 is formed from a solid piece of material, such as glass or metal, for providing structural support along the length of the light emitting element 110.

[0043] The stem 120 provides structural support for at least the support 115 and other components of the lamp 100. In particular, the stem 120 can be used to adhere, secure, or align components within the lamp (including at least the support 115). The stem can be formed from any suitable material and is preferably an insulating material that melts or becomes viscous when exposed to heat, such as glass.

[0044] The lamp holder 170 and the bulb capsule 180 are connected to each other and enclose other components of the lamp 100 .

[0045] Lamp base 170 provides structural support for the other components of the lamp.

[0046] The lamp holder 170 may include an electrical connector 190 for electrically connecting the lamp 100 to a socket (not shown). The electrical connector shown includes an Edison screw, but this can easily be replaced by an alternative form of electrical connector (e.g., a bayonet connector or a push-pin connector).

[0047] The bulb envelope 180 can be formed of, for example, a transparent or translucent material to ensure that the illumination from the light emitting element 110 can be dissipated or transmitted to the surrounding environment. Thus, the bulb envelope 180 can be formed of a transmissive and / or dispersive material. For example, the material of the bulb envelope 180 can be glass or plastic.

[0048] Lamp 100 can be a gas-filled bulb. Specifically, lamp base 170 and bulb envelope 180 can enclose or contain a gas, which is preferably an inert gas such as helium, argon, nitrogen, halogen, xenon, krypton, and / or any mixture of these inert gases. In this way, light emitting element 110 can be located in an inert environment to reduce the risk of degradation.

[0049] Go to Figure 2 , the stem 120 may include a pinch portion 123 or pinch area. Alternative labels for the pinch portion 123 include a pinch portion, a neck portion, or a tapered portion.

[0050] The pinch portion represents a portion of the stem 120 that secures or affixes other components within the lamp 100 to other components within the lamp 100. For example, the support 115, the power line 210, an (optional) exhaust pipe (not visible), etc. may be affixed to the pinch portion 123. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the pinch portion may be formed by melting a portion of the stem and squeezing the melted portion to pinch the aforementioned components.

[0051] In particular, the pinched portion can be formed by heating the stem to a temperature at which the material of the stem becomes viscous. The viscous material is then pressed or pinched to form an airtight connection between the components at the pinched location, thereby forming the pinched portion.

[0052] Thus, the pinch portion may be formed from a single piece of material, in contrast to the rest of the stem which may be hollow.

[0053] The pinch portion 123 is disposed within the bulb envelope 180 of the lamp.

[0054] More specifically, stem 120 may include a first chamber 121, a second chamber 122, and a pinch portion 123. Pinch portion 123 separates the first and second chambers from each other. When viewed in at least one cross-section, stem 120 tapers in a direction from the first chamber to the second chamber before subsequently expanding again. This tapered portion of the stem forms pinch portion 123.

[0055] The first cavity 121 is located closer to the light emitting element 110 than the second cavity 122. Similarly, the second cavity 122 is located closer to the lamp holder 170 than the first cavity 121.

[0056] The lamp 100 may also include a communication module 220, eg, a wireless communication module. The communication module 220 is configured to send and / or receive signals (eg, via an antenna), which may be used to control the operation of the lamp or to send signals from the lamp.

[0057] For example, the communication module 220 may receive instructions on how to operate the lamp 100 (specifically, the light emitting element 110) via one or more radio frequency signals received via the antenna. For example, the instructions may define one or more light characteristics of the light emitted by the light emitting element, such as light intensity, color, color temperature, etc.

[0058] As another example, the communication module can be used to transmit information collected by one or more sensors (not shown) carried by the lamp. Example sensors include temperature sensors, light intensity sensors, proximity sensors (e.g., infrared occupancy sensors), etc.

[0059] The communication module 220 may be housed within the lamp holder 170. However, this is not required.

[0060] Of course, the lamp 100 may also include a control circuit system and / or a power / driver circuit system. The control circuit system may operate in response to messages or instructions received by the communication module, for example, to control one or more light characteristics of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 110 (examples of which have been provided previously). The control circuit system may, for example, control the operation of the power / driver circuit system to control one or more light characteristics of the light-emitting element 110, thereby controlling one or more light characteristics of the lamp 100.

[0061] The operation of the communication module and associated control circuitry is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be explained in detail for the sake of brevity.

[0062] The control circuitry and / or the power / drive circuitry may be formed on a single chip along with the communication module 220 to facilitate assembly and / or manufacturing.

[0063] The present invention generally relates to the configuration of an antenna for facilitating wireless communication of a lamp. For example, the antenna may be an antenna of / for a communication module of a lamp.

[0064] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view is provided of an antenna stem assembly 300. The antenna stem assembly 300 is an assembly of the lamp stem 120 and the antenna 310. Other relevant features, such as the support 115 and the exhaust tube 350 (described later), are shown for contextual understanding purposes.

[0065] The antenna 310 is fixed or secured to the stem 120 at the pinch portion 123 of the stem 120. In this way, the antenna is at least partially housed within the bulb envelope (not shown). It will be appreciated that the antenna 310 may be communicatively connected / electrically connected to the communication module ( Figure 3 not shown).

[0066] Antenna 310 includes a coiled portion 311. Coiled portion 311 includes one or more bends or curves for increasing the effective length of the antenna within a confined area or volume (eg, compared to a single straight antenna).

[0067] The coiled portion 311 is at least partially contained within, e.g., entirely contained within, the stem 120. More specifically, the coiled portion is positioned adjacent to, but not within, the pinched portion 123 of the stem 120. For example, as shown, the coiled portion 311 can be at least partially located within, e.g., entirely located within, the first chamber 121 of the stem 120.

[0068] In this way, the coiled portion is positioned close to the pinched portion 123 of the stem. The coiled portion is not located within the pinched portion 123. This avoids deformation of the coiled portion during production or assembly of the lamp, which deformation could affect the performance or response of the antenna.

[0069] refer to Figure 2 , noting that at least one power line 210 may extend from the pinch portion 123 toward the light emitting element 110. In this approach, positioning the wrap portion within the first cavity 121 of the stem 120 distances the antenna from the power line 210 (e.g., they are separated by at least the wall of the stem 120).

[0070] Back to Figure 3 , the first cavity 121 can completely accommodate the coiled portion 311 of the antenna 310. In this way, the pinch portion 123 can be configured to limit or prevent the movement of the coiled portion 311 of the antenna 310 from the first cavity 121 to the second cavity 122. This serves to further reduce movement of the antenna within the stem (in addition to simply securing the antenna to the pinch portion 123).

[0071] The coiled portion 311 may be the most distal portion of the antenna from the communication module (not shown). Thus, the coiled portion may be the portion of the antenna 310 that is closest to the light emitting element.

[0072] The illustrated example of the wound portion 311 is a spiral portion, wherein the wound portion is formed to have a spiral structure or shape. The wound portion may, for example, include at least one turn, such as two turns or more.

[0073] An alternative to forming the coiled portion in a spiral structure or shape is to form the coiled portion to have a zigzag pattern or a serpentine shape.

[0074] As previously mentioned, the lamp can include a support 115 for the light emitting element. The support can be at least partially housed within the stem 120. In particular, the support can pass through the first cavity 121 and be secured to the stem at the pinch portion 123. The support 115 extends outward from the stem to support the light emitting element.

[0075] The wrapped portion 311 of the antenna 310 may be configured to wrap around a portion of the support 115, e.g., a portion of the support received by the stem 120. Thus, the wrapped portion may partially surround or wrap around a portion of the support 115 within the first cavity 121 of the stem 120.

[0076] As shown, antenna 310 may also include an elongated portion 312. This elongated portion 312 may, for example, connect the wrap-around portion 311 to a communications module or other communications circuitry (not shown). Preferably, the elongated portion extends through the second cavity 122 of the stem. The pinched portion 123 of the stem 120 may be secured to the elongated portion 312 of the antenna 310, thereby securing the antenna to the antenna.

[0077] like Figure 3 As shown, the lamp may also include an exhaust tube 350 for transferring gas to and from the bulb envelope. The exhaust tube can be used, for example, to fill the bulb envelope with inert gas (and exhaust) during manufacturing. The exhaust tube can then be capped or otherwise sealed (e.g., by melting with a flame) to prevent / avoid loss of inert gas from the bulb envelope. Suitable example materials and construction techniques for forming the exhaust tube are well known in the art.

[0078] The exhaust pipe 350 is structurally supported by the stem 120. Specifically, the exhaust pipe 350 may be structurally supported by or at the pinched portion 123 of the stem 120.

[0079] The entirety of antenna 310 is located outside of exhaust duct 350 (if present).

[0080] Figure 3 It is also shown how the pinch portion can be formed from a single piece of material, e.g., so that it contains no or minimal gas / air outside of any components present in / to any components secured in / to the pinch portion, e.g., the exhaust tube 350. This is in contrast to the other portion of the stem, which can be hollow.

[0081] For better understanding, Figure 4 and Figure 5 A detailed view of antenna 310 is provided. Figure 4 A side view of antenna 310 is provided, more clearly showing how the antenna is formed from a coiled portion 311 and an elongated portion 312 . Figure 5 A top view of the antenna 310 is provided, showing how the coiled portion 311 has a helical structure.

[0082] Figure 6 A technique for manufacturing an antenna stem assembly 300 according to one embodiment is shown.

[0083] At a first point in time 610, a stem 120 is provided together with a support 115 (for a light emitting element). The stem 120 has a tubular portion 615 (at least initially). The support 115 penetrates into the tubular portion 615 of the stem 130 so as to be at least partially accommodated therein.

[0084] In a first process 650, an antenna 310 is provided. In one example, a portion of the antenna (which may initially be elongated for this example) is wrapped around a support 115 to form a coiled portion 311. Alternatively and preferably, the support 115 may be threaded through a coiled portion 311 that has been pre-fabricated (e.g., pre-wound) before production of the assembly 300 begins. The remainder of the antenna is positioned through the tubular portion 615 of the core. In this manner, the antenna 310 is formed to have a coiled portion 311 and an elongated portion 312.

[0085] In this way, at a second point in time 620 after the first process 650 is completed, a stem 120 is provided through which the support 115 and the antenna 310 (with its wound portion 311 wound around the support) are positioned.

[0086] In a second process 660, the stem is pinched to secure the support 115 and the antenna 310. Process 660 can be performed, for example, by heating the stem at a desired location until the material becomes viscous and / or begins to flow. The stem can then be squeezed, pinched, or otherwise manipulated to bring the two opposing sides of the stem 120 together at the desired location. This pinching creates a pinched portion 123 at the desired location. Thus, the desired location can be where the support and antenna are present. The pinched portion thereby secures the stem to the support 115 and the antenna 310. The stem is heated and pinched in the second process 660, thereby creating the aforementioned first cavity 121, second cavity 122, and pinched portion 123 of the stem 120.

[0087] During the second process 660, the support 115 and the antenna 310 are positioned so that they are at least partially housed within the stem 120. In particular, the coiled portion 311 is positioned within the stem so that when the stem is pinched, the coiled portion is located within a first cavity 311 defined within the stem.

[0088] In this way, at a third time point 630 after the second process 660 is completed, an antenna stem assembly 300 is provided, which includes the stem 120 and the antenna 310 partially accommodated in the stem. In particular, the coiled portion 311 of the antenna 310 is located in the first cavity 121 of the stem.

[0089] Variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0090] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0091] If the term "suitable for" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "suitable for" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "arranged" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "arranged" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.

[0092] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A lamp (100), comprising: A lamp holder (170) and a bulb capsule (180) connected to each other; a light emitting element (110); A stem (120) for mounting the light emitting element in the bulb capsule; the stem is formed of glass; an antenna (310) for wireless communication, the antenna being at least partially housed in the stem and secured at a pinch portion (123) of the stem within the bulb capsule, the antenna including a wrap-around portion (311) adjacent to but not within the pinch portion; in: The core column (120) includes a first chamber (121); and a second chamber (122); The pinching portion (123) separates the first chamber from the second chamber; and The coiled portion (311) is at least partially housed in the first chamber (121).

2. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the coiled portion (311) of the antenna (310) has a helical structure.

3. The lamp according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a support (115) for the light emitting element (110), The support member (115) extends at least partially from the stem (120); and The winding portion (311) of the antenna (310) is configured to wrap around a portion of the support.

4. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the first cavity completely accommodates the coiled portion (311) of the antenna (310).

5. The lamp according to claim 4, wherein the pinching portion (123) is configured to limit or prevent movement of the coiled portion (311) of the antenna (310) from the first cavity (121) to the second cavity (122).

6. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antenna (310) further comprises an elongated portion (312) extending through the second cavity (122).

7. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first cavity (121) is closer to the light-emitting element (110) than the second cavity (122).

8. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an exhaust tube (350) for conveying gas to or from the bulb envelope, the exhaust tube being structurally supported by the stem.

9. The lamp according to claim 8, wherein the entirety of the antenna (310) is located outside the exhaust pipe (350).

10. A lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising one or more power lines for the light emitting elements.

11. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the coiled portion (311) of the antenna (310) comprises two or more turns.

12. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the light emitting element (110) comprises one or more LED filaments.

13. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lamp holder comprises an electrical connector (190) for electrically connecting the lamp to a lamp socket.

14. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the lamp is a gas-filled bulb.

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