Pole top luminaire and pole top housing for LED light modules

Abstract

According to certain embodiments, a street light system includes a light pole which is to be erected in a substantially vertical orientation; a top housing removably mounted on an upper portion of the pole; at least one light fixture having a predetermined length and extending from a side of the top housing; a LED module mounted under the at least one light fixture; a plurality of LED drivers to be vertically suspended to move inside of the light pole such that the weight of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to dampen pole vibration by moving in opposite direction of the pole vibration.

Description

[0001] 2024PF80301

[0002] 1

[0003] Pole top luminaire and pole top housing for LED light modules

[0004] FIELD

[0005] The disclosure relates to internally fixated pole top luminaire. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an outdoor light emitting diode (LED) street luminaire equipped with a vibration-reducing assembly for reducing or eliminating pole vibration.

[0006] DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0007] A street light generally comprises various shapes of light at the top of a pole or post to illuminate road, side walk, and parking areas. Over time, these outdoor poles made of steel and aluminum poles can develop stress from pole vibration caused by wind, moving vehicles and earthquakes, etc., Other electronic components, such as camera, sensors, lighting fixture, signage, etc., mounted on the pole are also subject to negative influences caused by the vibration. As a result, a lifespan of many of street lights is reduced and the maintenance cost is high. In some cases, damages to the light poles can pose a danger of accident to nearby vehicles or persons.

[0008] One common industry standard used to reduce the pole vibration is an incorporation of metal chain inside of the pole. This coated metal chain hangs inside from the top of the pole and reduces vibration by moving in the opposite direction of the pole vibration. Further, the chains may create some undesirable noise as it moves inside the pole. However, the conventional street light still faces many drawbacks and increased cost due fatigue due to vibration of wind, earthquake, typhoons, traveling vehicles, etc.

[0009] Accordingly, there is always a need of improved ways to minimize the material fatigue caused by pole vibration while providing an economical way to manufacture, maintain and install the street light.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above drawbacks by providing a vibration-absorbing light pole in which a number of light emitting diode (LED) drivers is hanged inside the pole to maximize a vibration-reduction effect and as well as improving an assembling efficiency through a simplified mounting structure. 2024PF80301

[0012] 2

[0013] According to certain embodiments, a light system includes an outside pole which is to be erected in a substantially vertical orientation; a top housing removably mounted on an upper portion of the pole; at least one light fixture having a predetermined length and extending from a side of the top housing; a light emitting diode (LED) module mounted under the at least one light fixture; a plurality of enclosures for housing a plurality of LED drivers therein and is vertically suspended to move inside of the light pole, in which one end of the plurality of enclosures is rotatably coupled to the top housing and the remainder enclosures are rotatably linked to each other via a number of connectors, wherein the weight of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to dampen pole vibration by moving in opposite direction of the pole vibration.

[0014] According to certain embodiments, a method includes providing a light pole which is to be erected in a substantially vertical orientation; removably mounting a top housing on an upper portion of the pole; coupling at least one light fixture having a LED module mounted thereunder to a side of the top housing; and providing a plurality of LED drivers to be vertically suspended, via a number of connectors, inside the light pole, wherein the weight of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to dampen pole vibration by moving in opposite direction of the pole vibration.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Fig. l is a block diagram of a lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0018] Fig. 2a is a diagram showing inside of a pole in the lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0019] Fig. 2b is an exploded view of the light system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 2c is another exploded view of the light system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 3a is a diagram of an octagon top housing in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0022] Fig. 3b is a diagram of a square top housing in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 2024PF80301

[0023] 3

[0024] Fig. 3c is a diagram of a round top housing in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0025] Fig. 3d is a diagram of a rectangular housing in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0026] Fig. 4a is a diagram of an octagon top housing coupled to LED modules in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0027] Fig. 4b is a diagram of a square top housing coupled to a LED module in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 4c is a diagram of a round top housing coupled to a LED module in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 4d is a diagram of a rectangular housing coupled to LED modules in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0030] Fig. 5a a top view of a top housing fixture assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0031] Fig. 5b is a bottom view of a top housing fixture assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0032] Fig. 6 is a diagram of a light system and a fixing assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0033] Fig. 7 is a diagram of a light system having multiple luminaires in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0034] Fig. 8a is a diagram of another top housing mounted on a light pole in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0035] Fig. 8b is a diagram of yet another top housing mounted on a light pole in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0036] Fig. 9a is a diagram of another top housing mounted on a light pole in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0037] Fig. 9b is a detailed diagram of the top housing mounted on a light pole in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0038] Figs. 10a and 10b are detailed diagrams of the top housing mounted on a light pole in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein 2024PF80301

[0041] 4 to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include at least one of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C," may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly or via a third element.

[0042] It is to be noted that, in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure due to unnecessary details, only the structures closely related to the technical solution of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, and other details not really matter to the present disclosure are omitted for clarity and simplicity.

[0043] As explained hereinafter, certain embodiments of this disclosure may provide a unique way to utilize the weight of light emitting diode (LED) drivers and suspending the LED drivers inside a light pole in a manner to dampen pole vibration. In addition, the use of LED driver in a specified arrangement as a pole dampening device according to the teachings of disclosure creates several market advantages. For example, many electrical components supporting the light source can be separated from the LED heat exposure during operation. Also, compare to prior known mounting post and side mounted luminaires, the electrical components do not require a costly housing on the light fixture as the light pole serves as an electrical housing according to the teaching of present disclosure. That is, the pole dampening according to the present disclosure does not require a separate device or housing to accommodate the electrical components, thus reducing light fixture cost. Further, the street light system according to the present disclosure would be smaller than the conventional street light since the LED drivers would not be a part of the light fixture as in the conventional light fixture. These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in this art upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a diagram of a street lighting system 2 according to the present disclosure. As shown, the street lighting system 2 may include a 2024PF80301

[0045] 5 light pole 10, a top housing 14, a light fixture 12, a LED module 16 mounted under the light fixture 12, at least one LED driver (not shown) inside the light pole 10. Further, a PCR type controller or shared photocell 18 or other electrical sensors can be provided on mounted on the housing.

[0046] Fig. 2a-2c show a detailed of fixture assembly inside the light pole 10 according to the embodiment of present disclosure.

[0047] Referring to Fig. 2a, a number of LED drivers 20 is provided in series inside the light pole 10 in a vertical orientation in which the LED drivers are suspended inside the light pole 10. Referring to Fig. 2b, each of the LED drivers 20 is disposed inside a metal enclosure 28, and a bracket 22 is provided at both ends of the metal enclosure 28. Referring to Fig. 2c, each metal enclosure 28 housing the LED module 16 is linked to each other via a driver chain 24, which serves to rotatably link the adjacent metal enclosures 28 in a vertical direction. Note that the driver chain 24 is shown in open position but would be closed after the assembly. Each metal enclosure 28 is provided with a number of rubber bumpers 29 thereon to absorb banging noise and / or shock inside the pole shaft.

[0048] An operational effect of vibration-absorbing according to the embodiment of the present disclosure as structured above is achieved by providing the metal enclosures 28 housing the LED drivers 20 to be connected via the driver chain 24 and then suspended sequentially in a vertical orientation like a chain hanging from the top of the light pole 10. A top bracket 26 is fixably attached to the top housing 14 so that the weight of LED drivers 20 suspended downward, and the driver chains 24 connected to the metal enclosures 28 has room inside the light pole 10 to move from side to side when a vibration is transmitted thereon. That is, when vibration is transmitted to the light pole 10, the weight of the LED drivers 20 inside the metal enclosures 28 causes to move in the opposite direction of the vibration to dampen the pole vibration.

[0049] The street lighting system 2 according to the above configuration can be deployed by the side of a road and bridge, etc., to illuminate the area so that vibrations caused by a wind, passing vehicles, an earthquake, etc., may be transmitted to the light pole 10 via the ground.

[0050] Referring now to Fig. 3a-3d, there is illustrated a diagram of the different top housings 14 in accordance with the embodiment of present disclosure. As shown, the shape and mechanical features capable of allowing the LED drivers 20 to be suspended inside of the light pole 10 and electrical components for operating multiple LED modules 20 may include an octagon pole top housing 14a (Fig. 3a), a square pole top housing 14b (Fig. 3b), a 2024PF80301

[0051] 6 round pole top housing 14c (Fig. 3c) and a rectangle offset pole top housing 14d (Fig. 3d). Electrical components, such as a surge module, sensors, photocells, controllers, terminal blocks, etc., provided in the pole top housings 14a-14d can be shared by the LED drivers 20 which in turn provides cost savings according to the embodiment of present disclosure.

[0052] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the pole top housings 14a-14d shown in Fig. 3a-3d are capable of mounting the light fixtures 12 and LED modules 16 on its outer vertical surface which eliminates an arm of a traditional pole mounted light fixture. The opening of a clamp mechanism 15 in each of the top housing shown in Fig. 3 slides onto the light pole 10 and provides access to the light pole’s interior. The pole top housing 14 accommodates any electrical components that manage the LED module 16. A top cover (not shown) is used to close the respective pole top housing 14a-d, and to prevent water ingress into the hole.

[0053] Fig. 5 illustrates a fixture assembly of a pole top housing according to the embodiment of present disclosure. As shown, the top housing assembly includes a top cover 30, the bracket 22 secured to the pole top housing 14. The shared electrical components such as surge, sensors, terminal blocks can be housed inside the top housing 14. The top housing 14 can be clamp to the light pole 10 via screws 32 or other connecting means. A single photocell or sensor 18 may be provided to the top housing assembly to control the LED modules 16.

[0054] Fig. 6 illustrates another fixating mechanism for mounting the LED light on the light pole 10. As shown, a scissor type mechanism 44 attached to a light fixture 42 is inserted into the light pole 10. The central bolt 46 attached to the scissor type mechanism 44 is turned so that it can expand against interior walls of the light pole 10, thereby locking into place. At least one LED driver 20 is suspended inside the light pole 10 and any electrical components can be mounted on the top portion of the light pole 10, as explained with reference to Fig. 2. Further, referring to Fig. 7, a number of light fixtures 42 can be stacked with each other using a single scissor type mechanism 44, and the angle of multiple light fixtures 42 can be angled at any angle.

[0055] Fig. 8a illustrates a street lighting system according to another embodiment in which a plug + play type light fixture 56 can be inserted into a hub type top housing 52. The hub type top housing 52 is provided with a stepped tenon 54 to engage the hub type top housing 52 to be mounted on the top of the light pole 10. A number of fastening screws 58 or connecting means can be used to hold the hub type top cover 52 in place. Further, at least one LED driver 20 can be provided inside the light pole 10, as explained with reference to Fig. 2. 2024PF80301

[0056] 7

[0057] Although 4 plug + play light fixtures 56 are shown for illustrative purposes, it should be noted that any number of light fixtures can be implemented as shown in Fig. 8b, for example.

[0058] Fig. 9a illustrates another fixating mechanism 60 for mounting the LED light on the light pole 10. Fig. 9b shows the components of the post top portion of a street light in details.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 9b, a light fixture 74 is provided with a top cover 70, and a silicon gasket 72 is provided between the top cover 70 and the light fixture 74. A number of screws or connecting means are used to fasten the top cover 70 onto the light fixture 74. A LED module 75 is mounted under the light fixture 74. A circular handler 66 is removably attached to an opening 74a of the light fixture 74. The silicon gasket 72 removably attached to the circular handler. As explained with reference to Fig. 2, at least one LED driver 20 is provided inside the light pole 10, The LED driver 20 is fixably attached to a connecting block 78. Both the LED driver 20 and the connector block 78 are mounted onto a driver tray 76, which is fixably attached to the light fixture 74.

[0060] Figs. 10A and 10B illustrates a fixture assembly of a pole top housing according to another embodiment of present disclosure. As shown, the top housing 14 assembly includes a clamp mechanism 15 having an internal arm 102 that is mounted to the inside surface 106 of the light pole 10. One or more light fixtures 12 are mounted to the top housing 14. The internal arm 102 is coupled to the light pole 10 and top housing 14 via screws or other mechanical means such as rivets, ties, welding, glue, etc. and can use the same mounting holes 104 that are used for a conventional external surface mounted arm. The internal arm 102 can also have a slot (not shown) to enable different light pole mounting hole 104 configurations (e.g. number of holes, separation, hole drill patterns, etc.) to be accommodated. This allows for new and existing light poles 10 to use the internal arm 102 for mounting the top housing light fixture with one to more light fixtures 12. Having thus described different embodiments of light assembly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the system have been achieved.

[0061] As apparent to those skilled in the art, providing LED drivers inside the pole shaft allows: ease of installation as no drilling of the pole and no hardware is required when compared to the prior method. It also provides better thermal management of the LED boards because the LED driver is aways from the LED boards. It saves cost as less luminaire material is used, especially when stacking many luminaires (or odd number of luminaires on a square pole, for example) on one pole, which shares all the same fixating mechanism. It provides a toolless method to install the and a universal fitting between round and square 2024PF80301

[0062] 8 pole and various internal diameters and pole wall thickness. Further, it provides a reduction in EP A (effective projected area) rating because of remote driver within the pole top section and the absence of side mounted arm on the luminaire as in the conventional art.

[0063] The foregoing is to be constructed as only being an illustrative embodiment of this disclosure. Persons skilled in the art can easily conceive of alternative arrangements providing a functionality similar to this embodiment without any deviation from the fundamental principles or the scope of this disclosure. Although a limited number of LED modules are shown for illustrative purposes, it is to be understood that the light system 10 can support a much larger number of LED modules. Thus, the number of LED modules to illuminate area in the drawing should not impose limitations on the scope of the disclosure.

[0064] While at least one embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

2024PF803019CLAIMS:

1. A street light system, comprising: a light pole (10) which is to be erected in a substantially vertical orientation; a top housing (14) removably mounted on an upper portion of the light pole(10); at least one light fixture (12) having a predetermined length and extending from a side of the top housing; a light emitting diode (LED) (16) module mounted under the at least one light fixture; and a plurality of enclosures (28) for housing a plurality of LED drivers (20) therein and is vertically suspended to move inside of the light pole (10), in which one end of the plurality of enclosures (28) is rotatably coupled to the top housing (14) and the remainder enclosures are rotatably linked to each other via a number of connectors (24), whereby the weight of the plurality of LED drivers (20) is configured to dampen pole vibration by moving in opposite direction of the pole vibration.

2. The street light system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of enclosures (22) further comprises a bracket (22) attached to both ends of each of the plurality of enclosures (28), each bracket having an opening to receive the connector (24).

3. The street light system of claim 1, wherein the connector (24) is a chain type connector.

4. The street light system of claim 1, wherein the top housing (14) is provided with a clamp mechanism (15), and an opening of the clamp mechanism (15) slides onto the light pole (10).

5. The street light system of claim 1, wherein the top housing (14) is formed with a recess to accommodate a number of electronic components.2024PF80301106. The street light system of claim 5, wherein the top housing (14) further comprises a removable cover (30) to access the number of electronic components.

7. The street light system of claim 1, wherein the top housing (14) comprises an octagon shape housing(14a), a square shape housing (14b), a round shape housing (13 c) or a rectangle shape housing (14d).

8. The street light system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light fixture (12) having an opening to receive a central bolt (46), the central bolt (46) having a scissor type mechanism (44) attached thereto to expand against interior walls of the light pole.

9. The street light system of claim 4, wherein the clamp mechanism (15) includes an internal arm (102) that is coupled to an inside surface (106) of the light pole (10) and the top housing (14).

10. The street light system of claim 1, wherein the top housing (14) comprises a hub type top housing (56) provided with a stepped tenon (54).

11. A method comprising: providing a light pole (10) which is to be erected in a substantially vertical orientation; removably mounting a top housing (14) on an upper portion of the light pole; coupling at least one light fixture (12) having a light emitting diode (LED) module (16) mounted thereunder to a side of the top housing (14); and providing a plurality of LED drivers (20) to be vertically suspended, via a number of connectors, inside the light pole (10), whereby the weight of the plurality of LED drivers (16) is configured to dampen pole vibration by moving in opposite direction of the pole vibration.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a plurality of enclosures (28) rotatably coupled to each other via a number of connectors.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the connector (24) comprises a chain type connector.2024PF803011114. The method of claim 11, wherein the top housing (14) is formed with a recess to accommodate a number of electronic components.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the top housing (14) comprises an octagon shape housing(14a), a square shape housing (14b), a round shape housing (13c) or a rectangle shape housing (14d).

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