Sensor modules for light fixtures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10551047-B2
Application number	US-201916380834-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 10, 2019
Priority date	Dec 2, 2016
Publication date	Feb 4, 2020
Grant date	Feb 4, 2020

Abstract

A lighting system can include a light fixture located in a hazardous environment, wherein the light fixture comprises a controller. The light fixture can also include a sensor module communicably coupled to the controller of the light fixture, wherein the sensor module comprises a sensor module housing and a sensor disposed within the sensor module housing, wherein the sensor module housing comprises a first coupling feature that couples to a hazardous location enclosure. The hazardous location enclosure and the sensor module, when coupled to each other, can comply with applicable standards for the hazardous environment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sensor module comprising:
a sensor module housing comprising a first coupling feature that is configured to movably couple to a second coupling feature of an enclosure, wherein the first coupling feature comprises at least one sealing member disposed within at least one first channel in an exterior surface of the sensor module housing; and
a sensor device disposed within the sensor module housing, wherein the sensor device is configured to measure at least one parameter,
wherein the at least one sealing member is configured to contact the enclosure without engaging at least a portion of the second coupling feature of the enclosure when the sensor module housing is coupled to the enclosure.

2. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module housing is disposed in a hazardous environment, wherein the enclosure is a hazardous location enclosure.

3. The sensor module of claim 2 , wherein the hazardous location enclosure and the sensor module housing, when coupled to each other, comply with applicable standards for the hazardous environment.

4. The sensor module of claim 3 , wherein the sensor module housing is intrinsically safe to allow reliable operation of the sensor device in the hazardous environment.

5. The sensor module of claim 2 , further comprising:
a safety barrier that limits an amount of power delivered from the enclosure to the sensor device.

6. The sensor module of claim 5 , wherein the safety barrier is a capacitive barrier.

7. The sensor module of claim 2 , wherein the sensor module housing is configured to withstand impact requirements for the hazardous location enclosure.

8. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is a light fixture housing for a light fixture, wherein the light fixture continues to operate as the sensor module housing is coupled to and decoupled from the light fixture housing of the light fixture.

9. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module housing further comprises an extension that forms a second channel, wherein the second channel has disposed therein an electrical connection between the enclosure and the sensor device.

10. The sensor module of claim 9 , wherein the second channel is encapsulated.

11. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises an extension that forms a second channel, wherein the second channel has disposed therein an electrical connection between the enclosure and the sensor device.

12. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the first coupling feature of the sensor module housing comprises a retention rib that is configured to engage a second channel of the second coupling feature of the enclosure, wherein the retention rib, when engaged with the second channel, allows for rotational movement of the sensor module housing relative to the enclosure and prevents decoupling of the sensor module housing from the enclosure, wherein the at least the portion of the second coupling feature comprises the second channel.

13. The sensor module of claim 12 , wherein the first coupling feature of the sensor module housing further comprises at least one spring tab that is configured to engage a platform and a third channel of the second coupling feature of the enclosure, wherein the at least one spring tab, when engaged with the platform, limits the rotational movement of the sensor module housing relative to the enclosure, wherein the at least the portion of the second coupling feature further comprises the platform and the third channel.

14. The sensor module of claim 13 , wherein the first coupling feature of the sensor module housing further comprises at least one sealing member that is configured to engage an inner surface of the third channel of the second coupling feature of the enclosure, wherein the at least one sealing member, when engaged with the inner surface of the third channel of the second coupling feature, uses friction to maintain a position of the sensor module housing relative to the enclosure.

15. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the first coupling feature of the sensor module housing comprises a first aperture that is configured to engage a spring-activated pin of the second coupling feature of the enclosure, wherein the spring-activated pin, when engaged with the first aperture, prevents the sensor module housing from decoupling from the enclosure, wherein the at least the portion of the second coupling feature comprises the spring-activated pin.

16. The sensor module of claim 15 , wherein the second coupling feature of the enclosure further comprises a second aperture that traverses therethrough, wherein the second aperture receives a securing member that abuts against the sensor module housing to prevent the sensor module housing from rotating relative to the enclosure, wherein the at least the portion of the second coupling feature further comprises the securing member.

17. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the first coupling feature of the sensor module housing is coupled to, decoupled from, and adjusted relative to the second coupling feature of the enclosure without tools.

18. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is a housing for a first light fixture, wherein the sensor device is coupled to the second coupling feature of the first light fixture, wherein the sensor device is decoupled from a second light fixture, wherein the sensor module, when coupled to the second mounting feature, provides measurements of at least one parameter to the first light fixture and the second light fixture for operation of the first light fixture and the second light fixture.

19. A lighting system, comprising:
a light fixture comprising a controller and a first coupling feature disposed on a light fixture housing; and
a sensor module communicably coupled to the controller of the light fixture, wherein the sensor module is also electrically and mechanically coupled to the light fixture housing, wherein the sensor module comprises a sensor module housing and a sensor disposed within the sensor module housing, wherein the sensor module housing comprises a second coupling feature that electrically and mechanically couples to the first coupling feature,
wherein the first coupling feature couples to and decouples from the second coupling feature,
wherein the first coupling feature and the second coupling feature allow for a user to adjust a position of the sensor module relative to the light fixture housing within a range of positions when the sensor module is coupled to the light fixture.

20. The lighting system of claim 19 , further comprising:
a mechanical bridge device disposed between the light fixture and the sensor module.

Assignees

• Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd

Inventors

• Treible Jr Daniel Robert
• Scarlata Andrew Francis
• Manahan Joseph Michael

Classifications

• F21V29/83

  the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes · CPC title

• F21V29/74

  with fins or blades · CPC title

• F21V23/002

  Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm · CPC title

• F21V17/107

  using hinge joints · CPC title

• F21V15/01 Primary

  Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts (F21V15/02 takes precedence {housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04}) · CPC title