Modular optic for changing light emitting surface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9429296-B2
Application number	US-201314073446-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 6, 2013
Priority date	Nov 15, 2010
Publication date	Aug 30, 2016
Grant date	Aug 30, 2016

Abstract

An LES is a surface from which light emanates from a lighting fixture. The present disclosure relates to a providing a lighting fixture that has an actual light emitting surface (A-LES), which is substantially smaller than the maximum potential LES (M-LES) for the lighting fixture. The M-LES is defined as the theoretical maximum LES for the mounting structure of the lighting fixture, and the A-LES is defined as the actual LES of the lighting fixture, as dictated by the lens or optical structures of the lighting fixture. The A-LES may provide an LES that is not only smaller, but also shaped differently, from the M-LES, to help control the light output of the lighting fixture based on the lighting application.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lighting fixture comprising:
a mounting structure having a cavity and a front opening in communication with the cavity and defining a maximum potential light emitting surface (LES) for the lighting fixture;
a light emitting diode (LED) light source associated with the mounting structure and configured to emit light out of the cavity and toward the front opening; and
an integrated lens assembly comprising:
a shroud over the front opening and having a light emitting opening;
an optic body extending into the cavity toward the LED light source from the light emitting opening, which defines an actual LES that is substantially less than the maximum potential LES; and
a lens through which the light emitted from the LED light source must pass before exiting the integrated lens assembly, wherein the lens is a total internal reflector that is recessed into an inside portion of the optic body such that the light emitted from the LED light source passes through the total internal reflector before exiting the light emitting opening.

2. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the lens is mounted in and covers the light emitting opening.

3. The lighting fixture of claim 2 wherein the shroud of the integrated lens assembly is attached to the mounting structure.

4. The lighting fixture of claim 2 wherein the lens is substantially flush with a front surface of the shroud.

5. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the lens is recessed into and mounted to an inside portion of the optic body.

6. The lighting fixture of claim 5 wherein the shroud is attached to the mounting structure.

7. The lighting fixture of claim 5 wherein the optic body comprises a channel formed on the inside portion of the optic body and at least a portion of the lens is mounted in the channel.

8. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the shroud of the integrated lens assembly is attached to the mounting structure.

9. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the optic body comprises a channel formed on the inside portion of the optic body and at least a portion of the total internal reflector is mounted in the channel.

10. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the shroud comprises at least one tab that is coupled to the mounting structure.

11. The lighting fixture of claim 10 wherein the at least one tab is coupled to an interior surface of at least one sidewall of the mounting structure.

12. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the front opening has a first shape and the light emitting opening has a second shape, which is substantially different from the first shape.

13. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the light emitting opening is not centered relative to the front opening.

14. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the optic body terminates at a light receiving opening configured to receive the LED light source.

15. The lighting fixture of claim 14 wherein the light receiving opening has a first shape and the light emitting opening has a second shape, which is substantially different from the first shape.

16. The lighting fixture of claim 14 wherein the light receiving opening has a first shape and the light emitting opening has a second shape, which is substantially the same as the first shape.

17. The lighting fixture of claim 14 wherein the actual LES has an area that is less than about 70% of an area of the maximum potential LES.

18. The lighting fixture of claim 1 wherein the actual LES has an area that is less that about 50% of an area of the maximum potential LES.

19. The lighting fixture of claim 18 wherein the front opening has a first shape and the light emitting opening has a second shape, which is substantially different from the first shape.

20. The lighting fixture of claim 18 wherein the light emitting opening is not centered relative to the front opening.

Assignees

• Cree Inc

Inventors

• Randolph David N
• Rowlette Jr John R
• Curtis Craig Thomas

Classifications

• F21V7/0091

  using total internal reflection · CPC title

• F21S8/026

  intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling · CPC title

• F21K9/20

  Light sources comprising attachment means · CPC title

• F21V13/04

  the elements being reflectors and refractors {(for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40)} · CPC title

• F21V5/04 Primary

  of lens shape · CPC title