Lighting Fixture Having Independently Operable Direct and Indirect Lighting

Abstract

A lighting fixture and method of providing lighting is provided herein that utilizes both direct and indirect light sources. The direct and indirect light sources can be provided in arrays of light emitting diodes (LEDs) oriented along desired axes. In some versions, the light fixtures described herein include a direct lighting array having one or more LEDs oriented to project light downwardly and an indirect lighting array having a plurality of LEDs oriented to project light in a transverse direction. Further, the light fixtures can include an indirect lighting member configured to be illuminated by the plurality of LEDs of the indirect lighting array. Additionally, or alternatively, the light fixtures described herein can include one or more controllers that are configured to independently operate the direct and indirect lighting arrays. Moreover, the indirect lighting array can be configured to emit light in a plurality of colors to visually convey information.

Claims

1. A light fixture comprising: a housing; a direct lighting array disposed within the housing, the direct lighting array comprising one or more light emitting diodes oriented to project light along a downward axis; an indirect lighting array coupled to the housing, the indirect lighting array comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes oriented to project light along axes extending transverse to the downward axis; and one or more controllers operably coupled to the direct lighting array and the indirect lighting array to independently control the operation thereof.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are configured to independently control a light output level of the direct lighting array and the indirect lighting array.

3. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are configured to control operation of the direct lighting array and the indirect lighting array according to four or more preset settings.

4. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the indirect lighting array is configured to selectively emit a plurality of colors.

5. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising an indirect lighting member mounted to the housing to be within a path of illumination of the plurality of light emitting diodes of the indirect lighting array, such that energizing the plurality of light emitting diodes of the indirect lighting array illuminates the indirect lighting member.

6. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein the indirect lighting member comprises a panel having an inner edge and an outer edge, and the panel is mounted to the housing so that the inner edge extends around the indirect lighting array, such that energizing the plurality of light emitting diodes of the indirect lighting array illuminates the outer edge of the panel.

7. The light fixture of claim 6, wherein the indirect lighting array comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed in an annular configuration; and the panel has an annular configuration.

8. The light fixture of claim 6, wherein the indirect lighting array comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed in a rectangular configuration, and the panel has a rectangular configuration.

9. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the housing includes deflectors disposed adjacent to light emitting diodes disposed in corners of the rectangular configuration to thereby direct light to corners of the panel.

10. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein the indirect lighting member comprises a shroud having a concave wall extending around the housing.

11. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an outer housing portion having a box shape sized to fit within an opening in a dropped ceiling.

12. The light fixture of claim 11, wherein the housing further comprises a lip configured to rest on structure of the dropped ceiling extending around the opening, such that, with the lip resting on the structure of the dropped ceiling, the direct lighting array is recessed with respect to the dropped ceiling and the indirect lighting array is disposed below the dropped ceiling.

13. A method for providing direct and indirect lighting with a light fixture, the method comprising: providing a light fixture comprising a housing, a direct lighting array disposed within the housing and comprising one or more light emitting diodes oriented to project light along a downward axis, and an indirect lighting array coupled to the housing and comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes oriented to project light along axes extending transverse to the downward axis; independently controlling a light level output of the direct lighting array and the indirect lighting array with one or more controllers of the light fixture.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein independently controlling the light level output of the direct lighting array and the indirect lighting array with the one or more controllers comprises controlling the light level output of the direct lighting array and the indirect lighting array according to four or more preset settings.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising selecting one of a plurality of colors to be emitted by the indirect lighting array with the one or more controllers.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising illuminating an indirect lighting member mounted to the housing from light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes of the indirect lighting array.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein illuminating the indirect lighting member comprises illuminating an outer edge of a panel mounted to the housing from light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes of the indirect lighting array being projected at an inner edge of the panel that extends around the indirect lighting array.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein illuminating the outer edge of the panel comprises deflecting light emitted from the light emitting diodes of the indirect lighting array to thereby direct light to portions of the outer edge of the panel.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein illuminating the indirect lighting member comprises illuminating a concave wall of a shroud mounted to the housing with light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising mounting a housing of the light fixture in an opening of a dropped ceiling, an outer housing portion of the housing having a box shape sized to fit within the opening with a lip configured to rest on structure of the dropped ceiling extending around the opening, such that, with the lip resting on the structure of the dropped ceiling, the direct lighting array is recessed with respect to the dropped ceiling and the indirect lighting array is disposed below the dropped ceiling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a first example light fixture having a square indirect lighting member mounted in a dropped ceiling in accordance with various embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a first cross-sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 showing a housing mounted to the dropped ceiling;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a second cross-sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 showing the housing a direct lighting array, an indirect lighting array, and the indirect lighting member;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a third cross-sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 showing deflectors of the indirect lighting member disposed adjacent to light sources of the indirect lighting array;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a second example light fixture having an annular indirect lighting member mounted in a dropped ceiling in accordance with various embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a first cross-sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 5 showing a housing mounted to the dropped ceiling;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a second cross-sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 5 showing the housing a direct lighting array, an indirect lighting array, and the indirect lighting member;

[0028] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a third example light fixture in accordance with various embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the light fixture of FIG. 8; and

[0030] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a control system for a light fixture in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] A lighting fixture and method of providing lighting is provided herein that utilizes both direct and indirect light sources. The direct and indirect light sources can be provided in arrays of light emitting diodes (LEDs) oriented along desired axes. In some versions, the light fixtures described herein include a direct lighting array that includes a plurality of LEDs oriented to project light downwardly and an indirect lighting array that includes a plurality of LEDs oriented to project light in a transverse direction. Further, the light fixtures can include an indirect lighting member configured to be illuminated by the plurality of LEDs of the indirect lighting array. Additionally, or alternatively, the light fixtures described herein can include one or more controllers that are configured to independently operate the direct and indirect lighting arrays. Moreover, the indirect lighting array can be configured to emit light in a plurality of colors to visually convey information.

[0032] Details of example lighting fixtures 100 are shown in FIGS. 1-7. The light fixtures 100 include direct lighting 102 having one or more light sources 104 oriented to emit light downward along a downward axis D and indirect lighting 106 having one or more light sources 108 oriented to emit light along axes that extend transverse to the downward axis D. For example, the light sources 108 of the indirect lighting 106 can be oriented to emit light in a horizontal plane. In other examples, the light sources 108 of the indirect lighting array 106 can be oriented to emit light at an upward angle relative to horizontal, e.g., between 0 and 10 degrees or between 0 and 30 degrees, and/or at a downward angle relative to horizontal, e.g., between 0 and 5 degrees or between 0 and 10 degrees.

[0033] Example direct lighting 102 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. In some versions, the direct lighting 102 can be a direct lighting array including a plurality of LEDs 104 disposed in spaced relation to one another. The LEDs 104 of the direct lighting array 102 can be disposed in any desired shape or configuration. For example, as shown, the direct lighting array 102 can have a generally circular pattern. Other suitable shapes include a rectangular array, an annular array, or other, polygonal or curvilinear shapes. Moreover, the LEDs 112 of the direct lighting array 110 can have a varying angle relative to vertical and still be considered to provide direct, downward lighting, e.g., between 0 and 30 degrees from vertical, between 0 and 15 degree from vertical, or between 0 and 5 degrees from vertical.

[0034] As shown, the LEDs 104 are mounted to a circuit board 110, which can have a shape complementary to the array 102 as shown. Further, the direct lighting 102 can have a lens 112 extending in front of the LEDs 104 and across the downward axis D to thereby alter light emitted by the LEDs 104 in a desired manner, e.g., concentrating, dispersing, etc. The lens 112 can be mounted to the circuit board 110 and can be a single piece member incorporating portions for each of the LEDs 104 as shown, or can be individual lenses for each of the LEDs 104. In the illustrated form, the lens 112 includes domed portions 112a extending over each of the LEDs 104.

[0035] Example indirect lighting 106 is shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6 to 7. In some versions, the indirect lighting 106 can be an indirect lighting array including a plurality of LEDs 108 oriented outwardly from the fixture 100 to emit light along axes that extend transverse to the downward axis D. As shown, the indirect lighting array 106 can be mounted to a circuit board 114, which is coupled to a frame 116 that positions the LEDs 108 along a perimeter that extends around the direct lighting 102 to emit light outwardly with respect thereto. If desired, the frame 116 can be configured as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs 108. Moreover, the indirect lighting array 106 can be vertically offset from the direct lighting array 102, such that the direct lighting array 102 is recessed with respect to the indirect lighting array 106. In a first form, shown in FIG. 3, the frame 116 has a square/rectangular shape with the LEDs 108 spaced along an outer surface 118 thereof. In a second form, shown in FIG. 7, the frame 116 has a circular shape with the LEDs 108 spaced along an outer surface 118 thereof.

[0036] The light fixture 100 further includes a housing 120 having an interior 122 sized to receive components therein. In some versions, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6 the housing 120 can be configured to be mounted to and within a dropped ceiling 10. The dropped ceiling 10 includes square tiles 12 mounted within openings 14 defined by frames 16. Advantageously, the housing 120 can have an outer cross-section sized to fit within one of the openings 14 defined by the frames 16 of the dropped ceiling 10. Further, the housing 120 can include an outwardly extending lip 124 around all or a portion of the circumference thereof. As shown, the lip 124 is sized and configured to rest on and/or be secured to the frames 16 when the light fixture 100 is mounted to the dropped ceiling 10. If desired, the lip 124 can be disposed at a vertical location along the housing 120, such that when the lip 124 engages the frames 16, a majority of the housing 120 and the interior 122 thereof is disposed above the dropped ceiling 10. In an additional or alternative form, with the lip 124 resting on the frame 16 of the dropped ceiling 10, the direct lighting array 102 can be recessed, i.e., above the tiles 12 and frames 16, with respect to the dropped ceiling 10 and the indirect lighting array 106 can be disposed below the tiles 12 and frames 16 of the dropped ceiling 10.

[0037] In some versions, the housing 120 can have a multi-part configuration to hold and orient the direct and indirect lighting 102, 106. Pursuant to this, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the housing 120 can include an outer housing portion 126 having a box-shaped configuration with sidewalls 128 and a top wall 130, an inner housing portion or canopy 132 having a top edge 134 that extends around the direct lighting array 102 and an opposite, bottom edge 136, a flange member 138 providing the lip 124, and an indirect lighting housing portion 140. In the illustrated form, the inner canopy 132 includes outwardly angled walls 141 and the top edges 134 are shaped to be complementary to a perimeter of the direct lighting array 102. For example, the top edges 134 can define a circular opening. Moreover, the bottom edges 136 of the walls 141 can extend to define a square/rectangular opening adjacent to the outer housing portion 126.

[0038] As shown, the inner canopy 132 engages the flange member 138, which is captured between the outer housing portion 126 and the indirect lighting housing portion 140. The indirect lighting housing portion 140 includes upper and lower members 142, 144 that define an interior 146 sized to receive the indirect lighting array 106, including the LEDs 108, the circuit board 114, and frame 116. Advantageously, interior edges 148 of the upper and lower members 142, 144 can be used to capture a transparent cover 150 therebetween. The transparent cover 150 closes off the bottom of the housing 120 while allowing light emitted from the direct lighting 102 to pass therethrough.

[0039] In the forms shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, exterior edges 152 of the upper and lower members 142, 144 can be used to capture an indirect lighting member 154 therebetween. In this form, the member 152 is a panel having an open shape, such as square/rectangular or annular as shown, with an interior edge 156 and an exterior edge 158. The exterior edges 152 of the upper and lower members 142, 144 position the interior edge 156 of the panel 154 adjacent to the LEDs 108 of the indirect lighting array 106, such that energizing the LEDs 108 causes light to be emitted into the panel 154, which illuminates the exterior edge 158 thereof. For example, as shown, the interior edge 156 of the panel 154, whether square/rectangular or circular, extends around the indirect lighting array 106. Although the panel 154 is shown as a planar member, the panel 154 can have a curved or angled shape, which can include a coating, layer, or other configuration designed to transfer light within the panel 154.

[0040] In some versions, the panel 154 may have portions of the exterior edge 158 where the LEDs 108 are not directly oriented. In order to illuminate these portions, the interior edge 156 of the panel 154 can include deflectors 160 in the form of recesses therein. The deflector recesses 160 can then be configured to deflect light emitted by the LEDs 108 adjacent thereto so that the entire exterior edge 158 is illuminated. For example, with the square panel as shown, the deflector recesses 160 can be disposed around the corners of the interior edge 156, with increasing degrees of deflection closer to the corner. Of course, deflectors can be incorporated into the individual LEDs 108 or be separate members disposed forwardly of the LEDs 108.

[0041] Another example light fixture 200 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The light fixture 200 of this form is configured to be hung from a ceiling rather than mounted to a dropped ceiling 10 as with the above forms. Many of the components of the light fixture 200 are similar to those discussed above and, as such, similar reference numbers will be used to indicate similar structures for the sake of brevity. For example, the light fixture 200 of this form includes direct and indirect lighting 202, 206 received within a housing 220, where the lighting arrays 202, 206 can be configured similarly to the above described arrays 102, 106.

[0042] Rather than a housing 120 as described above that is configured to mount to a dropped ceiling 10, the housing 220 of this form includes an upper housing portion 262 and a lower housing portion 264 that are releasably coupled together. The upper housing portion 262 is sized to receive the direct lighting array 202 and the lower housing portion 264 sized to receive the indirect lighting array 206, such that the direct lighting array 202 is recessed with respect to the direct lighting array 206. The light fixture 200 of this form can further include an indirect lighting member 266 that extends around the fixture 200 to be illuminated by the indirect lighting array 206. In the illustrated form, the indirect lighting member 266 is a shroud having an annular configuration with a concave outer surface 268 that opens to the lower housing portion 264. If desired, the shroud 266 can be coupled to the lower housing portion 264 or form a part thereof. Further, the shroud 266 can be made from a darkened or translucent material or have an etched, frosted, or sandblasted layer, coating, or surface in order to provide softened lighting from the indirect lighting array 206. Additionally, the light fixture 200 can include a transparent or translucent cover 250 coupled to the housing 220 across an open bottom thereof.

[0043] It will be understood that the light fixtures 100, 200 described herein include components to operate and control operation of the direct and indirect lighting arrays 102, 202, 106, 206. Pursuant to this, as shown in FIG. 10, the light fixture 100, 200 can include one or more controllers 170, 270 and drivers 172, 272 configured to condition a power supply to be suitable for the lighting arrays 102, 202, 106, 206.

[0044] Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 10, the controller 172, 272 can be configured to control operation of the direct and indirect lighting arrays 102, 202, 106, 206 independently. Further, the direct and indirectly lighting arrays 102, 106 can be selectively and independently dimmable. As such, the controller 172, 272 can be operated to selectively energize the lighting arrays 102, 202, 106, 206 as well as to select a light level for the arrays 102, 202, 106, 206.

[0045] To operate the light fixture 100, 200, two dimmer switches can be electrically coupled thereto to independently set a light level for the lighting arrays 102, 202, 106, 206. Alternatively, if desired, the light fixture 100, 200 can include a predetermined number of settings for the lighting arrays 102, 106. For example, the predetermined settings can include a full light setting with both the lighting arrays 102, 202, 106, 206 at full power, a normal setting with a reduced power for the direct lighting array 102, 202 and full power for the indirect lighting array 106, 206, a low setting with reduced power for both the lighting arrays 102, 202, 106, 206, and an off setting. For other situations, the lighting arrays 102, 202, 106, 206 do not need to have a dimming functionality, such that the light fixtures 100, 200 can be switched between on and off states.

[0046] In some forms, the LEDs 108, 208 of the indirect lighting array 106, 206 can be configured to emit multiple colors and/or individual ones of the LEDs 108, 208 can have differing colors. With this configuration, selection of a particular color from a plurality of colors can be used to visually convey information. For example, in a parking garage setting, the light fixture 100, 200 can be aligned with a particular parking spot. Thereafter, the indirect lighting array 106, 206 can be illuminated in a green color to indicate an open parking spot and illuminated in a red color to indicate a taken parking spot.

[0047] It will be appreciated that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. The same reference numbers may be used to describe like or similar parts. Further, while several examples have been disclosed herein, any features from any examples may be combined with or replaced by other features from other examples. Moreover, while several examples have been disclosed herein, changes may be made to the disclosed examples within departing from the scope of the claims.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.