Lighting device module for wireless connectivity and corresponding method

Abstract

An objective of the present application is to provide an improved lighting device comprising a module for enabling wireless connectivity. The invention provides a lighting device comprising a light source, a housing and a module for enabling wireless connectivity of the lighting device, wherein the module comprises: an enclosure having a first main wall opposite to a second main wall; an antenna for wireless communication, wherein the antenna is contained within the enclosure, wherein the antenna is adjacent to the first main wall; a controller in connection with said antenna for enabling the wireless connectivity of the lighting device; mounting means arranged for mounting the module to the housing in a first position wherein the first main wall abuts the housing, or in a second position wherein the second main wall abuts the housing.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising a light source, a housing and a wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communication module comprises: an enclosure having a first main wall opposite to a second main wall; an antenna for wireless communication, wherein the antenna is contained within the enclosure and is adjacent to the first main wall; a controller in connection with said antenna for enabling the wireless connectivity of the lighting device; a mounting means arranged for mounting the wireless communication module to the housing in at least one of a first position, wherein the first main wall abuts the housing, and in a second position, wherein the second main wall abuts the housing; wherein the first main wall of the enclosure comprises a visual indicator for indicating the antenna being adjacent to the first main wall; and wherein the wireless communication module further comprises a base carrier comprising the controller and an elevated carrier comprising the antenna, wherein the base carrier and the elevated carrier are contained within the enclosure; wherein the base carrier rests on the second main wall; and wherein an offset member protruding from said base carrier is arranged for elevating said elevated carrier above said base carrier and defining a height therebetween.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is positioned at a location of the first main wall where the antenna is adjacent to the first main wall.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein said height is at least 1 centimeters and at most 4 centimeters.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the first main wall and the second main wall are flat.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an aperture in an interface area where the first main wall abuts the housing.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means are configured to detachably mount the wireless communication module to the housing in at least one of said first position and said second position.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module comprises a module material, the module material being a polymer.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a housing material, the housing material being one of: a polymer, a metal, a ceramic, or a glass.

9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module is mounted to the housing in the first position when the housing material is a metal, or wherein the wireless communication module is mounted to the housing in the second position when the housing material is a polymer.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device further comprises a driver for powering the light source; and wherein the controller is further arranged to receive power, to determine a dimming level, and to convey said received power to the driver at the determined dimming level so as to provide wireless dimming control of the light source.

11. A lighting device comprising a light source, a housing and a wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communication module comprises: an enclosure having a first main wall opposite to a second main wall; an antenna for wireless communication, wherein the antenna is contained within the enclosure and is adjacent to the first main wall; a controller in connection with said antenna for enabling the wireless connectivity of the lighting device; a mounting means arranged for mounting the wireless communication module to the housing in at least one of a first position, wherein the first main wall abuts the housing, and in a second position, wherein the second main wall abuts the housing; wherein the first main wall of the enclosure comprises a visual indicator for indicating the antenna being adjacent to the first main wall; a throughput hole in the enclosure extending from the first main wall to the second main wall, wherein the throughput hole is arranged for accommodating a fastening element therethrough; a hook-and-loop fastener; an adhesive surface area; at least one tooth for snap fitting the wireless communication module into at least one respective slot, wherein the housing comprises said at least one respective slot; and a magnetic member for magnetically connecting to a magnetic area, wherein the housing comprises said magnetic area.

12. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the visual indicator is positioned at a location of the first main wall where the antenna is adjacent to the first main wall.

13. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the wireless communication module further comprises a base carrier comprising the controller and an elevated carrier comprising the antenna, wherein the base carrier and the elevated carrier are contained within the enclosure; wherein the base carrier rests on the second main wall; and wherein an offset member protruding from said base carrier is arranged for elevating said elevated carrier above said base carrier and defining a height therebetween.

14. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein said height is at least 1 centimeters and at most 4 centimeters.

15. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the first main wall and the second main wall are flat.

16. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the housing comprises an aperture in an interface area where the first main wall abuts the housing.

17. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the mounting means are configured to detachably mount the wireless communication module to the housing in at least one of said first position and said second position.

18. A method of equipping a lighting device for wireless connectivity, the method comprising: mounting a wireless communication module to a housing using a mounting means in one of a first position, wherein a first main wall abuts the housing, or in a second position, wherein a second main wall abuts the housing; wherein the lighting device includes a light source, the housing and the wireless communication module; wherein the wireless communication module includes an enclosure having a first main wall opposite to a second main wall, an antenna for wireless communication, the antenna being contained within the enclosure and being adjacent to the first main wall, a controller in connection with the antenna for enabling the wireless connectivity of the lighting device; wherein the first main wall of the enclosure comprises a visual indicator for indicating the antenna being adjacent to the first main wall; and wherein the wireless communication module further comprises a base carrier comprising the controller and an elevated carrier comprising the antenna, wherein the base carrier and the elevated carrier are contained within the enclosure; wherein the base carrier rests on the second main wall; and wherein an offset member protruding from said base carrier is arranged for elevating said elevated carrier above said base carrier and defining a height therebetween.

19. The method according to claim 18, the method further comprising: driving the light source with power using a driver; receiving power at the controller of the wireless communication module; determining, by the controller, a dimming level; and conveying said received power to the driver at the determined dimming level.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the antenna of the wireless communication module, a wireless dimming command comprising the dimming level; and communicating said dimming level to said controller.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be further elucidated by means of the schematic non-limiting drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 depicts schematically an embodiment of a lighting system comprising the lighting device according to the invention and a remote device, wherein the lighting device comprises a light source, a housing and a module;

(3) FIG. 2 depicts schematically an embodiment of the module according to the invention in perspective view;

(4) FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B depict schematically an embodiment of the module according to the invention in side view in respectively the first position according to the invention and the second position according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 depicts schematically, within a flowchart, an embodiment of a method of equipping a lighting device comprising a light source and a housing with a module for enabling wireless connectivity of the lighting device, and the control thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(6) As mentioned: It is an object of the invention to provide an improved lighting device, which comprises a module for enabling wireless connectivity, wherein the module may easily and widely be integrated into a large variation of such lighting devices. Therefore, the present invention provides a universal module, which may serve a wide variety of lighting device configurations; and/or further provides minimal diversity in the supply chain and only one stock keeping unit, because the module may be used in a variety of different lighting devices, while enabling an optimal wireless connectivity.

(7) FIG. 1 depicts schematically, by non-limiting example, an embodiment of a lighting system 1000 comprising the lighting device 100 according to the invention and a remote device 50. Here, in the present example, the lighting device 100 is a ceiling luminaire. It may alternatively be any other type of luminaire. The lighting device 100 comprises a light source 20, a housing 10 and a module 30 for enabling wireless connectivity of the lighting device 100. The remote device 50 is arranged to wirelessly control the lighting device 100 by communicating with the module 30. The remote device is a smartphone, but may alternatively be one of: a tablet, a wearable, a commissioning device, a computer, a bridge, a server, another smart-lamp, a vehicle, etc. Said wirelessly controlling is wirelessly controlling the dimming of the lighting device 100, but may alternatively comprise wirelessly controlling one of: color, color temperature, modulation, on/off state, or any other known lighting property, etc. The device 50 and the module 30 of the lighting device 100 communicate via ZigBee and/or Bluetooth, such as via a 2.4 GHz ZigBee signal, but may alternatively communicate via one of: Wi-Fi, Infrared, RF, Visible Light Communication, LiFi, LoRa, Bluetooth, etc.

(8) The light source 20 is a LED array, which is embodied in a LED module, which (optionally) comprises a light guide and/or optics for directing the emitted light. Hence, the light source 20 may take a relatively large volume within the lighting device 100. Alternatively, said light source may be one of a high-power LED light source, or an array thereof such as a pixilated LED spot. Alternatively, the light source may be: a conventional light source, a TLED, a fluorescent tube, or a halogen spot.

(9) FIG. 2, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B depict, by non-limiting example, the lighting module 30 according to the invention. Referring thereto and also referring back to FIG. 1: As mentioned, the lighting device 100 comprises a module 30 for enabling wireless connectivity of the lighting device 100, i.e. here the wireless dimming control of the light source 20. The module 30 comprises an enclosure 33 having a first main wall 31 which is opposite to a second main wall 32. The module 30 is injection molded and comprises a module material being a polymer, such as PE, ABS, PET, PVC, etc. Alternatively, other manufacturing methods may be used to produce said module. The first main wall 31 is parallel to the second main wall 32, because the module 30 is essentially a rectangular box. The first main wall 31 and the second main wall 32 are therefore (substantially) flat surfaces. Such a flat surface of the first main wall 31 and the second main wall 32 of the enclosure 33 of the module 30 facilitates mounting the module 30 to another flat surface, such as e.g. a surface of a housing of a lighting device. Alternatively, not depicted, the module may comprise a different shape, wherein said first main wall may be tapered in respect to said second main wall. This allows for the module to be mounted under an angle when turning around the module from the first main wall to the second main wall. This alternative provides more freedom to mount the module in a diversity of lighting devices, each with a different configuration.

(10) Still referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B; the module 30 further comprises an antenna 34 contained within the enclosure 33. The antenna 34 provides amongst others the wireless connectivity and essentially the transceiving means for communicating with the remote device 50. The antenna 34 is adjacent to the first main wall 31. Thus, the antenna 34 is clearly at a distance from the second main wall 32. Here, the antenna 34 also faces the first main wall 31, so as to provide a radiation pattern of the antenna 34 being directed more to the space lying in the direction of the first main wall, i.e. e.g. the room/environment below the lighting device 100 wherein the remote device 50 is present. Nevertheless, alternatively, said antenna may be omnidirectional and have an alternative radiation pattern, as known in the field of antenna's.

(11) Still referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B; the module 30 further comprises a controller 35 contained within the enclosure 33 and in connection with the antenna 34. Such a connection may mean that signals are communicated between both components. The controller is a wireless dimming controller 35, but may alternatively be any other controller suitable for providing processing power for wireless connectivity functions. Yet alternatively, said controller may be a distributed controller and/or a controller not contained (partly or fully) within the enclosure.

(12) Moreover, in the present embodiment, the module 30 comprises a base carrier 37 comprising the controller 35 and an elevated carrier 36 comprising the antenna 34. The base carrier 37 rests on the second main wall 32 within the enclosure 33. The base carrier 37 further comprises an offset member 38 protruding from said base carrier 37, which offset member 38 holds and elevates said elevated carrier 36 above said base carrier 37 and defines a height therebetween. Here, this height is 3 centimeters, but may alternatively be at least 1 centimeters and at most 4 centimeters, or alternatively at most 5 centimeters. The base carrier 37 may further comprise further components, such as a capacitor, chipsets, tracks, resistances, insulation, etc.

(13) Still referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B; as mentioned, the enclosure 33 has the first main wall 31 opposite and parallel to the second main wall 32. Since the antenna 34 is adjacent to the first main wall 31, the antenna 34 is clearly at a distance from the second main wall 32, which distance is at least the mentioned height established by the offset member 38. Said distance may be sufficient to prevent interference. Namely, the radiation pattern of the antenna 34 may be affected if the antenna 34 is near the housing 10 of the lighting device 100. For example, a wireless signal of the antenna 34 (e.g. a 2,4 GHz ZigBee signal) will be hampered by e.g. metal parts or (electrical) components close to the antenna 34, which metal parts and/or components may detune the antenna 34. This may lead to poor performance in terms of connectivity.

(14) The module 30 may be mounted to the housing 10 of the lighting device 100 in different positions. The first position 1 is characterized by the first main wall 31 abutting the housing 10, whereas the second position 2 is characterized by the second main wall 32 abutting the housing 10.

(15) For example, referring to FIG. 3B specifically, wherein a material of the housing 10 comprises a metal, such as stainless steel, it may be undesired to mount the module 30 to the housing 10 with the first main wall 31 abutting the housing 10; because said metal housing 10 may block and weaken the radiation pattern of the antenna 34. The module 30 may therefore be affected in performance. Instead, it may be desired to mount the antenna 34 to the metal housing 10 in the second position 2 wherein the second main wall 32 abuts the metal housing 10. Alternatively, not depicted, the housing may comprise an aperture in an interface area where the first main wall abuts the housing, through which aperture the radiation pattern of the antenna may additionally ‘escape’.

(16) However, the essentially asymmetric (or preferred) positioning of the antenna 34 within the module 30 may also direct the radiation pattern of the antenna 34 substantially more in the direction of the first main wall 31, e.g. to said room/environment below the lighting device 100 wherein the remote device 50 is present. Thus, for example, alternatively, referring to FIG. 3A specifically, wherein a material of the housing comprises e.g. a polymer, it may be desired to mount the module 30 to the housing 10 in the first position 1 with the first main wall 31 abutting the housing 10; because said polymer housing 10 does not affect said radiation pattern and the antenna 34 can radiate substantially more in said desired direction, i.e. substantially outward through the housing 10 to which it is mounted.

(17) As a result, still referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, depending on a material of said housing 10 (and/or alternatively e.g. its shape and dimensions), the module 30 may be desired to be mounted in different orientations in respect to the housing 10. Hence, the module 30 may be mounted to the housing 10 in the first position 1 when the housing material is a metal, or the module 30 may be mounted to the housing 10 in the second position 2 when then housing material is a polymer.

(18) In the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3B, the housing 10 of the lighting device 10 (i.e. the ceiling luminaire) comprises a steel metal exterior. Alternatively, the housing may comprise a housing material being one of: a polymer, a metal, a ceramic, a glass. The module 30 needs to be mounted to this housing 10 due to space considerations, as the ceiling luminaire was not initially designed for having a wireless connectivity function. Therefore, the module 30 is mounted to the housing 10 in the second position 2 wherein the second main wall 32 abuts the housing 10. This second position 2 ensures that the antenna 34 is sufficiently clear from the metal housing 10 and has an improved connectivity.

(19) The module 30 has mounting means 39 arranged for mounting the module 30 to the housing 10 in either the first position 1 or the second position 2. The mounting means 39 for mounting the module 30 to the housing is here a throughput hole 39 in the enclosure 33 extending from the first main wall 31 to the second main wall 32, wherein the throughput hole 39 is arranged for accommodating a fastening element (not depicted) therethrough. This fastening element (not depicted) is a screw (not depicted). Alternatively, said fastening element may be one of a bolt, a pin, a rivet, a wire, and/or a nail. The screw may be screwed into the housing via said throughput hole 39 in both directions (i.e. from the first main wall 31 to the second main wall 32, or vice versa), wherein said both directions respectively correspond to the module 30 being mounted in respectively the first position 1 or the second position 2. Due to the mounting means 39 being a throughput hole 39 for receiving a screw (not depicted), the module 30 can be detachably fixated to said housing 10 in either said first position 1 or said second position.

(20) Alternatively, the mounting means may be one of: Velcro; an adhesive surface area; at least one teeth for snap fitting the module into at least one respective slot, wherein the housing comprises said at least one respective slot; a magnetic member for magnetically connecting to a magnetic area, wherein the housing comprises said magnetic area.

(21) In some examples, alternatively and/or additionally, said fastening element may extend through said base carrier and said elevated carrier, and thereby capacitively coupling the base carrier with the elevated carrier so as to enlarge the ground body of the elevated carrier comprising the antenna. This may improve the RF functionality of the module.

(22) As a conclusion, since each lighting device 100 may be varying in material and dimensions, the present invention may secure the functioning of the wireless connectivity and/or wireless dimming control of the lighting device 100, because the module 30 according to the invention may be more easily integrated in a lighting device 100 and mounted in a desired position with respect to the housing 10. That is: either with the antenna 34 adjacent to (and/or facing) the housing 10, or the antenna 34 distant from the housing 10 as is depicted here. Hence, the present invention allows for optimizing the relative positioning of the module 30 (and the antenna 34 contained therein) to its surroundings within the lighting device 100.

(23) Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as partly mentioned before, the module 30 may either be mounted to the housing 10, via said mounting means 39, in either the first position 1 or the second position 2; which is here the second position 2. As the adjacency of the antenna 34 to the first main wall 31 may not be visible from the outside of the module 30 and its enclosure 33, because said antenna 34 is contained within the enclosure 33 of the module 30, it is desirable to indicate where the antenna 36 is located within the module 30, so as to provide a better understanding on how to mount said module 30 to the housing 10. Hence, the first main wall 31 of the enclosure 33 comprises a visual indicator 40 for indicating the antenna 34 being adjacent to the first main wall 31. Said indicator 40 is a Philips mark engraved or molded within the first main wall 31, i.e. e.g. at the location where the antenna 34 is adjacent to the first main wall 31. Said indicator 40 may alternatively be a sticker, or a color of the first main wall, or a protrusion indicated on the first main wall.

(24) In an embodiment similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, but not depicted here, the lighting device further comprise a driver for powering the light source. The controller of the module is further arranged to receive power. This power may be received from mains power, which is connected to e.g. a terminal block within the module. Alternatively, said module may be battery powered and receive said power from a battery. The controller of the module is further arranged to determine a level, and to convey said received power to the driver at the determined level so as to provide wireless control of the light source. The level is a dimming level and said wireless control is a corresponding wireless dimming control of the light source, but may alternatively be a color level, an intensity level, a color temperature level, or associated with a control command; and the wireless control may be a corresponding wireless control of the light source.

(25) FIG. 4 depicts schematically, by non-limiting example, within a flowchart, a method 400 of equipping a lighting device 100 according to the invention with a module 30 for enabling wireless connectivity, such as e.g. a wireless dimming control. As mentioned before, said lighting device according to the invention comprises a light source 20 and a housing 10. The module 30 enables the wireless connectivity of the lighting device 100. The module 30 comprises an enclosure 33 having a first main wall 31 opposite to a second main wall 31. The module 30 further comprises an antenna 34 for wireless communication, wherein the antenna 34 is contained within the enclosure 33, wherein the antenna 34 is adjacent to the first main wall 31. The module 30 further comprises a controller 35 in connection with said antenna 34 for enabling the wireless connectivity of the lighting device 100. The method comprises the step of: 401 mounting the module to the housing 10, by mounting means 39 as mentioned, in a first position 1 wherein the first main wall 31 abuts the housing 10, or in a second position 2 wherein the second main wall 32 abuts the housing 10.

(26) Moreover, in an embodiment, the method according to the invention is provided, wherein the method further comprises: mounting the module to the housing in the first position when a housing material of the housing is a metal, or mounting the module to the housing in the second position when a housing material of the housing is a polymer. Moreover, another step of the method 400 may be related to the wireless connectivity function of the lighting device 100 equipped with said module 30 for enabling wireless connectivity. The lighting device 100 therefore further comprises a driver (not depicted) for powering the light source 20. The method comprises the steps of, performed by the controller 35 of the module 30: 402 receiving power; 403 determining a dimming level; 404 conveying said received power to the driver (not depicted) at the determined dimming level. Even further, another step of the method comprises: 405 receiving, by the antenna 34 of the module 30, a wireless command comprising the dimming level; 406 communicating said level to said controller 35. Even further, another step of the method comprises: 407 performed by a remote device, sending the wireless command to the antenna of the lighting device. Said dimming level may for example alternatively be a color level, an intensity level, a color temperature level, or associated with a control command.