DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a modular lighting apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Lighting devices generally employ a Light-emitting diode (LED) owing to their higher electrical efficiency over fluorescent light or incandescent light sources. The lighting devices are generally in the shape of a baton and includes a driver unit that powers the LEDs. The driver unit and the LEDs are soldered on a single printed circuit board and installed in the housing. Alternatively, the LEDs and the driver unit are installed on separate PCB and integrated into the housing. Some of the lighting devices include a surge protection circuit called a rectifier circuit with a thermistor. Such a circuit is also soldered to the PCB and installed in the housing

There are various limitations associated with the current design of the lighting devices. For instance, any damage to either the LED or the driver or the rectifier circuit renders the complete lighting device, non-operational. Moreover, any damage to the components of the current lighting device may also cause damage to other components as well. For example, any damage to the driver circuit can damage the LEDs if the driver unit is not disengaged with the LEDs.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a modular lighting apparatus. The modular lighting apparatus enables the easy and detachable coupling of the components of the lighting apparatus.

In an embodiment, a lighting apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing that has an opening at a coupling end and is adapted to accommodate a light source. The lighting apparatus includes a first cap detachably coupled to the end of the housing to cover the opening and is adapted to house a first driver unit to power the light source. In addition, the lighting apparatus includes a second cap detachably coupled to the first cap to cover a portion of the first cap and is adapted to house a second driver unit to power the first driver unit.

In another embodiment, the housing includes a pair of slots adapted to receive a pair of hook-shaped locks on the first end of the first cap. Further, the first cap includes a second end opposite to the first end and a pair of first connection inserts extending from the second end defining a locking region at the second end. Similarly, the second cap includes a first end and a pair of second connection inserts on the first end adapted to be inserted in the locking region.

According to the present disclosure, the first cap and the second cap are detachable from the housing thereby enabling the replacement of either the first driver unit or the second driver unit without replacing the complete housing. In addition, the slots, the first connection inserts, and the second connection inserts enable easy attachment and detachment without the use of tools thereby making the assembly and disassembly easy.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a lighting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the lighting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3A illustrates a perspective view of a housing of the lighting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3B illustrates a perspective view of a first cap of the lighting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3C illustrates a perspective view of a second cap of the lighting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4A illustrates a schematic view depicting a first driver unit and a second driver unit of the lighting apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4B illustrates a driver circuit with the first driver unit and a rectifier circuit in the second driver unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a lighting apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the lighting apparatus 100 while Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the lighting apparatus 100. The lighting apparatus 100 may be employed to illuminate a space, such as a room. The lighting apparatus 100 may be in the form of a baton that may use a light source, such as an array of light-emitting diodes or LEDs. In one example, multiple lighting apparatus 100 can be installed in series or in parallel. The lighting apparatus 100 may include a housing 102, a first cap 104, and a second cap 106, details of which will be explained in subsequent paragraphs. According to the present disclosure, the lighting apparatus 100 is modular such that the components of the lighting apparatus 100 can be easily replaced or swapped. For instance, either the housing 102, the first cap 104, or the second cap 106 with an identical component in case of an event, such as damage or failure.

In one example, the housing 102 may form a major portion of the lighting apparatus 100. The housing 102 is a hollow tube with a square cross-section and formed of a material, such as Aluminium or plastic. Referring now to Figure 2 and Figure 3A that shows a perspective view of the housing 102, the housing 102 may have a far end 108 and a coupling end 110. Further, the coupling end 110 may include an opening 110A to provide access to an internal volume of the housing 102. Further, the housing 102 may include a set of channels 112 that may extend along a side of the housing 102 and may be adapted to mount a light source, such as LEDs. As may be understood, the light source may be installed via the opening 110A. The lighting apparatus 100 may include a diffuser (not shown) that may be attached to one side of the housing 102. In one example, the diffuser may be attached to a bottom of the housing 102 and may diffuse the light emitted by the light source exiting from the housing 102 into the surroundings. The housing 102 may include a pair of slots 114 on either side of the housing 102 proximate to the coupling end 110. The slots 114 may be used to mount the first cap 104 to the housing 102. In one example, the housing 102 may include holes 114 instead of slots 114 to secure the first cap 104. In addition, the housing 102 may include grooves 120 to mount the housing to a platform (not shown).

On the other hand, the first cap 104 is configured to couple detachably to the coupling end 110 of the housing 102 as shown in Figure 2. The first cap 104 may be adapted to house a first driver unit. The first driver unit may be a driver that may power the light source. Details of the first driver unit will be explained later. Referring now to Figure 3B that shows a perspective view of the lighting apparatus 100, the first cap 104 may have a similar shape as the housing 102. In addition, the first cap 104 may also have a square-shaped cross-section defining an internal volume that may have a similar dimension as the housing 102. In one example, the first cap 104 may be wider than the housing 102, such that the first cap 104 may encapsulate the coupling end 110 of the housing 102 as shown in Figure 1. The first cap 104 may have a first end 116 and a second end 118 opposite to the first end 116. Further, the first cap 104 may include a pair of hook-shaped locks that may be adapted to lock into the slots 114.

On the other hand, the first cap 104 may include a plurality of first connection inserts 122 that extends from the second end 118. Further, the first connection inserts 122 may extend axially from the second end 118 and define a locking region 124 at the second end 118. Further, the first cap 104 may include a rectangular cut-out 126 at the second end 118 that may allow electrical connections to connect to the first driver unit.

While the first cap 104 includes the first connection inserts 122, the second cap 106 may have similar structural features. Referring now to Figure 2 and Figure 3C which shows a perspective view of the second cap 106. The second cap 106 may be adapted to house a second driver unit, details of which will be provided later. The second cap 106 may include a pair of lips 138 to mount the second driver unit. The second cap 106, like the first cap 104 and the housing 102 may have a square-shaped cross-section. Further, the second cap 106 may have an identical dimension as the first cap 104. The second cap 106 may include an open end 128 and a closed end 130 opposite to the open end 128. The second cap 106 also includes a plurality of second connection inserts 132 extending from the open end 128.

Referring now to both Figures 3B and 3C, the second connection inserts 132 may be adapted to be inserted in the locking region 124. In one example, a width W1 of the second end 118 between the first connection inserts 122 shown in Figure 3B may be greater than a width W2 of the open end 128 between the second connection inserts 132, such that the second connection inserts 132 enters in the locking region 124 to couple the second cap 106 to the first cap 104. Further, the first connection inserts 122 couple to the second connection inserts 132 by a press fit. In one example, the first connection inserts 122 may include a tip 134 that abuts a bottom 136 of the second connection inserts 132 when the second cap 106 to attached to the first cap 104.

According to the present disclosure, the housing 102, the first cap 104, and the second cap 106 of the lighting apparatus 100 are designed in such a way that the damage to either aforementioned component does not warrant the replacement of the complete lighting apparatus 100. Similarly, the light source, the first driver unit, or the second driver unit are electrically coupled to each other to complement the modularity of the housing 102, the first cap 104, and the second cap 106. Details of the first driver unit, or the second driver unit are explained with respect to Figures 4A and 4B. Specifically, Figure 4A illustrates a schematic view of the first driver unit 402 and the second driver unit 404 while Figure 4B show a driver circuit in the first driver unit 402 and a rectifier circuit in the second driver unit 404. The first driver unit 402 may be housed in the first cap 104 shown by dotted lines while the second driver unit 404 may be housed in the second cap 106 again shown by dotted lines. Further, the vertical dash line 400 indicates the physical separation between the first driver unit 402 and the second driver unit 404. In one example, the first driver unit 402 and the second driver unit 404 are installed in the first cap 104 and the second cap 106 in such a way that the first driver unit 402 and the second driver unit 404 are co-planar with the housing 102 when installed. Although the present example shows a pair of the first driver unit 402 and the second driver unit 404, additional pair of power units may also be used.

In one example, the first driver unit 402 may be a driver circuit that may be adapted to provide electrical power to the light source 406 shown in Figure 4B. For instance, the first driver unit 402 is a LED driver circuit 408 that may provide power to the light source 406. The LED driver circuit 408 may have various electronic components like an integrated circuit (IC), resistors, capacitors, diode, reactor magnetic core, among other examples. The LED driver circuit 408 may be adapted to provide direct current (DC) to power the light source 406.

On the other hand, the second driver unit 404 may be a rectifier circuit 410 that may be configured to provide power in the form of DC generated by converting alternating current (AC) from AC mains 412 to DC. Accordingly, the rectifier circuit 410 may include a rectifier, capacitors, inductors, resistors, and thermistors that work synergistically to provide DC to the first driver unit 402. In addition, the rectifier circuit 412 may also prevent the first driver unit 402 from a power surge.

Further, in order to make sure that the first driver unit 402 and the second driver unit 404 can be easily coupled, the first driver unit 402 and the second driver unit 404 may include a pair of electrical connections 414, 416 respectively that detachably links the output lines of the second driver unit 404 to the input lines to the first driver unit 402, such that the first driver unit 402 is electrically connected to the second driver unit 404. The pair of electrical connections 414, 416 can be alligator clips, circulator clips, or snap locks to electrically couple the second driver unit 404 to the first driver unit 402 while enabling easy disconnection in case of replacement of either the first driver unit 402 or the second driver unit 404. Similarly, the first driver unit 402 and the light source 406 may include couplers 418, 420 that detachably couples the first driver unit 402 to the light source 406 may work in a manner similar to the electrical connections 414, 416.

According to the present disclosure, provisions of the electrical connections 414, 416 and the couplers 418,420 enables easy connection and disconnection between the light source 406, the first driver unit 402, and the second driver unit 404. Moreover, the slots 114, the hook-shaped locks, the first connection inserts 122, and the second connection inserts 132 of the housing 102, the first cap 104, and the second cap 106 enables easy assembly and disassembly resulting in a modular lighting apparatus 100.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A modular lighting apparatus (100) comprising:
a housing (102) including an opening (110A) at a coupling end (110) and adapted to accommodate a light source (406);
a first cap (104) detachably coupled to the end of the housing (102) to cover the opening (110A) and adapted to house a first driver unit (402) to power the light source (406); and
a second cap (106) detachably coupled to the first cap (104) to cover a portion of the first cap (104) and adapted to house a second driver unit (404) to power the first driver unit (402).

2. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a diffuser attached to a side of the housing (102) to diffuse the light from the light source (406) into the surroundings.

3. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing (102) includes a pair of slots (114) adapted to receive a pair of hook-shaped locks on a first end (116) of the first cap (104).

4. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first cap (104) includes:
a second end (118) opposite to the first end (116); and
a plurality of first connection inserts (122) extending from the second end (118) defining a locking region (124) at the second end.

5. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second cap (106) includes an open end (128) and a plurality of second connection inserts (132) extending from the open end (128) and adapted to be inserted in the locking region (124).

6. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pair of first connection inserts (122) is coupled to the pair of second connection inserts (132) by a press fit.

7. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (102) is a hollow tube.

8. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first driver unit (402) is a Light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit (408) adapted to power the light source (406), and the second driver unit (404) is a rectifier circuit (410) adapted to protect the LED driver circuit (408) from a power surge.

9. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first driver unit (402) and the second driver unit (404) are co-planar with respect to the housing (102).

10. The lighting apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the first cap (104) and the second cap (106) includes a pair of electrical connections (414, 416) adapted to electrically connect the first driver unit (402) and the second driver unit (404).

11. A modular lighting apparatus (100) comprising:
a housing (102) including an opening (110A) at a coupling end (110) and adapted to accommodate a light source (406);
a first cap (104) detachably coupled to the end of the housing (102) to cover the opening (110A);
a second cap (106) detachably coupled to the first cap (104) to cover a portion of the first cap (104); and
the light source (406) is powered by a first driver unit (402) of the first cap (104).