Lighting unit using a retro-formed component
View Patent ↗An LED lighting system using a retro-formed component is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention make use of a component that has an external form factor of a structural element of a pre-existing light fixture. The component, for example, can be a power supply, or a heat sink with a connector. The component allows an LED lighting unit to be used without having the power supply and/or a heat sink take up space within what a consumer would normally see as the light bulb. In some embodiments the form factor is that of a screw-in socket such as an Edison E-26 socket. A connector or connectors can allow removal of the power supply portion of the lighting unit, or of the LED and possibly an optical element from the power supply.
1. A component for an LED light fixture, the component having an external form factor corresponding to a socket of a pre-existing light fixture, the component further comprising an active portion of a power supply to power an LED.
2. The component of claim 1 wherein the form factor is that of a screw-in socket.
3. The component of claim 2 wherein the form factor is that of an Edison type screw-in socket.
4. The component of claim 1 further comprising a connector to removably attach the component to at least one of the LED, a heat sink, and an optical element.
5. The component of claim 4 wherein the form factor is that of a screw-in socket.
6. The component of claim 5 wherein the form factor is that of an Edison type screw-in socket.
7. The component of claim 1 further comprising a heat sink.
8. An LED light fixture comprising:
a component having an external form factor corresponding to a socket of a pre-existing light fixture;
at least one LED connectable to the component; and
an active portion of a power supply disposed within the component, the active portion of the power supply connectable to the at least one LED.
9. The LED light fixture of claim 8 wherein the form factor is that of an Edison type screw-in socket.
10. The LED light fixture of claim 8 further comprising a heat sink in thermal communication with at least one of the at least one LED and the active portion of the power supply.
11. The LED light fixture of claim 10 wherein the at least one LED is adapted to be rotatable independent of the component.
12. The LED light fixture of claim 10 further comprising a connector disposed to removably attach at least one of the at least one LED and the heat sink component.
13. The LED light fixture of claim 8 wherein the LED light fixture is also a pre-existing light fixture.
14. The LED light fixture of claim 12 wherein the LED light fixture is also a pre-existing light fixture.
15. The LED light fixture of claim 10 further comprising an optical element to receive light from the at least one LED.
16. A method of assembling an LED light fixture, the method comprising:
forming a component for the LED light fixture having an external form factor corresponding to a socket of a pre-existing light fixture;
placing an active portion of a power supply in the component; and
connecting at least one LED to the component.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising installing an optical element to receive light from the at least one LED.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising installing a heat sink to be in thermal communication with at least one of the at least one LED and the active portion of the power supply.
19. The LED lighting unit of claim 15 wherein at least one of the at least one LED and the optical element is adapted to be rotatable independent of the component.
20. Apparatus for connection to a retro-formed component associated with a first heat sink for an LED lighting unit, the apparatus comprising:
a power supply having a removable connector portion that mates with a fixed connector portion associated with the retro-formed component;
a second heat sink disposed around the power supply;
an LED connected to the power supply; and
an optical element to receive light from the LED.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the first heat sink forms at least a portion of the retro-formed component.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising an additional connector to removably attach at least the optical element to the power supply.
23. A component for an LED light fixture, the component comprising a heat sink and having an external form factor corresponding to a socket of a pre-existing light fixture.
24. The component of claim 23 wherein the form factor is that of an Edison type screw-in socket.
25. The component of claim 24 further comprising a connector to removably attach at least one of an LED and an optical element.