IP Library Granted Patent US 10,364,974
Granted Patent B2
US 10,364,974 · App. 15/983,943 · Granted Jul 30, 2019

Flat panel lighting device and driving circuitry

Inventors: J. Richard Myers (Pasadena, CA); John Araki (Tustin, CA)
Assignee: Unity Opto Technology Co., Ltd.
F21V23/02F21K9/20F21K9/235F21K9/275F21K9/278F21K9/61F21K9/64F21S8/04F21V15/01F21V21/005F21V21/02F21V23/001F21V23/002F21V23/003F21V23/009F21V23/023F21V23/06F21V29/89G02B6/009G02B6/0051G02B6/0055G02B6/0068G02B6/0073G02B6/0083G02B6/0085G02B6/0088G02B6/0091G02F1/133603G02F1/133615H05B33/0857H05K999/99F21Y2101/00F21Y2103/00F21Y2103/10F21Y2103/20F21Y2105/00F21Y2105/10F21Y2115/10G02F1/133608H05B33/0854H05B33/0872H05B37/0218H05B37/0227Y02B20/383Y02B20/386
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,364,974
App. No.
15/983,943
Granted
Jul 30, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

The light fixture includes a frame configured to define a channel, and a substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel disposed within the frame. Power circuitry is disposed within the first channel, the power circuitry being configured to electrically couple the substantially flat LED panel to an external AC power supply. The power circuitry is sized to be positioned within the first channel and has a length and a width, the length-to-width ratio being at least 5 to 1, and optionally at least 10 to 1. The power circuitry is configured to convert an AC input into a DC output suitable for powering the substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel. The substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel includes an optically transmissive panel, and an array of LEDs disposed adjacent to an edge of the optically transmissive panel and disposed adjacent at least one edge of the frame.

Claims (29)

1. A light fixture comprising:

a frame having a thickness of no more than about 1.0 inches and including a first portion of the frame and a second portion of the frame, wherein the first portion of the frame defines a first channel between a first edge of an optically transmissive panel and a first outer edge of the frame;

a substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel disposed within the frame, wherein the substantially flat LED panel includes an LED strip and the optically transmissive panel, and the optically transmissive panel is configured to distribute light received at a light-input edge of the optically transmissive panel from the LED strip, the LED strip comprising a plurality of LEDs mounted to the second portion of the frame adjacent the light-input edge of the optically transmissive panel; and

an LED driver housed entirely within the first channel adjacent the first outer edge of the frame, wherein the LED driver is supported by the first portion of the frame and is configured to receive an AC input from an external AC power supply and to provide a DC output to the LED strip, wherein the LED driver includes a PCB-mounted transformer.

2. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel has a first face that defines a first plane and a second face that defines a second plane, and wherein a portion of the LED driver is within at least one of the first plane and the second plane.

3. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the LED strip comprises a plurality of LEDs arrayed in a row supported by an LED bar adjacent the light-input edge of the optically transmissive panel, and wherein a portion of the LED driver is within a plane that is normal to the LED bar and that contains the plurality of LEDs arrayed in the row.

4. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the LED driver comprises a single circuit board having a length and a width, wherein a length-to-width ratio is at least 10 to 1.

5. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the LED driver comprises power circuitry and control circuitry, wherein the power circuitry includes the PCB-mounted transformer.

6. The light fixture of claim 5 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to control intensity of light emitted by the substantially flat LED panel, providing a dimming function.

7. The light fixture of claim 5 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to selectively energize the array of LEDs to provide a light output of variable color temperature.

8. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the LED strip is mounted to the second portion of the frame adjacent a second outer edge of the frame.

9. The light fixture of claim 8 , wherein the second portion of the frame defines a second channel adjacent the second outer edge of the frame, the second channel being configured to support the LED strip.

10. The light fixture of claim 8 , wherein the LED strip is supported by a wall of a second channel, wherein the wall of the second channel is offset from the second outer edge of the frame.

11. A light fixture comprising:

a frame having a thickness of no more than about 1.0 inches and including a first portion of the frame and a second portion of the frame, wherein the first portion of the frame defines a first channel between a first edge of an optically transmissive panel and a first outer edge of the frame;

a substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel disposed within the frame, wherein the substantially flat LED panel includes an LED strip and the optically transmissive panel, and the optically transmissive panel is configured to distribute light received at a light-input edge of the optically transmissive panel from the LED strip, the LED strip comprising a plurality of LEDs mounted to the second portion of the frame adjacent the light-input edge of the optically transmissive panel; and

power circuitry and control circuitry housed entirely within the first channel adjacent the first outer edge of the frame, wherein the power circuitry and control circuitry is supported by the first portion of the frame and is configured to receive an AC input from an external AC power supply and to provide a DC output to the LED strip, wherein the power circuitry and control circuitry includes a PCB-mounted transformer.

12. The light fixture of claim 11 , wherein the substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel has a first face that defines a first plane and a second face that defines a second plane, and wherein a portion of the power circuitry and control circuitry is within at least one of the first plane and the second plane.

13. The light fixture of claim 11 , wherein the LED strip comprises a plurality of LEDs arrayed in a row supported by an LED bar adjacent the light-input edge of the optically transmissive panel, and wherein a portion of the power circuitry and control circuitry is within a plane that is normal to the LED bar and that contains the plurality of LEDs arrayed in the row.

14. The light fixture of claim 11 , wherein the power circuitry includes the PCB-mounted transformer.

15. The light fixture of claim 11 , wherein the power circuitry and control circuitry comprises a single circuit board.

16. The light fixture of claim 15 , wherein the circuit board has a length and a width, wherein a length-to-width ratio is at least 10 to 1.

17. The light fixture of claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to control intensity of light emitted by the substantially flat LED panel, providing a dimming function.

18. The light fixture of claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to selectively energize the array of LEDs to provide a light output of variable color temperature.

19. A light fixture comprising:

a frame having a thickness of no more than about 1.0 inches and including a first portion of the frame and a second portion of the frame, wherein the first portion of the frame defines a first channel between a first edge of an optically transmissive panel and a first outer edge of the frame;

a substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel disposed within the frame, wherein the substantially flat LED panel includes an LED strip and the optically transmissive panel, and the optically transmissive panel is configured to distribute light received at a light-input edge of the optically transmissive panel from the LED strip, the LED strip comprising a plurality of LEDs mounted to the second portion of the frame adjacent the light-input edge of the optically transmissive panel; and

power circuitry and control circuitry housed entirely within the first channel adjacent the first outer edge of the frame, wherein the power circuitry and control circuitry is supported by the first portion of the frame and is configured to receive an AC input from an external AC power supply and to provide a DC output to the LED strip, wherein the power circuitry includes a PCB-mounted transformer and wherein the control circuitry is configured to control intensity of light emitted by the substantially flat LED panel, providing a dimming function.

20. The light fixture of claim 19 , wherein the power circuitry and control circuitry comprises a single circuit board having a length and a width, wherein a length-to-width ratio is at least 10 to 1.

Assignments (11)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2022
From: EPISTAR CORPORATION
To: UNITY OPTO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.,
Reel/Frame 060250/0674 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2022
From: UNITY OPTO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
To: EPISTAR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059496/0205 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2020
From: UNITY OPTO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
To: FEIT ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 052801/0253 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2020
From: EPISTAR CORPORATION
To: UNITY OPTO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 052795/0406 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2020
From: UNITY OPTO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
To: EPISTAR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052291/0387 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2019
From: EVER VENTURE SOLUTIONS, INC.; PIXI LIGHTING, INC.
To: UNITY OPTO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 049416/0611 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2019
From: ORANGEWOOD LEGACY LLC
To: PIXI LIGHTING, INC.
Reel/Frame 049375/0607 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 048799 FRAME: 0545. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 8, 2019
From: PIXI LIGHTING LLC
To: ORANGEWOOD LEGACY LLC
Reel/Frame 049864/0538 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2019
From: PIXI LIGHTING LLC
To: ORANGEWOODD LEGACY LLC
Reel/Frame 048799/0545 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2019
From: ARAKI, JOHN; MYERS, J. RICHARD; WONG, ARTHUR N.
To: PIXI LIGHTING LLC
Reel/Frame 048787/0479 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2019
From: UNITY OPTO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
To: EPISTAR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048701/0760 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 15381974 · Dec 16, 2016
Continuation 15241744 · Aug 19, 2016
Continuation 14497943 · Sep 26, 2014
Continuation 13473929 · May 17, 2012
Provisional Application 61579472 · Dec 22, 2011
Provisional Application 61487253 · May 17, 2011
Related Publication 20180266668A1 · Sep 20, 2018
Cited By (1)
US 12,385,621