Lighting assemblies with heat-dissipating properties principally for swimming pools and spas
Nicheless lighting assemblies principally for swimming pools and spa are detailed. The lighting assemblies include features configured to dissipate heat. The assemblies additionally are designed to reduce possibility of water intrusion. Some versions of the assemblies may include thermally-conductive plastic overmolded onto at least one of a lens or a heat spreader. Versions of the assemblies additionally or alternatively may include a generally annular heat sink to which a printed circuit board containing at least one light-emitting diode (LED) is attached. Versions of the assemblies may be divided into subassemblies, one subassembly fitting into another, or include protective covers.
1 . A lighting assembly comprising:
a light source;
a lens;
a heat spreader, wherein the heat spreader overlaps an outermost side periphery of the lens; and
a thermally-conductive plastic overmolded onto the heat spreader and the lens,
wherein the thermally-conductive plastic comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the thermally-conductive plastic is overmolded onto the lens proximate to the first end, and wherein the thermally-conductive plastic further comprises a plurality of grooves at the first end, the plurality of grooves spaced circumferentially around an external perimeter of the thermally-conductive plastic.
2 . The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heat spreader comprises a recess, and wherein the lens is seated within the recess of the heat spreader.
3 . The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lighting assembly comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, and wherein the thermally-conductive plastic includes a first opening (i) positioned closer to the bottom end than to the top end and (ii) through which potting material is introduced.
4 . The lighting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a removable protective cover overlying the lens.
5 . The lighting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an annular cover comprising at least one standoff rib configured to allow water to interact with the lens for cooling.
6 . The lighting assembly of claim 5 in which the annular cover further comprises an attachment means.
7 . The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lighting assembly comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, and wherein the lighting assembly further comprises an end cap at the bottom end.
8 . The lighting assembly of claim 7 , wherein the end cap further comprises a groove configured to receive potting material.
9 . A lighting assembly comprising:
a light source;
a lens;
a heat spreader, wherein the heat spreader overlaps an outermost side periphery of the lens; and
a thermally-conductive plastic overmolded onto the heat spreader and the lens,
wherein the lighting assembly comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, and wherein the lighting assembly further comprises an end cap at the bottom end, wherein the end cap comprises an outermost portion and flexible fingers extending from the outermost portion.
10 . The lighting assembly of claim 9 , wherein the thermally-conductive plastic overlaps at least a portion of the end cap in a radial direction.
11 . The lighting assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a cover at the top end and overlapping at least a portion of the lens and a portion of the heat spreader, wherein the cover is attached to the heat spreader using attachment means.
12 . A lighting assembly for illuminating water of a swimming pool or spa, comprising:
a light source;
a lens;
a heat spreader; and
a thermally-conductive plastic overmolded onto at least one of the heat spreader or the lens, wherein the thermally-conductive plastic comprises a water-facing surface that is exposed to the water of the swimming pool or spa.
13 . The lighting assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a cover configured in use to protect at least parts of the thermally-conductive plastic and the lens and removable from the lens, wherein the cover covers at least a portion of a front side of the lens facing away from the light source.
14 . The lighting assembly of claim 12 , wherein the lens comprises a periphery surrounded by the thermally-conductive plastic.
15 . The lighting assembly of claim 12 , wherein the lighting assembly comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, and wherein the lighting assembly further comprises an end cap at the bottom end.