(a) Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a modular light-emitting device, and more
particularly to one that comprises a multifunctional module arranged inside a shell
of a variety lighting fixtures/devices to allow a user to selectively install a sensor
or a camera lens so as to achieve the purpose of simple substitute and having various
functions of use.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
[0002] The progress of LED (Light-Emitting Diode) technology brings an increase of the number
thereof put into use. The manufacturers have devoted themselves to research and development
of techniques of energy saving and illumination and also put effort in diversifying
the functionality of the related products available in the market, those functions
including sensing based operation, camera based surveillance, and remote control.
However, those products that are of the variable functions are generally of closed
type designs. In other words, to meet the needs for several types of functions, a
consumer must purchase a variety of different products.
[0003] However, an example of a conventional multifunctional LED base device has an interior
structure as shown in FIG 10. The exemplificative device is a lighting device (9)
comprising LEDs (93) that are activated by means of result of sensing. Arranged inside
the device are a variety of components mounted on a circuit board (92), including
the LEDs (93) and a sensor element (94), which are housed in a casing (91) for protection
of the components. The sensor element (94) can make a detection of an activation signal
to power the plurality of LEDs (93) for lighting so that the period of time of continuous
operation can be reduced and energy can be saved. When a user requires an image recording
function, an additional device must be purchased for replacement. For a user, disassembling
must be done for the original device in order to proceed with replacement. This incurs
additional costs of time and money for installation.
[0004] This is surely a problem of inconvenience for users having the needs of devices of
various functions and it is desired to have a novel lighting device that allows for
the achievement of multiple functions and is of convenience of use in order to suit
the needs of various users for various functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a modular light-emitting
device, which comprises a multifunctional module to be used in combination with a
sensor or a camera lens selected by a user and further comprises a substrate mounted
to the multifunctional module, whereby through being fixed inside a shell of a light
fixture/device, modularization can be achieved for selection of function.
[0006] A secondary object of the present invention is that for a light fixture/device that
can be selected by a user from a group including a regular light bulb, a ceiling light,
an embedded light, a pendant light, ta light tube, and a wall light, a multifunctional
module provided by the present invention can be mounted in each of the light fixtures/devices
of operation therewith.
[0007] The technical solution of the present invention can be realizes as follows:
A modular light-emitting device comprises:
a shell, which comprises a multifunctional module and a lamp panel comprising at least
one light-emitting component mounted therein; and
the multifunctional module comprising a module base that defines an accommodating
space, the lamp panel being mounted under the module base, the accommodating space
receiving therein a sensor and a camera lens, the sensor being operable to activate
operations of the camera lens and the light-emitting component.
[0008] Preferably, in the modular light-emitting device, the accommodating space receives
a single sensor therein in such a way that the sensor is operable to activate an operation
of the light-emitting component.
[0009] Preferably, in the modular light-emitting device, the sensor is arranged at one side
of the camera lens.
[0010] Preferably, in the modular light-emitting device, the accommodating space further
receives therein a substrate that is arranged on a top of the accommodating space
for retaining the camera lens or the sensor so as to prevent the camera lens or the
sensor from damages caused by being exposed.
[0011] Preferably, in the modular light-emitting device, the multifunctional module is mounted
in an interior of the shell so as to allow for mounting in an interior of a variety
of lighting fixtures/devices.
[0012] Compared to the prior art, the present invention provides the following beneficial
effects and performance:
The modular light-emitting device according to the present invention allows a user
to select a desired function and to replace components of different functions through
the multifunctional module and which can be directly mounted in various types of light
fixtures/devices to prevent excessive economic burden of the general consumers and
to allow the general consumers to make purchase of only the desired function. As such,
each type of lighting devices can achieve different functions through a modularized
arrangement. To further expound the technical solution and effectiveness of the present
invention that achieve the above purpose and features, preferred embodiments will
be described with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]
FIG 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
FIG 2 is an exploded view of the present invention.
FIG 3 is a schematic view showing a multifunctional module according to the present
invention.
FIG 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the present invention illustrating
mounting of a camera lens and a sensor.
FIG 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an additional first embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an additional second embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an additional third embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG 8 is a perspective view showing a portion of an additional fourth embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an additional fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG 10 is a perspective view showing a prior art device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] A detailed description will be given hereinafter for a preferred feasible embodiment
of the present invention with reference being had to the attached drawings in order
to provide better understanding of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1-3,
the present invention provides a modular light-emitting device, which generally comprises:
a shell (1), which formed by mating and combining an upper shell member (11) to a
lower shell member (12). The shell (1) can be made in the form of various lighting
fixtures/devices, including a light bulb, an embedded light (31), a ceiling light
(32), a pendant light (34), and a light tube (33). An LED light bulb is taken as a
primary embodiment according to the present invention, which comprises a power input
terminal (15) that is rotatably connected by a rotatable joint (141) to the lower
shell member (12) for the purposes of adjustment of a range of detection or an angle
of image taking, the rotatable joint (141) also having a function for supporting components
arranged inside the lower shell member (12); and a multifunctional module (2), which
is made up of a module base (21) that has an accommodating space (25) combined with
a substrate (22) that has threaded holes (28) formed in opposite sides thereof to
be coupled by screwing means to threaded hole formed around the accommodating space
(25) and corresponding thereto so as to close a top opening of the accommodating space
(25) to protect internal components.
[0015] The internal components of the present invention are a camera lens (23) and a sensor
(24). The camera lens (23) has an outer circumference over which a rubber-made sleeve
is fit and the camera lens (23) is received through an opening defined in the substrate
(22) to have the camera lens (23) fixed in the accommodating space (25). The sensor
(24) is arranged at one side of the camera lens (23) and is also located in the accommodating
space (25). The arrangement of the substrate (22) protects these components from damages
caused by being exposed to the outside environment. The camera lens (23) and the sensor
(24) are electrically connected, at a lower end of the accommodating space (25), to
a circuit board to control operations of the components inside the accommodating space
(25). The shape of the accommodating space (25) can be altered to correspond to different
types of arrangement and configuration of component and is not limited to what disclosed
herein. The circuit board can be a regular printed circuit board (PCB), a metal-based
printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, a ceramic printed circuit
board, and the likes. The circuit board may comprise, mounted thereon, a system-on-chip
(SOC) to allow for multiple uses of the multifunctional module (2) corresponding to
various components, or alternatively, to provide an arrangement for a single function.
For example, in the present invention, detection and image taking are taken as an
example for illustrating multiple or single use. If an arrangement is made on the
basis of SOC, then a single multifunctional module (2) can be used to correspond to
various functions. Or, for the purposes of cost reduction, the multifunctional module
(2) can be limited to individual functions so as to provide a multifunctional module
(2) for each individual function. Thus, the present invention is not limited to such
an arrangement that the multifunctional module (2) can be connected for a single way
or multiple ways; and the electrical connection associated therewith can be done with
various forms, such as through pins in combination with socket holes or wire bonding,
being not subject to any unnecessary limitations so that a user may make substitute
of the sensor (24) or the camera lens (23) according to a desired function to achieve
each and simple replacement thereof.
[0016] The multifunctional module (2) is arranged inside the lower shell member (12). The
upper shell member (11) has an outer rim that is mounted through downward fitting
with a ring (13) so as to achieve strengthened mated coupling between the upper shell
member (11) and the lower shell member (12). The upper shell member (11) comprises
a through hole (3) defined centrally therein for receiving, in a mated manner, the
camera lens (23) and the sleeve helps securely hold the camera lens (23) in the through
hole (3). The camera lens (23) shows a horizontal positional relationship with respect
to the through hole (3).
[0017] Referring to FIG 4, the module base (21) comprises projects formed on an under surface
thereof to mate corresponding parts of the lower shell member (12). The module base
(21) has a circumference in which a plurality of notches is formed so that through
rotation of a proper angle to adjust the corresponding positions, the module base
(21) and the lower shell member (12) can be fit to each other. The module base (21)
further comprises therein a plurality of braces extending to the circumference. The
plurality of braces comprises a plurality of mounting holes (211) formed therein.
The plurality of mounting holes (211) corresponds to mounting holes (121) formed in
the lower shell member (12) with an LED-included lamp panel (27) interposed therebetween.
The lamp panel (27) has a central portion that is hollowed to correspond to the accommodating
space (25) of the module base (21). The lamp panel (27) also comprises a plurality
of the mounting holes (221) that is coupled to the module base (21) the mounting holes
(211) and the mounting holes (121) of the lower shell member (12) by screwing fastening
means. The lamp panel (27) is provided with at least one light-emitting component
(26) and in the instant embodiment, the light-emitting component (26) is a light-emitting
diode. The upper shell member (11) has a circumferential flange forming a recessed
portion engageable with the module base (21) and an inverted L-shaped portion formed
inside the ring (13) can be forcibly pressed down to securely fix the upper shell
member (11) and the lower shell member (12) to each other so as to securely fix the
multifunctional module (2) in position inside the shell (1).
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 5-9, additional first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments
according to the present invention are shown. In the drawings, the shells (1) are
respectively made in the form of an embedded light (31), a ceiling light (32), a pendant
light (34), a light tube (33), and a wall light (37). Each of the shells (1) comprises
therein an LED-included circuit board (36), which is secured in position inside the
shell (1) or at any other mounting position by means of screwing locking means in
combination with a plurality of mounting holes (211) formed in a module base (21).
In more details, in case of an embedded light (31), a multifunctional module (2) is
mounted to the circuit board (36) inside a lower shell member (12) and the circuit
board (36) is configured with a rotatable joint arrangement to allow for direction
adjustment, in both a forward direction and a backward direction, of the multifunctional
module (2) through rotation, thereby providing the multifunctional module (2) with
a function of adjustment of range of use. Alternatively, mounting can be made to a
circuit board (36) having no rotatable joint arrangement. In the case of a ceiling
light (32), the multifunctional module is mounted to a circuit board (36) inside a
shell (1). In case of a pendant light (34), the multifunctional module is also mounted
to a circuit board (36) inside a shell (1). In case of a light tube (33), the multifunctional
module is arranged in an enclosed space to be combined with a circuit board (36) electrically
connected to the light tube (33). In case of a wall light (37), the multifunctional
module (2) is also mounted to a circuit board (36) inside a shell (1). The above described
multifunctional module (2) is generally arranged to make use of a plurality of mounting
holes (211) present in an existing structure to be fixed inside various lighting fixtures/devices,
while the sensor (24) and the camera lens (23) that are originally provided can still
be functionable to allow a user to continuously use the originally selected function,
whereby the multifunctional module (2) can be disassembled and re-assembled with different
lighting fixtures/devices through modularization. Further, the light-emitting component
(26) of each of the lighting fixtures/devices can be selectively switched on/off through
electrical connection with the multifunctional module (2). In the above-described
embodiment of embedded light (31) that is provided with a rotatable joint arrangement,
such an arrangement can be applied, through simple modification, to all sorts of lighting
fixture/device to provide a function of use range adjustment so that such an arrangement
is not limited to application in the embedded light (31). As can be easily seen from
the above embodiments together with the drawings, the multifunctional module (2) of
the present invention can be applied to and mounted in various lighting fixtures/devices
and is arranged to be located inside the shell (1) so that the arrangement thereof
is limited to be inside the shell and such a limiting manner of arrangement allows
the multifunctional module (2) to be mounted inside a shell (1) of an additional variety
of lighting fixtures/devices, being not limited to the lighting fixtures/devices illustrated
herein, thereby making the device of the present invention more versatile and achieving
the purposes of modularized replacement and use.
[0019] The above provides a detailed description to embodiments illustrated in the attached
drawings for the purpose of illustration of the structure, feature, and effectiveness
of the present invention. However, what are described above are only preferred embodiments
and the present invention is not limited to a scope defined by the illustrated embodiment.
All modifications and variations that comply with the inventive idea of the present
invention are considered within the scope of the present invention as defined in the
claims provided they are within the scope of equivalents.
1. A modular light-emitting device,
characterized by comprising:
a shell (1), which comprises a multifunctional module (2) and a lamp panel (27) comprising
at least one light-emitting component (26) mounted therein; and
the multifunctional module (2) comprising a module base (21) that defines an accommodating
space (25), the lamp panel (27) being mounted under the module base (21), the accommodating
space (25) receiving therein a sensor (24) and a camera lens (23), the sensor (24)
being operable to activate operations of the camera lens (23) and the light-emitting
component (26).
2. The modular light-emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the accommodating space (25) receives a single sensor (24) therein in such a way
that the sensor (24) is operable to activate an operation of the light-emitting component
(26).
3. The modular light-emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (24) is arranged at one side of the camera lens (23).
4. The modular light-emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the accommodating space (25) further receives therein a substrate (22) that is arranged
on a top of the accommodating space (25) for retaining the camera lens (23) or the
sensor (24) so as to prevent the camera lens (23) or the sensor (24) from damages
caused by being exposed.
5. The modular light-emitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the multifunctional module (2) is mounted in an interior of the shell (1) so as to
allow for mounting in an interior of a variety of lighting fixtures/devices.