Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor assembly suitable for a linear light fitting.
It is particularly applicable, but in no way limited, to a clip on, slidable sensor
assembly that is moveable freely along part or all of a linear light fitting in use,
enabling flexibility in locating a sensor array.
Background to the invention
[0002] Luminaires or light fixtures which include or are connected to a sensor or a sensor
array, such as a motion sensor, are known. In the case of a motion sensor, these are
particularly useful for causing a lamp in the luminaire to illuminate when a person
is present in the area illuminated by that luminaire. This is a convenient way of
saving energy when an area is unoccupied, for eliminating light switches inside buildings,
and for lighting pathways etc outside at night.
[0003] Luminaires that contain detectors that sense information about their local environment
and which communicate this information to a processor are also known, for example
as described in
WO2015/177762 (Gooee Limited). These new luminaires offer a way of collecting a variety of data
about the environment in which they are situated. However, known sensor arrays in
luminaires, once installed, are generally fixed in a particular location, mainly because
of the power and communication connections required within the luminaire to allow
the sensors to operate and relay the information gathered. The sensor location, whilst
suitable initially, may not remain optimum as space utilisation under a particular
luminaire changes over time. In addition, as sensor technology advances, more sophisticated
and more accurate sensors and sensor arrays will become available that can detect
more information and/or provide more accurate information about the environment in
which they are situated. When this happens, this currently requires complete replacement
of the existing luminaire with one incorporating the new, advanced type of sensor
array. This is both expensive, because it requires a whole new luminaire, and disruptive
because the luminaire(s) have to be isolated electrically for Health & Safety reasons.
It is also a waste of valuable materials and resources, since the old luminaire(s)
generally have to be scrapped.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate some or all of the
problems outlined above.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sensor assembly
for a luminaire according to Claim 1. For example, a sensor assembly for a luminaire
is provided comprising:-
- (i) a sensor array:
- (ii) a sensor array housing further comprising an engagement means suitable for attaching
the sensor array housing to a luminaire chassis;
wherein the sensor array housing engagement means is so sized and shaped such that
the sensor array housing is slideably mounted with respect to the luminaire chassis.
For the first time it is possible to locate a sensor array in an adjustable position
along the body of a luminaire, especially a linear luminaire. The sensor array can
thus be placed in the optimum location by the user to sense the local environment,
and repositioned as the user requirements change.
[0006] Preferably the sensor array housing engagement means is a 'clip on'-'push off fit
on the luminaire chassis, requiring no tools to fit or remove the sensor array housing
from the luminaire chassis, and without the need for a qualified electrician to attend.
This is an important feature because it means that a sensor array can be fitted to
a luminaire very quickly and easily. It also means that a sensor array can be moved
from luminaire to luminaire as required by the user.
[0007] Preferably the sensor assembly further comprises a connection means attached to the
sensor array and adapted to convey data from the sensor array and convey electrical
power to the sensor array and more preferably the connection means comprises a substantially
flexible cable. Preferably the flexible connection cable is of sufficient length such
that the sensor assembly housing can slide along substantially the entire length of
the luminaire chassis. Using a flexible cable of sufficient length means that the
sensor array can be slid to any desired position on the luminaire.
[0008] Preferably the sensor assembly further comprises a wireless interface module (WIM)
adapted to transmit data wirelessly from the sensor array to a remote repository and
preferably the wireless interface module is housed within the luminaire chassis.
[0009] Preferably the connection means connects the sensor array to the wireless interface
module.
[0010] Preferably the sensor array includes one or more sensors from the group of sensors
comprising: proximity sensors, including capacitive, capacitive-displacement, conductive,
magnetic, optical, thermal, and sonar sensors; motion sensors, including passive infrared
("PIR") motion detectors, ultrasonic, microwave, and tomographic motion detectors;
acoustic sensors including microphones; charge-coupled detectors; digital cameras
including low-resolution digital cameras; thermopiles; thermocouples; carbon dioxide
sensors; water-vapour detectors; flow meters; pressure sensors, field-strength sensors
for magnetic and electrical fields.
[0011] In summary, the present invention provides a sensor array housing design which enables
the sensor to be hooked onto the chassis of a luminaire such as a linear luminaire
that is preferably able to slide freely along the length of the luminaire. The sensor
module is 'hooked' onto the body of the linear luminaire with just one operation without
the need for any tools. The sensor module can be moved freely along substantially
the entire length of the luminaire simply by sliding it into the desired position.
Most retro-fit sensor modules for lighting luminaires currently on the market require
some sort of wiring and/or fixing methods to install the sensor onto the luminaire.
Sometimes this requires cutting holes on the luminaire to mount a sensor module, which
is both time consuming and requires tools to complete the job. Furthermore it is often
difficult or impossible to change the position of a sensor module once it is installed.
Most retro-fit sensor modules on the market are permanently fixed onto the luminaire.
The position of the sensor module is often determined by the layout and spacing of
components within the luminaire, and therefore adjusting the location of the sensor
module is very difficult once initial installation has been completed.
[0012] The design of the sensor clip module of the present invention enables the sensor
to be installed onto a luminaire with just one simple clipping motion - no hard wiring
and tools are required. In addition, re-positioning of the sensor module is incredibly
easy by just sliding it along the entire length of the luminaire chassis.
Brief description of the drawings
[0013] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, in relation to the accompanying
figures wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a luminaire chassis member with a sensor
assembly clipped and unclipped to the chassis member;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view from the rear of the sensor assembly when
it is clipped to the chassis member;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of part of a luminaire chassis member with
a sensor assembly clipped to it, showing how the sensor assembly can be slid backwards
and forwards along the chassis member;
Figures 4A to 4E illustrate a side view, a front view, a view from the rear, an underneath
view from the front showing the sensor array, and a top view of a sensor array housing.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0014] The present invention will now be described by way of example only. These are the
best ways currently known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice,
but they are not the only ways. Although the examples given are based on a sensor
assembly for use on a linear luminaire, it will be understood that the sensor apparatus
or assembly described is applicable to other types of luminaires having a luminaire
chassis or body onto which a sensor assembly can be clipped. The sensor assembly described
is also suitable for attachment to other items that are not luminaires, provided the
item has some sort of chassis for the sensor assembly to clip or attach onto.
[0015] Referring to Figure 1, this shows as 10 a sensor array housing 11 clipped onto a
chassis member 12 of a linear luminaire. The chassis member 12 in this example consists
of a base or bottom portion 14 with two opposing side portions 13A, 13B. The angle
of these side portions with respect to the base portion is important in that the side
portions form an obtuse angle with the base. That is to say the sides spay out away
from the base such that the chassis chamber becomes narrower towards the base. Thus
in this example the chassis chamber or member is substantially frustoconical in cross-section,
that is to say it is shaped like an inverted frustum of a cone when viewed in the
cross-section shown. This shape or cross-section of chassis member gives a number
of advantages, including the advantage that when a sensor assembly is clipped in place
the sensor(s) has a relatively unobstructed view of the environment below the luminaire.
But it will be appreciated that this is only one possible shape for a chassis member,
and other shapes and cross-sections are equally possible.
[0016] The top edge of each side portion of the chassis chamber is bent inwards to create
an inwardly directed flange 15A, 15B and a downstand 16A, 16B at the end of each flange
creates what are in effect two channels, one on each top inside edge of the chassis
chamber. The chambers can be formed by extrusion and as a result the flanges 15A,
15B and associated channels extend for substantially the whole linear length of the
chamber. Nibs or small lugs 17A, 17B are formed on the external faces of the respective
downstands 16A and 16B. Electrical or electronic components such as a wireless interface
module (WIM) e.g. 18 can be accommodated within the body of the chassis member (see
details below).
[0017] The sensor array housing 11 attaches to a top edge of the chassis member by means
of a specially shaped recess or cavity 20 in the underside of the sensor array housing.
This recess acts as an engagement means and is shaped to correspond closely to the
shape of the upper region of the side of the chassis member. In particular, there
is space within the recess corresponding to and adapted to accommodate the downstand
16A and the lug or nib 17A. That part of the recess can, for example, be formed by
two legs or feet as shown as 21A and 21B in Figure 2. These legs can be resiliently
deformable to assist in the engagement and disengagement of the sensor array housing
to and from the chassis member 12. The engaged and disengaged configurations are shown
as in Figure 1. This shows that in order to engage the sensor array housing with the
chassis member, the legs 21 are first hooked under the downstand 16A and the sensor
array housing then forced into the engaged configuration, where it is in contact with
both the side portion 13A and the flange 15a of the chassis member, using gentle finger
pressure. No tools are required for this procedure. Likewise, the sensor array housing
can be disengaged from the chassis member by upward finger pressure in a reverse of
the engagement movement.
[0018] It will be appreciated that because of the symmetry of the chassis member the sensor
array housing can be attached to the other side portion 13B of the luminaire by engagement
with flange 15B and a downstand 16B in a similar way to that described above.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the sensor array housing is slideably mounted with respect
to the chassis member 12 and this is shown more clearly in Figure 3. This shows a
section of a linear luminaire chassis member 12 similar in design to that shown in
Figure 1. A sensor array housing 11 is clipped onto the side of the chassis member
in the same manner as shown in Figure 1 and, in this example, is connected by a connection
cable to a data communication device such as a wireless interface module (WIM) 30
housed inside the body of the chassis member. A sensor array, not shown in these figures,
in the sensor array housing 11 is connected to the WIM by means of a flexible connection
cable 31. This cable is of sufficient length that the sensor array housing 11 can
be positioned anywhere along the length, or part of the length, of the luminaire as
required by the user. The connection cable is designed to carry electrical power to
the sensor array and convey data from the sensor array to the WIM. Any excess cable
can be stored in the body of the chassis member.
[0020] Using a wired connection is not the only means by which the sensor array can relay
data and/or receive electrical power. For example, the sensor array can be powered
by a battery for example, the battery being housed within the sensor array housing
or separately from it. In a further example the sensor array can be powered by induction,
or Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology. Data collected by the sensor array can
be transmitted wirelessly using a wireless communication module using known or yet
to be developed wireless protocols such WIFI (RTM), ZigBee (RTM), Bluetooth (RTM),
or DALI (RTM) to give but a few examples of known protocols. The wireless communication
module can also be housed within the sensor array housing or separately from it. Where
the WIM is housed in the chassis of the luminaire can take the form of a plug and
play unit that requires no tools and no qualified electrician to install it. Thus
the entire installation of a sensor assembly housing and its associated WIM according
to the present invention can be done by hand, without the use tools, and without the
need for a qualified electrician.
[0021] Wireless Interface Modules and other data communication devices suitable for this
purpose are known per se, such as those described in
GB 2524664 (Aurora Limited). The exact location or positioning of the WIM is not critical to
this invention. The purpose of this WIM is to collect and store data gathered by the
sensor array and to transmit that data wirelessly to a local hub, gateway or other
repository. The data collected can then either be used and analysed locally or transmitted
to a remote location such as the Cloud for storage and/or analysis, where it can be
accessed by authorised users as required. Thus the data collected by the sensor array
can be used, amongst other things, to control the light output from the luminaire,
including both the brightness of light and the colour temperature of that light, for
example. Control can be operated wirelessly by either authorised users, or automatically
by programmed algorithms based on the information gathered from the sensor array.
[0022] Figure 4 shows various views of the sensor array housing as illustrated in Figure
1. Figure 4D shows a view from below the sensor array housing when oriented as in
Figure 4A. This shows a sensor array 40 mounted on the downward facing surface of
the sensor array housing and which, in use, collects data about the environment in
the vicinity of that luminaire. The sensor array can include a lens, preferably a
convex lens, in front of the sensor array in order to spread the sensor detection
angle. A wide variety of sensors and sensor arrays are already known, and sensor technology
is advancing all the time. It is intended that the present invention should include
all types of sensors known at the time of making this application, as well as those
sensors yet to be developed. Known types of sensors that can be included in the sensor
array include, but is in no way limited to, proximity sensors, including capacitive,
capacitive-displacement, conductive, magnetic, optical, thermal, and sonar sensors,
motion sensors, including passive infrared ("PIR") motion detectors, ultrasonic, microwave,
and tomographic motion detectors, acoustic sensors including microphones; charge-coupled
detectors, digital cameras including low-resolution digital cameras, thermopiles;
thermocouples, carbon dioxide sensors, water-vapour detectors, flow meters, pressure
sensors, and field-strength sensors for magnetic and electrical fields. This list
is not intended to be exhaustive but serves only to give an idea of the wide range
of sensor types that could be included in a sensor array.
[0023] In summary, a sensor module assembly is provided that is an add-on component that
can be retro-fitted onto a luminaire and thus turn the luminaire into a connected
node within a network of luminaires. The sensor is used to capture data from the environment
around the luminaire and feed this data back to a remote repository and thus to the
customer, in the form of usable information.
[0024] Currently, most sensor modules are mounted in a fixed location within or near a luminaire.
The process of retrofitting a sensor into a luminaire generally requires cutting holes/slots
in the luminaire and fixing an add-on sensor module to the luminaire using screws
or other fixings. Even when the sensor module does not require cutting or drilling
the luminaire, the position of the sensor module is generally substantially fixed.
[0025] The longer installation times required to fit existing add-on sensor modules means
more costs to the customer. Additionally and importantly the inability to easily change
the position of a sensor after the initial installation means less flexibility and
ultimately more cost to the customer. This is particularly a disadvantage to retail
customers when they change a store layout to suit different product seasons, or to
customers with a commercial building where there is a change of furniture or working
area layout.
[0026] The design of the present sensor assembly allows it to be easily mounted onto a light
fitting by clipping the 'legs' of the module onto the top part of the chassis - the
design of the sensor array housing follows the internal and external geometry of the
luminaire chassis extrusion, hence once clipped on, the sensor stays securely on the
light fixture and its position can be adjusted freely by sliding up or down substantially
the entire length of the luminaire. This design provides a much shorter installation
time, requires no tools, does not require a qualified electrician to attend, and gives
great flexibility of sensor positioning. It will be appreciated that the size and
shape of the sensor array housing may vary depending on various factors, such as the
size of the sensor array being used, and whether the WIM is accommodated within the
sensor array housing or outside it.
[0027] In summary there is disclosed a sensor assembly suitable for use with a luminaire
comprising a luminaire chassis, the sensor assembly comprising: (i) a sensor array:
and (ii) a sensor array housing. The sensor array housing comprises an engagement
means and the sensor array housing engagement means is a 'clip on' - 'push off' fit
on the luminaire chassis.
[0028] The sensor assembly is attachable to and detachable from the luminaire chassis by
hand, without the use of tools.
[0029] The sensor array housing includes a recess or cavity in the underside of the housing
that engages in use with the luminaire chassis. Part of the recess or cavity is formed
by two legs or feet. The legs or feet are resiliently deformable to assist in the
engagement and disengagement of the sensor array housing to and from the chassis member.
[0030] The sensor array housing engagement means is so sized and shaped such that the sensor
array housing is slideably mounted with respect to the luminaire chassis in use.
[0031] The sensor assembly further comprises a wireless interface module (WIM) adapted to
transmit data wirelessly from the sensor array to a remote repository. The wireless
interface module is housed within the luminaire chassis. The sensor assembly further
comprises a connection means adapted to attach the sensor array to the wireless interface
module (WIM) and adapted to convey data from the sensor array to the WIM. The connection
means comprises a substantially flexible connection cable. The flexible connection
cable is of sufficient length such that the sensor assembly housing can slide along
substantially the entire length of the luminaire chassis. The sensor assembly can
be installed on a luminaire by hand, without the use of tools.
[0032] The sensor array includes one or more sensors from the group of sensors comprising:
proximity sensors, including capacitive, capacitive-displacement, conductive, magnetic,
optical, thermal, and sonar sensors; motion sensors, including passive infrared ("PIR")
motion detectors, ultrasonic, microwave, and tomographic motion detectors; acoustic
sensors including microphones, charge-coupled detectors, digital cameras including
low-resolution digital cameras, thermopiles, thermocouples, carbon dioxide sensors,
water-vapour detectors, flow meters, pressure sensors, field-strength sensors for
magnetic and electrical fields.
1. A sensor assembly suitable for use with a luminaire comprising a luminaire chassis,
said sensor assembly comprising:-
(i) a sensor array:
(ii) a sensor array housing;
wherein the sensor array housing comprises an engagement means and wherein the sensor
array housing engagement means is a 'clip on' - 'push off' fit on the luminaire chassis.
2. A sensor assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly is attachable to
and detachable from the luminaire chassis by hand, without the use of tools.
3. A sensor assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the sensor array housing
includes a recess or cavity in the underside of the housing that engages in use with
the luminaire chassis.
4. A sensor assembly according to Claim 3 wherein part of the recess or cavity is formed
by two legs or feet.
5. A sensor assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the legs or feet are resiliently deformable
to assist in the engagement and disengagement of the sensor array housing to and from
the chassis member.
6. A sensor assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the sensor array housing
engagement means is so sized and shaped such that the sensor array housing is slideably
mounted with respect to the luminaire chassis in use.
7. A sensor assembly according to any preceding Claim wherein the sensor assembly further
comprises a wireless interface module (WIM) adapted to transmit data wirelessly from
the sensor array to a remote repository.
8. A sensor assembly according to Claim 7 wherein the wireless interface module is housed
within the luminaire chassis.
9. A sensor assembly according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the sensor assembly further
comprises a connection means adapted to attach the sensor array to the wireless interface
module (WIM) and adapted to convey data from the sensor array to the WIM.
10. A sensor assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the connection means comprises a substantially
flexible connection cable.
11. A sensor assembly according to Claim 10 when dependent on Claim 6 wherein the flexible
connection cable is of sufficient length such that the sensor assembly housing can
slide along substantially the entire length of the luminaire chassis.
12. A sensor assembly according to any of Claims 7 to 11 inclusive wherein the sensor
assembly can be installed on a luminaire by hand, without the use of tools.
13. A sensor assembly according to any preceding Claim wherein the sensor array includes
one or more sensors from the group of sensors comprising: proximity sensors, including
capacitive, capacitive-displacement, conductive, magnetic, optical, thermal, and sonar
sensors; motion sensors, including passive infrared ("PIR") motion detectors, ultrasonic,
microwave, and tomographic motion detectors; acoustic sensors including microphones,
charge-coupled detectors, digital cameras including low-resolution digital cameras,
thermopiles, thermocouples, carbon dioxide sensors, water-vapour detectors, flow meters,
pressure sensors, field-strength sensors for magnetic and electrical fields.