# US 10,374,282 B2 · RF connector and antenna assembly for control devices, for example, for control of or inclusion in a luminaire

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- Number: US 10,374,282 B2
- Document ID: US10374282B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/213,697
- Filed: 2016-07-19
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-19
- Assignees: ABL IP Holding LLC
- Applicants: ABL IP Holding LLC
- Inventors: John Johnson; John Peter Roquemore, III; Matthew Clement; Jose Gonzalez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10374282B2

## CPC

- H01Q 9/30: with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole (H01Q9/44 takes precedence)
- F21V 23/00: Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices {(characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508)}
- H01Q 1/06: Means for the lighting or illuminating of antennas, e.g. for purpose of warning
- H01Q 1/14: for wire or other non-rigid radiating elements
- H01Q 1/44: using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna {, e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspect}(H01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence)
- H01R 9/0518: {Connection to outer conductor by crimping or by crimping ferrule}
- H05B 47/19: via wireless transmission
- H01R 13/405: Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting
- H01R 24/40: specially adapted for high frequency
- H01R 2201/02: for antennas
- H05B 47/199: {Commissioning of light sources}
- Y02B 20/40: Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
- H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72)
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS

## Abstract

An antenna assembly includes a radio frequency (RF) connector having a connector plug electrically connected to an antenna receptacle. The connector plug has a central terminal configured for connection to a wireless transceiver, and an end of the wire antenna is inserted in the antenna receptacle. Examples of RF connectors include U.FL, IPEX, IPAX, IPX, AMC, MHF and UMCC connectors that allow the wire antenna to be removably attached to a printed circuit board (PCB) of a lighting control device and to avoid hardwiring the antenna to the PCB. The wire antenna may be made of a shape memory alloy, such as nitinol. The device that includes the antenna assembly may be incorporated into a luminaire for wireless control of the luminaire, such that the wire antenna is positioned between a light source and a diffuser. A number of such luminaires may be combined to provide an intelligent lighting system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A luminaire, comprising
a light source;
a diffuser; and
a wireless lighting control device coupled to control operation of the light source, the lighting control device including a wireless transceiver and an antenna assembly, the antenna assembly comprising:
a radio frequency (RF) connector having a connector plug with a central terminal detachably connected to the wireless transceiver and having an antenna receptacle; and a wire antenna inserted in the antenna receptacle, such that the wire antenna is electrically connected through the central terminal of the RF connector to the wireless transceiver,
wherein the wire antenna is positioned between the light source and the diffuser,
wherein a portion of the length of the wire antenna is overmolded with a plastic forming an overmolded portion,
wherein the RF connector further comprises a plurality of crimping members configured to grip the overmolded portion of the wire antenna.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The luminaire of claim 1 further comprising a housing and wherein the wireless lighting control device including the wire antenna are positioned within the housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the wire antenna has a length of 50 to 100 mm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the wire antenna comprises a shape memory alloy.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The luminaire of claim 5, wherein the shape memory alloy is nitinol.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the RF connector is selected from the group consisting of a U.FL, IPEX, IPAX, IPX, AMC, MHF and UMCC connector.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The luminaire of claim 1, wherein:
the wireless lighting control device further comprises a printed circuit board carrying the wireless transceiver, and
the RF connector is removably attached to the printed circuit board.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A lighting system comprising one or more of the luminaires according to claim 1.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the central terminal of the RF connector extends orthogonally with respect to the wire antenna.