# US 2014/0153265 A1 · Modular lighting system and method employing loosely constrained magnetic structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153265 A1 - Document ID: US20140153265A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/177,227 - Filed: 2014-02-11 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-02 - Assignees: Apex Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Charles Albert Rudisill; Daniel John Whittle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153265A1 ## CPC - F21V 29/70: characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks - F21S 2/005: {of modular construction} - F21V 21/096: Magnetic devices - F21V 21/35: with direct electrical contact between the supporting element and electric conductors running along the guiding element - F21V 29/507: of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings - H05K 3/325: by abutting or pinching; Mechanical auxiliary parts therefor - F21V 23/005: {the substrate is supporting also the light source} - F21V 29/773: {the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis} - F21V 29/89: Metals - F21Y 2105/10: comprising a two-dimensional [2D] array of point-like light-generating elements - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - H05K 1/0203: {Cooling of mounted components (H05K1/0272 takes precedence)} - H05K 2201/083: Magnetic materials - H05K 2201/10106: Light emitting diode [LED] - Y10T 29/49117: Conductor or circuit manufacturing - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A lighting system including modules containing LEDs or other electroluminescent devices and loosely constrained magnetic structures at least partially contained within cavities in the module substrate that are connected to fixtures under magnetic force. The loosely constrained magnetic structures accommodate mechanical variations in the system and provide a method to connect modules mechanically, electrically and thermally to different fixtures or positions in fixtures without tools. The relatively short distance separating magnetic structures provides high connection forces with the use of relatively small magnets. Magnets and electrical contacts are not located directly between the LED subassembly and the fixture, which provides higher thermal conductivity pathways to remove heat from the LEDs. Biasing members may be used to increase thermal contact. Magnetic structures may, but are not required, to conduct electricity. Fixtures that attach to modules include rails, sockets, heat sinks and two-dimensional structures with recessed electrodes for improved electrical safety. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a) a module comprising one or more electrically powered elements that radiate electromagnetic energy; b) a thermal conduction pathway for removing heat from the one or more elements that radiate electromagnetic energy; c) a fixture for attaching a module comprising electricity and one or more electrical connections for powering the one or more elements that radiate electromagnetic energy; d) a magnetic connection between the module and the fixture for attaching; e) wherein the electricity is delivered to the one or more elements that radiate electromagnetic energy when the module is connected to the fixture via the magnetic connection; f) wherein a thermal conduction pathway is formed between the module and the fixture when the module is connected to the fixture via the magnetic connection; and g) wherein the thermal conduction pathway between the module and the fixture does not essentially pass through the one or more electrical connections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the fixture comprises two or more electrode rails in a spaced position from each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the fixture comprises an electrode grid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic force holds the thermal pathway of the module against the fixture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the force of the magnetic attraction is at least 2 pounds. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one electrical connection is not located substantially within the magnetic connection. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the fixture comprises a socket configured to restrict the module attachment location. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the fixture comprises an electrical interface configured to attach mechanically and electrically to an Edison-style screw socket. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic connection comprises at least one loosely constrained magnet or material to which a magnet is attracted. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 comprising an electronic substrate wherein the thermal conduction pathway includes a portion of the electronic substrate that has been configured to increase thermal conductivity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the lighting fixture comprises a separable heat sink that comprises a magnet or material to which a magnet is attracted. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system according to claim 11 wherein the lighting fixture comprises an opening configured to allow at least a portion of the thermal conduction pathway between the module and the separable heat sink to extend through the opening. ### Claim 13 A method for magnetic attachment of a module containing one or more elements configured to consume electrical power to a fixture configured to supply electrical power comprising: a. Reducing the separation between the module and the fixture until magnetic attraction pulls them into physical contact in at least one position along an interface region; and b. wherein the magnetic attraction contributes to the following processes in any sequence: i. deforming one or more compliant means as at least a portion of the module moves closer to the fixture; and ii. establishing one or more electrical connections between the fixture and the module; and iii. establishing a thermal conduction pathway between the one or more electrical power consuming elements of the module and the fixture. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13 wherein the compliant means comprises a compressible thermal conducting material positioned in the thermal conduction pathway. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13 wherein the compliant means is a resilient element that biases the thermal conduction pathway of the one or more elements that consume electrical power in the direction of the interface between the module and the fixture. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13 wherein the compliant means is a resilient electrical contact structure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13 wherein the position of initial contact between the module and the fixture comprises a portion of the thermal conduction pathway. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13 wherein the thermal conduction pathway does not substantially overlap the position of at least one of the electrical connections and wherein the compliant means provides a resultant force applied to the thermal conduction pathway interface that is not substantially equal to the resultant force applied to the one or more electrical connections. ### Claim 19 A system comprising: a. a first module including at least one first magnetic structure wherein the first magnetic structure is loosely constrained; b. a housing comprising a transparent element wherein the housing at least partially restricts motion of the magnetic structure; c. a first circuit comprising at least one element that radiates electromagnetic energy and two or more first electrical contacts; d. a lighting fixture comprising a second magnetic structure and a second circuit comprising a plurality of second electronic contacts, wherein a magnetic attraction between the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure provides a mechanical and electrical connection between the first and second circuits. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of second electrical contacts are configured to allow attachment of the first module to the fixture through magnetic attraction in more than one orientation of the transparent element. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The system according to claim 20, wherein the first module further comprises a thermal conduction pathway for removing heat from the at least one element that radiates electromagnetic energy wherein the thermal conduction pathway does not essentially pass through the first magnetic structure. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The system according to claim 20 wherein the electrical contacts are located on more than one surface of the fixture. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The system according to claim 20 wherein attachment in a second orientation results in a different operating mode of the module compared to attachment in a first orientation. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The system according to claim 20 wherein the fixture is an electrode grid and the second orientation results from attaching the module to a different location on the electrode grid. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The system according to claim 24 wherein at least a portion of the electrode grid is not substantially planar in shape. ### Claim 26 (depends on 20) The system according to claim 20, wherein the fixture comprises a second module. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system according to claim 26 wherein the first module and the second modules comprise thermal conduction pathways to remove heat from at least one element that radiates electromagnetic energy. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The system according to claim 26, wherein a. the first module comprises a planar tile with a plurality of first magnetic structures; b. wherein the plurality of first magnetic structures comprise a plurality of magnets located around the periphery of the planar tile; and c. wherein the magnetic pole orientations of adjacent magnets of the first module alternate when viewed from the edge of the tile around at least a portion of the periphery of the tile. ### Claim 29 (depends on 20) The system according to claim 20 wherein a. the fixture comprises two or more electrode rails; and b. wherein portions of one or more pairs of electrode rails are separated by a substantially equal distance. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The system according to claim 29 wherein the electrode rails comprise ferromagnetic material.