Unified driver and light source assembly for recessed lighting

A compact recessed lighting system, comprising:

• a light source module for emitting light;
• a driver for powering the light source module to emit light, the driver including an electronic device to at least one of supply and regulate electrical energy to the light source module;
• a heat conducting unified casting with a closed rear face, a sidewall and an open front face wherein the sidewall is joined to the closed rear face at one end and defines the open front face of the unified casting at another end, wherein the sidewall defines a cavity that extends forward from the closed rear face to the open front face of the unified casting and outward to the sidewall, wherein the light source module and the driver are positioned inside and completely contained within the cavity of the unified casting such that the light source module is closer to the closed rear face of the unified casting than the open front face of the unified casting and sits behind a ceiling or a wall when the unified casting is installed in a hole in the ceiling or the wall;
• and
• a reflector positioned inside the cavity of the unified casting and coupled to and surrounding the light source module such that the reflector directs light produced by the light source module into an area surrounding the compact recessed lighting system while enclosing the driver from exposure to the area surrounding the compact recessed lighting system,
• wherein the heat conducting unified casting significantly dissipates heat generated by the light source module during operation of the light source module.

A compact recessed lighting system, comprising:

• a light source module for emitting light;
• a driver for powering the light source module to emit light, the driver including an electronic device to at least one of supply and regulate electrical energy to the light source module;
• a unified casting with a closed rear face, a sidewall and an open front face wherein the sidewall is joined to the closed rear face at one end and defines the open front face of the unified casting at another end, wherein the sidewall extends 360 degrees around a center axis of the unified casting to define a cavity that extends forward from the closed rear face to the open front face of the unified casting and outward to the sidewall, wherein the light source module and the driver are positioned inside the cavity of the unified casting such that the light source module is closer to the closed rear face of the unified casting than the open front face of the unified casting;
• and
• a reflector positioned inside the cavity of the unified casting and coupled to and surrounding the light source module such that the reflector directs light produced by the light source module into an area surrounding the compact recessed lighting system while enclosing the driver from exposure to the area surrounding the compact recessed lighting system,
• wherein:
• the light source module is a light emitting diode (LED) module;
• the sidewall of the unified casting has fins formed on its outside surface;
• and
• the system further comprises a plurality of wires connected to the driver and connected to a first connector of a pair of complimentary keyed or interlocking connectors, such that in operation the first connector is coupled to a second connector of the pair of complimentary keyed or interlocking connectors, wherein the second connector is coupled to electricity from an electrical system of a building in which the compact recessed lighting system is installed.

A lighting system, comprising:

• a substantially heat conducting unified casting forming a casting cavity having a front face and a rear heat conducting portion and having dimensions to fit inside a standard-sized junction box, the substantially heat conducting unified casting including a plurality of elements positioned on the casting so as to align with corresponding tabs of the standard-sized junction box;
• a light source module, disposed in the casting cavity, to emit light, wherein the light source module is positioned in the casting cavity closer to the rear heat conducting portion than the front face of the substantially heat conducting unified casting;
• a driver, disposed in the casting cavity, to power the light source module;
• and
• a reflector, disposed in the casting cavity to cover the driver and to direct light produced by the light source module out of the front face,
• wherein the substantially heat conducting unified casting significantly dissipates heat generated by the light source module during operation of the light source module.