Light fixture and light fixture assemblies with electrically controlled lighting distributions for installed panel systems

Abstract

A light fixture delivering electrically controlled lighting distributions for mounting within an installed panel system typically used in ceiling and wall constructions and incorporating acoustic, drywall or wood panels. The light fixture can provide low-glare or wide spread 'batwing' ambient light or more directional wall wash, task and accent lighting. The light fixture comprises one or more LED boards and an optical element which can be back-lit or edge-lit. The light fixture body is configurable, comprising a 3-dimensional extruded elongate body with its ends cut at a configured angle. The body typically comprises additional side support features that support and enclose the edge of installed panels. In the case of a T-bar based ceiling grid system the side support features may also replicate the function and appearance of T-bar horizontal and vertical portions. The body comprises features to retain and align LED boards, reflectors and a back-lit or edge-lit optical element. In the edge-lit configuration the optical element may also be a light guide. The edge-lit design also enables the height of the lighting assembly body to be equivalent to or less than the height of T-bar main beams or cross tees. This is very important in applications where there is zero or little available plenum space above the ceiling grid. Because the lighting assembly can also provide structural support within the installed panel system it can replace one or more T-bars and can also be used to connect one or more T-bars or other structural grid elements. The lighting fixture can be mounted at an oblique or diagonal angle to the typical square grid layouts, or in a corner of a ceiling grid T-bar cell at the intersection of one or more T-bars. Additionally, more than one elongate bodies can be connected to form square, crosses, curves or arcs or more complex shapes. The electrical power may additionally be configured to control lighting distributions of the fixtures independently of one another.