EP1649209A1

EP1649209A1 - Lamp for lighting purposes

Info

Publication number: EP1649209A1
Application number: EP03817918A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Heinrich Neuhorst
Original assignee: SPECTRAL LICHTTECHNIK GmbH
Current assignee: RIDI Leuchten GmbH
Priority date: 2003-07-26
Filing date: 2003-12-12
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-12
Also published as: EP1649209B1; DE10394314D2; AU2003296530A1; DE20311557U1; WO2005015077A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a lamp (1) for lighting purposes, comprising individual block elements (2), into each of which at least one LED element (7) is integrated. A plurality of said block elements (2) can be joined together to form a light panel so as to create the lamp (1).

Description

Luminaire for lighting purposes

The invention relates to a luminaire for lighting purposes.

“Lighting purposes” is to be understood to mean that the luminaire according to the invention serves to illuminate rooms, partial areas of rooms, workplaces etc. and not as a signal lamp.

Luminaires for lighting purposes are known in a wide variety of embodiments, using incandescent lamps, halogen lamps and discharge lamps such as fluorescent tubes. The disadvantage of these known lights is that it is not possible to create very individual lighting.

Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the object of creating a luminaire for lighting purposes which can be designed and used very individually.

The technical solution is characterized in accordance with the characterizing part of claim 1 in that individual block elements are provided, in each of which at least one LED element is integrated, and that a plurality of these block elements can be joined together to form a light field in order to create the light.

This creates a luminaire for lighting purposes, which can be designed and used very individually. The basic idea is a plurality of the same or similar block elements or units, each of which has one or more LED elements. These lighting modules with the LED elements can be individually connected and grouped together to form the desired lighting field. The block elements can be expanded in all possible directions by appropriate block elements. The sum of the light intensities of the individual LED elements results in a total light intensity, which is usually sufficient for the desired lighting purpose. The block elements can be designed very individually. For example, they can be equipped with differently colored LED elements in order to achieve color effects. The block elements can also be oriented differently in order to achieve direct and / or indirect lighting. Overall, the modular system according to the invention can be used to create very individual luminaire fields which are not only optimal in terms of lighting, but which are also very appealing in terms of the overall optical impression. The preferred embodiment variant is that several lighting tion modules can be assembled into a luminaire field. Basically, it is also conceivable that only a single lighting module is used as a lamp.

The development according to claim 2 has the advantage that inexpensive block elements can be created, namely injection molded parts made of plastic. These injection molded parts can be transparent or colored. All technical realizations that can be achieved with today's plastic injection molding technology are more or less possible. The components are preferably cuboid or plate-shaped.

According to the further development in claim 3, a reflector is preferably integrated in the block element for directing light. The reflector can have a wide variety of shapes. For example, the reflector can have an angular opening of 36 ° to 40 °. A full angle of light emission is also conceivable. The starting point is preferably always the same reflector. The angle of radiation of the light is then specified by different attachment lenses. Diffuse light emission is also possible in principle.

The development of this according to claim 4 suggests that the reflector is designed as a parabolic hollow body with a reflector coating. This can be done by appropriate vapor deposition of the hollow body in the reflector area.

A - preferred - alternative to the parabolic hollow body with the reflector coating proposes that the reflector is designed as a solid, parabolic reflector block made of transparent plastic. In this case, the light is radiated into the reflector block and experiences total reflection in the desired direction at the interface.

As previously mentioned, the block element can be equipped with a lens. Proceeding from a fixed predetermined reflector, the angle of radiation of the light can be influenced to smaller or larger values by means of appropriate front lenses. Thus, the lenses are used for steering, focusing, focusing, scattering and diffusing the light. The lens is preferably an injection molded plastic part. Overall, the lens is to be designed so that it meets the desired lighting requirements with regard to its shape.

A first alternative in the design of the lens proposes that the lens is arranged as a separate part in front of the LED element in the block element. This can be done, for example, by latching the lens in the block element. Claim 8 proposes a preferred alternative. It starts from the above-mentioned massive reflector block, which is designed as a lens on the opening side. One and the same basic reflector block can be designed with different lens shapes, depending on the desired radiation angle. This can be easily achieved in terms of production technology by providing different tool inserts in the injection mold for the reflector block in the region of the lens.

A further development proposes that the block element can be tilted. Due to the rotatability of the block in the system, spatially targeted light radiation can be set. The rotatability of the block elements in the system also makes it possible to achieve direct or indirect lighting in a technically simple manner.

The development according to claim 10 suggests that the block element has a circuit board for the LED element and for electrical components. This creates a technically simple possibility, on the one hand, of integrating and holding the LED element in the block element and, on the other hand, of creating a receptacle for the electrical and / or electronic components. Thus, in particular the conductor tracks for the power supply and electrical connector pins for establishing the electrical contact between adjacent circuit boards are arranged on the circuit board. The circuit board is cut so that it fits into the recess provided in the block element. The circuit board can be attached to the block element with plastic pins. Corresponding blind holes for fastening the circuit board are provided in the corners of the block element.

The development according to claim 11, namely that adjacent block elements, for example their circuit boards, can be electrically connected to one another, has the advantage that it is not necessary to provide each block element with its own power cable feed. Since the block elements are electrically connected to one another, the current is passed on from block element to block element or from printed circuit board to printed circuit board in this way.

A concrete technical implementation of the electrical connection of two adjacent block elements proposes that the block elements have contact pins and contact sockets. These are arranged in such a way that when two block elements are joined together, the contact pins engage in the corresponding contact sockets of the other block element. This has the advantage that when assembling the block elements, the electrical contact between the block elements is simultaneously established.

The development according to claim 13 has the advantage that a cross-block power supply is possible through the bores or recesses in the block elements in order to be able to supply electrical power to remote modules. Electrical lines can be laid through the corresponding holes or recesses.

The development according to claim 17 suggests that a heat sink is integrated in the block element. This serves to dissipate heat.

The heat sink can be cooling fins. In this case, an extruded aluminum profile is preferably provided, which forms the cooling fins. The cooling element is in contact with the circuit board or with the block element or in direct contact with the LED element. The cooling element can be cut according to the circuit board so that it fits into the recess provided in the block element.

However, the heat sink is preferably metallic plates which are arranged in the wall regions of the block element. Such metallic plates are technically easy to manufacture. They can also be easily integrated into the block element. In order to achieve optimal heat dissipation, the LED element is preferably in direct contact with one of the metal plates, in particular with a base plate.

The development of this according to claim 17 proposes a heat sink which is very large and which can be produced in a technically simple manner. The basic idea is that a - according to the cross-sectional profile of the block element - rectangular base plate is provided. On all four long sides of this base plate there are preferably one-piece side plates, so that the entire structure defines a kind of cross in the initial state. The side panels are then folded up by 90 °, so that a cuboid is created which is only open in the exit area of the light, since there is no panel there. The entire block element is thus surrounded by a cooling jacket except for the outlet opening.

A development of this proposes corner elements with which the adjacent side panels are connected to one another. These corner elements have preferably longitudinal slots with which they can be pushed onto the edges of the side plates.

As previously stated, the block elements define a luminaire field. In order to provide a lateral closure of this lighting field, the development according to claim 9 proposes that edge profiles can be arranged laterally on the block elements. These can be made of aluminum or plastic. These edge profiles for forming a frame are arranged all around the lamp. As a result, an all-round frame is created in order to complete the block structure laterally in a wide variety of configurations. The edge profiles can be inserted or clipped laterally into corresponding recesses in the block elements. The surfaces of the edge profiles can be implemented in all conceivable technical designs. The edge profiles can also serve as a power supply or power line.

In order to create a luminaire field in a technically simple manner, the development according to claim 20 proposes that a plug-in system is provided for joining the block elements. This plug-in system allows the luminaire field to be constructed in a technically simple manner.

A first embodiment variant of the plug-in system proposes claim 21 by providing so-called slot nuts for connecting two adjacent block elements. A dovetail shape is preferably provided according to claim 22. Here, the - preferably cuboid - block elements are preferably formed on all four side surfaces each with a dovetail groove with locking lugs for the sliding blocks. These sliding blocks are preferably injection molded plastic parts. These can be inserted into the corresponding dovetail grooves of adjacent block elements. This creates a positive connection so that two adjacent block elements are securely held and connected to one another. The sliding blocks and the grooves in the block elements can be designed so that the block elements are spaced about 1 to 2 mm apart in order to create heat dissipation.

According to the further development in claim 23, electrical plug contacts are preferably integrated in the connecting element. These plug contacts in the sliding blocks ensure the electrical connection of two adjacent circuit boards. These are namely provided on the edge with corresponding pins, on which the sockets of the sliding blocks are plugged. This makes electrical contact not only in a technically simple manner created between two adjacent circuit boards, but the sliding blocks are also held firmly in the dovetail groove.

A second, preferred variant of the plug-in system proposes claim 24. The basic idea consists in pin-like connecting clips which can be inserted into corresponding receiving bores in the block elements to be connected. This can be a locking system. The connection by means of these connection clips takes place either by frictional connection or by positive locking. Overall, this creates a technically simple possibility to create a luminaire field consisting of several block elements.

The development according to claim 25 finally suggests that a dimmer is assigned to the LED elements. Each module has a separate current control. This regulation is implemented using appropriate electronics. This electronics is located on the circuit board of the LED module. Pulse width modulation is preferably used as the control technology. The separate current control enables the parallel connection as a switching principle. This type of circuit allows the modules to be strung together in almost any number and operated with a single power supply. Only the power of the power supply and the current resistance of the contacts have a limiting effect. The modules are dimmable in this circuit arrangement. Dimming is also implemented using pulse width modulation. The current control on the circuit board is superimposed by a further pulse width modulation in a low frequency greater than 100 Hz. The channels can be dimmed separately. This dimmer principle represents an independent invention in itself, regardless of the LED modules.

Exemplary embodiments of a luminaire according to the invention for lighting purposes are described below with reference to the drawings. In these shows:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a block element;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the block element in FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the block element in Fig. 1;

4 shows the connection of two block elements as the starting point for creating a lamp according to the invention; 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of two block elements for indirect and direct lighting;

6 shows a further embodiment of a block element in a side view;

7 shows a further preferred embodiment of a block element in a perspective view, several block elements being joined together to form a luminaire field;

8 shows a longitudinal section through assembled block elements and a fourth block element before assembly;

9a and 9b show a longitudinal sectional view through a block element with a clipped-on frame.

The basic module for creating a luminaire 1 for lighting purposes, as shown in FIG. 4, is formed by a block element 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The block element 2 consists of an injection molded plastic body with an essentially cuboid basic shape. A parabolic reflector 3 is formed in the interior of the block element 2. This is closed at the front by a lens 4 to create a predefined light control. The lens 4, preferably also made of a plastic injection molding, can be clipped onto the block element 2 by means of corresponding pins.

A circuit board 5 is fastened on the back of the block element 2, in particular likewise clipped on by means of plastic pins. Between the printed circuit board 5 and the block element 2, channel-shaped recesses 6 for receiving electrical lines are formed. The circuit board 5 serves as a carrier for an LED element 7 and for conductor tracks and, if appropriate, for further electrical components.

On the circuit board 5 there is also a heat sink 8 in the form of cooling fins made of an extruded aluminum profile.

In the four side areas of the block element 2, this still has dovetail cutouts 9. It works as follows:

To create the lamp 1, several block elements 2 are put together. For this purpose, double dovetail-shaped connecting elements 10 are provided. These are inserted into the double recess 9 of the two adjacent block elements 2, so that there is a positive fit. This can be seen in FIG. 4 in the area between the two block elements 2. In this position, the two block elements 2 have a distance of 1 to 2 mm.

The connecting elements 10 are equipped with plug contacts 11 in the form of sockets. These are plugged into the corresponding electrical plug contact pins of the printed circuit board 5 when the connecting elements 10 are inserted into the double recess 9. This creates an electrical contact between the two circuit boards 5 of the two block elements 2.

In a corresponding manner, further block elements 2 can be added to the two block elements 2 in any way, so that a luminaire field is thereby created in total. This luminaire field of the luminaire 1 can then also be provided with edge profiles 12, as can be seen in FIG. 1. These also have a dovetail-shaped profile and are inserted into corresponding dovetail-shaped recesses in the block element 2.

With regard to the block elements 2, the embodiment in FIG. 5 essentially corresponds to the embodiment of the block elements 2 in FIGS. 1 to 4. Only the receiving recesses for the edge profiles 12 are designed somewhat differently. This illustration in FIG. 5 shows how two block elements 2 can be arranged. The left block element 2 points upwards with its reflector 3, while the right block element 2 points downwards. This creates indirect and direct lighting.

The embodiment of the block element 2 in FIG. 6 differs from the previously described block elements 2 essentially by the edge profile 12. While in the embodiment in FIG. 1 the edge profile 12 is plate-shaped and is held in the block element 2 by means of a dovetail guide, it is 6 around strip-shaped edge profiles 12, which are inserted into corresponding recesses in the block element 2. Instead of the previously described pins and holes for fastening parts to the block element 2, fastening strips and corresponding grooves can also be provided in the block element 2.

A fourth preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7-9. Here too, block elements 2 are again provided, which correspond in principle to the block elements 2 of the above-described embodiments. The difference is in five design deviations:

Firstly, connecting pins 13, as can be seen in FIG. 8, are used to connect two adjacent block elements 2. The block elements 2 to be connected have corresponding recesses into which the connecting pins 13 are clipped. The locking projections of the connecting pins 13 thus create a positive locking connection. In Fig. 8 it can also be seen that in the right block of 3 the middle block element 2 is oriented opposite.

Secondly, the block elements 2 have electrical contact pins 14 and corresponding electrical contact sockets 15. The electrical contact pins 14 are located in the side walls of the block elements 2 and protrude vertically. When joining two block elements 2, the electrical contact pins 14 are equally inserted into the electrical contact sockets 15 of the adjacent block element 2, so that the electrical contact is made in this way.

Thirdly, here the reflector 3 is formed as a solid, parabolic reflector block made of a transparent plastic material. The LED element 7 is located in the base region of the reflector block. The light from the LED element 7 is emitted into the reflector block. A total reflection of the light towards the exit opening then takes place inside this reflector block. This variant is also equipped with a lens 4. However, this is integrally formed with the reflector block, i. H. created together with the reflector block in a single spraying process. This avoids the overprinting of a separating layer between the reflector block on the one hand and the lens on the other.

Fourth, a special heat sink 8 made of metal is provided. This heat sink 8 consists of a rectangular base plate 16, from which an integrally molded side plate 17 extends on the four long sides. The base plate and the side plates 17 form a kind of cross in the flat state. To create the final heat sink 8, the side plates 17 are folded up by 90 °, so that they form a cube that is only open to the exit side of the light. The neighboring ones Side plates 17 are connected to each other by a corner element 18 pushed on. The LED element 7 is in direct contact with the base plate 16.

For the fifth, this embodiment variant has a U-shaped edge profile 12 which is clipped onto the side wall of the block element 2, so that a frame is thereby created.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 light 2 block element 3 reflector 4 lens 5 circuit board 6 recess 7 LED element 8 heat sink 9 recess

10 connecting element

11 plug contact

12 edge profile

13 connecting pins

14 electrical contact pin

15 electrical contact socket

16 base plate

17 side plate 8 corner element

Claims

Expectations

1. lamp (1) for lighting purposes, characterized in that individual block elements (2) are provided, in each of which at least one LED element (7) is integrated, and that to create the lamp (1) either a single block element (2) is provided or a plurality of these block elements (2) can be joined together to form a luminaire field.

2. Lamp according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the block element (2) is formed by a substantially cuboid or plate-shaped body.

3. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reflector (3) is integrated in the block element (2).

4. Luminaire according to claim 3, characterized in that the reflector (3) is designed as a parabolic hollow body with a reflector coating.

5. Luminaire according to claim 3, characterized in that the reflector (3) is designed as a solid, parabolic reflector block made of transparent plastic.

6. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the block element (2) with a lens (4) can be equipped.

7. Lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that the lens (4) is arranged as a separate part in front of the LED element (7) in the block element (2).

8. Light according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the lens (4) is an integrally molded part of the solid reflector block.

9. Light according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the block element (2) is tiltable.

10. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the block element (2) has a circuit board (5) for the LED element (7) and optionally for further electrical components.

11. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent block elements (2) are electrically connectable to one another. 2. Luminaire according to claim 11, characterized in that the block elements (2) have mutually corresponding electrical contact pins (14) and electrical contact sockets (15), so that when two block elements (2) are joined together, the electrical contact between the two block elements (2) is made.

13. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the block element (2) has bores or cutouts (6) for electrical lines.

14. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heat sink (8) is integrated in the block element (2).

15. Luminaire according to claim 14, characterized in that the block element (2) has cooling fins.

16. Luminaire according to claim 14, characterized in that the block element (2) as the heat sink (8) has at least one, in particular a plurality of metallic plates which, apart from in the exit opening of the light, are arranged in the wall regions of the block element (2).

17. Luminaire according to claim 16, characterized in that a rectangular base plate (16) is provided and that on at least one longitudinal side of this base plate () an approximately 90 ° folded side plate (17) is integrally formed.

18. Luminaire according to claim 17, characterized in that adjacent side plates (17) are connected to one another by a pushed-on corner element (18).

19. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the block elements (2) laterally edge profiles (12) can be arranged.

20. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plug-in system is provided for joining the block elements (2).

21. Luminaire according to claim 20, characterized in that the block elements (2) have undercut recesses (9) in the side faces and that in the double recess (9) joined block elements (2) a separate connecting element (10) to create a positive connection can be inserted.

22. Lamp according to claim 21, characterized in that a dovetail shape is provided.

23. Luminaire according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that in the connecting element (10) electrical plug contacts (11) are integrated.

24. Luminaire according to claim 20, characterized in that connecting pins (13) are provided which can be inserted into adjacent, corresponding bores in the block elements (2) to be connected to one another.

25. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a dimmer is assigned to the LED elements (7).