WO2008031860A1 - Frame module for a luminous means and a beam-forming optical element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame module for a modular lighting unit which comprises at least one luminous means (14) and at least one beam-forming optical element (11, 12), which is associated with the luminous means (14). The frame module according to the invention is characterized by the fact that, in order to accommodate the luminous means (14), it comprises at least one fixing element (7) for fixing the optical element (11, 12) on the accommodating element (1), wherein the at least one fixing element (7) has a bearing face (9) against which the optical element (11, 12) can be laid on the outside with an outer edge region, and wherein the accommodating element (1) has at least one spring element (6), by means of which the optical element (11, 12) can be pressed against the bearing face (9) of the at least one fixing element (7). In addition, the invention relates to a modular lighting unit and a cylindrical standard lamp and a self-illuminating wall element.

Description

 Frame module for a lamp and a beam-shaping optical element

The invention relates to a frame module for a modular light unit comprising at least one light source and at least one beam-shaping optical element assigned to the light source.

In various industries and services, there is a need for companies operating there to effectively present their products and services to potential customers in order to attract the greatest possible attention. In particular, at trade fairs, where visitors to the fair can find out about a wide variety of relatively similar products, there is a need for each of the exhibiting companies to attract special interest and positive attitude towards the visitors through visually appealing and effective design of their own exhibition stand to generate own products.

This is u.a. The light effects can be produced inexpensively and with great diversity by means of modular luminaire units in which a multiplicity of light sources, preferably light-emitting diodes, are provided, which are provided with corresponding effect optics.

Depending on the application to provide the most diverse lighting effects through the modular light units can, it is necessary to be able to equip them with different effect optics.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a frame module according to the preamble of claim 1, which allows the rapid exchange of beam-shaping optical elements, with a backlash-free seating of the optical elements should be guaranteed in the frame module, regardless of their respective shape. The viewer facing surface of the assembled frame modules should also be designed aesthetically pleasing and convey a high-quality impression.

The above object is achieved with a frame module according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the frame module comprises a receiving element for receiving the illuminant and at least one fixing element for fixing the optical element on the receiving element, wherein the at least one fixing element has a contact surface, to which the optical element can be applied on the outside with an outer edge region, and wherein the receiving element comprises at least one spring element, by means of which the optical element can be pressed against the contact surface of the at least one fixing element.

By virtue of the fact that the beam-shaping optical element, for example a lens, can be pressed against the contact surface of the fixing element by the spring element provided on the receiving element on the outside, ie with the side facing the viewer, it is ensured that the optical element always remains independent of the shape and thickness flush with the viewer facing fixing, which results in an aesthetically pleasing design, especially in a variety of juxtaposed and successively arranged frame modules. Furthermore, it is ensured by the inventive solution that the optical elements are always stored without play and thus always aligned optically correct.

According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one spring element is designed as a spiral spring having a free end, via which the optical element can be pressed against the contact surface of the fixing element. Bend springs offer the highest degree of constructive variability combined with precisely adjustable spring force. Preferably, the bending spring is formed as a one-sided formed on the receiving element and preferably integrally formed with this circular arc portion.

Receiving element and fixing of the frame module can be made in one piece. However, in view of the simplest possible replacement of the beam-shaping optical elements, it is preferable to design the receiving element and the fixing element as two different components. According to a further advantageous teaching of the invention, the entire fixing element is frame-shaped. As a result, a particularly secure fit of the optical element is ensured at the same time high-quality appearance. The frame-shaped fixing further preferably has angled side surfaces for engaging around the receiving element. As a result, a simple and quickly detachable, but nevertheless secure connection between the fixing and the receiving element created. To lock the connection between the fixing element and the receiving element, each side surface preferably has at least one recess into which engages a correspondingly provided on the receiving element nose.

Particularly appealing lighting effects can be achieved by arranging a large number of frame modules equipped with light sources and beam-shaping optical elements behind and next to one another to cover a larger area. In the case of a curved surface, it is correspondingly advantageous to arrange the side surfaces of the fixing element at an angle to each other. Depending on the selected angular position, convex or concave curved surfaces can be produced in the case of flush-mounted frame modules.

In order to arrange a multiplicity of frame modules according to the invention next to one another and behind one another, it is expedient to provide these with corresponding connection means. In the case of a substantially rectangular frame module, it is advantageous that the receiving element has means for the frontal connection with an adjacently arranged receiving element, for example a hook element. These means are preferably designed as hooks arranged on one end side of the upper side for engagement in corresponding hooks of the adjacent receiving element, the receiving element also having on its one end side a hook element arranged on the underside for engaging in a corresponding lower-side recess in the end face of the adjacent receiving element for locking the Compound has. Furthermore, the receiving element may also have means for longitudinal connection with an adjacently arranged receiving element. These are preferably designed as provided on the longitudinal sides of the receiving element hook elements, wherein the hook elements are longitudinally adjacent arranged receiving elements connected by an elastomeric ring.

The frame module according to the invention can be made of different materials. Preference is given to those materials which enable cost-effective production in large numbers. Thus, it is advantageous to manufacture the receiving element and / or the fixing of a polymeric plastic. Polycarbonate, inter alia, is particularly suitable as a transparent plastic, by means of which also the light striking the frame module and not the respective optical element is transmitted to the outside and which further gives the frame module an aesthetically appealing appearance. With regard to cost-effective production, it is advantageous to carry out the receiving element and / or the fixing element as a plastic injection-molded part.

The invention is further based on the object to provide a modular lighting unit according to the preamble of claim 15, which is designed attractively and allows easy and quick replacement of the at least one light emitting means associated optical element. The object is achieved with a modular light unit according to the preamble of claim 15, characterized in that the frame module is designed according to one of claims 1 to 14.

For the modular light unit according to the invention, a wide variety of optical elements can be used as effect optics. Particularly attractive lighting effects can be produced, for example, with an optical element having a pyramidal outer surface and a partially concave inner surface. If only the best possible light scattering desired instead of a special beam shaping, it is advisable to form the optical element as a satin-finished plane-parallel plate.

The bulbs in turn are preferably designed as light-emitting diodes, which are characterized by a long life, high luminance and a large possible color spectrum. It is understood that other lamps, such as incandescent or gas discharge lamps, can be used. The light-emitting means used in the modular lighting unit according to the invention is preferably designed as a number of light-emitting diodes arranged linearly on a printed circuit board, wherein each light-emitting diode is assigned its own beam-shaping optical element.

The light emitting diodes carrying printed circuit boards can be designed in any length, and thereby extend over a plurality of successively arranged and interconnected in the manner described above interconnected modular luminous units. In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an illustrative drawing. Show it:

1a, b, the receiving element and the fixing of a frame module according to the invention respectively in a perspective view,

1 in a lateral sectional view along the section line II-II of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a modular according to the invention

Lighting unit with a frame module, two optical elements and a lower position held, equipped with light-emitting circuit board in a partially sectioned side view,

4 shows the modular lighting unit from FIG. 3 in a side sectional view,

5 shows the receiving element of the frame module of the modular light unit of FIG. 3 with inserted circuit board in plan view,

6 shows the printed circuit board equipped with light-emitting diodes in a separate plan view,

FIG. 7 shows the modular lighting unit from FIG. 3 with a printed circuit board held in the upper position and equipped with light-emitting diodes in a lateral sectional view; 8 shows the receiving element of the frame module of the modular lighting unit from FIG. 7 with inserted printed circuit board in plan view, FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the printed circuit board with light-emitting diodes from FIG. 7 in a separate plan view, FIG.

10a, b three juxtaposed, longitudinally interconnected frame modules in two different orientations in front view,

11 four successively arranged equipped with optical elements frame modules in perspective view,

12 is a cylindrical floor lamp according to the invention in side view and

13 is a perspective view of a self-illuminating wall element according to the invention.

The receiving element of the frame module according to the invention shown in perspective view in Fig. Ia is designed for two lamps together with respectively associated beam-shaping optical element. The receiving element 1 comprises two upper-side longitudinal members 2, through which an upper side 2a and side surfaces 2b are defined. Furthermore, the receiving element 1 comprises substantially trapezoidal end faces 3 with a central rectangular opening. The two side members 2 have in the middle of their longitudinal extent two inwardly facing projections 4, which are connected to a common central Support element 5 are connected (see Fig. 2). By the projections 4, the receiving element 1 is divided into two chambers A, B, which are each provided for a lamp together with associated beam-forming optical element. At their mutually facing end faces, the projections 4 Stehnasen 4a, 4b, 4c, whose function will be explained in more detail below.

Furthermore, the receiving element 1 has a total of four integrally formed therewith spring elements 6, which are presently formed as bending springs in the form of one side formed on the receiving element 1 circular arc sections. In each case two spring element 6 are arranged in a chamber A, B point symmetrical to each other. The function of the spring elements 6 according to the invention will be explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 3 ff.

Furthermore, the receiving element 1 means for the frontal connection with an adjacently arranged receiving element (not shown). In the present case, these are formed as hooks 2 e arranged on the upper side and in extension of the longitudinal members 2 on the one end face 3 of the receiving element 1 for engagement in corresponding hooks 2 f of the adjacent receiving element. In order to lock the connection, the receiving element 1 also has on its one end face 3 a hook element 3a arranged on the underside (cf., Fig. 2), which can engage in a corresponding lower-side recess 3b in the end face of the adjacent receiving element.

In Fig. Ib a can be placed on the receiving element 1 described above fixing 7, which together with the receiving element. 1 forms the frame module according to the invention. In the present case, the fixing element 7 is frame-shaped and comprises an upper side 8 and angled side surfaces 10 which surround the receiving element 1 on its side surfaces 2b. The side surfaces 10 are arranged at an angle to each other, which will be discussed in more detail in connection with FIGS. 10a, 10b. To lock the fixing element 7 on the receiving element 1 engage on the side surfaces 2b of the longitudinal beams 2 of the receiving element 1 provided lugs 2c in corresponding provided on the side surfaces 10 of the fixing element 7 recesses 10a. Finally, the fixing element 7 also comprises underside abutment surfaces 9, to which an optical element can be placed on the outside with an outer edge region, as shown in FIGS. 3 ff.

In Fig. 3, a modular light unit according to the invention is now shown. It comprises a frame element consisting of receiving element 1 and fixing element 7. Furthermore, the modular lighting unit comprises lighting means in the form of two light emitting diodes 14 arranged on a printed circuit board 13 extending through the frame module and two steel forming optical elements assigned to the light emitting diodes 14. These are formed on the one hand as pyramidal effect optics 12 with a partially concave inner surface and on the other hand as a satin-finished plane-parallel glass 11.

The receiving element 1 of the frame module of the modular lighting unit is in the manner described above (see Fig. Ia and 2) frontally connected to a further receiving element via the hooks 2e, 2f and the hook element 3a. According to the teachings of the invention, the spring elements 6 press the optical elements 11, 12 against the fixing element 7 in such a way that the optical elements 11, 12 bear against the contact surfaces 9 of the fixing element 7 with an outer edge region. This ensures that the respectively used optical elements 11, 12 - here, for example, also convex curved lenses are conceivable - always flush with the observer facing fixing 7, resulting in particular in a plurality of juxtaposed and successively arranged frame modules or modular lighting units gives an aesthetically pleasing design. Furthermore, it is ensured by the contact pressure of the spring elements 6 that the optical elements 11, 12 are mounted without play in the frame modules.

4, the modular light unit described above is shown in side section. Here it can be seen that the light emitting diodes 14 carrying the printed circuit board 13 is held in a lower position. In detail, it is supported on the upper side of the central support element 5. In order to avoid unintentional displacement of the printed circuit board 13 in the longitudinal direction and to ensure a secure fit of the printed circuit board 13 on the central support element 5, the circuit board 13 has a series of notches 13a - 13d into which the projections 4 of the receiving element 1 of Frame module provided Stehnasen 4a, 4b, 4c engage. In order to prevent an unintentional positional displacement of the printed circuit board 13 also perpendicular to its extent, two mutually point-symmetrically arranged locking lugs 4d are provided on the projections 4 of the receiving element 1, which press the circuit board 13 from above against the central support element 5.

By a variable distance of the arranged on the circuit board 13 LEDs 14 to their respective associated optical elements 11, 12 different optical effects can be achieved. Thus, in addition to the lower positions shown in FIGS. 3-5, the printed circuit board 13 can also occupy an upper position, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. In the upper position, the printed circuit board 13 is rotated by 180 ° about an axis extending perpendicularly to the upper side of the printed circuit board 13 into the receiving element 1 of the frame module of the modular lighting unit (compare FIGS. 6 and 9). As a result, the notches 13a-13d provided in the circuit board 13 now interact in a different way with the support tabs 4a, 4b, 4c provided on the projections 4. Thus, as shown in Fig. 8, the circuit board 13 now on the support tabs 4a, 4c, wherein only the Stehnase 4b, which in contrast to the Stehnasen 4a and 4c flush with the top 2a of the receiving element 1 closes (see Ia), engages the notch 13d, so as to prevent longitudinal displacement of the printed circuit board 13.

FIGS. 10a and 10b now show three frame modules according to the invention arranged alongside one another alongside one another. As shown in Fig. 10a, the frame modules are arranged to each other such that the tops 8 of the fixing elements 7 lie in a plane. A fixed connection between the longitudinally adjacent frame modules is achieved in that provided on the mutually facing side members of two adjacent receiving elements 1 down pointing hook elements 2d are connected to each other via one elastomeric ring 15a. The elastomer ring 15a is dimensioned such that the side surfaces 10 of the fixing elements 7 of two adjacent frame modules do not abut one another over the entire surface, so that a wedge-shaped gap remains between them.

As shown in Fig. 10b, the side surfaces 10 of the fixing elements 7 adjacent frame modules now lie flat against each other, so that the wedge-shaped gap is closed. The adjacent adjacent hook elements 2d are in turn also connected by correspondingly smaller sized elastomer rings 15b. As a result, the surfaces 8 of the fixing elements 7 now form a substantially convex outer surface. In this case, the angle CC of the side surfaces 10 of the fixing elements 7 to each other (in Fig. 10b, the numerically identical angle of the center lines of adjacent frame modules specified) selected such that by longitudinal stringing together of a total of 32 frame modules a closed circle is formed (ie CC = 11, 25 °). It is understood that other angles between the side surfaces 10 can be selected, so that the curvature of the resulting overall convex surface of the longitudinally adjacent frame modules can be varied as desired. In particular, the angular position of the side surfaces 10 of the fixing elements 7 can also be adjusted such that a concave or alternating concave-convex resulting overall surface results (see Fig. 13).

In Fig. 11, a number of frontally interconnected frame modules is again shown with the pyramidal optical elements 12 with partially concave inner surface (see Fig. 3 and 7) are fitted. The frame modules are made on a U-profile, preferably made of aluminum, attached in a conventional manner, for example by screwing over the central support element.

Two advantageous uses of the modular luminous units from FIG. 3 will be shown below.

The first use relates to a cylindrical floor lamp shown in FIG. As shown in detail in FIG. 12, its cylindrical outer surface is formed from a multiplicity of modular lighting units arranged next to and behind one another.

The first use relates to a self-illuminating wall element shown in FIG. 13 for decorative purposes. Here, the visible wall surface, as shown in the detail of Fig. 13, again formed by a plurality of modular lighting units.

On the basis of the latter embodiments and examples of use, practically infinitely variable decorative lighting effects can be achieved.

Claims

PATENT APPLICATIONS 1. Frame module for a at least one lamp (14) and at least one of the lamp (14) associated beam-forming optical element (11, 12) comprising modular light unit, characterized in that the frame module, a receiving element (1) for receiving the illuminant (14) and at least one fixing element (7) for fixing the optical element (11, 12) on the receiving element (1), wherein the at least one fixing element (7) has a contact surface (9) to which the optical element (11, 12) on the outside can be applied with an outer edge region and wherein the receiving element (1) comprises at least one spring element (6), by means of which the optical element (11, 12) against the contact surface (9) of the at least one fixing element (7) can be pressed. 2. Frame module according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one spring element (6) as a spiral spring with a free end, via which the optical element (11, 12) against the contact surface (9) of the fixing element (7) can be pressed, is formed , 3. Frame module according to claim 2, characterized in that the bending spring (7) is formed as a circular arc section integrally formed on the receiving element (1). 4. Frame module according to one of claims 1 to 3, d a d u r c h e c e n e z e c h e n e, t a s s the spring element (7) with the receiving element (1) is integrally formed. 5. Frame module according to one of claims 1 to 4, d a d u r c h e c e n e z e c h e n e, s t as the fixing element (7) is formed frame-shaped. 6. Frame module according to claim 5, characterized in that the frame-shaped fixing element (7) angled side surfaces (10) for engaging around the receiving element (1). 7. Frame module according to claim 6, characterized in that each side surface (10) has at least one recess (10a) into which a correspondingly provided on the receiving element (1) nose (2c) for locking the fixing element (7) engages. 8. Frame module according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the side surfaces (10) of the fixing element (7) are arranged at an angle to each other. 9. The frame module according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element has means for the front-side connection to an adjacently arranged receiving element. 10. Frame module according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for the frontal connection as on one end side (3) arranged on the top hook (2 e) for engaging in corresponding hooks (2 f) of the adjacent receiving element are formed, wherein the receiving element (1) its one end face further comprises a lower side hook element (3a) for engagement in a corresponding lower side recess (3b) in the end face of the adjacent receiving element for locking the connection. 11. Frame module according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the receiving element (1) has means for longitudinal connection with an adjacently arranged receiving element. 12. Frame module according to claim 11, characterized in that the means as on the longitudinal sides (2b) of the receiving element (1) provided hook elements (2d) are formed, wherein the hook elements (2d) longitudinally adjacent receiving elements by an elastomeric ring (15a, 15b) are connected. 13. The frame module according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element (1) and / or the fixing element are in the form of a frame (7) made of a polymeric plastic, in particular polycarbonate or, is made. 14. Frame module according to claim 13, characterized in that the receiving element (1) and / or the fixing element (7) are formed as plastic injection-molded parts. 15. Modular lighting unit comprising at least one light source, in particular a light-emitting diode (14), at least one beam-forming optical element (11, 12) associated with the light source, in particular a lens, and a frame module in which the at least one light source and the at least one optical element (11, 12) are held relative to each other in a fixed position, characterized in that the frame module according to one of claims 1 to 14 is formed. 16. Modular lighting unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the optical element is designed as an effect optic (11) with a pyramidal outer surface and a partially concave inner surface. 17. Modular lighting unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the optical element is designed as a satined plane-parallel plate (12). 18. Modular lighting unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the lighting means is designed as a number of light-emitting diodes (14) arranged linearly on a printed circuit board (13), each light-emitting diode (14) having its own beam-shaping optical element (11, 12 ) assigned. 19. A cylindrical floor lamp, which is at least partially formed by modular luminous units according to claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the cylindrical outer surface of the floor lamp is at least partially formed. 20. A self-luminous wall element, wherein the visible wall surface of the wall element is at least partially formed by modular lighting units according to claims 15 to 18.