AT15671U1 - Flexible luminaire arrangement for curved coves - Google Patents

Abstract

A luminaire assembly for installation in an elongated channel (20), comprising: an elongate reflector (2) having a reflective surface defining in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the channel (20) a groove-shaped depression opposite a light exit surface of the luminaire assembly, the reflector (2) is formed of an elastic plastic for bending around a radius, and laterally on the reflector (2) elongated structural elements (6) made of a stiffer material than the plastic of the reflector (2) are fixed, wherein the structural elements (6) has a maximum Height in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the channel (20) and in the direction perpendicular to the light exit surface, which is less than 30% of the height of the reflector (2) in the same direction.

Description

description

FLEXIBLE LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT FOR CURVED ROUTES The present invention relates to a lighting arrangement for installation in an elongated channel, as e.g. can be found in a building or in the interior of a vehicle.

So-called recessed duct lights, that is, lamp arrangements that are embedded in an elongated channel with a mostly rectangular cross section, can either be guided along a straight line or, if necessary, manufactured with a fixed predetermined radius. This radius must be known at the time of manufacture, since the structural elements of the lamp, e.g. Aluminum profiles or the like, on the radius must be pre-bent and cut accordingly.

Since the effort for the production of recessed lights in curved channels is very complex, either was dispensed with in the prior art or only defined radii were specified for which corresponding custom-made lamps were manufactured. For variable radii it was conceivable to manufacture a luminaire entirely in CNC production. However, this is very complex. Alternatively, luminaires were only composed of small segments to approximate a curve shape.

The object of the present invention is to provide a luminaire arrangement for installation in an elongated channel, which can also be used flexibly for curved channels.

The object is achieved by a lamp arrangement according to claim 1.

A special feature of the lamp arrangement according to the present invention is to produce the components of the lamp with a relatively large overall height, which is particularly true for the reflector, from an elastic material which can be individually adapted to the bend. Other components, such as the structural elements on the edges of the lamp, which are used to fix the lamp with installation means in the channel, must be made of a stiffer material. However, the overall height of these parts is selected to be significantly lower, e.g. at most 30% or 20% of the height of the reflector, so that these components can also follow the radius of curvature of the channel by bending. Due to the lower overall height, the rigid material can be bent just like the reflector made of elastic material, because a flatter component is less stressed by compression on the inside and tension on the outside of the bend when it is bent by a radius perpendicular to the height. The structure of the luminaire arrangement also allows a torsion bend. This means that the luminaire structure can also be inserted into a channel that is slightly twisted in length.

According to a preferred embodiment, silicone, polyurethane or a thermoplastic can be selected from the groups of alkyls or polyesters as the material for the reflector. The structural elements can e.g. be made of metal or a plastic that is stiffer than the material of the reflector. Due to a structural element made of a soft metal such as aluminum or a plastic profile, which may be co-extruded with metal strips, a static bending of the components is not necessary. Clamping elements, as described below, which engage the structural elements in order to hold the lamp in the channel, force the structural elements into the bend of the channel due to their remaining elasticity. The number of clamp elements increases with a narrow radius in order to make it possible to guide the structural elements with the reflector even in somewhat narrower radii of a channel.

Preferably, the elongated structural elements are inserted lengthways in undercuts on the outside of the reflector. This has the advantage that when the reflector and the structural elements are bent by a bending radius of the channel, the structural elements 1/10

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Patentamt te can still slide along the reflector, so that tensions between the stiffer structural elements and the more elastic reflector can be avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lamp assembly also has a transparent or translucent cover which closes the light exit surface of the lamp assembly and which is also formed from an elastic plastic which has at least the same or a higher elasticity as the material of the reflector. It is advantageous to provide a correspondingly elastic material for the cover in order to be able to adapt the lamp arrangement to a curved installation channel.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cover on the longitudinal edges of the light exit surface can be inserted into the reflector and / or into the structural elements. The flexible material of the cover makes it easy to insert it into corresponding undercuts on the reflector material and / or on the structural elements. Furthermore, the connection has the advantage that a seal between the cover and the reflector or the structural element can also be achieved by the elasticity of the reflector material and / or the material of the cover. As a result, the luminaire can be made dustproof or moisture-proof without the need for additional separate sealing elements.

Another advantage of the elastic cover is that the lamp is less sensitive to impacts from firmer objects. Furthermore, the elastic reflector and the elastic cover are advantageous to compensate for thermally induced deformations of the channel. The expansion joints required in the prior art for adjoining lights of a continuous row system can be omitted in the light arrangement according to the invention because the thermal expansion can be easily compensated for by the elasticity of the reflector or the cover.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cover can be formed from the same materials that have already been mentioned for the reflector. The cover is of course made of a transparent or translucent plastic, while the reflector is made of a reflective material. The reflective material can be mirrored. However, materials that are diffusely reflective, such as, in particular, white or other bright surfaces, are preferred. The cover may also include light directing elements such as e.g. Prisms.

According to a preferred embodiment, a linear arrangement of semiconductor light sources, i.e. LEDs or OLEDs provided in the reflector. The light sources can follow the bend of the reflector because individual rigid elements with short longitudinal extensions are provided in the direction of the channel, which are in contact with each other through flexible wiring. Systems of this type are known, for example, from LED strips. According to a preferred embodiment, these semiconductor light sources can be firmly connected to the reflector. This simplifies the assembly of the luminaire arrangement on site and the firm connection to the reflector material does not pose any difficulty when assembling the luminaire arrangement in curved channels, because the linear arrangement of the semiconductor light sources can follow the bending of the flexible reflector material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lamp arrangement has a plurality of clamp elements which interact with the structural elements on the outside of the reflector for fastening the lamp arrangement in the channel, the clamp elements each having a longitudinal extent in the direction of the channel, which is at most 30%, preferably at most 20%, the length of the reflector. Due to the short clip elements, it is not necessary that the clip elements themselves have to be made of elastic material. The radius of curvature of the channel is insignificant for the assembly of rigid clamp elements, provided that the length of the clamp elements in the direction of the longitudinal direction of the channel is only short enough. The clip elements can e.g. be made of metal. The clip elements can have a maximum length of 150 mm, for example. With narrow bending radii of the channel, e.g. three elements per meter can be provided.

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In areas of the channel with a smaller bend, fewer clamp elements are sufficient.

According to a preferred embodiment, the structural elements are inserted from the inside into the clamp elements, the insertion depth being such that the reflector element can be compressed with the structural element by the elasticity of the reflector material in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the channel and parallel to the light exit surface to insert the reflector with the structural elements into the clamp elements. Another advantage of the elastic reflector structure is clear here. The elasticity of the reflector material not only has the advantage that the reflector can follow a bend in the channel. In the direction perpendicular to this, the reflector structure can be compressed in order to insert the reflector with the structure elements into the clamp elements. This enables a particularly simple tool-free assembly of the luminaire arrangement on site. The cover can then also be fitted to the reflector without tools, as described above, by inserting it.

The clamp elements can have fastening elements for fixing to the channel on an outside facing away from the reflector. In particular, opposing spring elements can be provided which can spread out in the channel in order to hold the clip elements in the channel. Alternatively or additionally, screw elements can also be provided in the clamp elements, which are screwed through a screw hole into a wall of the clamp element with a wall of the channel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lamp arrangement, the wall thickness of the reflector is between 1 mm and 5 mm for all surfaces of the reflector material. Likewise, the wall thickness of the cover can be between 1 mm and 5 mm. Due to the elasticity of the materials, these wall thicknesses allow comparatively small bending radii for the channel in which the luminaire arrangement is installed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a light strip is provided, which has several of the lamp arrangements, as described above. Each individual luminaire arrangement comprises a reflector with structural elements as described above, which can be mounted adjacent to each other along the channel to form a light band. A cover for the lamp arrangement does not necessarily have to be cut for each individual lamp arrangement of the light strip. Rather, it is possible to use an endless belt for the cover, i.e. a band with a relatively large length compared to the length of the individual lamp arrangements to be provided in order to mount it continuously over adjacent lamp arrangements. This not only has the advantage that no joints for the cover are visible to the outside, but also that a seal along the entire light band can be achieved.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is given in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The following is shown in the figures:

Figure 1 [0021] Figure 2 [0022] Figure 3 [0023] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a lamp assembly;

shows an enlarged section of the lamp arrangement of Figure 1 in the area of circle A of Figure 1;

shows a cross section through a lamp arrangement according to Figure 1, which is installed in a channel, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the channel; and shows a perspective view of the installation duct according to FIG. 3 without the lamp arrangement.

An embodiment of a lamp arrangement is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The lamp arrangement comprises an elongated reflector 2, which

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Patent Office defines an approximately U-shaped recess, on the bottom of which a linear arrangement of semiconductor light sources 4 is attached. Furthermore, an elongated structural element 6 is provided on the outer sides of the reflector 2, which is inserted into undercuts on the outer side of the reflector 2. The structural elements 6 are held on the reflector 2 by a positive engagement.

The reflector 2 is made of an elastic material, such as silicone, polyurethane or a soft thermoplastic, and has at least on the inside, which defines the recess of the reflector 2, a light reflecting surface, in particular a matt white surface, the the light diffuses, on. In contrast, the structural elements 6 are made of a harder material, in particular e.g. as metal profiles (e.g. aluminum) or made of a plastic with a greater hardness than the material of the reflector material. Due to the elasticity of the reflector 2, the reflector can be bent elastically, in particular by a radius perpendicular to the bottom surface of the depression. The structural elements 6 do not resist bending, although they have a greater hardness than the elastic material of the reflector 2, because they have only a relatively low overall height (less than 30%) compared to the reflector 2. This possibility of bending allows the luminaire arrangement to be installed in a curved channel 20, as shown in FIG. 4.

The installation of the lamp assembly in the channel 20 is described below.

The lamp arrangement comprises a plurality of bracket elements 10, which can be mounted at intervals along the channel 20. The clamp elements 10 are formed, for example, from metal. Although the elements have straight edges and are rigid, they can nevertheless be arranged in the curved channel 20, as shown in FIG. 4, because they are only a relatively short length along the longitudinal extent of the channel 20.

To fasten the clamp elements 10 in the channel 20, spring elements 12 are provided on the outwardly facing opposite sides of the clamp elements 10, which can expand when inserted into the channel 20, as shown in the cross section according to FIG. 3. The channel 20 has small projections on the inside, via which the clamp element 10 is inserted, the spring elements 12 expanding behind the projections in order to hold the clamp element 10 in the channel 20. In addition, a screw connection can also be provided between the clamp element 10 and the bottom of the channel 20. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 1, an opening 14 is provided in the area of a bottom surface of the clamp element 10, through which a screw can be passed, which screw can be screwed into the bottom of the channel 20.

To assemble the lamp assembly, the bracket elements 10 are first attached to the channel. Subsequently, the reflector element 2, including the structural elements 6 attached to it, is compressed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the channel and parallel to the light exit surface of the lamp arrangement until the structural elements 6 can be guided past inwardly directed projections 16 of the clamp elements. Due to the elastic property of the material of the reflector 2, the reflector 2 returns to its original shape and engages on two sides with a groove 8 of the structural elements 6 in the projections 16 of the clamp elements. As a result, the reflector 2 with the structural elements 6 is held securely in the clamp elements 10.

The illustrated embodiment of the lamp assembly also has a cover 30 which is mounted on the light exit surface of the reflector 2 in a last step.

The cover 30 is formed from an elastic plastic, which is transparent or translucent. As a result, the light of the semiconductor light sources 4, which is at least partially reflected on the inner walls of the reflector 2, can exit the arrangement through the cover 30. The material of the cover 30 has at least the same 4/10

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Patent Office che elasticity, like the material of the reflector 2. This allows a particularly simple assembly, as described below.

The cover 30 has projections 32 on both longitudinal edges, which are pushed into a recess between the longitudinal edges of the reflector 2 and webs 9 of the structural elements 6. In order to ensure a secure hold, 32 steps are provided on the web 9 and on the projection, which engage in one another in the assembled state.

The contact line between the projection 32 of the cover 30 and an edge region of the reflector 2 forms a sealing line because two elastic materials lie on top of one another and are pressed against one another. A separate sealing element is therefore not necessary. On the outside of the projection 32, a sealing lip 33 is also provided, which forms a seal to an inner wall of the channel 20.

To form a light band in the channel 20, several of the lamp arrangements described above can be arranged one behind the other in the channel 20. It should be understood that the cover 30 can also extend over a plurality of reflectors 2 adjoining one another on the end face. For example, the cover 30 can be provided in the form of a quasi-endless belt, which is cut to the length of the installation channel 20 only at the installation site. This makes it possible to provide a continuous cover 30 even in the case of a plurality of luminaire arrangements which adjoin one another on the end face. Expansion joints or the like are not necessary because thermally induced expansion of the channel 20 is compensated for anyway by the elastic property of the cover 30.

Numerous changes to the previously described embodiment of the luminaire arrangement or the light strip can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims. In particular, the reflectors 2 are not limited to the shape described. Flatter or deeper reflectors can also be provided, but the structural elements 6 have a lower overall height than the reflector 2 made of the elastic material. Furthermore, other fastening elements for fastening the clamp elements 10 in the channel 20 can be provided. For example, spreading elements which can be actuated by screws or wedges can be provided in the channel 20 for clamping the clamp elements 10.

The interlocking elements between the outside of the reflector 2 and the structural elements 6 can comprise different forms of undercuts, provided that they only ensure a positive fit to hold the elements. Likewise, the form fit between the projection 16 of the clamp element 10 and the groove 8 of the structural elements 6 can be designed differently. It is also conceivable for the clip element to have an inward-facing groove and for the structural elements to have an outward-facing, continuous web which interlock.

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LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS:

Linear semiconductor light source array reflector

structural elements

groove

web

clip element

spring element

Screw hole inward projection

channel

cover

head Start

sealing lip

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Claims (10)

Expectations 1. A luminaire arrangement for installation in an elongated channel (20), comprising: an elongated reflector (2) with a reflection surface, which defines a channel-shaped depression in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the channel (20) relative to a light exit surface of the luminaire arrangement, thereby characterized in that the reflector (2) is formed from an elastic plastic for bending by a radius, and that laterally on the reflector (2) elongated structural elements (6) made of a stiffer material than the plastic of the reflector (2) are attached, the Structural elements (6) have a maximum height in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the channel (20) and in the direction perpendicular to the light exit surface, which is less than 30% of the height of the reflector (2) in the same direction. 2. Luminaire arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the reflector (2) is silicone, polyurethane or a thermoplastic from the group of acrylics and polyester and / or the structural elements (6) made of a metal or a plastic that is more rigid than the material of the reflector is formed. 3. Luminaire arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elongate structural elements (6) in undercuts on the outside of the reflector (2) engage positively in length. 4. Luminaire arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire arrangement further comprises a transparent or translucent cover (30) which closes the light exit surface and which is formed from an elastic plastic which has at least the same or a higher elasticity as the material of the reflector (2). 5. Luminaire arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover (30) on the longitudinal edges of the light exit surface in the reflector and / or the structural elements can be inserted and in particular a seal along the lines of contact to the material of the reflector (2) and / or the structural elements (6) forms. 6. Luminaire according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the cover (30) is formed from silicone, polyurethane or a thermoplastic from the group of acrylics and polyester. 7.10 AT 15 671 U1 2018-04-15 Austrian Patent Office 11. Luminaire arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the clamp elements (10) on the outer side facing away from the reflector (2) have fastening elements for anchoring in the channel (20), in particular opposite spring elements (12) for spreading in the channel and / or screw elements for screwing in a bore of the channel. 12. Luminaire arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a wall thickness of the cover of the reflector (2) between 1 mm and 5 mm for all surfaces of the reflector material and / or, with reference to one of claims 4 to 6, the wall thickness of the Cover (30) is between 1 mm and 5 mm. 13. light strip, characterized in that the light strip has several of the lamp arrangements each according to one of the preceding claims. 14. Light strip according to claim 13 with reference to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that one or more of the covers (30) have a greater length than the reflectors (2) of each individual lamp arrangement. Two sheets of drawings 7. Luminaire arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that illuminants are provided in the form of a linear arrangement of semiconductor light sources (4) in the reflector (2), which can follow the bending of the reflector (2). 8.10 AT 15 671 U1 2018-04-15 Austrian Patent Office 8. Luminaire arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire arrangement has a plurality of clamp elements (10) which cooperate with the structural elements (6) on the outside of the reflector for fastening the luminaire arrangement in the channel, the clamp elements (10) in each case Have longitudinal extension in one direction of the channel (20), which have a maximum of 30% of the length of the reflector (2) and / or, with reference to one of claims 4 to 6, the length of the cover (30). 9.10 AT 15 671 U1 2018-04-15 Austrian Patent Office 9. Luminaire arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the structural elements (6) are inserted from the inside into the bracket elements (10), the insertion depth being dimensioned such that the reflector (2) with the structural elements (6) by the elasticity of the Material of the reflector (2) can be compressed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the channel (20) and parallel to the light exit surface in order to insert the reflector (2) with the structural elements (6) into the clamp elements. 10. Luminaire arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the clamp elements (10) are formed from metal. 10/10