CN111120961B

CN111120961B - Mounting structure for a lighting device, corresponding lighting device and method of operation

Info

Publication number: CN111120961B
Application number: CN201911052249.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马可·穆纳里尼; 里卡尔多·卡斯特利安; 亚历山德罗·比佐托
Original assignee: Osram GmbH
Current assignee: Osram GmbH
Priority date: 2018-10-31
Filing date: 2019-10-31
Publication date: 2022-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-31
Also published as: CN111120961A; EP3647649A1; EP3647649B1

Abstract

The invention provides a mounting structure for a lighting device, such as a lamp or retrofit light bulb for automotive applications, a corresponding lighting device and method of operation, comprising a light generator carrier portion having an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis and a ring portion fitted over the elongated body of the carrier portion. The elongate body or the ring portion of the carrier portion carries one or more tooth members projecting towards the other of the elongate body or the ring portion of the carrier portion. The other of the carrier portion's elongated body or the ring portion comprises one or more arcuate engagement formations for the tooth members, wherein mutual displacement of the carrier portion and the ring portion along the aforementioned longitudinal axis is limited by: the tooth member engages with the arcuate engagement formation in such a manner that at least one tooth member is displaceable along the arcuate engagement formation such that the elongate body of the carrier portion is rotatable relative to the ring portion about a longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the carrier portion.

Description

Mounting structure for a lighting device, corresponding lighting device and method of operation

Technical Field

The present description relates to lighting devices.

One or more embodiments may be applied to lighting devices using electrodynamic light radiation sources, such as solid state sources, e.g. LED sources.

One or more embodiments may be applied to the automotive field.

Background

The increasing popularity of LED light radiation sources has LED to the conception and development of light radiation sources that can be used (for example, on retrofit level) in place of conventional light radiation sources, for example of the filament type-in short, "lamps" or bulbs-that are capable of providing similar performance to conventional sources, for example in terms of the distribution of the emitted light radiation.

The automotive field is that which has proved to be of particular interest for this type of application, firstly with regard to auxiliary bulbs and secondly with regard to bulbs for headlights (H-type bulbs), for example, which may be used for low beam headlights, high beam headlights and/or fog lights.

In this possible context of application, for example, as specified in references such as IEC publication 60061, the use of reference caps or rings (reference cap or rings) is envisaged. Such a reference ring may be secured to the body of the headlamp using elements such as spring clips or mechanical connectors.

The emission pattern of the light radiation of these lamps or bulbs may exhibit a directional characteristic, for example, being oriented in a lateral direction. Thus, the possibility of rotating the light radiation generator with respect to the mounting ring can be envisaged, for example, in order to obtain a desired orientation with respect to the surface of the reflector.

This problem may not be present in the case of conventional light radiation sources, e.g. halogen lamps, since such conventional sources have an overall light emission that is uniform over an angle of 360 °. In the case of a light radiation generator, such as an LED generator, it is desirable to be able to produce the aforementioned rotation so as to achieve an overall emission configuration at least approximately similar to that obtained with conventional sources. To this end, solutions have been proposed based on the use of screws or threads, or more precisely on assemblies comprising springs and screws, in order to be able to remove the ring and fix it in the desired (angular) position.

In this regard, it is desirable to be able to perform these operations (and, more generally, to assemble "lamps" or bulbs in desired locations) without involving the execution of complex operations and/or the use of specific tools.

Disclosure of Invention

One or more embodiments are directed to facilitating providing improvements to solutions in accordance with the criteria outlined above.

According to one or more embodiments, this object is achieved by a mounting structure according to an aspect of the present invention.

One or more embodiments may relate to a corresponding lighting device (e.g., a lamp or bulb that may be used as a retrofit source in the automotive field).

One or more embodiments may be directed to a corresponding method.

One or more embodiments facilitate the production of LED lamps or bulbs (e.g., H-shaped) that can be installed and rotated in a desired position without having to resort to specific tools and/or particularly complex operations.

One or more embodiments may allow performing the orientation operation with the optical radiation source already installed, e.g. already installed in the emitter of a reflector or spotlight.

One or more embodiments facilitate the adjustment of the angular position of the light radiation source by means of a pressure/rotation action that can be performed without having to disassemble the assembly, for example without having to remove the lamp or bulb from the emitter body.

Thus, it may be avoided that tools, e.g. a screwdriver, have to be used to remove the ring, rotate the ring and fix the ring in a new position, and thereby continue to mount the ring in the body of the reflector. All this involves a series of risky operations and this series of operations must be repeated until the desired angular position is reached.

Drawings

One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figures 1 and 2 are two perspective views showing possible ways of using the embodiments;

fig. 3 and 4 show a portion of the assembly illustrated in fig. 1 and 2 shown on the right, wherein fig. 4 generally corresponds to a perspective view taken at a diametric plane of the element shown in fig. 3;

fig. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate possible ways of using the embodiments as illustrated in fig. 1 to 4;

figures 6 and 7 are two perspective views illustrating other possible embodiments and corresponding methods of use;

fig. 8 and 9 are views of a portion of the device illustrated in fig. 6 and 7, also shown on the right, and which is viewed in a stereoscopic manner according to two different points of view;

fig. 10A and 10B illustrate a possible way of using the embodiment as illustrated in fig. 6 to 9;

figures 11 and 12 are two perspective views illustrating other possible embodiments and corresponding methods of use; and

fig. 13A, 13B and 13C illustrate a possible way of using the embodiment as illustrated in fig. 11 and 12.

It will be appreciated that for clarity and simplicity of illustration, the various views may not be rendered to the same scale.

It will also be understood that elements and features presented herein, individually or in combination with one another, may also be applied, individually or in combination, to embodiments illustrated in other figures, with reference to embodiments illustrated in one or more of the figures attached hereto.

In other words, the fact that a given element or feature is illustrated herein with reference to a certain drawing should not be understood, even only indirectly, as indicating the fact that the element or feature is limited only to the embodiments illustrated in the drawing in which it is represented herein.

Detailed Description

The following description shows various specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of various examples of implementations. Embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

Reference to an "embodiment" in the context of this description indicates that a particular configuration, structure, or feature described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, sentences such as "in an embodiment" that may appear at various points in the present description do not necessarily refer to the exact same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular configurations, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Reference signs used herein are provided merely for convenience and therefore do not limit the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a lighting device such as, for example, one that can be used (for example, as a retrofit or "retrofit" element) as a lamp or bulb that can be used in the automotive field in place of a lamp or bulb of the conventional type.

Of course, the reference to this possible field of application, as well as to retrofit applications, is of illustrative value only, and should not be understood in any way, even indirectly, as limiting the meaning of the embodiments.

For example, in one or more embodiments as exemplified herein, the device 10 may comprise a mounting structure comprising a bearing or support, or bearing or support portion (hereinafter "carrier portion") 11, on which carrier portion 11 one or more electrodynamic light radiation generators may be mounted. These may be electrical light radiation generators L (see power cables denoted with C), such as solid-state light radiation generators, for example LEDs.

In one or more embodiments as exemplified herein, the carrier part 11 comprises an elongated body 110, for example having a finger-like shape, which elongated body 110 is fitted with a ring part 12 (in the example shown here, a circular ring part in the form of a closed ring) thereon.

In one or more embodiments, the elongate body 110 may extend along the longitudinal axis X10 between the following first (proximal) end 110a and second (distal) end 110 b:

the first (proximal) end 110a may be configured as a heat sink, such as a heat sink material and/or a heat sink having a fin structure; and is

One or more optical radiation generators L may be mounted on the second (distal) end 110 b.

According to known standards, in one or more embodiments, the generator L or each of the generators L may comprise a supporting plate or plate substantially similar to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), which is planar in shape, has a supporting surface, and on which one or more light radiation generators are mounted.

For example, in one or more embodiments as exemplified herein, the distal end 110b of the elongate body 110 can present a narrow portion (a "flat" portion) having two opposing and parallel planes, each of which carries a generator L mounted thereon (only one of which can be seen in the figures).

The elongated body 110 of the carrier part 11 may comprise a thermally conductive material and extend at the end 110b at the light radiation generator L, for example according to a sandwich structure (sandwire structure) between two generators L arranged on opposite faces of the flat part of the end 110 b.

In one or more embodiments, these generators L can be positioned at the same distance with respect to an intermediate reference plane of the emission volume of the optical radiation at the axis X10.

This solution helps to obtain an emission configuration of the light radiation starting from the device 10 similar to that which can be obtained with a lamp or an incandescent bulb.

Due to the presence of the ring portion 12, the portion 11 can be mounted in a reflector R (the outline of which is indicated by a dashed line in fig. 1, 6 and 11), wherein the light radiation generator L can be positioned in a position at least close to the focal point with respect to the reflector R, which can have a substantially barrel-like shape, for example a parabolic shape.

This structure facilitates the fixing of the generator with respect to the reflector R (or, in general, with respect to the light or emitter comprised in the reflector R), and the dissipation of the heat generated during operation (since the heat generated by the generator L propagates along the elongated body 110 towards the heat sink at the end 110 a).

The relative positioning (axial and angular) of the carrier part 11 and the ring part 12 (the carrier part 11 and the ring part 12 may be fixed to the reflector R according to known standards) contributes to achieving the following conditions: in this state, the light radiation of the generator L can be emitted by the reflector R according to a desired radiation configuration, for example, similar to that which can be obtained with a conventional incandescent light radiation source. This may be done according to specifications that require the presence of certain cut-off angles (e.g. for class H lamps) at which there is an undesired emission of light radiation.

Thus, one or more embodiments illustrated herein allow for:

a) along the axis X10, a certain relative axial position of the carrier part 11 (and therefore of the light radiation generator L) and of the ring part 12 is achieved (and maintained), and

b) about the axis X10, the relative angular position of the carrier part 11 (and therefore of the light radiation generator L) and of the ring part 12 is selectively varied: see arrows in fig. 2 and fig. 4 as examples.

Various methods of coupling the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 and the ring portion 12 fitted on the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 will be described below, so as to facilitate:

i) on the one hand, limiting the relative movement of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 along the axis X10 at least in one direction (for example in a movement direction away from the ring portion 12 with respect to the end 110a of the body 110), and

ii) on the other hand, the relative rotational movement of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 about the axis X10, possibly step-wise.

The aforementioned restraining or limiting action facilitates, for example, the (secure) mounting of the device 10 on the reflector R.

The aforementioned rotational movement (which may be initiated in discrete steps of the same or different values that can be precisely determined) contributes to the orientation of the generator relative to the reflector R.

As mentioned above, in one or more embodiments, the carrier portion 11 may perform a heat dissipation function, for example at the end 110a, wherein the elongated body can contribute to the heat conduction from the generator L.

In one or more embodiments, the carrier portion 11 may comprise a thermally conductive material, such as a metallic material (e.g., aluminum or light alloy) or a thermally conductive plastic material.

In one or more embodiments, the ring portion 12 may comprise a plastic material, such as a polymer, or a metallic material, such as aluminum or a light alloy.

In both cases (carrier part 11, ring part 12), these may be a single material or different materials coupled, for example by means of overmoulding.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrate a possible embodiment, in which the ring portion 12 may have a step formation on the inner surface of the axial hole of the ring (which should be centered with respect to the axis X10), which comprises, for example, two or more arcuately shaped engagement elements 121 (for example step-shaped, two or more arcuately shaped engagement elements 121 may be assumed to be in one piece with the ring body), the two or more arcuately shaped engagement elements 121 being spaced apart by one or more channels 122 extending in an axial direction (and therefore along the axis X10) with respect to the ring portion 12.

Thus, the channel 122 or each of the channels 122 may form a passage through which the respective pin or tooth 111 may pass (wherein the ring portion 12 is fitted on the elongated body 110 and axially advances the ring portion 12 on the elongated body with respect to the axis X10, for example, towards the end 110a), the respective pin or tooth 111 projecting radially with respect to the elongated body 110.

Even in fig. 1, 2 and 4, only one channel 122 and only one tooth or pin 111 that can slide axially along the channel can be seen, for example, in one or more embodiments, two or more pins or teeth 111 can be provided (e.g., diametrically opposed), the two or more pins or teeth 111 can slide along the respective channels 122, the channels 122 also being diametrically opposed: in this regard, reference to fig. 5A-5D-5A-5D may be considered at least approximately as an end view of the device 10 as viewed from the end 110b of the carrier portion 11.

As can be appreciated by observing fig. 5A-5D, one or more of the embodiments illustrated in fig. 1 and 4 may provide a coupling configuration of the ring portion 12 with the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 that is somewhat similar to a bayonet coupling, wherein, when the one or more pins 111 are not aligned with the channels 122 (which may occur in a range of angular positions substantially determined by the circumferential extension of the step formation 121), the ring portion 12 may be retained on the elongated body 110, resisting the ring portion 12 from moving away relative to the end 110a, as the pins or teeth 111 abut against an engagement surface 1210 of the step formation 121 that extends in a transverse direction relative to the axis X10.

In one or more embodiments as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the step formation 121 may have a surface 1210 (surface 1210 facing away from the end 110a, in the example presented here, surface 1210 is such) which surface 1210 has an engraved pattern given by a wave or toothed profile.

This pattern may create a plurality of different possible positions for one or more teeth 111 to couple or abut against formation 121 (see arrow festooning in the middle of fig. 4). These different possible positions of coupling or abutment may correspond to different respective angular positions of the ring portion 12 relative to the elongated body 110 (and thus relative to the carrier portion 11) about the axis X10 within the angular adjustment range exemplified by the angle a in fig. 5D.

For example, in one or more embodiments, the profile of the contoured or toothed surface 1210 can be defined to correspond to an angular adjustment step of about 15 °. The aforementioned adjustment steps can thus determine the corresponding adjustment position of the orientation of the light radiation generator L relative to the surface of the reflector R, so that the desired adjustment state is achieved.

In one or more embodiments, a resilient member, such as a resilient ring (O-ring) 102, may be fitted over the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 (e.g., between the end 110a with the heat sink and the ring portion 12) and may be configured to create a resilient preload or bias (e.g., see the arrow at the bottom of fig. 4) that forces the surface 1210 of the formation 121 and the one or more teeth 111 into a mutually opposed or abutting condition so as to securely maintain the coupled condition between the carrier portion 11 and the ring portion 12 at a desired (angular) adjustment value.

In one or more embodiments, one or more of teeth 111 may be made of a metallic material that is capable of adequately withstanding such stresses, given the possible presence of this resilient biasing force.

Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the coupling configuration between the loop portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 may be performed in a complementary manner with respect to the embodiments presented herein by way of example.

In particular, in one or more embodiments, the coupling configuration may be "reversed" by:

by placing coupling formations (e.g. one or more teeth or pins 111) on the inwardly projecting ring portion 12, which coupling formations are exemplified here as being placed on the elongate body 110 in an outwardly projecting and complementary manner,

by providing formations 121 on the elongate body 110 of the carrier portion 11 (e.g. projecting outwardly and having possibly different axial orientations of the surface 1210), wherein corresponding channel portions 122 of the toothed/wave surface 1210 (illustrated here as being provided on the ring portion 12) project inwardly.

Such complementary coupling configurations (with possible embodiment variants) are illustrated herein with reference to fig. 6 to 9 and again to fig. 10A, 10B.

In fig. 6 to 9 and again in fig. 10A and 10B, parts or elements similar to the parts or elements already presented in connection with fig. 1 to 4 and 5A to 5D are denoted with the same reference numerals, so that a corresponding detailed description need not be repeated here.

In one or more embodiments as illustrated in fig. 6 to 9 and again in fig. 10A and 10B, the ring portion 12 is provided with crowns of elastic teeth 123 (in this case, also assumed centered with respect to the axis X10), the elastic teeth 123 extending distally in the axial direction from an inwardly projecting tip portion of the ring portion 12 with respect to the ring portion 12.

For example, the tooth 12 directed towards the end 110a (heat sink) of the elongated body 110 can engage (for example, by snap engagement by virtue of the elasticity of the respective root portion 1230) a slot 124, which slot 124 extends on the surface of the elongated body 110 about the axis X10 in a plane transverse to the axis X10.

In this manner, when the teeth 123 engage the slots 124 (see the sequence of fig. 6 and 7), the engagement of the teeth 123 in the slots 124 resists relative movement of the ring portion 12 relative to the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11.

By imparting a hook-like configuration to the teeth 123 (see fig. 8 and 9), this action may occur primarily in a direction that resists movement of the ring portion 12 away from the end 110 a.

At the same time, the ring portion 12 may maintain a certain rotational capacity about the axis X10 with respect to the elongated body 110, due to the possibility of the teeth 123 sliding circumferentially inside the slots 124.

Due to the possible sculpting configuration of the slot 124, for example, due to the presence of the raised teeth 1240 emerging from the bottom wall of the slot 124 itself, the sliding motion (and the angular orientation of the ring portion 12 relative to the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11) may be adjusted in steps.

In this way, the fact that the teeth 123 are at least slightly elastically spread apart to be able to pass over the projections 1240, thanks to the relative rotation imparted to the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110, allows the relative angular position of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 to be adjusted by discrete steps (for example, with an angular value of 22.5 °).

Again, fig. 10B illustrates the possibility of adjusting the angular position of the ring portion 12 about the axis X10 with respect to the elongated body 110 within an adjustment range a, which may correspond to one, two or three times the angular adjustment step of 22.5 ° (of course, this is only an exemplary value) determined by the mounting position of the teeth 123.

As also in the embodiments shown in fig. 6 to 9 and 10A, 10B, it is envisaged that there may be a resilient member 102, such as for example a resilient ring (O-ring), which may provide a resilient biasing force (e.g. in a direction moving the ring portion 12 away from the end 110A) which (also due to the hook shape of the teeth 123) is capable of reinforcing the coupled state and the relative angular position between the ring portion 12 and the carrier portion 11.

Again, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the coupling configuration between the loop portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 as illustrated in fig. 6-9, 10A and 10B may be performed in a complementary manner with respect to the embodiments presented herein by way of example.

by providing a groove 124 on the ring portion 12, which groove 124 is exemplified herein as being provided on the elongated body 110 and being provided in a complementary manner;

by placing the resilient teeth 123 in an outwardly protruding manner on the elongated body 110 of the carrier part 11, which resilient teeth 123 are here exemplified as inwardly protruding placed on the ring part 12.

Fig. 11, 12 and 13A to 13C (in which again parts or elements similar to those already presented in connection with the previous figures are denoted with the same reference numerals, thus making it unnecessary to repeat here an excessive corresponding detailed description) can be seen as representing a simplification of the solution illustrated in fig. 6 to 9 and 10A, 10B.

For example, as shown in fig. 11, 12 and 13A to 13C, one or more embodiments may provide that there are only two elastic teeth 123, said two elastic teeth 123 being disposed at diametrically opposite positions with respect to the axis X10 of the extension of the ring portion 12.

In one or more embodiments, as shown in fig. 11, 12, and 13A-13C, it is contemplated that grooves 124 may have walls, such as bottom wall 1240, engraved with a comb-like undulating serrated profile, substantially similar to surface 1210 that may be seen in fig. 3 and 4.

For example, as illustrated in fig. 13A, 13B and 13C, the relative angular position of the ring portion 12 about the axis X10 and the relative angular position of the elongate body 110 about the axis X10 may be adjusted within the angular range a in the following manner: operating in steps corresponding to different possible angular coupling positions of the teeth 123 (see, for example, fig. 11 and 12) and the continuous undulations/teeth of the bottom wall 1240 of the groove 124.

As illustrated in fig. 11, 12 and 13A, 13B and 13C, one or more embodiments envisage providing the aforesaid discretization by steps of the possible angular adjustment range, by acting on the profile of the grooves 124 instead of on the pitch of the teeth 123 with respect to the angular distribution, as is the case with the solutions illustrated in fig. 6 to 9 and 10A, 10B.

In the case of the coupling configuration between the ring portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 as illustrated in fig. 6 to 9 and 10A, 10B, the coupling configuration between the ring portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 illustrated in fig. 11, 12 and 13A to 13C is also suitable to be performed in a complementary manner to the embodiment solution presented herein by way of example.

by providing a groove 124 on the ring portion 12, which groove 124 is exemplified herein as being provided on the elongated body 110 and being provided in a complementary manner,

by placing the resilient teeth 123 in an outwardly protruding manner on the elongated body 110 of the carrier part 11, which resilient teeth 123 are exemplified herein as being placed in an inwardly protruding manner on the ring part 12.

Once again, as already mentioned at the beginning of the detailed description, with reference to the embodiments illustrated in one or more of the figures attached herein, the elements and features presented here, individually or in combination with each other, can also be applied, individually or in combination, in the embodiments illustrated in the other figures.

Furthermore, the fact that a given element or feature has been illustrated herein with reference to a certain drawing is not to be construed, even only indirectly, as indicating the fact that element or feature is limited in use only to the embodiments illustrated in the drawing in which it is represented herein.

Thus, as exemplified herein, a mounting structure (e.g., 11, 12) for a lighting device (e.g., L) may comprise:

-a carrier portion (e.g. 11) of the light generator (e.g. L, which may itself be a separate element with respect to the mounting structure), the carrier portion comprising an elongated body (e.g. 110) extending along a longitudinal axis (e.g. X10); and

a ring portion (e.g. 12) mounted on the elongated body of the carrier portion,

wherein:

one of the elongated body or the ring portion of the carrier portion (i.e. the elongated body or respectively the ring portion) carries at least one tooth element (e.g. a tooth 111 carried by the elongated body 110 in fig. 1 to 4 and 5A to 5D or a tooth 123 carried by the ring portion 12 in fig. 6 to 9 and 10A to 10B and again in fig. 11, 12 and 13A to 13C) extending towards the other of the elongated body or the ring portion of the carrier portion (i.e. towards the ring portion or respectively the elongated body);

the other of the ring portion or the elongated body of the carrier portion comprises at least one arcuate engagement formation for the at least one tooth member (e.g. a step formation 121 in the ring portion 13 in fig. 1-4 and 5A-5D or a slot 124 in the elongated body 110 in fig. 6-9 and 10A-10B and again in fig. 11, 12 and 13A-13C), wherein mutual displacement of the carrier portion and the ring portion along the longitudinal axis is limited by the at least one tooth member engaging the at least one arcuate engagement formation in the following manner: the at least one tooth member is displaceable along the at least one arcuate engagement formation such that the elongate body of the carrier portion is rotatable relative to the ring portion about said longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the carrier portion.

In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one arcuate engagement formation may comprise a sculpted surface (e.g. 1210 in fig. 1-4 and 5A-5D or 1240 in fig. 6-9 and 10A-10B and again in fig. 11, 12 and 13A-13C) that provides a plurality of engagement positions for the at least one tooth member, the engagement positions of said plurality of engagement positions being angularly spaced about said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion such that the ring portion is rotatable stepwise about said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion relative to the elongated body of the carrier portion.

The mounting structure as exemplified herein may comprise at least one resilient member (e.g. 102; 1230) which resiliently urges the at least one tooth element and the at least one arcuate engagement formation into interengagement.

In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one resilient member may comprise a resilient ring (e.g. 102) which fits over the elongate body of the carrier portion and which exerts an axial biasing force on the ring portion along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the carrier portion.

In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one resilient member may comprise at least one resilient arm (e.g. 1230) carrying the at least one tooth member and exerting a radial biasing force on the tooth member transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.

In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one arcuate engagement formation may comprise a step formation (e.g. 121) having an engagement surface against which the at least one tooth member abuts, the engagement surface extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.

In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one resilient member may comprise at least one axial channel (e.g. 122) extending along said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion, the at least one axial channel providing an advancement path for the at least one tooth element towards said engagement surface.

In the mounting structure as exemplified herein, said one of the ring portion or the elongated body of the carrier portion may carry a plurality of tooth members (e.g. 123) projecting towards the other of the ring portion or the elongated body of the carrier portion, the tooth members of the plurality of tooth members being angularly distributed about said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.

In the mounting structure as exemplified herein, the elongated body of the carrier portion may extend along the longitudinal axis between a heat dissipating proximal end (e.g., heat sink 110a) and a distal end (e.g., flat portion 110b) of the light generator support, wherein the annular portion may be disposed between the proximal end and the distal end.

A lighting device as exemplified herein may comprise:

-a mounting structure (e.g. 11, 12) as exemplified herein; and

-at least one electrical (see cable C) light radiation generator (L), optionally an LED generator, carried by the elongated body of the carrier portion in the mounting structure.

A method as exemplified herein may comprise:

-providing a mounting structure as exemplified herein;

-mounting at least one electrical light radiation generator, optionally an LED generator, on a carrier part of the mounting structure, and

-changing the orientation of at least one light radiation generator mounted on the carrier part relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier part by relative rotation of the elongated body of the carrier part of the mounting structure relative to the ring part about the longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier part (see arrows in fig. 2 and 4).

Without prejudice to the underlying principles, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to those described herein, purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The scope of protection is determined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

10 Lighting device

11 carrier part

110 elongated body

Longitudinal axis of X10

12 Ring portion

111 tooth component

123 tooth component

121 joint forming part

124 engagement formation

1210 engagement surface

1240 engaging surface

102 elastic member

1230 elastic member

122 axial passage

110a proximal end portion

110b distal end portion

L-shaped light radiation generator

C electric cable

Claims

1. A mounting structure for a lighting device (10), the structure comprising:

a carrier portion (11) of a light radiation generator (L), the carrier portion (11) comprising an elongated body (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (X10); and

a ring portion (12), the ring portion (12) being fitted on the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11),

wherein:

one of the elongated body (110) and the ring portion (12) of the carrier portion (11) carries at least one tooth member (111; 123) projecting towards the other of the elongated body (110) and the ring portion (12) of the carrier portion (11);

the other one of the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12) comprises at least one arched engagement formation (121; 124) for the at least one tooth member (111; 123), wherein the mutual displacement of the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12) along the longitudinal axis (X10) is limited by: said at least one tooth member (111; 123) being engaged with said at least one arcuate engagement formation (121; 124) in a displaceable manner along said at least one arcuate engagement formation (121; 124), wherein the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11) is rotatable relative to the ring portion (12) about a longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11),

characterized in that the at least one arcuate engagement formation (121; 124) comprises an engraved surface providing a plurality of engagement positions for the at least one tooth member (111; 123), an engagement position of the plurality of engagement positions being angularly spaced about a longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11), wherein the ring portion (12) is rotatable stepwise about a longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11) relative to the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11).

2. The mounting structure according to claim 1, comprising at least one resilient member (102; 1230), the at least one resilient member (102; 1230) resiliently forcing the at least one tooth member (111; 123) and the at least one arched engagement formation (121; 124) into engagement with each other.

3. The mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the at least one resilient member comprises a resilient ring (102), the resilient ring (102) being fitted on the elongated body (110) of the carrier part (11), and the resilient ring (102) exerting an axial biasing force on the ring part (12) along a longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier part (11).

4. The mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the at least one resilient member comprises at least one resilient arm (1230), the at least one resilient arm (1230) carrying the at least one tooth member (123) and exerting a radial biasing force on the tooth member (123) transverse to a longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11).

5. The mounting structure according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one arcuate engagement formation comprises a stepped formation having an engagement surface (1210) against which the at least one tooth member (111) abuts, the engagement surface (1210) extending transverse to a longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11).

6. The mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein the at least one arcuate engagement formation comprises at least one axial channel (122) extending along a longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11), the at least one axial channel (122) providing an advancement path for the at least one tooth member (111) towards the engagement surface (1210).

7. The mounting structure according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said one of the ring portion (12) and the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11) carries a plurality of tooth members (123) protruding towards the other of the ring portion (12) and the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11), the tooth members of the plurality of tooth members (123) being angularly distributed about a longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11).

8. The mounting structure according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11) extends along the longitudinal axis (X10) between a heat dissipating proximal end (110a) and a light generator carrier distal end (110b), the ring portion (12) being arranged between the proximal end (110a) and the distal end (110 b).

9. A lighting device (10) comprising:

a mounting structure according to any one of the preceding claims; and

at least one electrically-powered light radiation generator (L) carried by the carrier portion (11) in the mounting structure.

10. The lighting device (10) according to claim 9, wherein at least one electrically powered light radiation generator (L) is a LED generator.

11. A method of operating a mounting structure for a lighting device, comprising:

providing a mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8;

-mounting at least one electrically-powered light radiation generator (L) on a carrier part (11) of the mounting structure; and

-changing the orientation of the at least one electrically-powered light radiation generator (L) mounted on the carrier part (11) relative to the longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier part (11) by relative rotation of the elongated body (110) of the carrier part (11) relative to the ring part (12) about the longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier part (11).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein at least one electrically powered light radiation generator (L) is a LED generator.