DE202011001198U1 - light element - Google Patents

Abstract

Luminous element, comprising a tubular outer body (1), and at least one LED illuminant (2) arranged in the interior of the tubular outer body (1), characterized in that the LED illuminant (2) axially in the longitudinal direction of the tubular outer body (1) is arranged and that at least one shaped element (3) for influencing the light distribution is arranged on the inside of the tubular outer body (1).

Description

The invention relates to a substantially tubular, LED-based light-emitting element.

Tubular LED bulbs are known in the art.

For example, describes EP 2 151 620 A1 an LED light tube of transparent plastic material with a Kühlkorper on which several LEDs are arranged. The LEDs are soldered to a correspondingly designed circuit board so that the LED tube develops the highest possible luminous intensity.

Due to the arrangement of the LEDs and their plurality arise in an LED tube light, as disclosed in said European patent application, obvious disadvantages. On the one hand, the disclosed arrangement of the LEDs leads to a unilateral and, in particular, in conjunction with a narrow-angle radiation characteristic which is predominantly found in LEDs, leads to a radially uneven light emission of the LED lighting tubes. Therefore, the mounting position must be taken into account both in the production of the arc tube, as well as their use. Secondly, such a large number of LEDs requires a high manufacturing outlay; furthermore, the solution potentially has a relatively high power requirement.

There are other solutions for fluorescent tubes LED-based known, which are suitable for use in conventional fluorescent tube holders and cause an all-round light output.

Such a luminous tubes discloses, for example, the utility model AT 10 995 , The LED tube-shaped fluorescent tube described herein for replacement of conventional fluorescent tubes has LEDs arranged in multiple rows. The mounting planes of the LED rows are each arranged at an angle offset, preferably of in each case 90 °, to each other, resulting in radially a somewhat equal distribution of the light emitted by the LEDs inside and thus outside of the arc tube.

The fluorescent tubes is also designed so that they can be used in conventional lamp holders for fluorescent tubes. For this purpose, the arc tube at both ends of standardized plug, which correspond to those of commercially available fluorescent tubes.

As with the above-mentioned European patent application, a plurality of LEDs is also necessary in this solution, with the need of the plurality of LEDs is here to ensure the most uniform possible light distribution and a corresponding light intensity. Thus, the utility model described here has the disadvantage that the arrangement according to the invention of a plurality of LEDs within the arc tube requires an increased effort in the production of the arc tube and an increased power requirement.

It is the object of the invention to provide a tube-shaped light-emitting element based on LEDs, which enables a homogeneous light distribution with a small number of LEDs and a simple construction and which is preferably suitable for use in standardized lampholders for fluorescent tubes.

The object is achieved by the features listed in the protection claim 1. Preferred developments emerge from the subclaims.

A luminous element according to the invention has a tubular outer body, hereinafter also referred to as outer body, and at least one LED illuminant arranged inside the outer body, also referred to as LED only.

Tubular in the present case means that the outer body is a hollow body with preferably round cross-section. In addition, the cross-section of the outer body may also have other, geometric shapes, such as angular, ovalized, etc.

The LED illuminant is arranged axially, ie in the longitudinal direction of the tubular outer body, in the latter.

The axial arrangement of the LED is understood here to mean that the main emission direction of the light emitted by the LED runs essentially along the longitudinal axis of the outer body. Equivalent is an arrangement in which the main emission along the longitudinal axis is generated by reflectors.

Within the tubular outer body, a mold element for influencing the distribution of the light emitted by the LED within the outer body is furthermore particularly advantageously arranged.

As a shape element, each element is considered, which causes a deviation from the uniform inner surface of the outer body. It does not matter whether the molding element during the production of the outer body, for example by pouring or similar Steps integrated in this, or subsequently, for example, by gluing or similar operations, is used in the outer body. The shaped element may be convex, for example as a lamella, or concave, for example as an annular groove.

Furthermore, a molded element according to the invention can either consist of the same material as the outer body or of any other material adapted to the intended use.

The influencing of the light distribution through the molding element within the tubular outer body takes place according to the invention by reflection, refraction or at least partially by transmission.

A particular advantage of the solution is that with only one LED in one-sided or two LEDs in two-sided arrangement, the homogeneous light distribution of the light output from the surface of the outer body is achieved both radially and axially.

A lighting element according to the invention can be used in a preferred development in a standardized version for fluorescent tubes.

For this purpose, the tubular outer body is preferably provided at its end faces with at least one standardized plug. Through this connector, both the mechanical and the electrical connection of the light-emitting element is ensured to the socket.

According to the invention, each of the end faces of the outer body, or else only a single end face, can be provided with a corresponding plug.

If only one of the end faces of the outer body is provided with a standardized plug, then the end face of the outer body lying opposite the plug has a correspondingly formed aperture. The panel ensures, instead of a second plug, the secure fit of the light element in the socket.

Compared to the well-known from the prior art LED tubes, it is no longer necessary because of the inventive axial arrangement of the LED bulb in conjunction with the mold elements to influence the light distribution at the onset of the light element, the installation position of the Note lighting element, since the light output is radially gleichmaßig over the entire circumference of the bulb.

The LED illuminant is arranged in a preferred embodiment of the invention end face in the tubular outer body.

The end-face arrangement of the LED ensures on the one hand the emission of the emitted light in the longitudinal direction of the tubular outer body, on the other hand, a costly installation of current-carrying lines within the Außenkorpers is avoided because the LED directly on the, provided with the connector already described, end face of the Außenkorpers is attached.

A further preferred development of the luminous element according to the invention provides that an LED illuminant is mounted on both end faces of the tubular outer body, opposite one another.

The arrangement of two LEDs opposite one another, can be particularly advantageous to increase the light intensity provided by an inventive luminous element, as well as to improve the illumination of the tubular outer body.

For bundling and direction of the light emitted by the LED, in a likewise preferred variant of the invention, a directional reflector is provided between the LED and the end of the outer body holding the LED.

About this directional reflector and the part of the emitted light of the LED, which is radiated at a defined angle to the longitudinal direction of the outer body, reflected, bundled and directed in the longitudinal direction of the outer body.

As a result, it is achieved particularly advantageously that almost the entire light emitted by the LED is directed axially and thus in the longitudinal direction of the tubular outer body.

In a further preferred embodiment of the luminous element, a shaped element provided according to the invention is arranged perpendicularly, that is to say at an angle of 90 °, to the outer surface of the tubular outer body and thus to its longitudinal axis.

The vertical arrangement makes it possible, in particular in the case of a reflective embodiment of the surface of the formula element, to improve the homogeneous light distribution within the outer body. In particular, in this case the axially directed light of the LED is reflected and thereby additionally distributed within the outer body.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the mold element so is arranged within the outer body, that the vertical axis of the element element occupies a defined angle, for example 45 °, to the longitudinal axis of the outer body.

By the resulting inclination of the molding element within the outer body, a targeted reflection can be achieved, for example, to selectively irradiate less bright areas of the outer body, in particular the molding element opposite areas of the outer body.

A likewise preferred development of the invention provides that a plurality of mutually spaced apart form elements are arranged in the interior of the tubular outer body such that their surfaces are substantially plane-parallel to each other.

The form elements are formed in this case, for example, as lamellae, which at least partially overhang.

The lamellae are designed so that the effective reflection surface increases with increasing distance to the LED.

Thus, it is particularly advantageously made possible that the degree of reflection of the emitted light is designed so that with increasing distance of a lamella to the LED a greater part of the light is reflected and thus a homogeneous light distribution within the outer body is considerably improved.

In the case of a plurality of spaced-apart, arranged mold elements, these are, in a preferred embodiment of the luminous element, at least partially partially transparent mirrored.

Such a partially transparent surface coating allows the mold elements particularly advantageously to transmit part of the incident light.

The transmitted part of the light is thus made possible to meet through a molding element on another mold element or a portion of the outer body; it is favored diffuse diffraction and optionally reflection and thus a uniform distribution of light within the tubular outer body.

A form element according to the invention is ring-shaped in a further preferred variant of the invention.

Under ringformig is understood that the mold element is formed according to the geometric shape of the tube-shaped outer body and includes the entire cross-section of the Außenkorpers.

Due to the annular formation of a formula element according to the invention, the light-distributing surface is increased within the luminous element.

An equally preferred embodiment of the luminous element provides that the outer body at least partially has a different light transmission.

This partially different light transmission of Außenkorpers allows on the one hand particularly advantageous to make the tubular outer body with respect to a homogeneous light image so that increases the light transmission of the outer body with increasing distance to the LED light source. On the other hand, a variably designed light transmission makes it possible to generate special lighting images and to adapt them to the respective intended use of the lighting element.

The tubular outer body of a luminous element according to the invention is made in a further preferred embodiment of a photoconductive material such as acrylic, plastic or glass.

In this case, light-conducting means that, due to its particle structure, the material is capable of reflecting, guiding and distributing incoming light in itself.

By using such a material for the outer body of a luminous element according to the invention, the homogeneous light distribution can be supported particularly advantageously.

In an equally preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubular outer body of the luminous element is filled with a light-conducting medium.

As the light-conducting medium, in particular gas or else a corresponding liquid is used, which is introduced into the outer body and additionally improves the homogeneity of the light distribution.

The homogeneity of the light distribution is further supported in a preferred variant in that according to the, in the axial direction, different light input into the outer body, this has a partially reflecting reflector, wherein the reflectance is higher in the portions of the application with a larger light intensity and vice versa. This partially reflective Reflector can be provided on the outside or inside, for example by evaporation.

In order to enable bundling and targeted delivery of the light generated by the entire luminous element, the outer body of the luminous element in a further preferred embodiment is partially surrounded by a radially asymmetrical reflector.

This outer reflector is particularly advantageous designed so that the light emitted by the light emitting element can be targeted to a specific area of a room to be illuminated.

Thus, a luminous element according to the invention is particularly advantageous for use in workspaces or at exhibitions in which only certain areas of space to be selectively illuminated.

Another field of application of a luminous element according to the invention is to backlight or shield signs such as known emergency exit signs.

Due to the small number of required LED bulbs manufacturing costs and the required power consumption of a luminous element according to the invention over the known systems are significantly reduced.

A further preferred variant of a luminous element according to the invention provides that the outer body is rod-shaped from a solid material.

The distribution of the light emitted by the LED is in this case by reflection and refraction within the solid material itself.

In order to achieve a targeted delivery of the emitted light, in a preferred variant, the at least one shaped element is present as a recess, for example as a cut-out, in the outer circumferential surface of the outer body.

In another variant, optically active material defects, such as cracks, bubbles or foreign materials of other optical density are introduced into the solid material, which are to be regarded as shaped elements in the context of the invention.

The present invention will be described as an embodiment with reference to

1 Schematic diagram with slats and

2 Schematic diagram with triangular elements explained in more detail.

1 shows a longitudinal section through an inventive element with lamellae.

The luminous element has a tubular outer body 1 on which two identical LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 assigned.

The LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 are axially frontally, in the longitudinal direction of the outer body 1 arranged. The axial arrangement of the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 causes emission of light from the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 primarily in the longitudinal direction of the Außenkorpers 1 ,

Furthermore, the outer body 1 several spaced mold elements 3 assigned in this way that their surfaces are aligned parallel to each other.

The form elements 3 are there as in the outer body 1 molded lamellae, which consist of the same material as the outer body 1 ,

The surfaces of the form elements 3 are particularly advantageous in that they have different transmission and reflection properties with respect to incident light.

At the same time, the degree of reflection of the form elements decreases 3 with increasing distance to the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 continuously too.

This special surface texture of the form elements 3 it allows this through the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 emitted light only partially or completely reflect.

It is thus particularly vorteihaft causes that, by the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 emitted, light, through the form elements 3 is refracted and reflected within the outer body and thus a homogeneous distribution of light in the outer body 1 with simultaneous use of only two LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 arises.

To make sure that almost the entire amount of, through the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 emitted, light in the longitudinal direction of the outer body 1 is directed and thus for reflection within the outer body 1 is available, the outer body points 1 in the interior there are still two directional reflectors 3.1 and 3.2 on.

The arrangement of the directional reflectors 3.1 and 3.2 takes place particularly advantageous so that the laterally radiated part of, through the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 emitted light from the directional reflectors 3.1 and 3.2 bundled and axially in the longitudinal direction of Außenkorpers 1 is directed.

This is also the side by the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 emitted part of the light for the reflection of the mold elements and thus for the homogeneous light distribution within the outer body 1 harnessed.

For use in commercially available sockets for fluorescent tubes, is the outer body 1 a luminous element according to the invention, the front side, each with a standard plug 5.1 and 5.2 Mistake.

These plugs 5.1 and 5.2 correspond to those conventional fluorescent tubes and are used in the use of the light emitting element for a power supply to the LEDs 2.1 and 2.2 and on the other to ensure the secure fit of the light element in the socket.

2 also shows a longitudinal section through a lighting element according to the invention.

The form elements 3 However, here are designed as elements with triangular section and not plan-parallel surfaces.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Außenkorper

2.1

first LED

2.2

second LED

3

forming element

4.1

first directional reflector

4.2

second directional reflector

5.1

first plug

5.2

second plug

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2151620 A1 [0003]
• AT 10995 [0006]

Claims (18)

Luminous element comprising a tubular outer body ( 1 ), as well as at least one, inside the tubular outer body ( 1 ) arranged LED light source ( 2 ), characterized in that the LED illuminant ( 2 ) axially in the longitudinal direction of the tubular outer body ( 1 ) and that on the inside of the tubular outer body ( 1 ) at least one shaped element ( 3 ) is arranged to influence the light distribution. Luminous element according to claim 1, characterized in that the luminous element can be inserted into a standardized socket for fluorescent tubes. Luminous element according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the LED lighting means ( 2 ) end face in the tubular outer body ( 1 ) is arranged. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case an LED light source ( 2 ) at both end faces of the tubular outer body ( 1 ) is arranged. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the LED lighting means ( 2 ) and the, the LED illuminant ( 2 ) holding, end face of the tubular outer body ( 1 ) a directional reflector ( 4 ) is arranged. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped element ( 3 ) perpendicular to the lateral surface of the tubular outer body ( 1 ) is arranged. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped element ( 3 ) a defined angle to the lateral surface of the tubular outer body ( 1 ). Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of spaced-apart form elements ( 3 ) inside the tubular outer body ( 1 ) are arranged so that their surfaces are substantially plane-parallel to each other. Luminous element according to claim 7, characterized in that the shaped elements ( 3 ) have a partially transparent mirrored surface. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped element ( 3 ) is annular. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular outer body ( 1 ) is formed at least partially differently translucent. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular outer body ( 1 ) consists of light-conducting acrylic, plastic or glass material. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular outer body ( 1 ) is filled with a photoconductive medium. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular outer body ( 1 ) is provided at least in sections with a partially reflecting reflector. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular outer body ( 1 ) is provided with a radially asymmetrical reflector. Luminous element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer body ( 1 ) is formed rod-shaped solid material Luminous element according to claim 16, characterized in that the shaped element ( 3 ) as a recess on the outer circumferential surface of the outer body ( 1 ) is present. Luminous element according to claim 16, characterized in that the shaped element ( 3 ) as optically active material disturbance in the solid material of the outer body ( 1 ) is present.

Images