Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
  • G02B6/0065—Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
  • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
  • G02B6/0015—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
  • G02B6/002—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
  • G02B6/0021—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S4/00—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources
  • F21S4/20—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
  • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
  • G02B6/0023—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed between the light guide and the light source, or around the light source
  • G02B6/0031—Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
  • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
  • G02B6/0068—Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
  • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
  • G02B6/0073—Light emitting diode [LED]
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
  • F21Y2105/00—Planar light sources
  • F21Y2105/10—Planar light sources comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
  • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
  • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
  • G02B6/0081—Mechanical or electrical aspects of the light guide and light source in the lighting device peculiar to the adaptation to planar light guides, e.g. concerning packaging
  • G02B6/0083—Details of electrical connections of light sources to drivers, circuit boards, or the like
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
  • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
  • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
  • Y10T29/49117—Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a lighting module comprising bands of light sources.
• a field of the invention is more particularly but not limited to lighting modules comprising LED strips.
• Such a module can be used to create ambient lighting for example in a room or in the form of a ceiling lamp of an automobile.
• a field of application of the invention may for example be more particularly that of lighting the contents of shelves or furniture, or the lighting of a room in substitution of a set of neon tubes.
• Such a module can also backlight various objects, for example a small label in a radius of a supermarket or a large advertising poster on a street.
• a field of application of the invention may for example be more particularly that of the backlighting of commercial signs, advertising posters or road signs, or the backlighting ("backlight") of LCD screens in particular large screens.
• Lighting modules are known comprising rows of LEDs (for "Electro Luminescent Diode”), as for example described in the document WO 2009/125104.
• Such a module comprises a light guide and, within the light guide, at least one row of LEDs emitting light in a main direction contained in the light guide.
• the rows of LEDs are visible from outside the module, and the module has areas of too high brightness at each row of LEDs relative to the rest of the guide, or we try to hide each row of LEDs (by a filter for example), but then there is a risk that the opposite effect will occur (that is to say that the module has areas of too low brightness at level of each row of LEDs relative to the remainder of the guide) and / or that a deformation of the spectrum of light occurs through the crossing of this filter and / or that an irregular visual appearance occurs due to cumulative inaccuracies (dispersion). luminance and filter position).
• the object of the invention is to solve at least in part this problem of homogeneity of the light emerging from such a lighting module.
• a lighting module comprising:
• a light guide comprising a transmission face arranged to transmit to an object to illuminate light emitted by the emission sources and a return face facing the transmission face.
• the emission sources are preferably located inside the light guide.
• Each source band preferably comprises at least one row of aligned sources.
• each source band may comprise at least a first row of light sources emitting light substantially in the same direction of emission.
• Each source band may further comprise a second row of light sources, the first row sources preferably emitting light in an emission direction substantially opposite a light emitting direction of the second row sources. .
• These two rows of sources can be arranged so that the sources of the first row are, compared to the sources of the second row: back-to-back, i.e., the sources of the first row emit light in an emission direction substantially opposite a direction connecting the first row to the second row, or
• the sources of the first row emit light substantially in a transmission direction connecting the first row to the second row, or
• the module according to the invention preferably comprises, for each light source, a transmission reflector associated with this source and having a reflecting surface oriented towards the transmission face so that the associated transmission reflector at this source is located between the transmission face and an emission surface of this source arranged for the output from the source of the light emitted by this source.
• Each transmission reflector is preferably a reflector comprising a reflective white layer, or may optionally comprise a metal reflector.
• Each transmission reflector can be integrated in the module so that there is no intermediate space, in particular no void space, air or gas, between the light guide and each transmission reflector .
• Each transmission reflector may have a convex shape in the direction of the transmission face.
• the module according to the invention preferably comprises, for each light source, a reflecting reflector associated with this source having a reflecting face oriented towards the return face so that the transmission surface of this source is located between the reflecting reflector associated with this source and the return face.
• Each reflecting reflector may be a reflector having a reflective white layer, or may be a metal reflector.
• the reflecting face of the reflecting reflector associated with this source may be inclined so that the distance between the return face and the reflecting face is increasing when one moves away from the strip carrying this source.
• the return reflectors from the different sources can form:
• each reflecting strip running along its row, the reflective strips of the same source band being spaced apart by a non-reflecting intermediate space allowing the light to pass.
• Each reflective strip is preferably provided, along its edge farthest from the light sources of this source strip, a non-reflective dark strip arranged to absorb the light emitted by the sources.
• the transmission reflector and the return reflector associated with the same source are preferably located on two opposite faces of the same object such as a film or a profile.
• Each source band may comprise a power supply circuit carrying the sources of this source band, and:
• the emission sources of the source band can be between the transmission face and the circuit of this source band, or
• the circuit of the source band may be between the transmission face and the emission sources of this source band.
• each set comprising:
• a band of light emission sources (preferably integral with each other), and
• a transmission reflector associated with this source (and preferably integral with its source) and having a reflecting face oriented towards the transmission face so that the transmission reflector associated with this source is located between the transmission face and a surface transmission of this source arranged for the output from the source of the light emitted by this source, and / or
• a reflecting reflector associated with this source (and preferably integral with its source) and having a reflecting face oriented towards the return face so that the emission surface of this source is located between the reflecting reflector associated with this source and the return face.
• the space is filled with an initially liquid or pasty material to form a light guide, so that the emission sources are located inside the light guide,
• the transmission reflectors and the return reflectors associated with all the sources of a together are preferably located on two opposite sides of the same object such as a film or a profile.
• the surface defining the return face is preferably in contact with each assembly.
• the surface delimiting the transmission face is preferably not in contact with any assembly.
• Each source band may comprise at least a first row of light emitting light sources substantially in the same transmission direction, and may optionally further comprise a second row of light sources (preferably parallel to the first row) , the sources of the first row emitting light in an emission direction substantially opposite a light-emitting direction of the sources of the second row.
• Each set may further comprise a power supply circuit carrying the sources of the source band of this set. In that case :
• the circuit of the source band can be between the transmission face and the emission sources of this source band, or
• the sources of emission of the source band may be between the transmission face and the circuit of this source band.
• Both surfaces can be connected by a seal closing the space.
• FIG. 1 is a profile sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of a lighting module according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a three quarter view of one of the
• FIG. 3 is a profile sectional view of a portion 100 of the first embodiment of FIG. 1
• FIG. 4 is a sectional sectional view of a second embodiment of a lighting module according to FIG.
• FIG. 5 is a profile sectional view of a third embodiment of a lighting module according to the invention
• FIG. 6 is a sectional sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a module of FIG.
• FIG. 7 is a profile sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a lighting module according to the invention
• FIG. 8 is a profile sectional view of a sixth embodiment.
• 9 is a bottom view of reflectors 12, 15 superimposed on rows of sources 2 of a band 7 of sources, for a variant of one of the first to sixth modes of module realization illustrated,
• FIG. 10 is a view of three quarters of one of the
• FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the luminance at the transmission face along a straight line perpendicular to the source rows, for the module of FIG. 6,
• FIGS. 12 to 16 illustrate various steps of a manufacturing method of the module described with reference to FIG. 3,
• FIG. 17 illustrates a variant of the module of FIG. 3
• FIG. 18 is a view of three quarters of a front view LED strips.
• variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described subsequently isolated from the others. characteristics described (even if this selection is isolated within a sentence containing these other characteristics), if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art .
• This selection comprises at least one feature preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.
• Module 1 can be used to:
• the module 1 being flat, compact and releasing little heat
• the lighting module 1 comprises several parallel strips 7 of light emission sources 2.
• each strip 7 comprises a printed circuit 10 for supplying power to the sources 2 of this strip 7 and arranged to power these sources electrically 2.
• This circuit 10 is typically: or a flexible circuit, also called "flex", comprising a polyamide film such as Kapton® film from Du Pont a few tens of micrometers thick (typically 0.1 mm),
• a thin circuit preferably less than 0.5 mm thick, typically a reflective plastic material such as FR4 type epoxy resin.
• Each source 2 is an LED (for "Electro Luminescent Diode”).
• Each of the emission sources 2 is a LED of the "side view” type, that is to say a transmission source arranged to emit light in a transmission direction 9 or 29 substantially parallel to the portion of the circuit 10. carrying said emission source.
• These sources have a typical thickness of between 0.2 millimeters and 2 millimeters, and may for example include NSSW208T "side view” LEDs with a thickness of 0.8 mm or NSSW105T with a thickness of 0.5 mm from Nichia. Corporation.
• FIG. 2 illustrates one of the strips 7 of the module 1.
• Each strip 7 comprises several rows of sources 17, 18.
• Each row 17 or 18 of sources comprises emission sources 2 substantially aligned in an alignment direction.
• each strip 7 comprises only two rows 17, 18 of sources 2: a first row 18 of sources 2 which are arranged to emit light substantially in the same transmission direction 9, and a second row 17 sources 2 which are arranged to emit light substantially in the same transmission direction 29, the sources 2 of the first row emitting light in a transmission direction 9 substantially opposite to a transmission direction 29 of second row sources.
• Each direction of emission 9 or 29 of a source 2 is a direction on which is centered the solid angle of emission of the light emitted by this source 2.
• Each direction of emission 9 or 29 is parallel to the face of 5.
• Each transmission direction 9 or 29 is parallel to the transmission face 4.
• the module 1 further comprises a light guide 3 comprising:
• a transmission face 4 arranged to transmit towards an object to be illuminated (for example ambient lighting) or to retro illuminating (for example a billboard or license plate) the light emitted by the emission sources 2, and
• Each face of the return face 5 or transmission 4 may be structured, that is to say be provided with relief structures such as for example structures pyramids or spherical caps ribbed to height of about 1mm and about 3mm wide.
• the emission sources 2 are located inside the light guide 3 between the transmission face 4 and the return face 5.
• the emission sources 2 are inserted inside the guide 3 from the face of raria 5.
• Each source 2 is arranged to emit light in an emission direction contained in the light guide 3.
• the light guide 3 comprises two parts:
• a main part 3a made of a transparent material that is to say substantially absorbing the light emitted by the emission sources 2 so as to guide this light out of the guide 3;
• each cavity is initially empty, then is filled with a transparent filling material, said filler material being initially liquid or pasty and solidified after insertion of the emission sources into the cavities 3b.
• the emission sources 2 are located in the guide 3 without intermediate space between the guide 3 and the emission sources 2, in particular without air space.
• the material of the guide 3 preferably comprises PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PolyCarbonate (PC), and / or polyester.
• the thickness of the guide 3 is for example 4 millimeters (typically between 0.3 mm and 10 mm). This filling is optional but is very advantageous because it greatly improves the coupling, inside the rest 3a of the guide, of the light emitted by the sources 2.
• the printed circuits 10 furthermore comprise electrical resistances (not shown in the figures) electrically connected to the emission sources 2, typically a resistance per group of three LED emission sources. Typically, there is one resistance per group of four LED emission sources and for a 14V DC power supply.
• the light sources are advantageously controlled by an electronic driver, for example of the NUMEN Technology brand, for example reference NU501 type SOT 23-3, SOT 23-5 or SOT 89-3.
• the guide 3 that is to say the main part 3a and the cavities 3b, is preferably produced by a method as described in the document WO 2009/125104 or preferably by extrusion as described in the patent application. French No. 1053733.
• the module 1 further comprises means 6 for returning to the inside of the guide 3 the light emitted by the emission sources 2, said return means 6 being arranged on the side of the return face 5.
• These means typically comprise :
• a layer of paint or reflective ink preferably white, made directly on the return face 5, or - a reflective film laminated directly on the return face.
• the return means 6 are placed or glued against the return face 5, without intermediate space or at least predominantly (that is to say more than 50% of the area) without intermediate space, in particular no space of vacuum, air or gas between the return means 6 and the return face 5.
• Each transmission section 9 or 29 of a source 2 does not cut, starting from this source 2, the transmission face 4 or the reference face 5 being perpendicular to this face, but is more or less substantially parallel to the transmission face 4 or the return 5, or slightly oblique with respect to the transmission face 4 or return 5.
• the guide 3 has substantially a plate shape comprising two opposite faces bordering the guide: the transmission face 4 substantially flat and the return face 5 substantially flat.
• This plate is flexible, and can be flat or take curved shapes.
• the transmission face 4 is arranged to pass and transmit out of the gu ide 3 to an object to illuminate the light emitted by the emission sources 2 inside the gu ide 3.
• the object to be illuminated is located outside of the guide 3, on the side of the transmission face 4 with respect to the guide 3. As a particular type of illumination, this object can be backlit, that is to say that it is located between
• the deflection face 5 faces the transmission face 4.
• the deflection face 5 is substantially parallel to the transmission face 4.
• the guide 3 further comprises a surface of the periphery 8 (also referred to as the side edges) relative to the transmission face 4 to the deflection face 5, so that the emission sources 2 are located inside the frame 3 and surrounded by the circumferential surface 8 .
• the module 1 further comprises, for each light source 2, a transmission reflector 12 associated with this source and extending at least in part along a direction parallel to the transmission face 4.
• This transmission reflector has a reflecting face 13 facing the transmission face 4 so that the transmission reflector 12 associated with this source is located between the transmission face 4 and a transmission surface 14 (it dashed luster) of this source, this area transmission emitter 14 being arranged for the output from the source of the light emitted by this source 2.
• Each transmission reflector 12 is preferably a white reflector comprising a white surface reflecting light, typically a thin layer of ink or paint reflective white.
• Each transmission reflector 12 is a reflector reflecting the light emitted by the sources 2.
• reflecting is preferably meant, in this description, reflecting more than 90% of the light visible to the human eye (ie from 400 nm to 700 nm wavelength).
• Each transmission reflector is opaque.
• Opaque means preferably in this description which does not let light visible to the human eye through it, more concretely, which prevents at least 90% of the light visible to the human eye to pass through him.
• Each transmission reflector 12 is arranged to form a screen between, on the one hand, the source 2 with which it is associated and, on the other hand, the transmission face 4. Such a screen avoids creating a band of light that is too bright at the level of each band 7 of sources relative to the rest of the guide 3. However, such a simply opaque screen could transform a strip of light too bright at each strip 7 relative to the rest of the guide 3 in a band of too dark light by The fact that "screen" formed by each transmission reflector 12 is furthermore arranged to reflect light in the direction of the transmission face makes it possible to overcome this risk of underexposure.
• Each transmission reflector 12 is integrated in the module 1 and inside the light guide 3 so that there is no intermediate space, in particular no space of vacuum, air or gas , between the light guide 3 and each transmission reflector. The fact that there is no air brings out much more light than in the presence of air through a direct reflection on the transmission reflector 12.
• the module 1 further comprises, for each light source, a reflecting reflector (or mirror) 15 associated with this source having a reflecting face 16 oriented towards the return face 5 so that the emission surface 14 of this source is located between the reflecting reflector 15 associated with this source and the return face 5.
• Each reflecting reflector 15 extends at least partly along a direction parallel to the return face.
• Each reflecting reflector 15 is preferably a metal reflector, typically comprising a thin reflective metal deposition layer, but may in some embodiments be a white reflector comprising a white light reflective surface, typically a thin layer of ink or reflective white paint .
• Each reflecting reflector 15 is preferably a reflector reflecting more than 90% of the light visible to the human eye (ie from 400 nm to 700 nm wavelength).
• Each reflecting reflector 15 is opaque, that is to say, it does not let light visible to the human eye through it. More concretely, it prevents at least 90% of the light visible to the human eye to pass through it.
• Each reflecting reflector 15 makes it possible to improve the "release" of the light emitted by the source 2 with which it is associated, so that this light is not trapped under the opaque screen formed by the transmission reflector 12 or the reflector reference 15 associated with this source 2.
• Each reflecting reflector 15 is arranged to form a screen between on the one hand the source 2 with which it is associated and on the other hand the transmission face 4.
• Each reflecting reflector 15 is integrated in the module 1 and the interior of the light guide 3 so that there is no intermediate space, in particular no vacuum space, air or gas, between the light guide and each transmission reflector.
• the transmission reflector 12 and the associated return reflector 15 are located on two opposite faces of an object 21 disposed at the bottom of the cavity 3b in which this source 2 is inserted.
• This object 21 is preferably transparent with respect to the light of the sources 2.
• the transmission reflector 12 and the reflecting reflector 15 associated with the same source 2 are located on two opposite faces of the same film such that illustrated in FIG. 3.
• Each film is typically:
• a plastic film deposited (and preferably glued) at the bottom of a cavity 3b for example a layer of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) white with a layer of metal deposited (preferably under vacuum) on one side of the PET layer, or two layers of white PET and a layer of deposited metal (preferably under vacuum) between the two layers of PET, or a film COTAC GIN 137, either a paint film or reflective white ink, directly made at the bottom of a cavity 3b, typically by spraying paint or ink at the bottom of the cavity 3b.
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• metal preferably under vacuum
• a film COTAC GIN 137 either a paint film or reflective white ink, directly made at the bottom of a cavity 3b, typically by spraying paint or ink at the bottom of the cavity 3b.
• the reflecting face 16 of the reflecting reflector 15 associated with this source is inclined from this source so that the distance between the return face 5 and this reflecting face 16 is increasing. when one follows the direction of emission 9 or 29 of light of this source and that one moves away from the band bearing this source. This makes it possible not to "enclose” or “trap” the light under the reflectors 12, 15, and on the contrary makes it possible to improve the "release” of this light, that is to say the coupling in the guide.
• the reflecting reflectors 15 of the different sources form a continuous reflecting band by row 17, 18 of sources of the source band, this reflective band along its row respectively 17 or 18 (ie said extending along the alignment direction of its row), the reflective strips of the same source strip being spaced apart by a non-reflecting intermediate space 19 allowing the light to pass.
• the reflecting reflectors 15 of the different sources form a continuous reflecting band by row 17, 18 of sources of the source band, this reflective band along its row respectively 17 or 18 (ie said extending along the alignment direction of its row), the reflective strips of the same source strip being spaced apart by a non-reflecting intermediate space 19 allowing the light to pass.
• the module 1 For each strip 7, between the two rows 17, 18 of sources of this strip 7, the module 1 comprises means 23 for reflecting light from this strip 7 towards the intermediate space 19 between the reflective strips of these rows 17, 18.
• These means typically include:
• a plastic film deposited on each circuit 10 between the rows of sources for example a layer of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) white with a layer of metal deposited (preferably under vacuum) on one side of the PET layer, or two layers of white PET and a layer of deposited metal (preferably under vacuum) between the two layers of PET, or a film COTAC GIN 137, either a paint film or reflective white ink, directly made on each circuit between the rows of sources, typically by spraying paint or ink.
• Each reflective strip is provided, along its edge farthest from the light sources of this source strip, a dark non-reflective strip 20 arranged to absorb the light emitted by the sources.
• Each dark band 20 attenuates a jump in brightness between the end of a reflective band and the rest of the guide 3, caused by the interface between the outer edge of the cavity 3b and the rest of the guide 3a.
• the transmission reflectors 12 of the different sources form a continuous reflective band by row 17, 18 of sources of the source band, this reflecting band along its row respectively 17 or 18, the reflective strips the same band of sources being spaced apart by a non-reflecting intermediate space 19 allowing the light to pass.
• it improves the homogeneity of the brightness, avoiding that the middle of each band 7 sources is too dark.
• the light guide 3 is provided, for each row of light sources, with a non-reflecting dark strip 24 arranged to absorb the light emitted by the sources and disposed on the side of the deflection face under the transmission reflector 12 associated with the light source.
• This row of sources more exactly at least under the length of the edge of this transmission reflector 12 furthest from the light sources of this row of sources.
• Each dark band 24 attenuates a jump in brightness between the end of a reflective band and the rest of the guide 3, caused by the interface between the outer edge of the cavity 3b and the rest of the guide 3a.
• the transmission sources 2 of this band 7 of sources are between the transmission face 4 and the power supply circuit 10 carrying the sources of this source band.
• FIG. 4 illustrates only part of the module according to the invention, centered on a strip 7 of sources.
• the transmission reflector and the associated return reflector are located not on two opposite sides of the same film, but on two opposite faces of the same profile 21.
• the transmission reflector and the associated return reflector are located not on two opposite sides of the same film, but on two opposite faces of the same profile 21.
• This profile 21 is made of a reflective material, preferably a material reflecting more than 90% of the light visible to the human eye.
• This material is typically white, and comprises for example a plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-copolymer.
• the face 16 of the profile is a metallized face, that is to say provided with a reflective metal layer.
• each transmission reflector 12 has a convex shape in the direction of the transmission face 4, due to a convex shape of this profile in the direction of the transmission face.
• the transmission reflectors 12 of the different sources form a continuous reflecting band along the rows of sources of the source band and common to all these rows.
• the profile 21 is made of transparent material, allowing the light to pass, typically leaving at least 50% or at least 90% of the light passing.
• Such a profile makes it possible to standardize the light because the light is distributed inside the profile between the reflectors 12 and 15.
• a third embodiment of module 101 according to the invention will now be described, with reference to FIG. 5, solely for its differences with respect to the first module mode 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3. Like FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates only part of the module according to the invention, centered on a strip 7 of sources.
• the power supply circuit 10 carrying the sources of this source band is between the transmission face 4 and the transmission sources 2 of the source band 7.
• the transmission reflectors 12 of the different sources form a continuous reflective band along the rows of sources of the source band and common to all these rows.
• the reflecting reflectors 15 of the different sources form a continuous reflecting band along the rows of sources of the source band and common to all these rows.
• each circuit 10 is therefore equipped with two reflective surfaces:
• a face of the circuit 10, oriented towards the transmission face 4, is provided with the reflecting face 13 of the transmission reflector 12 (preferably white reflector); this reflecting face may be due either to the reflective material constituting the circuit 10, or to paint or reflective ink distributed on this face of the circuit 10; and, independently
• a face of the circuit 10, oriented towards the return face 5, is provided with the reflecting face 16 of the reflecting reflector 15
• this reflecting face may be due either to the reflective material constituting the circuit 10, or to paint or reflective ink distributed on this face of the circuit 10.
• the reflecting face 16 of the reflecting reflector 15 associated with this source is not inclined at first, so that the distance between the return face 5 and this reflecting face 16 is constant when the the direction of emission 9 or 29 of light of this source is followed and that one moves away from the band carrying this source, then is inclined after a certain distance so that the distance between the face of return 5 and this reflective face 16 is increasing when one follows the direction of emission 9 or 29 of light from this source and that one moves away from the band carrying this source.
• FIG. 6 illustrates only part of the module according to the invention, centered on a strip 7 of sources.
• the power supply circuit carrying the sources of this source band is between the transmission face and the emission sources of this source band.
• the transmission reflectors of the different sources form a continuous reflective band along the rows of sources of the source band and common to all these rows.
• the reflecting reflectors of the different sources form a continuous reflecting band along the rows of sources of the source band and common to all these rows.
• module 103 A fifth embodiment of module 103 according to the invention will now be described, with reference to FIG. 7, solely for its differences with respect to the third module mode 101 of FIG. 5. Like FIG. 7 illustrates only part of the module according to the invention, centered on two bands 7 sources.
• each band 7 comprises only one row of light sources 2.
• the transmission direction 29 of at least some of the sources 2 is neither parallel to the transmission face 4 nor parallel to the return face 5.
• the reflecting face 16 of the reflecting reflector 15 associated with this source is inclined so that the distance between the deflection face 5 and this reflecting face is increasing when the direction of emission is followed 29 of light from this source and that we move away from the band carrying this source.
• FIG. 8 illustrates only part of the module according to the invention, centered on a strip 7 of sources.
• the transmission direction 9 or 29 of at least some of the sources 2 is neither parallel to the transmission face 4 nor parallel to the return face 5.
• the reflecting face 16 of the reflecting reflector 15 associated with this source is inclined so that the distance between the return face 5 and this reflecting face 16 is increasing when the direction of emission is being followed 9 or 29 light from this source and that one moves away from the band carrying this source.
• each circuit 10 is in direct contact with the guide 3 on the side of the transmission face 4.
• each circuit 10 is therefore provided with two reflective faces: a face of the circuit 10, oriented towards the transmission face 4, is provided with the reflecting face 13a of the transmission reflector 12a (preferably white reflector); and, independently
• a face of the circuit 10, oriented towards the return face 5, is provided with the reflecting face 16 of the reflecting reflector 15 (preferably white reflector).
• each circuit 10 is placed on a profile whose contours are lustrous by the dotted line 22.
• each circuit 10 is thus provided with a reflective face: a face of the circuit 10, facing towards the return face 5, is provided with the reflecting face 16 of the reflecting reflector 15 (preferably white reflector).
• the profile likewise, has a face, oriented towards the transmission face 4, which is offset by the reflective face 13b of the transmission reflector 12b (preferably a white reflector).
• FIG. 9 a variant of the present invention will be described in which only modal embodiments according to the invention will be described, solely for its differences from these modes.
• each return reflector 15 associated with a source is different from the return reflectors associated with the other sources, and is separated from the reference reflectors associated with the other sources by an intermediate space allowing the light to pass.
• Each reflecting reflector 15 associated with a source 2 has a maximum reflection coefficient at a center (which is typically the point of the reflector 15 closest to this source 2), and that decreases as and when as one moves away from this center.
• each transmission reflector 12 of the different sources form reflective zones that are continuous with one another. Otherwise, each transmission reflector 12 associated with a source is different from the reflectors of the source. transmission 12 associated with other sources, and is separated from the transmission reflectors 12 associated with other sources by an intermediate space passing light. Each transmission reflector 12 associated with a source 2 has a maximum reflection coefficient at a center (which is typically the point of the reflector 12 closest to this source 2), and which decreases as the 'we are moving away from this center.
• Figure 9 there is shown the decreasing reflection coefficients by a gradient of gray from black to lighter shades.
• Figure 10 is a three-quarter view of one of the LED strips
• Standard view comprising several rows of sources 2 facing each other. Any of the embodiments or variants of the invention described may be modified by replacing one, several or each band according to FIG. 2 with a band according to FIG. 10.
• FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the luminance at the transmission face 4, along a straight line perpendicular to the rows 17, 18 of sources of a source strip, over a distance of 100 mm (abscissa axis) comprising a single band centered on the 50mm position:
• FIG. 6 devoid of dark strips 20 and 24 and having a cavity 3b not filled with material, but filled with air (curve 32); it can be seen by comparison with the curve 31 that the filling of the cavity 3b with a material such as the resin composing the remainder 3a of the guide improves the coupling (yield) and the homogeneity of the light in the guide,
• the ordinate axis represents luminance in lumen / m2.
• the width L of the groove or cavity 3b is 13 mm.
• the scale On the x-axis, the scale is dilated between 40 and 60 mm.
• the guide 3 comprises at least one cavity 3b, each cavity being intended to receive a strip 7 of sources to be inserted in the guide.
• Each cavity 3b has a longitudinal trench shape.
• This trench comprises a groove 34 parallel to the trench (that is to say extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the trench) and separating this trench in two and forming a bearing surface for the emission sources of the trench. the light (more precisely for the support 10 of the sources 2).
• Each groove 34 is substantially centered within its trench.
• the groove 34 is only optional, and one can imagine embodiments without groove 34.
• the reflectors 6, 23, 12, 15 are made.
• a plate 35 (more or less fine, possibly a film) of white reflecting material (for example made of PET) is manufactured, typically laminated or extruded, then on the return face 5; this plate is previously mu nie col le on its side facing the guide 3; then, with reference to FIG.
• this plate 35 is cut out, typically with blades or cutting edges by lamination of the plate assembly 35 and with a handle 3 or by squeezing the plate 35 on the guide 3, so that at least one part of the plate 35 is crushed into the bottom of each cavity to form the reflectors 12, 15, and / or part of the plate 35 is pressed against the groove 34 each cavity to form the reflector 23, and / or a portion (typically the remainder) of the plate 35 is crushed against the deflection face 5 to form the reflector 6.
• the side of the reflection face 5 of the reflective white ink or paint is sprayed on the side of the mirror so as to form the reflectors 12, 15 at the bottom of each cavity, and / or the reflector 23 against the top of the groove 34 of each cavity, and / or the reflector 6 against the return face 5.
• the black strips 20 can be inserted, for example by spraying black ink or paint or in the form of a glued or black self-adhesive tape.
• a strip 7 of trench light emission sources is inserted.
• the strip 7 is typically inserted by a system of one or more diode row coils, each coil (not lustrous) being arranged (motorized) to unwind inwardly of a trench and thereby insert at least one row of sources of light emission in this trench.
• each pair of adjacent rows 17, 18 is separated by a groove 34.
• this space 36 is typically filled by a nozzle or needle (not shown) which injects fluid material:
• the material in the space 36 being still fluid during the insertion of the strip and sticking the guide to the band inserted during its solidification, or
• each band 24 is disposed on the side of the return face 5.
• each strip 7 of "side view” sources illustrated in FIG. 2 can be replaced by a source strip 2 "front view As illustrated in FIG. 18.
• FIG. 17 illustrates the particular case of such a replacement from the module of FIG.
• a source 2 is called a "front view” when it is arranged to emit light in a transmission direction 9 or 29 substantially perpendicular to the portion of the circuit 10 carrying said emission source.
• Figure 18 is a three-quarter view of a front view LED strip. As illustrated, the rows of sources can be back-to-back (transmission directions 29 and 9) or face to face (transmission directions 29bis and 9bis)
• each means each element considered, without excluding the existence of other different elements.
• the module according to the invention further comprises for each light source 2 a transmission reflector it means for each source 2 considered; it would indeed be possible to add to the module additional sources not associated with reflectors and having their own role, while remaining within the scope of the invention.
• FIGS. 19 to 22 different steps will now be described for another method of manufacturing the module according to the invention applicable to any module previously described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.
• the FIGS. 19 to 22 include certain numerical references already described above, which will not necessarily be described again.
• FIGS. 19 to 22 represent only a part of the module according to the invention being manufactured, this part comprising a single strip 7 of sources 2.
• At least one assembly 90 (preferably several parallel assemblies so as to comprise several parallel strips 7) is placed in a space 93 delimited between flat surfaces 97, 98 and two plates 91, 92.
• the plates 91, 92 are preferably glass plates.
• the surfaces 97 and 98 face each other.
• the surfaces 97 and 98 are parallel.
• the surface 97 of a first 91 of these plates delimits the return face 5.
• the surface 98 of a second of these plates delimits the transmission face 4.
• the two plates 91, 92 are connected by a seal (not shown) closing the space 93.
• Each set 90 comprises a band 7 of sources 2 (integral with each other) as previously described with its two parallel rows of sources arranged to emit in the opposite directions 9, 29.
• the sources of a set 90 are preferably carried by a circuit 10.
• each set 90 comprises for each of its sources a transmission reflector 12 and / or of return 15 as previously described (according to the different possible variants: discontinuous, reflective tape common to several rows of sources, a reflective band per row, ).
• its rows of sources are integral with its reflectors 12, 15.
• the transmission reflector 12 associated with a source has a reflecting face 13 facing the transmission face 4 so that the transmission reflector associated with this source is located between the transmission face 4 and a transmission surface 14 of this source arranged for the output from the source of the light emitted by this source.
• the reflecting reflector 15 associated with a source has a reflecting face 16 oriented towards the return face 5 so that the emission surface 14 of this source is located between the reflector of reference 15 associated with this source and the return face 5.
• the surface 97 of the plate 91 defining the space 93 is in contact with each assembly 90.
• the surface 98 of the plate 92 defining the space 93 does not come into contact with any assembly 90.
• the space 93 is filled with an initially liquid or pasty material to form the light guide 3.
• This material is solidified, typically by polymerization, preferably by heating.
• the guide 3 becomes integral with each set 90.
• This guide material 3 preferably comprises PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PolyCarbonate (PC), and / or polyester.
• the preferred solution comprises PMMA, which typically polymerizes from 50 to 65 ° C overnight and then at 120 ° C for one hour.
• the plates 91 and 92 which have thus been used as molds are removed (at room temperature, typically at 20 ° C.).
• the guide 3 is demolded out of between the two surfaces 97, 98.
• each transmission reflector and each return reflector are located on two opposite faces of the same object 21 such as a film or a profile.
• This object 21 is preferably transparent.
• This object is preferably a profile 21 (for example solvent-resistant PET) which is integral with the sources 2 (see even in contact with the circuit 10) via at least one rib 25 of the section 21.
• Each rib 25 is also transparent so as not to block the flow of light in the plane of the guide.
• the circuit of the source band is between the transmission face and the emission sources from this band of sources.
• the modules of Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 at each band 7 sources by a rib 25 connecting the circuit 10 of this strip 7 at the surface 97 defining the return face 5.
• Such an embodiment provides a better seal of the module according to the invention, and prevents external moisture from reaching the electrical circuit 10.
• the space 93 is thus filled so that the emission sources 2 are located in the guide 3 without intermediate space between the guide 3 and the emission sources 2, in particular without space vacuum, air or gas.
• for each set for each set
• the sources 2 of the strip 7 of this set are located in a cavity 94 delimited by the profile 21, so that even after filling the space 93, the emission sources 2 are located in the guide 3 with a intermediate space of vacuum, air or gas (interior of the cavity 94) between the guide 3 and the emission sources 2. This facilitates the maintenance of the module according to the invention, to replace the band 7 sources 2.
• each set 90 may further comprise an additional reflector 95 (preferably metal) arranged to reflect light towards the transmission face 4 and situated between the face 5 and the deflection reflector 15, preferably between the deflection face 5 and the face 14 of each source 2.
• each assembly 90 may further comprise a thickness 96 of transparent material. located between the return face 5 and the sources 2 of the assembly. This makes it possible to manufacture a "double-sided" module or each face 4 and 5 plays a light transmission function.
• Each set 90 then comprises on either side of its source strip 2 a pair of transmission reflectors 12 and reflectors 15.
• each band 7 of sources can be equipped at one of its ends with a connector electrical (or "electrical contact”). After solidification of the material forming the guide 3, each of these connectors is accessible by disengaging a cut along this connector.
• the cut is preferably a laser cut.
• a pocket of air or another material different from that of the guide 3 and extractable from the guide 3 may be provided at each connector to make it appear.
• the faces 4 and 5 are not necessarily parallel.
• One of the faces 4, 5 may be non-parallel with respect to the other face, or have a sawtooth shape.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Planar Illumination Modules (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)

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• 2011
  • 2011-03-30 FR FR1152632A patent/FR2973475B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2012
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  • 2012-03-27 EP EP12720227.3A patent/EP2691800A2/de not_active Withdrawn
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