Lighting system Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a modular lighting system comprising mutually connectable profile parts for different purposes and for cooling a lighting element as a heat sink.
Background of the Invention
In office spaces or public spaces, it has been common to hang elongated lighting devices from the ceiling. These devices usually have a profile form, that is, a constant cross-section over their length. By this construction, shapes that act as reflectors, mountings for lighting elements, and spaces for tables can be created.
Prior art lighting systems are known from various documents. For example, EP1302717 discloses an elongated lamp assembly comprising two side profiles attached together, each having an integral cable tray. The light assembly further comprises a removable horizontal profile between side profiles, wherein lights may be mounted when the horizontal profile is removed from the lamp assembly.
EP720264 relates to a modular lighting display system comprising an outlet track, i.e. a profile for carrying wires and having a possibility to mount a ceiling fan or light fixtures thereto. In addition, it is disclosed that the modular lighting systems may comprise outlet tracks for supporting ceiling plates.
However, there is a problem with such designs since their profiles are not suitable for producing different kinds of lightings, for offering different cooling capacities for different lighting elements or lighting environments, or for supporting cables or ceiling plates just by changing profile parts that are connected to a profile. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a modular lighting system with variability, i.e. a convertible lighting system comprising a profile that can
be modified for different purposes and for different cooling capacities by connecting profile parts suitable for the lighting element in question.
Summary
According to a first aspect, there is provided a modular lighting system comprising connectable profile parts and at least one mounting place for a lighting element, wherein the modular lighting system comprises a central profile and wherein said at least two of the profile parts are wing profiles that are releasably connectable to both sides of the central profile and wherein said at least one mounting place for a lighting element is arranged to the central profile and wherein the central profile is suitable to be connected sequentially to a second central profile.
In other words, the purpose of the invention is to provide an improved modular lighting system with variability for a lightning element, so that the modular lightning system may act as a heat sink for the lightning element. For achieving this purpose, the lighting system according to the invention is mainly characterized in that the lighting system comprises a central profile and two profile parts that are wing profiles that are releasably connectable to both sides of the central profile and that said at least one mounting place for a lighting element is arranged to the central profile. The profile parts may be wing profiles that can be identical in cross-section on both sides (with the exception that when connected to both sides of the central profile, they are mirror-symmetrical in shape), or their cross-sections can be different, in which case they may have different functions. The wing profile may be a concave wing portion, a resectable wing portion comprising a light pocket or a support flange profile having a support flange extending away from the central profile for supporting ceiling plates.
Wing portions may be attached to two different positions on the side of the central profile. In one position they can be attached so that the main wing is directed obliquely upwards or in a position which is "upside down" with respect to this position, that is, the main wing is directed obliquely downwards. Such wing portions can exist on both sides of the central profile or on
only one side thereof, a support flange profile being attached on the opposite side for supporting ceiling plates.
In addition to a wing portion, a resectable wing portion and a support flange profile, the profile part may further be a lid or a covering plate that is releasably connected to the central profile.
The connections between the central profile and the profile parts can be carried out using, for example, snap-in connections.
Heat from a lightning element may transfer from the higher temperature region of a modular lightning element to the lower temperature region of the modular lightning element. Connections between profile parts are such that the heat may transfer from one profile part to other unrestrictedly.
The central profile and the profile parts, such as wing parts, may be manufactured from aluminum by extrusion. They can be manufactured as long profiles, which can be cut to suitable lengths at the factory or at the location of installation.
The lighting elements are preferably lead elements.
The aluminum central profile or central profiles and aluminum profile parts of the lighting system may also function as cooling means, heat sink, for at least one LED of a lightning element that is connected to the modular lighting system. It is possible to connect as many sequential central profile parts and/or other profile parts to the central profile as are needed to arrange adequate cooling for the at least one LED, for example add a lid to the central profile in addition to two wing portions. In addition, for example, also a ceiling hanger for hanging the lighting system from the ceiling may act as a part of a cooling element as well as an adaptor for connecting sequentially two central profiles. The need of adequate cooling depends on power of at least one LED and an environment of use of the lighting system. Therefore, there is no need to arrange a separate heat absorbing member, heat sink, for LEDs.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In the following, various embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional end view of a central profile of a lighting system according to an example embodiment; shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a second example embodiment; shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a third example embodiment; shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a fourth example embodiment; shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a fifth example embodiment; shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a sixth example embodiment; shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system with a hanger according to an example embodiment; shows two lighting systems with ceiling hangers that are connected to each other according to an example embodiment; Fig. 9a shows a lightning system of prior art; and
Fig. 9b shows a lighting system according to an example embodiment.
Detailed Description of Some Embodiments
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional end view of a central profile 10 of a lighting system according to an example embodiment. The central profile 10 has an
upper portion 1 1 and a lower portion 12. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 includes a pair of sidewalls 13 which, along with a horizontal dividing wall 14, define the upper portion 1 1 and the lower portion 12. The central profile has the general cross-section of letter H. In addition, a carrying rail 15 is provided on each of the sidewalls 13. The carrying rail 15 may be used to support, for example, a ceiling hanger disclosed in context with Fig. 8 and 9 or an adaptor disclosed in context with Fig. 3. It is also possible that the central profile 10 comprises two notches 17 arranged to the upper portion 1 1 . The notches 17 enable connecting a lid to the central profile 10 for preventing the dirt from getting to the upper portion 1 1 . One example of a lid is disclosed in context with Fig. 5. The material of the central profile 10 may be aluminum.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 20 according to a second example embodiment. The central profile 10 comprises three profile parts, two wing portions 21 that are releasably connected to both sides of the central profile 10 and a lid 27 that is releasably connected to the upper portion of the central profile 10.
The wing portions 21 are identical in cross-section on both sides and they are mirror-symmetrical in shape. The wing portions 21 may also form a part of a heat sink for one or several mounted lighting elements 22. This lighting element 22 may be a light emitting diode, LED, or a LED stick comprising several LEDs as a unit. The lighting element 22 is connected to a mounting support 23 that is connected to the lower part of the central profile 10 acting as a mounting place 26 for one or several lighting elements 22. The mounting support 23 snaps-in to the central profile 10. However, it is also possible to connect lighting elements directly to the central profile 10 without the mounting support 23. In all cases there is a direct heat-transmitting contact in conduction from a lighting element 22 to the central profile 10, directly or through a separate mounting support 23. For example the mounting support in Fig. 2, 4, 5 or 6 is in contact over a large area with the inner surfaces of the lower part of the central profile 10. In addition, there are also direct heat-transmitting contacts in conduction from a central profile 22 to wing portions 21 .
The outer surface of wing portions 21 is concave having so-called S-shape, which is preferable, because in addition to adding cooling capacity it prevents access of dust from getting to the lighting element 20 and the S-shape also directs airflows. Upper part 24 of the central profile 10 provides storage capacity for the plurality of wires and/or cables 25. So the upper part 24 of the central profile 10 is an integrated cable rack. Wires and/or cables 25 can be covered by the lid 27 that may prevent access of dust from getting to wires and/or cables 25, but also adds cooling capacity. So-called H-shape of the central profile 10 is also preferable, because it is easy to fix to a ceiling. Releasable connections of profile parts are advantageous, because they can be connected to the central profile 10 after the fixing to the ceiling and thus, they cannot be damaged or scratched during the fixing. In addition, an amount of connected profile parts may be altered depending on the need of current cooling capacity, for example, if the light emitting element is changed to a light emitting element with different power or if the temperature of the environment of the lighting system changes. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 30 according to a third example embodiment. The central profile 10 comprises two profile parts; one is a wing portion 31 that is releasably connected to one side of the central profile 10 and the other is a support flange profile 32 extending away from the central profile 10 and being releasably connectable to the other side of the central profile 10. The support flange profile 32 may be used to support a ceiling plate 34. The lighting system 30 further comprises an adaptor 33 fixed in place by carrying rails 15. The adaptor 33 may be used for connecting two separate central profiles sequentially and to arrange electrical connection between two sequential lighting systems for grounding purpose.
In figure 3, there is also disclosed a rail 35, for example, a conductor rail or a contact rail, for example, for connecting LEDs. The central profile 10 may further comprise a housing 36 that prevents a tip of a fixing element 37, for example, a screw, from penetrating to upper end of the central profile 10 when the rail 35 is connected to the central profile 10 by the fixing element 37, for example by a screw. The housing 36, which is arranged on top of the
dividing wall 14, is advantageous, for example, when there are cables stored in upper part of the central profile 10, and the head of the fixing element 37 cannot damage the cables. The rail 35 is connected to the profile parts acting also as a cooling element and forming a part of a heat sink for LEDs.
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 40 according to a fourth example embodiment. The central profile 10 comprises three profile parts, two support flange profiles 41 and a covering plate 43. The support flange profiles 41 are releasably connected to both sides of the central profile 10. The support flange profiles 41 are used to support ceiling plates on both sides of the lighting system 40. The lighting system 40 may further comprise mounted lighting elements, for example light emitting diodes, LEDs (only one lighting element 42 is shown in figure 4). The covering plate 43 is arranged to the lower part 44 of the central profile 10, for example, for smoothing or guiding the lighting of LEDs. The covering plate 43 is at least partially translucent, for example, an acrylic lens or a micro prism lens.
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 50 according to a fifth example embodiment. The central profile 10 comprises two releasably connected profile parts, wing portions 51 , which are connected to both sides of the central profile 10. The upper portion of the central profile 10 provides storage capacity for a plurality of wires and/or cables 52. The wing portions 51 comprise an alignment opening 53. The alignment openings may assure that sequential wing portions, support flange profiles or reflectable wing portions comprising light pockets are aligned correctly by pushing a pin or the like throw sequential alignment openings. There can be more than one alignment openings in one wing portion, support flange profile or reflectable wing portion.
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 60 according to a sixth example embodiment. Wing portions 61 are releasably connected to both sides of the central profile 10. The wing portions 61 may be reflectable. The wing portions 61 comprise light pockets 63 arranged in such a way that the reflectable wing portions 61 may reflect light illuminated by
light emitting elements 64, for example, LEDs or LED sticks, arranged on the light pockets 63. The lighting system 60 further comprises a mounted lighting element 62, in addition, to LEDs 64 on the light pockets 63. These kinds of resectable wing portions 61 offer also cooling capacity for light emitting elements 62 and 64. In addition, it is possible to connect a plate 65 to the central profile 10, the plate 65 may be a lens reflecting light of the light emitting elements 64 or it may be an aluminum covering plate. The covering plate may also act as a cooling element and form a part of a heat sink of the lighting element 62. The plate 65 may be connected to lower end of the central profile 10, for example, by using snap-in connection.
Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 70 with a ceiling hanger 71 according to an example embodiment. A carrying rail 15 is provided on each of the sidewalls of the central profile 10. Carrying rails 15 are arranged to support the ceiling hanger 71 so that it is possible to hang the lighting system 70 from the ceiling via the ceiling hanger 71 .
Figure 8 shows two elongated lighting systems 80 and 81 with ceiling hangers 82. The lighting systems 80 and 81 are connected to each other according to an example embodiment. Lighting systems 80 and 81 are connected sequentially to each other by using an adaptor 83, wherein the adaptor 83 has a corner angle form. The adaptor 83 is arranged to be fitted inside the central profile and wing profiles of both lightning systems 80 and 81 .
However, the adaptor 83 may also have such a form that it connects lighting systems 80 and 81 in other different orientations, such as longitudinally or in any other angle. In addition, it should be noted that there could be more than one or only one ceiling hanger for hanging a lighting system from the ceiling and the length of ceiling hangers may vary.
Figure 9a shows a lightning system of prior art. A lightning element 94 is connected by a light hanger 93 to a metallic cable rack 91 providing storage capacity for plurality of wires and/or cables 92. In these kinds of solutions, the connection is not designed to conduct heat from the lightning element 94 to the cable rack 91 . Thus the connection does not advantage conduction of the
heat to cable rack 91 i.e. cooling of the lightning element 94 and/or function of the lightning element 94. The lightning element 94 is the cooling element that transfers heat to the air as a heat radiation 95. Figure 9b shows a lighting system according to an example embodiment. A lightning element 97 is connected to a metallic cable rack 96 (central profile) providing storage capacity for plurality of wires and/or cables 92. The connectionl OO between the lightning element 97 and the cable rack 96 is thermal connection i.e. the heat may conduct from the lightning element 97 to the cable rack 96. Thus, both the lightning element 97 and the cable rack 96 may act as cooling elements i.e. the lightning element 97 transfers heat to the air as heat radiation 99 and the cable rack 96 also transfers heat to the air as heat radiation 98. However, instead of cable rack 91 , it is possible to connect the lightning element 97 to some other heat conductive part of the lightning system. It is also possible to thermally connect more than one heat conductive parts of lightning system to the lightning element 97.
In this invention, lightning elements may use mounting tray or trays (central profile, cable track etc.) and other profile parts of lightning systems having heat transfer ability such as wing profiles for cooling by conducting heat to them. Especially, in a case, where lightning elements are LEDs, lightning elements may work more efficiently, because they are thermally connected to profile parts of lightning system having heat transfer ability and thus cooling of LEDs is effective. So, at least one profile part having heat transfer ability may act as a heat sink for at least one lightning element that is thermally connected to at least one part of the lightning system.
All connectable profiles of the above-described lighting system, especially the central profile and the wing profiles, can be manufactured from aluminium by a process known as extrusion.
In the invention, at least one central profile, wing profiles, at least one ceiling hanger and/or at least one adaptor may be modules of a modular lightning system. The modular lightning system may act as a heat sink for at least one lightning element that is mounted to the lightning system. The lightning
element may act as a lamp, and it may not be consider as a module of the modular lightning system.
However, the invention and its embodiments are not limited to those presented above. Embodiments can be combined and the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in a variety of ways. Thus, the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above-described examples and they may vary within the scope of the claims. For example the amount of sequential lighting elements or profile parts connected to one central profile is not restricted to any count.