EP3153767A1

EP3153767A1 - A lighting device and corresponding method

Info

Publication number: EP3153767A1
Application number: EP16192210.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabrizio Cacchione; Alessio SAGLIOCCO; Antonio Favretto
Original assignee: Osram GmbH; Osram SpA
Current assignee: Osram GmbH; Osram SpA
Priority date: 2015-10-05
Filing date: 2016-10-04
Publication date: 2017-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-04
Also published as: EP3153767B1

Abstract

A lighting device includes:
- an annular support body (12),
- a source carrier body (14) for carrying a light radiation source (L), e.g. a LED source, and
- a hinging mechanism of the source carrier body (14) to the support body (12), whereby the source carrier body (14) is tiltable with respect to the support body (12) about a transverse axis (X₂₄) of the support body (12).

The hinging mechanism includes opposed pin formations (16) received into complementary cavities (18), wherein:
- at least one of said cavities (18) is a channel-shaped cavity, with one of the pin formations (16) retained in the channel-shaped cavity (18), and
- a gasket (160) of elastomeric material is set between said channel-shaped cavity (18) and the pin formation (16) retained therein, to frictionally counter relative movement of pin formation (16) with respect to channel-shaped cavity (18).

Description

Technical Field

The description relates to lighting devices.
One or more embodiments may find application in swivelling, e.g. recessed, lighting devices.

Technological Background

The current market offers various luminaires, e.g. adapted to be recessedly mounted in a plaster ceiling or in another support surface, comprising at least a swivelling portion so as to vary the projection direction of the light radiation.
Examples of such devices comprise the device sold under the trade designation OSRAM Ledvance Downlight M by companies of the same group of the Applicants, or the lighting device sold under the trademark Coreline by companies of the Philips group.
Some of these solutions may be based e.g. on the use of swivelling joints including so-called "blind" rivets, i.e. rivets which are inserted between the fixed support part and a pivoting part carrying the light radiation source, and which are subsequently closed by a rivet gun; this provides both swivelling between the parts and a certain relative pressure, which keeps both parts at a given mutual orientation.
Documents such as DE 10 2005 031 173 A1 or DE 102 16 761 are generally representative of the prior art.
The widespread use of such devices, which also derives from the growing implementation of solid-state electrically-powered light radiation sources, e.g. LED sources, leads to a constant demand for structurally simple devices which may be easy to mount and may be adapted to replace current solutions.

Object and Summary

One or more embodiment aim at satisfying such needs.
According to one or more embodiments, said object may be achieved thanks to a device having the features set forth in the claims that follow.
One or more embodiments may also concern a corresponding method.
The claims are an integral part of the description provided herein of one or more embodiments.
One or more embodiments may provide lighting devices having a reduced number of parts, especially as regards the swivelling mechanism, therefore making manufacturing and assembling easier in industrial productions.
One or more embodiments may thus provide a lighting device with a reduced cost.
One or more embodiments may enable mounting the device without the use of tools.
One or more embodiments may employ, within the swivelling mechanism of the device, an elastomeric gasket, such as a rubber gasket, which unites softness, with the consequent possibility of undergoing deformations without breaking, and a certain friction (which is normally higher than achievable with other plastic materials or metals), so as to maintain the desired orientation of the device.

Brief Description of the Figures

One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the annexed Figures, wherein:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a lighting device according to one or more embodiments, shown in exploded view,
Figure 2 shows in greater detail features of an element of one or more embodiments,
Figures 3 to 5 illustrate a possible mounting sequence of a device according to one or more embodiments.

It will be appreciated that, for clarity of representation, the various Figures may not be drawn to the same scale.

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. The embodiments may be practiced without one or several of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the possible appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The headings provided herein are for convenience only, and therefore do not interpret the extent of protection or the scope of the embodiments.
In the Figures, reference 10 denotes on the whole a luminaire.
In one or more embodiments, the luminaire may be consist in a so called "spotlight", adapted to be e.g. recessedly mounted in a plaster ceiling or another support structure, not visible in the drawings.
In one or more embodiments, device 10 may comprise a support body 12 (shown separately in Figure 2) and a body 14 adapted to act as a carrier body for an electrically-powered light radiation source L, such as a solid-state source, e.g. a LED source.
For simplicity of illustration, light radiation source L is schematically shown in dashed lines only in Figure 1. Source L, which may comprise either a single or plural sources, may be mounted within body 14 according to criteria known in themselves, which therefore do not require a more detailed explanation herein.
In one or more embodiments, support body 12 may have a peripheral flange 12a, adapted to abut against the contour of an opening e.g. provided in a support surface, such as a plaster ceiling (not visible in the drawings).
Moreover, it will be appreciated that the closed annular structure and the overall circular shape exemplified in the Figures are by no means essential features of body 12. In one or more embodiments, body 12 may alternatively have an open annular structure, and/or a shape other than circular, e.g. a square or polygonal shape.
Similar considerations may apply to body 14, adapted to carry light radiation source L.
In one or more embodiments, both bodies 12 and 14 may be connected via a pivoting mechanism, so that the source carrier body 14, i.e. the body 14 carrying source L, may be tilted (i.e. swivelled) about a pivot axis X₂₄ (see for example Figures 2 and 5) adapted to extend in a transverse direction (e.g. diametrally) to support body 12.
In one or more embodiments, said pivoting (or hinging) mechanism may comprise a pair of pin formations 16, extending from body 14 in opposite positions, so that they may engage corresponding cavities 18 which are provided, once again in opposite positions, on the internal surface of body 12.
As may be better appreciated in Figures 3 to 5, wherein an external, circular-segment-shaped portion of body 12 has been ideally removed for clarity of illustration, in one or more embodiments cavities 18 may have a general channel-like shape, which opens in a direction opposed to the front end of body 12, i.e. at the end wherefrom the emission of light radiation takes place. In one or more embodiments, as exemplified herein, such front end is identified by flange 12a.
In one or more embodiments, the pivot mechanism that enables body 14 (and the light radiation source L carried thereon) to swivel with respect to support body 12 about axis X₂₄ may be implemented by causing pin formations 16 to engage cavities 18 (see e.g. Figure 5, which exemplifies a possible final mounting condition of device 10), the pins 16 being "captured", i.e. retained, within the annular structure of cavities 18.
In one or more embodiments, said cavities may have, on the internal surface thereof, projecting reliefs 180 (see especially Figures 2 and 5) adapted to bring about said capture mechanism of pins 16 into cavity 18. In other words, in one or more embodiments, cavities 18 may have an intermediate shrunk portion or neck, i.e. a "waisted" shape with a generally channel-shaped profile, a mouth portion gradually narrowing towards the bottom of the channel-like cavity in the area of projections 180 and then widening again in the area of bottom portion of cavity 18, such bottom portion being adapted to have a general cylindrical configuration (i.e. a circular cross-section profile centred around axis X₂₄).
In one or more embodiments, a gasket 160 of elastomeric material (e.g. a natural or artificial rubber material) may be fitted (e.g. by being co-molded thereon) onto pins 16.
In one or more embodiments, gasket 160 may have a generally cylindrical shape, and/or may be strengthened in its coupling position on respective pin 16 e.g. by providing a complementary sculpturing 162a on the external surface of pin 16 and on the internal surface of gasket 160.
In one or more embodiments, as exemplified in the Figures, such sculpturing 162a may take the form of a (e.g. axial) toothing provided on the external surface of pin 16 and on the internal surface of gasket 160.
In one or more embodiments, e.g. when gasket 160 (or if two such gaskets 160 are mounted on both pins 16) is implemented by co-molding with body 14, gasket(s) 160 may have further formations 162b extending on the surface of body 14 (e.g. on the internal surface of body 14 itself), so as to bring about a firm anchoring of gasket 160 with respect to body 14, while countering possible relative movements.
The elastomeric (e.g. rubber) material of gaskets 160 may indeed have softness features, so as to make gaskets 160 easily deformable without breaking, while at the same time exhibiting a suitable friction coefficient with the walls of cavities 18.
The deformability features of gaskets 160 may be taken advantage of in order to implement the mounting mechanism of device 10 (i.e. the coupling between bodies 12 and 14) exemplified by the sequence of Figures 3 to 5.
Figure 3 shows an initial position, wherein bodies 12 and 14 are mutually approached by aligning pins 16 (with gaskets 160) with the mouth portions of cavities 18.
From such initial position a relative movement may be carried out (see e.g. Figure 4) in order to axially compenetrate bodies 12 and 14 (e.g. body 14 may be pushed into body 12) by advancing pins 16 into cavities 18.
Such advancing movement may bring about the elastic deformation (shrinkage) of gaskets 160 when they pass through the shrunk part defined by projections 180 of the side walls of cavities 18, and may be considered as completed once the condition of Figure 5 has been reached, the pins 16 having advanced within cavities 18 beyond the shrunk part defined by projections 180 and gaskets 160, which have expanded again, substantially contacting the internal surface of the bottom portion of each cavity 18.
Such an expansion of the elastomeric material of gasket 160 may bring about two results:

once expanded, gasket 160 may be "wider" than the shrunk part or portion between projections 180 of cavity 18; in this way, pin 16 is "captured" and retained within the corresponding receiving cavity 18, thus countering the relative movement of extraction of pin 16 from the corresponding receiving cavity 18;
gasket 160, once expanded, may establish a sliding contact against the internal wall of the bottom part of cavity 18, thus countering the relative rotation of pin 16 with respect to the corresponding receiving cavity 18.

Moreover, the friction coefficient (given by the elastomeric material of gasket 180) is sufficient to maintain the coupling condition of body 14 and body 12, as well as a relative tilting imparted thereto with respect to the hinging axis X₂₄, corresponding to a desired tilting of body 14 with respect to body 12.
At the same time, said frictional countering of both the relative movement of extraction of pin 16 from the corresponding receiving cavity 18 and the relative rotation of pin 16 with respect to the corresponding receiving cavity 18 may be overcome, thus offering both a quick and easy disassembling of device 10 and, especially, a regulating action, e.g. exerted by manually acting on body 14, adapted to vary, according to needs, the relative tilting position of body 14 with respect to body 12, i.e. the direction in which the light radiation of source L is projected.
In any case, it will be appreciated that one or more embodiments may feature, in addition to the elements already explained with reference to the structure and shape of bodies 12 and 14, alternative implementations with respect to the embodiments exemplified in the Figures.
For example, the hinging mechanism of body 14 and body 12 may be implemented according to solutions partially complementary to what exemplified in the Figures, i.e. by inverting the relative position of at least one pin 16 and the corresponding cavity 18, i.e. by arranging at least one pin 16 on the internal surface of body 12 and the corresponding cavity (or cavities) 18 on the external surface of body 14, e.g. in such a way that such cavity or cavities 18 open towards the front end of device 10 and not on the opposed side, as exemplified in the Figures.
Moreover, gasket 160, instead of being coupled (e.g. co-molded) on the external surface of pins 16, may be arranged (e.g. once again co-molded) on the internal surface of cavities 18.
Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the coupling of pins 16 with cavities 18, wherever they may be arranged, via the interposition of gaskets 160 as exemplified herein, may also be established on a single side of the hinging mechanism enabling the relative tilting of bodies 12 and 14 about axis X₂₄.
In addition, such possible variations may be implemented via combinations other than previously envisaged, and/or may be applied alone or in mutual combination and/or with the implementations exemplified in the annexed Figures.
In one or more embodiments, bodies 12 and 14 may be made of moldable materials, e.g. plastic materials (adapted to be co-molded with elastomeric materials such as rubber materials) and/or lightweight metals.
In one or more embodiments, either or both bodies 12 and 14 may be comprised of materials having heat dissipation properties, so as to facilitate the dissipation towards the outside of the heat produced by light radiation source L in operation.
It will be appreciated, moreover, that light radiation source L may in itself not be included in the embodiments.
Without prejudice to the basic principles, the implementation details and the embodiments may vary, even appreciably, with respect to what has been described herein by way of non-limiting example only, without departing from the extent of protection.
The extent of protection is defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

A lighting device, including:
- an annular support body (12),

- a source carrier body (14) for carrying a light radiation source (L), and

- a hinging mechanism of the source carrier body (14) to the support body (12), whereby the source carrier body (14) is tiltable with respect to the support body (12) about a transverse axis (X₂₄) of the support body (12),
wherein said hinging mechanism includes opposed pin formations (16) received into complementary cavities (18), wherein:
- at least one of said cavities (18) is a channel-shaped cavity, with one of said pin formations (16) retained in the channel-shaped cavity (18), and

- a gasket (160) of elastomeric material is set between said channel-shaped cavity (18) and the pin formation (16) retained therein to frictionally counter relative movement of said pin formation (16) with respect to said channel-shaped cavity (18).
The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said channel-shaped cavity (18) includes a shrunk portion (180) to retain said pin formation (16) in said channel-shaped cavity (18).
The lighting device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said channel-shaped cavity (18) is formed in said support body (12) with the pin formation (16) retained therein carried by said source carrier body (14).
The lighting device of any of the previous claims, wherein said gasket (160) of elastomeric material is carried by said pin formation (16) retained in said channel-shaped cavity (18).
The lighting device of any of the previous claims, wherein said gasket (160) includes an annular gasket of elastomeric material, preferably fitted onto said pin formation (16) retained in said channel-shaped cavity (18).
The lighting device of any of the previous claims, wherein said gasket (160) of elastomeric material is a co-molded gasket, preferably provided with formations (162a, 162b) to counter displacement thereof.
The lighting device of any of the previous claims, including a front end (12a) for emitting light radiation and wherein said channel-shaped cavity (16) has an open end facing away from said front end (12a) of the lighting device (10).
The lighting device of any of the previous claims, wherein said elastomeric material includes rubber material.
The lighting device of any of the previous claims, including a pair of the channel-shaped cavities (18) having respective pin formations (16) retained therein, with respective gaskets (160) of elastomeric material set between said channel-shaped cavities (18) and the pin formations (16) retained therein to frictionally counter relative movement of said pin formations (16) with respect to said channel-shaped cavities (18).
A method of assembling a lighting device according to any of claims 1 to 9, the method including producing relative movement of said source carrier body (14) with respect to said support body (12) by advancing said one of said pin formations (16) into said channel-shaped cavity (18) by deforming said gasket (160) of elastomeric material and continuing said advancing until said one of said pin formations (16) is captured in the channel shape of said channel-shaped cavity (18) by being retained therein.