Classifications

• • 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
  • F21S4/28—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources with light sources held by or within elongate supports rigid, e.g. LED bars
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
  • F21V17/10—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening
  • F21V17/16—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V3/00—Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses
  • F21V3/02—Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses characterised by the shape
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V31/00—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
  • F21V31/005—Sealing arrangements therefor
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F21V31/00—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
  • F21V31/03—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements with provision for venting
• • 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
  • F21Y2103/00—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
  • F21Y2103/10—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes comprising a linear 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]

Definitions

• the description relates to lighting devices.
• One or more embodiments may refer to lighting devices employing electrically-powered solid-state light radiation sources, such as LED sources.
• lighting devices or modules having an elongate shape e.g. a ribbon shape, including an optionally flexible support whereon one or more solid- state light radiation sources, e.g. LED sources, may be mounted: such devices are sometimes named "flex" modules .
• Said lighting devices may require a protection against a penetration of external agents, e.g. an IP grade protection.
• One or more embodiment aim at overcoming the previously outlined drawbacks. According to one or more embodiments, said object may be achieved thanks to a casing for lighting devices having the features set forth in the claims that follow .
• One or more embodiments may also concern a corresponding device, as well as a corresponding method .
• One or more embodiments may lead to the achievement of a (e.g. IP grade) protection of a ribbon-shaped lighting module (e.g. a LED strip) while avoiding processes of dispensing/co-extruding materials such as silicone.
• a (e.g. IP grade) protection of a ribbon-shaped lighting module e.g. a LED strip
• avoiding processes of dispensing/co-extruding materials such as silicone.
• One or more embodiments may exhibit various advantages, such as:
• one or more embodiments offer the possibility of customizing the length of the lighting devices according to the application needs, e.g. by enabling an easy change of the LED strip, e.g. in order to obtain different CCTs, colours, powers, LED pitches, and an easy change of the light emission properties, e.g. by means of various optical systems.
• Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a portion of a lighting device comprising one or more embodiments ;
• FIG. 2 is a view which substantially corresponds to the viewpoint shown by arrow II in Figure 1, depicted on an enlarged scale,
• Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view exemplifying one or more embodiments
• Figures 5 to 9 exemplify, according to a viewpoint approximately corresponding to the viewpoint of Figure 1, various possibilities envisaged in one or more embodiments.
• reference 10 denotes on the whole a lighting device with an elongate shape, e.g. the shape of a ribbon, and which is optionally flexible.
• device 10 may therefore be considered as having an indefinite length, the features thereof being appreciable primarily, although not exclusively, in a cross-section rather than in the direction of the lengthwise extension.
• device 10 may comprise, as a light radiation source, a light radiation source module L adapted to include, as visible e.g. in Figure 3, a ribbon-shaped support LI (substantially similar to a e.g. flexible Printed Circuit Board, PCB) whereon there can be mounted one or more electrically-powered light radiation sources L2 (e.g. solid-state light radiation sources, such as LED sources) .
• a light radiation source module L adapted to include, as visible e.g. in Figure 3, a ribbon-shaped support LI (substantially similar to a e.g. flexible Printed Circuit Board, PCB) whereon there can be mounted one or more electrically-powered light radiation sources L2 (e.g. solid-state light radiation sources, such as LED sources) .
• a light radiation source module L adapted to include, as visible e.g. in Figure 3, a ribbon-shaped support LI (substantially similar to a e.g. flexible Printed Circuit Board, PCB) whereon there can be mounted one or more electrically
• modules which are sometimes named “flex” modules, are known in the art, which makes it unnecessary to provide a more thorough description herein .
• One or more embodiments may concern a casing wherein module L may be mounted, in such a way that module L is protected from a penetration by external agents, e.g. with an IP grade protection.
• such a casing may include two members 12 and 14, both of a channel-like shape, which are adapted to be coupled in sealing engagement with each other (so as to achieve the previously mentioned protective effect) .
• the first channel-like member 12, which can be considered as the casing body includes a web wall 120 adapted to support (within channel-like profile) lighting module L, e.g. with the sources L2 facing the open part of the channel-shaped profile of body 12. In one or more embodiments, this may take place in a condition of snug fitting, so as to facilitate the dissipation, across body 12, of the heat generated by sources L2 during operation.
• body 12 may also include a (first) pair of lateral walls 122.
• body 12 may comprise a thermally conductive material, e.g. a metal material such as e.g. aluminium, such as aluminium A11060.
• a thermally conductive material e.g. a metal material such as e.g. aluminium, such as aluminium A11060.
• module 10 onto a support structure (e.g. a wall), while simultaneously ensuring a correct thermal dissipation (aluminium A11060 has a thermal conductivity of about 200W/mK) .
• a support structure e.g. a wall
• aluminium A11060 has a thermal conductivity of about 200W/mK
• body 12 may be obtained via an extrusion process, without the need of performing surface finishing or protective coating treatments .
• channel-shaped member 14 may include a web wall 140 of a light-permeable material (e.g. a transparent material) with a (second) pair of lateral walls 142.
• a light-permeable material e.g. a transparent material
• the channel-shaped member 14 may therefore be coupled, cover-like, to body 12 in a coupling condition wherein the lateral walls of the first pair 122 (carried by body 12) and of the second pair 142 (carried by cover 14) are mutually engaged. In one or more embodiments this may take place e.g. with the lateral walls 142 of cover 14 fitting into lateral walls 122 of the body, which so to say enclose them.
• the coupling arrangement may be reversed, i.e. with lateral walls of cover 14 enclosing lateral walls of body 12.
• cover 14 may have an overall n-shape, e.g. having two lateral extensions 144 which may abut against the "distal" sides of the lateral walls 122 of body 12.
• lateral walls 143 of cover 14 may also have distal extensions 146 (see Figure 2) adapted to abut against the surface of lighting module L, so as to push module L against web wall 120 of body 12 when cover 14 is coupled with body 12.
• lateral walls 142 of cover 14 may include tooth-like formations 148, which protrude outwards of the channel shape of cover 14 and which are adapted to hook lateral walls 122 of body 12 (e.g. by projecting into channel-shaped cavities 1220 provided in walls 122) when cover 14 is coupled with body 12 itself.
• cover 14 may be comprised of a mouldable material, e.g. a plastic material such as silicone, adapted to be made permeable to light radiation (e.g. transparent) at least at the middle part of web wall 140, therefore enabling the passage of the light radiation emitted by sources L2 and the propagation of such a light radiation outside module 10.
• a mouldable material e.g. a plastic material such as silicone
• body 12 and cover 14 are sized (e.g. as regards the position and the distance of the respective lateral walls 122 and 142) so that, when cover 14 is coupled to body 12 (e.g. with the lateral walls 142 fitted between lateral walls 122 in conditions of mutual centring) , between each wall 122 of the first pair and each wall 142 of the second pair facing the same, there may be present a gap having a width h.
• One or more embodiments may envisage that one of such mutually facing walls (e.g. wall 142 in the presently considered example) be provided with seal formations 1420, e.g. in the form of flexible lip ribs extending along the wall carrying them (wall 142, in the presently considered example) .
• lip seal formations 1420 may be one-piece (e.g. via a single moulding or extrusion process) with said wall.
• seal formations 1420 may have a width (at least approximately amounting to the projection of the distal edge of said lip ribs from the external surface of wall 142 carrying them) corresponding to a value w, wherein w is at least 4/3 times gap h.
• the coupling of cover 14 with body 12, with lateral walls 142 penetrating into lateral walls 122 may cause formations 1420 to bend, specifically by bending towards the exit opening or free portion of the channel-shaped profile of body 12 (i.e. towards the lying plane of web wall 140 of cover 14) .
• formations 1420 achieve a sealing action between body 12 and cover 14.
• formations 1420 may facilitate the achievement of various useful effects, such as :
• one cover 14 may be coupled with bodies 12 which are different as regards type, shape and material (the coupling of cover 14 being determined primarily by the possibility of achieving a coupling between the lateral walls 122 and 142) ,
• said sealing/retention effect may be facilitated by using, in order to obtain formations 1420 (and optionally lateral walls 142, which may be one-piece with formations 1420) of a material, such as silicone, having a hardness of 60-80 Shore A.
• a material such as silicone, having a hardness of 60-80 Shore A.
• FIGS. 1 to 7 show the possibility, in one or more embodiments, of coupling cover 14, e.g. on the inner side ( Figures 1 to 7), e.g. interposed between lateral walls 142 or on the outer side of web wall 140 ( Figures 8 and 9), with an elongate (e.g. bar-shaped) member 16, which may be inserted e.g. into a groove 160 and which is adapted to be shaped in different configurations.
• an elongate (e.g. bar-shaped) member 16 which may be inserted e.g. into a groove 160 and which is adapted to be shaped in different configurations.
• member 16 may include a colour filter, e.g. with the possibility of influencing the chromatic properties of the radiation emitted by sources L2.
• component 16 may be comprised of a lens (see e.g. Figure 5 or Figure 8) .
• component 16 may have the features of a reflector (see e.g. Figure 7, showing the possible provision of distal edges 162 of the reflector being adapted to urge lighting module L against web wall 120 of body 12) .
• member 16 may include (see e.g. Figures 6 and 9) a member having diffusive properties, e.g. through surface micro-optics or volumetric diffusion (e.g. because component 16 contains a diffusive and reflective material, e.g. alumina particles dispersed in a silicone matrix) .
• a member having diffusive properties e.g. through surface micro-optics or volumetric diffusion (e.g. because component 16 contains a diffusive and reflective material, e.g. alumina particles dispersed in a silicone matrix) .
• member 16 may be produced as an extruded component, e.g. of a plastic material.
• Figure 4 exemplifies the possibility of providing module 10 with at least one end terminal 18 (i.e. a sort of "plug") which may be coupled e.g. to body 12 or to cover 14 coupled thereto.
• end terminal 18 i.e. a sort of "plug"
• such a terminal 18 may have the simplified configuration shown in Figure 4, i.e. a general cup-like shape, so as to enable mounting terminal 18 as a closing cap onto an end of module 10.
• terminal 18 may have an insert comprising a vent formation 180, e.g. of a vapour-permeable material.
• a membrane of the material known as Gore-Tex® on the market may be used for this purpose.
• formation 180 avoids the build-up of condensation within module 10, while performing a balancing function on the moisture percentage and on the pressure within device 10, e.g. in the different switching on and switching off phases of light radiation sources L2.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=55538527

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2016
  • 2016-12-01 WO PCT/IB2016/057257 patent/WO2017098383A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2016-12-01 EP EP16861101.0A patent/EP3387325A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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