Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F27/00—Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
  • G09F27/008—Sun shades, shades, hoods or louvres on electronic displays to minimise the effect of direct sun light on the display
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
  • G09F13/20—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts
  • G09F13/22—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts electroluminescent
  • G09F2013/222—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts electroluminescent with LEDs

Definitions

• This invention relates to a lighting module, a related lighting appliance and the related methods for making the module and assembling the appliance.
• This invention addresses the technical field of lighting appliances, in particular lighting appliances suitable for placement in shop windows, which need to illuminate both the contents of the window and the space inside the shop.
• the prior art solutions include profile bars to contain the lighting element and the optical device whose shape exposes the light to a viewer positioned in front of the shop window, creating an unpleasant effect that distracts from the displayed items.
• document CA3178236A1 describes a profile bar containing a lighting element and a respective optical system.
• the profile bar is nevertheless such that the light creates an unpleasant dazzling effect.
• the aim of this invention is to provide a lighting module, a lighting appliance and the related production and assembly methods to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.
• this disclosure provides a lighting module for lighting a workspace and extending along a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end.
• the module comprises a containing profile bar, configured to be attached to a wall of the workspace.
• the profile bar comprises a first side wall, extending along a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
• the first side wall includes a respective inside surface and a respective outside surface.
• the profile bar comprises a second side wall, extending at least along the transverse direction.
• the second side wall includes a respective inside surface and a respective outside surface.
• the profile bar comprises an upper wall which connects the first and second side walls.
• the upper wall includes a contact surface which is configured to face towards the wall of the workspace.
• the upper wall comprises a lighting surface which faces towards the workspace and is opposite the contact surface.
• the module comprises a lighting element, connected to the lighting surface.
• the lighting element is configured to emit a light beam towards the workspace.
• the module comprises an optical device.
• the optical device is configured to receive the light beam from the lighting element.
• the optical device is configured to condition a direction of the light beam.
• the inside surface of the first side wall is parallel to the transverse direction.
• the inside surface of the second side wall comprises a first portion.
• the inside surface of the second side wall comprises a second portion, parallel to the transverse direction.
• the first portion is advantageously inclined relative to the transverse direction.
• the first portion is advantageously divergent from the inside surface of the first side wall outwardly from the lighting surface.
• the lighting element and the optical device are housed in a respective housing defined by the inside surface of the first side wall, by the lighting wall and by the second portion of the inside surface of the second side wall.
• the housing defined by the inside surface of the first side wall, by the lighting wall and by the second portion of the inside surface of the second side wall defines a containing space.
• the first and second side walls extend along the transverse direction up to an advanced position relative to the optical device, which is thus included entirely within the profile bar.
• the optical device is inside the profile bar and is not flush with the first and second side walls.
• the optical device and/or the lighting element are inside the containing space and are spaced from the transverse end of the first and second side walls.
• the first and second side walls differ in shape (that is to say, they are not mirror symmetric).
• the purpose of the profile bar is precisely that of orienting the light beam in different directions from the two sides of the profile bar, making it suitable for shop windows so that someone looking inside from the outside sees the products inside clearly lit but is not dazzled by the light.
• the position of the lighting element and of the related optical device relative to the second portion provides the space inside the shop window with ideal illumination from an unobtrusive source without creating an unpleasant effect for anyone looking inside the shop window from the outside, while the module nevertheless maintains its optimal lighting efficiency.
• the optical device comprises a lens having a working diameter and facing towards the workspace.
• the first portion and the second portion of the inside surface of the second side wall meet at an internal connecting point (in other words, a connecting edge).
• the lens is spaced from the internal connecting point by a working distance.
• the ratio between the working distance and the working diameter is between 0.2 and 1.
• this range was identified as the range which offers an acceptable compromise between dazzling effect and lighting efficacy. In effect, below 0.2, the light is substantially exposed to the viewer, while values above 1 reduce lighting efficacy and, although the light is well hidden, it does not inadequately light the shop window.
• the ratio between the working distance and the working diameter is between 0.4 and 0.7. This range is undoubtedly the optimum working range in which the light is totally hidden from the viewer and the lighting is particularly efficacious.
• the first portion of the inside surface of the second side wall is inclined to the transverse direction at a working angle of between 90 degrees and 40 degrees. Such an inclination offers excellent flexibility in being able to house optical devices of different kinds, with even quite varied beam divergences, without reducing lighting efficacy.
• the light beam is configured to hit the inside surface of the second side wall at a predetermined angle of incidence.
• the first portion is inclined relative to the transverse direction at an inclination angle included in a range whose limits are defined by the predetermined angle of incidence minus 10 degrees and by the predetermined angle of incidence plus 10 degrees.
• the first portion of the inside surface comprises a plurality of lips, oriented along the longitudinal direction and spaced along a direction having at least one transverse component.
• the first portion of the inside surface comprises a corresponding plurality of grooves, each interposed between two related lips and defining a light trap in which the light is retained.
• Each of the plurality of lips extends from the first portion of the inside surface in a screening direction which is inclined to the transverse direction at a cover angle of less than 120°.
• each of the lips is rounded so as to reduce the surface which is exposed to the light beam and which is the only surface which the viewer can see.
• the first side wall and the second side wall are corrugated or knurled surfaces so as to make a shape coupling with the first side wall or the second side wall of another lighting module in which the lighting module is integrated.
• the first side wall and the second side wall comprise a respective first and second cavity, respectively.
• the first and second cavities are each preferably dovetail-shaped or have any other shape whose profile allows defining a contact shoulder.
• the dovetail extends longitudinally along the length of the profile bar.
• the first and second cavities are each configured to receive a connecting cap which can be inserted into the cavity of the first side wall or of the second side wall of the module and into the cavity of a respective second side wall or first side wall of another module, respectively. This allows two adjacent modules to be joined and fastened to each other even in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction, making the connection between the modules even more rigid.
• the upper wall comprises a threaded cavity extending longitudinally along the length of the profile bar.
• the threaded cavity is configured to receive one or more connecting elements for fastening the top of the containing profile bar to a mounting plate.
• the cavity extends longitudinally along the full length makes assembling easier because the connecting elements can be disposed at any longitudinal position.
• this disclosure provides a lighting appliance comprising a plurality of modules which are made according to any of the features described herein and which are juxtaposed with each other along a juxtaposing direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction, with the respective first and second side walls juxtaposed with each other.
• modules of the appliance can be packed close together and, in combination with the connections between them, define a system which is particularly rigid but adaptable.
• this disclosure provides a method for making a lighting module for lighting a workspace and extending along a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end.
• the method comprises a step of providing a viscous extrusion material.
• the method comprises a step of extruding the extrusion material in an extrusion die so as make a containing profile bar which includes:
• the method comprises a step of positioning a lighting element on the lighting surface.
• the method comprises a step of positioning an optical device at the front of the lighting element along the transverse direction.
• the profile bar is made in such a way that the inside surface of the first side wall is parallel to the transverse direction. Furthermore, the profile bar is made in such a way that the inside surface of the second side wall comprises a first portion, which is inclined relative to the transverse direction and divergent relative to the inside surface of the first side wall outwards from the lighting surface, and a second portion which is parallel to the transverse direction.
• the lighting element and the optical device are positioned in a respective housing defined by the inside surface of the first side wall, by the lighting wall and by the second portion of the inside surface of the second side wall. Furthermore, according to an aspect of it, this disclosure is intended to protect a method for assembling and installing a lighting appliance.
• the method comprises a step of providing a plurality of modules according to any of the features described in this disclosure.
• the method comprises a step of juxtaposing at least a first and a second module of the plurality, with the second side wall of the first module in contact with the first side wall of the second module.
• the method comprises a step of positioning a connecting cap, partly inserted into a second (dovetail-shaped) cavity of the first module and into a first (dovetail-shaped) cavity of the second module.
• the method comprises a step of fastening a mounting plate to the upper wall of at least two of said plurality of modules.
• the method comprises a step of positioning and attaching the lighting appliance to a wall of the workspace by fastening the mounting plate to the wall of the workspace. That way, the entire assembly procedure is carried out beforehand and the lighting appliance is mounted on the wall as a block and makes installation much easier.
• the numeral 100 denotes a lighting appliance for lighting a workspace.
• the appliance 100 comprises a plurality of lighting modules 1.
• the lighting module 1 extends along a longitudinal direction L between a first end 1A and a second end 1B.
• the modules 1 are each juxtaposed with each other along a juxtaposing direction F, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and defining, with the longitudinal direction L, a plane which is parallel to the wall, where the appliance 100 is mounted.
• the modules 1 each comprise a containing profile bar 10 (preferably made by extrusion) which extends along the longitudinal direction between a first end 10A and a second end 10B.
• the modules 1 each comprise a lighting element 2.
• the lighting element 2 is a linear illuminator which extends along the longitudinal direction L.
• the lighting element 2 is a LED:
• Each of the modules 1 comprises at least one optical device 3, disposed in front of the lighting element 2 to deflect a direction of the light beam, for example by varying an angle of divergence or a direction.
• each module 1 comprises a plurality of optical devices 3, distributed along the longitudinal direction L for the full length of the lighting element 2.
• each module 1 may comprise optical devices of different kinds, so as to have a lighting spectrum with different directions adapted for the specific application.
• the modules 1 which are closest to the shop window may have a much more limited angle of divergence (hence a vertical light beam) while the optical devices located inside the shop might have a much greater divergence, so the light also reaches the interior of the shop.
• the containing profile bar 10 is configured to be fastened to the wall of a workspace.
• the containing profile bar 10 comprises a first side wall 101, extending along a transverse direction T, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, between a first end 101A and a second end 101B.
• the first side wall 101 includes a respective inside surface 1011 and a respective outside surface 1012.
• the outside surface 1012 of the first side wall 101 is parallel to the transverse direction T.
• the inside surface 1011 of the first side wall 101 is substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. In an embodiment, however, the inside surface 1011 of the first side wall 101 comprises an inclined portion 1012' which extends from the second end 101B of the first side wall 101 towards the first end 101A.
• the inside surface 1011 of the first side wall 101 comprises a longitudinal groove 1012" and a flat portion 1012′′′.
• the longitudinal groove 1012" is interposed along the transverse direction T, between the inclined portion 1012' and the flat portion 1012′′′.
• the inclination of the inclined portion 1012' relative to the transverse direction is equal to a first angle of divergence AD1 of less than 10 degrees.
• the outside surface 1011 of the first side wall 101 is corrugated, knurled or shaped in any other way to create surface roughness features which can be coupled to corresponding surface roughness features of another module.
• the inclined portion 1012' is corrugated, knurled or shaped in any other way to create surface roughness features which can be coupled to corresponding surface roughness features of another surface.
• the containing profile bar 10 comprises a second side wall 102, extending along the transverse direction T between a first end 102A and a second end 102B.
• the second side wall 102 includes a respective outside surface 1021 and a respective inside surface 1022.
• the outside surface 1021 of the second side wall 102 is parallel to the transverse direction T.
• the inside surface 1022 of the second side wall 102 comprises a first portion 1022' which extends from the second end 102B of the second side wall 102 towards the first end 102A.
• the first portion 1022' is inclined relative to the transvers direction T and divergent from the first end 102A towards the second end 102B of the second side wall 102.
• the inside surface 1022 of the second side wall 102 comprises a second portion 1022", preferably flat and oriented along the transverse direction T.
• the second portion 1022" extends from the first portion 1022' to the second end 102B of the second side wall 102.
• the first portion 1022' and the second portion 1022" meet at a connecting point R.
• the inclination of the inclined portion 1022' relative to the transverse direction is equal to a second angle of divergence AD2 of between 10 degrees and 80 degrees, preferably between 30 and 60 degrees. It may also be observed that the second angle of divergence AD2 is preferably included in a range defined by the angle of incidence of the light beam on the second side wall (dependent on the optical device fitted), plus or minus 20 degrees, or 15 degrees.
• the second side wall 102 is internally hollow, making the profile bar advantageously lighter in weight.
• the containing profile bar 10 comprises an upper wall 103.
• the upper wall 103 connects the first and the second side wall 101, 102.
• the upper wall 103 includes a contact surface 103A which is configured to face towards the wall of the workspace.
• the upper wall 103 includes a lighting surface 103B which faces towards the workspace and is opposite the contact surface 103A.
• the containing profile bar 10 defines a housing A which accommodates the lighting element 2 and the optical devices 3.
• the housing A is defined by the flat portion 1012′′′ the inside surface 1021 of the first side wall 101, by the lighting surface 103B and by the second portion 1022" of the inside surface 1022 of the second side wall 102.
• optical devices 3 have a working diameter DO and are positioned at a minimum distance, called working distance, from the connecting point R.
• the ratio between the working distance LO and the working diameter DO is, in this exemplary embodiment, included between 0.45 and 0.55.
• the first portion 1022' of the inside surface 1022 of the second side wall 102 comprise a plurality of lips L, extending along the longitudinal direction L and parallel to each other.
• the lips of the plurality of lips L are spaced from each other along a direction having at least one transverse component T, so as to define, between each pair of lips of the plurality of lips L, a corresponding groove G to form a plurality of groove G.
• the lips L of the plurality extend from the first portion 1022' along a screening direction DS which is inclined to the transverse direction T at a cover angle AS of less than 120 degrees, preferably between 90 degrees and 30 degrees.
• This special configuration of the lips L traps the light in the grooves G, providing a screen which prevents the light from creating an unpleasant effect for the viewer.
• each of the lips is rounded, so as to reduce the amount of surface perpendicular to the light beam which is also exposed to the viewer.
• the first and the second side walls 101, 102 comprise a first and a second cavity 104, 105.
• the first and second cavities 104, 105 extend along the longitudinal direction L for the full length of the profile bar 10.
• the first and second cavities 104, 105 are mirror symmetric.
• the first and second cavities 104, 105 are shaped in such a way as to have a respective bottom 1041, 1051, with a respective first transverse extent, and a respective narrow portion 1042, 1052, with a respective second transverse extent, smaller than the first transverse extent.
• the narrow portion 1042, 1052 defines a respective abutment wall 1043, 1053, parallel to the juxtaposing direction F.
• the appliance 100 comprises one or more caps 4, configured to be inserted into the second cavity of a module and into the first cavity of an adjacent module (or vice versa).
• the one or more caps are shaped to substantially match the shape of the first cavity 104 or of the second cavity 105, so that, once inserted at the longitudinal end of the profile bar, the two modules can be moved apart along the juxtaposing direction F.
• the upper wall 103 comprises a threaded cavity 1031 extending longitudinally along the length of the containing profile bar 10.
• the threaded cavity is configured to receive one or more connecting elements EC for fastening the top of the containing profile bar 10 to a mounting plate PF.
• the thread of the threaded cavity 1031 has a corrugated profile.
• the upper wall 103 comprises a third cavity 1032.
• the third cavity 1032 extends along the longitudinal direction L for the full length of the containing profile bar 10.
• the third cavity 1032 is shaped in such a way as to have a respective bottom, with a respective first transverse extent, and a respective narrow portion, with a respective second transverse extent, smaller than the first transverse extent.
• the narrow portion defines a respective abutment wall, parallel to the transversal direction T.
• the cavity 1032 could have, inserted into it, a corresponding guide which is fastened, for example, to the mounting plate PF so that the modules 1 can be inserted along the longitudinal direction L.
• the appliance 100 comprises a mounting plate PF which is connected to the plurality of modules 1.
• the mounting plate PF is connected by respective connecting elements EC to the upper wall of at least two fastening modules 1AG.
• the fastening plate 101 is connected by respective connecting elements EC to the threaded cavity 1031.
• the mounting plate PF comprises respective holes PF1 with mounting elements passing through them to interact with the wall of the workspace so as to allow the appliance 100 to be mounted to the wall.
• the mounting plate PF preferably extends over an area which exceeds the area defined by the sum of the upper walls of the modules 1 making up the appliance 100.
• the holes PF1 are disposed on the exceeding part of the mounting plate PF.
• the appliance 100 also comprises a first and a second closing plate PC1, PC2.
• the first and second closing plates PC1, PC2 are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and are disposed at the first ends 10A of the containing profile bars 10 of the modules 1 and at the second ends 10B of the containing profile bars 10 of the modules 1, respectively.
• the first and second closing plates PC1, PC2 are orthogonal to the first and second ends 10A, 10B so as to pack the modules 1 together to form, with the mounting plate PF, a frame of the appliance 100 interfaced with the wall of the workspace (that is, a wall recess or housing box of the workspace).

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

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Publications (1)

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Citations (4)

• 2025
  • 2025-04-11 EP EP25170046.4A patent/EP4636741A1/de active Pending

Patent Citations (4)

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