ES2676176B1 - Tile lighting system - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Tile lighting system

Technical field of the invention

The present invention corresponds to the technical field of the coatings of walls, floors or any other surface by means of tiles, in particular to the tile lighting systems, which provide internal illumination to said coatings.

Antecedents of the Invention

Currently in the field of coatings there is a wide variety of tiles that vary in material, colors, strength, finish ... Thanks to the advances of recent years, another feature that can be added to the qualities of the coatings is the lighting.

Thus, at first it was possible to provide an illumination embedded between the tiles, with which to give a greater luminosity or even to introduce messages or sets of decorative lights for certain spaces.

After these beginnings, it has continued to evolve such that currently there are tiles in which the lighting is part of them, so that when making a coating with them, the light passes through them and generates the desired lighting effect.

However, these tiles and the lighting means thereof present certain drawbacks. One of these drawbacks appears in the coatings intended for floors, which are exposed to higher loads than other surfaces such as walls or ceilings and, therefore, the lighting means arranged under these tiles must carry complicated means of supporting them for generate a space in which to arrange the means of illumination without appearing problems of crushing them.

In addition, in current lighting systems, it is necessary to leave a gap of between 10-15cm between the tile and the coating surface, to achieve a correct light effect. In practice, this means that the placement of these systems on the ground is almost impossible, since not having a support of consistency generates the breakage of the tiles when stepping on them. It is also a disadvantage for its placement in walls and ceilings, because it is taking space from the habitability of those rooms.

Another problem with this type of tile is that most of the time, the lighting means are part of the tile itself, so that in the event of a failure thereof, it is necessary to replace the entire tile, increasing the maintenance costs .

In addition, the placement of these tiles that have integrated lighting means the need to have electrical technicians for the placement of them, making the installation process difficult and increasing the deadlines and costs thereof.

As an example of the state of the art, reference documents ES2313684 and WO2012140280 can be mentioned.

The reference document ES2313684 defines a luminous tile comprising a transparent or luminescent tile made of a material resistant to mechanical stress, a printed circuit board, a separator for sealingly fixing said tile and the printed circuit board to each other by medium of an adhesive, and a sealing layer made of silicone. On the face of the printed circuit board facing the tile is a series of LEDs mounted, as well as a diode and a resistor connected to said LEDs, while on the underside of the printed circuit board are located two contacts electricos connected by means of a connection welded by means of tin to two electric cables for an additional connection to a power supply.

The spacer is disposed between the tile and the printed circuit board so that an upper face of said spacer is in contact with the tile and an opposite lower face of said spacer is in contact with the face of the printed circuit board oriented towards said tile, thus forming a watertight space between said tile, the printed circuit board and the separator where said LEDs are located.

In addition, the side surfaces of the separator and the printed circuit board are removed from the peripheral edge of the tile, and the sealing layer is applied around said tiles. lateral surfaces of the separator and of the printed circuit board up to said peripheral edge of the tile, so that the entire tile assembly is sealed on the lateral and posterior side.

This invention is intended to reduce the difficulty of the mode of execution and the consumption of electricity, but it still poses disadvantages, since the installation of these tiles requires the placement of electrical cables in the joints between the ceramic or stone tiles to be able to drive them to the power source.

This installation mode is laborious and slow. In addition, it must be done thoroughly so that these cables are not visible and that none is released through the joints. Another requirement is that these joints must be perfectly sealed to prevent the passage of moisture that may affect the cables.

In this case also, the tile and the printed circuit board are conditioned to each other in size and shape, so that their manufacture is linked and does not allow a total availability of shapes and sizes in the slabs of coating, since In the case of tiles that are outside the standard measurements and characteristics, they must be made on demand, which entails a higher cost in said tiles.

Furthermore, the way in which the tile assembly, printed circuit board and separator is attached, conditions the complete removal of the set of elements in the event of a defect or breakage of one of them, thus increasing the maintenance cost as well.

In reference document WO2012140280 a textured light tile is defined, comprising a support or base, on which are placed electronic lighting means distributed on its surface in a uniform manner and where said support and said electronic means are covered by a textured, transparent or translucent enclosure, and configured to withstand mechanical stresses.

In this case, the tile and the lighting means are joined, the tile body being the one that constitutes the support of the lighting means, so again, before any substitution, this necessarily implies the whole , increasing costs. Likewise, it is impossible to make a series production of the lighting means so that they are compatible with any tile, since both are joined together. This limits the options regarding tile shapes and designs.

It is thus observed that they are tiles attached to the lighting means and that, in cases where the connection cables go between the tiles, it is complicated to use them in floors, since they are more exposed to dampness or spills. , for the cleaning of the tiles.

It is also complicated to use tiles in floors when the lighting means are arranged between the tile and the floor surface, in a gap created by separating elements, which if they do not have adequate resistance generate the crushing of said lighting means.

In addition, the illumination obtained with these tiles is concentrated in the concrete area in which the lighting device is located, since there is no type of system or mechanism that collaborates in the extension of the radius of action of the same, so that the The effect achieved is far from a general illumination of the tile.

Description of the invention

The tile lighting system, said tiles being translucent or transparent, used for the coating of walls, floors or any other surface presented here, comprises a series of lighting modules located adjacent to each other, where said modules of lighting are arranged on the surface to be coated and intermediate between it and the tiles of coating, first means of connection of said lighting modules with the current network and a means of activating the system.

Each of said lighting modules comprises a containment box made of a translucent material and formed by a first hollow body having a straight prism shape with a closed first base able to be placed in contact with the surface to be coated, an opposite second base. open and lateral ones whose dimension perpendicular to both bases is smaller than the rest of the dimensions of the cassette and, a second body disposed on the second open base such that the union of the first and second bodies forms a hollow interior chamber.

Each lighting module also comprises electric lighting means arranged in the hollow interior chamber comprising a plurality of lighting devices. lighting, means for extending the radius of action of said lighting devices and second means for connecting the lighting means of each lighting module with the lighting means of at least one module arranged abutting therewith.

Likewise, each lighting module comprises first fixing means to the surface, and second fixing means to the covering tile.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electric lighting means comprise at least one base part of electrical connections, located inside the first body, where the plurality of lighting devices are connected to said base part of electrical connections.

The second connection means of the illumination means of each module comprise, at one end of each base piece of electrical connections, a male connecting plug with a base connecting piece of a first adjacent lighting module and at another end of each base connection piece, a female connection power plug with a second adjacent connection base part, such that each of the connection base pieces is connected to at least one connection base part of an adjacent lighting module forming a connection in series of them.

Likewise, the first connection means are formed by a connection to a transformer of the electrical network, arranged in a first base part of connections corresponding to the lighting module of the serial connection located closest to one of the ends of the surface to cover and next to said transformer and, where the last base piece of connections corresponding to the lighting module disposed at the end of the connection in series of the connecting base pieces, comprises a cover for closing the female connection pin.

In this case and according to a preferred embodiment, the tile lighting system comprises a single base piece of electrical connections, which is formed by a plate of electrical connections, located on the first base of the first body and where, the plurality of Illumination devices are arranged equidistantly over the entire surface thereof.

In the same case and according to another preferred embodiment, the at least one basic piece of electrical connections is formed a first rod longitudinally, arranged in the first body of the box fixed on a first side thereof and, the plurality of lighting devices they are arranged equidistantly along the length thereof.

In this case, in which the at least one basic piece of electrical connections is formed by a first rod and according to a preferred embodiment, the lighting system comprises a second rod of longitudinal shape arranged on a second side of the first body of the opposite box. to the first lateral.

Both in the case in which the base piece of connections is formed by a first rod as in the case in which it is formed by first and second rods, and according to a preferred embodiment, the lighting system comprises light-diffusing means generated by the lighting devices.

According to a preferred embodiment, said light-diffusing means are formed by a first flat laminar body, which has the same shape as the first and second base of the first body of the box and is attached to the sides thereof in a further position. next to the second body than the plurality of lighting devices fixed to the at least one base piece of electrical connections.

According to another aspect, and in a preferred embodiment, in the case in which the basic piece of electrical connections is formed by a plate of electrical connections, the means of extending the radius of action of the lighting devices are formed by a plurality of semi-spherical raised elevations emerging from the second body of the casing in the opposite direction to the inner hollow chamber and where each of the elevations is arranged coincidently on one of the lighting devices connected to the plate respectively.

In the case in which the at least one basic piece of electrical connections is formed by a first rod of longitudinal form as well as by first and second rods and according to a preferred embodiment, the means of extending the radius of action of the lighting devices they are formed by a second polymeric laminar body disposed in the inner chamber of the casing at the same height as the lighting devices, comprising on its surface a plurality of longitudinal grooves. arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one base piece of electrical connections.

According to another aspect, in a preferred embodiment and in any of the above cases, the plurality of lighting devices are connected separately in at least two independent phases.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first fixing means of the lighting module to the surface to be coated are formed by cement.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second fixing means of the illumination module to the tile are formed by an adhesive.

On the other hand, according to a preferred embodiment, the activation means of the system are formed by a switch for each lighting phase.

This system of lighting tiles allows the use of lighting devices formed by LEDs, halogens or any other light source. In addition, the light supplied can be cold, warm and of the desired voltage.

With the tile lighting system proposed here, a significant improvement in the state of the art is obtained.

This is so with this tile lighting system, the tile is made independent of the lighting devices thereof, so that any problem due to malfunctioning of the lighting, or even by wear or breakage of the tile, is possible. the repair or replacement of the lighting devices keeping the same tile, or replace the defective tile, keeping the same lighting means.

Another advantage of this lighting system is that it has a box that protects the lighting devices that are inside, both against pressures and against moisture, so it is a perfectly suitable system for placement on any surface, including the surface of the floor, which is always more problematic due to the loads received and the possible dampness that can be introduced between the joints.

In addition, the existing devices in each box are connected by means of a base piece of electrical connections, and said pieces are connected to each other in series at one end thereof, so that these connections are made less than the tiles and so that only the electric wire passes from one box to another through existing holes in the sides of the boxes, to make the connection inside, but to be the boxes arranged consecutively and adjacent, in all the surface to be coated, there are no electrical connections located external to them, which are perfectly protected against moisture and external pressures.

Thanks to the means to extend the radius of action of the lighting devices, as well as to the light-diffusing means, a much more general and homogeneous illumination of the tile is achieved, less punctual. In addition, the connection of lighting devices in two phases increases the life time of the lighting system.

Another important advantage of this system is the simplicity of it, which only requires the connection between the base pieces of electrical connections and these connections are completely independent of the placement of the tiles, so that the costs in laying the tiles are reduced, as well as the execution times.

Furthermore, as the lighting means are independent from the tiles, it is possible that, depending on the needs, the box has the same shape and dimensions as the tile or, for example, in cases of tiles of less usual shapes, than the box has a different shape and dimensions from those of the tiles, it is not necessary to manufacture concrete boxes for that case, so that the manufacturing process of these boxes can be industrialized, making a collection of them to be able to dispose of them on demand , thus reducing costs.

Therefore, it is a simple, economical and effective tile lighting system.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization thereof, a series of drawings is provided as an integral part of said description where, with an illustrative and non-limiting character, represented the following:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the box of the tile lighting system for a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a plan view of the base piece of connections of the tile lighting system, for a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the box of the tile lighting system for a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the tile lighting system for a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the casing and lighting means of the tile lighting system, for a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the box of the tile lighting system, for a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7.- Shows a sectional view of the tile lighting system, for a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures provided, it can be seen as in a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the tile lighting system (1), said tiles (1) being of translucent or transparent material, used for the wall covering , floors or any other surface presented herein, comprises a series of lighting modules located adjacent to each other, where said lighting modules are arranged on the surface (2) to be coated and intermediate between it and the tiles ( 1), first means for connecting said lighting modules to the current network and means for activating the system.

Likewise, each lighting module of the system comprises a containment box (3) made of a translucent material, electric lighting means, first ones. fixing means to the surface and second fixing means to the covering tile (1).

The containment box (3), as shown in Figure 1, is formed by a first hollow body (4) in the shape of a straight prism formed by a closed first base (4.1) apt to be placed in contact with the surface to be coated , an open second opposing base and lateral ones (4.2) whose dimension perpendicular to both bases is smaller than the rest of the dimensions of the cassette (3) and, a second body (5) disposed on the second open base such that the connection of the first and second bodies (4, 5) forms a hollow interior chamber.

On the other hand, the electrical lighting means of each module are arranged in the inner hollow chamber thereof. Said lighting means comprise a plurality of lighting devices (6), means for extending the radius of action of said lighting devices (6) and second means of connecting the lighting means of each module with the lighting means of at least one module disposed abutting therewith.

In this first preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the electric lighting means comprise at least one basic piece of electrical connections, located inside the first body (4) and, the plurality of lighting devices (6), are connected to said base piece of electrical connections.

In this first preferred embodiment of the invention, the lighting devices (6) used are LEDs, connected separately in two independent phases A and B, thereby increasing the lifetime of said lighting devices (6) and where, the base piece is formed by a plate (7) of electrical connections, arranged on the first base (4.1) of the first body (4). The plurality of lighting devices (6), as shown in Figure 2, are arranged equidistantly over the entire surface thereof.

Thus, the second connection means of the lighting modules comprise at one end of each electrical connection plate (7), a male connection plug (8) with a first connection plate (7) of a first module of adjacent illumination and at another end of each connection plate (7), an electric plug of female connection (9) with a second plate (7) of connections of a second adjacent lighting module.

In this way, each of the electrical connection plates (7) is connected to at least one electrical connection plate (7) of an adjacent lighting module forming a series connection thereof.

On the other hand, the first connection means are formed by a connection to a transformer of the electrical network, arranged in a first plate (7) of electrical connections corresponding to the lighting module of the serial connection located closest to one of the ends of the surface (2) to be coated and in turn, next to said transformer.

Likewise, the last electrical connection plate (7) corresponding to the lighting module arranged at the end of the series connection, comprises a closure cap of the female connection plug (9).

In this first preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in Figure 1, the means for enlarging the radius of action of the lighting devices (6) are formed by a plurality of raised elevations (10) emerging hemispherically of the second body (5) of the cassette (3) in the opposite direction to the inner hollow chamber. Each of said elevations (10) is arranged coincidentally on one of the lighting devices (6) connected to the plate (7) respectively.

As shown in Figure 4, the first fixing means (11) of the illumination module to the surface (2) to be coated are formed by cement, while the second fixing means (12) thereof to the tile (1). ) are formed by an adhesive, which in this first preferred embodiment of the invention is formed by double-sided tape.

With reference to the means for activating the system, in this first preferred embodiment of the invention, they are formed by a switch for each of the two phases A and B, of illumination.

In this first preferred embodiment of the invention, the tiles (1) are rectangular, and the box (3) corresponding to the lighting system thereof, It has the same dimensions as said tiles (1) so, as can be seen in Figure 4, the tiles (1) are each arranged on a box respectively.

In this first preferred embodiment of the invention, the tiles (1) used are of marble, achieving a successful aesthetic effect by uniformly illuminating the tiles (1) and allowing the light of the lower lighting means to pass through, in greater or greater extent. smaller measure depending on the veins of the marble.

In this specification a second preferred embodiment of the invention is presented, in which, unlike the first proposed mode, the at least one basic piece of electrical connections is formed by first and second rods (13.1, 13.2) longitudinally, arranged in the first body (4) of the cassette (3). In this second embodiment, said first and second rods (13.1, 13.2) are formed by aluminum.

As shown in Figure 5, the first rod (13.1) is fixed on a first side of the box (3), while the second rod (13.2) is fixed on a second side of the first body of the box (3) opposite to the first side

On the other hand, the plurality of lighting devices (6), are arranged equidistantly along the length of both first and second rods (13.1, 13.2).

In this second preferred embodiment of the invention, the use of tiles (1) with a specific shape is considered, being in this case hexagonal. To avoid cost overruns, in this embodiment the lighting system uses rectangular boxes, which are what were available in this case, although they have different shape and dimensions than the tiles, as shown in Figure 7.

Likewise, as can be seen in Figure 6, in this second preferred embodiment of the invention, the lighting system comprises means for diffusing the light generated by the lighting devices (6) formed by a first laminar body (14). ) plane, which has the same shape as the first and second base of the first body (4) of the box (3), in this case rectangular, and is attached to the sides (4.2) thereof in a position closer to the second body (5) that of the plurality of lighting devices (6) fixed to the first and second rods (13.1, 13.2) that they form the basic pieces of electrical connections. With these diffusing means it is possible to eliminate the shadows generated by the lighting devices (6).

In that same Figure 6, it is shown that in this second preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for expanding the radius of action of the lighting devices (6) are formed by a second polymeric laminar body (15) arranged in the inner chamber of the cassette (3) at the same height as the lighting devices (6), comprising on its surface a plurality of longitudinal grooves (16) arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of both first and second rods (13.1, 13.2).

In this case, the second laminar body (15) also has a rectangular shape and is attached to the two sides of the first body perpendicular to the first and second side on which the rods are fixed.

In this second preferred embodiment of the invention, as in the first described mode, the plurality of lighting devices (6) are connected separately in at least two independent phases.

In this second preferred embodiment of the invention, the materials used both in the box (3) and in the diffusing means and the means for expanding the radius of action of the lighting devices (6), are formed by polymers, reducing in this way the costs of the system.

The embodiments described are only two examples of the present invention, therefore, the details, terms and specific phrases used herein are not to be considered as limiting, but are to be understood only as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis that provides an understandable description as well as sufficient information to the expert in the field to apply the present invention.

With the system of lighting of tiles that is presented here, important improvements are obtained regarding the state of the art.

A system is achieved in which the tiles are independent of the means of illumination both in the assembly, as in the form and dimensions. This brings multiple advantages, both of construction, because it reduces the difficulty, times and costs, as in maintenance, and at the same time in the possibility of assembling tiles of very different shapes, without needing to depend on the shape of the boxes, nor having to make these purposely with the same shape as the tiles.

In addition, the placement of lighting means inside a box manages to provide protection to them, against charges and humidity.

The existence of means of extending the radius of action of the lighting devices achieves a better effect on the entire surface of the tile.

This system of tile lighting achieves a simplicity in the placement of the same, separating completely the placement of the tiles and in this way reduce the times and costs.

It is therefore a very effective, simple system that involves lower installation and maintenance costs.

Claims (1)

1- Tile illumination system (1), said tiles (1) being of translucent or transparent material, used for the coating of walls, floors or any other surface (2), characterized in that it comprises a series of lighting modules located adjacent to each other, where said lighting modules are arranged on the surface (2) to be coated and intermediate between it and the covering tiles (1), first connecting means of said lighting modules with the network of current and means for activating the system, wherein each lighting module comprises - a containment box (3) made of a translucent material and formed by a first hollow body (4) having a straight prism shape with a closed first base (4.1) apt to be placed in contact with the surface (2) to be coated , an open second opposing base and lateral ones (4.2) whose dimension perpendicular to both bases is smaller than the rest of the dimensions of the box (3) and, a second body (5) disposed on the second open base such that the union of the first and second bodies (4, 5) form a hollow interior chamber; - electrical lighting means arranged in the hollow interior chamber, comprising a plurality of lighting devices (6); - means for expanding the radius of action of said lighting devices (6); - second connection means of the illumination means (6) of each lighting module with those of at least one module disposed abutting therewith; - first fixing means to the surface (2), and; - second fixing means to the covering tile (1). 2- Tile lighting system (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric lighting means comprise at least one base piece of electrical connections, located inside the first body, where the plurality of lighting devices are connected to said base part of electrical connections and, where the second connection means of the lighting means of each module comprise at one end of each base part of electrical connections, a male connection electric plug with a base part of connections of the illumination means of a first adjacent lighting module and at another end of each base connection piece, a female connection electric plug with a second adjacent connecting base part, such that each of the base pieces of connections is connected to at least one base piece of connections of an adjacent lighting module forming a series connection thereof and, where the first connection means are formed by a connection to a transformer of the electrical network, arranged in a first base piece of connections corresponding to the lighting module of the serial connection located closest to one of the ends of the surface to be coated and next to said transformer and, where the last base part of connections corresponding to the lighting module arranged at the end of the serial connection of the connection base pieces comprises a closing cap of the female connection plug. 3- Tile illumination system (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a single basic piece of electrical connections, which is formed by a plate (7) of electrical connections, located on the first base (4.1) of the first body (4) and where, the plurality of lighting devices (6) are arranged equidistantly over the entire surface thereof. 4- Tile illumination system (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one base part of electrical connections is formed by a first rod (13.1) of longitudinal shape, arranged in the first body (4) of the cassette (3) fixed on a first side thereof and, the plurality of lighting devices (6) are arranged equidistantly along the length thereof. 5- Tile illumination system (1), according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a second rod (13.2) longitudinally arranged on a second side of the first body (4) of the box (3), opposite the first side . 6- Tile illumination system (1), according to any of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that it comprises means for diffusing the light generated by the lighting devices (6). 7- Tile illumination system (1), according to claim 6, characterized in that the light-diffusing means are formed by a first flat laminar body (14), which has the same shape as the first and second base of the first body (4) of the box (3) and is attached to the sides thereof in a position closer to the second body (5) than that of the plurality of lighting devices (6) fixed to the at least one base piece of connections electrical 8- Tile lighting system (1), according to claim 3, characterized in that the means of extending the radius of action of the lighting devices (6) are formed by a plurality of raised elevations (10) emerging hemispherical of the second body (5) of the box (3) in the opposite direction to the inner hollow chamber and where each of the elevations (10) is arranged coincidently on one of the lighting devices (6) connected to the plate (7). ) respectively. 9- Tile illumination system (1), according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the means of extending the radius of action of the lighting devices (6) are formed by a second polymeric laminar body (15) , arranged in the inner chamber of the box (3) at the same height as the lighting devices (6) and, comprises on its surface a plurality of longitudinal grooves (16) arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one first rod. 10- Tile illumination system (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of lighting devices (6) are connected separately in at least two independent phases. 11- Tile illumination system (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fixing means of the lighting module to the surface (2) to be coated are formed by cement. 12- Tile lighting system (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second fixing means of the illumination module to the tile (1) are formed by an adhesive. 13- Tile lighting system (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation means of the system are formed by a switch for each lighting phase.