FR2877420A1 - SPHERICAL SHAPE LIGHTING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting device (1) comprising at least one LED (Light Emitting Diode) (4), a substantially spherical envelope (6), a battery (2) and an electronic circuit (3). ) characterized in that it is waterproof, and in that it further comprises a shock sensor (5) for its ignition and extinction and in that the substantially spherical envelope (6) is covered with a layer of flexible material.

Description

2877420 1

  The present invention relates to the field of luminaires.

  The present invention relates more particularly to a globe-shaped sealed lighting device comprising LEDs, a flexible material coating and a shock sensor for switching on and off the luminaire.

  Numerous luminaires operating with LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are known in the state of the art.

  The prior art already knows, by PCT patent application WO 01/73860 (Ledcorp), a light device, a light emitting diode and a method of use. The invention which is the subject of this PCT patent application relates to a light emitting diode lamp and a method making it possible to use one or more lamps, and portable lighting products, such as flashlights, comprising this lamp. (s) with electroluminescence diodes. The electroluminescent diode lamp disclosed in this invention provides a uniformly diffused light which radiates spherically at 270 in all directions, radial and axial. This novel lamp design is particularly suitable for use as a light source of reflective surface type light beams to produce beams of light. The chip is confined in at least one envelope surrounding the chip; the envelope extending from a first lower position to the position of said chip to a second position greater than the position of the chip. The second position of the envelope defines an inner lens opposite said chip; the surface of the lens being designed and arranged with respect to the chip such that a substantially uniform portion of light emitted by the chip is reflected by the surface. Thus, the light radiates spherically at an angle greater than 270 relative to the position of the chip. In an optimal embodiment, the envelope has the shape of a cylinder at its lower position and the lens has a transition surface extending from a position lower than the position of the chip at a given angle or curvature. inwardly relative to the cylindrical position so as to confine the chip.

  The prior art is also known from PCT patent application WO 01/01039 (Eveready Battery Company) for a lantern structure. The invention that is the subject of this PCT patent application relates to a portable lighting device comprising a generally elongate rectilinear body having a light source extending along a longitudinal side; a base on one end of which is installed a device in vertical position and a handle disposed on the opposite end of the base, the handle comprising a gripping portion forming an acute angle with respect to a vertical axis traversing the device and relative to a horizontal plane when the device is standing on its base. The invention also relates to a portable lighting device comprising a body adapted to contain dry cells supplying the device; at least one generally tubular translucent lens emitting light generated by the device; at least one incandescent bulb or light-emitting diodes placed at at least one tubular lens and an electrical circuit connecting the dry cells to at least one bulb or diode. The invention also relates to a portable lighting device comprising a body having a base, a light housing extending along one side of the body and a handle placed on or near the upper end of the body, the housing luminous comprising a translucent protective front cover whose exterior is convex in lateral view. The invention of this patent application] CCT finally relates to a lantern having a light housing allowing a light radiation of 360 ', this housing being constituted by a light source and rotatably connected to a lantern body by rotary means, this body being normally rectangular and having rotary means offset relative to a longitudinal axis of this body, the housing being able to rotate so as to cross the longitudinal axis of said body.

  The prior art does not propose lighting devices whose switch mechanisms are linked to an action on the light scattering sphere and which are at the same time pleasant to the touch in order to make the action of turning on and off pleasant. the device.

  The present invention intends to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a lighting device pleasant to the touch and having innovative switch means. In the device according to the present invention, it suffices for the user to give a slight shock to the substantially spherical envelope of the lighting device to control the switching on or off of the luminaire by means of a shock sensor microphone connected to the electronic circuit of the lighting device.

  For this purpose, the present invention relates, in its most general sense, to a lighting device comprising at least one LED (Light Emitting Diode), a substantially spherical envelope, a battery and an electronic circuit characterized in that it is waterproof, and in that it further comprises a shock sensor for its ignition and extinction and in that the substantially spherical envelope is covered with a layer of flexible material.

  According to a first embodiment, said substantially spherical envelope is made of plastic, for example polyethylene and the layer of flexible material is silicone.

  According to one embodiment, the lighting device comprises 4 LEDs.

  According to one embodiment, said device has a diameter of between 30 and 40 cm.

  According to another mode of implementation, said device has a diameter less than 5 cm.

  In a first variant, the battery is recharged by a power cord connected to a power outlet.

  According to a second variant, the battery is recharged on a support in the form of a handle.

  According to a third variant, the battery is recharged on a square type of support.

  According to one embodiment, the LED (s) is (are) of a color selected from white, yellow and red.

  According to a particular embodiment, said shock detector (5) is a microphone.

  The invention will be better understood from the following description, given purely for explanatory purposes, of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the appended figures: FIG. 1 illustrates a lighting device according to the invention; - Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the lighting device according to the invention.

  The device (1) according to the invention, illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, is composed of several elements of a technical nature: a battery (2), an electronic circuit (3), one or more LED (s) (Light Emitting Light Emitting Diode) (4) and a shock sensor (5).

  The device (1) is spherical in shape and consists of a substantially spherical envelope (6) made of plastic material, for example polyethylene, which gives it both transparency (partial or total) to light and impact resistance. This envelope (6) has a thickness generally between 0.1 cm and 1.5 cm, for example 0.4 cm. In addition, it is covered with a thin layer of flexible material of the silicone type. This layer provides the device with a special and pleasant touch as well as an opacity that attenuates the light in the image of a moon that partially reflects that of the sun.

  The lower part (defined by the rest position) of the device (1) comprises a plug (7) allowing access to the inner components (2, 3, 4, 5) of the device. This plug (7) has a substantially circular section of the sphere and is integral with the spherical envelope (6) via a tight screw pitch. Seals (not shown in the figure) are added to ensure better protection against moisture. The fastening means of this plug (7) to the shell (6) can be any means ensuring the maintenance and sealing (especially vis-à-vis the water) of all.

  In its interior part to the sphere, the plug (7) comprises means for fixing the internal components (electronic circuit (3), shock detector (5) and LED lamps (4), battery (2)). The plug (7) further comprises in its outer part, also sealed supply means. These means may be of the type socket or housing (8) provided with electrical connectors that can be engaged with a base (9) of plug type electrical socket. The interest of the base (9) is to play on the aesthetics of the whole (sphere + base).

  A rechargeable battery (2) delivers the energy required to power four LEDs (4). The battery (2) can be any type of rechargeable and waterproof electric battery, for example a lead-based battery. A charging device comprising, inter alia, a power system or a transformer, recharges the battery (2) from the current power supply. This charging device can be included in the charging base (9) or in the lighting device (1). The LEDs (4) are positioned substantially in the center of the sphere and in a distribution adapted to provide a uniform illumination, for example the ends of the LEDs (4) can form an equilateral pyramid.

  The battery (2) provides a battery life of more than eight hours, allowing normal use during evenings.

  The device (1) also comprises a shock detector (5) and an associated electronic circuit (3). These two elements make it possible to constitute a switch to the lighting device. The shock detector (5) is a microphone that controls, via the electronic circuit (3), the switching on or off of the LEDs (4). When the user gives a slight shock to the spherical envelope (6), the microphone (5) delivers an electric current interpreted by the electronic circuit (3) as a state change signal (on, off). Thus when the user wants to turn on or off the luminaire (1), it gives a slight impact on the sphere (6).

  The microphone or any type of shock detector (5) may be selected to detect shock waves above a certain threshold. Some microphones have a mechanism of adjustment of the sensitivity, which makes it possible to adapt this threshold according to the uses or the external conditions This makes it possible to consider many different applications. For example, the waterproof sphere can be placed in a pool, and the swirls or ripples caused by the bathers play the lighting.

  The LEDs (4) provide a greater light output than the bulbs generally used in outdoor lighting. LEDs are 5 w (watt) diodes, for example, which can be blue, yellow, white or red or tinted with colors. The different colors possible make it possible to obtain important and varied light effects. The device (1) with four LEDs (4) of 5 W has a light output equivalent to 60 W incandescent (that is to say, the light output of a 60 W incandescent bulb).

  The device (1) according to the present invention can thus be presented as an autonomous wireless device for returning a lighting equivalent to W for more than eight hours. Many applications can result.

  For decorative use indoors or outdoors, the sphere has a diameter of between 30 and 40 cm.

  The device (1) according to the present invention can also be applied to the field of jewelry, in which case the sphere has a diameter of about 5 cm and the inner components are taken to be substantially smaller in size.

  In one embodiment, the device (1) is a totally spherical wireless lighting device. The weight of the internal components attached to the plug (7) makes it possible to obtain a pendulum effect of the culbuto type thus providing a sympathetic light effect.

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Claims (10)

  1. Lighting device (1) comprising at least one LED (Light Emitting Diode) (4), a substantially spherical envelope (6), a battery (2) and an electronic circuit (3), characterized in that it is waterproof, and in that it further comprises a shock sensor (5) for its ignition and extinction and in that the substantially spherical envelope (6) is covered with a layer of flexible material.   2. Lighting device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said substantially spherical shell (6) is made of plastic, for example polyethylene and the layer of flexible material is silicone.   3. Lighting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises 4 LEDs (4).   4. Lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that it has a diameter of between 30 and 40 cm.   5. Lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that it has a diameter less than 5 cm.   6. Lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said battery (2) is recharged by a power cord connected to a plug of the sector. 35   2877420 10 7. Lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said battery (2) is recharged on a support (9) shaped handle.   8. Lighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said battery (2) is recharged on a support (9) of the square type.   9. Lighting device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the (or) LED (4) is (are) a color selected from white, yellow and red.   10.Dispositif lighting according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said shock sensor (5) is a microphone.