WO1998051520A2 - Vehicle lighting fixture with special louver - Google Patents

Vehicle lighting fixture with special louver Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998051520A2
WO1998051520A2 PCT/FI1998/000397 FI9800397W WO9851520A2 WO 1998051520 A2 WO1998051520 A2 WO 1998051520A2 FI 9800397 W FI9800397 W FI 9800397W WO 9851520 A2 WO9851520 A2 WO 9851520A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lamellas
light
lighting fixture
dark
reflecting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI1998/000397
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1998051520A3 (en
Inventor
Tapio Murtonen
Original Assignee
Teknoware Oy
Tapio Murtonen
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Teknoware Oy, Tapio Murtonen filed Critical Teknoware Oy
Priority to EP98921507A priority Critical patent/EP0981455B1/en
Priority to DE69806749T priority patent/DE69806749T2/en
Priority to AU74333/98A priority patent/AU7433398A/en
Publication of WO1998051520A2 publication Critical patent/WO1998051520A2/en
Publication of WO1998051520A3 publication Critical patent/WO1998051520A3/en
Priority to HK00105452A priority patent/HK1026672A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/40—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors specially adapted for specific vehicle types
    • B60Q3/41—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors specially adapted for specific vehicle types for mass transit vehicles, e.g. buses
    • B60Q3/43—General lighting

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a lighting fixture in vehicles or in the like, the lighting fixture comprising a lighting unit and a louver containing a plurality of well-reflecting elongated light lamellas which are located substantially parallel to each other and substantially transversely in relation to the direction of the vehicle.
  • the driver has to be ensured with the best possible visibility onto the drive-way in all weather conditions. This means that the driver's cab has to be as dim as possible so that the driver's eyes are capable of adapting to the outdoor light level.
  • the aim has been to avoid reflection by designing the lighting fixtures so that they emit light mainly widely in the cross direction at the same time as the longitudinal light distribution is as narrow as possible.
  • the methods normally used are the use of a deep lighting fixture and a louver used in a lighting fixture hampering the direct visibility of the light source.
  • a louver hampering reflection is efficient also in hampering windshield reflections, particularly if it is painted in dark tones.
  • the louver simultaneously reduces the light efficiency of the lighting fixture. If the louvers are painted in light tones it, in turn, causes reflections onto the windshield.
  • An object of the invention is thus to develop a lighting fixture to solve said problems.
  • the object of the invention is achieved with a lighting fixture ac- cording to the invention characterized in that the lighting fixture further comprises poorly reflecting elongated dark lamellas, which are located parallel to the light lamellas, whereby the dark lamellas are arranged to hamper at least partly the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle.
  • the preferred embodiments of the lighting fixture according to the invention are the object of the dependent claims 2-9.
  • An advantage of the lighting fixture according to the invention is that since the majority of the reflecting surfaces of the lamellas are light, or well- reflecting, the light level in the passenger seating area remains high, simultaneously as, on account of the dark lamellas, the driver of the vehicle is not dazzled.
  • Another advantage achieved with the lighting fixture of the invention is that it is economical and easy to manufacture.
  • a further advantage with the lighting fixture of the invention is that also old lighting fixtures already in use can be equipped with the louver of the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a side view and a cross-sectional view of a lighting fixture according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a lighting fixture according to the invention mounted into a bus.
  • Figure 1 shows a lighting fixture 1 according to the invention com- prising a lighting unit 2 and a louver 3.
  • the lighting fixture 1 is elongated but the lighting fixture 1 can also be different in appearance.
  • the lighting unit 2 of the invention has a housing 4 and a light source 5 which is preferably a fluorescent tube.
  • the housing 4 is trough-shaped and open on one side.
  • the lighting fixture 1 according to the invention can naturally be different in appearance from what has been described here.
  • the louver 3 is attached to the lighting unit 2 so that the light emitted from the light source 5 is carried through the louver 3.
  • the louver 3 is attached to the housing 4 in such a manner that it closes the open side of the trough-shaped housing 4.
  • the louver 3 contains elongated light lamellas 6 and dark lamellas 7 which are located substantially parallel to each other.
  • the lamellas can be made of steel, aluminium or of another material.
  • the object of the light lamellas 6 is to reflect i.e. to distribute and direct light so that the interior lighting is as even as possible.
  • the object of the dark lamellas 7 is to hamper the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle, i.e. onto the windshield or the like of the vehicle. This is based on the fact that a dark colour absorbs light but does not reflect it.
  • the dark lamellas 7 can, though not necessarily, be more densely located at the front than the rear of the vehicle, whereby a better reflection shield is achieved.
  • the dark lamellas 7 can be dark either on both sides or alternatively only on one side.
  • the louver 3 can, for example, be made such that the dark lamellas 7 are dark only when seen from the front of the vehicle and light backwards, whereby the light level in the passenger seating area is higher.
  • the lamellas 7 dark on both sides the passengers are not subjected to glare, i.e. the light is hampered from reflecting into the rear of the vehicle. It is important in this connection that the dark lamellas 7 are dark at least when seen from the front of the vehicle, whereby they hamper the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle, for example onto the windshield.
  • the dark lamellas 7 are measured in such a manner that they har ⁇ - per the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle, or onto the windshield or the like.
  • the dark lamellas 7 are measured case-specifically and e.g. the height of the lighting fixture 1 , the level of the driver's eyesight, the horizontal distance of the windshield from the lighting fixture 1 , the distance of the driver from the windshield and the position/tilt angle of the windshield affect the measuring.
  • One way of measuring is to make the dark lamellas 7 larger than the light lamellas 6, preferably so that they are vertically higher than the light lamellas 6.
  • Another alternative is to make the dark lamellas 7 such that they extend farther, preferably vertically, from the lighting unit 2 than the light lamellas 6, thus hampering the light from reflecting onto the direction of the vehicle.
  • a third alternative is to place the dark lamellas 7 farther, preferably vertically, from the lighting unit 2 than the light lamellas 6.
  • the dark lamellas 7 can also, though not necessarily, be larger than the light lamellas 6.
  • the lighting fixture 1 is made such that the majority of the lamellas are light lamellas 6.
  • the louver 3 can preferably be manufactured in such a manner that first a one-part louver 3 comprising only light lamellas 6 is manufactured, for example, from steel plate utilizing punching technique.
  • the dark lamellas 7 are manufactured as separate parts which are attached to the louver 3 comprising only light lamellas 6. Thus, the dark lamellas 7 can preferably be measured case-specifically.
  • Figure 2 shows a number of lighting fixtures 1 according to the invention mounted into the ceiling of a bus.
  • the lighting fixtures 1 are attached so that the lamellas are located substantially transversely in relation to the di- rection of the bus.
  • the lighting fixtures are located in a line extending from the front to the rear in the middle of the bus.
  • the Figure further shows the direction of light rays in various parts of the bus when the lighting fixture 1 according to the invention is being used.
  • the invention can be applied to both new lighting fixtures and old lighting fixtures already in use.
  • the old lighting fixtures can preferably be equipped with the louver 3 which is a part of the lighting fixture 1 according to the invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
  • Securing Globes, Refractors, Reflectors Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting fixture in vehicles or in the like, the lighting fixture (1) comprising a lighting unit (2) and a louver (3) containing a plurality of well-reflecting, elongated light lamellas (6) which are located substantially parallel to each other and substantially transversely in relation to the direction of the vehicle. The louver (3) further comprises poorly reflecting, elongated dark lamellas (7) located parallel to the light lamellas (6), whereby the dark lamellas (7) are arranged to hamper at least partly the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle. An advantage of the lighting fixture according to the invention is that since the majority of the reflecting surfaces of the lamellas are light, or well-reflecting, the light level in the passenger seating area remains high simultaneously as, on account of the dark lamellas, the driver of the vehicle is not dazzled.

Description

LIGHTING FIXTURE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a lighting fixture in vehicles or in the like, the lighting fixture comprising a lighting unit and a louver containing a plurality of well-reflecting elongated light lamellas which are located substantially parallel to each other and substantially transversely in relation to the direction of the vehicle.
There are international regulations concerning interior lighting in buses, metro-carriages and railway-carriages, the regulations generally re- quiring 150...250 lux as the light level. The interior lighting also has to be as even as possible i.e. the contrasts have to be as small as possible.
On the other hand the driver has to be ensured with the best possible visibility onto the drive-way in all weather conditions. This means that the driver's cab has to be as dim as possible so that the driver's eyes are capable of adapting to the outdoor light level.
The arrangement of these two, the light level of a high passenger seating area and the light level of a low driver cab, is a problem in public transit vehicles. Furthermore, when the light level of the driver cab is low the passenger seating area and the lighting fixtures therein easily tend to reflect brightly onto the windshield.
The aim has been to avoid reflection by designing the lighting fixtures so that they emit light mainly widely in the cross direction at the same time as the longitudinal light distribution is as narrow as possible. The methods normally used are the use of a deep lighting fixture and a louver used in a lighting fixture hampering the direct visibility of the light source. Such a louver hampering reflection is efficient also in hampering windshield reflections, particularly if it is painted in dark tones. However, the louver simultaneously reduces the light efficiency of the lighting fixture. If the louvers are painted in light tones it, in turn, causes reflections onto the windshield.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is thus to develop a lighting fixture to solve said problems.
The object of the invention is achieved with a lighting fixture ac- cording to the invention characterized in that the lighting fixture further comprises poorly reflecting elongated dark lamellas, which are located parallel to the light lamellas, whereby the dark lamellas are arranged to hamper at least partly the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle.
The preferred embodiments of the lighting fixture according to the invention are the object of the dependent claims 2-9. An advantage of the lighting fixture according to the invention is that since the majority of the reflecting surfaces of the lamellas are light, or well- reflecting, the light level in the passenger seating area remains high, simultaneously as, on account of the dark lamellas, the driver of the vehicle is not dazzled. Another advantage achieved with the lighting fixture of the invention is that it is economical and easy to manufacture. A further advantage with the lighting fixture of the invention is that also old lighting fixtures already in use can be equipped with the louver of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following the invention will be described in greater detail in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 shows a side view and a cross-sectional view of a lighting fixture according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a lighting fixture according to the invention mounted into a bus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a lighting fixture 1 according to the invention com- prising a lighting unit 2 and a louver 3. In the example shown in the Figure the lighting fixture 1 is elongated but the lighting fixture 1 can also be different in appearance. The lighting unit 2 of the invention has a housing 4 and a light source 5 which is preferably a fluorescent tube. In the Figure the housing 4 is trough-shaped and open on one side. The lighting fixture 1 according to the invention can naturally be different in appearance from what has been described here.
The louver 3 is attached to the lighting unit 2 so that the light emitted from the light source 5 is carried through the louver 3. In the lighting fixture 1 according to the Figure the louver 3 is attached to the housing 4 in such a manner that it closes the open side of the trough-shaped housing 4.
The louver 3 contains elongated light lamellas 6 and dark lamellas 7 which are located substantially parallel to each other. The lamellas can be made of steel, aluminium or of another material. The object of the light lamellas 6 is to reflect i.e. to distribute and direct light so that the interior lighting is as even as possible. The object of the dark lamellas 7 is to hamper the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle, i.e. onto the windshield or the like of the vehicle. This is based on the fact that a dark colour absorbs light but does not reflect it. The dark lamellas 7 can, though not necessarily, be more densely located at the front than the rear of the vehicle, whereby a better reflection shield is achieved. The dark lamellas 7 can be dark either on both sides or alternatively only on one side. The louver 3 can, for example, be made such that the dark lamellas 7 are dark only when seen from the front of the vehicle and light backwards, whereby the light level in the passenger seating area is higher. By making the lamellas 7 dark on both sides the passengers are not subjected to glare, i.e. the light is hampered from reflecting into the rear of the vehicle. It is important in this connection that the dark lamellas 7 are dark at least when seen from the front of the vehicle, whereby they hamper the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle, for example onto the windshield.
The dark lamellas 7 are measured in such a manner that they harπ- per the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle, or onto the windshield or the like. The dark lamellas 7 are measured case-specifically and e.g. the height of the lighting fixture 1 , the level of the driver's eyesight, the horizontal distance of the windshield from the lighting fixture 1 , the distance of the driver from the windshield and the position/tilt angle of the windshield affect the measuring. One way of measuring is to make the dark lamellas 7 larger than the light lamellas 6, preferably so that they are vertically higher than the light lamellas 6. Another alternative is to make the dark lamellas 7 such that they extend farther, preferably vertically, from the lighting unit 2 than the light lamellas 6, thus hampering the light from reflecting onto the direction of the vehicle. A third alternative is to place the dark lamellas 7 farther, preferably vertically, from the lighting unit 2 than the light lamellas 6. In said second and third alternatives the dark lamellas 7 can also, though not necessarily, be larger than the light lamellas 6.
In order for the international light level regulations for interior lighting to be met, the lighting fixture 1 according to the invention is made such that the majority of the lamellas are light lamellas 6. The louver 3 can preferably be manufactured in such a manner that first a one-part louver 3 comprising only light lamellas 6 is manufactured, for example, from steel plate utilizing punching technique. The dark lamellas 7 are manufactured as separate parts which are attached to the louver 3 comprising only light lamellas 6. Thus, the dark lamellas 7 can preferably be measured case-specifically.
Figure 2 shows a number of lighting fixtures 1 according to the invention mounted into the ceiling of a bus. The lighting fixtures 1 are attached so that the lamellas are located substantially transversely in relation to the di- rection of the bus. The lighting fixtures are located in a line extending from the front to the rear in the middle of the bus. The Figure further shows the direction of light rays in various parts of the bus when the lighting fixture 1 according to the invention is being used.
The invention can be applied to both new lighting fixtures and old lighting fixtures already in use. The old lighting fixtures can preferably be equipped with the louver 3 which is a part of the lighting fixture 1 according to the invention.
It is obvious to one skilled in the art that as technology advances the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The in- vention and the preferred embodiments of the invention are thus not restricted to the examples described above but can vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A lighting fixture in vehicles or in the like, the lighting fixture (1) comprising a lighting unit (2), and a louver (3) containing a plurality of well-reflecting, elongated light lamellas (6) which are located substantially parallel to each other and substantially transversely in relation to the direction of the vehicle, characterized in that the lighting fixture further comprises poorly reflecting, elongated dark lamellas (7) which are located parallel to the light lamellas (6), whereby the dark lamellas (7) are arranged to hamper at least partly the light from reflecting into the direction of the vehicle.
2. A lighting fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the dark lamellas (7) are larger than the light lamellas (6).
3. A lighting fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the dark lamellas (7) extend farther from the lighting unit (2) than the light lamellas (6).
4. A lighting fixture as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the dark lamellas (7) extend farther vertically from the lighting unit (2) than the light lamellas (6).
5. A lighting fixture as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the dark lamellas (7) are farther from the lighting unit (2) than the light lamellas (6).
6. A lighting fixture as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the dark lamellas (7) are vertically farther from the lighting unit (2) than the light lamellas (6).
7. A lighting fixture as claimed in any one of the claims 1-6, characterized in that the dark lamellas (7) are dark only on one side.
8. A lighting fixture as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the dark lamellas (7) are dark only when seen from the front of the vehi- cle.
9. A lighting fixture as claimed in any one of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the majority of the lamellas (6, 7) are light lamellas (6).
PCT/FI1998/000397 1997-05-13 1998-05-11 Vehicle lighting fixture with special louver WO1998051520A2 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98921507A EP0981455B1 (en) 1997-05-13 1998-05-11 Lighting fixture
DE69806749T DE69806749T2 (en) 1997-05-13 1998-05-11 MOUNTING DEVICE FOR LIGHTING
AU74333/98A AU7433398A (en) 1997-05-13 1998-05-11 Lighting fixture
HK00105452A HK1026672A1 (en) 1997-05-13 2000-08-30 Lighting fixture

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI972042 1997-05-13
FI972042A FI111827B (en) 1997-05-13 1997-05-13 Lamp

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998051520A2 true WO1998051520A2 (en) 1998-11-19
WO1998051520A3 WO1998051520A3 (en) 1999-02-18

Family

ID=8548846

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI1998/000397 WO1998051520A2 (en) 1997-05-13 1998-05-11 Vehicle lighting fixture with special louver

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0981455B1 (en)
AU (1) AU7433398A (en)
DE (1) DE69806749T2 (en)
FI (1) FI111827B (en)
HK (1) HK1026672A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998051520A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20210071829A (en) * 2019-12-05 2021-06-16 제트카베 그룹 게엠베하 Louver device for a motor vehicle

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2748947A1 (en) * 1977-11-02 1979-05-03 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Car internal light - has integral louvres formed by slotting lens and filling with blackening material
WO1986002138A1 (en) * 1984-09-28 1986-04-10 Transmatic, Incorporated Strip lighting fixture for mass transit vehicles
US5006966A (en) * 1989-08-30 1991-04-09 Transmatic, Inc. Transit vehicle lighting fixture
EP0522480A1 (en) * 1991-07-08 1993-01-13 Ab Fagerhult Electric light fitting with anti-dazzle screen and method of producing such anti-dazzle screen

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2748947A1 (en) * 1977-11-02 1979-05-03 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Car internal light - has integral louvres formed by slotting lens and filling with blackening material
WO1986002138A1 (en) * 1984-09-28 1986-04-10 Transmatic, Incorporated Strip lighting fixture for mass transit vehicles
US5006966A (en) * 1989-08-30 1991-04-09 Transmatic, Inc. Transit vehicle lighting fixture
EP0522480A1 (en) * 1991-07-08 1993-01-13 Ab Fagerhult Electric light fitting with anti-dazzle screen and method of producing such anti-dazzle screen

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20210071829A (en) * 2019-12-05 2021-06-16 제트카베 그룹 게엠베하 Louver device for a motor vehicle
KR102574644B1 (en) * 2019-12-05 2023-09-06 제트카베 그룹 게엠베하 Louver device for a motor vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU7433398A (en) 1998-12-08
HK1026672A1 (en) 2000-12-22
EP0981455A2 (en) 2000-03-01
FI111827B (en) 2003-09-30
EP0981455B1 (en) 2002-07-24
DE69806749T2 (en) 2003-01-02
FI972042A0 (en) 1997-05-13
WO1998051520A3 (en) 1999-02-18
FI972042A (en) 1998-11-14
DE69806749D1 (en) 2002-08-29

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