WO2017060364A1

WO2017060364A1 - Lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2017060364A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/073899
Authority: WO
Inventors: Avio BRANCATO; Michele BARBONE; Alessandro Falcone
Original assignee: Brama S.R.L.
Priority date: 2015-10-08
Filing date: 2016-10-06
Publication date: 2017-04-13
Also published as: ITUB20154225A1

Abstract

A lighting assembly (1) for aquariums (A), terrariums, display cases and the like that comprises a supporting plate (2) for accommodating at least one light source (3) which is electrically connected to a respective control and management unit (4).The assembly (1) comprises at least one supporting plate (2) provided with at least one channel system (5) for conveying a liquid that arrives from a hydraulic circuit (6) controlled by a pump (7) and by a heat exchanger (8). The circulation of the liquid in the channel system (5) produces the removal of heat from the supporting plate (2) by the liquid, which is subsequently cooled in the heat exchanger (8).

Description

LIGHTING ASSEMBLY FOR AQUARIUMS, TERRARIUMS, DISPLAY CASES AND THE LIKE

The present invention relates to a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like.

An aquarium is a glass tank or system of glass tanks, in which aquatic plants and animals are kept alive for the purposes of study or decoration.

A terrarium is a container that, like an aquarium, can contain a single species or an entire habitat of exotic animals.

A display case on the other hand is a form of container, generally glazed (a display cabinet), within which objects or forms of life can be contained, in order to confine them, protect them (in some cases the display cases internally maintain modified atmospheric conditions in order to guard against oxidation and/or degradation of the contents), while in any case rendering them visible from outside.

For all the above mentioned apparatuses, the dimensions do not constitute a significant factor, since they can be made in any shape and size, according to the specific requirements.

In any case these apparatuses require specific and dedicated lighting, which gives the contents (forms of life and/or valuable/antique objects) the correct amount of light radiation (necessary for the proliferation and growth of forms of animal and plant life, and adapted to the ideal conservation of valuable objects).

Of the possible light sources, modern lighting fixtures can comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs). In any case they are always fitted with contrivances for the dissipation of heat, which generally belong to one of the two following categories.

For passive cooling, no specific cooling device is defined, and removing heat from the lighting sources is left to the physical phenomenon of convection. This implementation solution does not allow a high rate of removal of heat and it generally involves the provision of large finned surfaces in order to increase the heat exchange surface: it is therefore not possible to adopt passive cooling for light sources that generate a lot of heat, since it would be necessary to adopt huge heat exchange surfaces, which is not consistent with the allowable sizes of the lighting fixture.

Active cooling involves the installation of at least one ventilation assembly facing toward the light source: this determines an appreciable increase in the ambient noise, but it ensures that the size of the lighting fixture will be contained, since smaller dissipation surfaces (and therefore cooling fins) will be sufficient.

The sizes and measurements of existing lighting fixtures/lamps are many and predefined, in order to correspond to the various standardized sizes of existing tanks and containers.

For containers and tanks of non-standard dimensions and/or if the user wishes to customize the lighting of his/her aquarium (terrarium, display case, etc), then the user will therefore have to use a plurality of independent, self-contained lamps arranged mutually side by side.

The specific application in the aquarium sector (although the same requirements can be found in terrariums and in some types of display cases) dictates the adoption of a lighting assembly that is capable of reproducing the normal cyclic phases of day/night lighting and is adapted to provide a correct light spectrum, through the selection of adapted light sources capable of emitting light with specific wavelengths.

In general the goal is to simulate solar conditions by simultaneously adopting white and blue emission sources (in particular LEDs). This obviously leads to having an incomplete light spectrum, which is found to be generally inadequate and lacking for the biological and physiological requirements of the forms of life present in the aquarium, in the terrarium or in the display case.

Similarly, the conservation of valuable and/or antique objects can also dictate the adoption of predefined light spectra, in order to eliminate the most damaging wavelengths (for example the wavelengths that are most responsible for the heating by irradiation may be harmful to the contents of the display case).

The presence on the market of lighting fixtures and lamps with predefined characteristics generally does not allow the user to modify/select the emission spectrum according to the specific requirements that he/she has to address in his aquarium, terrarium, display case and the like. The user therefore has to pair and combine standard lamps and lighting fixtures in order to obtain the desired type of lighting.

It should be noted that there are also lamps and lighting fixtures that emit a beam that comprises all the wavelengths of the visible spectrum, but in general it should be preferable to have lighting sources that are selectively adapted to emit light radiation of predefined wavelengths only (in order to prevent radiation that can have a harmful effect on the animals and/or on the contents of the aquarium, terrarium, display case and the like).

In addition these conventional lamps and lighting fixtures do not permit intervention after purchase in order to modify their emission spectrum characteristics.

Also combining different lamps/lighting fixtures (arranged side by side to cover the surface to be lit), which could overcome the problems of the emission spectrum characteristics, is in reality very complex, because each lamp/lighting fixture follows a specific cycle of operation within which it simulates the day/night cycle, the progression of the seasons and any meteorological phenomena. Arranging a plurality of different lamps/lighting fixtures side by side means programming each one of them so that their cycles of operation are synchronous: such programming is complex and requires frequent maintenance and fme-tuning (in order to ensure that the synchronicity is maintained).

If one is designing the lighting of a museum that has a plurality of display cases located in various different environments, or if one wants to light big aquariums and terrariums (such as for example public aquariums with many tanks, biological parks and the like) the problem associated with synchronous programming of the lighting cycles becomes highly significant.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like that ensures an effective cooling of the light sources.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like that has compact shape and dimensions and reduced space occupation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like that is modular.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like that is easy to program.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like that is adapted to emit beams of light with selected wavelengths.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like that has low energy consumption.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like the noise of which is substantially negligible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like that is adapted to increase the energy yield of the entire aquarium, terrarium, display case and the like in which it is installed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like which is low cost, easily and practically implemented, and safe in use. This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like, of the type that comprises a supporting plate for accommodating at least one light source which is electrically connected to a respective control and management unit, characterized in that it comprises at leat one said supporting plate provided with at least one channel system for conveying a liquid that arrives from a hydraulic circuit controlled by a pump and by a heat exchanger, the circulation of said liquid in said channel system producing the removal of heat from the supporting plate by said liquid, which is subsequently cooled in said heat exchanger.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the hydraulic circuit of a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation view, cross-sectioned along a transverse plane, of a supporting plate and the corresponding manifolds of the assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional interrupted perspective view of a supporting plate and the corresponding manifolds of the assembly of Figure i ;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the electrical circuit of a lighting assembly for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of an aquarium fitted with the assembly according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a lighting assembly for aquariums A, terrariums, display cases and the like.

The assembly 1 comprises a supporting plate 2 for accommodating at least one light source 3 which is electrically connected to a respective control and management unit 4.

The supporting plate 2, according to the invention, comprises at least one channel system 5 for conveying a liquid that arrives from a hydraulic circuit 6 controlled by a pump 7 and by a heat exchanger 8.

The circulation of the liquid in the channel system 5 produces the removal of heat from the supporting plate 2 by the liquid, which is subsequently cooled in the heat exchanger 8.

The more, and more uniformly, the channel system 5 is distributed in the plate 2, the better the removal of heat will be, by virtue of the flow of cooling liquid (from which the heat exchanger 8 continuously removes heat).

In order to optimize the dissipation of the heat produced by the light sources 3, the supporting plate 2 will preferably be made of a material with high heat conductivity, such as a metal, a composite and the like.

In particular it is planned to make the plate 2 from aluminum: the plate 2, in such case, can preferably be made by way of a process of extrusion that also allows the simultaneous manufacture of the channel systems 5, thus facilitating the subsequent operations for preparing the lighting assembly 1 that will complete it.

With particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the hydraulic circuit 6 also comprises a solenoid valve 9 which is designed to redirect the flow of liquid upstream of the at least one heat exchanger 8.

In practice the solenoid valve 9 has two outflow pipes: a first pipe 10 is controlled by a radiator 11 which constitutes a first type of heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the outside environment; a second pipe 12 is controlled by a coil 13 immersed in the water that reaches the aquarium A. The coil 13 therefore constitutes a second type of heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the water of the aquarium A.

In particular it should be noted that some types of aquariums A require that the water contained in them be maintained at specific temperatures, sometimes substantially high (even higher than 20° C or 25° C), and therefore the continuous supply of heat by special heaters is necessary.

The adoption of the coil 13, in the assembly 1 according to the invention, can be a valid aid to maintaining the set temperature of the water in the aquarium A.

In fact, once the heater has brought the entire volume of water to the intended temperature, the amount of heat necessary to maintain it will be limited. In many cases it is therefore sufficient to use the heat energy that the coil 13 transfers to the water present in a technical tank 14 proximate to the aquarium A (this water will then be conveyed to the aquarium A in a continuous recirculation arrangement) in order to ensure the maintenance of the intended temperature.

This contrivance makes it possible to turn off the heaters once the water has been brought to the desired temperature, with the advantage of appreciably reducing energy consumption: in fact, instead of using electricity to generate heat with the heaters, a portion is used of the heat energy produced by the light sources 3 (which otherwise would be dissipated in the environment and therefore "lost").

An optimal operation of the assembly 1 according to the invention is ensured if the channel system 5 is constituted by a plurality of channels that are internal to the supporting plate 2.

In particular, if the channels are open on at least one edge 15 of the supporting plate 2, at least one manifold 16 will be adopted which is adapted to the coupling of the delivery pipe 17 and of the return pipe 18 of the hydraulic circuit 6 to a respective inflow channel system 5 and to a respective outflow channel system 5.

The two inflow and outflow channel systems 5 will be open on at least one respective edge 15 of the plate 2.

More specifically, the manifolds 16 will be further used for the hermetic hydraulic connection of contiguous openings of different channel systems 5 : the channel systems 5 can preferably be constituted by mutually parallel through channels (therefore open onto two mutually opposite edges 15 of the plate). The manifolds will therefore place in hermetic hydraulic communication the outflow of a first channel with the inflow of a second channel (and so on) thus ensuring that the flow of cooling liquid is continuous along the series constituted by the subsequent channels that constitute the channel system 5.

With particular reference to a particularly efficient embodiment, the control and management unit 4 can be connected to a respective power supply 19 (which, in turn, will be connected to the electrical grid or, in general, to a mains power supply).

The unit 4 further comprises a user interface module 20 for the programming of the operating cycles of the light sources 3.

In more detail, the user interface module 20 will comprise at least one component chosen from among a data transceiver, a data input and programming device, a display device and the like.

The data transceiver can be of the type preferably chosen from among wired, radio frequency, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, infrared and the like.

In an embodiment of simple and safe implementation, the data input and programming device can be of the type preferably chosen from among a fixed keypad (in particular a keypad 21 provided with a specific display or a touch screen 22 adapted to perform simultaneously the functions of keypad and display screen), a smartphone 23, a tablet computer 24, a PC 25 or, more generally, any computer and/or similar device.

This implementation of the invention therefore enables the user to automatically program the lighting cycles (which will have a simulation of the alternation of night/day, the progression of the seasons and optionally the simulation of atmospheric events) by acting directly on the data input and programming device.

There can be a wired connection (through a specific data network of the type of a LAN) for the keypad 21 or the touch screen 22 or the PC 25, or a connection through a wireless data network (wireless LAN, radiofrequency, Bluetooth, infrared and the like) over which the data input and programming device will be connected remotely.

This second possibility is particularly advantageous because the user can, for example by way of a specific piece of software, manage the entire programming activity with his/her smartphone 23 or tablet computer 24 or personal computer 25.

The possibility is in any case not ruled out that the wired, or wireless, connection can interface with a module for connection to the internet in order to be able to execute all control and programming operations off-site.

This opportunity optionally makes it possible for the producer to execute diagnostics and maintenance off-site, by further implementing the advantages of the present invention.

It is useful to note that according to the invention it is possible to provide a lighting kit that comprises a plurality of lighting assemblies 1.

In such case, at least one first lighting assembly 1 will be adapted to be programmed by way of a respective user interface module 20 which is functionally associated with the respective first control and management unit 4; the control and management units 4 of the remaining lighting assemblies 1 can instead be controlled by the respective first control and management unit 4 of the at least one first assembly 1, in order to repeat the respective operating cycles synchronously.

In practice, the first lighting assembly 1 will have a control and management unit that acts as the master, while all the other assemblies 1 of the kit (or a previously- selected portion of these) will act as slaves, automatically acquiring all the programming settings from the master.

This implementation possibility is very advantageous if there are many lighting assemblies 1 , because it allows the user to program only one of them, with a considerable saving of time and resources with respect to what occurred with conventional lighting fixtures and lamps.

All the aspects described up to now, in particular for the application on aquariums A, can be applied identically to terrariums (the heating of the terrarium, for example, can be achieved by conveying the air that flows over the radiator 11), to display cases and to all situations in which the lighting system has to be subjected to a forced cooling and must be programmed so as to define specific cycles of switching on, shutting down and variation of the intensity of the light beam emitted.

Among the various aspects that make the lighting assembly 1 according to the invention particularly valid, it should be pointed out that the flow of refrigerant liquid is capable of drastically reducing the temperature of the support 2, thus ensuring that the light sources 3 operate in ideal thermal conditions, which translates to a higher yield and a considerable lengthening of the useful life (increased by 50% and over in respect of traditional applications).

The type of implementation described offers numerous advantages, also with regard to the modularity of the assemblies 1 : in particular, it is also possible to arrange two or more supporting plates 2 in sequence, so that the edges 15 thereof fit together thus producing a continuity between the channel systems 5 of one and the other, interposing them between respective manifolds 16 so as to ensure the adapted circulation of the refrigerant liquid. According to this principle it will therefore be possible to provide lighting assemblies 1 substantially of any length, by combining supporting plates 2 of different lengths in the right sequence, according to requirements.

The modularity further makes it possible to simply substitute a supporting plate 2 (and with it the associated light sources) that may be defective.

Again by virtue of the modularity, it will further be possible to vary the coloring of the light beam emitted by the entire assembly 1 or by a part thereof; the possibility is not ruled out furthermore of being able to substitute the light sources 3 present on an already-installed plate 2 with a new type of source having better yield or better characteristics owing to advances that may become available on the market of light sources (in particular those designed especially for aquariums A, for terrariums, for display cases and the like).

The arrangement of the light sources on multiple parallel rows also makes it possible to provide supports 2 provided with sources 3 of different types, arranged mutually side by side, in order to recreate (by way of the combination of beams of light emitted thereby) ideal lighting conditions.

In order to ensure the correct electric power supply of the light sources 3 present on different supporting plates 2, if these are arranged in series in order to provide an assembly 1 of great length, it is possible to divide the power supply thereof by an ideal number of separate power supplies 19: in particular it is also possible to have auxiliary power supplies 26 for particularly complex applications.

According to a particularly efficacious embodiment, the channels that constitute the channel systems 5 of a supporting plate could be ten in number, and mutally parallel.

Generally it will be preferable to adopt a radiator 11 made of aluminum, facing toward a fan that favors the dissipation of the heat. The radiator 11 is a very important component (also in the application on aquariums A) since, especially in summer, it may not be possible to transfer heat with the coil 13 to the water of the aquarium A which, for example, may already have been sufficiently heated by the ambient temperature: the dissipation of the heat generated by the light sources 3 will in such case be solely the task of the radiator 11 (the solenoid valve 9 therefore will deviate the flow of refrigerant liquid to the first pipe 10).

Control of the temperature of the water of the aquarium A is obtained by way of specific components thereof (processors and sensors controlled thereby): the adoption of heating by means of the coil 13 therefore will be subordinated to a consensus from such components (in particular the processors, as a function of the temperature detected by the respective sensors) which therefore will be able to drive the solenoid valve 9.

In order to minimize the noise produced in order to ensure the appropriate circulation of the refrigerant liquid, the pump 7 will be chosen from among types with a low sonic impact. In particular it should be noted that electromagnetic pumps (in which a rotating magnetic field entrains a magnetic impeller in motion) are particularly adapted to the purpose, since the absence of sealed joints eliminates the corresponding noise referable to mutual friction of the parts.

With particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted efficiency, the manifolds 16 can also be made of aluminum, accommodating respective sealing gaskets at the areas for mating with the edges 15 and the openings of the channels present on the edges 15 thereof.

As previously explained above, the assembly 1 according to the invention actively contributes to energy recovery, since it makes it possible to supplement or even substitute the work of the heater in the colder months, with environmental impacts and also economic impacts, in terms of reduction of the running costs of the aquarium A.

It should further be noted that also aesthetically the visual impact of the assembly 1 according to the invention will be minimal (especially if compared with conventional lamps) since the vertical space occupation of the supporting plate 2 (which does not have cooling fins) will be minimal.

Above the tank of the aquarium A, therefore, all that will be visible are the supporting plate 2, the manifolds 16 and the light sources 3, while all the other components (pump 7, radiator 11 , fan, solenoid valve 9 and power supply 19 and 26) are inserted in a box-like body 27 which is placed in the item of furniture 28 underneath the aquarium A proper.

According to the embodiment shown purely for the purposes of non- limiting example in the accompanying figures, a supporting plate 2 will comprise nine receptacles for the lines of light sources 3; the possibility is not ruled out of producing plates 2 that comprise a different number of lines of light sources 3 or of installing a smaller number of lines of light sources 3 on plates 2, corresponding to those shown in the accompanying figures. In any case it will still be possible to intervene later, by virtue of the modularity of the assembly 1 according to the invention, in order to add or remove lines of light sources 3, based on specific requirements to increase/decrease the intensity of the light beam or to vary the coloring of the beam.

The lines of light sources 3 can preferably be produced entirely on an aluminum support (thus ensuring an optimal heat exchange by conduction with the supporting plate 2). The possibility is not ruled out however of adopting other implementation methods for the light sources 3.

The chromatic gradations selected are motivated by the adoption of a range of colors for the light beam emitted which are necessary to the growth and proliferation of the aquatic forms of life (for an aquarium A; similar chromatic selections can be made for terrariums, display cases and the like).

In particular for aquariums, it has been found that the simultaneous use of six different wavelengths best recreate the light that can be biologically absorbed by the marine fauna present in an aquarium A, while leaving out all colors that can be harmful to or unnecessary for marine life.

In particular, the wavelengths may be those for which the best assimilation by corals has been found experimentally.

The adoption of sensors such as temperature detectors and light meters makes it possible to further automate the assembly 1 : in particular if the environment is already sufficiently lit from outside (for example by sunlight) the control and management unit 4 (once the detection has been obtained from the respective light sensor) can command the switching-off of the light sources 3.

The choice of LEDs as light sources is furthermore advantageous by virtue of their long lifetime and of the reduced degradation of their performance over time, as well as of the minimal energy consumption.

Advantageously the present invention solves the above mentioned problems, by providing a lighting assembly 1 for aquariums, terrariums, display cases and the like which ensures a valid cooling of the light sources 3 : the flow of refrigerant liquid in fact ensures the correct removal of heat from the supporting plate 2 and therefore from the sources 3.

Positively the lighting assembly 1 has a compact shape, reduced dimensions and contained encumbrances, which improve the appearance and make it easy to integrate with the furnishings of the environment in which the aquarium A (or the terrarium or the display case, etc.) that comprises it will be installed.

Advantageously the lighting assembly 1 is of the modular type: this implies a wide series of advantages listed previously in the present description.

Conveniently the assembly 1 is easy to program, since it is possible to transfer the specifics programmed on a first assembly 1 to all the other assemblies 1 present, following the master-slave logic for coupling them.

Profitably the assembly 1 is adapted for the emission of light beams with selected wavelengths: in particular it is possible to modify an assembly 1 that is already installed by varying the light sources and modifying, as a consequence, the wavelengths emitted, as a function of specific application requirements.

Conveniently the assembly 1 has low energy consumption, by virtue of the use of LED light sources 3 and by virtue of the ability to use the heat subtracted from the light sources 3 to heat the water present in the aquarium A.

Effectively the lighting assembly 1 has noise levels that are substantially negligible: the single element that could potentially be noisy is the pump 7, which however is arranged in the box-like body 27 arranged in the cabinet 28 and therefore optimally acoustically isolated.

Positively the lighting assembly 1 is adapted to increase the energy yield of the entire aquarium, terrarium, display case and the like in which it is installed, by virtue of the ability to recover the heat energy subtracted from the light sources 3.

Conveniently the lighting assembly 1 is easily and practically implemented and is low cost: these characteristics make it a device which is safe in practical use.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102015000059447 (UB2015A004225) from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A lighting assembly for aquariums (A), terrariums, display cases and the like, of the type that comprises a supporting plate (2) for accommodating at least one light source (3) which is electrically connected to a respective control and management unit (4), characterized in that it comprises at least one said supporting plate (2) provided with at least one channel system (5) for conveying a liquid that arrives from a hydraulic circuit (6) controlled by a pump (7) and by a heat exchanger (8), the circulation of said liquid in said channel system (5) producing the removal of heat from the supporting plate (2) by said liquid, which is subsequently cooled in said heat exchanger (8).

2. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting plate (2) is made of a material with high heat conductivity, such as a metal, a composite and the like.

3. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit (6) comprises a solenoid valve (9) for diverting the flow of liquid upstream of said at least one heat exchanger (8), a first pipe (10) arranged downstream of said solenoid valve (9) being controlled by a radiator (11) which constitutes a first type of heat exchanger (8) for exchanging heat with the outside environment, a second pipe (12) being controlled by a coil (13) immersed in the water that reaches said aquarium (A), said coil (13) constituting a second type of heat exchanger (8) for exchanging heat with the water of the aquarium (A).

4. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said channel system (5) is constituted by a plurality of channels that are internal to said supporting plate (2).

5. The lighting assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that said channels are open on at least one edge (15) of said supporting plate (2), at least one manifold (16) being adapted to the coupling of the delivery pipe (17) and of the return pipe (18) of said hydraulic circuit (6) to a respective inflow channel system (5) and a respective outflow channel system (5), which are open on at least one respective edge (15) of said supporting plate (2), and to the hermetic hydraulic connection of contiguous openings of different channel systems (5).

6. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said control and management unit (4) is connected to a respective power supply (19) and comprises a user interface module (20) for the programming of the operating cycles of the light sources (3).

7. The lighting assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said user interface module (20) comprises at least one component chosen from among a data transceiver, a data input and programming device, a display device and the like.

8. The lighting assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that said data transceiver is of the type preferably chosen from among wired, radio frequency, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, infrared and the like.

9. The lighting assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that said data input and programming device is of the type preferably chosen from among a fixed keypad (21, 22), a smartphone (23), a tablet computer (24), a PC (25), a computer and the like.

10. A lighting kit, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of lighting assemblies (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, at least one first lighting assembly (1) being adapted to be programmed by way of a respective user interface module (20) which is functionally associated with the respective first control and management unit (4), the control and management units (4) of the remaining lighting assemblies (1) being controlled by said respective first control and management unit (4) of the at least one first assembly (1), in order to repeat the respective operating cycles synchronously.