WO2019069225A1

WO2019069225A1 - Electric lamp with an elastic external surface

Info

Publication number: WO2019069225A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/057640
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Bisson; Denis VIGO
Original assignee: Worthel Ag
Priority date: 2017-10-03
Filing date: 2018-10-02
Publication date: 2019-04-11
Also published as: EP3692300A1; IT201700110477A1

Abstract

The lamp (200) contains a light source (201) and has an external surface divided in an illuminating surface (202) and a non-illuminating surface (203) and possibly a support surface (204), said illuminating surface (202) being realised by a first layer of elastic and translucent and/or transparent material; it additionally has an empty cavity (210) at the illuminating surface (102, 202, 302, 402); it comprises: - a plurality of SSL devices (201-1, 201-2, 201-3) as a light source (201) that are located and irradiate in the cavity (210), - an electric accumulator (222) for supplying power to said light source (201), wherein said electric accumulator (222) is of the rechargeable type, and - a recharging circuit (224) for said an electric accumulator (222), wherein said recharging circuit (224) is of the type without power supply cord and possibly with power supply cord.

Description

ELECTRIC LAMP WITH AN ELASTIC EXTERNAL SURFACE

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electric lamp (i.e. a lamp in which the light source generates light thanks to an electrical power supply) with an elastic external surface.

STATE OF THE ART

Electric lamps of very many types and of very many forms are available on the market.

SUMMARY

The Applicant has realised that existing electric lamps are not fully satisfactory from the viewpoint of safety.

For example, if a lamp is set down on a piece of furniture and falls on a person's foot, it may injure that person; similarly, if a lamp is hung from a ceiling and it falls on a person's head, it may injure that person.

Also for example, if a lamp is set down on a table and a person falls on the lamp, that person may be injured; similarly, if a lamp is set down on a piece of furniture and a person trips on its electric power cord, that person may be injured.

Safety problems are more keenly perceived in public spaces because of the civil and criminal liabilities towards customers.

A general purpose of the present invention is to improve existing electric lamps from the viewpoint of security.

Said purpose is substantially achieved thanks to what is set forth in the claims that are an integral part of the present description.

The idea constituting the basis of the present invention is to use elastic and translucent and/or transparent materials for the surfaces of the lamp.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the lamp according to the present invention has a light source and an external surface; the external surface is divided in an illuminating surface and a non-illuminating surface and possibly a support surface; the lighting surface is realised by a first layer of elastic and translucent and/or transparent material; the lamp comprises: a plurality of SSL devices as light source that are located and irradiate in an empty cavity at the illuminating surface, an electric accumulator to supply power to the light source and a recharging surface for the electric accumulator; the electric accumulator is of the rechargeable type; the recharging circuit is of the cordless type.

According to its more general concept, the lamp according to the present invention has a light source and an external surface; the external source is divided in an illuminating surface and possibly a non-illuminating surface and possibly a support surface; the illuminating surface is realised by a first layer of elastic and translucent and/or transparent material.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the non-illuminating surface is realised by a second layer of elastic and opaque material.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the support surface is realised by a third layer of elastic material.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp comprises at least one SSL device as the light source.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp comprises a plurality of SSL devices as the light source.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the light source is located and irradiates in a cavity that is empty.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the cavity is surrounded at least in part by a diffuser.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp comprises an electric accumulator to power the light source; said electric accumulator is of the rechargeable type, in particular with internal thermal protection.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp comprises a recharging circuit for the electric accumulator; said recharging circuit is of the type with a power supply cord and/or of the cordless type.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp comprises a photovoltaic electric generator.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp comprises a thermal protection circuit.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp comprises a driving circuit to power the light source.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the driving circuit is able to drive one or more SSL devices at a lower current or power than the nominal current or power of the SSL device.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the driving circuit is able to drive one or more SSL devices by means of PWM regulation.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp comprises a base containing one or more circuits and/or an electric accumulator.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the base is glued to said first layer and/or second layer and/or third layer.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the lamp is adapted to be used in public spaces such as bars, pubs, restaurants, discotheques, swimming pools and boats.

LIST OF FIGURES

The present invention shall become more readily apparent from the detailed description that follows to be considered together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic lateral view of a first embodiment of the lamp according to the present invention placed on a generic support plane, Fig. 2 shows a highly schematic lateral view of a second embodiment of the lamp according to the present invention placed on a generic support plane, Fig. 3 shows a highly schematic lateral view of a third embodiment of the lamp according to the present invention placed on a generic support plane, Fig. 4 shows a highly schematic lateral view of a fourth embodiment of the lamp according to the present invention placed on a generic support plane, and

Fig. 5 shows a schematic section view of the second embodiment.

As is easily understandable, there are various ways of implementing in practice the present invention which is defined in its main advantageous aspects in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The lamp according to the present invention is provided, obviously, with a light source; in Figures 1 -4, the lamp is designated in its entirety by the reference numerals 100, 200, 300, 400 and the light source by the references 101 , 201 , 301 , 401 ; in these figures, the light source is indicated with a circle with dashed line (being internal) and corresponds to an unspecified number of luminous devices that can be variously arranged.

The lamp has an external surface that completely defines the external shape of the lamp and that is divided in an illuminating surface 102, 202, 302, 402 (always present) and a non-illuminating surface 103, 203, 303, 403, 405 and possibly a support surface 204, 304, 404; typically, the non-illuminating surface is less than 40%, preferably less than 30%, still more preferably less than 20% of the illuminating surface. Hence, the external surface does not contain other surfaces in addition to the illuminating surface, to the non- illuminating surface and to the support surface (which obviously is not illuminated when set down when the lamp is in use).

All the shapes of the surfaces of Figures 1 -4 should not be considered binding.

For the sake of clarity, the support surfaces 204, 304, 404 are circular, the lower non-illuminating surfaces 303, 403 are cylindrical, the upper non- illuminating surface 405 is circular. Naturally, the present invention does not exclude other shapes.

The illuminating surface is realised by a first layer of elastic and translucent material or of elastic and transparent material. Hence, the mechanical and optic properties of the material of the first layer are essential.

Said translucent material can have, for example, an elastic modulus between 20 and 70 (in the Shore 000 scale), preferably between 40 and 60 (in the Shore 000 scale); according to a particular embodiment, the material has an elastic modulus of 45 (in the Shore 000 scale).

Said translucent material can have, for example, a diffusion index between 50% (i.e. 50% of the light is diffused) and 100% (i.e. 100% of the light is diffused).

Said transparent material can have, for example, a transmission index between 50% (i.e. 50% of the light goes through without alterations) and 100% (i.e. 100% of the light goes through without alterations - it is a theoretical limit).

It is understood that the same material can be partially transparent, partially translucent and partially opaque, although usually one of the three prevails. Other properties of the material of the first layer are important, in particular thermal conductivity and/or electrical insulation and/or "fireproofing".

With regard to thermal conductivity, this translucent material can have, for example, a thermal conductivity between 0.1 W/mK and 0.5 W/mK, preferably between 0.1 W/mK and 0.2 W/mK (in the Shore 000 scale), and withstand up to 100 °C; according to a particular embodiment, the material has thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK and withstands up to 60 °C.

With regard to electrical insulation, the lamp according to the present invention is preferably powered with direct current and low voltage; therefore, a material with electrical insulation of 10-100 volt/cm can be sufficient.

With regard to "fireproofing", said material (plastic) is preferably of the type classified as "UL 94 V-1 " or, still more preferably, of the type classified as "UL 94 V-0"; higher levels are not indispensable, but should nonetheless not be excluded.

In Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2, the dashed lines that divide respectively the surfaces 102 and 103 and the surfaces 202 and 203 signify that there is no sudden change in material; as can be understood from the embodiment of Fig. 5, the same layer of material can realise both the illuminating surface and the non- illuminating surface.

The non-illuminating surface can be realised by a second layer of preferably elastic and opaque material; in addition to the mechanical and optical properties, typically important are thermal conductivity and/or electric insulation and/or "fireproofing".

The support surface can be realised by a third layer of preferably elastic (and transparent or translucent or opaque) material; in addition to the mechanical and optical properties, typically important are thermal conductivity and/or electric insulation and/or "fireproofing".

The second layer and/or the third layer can be made of an identical or similar material to the material of the first layer.

A material that can be used to obtain one or more of the layers of the lamp according to the present invention is, for example, a polyurethane gel, in particular free of plasticising additives. Sometimes, on the surface of a piece made of polyurethane gel is applied a polyurethane paint to obtain certain properties.

As shown in Fig. 5, the first layer (designated with the reference numeral 206) has variable thickness; according to other embodiments, its thickness could be constant. The second layer (if present) has constant or variable thickness. The third layer (if present) has constant or variable thickness. The thicknesses of the three layers are independent from each other and can range from a minimum of a few millimetres (absolute minimum 1 mm) to a maximum of a few centimetres (absolute maximum 10 cm). Before describing in detail additional advantageous technical features of the present invention, the components of the lamp 200 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5.

There is a base 220 with cylindrical shape. The base 220 contains: an electric accumulator 222 of the rechargeable type, a recharging circuit 224, a microprocessor control unit 226, a driving circuit 228, a thermal protection circuit 229. Naturally, the base 220 can also contain other components, in particular electrical and/or electronic components.

On the upper surface of the base 220 are positioned six LEDs (the LED is a type of SSL device), of which only a first LED 201 -1 and a second LED 201 -2 and a third LED 201 -3 are shown in Fig. 5; these LEDs irradiate light upwards.

There is a cavity 210, empty i.e. filled with air (or another gas), located above the base 220 and surrounded by a layer 206; in particular, the cavity 210 is surrounded laterally and superiorly by a first portion (superior in Fig. 5) of the layer 206 that is associated with an illuminating surface 202 of the lamp 200; the LEDs irradiate in the cavity 210. It should be noted that according to alternative embodiments, the SSL devices could be very close to the layer of the illuminating surface, at the limit in contact with the layer; in this case, it is important to cause the external temperature of the SSL devices (when they generate light) to be compatible with the material of the layer. There is also a second portion (inferior in Fig. 5) of the layer 206 that surrounds the base 220 only laterally and that is associated with a non-illuminating surface 203 of the lamp 200.

In the example of Fig. 5, there is (inferiorly) a support surface 204 of the lamp 200 that is not realised by a layer of elastic material, but is realised by a rigid wall of the casing of the base 220 and hence matches the lower surface of the base 220. According to a variant of the example of Fig. 5, at the lower surface of the base 220 there is a layer of elastic material; for example, there can be a layer of elastic material adjacent to the lower rigid wall of the casing and distinct from the layer 206.

If one considers, for example, the lamp of Fig. 5, its high safety, obtained thanks to the layer 206 of elastic material that surrounds it almost entirely, is readily understood; a single layer of material almost entirely surrounding advantageously protects the SSL devices and the base against salty or fresh water (or another liquid, e.g. a drink) that should fall on the lamp. If there were a layer of elastic material also at the support surface, safety would be even greater.

Moreover, there is a diffuser 21 1 located above the base 220 in the upper area of the cavity 210 adjacent to the layer 206; the diffuser contributes to improve the diffusion of the light emitted by the LED above all if the material of the layer 206 is barely translucent or not translucent at all. It should be noted that according to alternative embodiments, the lamp may not be provided with any diffuser or be provided with two diffusers; for example, with reference to Fig. 5, in addition to the diffuser 21 1 there could be another diffuser internal to the cavity 210 and closer to the SSL devices.

The recharging circuit 224 serves the purpose of recharging the accumulator 222 and it is of the type without power supply wire ("wireless"); in addition to the transfer of the power supply energy by induction/electromagnetic radiation (see the arrow in the figure), the circuit 224 could also provide for the transfer of the power supply energy via power supply cord.

The circuit 228 drives the LEDs and receives electric energy from the accumulator 222; the circuit 228 is controlled by the circuit 226.

The circuit 229 serves to purpose to prevent the temperature in the cavity 210 and/or in the base 220 from becoming excessive and such as to cause damages, in particular to the layer 206 and possibly to the diffuser 21 1 .

According to a variant of the example of Fig. 5, the lower surface of the base 220 is adapted to remain spaced apart (e.g. by 1 -10 mm) from the support plane; in this case, the support surface is a ring (for example a circular or elliptical or triangular or square or rectangular or polygonal ring) obtained directly from the layer 6. More in general, the base of the lamp is adapted to remain spaced apart (for example by 1 -10 mm) from the support plane and a layer of elastic material that laterally surrounds the base embodies a support surface in the shape of a ring (for example, a circular of elliptical or triangular or square or rectangular or polygonal); this solution has a dual advantage: 1 ) it prevents any water (or other liquid) on the support plane from going in contact with the base, 2) it prevents the lamp from easily sliding on the support plane.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises a plurality of SSL devices (in particular LEDs) as a light source; in this way, the heat generated by the light source is not concentrated in a single point.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises a cavity; in this way, its material layer or its material layers are not in direct contact with the heat source constituted by the SSL device or by the SSL devices.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises at least one diffuser to improve light diffusion.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises a rechargeable electric accumulator, in particular with internal thermal protection; in this way, power supply cords are avoided.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises a recharging circuit of the type without power supply cord; in this way, power supply cords are avoided.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises a photovoltaic electric generator; for example, in the case of Fig. 4, the (non- illuminating) surface 405 could be used for this function. It should be noted that the electric generator may not be able to generate all the electric energy necessary to recharge the electric accumulator of the lamp.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises a thermal protection circuit adapted to reduce all or part of the production of heat of the various components of the lamp; in this way, temperature excesses can be avoided.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises a driving circuit adapted to drive one or more SSL devices, in particular LED, so as to reduce thermal dissipation; for example, the driving circuit can drive the SSL device or the SSL devices so that the average current or the average power is lower than the nominal current or than the nominal power. The driving circuit can be adapted to drive one or more SSL devices, in particular LED, by means of PWM regulation.

The lamp according to the present invention advantageously comprises a base containing one or more circuits and/or an electric accumulator. Said base can be glued to one or more of the layers of material of the lamp; for example, the base 220 of Fig. 5 can be glued laterally to the layer 206, whereupon it was inserted into a corresponding hole provided in the layer 206.

The lamp according to the present invention is adapted to be used advantageously in public spaces such as bars, pubs, restaurants, discotheques, swimming pools and boats. Naturally, it can also be used in private environments, for example in a garden or in a swimming pool or on a boat.

Claims

1 . Lamp (100, 200, 300, 400) with a light source (101 , 201 , 301 , 401 ) and having an external surface divided in an illuminating surface (102, 202, 302, 402) and a non-illuminating surface (103, 203, 303, 403, 405) and possibly a support surface (204, 304, 404), said illuminating surface (102, 202, 302, 402) being realised by a first layer of elastic and translucent and/or transparent material; additionally having an empty cavity (210) at said illuminating surface (102, 202, 302, 402); comprising:

a plurality of SSL devices (201 -1 , 201 -2, 201 -3) as a light source (101 , 201 , 301 , 401 ) that are located and irradiate in said cavity (210),

an electric accumulator (222) for supplying power to said light source (201 ), wherein said electric accumulator (222) is of the rechargeable type, and

- a recharging circuit (224) for said an electric accumulator (222), wherein said recharging circuit (224) is of the type without power supply cord and possibly with power supply cord.

2. Lamp (100, 200) according to claim 1 , wherein said non-illuminating surface (103, 203) is realised by said first layer.

3. Lamp (300, 400) according to claim 1 , wherein said non-illuminating surface (303, 403, 405) is realised by a second layer of elastic and opaque material.

4. Lamp (200, 300, 400) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said support surface (204, 304, 404) is realised by a third layer of elastic material.

5. Lamp (200, 300, 400) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said cavity (210) is surrounded superiorly and laterally by said first layer of material.

6. Lamp (200, 300, 400) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said cavity (210) is surrounded inferiorly by an upper surface of a base (220).

7. Lamp (100, 200, 300, 400) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said cavity (210) is surrounded at least in part by a diffuser (21 1 ).

8. Lamp (100, 200, 300, 400) according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising a thermal protection circuit (229).

9. Lamp (100, 200, 300, 400) according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising a driving circuit (228) for supplying power to said light source (201 ), wherein said driving circuit (228) is adapted to drive one or more SSL devices (201 -1 , 201 -2, 201 -3) at a current or power that is lower than the nominal current or power of the SSL device.

10. Lamp (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 9, wherein said driving circuit (228) is adapted to drive one or more SSL devices (201 -1 , 201 -2, 201 - 3) by means of PWM regulation.

1 1 . Lamp (200, 300, 400) according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising a base (220) containing one or more circuits (224, 226, 228) and/or an electric accumulator (222).

12. Lamp (200, 300, 400) according to claim 1 1 , wherein said base (220) has an upper surface on which one or more SSL devices (201 -1 , 201 -2, 201 - 3) are located.

13. Lamp (200, 300, 400) according to claim 1 1 or 12, wherein said base (220) is surrounded only laterally or only laterally and inferiorly by elastic material.

14. Lamp according to claim 13, wherein said base (220) is surrounded laterally by a layer of elastic material and it is adapted to remain spaced apart from a support plane, wherein said layer of elastic material realises a support surface in the shape of a ring.

15. Lamp (200, 300, 400) according to claim 1 1 or 12 or 13 or 14, wherein said base (220) is glued to said first layer (206) and/or second layer and/or third layer.

16. Lamp (100, 200, 300, 400) according to anyone of the preceding claims, adapted to be used in public spaces such as bars, pubs, restaurants, discotheques, swimming pools and boats.