WO2024090330A1

WO2024090330A1 - Led illumination device and led illumination fitting

Info

Publication number: WO2024090330A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/037936
Authority: WO
Inventors: 浩和三枝; 淳高島
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2022-10-26
Filing date: 2023-10-19
Publication date: 2024-05-02

Abstract

An LED illumination device (3), which mounts to a recessed portion (2a) of a fitting body (2) installed on a building part, comprises a light source portion (10), an elongate frame (20) having a main plate portion (21) to which the light source portion (10) is mounted, and an elongate cover member (30) that includes a main portion (31) covering the light source portion (10). The frame (20) includes a protruding portion (20b) protruding toward the light output side of the light source portion (10). The main plate portion (21), an opening edge (2a1) of the recessed portion (2a), and the protruding portion (20b) are provided in this order with increasing distance from the building part.

Description

LED lighting device and LED lighting fixture

The present invention relates to an LED lighting device and an LED lighting fixture equipped with an LED lighting device.

LED lighting fixtures that use LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are known. For example, a LED lighting fixture that is installed on a ceiling is known to have a long LED lighting device called a light bar and a long fixture body that has a recess into which the LED lighting device can be detachably attached (Patent Document 1).

The LED lighting device in the LED lighting fixture disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a long substrate, multiple LEDs mounted on the substrate, a long, translucent cover member that covers the multiple LEDs, and a long frame that supports the substrate and to which the cover member is attached.

In the LED lighting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cross-sectional shape of the frame is U-shaped. The frame with a U-shaped cross-sectional shape has, for example, a main plate portion to which a board on which LEDs are mounted is attached, and a pair of side plate portions (extension portions) that extend from both ends of the main plate portion in the short direction toward the ceiling.

JP 2017-103248 A

However, when the cross-sectional shape of the frame is U-shaped, as in the LED lighting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the spatial area enclosed by the recess of the fixture body and the frame becomes narrow, making it difficult to arrange various components such as functional parts or electrical wires in this spatial area.

On the other hand, if an attempt is made to widen the spatial area enclosed by the recess in the device body and the frame by simply shortening the length (the amount of protrusion from the main plate) of a pair of side plates of a U-shaped cross section frame to make the frame thinner, there is a risk that the strength of the frame will decrease. In particular, in frames formed by pressing metal plate, shortening the length of a pair of side plates of a U-shaped cross section frame will significantly reduce the strength of the frame.

If the strength of the frame is reduced, the LED lighting device may deform when being attached to the fixture body, or may bend after installation due to the weight of the LED lighting device or pressure from electric wires, etc. This can result in a gap between the LED lighting device and the opening edge of the recess in the fixture body. This can result in the electric wires protruding from the gap or getting caught in the gap, causing wire jamming. Furthermore, if a gap occurs between the LED lighting device and the fixture body, the design of the LED lighting fixture as a whole is reduced.

Also, LED lighting devices up to now have not been very efficient at extracting light in a specified direction. For example, LED lighting devices are attached to a fixture body installed on the ceiling and emit light in a specified direction toward the floor, but some of the light emitted from the LED lighting device travels toward the ceiling, resulting in an unintended luminous flux toward the ceiling (upward luminous flux). As a result, the luminous flux in the specified direction toward the floor (floor side) decreases.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide an LED lighting device and LED lighting fixture that can increase the light extraction efficiency in a specified direction while ensuring the strength of the frame.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the LED lighting device according to the present invention is an LED lighting device that is attached to a recess in a fixture body installed in a construction material, and includes a light source unit, an elongated frame having a main board to which the light source unit is attached, and an elongated cover member having a main part that covers the light source unit, the frame having a protrusion that protrudes toward the light emission side of the light source unit, and the main board unit, the opening edge of the recess, and the protrusion are arranged in this order as they move away from the construction material.

Another aspect of the LED lighting fixture of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned LED lighting device and a fixture body having a recess in which the LED lighting device can be attached.

It is possible to increase the light extraction efficiency in a specified direction while maintaining the strength of the frame.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the LED lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the LED illumination device according to the embodiment as viewed from the cover member side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the LED lighting device according to the embodiment as viewed from the back side. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the LED lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for attaching an LED lighting device to a fixture body in an LED lighting fixture according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the cover member is attached to the frame in the manufacturing method of the LED illumination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a cover member is attached to a frame in a manufacturing method for an LED illumination device according to another embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the frame is misaligned in the LED lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a trajectory of light emitted from a light source unit in an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the shape of the protruding portion of the frame and the strength of the frame in an LED lighting device. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing cross-sectional shapes of frames having different lengths in an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the relationship between the length of the LED lighting device in the longitudinal direction and the length of the side plate portion of the frame relative to the depth of the recess in the frame, for an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a first example of the arrangement of construction wires in an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a second example of the arrangement of the construction wires in the LED illumination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a third example of the arrangement of construction wires in an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of an LED lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram comparing the LED lighting device according to the embodiment with the LED lighting devices of Comparative Examples 1 to 4. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a first variation of a frame having a different length from that of the LED lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a second variation of the frame due to a difference in length of the LED illumination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to an embodiment using the frame of FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a first variation of an LED illumination device according to an embodiment when frames having different lengths are used. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a second variation of the LED illumination device according to the embodiment when frames having different lengths are used. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a third variation of an LED illumination device according to an embodiment when frames having different lengths are used. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a fourth variation of an LED illumination device according to an embodiment when frames having different lengths are used. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to the first modification. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to the second modification. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to the third modification. FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the fourth modification. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing variations of a protrusion provided in the first gap between the frame and the cover member. FIG. 35 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the fifth modification. FIG. 36 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the sixth modification. FIG. 37 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the seventh modification. FIG. 38 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to Modification 8. As shown in FIG. FIG. 39 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to Modification 9. As shown in FIG. FIG. 40 shows variations of the projection provided in the gap between the instrument body and the cover member. FIG. 41 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the tenth modification. FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the eleventh modification. FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the twelfth modification. FIG. 44 is a diagram showing variations of the protrusions provided on the cover member. FIG. 45 is a diagram showing variations of protrusions (ribs) provided on the frame. FIG. 46 is a diagram showing variations of protrusions (dowels) provided on a frame. FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the thirteenth modification. FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the fourteenth modification. FIG. 49 is a diagram showing variations of the contact portion between the mounting portion of the cover member and the side plate portion of the frame. FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to the fifteenth modification. FIG. 51 is a diagram showing variations of the tip of the extension part of the cover member. FIG. 52 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to the sixteenth modification. FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view of two types of cover members. FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view showing a variation of the cover member of FIG. 53(a). FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view showing a variation of the cover member of FIG. 53(b). FIG. 56 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to the seventeenth modification. FIG. 57 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED lighting device according to Modification 18. As shown in FIG. FIG. 58 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to the nineteenth modification. FIG. 59 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to Modification 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 60 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to the twenty-first modification. FIG. 61 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to Modification 22. As shown in FIG. FIG. 62 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to Modification 23. As shown in FIG. FIG. 63 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to Modification 24. FIG. 64 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to Modification 25. FIG. 65 is a half cross-sectional view of an LED illumination device according to Modification 26. As shown in FIG. FIG. 66 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a frame used in an LED lighting device. FIG. 67 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the instrument body. FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the instrument main body. FIG. 69 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the frame. FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the frame. FIG. 71 is a cross-sectional view showing a third modified example of the frame. FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth modified example of the frame. FIG. 73 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth modified example of the frame. FIG. 74 is a cross-sectional view showing a sixth modified example of the frame. FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional view showing a seventh modified example of the frame. FIG. 76 is a cross-sectional view showing an eighth modified example of the frame. FIG. 77 is a cross-sectional view showing a ninth modified example of the frame. FIG. 78 is a cross-sectional view showing a tenth modified example of the frame. FIG. 79 is a cross-sectional view showing an eleventh modified example of the frame. FIG. 80 is a cross-sectional view showing a twelfth modified example of the frame. FIG. 81 is a cross-sectional view showing a thirteenth modified example of the frame. FIG. 82 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourteenth modified example of the frame. FIG. 83 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifteenth modified example of the frame. Figure 84 is a diagram illustrating variations in the gap between the frame and the cover member (first gap G1, second gap G2) and the positions of the protrusions (ribs/dowels) on the frame or cover member for frames of various shapes.

Below, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, components, the layout and connection of the components, as well as the steps and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, those components that are not described in the independent claims that show the highest concept of the present invention will be described as optional components.

Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily illustrated precisely. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configuration, and duplicated explanations are omitted or simplified. In each figure, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis represent the three axes of a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and in this embodiment, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis (parallel to the XY plane) is the horizontal direction. The X-axis and Y-axis are mutually orthogonal, and are both orthogonal to the Z-axis. Note that in this specification, the terms "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily refer to the upper direction (vertically upward) and the lower direction (vertically downward) in absolute spatial recognition. In this specification, "approximately", "nearly", and "about" mean to include manufacturing errors or dimensional tolerances. As an example, "approximately", "almost", and "about" are within ±5%.

(Embodiment)
First, the configuration of an LED lighting device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an LED lighting device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the LED lighting device 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the LED lighting device 1, showing a cross-section when cut along a plane parallel to the short side direction of the LED lighting device 1. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of a portion where the power supply device 4 is not present, and Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of a portion where the power supply device 4 is present. Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the LED lighting device 1, showing a cross-section when cut along a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the LED lighting device 1. Specifically, Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the periphery of one end of both longitudinal ends of the LED lighting device 1.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the LED lighting fixture 1 comprises a fixture body 2 and an LED lighting device 3 attached to the fixture body 2. The LED lighting device 3 is an LED unit that uses an LED as a light source, and the LED lighting fixture 1 is an LED light that uses the LED lighting device 3 as a light source.

The LED lighting fixture 1 and the LED lighting device 3 are long. The total length of the LED lighting fixture 1 and the LED lighting device 3 is, for example, 2 feet, 4 feet, or 8 feet. The total length of the LED lighting device 3 in this embodiment is 4 feet. Note that 1 foot (= 1 ft) is 304.8 mm.

As shown in Figure 3, the LED lighting fixture 1, which is made up of a fixture body 2 and an LED lighting device 3, has an overall D-shaped cross section when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the LED lighting fixture 1, resulting in a clean design in which the boundary between the fixture body 2 and the LED lighting device 3 is inconspicuous.

The fixture body 2 holds the LED lighting device 3. The fixture body 2 is installed in a predetermined location in a building. Specifically, the LED lighting fixture 1 is installed in a predetermined construction material such as a ceiling or wall in a room of a building such as a facility, building, store, or house. In this embodiment, the LED lighting fixture 1 is a ceiling light installed on the ceiling of a building. As an example, the LED lighting fixture 1 is a ceiling-mounted LED light, and the fixture body 2 is installed on the ceiling surface of the ceiling. In this case, the LED lighting fixture 1 installed on the ceiling irradiates illumination light toward the floor side, with the floor direction (floor side) being the predetermined direction. The illumination light is irradiated from the LED lighting device 3 in the LED lighting fixture 1.

When installing the LED lighting fixture 1 on the ceiling, the fixture body 2 of the LED lighting fixture 1 is attached to the ceiling using a bolt or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a bolt 101 protruding from the ceiling is inserted into a bolt insertion hole 2d provided in the fixture body 2, and a washer and nut are attached to the bolt 101 to secure the fixture body 2 to the bolt. Note that, depending on the construction site, the fixture body 2 may be attached using a double nut. The fixture body 2 requires a bolt projection (amount for retracting the bolt into the fixture body 2), and it is desirable that the surrounding area be designed so that the components that make up the LED lighting device 3 do not interfere with it.

The components (power supply 4, dimming terminal block 9, functional unit, etc.) provided on the rear side of the frame 20 of the LED lighting device 3 protrude from the frame 20, so they should be arranged so as not to overlap the bolt insertion hole 2d, the wiring insertion hole 2e (holes through which wiring 102 such as the power line and dimming signal line drawn from the ceiling is inserted) and the terminal block provided in the fixture body 2, and not to interfere with them. In particular, in a fixture body 2 with a shallow recess 2a, the components provided on the rear side of the frame 20 should be arranged so as not to overlap the bolt insertion hole, the wiring insertion hole and the terminal block. Even in a fixture body (such as a renewal fixture body) with a deep recess used in an existing lighting fixture equipped with a fluorescent lamp, the components provided on the rear side of the frame 20 should be arranged so as not to overlap the bolt insertion hole, the wiring insertion hole and the terminal block. In addition, since there is a possibility that two power lines (VVF cables) (one for input and one for transmission) will be placed between the wiring insertion hole 2e (particularly the hole through which the power line is inserted) and the terminal block, it is desirable to arrange the components (wiring such as the power line) on the back side of the frame 20 so that they do not overlap the area between the wiring insertion hole and the terminal block.

The fixture body 2 is made of metal, and is formed into a long, flat box shape in the Y-axis direction by bending a metal plate. Specifically, when the fixture body 2 is installed on the ceiling, it is formed so that it has an inverted Fuji shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device body 2 is provided with a recess 2a having a rectangular opening surface. The recess 2a is provided in an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction of the device body 2. In other words, the shape of the recess 2a when viewed from above (the shape of the opening surface) is a rectangle with the Y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the instrument body 2 has an opening edge 2a1. The opening edge 2a1 (first opening edge) is the instrument body side that is the side portion in the short side direction (X-axis direction) of the instrument body 2. The opening edge 2a1 (instrument body side) forms the edge of the opening surface of the recess 2a in the short side direction (X-axis direction) of the instrument body 2. In other words, the outer edge of the opening edge 2a1 on the recess 2a side is the edge of the opening surface of the recess 2a. In this embodiment, the opening edge 2a1 is a planar portion whose surface is flat, and forms the opening edge surface of the recess 2a.

The opening edge 2a1 is a part of the metal plate that constitutes the device body 2, and is flat. As an example, the shape of the opening edge 2a1 when viewed from above is a long and narrow rectangle whose longitudinal direction is in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the long side of the opening edge 2a1 is the long side of the rectangular opening surface of the recess 2a whose longitudinal direction is in the Y-axis direction.

The opening edges 2a1 are formed on both ends of the device body 2 in the short side direction (X-axis direction). In other words, the opening edges 2a1 are formed on both sides of the opening surface of the recess 2a in the short side direction (width direction). Therefore, in the X-axis direction, the pair of opening edges 2a1 sandwich the opening surface of the recess 2a.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the instrument body 2 has not only the opening edge 2a1 but also the opening edge 2a2 (second opening edge). The opening edge 2a2 is an instrument body end that is the end portion in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the instrument body 2. The opening edge 2a2 constitutes the edge of the opening surface of the recess 2a in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the instrument body 2. In other words, the edge of the opening edge 2a2 on the recess 2a side is the edge of the opening surface of the recess 2a. In this embodiment, the opening edge 2a2 is a planar portion whose surface is a flat surface, and constitutes the opening edge surface of the recess 2a.

Like opening edge 2a1, opening edge 2a2 is part of the metal plate that constitutes device body 2 and is flat. As an example, the shape of opening edge 2a2 when viewed from above is rectangular with its longitudinal direction in the X-axis direction. In this case, the long side of opening edge 2a2 is the short side of the rectangular opening surface of recess 2a with its longitudinal direction in the Y-axis direction.

The opening edges 2a2 are formed on both ends of the device body 2 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). In other words, the opening edges 2a2 are formed on both longitudinal sides of the opening surface of the recess 2a. Therefore, in the Y-axis direction, the pair of opening edges 2a2 sandwich the opening surface of the recess 2a.

In this embodiment, the opening edge 2a1 on the side of the device body overlaps with the end of the opening edge 2a2 on the end of the device body in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the surface of the opening edge 2a2 is set back toward the bottom of the recess 2a from the surface of the opening edge 2a1 by the thickness of the opening edge 2a1. In other words, the opening edge 2a2 is recessed from the opening edge 2a1 by the plate thickness of the opening edge 2a1. As a result, a step is formed at the boundary between the opening edges 2a1 and 2a2, the step being equal to the plate thickness. The width of the opening edge 2a1 is narrower than the width of the opening edge 2a2, but this is not limited to this.

The pair of opening edges 2a1 and the pair of opening edges 2a2 form a planar portion that is shaped like a rectangular frame when viewed from above. The area surrounded by the pair of opening edges 2a1 and the pair of opening edges 2a2 forms the rectangular opening surface of the recess 2a.

The fixture body 2 also has an inclined surface portion 2b on each side of the recess 2a in the X-axis direction (width direction) of the fixture body 2. Each inclined surface portion 2b extends from the opening edge 2a1 (the fixture body side) and has an inclined surface that slopes toward the ceiling as it goes outward. This inclined surface may function as a reflective surface.

The recess 2a of the fixture body 2 is a portion where the LED lighting device 3 is attached. Specifically, the recess 2a is a storage portion where the LED lighting device 3 is stored, and is provided over substantially the entire length of the fixture body 2, excluding the opening edge 2a2 (fixture body end). As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the recess 2a has a substantially U-shaped cross section and has a pair of opposing side portions and a bottom portion. The pair of side portions are a pair of side walls erected on the bottom portion. As shown in FIG. 2, two slits 2c are provided on one of the pair of side portions of the recess 2a.

The LED lighting device 3 is fitted into the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. Specifically, the LED lighting device 3 is attached to the fixture body 2 so as to cover the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. In this embodiment, the LED lighting device 3 is detachably attached to the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. Therefore, the LED lighting device 3 can be attached to the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, and the LED lighting device 3 attached to the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 can be removed from the recess 2a.

Although details will be described later, the LED lighting device 3 and the fixture body 2 can be fixed by hooking and engaging a hook fitting 5 and an elastic retaining member 6 (a kick spring in this embodiment) provided on the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2. The hook fitting 5 is a fitting for attaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2. In this embodiment, the hook fitting 5 is a slide fitting.

The means for attaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2 is not limited to the use of the hook fitting 5 and the elastic retaining member 6 made of a kick spring. For example, the LED lighting device 3 and the fixture body 2 may be attached using other spring members such as a single torsion spring, double torsion spring, or leaf spring, or may be attached using attachment members other than spring members such as screws or latches. Also, the spring member such as the kick spring and the spring receiving fitting that receives the spring member may be provided on either the fixture body 2 or the LED lighting device 3. In other words, the spring member may be provided on the fixture body 2 and the spring receiving fitting on the LED lighting device 3, or the spring member may be provided on the LED lighting device 3 and the spring receiving fitting on the fixture body 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the LED lighting device 3 emits light using power supplied from a power supply device 4 housed in the fixture body 2. The power supply device 4 is a device for supplying power to the light source unit 10 of the LED lighting device 3.

The power supply device 4 is disposed on the rear side of the LED lighting device 3. Specifically, the power supply device 4 is disposed in the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. That is, the power supply device 4 is housed in the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. In this embodiment, the power supply device 4 is attached to the LED lighting device 3 as a part of the LED lighting device 3 and is integrated with the LED lighting device 3. Note that the power supply device 4 may not be integrated with the LED lighting device 3, but may be disposed in the fixture body 2 separately from the LED lighting device 3. For example, the power supply device 4 may be fixed to the fixture body 2.

The power supply device 4 is configured with a power supply circuit that generates power for emitting light from the LED lighting device 3. Specifically, the power supply device 4 has a circuit board 4a such as a printed wiring board, and a plurality of electronic components 4b mounted on the circuit board 4a. In this embodiment, the power supply device 4 further has a circuit case 4c that houses the circuit board 4a on which the plurality of electronic components 4b are mounted. The circuit case 4c is a cover that covers the circuit board 4a on which the electronic components 4b are mounted. As an example, the circuit case 4c is a metal housing made of a metal plate. The circuit case 4c may also be a resin housing. The power supply circuit that constitutes the power supply device 4 converts AC power from an external power source such as a commercial power source into DC power of a predetermined level by rectifying, smoothing, and reducing the voltage, and supplies the DC power to the LEDs of the LED lighting device 3.

AC power is supplied to the power supply unit 4 via a power terminal block 8 (see FIG. 2) to which a power line (such as a VVF cable) is connected, which is inserted from the ceiling into a through hole (wiring insertion hole) in the fixture body 2 and drawn into the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. A power line such as a VVF cable is an example of an electric wire, which is a construction electric wire. The power terminal block 8 is installed in the recess 2a of the fixture body 2.

Also, when connecting the power terminal block 8 and the power supply 4 via a power line, a connector provided at one end of the power line connected to the power terminal block 8 may be inserted into the socket of the power supply 4, or a connector provided at the other end of the power line connected to the power terminal block 8 and a connector provided at the other end of the power line connected to the power supply 4 may be connected to each other, or a connector provided at the other end of the power line connected to the power supply 4 may be inserted into the socket of the power terminal block 8, or the power terminal block 8 provided on the LED lighting device 3 and the power supply 4 may be connected with a power line and the VVF cable from the ceiling may be connected to the power terminal block 8, or the lead wire drawn from the power supply 4 may be directly connected to the VVF cable from the ceiling.

Next, the detailed structure of the LED lighting device 3 will be described using Figs. 6 to 9 while referring to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the LED lighting device 3 according to the embodiment as seen from the cover member 30 side, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the LED lighting device 3 as seen from the back side. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the LED lighting device 3. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the LED lighting device 3.

As shown in Figures 2, 6, and 7, the LED lighting device 3 is a long, linear light source called a light bar. The LED lighting device 3 emits light of a predetermined color, such as white light, as illumination light.

As shown in Figures 3, 8, and 9, the LED lighting device 3 includes a light source unit 10, a frame 20 in which the light source unit 10 is disposed, a cover member 30 that covers the light source unit 10, and an end cap 40.

In this embodiment, the LED lighting device 3 also includes a power supply device 4. That is, the power supply device 4 is provided in the LED lighting device 3. Specifically, the power supply device 4 is attached to the ceiling side surface of the frame 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the power supply device 4 is fixed to the frame 20 by screwing a part of the circuit case 4c to the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 with screws 50. Specifically, the circuit case 4c is a housing having an opening, and is composed of a bottom plate and a side plate erected on the bottom plate. The circuit case 4c is arranged so that the opening of the circuit case 4c is located on the frame 20 side. That is, the part of the circuit case 4c on the frame 20 side is open.

The components that make up the LED lighting device 3 are described in detail below.

The light source unit 10 is a light-emitting unit that emits illumination light. In this embodiment, the light source unit 10 is elongated. In this case, the elongated light source unit 10 may be a single light source unit with a length approximately equal to the overall length of the frame 20 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction), or multiple light source units 10 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame 20. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, two light source units 10 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame 20.

The light source unit 10 is an LED module that uses LEDs, and includes a substrate 11 and an LED 12 arranged on the substrate 11, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

The substrate 11 is a mounting substrate for mounting the LEDs 12. In this embodiment, the substrate 11 is formed in a generally rectangular shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the frame 20. The thickness of the substrate 11 is, for example, 1.0 mm. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, two substrates 11 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame 20.

The substrate 11 is, for example, a printed wiring board (printed circuit board) on which metal wiring is formed in a predetermined pattern. A resist made of an insulating resin material may be formed on the surface of the substrate 11 so as to cover the wiring in order to protect the wiring and ensure a dielectric strength voltage. The substrate 11 may be a single-sided wiring board in which wiring is formed only on the main surface on which the LEDs 12 are mounted, or a double-sided wiring board in which wiring is formed on both sides.

The base material constituting the substrate 11 may be a resin substrate made of an insulating resin material, a ceramic substrate made of a sintered body of a ceramic material such as alumina, or a metal-based substrate obtained by applying an insulating coating to the surface of a metal substrate made of a metal material such as aluminum or copper.

When the substrate 11 is made of a resin substrate, examples of the resin substrate that can be used include a glass epoxy substrate (CEM-3, FR-4, etc.) made of glass fiber and epoxy resin, a paper phenol substrate (FR-1, FR-2) made of craft paper or the like and phenol resin, a paper epoxy substrate (FR-3) made of paper and epoxy resin, or a polyimide substrate made of polyimide or the like. The substrate 11 may be a rigid substrate or a film-like flexible substrate.

The metal wiring formed on the substrate 11 is electrically connected to the power supply 4. In this case, the electrodes or connector terminals formed on the substrate 11 and the power supply 4 are connected by electric wires such as lead wires. The electric wires connecting the substrate 11 and the power supply 4 are, for example, inserted into through holes provided in the frame 20.

The substrate 11 is disposed on the frame 20. The substrate 11 has a first surface on which the LEDs 12 are mounted, and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The first surface of the substrate 11 is the surface facing the cover member 30, and the second surface of the substrate 11 is the surface facing the frame 20. In this embodiment, the second surface of the substrate 11 is in contact with the frame 20.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, LEDs 12 are arranged on the board 11. Specifically, a plurality of LEDs 12 are arranged on the first surface of the board 11. In this embodiment, the plurality of LEDs 12 are mounted in a linear row along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the board 11 at predetermined intervals. Specifically, the plurality of LEDs 12 are mounted over substantially the entire longitudinal length of the board 11. Thus, the plurality of LEDs 12 are mounted along the longitudinal direction of the frame 20 and the cover member 30. Note that the plurality of LEDs 12 may be mounted in multiple rows, rather than in a single row, along the longitudinal direction of the board 11. The plurality of LEDs 12 emit light when a direct current is supplied from the power supply 4 via an electric wire connecting the power supply 4 and the board 11.

The LED 12 is an example of a light-emitting element. In this embodiment, each of the multiple LEDs 12 is an individually packaged LED element (LED light source) with an SMD structure. Therefore, the light source unit 10 is an SMD type LED module.

The SMD type LED 12 comprises a white resin or ceramic container (package), an LED chip (bare chip) placed inside the container, and a sealing material that seals the LED chip. In this embodiment, the LED 12 is a white LED element that emits white light. In this case, for example, a blue LED chip that emits blue light when powered is used as the LED chip, and a silicone resin (phosphor-containing resin) that contains a yellow phosphor such as YAG is used as the sealing material filled into the container.

The light source unit 10 configured in this manner is placed in a frame 20. Specifically, the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10 is placed in the frame 20.

The frame 20 is a long mounting member (base member) to which the light source unit 10 is attached. Specifically, the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10 is attached to the frame 20.

The frame 20, like the light source unit 10 and the fixture body 2, is formed in an elongated shape in the Y-axis direction. The light source unit 10 is supported by the frame 20. In other words, the frame 20 is a support member that supports the light source unit 10. In this embodiment, the frame 20 not only supports the light source unit 10, but also supports the cover member 30. Specifically, the board 11 on which the LEDs 12 are arranged is placed on the frame 20 and the board 11 is fixed to the frame 20, so that the board 11 on which the LEDs 12 are arranged is supported by the frame 20.

The frame 20 is plate-shaped. In this embodiment, the frame 20 is made of metal and is composed of a metal plate. The frame 20 is formed into a predetermined shape by performing roll forming and/or press working on a single sheet of metal (metal plate) made of, for example, SPCC (Steel Plate Cold Commercial). The thickness of the metal plate constituting the frame 20 is, for example, 0.2 mm to 2 mm. In this embodiment, since the frame 20 is formed by sheet metal working, the thickness of the metal plate constituting the frame 20 is preferably 1 mm or less. Specifically, the thickness of the metal plate constituting the frame 20 is set to 0.5 mm. Note that the method of manufacturing the frame 20 is not limited to roll forming and press working, and may be aluminum extrusion molding, etc.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the plate-shaped frame 20 has a main plate portion 21, a pair of vertical plate portions 22, a pair of horizontal plate portions 23, and a pair of side plate portions 24. As shown in Figure 9, the main plate portion 21, the pair of vertical plate portions 22, the pair of horizontal plate portions 23, and the pair of side plate portions 24 all extend along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the frame 20. Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the frame 20 is formed symmetrically in the XZ cross section with respect to the center of the frame 20 in the short side direction, but this is not limited to this.

The main board 21 is the main body of the frame 20. The main board 21 is a plate-like body with a constant thickness that is generally flat. As shown in FIG. 3, the light source 10 is disposed on the main board 21. Specifically, the board 11 on which the LEDs 12 are disposed is placed on the main board 21. In other words, the main board 21 supports the board 11. In this embodiment, the board 11 and the main board 21 are in contact. The LEDs 12 of the light source 10 are disposed in the center of the width of the main board 21, but this is not limited to this.

The main board portion 21 has a first surface which faces the substrate 11, and a second surface which faces away from the first surface. In this embodiment, the first surface of the main board portion 21 is a substrate mounting surface to which the substrate 11 is attached. When the LED lighting device 1 is installed on a ceiling, the frame 20 is positioned so that the first and second surfaces of the main board portion 21 are approximately parallel to the ceiling surface. In this case, the first surface of the main board portion 21 is the surface facing the floor, and the second surface of the main board portion 21 is the surface facing the ceiling.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main board 21 is located closer to the ceiling than the opening surface of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 (i.e., closer to the bottom surface of the recess 2a). In this embodiment, the LED 12 is also located closer to the bottom surface of the recess 2a than the opening surface of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. Specifically, the main board 21 and the LED 12 are located closer to the ceiling than the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a. This allows the distance between the cover member 30 and the LED 12 to be increased, thereby reducing uneven brightness (graininess) of the multiple LEDs 12 arranged in a straight line.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the main plate portion 21 has a claw piece 21a formed by cutting out a part of the frame 20 made of a metal plate.

The substrate 11 placed on the main plate 21 is fixed to the main plate 21 by engaging with the claw 21a. In this case, for example, the substrate 11 may be slid to engage the substrate 11 with the claw 21a and the longitudinal end of the substrate 11 may be engaged with another claw to fix the substrate 11 to the main plate 21, or the substrate 11 may be engaged with the claw 21a by crimping the claw 21a to fix the substrate 11 to the main plate 21. Note that the method of fixing the main plate 21 and the substrate 11 is not limited to the engagement structure using the claw 21a, and the main plate 21 and the substrate 11 may be bonded and fixed by adhesive or adhesive tape, etc. Also, although the main plate 21 and the substrate 11 are in contact with each other, this is not limited to this. For example, a separate member such as a thermally conductive sheet may be inserted between the main plate 21 and the substrate 11. In addition, the main plate portion 21 has a through hole through which an electric wire is inserted to electrically connect the wiring of the substrate 11 to the power supply device 4.

The pair of upright plate portions 22 are upright plate portions erected on the main plate portion 21. Specifically, the pair of upright plate portions 22 erect from one end of the main plate portion 21, and the other of the pair of upright plate portions 22 erects from the other end of the main plate portion 21. The upright plate portions 22 and the horizontal plate portion 23 are provided between the main plate portion 21 and the side plate portion 24. Each of the pair of upright plate portions 22 is flat.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the main surface of each of the pair of standing plate portions 22 is perpendicular to the main surface of the main plate portion 21, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the short side direction of the frame 20. In other words, the standing plate portion 22 is provided perpendicular to the main plate portion 21. Specifically, each of the pair of standing plate portions 22 extends along the Z-axis direction. Note that the standing plate portion 22 may be formed so as to be inclined relative to the main plate portion 21.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the recess 20a is formed by a main plate portion 21 and a pair of upright plate portions 22. The bottom of the recess 20a is the main plate portion 21. Therefore, the board 11 on which the LEDs 12 are mounted is placed on the bottom (main plate portion 21) of the recess 20a. In this manner, the frame 20 has the recess 20a on which the board 11 is placed. Furthermore, the side of the recess 20a is the upright plate portion 22. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the recess 20a is U-shaped. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the spatial region of the recess 20a (the region surrounded by the main plate portion 21 and the pair of upright plate portions 22) is rectangular.

The cross-sectional shape of the recess 20a does not have to be U-shaped. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the spatial area of the recess 20a does not have to be rectangular. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the spatial area of the recess 20a may be trapezoidal. In this case, the main plate portion 21 corresponds to the lower or upper base of the trapezoidal recess 20a, and the standing plate portion 22 corresponds to the side of the trapezoidal recess 20a that is inclined relative to the main plate portion 21.

The light source unit 10 arranged at the bottom of the recess 20a is stored in the recess 20a. In this embodiment, the depth of the recess 20a is greater than the height (thickness) of the light source unit 10, and the light source unit 10 is stored so as not to protrude from the recess 20a. In other words, the LED 12 is stored in the recess 20a. Therefore, the floor side end (light emitting surface) of the LED 12 of the light source unit 10 is located closer to the ceiling than the opening surface of the recess 20a. In this case, the floor side end of the LED 12 may be located at a position set back from the opening surface of the recess 20a, or may be flush with the opening surface of the recess 20a. In this way, by storing the LED 12 in the recess 20a, the distance between the LED 12 and the main part 31 of the cover member 30 can be increased, so that the uneven brightness (graininess) caused by the multiple LEDs 12 arranged at a distance in the longitudinal direction of the frame 20 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the LEDs 12 of the light source unit 10 are housed in the recess 20a so as not to protrude from the recess 20a in the Z-axis direction, but this is not limited to the above. For example, part or all of the LEDs 12 may protrude from the recess 20a. Even in this case, the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10 should be arranged so as not to protrude from the recess 20a, and the depth of the recess 20a should be greater than the thickness of the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, if the depth of the recess 20a of the frame 20 is a [mm] and the width of the recess 20a is w1 [mm], it is preferable that the relationship formula w1 ≧ 10 × a is satisfied. In other words, the ratio of the depth a of the recess 20a to the width w1 of the recess 20a is 1:10 or more. This makes it possible to prevent the light emitted from the LED 12 from being blocked by hitting the corner of the opening surface of the recess 20a (the connection part between the vertical plate part 22 and the horizontal plate part 23) even if the light source part 10 is stored in the recess 20a. In other words, by making w1 ≧ 10 × a, it is possible to make it difficult for the light emitted from the LED 12 to be blocked. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, if the width of the recess 20a is w1 [mm] and the width of the horizontal plate part 23 is w2 [mm], it is preferable that the relationship formula w1 > 2 × w2 is satisfied.

Furthermore, the frame 20 has a protrusion 20b that protrudes from the main board 21 toward the light emission side of the light source unit 10. In other words, when the LED lighting device 1 is installed on a ceiling, the protrusion 20b of the frame 20 protrudes toward the floor side.

The protrusions 20b are provided in pairs on both sides of the main plate portion 21 in the short direction of the frame 20. The pair of protrusions 20b is formed on the frame 20 by forming the recess 20a on the frame 20. In this embodiment, the recess 20a is formed to be recessed toward the ceiling side, so that each of the pair of protrusions 20b is formed to protrude toward the floor side. Each of the pair of protrusions 20b is composed of a horizontal plate portion 23 and a vertical plate portion 22. In this way, by forming the protrusions 20b on the main plate portion 21, the strength of the frame 20 can be improved. The recess 20a and the pair of protrusions 20b can be formed by deforming the metal plate that constitutes the frame 20 by press processing or the like. Specifically, the recess 20a and the protrusions 20b are formed by bending the metal plate. Therefore, the plate thicknesses of the main plate portion 21, the vertical plate portion 22, the horizontal plate portion 23, and the side plate portion 24 are the same.

The horizontal plate portion 23 is located to the side of the recessed portion 20a. In this embodiment, the horizontal plate portion 23 is located on both sides of the recessed portion 20a in the short direction of the frame 20. That is, a pair of horizontal plate portions 23 are formed to sandwich the recessed portion 20a. Specifically, one of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 is located on one side of the recessed portion 20a in the short direction of the frame 20, and the other of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 is located on the other side of the recessed portion 20a in the short direction of the frame 20. That is, one of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 is located on one side of the main plate portion 21 in the short direction of the frame 20, and the other of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 is located on the other side of the main plate portion 21 in the short direction of the frame 20. Each of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 is connected to the end portion on the floor side of the standing plate portion 22 and extends outward from the end portion on the floor side of the standing plate portion 22.

Furthermore, when the first direction, which is the direction of the light emission side of the light source unit 10 (LED 12) with respect to the main board portion 21, is taken as the floor side direction, and the second direction, which is the direction opposite to the floor side direction (first direction) with respect to the main board portion 21, is taken as the ceiling side (i.e., the construction material side), at least a part of each of the pair of side board portions 23 is located on the floor side (first direction side) of the main board portion 21. In this embodiment, the entire side board portion 23 is located on the floor side of the main board portion 21. Therefore, the pair of protruding portions 20b, each of which is composed of a vertical board portion 22 and a horizontal board portion 23, is located on the floor side of the main board portion 21. As a result, a spatial area is formed on the ceiling side of each protruding portion 20b. The spatial area is an area surrounded by the protruding portion 20b on the ceiling side of the frame 20. In other words, this spatial area is an area surrounded by the vertical board portion 22 and the horizontal board portion 23 on the ceiling side of the frame 20. In this embodiment, the side plate portion 24 is provided on the side of the horizontal plate portion 23 opposite the standing plate portion 22, so that this spatial area is an area surrounded by the standing plate portion 22, the horizontal plate portion 23, and the side plate portion 24, and is a concave recessed portion recessed toward the floor side. As will be described in detail later, this spatial area may store internal electric wires, construction electric wires (external electric wires), structural members such as springs and screws, or functional parts. In particular, since the side plate portion 24 exists as the outer wall of this spatial area, the internal electric wires stored in the spatial area are less likely to protrude from the spatial area. This makes it possible to prevent the internal electric wires from protruding and becoming caught in the wires.

Furthermore, this spatial area may house not only one internal wire, but multiple internal wires. The one or multiple internal wires housed in this spatial area are fixed to the frame 20 with a fixing member such as tape or metal fittings. In this case, this spatial area may be used to attach tape or attach metal fittings. For example, when fixing the internal wires using metal fittings, the metal fittings are fixed to the spatial area so as to cover the spatial area in which the internal wires are housed. In this case, the metal fittings may be positioned so as to be braced between the vertical plate portion 22 and the side plate portion 24.

The internal wires do not have to be stored in this spatial area. In this case, the internal wires may be placed on the ceiling side of the main board 21 of the frame 20, and adhesively fixed with tape. However, if the tape is only attached to the main board 21, it is likely to peel off. Therefore, in this case, it is advisable to use this spatial area to attach the tape. For example, the internal wires may be placed on the ceiling side of the main board 21, and the tape may be attached so that it straddles the main board 21 and the standing board 22. In this way, the tape is attached to two surfaces with different orientations, which makes it possible to prevent the tape from peeling off.

As shown in the enlarged view of Figure 3, each of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 is composed of a plurality of plate portions. In this embodiment, the horizontal plate portion 23 is composed of two plate portions, and has the plurality of plate portions, which are a parallel plate portion 23a (first plate portion) parallel to the main plate portion 21, and an inclined plate portion 23b (second plate portion) inclined relative to the main plate portion 21. In other words, the protruding portion 20b has a parallel plate portion 23a and an inclined plate portion 23b. The parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b are both flat.

In the horizontal plate portion 23, the parallel plate portion 23a extends in the short side direction (width direction) of the frame 20, and the inclined plate portion 23b extends in a direction inclined with respect to the short side direction of the frame 20. In this embodiment, the inclined plate portion 23b is inclined so as to widen toward the ceiling. Therefore, the protruding portion 20b composed of the standing plate portion 22 and the horizontal plate portion 23 is configured to be inclined outward as a whole. The inclined plate portion 23b is located outside the parallel plate portion 23a and is connected to the end of the side plate portion 24. In this embodiment, the length of the parallel plate portion 23a is longer than the length of the inclined plate portion 23b.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, at least a portion of the pair of protrusions 20b formed on the frame 20 is located on the floor side of the opening surface of the recess 2a of the instrument body 2. In other words, at least a portion of the pair of protrusions 20b is located on the floor side of the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the instrument body 2. In this embodiment, the pair of side plate portions 23 are located on the floor side of the opening surface of the recess 2a of the instrument body 2. Specifically, both the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b of the side plate portion 23 are located on the floor side of the opening surface of the recess 2a.

The protruding portion 20b, which is composed of the horizontal plate portion 23 and the vertical plate portion 22, may be configured to be inclined inward. In this case, the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23 is located inside the parallel plate portion 23a and is connected to the end of the main plate portion 21, and the vertical plate portion 22 is located outside the parallel plate portion 23a of the horizontal plate portion 23 and is connected to the end of the side plate portion 24.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pair of side plate portions 24 are plate-shaped side portions and are formed as a pair of legs (feet) on the frame 20. Each of the pair of side plate portions 24 extends toward the side opposite the light emission side of the light source unit 10. The pair of side plate portions 24 are extension portions that extend toward the construction material on which the fixture body 2 is installed. In this embodiment, the construction material on which the fixture body 2 is installed is the ceiling, and the fixture body 2 is installed on the ceiling. Therefore, the pair of side plate portions 24 extend toward the ceiling side (second direction side). Specifically, each of the pair of side plate portions 24 extends linearly along the Z-axis direction.

When the LED lighting device 3 is attached to the fixture body 2, the pair of side plate portions 24 are housed in the recesses 2a of the fixture body 2. Each side plate portion 24 faces a side portion of the recess 2a. Each of the pair of side plate portions 24 extends along each of the side portions (side walls) of the pair of recesses 2a. As shown in FIG. 3, the side plate portions 24 and the side portions of the recesses 2a are parallel to each other.

Each of the pair of side plate portions 24 extends from each of the pair of protruding portions 20b toward the ceiling side. In this embodiment, each of the pair of side plate portions 24 extends from the end of the horizontal plate portion 23 toward the ceiling side. One of the pair of side plate portions 24 extends from the outer end of one of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 toward the ceiling side, and the other of the pair of side plate portions 24 extends from the outer end of the other of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 toward the ceiling side. In other words, the pair of side plate portions 24 extend from the outer end of the protruding portion 20b in the short direction of the frame 20 toward the ceiling side. Specifically, each of the pair of side plate portions 24 is connected to the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23, and extends from the end of the inclined plate portion 23b toward the ceiling side.

Each of the pair of side plate portions 24 extends from the outer end of each horizontal plate portion 23 beyond the position of the main plate portion 21 toward the ceiling side. Therefore, the tip of each side plate portion 24 (extension portion) is located closer to the ceiling (second direction side) than the main plate portion 21. In other words, the tip of the side plate portion 24 (extension portion) is located closer to the ceiling than the bottom of the recess 20a. In this embodiment, the side plate portion 24 is connected to the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23. Note that the side plate portion 24 is not formed on both ends of the frame 20 in the longitudinal direction, and the ends of the frame 20 in the longitudinal direction are open.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 (in this embodiment, the connection portion between the side plate portion 24 and the inclined plate portion 23b) is preferably located closer to the floor (first direction side) than the main plate portion 21, which is the bottom of the recess 20a in the frame 20. This makes it easier for the light emitted from the LED 12 to wrap around to the spatial area formed near the outer end portion 31a of the cover member 30. Note that if the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 is located closer to the ceiling than the bottom of the recess 20a, the light emitted from the LED 12 will wrap around to the ceiling side, causing light leakage and light loss.

In addition, the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 (in this embodiment, the connection portion between the side plate portion 24 and the inclined plate portion 23b) is at approximately the same height as the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the device body 2, but the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 may be located closer to the ceiling than the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the device body 2. This makes it possible to prevent shadows from appearing on the exterior of the cover member 30.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 is located closer to the ceiling (second direction side) than the connection portion between the mounting portion 33 and the extension portion 32 in the cover member 30. This makes it possible to prevent shadows from appearing on the appearance of the cover member 30. In this embodiment, the position of the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the device body 2 is the same as the position of the connection portion between the mounting portion 33 and the extension portion 32 in the cover member 30.

In this way, the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 should be located in the area (area R in the enlarged view of Figure 3) between the position of the main plate portion 21, which is the bottom of the recess 20a, and the position of the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the device body 2 or the position of the connection portion between the mounting portion 33 and the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30.

In addition, the length (extension) of the side plate portion 24 is longer than the depth of the recess 20a. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, if the depth of the recess 20a is a [mm] and the length of the side plate portion 24 is b [mm], it is preferable that the relationship b ≧ a is satisfied. In this case, the upper limit of the length b of the side plate portion 24 is not particularly limited, but the depth a of the recess 20a and the length b of the side plate portion 24 are preferable to satisfy the relationship b ≦ 2 × a. In other words, the ratio of the depth of the recess 20a to the length of the side plate portion 24 is preferable to be 1:2 or less. By satisfying the relationship b ≧ a, the strength of the frame 20 is increased and the strength of the entire LED lighting device 3 is improved. This makes it easier to handle the LED lighting device 3 during construction, etc. In addition, by satisfying the relationship b ≧ a, the length of the side plate portion 24 is increased. This allows the cover member 30 to be easily attached to the frame 20 by snap-in. Furthermore, by satisfying the relationship b ≧ a, the thickness of the entire frame 20 in the Z-axis direction can be shortened, and the frame 20 can be made thinner. Note that the relationship b ≧ a does not have to be satisfied.

Furthermore, the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 may be located closer to the ceiling than the main plate portion 21. In this case, the length b of the side plate portion 24 should be longer than the depth a of the recess 20a (i.e., b>a), but the length b of the side plate portion 24 may be shorter than the depth a of the recess 20a. In this case, the lower limit of the length b of the side plate portion 24 is not particularly limited. It is preferable that the depth a of the recess 20a is 3 mm or more.

3 and 4, the tip of each of the pair of side plate portions 24 is provided with a bent portion 24a formed to be bent. The bent portion 24a constitutes the tip of the side plate portion 24. In this embodiment, the bent portion 24a is a folded portion formed by folding the tip of the side plate portion 24 in the thickness direction. Therefore, the bent portion 24a is composed of a folded portion and a portion (a portion that is not folded) that faces the folded portion. The bent portion 24a is a hemming bend structure formed by, for example, hemming. Note that the bent portion 24a is not limited to being formed by hemming, and may be a curl bend structure formed by curling and rolling up the tip of the side plate portion 24. In addition, the bent portion 24a is formed by folding inward in the width direction, but is not limited to this, and may be formed by folding outward in the width direction. In addition, the bent portion 24a may not be formed on the side plate portion 24.

The mounting portions 33 of the cover member 30 are attached to each of the pair of side plate portions 24. In this embodiment, the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 by snapping in. Specifically, the cover member 30 can be fixed to the frame 20 by engaging the abutment portions 33a provided on the mounting portions 33 of the cover member 30 with the bent portions 24a of the side plate portions 24 from the width direction of the cover member 30. Therefore, the bent portions 24a are abutment portions that abut against the mounting portions 33.

The light source unit 10 supported by the frame 20 is covered with a cover member 30. The cover member 30 covers the LEDs 12 of the light source unit 10. In this embodiment, the cover member 30 covers all of the LEDs 12 in the light source unit 10. The cover member 30 also covers not only the LEDs 12 but also the board 11 of the light source unit 10, and is disposed opposite the board 11 so as to cover the multiple LEDs 12. In other words, the cover member 30 covers the entire light source unit 10. In this way, the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 so as to cover the light source unit 10.

The cover member 30 is an example of a translucent cover that has translucency, and transmits light emitted from the light source unit 10 (LEDs 12). In this embodiment, the cover member 30 is a diffusion cover that not only has translucency but also has diffusivity. Therefore, the light of the LEDs 12 that enters the cover member 30 passes through the cover member 30 while being diffused (scattered) by the cover member 30.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cover member 30 further covers the frame 20 in which the light source unit 10 is arranged. In this embodiment, the cover member 30 covers the entire frame 20 in which the light source unit 10 is arranged. The cover member 30 is formed in an elongated shape in the Y-axis direction, similar to the light source unit 10 and the frame 20.

The cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20. The cover member 30 and the frame 20 form a cylindrical body, and the light source unit 10 is stored inside this cylindrical body.

As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the cover member 30 has a main portion 31 that covers the light source unit 10, an extension portion 32 that extends inward from the cover member 30, and an attachment portion 33 to which the frame 20 is attached.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, a gap GX exists between the cover member 30 and the inner surface of the recess 2a of the device body 2. In this embodiment, this gap GX is the gap between the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 and the inner wall surface of the recess 2a.

The main part 31 is the main body of the cover member 30, and transmits the light emitted from the LEDs 12 of the light source unit 10 so that the light can be emitted to the outside. The main part 31 covers the light source unit 10. In other words, the main part 31 faces the light source unit 10. Therefore, the main part 31 has a surface that faces the substrate 11 and the LEDs 12.

The main part 31 constitutes the exterior of the cover member 30. As shown in FIG. 9, the main part 31 is elongated in the Y-axis direction and formed in a gutter shape. The main part 31 has, for example, a flat, approximately semi-cylindrical shape. Therefore, the main part 31 has an elongated rectangular opening end face extending in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the main part 31 when cut along the X-axis direction has a curved shape that is curved in an approximately arc shape. Note that the shape of the main part 31 is not limited to a barrel-like R shape, and may be an angular shape such as a U-shape, a angular shape with a part of the side narrowed, or a cylindrical shape.

In this embodiment, when the cover member 30 is viewed from the longitudinal direction of the LED lighting device 3, the outer shape of the cover member 30 is generally D-shaped. Specifically, when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the LED lighting device 3, the outer shape of the main part 31 is generally D-shaped. As described above, the side shape of the LED lighting device 1 consisting of the LED lighting device 3 and the fixture body 2 is also generally D-shaped, and the boundary between the LED lighting device 3 and the fixture body 2 is not noticeable. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the outer surface of the main part 31 of the cover member 30 and the outer surface (inclined surface) of the inclined surface portion 2b in the fixture body 2 are flush with each other. In other words, the outer surface of the main part 31 and the outer surface of the inclined surface portion 2b are continuous, and there is no step at the boundary between the outer surface of the main part 31 and the outer surface of the inclined surface portion 2b, or even if there is a step, it is only slight.

The main portion 31 has an outer end portion 31a that is located outside the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 in the short direction of the frame 20. Specifically, the outer end portion 31a is a portion of the main portion 31 that is located outside the mounting portion 33. The outer end portion 31a of the main portion 31 faces the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the device body 2. The opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a is a flat surface parallel to the XY plane.

The extension portion 32 extends toward the light source unit 10. In this embodiment, the extension portion 32 is connected to the main portion 31 and extends from the main portion 31 toward the light source unit 10. Therefore, the extension portion 32 extends from the main portion 31 toward the inside of the cover member 30. Specifically, the extension portion 32 extends from the inner surface of the main portion 31 toward the light source unit 10. The extension portion 32 also extends toward the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. In this embodiment, the extension portion 32 extends from the main portion 31 toward the main plate portion 21. Note that the extension portion 32 extending toward the light source unit 10 or the main plate portion 21 means that a part of the extension portion 32 extends toward the light source unit 10 or the main plate portion 21. The extension portion 32 is a plate-shaped piece with a constant thickness, and extends in the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

A pair of extension parts 32 are provided. The pair of extension parts 32 are provided on either side of the light source unit 10 in the short side direction of the frame 20. Specifically, the pair of extension parts 32 are provided at positions facing each other in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the pair of extension parts 32 are formed symmetrically on the XZ cross section with respect to the center of the short side direction of the cover member 30, but this is not limited to this.

Each extension 32 covers at least a portion of the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. In other words, each extension 32 covers at least a portion of the protruding portion 20b and faces the main plate portion 21. In this embodiment, each extension 32 covers the entire protruding portion 20b. Therefore, each extension 32 extends from the main portion 31 beyond the protruding portion 20b.

The extension 32 is also formed in an arch shape so as to cover the protrusion 20b. Therefore, the extension 32 is arch-shaped so as to be convex toward the main portion 31. This allows the light emitted from the light source unit 10 to be reflected by the extension 32, improving the light extraction efficiency. Furthermore, when the protrusion 20b is formed on the frame 20, a shadow is likely to occur on the outer end of the cover member 30, but by providing the arch-shaped extension 32 so as to cover the protrusion 20b, it is possible to make it difficult for a shadow to occur on the outer end of the cover member 30.

Each extension portion 32 has an outer extension portion 32a located outside the protrusion 20b, and an inner extension portion 32b extending from the outer extension portion 32a toward the light source unit 10, covering at least a portion of the protrusion 20b. In this embodiment, the inner extension portion 32b covers the entire protrusion 20b. The outer extension portion 32a is located outside the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 in the short direction of the frame 20.

The outer extension portion 32a is a portion located outside the mounting portion 33, and the inner extension portion 32b is a portion located inside the mounting portion 33. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer extension portion 32a is a portion formed in a flat plate shape, and the inner extension portion 32b is a portion formed so as to bend at the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20. The inner extension portion 32b is bent so as to cover the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20.

Furthermore, each extension portion 32 extends from the inner surface of the main portion 31 toward the LED 12 side. Each extension portion 32 extends from a position on the ceiling side (second direction side) of the portion of the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 located furthest from the floor side (first direction side) on the inner surface of the main portion 31 toward the light source unit 10 side so as to cover the protruding portion 20b. In this embodiment, the portion of the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 located furthest from the floor side is the parallel plate portion 23a of the horizontal plate portion 23. In other words, each extension portion 32 extends from a position on the ceiling side of the parallel plate portion 23a of each protruding portion 20b toward the light source unit 10 side. Specifically, each extension portion 32 is connected to the tip of the outer end portion 31a of the main portion 31. Therefore, in each extension portion 32, the outer extension portion 32a is connected to the tip of the outer end portion 31a of the main portion 31, and the outer extension portion 32a extends from the outer end portion 31a of the main portion 31 toward the light source unit 10.

In this way, the extension portion 32 extends toward the light source unit 10 from a position on the ceiling side of the portion of the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 that is located closest to the floor, covering the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. This allows a spatial area to be formed near the outer end 31a of the cover member 30 that extends toward the ceiling outside the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. As a result, even if the frame 20 is provided with a protruding portion 20b that protrudes toward the floor side, the light emitted from the LED 12 that does not pass through the main portion 31 of the cover member 30 and is reflected on the inner surface of the main portion 31 can be made to go around to the spatial area formed near the outer end 31a of the cover member 30. Therefore, the light emitted from the LED 12 can be sufficiently distributed to the outer end 31a of the main portion 31 of the cover member 30, so that the light can be sufficiently illuminated up to the vicinity of the outer end 31a of the main portion 31 of the cover member 30. Therefore, the cover member 30 can be illuminated over the entire width direction (X-axis direction), and the widthwise ends of the cover member 30 can be prevented from becoming dark. In other words, the darkness of the widthwise ends of the cover member 30 caused by the protrusions 20b of the frame 20 can be reduced.

Furthermore, by providing the extension portion 32 on the cover member 30, the luminous flux (upward luminous flux) of the illumination light emitted from the LED lighting device 3 toward the ceiling side can be reduced. As a result, the luminous flux of the illumination light emitted from the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side can be increased, so the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side can be improved. Furthermore, by increasing the luminous flux toward the floor side, the direct illuminance of the LED lighting fixture 1 can be improved. As a result, when multiple LED lighting fixtures 1 are installed, the number of installed LED lighting fixtures 1 can be reduced.

The outer extension portion 32a of the extension portion 32 has a portion that overlaps with the gap GX between the inner surface of the recess 2a and the mounting portion 33 in the direction toward the floor or ceiling (i.e., in the Z direction). The outer extension portion 32a also faces the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a. In other words, in the Z-axis direction, the outer extension portion 32a overlaps with the opening edge 2a1. Therefore, the outer extension portion 32a is formed to span the gap GX.

The portion of the outer extension 32a of each extension 32 facing the opening edge 2a1 and the outer end 31a of the main part 31 form a protrusion that protrudes outward from the mounting part 33. Specifically, this protrusion is formed in a V-shape in the XZ cross section. The outer extension 32a does not protrude outward from the widthwise outer end of the opening surface of the recess 2a of the device body 2. Specifically, the outer extension 32a does not protrude outward in the Y-axis direction from the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a. Specifically, the connection portion (the apex of the V) between the outer extension 32a and the outer end 31a of the main part 31 is approximately on the same plane as the inclined surface 2b of the device body 2. As a result, the inclined surface 2b of the device body 2 and the surface of the main part 31 of the cover member 30 become one continuous surface, improving the design of the LED lighting device 3.

The outer extension portion 32a of each extension portion 32 is a portion that connects the inner extension portion 32b and the main portion 31. Therefore, one end of the outer extension portion 32a is connected to the inner extension portion 32b, and the other end of the outer extension portion 32a is connected to the inner surface of the main portion 31.

The outer extension portion 32a is a contact portion that can come into contact with the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. When the LED lighting device 3 is stored in the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, the outer extension portion 32a may or may not come into contact with the opening edge 2a1. In other words, there may be a gap between the outer extension portion 32a and the opening edge 2a1, or the outer extension portion 32a and the opening edge 2a1 may be in contact. In this embodiment, the outer extension portion 32a comes into contact with the opening edge 2a1.

In this embodiment, when the LED lighting device 3 is pulled up by the elastic holding member 6 (kick spring) and attached to the fixture body 2, the LED lighting device 3 is attached to the fixture body 2 by the outer extension portion 32a abutting against the opening edge 2a1 of the fixture body 2. For this reason, it is desirable that the outer extension portion 32a and the opening edge 2a1 abut. However, a gap may occur between the outer extension portion 32a and the opening edge 2a1 due to warping, twisting, or groaning of various parts such as the frame 20 or the cover member 30, or variations during installation of the LED lighting fixture 1 (distortion due to bolt tightening, variations due to wiring, etc.).

The outer extension portion 32a may be part of the main portion 31. In this case, the extension portion 32 is composed only of the inner extension portion 32b.

At least a part of the extension portion 32 has a shape that follows a part of the frame 20. In this embodiment, at least a part of the extension portion 32 has a shape that follows the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. Specifically, as described above, the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 has a shape that follows the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. Specifically, the inner extension portion 32b has a shape that follows the inclined plate portion 23b of the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner extension 32b is bent so as to protrude toward the floor. In other words, the inner extension 32b is formed to have a protruding portion that protrudes toward the floor, similar to the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. The protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 protrudes toward the bent portion (protruding portion) of this inner extension 32b. Therefore, the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 is formed to fit into the protruding portion of the inner extension 32b.

Also, at least a portion of the inner extension portion 32b can abut against the frame 20. As described later, in this embodiment, the tip of the inner extension portion 32b abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. Note that the cover member 30 basically contacts the frame 20 only at two points, the tip of the inner extension portion 32b and the tip of the mounting portion 33 (abutment portion 33a), so there is a gap between the inner extension portion 32b and the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. However, depending on component variations or construction variations, there may be cases where the inner extension portion 32b and a portion of the protruding portion 20b come into contact. Note that the inner extension portion 32b and the protruding portion 20b may be intentionally brought into contact with each other.

The tip of each extension 32 on the light source unit 10 side is located closer to the center of the frame 20 than the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. Specifically, the tip of the inner extension 32b of the extension 32 is located to the side of the protruding portion 20b.

The inner extension 32b has a first plate 32b1 that faces the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20, a second plate 32b2 that extends beyond the protruding portion 20b toward the light source unit 10, and a third plate 32b3 that stands upright from the second plate 32b2 toward the ceiling.

The first plate portion 32b1 faces the horizontal plate portion 23 that constitutes the protrusion 20b, and like the horizontal plate portion 23, is composed of an inclined plate portion and a parallel plate portion.

The second plate portion 32b2 is an inclined plate portion that extends from a position beyond the protruding portion 20b (horizontal plate portion 23) so as to be inclined toward the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. Note that the second plate portion 32b2 does not have to be inclined. For example, the second plate portion 32b2 may be parallel to the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20.

The third plate portion 32b3 is a vertical plate portion that stands from the tip of the second plate portion 32b2 toward the ceiling side. In other words, the third plate portion 32b3 stands on the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. Specifically, the third plate portion 32b3 is a vertical portion formed perpendicular to the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. The third plate portion 32b3 is the tip of the inner extension portion 32b. In other words, the tip of the third plate portion 32b3 is the tip of the extension portion 32 on the light source unit 10 side. The height (length) of the third plate portion 32b3 is lower than the height of the protrusion portion 20b formed on the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 (in this embodiment, the position of the horizontal plate portion 23).

The inclination of the inner part of the inner extension portion 32b in the short side direction of the cover member 30 is gentler than the inclination of the short side direction of the cover member 30. In other words, the inclination of the part on the light source unit 10 side is gentler than the inclination of the part on the mounting unit 33 side. Specifically, the inclination of the second plate portion 32b2 (inclined plate portion) of the inner extension portion 32b is gentler than the inclination of the inclined plate portion of the first plate portion 32b1 of the inner extension portion 32b. In other words, the inclination angle of the second plate portion 32b2 (inclined plate portion) of the inner extension portion 32b is smaller than the inclination angle of the inclined plate portion of the first plate portion 32b1 of the inner extension portion 32b.

The extension portion 32 has an abutment portion that abuts against the frame 20 when pressed against it. In this embodiment, this abutment portion is provided on the inner extension portion 32b. Specifically, the abutment portion is the third plate portion 32b3 of the inner extension portion 32b. In other words, the third plate portion 32b3, which is the abutment portion, abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. The third plate portion 32b3 (abutment portion) is pressed against the frame 20. The extension portion 32 pressed against the frame 20 is elastically deformed. In other words, as the extension portion 32 elastically deforms, the reaction force presses the third plate portion 32b3 (abutment portion) against the frame 20.

The tip of each extension 32 on the light source unit 10 side is located closer to the center of the frame 20 than the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. Specifically, the tip of the third plate portion 32b3 in the inner extension portion 32b of each extension 32 is located closer to the center of the frame 20 than the inner end of the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20.

The third plate portion 32b3 in the inner extension portion 32b is formed so that its tip extends toward the substrate 11. In this embodiment, the third plate portion 32b3 is formed so that it is inclined toward the substrate 11.

The extension portion 32 has an abutment portion 32c that abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. The abutment portion 32c of the extension portion 32 abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 while being pressed against it. In this embodiment, the abutment portion 32c is the tip of the extension portion 32. Therefore, the tip of the extension portion 32 abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 while being pressed against it. Specifically, the abutment portion 32c is the tip of the inner extension portion 32b. In other words, the abutment portion 32c is the third plate portion 32b3 of the inner extension portion 32b. In this case, the end face of the tip of the third plate portion 32b3, which is the abutment portion 32c, abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 while being pressed against it.

The extension portion 32 pressed against the frame 20 is elastically deformed. In other words, as the extension portion 32 elastically deforms, the reaction force presses the abutment portion 32c (third plate portion 32b3) against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. Therefore, the attitude of the extension portion 32 relative to the frame 20 is different before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 and after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20.

Each extension 32 may be disposed outside the directional characteristics (light distribution angle) of the LED 12. For example, since the light distribution angle (1/2 beam angle) of the LED 12 is 120°, the opening angle (tilt angle of the second plate 32b2) of the pair of extensions 32 may be 120° or more. This reduces the loss of light emitted from the LED 12 in the cover member 30, and most of the light emitted from the LED 12 passes through the cover member 30 and is emitted to the outside. In other words, the light extraction efficiency of the cover member 30 can be improved. The opening angle of the pair of second plate parts 32b2 may be 160° or more. The upper limit of the opening angle of the pair of second plate parts 32b2 is, for example, 170°. The light extraction efficiency can be further improved by making the extension 32 white (highly reflective and non-transmissive) by two-color molding.

A spatial region S1 exists between each extension portion 32 and the frame 20. Specifically, the spatial region S1 exists between the inner extension portion 32b of each extension portion 32 and the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. The spatial region S1 may house the screw base or screw head when various components are screwed together, or the crimped portion when the frame 20 and other metal components are crimped together. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the spatial region S1 houses the screw base of a screw 50 for fixing the power supply unit 4 to the frame 20.

In addition, the spatial region S1 may house functional components or internal electrical wires that are wired in the factory when the LED lighting device 3 is manufactured.

The functional parts stored in the spatial region S1 are, for example, function expansion modules. Examples of the function expansion module include a sensor unit equipped with various sensors such as a human sensor and a brightness sensor, a wireless module having an antenna and a control circuit for receiving wireless signals, an infrared module having a light receiving element and a control circuit for receiving infrared signals, a pull switch, or a second light source other than the LED 12 (first light source) mounted on the substrate 11. The wireless signal or infrared signal is, for example, a remote control signal for turning on and off the LED 12 or adjusting the brightness and color, or a setting signal for performing various settings of the LED lighting device 3. The second light source is a light source for monitor display (monitor lamp), a light source for controlling the light distribution of the illumination light emitted from the cover member 30 (for example, a light source for wide light distribution), a color light source for directing (for example, LED light sources of red, blue, green, etc.), or an emergency light source that is turned on in an emergency. In addition, when an emergency light source is used as the second light source, the cover and/or cover member 30 covering the second light source may be made of a flame-retardant material such as glass. Note that wireless is not limited to a specific frequency band, but may refer to wireless in a broad sense including radio waves and light (including infrared rays). The antenna in the wireless module may be, for example, a pattern antenna, a chip antenna, a rod antenna, or a plate antenna, but is not limited to these. The wireless module may have an antenna area and a control area. The connection between the wireless module and the power supply device may be a connector on both ends of an electric wire, or only one of the wireless module and the power supply device may be a connector. The connection between the wireless module and the power supply device 4 may be a wireless connection via wireless communication, rather than a wired connection via an electric wire.

The internal electric wires stored in the spatial region S1 are, for example, electric wires connected to the power supply unit 4 or electric wires connecting the multiple light source units 10 together. Of these, the electric wires connected to the power supply unit 4 include a power supply line connecting the power supply unit 4 and the light source units 10, a power line connecting the power supply unit 4 and the power terminal block 8, a dimming control line connecting the power supply unit 4 and the dimming terminal block 9, and a control line connected to a function expansion module (sensor, etc.) described later.

The mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 extends on the side opposite the light emission side of the light source unit 10. Specifically, the mounting portion 33 is connected to the extension portion 32 and extends from a part of the extension portion 32 toward the ceiling side. The mounting portion 33 is attached to a pair of side plate portions 24 of the frame 20.

Even if a foreign object such as an insect enters the spatial region S1, the distance between the spatial region S1 and the main portion 31 is long, so that the foreign object present in the spatial region S1 is unlikely to cast a shadow. In addition, the gap region between the inclined plate portion 23b of the frame 20 and the inner extension portion 32b is close to the main portion 31, so if an insect is present in this gap region, it is likely to cast a shadow, but since this gap region is small, it is difficult for insects to accumulate. Even if an insect enters this gap region, since the insect has propulsion ability, the insect will move from this gap region toward the spatial region S1 and enter the spatial region S1 where shadows are unlikely to be generated. In addition, since the entrance (exit of the gap region) of the spatial region S1 is narrow, once the insect enters the spatial region S1, it will not exit the spatial region S1. In other words, the insect can be kept in the spatial region S1 where shadows are unlikely to be generated. In addition, this does not apply if the extension portion 32 is made of an opaque material such as white resin.

In this embodiment, a pair of mounting portions 33 are provided to sandwich the frame 20. The pair of mounting portions 33 are formed as a pair of legs (feet) on the cover member 30. The pair of mounting portions 33 have the same length in the Z-axis direction. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, each of the pair of mounting portions 33 is formed in an elongated shape along the Y-axis direction. The pair of mounting portions 33 also have the same length in the Y-axis direction.

When the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20, each of the pair of mounting portions 33 is elastically deformed. As will be described in detail later, the posture of each mounting portion 33 relative to each side plate portion 24 is different before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 and after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20.

As shown in Figures 3 and 8, each of the pair of mounting portions 33 has an abutment portion 33a that abuts against a pair of side plate portions 24 of the frame 20. That is, the mounting portions 33 contact the side plate portions 24 of the frame 20 at the abutment portions 33a. In this embodiment, the abutment portion 33a of the mounting portions 33 is the tip portion of the mounting portions 33. Therefore, the tip portion of the mounting portions 33 contacts the side plate portions 24 of the frame 20. Also, in this embodiment, the abutment portion 33a of the mounting portions 33 is an engagement portion that engages with the tip portions of the side plate portions 24 of the frame 20. Therefore, the tip portion of the mounting portions 33 engages with the tip portions of the side plate portions 24 of the frame 20.

In this embodiment, the abutment portion 33a, which is the engagement portion, is, for example, a bent portion formed by bending the tip of the mounting portion 33 into an L shape. The bent portion 24a provided at the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 engages with this abutment portion 33a, so that the pair of mounting portions 33 of the cover member 30 and the pair of side plate portions 24 of the frame 20 are engaged and fixed to each other. As a result, the pair of mounting portions 33 of the cover member 30 are fixed to the frame 20 in a manner that embraces the frame 20.

Also, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may be fixed with a screw. In this case, the screw is screwed into the portion where the side plate portion 24 and the mounting portion 33 overlap from the outside of the mounting portion 33. Alternatively, the frame 20 and the cover member 30 may be fixed with a crimping structure. For example, the frame 20 and the cover member 30 may be fixed by crimping a part of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 to the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30. The frame 20 and the cover member 30 may also be fixed with a separate part such as a metal fitting.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 by snapping the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 into the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 from the width direction of the cover member 30, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the cover member 30 may be attached to the frame 20 by inserting the cover member 30 from the end of the frame 20 in the longitudinal direction and sliding the cover member 30.

In addition, in this embodiment, the abutment portion 33a formed at the tip of the attachment portion 33 is bent at an angle, but this is not limited to this. The abutment portion 33a may also be formed so that the tip is folded back. In this case, the abutment portion 33a has a cross-sectional shape that is a recessed portion that is approximately U-shaped or C-shaped.

A first gap G1, which is a space, exists between the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20. Specifically, the first gap G1 exists between the extension portion 32 and the protrusion portion 20b of the frame 20.

The first gap G1 includes the gap between the top of the protrusion 20b and the extension portion 32. In this embodiment, the top of the protrusion 20b is the parallel plate portion 23a of the horizontal plate portion 23, and the protrusion 20b is covered by the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32. Therefore, the first gap G1 exists between the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 and the parallel plate portion 23a of the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20.

The first gap G1 also includes the gap between the portion of the protrusion 20b other than the top and the extension portion 32. Specifically, the first gap G1 exists not only between the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 and the parallel plate portion 23a of the horizontal plate portion 23, but also between the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 and the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23.

In this embodiment, the first gap G1 exists over the entire area between the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 and the protrusion portion 20b. Therefore, the extension portion 32 and the protrusion portion 20b are not in contact with each other. Specifically, even when the LED lighting device 3 is stored in the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, the extension portion 32 and the protrusion portion 20b are not in contact with each other.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 has a protrusion 34 located in the first gap G1. The protrusion 34 is provided on the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32. Specifically, the protrusion 34 is provided on the first plate portion 32b1 of the inner extension portion 32b. The protrusion 34 located in the first gap G1 is located between the extension portion 32 and the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20.

The protrusion 34 is a convex portion that protrudes from the extension portion 32 toward the protruding portion 20b. Specifically, the protrusion 34 protrudes toward the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23 in the protruding portion 20b, and faces the inclined plate portion 23b. In this case, the protrusion 34 is provided so that the tip of the protrusion 34 does not contact the frame 20 when the frame 20 and the cover member 30 are in a predetermined reference position (design position). Therefore, a first gap G1 exists between the tip of the protrusion 34 and the protruding portion 20b. Specifically, a first gap G1 exists between the tip of the protrusion 34 and the inclined plate portion 23b. Since the tip of the protrusion 34 is provided so as not to contact the frame 20, the width of the first gap G1 (the distance between the extension portion 32 and the protruding portion 20b) in the portion where the protrusion 34 is not provided is longer than the height of the protrusion 34.

The protrusion 34 is formed integrally with the extension portion 32. In this embodiment, the protrusion 34 is a rib of a protruding stripe extending in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the protrusion 34 extending in the Y-axis direction may be provided over the entire length of the cover member 30 in the longitudinal direction, or one or more protrusions may be provided in a part of the entire length of the cover member 30 in the longitudinal direction. As an example, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 34 is triangular, but is not limited to this. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 34 may be semicircular, etc. In addition, the protrusion 34 is a rib extending in the Y-axis direction, but is not limited to this. For example, the protrusion 34 may be a dot in the shape of a triangular pyramid or a hemisphere. In this case, the protrusions 34 that are dots may be provided in a discrete manner along the Y-axis direction. In addition, the height of the protrusion 34 is smaller than the thickness of the extension portion 32, but is not limited to this.

In addition, a second gap G2, which is a space, exists between the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. The second gap G2 exists over the entire area between the inner surface of the mounting portion 33 and the outer surface of the side plate portion 24. Therefore, there is no contact between the inner surface of the mounting portion 33 and the outer surface of the side plate portion 24.

The width of the first gap G1 and the width of the second gap G2 may be the same or different. In addition, the width of the first gap G1 and the width of the second gap G2 are larger than the thickness of the extension portion 32 and the thickness of the metal plate that constitutes the frame 20, but are not limited to this.

The cover member 30 is made of a translucent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate, or a material having translucency such as a glass material. In this embodiment, the cover member 30 is made of a translucent resin material. In this case, the cover member 30 can be a milky white cover member with a light diffusing material dispersed inside. Such a cover member 30 can be produced by resin molding a translucent resin material mixed with a light diffusing material into a predetermined shape. Light reflective fine particles such as silica particles can be used as the light diffusing material.

In addition, the cover member 30 may be configured by forming a milky light diffusion film containing a light diffusion material on the surface (inner or outer surface) of the transparent cover, rather than dispersing a light diffusion material inside. Also, the cover member 30 may be configured to have light diffusion properties by performing a diffusion process, rather than using a light diffusion material. For example, the cover member 30 may be configured to have light diffusion properties by forming minute irregularities on the surface of the transparent cover by performing a surface treatment such as embossing, or by printing a dot pattern on the surface of the transparent cover. In addition, even when the cover member 30 is subjected to a diffusion process, it may further contain a light diffusion material to enhance light diffusion properties.

In this embodiment, the main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 that constitute the cover member 30 are integrally formed. Therefore, the main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 are made of the same material. Note that the main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 all have the same material strength, but this is not limited to this. For example, the material strengths of the main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 may be different. In this case, it is preferable that the material strength of the main portion 31 is greater than the material strength of the extension portion 32 and the material strength of the mounting portion 33. This configuration can suppress deformation of the main portion 31. In other words, the shape of the main portion 31 is stabilized. This can reduce the impact of deformation of the cover member 30 on the optical performance.

Furthermore, the thicknesses of the main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 are not particularly limited, but are, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. As an example, the thickness of the main portion 31 may be 1 mm or less. Note that the main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 are all the same thickness, but this is not limited to this. For example, the thicknesses of the main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 may be different. In this case, it is preferable that the thickness of the main portion 31 is greater than the thickness of the extension portion 32 and the thickness of the mounting portion 33. With this configuration, deformation of the main portion 31 can be suppressed. In other words, the shape of the main portion 31 is stabilized. This makes it possible to reduce the effect of deformation of the cover member 30 on the optical performance.

In addition, in this embodiment, the main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 are made of the same resin material, but this is not limited thereto. The main portion 31, the extension portion 32, and the mounting portion 33 may be made of two or more types of materials. In this case, the main portion 31 and the extension portion 32 can be made of different resin materials. For example, the main portion 31 can be made of a translucent resin material, and part or all of the extension portion 32 can be made of a white or milky white resin material. The mounting portion 33 is made of the same resin material as the main portion 31 or the extension portion 32. Specifically, the main portion 31, the mounting portion 33, the outer extension portion 32a of the extension portion 32, and the second plate portion 32b2 of the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 can be made of a translucent resin material, and the first plate portion 32b1 and the third plate portion 32b3 of the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 can be made of a white or milky white resin material. In this way, by making a part or all of the extension portion 32 white or milky white, the extension portion 32 (for example, the inner extension portion 32b) can have a reflecting function. As a result, the light emitted from the LED 12 that reaches the extension portion 32 can be reflected by the inner extension portion 32b and made to enter the main portion 31. As a result, the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 can be improved. Therefore, since the direct illuminance of the LED lighting device 1 can be improved, when multiple LED lighting devices 1 are installed, the number of LED lighting devices 1 installed can be reduced. In addition, by making the mounting portion 33 white or milky white, it is possible to reduce the leakage of light into the inside of the device body 2. The cover member 30 thus partially made of a white or milky white resin material can be formed by two-color molding. The extension portion 32 may be molded by two colors and two layers. For example, the base layer of the extension portion 32 may be made of the same translucent resin material as the main portion 31, and the surface layer of the extension portion 32 (layer laminated on the base layer) may be made of a white or milky white resin material.

The cover member 30 has both ends in the longitudinal direction closed. In this embodiment, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cover member 30 are closed by end caps 40. Specifically, a long cylindrical body is formed by fixing the cover member 30 and the frame 20, and end caps 40 are attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body. A spatial region S2 is formed between the cover member 30 and the frame 20. This spatial region S2 is an area (insect-proof area) configured to prevent foreign objects such as insects and dust from entering, and is an area surrounded by the main part 31 of the cover member 30 and the main plate part 21 of the frame 20. Specifically, the spatial region S2 is an area closed by the main part 31 and the extension part 32 of the cover member 30, the main plate part 21 of the frame 20, and the end caps 40. The light source unit 10 is disposed in this spatial region S2.

The end cap 40 is a component for preventing foreign objects such as dust and insects from entering the interior of the cylinder formed by the cover member 30 and the frame 20. The end cap 40 is provided to close the open end of the cylinder formed by the frame 20 and the cover member 30. In other words, the end cap 40 is attached to the cylinder formed by the frame 20 and the cover member 30 so as to cover the open end of the cylinder, closing off the open end of the cylinder. This makes it possible to prevent foreign objects such as dust and insects from entering the interior of the cylinder formed by the frame 20 and the cover member 30. In other words, it is possible to prevent foreign objects such as dust and insects from entering the spatial region S2.

The end caps 40 are cover ends provided at the longitudinal ends of the cover member 30. The end caps 40 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the cover member 30. The end caps 40 are directly or indirectly connected to the longitudinal ends of the cover member 30.

As shown in FIG. 9, the end cap 40 provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the cover member 30 is a first end cap 40a, and the end cap 40 provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the cover member 30 is a second end cap 40b. In this embodiment, the first end cap 40a and the second end cap 40b are the same part. In other words, the shape of the second end cap 40b is the same as the shape of the first end cap 40a. This allows costs to be reduced. The first end cap 40a and the second end cap 40b are arranged in an opposite relationship in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the cover member 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, the end cap 40 has a plate-shaped main portion 41, a connection portion 42 that is directly or indirectly connected to the cover member 30, and a protruding piece 43 that protrudes from the main portion 41.

The main portion 41 constitutes the main body of the end cap 40, and mainly functions to cover the open end of the cylinder formed by the cover member 30 and the frame 20. In this embodiment, all or a part of the plate-shaped main portion 41 is translucent. In this way, the main portion 41 being translucent allows light from the light source unit 10 to pass through. In other words, the light emitted from the LED 12 of the light source unit 10 passes through the main portion 41 and is extracted to the outside of the end cap 40.

Specifically, the end cap 40 is entirely translucent. Therefore, the entire main portion 41 and the entire connecting portion 42 are translucent. The translucent end cap 40 may be transparent or may have diffusive properties. By using an end cap 40 that is translucent and diffusive, the light of the LED 12 that enters the end cap 40 passes through the end cap 40 while being diffused (scattered) by the end cap 40.

The end cap 40 is made of a translucent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate, or a translucent material such as a glass material. In this embodiment, the end cap 40 is made of a translucent resin material. In this case, the end cap 40 can be a diffusing member having a light diffusing material dispersed therein. Such an end cap 40 can be produced by resin molding a translucent resin material mixed with a light diffusing material into a predetermined shape. Light reflective fine particles such as silica particles can be used as the light diffusing material.

In addition, the end cap 40 having translucency and diffusibility may be constructed by forming a milky light diffusion film containing a light diffusion material on the surface (inner or outer surface) of a transparent end cap, rather than dispersing a light diffusion material inside. Also, the end cap 40 may be configured to have light diffusion properties by performing a diffusion process, rather than using a light diffusion material. For example, the end cap 40 may be configured to have light diffusion properties by performing a surface treatment such as embossing to form minute irregularities on the surface of the transparent end cap, or by printing a dot pattern on the surface of the transparent end cap. In addition, even when the end cap 40 is subjected to a diffusion process, it may further contain a light diffusion material to enhance light diffusion properties.

The end cap 40 may be made of the same material as the cover member 30, or may be made of a different material than the cover member 30.

Furthermore, the main portion 41 does not have to be translucent. In this case, the entire end cap 40 does not have to be translucent. For example, an example of an opaque end cap 40 is one that has light blocking properties (light absorbing properties) or light reflecting properties. In this case, the end cap 40 is made of, for example, a white, black, or colored resin material. Furthermore, the end cap 40 may have a translucent portion and an opaque portion.

The shape of the main part 41 when viewed from the front is, for example, a flattened kamaboko shape overall. Therefore, the outer shape of one side of the main part 41 in the Z-axis direction is curved in an arc shape to match the shape of the cover member 30. The thickness of the plate-shaped main part 41 is constant. As an example, the thickness of the main part 41 is 1 mm to 5 mm, but is not limited to this. Note that the thickness of the main part 41 is constant over the entire area of the main part 41, but is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the end cap 40 is generally D-shaped when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the LED lighting device 3. Specifically, the main part 41 is generally D-shaped when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the LED lighting device 3. As described above, the side shape of the LED lighting device 1 consisting of the LED lighting device 3 and the fixture body 2 is also generally D-shaped, and the boundary between the LED lighting device 3 and the fixture body 2 is not noticeable. Therefore, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the outer surface of the main part 41 of the end cap 40 and the outer surface (inclined surface) of the inclined surface part 2b in the fixture body 2 are flush with each other. In other words, the outer surface of the main part 41 and the outer surface of the inclined surface part 2b are continuous, and there is no step at the boundary between the outer surface of the main part 41 and the outer surface of the inclined surface part 2b, or if there is a step, it is only slight. In addition, in the Y-axis direction, the outer surface of the main part 41 of the end cap 40 and the outer surface of the main part 31 of the cover member 30 are also continuous and flush with each other.

The main portion 41 has an outer surface 41a and an inner surface 41b as surfaces in the thickness direction of the main portion 41. In the end cap 40, the inner surface 41b is the end on the LED 12 side, and the outer surface 41a is the surface opposite the LED 12 side. As described above, in this embodiment, the entire main portion 41 is translucent, so that light emitted from the LED 12 and entering the main portion 41 passes through the entire main portion 41. Therefore, the inner surface 41b of the main portion 41 is the light entrance surface where the light of the LED 12 enters, and the outer surface 41a of the main portion 41 is the light exit surface where the light of the LED 12 exits to the outside.

The main portion 41 is curved in a concave shape overall, recessed inwards. As an example, the outer surface 41a and the inner surface 41b of the main portion 41 are parabolic. In this embodiment, the main portion 41 is generally inclined such that the upper portion (ceiling side portion) is recessed inwards from the lower portion (floor side portion) in the height direction, which is the Z-axis direction, and has an overall curved shape such that the central portion is recessed inwards from the peripheral portions in the width direction, which is the X-axis direction.

The main portion 41 does not have to be curved so that it recedes inward (i.e., convex inward). For example, the main portion 41 may be curved so that it convex outward. The main portion 41 does not have to be curved. For example, the main portion 41 may be an inclined plate, or a vertical plate that is not inclined and is parallel to the Z-axis direction.

The connection part 42 is formed at the end of the main part 41 on the floor side. The connection part 42 is formed to stand on the inner surface 41b of the main part 41. The connection part 42 is formed in a curved portion of the outer periphery of the main part 41. In other words, the connection part 42 is formed in a portion that corresponds to the main part 31 of the cover member 30. In this embodiment, the connection part 42 is directly connected to the cover member 30. Specifically, the connection part 42 is fitted into the main part 31 of the cover member 30.

The protruding piece 43 is formed at the end of the main part 41 on the ceiling side. The protruding piece 43 is formed to stand upright on the inner surface 41b of the main part 41. The protruding piece 43 protrudes to face the main plate part 21 of the frame 20. Since the main plate part 21 extends in the X-axis direction, as shown in Figure 9, the protruding piece 43 also extends in the X-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, an elastic member 44 is provided at the end of the main portion 41 on the ceiling side. The elastic member 44 is attached to the main plate portion 21 side portion of the protruding piece 43. The elastic member 44 is an elastic body made of, for example, a resin material, and is elastically deformable. In this embodiment, the elastic member 44 is made of an elastomer. As an example, the elastic member 44 is made of silicone rubber and has rubber elasticity. Note that the elastic member 44 made of an elastomer is not limited to being a solid molded product, and may also be a foam molded product.

The elastic member 44 functions as a packing member and is provided to fill the gap between the ceiling side portion of the end cap 40 and the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. Since the main plate portion 21 extends in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 9, the elastic member 44 also extends in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the elastic member 44 is formed in a thin plate shape. As shown in FIG. 5, the thin plate-shaped elastic member 44 is provided in the gap between the ceiling side portion of the end cap 40 and the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 in an inclined state. By providing the elastic member 44, it is possible to enhance the effect of suppressing the intrusion of foreign objects such as insects into the space region S2 between the cover member 30 and the frame 20 (insect-repellent effect). Note that, although the elastic member 44 is provided in this embodiment, the elastic member 44 does not have to be provided. In this case, it is preferable that the gap between the end cap 40 and the frame 20 is as small as possible.

In this embodiment, the connection portion 42 and the cover member 30 are in contact with each other, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a ring-shaped packing member may be disposed between the connection portion 42 and the cover member 30 so as to surround the connection portion 42. In this case, the packing member is inserted between the outer peripheral end of the inner surface 41b of the main portion 41 and the end face of the main portion 31 of the cover member 30.

The end cap 40 configured in this manner is fixed to the cover member 30. In this case, the end cap 40 is provided so that no gap is created between it and the cover member 30. Specifically, the end cap 40 is fitted into the open end of the cover member 30 so that the connection portion 42 contacts the inner surface of the cover member 30. This makes the outer peripheral edge of the main portion 41 of the end cap 40 and the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 30 form a continuous surface.

The end cap 40 and the cover member 30 may be fixed with an adhesive or by ultrasonic welding. In addition, the end cap 40 and the cover member 30 may be provided with a locking structure such as a claw portion or a recess portion to join the end cap 40 and the cover member 30.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a spatial region S3 is formed on the ceiling side of the frame 20. In other words, the spatial region S3 exists between the fixture body 2 and the frame 20. The spatial region S3 is also a part or the entirety of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2.

The power supply device 4 is disposed in this spatial region S3. That is, the power supply device 4 is disposed on the ceiling side of the frame 20. In this embodiment, the center position of the power supply device 4 is offset from the center position in the short side direction of the LED lighting device 3, and the power supply device 4 is disposed biased in the short side direction of the LED lighting device 3 (short side direction of the frame 20) in the spatial region S3. Specifically, the power supply device 4 is biased toward the hook metal fitting 5 side (left side in FIG. 4). In addition, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is shortened, and the circuit board 4a of the power supply device 4 is located on the ceiling side of the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 within the circuit case 4c.

In addition, because the portion of the circuit case 4c of the power supply unit 4 facing the frame 20 is open, the second direction side of the horizontal plate portion 23 is open toward the circuit case 4c of the power supply unit 4. Therefore, the spatial area formed by the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 and the spatial area inside the circuit case 4c are in communication. This allows the spatial area formed by the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 to be effectively utilized.

In the spatial region S3 between the fixture body 2 and the frame 20, wires used in the LED lighting device 3 may be arranged. The wires used in the LED lighting device 3 include construction wires (construction wiring) that are wired when the LED lighting fixture 1 is installed on a ceiling or the like, and internal fixture wires (internal fixture wiring) that are wired in the factory when the LED lighting device 3 is manufactured.

The construction wires include power wires such as VVF cables and signal wires such as dimming signal wires. The construction wires such as power wires and signal wires are, for example, pulled out from the ceiling and connected to predetermined locations on the LED lighting fixture 1 when the LED lighting fixture 1 is installed. For example, the power wire such as the VVF cable is connected to the power terminal block 8, and the dimming signal wire is connected to the dimming terminal block 9. The internal fixture wires arranged in the spatial region S3 include the internal fixture wires described above. In addition, functional components such as the function expansion module described above may be stored in the spatial region S3.

In addition, since there may be cases where a lead wire is installed inside the LED lighting fixture 1, it is desirable that there is space in the spatial region S3 between the LED lighting device 3 and the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 for at least one power line such as a VVF cable to pass through. In addition, the lead wire may be held (temporarily held or arranged) on the fixture body 2 side, or may be held (temporarily held and arranged) on the LED lighting device 3 side.

As an example, FIG. 4 shows an example in which a VVF cable 61 and a signal line 62 are arranged in the space area S3 as construction wires. In this case, in the present embodiment, the power supply device 4 is arranged offset in the space area S3, so that the ceiling side of one of the pair of horizontal plate parts 23 of the frame 20 (the right horizontal plate part 23 in FIG. 4) is open. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, in the area in the space area S3 where the power supply device 4 exists, the area on one side in the short direction of the LED lighting device 3 is larger than the area on the other side. In other words, one side of the two sides of the power supply device 4 in the space area S3 is a wide area, and the other side of the two sides of the power supply device 4 in the space area S3 is a narrow area. For this reason, it is preferable to arrange the construction wires in the wider area of the two areas on both sides of the power supply device 4. In particular, in this embodiment, the length (height) of the side plate part 24 of the frame 20 is short, so that the space in the vertical direction of the space area S3 around the side plate part 24 can be further widened. Therefore, the construction wires can be arranged by effectively utilizing this expanded spatial area S3. For example, the construction wires can be arranged close to the ceiling end of the spatial area S3 on the side of the fixture body 2. In this way, the construction wires can be arranged by effectively utilizing the large spatial area S3, which prevents the LED lighting device 3 from floating due to interference from the construction wires, resulting in a gap between the fixture body 2 and the LED lighting device 3.

The construction wires may also be arranged in separate wide and narrow areas of the spatial area S3. In this case, the VVF cable 61, which is a relatively thick wire, may be arranged in the wide area of the two areas on either side of the power supply unit 4, and the signal line 62, which is a relatively thin wire, may be arranged in the narrow area of the two areas on either side of the power supply unit 4.

The power supply unit 4 does not have to be positioned offset in the width direction of the frame 20, but may be positioned in the center of the frame 20 in the width direction. In this case, the construction wires and the internal wires of the fixture may be positioned on both sides of the power supply unit 4. In other words, wiring insertion portions may be provided on both sides of the power supply unit 4.

Furthermore, functional components such as a function expansion module may be disposed in the spatial region S3. In this case, the function expansion module may be provided in the LED lighting device 3 (for example, at the end of the power supply device 4), or may be attached to the fixture body 2 at a distance from the LED lighting device 3. Furthermore, the function expansion module may not be pre-installed in the LED lighting fixture 1, but may be able to be retrofitted by the installer, or may be compatible so that it can be replaced with a different function.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a spatial area is formed on the ceiling side of the protrusion 20b formed on the frame 20 by the protrusion 20b. This spatial area can also store components such as functional parts or internal electric wires. Note that the method of using this spatial area is not limited to storing components such as functional parts or internal electric wires, and this spatial area can also be used for centering metal fittings, positioning metal fittings, guiding metal fittings, earthing conductivity, etc.

The LED lighting device 3 configured in this manner is stored in the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 and attached to the fixture body 2. Specifically, the LED lighting device 3 is attached to the fixture body 2 using the hook fitting 5 and elastic retaining member 6 shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7. The hook fitting 5 and elastic retaining member 6 are fixed to the frame 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hook fitting 5 is disposed on the ceiling side of the frame 20. The hook fitting 5 is a plate member made of sheet metal. The hook fitting 5 is fixed to the end of the frame 20. As an example, the hook fitting 5 is fixed to the frame 20 by a fixing member such as a screw, and extends outward from the frame 20. The hook fitting 5 is hooked to the fixture body 2. In this embodiment, a slit 2c (see FIG. 2) is provided on the inner wall surface of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, and the hook fitting 5 is hooked to this slit 2c.

The elastic holding member 6 is a part for attaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2. In this embodiment, the elastic holding member 6 is, for example, a spring such as a kick spring, and the LED lighting device 3 is pulled up toward the fixture body 2 by the elastic force of the elastic holding member 6. The elastic holding member 6 is attached to the ceiling side (back) of the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. Specifically, the elastic holding member 6 is fixed to the end portion in the width direction of the frame 20. In this embodiment, the elastic holding member 6 is fixed to the opposite side of the hook metal fitting 5 in the width direction of the frame 20. In this case, the elastic holding member 6 is fixed to the frame 20 by a fixing member such as a screw. Specifically, the elastic holding member 6 is fixed to the holding metal fitting 6c (see FIG. 7) fixed to the frame 20 by a mounting screw. The elastic holding member 6 is detachably attached to the fixture body 2. In this embodiment, the elastic holding member 6 is detachably engaged with the receiving metal fitting 7 fixed to the fixture body 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hook fittings 5 and the elastic retaining members 6 are provided in pairs at both ends of the frame 20 in the longitudinal direction, but this is not limited to this. Also, the hook fittings 5 and the elastic retaining members 6 are provided in positions that face each other in the lateral direction of the frame 20, but this is not limited to this.

Next, the method for attaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the method for attaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2 in the LED lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment.

When attaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2 installed on the ceiling 100, first, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the hook bracket 5 is hooked to the slit 2c (see FIG. 2) provided in the fixture body 2 to hang the LED lighting device 3 in a cantilevered state, and the power supply unit 4 is connected to the power line drawn from the ceiling, and one end of the elastic holding member 6, which is a kick spring, is engaged with the receiving bracket 7 fixed to the fixture body 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the hook 5 is pushed deep into the slit 2c while rotating the LED lighting device 3 around the hook 5 as a fulcrum, pushing the LED lighting device 3 up into the recess 2a of the fixture body 2.

In this embodiment, the power supply unit 4 is positioned offset to one side in the width direction of the frame 20. Specifically, the power supply unit 4 is positioned closer to the rotation axis when rotating the LED lighting device 3. In this way, by positioning the heavy power supply unit 4 closer to the rotation axis, it is possible to rotate the LED lighting device 3 with a small force.

Then, by rotating the LED lighting device 3 and pushing it into the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, the LED lighting device 3 can be fitted into the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 as shown in FIG. 10(c). At this time, the LED lighting device 3 is pulled up by the spring elastic force of the elastic holding member 6 (kick spring), so that the outer extension portion 32a of the extension portion 32 abuts against the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. This allows the LED lighting device 3 to be attached to the fixture body 2.

When removing the LED lighting device 3 from the fixture body 2, the LED lighting device 3 can be removed from the fixture body 2 by performing the above steps in reverse. For example, the LED lighting device 3 can be removed from the fixture body 2 by rotating it while pulling it down.

Here, a manufacturing method for the LED lighting device 3 (light bar) according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In particular, the process of attaching the cover member 30 to the frame 20 when assembling the LED lighting device 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the state when the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 in the manufacturing method for the LED lighting device 3 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 11, the solid lines indicate the state after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20, and the dashed lines indicate the positions of the extension portion 32 and the attachment portion 33 on the cover member 30 before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20.

When assembling the LED lighting device 3, first, the light source unit 10 is fixed to the frame 20 (light source unit fixing process). For example, the board 11 on which the LEDs 12 are mounted is engaged with a tab 21a formed on the main board 21 of the frame 20, thereby fixing the board 11 to the main board 21. This allows the light source unit 10 to be fixed to the frame 20.

Then, the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 to which the light source unit 10 is fixed (cover member attachment process). In this embodiment, the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 by fitting the attachment portion 33 of the cover member 30 into the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 from the width direction of the cover member 30. Specifically, one attachment portion 33 of the cover member 30 is engaged with one side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, and the cover member 30 is rotated around this engaged portion as a fulcrum, so that the other attachment portion 33 of the cover member 30 is engaged with the other side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. This allows the cover member 30 to be fitted into the frame 20.

In this process, a portion of the extension 32 of the cover member 30 is pressed against and brought into contact with the frame 20. In this embodiment, the tip surface of the third plate portion 32b3 of the extension 32 is pressed against the surface of the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20.

At this time, as shown in Figure 11, the attitude of the extension portion 32 relative to the frame 20 is different before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 and after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20. Specifically, when the position of the main portion 31 is aligned before and after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20, the position of the third plate portion 32b3 (abutment portion 32c) of the extension portion 32 before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 is located closer to the ceiling than the position of the third plate portion 32b3 (abutment portion 32c) after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20. As a result, when the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20, the extension portion 32 deforms with the connection point between the outer extension portion 32a and the inner extension portion 32b or the connection point between the outer extension portion 32a and the main portion 31 as a fulcrum, and the third plate portion 32b3, which is the tip of the extension portion 32, abuts against the main plate portion 21. Specifically, the tip surface of the third plate portion 32b3 of the extension portion 32 is pressed against the surface of the main plate portion 21. At this time, the extension portion 32 is pushed back and elastically deformed. In other words, the extension portion 32 is deflected. As a result, the third plate portion 32b3 of the extension portion 32 becomes the abutment portion 32c and abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 in a pressed state.

Between the frame 20 and cover member 30 assembled in this manner, a first gap G1 and a second gap G2 exist, and the cover member 30 and frame 20 are in contact at only two points. Specifically, the abutment portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 is in contact with the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, and the abutment portion 32c (the tip of the inner extension portion 32b) of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 is in contact with the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20.

Note that a protrusion 34 is provided on the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30, but when the frame 20 and the cover member 30 are combined, the tip of the protrusion 34 does not come into contact with the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20.

The LED lighting device 3 can be manufactured in the manner described above. If the LED lighting device 3 is subsequently to be attached to the fixture body 2 installed on a ceiling or the like, it can be installed using the method shown in FIG. 10 as described above.

As described above, the LED lighting device 3 and LED lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment include a substrate 11 on which the LEDs 12 are arranged, a long, plate-like frame 20 to which the substrate 11 is attached, and a cover member 30 attached to the frame 20 so as to cover the LEDs 12. The frame 20 has a recess 20a in which the substrate 11 is arranged, a pair of horizontal plate portions 23 located on both sides of the recess 20a in the short direction of the frame 20 and extending along the longitudinal direction of the frame 20, and side plate portions 24 which are extensions extending from the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 toward the ceiling, with the tip of the side plate portion 24 located closer to the ceiling than the bottom of the recess 20a of the frame 20.

In this manner, in this embodiment, a recess 20a is formed in the frame 20, and a protrusion 20b composed of a horizontal plate portion 23 is formed on the side of the recess 20a. This increases the strength of the frame 20. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tip of the side plate portion 24 extending from the horizontal plate portion 23 toward the ceiling extends so that it is positioned closer to the ceiling than the bottom of the recess 20a. This further increases the strength of the frame 20.

Therefore, even if the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame is shortened to make the frame 20 thinner, the required strength of the frame 20 can be easily ensured. In other words, the strength of the frame 20 reduced by shortening the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 can be compensated for by forming a protruding portion 20b that protrudes toward the floor. This makes it possible to make the frame 20 thinner while ensuring the strength of the frame 20, even in the case of a plate-shaped frame 20. In other words, it is possible to achieve both ensuring the strength of the frame 20 and making it thinner.

In addition, by providing the protrusions 20b on the frame 20, the strength of the frame 20 is improved, so that even if the frame 20 and/or the cover member 30 are warped or swollen, the frame 20 and the cover member 30 are less likely to come into contact with each other. Furthermore, by providing the protrusions 20b on the frame 20, the light from the LEDs 12 can be concentrated on the floor side.

Furthermore, in the LED lighting device 3 and LED lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment, if the depth of the recess 20a of the frame 20 is a [mm], the length of one of the pair of side plate portions 24 (extension portions) is b [mm], and the length of the LED lighting device 3 in the longitudinal direction is L [ft], it is preferable that the relationship b/a≦(3/8)×L is satisfied.

This configuration allows the frame 20 to be made thinner while still maintaining its strength, regardless of the length of the LED lighting device 3.

In this case, it is preferable that not only the relationship b/a≦(3/8)×L is satisfied, but also the relationship (3/8)×L-1≦b/a is satisfied.

This configuration makes it possible to suppress deformation of the frame 20 even when the frame 20 is thinned, and by thinning the frame 20, it is possible to widen the spatial region S3 (the space behind the frame 20) surrounded by the frame 20 and the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. In other words, for an LED lighting device 3 of any length, it is possible to ensure the strength of the frame 20 while also thinning the frame 20, while still ensuring the space behind the frame 20.

In addition, in the cover member 30 of the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the abutment portion 32c of the extension portion 32 abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, and the abutment portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 abuts against the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, while a first gap G1 exists between the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20. In other words, the abutment portion 32c of the extension portion 32 abuts against the main plate portion 21 and the abutment portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 abuts against the side plate portion 24, so that the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 is raised above the protrusion portion 20b of the frame 20 via the first gap G1.

In this way, the presence of the first gap G1, which serves as a space (air layer), between the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20 makes it possible to prevent surface contact between the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20, thereby preventing abnormal noise.

A supplementary explanation of this point is given below. If there is no gap anywhere in the vertical direction between the combined frame 20 and cover member 30, the frame 20 and cover member 30 will be tightly fitted in a short vertical section (i.e., the height of the frame 20), which is a major cause of abnormal noise. Therefore, in this embodiment, a first gap G1 is provided in the vertical direction as an intentional gap between the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 and the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30. This makes it possible to eliminate the tight fitting state between the frame 20 and the cover member 30 in a short vertical section, thereby reducing abnormal noise. In addition, in this embodiment, the frame 20 is pulled upward by the elastic holding member 6 (kick spring) when the LED lighting device 3 is installed on the fixture body 2, so that the vertical gap (first gap G1) between the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 and the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 is easily opened. As a result, the effect of reducing abnormal noise is easily obtained. In addition, in the width direction (left-right direction) of the LED lighting device 3, the interval (pitch) between the pair of mounting parts 33 in the cover member 30 is long, so the main part 31 and mounting parts 33 of the cover member 30 will bend overall (i.e., the deflection per unit length will be small), so even if the mounting parts 33 of the cover member 30 and the side plate parts 24 of the frame 20 are in surface contact, the contact pressure is smaller than the contact pressure when a part of the cover member 30 and a part of the frame 20 are in surface contact in the vertical direction. Therefore, the influence of abnormal noise caused by contact in the width direction is smaller than the influence of abnormal noise caused by contact in the vertical direction. Therefore, as described below, even if the cover member 30 and the frame 20 are shifted from the predetermined reference position and in a biased state, and the mounting parts 33 of the cover member 30 and the side plate parts 24 of the frame 20 are in surface contact, the influence of abnormal noise generation is small.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the frame 20 has a protruding portion 20b, and the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 covers the protruding portion 20b. The first gap G1 exists between the extension portion 32 and the protruding portion 20b.

This configuration prevents surface contact between the extension 32 of the cover member 30 and the protrusion 20b of the frame 20, which would cause abnormal noise.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, a protrusion 34 located in the first gap G1 is provided on the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30. In this case, the protrusion 34 is designed so that the tip of the protrusion 34 does not come into contact with the frame 20. In other words, when the frame 20 and the cover member 30 are in a predetermined reference position, the tip of the protrusion 34 does not come into contact with the frame 20.

With this configuration, even if variation occurs between the cover member 30 and the frame 20 and the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20 come close to each other, the tip of the protrusion 34 provided on the extension portion 32 will come into contact with the protruding portion 20b, so in the area where the protrusion 34 is not provided, the gap (first gap G1) between the extension portion 32 and the protruding portion 20b can be maintained. This makes it possible to prevent surface contact between the extension portion 32 and the protruding portion 20b and to prevent abnormal noise.

The causes of variation in the cover member 30 and the frame 20 include (a) dimensional variation in the cover member 30 and/or the frame 20 (e.g., 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm), (b) warping, twisting, and undulation of the cover member 30 and the frame 20, (c) original offset in the width direction between the cover member 30 and the frame 20, and (d) variation during construction when the LED lighting device 3 is installed on the fixture body 2. The variation during construction (d) includes warping and twisting when the LED lighting device 3 is pulled up by the elastic retaining member 6 (kick spring), pressure from the VVF cable, offset in the width direction due to the gap between the cover member 30 and the frame 20, and deformation when the bolts are tightened. Of these, offset between the cover member 30 and the frame 20 is the largest cause of variation.

In addition, since the protrusions 34 are ribs or dots, even if the protrusions 34 come into contact with the protruding portion 20b, the protrusions 34 and the protruding portion 20b do not come into surface contact, but rather into line or point contact. For this reason, even if the protrusions 34 and the protruding portion 20b come into contact, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise from being generated. Of the three types of contact, surface contact is most likely to generate abnormal noise, and line and point contact are least likely to generate abnormal noise. In addition, between line and point contact, line contact is more likely to generate abnormal noise, and point contact is less likely to generate abnormal noise. In other words, the likelihood of abnormal noise being generated is surface contact ≧ line contact > point contact.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, a second gap G2 that serves as a space (air layer) exists between the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. Specifically, the second gap G2 exists between the inner surface of the mounting portion 33 and the outer surface of the side plate portion 24.

This configuration makes it possible to prevent surface contact between the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, which would cause abnormal noise.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the contact portion 32c of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 is in contact with the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 while being pressed against the main plate portion 21. This configuration provides the following effects.

If the contact portion 32c of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 is not pressed against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, a gap may be formed between the tip of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 due to dimensional variations in the cover member 30 and/or the frame 20. As a result, foreign objects such as insects and dust may enter the space area S2 through this gap. Also, if the contact portion 32c of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 is not pressed against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, when the cover member 30 is fitted into the frame 20 from the width direction, the extension portion 32 may deform in a direction in which the tip of the extension portion 32 moves away from the frame 20, and a gap may be formed between the tip of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. As a result, foreign objects such as insects and dust may enter the space area S2 through this gap.

In contrast, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the third plate portion 32b3, which is the tip of the extension portion 32, becomes the abutment portion 32c and abuts against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 in a pressed state. As a result, the abutment portion 32c of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 do not separate, so that even if the cover member 30 and/or the frame 20 have dimensional variations, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the tip of the extension portion 32 and the frame 20. In other words, it is possible to absorb the dimensional variations of the cover member 30 and/or the frame 20. In this way, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, a gap does not occur between the tip of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, so that it is possible to prevent foreign objects such as insects and dust from entering the spatial region S2. In other words, the extension portion 32 abutting against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 functions as an insect-proof structure.

In particular, because the cover member 30 and frame 20 are long, exceeding 2 feet, the frame 20 and/or cover member 30 are prone to warping, undulation, twisting, etc. For this reason, in conventional LED lighting devices, gaps tend to form between part of the tip of the extension portion 32 and the frame 20 in the longitudinal direction of the cover member 30, and it may not be possible to maintain linearity in the area where the extension portion 32 is desired to come into contact along the longitudinal direction of the cover member 30.

In contrast, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the third plate portion 32b3, which is the tip of the extension portion 32, serves as the abutment portion 32c and is pressed against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. This makes it possible to prevent a gap from occurring between the tip of the extension portion 32 and the frame 20 over the entire length of the cover member 30 in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, when the LED lighting device 3 is attached to the fixture body 2 or when the LED lighting device 3 is cleaned or replaced, the LED lighting device 3 may be twisted or the main part 31 of the cover member 30 may be pressed, etc., and stress may be applied to the LED lighting device 3, causing the pair of extension parts 32 to deform in the direction of opening. In other words, the extension parts 32 may deform in the direction in which their tips move away from the frame 20. In this case, if foreign objects such as insects or dust have accumulated in the spatial region between the extension parts 32 and the frame 20 (corresponding to the spatial region S1 in this embodiment), the foreign objects may fall and enter the spatial region (insect-proof region) between the cover member 30 and the frame 20.

In contrast, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the third plate portion 32b3, which is the tip of the extension portion 32, serves as the abutment portion 32c and is pressed against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. As a result, even if stress is applied to the LED lighting device 3, no gap is created between the tip of the extension portion 32 and the frame 20. As a result, even if foreign objects such as insects or dust have accumulated in the space region S1 between the extension portion 32 and the frame 20, the foreign objects can be prevented from falling and entering the space region S2 (insect-proof region) between the cover member 30 and the frame 20.

In this way, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the tip of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 can be kept in contact with the frame 20, so that it is possible to prevent foreign objects such as insects and dust from entering the spatial region S2 (insect-proof region) between the cover member 30 and the frame 20. Furthermore, the tip of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 comes into contact with the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, so that it is possible to increase the efficiency of light extraction to the floor side of the LED lighting device 3.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the third plate portion 32b3 (contact portion 32c), which is the tip of the extension portion 32, contacts the surface of the main plate portion 21, which is a flat surface.

This increases the contact area between the tip of the extension 32 and the main plate 21 of the frame 20, further preventing insects, dust, and other foreign objects from entering the space S2 between the cover member 30 and the frame 20.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the extension portion 32 has an outer extension portion 32a.

With this configuration, when the LED lighting device 3 is lifted by the elastic retaining member 6 (kick spring) to store the LED lighting device 3 in the fixture body 2, a force is applied to press the extension portion 32 toward the ceiling, and the outer extension portion 32a of the extension portion 32 abuts against the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. As a result, the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 presses further against the frame 20, so that the force with which the extension portion 32 presses against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 increases. This improves the degree of adhesion between the extension portion 32 and the main plate portion 21. This further prevents foreign objects such as insects and dust from entering the space region S2 between the cover member 30 and the frame 20. In other words, the insect-proofing effect can be improved. Furthermore, the LED lighting device 3 is lifted by the elastic retaining member 6, so that the outer extension portion 32a of the extension portion 32 and the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 can be brought into close contact with each other.

In addition, in this embodiment, not only the extension portion 32 but also the mounting portion 33 has a different attitude relative to the frame 20 before and after the cover member 30 is attached. Specifically, the mounting portion 33 has a different attitude relative to the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 and after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20. More specifically, the mounting portion 33 is inclined relative to the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20. Then, after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20, the mounting portion 33 is parallel to the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20.

This prevents the mounting portion 33 from pressing against the side plate portion 24, preventing surface contact between the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 and maintaining the second gap G2. This prevents surface contact between the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 from generating abnormal noise.

In this case, it is preferable that the deformation (deflection) of the extension portion 32 between before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 and after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 is approximately the same as the deformation (deflection) of the attachment portion 33 between before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20 and after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20. Specifically, it is preferable that the maximum amount of movement of the tip of the third plate portion 32b3 in the extension portion 32 and the maximum amount of movement of the tip of the attachment portion 33 are approximately the same before and after the cover member 30 is attached.

This further reduces the occurrence of abnormal noise caused by surface contact between the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the deformation (deflection) of the extension 32 before and after the attachment of the cover member 30 is within the range in which the extension 32 elastically deforms. However, even if a stress smaller than the stress within the range in which the resin extension 32 elastically deforms is applied, if the LED lighting device 3 is continued to be used with that stress constantly applied, the extension 32 may be pressed against the frame 20, causing creep failure in the extension 32 and causing the extension 32 to crack. For this reason, it is preferable that the deformation (deflection) of the extension 32 before and after the attachment of the cover member 30 be within a range in which the extension 32 does not crack due to stress.

Specifically, the deformation (deflection) of the extension 32 should be 0.5 mm or more, preferably 1.0 mm or more. The deflection angle of the extension 32 before and after the cover member 30 is attached should be 2° or more, preferably 4° or more. However, if the deformation (deflection) or deflection angle of the extension 32 is too large, there is a risk of abnormal noise being generated due to surface contact between the extension 32 and the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. For this reason, the deformation (deflection) of the extension 32 should be 2.5 mm or less, and the deflection angle of the extension 32 should be 10° or less.

11, before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20, the attachment portion 33 is inclined relative to the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, but this is not limited to the above. Specifically, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 12, the attachment portion 33 may be parallel to the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20. As a result, the attachment portion 33 elastically deforms and inclines relative to the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20. Note that in FIG. 12, as in FIG. 11, the solid line portion indicates the state after the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20, and the dashed line portion indicates the positions of the extension portion 32 and the attachment portion 33 on the cover member 30 before the cover member 30 is attached to the frame 20.

In this way, by fitting the cover member 30 into the frame 20 from the width direction, the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 is inclined so that the tip of the mounting portion 33 moves toward the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. As a result, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is pressed by the mounting portion 33 while maintaining the second gap G2, so that the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 can be firmly engaged. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover member 30 from coming off the frame 20.

Furthermore, the cover member 30 and the frame 20 may become misaligned due to the above-mentioned variations (a) to (d) between the cover member 30 and the frame 20. For example, if the frame 20 becomes misaligned relative to the cover member 30 in the X-axis direction and becomes offset, as shown in Figure 13, one of the pair of mounting portions 33 of the cover member 30 (the left mounting portion 33 in Figure 13) may come into contact with the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. In other words, the second gap G2 between the left mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 in Figure 13 no longer exists.

Even in this case, the first gap G1 is maintained between each of the pair of extensions 32 of the cover member 30 and each of the pair of protrusions 20b of the frame 20, and the first gap G1 exists. This makes it possible to prevent surface contact between the extensions 32 of the cover member 30 and the protrusions 20b of the frame 20, which would otherwise cause abnormal noise. In FIG. 13, the other of the pair of mounting portions 33 of the cover member 30 (the right mounting portion 33 in FIG. 13) is not in contact with the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. In other words, the second gap G2 is maintained between the right mounting portion 33 in FIG. 13 and the side plate portion 24.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13, when at least one of the frame 20 and the cover member 30 is shifted in the width direction of the frame 20 and the cover member 30 and the frame 20 are in a biased state (a state shifted from a predetermined reference position), the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30 and the horizontal plate portion 23 (inclined plate portion 23b) of the frame 20 may come into contact. In this case, the protrusions 34 provided on each of the pair of extension portions 32 are configured so that even if one of the pair of protrusions 34 comes into contact with the inclined plate portion 23b of one of the pair of protrusions 20b, the other of the pair of protrusions 34 does not come into contact with the inclined plate portion 23b of the other of the pair of protrusions 20b. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the protrusion 34 on the left side comes into contact with the horizontal plate portion 23 and the protrusion 34 on the right side does not come into contact with the horizontal plate portion 23. Even if the protrusion 34 comes into contact with the horizontal plate portion 23 in this way, it does not come into surface contact, so that abnormal noise can be reduced compared to when the extension portion 32 and the horizontal plate portion 23 come into surface contact. When the cover member 30 and the frame 20 are not offset and are in their normal positions, neither the left nor right protrusions 34 are in contact with the horizontal plate portion 23.

Also, when the projection 34 is provided only on the extension portion 32 of the extension portion 32 and the mounting portion 33 as shown in FIG. 13 (when the projection 34 is not provided on the mounting portion 33), there is a possibility that the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 may come into surface contact when the extension portion 32 and the mounting portion 33 are in a biased state. However, as described above, the contact pressure when the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 come into surface contact is a contact pressure in the width direction, which is smaller than the contact pressure when a part of the cover member 30 and a part of the frame 20 come into surface contact in the vertical direction. Therefore, the effect of abnormal noise generation is small. Note that in FIG. 13, by providing the projection 34 on the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 as described later, surface contact between the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 can be avoided, and abnormal noise can be further reduced. In addition, if the protrusion 20b of the frame 20 and the extension 32 of the cover member 30 come into contact with each other and make surface contact in the vertical direction, the impact of the generation of abnormal noise would not be small as described above. However, in this embodiment, the first gap G1 exists between the protrusion 20b and the extension 32, and a protrusion 34 is also formed, so that the protrusion 20b and the extension 32 remain in line contact rather than surface contact. This effectively reduces the generation of abnormal noise.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 and LED lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment, the frame 20 has a protruding portion 20b that protrudes toward the floor, and the cover member 30 has an extension portion 32 that extends toward the light source unit 10 from a position closer to the ceiling (second direction side) than the portion of the protruding portion 20b on the inner surface of the main portion 31 that is located closest to the floor (first direction side) and covers at least a portion of the protruding portion 20b.

Providing a protrusion 20b that protrudes toward the floor on the frame 20 increases the strength of the frame 20, but makes it difficult for the light from the light source unit 10 (LED 12) to reach the outer end 31a of the cover member 30, making the outer end 31a of the cover member 30 darker than the central portion in the width direction (short direction) of the cover member 30.

Therefore, in this embodiment, an extension 32 that covers the protrusion 20b is provided on the cover member 30. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 14, a spatial area that extends toward the ceiling side outside the protrusion 20b of the frame 20 can be formed near the outer end 31a of the cover member 30. As a result, even if the frame 20 is provided with the protrusion 20b that protrudes toward the floor side, the light emitted from the light source unit 10 that does not pass through the main part 31 of the cover member 30 and is reflected on the inner surface of the main part 31 can be made to go around to the spatial area formed near the outer end 31a of the cover member 30. As a result, the light emitted from the LED 12 can be sufficiently spread to the outer end 31a of the main part 31 of the cover member 30, so that the light can be sufficiently illuminated up to the vicinity of the outer end 31a of the main part 31 of the cover member 30. Therefore, since the main part 31 can be illuminated over the entire width direction (X-axis direction) of the cover member 30, it is possible to prevent the end of the cover member 30 in the width direction from becoming dark. In other words, it is possible to reduce the shadowing at the widthwise end of the cover member 30 caused by the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. In this way, with the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, it is possible to ensure the strength of the frame 20 while reducing the shadowing at the outer end 31a of the cover member 30, thereby increasing the light extraction efficiency toward the floor side.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the cover member 30 is provided with not only the extension portion 32 but also the attachment portion 33. This allows not only the light of the light source unit 10 to be reflected by the extension portion 32, but also the light of the light source unit 10 to be guided to the extension portion 32 and the attachment portion 33. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source unit 10 that does not pass through the main portion 31 of the cover member 30 and is reflected on the inner surface of the main portion 31 can be easily guided around to the spatial region formed near the outer end portion 31a of the cover member 30. As a result, the darkness of the outer end portion 31a of the cover member 30 can be further reduced, and the light extraction efficiency toward the floor side can be further increased.

The parts (claw pieces 21a, wires such as harnesses, connectors such as connectors for connecting boards, wireless modules, pins, circuit parts, metal fittings for secondary wiring-less, etc.) present on the light source unit 10 side of the frame 20 between a pair of extension parts 32 of the cover member 30 are protruding parts having a part protruding from the main board part 21 of the frame 20 toward the floor side, and may block the light emitted from the light source unit 10. As a result, the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side may decrease. Therefore, it is preferable that these protruding parts are located on the ceiling side of the height position of the top of the extension part 32 of the cover member 30 (the position of line La shown in FIG. 14). In other words, it is preferable that the protruding parts do not protrude toward the floor side of line La. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side. In this case, it is more preferable that the protruding parts are located on the ceiling side of the line (the position of line Lb shown in FIG. 14) connecting the LED 12 of the light source unit 10 and the top of the extension part 32 of the cover member 30. In other words, it is better that the protruding parts do not protrude on the floor side of line Lb. This can prevent the light emitted from the light source unit 10 from being blocked by the protruding parts, so that the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side can be further prevented from decreasing. In addition, it is more preferable that the protruding parts are located on the ceiling side of the height position of the light emission surface of the LED 12 of the light source unit 10. In other words, it is better that the protruding parts do not protrude on the floor side of the light emission surface of the LED 12. This can further prevent the light emitted from the light source unit 10 from being blocked by the protruding parts, so that the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side can be further prevented from decreasing.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 3 and LED lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment, the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 has an outer extension portion 32a and an inner extension portion 32b, and the outer extension portion 32a has a portion that overlaps with the gap GX between the cover member 30 and the inner surface of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 in the Z-axis direction.

This configuration allows the main portion 31 of the cover member 30 to be sufficiently illuminated up to the vicinity of the outer end portion 31a. This allows the main portion 31 to be illuminated throughout the entire width direction (X-axis direction) of the cover member 30. This further prevents the ends of the cover member 30 in the width direction from becoming dark.

In particular, the LED lighting device 3 in this embodiment has a structure in which the end of the width direction of the cover member 30 is likely to become dark due to the protrusion 20b that protrudes toward the floor side being provided at the end of the width direction of the frame 20, but by overlapping the outer extension portion 32a of the extension portion 32 with the gap GX, it is possible to effectively prevent the end of the width direction of the cover member 30 from becoming dark.

Moreover, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, as described above, a spatial region is formed near the outer end 31a of the cover member 30, extending outward from the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 toward the ceiling. This allows the light emitted from the light source unit 10 to be guided around this spatial region. This further prevents the outer end 31a of the main portion 31 of the cover member 30 from appearing dark.

Next, the relationship between the protrusion 20b on the frame 20 and the strength of the frame 20 will be explained. Specifically, the present inventors have investigated the relationship between the shape of the protrusion 20b on the frame 20 and the strength of the frame 20, in order to increase the strength of the frame 20 by providing the protrusion 20b on the frame 20, and the results of this investigation will be explained using Figure 15. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the shape of the protrusion 20b on the frame 20 and the strength of the frame 20.

As shown in Figure 15, the strength (rigidity) of the frame 20 was evaluated by the moment of area. The values of the moment of area shown in Figure 15 show the results of calculations for a half section of each frame 20, and the values for the full section are doubled. The dimensions of each frame 20 were: the width of the half section was 30 mm, the depth of the recess 20a was 3 mm, and the plate thickness was 0.5 mm. In each frame 20, the depth of the recess 20a was a, the width of the recess 20a was w1, and the full width of the frame 20 was w3 (see Figure 4), and the ratio of a to w1 to w3 was standardized as a:w1:w3 = 1:10:20.

In FIG. 15, pattern 1 is a configuration in which there is no side plate portion 24 (leg), pattern 2 is a configuration in which the length of the side plate portion 24 reaches the bottom of the recess 20a, pattern 3 is a configuration in which the ratio of the depth of the recess 2a to the length of the side plate portion 24 is 1:1, pattern 4 is a configuration in which the ratio of the depth of the recess 2a to the length of the side plate portion 24 is 1:1.5, and pattern 5 is a configuration in which the ratio of the depth of the recess 2a to the length of the side plate portion 24 is 1:2.

In addition, Structure 1 is a configuration in which the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 in patterns 1 to 5 is composed only of the inclined plate portion 23b. Structure 2 is a configuration in which the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 in patterns 1 to 5 is composed only of the parallel plate portion 23a. Structure 3 is a configuration in which the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 in patterns 1 to 5 is composed of the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b. Note that the shape of the frame 20 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is patterns 3 to 5 of Structure 3, but the frame of this embodiment also includes frames in the configurations shown in patterns 3 to 5 of Structure 1 and patterns 4 to 5 of Structure 2.

As shown in Figure 15, by comparing

patterns

1 and 2 with patterns 3 to 5, it can be seen that the value of the second moment of area increases significantly when the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 exceeds the recess 20a. In other words, the strength of the frame 20 is greatly improved when the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 exceeds the recess 20a.

In addition, as can be seen by comparing Structure 1 with Structure 2, the value of the geometrical moment of inertia is significantly greater when the horizontal plate portion 23 is made up of only the parallel plate portion 23a than when it is made up of only the inclined plate portion 23b. Furthermore, as can be seen by comparing Structure 2 with Structure 3, the value of the geometrical moment of inertia is greater when the horizontal plate portion 23 is made up of both the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b than when it is made up of only the parallel plate portion 23a.

In this way, by using the shape of the frame 20 of this embodiment (i.e., patterns 3-5 of structure 1, patterns 4-5 of structure 2, and patterns 3-5 of structure 3), the value of the second moment of area becomes 20 or more, and the strength of the frame 20 can be significantly improved. In other words, as with the frame 20 shown in Figures 3 and 4, by positioning the tip of the side plate portion 24 closer to the ceiling than the bottom of the recess 20a (i.e., the main plate portion 21), the strength of the frame 20 can be significantly improved.

Furthermore, the inventors have considered the depth dimension of the recess 20a and the length dimension of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 of this embodiment, which make the frame 20 less likely to deform. In this process, the inventors have also found that the depth dimension of the recess 20a and the length dimension of the side plate portion 24, which make the frame 20 less likely to deform, depend on the longitudinal length of the frame 20.

Specifically, the inventors have considered the dimensions a and b at which the frame 20 does not deform when L = 2 feet (2 x 304.8 mm), L = 4 feet (4 x 304.8 mm), and L = 8 feet (8 x 304.8 mm), assuming the depth of the recess 20a of the frame 20 to be a [mm], the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 to be b [mm], and the longitudinal length of the LED lighting device 3 to be L [ft (feet)], as shown in Figure 16.

As a result, it was found that when L = 2 feet, the frame 20 does not deform when b/a = 0.75. Also, when L = 4 feet, it was found that the frame 20 does not deform when b/a = 1.5. Also, when L = 8 feet, it was found that a sufficient strength was obtained and the frame 20 does not deform when b/a = 3.0. Note that FIG. 16(a) shows the cross-sectional shape of the frame 20 when a:b = 1:0.75, FIG. 16(b) shows the cross-sectional shape of the frame 20 when a:b = 1:1.5, and FIG. 16(c) shows the cross-sectional shape of the frame 20 when a:b = 1:3.

Figure 17 is a graph plotting these results, showing the relationship between the longitudinal length L of the LED lighting device 3 and the length (b/a) of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 relative to the depth of the recess 20a of the frame 20.

17 plots three points that indicate the minimum b/a value at which the frame 20 does not deform for each of the cases where L = 2 feet, 4 feet, and 8 feet. Specifically, three points are plotted: (L, b/a) = (2, 0.75), (4, 1.5), and (8, 3). The straight line F1 shown in FIG. 17 passes through these three points, and is a linear function of b/a = (3/8) x L [ft]. Therefore, to prevent the frame 20 from deforming, b/a in the region above this straight line F1 should be selected. In other words, by satisfying the relational expression b/a ≥ (3/8) x L, the frame 20 can be prevented from deforming. Note that the expression b/a ≥ (3/8) x L is merely an approximate value, and the value may be rounded to a certain extent. This also applies below. The same applies to the formulas and ratios relating to b and a, and the value may be rounded to a certain extent.

Here, in order to satisfy the relational expression b/a≧(3/8)×L, it is possible to increase the length of the side plate portion 24. In other words, the longer the length of the side plate portion 24 is, the stronger the frame 20 can be.

However, increasing the length of the side plate portion 24 increases the height of the frame 20, making it impossible to make the frame 20 thinner. As a result, in the LED lighting device 1, the spatial region S3 (the region on the back side of the frame 20) surrounded by the recess 2a of the device body 2 and the frame 20 becomes narrower. In other words, by configuring the frame 20 to satisfy the relational expression b/a≧(3/8)×L, it is possible to prevent the frame 20 from deforming, but the spatial region S3 (see Figure 3) becomes narrower. When the spatial region S3 becomes narrower, it becomes difficult to arrange various components such as functional parts or electric wires in the spatial region S3.

Therefore, the inventors further studied the depth dimension of the recess 20a and the length dimension of the side plate portion 24 that prevent the frame 20 from deforming. As a result, it was found that when L = 4 feet, the frame 20 becomes less likely to deform when b/a ≧ 0.5. Also, when L = 8 feet, it was found that the frame 20 becomes less likely to deform when b/a ≧ 2.0. In FIG. 17, two points at which the frame 20 becomes less likely to deform are plotted when L = 4 feet and when L = 8 feet. Specifically, two points (L, b/a) = (4, 0.5) and (8, 2) are plotted. The straight line F2 shown in FIG. 17 is a straight line that passes through these two points and is a linear function of b/a = (3/8) × L-1. Therefore, in order to prevent the frame 20 from deforming and to prevent the spatial region S3 from narrowing, it is sufficient to select a and b that satisfy b/a included in the region between the straight lines F1 and F2. In other words, by selecting a, b, and L so as to satisfy the relational expression (3/8) x L-1 ≦ b/a ≦ (3/8) x L (where L is feet), deformation of the frame 20 can be suppressed and a wide spatial region S3 can be secured. As a result, even if the side plate portion 24 is shortened to thin the frame 20 in order to secure a wide spatial region S3, the necessary strength of the frame 20 can be secured and deformation of the frame 20 can be suppressed. In other words, it is possible to secure the space behind the frame 20 while simultaneously securing the strength of the frame 20 and thinning the frame 20.

In addition, in Figure 16, it was confirmed that the frame 20 does not deform due to the moment of area of the frame 20 alone, but in reality, the strength is the strength of the frame 20 combined with the cover member 30, so when checking the moment of area of the frame 20 and the cover member 30 together, it was found that the strength is sufficient if b/a = 2 for 8 feet and b/a = 0.5 for 4 feet. Also, the strength (composite strength) of the combined frame 20 and cover member 30 is simply stronger than that of the frame 20 alone. Therefore, sufficient strength can be obtained if it is equal to or greater than the straight line F2 shown in Figure 17.

As described above, in the LED lighting device 3 and LED lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment, the frame 20 has a recess 20a in which the substrate 11 is disposed, a pair of horizontal plate portions 23 located on both sides of the recess 20a in the short direction of the frame 20 and extending along the longitudinal direction of the frame 20, and side plate portions 24 which are extensions extending from the pair of horizontal plate portions 23 toward the ceiling, with the tip of the side plate portion 24 being located closer to the ceiling than the bottom of the recess 20a of the frame 20.

In this manner, in this embodiment, a recess 20a is formed in the frame 20, and a protrusion 20b having a horizontal plate portion 23 is formed on the side of the recess 20a. This increases the strength of the frame 20. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tip of the side plate portion 24 extending from the horizontal plate portion 23 toward the ceiling extends so that it is positioned closer to the ceiling than the bottom of the recess 20a. This further increases the strength of the frame 20.

Furthermore, in the LED lighting device 3 and LED lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment, if the depth of the recess 20a of the frame 20 is a [mm], the length of one of the pair of side plate portions 24 (extension portions) is b [mm], and the length of the LED lighting device 3 in the longitudinal direction is L [ft], it is preferable that the relationship b/a ≧ (3/8) × L is satisfied.

Even if the relational expression b/a≦(3/8)×L is satisfied, deformation of the frame 20 can be suppressed. In this case, it is also preferable that the relational expression (3/8)×L-1≦b/a is satisfied.

In this way, by widening the spatial region S3 (the space behind the frame 20), it is possible to improve the ease of installation when installing the LED lighting device 3 in the fixture body 2. In particular, in this embodiment, the LED lighting device 3 is rotated and installed in the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, and therefore, by widening the spatial region S3, the LED lighting device 3 can be easily rotated.

In addition, by widening the spatial area S3, the spatial area S3 can be effectively utilized. Specifically, various parts such as functional parts, electric wires such as construction electric wires and electric wires inside the device, metal fittings, or power supply unit 4 can be easily arranged in the spatial area S3. In addition, by widening the spatial area S3, the installation work when installing these parts in the spatial area S3 can be easily performed. In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a VVF cable 61 and a signal line 62 are arranged in this spatial area S3 as construction electric wires. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, if the length between the tip of the mounting part 33 of the cover member 30 and the bottom surface of the recess 2a of the device body 2 is H1 and the depth of the recess 2a of the device body 2 is H2, it is preferable that H1/H2≧1/2. This makes it easy to arrange the construction electric wires in the spatial area S3. In particular, by making H1/H2≧1/2, even if the VVF cable 61 bends, it can be accommodated in the spatial area S3 without protruding from the spatial area S3. Furthermore, by making H1/H2 ≥ 1/2, the power supply device 4 is more exposed, improving the dissipation effect of heat generated by the power supply device 4.

In this embodiment, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is relatively short, so that the majority (more than half) of the power supply device 4 is exposed from the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. This makes it possible to prevent heat generated by the power supply device 4 from accumulating and building up in the space region S3 between the frame 20 and the recess 2a. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 4a of the power supply device 4 is exposed from the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. In other words, the circuit board 4a is located closer to the ceiling than the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. This prevents heat from the power supply device 4 from building up in the space region S3 between the frame 20 and the recess 2a.

In FIG. 4, the VVF cable 61 arranged in the space region S3 is arranged near the bottom surface of the recess 2a of the device main body 2, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the VVF cable 61 arranged in the space region S3 may be arranged so as to be in contact with the frame 20. In addition, since the space region S3 in this embodiment is a large space, as shown in FIG. 19, two overlapping VVF cables 61 can be arranged in the space region S3. In addition, instead of arranging the two overlapping VVF cables 61 horizontally, as shown in FIG. 20, the two overlapping VVF cables 61 can be arranged vertically. In FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, one of the two VVF cables 61 can be used as a power transmission line for supplying AC power to the adjacent LED lighting device 1 when multiple LED lighting devices 1 are installed.

In addition, by selecting a and b so as to satisfy the relational expression (3/8) x L-1 ≦ b/a ≦ (3/8) x L according to the longitudinal length L of the LED lighting device 3, it is possible to design a frame 20 with optimal dimensions that can ensure both the strength of the frame 20 and a thin structure of the frame 20.

For example, the cross-sectional shape of the frame 20 can be different depending on whether the longitudinal length L of the LED lighting device 3 is 2 feet, 4 feet, or 8 feet. Specifically, the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 can be shorter when L=2 feet or 4 feet than when L=8 feet. This eliminates the need to make the strength of the frame 20 excessively large when L=2 feet or 4 feet compared to when L=8 feet, and therefore reduces the material cost of the frame 20. Also, by shortening the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, the frame 20 can be made lighter. This improves the ease of installation of the LED lighting device 3.

In addition, the frame 20 becomes thinner, and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 becomes shorter, so that the frame 20 becomes more flexible. As a result, when the LED lighting device 3 is installed on the fixture body 2, the LED lighting device 3 is pulled up by the elastic holding member 6 (kick spring or torsion spring), so that the frame 20 fits easily to the fixture body 2 even if the frame 20 is warped or twisted. In other words, even if there is variation (part variation) in the parts such as the frame 20 and the cover member 30, or variation (variation during installation) when the LED lighting fixture 1 is installed, the LED lighting device 3 fits easily to the fixture body 2, so that a gap is less likely to occur between the fixture body 2 and the LED lighting device 3. Furthermore, by shortening the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, the contact area between the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 is reduced, so that the generation of abnormal noise due to contact between the frame 20 and the cover member 30 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, in the LED lighting device 3 and LED lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment, if the depth of the recess 20a of the frame 20 is a [mm] and the width (total width) of the frame 20 is w3 [mm], it is preferable that the relational expression w3≦20×a is satisfied. In other words, it is preferable that the ratio of the depth of the recess 20a to the total width of the frame 20 is 1:20 or less. This makes it possible to realize a flat, thin frame 20 with a large aspect ratio.

Moreover, by shortening the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, the weight and cost of the frame 20 can be reduced. Furthermore, by shortening the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, the ease of installation when attaching and detaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2 can be improved. Specifically, by shortening the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and reducing the overall height of the frame 20, the LED lighting device 3 can be easily rotated and inserted into the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, fingers can be easily inserted and the construction wire can be easily attached and detached to the connector, it is easy to look inside when attaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2, making it less likely that the wire will get caught, and it is easy to pinch the elastic holding member 6 (kick spring) during installation when attaching the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2.

Also, in the LED lighting device 3 according to this embodiment, the inner extension portion 32b in the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 are configured to be able to abut against each other. Specifically, the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b in the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 and the first plate portion 32b1 and the second plate portion 32b2 in the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 are configured to be able to abut against each other at a surface rather than at a point.

This configuration firmly fixes the frame 20 and the cover member 30, so even if the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is shortened to make the frame 20 thinner, an LED lighting device 3 with high strength can be obtained.

In this way, in the LED lighting device 3 according to the present embodiment, the strength of the frame 20 is ensured, so that the LED lighting device 3 can be prevented from being deformed during installation when the LED lighting device 3 is attached to or removed from the fixture body 2, and from being pushed by its own weight or electric wires after installation, and from being bent. As a result, it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the LED lighting device 3 and the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. This prevents the construction wire or the electric wire inside the fixture from protruding from between the LED lighting device 3 and the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, and prevents the construction wire or the electric wire inside the fixture from being pinched between the LED lighting device 3 and the fixture body 2. It is also possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the LED lighting device 3 and the fixture body 2, which reduces the design of the LED lighting fixture 1.

Next, the positional relationship in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of each component such as the frame 20 and the cover member 30 in the LED lighting fixture 1 and LED lighting device 3 according to the embodiment and the effect thereof will be described with reference to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the LED lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment.

Lines L1 to L5 shown in FIG. 21 indicate height positions in the Z-axis direction. Line L1 indicates the height position of the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. Line L2 indicates the height position of the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. Line L3 indicates the height position of the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the device body 2. Line L4 indicates the height position of the top (lowest point in FIG. 21) of the protrusion 20b of the frame 20 (height position of the parallel plate portion 23a in this embodiment). Line L5 indicates the height position of the top (lowest point in FIG. 21) of the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30 (height position of the parallel plate portion of the first plate portion 32b1 in this embodiment).

In this embodiment, lines L1 to L5 are arranged in the following order from the ceiling (construction material) toward the floor: line L1, line L2, line L3, line L4, line L5.

Therefore, the main plate portion 21 (line L2) of the frame 20 is located closer to the ceiling than the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the fixture body 2. This allows the light source unit 10 arranged on the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 to be spaced apart from the main portion 31 of the cover member 30, thereby suppressing uneven brightness (graininess) caused by the light of the multiple LEDs 12 arranged at a distance. In addition, by keeping the light source unit 10 and the main portion 31 of the cover member 30 apart, it is possible to prevent the heat generated by the light source unit 10 from being trapped in the spatial region between the frame 20 and the cover member 30. This prevents the light output of the LEDs 12 from decreasing due to self-heating, thereby increasing the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3. In addition, by having the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20 located closer to the ceiling than the opening edge 2a1 of the fixture body 2, it is possible to control the light distribution of the light emitted from the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side, with the light flux (excessive upward light flux) toward the ceiling side that is not intended. In addition, the light emitted from the LED lighting device 3 can be efficiently concentrated toward the floor side, so the light extraction efficiency toward the floor side can be increased. Therefore, when multiple LED lighting fixtures 1 are installed on the ceiling, the number of LED lighting fixtures 1 installed can be reduced.

Furthermore, the top (line L4) of the protrusion 20b of the frame 20 is located closer to the floor than the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the fixture body 2. In this way, by providing the protrusion 20b on the frame 20, the strength of the frame 20 can be ensured, and by having the top of the protrusion 20b of the frame 20 located closer to the floor than the opening edge 2a1 of the fixture body 2, the light emitted from the LED lighting device 3 can be efficiently concentrated toward the floor, and the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor can be increased. Therefore, when multiple LED lighting devices 1 are installed on a ceiling, the number of installed LED lighting devices 1 can be reduced.

In this way, according to the LED lighting device 3 and LED lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2, and the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 are arranged in this order as they move away from the ceiling (construction material). Specifically, the positions of line L2, line L3, and line L4 are in this order as they move away from the ceiling.

This configuration ensures the strength of the frame 20 while increasing the efficiency of light extraction toward the floor, which is the specified direction.

Also, as described above, the tip (line L1) of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is located closer to the ceiling than the main plate portion 21 (line L2) of the frame 20. In other words, the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 protrudes closer to the ceiling than the main plate portion 21.

This configuration ensures the strength of the frame 20, as described above. This configuration also allows the construction wires (VVF cable 61, signal wire 62, etc.) and the internal wires of the fixture to be placed between the pair of side plate portions 24 of the frame 20, preventing the construction wires and the internal wires of the fixture from protruding.

In this embodiment, the tip of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 protrudes further toward the ceiling than the main plate portion 21, but the amount of protrusion is relatively small. In other words, the length of the side plate portion 24 is relatively short, and in this embodiment, the strength of the frame 20 is ensured without making the length of the side plate portion 24 too long. In this way, the short length of the side plate portion 24 makes it possible to ensure a large space between the fixture body 2 and the rear side of the frame 20, improves the ease of installation when installing the LED lighting device 3 in the fixture body 2 (making it easier to rotate the LED lighting device 3 and store it in the fixture body 2), and makes it less likely for heat to build up in the power supply device 4 arranged on the rear side of the frame 20.

As described above, the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 (in this embodiment, the connection portion between the side plate portion 24 and the inclined plate portion 23b) is preferably located between the main plate portion 21 (line L2) and the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the device body 2.

This makes it easier for the light emitted from the LEDs 12 to reach the spatial area formed near the outer end 31a of the cover member 30. In this case, the connection portion P1 between the side plate portion 24 and the horizontal plate portion 23 should be located at the same position as the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the fixture body 2, or slightly toward the ceiling than the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the fixture body 2. This makes it possible to prevent shadows from appearing on the exterior of the cover member 30.

As shown in FIG. 21, the connection part P2 (branch point) between the extension part 32 and the attachment part 33 in the cover member 30 is preferably located between the main plate part 21 (line L2) and the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the fixture body 2, similar to the connection part P1 between the side plate part 24 and the horizontal plate part 23. This makes it easier for the light emitted from the LED 12 to reach the spatial area formed near the outer end part 31a of the cover member 30. In this case, the connection part P2 between the extension part 32 and the attachment part 33 is preferably located at the same position as the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the fixture body 2, or slightly toward the ceiling than the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the fixture body 2. This can prevent shadows from appearing on the appearance of the cover member 30.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and the inner portion (side wall) of the recess 2a of the device body 2 are approximately parallel.

This configuration ensures the strength of the frame 20 while ensuring a large space between the fixture body 2 and the rear side of the frame 20. This makes it easy to store construction wires and internal fixture wires in the space between the fixture body 2 and the rear side of the frame 20. Note that the side plate portions 24 of the frame 20 and the inner portion (side wall) of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 do not have to be parallel, and the pair of side plate portions 24 may be inclined relative to the inner portion of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. For example, the pair of side plate portions 24 may be inclined so that their tips lean inward. This makes it easy to rotate the LED lighting device 3 and store it in the fixture body 2.

In addition, it is preferable that the height position (line L5) of the top (lowest point in FIG. 21) of the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30 is located closer to the floor than the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the device body 2.

This allows the light emitted from the LED lighting device 3 to be controlled so that the light flux unintentionally directed toward the ceiling (excessive upward light flux) is directed toward the floor. Furthermore, since the light emitted from the LED lighting device 3 can be efficiently concentrated toward the floor, the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor can be increased.

As described above, the inclination of the inner portion of the inner extension 32b in the short side direction of the cover member 30 is gentler than the inclination of the short side direction of the cover member 30. In other words, the inclination of the portion on the light source unit 10 side is gentler than the inclination of the portion on the mounting unit 33 side.

With this configuration, the light of the light source unit 10 incident on the surface of the inner part (part with a gentle slope) of the inner extension 32b is more likely to be totally reflected beyond the critical angle, so that the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side can be increased. In addition, the outer part (part with a steep slope) of the inner extension 32b can be illuminated to the end of the width direction of the cover member 30. In other words, the light of the light source unit 10 reflected by the inner extension 32b can be easily guided to the spatial area formed near the outer end 31a of the cover member 30. As a result, the darkness of the outer end 31a of the cover member 30 can be further reduced, and the light extraction efficiency toward the floor side of the LED lighting device 3 can be further improved. In addition, by illuminating the end of the width direction of the cover member 30, the design (appearance performance) can be improved.

Furthermore, in the vicinity of the location where the extension portion 32 and main portion 31 of the cover member 30 are connected (the spatial area of the dead end formed near the outer end portion 31a of the cover member 30), in the portion where the inner extension portion 32b and main portion 31 face each other, it is preferable that the spacing on the entrance side and the spacing on the rear side are the same, or that the spacing on the entrance side is wider than the spacing on the rear side. Specifically, in the first plate portion 32b1 (inclined plate portion) of the inner extension portion 32b and the main portion 31 facing it, it is preferable that the spacing on the entrance side and the spacing on the rear side are the same, or that the spacing on the entrance side is wider than the spacing on the rear side.

This configuration allows the light from the light source unit 10 reflected by the inner surface of the main portion 31 and the inner extension portion 32b to easily flow around to the spatial area formed near the outer end portion 31a of the cover member 30. This further reduces the darkness at the outer end portion 31a of the cover member 30, and further improves the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor side.

In this case, it is preferable that the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 and the first plate portion 32b1 (inclined plate portion) of the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30 are approximately parallel with a gap therebetween. In other words, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23 and the inclination angle of the first plate portion 32b1 of the inner extension portion 32b are approximately the same.

This configuration allows the cover member 30 to be illuminated all the way to the widthwise ends, further preventing the widthwise ends of the cover member 30 from becoming dark.

In FIG. 21, if the distance between lines L3 and L5 is A and the distance between lines L2 and L3 is B, then it is preferable that 0<A/B≦2, and it is even better that A/B≈1 (A:B=approximately 1:1). In this way, it is possible to easily illuminate the entire width direction of the cover member 30 while increasing the strength of the frame 20.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 extend substantially parallel to each other.

This configuration makes it possible to increase the strength of the frame 20 while preventing the cover member 30 from coming off the frame 20. It also makes it difficult for insects to enter the spatial region S2 enclosed by the cover member 30 and the frame 20.

As described above, the outer extension 32a of the extension 32 in the cover member 30 faces the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a and overlaps with the opening edge 2a1. Therefore, the outer extension 32a is formed to span the gap GX between the inner surface of the recess 2a and the mounting portion 33. In other words, in the Z-axis direction, the outer extension 32a of the extension 32 overlaps with the gap GX so as to cover the gap GX.

This configuration allows the main portion 31 of the cover member 30 to be illuminated sufficiently up to the vicinity of the outer end 31a, so that the main portion 31 of the cover member 30 can be illuminated throughout the entire width direction. This further prevents the ends of the cover member 30 in the width direction from becoming dark. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, the width w4 (the overlapping space of the outer extension portion 32a) of the portion where the outer extension portion 32a and the opening edge 2a1 of the recess 2a overlap should preferably be larger than the gap GX.

In addition, it is preferable that the LED 12 of the light source unit 10 is located closer to the ceiling (construction material side) than the top (line L4) of the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20.

This allows the light emitted from the light source unit 10 to be controlled so that the light flux unintentionally directed toward the ceiling (excessive upward light flux) is directed toward the floor. It also increases the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor.

In this case, it is preferable that the LED 12 is positioned closer to the ceiling than the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the recess 2a.

This allows the light emitted from the light source unit 10 toward the ceiling to be effectively controlled so that it is directed toward the floor. In addition, the light extraction efficiency of the LED lighting device 3 toward the floor can be further improved.

Here, the characteristics of the positional relationship in the height direction of each component of the LED lighting device 1 according to the embodiment will be explained in comparison with the LED lighting devices of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 using Figure 22. Figure 22 is a diagram comparing the LED lighting device 1 according to the embodiment with the LED lighting devices of Comparative Examples 1 to 4.

In FIG. 22, (a) shows the cross-sectional structure of an LED lighting device 1 according to an embodiment, (b) shows the cross-sectional structure of an LED lighting device 1w of Comparative Example 1, (c) shows the cross-sectional structure of an LED lighting device 1x of Comparative Example 2, (d) shows the cross-sectional structure of an LED lighting device 1y of Comparative Example 3, and (e) shows the cross-sectional structure of an LED lighting device 1z of Comparative Example 4. Note that in FIG. 22, the position of the opening edge 2a1 (line L3) of the recess of the device main body 2 to 2z is shown in common in (a) to (e).

First, as shown in FIG. 22(a), in the LED lighting device 1 according to this embodiment, (i) the side plate portion 24 (leg portion) of the frame 20, (ii) the main plate portion 21 (= the tip of the inner extension portion 32b) of the frame 20, (iii) the end portion (connection portion P2 in FIG. 21) of the first plate portion 32b1 (inclined plate portion) of the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30, (iv) the opening edge 2a1 of the device body 2, (v) the outer extension portion 32a of the cover member 30, (vi) the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20, and (vii) the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30 are arranged in the following order ((i) → (ii) → (iii) → (iv) → (v) → (vi) → (vii)) as they move away from the ceiling.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22(b), in the LED lighting fixture 1w and LED lighting device 3w of Comparative Example 1, the frame 20w does not have side panels (legs).

In the LED lighting device 1w of Comparative Example 1, (v) the outer extension 32a of the cover member 30w, (iv) the opening edge 2a1 of the device body 2w, (ii) the main plate 21 of the frame 20w, (vi) the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20w, and (vii) the inner extension 32b of the cover member 30w are arranged in this order ((v) → (iv) → (ii) → (vi) → (vii)) as they move away from the ceiling.

In the structure of the LED lighting fixture 1w and LED lighting device 3w in Comparative Example 1, shadows tend to form at the ends of the cover member 30w in the width direction.

Also, as shown in (c) of FIG. 22, in the LED lighting fixture 1x and LED lighting device 3x of Comparative Example 2, the frame 20x does not have side plate portions (leg portions), the cover member 30x does not have an outer extension portion, and the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30x is not arched but is inclined linearly.

In the LED lighting device 1x of Comparative Example 2, (ii) the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20x, (vi) the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20x, (iv) the opening edge 2a1 of the device body 2x, and (iii) the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30x are arranged in this order ((ii) → (vi) → (iv) → (iii)) as they move away from the ceiling.

In the structure of the LED lighting fixture 1x and LED lighting device 3x of Comparative Example 2, shadows are likely to form at the ends of the cover member 30x in the width direction, and the height of the LED lighting device 3x stored in the recess of the fixture body 2x is large, so the space between the frame 20x and the fixture body 2x is narrow. In other words, the space for storing the power supply device and various electric wires is narrow.

Also, as shown in (d) of FIG. 22, in the LED lighting fixture 1y and the LED lighting device 3y of Comparative Example 3, no protrusion is provided on the frame 20y.

In the LED lighting fixture 1y of Comparative Example 3, (i) the side plate portion (leg portion) of the frame 20y, (v) the outer extension portion 32a of the cover member 30y, (iv) the opening edge 2a1 of the fixture body 2y (= (ii) the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20y), and (vii) the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30y are arranged in this order ((i), (v), (iv) = (ii), (vii)) as they move away from the ceiling.

In the structure of the LED lighting fixture 1y and LED lighting device 3y in Comparative Example 3, shadows are likely to form at the ends of the cover member 30x in the width direction, and the frame 20y has a low strength because it does not have a protrusion.

Also, as shown in FIG. 22(e), in the LED lighting fixture 1z and LED lighting device 3z of Comparative Example 4, the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30z is not arched, but exists in a straight line parallel to the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10.

In the LED lighting fixture 1z of Comparative Example 4, (i) the side plate portion (leg portion) of the frame 20z, (ii) the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20z, (vi) the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20z (= (iv) the opening edge 2a1 of the fixture body 2z = (v) the outer extension portion 32a of the cover member 30z), and (iii) the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30z are arranged in this order ((i) → (ii) → (vi) = (iv) = (v) → (iii)) as they move away from the ceiling.

In the structure of the LED lighting fixture 1z and LED lighting device 3z in Comparative Example 4, the strength of the frame 20z is weak, and the strength of the LED lighting device 3z as a whole is also weak.

In contrast, in the LED lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, at least (i) the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, (iv) the opening edge 2a1 of the fixture body 2, and (vi) the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 are arranged in this order ((i) → (iv) → (vi)) as they move away from the ceiling, and in this respect it differs from the LED lighting fixtures 1w to 1z of comparative examples 1 to 4.

As in the LED lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, by arranging (i) the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, (iv) the opening edge 2a1 of the fixture body 2, and (vi) the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 in this order, it is possible to increase the efficiency of light extraction to the floor side while ensuring the strength of the frame 20.

In addition, in the LED lighting device 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, (i) the side plate portion 24 (leg portion) of the frame 20, (ii) the main plate portion 21 (= the tip of the inner extension portion 32b) of the frame 20, (iii) the end portion (connection portion P2 in FIG. 21) of the first plate portion 32b1 (inclined plate portion) of the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30, (iv) the opening edge 2a1 of the device body 2, (v) the outer extension portion 32a of the cover member 30, (vi) the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20, and (vii) the inner extension portion 32b of the cover member 30 are arranged in this order ((i) → (ii) → (iii) → (iv) → (v) → (vi) → (vii)) as they move away from the ceiling.

This configuration makes it easy to ensure the strength of the frame 20 while further increasing the efficiency of light extraction to the floor side.

Next, we will explain the variations in the shape of the frame 20 in the LED lighting fixture 1 and LED lighting device 3 according to the embodiment.

As described above, in the LED lighting device 3 of this embodiment, the depth a of the recess 20a of the frame 20 and the length b of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 can be designed to optimal dimensions according to the longitudinal length L of the LED lighting device 3. In this case, in FIG. 16, when L = 2 feet, 4 feet, and 8 feet, the depth a of the recess 20a of the frame 20 is kept constant, and the length b of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is changed to change the ratio of a to b, but this is not limited to the above.

For example, as shown in FIG. 23, when L=2 feet, 4 feet, and 8 feet, the ratio of a to b may be changed by varying both the depth a of the recess 20a of the frame 20 and the length b of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of a first variation of the frame 20 due to different lengths of the LED lighting device 3.

By changing the ratio of a and b as shown in Figure 23, the strength of the frame 20 can be increased compared to the case of Figure 16. However, in the case of Figure 23, compared to the case of Figure 16, there is a risk that the appearance characteristics of the LED lighting device 3 (light distribution, luminous flux, uneven brightness, external dimensions of the cover member 30, etc.) may change depending on the length L, that the end cap 40 may not be shared among multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L, and that the two types of LED lighting devices 3 may light up differently when two types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L are connected and used.

On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 16, differences in the length L of the LED lighting device 3 do not change the appearance characteristics (light distribution, luminous flux, brightness unevenness) of the LED lighting device 3, and the end cap 40 can be shared among multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L. Therefore, when creating a lineup of multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L, it is advisable to make multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 by keeping the depth a of the recess 20a of the frame 20 constant and varying the length b of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, as shown in FIG. 16.

Note that, although FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which L=4 feet, even if the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 differs according to the types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L, the spatial region S3 surrounded by the recess 2a of the fixture body 2 and the frame 20 can provide sufficient wiring space for the construction wires and wiring inside the fixture. In particular, in this embodiment, the power supply device 4 is arranged offset in the width direction of the frame 20, so that the wiring space in the spatial region S3 can be more sufficiently provided. In particular, in the case of L=2 feet, the overall length of the LED lighting fixture 1 and the LED lighting device 3 is short, so that the occupancy ratio of the internal parts (power supply device 4, hook fitting 5, elastic holding member 6, dimming terminal block 9, etc.) is large, and therefore the effect of making the frame 20 thinner by shortening the side plate portion 24 is high. Furthermore, in multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L, even if the ratio between the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 of the LED lighting device 3 with the shortest length L and the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 of the LED lighting device 3 with the longest length L is 1:3 or more, sufficient wiring space can be secured in the spatial region S3.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, in the LED lighting device 3 of this embodiment, even if the longitudinal length L of the LED lighting device 3 is different, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 extends in the same direction. Specifically, in all cases where L = 2 feet, 4 feet, or 8 feet, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 extends in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the side plate portion 24, which is the portion closer to the ceiling than the bottom surface (board mounting surface) of the recess 20a in the frame 20, extends straight.

This allows the components (power supply unit 4, mounting brackets, etc.) stored between the pair of side plate portions 24 of the frame 20 to be standardized among multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L. Note that even if the lengths L of the LED lighting devices 3 are different, the shape of the protruding portion 20b, which is the portion on the floor side from the bottom surface (board mounting surface) of the recess 20a in the frame 20, is the same. This allows multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L to have the same appearance characteristics (light distribution, luminous flux, brightness unevenness, external dimensions of the cover member 30, etc.) and can share the end cap 40.

In FIG. 16, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 extends in the same direction even if the length L of the LED lighting device 3 is different, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, in multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 may be inclined to change the length b of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and change the ratio of a to b. In other words, the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 may be changed by changing the amount of inclination (inclination angle) of the side plate portion 24. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of a second variation of the frame due to different lengths of the LED lighting devices 3.

(a), (b), and (c) of Figure 24 show cases where the starting point (base) of the inclined side panel 24 is located closer to the floor than the main panel 21. In this case, it is difficult to standardize the end cap 40 for the cases of (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 24, so there is a risk that the appearance characteristics (light distribution, luminous flux, uneven brightness, external dimensions of the cover member 30, etc.) will vary slightly. For example, there is a risk that light will leak from the starting point of the inclined side panel 24 toward the ceiling. Note that the positions of the horizontal panel 23 of the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 are the same in each of (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 24.

Also, as shown in (d), (e), and (f) of FIG. 24, the starting point (root) of the inclined side plate portion 24 may be located closer to the ceiling than the main plate portion 21. This allows the end cap 40 to be common in the cases of (d), (e), and (f) of FIG. 24, so that the appearance characteristics (light distribution, luminous flux, brightness unevenness, external dimensions of the cover member 30, etc.) can be made the same. Note that the positions of the horizontal plate portion 23 of the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20 are different in (d), (e), and (f) of FIG. 24. Specifically, the height of the protruding portion 20b increases in the order of (d), (e), and (f) of FIG. 24. In this case, in the frame 20 of (f) of FIG. 24, the starting point (root) of the inclined side plate portion 24 may be located closer to the floor than the main plate portion 21, as shown in (c) of FIG. 24.

When the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is inclined, as shown in FIG. 24, it is preferable that the side plate portion 24 is inclined so as to fall inward. This allows the LED lighting device 3 to be rotated and easily stored in the recess 2a of the fixture body 2. In other words, the ease of installation of the LED lighting fixture 1 can be improved. As shown in FIG. 24, the inclination amount of the side plate portion 24 may be increased as the length of the side plate portion 24 increases. Both of the pair of side plate portions 24 may be inclined, or only one of the pair of side plate portions 24 may be inclined. In this case, as shown in FIG. 25, it is preferable to incline the side plate portion 24 located on the elastic retaining member 6 side of the pair of side plate portions 24. As shown in FIG. 25, it is preferable that m is the opening dimension of the fixture body 2 and n is the diagonal dimension of the LED lighting device 3, and m≧n. This also applies to the case where the side plate portion 24 is not inclined.

Furthermore, when the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is increased according to the length L of the LED lighting device 3, the length of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may also be increased according to the length of the side plate portion 24, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, even if the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is changed according to the length L of the LED lighting device 3, the length of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 does not need to be changed. This allows the cover member 30 to be shared among multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L.

Also, as shown in FIG. 27, when the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is increased according to the length L of the LED lighting device 3, the side plate portion 24 may be formed so as to be bent by providing a step in the side plate portion 24. In this case, the length and shape of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may be changed according to the length and shape of the side plate portion 24, but as shown in FIG. 27, even if the length and shape of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is changed, the length and shape of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 do not need to be changed. This allows the cover member 30 to be shared among multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L.

In addition, instead of changing the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 according to the length L of the LED lighting device 3, as shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 28, the length of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may be changed according to the length L of the LED lighting device 3 without changing the shape of the frame 20, or as shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 29, an L-shaped or U-shaped metal fitting 70 having legs 71 may be provided separately and the length of the legs 71 of the metal fitting 70 may be changed according to the length L of the LED lighting device 3 without changing the length of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 or the length of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30. In this way, the frame 20 can be shared by multiple types of LED lighting devices 3 with different lengths L. In addition, the metal fitting 70 is fixed to the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 using screws 80.

Next, various modified examples of the LED lighting fixture 1 and LED lighting device 3 according to the embodiment will be described below.

In the above embodiment, the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 includes a parallel plate portion 23a and an inclined plate portion 23b, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the LED lighting fixture 1A and LED lighting device 3A shown in FIG. 30, the horizontal plate portion 23A of the frame 20A may not have the parallel plate portion 23a and may be composed of only the inclined plate portion 23b. In this case, the first plate portion 32b1 (the portion facing the horizontal plate portion 23A) of the inner extension portion 32b in the extension portion 32A of the cover member 30A may also be composed of only the inclined plate portion.

In the above embodiment, the inner extension 32b of the extension 32 of the cover member 30 extends beyond the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as in the LED lighting device 3B shown in FIG. 31, the inner extension 32b of the extension 32B of the cover member 30B may extend so as not to exceed the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20. In FIG. 31, the inner extension 32b of the extension 32B extends halfway to the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20. This makes it possible to reduce the material cost of the cover member 30B. Also, by forming the frame 20 from a white (highly reflective) material, the light extraction efficiency can be improved.

In addition, in FIG. 31, the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20 includes the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b, but this is not limited to this. For example, the frame 20A in FIG. 30 may be used, as in the LED lighting device 3C shown in FIG. 32. The LED lighting device 3C shown in FIG. 32 is configured by combining the frame 20A in FIG. 30 with the cover member 30B in FIG. 31. The horizontal plate portion 23A of the frame 20A does not have the parallel plate portion 23a, but is composed only of the inclined plate portion 23b, and the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32B of the cover member 30B extends so as not to exceed the protrusion 20b of the frame 20A.

In the above embodiment, the protrusion 34 located in the first gap G1 is provided on the cover member 30, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the LED lighting fixture 1D and LED lighting device 3D shown in FIG. 33(a), the protrusion 25 located in the first gap G1 may be provided on the frame 20D. Unlike the cover member 30 in the above embodiment, the cover member 30D in this modified example does not have the protrusion 34. FIG. 33(b) is an enlarged view of the area B surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 33(a). As shown in FIG. 33(b), in this modified example, the protrusion 25 is provided on the horizontal plate portion 23 in the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20D. Specifically, the protrusion 25 is provided on the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23. The protrusion 25 provided on the inclined plate portion 23b protrudes toward the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30D. In this modified example, the protrusion 25 is a dowel, and can be formed by pushing up a part of the metal plate that constitutes the frame 20D. As an example, the protrusion 25 extends along the inclined surface of the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23. The protrusion 25 is also designed so that the tip of the protrusion 25 does not come into contact with the cover member 30D. Specifically, the protrusion 25 is designed so that the tip of the protrusion 25 does not come into contact with the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30D.

With this configuration, even if the above variations (a) to (d) occur in the cover member 30D and the frame 20D, the tip of the protrusion 25 will come into contact with the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30D, so in the area where the protrusion 25 is not provided, the gap (first gap G1) between the extension portion 32 and the protruding portion 20b can be maintained. This makes it possible to prevent surface contact between the extension portion 32 and the protruding portion 20b and to prevent abnormal noise.

The protrusions 25 on the frame 20D do not have to be formed by deforming a portion of the metal plate that constitutes the frame 20D. For example, the protrusions 25 may be formed by attaching a thick material such as tape to the surface of the frame 20D. In this case, the protrusions 25 should be a material with a certain degree of thickness that includes a nonwoven fabric, such as a composite adhesive tape.

In this way, the protrusion located in the first gap G1 may be provided on the frame 20D as shown in FIG. 33, or may be provided on the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 as in the above embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In other words, it is sufficient that the

protrusion

34 or 25 located in the first gap G1 is provided on at least one of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20D. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 34(a), the protrusion 34 may be provided only on the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20, as shown in FIG. 34(b), the protrusion 25 may be provided only on the frame 20D, as shown in FIG. 34(c), or the

protrusions

34 and 25 may be provided on both the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20D. Furthermore, when the

projections

34 and 25 are provided on both the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 and the frame 20D, the projection 34 of the cover member 30 and the projection 25 of the frame 20D may be opposed to each other as shown in Fig. 34(c). Since a first gap G1 exists between the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20D and the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30, the projection 34 of the cover member 30 and the projection 25 of the frame 20D may be offset from each other as shown in Fig. 34(d). However, if the projection 34 and the projection 25 are offset from each other, there is a risk that the projection 34 and the projection 25 may come into contact with each other simultaneously when the first gap G1 becomes narrow. In addition, if the protrusion 25 formed on the frame 20D is a dowel, even if the protrusion 25 and the cover member 30D come into contact, the protrusion 25 and the cover member 30D will be in point contact. However, if multiple protrusions 25 are formed, the number of points of contact between the frame 20D and the cover member 30D will increase when the cover member 30D warps or bends. Therefore, it is preferable to make one of the protrusions 25 of the frame 20D and the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30D a dowel, and the other a rib. For example, as shown in (e) of FIG. 34, the protrusion 25 provided on the frame 20D can be a long dowel, and the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30 can be a rib. As a result, even if the positions of the protrusion 25 and the protrusion 34 are misaligned, the protrusion 25, which is a long dowel, and the protrusion 34, which is a rib, will be in point contact, so that the number of points of contact between the frame 20D and the cover member 30 can be prevented from increasing.

In the above embodiment, the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30 is provided on the inclined plate portion of the first plate portion 32b1 of the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the LED lighting fixture 1E and LED lighting device 3E shown in FIG. 35, the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30E may be provided on the parallel plate portion of the first plate portion 32b1 of the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32E. In this case, the protrusion 34 protrudes toward the parallel plate portion 23a of the horizontal plate portion 23 of the frame 20.

In the above embodiment, the protrusions 34 of the cover member 30 are provided only on the inclined plate portion of the first plate portion 32b1 of the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as in the LED lighting fixture 1F and LED lighting device 3F shown in FIG. 36, the protrusions 34 of the cover member 30F may be provided on each of the inclined plate portion and the parallel plate portion of the first plate portion 32b1 of the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32F. The number of protrusions 34 provided on the extension portion 32F of the cover member 30F is not limited to two, and may be three or more. In other words, there may be more than one protrusion 34 located in the first gap G1.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30 is arranged to be located only in the first gap G1, but this is not limited to this.

For example, as in the LED lighting fixture 1G and LED lighting device 3G shown in FIG. 37, the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30G may be provided to be located in the second gap G2. In this case, the protrusion 34 is provided on the mounting portion 33G of the cover member 30G so as to protrude toward the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. Specifically, the protrusion 34 is provided on the inner surface of the mounting portion 33G. Furthermore, the protrusion 34 provided in the second gap G2 is provided such that the tip of the protrusion 34 does not come into contact with the side plate portion 24 when the frame 20 and the cover member 30G are in a predetermined reference position (design position).

With this configuration, even if the above-mentioned variations (a) to (d) occur between the cover member 30G and the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33G of the cover member 30G and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 come close to each other, the tip of the protrusion 34 provided on the mounting portion 33G will come into contact with the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, so in the portion where the protrusion 34 is not provided, the gap (second gap G2) between the mounting portion 33G and the side plate portion 24 is maintained. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise caused by surface contact between the mounting portion 33G and the side plate portion 24. Also, even if the mounting portion 33G of the cover member 30G and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 come close to each other and the protrusion 34 of the mounting portion 33G comes into contact with the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, it is line contact, so abnormal noise can be reduced compared to when the mounting portion 33G and the side plate portion 24 come into surface contact.

In addition, in this modified example, the protrusions 34 provided in the second gap G2 are provided on each of the pair of mounting portions 33G. In other words, the cover member 30G has a pair of protrusions 34 in the second gap G2. In this case, if at least one of the frame 20 and the cover member 30G shifts in the width direction of the frame 20 and the frame 20 and the cover member 30G become biased, one of the pair of protrusions 34 provided in the second gap G2 may come into contact with one of the pair of side plate portions 24, but the other of the pair of protrusions 34 is not made to come into contact with the other of the pair of side plate portions 24.

In this modified example, two protrusions 34 are provided on one side of the mounting portion 33G, but this is not limited to this. For example, the number of protrusions 34 provided on one side of the mounting portion 33G may be only one, or three or more.

In addition, although not shown, the protrusion located in the second gap G2 may be provided on the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, rather than on the cover member 30G. The protrusion provided on the side plate portion 24 protrudes toward the mounting portion 33G of the cover member 30G. In this case, the protrusion provided on the side plate portion 24 is designed so that the tip does not come into contact with the mounting portion 33G of the cover member 30G. When providing a protrusion in the second gap G2, it may be provided on both the mounting portion 33G of the cover member 30G and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20, but it may also be provided on only one of the mounting portion 33G of the cover member 30G and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20. In other words, it is sufficient that the protrusion located in the second gap G2 is provided on at least one of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33G of the cover member 30G. However, in this case, the protrusion provided in the second gap G2 should be provided so that the tip of the protrusion does not come into contact with the mounting portion 33G and the side plate portion 24.

In addition, in FIG. 37, the protrusion 34 is provided only on the mounting portion 33G so as to be located only in the second gap G2, and is not provided on the extension portion 32, but this is not limited to the above. Specifically, as in the LED lighting fixture 1H and LED lighting device 3H shown in FIG. 38, the protrusion 34 may be provided on both the mounting portion 33H and the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30H. In other words, the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30H may be provided so as to be located in both the first gap G1 and the second gap G2.

Also, as in the LED lighting fixture 1I and LED lighting device 3I shown in FIG. 39, the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30I may be provided so as to be located not only in the first gap G1 but also in the gap GX (the gap between the mounting portion 33I and the inner wall surface of the recess 2a of the fixture body 2). Specifically, the protrusion 34 is also provided on the outer side surface of the mounting portion 33I. This makes it possible to prevent surface contact between the mounting portion 33I and the fixture body 2 and the generation of abnormal noise.

The protrusion located in the gap GX may be provided on the instrument body 2, not on the cover member 30I. That is, it is sufficient that the protrusion located in the gap GX is provided on at least one of the mounting portion 33I of the cover member 30I and the instrument body 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 40(a), the protrusion 34 may be provided only on the mounting portion 33I of the cover member 30I and the instrument body 2, as shown in FIG. 40(b), the protrusion 2i may be provided only on the instrument body 2I of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 and the instrument body 2I, as shown in FIG. 40(c), or the

protrusions

34 and 2i may be provided on both the mounting portion 33I of the cover member 30I and the instrument body 2I. In addition, when the

protrusions

34 and 2i are provided on both the mounting portion 33I of the cover member 30I and the instrument body 2I, the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30I and the protrusion 2i of the instrument body 2I may be opposed to each other as shown in FIG. 40(c), or the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30I and the protrusion 2i of the instrument body 2I may be offset from each other as shown in FIG. 40(d). Also, as shown in FIG. 40(e), the protrusion 2i provided on the instrument body 2I may be a long dowel, and the protrusion 34 of the cover member 30I may be a rib. In this way, even if the positions of the

protrusions

2i and 34 are offset, the protrusion 2i of the long dowel and the protrusion 34 of the rib will be in point contact.

In the above embodiment, in order to maintain the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 between the cover member 30 and the frame 20, protrusions are provided on at least one of the cover member 30 and the frame 20 so as to be located in the first gap G1 and the second gap G2, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as in the LED lighting fixture 1J and the LED lighting device 3J shown in FIG. 41, protrusions may not be provided in either the first gap G1 or the second gap G2. That is, as in the cover member 30J shown in FIG. 41, protrusions 34 may not be provided at the positions of the first gap G1 and the second gap G2, and as in the frame 20 shown in FIG. 41, protrusions 25 may not be provided at the positions of the first gap G1 and the second gap G2. Specifically, protrusions 34 are not provided on the extension portion 32J and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30J. Furthermore, protrusions 25 are not provided on the frame 20. In this modified example, a first gap G1 exists between the protrusion 20b of the frame 20 and the extension 32J of the cover member 30J, and the protrusion 20b and the extension 32J are not in contact. Similarly, a second gap G2 exists between the side plate 24 of the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30J, and the side plate 24 and the mounting portion 33 are not in contact.

In this way, even in an LED lighting device 3J that does not have a protrusion in the first gap G1, the presence of the first gap G1 that forms a space between the extension portion 32J of the cover member 30J and the frame 20 can prevent surface contact between the extension portion 32J of the cover member 30J and the protrusion portion 20b of the frame 20 and the generation of abnormal noise. Also, even in an LED lighting device 3J that does not have a protrusion in the second gap G2, the presence of the second gap G2 that forms a space between the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30J and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 can prevent surface contact between the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30J and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and the generation of abnormal noise.

In the LED lighting device 1J of this modified example, if the cover member 30J and the frame 20 have the above-mentioned variations (a) to (d) or if the cover member 30J and the frame 20 are offset as shown in FIG. 13, the cover member 30J and the frame 20 may have contact between the pair of mounting portions 33 and the pair of side plate portions 24 on only one side of the pair, or contact between the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 on only one side and contact between the extension portion 32J and the protruding portion 20b (horizontal plate portion 23). In these cases, there is a possibility that the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 may come into surface contact, but as described above, the contact pressure when the mounting portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 come into surface contact is a contact pressure in the width direction, which is smaller than the contact pressure when a part of the cover member 30 and a part of the frame 20 come into surface contact in the vertical direction, and therefore the effect of noise generation is small. In addition, since a first gap G1 exists between the protrusion 20b and the extension 32J in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the cover member 30J and the frame 20 are not tightly fixed in the vertical direction, and abnormal noise is unlikely to occur. Furthermore, since the frame 20 is pulled upward by the elastic holding member 6 (kick spring) when the LED lighting device 3J is installed on the fixture body 2, the vertical gap (first gap G1) between the protrusion 20b of the frame 20 and the extension 32J of the cover member 30 is easily opened, so the occurrence of abnormal noise can be effectively reduced.

In addition, when the protrusion located in the first gap G1 is provided on the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20, the LED lighting device 3D shown in FIG. 33 provides the protrusion 25 only on the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the LED lighting fixture 1K and LED lighting device 3K shown in FIG. 42(a) and (b), a protrusion 25K may be provided to straddle the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23 on the protruding portion 20b of the frame 20K. The protrusion 25K is a long dowel formed continuously on the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b. Note that FIG. 42(b) is an enlarged view of the area B surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 42(a).

In addition, when protrusions are provided on the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23, protrusions 25L may be provided on each of the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b of the horizontal plate portion 23, as in the frame 20L of the LED lighting fixture 1L and the LED lighting device 3L shown in (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 43. In other words, the protrusions 25L may be provided separately on the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b. In this case, as shown in (c) of Figure 43, it is preferable to provide the protrusions 25L alternately on the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b along the Y-axis direction. This provides the same effect as when the protrusions 25K are provided so as to straddle the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b as shown in Figure 42. Note that (b) of Figure 43 is an enlarged view of the area B surrounded by the dashed line in (a) of Figure 43, and (c) of Figure 43 is an enlarged perspective view showing the main parts of this modified example.

In the above embodiment, the protrusion 34 provided on the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 is a rib with a triangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 44(a), but this is not limited to this. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 34 may be a shape with an arc-shaped outline such as a semicircle as shown in FIG. 44(b), or may be a polygon such as a pentagon as shown in FIG. 44(c). As shown in FIGS. 44(a) to (c), the shape of the apex of the protrusion 34 is preferably such that even if the protrusion 34 comes into contact with the frame 20, the protrusion 34 and the frame 20 are in line contact. Also, it is preferable that the height of the protrusion 34 is low.

In the above embodiment, the protrusions 25 on the frame 20 are dowels, but this is not limiting. Specifically, the protrusions 25 on the frame 20 may be ribs. In this case, the protrusions 25 may be ribs with a triangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 45(a), or may be ribs with an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 45(b).

In addition, when the protrusion 25 provided on the frame 20 is a dowel, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 25 can be any shape. For example, the protrusion 25 may be a point dowel with a triangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 46(a), a long dowel or a large dowel with a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 46(b), a point dowel with an arc cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 46(c), a long dowel or a large dowel with a rectangular cross-sectional shape with arc corners as shown in FIG. 46(d), a point dowel with a rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 46(e), or a long dowel or a large dowel with a rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 46(f).

Furthermore, as in the LED lighting fixture 1M and LED lighting device 3M shown in Figure 47, intermediate members 35 may be provided at the abutment portion between the cover member 30M and the frame 20 and at the abutment portion between the cover member 30M and the fixture body 2. The intermediate member 35 between the cover member 30M and the frame 20 is a contact member that contacts the cover member 30M and the frame 20, and the intermediate member 35 between the cover member 30M and the fixture body 2 is a contact member that contacts the cover member 30M and the fixture body 2. In this modified example, the intermediate member 35 is provided on the cover member 30M. Specifically, the intermediate member 35 is provided on the tip surface of the third plate portion 32b3 in the inner extension portion 32b of the extension portion 32 (the abutment portion between the extension portion 32 and the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20), the abutment portion 33a of the attachment portion 33 (the abutment portion between the attachment portion 33 and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20), and the outer surface of the outer extension portion 32a of the extension portion 32 (the abutment portion between the extension portion 32 and the opening edge 2a1 of the instrument body 2). The intermediate member 35 is an elastic body made of, for example, an elastomer, and elastically deforms. The intermediate member 35 may be molded integrally with the cover member 30M, or may be attached to the cover member 30M afterwards. The intermediate member 35 does not have to be an elastic body. In this case, it is preferable that the intermediate member 35 has a small friction coefficient. For example, a thin Teflon (registered trademark) sheet can be used as the intermediate member 35 having a small friction coefficient. By using an elastic body or a material with a small coefficient of friction as the intermediate member 35, it is possible to reduce abnormal noise at the contact points between the cover member 30M and the frame 20 (contact points between the tip of the mounting portion 33 and the tip of the side plate portion 24, and contact points between the tip of the extension portion 32 and the main plate portion 21) and at the contact points between the cover member 30M and the device body 2, except for the areas where the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 are provided.

In addition, as in the LED lighting fixture 1N and LED lighting device 3N shown in FIG. 48, the elastic member 26 may be provided on the frame 20N instead of providing the elastic member on the cover member 30. In this case, the elastic member 26 is also provided on the contact portion between the cover member 30 and the frame 20N. Specifically, the elastic member 26 is provided on the main plate portion 21 (contact portion between the main plate portion 21 and the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30) and the bent portion 24a of the side plate portion 24 (contact portion between the side plate portion 24 and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30). The elastic member 26 may be an elastomer or a packing. The elastic member 26 is, for example, attached to the frame 20N.

In the above embodiment, the abutment portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 is bent so as to be inclined, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 49(a), the abutment portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may be formed so as to be curved in an arc. In this case, as shown in FIG. 49(b), a protrusion may be provided at the abutment portion 33a with the side plate portion 24. Also, as shown in FIG. 49(c), the abutment portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may be bent without being inclined. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the abutment portion 33a may be L-shaped. Note that in this case, as shown in FIG. 49(c), a protrusion may be provided at the abutment portion 33a with the side plate portion 24, but as shown in FIG. 49(d), a protrusion may not be provided at the abutment portion 33a with the side plate portion 24. Also, as shown in FIG. 49(e), the abutting portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may be bent twice. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the abutting portion 33a may be V-shaped. Also, as shown in FIG. 49(f), the abutting portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may be a shape having an inclined portion and a parallel portion. Also, as shown in FIG. 49(g), the abutting portion 33a of the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 may be only a parallel portion, and the bent portion 24a of the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 may be inclined so as to fall outward. In order to maintain the second gap G2 between the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30 and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 (i.e., between the legs), it is preferable to adopt the shapes of FIG. 49(a), (b), (e), and (g).

Furthermore, from the viewpoint of maintaining the second gap G2, a spacer 90 may be provided between the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30, as in the LED lighting fixture 1O and LED lighting device 3O shown in FIG. 50. This makes it easy to maintain the second gap G2, and effectively prevents surface contact between the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 and the mounting portion 33 of the cover member 30, resulting in the generation of abnormal noise. The spacer 90 may be made of an elastic material such as an elastomer, but is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the end face shape of the tip of the abutment portion 32c (third plate portion 32b3), which is the abutment portion of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 with the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, is flat, but this is not limited to this. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the end face of the tip of the abutment portion 32c of the extension portion 32 may be a shape with an arc in its outline, such as a semicircle, as shown in FIG. 51(a), or may be an isosceles triangle as shown in FIG. 51(b), or may be a right triangle as shown in FIG. 51(c). This allows the abutment portion 32c of the extension portion 32 to be in line contact with the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, thereby further suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

In the above embodiment, the tip of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 abuts only against the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the LED lighting device 3P shown in FIG. 52, the tip of the extension portion 32P of the cover member 30P may abut against both the frame 20 and the light source unit 10. In FIG. 52, the extension portion 32P of the cover member 30P is further extended from the third plate portion 32b3 to provide an extension portion 32p on the extension portion 32P. Note that in FIG. 52, the extension portion 32p of the cover member 30P is in surface contact with the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10, but this is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 extends from the main portion 31, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b may extend toward the light source unit 10 from the positions of points A1 to A5 of the cover member 30 shown in FIG. 53(a). Note that point A1 is a point located on the main portion 31, point A2 is a point at the portion where the main portion 31 and the outer extension portion 32a are joined, point A3 is a point located on the outer extension portion 32a, point A4 is a point at the portion where the mounting portion 33 and the outer extension portion 32a are joined, and point A5 is a point located on the mounting portion 33. The extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b may extend toward the light source unit 10 from the positions of points B1 to B3 of the cover member 30a shown in FIG. 53(b). The cover member 30a is composed of a main portion 31 and an attachment portion 33, and does not have an external extension portion 32a. Point B1 is a point located on the main portion 31, point B2 is a point where the main portion 31 and the attachment portion 33 are joined, and point B3 is a point located on the attachment portion 33.

For example, when a cover member 30 having a shape shown in FIG. 53(a) is used, the inner extension 32b may extend from the main portion 31 instead of the outer extension 32a as shown in FIG. 54(a), or the inner extension 32b may extend from the middle of the outer extension 32a as shown in FIG. 54(b), or the main portion 31 may be connected to the middle of the extension 32 as shown in FIG. 54(c), or the outer extension 32a may be connected to the middle of the attachment portion 33 as shown in FIG. 54(d). When a cover member 30a having a shape shown in FIG. 53(b) is used, the extension 32 may extend at an angle from the main portion 31 as shown in FIG. 55(a), or may extend in an arch shape from the main portion 31 as shown in FIG. 55(b).

In addition, in Figures 54 and 55, the portion to which the extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b is directly connected is easily affected when the extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b is deformed, while the portion to which the extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b is not directly connected (for example, when it is connected via another part) is not easily affected when the extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b is deformed.

For this reason, in (a), (c), and (d) of FIG. 54 and (a) and (b) of FIG. 55, the degree of influence on the main part 31 is large when the extension part 32 or the inner extension part 32b is deformed. On the other hand, in (b) of FIG. 54, the degree of influence on the main part 31 is small when the extension part 32 or the inner extension part 32b is deformed.

In addition, in FIG. 54(d) and FIG. 55(a) and (b), the degree of influence on the mounting portion 33 is large when the extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b is deformed. On the other hand, in FIG. 54(a) to (c), the degree of influence on the mounting portion 33 is small when the extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b is deformed.

For this reason, in the structure of FIG. 54(b), when the extension portion 32 or the inner extension portion 32b bends, the effect on both the main portion 31 and the mounting portion 33 is small.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a convex portion and/or a concave portion may be formed on the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20. Specifically, as in the LED lighting device 3Q shown in FIG. 56, a convex portion 21c protruding toward the floor side may be formed on the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20Q. The convex portion 21c is a convex protrusion, and can be formed, for example, by applying press processing to the main plate portion 21. The convex portion 21c is, for example, a bead, but is not limited to this. Specifically, the convex portion 21c may be a dowel such as a half-moon dowel, or may be a bridge. The convex portion 21c may also be a protruding portion formed over the entire length in the Y-axis direction, or may be formed intermittently in multiple portions along the Y-axis direction. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 21c formed by press processing is, for example, a rectangle, but is not limited to this. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 21c may be an arc shape, a trapezoid, a triangle, a U-shape, etc. Also, in FIG. 56, the convex portion 21c is formed in the spatial region S1. Therefore, the third plate portion 32b3 of the extension portion 32 is located between the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10 and the convex portion 21c. In this way, by forming the convex portion 21c on the main plate portion 21, the strength of the frame 20Q can be improved. Moreover, by forming the convex portion 21c on the main plate portion 21, it is possible to prevent the extension portion 32 from coming off and to prevent the extension portion 32 from deforming. Furthermore, by forming the convex portion 21c in the spatial region S1, a maze structure can be formed, which further prevents insects from entering the spatial region S2.

In FIG. 56, the convex portion 21c is formed in the spatial region S1, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the LED lighting device 3R shown in FIG. 57, the convex portion 21c formed on the main plate portion 21 of the frame 20R may be formed between the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10 and the third plate portion 32b3 of the extension portion 32. This can improve the strength of the frame 20R.

In addition, in Figures 56 and 57, only one protrusion 21c is formed on the main plate 21, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the LED lighting device 3S shown in Figure 58, two protrusions 21c may be formed on the main plate 21 of the frame 20S. In this case, the third plate 32b3, which is the tip of the extension 32, may be inserted between the two protrusions 21c. In other words, the tip of the extension 32 may be positioned so as to be sandwiched between the two protrusions 21c. In this way, by forming two protrusions 21c on the main plate 21, the strength of the frame 20S can be further improved. Moreover, by inserting the tip of the extension 32 between the two protrusions 21c, it is possible to prevent the extension 32 from coming off and to prevent the extension 32 from deforming. Furthermore, by forming one of the two protrusions 21c in the spatial region S1 and the other of the two protrusions 21c outside the spatial region S1, a more complex maze structure can be created, which further prevents insects from entering the spatial region S2.

56 to 58, the main plate 21 has a convex portion 21c, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as in the LED lighting device 3T shown in FIG. 59, the main plate 21 of the frame 20T may have a concave portion 21d recessed toward the ceiling. The concave portion 21d can be formed, for example, by applying press processing to the main plate 21, similar to the convex portion 21c. The concave portion 21d may also be a convex portion that convex toward the ceiling, such as a bead, but is not limited thereto. The concave portion 21d may also be a groove formed over the entire length in the Y-axis direction, or may be formed intermittently in a plurality of portions along the Y-axis direction. The cross-sectional shape of the concave portion 21d formed by press processing is, for example, a rectangle, but is not limited thereto. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the concave portion 21d may be an arc shape, a trapezoid, a triangle, a U-shape, or the like. In FIG. 59, the third plate portion 32b3, which is the tip of the extension portion 32, is inserted into the concave portion 21d. In this way, by forming the recess 21d in the main plate 21, the strength of the frame 20T can be improved. Furthermore, by inserting the tip of the extension 32 into the recess 21d, the extension 32 can be prevented from coming off and from being deformed.

Note that, as in the LED lighting device 3U shown in FIG. 60, the main plate 21 of the frame 20U may have a protruding portion 21c and a recessed portion 21d formed close to each other. By forming the protruding portion 21c and the recessed portion 21d in this way on the main plate 21, the strength of the frame 20U can be further improved. In this case, the third plate portion 32b3, which is the tip of the extension portion 32, may be inserted into the recessed portion 21d. This can prevent the extension portion 32 from coming off and can also prevent the extension portion 32 from deforming. In addition, by forming the protruding portion 21c in the spatial region S1, a maze structure can be created. This can prevent insects from entering the spatial region S2.

Also, when using a frame 20S (as shown in FIG. 58) in which two protrusions 21c are formed on the main plate 21, as in the LED lighting device 3V shown in FIG. 61, not only the third plate 32b3 but also the fourth plate 32b4 may be formed on the extension 32V of the cover member 30V, and the third plate 32b3 may be inserted between the substrate 11 and the protrusion 21c, and the fourth plate 32b4 may be inserted between the two protrusions 21c. This configuration can improve the strength of the frame 20S, and can prevent the extension 32V from coming off and from deforming. Furthermore, a maze structure can be created by forming one of the two protrusions 21c in the spatial region S1. This can prevent insects from entering the spatial region S2.

Also, when using a frame 20S in which two protrusions 21c are formed on the main plate 21, as in the LED lighting device 3W shown in FIG. 62, the extension 32W of the cover member 30W may be extended further from the third plate 32b3 to form an extension 32d on the extension 32W, and the third plate 32b3 may be inserted between the two protrusions 21c. This configuration can improve the strength of the frame 20S, prevent the extension 32W from coming off, and prevent the extension 32W from deforming. Furthermore, a maze structure can be created by forming one of the two protrusions 21c in the spatial region S1. This can prevent insects from entering the spatial region S2.

It is also possible to use a frame 20X in which three protrusions 21c are formed on the main plate 21, as in the LED lighting device 3X shown in FIG. 63. In this case, the extension 32X of the cover member 30X may be further extended from the third plate 32b3 to form an extension 32d on the extension 32X, and a fourth plate 32b4 may be formed on the extension 32X, and each of the third plate 32b3 and the fourth plate 32b4 may be inserted between two adjacent protrusions 21c. This configuration can further improve the strength of the frame 20X, and can prevent the extension 32X from coming off the frame 20X and from deforming. Furthermore, by forming two of the three protrusions 21c in the spatial region S1, a more complex maze structure can be formed. This can prevent insects from entering the spatial region S2.

Also, when using a frame 20Q (as in FIG. 56) in which a convex portion 21c is formed on the main plate portion 21, as in the LED lighting device 3Y shown in FIG. 64, the tip surface of the extension portion 32 of the cover member 30 may be brought into contact with the top surface of the convex portion 21c.

Also, when using a frame 20T (as in FIG. 59) in which a recess 21d is formed in the main plate 21, as in the LED lighting device 3Z shown in FIG. 65, an extension 32d is formed in the extension 32Z of the cover member 30Z as a branching portion branching off from the middle of the third plate 32b3, and this extension 32d is abutted against the end face of the substrate 11 of the light source unit 10 while the third plate 32b3 is inserted into the recess 21d. This configuration can further prevent the extension 32Z from coming off and can further prevent the extension 32Z from deforming.

Note that, as shown in Figures 56 to 65, when the main board 21 has a convex portion 21c and/or a concave portion 21d, the extension of the cover member does not need to be elastically deformed. In other words, the extension does not need to bend. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent insects from entering the spatial region S2. Furthermore, the convex portion 21c provided on the main board 21 may not be part of the main board 21, but may be formed of a separate member from the main board 21.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the connection portion P1 between the horizontal plate portion 23 and the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 is located closer to the floor than the main plate portion 21 that forms the bottom of the recess 20a, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as in the frame 20AA shown in FIG. 66, the connection portion P1 between the horizontal plate portion 23AA and the side plate portion 24 may be located closer to the ceiling than the main plate portion 21 that forms the bottom of the recess 20a.

In the lighting fixture 1 in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 67(a), the fixture body 2 has an inverted Fuji-shaped cross section, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 67(b), a fixture body 2A having a rectangular cross section may be used. The fixture body 2A is I-shaped and does not have an inclined surface portion 2b having an inclined surface (reflective surface). In the fixture body 2A shown in FIG. 67(b), a bent portion is formed in the portion forming the opening edge of the recess 2a. This bent portion may be a 90° bend, an acute angle bend, or a hemming bend. In addition, the LED lighting device 3 fitted into the

fixture body

2 or 2A may have a part of the LED lighting device 3 recessed inside the recess 2a of the

fixture body

2 or 2A. In addition, the variation of the shape of the fixture body 2 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 67(b), and may be a capped shape having an inclined surface portion (reflective portion) on the floor side when the fixture body 2 is installed on the ceiling.

In the above embodiment, the LED lighting fixture 1 is a ceiling-mounted lighting fixture in which the fixture body 2 is directly installed on the ceiling surface, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the LED lighting fixture 1 may be a ceiling-embedded lighting fixture in which the fixture body 2 is embedded in the ceiling. In this case, as shown in FIG. 67(c), the fixture body 2B is embedded in an opening provided in the ceiling 100. The LED lighting device 3 fitted into the fixture body 2B may be entirely recessed inside the recess 2a of the fixture body 2B so that no part of the LED lighting device 3 protrudes from the ceiling surface of the ceiling 100, or a part of the LED lighting device 3 may protrude from the ceiling surface of the ceiling 100.

In the above embodiment, the opening edge 2a1 of the fixture body 2 is flat and faces the outer extension 32a of the extension 32 of the cover member 30, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as in the fixture body 2C shown in FIG. 68(a), the portion of the fixture body 2C facing the outer extension 32a of the cover member 30 may be angular so that the cross-sectional shape is triangular. In this case, the inclined surface portion 2b of the fixture body 2C may be inclined in two stages as shown in FIG. 68(a). Also, as in the fixture body 2D shown in FIG. 68(b), the cross-sectional shape of the facing portion 2g, which is the portion of the fixture body 2D facing the outer extension 32a of the cover member 30, may be V-shaped. In this case, as shown in FIG. 68(b), the inclined surface portion 2f of the fixture body 2D may be inclined toward the floor side, not toward the ceiling side. With this configuration, a gap can be provided between the outer extension 32a of the cover member 30 and the fixture body 2D. This allows a finger to be inserted into the gap and easily hooked on the end of the cover member 30, making it easy to remove the LED lighting device 3 from the fixture body 2D. In FIG. 68(b), the inclined surface portion 2f is formed to surround the side of the LED lighting device 3. As shown in FIG. 68(c), the cross-sectional shape of the portion of the fixture body 2E facing the outer extension portion 32a of the cover member 30 may be an obtuse triangle, not an acute triangle. In FIG. 68(c), the inclined surface portion 2f of the fixture body 2E is inclined toward the floor, but this is not limited to this. The inner surface of the inclined surface portion 2f of the fixture body 2E is in contact with the end of the cover member 30 in the width direction, but this is not limited to this.

(Modification)
While the LED lighting fixture and LED lighting device according to the present invention have been described above based on the embodiment and modifications, the present invention is not limited to these embodiment and modifications.

For example, in the above embodiment, various shapes of frames are exemplified as frames used in the LED lighting device 3, but frames of the shapes described below may also be used. Note that some of the frames described below have the shapes already described above. For convenience, the frames described below use the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment, even though they have different shapes. The frame features described below may be mutually applicable, or may be applied to the above embodiment and modified examples.

First, in the above embodiment, the horizontal plate portion 23 is composed of the parallel plate portion 23a and the inclined plate portion 23b, but this is not limited to this. For example, the horizontal plate portion 23 may be composed only of parallel plate portions, as in the frame 201 shown in FIG. 69, or the horizontal plate portion 23 may be composed only of inclined plate portions, as in the frame 202 shown in FIG. 70. In this case, the horizontal plate portion 23 may be composed only of inclined plate portions inclined outward, as in the frame 202 shown in FIG. 70, or the horizontal plate portion 23 may be composed only of inclined plate portions inclined inward, as in the frame 203 shown in FIG. 71.

In the above embodiment, the vertical plate portion 22 of the frame 20 is vertically erected with respect to the main plate portion 21, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the frame 204 shown in FIG. 72, the vertical plate portion 22 may be an inclined plate portion that is inclined with respect to the main plate portion 21. In this case, in the frame 204 shown in FIG. 72, the horizontal plate portion 23 is composed only of an inclined plate portion that is inclined toward the outside. Also, in FIG. 72, the position of the connection portion between the horizontal plate portion 23 and the side plate portion 24 is the same as the position of the main plate portion 21 (the bottom of the recess 20a), but this is not limited to this. Specifically, as in the frame 205 shown in FIG. 73, the position of the connection portion between the horizontal plate portion 23 and the side plate portion 24 may be located closer to the floor than the main plate portion 21 (the bottom of the recess 20a). Also, although not shown, the position of the connection portion between the horizontal plate portion 23 and the side plate portion 24 may be located closer to the ceiling than the main plate portion 21 (the bottom of the recess 20a).

Also, as in the frame 206 shown in FIG. 74, the horizontal plate portion 23 may be composed of a curved plate portion.Also, as in the frame 207 shown in FIG. 75, the standing plate portion 22 may be composed only of an inclined plate portion and the horizontal plate portion 23 may be composed only of a parallel plate portion, or as in the frame 208 shown in FIG. 76, the standing plate portion 22 may be composed only of an inclined plate portion and the horizontal plate portion 23 may be composed of a parallel plate portion and an inclined plate portion.

Furthermore, as in the frame 209 shown in FIG. 77, the horizontal plate portion 23 may be formed in a stepped shape. That is, the horizontal plate portion 23 may have a step. In this case, in the frame 209 shown in FIG. 77, the horizontal plate portion 23 having a step is composed of two parallel plate portions that are at different heights from the main plate portion 21, but this is not limited to this. For example, as in the frame 210 shown in FIG. 78, the horizontal plate portion 23 having a step may have a parallel plate portion and an inclined plate portion located inside the parallel plate portion, as in the frame 211 shown in FIG. 79, the horizontal plate portion 23 having a step may have a parallel plate portion and an inclined plate portion located outside the parallel plate portion and inclined inward, as in the frame 212 shown in FIG. 80, the horizontal plate portion 23 having a step may have an inclined plate portion inclined outward and an inclined plate portion inclined inward. Also, as in the frame 213 shown in FIG. 81, the horizontal plate portion 23 may be stepped with an inclined plate portion and a parallel plate portion, and the standing plate portion 22 may be an inclined plate portion, or as in the frame 214 shown in FIG. 82, the horizontal plate portion 23 may be stepped with two parallel plate portions, and the standing plate portion 22 may be an inclined plate portion.

Note that, as in the frame 215 shown in FIG. 83, reinforcing ribs 21b may be formed at the boundary between the main plate portion 21 and the standing plate portion 22. This ensures the strength of the frame even if the side plate portion 24 is short. The reinforcing ribs 21b may be formed, for example, by pressing.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 extends from each of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the side plate portion 24 of the frame 20 may extend from only one of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23. In other words, it is sufficient that the side plate portion 24 extends from at least one of the pair of horizontal plate portions 23.

As described above, frames of various shapes have been described. For frames of various shapes, variations in the gap between the frame and the cover member (first gap G1, second gap G2) and the positions of the protrusions (ribs/dowels) provided on the frame or cover member will be described using Figure 84.

First, as shown in FIG. 84(a), when the frame does not have a protrusion 20b, the gap between the frame and the cover member may be either the first gap G1 alone or both the first gap G1 and the second gap G2, and the position of the protrusion on the frame or the cover member may be the second gap G2.

Next, as shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 84, when the frame is provided with the protrusion 20b and the horizontal plate portion 23 of the protrusion 20b is composed of only the parallel plate portion 23a, the gap provided between the frame and the cover member may be only the first gap G1 or both the first gap G1 and the second gap G2, and the position of the protrusion provided on the frame or the cover member may be only the first gap G1, only the second gap G2, or both the first gap G1 and the second gap G2. Note that (b) and (c) have different shapes of the extension portion 32. Specifically, the extension portion 32 in (c) has the first plate portion 32b1, the second plate portion 32b2, and the third plate portion 32b3, but the extension portion 32 in (b) has the first plate portion 32b1 and the third plate portion 32b3, but does not have the second plate portion 32b2. That is, in (b), the third plate portion 32b3 is located close to the protruding portion 20b of the frame with a gap therebetween.

Next, as shown in (d) and (e) of Figure 84, when a protrusion 20b is provided on the frame and the horizontal plate portion 23 of the protrusion 20b is composed only of an inclined plate portion 23b, the gap provided between the frame and the cover member may be only the first portion G1a in the first gap G1, the first portion G1a in the first gap G1 and the second gap G2, the first portion G1a in the first gap G1 and the second portion G1b in the first gap G1, or the first portion G1a in the first gap G1, the second portion G1b in the first gap G1 and the second gap G2, and the position of the protrusion provided on the frame or the cover member may be only the first gap G1, only the second gap G2, or both the first gap G1 and the second gap G2. The first portion G1a of the first gap G1 is a gap facing the corner of the protruding portion 20b, and the second portion G1b of the first gap G1 is a gap where the horizontal plate portion 23 of the protruding portion 20b faces the inclined surface of the inclined plate portion 23b. Also, (d) and (e) have different shapes of the extension portion 32, similar to the relationship between (b) and (c) above.

Next, as shown in (f) and (g) of FIG. 84, when the frame is provided with a protrusion 20b and the horizontal plate portion 23 of the protrusion 20b is composed of a parallel plate portion 23a and an inclined plate portion 23b, it is the same as the case of (d) and (e) of FIG. 62. Specifically, the gap provided between the frame and the cover member may be the first portion G1a in the first gap G1 only, the first portion G1a in the first gap G1 and the second gap G2, the first portion G1a in the first gap G1 and the second portion G1b in the first gap G1, or the first portion G1a in the first gap G1, the second portion G1b in the first gap G1, and the second gap G2. In addition, the position of the protrusion provided on the frame or the cover member may be the first gap G1 only, the second gap G2 only, or both the first gap G1 and the second gap G2. The first portion G1a and the second portion G1b in the first gap G1 are the same as described above, and (f) and (g) have the same relationship as (d) and (e) above.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the outer extension 32a of the cover member 30 may be part of the main portion 31. In this case, the extension 32 of the cover member 30 will be, for example, only the inner extension 32b, and will extend from the outer extension 32a, which is part of the main portion 31, toward the inside of the cover member 30.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when the LED lighting device 3 is attached to the fixture body 2, the LED lighting device 3 is attached to the fixture body 2 by rotating the LED lighting device 3, but this is not limited to the above. In other words, the LED lighting device 3 may be attached to the fixture body 2 without rotating the LED lighting device 3. Specifically, the LED lighting device 3 may be attached to the fixture body 2 by hooking a leaf spring or the like provided on the LED lighting device 3 to the fixture body 2 installed on the ceiling and moving the LED lighting device 3 vertically so as to move it in parallel toward the fixture body 2. In this case, the LED lighting device 3 can be attached to the fixture body 2 by pushing and fitting the LED lighting device 3 vertically into the recess 2a of the fixture body 2.

In the above embodiment, the LED lighting fixture 1 is a ceiling-mounted lighting fixture in which the fixture body 2 is directly installed on the ceiling surface, but this is not limited to this. For example, the LED lighting fixture 1 may be a ceiling-embedded lighting fixture in which the fixture body 2 is embedded in the ceiling.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an SMD type LED element in which an LED chip is mounted in a package is used as the LED 12, and the light emitting module consisting of the substrate 11 and the LED 12 is an SMD type LED module, but this is not limited to this. For example, the light emitting module consisting of the substrate 11 and the LED 12 may be a COB (chip on board) type LED module. In this case, the LED chip (bare chip) itself is used as the LED 12, multiple LEDs 12 (LED chips) are arranged in a line on the substrate 11, and the multiple LEDs 12 are collectively or individually sealed with a sealing material (e.g., phosphor-containing resin).

In addition, in the above embodiment, a cover member 30 having both diffusive and translucent properties is used, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a translucent cover having only translucent properties out of the diffusive and translucent properties may be used instead of the cover member 30. In this case, a transparent cover with a high transmittance that allows the viewer to see through to the other side may be used as the translucent cover.

In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above-mentioned embodiments that a person skilled in the art may conceive, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the present invention also includes any combination of two or more claims from among the multiple claims described in the claims at the time of filing this application, within the scope of technical compatibility. For example, when a cited-form claim described in the claims at the time of filing this application is made into a multiple claim or multiple-multi claim that cites all of the higher claims within the scope of technical compatibility, the combination of all claims included in that multiple claim or multiple-multi claim is also included in the present invention.

Reference Signs List 1 LED lighting fixture 2 Fixture body 2a Recess 2a1 Opening edge 3 LED lighting device 10 Light source section 20 Frame 20b Protruding section 21 Main plate section 22 Standing plate section 23 Horizontal plate section 24 Side plate section 30 Cover member 31 Main section 32 Extension section 32a Outer extension section 32b Inner extension section

Claims

An LED lighting device that is attached to a recess in a fixture body installed in a building material,
A light source unit;
a long frame having a main plate portion to which the light source unit is attached;
a long-shaped cover member having a main portion that covers the light source portion,
the frame has a protrusion protruding toward a light emission side of the light source unit,
The main plate portion, the opening edge of the recess, and the protrusion are provided in this order as they move away from the construction material.
LED lighting device.
The light source unit includes a substrate and an LED disposed on the substrate.
The LED is located closer to the construction material than the top of the protrusion.
2. The LED lighting device according to claim 1.
The LED is located closer to the construction material than the opening edge.
3. The LED lighting device according to claim 2.
The frame has an extension portion extending toward the construction material,
The protrusion has an inclined plate portion connected to the extension portion.
2. The LED lighting device according to claim 1.
A connection portion between the extension portion and the inclined plate portion is located at substantially the same height as the opening edge.
5. The LED lighting device according to claim 4.
The tip of the extension portion is located closer to the construction material than the main plate portion.
6. The LED lighting device according to claim 4 or 5.
The extension portion is housed in the recess.
6. The LED lighting device according to claim 4 or 5.
The extension portion extends along a side wall of the recess.
8. The LED lighting device according to claim 7.
The cover member has an extension portion extending toward the light source unit so as to cover at least a portion of the protrusion.
The LED lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The extension portion has an outer extension portion located outside the protrusion portion in the short side direction of the frame.
10. The LED lighting device according to claim 9.
The outer extension portion overlaps with the opening edge.
11. The LED lighting device according to claim 10.
The extension portion has an inner extension portion extending from the outer extension portion toward the light source portion so as to cover at least a portion of the protrusion.
11. The LED lighting device according to claim 10.
The inner extension portion has an arch shape that is convex toward the main portion.
13. An LED lighting device according to claim 12.
The inclination of the inner extension portion in the short side direction of the cover member is gentler than the inclination of the outer side portion in the short side direction of the cover member.
14. An LED lighting device according to claim 13.
The protrusion has an inclined plate portion,
The inner extension portion has a shape that conforms to the inclined plate portion.
13. An LED lighting device according to claim 12.
The tip of the inner extension portion contacts the main plate portion.
13. An LED lighting device according to claim 12.
An LED lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
and a fixture body having a recess in which the LED lighting device is attached.
LED lighting fixture.