Manufacturing tubular housing for lighting device
By employing a laminated structure of reflective and structural support layers in lighting equipment, the problems of heavy weight and difficult assembly of traditional metal or plastic housings are solved, achieving easy assembly and high-efficiency optical performance while reducing environmental impact.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Traditional lighting equipment uses tubular housings and structural supports made of metal or plastic, which increases weight and makes assembly difficult. Existing improved processes use paper-derived materials, but manufacturing is complex and assembly defects exist.
The system employs a layered structure, including a reflective layer and a structural support layer, and forms a tubular shell by winding and unwinding through a mold. This reduces assembly complexity and improves recyclability. The use of cellulose fiber materials and aluminum foil enhances optical efficiency.
It simplifies the assembly process of the tubular housing, reduces the risk of defects, improves the optical efficiency and recyclability of lighting equipment, and reduces environmental impact.
Smart Images

Figure CN121889620A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of lighting equipment, and more particularly to slender lighting equipment. Background Technology
[0002] Our reliance on artificial lighting is increasing in daily life. Traditionally, lighting devices or fixtures used to provide artificial light are formed from metal or plastic components. In particular, tubular housings and structural supports for lighting devices made of metal or plastic components are very common. Disadvantageously, components made of such materials significantly increase the weight of the lighting and are difficult to assemble (e.g., requiring screws and / or adhesives).
[0003] One proposed method for reducing the environmental impact of lighting equipment is to replace metal or plastic tubular housings / supports with tubular housings / supports made of paper-derived materials such as cardboard or paperboard.
[0004] To manufacture such a device, the conventional process involves winding or rolling several layers of paper around a mold, followed by stamping the paper layers to provide a paper tubular shell with light exit windows.
[0005] There is a current expectation to improve the manufacturing process of lighting equipment, especially those that include components made from environmentally friendly materials such as paper-derived materials.
[0006] US20130033888A1 discloses a lighting device having at least a portion of a flexible sheet assembly rolled into a tube. Summary of the Invention
[0007] This invention is defined by the claims.
[0008] According to an example of one aspect of the invention, an elongated lighting device is provided, comprising a tubular housing and a light-emitting element of the (elongated) tubular housing, the (elongated) tubular housing extending along a first axis and including sidewalls comprising stacks. The stacks include reflective layers stacked on one or more structural support layers. The stacks define an inner housing volume in which the light-emitting element is positioned; and the reflective layers face the inner housing volume. The sidewalls include one or more apertures through the stacks to define one or more light-emitting windows for the elongated lighting device.
[0009] Therefore, this disclosure provides a tubular housing formed by providing one or more structural support layers on a reflective material layer, which together define an internal housing volume in which the light-emitting element will be positioned or placed. This increases the ease of assembling or manufacturing the tubular housing, for example, by avoiding the need to perform complex assembly processes and / or dimensional matching between the reflective element and the structural support. The proposed method also reduces the risk of lighting defects.
[0010] The proposed method effectively provides a mechanism for integrating a reflective layer into a structural support component of a lighting device.
[0011] In some examples, at least one of the one or more structural support layers, preferably each layer, is formed of a cellulose fiber material. For example, by avoiding the use of single-use plastics and / or minimizing the use of metals, this embodiment significantly increases recyclability and reduces the environmental impact of the tubular shell.
[0012] A lighting device is also provided, which includes the tubular housing disclosed herein and a light-emitting element positioned within the inner housing volume.
[0013] In some examples, the reflective layer is a foil of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Metal foils do not have fibers like cellulose fibers (e.g., kraft paper), thus avoiding the rough edges caused when cutting the sidewalls of a tubular housing with a blade or stamping them with a die. Therefore, this foil not only improves the optical efficiency of the lighting device but also facilitates the manufacture of the tubular housing by forming smooth edges that create one or more apertures as light exit windows for elongated lighting devices.
[0014] In some examples, the reflective layer is adhered to one or more structural support layers, and when there is more than one layer in one or more structural support layers, such layers are adhered to each other to form a stack.
[0015] A method for manufacturing a tubular housing for an elongated lighting device as described above is also provided, the method comprising: providing a mold that defines the shape of an internal housing volume of the elongated lighting device; winding a reflective layer of flexible material around the mold; providing one or more structural support layers around the reflective layer wound around the mold, thereby creating a stack defining the internal housing volume, the stack including the reflective layer and the one or more structural support layers; disengaging the mold from the stack to create the tubular housing; and cutting or punching one or more apertures through the stack to define one or more light exit windows for the elongated lighting device.
[0016] The proposed method provides a technique for easily assembling and / or forming elongated tubular housings for slender lighting devices. In particular, the use of molds facilitates repeatable and reliable shaping of the reflective layer and the internal housing volume, improving manufacturing consistency. The proposed method also facilitates positioning or winding layers within a stack to provide tight coupling for improved structural support and stability.
[0017] In some examples, the mold has a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape in the first plane, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the first plane. Examples of suitable non-rectangular cross-sectional shapes include: (e.g., isosceles) trapezoids; (e.g., isosceles) triangles; arched shapes; semicircles, etc.
[0018] In some examples, the mold can move between a first configuration and a second configuration, in which the mold has a first shape and in the second configuration, the mold has a second shape smaller than the first shape.
[0019] In such examples, when the mold is in a first configuration, the steps of wrapping a reflective layer around the mold and providing one or more structural support layers are performed; the steps of removing the mold include: moving the mold from the first configuration to a second configuration; and removing the mold from the internal housing volume.
[0020] This method provides a technique to improve the ease of removing the mold from the tubular shell after its manufacture or formation. By reducing the size of the mold before removal, the risk of damaging the interior of the tubular shell (particularly the reflective layer) is significantly reduced, thereby maintaining the efficiency of the reflective layer and reducing the risk of defect formation.
[0021] In some examples, the first shape has a larger dimension in a first plane than the second shape, and the first axis is perpendicular to the first plane.
[0022] The mold can be foldable to facilitate movement between a first configuration and a second configuration. For example, the mold may include two or more moving parts, a scissor mechanism, and / or an inflatable airbag to facilitate movement between the first and second configurations.
[0023] The method may also include adhering the reflective layer to one or more structural support layers. This reduces the risk of the reflective layer losing its shape, thereby affecting the optical efficiency and / or characteristics of the tubular housing of the lighting device.
[0024] In some examples, providing one or more structural support layers includes wrapping a sheet of structural support material around the mold to form one or more structural support layers.
[0025] In a preferred example, winding one or more structural support layers may include performing multiple winding operations on the structural support material sheet.
[0026] In a preferred example, one or more structural support layers comprise multiple structural support layers. This significantly increases the structural support provided by the one or more structural support layers, reducing the risk of deformation of the tubular shell.
[0027] In some examples, each of one or more structural support layers and the reflective layer is formed of and / or uses cellulose fiber material.
[0028] A method for manufacturing an elongated lighting device as described above is also proposed, comprising performing any of the methods disclosed herein; and inserting a light-emitting element into an inner housing volume after disassembling the mold from the stack.
[0029] The method may also include coupling the light-emitting element to the reflective layer.
[0030] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description
[0031] To better understand the invention and to more clearly illustrate how to implement it, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, in which:
[0032] exist Figure 1 A tubular shell is shown;
[0033] Figure 2 A portion of the tubular shell is shown;
[0034] Figure 3 Another view of the tubular housing is provided;
[0035] Figure 4 The illustration shows a lighting device including the tubular housing;
[0036] Figure 5 Another view of the lighting fixture is provided;
[0037] Figures 6 to 9 The illustration shows a technique used to manufacture the tubular shell;
[0038] exist Figure 10 The illustration shows one alternative lighting device;
[0039] exist Figure 11 The illustration shows another alternative lighting device; and
[0040] exist Figure 12 The illustration shows yet another lighting device. Detailed Implementation
[0041] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0042] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatuses, systems, and methods, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatuses, systems, and methods of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.
[0043] This invention provides a tubular shell and a method for manufacturing the tubular shell. The tubular shell is formed by a stack defining an inner shell volume, thereby forming the sidewalls of the tubular shell. The stack includes a reflective layer and at least one structural support layer. The reflective layer is positioned between the inner shell volume and the at least one structural support layer.
[0044] Figure 1 Provides a light-emitting element ( Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the tubular housing 100 (not visible in the image). The tubular housing 100 is formed by stacks 110 and 120 surrounding an inner housing volume 190. The light-emitting element is positioned or will be positioned within the inner housing volume 190.
[0045] The stacks 110 and 120 include a reflective layer 110 facing the inner housing volume 190.
[0046] The stack also includes one or more structural support layers 120, which provide structural support for at least the reflective layer 110. Therefore, the reflective layer 110 is disposed or positioned between the inner housing volume 190 and the one or more structural support layers 120.
[0047] The stacking of layers 110 and 120 thus provides or defines the sidewalls of the tubular housing 100. The sidewalls are the physical boundaries of the inner housing volume in which the light-emitting element will be positioned.
[0048] The tubular housing 100 may also include one or more apertures 150 extending through the stack of layers 110, 120. Thus, each layer 110, 120 in the stack (which defines the inner housing volume 190) may include a corresponding aperture, which, when stacked, creates an aperture through the stack 110, 120. The apertures may be formed, for example, by stamping, cutting, or otherwise forming through-holes through the stack 110, 120.
[0049] In a preferred example, if the thickness of the stack varies at different locations around the inner shell volume (e.g., caused by additional portions of the reflective and / or structural support layers), then the aperture 150 is preferably located at the location with the maximum thickness. This is in Figure 1 As shown in the image.
[0050] Multiple structural support layers 120 may be formed from a single piece of structural support material, which wraps or wraps around the reflective layer 110 once or multiple times. The wrapping or wrapping may terminate at a termination position 125, which may form a visible seam. In a preferred example, the aperture 150 may be positioned adjacent to the termination position 125 to reduce the visibility of the termination position or seam to an observer of the tubular housing.
[0051] In the example shown, the reflective layer 110 consists of only a single layer or a winding. However, in practice, the reflective layer 110 may include one or more layers or windings surrounding the inner housing volume 190 (or, as described below, partial layers or windings).
[0052] While providing more than one reflective layer may be less materially efficient than using a single layer without improving the reflective quality of the reflective layer (e.g., since layers other than the first layer will not perform light reflection), such an embodiment may be useful for ensuring that the entire desired boundary of the internal housing volume 190 is enclosed by the reflective layer 110. This establishes redundancy.
[0053] In some examples, the reflective layer 110 comprises a portion wound around the inner housing volume. This avoids the need to cut or otherwise form apertures in the reflective layer.
[0054] More specifically, in the illustrated example, the stack of layers 110, 120 includes a single reflective layer 110 and a semi-structural support layer 120. Thus, the reflective layer 110 completely wraps or wraps around the inner shell volume once. A semi-structural support layer 120 includes a first structural support layer 121 that wraps around or covers the entire reflective layer 110, followed by a semi-structural support layer that covers half of the first structural support layer, i.e., partially wraps around the first structural support layer.
[0055] Of course, the tubular shell may include any (positive) number of structural support layers that enclose or surround the reflective layer 110. The more layers there are, the greater the structural support provided to the tubular shell. This is due to the increased thickness of the structural support layers.
[0056] While the previously described example fabricates the structural support layer by wrapping a single piece of structural support material around the reflective layer, alternative methods are considered. For example, the structural support layer can be provided by wrapping two or more separate pieces of structural support material around the reflective layer. As another example, the structural support layer can be provided by molding the structural support material into the reflective layer.
[0057] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the tubular housing 100 is provided. Figure 2 To better illustrate the structural relationship between layers 110 and 120 in the stack. Specifically, Figure 2This illustrates how (multiple) structural support layers are positioned on top of a reflective layer, such that the reflective layer is located between the structural support layers and the inner shell volume 190.
[0058] Figure 3 A perspective view of the tubular housing 100 is provided.
[0059] like Figure 3 As best shown, the tubular housing 100 is designed for an elongated lighting device. Therefore, the tubular housing 100 is also elongated, for example, extending along a first axis Y1.
[0060] Clearly, the tube (of the tubular shell) is formed by layers, and the hollow interior of the tube is formed by the inner shell volume 190.
[0061] The tubular shell 100 can take any suitable cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape is the shape of the tubular shell (and specifically the internal shell volume) in a first plane p1 orthogonal to the first axis Y1. Therefore, the first axis Y1 is perpendicular to the first plane p1.
[0062] In the illustrated example, the tubular housing 100 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may vary depending on the specific use of the tubular housing. Alternative examples of cross-sectional shapes are provided later in this disclosure.
[0063] Each layer in the laminate can be formed from or using cellulose fibrous materials. Cellulose fibrous materials (i.e., plant-derived fibers) are any materials formed from cellulose fibers. Cellulose fibers are known to be derived from bark, wood, stems, leaves, or any other part of a plant. This provides a tubular shell made from sustainable materials, which helps reduce the carbon footprint of manufacturing tubular shells for slender lighting devices such as lamps. To further reduce the carbon footprint in the manufacture of tubular shells for slender lighting devices, the cellulose fibrous material can be made from recycled paper or partially from recycled paper.
[0064] Methods for forming a reflective layer made of or using cellulose fibrous materials are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the reflective layer may be formed from a white cellulose fibrous material (such as white paper) designed to reflect light in a diffuse manner. As another example, the reflective layer may be formed from a cellulose fibrous material and then coated with a reflective material or coating, examples of which are well known in the art (e.g., metallic coatings, such as aluminum or silver, or polymer-based reflective coatings).
[0065] Preferably, the thickness of each layer (reflective and / or structural support layer) is not less than 0.1 mm, for example, not less than 0.15 mm. This improves ease of manufacture and enhances the stability of the tubular shell.
[0066] As a working example, the thickness of each reflective layer can be between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm, for example, between 0.175 mm and 0.225 mm. Similarly, the thickness of each structural support layer can be between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm, for example, between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm. The precise thickness of the layers can depend on, for example, the specific application and / or the availability of materials.
[0067] In a preferred example, the number of structural support layers is less than 20, for example less than 15. This reduces the material cost of manufacturing the tubular shell 100.
[0068] In a preferred example, the number of structural support layers is greater than three, for example, five or more. This helps ensure that the tubular housing 100 has sufficient strength to support the light-emitting elements (multiple), for example, without requiring any additional mounting or support components.
[0069] As a working example, the number of structural support layers can be between 5 and 10. For structural support layers formed of cellulose fiber material with a thickness between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm, this helps ensure that there is sufficient structural support to support (multiple) light-emitting elements, for example, without the need for any additional mounting pieces or supports.
[0070] Preferably, the reflective layer can be separated from one or more structural support layers (e.g., if they are adhered together, they can be separated using an adhesive remover (e.g., isopropyl)). This improves the recyclability of slender lighting devices, for example, because different technologies or processes may be needed to recycle layers of different materials.
[0071] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an elongated lighting device 4 including the proposed tubular housing 100 is provided. Figure 5 A perspective view of the slender lighting device 4 is provided.
[0072] The elongated lighting device also includes a light-emitting element 460. The light-emitting element 460 is an elongated light-emitting element and is positioned opposite to the aperture(s) 150 formed in the tubular housing 100.
[0073] The elongated lighting device 4 may also include a mounting member 415. The mounting member may be configured to provide structural support to the light-emitting element 460. The mounting member 415 may also include a corresponding mounting aperture 416 that overlaps with or aligns with the aperture 150 of the tubular housing 100. In some examples, the mounting member may be easily omitted.
[0074] In some examples, the base 415 includes a collimator, beamformer, or reflector configured to control the direction of light emitted by the light-emitting element 460. Therefore, the shape of the mounting 415 can control or define the shape of the beam output from the elongated lighting device 4. In the example shown, the mounting 415 has a trapezoidal (partial) shape. In such embodiments, the reflective layer 110 is used to improve the efficiency of the elongated lighting device, for example, by reducing the absorption of stray light by the tubular housing.
[0075] The elongated lighting device may also include a light control layer 470 covering the aperture, such as a diffuser, lens, and / or other filters (e.g., color filters). In particular, the diffuser may be positioned between the aperture and the light-emitting element 460 such that light emitted from the light-emitting layer undergoes diffusion, beam shaping, and / or filtering as it passes through the light control element 470.
[0076] The light control layer may include a planar material sheet inserted into the tubular housing 100 to cover the aperture 150. Examples of suitable material sheets for light control are well known in the art.
[0077] This disclosure also provides a method or mechanism for manufacturing the previously disclosed tubular shell.
[0078] Figures 6 to 9 The results of steps performed according to a proposed method for manufacturing a tubular housing are shown. Clearly, the proposed method is used to manufacture a tubular housing for a light-emitting element of an elongated lighting device extending along a first axis.
[0079] like Figure 6 As shown, the method includes providing a mold 600. The shape of the mold defines the shape of the internal housing volume of the elongated lighting device. The method also includes the step of winding a reflective layer 110 (of flexible material) around the mold 600, for example, partially or at least once. In the illustrated example, the reflective layer is wrapped to form a single winding around the mold 600.
[0080] Subsequently, as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the method includes providing one or more structural support layers 120 around the reflective layer 110. This creates a stack comprising the reflective layer and one or more structural support layers.
[0081] like Figure 7 As shown, this step can be performed by wrapping a (single) sheet of structural support material around the reflective layer. The wrapping can be performed once or multiple times. In the example shown, the wrapping is performed one and a half times to provide structural support material that completely or entirely wraps around the reflective layer, as well as partially wrapping it.
[0082] like Figure 8As shown, the structural support material can then be fixed or adhered to form a laminate.
[0083] Similarly, the reflective layer 110 may be adhered to the structural support layers(s). This can be done, for example, by applying an adhesive to the reflective layer before providing the structural support layers on top of the reflective layer. Of course, the adhesive may also / otherwise be applied to the structural support layers(s) before the structural support layers(s) are placed on top of the reflective layer.
[0084] Another method of providing one or more structural support layers is, for example, to distribute pulp around the reflective layer and then pressurize, heat, dry or otherwise shape the pulp to solidify it and form (multiple) structural support layers.
[0085] like Figure 9 As shown, the method may then include or perform the step of disengaging the mold from the stack, thereby producing a tubular housing for the light-emitting element. More specifically, disengaging the mold may include removing or taking out the mold from the stack.
[0086] The method may then include or perform the step of cutting or punching one or more apertures 150 through the stack to define one or more light exit windows for an elongated lighting device. The result of this step is also... Figure 9 As shown in the image.
[0087] It has been determined that, for example, removing the mold from the internal shell volume can be difficult if the reflective layer and / or (multiple) structural support layers are tightly wrapped around the mold.
[0088] To improve the ease of removing the mold from the internal shell volume, the mold can move between a first configuration and a second configuration. When in the second configuration, the shape of the mold is smaller than when in the first configuration. More specifically, the shape of the mold in the (first) plane orthogonal to the (first) axis along which the elongated tubular shell extends can be smaller in the second configuration than in the first configuration.
[0089] Of course, when the mold is in the first configuration, the steps of wrapping the reflective layer around the mold and providing one or more structural support layers are performed. Accordingly, the steps of removing the mold include moving the mold from the first configuration to the second configuration; and removing the mold from the internal shell volume.
[0090] In one example, the mold is foldable to facilitate movement between the first and second configurations.
[0091] Specifically, the mold can be formed from two parts that are movable relative to each other. A fixing mechanism (e.g., screws or clamps) can fix the two parts to form the mold in a first configuration. When the fixing mechanism is released, the mold may fall or collapse, causing the two parts to engage with each other.
[0092] For example, a portion of the mold may include an elongated aperture or track, and a protrusion of another portion of the mold may move through the elongated aperture or track. The protrusion may be fixed in a first position along the track to secure the mold in a first configuration. The protrusion may be moved along the track to a second position to move the mold to a second configuration (after release from the first configuration).
[0093] Other suitable arrangements or designs for facilitating the movement of the mold between the first and second configurations will be obvious to those skilled in the art, such as those using one or more scissor mechanisms; inflatable airbags; and / or actuators.
[0094] It will be understood that a method for manufacturing lighting devices is also proposed, comprising: performing any of the previously described methods for manufacturing (elongated) tubular housings; and inserting light-emitting elements into the inner housing volume after disassembling the mold from the stack. This can produce Figure 4 and Figure 5 Lighting device 4 is shown.
[0095] As mentioned earlier, the shape of the mold (used to produce the tubular shell) defines the shape of the internal space of the shell. Figures 6 to 9 In the scheme shown, the mold has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
[0096] Figure 10 An alternative lighting device 10 is shown, wherein the mold used to manufacture the elongated tubular housing 1000 has a triangular cross-sectional shape.
[0097] The lighting device 10 can be manufactured using techniques similar to those previously described, and therefore includes a tubular housing 1000 formed by stacks, including a reflective layer 1010 defining an inner housing volume 1090 and at least one structural support layer 1020. The inner housing volume 1090 (in a plane orthogonal to the axis of extension of the elongated tubular housing 1000) is triangular in shape.
[0098] The tubular housing 1000 also includes an aperture 1050, a light control layer 1070, and two (elongated) light-emitting elements 1061 and 1062.
[0099] Figure 11 Another alternative lighting device 11 is shown, wherein the mold used to manufacture the elongated tubular housing 1100 has a tunnel-shaped cross-section.
[0100] The lighting device 11 can be manufactured using techniques similar to those previously described, and therefore includes a tubular housing 1100 formed by a stack, the stack defining an inner housing volume 1190 including a reflective layer 1110 and at least one structural support layer 1120. The inner housing volume 1190 (in a plane orthogonal to the axis of extension of the elongated tubular housing 1100) is triangular in shape.
[0101] The tubular housing 1100 also includes an aperture 1150, a light control layer 1170, and at least one light-emitting element 1160.
[0102] Figure 12 Another alternative lighting device 12 is shown, wherein the mold used to manufacture the elongated tubular housing 1200 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.
[0103] The lighting device 12 can be manufactured using techniques similar to those previously described, and therefore includes a tubular housing 1200 formed by a stack, the stack defining an inner housing volume 1290 including a reflective layer 1210 and at least one structural support layer 1220. The inner housing volume 1290 (in a plane orthogonal to the axis of extension of the elongated tubular housing 1200) is triangular in shape.
[0104] The tubular housing 1200 also includes an aperture 1250, a light control layer 1270, and at least one light-emitting element 1260.
[0105] In the context of this invention, a reflective layer is a layer designed to reflect most, almost all, or all of the light incident upon it. In particular, a reflective layer may be a layer that reflects not less than 60% (from within the internal housing volume) of the light incident upon it at all angles from which light can be incident, preferably not less than 75%, more preferably not less than 90%, and even more preferably not less than 98%.
[0106] By studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.
[0107] The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously.
[0108] If the term “suitable” is used in the claims or description, it should be noted that the term “suitable” is intended to be equivalent to the term “configured as.” If the term “arrangement” is used in the claims or description, it should be noted that the term “arrangement” is intended to be equivalent to the term “system,” and vice versa.
[0109] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
Claims
1. An elongated lighting device (4, 10, 11, 12) comprising a tubular housing (100, 1000, 1100, 1200) and a light-emitting element (460, 1060, 1160, 1260), the tubular housing extending along a first axis (Y1) and including sidewalls, the sidewalls comprising layers, wherein the layers include reflective layers (110, 1010, 1110, 1210) stacked on one or more structural support layers (120, 1020, 1120, 1220), wherein: The stack defines an inner housing volume (190, 1090, 1190, 1290), and the light-emitting element is positioned within the inner housing volume; and The reflective surface corresponds to the volume of the inner shell. The sidewalls include one or more apertures (150, 1050, 1150, 1250) through the stack to define one or more light exit windows for the elongated lighting device; At least one of the one or more structural support layers (120, 1020, 1120, 1220) is formed of cellulose fiber material.
2. The elongated lighting device (4, 10, 11, 12) according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more structural support layers (120, 1020, 1120, 1220) is formed of cellulose fiber material.
3. The elongated lighting device (4, 10, 11, 12) according to claim 1, wherein the reflective layer is an aluminum foil or an aluminum alloy foil.
4. The elongated lighting device (4, 10, 11, 12) according to claim 1, wherein the reflective layer (110, 1010, 1110, 1210) is attached to the one or more structural support layers, and when more than one of the one or more structural support layers is present, such layers are attached to each other to form the stack.
5. A method for manufacturing a tubular housing (100, 1000, 1100, 1200) for an elongated lighting device (4, 10, 11, 12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising: A mold (600) is provided, the mold defining the shape for the internal housing volume (190, 1090, 1190, 1290) of the elongated lighting device; A reflective layer (110, 1010, 1110, 1210) of flexible material is wound around the mold. One or more structural support layers (120, 1020, 1120, 1220) are provided around the reflective layer that is wound around the mold, thereby creating a stack that defines the volume of the inner shell, the stack including the reflective layer and the one or more structural support layers; The mold is detached from the stack to manufacture the tubular shell; as well as Cut or punch one or more apertures (150, 1050, 1150, 1250) through the stack to define one or more light exit windows for the elongated lighting device.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the mold has a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape in the first plane (p1), wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the first plane.
7. The method according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the mold is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration the mold has a first shape, and in the second configuration the mold has a second shape smaller than the first shape, wherein: When the mold is in the first configuration, the steps of wrapping the reflective layer around the mold and providing the one or more structural support layers are performed; and The steps of removing the mold include: Move the mold from the first configuration to the second configuration; as well as The mold is removed from the internal housing volume.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first shape has a larger dimension in the first plane (p1) than the second shape, and the first axis (Y1) is perpendicular to the first plane.
9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the mold is foldable to facilitate movement between the first configuration and the second configuration.
10. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising attaching the reflective layer (110, 1010, 1110, 1210) to the one or more structural support layers (120, 1020, 1120, 1220).
11. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein providing the one or more structural support layers comprises winding a sheet of structural support material around the mold to form the one or more structural support layers.
12. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the one or more structural support layers comprise a plurality of structural support layers.
13. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein each of the reflective layer and the one or more structural support layers is formed of a cellulose fiber material.
14. A method for manufacturing an elongated lighting device (4, 10, 11, 12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: Perform the method according to any one of claims 4 to 13; as well as After the mold is detached from the stack, the light-emitting elements (460, 1060, 1160, 1260) are inserted into the inner housing volume.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising coupling the light-emitting element to the reflective layer.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Lighting device
US20130033888A1