Lighting system including interlocking linear lighting devices
By incorporating sockets and connecting elements into slender linear lighting devices, seamless connectivity of modular lighting systems is achieved, resolving the issue of discontinuous light emission windows and providing flexible lighting system design and excellent aesthetic effects.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing modular lighting systems are prone to dark spots at connection points, resulting in discontinuous light emission windows and affecting lighting performance.
Slender linear lighting devices with releasable connections are used, and releasable connections between devices are achieved by setting sockets and connecting elements on the device surface, ensuring direct continuity of the light emission window.
It achieves seamless connection of light emission windows, provides flexible lighting system design, allows users to create various patterns as needed, and has an excellent aesthetic appearance.
Smart Images
Figure CN121969862A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Lighting systems including interlocked linear lighting devices Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system for providing a grid structure, the lighting system comprising a first elongated linear lighting device and a second elongated linear lighting device capable of being releasably connected to each other. Background Technology
[0002] The continued development of LED lighting has transformed linear LED arrays (or "strips") into the most common and affordable lighting modules, creating a variety of new linear lighting propositions. One specific direction is the combination of linear light units in 2D configurations, such as open ceiling lighting grids or decorative linear ambient lighting. Linear lighting devices in the form of LED strips currently available on the market can be stored and transported in a compact manner and assembled by end users, making it possible to achieve customized shapes and layouts.
[0003] Current modular lighting systems use connecting elements, to which modules are attached during system assembly. Consequently, the linear lighting effect is interrupted by dark spots at the connection points. This poses a particular problem when multiple linear lighting devices need to be interconnected. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of the above, there is a need for a lighting system that includes linear lighting devices, wherein the lighting system has a connection solution that ensures that the light emission windows of adjacent devices are directly continuous and separated only by a minimum seam between the linear lighting elements.
[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a lighting system for providing a grid structure. The lighting system according to the invention includes a first elongated linear lighting device extending in a first longitudinal direction. In the context of the invention, the term "elongated" means that the extension of the first elongated linear lighting device in the first longitudinal direction is significantly greater than its extension in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction (i.e., in the transverse direction).
[0006] A first elongated linear lighting device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface in a direction perpendicular to a first longitudinal direction. The first surface may be a light-emitting surface, and the second surface may be a backing surface. The first elongated linear lighting device further includes at least one first socket. The socket may be in the form of a recess in the first elongated linear lighting device. Preferably, the first socket is arranged on the second surface of the first elongated linear lighting device, or along at least one longitudinal edge portion of the first elongated linear lighting device, wherein the longitudinal edge portion defines the first surface and the second surface of the first elongated linear lighting device. The first elongated linear lighting device may include first terminal and second terminal portions spaced apart in the first longitudinal direction. The socket may be arranged near at least one of the first terminal and second terminal portions of the first elongated linear lighting device, extending longitudinally along its center of the first elongated linear lighting device, or arranged at any location between those locations.
[0007] A socket arranged in a first elongated linear lighting device can accommodate a connecting element arranged in a second elongated linear lighting device from any longitudinal edge portion of the first elongated linear lighting device. In such an embodiment, the socket may be a double socket. The first elongated linear lighting device may include a plurality of sockets distributed along the longitudinal direction of the first elongated linear lighting device. It is further conceivable that the sockets may be movable along their longitudinal direction at least a portion of the first elongated linear lighting device.
[0008] The lighting system according to the invention further includes a second elongated linear lighting device extending in a second longitudinal direction. Similar to the above, the second elongated linear lighting device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction. The second elongated linear lighting device further includes at least one first connecting element. The connecting element may be integrated into the second elongated linear lighting device or may be a separate element. When the first elongated linear lighting device and / or the second elongated linear lighting device are pressed together, the connecting element may be in the form of a pin protruding through a surface (e.g., a diffuser / isolator) of the first elongated linear lighting device.
[0009] When the first elongated linear lighting device is attached to the second elongated linear lighting device, the first longitudinal direction can be substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction. It is further conceivable that the first and second elongated linear lighting devices are arranged at an angle offset from each other by 90°.
[0010] At least one first connecting element is arranged to be releasably received by at least one socket of a first elongated linear lighting device, such that the first elongated linear lighting device and the second elongated linear lighting device are releasably connected to each other. The term "releasably" is understood to mean that the connecting element is attached to the socket in a manner that allows the attachment to be broken without affecting the function of the connecting element or the socket.
[0011] The second elongated linear lighting device may include a first terminal and a second terminal portion spaced apart in a second longitudinal direction. A connecting element may be arranged adjacent to at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal portion of the second elongated linear lighting device.
[0012] A first surface of the first elongated linear lighting device may constitute a first continuous element, and a second surface of the first elongated linear lighting device may constitute a first discontinuous element. The first discontinuous element may include at least two first sections separated by at least one socket.
[0013] Similarly, the first surface of the second elongated linear lighting device can constitute a second continuous element, and the second surface of the second elongated linear lighting device can constitute a second discontinuous element. The second discontinuous element may include at least two second sections separated by at least one connecting element.
[0014] According to the present invention, the first continuous element and the second discontinuous element and / or the first discontinuous element and the second continuous element can be light-emitting surfaces. In such embodiments, at least one socket of the first discontinuous element can be releasably connected to at least one connecting element of the second discontinuous element, thereby forming a seamless lighting system with a 2D grid structure.
[0015] The releasable connection between the first and second elongated linear lighting devices can be purely mechanical, or it can be both mechanical and electrical. In the latter case, at least one socket includes a contact element for electrically connecting the first and second elongated linear lighting devices. The contact element can be of any conventional type, such as a plug-in contact element or a magnetic contact element.
[0016] Specifically, the lighting system may include a first elongated linear lighting device extending in a first longitudinal direction X. Similar to the above, the first elongated linear lighting device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction X. The first elongated linear lighting device includes a plurality of first sockets. The lighting system may then further include a plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices extending in a second longitudinal direction Y. Each of the second elongated linear lighting devices includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction Y. Each of the second elongated linear lighting devices further includes at least one first connecting element. The connecting element is arranged to be releasably received by the socket of the first elongated linear lighting device, such that the first elongated linear lighting device and the plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices can be releasably connected to each other.
[0017] The lighting system may include two first elongated linear lighting devices extending substantially parallel to each other in a first longitudinal direction X. Each first elongated linear lighting device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction X. Each first elongated linear lighting device further includes a plurality of first sockets. The lighting system further includes a plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices extending in a second longitudinal direction. Each second elongated linear lighting device includes a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction. Each second elongated linear lighting device further includes at least one first connecting element. The connecting element is arranged to be releasably received by the sockets of the first elongated linear lighting devices, such that the first elongated linear lighting devices and the plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices can be releasably connected to each other.
[0018] The lighting system according to the invention may include a suspension device for suspending the lighting system on a surface. The suspension device may include an electrical connection element for connecting the lighting system to a power grid.
[0019] Alternatively, the lighting system according to the invention can be attached to a surface such as a ceiling or wall. In such embodiments, the first elongated linear lighting device or the second elongated linear lighting device may include attachment elements for attaching the lighting system to the surface.
[0020] The lighting system according to the invention may include a plurality of sockets and a plurality of connecting elements. The number of sockets may be equal to or different from the number of connecting elements. In particular, the number of sockets may be greater than the number of connecting elements. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to conceal unused sockets to improve the aesthetic appearance of the lighting system. For this purpose, the lighting system may further include at least one power transmission element that can be connected to at least one socket. In particular, the power transmission element may be light-emitting, such that a continuous light-emitting surface is achieved when the power transmission element is connected to a socket that is not connected to a connecting element. The power transmission element may be an activatable LED or a light guide. The latter may be an element including a diffuser that mates with an unused socket.
[0021] In other words, the lighting system may include multiple interlocking elongated linear lighting devices. In such embodiments, two types of elongated linear lighting devices may be required. The elongated linear lighting devices may include multiple sockets at predetermined locations between first sections (e.g., light-emitting sections) of a first interrupting element or between second sections (e.g., backing sections) of a second interrupting element. The first type of linear lighting device may include a continuous linear light-emitting surface while having a backing surface with sections separated by one or more sockets capable of accommodating a second type of complementary linear lighting device with a continuous backing surface including intermittent light-emitting sections at opposing surfaces.
[0022] Specifically, each of the first continuous element, the first discontinuous element, the second continuous element, and the second discontinuous element is a light-emitting surface. For example, if installed below a ceiling, the downward-illuminating portion of the elongated linear lighting fixture can provide more functional light for general illumination, while the upward-illuminating portion can be used to project ambient lighting patterns onto the ceiling.
[0023] The lighting system according to the present invention may include a plurality of first elongated linear lighting devices, each first elongated linear lighting device including a first interrupting element, the first interrupting element including a plurality of first sections and a plurality of sockets. The lighting system may also include a plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices, each second elongated linear lighting device including a second interrupting element, the second interrupting element including a plurality of second sections and a plurality of connecting elements.
[0024] In such an embodiment, each connecting element can be releasably attached to either socket. As can be clearly seen from the above, the lighting system of the present invention offers unprecedented flexibility, whereby the user can create virtually any desired pattern by selecting which connecting element to attach to which socket. The first elongated linear lighting device and / or the second elongated linear lighting device can be cut to the desired size. For example, they can be cut to the required size at the location of one of the sockets.
[0025] According to the present invention, the first elongated linear lighting device may further include at least one second connecting element, and the second elongated linear lighting device may further include at least one second socket. In other words, the first and second elongated linear lighting devices may include both sockets and connecting elements, thereby further improving the flexibility and versatility of the lighting system. It is further conceivable to provide a third socket for the first and / or second connecting elements, such that a separate connector unit can be used to connect the first and second elongated linear lighting devices to each other. Attached Figure Description
[0026] This and other aspects of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the invention.
[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a lighting system according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a first elongated linear lighting device and a second elongated linear lighting device; Figures 4 and 5 depict the connection of the first and second elongated linear lighting devices shown in Figure 3; Figures 6 and 7 show a lighting system including a power transmission element. Detailed Implementation
[0028] The invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a lighting system 1 for providing a grid structure. The lighting system 1 according to the invention includes a first elongated linear lighting device 2 extending in a first longitudinal direction X. In the context of this invention, the term "elongated" means that the extension of the first elongated linear lighting device 2 in the first longitudinal direction X is significantly greater than its extension in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction X (i.e., in the transverse direction).
[0030] The first elongated linear lighting device 2 includes a first surface 3 and a second surface 4 arranged opposite to the first surface 3 in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction X. The first surface 3 may be a light-emitting surface, and the second surface 4 may be a backing surface. The first elongated linear lighting device 2 further includes at least one first socket 5. The socket 5 depicted in FIG. 1 is a recessed form in the first elongated linear lighting device 2. The first socket is disposed on the second surface 4 of the first elongated linear lighting device 2. The first elongated linear lighting device 2 includes a first terminal portion 6 and a second terminal portion 7 separated in the first longitudinal direction X. The socket 5 extends longitudinally and is disposed at the center of the first elongated linear lighting device 2.
[0031] The lighting system 1 shown in Figure 1 further includes a second elongated linear lighting device 8 extending in the second longitudinal direction Y. Similar to the above, the second elongated linear lighting device 8 includes a first surface 9 and a second surface 10 arranged opposite to the first surface 9 in a direction perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction Y. The second elongated linear lighting device 8 further includes at least one first connecting element 11. The connecting element 11 may be integrated into the second elongated linear lighting device 9 or may be a separate element 11'.
[0032] The socket 5 arranged in the first elongated linear lighting device 2 can accommodate the connecting element 11 arranged on the second elongated linear lighting device 8 from any of the longitudinal edge portions 12, 12' of the first elongated linear lighting device 2. In such an embodiment, the socket can be a double socket as depicted in FIG1.
[0033] When the first elongated linear lighting device 2 is attached to the second elongated linear lighting device 8, the first longitudinal direction X is substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction Y.
[0034] At least one first connecting element 11 is arranged to be releasably received by at least one socket 5 of the first elongated linear lighting device 2, such that the first elongated linear lighting device 2 and the second elongated linear lighting device 8 can be releasably connected to each other. The term "releasably" is understood to mean that the connecting element 11 is attached to the socket 5 in such a way that the attachment can be broken without affecting the function of the connecting element 11 or the socket 5.
[0035] The second elongated linear lighting device 8 includes a first terminal and a second terminal portion 13, 14 separated in the second longitudinal direction Y. A connecting element 11 is arranged adjacent to the first terminal portion 14 of the second elongated linear lighting device 8.
[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the first elongated linear lighting device 2 further includes a second connecting element 11'. In other words, the first elongated linear lighting device includes both the socket 5 and the connecting element 11, thereby further improving the flexibility and versatility of the lighting system 1.
[0037] Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. A first elongated linear lighting device 102 includes a plurality of sockets 105 distributed along a longitudinal extension X of the first elongated linear lighting device 102. As can be seen, the lighting system 101 includes two second elongated linear lighting devices 108, 108', each including a connecting element 111 capable of being releasably connected to any socket 105. As can be seen in Figure 2, one of the second elongated linear lighting devices 108 is arranged perpendicularly to the first elongated linear lighting device 102, and the other of the second elongated linear lighting devices 108' is arranged at an angle offset from the first elongated linear lighting device 102 by 90°.
[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the first surface 203 of the first elongated linear lighting device 202 can form a first continuous element, and the second surface 204 of the first elongated linear lighting device 202 can form a first discontinuous element. The first discontinuous element includes a plurality of first sections separated by at least one socket 205.
[0039] Similarly, the first surface 209 of the second elongated linear lighting device 208 may constitute a second discontinuous element, and the second surface 210 of the second elongated linear lighting device 208 may constitute a second continuous element. The second discontinuous element includes a plurality of second sections separated by at least one connecting element 211.
[0040] As can be seen in Figure 3, the first continuous element of the first surface 203 of the first elongated linear lighting device 202 and the second discontinuous element of the first surface 209 of the second elongated linear lighting device 208 are light-emitting surfaces. In such an embodiment, the socket 205 of the first discontinuous element can be releasably connected to the connecting element 211 of the second discontinuous element, thereby forming a seamless lighting system with a 2D mesh structure, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
[0041] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lighting system 301 includes a plurality of sockets 305 and a plurality of connecting elements 311. The number of sockets 305 is greater than the number of connecting elements 311. In such an embodiment, it may be desirable to conceal unused sockets 305 to improve the aesthetic appearance of the lighting system 302. To this end, the lighting system 302 further includes at least one power transmission element 315 that can be connected to at least one socket 305. In particular, the power transmission element 315 may be light-emitting, such that a continuous light-emitting surface is achieved when the power transmission element 315 is connected to a socket 305 that is not connected to a connecting element 311. The power transmission element may be an activatable LED or a light guide. The latter may be an element that includes a diffuser that mates with an unused socket.
[0042] The lighting system 302 depicted in Figures 6 and 7 includes a plurality of first elongated linear lighting devices 302, each of which includes a first interrupting element comprising a plurality of first partitions and a plurality of sockets. The lighting system 302 may also include a plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices 308, each of which includes a second interrupting element comprising a plurality of second partitions and a plurality of connecting elements 311.
[0043] In such an embodiment, each of the connecting elements 311 can be releasably connected to any one of the sockets 305. As can be clearly seen from the above, the lighting system of the present invention offers unprecedented flexibility, whereby the user can create virtually any desired pattern by selecting which connecting element to which socket. The first elongated linear lighting device and / or the second elongated linear lighting device can be cut to the desired size. For example, they can be cut to a specific size at the location of one of the sockets.
[0044] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is by no means limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, based on a study of the 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 articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in dissimilar dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be utilized.
Claims
1. A lighting system (201) for providing a grid structure, the lighting system (201) comprising: A first elongated linear lighting device (202) extending in a first longitudinal direction (X) includes a first surface (203) and a second surface (204) arranged opposite to the first surface (203) in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction (X). The first elongated linear lighting device (202) further includes at least one first socket (205). A second elongated linear lighting device (208) extending in a second longitudinal direction (Y) includes a first surface (209) and a second surface (210) arranged opposite to the first surface (209) in a direction perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction (Y). The second elongated linear lighting device (208) further includes at least one first connecting element (211), wherein the at least one first connecting element (211) is arranged to be connected by the first elongated linear lighting device. The at least one first socket (205) of the device (202) is releasably received such that the first elongated linear lighting device (202) and the second elongated linear lighting device (208) can be releasably connected to each other, wherein the first surface (203) of the first elongated linear lighting device (202) constitutes a first continuous element and the second surface (204) of the first elongated linear lighting device (202) constitutes a first discontinuous element, the first discontinuous element comprising at least two first partitions separated by the at least one first socket (205); and wherein the first surface (209) of the second elongated linear lighting device (208) constitutes a second discontinuous element and the second surface (210) of the second elongated linear lighting device (208) constitutes a second continuous element, the second discontinuous element comprising at least two second partitions separated by the at least one first connecting element (211).
2. The lighting system (201) according to claim 1, wherein the first continuous element and the second discontinuous element and / or the first discontinuous element and the second continuous element are light-emitting surfaces, and wherein the at least one socket (205) of the first discontinuous element is releasably connectable to the at least one connecting element (211) of the second discontinuous element.
3. The lighting system (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one socket (205) includes a contact element for electrically connecting the first elongated linear lighting device (202) and the second elongated linear lighting device (208).
4. The lighting system (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting system (201) includes a suspension device for suspending the lighting system on a surface.
5. The lighting system (201) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first elongated linear lighting device (202) or the second elongated linear lighting device (208) comprises: An attachment element for attaching the lighting system to a surface.
6. The lighting system (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the first elongated linear lighting device (202) is attached to the second elongated linear lighting device (208), the first longitudinal direction (X) is substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction (Y).
7. The lighting system (301) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting system (301) includes a plurality of sockets (305) and a plurality of connecting elements (311), wherein the number of sockets (305) is greater than the number of connecting elements (311), and the lighting system (301) further includes at least one power transmission element (315) capable of being connected to at least one socket (305).
8. The lighting system (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first continuous element, the first discontinuous element, the second continuous element and the second discontinuous element is a light-emitting surface.
9. A lighting system (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting system includes a first elongated linear lighting device (202) extending in a first longitudinal direction (X), the first elongated linear lighting device (202) including a first surface (203) and a second surface (204) arranged opposite to the first surface (3) in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction (X), the first elongated linear lighting device (202) further including a plurality of first sockets (205); wherein the lighting system further includes a plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices (208) extending in a second longitudinal direction (Y), the... Each of the second elongated linear lighting devices (208) includes a first surface (209) and a second surface (210) arranged opposite to the first surface (209) in a direction perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction (Y). Each of the second elongated linear lighting devices (208) further includes at least one first connecting element (211), wherein the connecting element (211) is arranged to be releasably received by the socket (205) of the first elongated linear lighting device 20 (2), such that the first elongated linear lighting device (202) and the plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices (208) can be releasably connected to each other.
10. The lighting system (201) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the lighting system comprises two first elongated linear lighting devices (202) extending substantially parallel to each other in a first longitudinal direction (X), each of the first elongated linear lighting devices (202) comprising a first surface (203) and a second surface (204) arranged opposite to the first surface (203) in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction (X), each of the first elongated linear lighting devices (202) further comprising a plurality of first sockets (205); wherein the lighting system further comprises a plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices extending in a second longitudinal direction (Y). Each of the second elongated linear lighting devices (208) includes a first surface (209) and a second surface (210) arranged opposite to the first surface (209) in a direction perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction (Y). Each of the second elongated linear lighting devices (208) further includes at least one first connecting element (211), wherein the connecting element (211) is arranged to be releasably received by the socket (205) of the first elongated linear lighting device (202), such that the first elongated linear lighting device (202) and the plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices (208) can be releasably connected to each other.
11. The lighting system (301) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting system (301) comprises a plurality of first elongated linear lighting devices (302), each first elongated linear lighting device (302) comprising a first interruption element, the first interruption element comprising a plurality of first partitions and at least one socket (305), wherein the lighting system (301) comprises a plurality of second elongated linear lighting devices (308), each second elongated linear lighting device (308) comprising a second interruption element, the second interruption element comprising a plurality of second partitions and at least one connecting element (311), and wherein each of the connecting elements (311) is releasably connectable to any one of the sockets (305).
12. The lighting system (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one socket (205) is arranged on the second surface (204) of the first elongated linear lighting device (202).
13. The lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second elongated linear lighting device (8) includes a first terminal and a second terminal portion (13, 14) spaced apart in the second longitudinal direction (Y), wherein the connecting element (11) is arranged adjacent to one of the first terminal and the second terminal portion (13, 14) of the second elongated linear lighting device (8).
14. The lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first elongated linear lighting device (2) further comprises at least one second connecting element (11'), and wherein the second elongated linear lighting device (8) further comprises at least one second socket.