Radial output light assembly

Abstract

A lamp assembly (10), which can be part of a plug-in luminaire, comprises a light source (11), a light shaping element (12), and an optical cover (13). The light shaping element (12) comprises an optical body, a light entry surface (122) at a first end of the optical body proximate to the light source for coupling light into the optical body, and a plurality of first facets (126) and a plurality of second facets (127) arranged alternately concentrically around an optical axis (14) at a second end of the optical body opposite the first end. An inner reflection surface (125) circumferential to the optical body between the first and second ends. The plurality of first facets (126) are configured to direct light from within the optical body towards the plurality of second facets (127), the light being configured to be emitted from the plurality of second facets in a plurality of first light clusters (21, 22). The optical cover (13) comprises a lens (133) concentrically around the optical axis to shape the plurality of first light clusters (21, 22) into a second light cluster (23) oblique and / or radial with respect to the optical axis (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lamp assembly in which light is emitted radially around an optical axis. Specifically, this invention relates to plug-in luminaires, such as plug-in airport lights incorporating such a lamp assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Omnidirectional plug-in lamps for airport ground lighting, such as the SL-TE-I and SL-SG-I plug-in lamps manufactured by ADB Safegate of Belgium, are known. In this context, the term "omnidirectional" refers to the emission of a beam over a vertical angular range of 360° around an optical axis typically arranged vertically; that is, an omnidirectional beam is a beam that is completely rotationally symmetrical (at any angle) around the optical axis. Luminous intensity is typically highest at vertical angles between 70° and 90° from the optical axis, and lower at smaller angles (e.g., between 20° and 70° relative to the optical angle). Such lamps typically utilize collimators to collimate the light and inverted conical mirrors to redirect the collimated light into the desired omnidirectional beam. One disadvantage of such lamps is that the collimator and conical mirror require careful calibration to achieve satisfactory omnidirectionality. Another disadvantage is that the lamp requires a significant elevation from the ground to achieve a 90° vertical angle (i.e., in the horizontal direction) of light output. The SL-TE-I and SL-SG-I lamps have a protrusion height of 10 mm. Therefore, the lamps are prone to breakage upon impact.

[0003] US 2002 / 0136027 discloses elevated airport side lights that include a tapered pole through which light emitted by LEDs is axially guided to achieve omnidirectional illumination. The light is transmitted from the smaller end of the tapered pole, substantially parallel to the pole's longitudinal axis, and reflected by a tapered concave recess formed in the larger end of the pole to achieve an omnidirectional beam. At the point of contact with the tapered recess, the light undergoes total internal reflection from the surface of the concave recess, resulting in scattering over a small angle of approximately 360°, determined by the structure of the concave recess. A disadvantage is that the lamp is a raised lamp and requires a protrusion from the ground or even higher to achieve the omnidirectional beam. Furthermore, US 20130099665 A1 discloses a lamp assembly that includes a light source, a light shaping element, and an optical cover. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a lamp assembly that provides an omnidirectional light beam and an insert lamp including such a lamp assembly, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The aim is to provide lamp assemblies that are more economical, require less assembly effort, and / or can further reduce the protrusion height of insert luminaires.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a lamp assembly, particularly an omnidirectional lamp assembly, as set forth in the appended claims, is thus provided. The lamp assembly includes a light source, a light-shaping element, and an optical cover. The light-shaping element is inserted between the light source and the optical cover along an optical axis. The light-shaping element includes: an optical body; a light-incident surface at a first end of the optical body near the light source for coupling light into the optical body; and a plurality of first facets and a plurality of second facets arranged concentrically and alternately around the optical axis at a second end of the optical body opposite to the first end. The light-shaping element further includes an internal reflective surface circumferential to the optical body, the internal reflective surface being disposed between the first and second ends. The internal reflective surface advantageously acts as a collimator and is advantageously configured to guide light to the plurality of first facets by total internal reflection.

[0006] The plurality of first facets are advantageously configured to direct incident light from within the optical body toward the plurality of second facets via total internal reflection. Light is configured to be emitted from the second facets of the plurality of first light clusters. The optical cover includes lenses concentrically arranged around the optical axis, which are configured to shape (e.g., by refraction) the plurality of first light clusters into one or more second light clusters that are emitted in a direction inclined and / or radial with respect to the optical axis and advantageously have perfect rotational symmetry. The lenses of the optical cover are advantageously (annular) prism lenses with perfect rotational symmetry about the optical axis.

[0007] Due to the construction of the omnidirectional lamp assembly according to this disclosure, the protrusion height of the optical cover above the mounting level can be significantly reduced while still allowing for a horizontal or near-horizontal beam (i.e., a radial beam relative to the optical axis). This is particularly due to the construction of the light-shaping element, which has a collimating inner reflective surface and a plurality of concentric first and second facets that act as annular concentric prism lenses, allowing for a high degree of light concentration and shaping into a desired beam that only needs further guidance to the desired angle by the optical cover. Furthermore, this can be achieved with smaller components (such as the optical cover and the light-shaping element), which benefits lifespan and makes the lamp assembly of the present invention more robust. Additionally, the fewer components used allow for improved energy efficiency, thereby reducing losses. Moreover, the components of the lamp assembly of the present invention are easy to manufacture, which reduces costs. Furthermore, the fewer components simplify installation and calibration, further reducing manufacturing and installation costs. Furthermore, because the lamp assemblies of the present invention are more compact, they can be more easily integrated into luminaires, and are also advantageous as a supplement to directional lamps incorporated into luminaires.

[0008] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a plug-in luminaire as set forth in the appended claims is provided. The plug-in luminaire includes a lamp assembly according to the first aspect, and is advantageously an airport ground light. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Various aspects of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like features, and in the drawings: Figure 1 This shows a cross-sectional view of the lamp assembly according to this disclosure; Figure 2 express Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the light-shaping element of the lamp assembly; Figure 3 Indicates crossing Figure 1 A diagram of the light clusters of the lamp assembly; Figure 4 It means that they have combined Figure 1 The lamp assembly is a cross-sectional view of an omnidirectional lamp insert luminaire; Figure 5 Indicates plug-in lighting fixtures along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of section line AA, the insert luminaire combines... Figure 1 The lamp assembly serves as an omnidirectional lamp and additionally incorporates a pair of directional lamp assemblies; Figure 6 express Figure 5 A top view of the top cover of the plug-in light fixture. Detailed Implementation

[0010] refer to Figure 1 The lamp assembly 10 according to this disclosure includes a light source 11, a light shaping element 12, and an optical cover 13. These three components are arranged along an optical axis 14, wherein the light shaping element 12 is inserted between the light source 11 and the optical cover 13.

[0011] Light source 11 is advantageously a light-emitting diode (LED), particularly a single LED centered on optical axis 14. Using a single LED advantageously facilitates the coupling of light emitted by the LED to light-shaping element 12. It should be understood that the light source can be configured to emit visible light, such as white light or light of a defined color (e.g., red, green, or yellow). Alternatively or concurrently, the light source can be configured to emit invisible light, such as invisible light in the infrared (IR), near-infrared (NIR), or ultraviolet (UV) bands.

[0012] exist Figure 2The light-shaping element 12, illustrated in more detail, includes an optical body 121. The optical body 121 extends from a first end 123 near the light source 11 to a second end 124 opposite to the first end 123 and near the optical cover 13. A light-incident surface 122 is disposed at the first end 123 and configured to couple light emitted by the light source 11 into the optical body 121. The light-incident surface 122 can have any suitable shape. Advantageously, the light-incident surface 122 includes a convex surface portion 1221 concentric with the optical axis 14. The convex surface portion 1221 advantageously faces the light source 11 and can be recessed from the first end 123 of the optical body 121. The light-incident surface 122 may further include an upright wall 1222 extending coaxially with the optical axis 14 from the first end 123 to the convex surface portion 1221. The recess 1223 in the optical body 121 is defined by the convex surface portion 1221 at the top and the upright wall 1222.

[0013] The light source 11 is optically coupled to the light incident surface 122, such that light emitted from the light source enters the optical body 121 through the light incident surface. Advantageously, light from the light source 11 enters the optical body 121 through either or both of the convex surface portion 1221 and the vertical wall 1222.

[0014] The light shaping element 12 further includes an inner reflective surface 125, which advantageously forms the circumferential surface of the optical body 121. The inner reflective surface 125 is coaxial with the optical axis 14 and extends between a first end 123 (light incident surface 122) and a second end 124. The inner reflective surface is advantageously a total internal reflection surface and is configured to collimate light entering the optical body through the light incident surface 122. In particular, the inner reflective surface 125 is configured to guide light toward the second end 124 by total internal reflection. The inner reflective surface 125 can have any suitable shape, such as a dome or shaped as an inverted cone, which can be truncated by the light incident surface 122.

[0015] The light shaping element 12 further includes a plurality of first facets 126 and a plurality of second facets 127, which are arranged concentrically and alternately around the optical axis 14 at the second end 124, and preferably arranged adjacent to the inner reflecting surface 125 along the optical axis 14. The first facets 126 are configured to guide light incident on the first facets 126 from within the optical body 121 to the second facets 127. The light is advantageously guided by the first facets 126 toward the second facets 127 by total internal reflection. The light is emitted from the optical body 121 through the second facets 127. Therefore, the second facets 127 are configured as light emitting surfaces through which light exits from the light shaping element 12.

[0016] First facets 126 and second facets 127 advantageously form a plurality of concentric annular prism lenses, such as Fresnel lenses. The first and second facets can have any suitable shape. The first and second facets can be shaped as gradient surfaces along the optical axis, such as linearly gradient surfaces (e.g., conical surfaces), or gradients according to any suitable nonlinear curve (which can be convex or concave). There is no particular limitation on the number of concentric annular first facets 126 and second facets 127. Advantageously, at least three, at least four, or at least five concentric annular first facets and an equal number of second facets are arranged at the second end 124. Each second facet is advantageously associated with a corresponding second facet to form an annular prism element. It should be understood that the greater the number of first and second facets, the smaller the required convex height of the facets along the optical axis. The annular prism elements or lenses formed by the first and second facets are advantageously arranged at the same location along the optical axis 14. In some examples, the base 128 of the annular prism element is coplanar.

[0017] The first facet 126 and the second facet 127 can be integral with the optical body 121 and thus form the surface of the optical body. This reduces the number of parts and facilitates calibration and assembly. Alternatively, the first and second facets can be formed by separate lenses optically coupled to the optical body 121. It should be understood that the optical body 121 (and the first and second facets) can be made of any suitable material, such as glass or synthetic polymer materials, such as plastics, particularly polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.

[0018] It should be understood that the light shaping element 12, in particular the optical body 121, and any one of the light incident surface 122, the inner reflecting surface 125, and the first facet 126 and the second facet 127 have a shape that is advantageously completely rotationally symmetric about the optical axis 14 (i.e., at any angle).

[0019] Refer again Figure 1 The optical cover 13 includes an optical body 131. A light-incident surface 132 of the optical body 131 is optically coupled to a second facet 127, such that light emitted from the light-shaping element 12 enters the optical cover 13 (optical body 131) through the light-incident surface 132. Light energy from the light-shaping element can be refracted by the light-incident surface 132. The optical cover 13 is advantageously configured to allow light energy to pass through it substantially undisturbed (e.g., without significant energy loss). Specifically, light energy from the light-shaping element is refracted by the light-incident surface 132.

[0020] The optical cover 13 further includes a light-emitting surface 133 at the end of the optical body 131 opposite to the light-incident surface 132. The light-emitting surface 133 is advantageously shaped as an annular prism lens concentric with the optical axis 14. The light-emitting surface 133 is configured to guide the emitted light into its final omnidirectional beam. The optical cover 13 can be made of any suitable optical material, such as glass or synthetic polymer materials.

[0021] refer to Figure 3 Light emitted by light source 11 enters light shaping element 12 via light incident surface 122 and is collimated, for example, by internal reflection surface 125 onto first facet 126. Light incident on first facet 126 is advantageously guided to second facet 127 by total internal reflection, from which light exits light shaping element 12. Light exits from second facet 127 as a plurality of light clusters 21, 22. Light clusters 21, 22 emitted from different second facets 127 may be tilted relative to each other (i.e., not parallel) or advantageously parallel. Each of light clusters 21, 22, for example, each light cluster emanating from each of the second facets 127, is advantageously perfectly rotationally symmetrical about optical axis 14 at any angle. Light clusters 21, 22 advantageously have maximum luminous intensity at a vertical (elevation) angle α between 40° and 75°, preferably between 45° and 70°, and preferably between 50° and 65° as measured from optical axis 14. It should be understood that the vertical angle α should preferably not be too large to avoid light clusters 21 and 22 colliding with an adjacent set of first facets 126 and second facets 127.

[0022] Light clusters 21 and 22 are guided to the optical cover 13 and enter the body of the optical cover through the light incident surface 132. The light clusters 21 and 22 are guided through the body of the optical cover 13 toward the light exiting surface 133, advantageously being completely rotationally symmetrical about the optical axis 14. The light clusters 21 and 22 are refracted at the light exiting surface 133, for example by a prism lens formed by the light exiting surface 133, so that they exit as a beam 23 from the light exiting surface 133, which advantageously is completely rotationally symmetrical about the optical axis 14, i.e., as an omnidirectional beam. The beam 23 advantageously has maximum luminous intensity at a vertical (elevation) angle β between 60° and 90°, preferably between 70° and 90°, measured from the optical axis 14. Advantageously, the angular width γ of the beam 23 is at least 15°, advantageously at least 20°, and advantageously between 15° and 40°. It should be understood that the luminous intensity of beam 23 at other vertical angles away from the optical axis (e.g., between 0° and 59°, or between 20° and 59°, or between 30° and 55°) is typically significantly lower than the luminous intensity at the vertical angle β as described above, for example, not exceeding 50% of the maximum luminous intensity output within the vertical angle β range.

[0023] One advantage of the lamp assembly 10 is that it readily allows light to be output through the beam 23 at a vertical angle β of 90° (i.e., in the horizontal direction if the optical axis is arranged vertically). Furthermore, a beam 23 with a large angular width can be readily obtained, wherein the finite height H of the light emitting surface 133 is advantageously 5 mm or less, such as 4 mm or less, 3 mm or less, and advantageously as small as 2 mm or less, while prior art omnidirectional lamp assemblies require a protrusion height greater than 6 mm.

[0024] refer to Figure 4 The lamp assembly 10 is advantageously integrated into a plug-in luminaire 30 (such as an airport ground lighting (AGL) luminaire) to achieve omnidirectional light with a very low protrusion height H above ground level 31, while still allowing for the generation of a horizontal omnidirectional beam. The protrusion height H of the plug-in luminaire can be 5 mm or less, and advantageously as small as 2 mm. The plug-in luminaire 30 includes a top cover 32, and an optical cover 13 can be mounted on the top cover 32, particularly concentrically on the top cover at the center of the optical cover. The light emitting surface 133 of the optical cover 13 is arranged at the exposed surface of the top cover 32. The light shaping element 12 and the light source 11 can be housed in a plug-in base 33, on which the top cover 32 is mounted. The plug-in base 33 can further house a driver 34 and other necessary electrical equipment for driving the light source 11. The driver 34 can be powered via a power cable 35.

[0025] refer to Figures 5 to 6 Because of its small size and simple construction, the omnidirectional lamp assembly 10 can be easily combined with one or more directional lamp assemblies 50 in a single luminaire, specifically in a plug-in luminaire 40. The plug-in luminaire 40 includes a top cover 42 mounted on a plug-in base 43. The top cover 42 includes an optical cover 13 for the lamp assembly 10 at its central portion 423. Other components of the lamp assembly 10 (such as the light source 11 and light shaping element 12, and a driver 34 for the light source 11) can be accommodated in the plug-in base 43.

[0026] The top cover 42 further includes one or more recesses 421, 422 arranged around the periphery of the central portion 423. The recesses 421, 422 extend radially from the central portion 423 and advantageously extend to the circumferential edge 424 of the top cover 42. The central portion 423 may slightly bulge from the ground 31. This facilitates the reception of one or more recesses 421, 422 within the top cover 42. The recesses 421, 422 receive the directional lamp assembly 50. In particular, each recess 421, 422 includes an optical window 52 that provides an exit path for a directional beam generated by a light source 51 received within the insert base 43. The directional beam has an optical axis 53 that is advantageously tilted relative to the advantageously vertical optical axis 14 of the omnidirectional lamp assembly 10. A typical angle between the optical axis 53 and the optical axis 14 can be between 75° and 90°, particularly between 78° and 90°, and particularly between 83° and 88°. The optical window 52 can be made in any suitable manner known in the art, for example, from glass or another suitable material. Light generated by the light source 51 can be modulated by optical components known in the art, such as lenses, collimators, etc. (not shown), and then emitted through the optical window 52. The optical window is watertightly secured in a through opening defined in the top cover 42. Figures 5 to 6 In this example, the optical window 52 is arranged to guide the light beam in substantially opposite directions, but other orientations are possible. The light source 51 is driven by a driver 44 housed in the insert base 43. The insert luminaire 40 may include only one directional lamp assembly 50, or may include multiple directional lamp assemblies as needed, which may be arranged around the optical axis 14 at any suitable angle. Each of the light-emitting surface 133 of the optical cover 13 and the optical window 52 is arranged at the exposed surface of the top cover 42.

[0027] The directional light assembly 50 can be configured as a runway side light, taxiway side light, etc.

[0028] Alternatively, the omnidirectional lamp assembly 10 according to this disclosure can be integrated into a raised lamp (such as a raised AGL lamp).

Claims

1. A lamp assembly (10) comprising a light source (11), a light shaping element (12), and an optical cover (13). in, The light shaping element (12) is inserted between the light source (11) and the optical cover (13) along the optical axis (14). The optical shaping element includes: Optical body (121), A light incident surface (122) is located at the first end (123) of the optical body near the light source, for coupling light into the optical body. A plurality of first facets (126) and a plurality of second facets (127) are arranged concentrically and alternately around the optical axis at the second end (124) of the optical body. An inner reflective surface (125) is circumferentially oriented around the optical body and is located between the first end and the second end. The feature is that the plurality of first facets (126) are configured to guide light from the optical body toward the plurality of second facets (127), and the light is configured to be emitted from the plurality of second facets in the form of a plurality of first light clusters (21, 22), and The optical cover (13) is characterized in that it includes a lens (133) arranged concentrically around the optical axis and configured to shape the plurality of first light clusters (21, 22) into one or more second light clusters (23) that are tilted and / or radial relative to the optical axis (14).

2. The lamp assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The internal reflective surface (125) is configured to guide incident light through total internal reflection.

3. The lamp assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of first facets (126) are configured to guide incident light by total internal reflection.

4. The lamp assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The plurality of first facets (126) and the plurality of second facets (127) are formed into a concentric annular prism lens.

5. The lamp assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The one or more second light clusters (23) are configured to be completely rotationally symmetric about the optical axis (14).

6. The lamp assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The plurality of first light clusters are configured to emit at a first elevation angle (α) relative to the optical axis (14), and the second light cluster is configured to emit at a second elevation angle (β) relative to the optical axis that is greater than the first elevation angle.

7. The lamp assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The one or more second light clusters (23) are configured to emit at a second elevation angle (β) between 60° and 90° relative to the optical axis (14).

8. The lamp assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The light source (11) includes a light-emitting diode.

9. A plug-in luminaire (30, 40) comprising a lamp assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The plug-in luminaire as claimed in the preceding claim, the plug-in luminaire further comprising a housing (33, 43) configured to receive the light source (11) and the light shaping element (12), and a top cover (32, 42) including the optical cover (13).

11. The plug-in luminaire as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein, The optical cover (13) has a raised protrusion (H) of 5 mm or less relative to the ground (31).

12. The plug-in luminaire (40) as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, the plug-in luminaire further comprising a second lamp assembly (50) configured to emit directional light that has no rotational symmetry or has partial rotational symmetry about the optical axis (14).

13. The plug-in luminaire as claimed in the preceding claim, the plug-in luminaire comprising a top cover (42), wherein, The second lamp assembly includes an optical window mounted in the top cover (42), wherein the optical cover (13) is mounted in the top cover.

14. The plug-in luminaire as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the plug-in luminaire is an airport ground light.

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