Linear luminaire with optical cover

Abstract

Linear luminaire for forming a light band, comprising: a housing (2) defining a light exit opening on at least one longitudinal side, and an at least partially translucent cover (4) which closes the light exit opening, wherein the cover (4) is formed from a plastic material which can be rolled up lengthwise, wherein the cover (4) has at least one film hinge (10) in the longitudinal direction of the cover (4), which can be brought into a flat position for rolling up the cover (4), while it is angled in the mounted state of the linear luminaire, wherein the cover (4) is connected in one piece to the housing (2) and, in the disassembled state of the linear luminaire, the housing (2) can be rolled up together with the cover (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a linear luminaire with a lighting cover.

[0002] Linearly arranged luminaires for forming strip lights, also known as linear luminaires, can only be manufactured in a limited length. Therefore, to create a strip light, several such linear luminaires must be arranged end-to-end, one behind the other. However, this creates visible joints at the ends. To reduce the number of joints, the length of the linear luminaires can be increased. However, this makes the manufacturing process and transport of such linear luminaires very complex.

[0003] The housing of such luminaires is usually made of metal or plastic and enclosed with a light-permeable cover. The joints between the cover sections in the light strip remain visible, particularly at the cover. It would therefore be desirable to provide covers as long as possible across multiple luminaire housings. However, this would also be complex to manufacture and transport.

[0004] To solve this problem, it has already been proposed in the prior art to provide a rollable lighting cover for such luminaires. For example, WO 2014 / 174019 A1 discloses a cover for an elongated luminaire system which is made of plastic and can be rolled up. The connection area between the cover and the housing is angled on the side of the cover to enable the cover to be mounted on the housing. However, due to the angled shape, this area makes it more difficult to roll up the cover. This problem is accepted and only partially solved by making the angled area of the cover from a more flexible plastic than the rest of the cover.

[0005] A similarly designed continuous-row ceiling luminaire is described in DE 17 64 963 A1. Furthermore, DE 10 353 644 A1 describes a luminaire with a glare-reducing body, and CN 205 191 277 U describes an LED lamp structure with a foldable diffuser cover. Further prior art on luminaires with covers is described in US 2016 / 0 025 306 A1, DE 20 2011 051 778 U1, US 2014 / 0 268736 A1, and DE 295 14 477 U1.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a linear luminaire with a cover which can be produced in large lengths and transported in a space-saving manner.

[0007] The problem is solved by a linear luminaire according to claim 1.

[0008] A special feature of the linear luminaire according to the invention is the type of cover, which has a film hinge. The film hinge allows the cover to be rolled up lengthwise when the luminaire is disassembled. This has the advantage that the cover can be completely brought into a flat position, thus simplifying rolling up compared to the prior art design. To mount the luminaire, the film hinge is angled, for example, by 90° or 45°, so that the cover has greater mechanical strength and can be mounted on the long sides of the light exit opening of the housing.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, at least two film hinges or at least four film hinges are provided parallel to one another on the cover. With two film hinges, a U-shape is generally preferred, e.g., in which the film hinges are each angled by 90° in the assembled state to form a rectangular cross-section with the housing. With four film hinges, an angle of between 30° and 60° is preferred. In this embodiment, the cover, together with the housing, forms a trapezoidal shape, for example. These shapes give the cover additional stability. Furthermore, they are preferred as a shape for a light exit surface for a light strip.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, at least the area between the two film hinges of the cover is translucent. For example, the film hinges can be provided in the transition area between a translucent central section and edge areas. As a result, the light exit surface is limited precisely to the area between the film hinges. According to an alternative embodiment, however, it can also be provided that all areas of the cover adjacent to the film hinge, as well as the film hinge itself, are translucent. In this case, the light exit surface of the luminaire is formed by an angled surface protruding from the luminaire. For example, such embodiments are preferred if the translucent cover has additional light-influencing elements, such as scattering elements or light refraction elements.This allows the light emission to be influenced in different directions, for example, to achieve glare control. However, elements for influencing the light can also be provided only on a flat section of the otherwise translucent cover. According to a preferred embodiment, the cover can also meet stringent lighting requirements. For example, the cover can meet glare control requirements suitable for VDU workstations in accordance with DIN EN 12464-1 "Lighting of workplaces - Indoor workplaces" of August 2011.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the cover has a plug-in profile, e.g., a hook profile and / or a round profile, on one longitudinal edge for insertion into a groove in the housing. This allows the cover to be attached to the housing. The hook or round profile can also serve as a seal to create a dust- and / or moisture-proof luminaire.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the cover is formed from an extruded plastic. The edge regions and a different translucent region of the cover can also be formed from different plastics with the same or different base materials (e.g., PMMA, PC, or ABS) using a coextrusion process.

[0013] Extrusion is particularly preferred because it allows for the easy production of long covers. Since the cover can be rolled up for transport, it is not necessary to cut the cover to the length of the housing; instead, one cover can extend over several housing sections. Cutting to length can also take place during on-site assembly of the luminaire. Preferably, covers are as long as possible, e.g. at least 4 m, 6 m, 10 m or 20 m, in order to reduce the number of joints in a light strip arrangement of several linear luminaires or to avoid them altogether. Furthermore, a roll can also contain the entire length of a cover (greater than 80 m), which is required, for example, for the installation of several light strips. The only limitation here is the handling of the rolls (weight, size) during transport.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the material of the cover has different optical and / or mechanical properties in at least one edge region and in a region different therefrom. For example, the edge region can be made of a more flexible plastic in order to enable a simple plug-in connection into a plug-in receptacle, e.g., into a groove, in the housing and to also improve sealing. In the central region, the cover preferably has higher light transmittance or lower light scattering. For example, optically high-quality covers can be formed, if necessary, with integrated light-directing and / or light-scattering elements in the central region of the cover.

[0015] According to the invention, the housing is connected to the cover in one piece on at least one long side. In this embodiment, the housing can be connected to the cover on one long side, and preferably only on one long side, by a plug-in connection. The plug-in connection can be located in a corner or within a wall of the housing or the cover. In these embodiments, both the housing and the cover can be brought into a flat position in order to be able to roll up the housing including the cover according to the invention. For this purpose, the housing also has one or more parallel film hinges in the lengthwise direction in order to be able to fold the housing together with the cover into a box-shaped profile for mounting the luminaire.For example, the housing and a translucent area of the cover are each connected with a film hinge and one or two further film hinges are provided within the housing walls in order to be able to fold the cover together with the housing into a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The longitudinal edges of the combined unit consisting of housing and cover are designed so that they can be plugged into one another. This means that the housing and cover can be constructed into a closed cross-section using a single plug-in connection, for example with a hook or round profile on one side and a groove on the other side. The lamps can be mounted on the inside of a housing wall, in particular opposite the light exit opening. For example, an LED row (e.g. integral in a light engine) can be attached to the inside of the housing.According to a further embodiment, the LED array can also be connected to the housing wall, and the electrical connections within the LED array can be designed to be flexible enough to be rolled up together with the housing and the cover. In one embodiment, the LED array or the light engine can be applied directly to the luminaire housing using adhesives, layering technology, or the like. In another embodiment, conductor tracks, semiconductor components, or other electronic components can also be incorporated directly onto or into the luminaire housing using printing technology, coextrusion, MID (Molded Interconnected Devices) processes, or other integrated connection technologies.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing and the cover are formed from coextruded plastic. For example, a translucent plastic for the cover and a non-translucent plastic for the housing can be bonded together by coextrusion. Preferably, plastics made from the same starting material (e.g., PMMA, PC, or ABS) with different additives are used in the coextrusion. The connection points can have the aforementioned film hinges.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing has at least one film hinge. A total of at least three film hinges can be provided between the cover and the housing or within the housing. Plug connections can be provided at an edge within the housing or between the housing and the cover to construct the housing with a closed cross-section. In this embodiment, a single plug connection between the cover and a housing wall or within a housing wall is sufficient to construct the housing with the closed cross-section.

[0018] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, which is given in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures show the following: Fig. 1 shows a section of a linear luminaire not according to the invention in a perspective view. Fig. 2 shows a section of a lamp cover of the Fig. 1 in perspective view. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show a frontal view of the cover according to Fig. 2 in two different positions that the cover can take. Fig. 5 shows a complete cover of the luminaire after Fig. 1 in rolled up state. Fig. 6 shows a section of a linear luminaire according to an alternative embodiment not according to the invention in a perspective view. Fig. 7 shows a section of the luminaire cover of the luminaire according to Fig. 6 in perspective view. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show a frontal view of the cover according to Fig. 10 in two different positions that the cover can take. Fig. 10 shows a section of a linear luminaire of a first embodiment according to the invention in an unfolded state. Fig. 11 shows a section of the linear luminaire according to Fig. 10 when folded. Fig. 12 shows a front view of the linear luminaire according to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 with light bulb. Fig. 13 shows a front view of the linear luminaire according to Fig. 10 to 12 in assembled state with attached bulbs.

[0019] Referring to the Fig. 1 to 5, a first embodiment of a linear luminaire is described. The linear luminaire has a box-shaped housing 2 open on one side and a cover 4 folded approximately in a U-shape in cross-section, both of which form a rectangular cross-section, as shown in Fig. 1. The housing 2 can be made of a metal, for example, an extruded aluminum profile, or a plastic. The housing 2 has two grooves 6 on the inside, which are intended to receive hook-shaped profiles 8 of the cover 4. The profiles 8 extend continuously along the outer longitudinal edges of the cover 4. By inserting the profiles 8 into the grooves 6, the cover 4 is held to the housing 2. Furthermore, a seal is achieved between the housing 2 and the cover 4.

[0020] The cover 4 is made of a flexible plastic, in particular an extruded plastic, e.g. PMMA, PC or ABS. At least in the area of the light exit opening of the luminaire, which is defined by the downwardly open side of the housing 2, the cover is translucent. Between the section of the cover 4, which closes the luminaire downwards, and the upwardly directed side walls, a continuous film hinge 10 is provided, which, due to a lower material thickness (i.e., less than adjacent wall areas) and the flexibility of the plastic material, allows the side walls of the cover 4 to be folded, so that the cover 4 assumes a substantially flat position, as in the Fig. 4. This makes it possible to completely roll up the cover 4, as shown in Fig. 5, while the upwardly angled side sections of the cover 4, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 3, give the cover additional stability.

[0021] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each represent only a section of the linear luminaire. It should be understood that the luminaire extends further in the longitudinal direction. However, the cover 4 is considerably longer than one of the parts of the housing 2. The housing 2 can in particular comprise a plurality of sub-segments, each of which extends only over a portion of the length of the cover 4. In this way, a plurality of luminaire housing sections can be provided one behind the other, connected by a continuous cover 4. This reduces the number of joints in a light strip on the light exit side of the luminaire. The joints between the luminaire housing sections are less noticeable because no light shines through the housing 2, or the housings 2 are even installed in a recess in the building.

[0022] Referring to the Fig. 6 to 9, a second embodiment not according to the invention is described. The components corresponding to the first embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals. The housing 2 is identical to the previously described embodiment. However, the cover 4 in this case has a total of four film hinges 10, wherein in the assembled state of the luminaire, each film hinge is angled by approximately 45°. Each of the film hinges 10 is formed by a recess with a triangular cross-section, which, however, does not extend through the entire material thickness of the cover 4. On the outside of the cover 4, a continuous film is formed, which acts as a film hinge 10. The triangular cutouts are in the erected state of the cover 4, as in Fig. 9, joined together in the manner of a miter.

[0023] Referring to the Fig. Figures 10 to 13 describe an embodiment of a linear luminaire according to the invention. In this embodiment, the housing 2 is connected to the cover 4 in one piece. The cover 4 comprises two film hinges 10, each of which is connected to two side walls of the housing 4. Furthermore, the housing 2 also comprises a third film hinge 10, which connects two side walls of the housing 2 to one another. Furthermore, a longitudinal edge has a round profile 8, which can be inserted into a correspondingly shaped groove 6 on the opposite side of the housing wall in order to bring the housing into a closed form. In this embodiment, the cover 4 and the housing 2 are formed in one piece from coextruded plastic, wherein preferably the sides of the housing are not translucent, while the cover 4 is completely translucent. It is also possible for the housing walls to be partially translucent.

[0024] Furthermore, on the side of the housing 2 opposite the cover 4, a light source in the form of a strip of several LEDs 12 is provided. The strip is inserted lengthwise into two opposite undercuts 14 on the inside of the housing 2. Preferably, the LEDs 12 are flexibly connected to one another such that the LEDs 12, together with the housing walls 2 and the cover 4, can be folded in the flat position, as shown in Fig. 12, can be rolled up lengthwise to make it easier to transport.

[0025] Numerous modifications to the previously described embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims. In particular, light-refracting elements, e.g., prism-shaped or lens-shaped elevations or depressions, can be provided on the inside and / or outside of the respective cover in order to create a desired light distribution. Furthermore, the shape of the cover can also have a different shape, in addition to the flat and trapezoidal cover as described above. Preferably, several flat sections are each connected by a film hinge so that the cover can be brought into the flat position for rolling up.

[0026] Extruded plastics, such as PMMA, PC, or ABS, are particularly preferred as materials for the housing cover because they can be produced in large lengths and meet high lighting requirements. While in the embodiments with separate housing and cover, the housing is preferably made of a more stable material than the cover, in the one-piece embodiments, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 10 to 13, the cover and the walls of the housing are made of a material with the same flexibility in order to be able to roll up the cover together with the housing walls in the flat position.

[0027] The flexibility of the material for the cover and possibly also for the housing has the further advantage that in the plug connection between the housing and the cover, or in a plug connection between two housing parts, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 10 to 13, a tightness can be achieved which meets a protection requirement for a splash-proof luminaire, e.g. IP44 or a higher class.

[0028] LEDs are particularly preferred as light sources because they can also be connected to one another in a flexible strip, allowing it to be rolled up together with the cover and / or housing. Furthermore, LEDs (which generally also include OLEDs) are particularly suitable for the described plastic materials of the luminaire due to their comparatively low heat generation during operation.

[0029] The sections of the cover and / or the housing can also be colored differently. For example, the cover can have clear or matte translucent areas, while the luminaire housing is made of a colored plastic with no or lower translucency.

[0030] The covers shown can, in principle, be manufactured as an endless belt. The covers are preferably at least four, six, ten or twenty meters long. In contrast, the housing sections, if they are not firmly connected to the cover, are made of shorter sections, e.g., between one and two meters long. In the embodiments according to the invention in which the cover is integrally connected to the housing, as shown in the Fig. As shown in Figures 10 to 13, the housing and the cover preferably have the same length. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 2 housings 4 Cover 6 Plug-in socket, e.g. groove 8 Insert profile, e.g. hook or round profile 10 film hinge 12 LED chain, e.g. a flexible LED strip or light engine 14 Mounting geometry for LED strip

Claims

[1] Linear luminaire for forming a light band, comprising: a housing (2) defining a light exit opening on at least one longitudinal side, and an at least partially translucent cover (4) which closes the light exit opening, wherein the cover (4) is formed from a plastic material which can be rolled up lengthwise, wherein the cover (4) has at least one film hinge (10) in the longitudinal direction of the cover (4), which can be brought into a flat position for rolling up the cover (4), while it is angled in the mounted state of the linear luminaire, wherein the cover (4) is connected in one piece to the housing (2) and, in the disassembled state of the linear luminaire, the housing (2) can be rolled up together with the cover (4). [2] Linear luminaire according to claim 1, wherein at least two film hinges (10) are provided on the cover (4) parallel to each other. [3] Linear luminaire according to claim 2, wherein the region of the cover (4) between the at least two film hinges (10) is translucent. [4] Linear luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (4) has on a longitudinal edge a plug-in profile (8), e.g. hook profile or a round profile, for insertion into a plug-in receptacle (6) of the housing (2). [5] Linear luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (4) is formed from an extruded plastic. [6] Linear luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one edge region and a region of the cover (4) different therefrom are formed from different materials, in particular from plastics produced by a coextrusion process, with different optical and / or mechanical properties. [7] Linear luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) and the cover (4) can be connected to one another on one longitudinal side by a plug connection. [8] Linear luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) and the cover (4) are formed from co-extruded plastic. [9] Linear luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) has at least one film hinge (10) in a longitudinal direction of the linear luminaire.

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