LED-based replacement radiation sources

Abstract

The invention relates to an LED-based replacement radiation means (100, 200) for replacing conventional radiation means, such as UV fluorescent lamps and medium-pressure lamps, comprising a plurality of LEDs (102, 202) arranged on a circuit board (101, 201), at least one power supply unit (103, 203) arranged on the circuit board (101, 201) for supplying the plurality of LEDs (102, 202) with a supply voltage with sufficient power that is suitable for the LEDs (102, 202). According to the invention, the circuit board (101, 201) a) has exposed LEDs (102, 202), b) is connected via an electrical cable (104, 204) to a plug (105, 205) which can be plugged with its electrical contacts into a lamp socket (122) for a conventional lamp, and c) has fastening means with which the circuit board (101, 201) can be fastened in a clamp socket (111) of a protective glass holder or on a device for receiving a UV fluorescent lamp.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an LED-based replacement radiation source for replacing conventional radiation sources, such as UV fluorescent lamps and medium-pressure lamps, comprising a plurality of LEDs arranged on a circuit board, at least one power supply arranged on the circuit board for supplying the plurality of LEDs with a supply voltage suitable for the LEDs with sufficient power.

[0002] In the wake of the legally mandated replacement of conventional light sources with LED-based light sources, different legal requirements exist for different applications, specifying when and for which type of light source must be replaced. Conventional light sources for tanning purposes, whether for medical or cosmetic reasons, were previously permitted to be used with fewer restrictions than many other conventional lamps because the irradiance and spectral composition of conventional light sources could neither be replicated with LED-based light sources, nor was there sufficient data available on the erythema efficacy of LED-based light sources.Erythema effectiveness describes the skin tolerance of radiation and the medically and / or cosmetically desired effect of the radiation, as well as the damaging and possibly even pathogenic effects of the radiation in question. Previous restrictions regulated the erythema-effective irradiance in the lying area of ​​a tanning bed not to exceed a certain value. Erythema effectiveness therefore describes the potential to cause sunburn. Short-wave UVB radiation has a strong effect, which drops sharply in the long-wave UVA range. The very different, desirable ability to form skin pigments is similar enough in its spectral sensitivity to be evaluated with erythema. The equally desirable effect of the immediate intensification of existing skin pigments is particularly effective in the longer-wave UVA range, with a low risk of sunburn and low new pigment formation.There are other effects of radiation, including blue light hazard and the potential to cause non-melanoma skin cancer.

[0003] There are also limitations regarding luminance and other factors. There are also restrictions directly on the radiation source to be installed, requiring it to be made of a special FDA-approved quartz. This is intended to prevent a replacement part from becoming excessively hazardous in an operating environment not intended by the manufacturer.

[0004] LED-based replacement radiation sources are now available that can be used for tanning purposes, that provide the necessary irradiance, and that are sufficiently characterized with regard to their erythema effectiveness. A wide range of tanning systems are available on the market that are structurally designed for the use of conventional radiation sources, i.e., UV fluorescent lamps and medium-pressure lamps. So-called "retrofit" systems are known for the use of LED-based replacement radiation sources in tanning systems of any type. Retrofit systems externally resemble a conventional radiation source, but incorporate LEDs inside to generate radiation. Such retrofit systems mimic conventional radiation sources so closely in their design that the different structure of the retrofit systems is only apparent at second glance.LEDs differ from conventional radiation sources in that, due to their design, the emitted radiation has a directional characteristic. This means that, unlike conventional radiation sources, the substrate on which the radiating layer of the LED is arranged creates a radiant side and a shadow side. For radiation sources that are required to meet a certain irradiance, and whose radiation distribution is important when used in the corresponding irradiation systems to avoid any local exceedance of the irradiance limits, the use of what have become traditional retrofit arrangements is unsuitable. Due to the large number of tanning systems that are still structurally designed for conventional lamps, there is a high demand for suitable replacement radiation sources. Replacing the tanning systems is not economically feasible, with costs of up to EUR 100,000 per tanning system.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a replacement radiation source based on LEDs, which can be used in existing tanning systems.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by a radiation means having the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims to claim 1.

[0007] According to the concept of the invention, the LEDs are installed exposed on a circuit board, i.e., without a transparent casing or housing simulating a conventional radiation source. Unlike known retrofit arrangements, the imitation of conventional radiation sources in the form of a bulb or tube is to be dispensed with in order to avoid the associated attenuation of the irradiance. The exposed LEDs also have the advantage that the avoidance of an external structure of a conventional radiation source does not undesirably change the angle-dependent radiation distribution. This aspect is particularly important for radiation sources that can harm human health. The LEDs arranged exposed on a circuit board have different radiation characteristics than the radiation sources they are intended to replace.Due to the rear shading of the LED, the rear reflectors used in this type of irradiation system for focusing the radiation are ineffective. To achieve a comparable irradiance, the LED with the exposed LEDs should be positioned closer to a protective screen within the radiator. The replacement radiation source presented here is therefore not positioned in the existing lamp socket, but in front of it. For this purpose, the circuit board is provided with fastening devices with which the circuit board can be fastened in a reflector, in a protective glass holder, or in the housing. To establish an electrical connection to the original lamp socket, the circuit board is connected via an electrical cable with a plug, the electrical contacts of which can be inserted into a socket for a conventional lamp.

[0008] In conventional retrofit arrangements, electronic components, and in particular the electronics for supplying the LEDs with the correct supply voltage, are arranged on the side of the circuit board on which the LEDs are located. The generally ample space available on circuit boards on which LEDs for retrofit lamps are arranged makes this possible. This design is chosen to allow the LED lamps, which are usually in the form of strips, to be glued to any surface. In retrofit arrangements, the irradiance and radiation characteristics are also of lesser importance. To even out the radiation characteristics and achieve a higher irradiance per unit area, the power supply can be arranged on the side of the circuit board opposite the LEDs. Larger components, such as chokes and heat sinks, which cannot be miniaturized, can also be arranged here.The power supply can be implemented on the circuit board, meaning the circuit board contains the connections between the individual electronic components of the power supply and the individual electronic components themselves. However, it is also possible for a power supply to be glued to the back of the circuit board as a module, or for the power supply to be detachably connected to the circuit board.

[0009] Since the use of the LED-based replacement radiation source is intended so that the LEDs are positioned closer to a protective screen, the LEDs can be configured to cover more than 90% of the board's surface. This prevents uneven irradiance and evens out the irradiance emitted by the board across the entire surface. Another option for uniformity is the use of a diffuser screen, which can be mounted in front of the board at a distance approximately 1.6 times the lateral distance between the individual LEDs.

[0010] According to the concept of the invention, it is not intended that the replacement radiation source should not necessarily be inserted into an existing lamp socket. In order to secure the circuit board with the exposed LEDs within the irradiation system, the circuit board can be provided with an electrically insulated edge strip on both sides as a fastening means, which can be inserted into a protective glass holder. In tanning systems, a protective glass pane is located in front of the radiation source in the facial tanning area. The protective glass filters the spectral composition of the radiation and reduces the intensity of the radiation visible as light to protect the user's eyes. Due to their narrow-band radiation spectra, LED radiation sources emit less parasitic radiation, so these protective glass panes are unnecessary.Instead of the protective glass pane, which is still located behind a transparent cover in the tanning system, the circuit board with the exposed LEDs is now inserted. Since protective glass panes are inserted into side clamps, the circuit board can be inserted into these clamps.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment of the replacement lamp, the circuit board can be provided with a clamp and / or plug connection on the edge as a fastening means, which can be attached to a device for accommodating a UV fluorescent lamp. Devices for accommodating a UV fluorescent lamp have a long base body, within which the cabling and the voluminous chokes are located. The circuit board with the exposed LEDs can be equipped with clamp or plug connections, which have a hinge with which the clamp or plug connection can be connected to the base of the device for accommodating the LEDs.

[0012] The plug can be designed as a plug for a lamp socket, so that the plug itself is designed as a lamp base. Depending on the base type, however, it may be necessary to provide the plug with more stability in the socket. For example, the plug may be provided with a hook that allows the plug to engage behind a standard base for a UV fluorescent lamp. This hook firmly fixes the plug, which mimics a base, in the standard base. This fixation is advantageous for UV fluorescent lamp bases.

[0013] In a very special embodiment of the substitute radiation means, it can be provided that the power supply unit varies the pulse-pause ratio of the LED based on the frequency of the supply voltage, whereby the power supply unit changes the pulse-pause ratio at the expense of the pulse time and in favor of the pause time as the frequency of the supply voltage increases, and whereby the power supply unit changes the pulse-pause ratio in favor of the pulse time and in favor of the pause time as the frequency of the supply voltage decreases. In order to dim UV fluorescent lamps with conventional chokes without tapping, it is possible to vary the frequency of the supply voltage. Since the choke in a conventional UV fluorescent lamp arrangement has a higher impedance with increasing frequency, a UV fluorescent lamp is dimmed by varying the frequency of the supply voltage. Traditionally, fluorescent lamps can also be dimmed by switching chokes on or off.Older chokes even have multiple taps for different power levels. Modern electronic ballasts dim by supplying a final choke with different frequencies, thus determining its inductive resistance. This effect is used in many tanning systems. With an LED-based replacement lamp, this method of initiating dimming is not effective. The power supply of the replacement lamp presented here is therefore designed to generate direct current with a wide frequency bandwidth of the same quality in terms of voltage, power, and freedom from residual ripple, but to vary the pulse-pause ratio of the LED used with the detected frequency of the supply voltage. This power supply makes it possible to continue using the conventional dimming device.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the power supply arranged on the circuit board has a protective circuit so that it is insensitive to voltage peaks, such as the ignition pulse that is triggered in conventional fluorescent lamps when switched on.

[0015] A very important aspect is compliance with the radiation characteristics of the substitute radiation source used, so as not to pose a health risk if the radiation characteristics of the radiation source change. Since LEDs also change their radiation characteristics irreversibly over time, it is advantageous to provide a shutdown feature that stops the operation of the substitute radiation source once a predetermined total operating time has been determined.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show: Fig. 1 a replacement radiation source based on LEDs for a tanning system, wherein the replacement radiation source can be used in the area of ​​facial irradiation, in a front view, Fig. 2 the replacement radiation source from Fig. 1 in a rear view, Fig. 3a is a diagram showing the activation of a protective glass pane in a tanning system, whereby the protective glass pane is inserted in the facial area, Fig. 3b is a diagram showing the activation of a bulb lamp in a tanning system, wherein the bulb lamp is used in the facial area and wherein the bulb lamp is located in a reflector, Fig. 3c is a diagram showing the insertion of an electrical plug in the form of a lamp base into a lamp socket, Fig. 3d is a diagram showing the insertion of a substitute radiation source into the frame of a protective glass pane in a tanning system, the protective glass pane being inserted in the facial area. Fig. 4 a replacement radiation source based on LEDs for a tanning system, wherein the replacement radiation source can be used in the field of body irradiation, in a front view, Fig. 5 the replacement radiation source from Fig. 4 in a rear view, Fig. 6 the replacement radiation source from Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 in a perspective view, which is connected to the socket for a UV fluorescent lamp via a cable and a socket plug, Fig. 7 a graphical representation of a radiation intensity curve of the substitute radiation medium as a function of the measured frequency of the supply voltage.

[0017] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an LED-based replacement radiation source 100 for a tanning system, which replacement radiation source 100 can be used in the facial irradiation area of ​​the tanning system. The view is from the front. In this embodiment, nine groups of 36 individual LEDs 102, each arranged in a square, are located on a circuit board 101, so that the entire replacement radiation source has 9 * 36, i.e., 324 LEDs 102. The number of LEDs 102 is of secondary importance, however. More important is the regular assembly of LEDs 102 on the circuit board 101, whereby the assembly is not interrupted by the arrangement of electronic components. The replacement radiation source 100 consists of the circuit board 101 and the exposed LEDs 102 mounted thereon.

[0018] In Fig. 2 is the replacement radiation medium 100 from Fig. 1 in a rear view. Located on the back of circuit board 101 are electronic components for a power supply 103, which supplies the LEDs 102 on the front with the correct supply voltage. The power supply 103 can be implemented on circuit board 101, thus the circuit board 101 contains the connections of the individual electronic elements of the power supply 103 and the individual electronic elements themselves. However, it is also possible for a power supply to be glued as a module to the back of circuit board 101, or for the power supply 103 to be detachably connected to circuit board 101.

[0019] The power supply unit 103 is in turn supplied with electrical power from a lamp socket 122 via a cable 104, which has a lamp base as a plug 105. The lamp socket 122 is part of the tanning system, which is structurally designed for conventional radiation sources. The circuit board 101 is inserted into a clamp socket 106 for a protective glass pane 107, which in conventional tanning systems is inserted between a reflector 108 for a generic bulb lamp 120 and a boundary plate of the tanning system.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 3a illustrates the activation of a protective glass pane 107 in a tanning system, with the protective glass pane 107 positioned in the facial area. The protective glass pane 107 acts as a filter to protect the user's eyes and to adjust the irradiance within a predetermined spectral range. Finally, the protective glass pane 107 protects against excessive infrared radiation from the heat-generating bulb lamp 120. To activate the protective glass pane 107, a user places a suction gripper 110 on the protective glass pane 107 and bends a clamping socket 111 forward, so that the protective glass pane 107 is removed toward the user.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 3b shows the activation of a bulb lamp 120 in a tanning system, wherein the bulb lamp 120 is inserted in the facial area and wherein the bulb lamp 120 is seated in a reflector 108. To activate, the bulb lamp 120 is pulled out of the corresponding lamp socket 122. The reflector 108 remains untouched.

[0022] Fig. 3c shows the insertion of an electrical plug 105 in the form of a lamp base into a lamp socket 122. The plug 105 is connected via an electrical cable 105 to the power supply 103 on the back of the circuit board 101 of the replacement radiation device 100.

[0023] Fig. Finally, Figure 3d is an illustration showing the insertion of a replacement radiation source 100 into the clamping socket 111 of a protective glass pane 107 in a tanning system, with the protective glass pane 107 being inserted in the facial area. The user grasps the front of the circuit board 101 with the LEDs 102 using a suction gripper 110 and inserts the circuit board 101 into the clamping socket 111 instead of the protective glass pane 107. Depending on the design of the circuit board 101, the user can also choose a different gripping device. The suction gripper 110 is suitable for circuit boards 101 in which the LEDs 102 are inserted and are flush with the circuit board surface. By using the replacement radiation source 100, the reflector 121 now located behind it becomes inoperable.The circuit board 101 with the LEDs 102 mounted on it or inserted into the circuit board 101 is positioned significantly closer to the user's face due to this arrangement, so that a minimum irradiance on the user's skin can be achieved with lower radiation intensity from the individual LEDs 102. Since the LEDs 102 emit significantly less infrared radiation than a bulb lamp 120, which generates a lot of heat, their close arrangement in the area of ​​the user's face is possible.

[0024] Fig. Figure 4 shows a front view of an LED-based replacement radiation device 200 for a tanning system, which replacement radiation device 200 can be used for body irradiation. The replacement radiation device 200 consists of an elongated circuit board 201 on which a plurality of LEDs 202 are arranged in an exposed manner and without interruption by other electronic components. This front view is directed toward the user during use.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows the replacement radiation means 200 from Fig. 4 in a rear view. On the back of the circuit board 201 is a power supply 203, which is supplied with electrical power from the lamp socket 222 for the originally intended UV fluorescent lamp via an electrical cable 204. This power supply 203 can be implemented as a power supply 203 on the circuit board 201 or as a module detachably connected to the circuit board 201. The power supply as a module can also be glued to the back of the circuit board 201 or detachably connected to the circuit board 201 via a plug-in mechanism. At the end of the cable 204 is a plug 205 in the form of a lamp base, which is inserted into the lamp socket 222. To fix the plug 204 in the lamp socket 222, a hook 225 is provided, which the lamp socket 222 engages behind and thus fixes the plug 204 in the lamp socket 222.The circuit board 201 has clamp and / or plug connections 230 on its edge as fastening means, which can be attached to a device for accommodating a UV fluorescent lamp. For this purpose, the clamp and / or plug connection 230 is folded back with the aid of a hinge 231 and connected to the device for accommodating the UV fluorescent lamp.

[0026] Fig. 6 shows the replacement radiation means 200 from Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 in a perspective view, which is connected via a cable 204 and a plug 205 to the lamp socket 222 for a UV fluorescent lamp.

[0027] in Fig.Finally, Figure 7 shows a graphical representation of the radiation intensity curve of the substitute radiation source 100, 200 as a function of the measured frequency f of the supply voltage. The higher the frequency f of the supply voltage, the lower the intensity of the substitute radiation source 100, 200. The intensity of the substitute radiation source is controlled via the pulse-pause ratio. The longer the pause and the shorter the pulse within a pulse-pause cycle, the lower the intensity, and conversely, the shorter the pause and the longer the pulse, the higher the intensity of the substitute radiation source. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 100 replacement radiation sources 101 circuit board 102 individual LEDs 103 Power supply 104 cables 105 plugs 106 clamp socket 107 Protective glass pane 108 Reflector 110 suction cups 111 clamp socket 120 bulb lamp 122 lamp socket 200 replacement radiation sources 201 board 202 single LEDs 203 power supply 204 cables 205 plugs 222 lamp socket 225 hooks 230 plug connection 231 Hinge

Claims

[1] Replacement radiation means (100, 200) based on LEDs for replacing conventional radiation means, such as UV fluorescent lamps and medium-pressure lamps, comprising - a plurality of LEDs (102, 202) arranged on a circuit board (101, 201), - at least one power supply unit (103, 203) arranged on the circuit board (101, 201) for supplying the plurality of LEDs (102, 202) with a supply voltage suitable for the LEDs (102, 202) with sufficient power, characterized by that the board (101, 201) a) has exposed LEDs (102, 202), b) is connected via an electrical cable (104, 204) to a plug (105, 205) which can be inserted with its electrical contacts into a lamp socket (122) for a conventional lamp, and c) has fastening means with which the circuit board (101, 201) can be fastened in a clamping socket (111) of a protective glass holder or on a device for receiving a UV fluorescent lamp. [2] Replacement radiation means according to claim 1, characterized by that the power supply (103, 203) arranged on the circuit board (101, 201) is arranged on the side opposite the LED assembly. [3] Replacement radiation means according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the power supply unit (103, 203) arranged on the circuit board (101, 201) has a protective circuit so that it is insensitive to voltage peaks such as the ignition pulse which is triggered when conventional fluorescent lamps are switched on. [4] Replacement radiation means according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the LED assembly accounts for more than 90% of the surface of the board (101, 201). [5] Replacement radiation means according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the circuit board (101, 201) has an electrically insulated edge strip (150) on both sides as a fastening means, which can be inserted into a clamping socket (111) of a protective glass holder. [6] Replacement radiation means according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the circuit board (101, 201) has a clamping and / or plug connection (230) on the edge as a fastening means, which can be fastened to a device for receiving a UV fluorescent lamp. [7] Replacement radiation means according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the plug (105, 205) is designed as a lamp base. [8] Replacement radiation means according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the plug (205) has a hook (225) with which the plug (205) engages behind a standard base for a UV fluorescent lamp. [9] Replacement radiation means according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the power supply (103, 203) varies the pulse-pause ratio of the LEDs (102, 202) based on the frequency of the supply voltage, wherein the power supply (103, 203) changes the pulse-pause ratio with increasing frequency of the supply voltage to the detriment of the pulse time and in favor of the pause time, and wherein As the frequency of the supply voltage decreases, the power supply changes the pulse-pause ratio in favor of the pulse time and at the expense of the pause time. [10] Replacement radiation means according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the power supply (103, 203) stops operation based on a predetermined total running time. [11] Replacement radiation means according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the power supply is detachably mounted on the circuit board.

Images