Modular system for creating a light fixture

Abstract

Modular system for forming an elongated luminaire (100), comprising: • featuring a lighting platform - light sources (10) arranged on a carrier (50) extending along a longitudinal direction, - a primary optic (20) following the light sources (10) in the direction of light emission, which consists of a transparent material and is designed to influence the light emitted by the light sources (10) by means of refraction and / or total internal reflection, as well as - Holding means (30) for holding the primary optics (20), • at least two plate-like light emission elements (40) which consist of a translucent material and can be optionally attached to the holding means (30), wherein the light emission elements (40) in the state attached to the holding means (30) are illuminated by the light emitted by the primary optics (20) and wherein a distribution of the light emitted by the luminaire (100) can be changed by selecting the light emission element (40).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular system for forming an elongated luminaire, in particular a so-called bar luminaire, in which the light of an elongated light source is to be selectively influenced in order to achieve a desired light distribution.

[0002] Luminaires of this type are known in various forms and are generally used to create elongated lighting structures that emit light over a larger area. For this purpose, such luminaires can be attached to a supporting structure of a continuous lighting system, although, of course, individual luminaires can also be arranged on the ceiling of a room to be illuminated.

[0003] Typical applications for luminaires of this type include the illumination of larger rooms such as classrooms in schools or similar spaces, or the lighting of shops, particularly the illumination of aisles between two parallel rows of shelves. Depending on how the luminaire is positioned and the specific lighting task to be performed, a desired distribution of light emission, especially in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire, is required.

[0004] The desired light distribution is achieved using suitable optical means, and in the past it was common practice to use appropriately designed, one-piece optical elements made of a translucent material. With the help of these optical elements, the light from the light source, which is usually an elongated LED light source, was then influenced by refraction and / or total internal reflection in such a way that the light was emitted downwards or laterally downwards within a predetermined angular range.

[0005] While this approach has generally proven effective, as providing appropriate optics allows for precise control of light output, manufacturing a solid, one-piece optical element is quite complex. If luminaires with different light distributions are required, this means that corresponding optical elements, specifically tailored to the desired light output, must be provided for each. Since these typically require injection molding, a process that is considerable in its complexity, this results in high costs.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a means of adjusting the light emission characteristics of a luminaire in a relatively simple and efficient manner, so that a consumer can variably choose from a large number of luminaires with different light distribution curves or may even have the possibility of subsequently changing the light emission characteristics of a luminaire.

[0007] The problem is solved by a modular system for forming an elongated luminaire with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a luminaire is designed modularly, such that the light emission characteristics of the luminaire can be changed by replacing a single, easily manufactured component. For this purpose, it is proposed that a luminaire platform be provided, comprising light sources arranged on a carrier and extending along a longitudinal direction. Following the light sources in the direction of light emission, a primary optic is provided, which typically serves as a collimator and thus ideally converts the light emitted by the light sources into a substantially parallel beam. Furthermore, the luminaire platform includes retaining elements, which initially serve to hold the primary optic.The light emission characteristics of the luminaire can now be specifically influenced by providing a plate-like light emission element downstream of the primary optics. This element, made of a translucent material, can be attached to the mounting means. The light emitted by the primary optics passes through this light emission element, which is ultimately responsible for the distribution of the total light emitted by the luminaire. Because, according to the present invention, several, in particular at least two, plate-like light emission elements are provided, which can be selectively attached to the mounting means of the luminaire platform, the distribution of the light ultimately emitted by the luminaire can be easily changed by selecting a suitable light emission element.

[0009] According to the present invention, a modular system for forming an elongated lamp is proposed, which comprises: • a lighting platform, featuring - Light sources arranged on a carrier, extending along a longitudinal direction, - a primary optic following the light sources in the direction of light emission, which consists of a transparent material and is designed to influence the light emitted by the light sources by means of refraction and / or total internal reflection, as well as - Holding device for holding the primary optics, • and wherein the modular system according to the invention further comprises at least two plate-like light emission elements which consist of a translucent material and can be selectively attached to the holding means, wherein the light emission elements in the attached state are illuminated by the light emitted by the primary optics and wherein a distribution of the light emitted by the luminaire can be changed by selecting the light emission element.

[0010] The solution according to the invention also requires various light emission elements, which ultimately determine the light distribution of the luminaire. However, because these elements are plate-like, their production is significantly less complex compared to a solid optical system. This allows for either significantly lower costs for different light distributions or, at comparable costs, a considerably larger number of achievable light distributions for the luminaire. Overall, this provides a system that allows the light distribution of a luminaire to be easily customized to the customer's requirements.

[0011] The light-emitting elements can all be made of the same material and ultimately differ only in their surface structure, which is responsible for the distribution of the emitted light. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the light-emitting elements to consist at least partially of different materials.

[0012] The light emission elements have a first light-input side, which, when attached to the mounting means, faces the primary optics, and an opposite light-emitting side. The primary difference between the light emission elements lies in the design of the light-input side. Appropriate light-refracting structures can be incorporated here, which are responsible for the desired distribution of the light. Preferably, these structures are translationally invariant in the longitudinal direction, so that the cross-section of the light emission element does not change longitudinally. This opens up the possibility of manufacturing these elements, for example, by extrusion, which is significantly more cost-effective compared to injection molding, the usual manufacturing method for solid optics.

[0013] The structures of at least one light-emitting element can be designed to produce a symmetrical light emission along its length. However, a second light-emitting element can be designed to produce an asymmetrical light emission along its length. While luminaires with symmetrical light emission are generally used to homogeneously illuminate the area directly below the luminaire and, if applicable, areas to the sides, an asymmetrical light emission characteristic can also be used to selectively illuminate an area located diagonally to the side below the luminaire. This could be, for example, a shelf or a section of a wall in the room where the luminaire is located.

[0014] Preferably, the light-emitting elements can be easily attached to the mounting means, and in particular, they can be detachably connected to these mounting means. A locking mechanism between the mounting means and the light-emitting elements would be particularly suitable, allowing the user to replace the light-emitting element at a later date to influence the light emission characteristics of the luminaire.

[0015] The primary optics preferably form a collimator, which, as already mentioned, is intended to convert the light emitted by the light sources into a light beam or beam that is as parallel as possible. The primary optics can, in particular, be formed by a longitudinally extending lens body that has a light-entry surface facing the light sources, a light-exit surface opposite the light-entry surface, and two side walls connecting the light-entry and light-exit surfaces. The side walls are designed to direct light entering the lens body via the light-entry surface but not reaching the light-exit surface directly towards the light-exit surface by means of total internal reflection. Such so-called...TIR lenses are already well-known and have proven their worth in numerous applications, as they allow for the highly efficient manipulation and utilization of light from sources such as LEDs, without significant light loss as stray light. The lens body of the primary optics preferably has a cross-section that is essentially truncated cone-shaped or truncated pyramid-shaped, and is translationally invariant, particularly in the longitudinal direction of the primary optics.

[0016] Preferably, the retaining means can form two side walls extending from the lamp holder to a holder for the light-emitting element, wherein the lamp holder, the side walls of the retaining means, and the light-emitting element enclose a receiving space in which the lamp and the primary optics are arranged. It is preferably provided that the receiving space has a tapered cross-section extending from the lamp holder, and for this purpose, the side walls can be concave, in particular concavely curved.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the side walls can be at least partially translucent, in particular made of a material that is at least partially translucent, so that a portion of the light emitted by the light sources is emitted through the side walls. In this case, light is not only emitted directly downwards via the generally horizontally oriented light emission element, but also a small amount of light is emitted from the sides of the luminaire. This secondary light emission enhances the overall appearance of the luminaire.

[0018] The support for the light sources can be formed, in particular, by a housing in which operating devices for the light sources are arranged. The light sources, which are then arranged on the outside of the housing, can preferably be an elongated LED array that is operated by a control gear located in the housing with a suitable supply voltage.

[0019] Ultimately, the present invention provides a system that enables the simple realization of luminaires with different light emission characteristics.

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 in sectional view a modular lamp constructed in the manner according to the invention, wherein the individual components of the modular system are recognizable; Fig. 2a to 2c Views of the luminaire according to the invention without a light emission element, an enlarged section of the area of ​​the luminaire intended for light emission and the resulting light emission characteristic; Fig. 3 to 7 further variants of the luminaire according to the invention with different light emission elements with unchanged primary optics and Fig. 9 to 10 corresponding views of three further lighting variants, in which a second embodiment of a primary optic is used.

[0021] Before explaining the possibility of easily influencing the light emission characteristics of a luminaire using the present invention, the general structure of the luminaire according to the invention will first be described using the following examples: Fig. 1 will be discussed. The luminaires shown in the following figures are all based on this fundamentally unchanged luminaire platform and differ only in terms of the design of the light emission element used and, if applicable, the primary optics employed.

[0022] In principle, it is intended that the item generally designated with the reference number 100, in Fig. The luminaire shown in Figure 1 is designed as an elongated bar luminaire and initially comprises a housing 50 in which components primarily responsible for operating the light sources 10 are arranged. A converter 55 is shown here only schematically; this converter operates the light sources 10, which are located on the underside 51 of the housing 50, which thus also forms the support for the light sources 10. Naturally, further components can be provided within the housing 50 for the operation of the luminaire 100. These could include, for example, emergency power supplies in the form of batteries and / or sensors or the like.

[0023] As already mentioned, the light sources 10 are arranged on the underside 51 of the housing 50 and are formed by an elongated circuit board 11 on which LEDs 12 are arranged. There are no restrictions regarding the LEDs 12 used. They can be simple LEDs that emit white light in a specific, unchanging color tone. Alternatively, RGB LED clusters or other LED light sources could be used, which emit light with an individually adjustable color tone or a desired color temperature and / or with variable intensity.The present invention instead primarily addresses the problem of appropriately influencing the light typically emitted by the LEDs 12 over a very wide angular range in order to achieve a desired light distribution, whereby it should be possible to easily adjust the light output ultimately achieved by the luminaire 100.

[0024] For this purpose, the light emitted by the LED light sources 10 is initially modified by means of a primary optic 20. In the illustrated case, this is an elongated lens body designed as a so-called TIR lens. The lens body has a light-intake surface 21 facing the LEDs 12, which may optionally have a dome-shaped recess 22 into which the LEDs 12 at least partially project. Opposite the light-intake surface 21 is the light-exit surface 23 of the lens body, which in the illustrated embodiment is initially completely flat. The light-intake surface 21 and the light-exit surface 23 are connected to each other by two side walls 25, which in the illustrated embodiment are slightly convexly curved, resulting in an approximately frustoconical cross-section for the lens body.Crucially, light rays from the LEDs 12, which enter the lens body via the light entry surface 21 and do not directly reach the underside 23, are deflected downwards by total internal reflection upon striking the side walls 25 of the lens body. This allows light rays that are initially emitted strongly laterally to be used for downward light emission. As explained below, however, a very small proportion of the light can also exit the primary optics 20 laterally, thereby being emitted laterally from the luminaire 100 as part of a secondary light emission.

[0025] The primary optics 20 should be positioned in a specific way relative to the LED light sources 10, as this ensures that the light emitted by the light sources 10 is indeed influenced in the desired manner. For this purpose, retaining elements 30 are used, which are attached to the housing 50 of the luminaire 100 and form two downward-sloping side walls 31 that then serve to support or hold the primary optics 20. As shown, for example, in the enlarged view of Fig. 2b, the side walls 31 have two slightly inwardly projecting protrusions 32 at the lower end, on which the primary optics 20 rest, so that they are positioned in a defined manner relative to the light sources 10.

[0026] Furthermore, how based on Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the concavely shaped, in particular concavely curved, side walls 31 of the retaining elements 30, together with the housing 50 and the light emission element 40 arranged on the underside of the retaining elements 30 (described in more detail below), enclose a receiving area that tapers in the direction of emission. The light sources 10 and the primary optics 20 are arranged within this receiving area. These components are thus protected and enclosed by other elements of the luminaire 100, ideally preventing the ingress of dust and / or moisture. The retaining elements 30 can be attached to the housing 50 by snapping them into place or by other suitable means.

[0027] As a rule, the mounting elements 30, and thus in particular the side walls 31, will be opaque, so that all the light from the LED light sources 10 is emitted downwards. However, it would also be conceivable for the side walls to be made of a partially translucent material or otherwise at least partially translucent. In this case, it can be provided that a small portion of the light emitted by the LEDs 12 passes by the primary optics 20 and strikes the side walls 31, then is emitted laterally via these walls. This secondary light emission can then be used to further enhance the appearance of the luminaire 100 when activated.

[0028] The distribution of the light ultimately emitted by the luminaire 100 is then controlled by the light emission element 40 located at the lower end, which can be detachably attached to the retaining elements 30. For example, a detachable connection in the form of a snap-fit ​​connection or a comparable tool-free fastening would be conceivable. If, however, the light emission characteristic of the luminaire 100 is to be determined only during its manufacture and not subsequently changed, bonding or welding the light emission element 40 to the retaining elements 30 would also be conceivable.

[0029] The retaining element 40 itself is essentially plate-shaped and, like the primary optics 20, consists of a translucent plastic material. In the first embodiments, which are explained in more detail below, the underside of the light emission element 40, which forms the light emission side 41, is essentially flat. However, this is not necessarily the case, as will be explained later with reference to further embodiments.

[0030] However, the crucial influence on the light distribution of the luminaire 100 is initially achieved by appropriately structuring the light-entry side 42 facing the primary optics 20. This side is designed in various ways such that the light rays entering the light-emitting element 40 are redirected by refraction, resulting in the desired light distribution. Different variations for structuring this surface are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0031] Crucially, the light emission element 40 is designed as a plate compared to the lens body 20 of the primary optics, thus enabling relatively simple manufacturing. The structures for influencing the light, described in more detail below, are preferably unchanged along the longitudinal direction of the luminaire 100, i.e., translationally invariant, so that the light emission element 40 could, for example, be manufactured by extrusion.

[0032] It is assumed here that in the illustrated and subsequently described embodiments, the light emission elements 40 are each made of the same material, with the use of PMMA or PC being particularly conceivable. However, it is also possible, in principle, for different light emission elements 40 to be made of different materials, and that, in addition to the different light-refracting structures, the material itself could potentially influence the light emission. For example, materials with slightly light-scattering properties or materials that slightly alter the color of the emitted light could be used for individual light emission elements.

[0033] The key point is that it is possible to individually attach a light emission element 40 to the otherwise unchanged luminaire platform, which consists of the housing 50 with the light sources 10, the primary optics 20, and the mounting elements 30, thus creating a luminaire with specific desired light emission characteristics. Since, as mentioned several times, the light emission elements 40 can be manufactured relatively easily and inexpensively, a wide variety of different light emission elements 40 can be provided, allowing the consumer to choose from a large number of options to ultimately obtain the luminaire that precisely meets their needs and requirements. Various possibilities for designing corresponding light emission elements 40 will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0034] A first version of the 100 lamp is shown here in the Fig. 2a to 2c shown, where Fig. 2a an overall view of the light fixture, Fig. 2b an enlarged section in the area of ​​light emission as well as Fig. 2c shows the resulting light distribution.

[0035] The basic design of the 100 lamp is identical to that shown in the following. Fig. 1 described embodiment, wherein the light 100 of the Fig. 2 differs only with regard to the light emission element used. Strictly speaking, in the variant of Fig. 2. It is provided that a light emission element is omitted, so that the overall resulting light distribution, which is in Fig. 2c is shown, which is determined by the primary optic 20.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2c shows two curves: one depicting the distribution of light in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the luminaire 100 (curve I), and the other depicting the distribution of light in the longitudinal direction (curve II). Because the light emission elements 40 are preferably designed to be translationally invariant, as already mentioned, their influence on the distribution in the longitudinal direction (curve II) is very small, as the following embodiments will demonstrate in more detail. The distribution in the perpendicular direction, however, depends strongly on the design of the light emission element 40.

[0037] In the first embodiment of the Fig. In sections 2a to 2c, the absence of a light emission element results in a highly concentrated light emission towards the underside. This is to be expected, as the light distribution is now determined by the primary optics 20, whose main function is to act as a collimator, converting the light into a vertically downward-directed beam. This then results in the Fig. 2 recognizable light distribution curve I, it should be noted that a comparable light distribution would also result if a light emission element 40 in the form of a simple disc is used, whose light exit side 41 and light entry side 42 are both parallel to each other and planar.

[0038] A first variant of a light emission element 40 is in the Fig. Figures 3a to 3c show the following, where the light exit side 41 is planar. The light entry side 42, facing the primary optics 20, now has a wave-like, for example sinusoidal, structure. This results in the light, initially focused by the primary optics 20, being slightly spread out, thus achieving a somewhat wider distribution of light in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the luminaire, as shown by curve I in Fig. 3c is recognizable. It is also recognizable in this case that, as already mentioned, the light distribution in the longitudinal direction (curve II) remains almost unchanged.

[0039] In the variant of Fig. In sections 4a to 4c, the light entry side 42 of the light emission element 40 is provided with a Fresnel-like structure formed by sawtooth-like protrusions. This allows the distribution of light to be further broadened in the vertical direction, so that the resulting light distribution curve I now has two lateral maxima, although a not insignificant proportion of the light is still emitted vertically downwards.

[0040] The in the Fig. The embodiment of the light emission element 40 shown in Figures 5a to 5c again has a wave-like structure on its light entry side 42. However, this structure is now designed in such a way that, compared to the variant of Fig. In sections 3a to 3c, a larger proportion of the light is emitted laterally, so that it is visible over a relatively large angular range (see curve I in Fig. 5c) homogeneous lighting is achieved.

[0041] In the Fig. Figures 6a to 6c show a light emission element 40 whose light entry side 42 is structured such that the resulting light distribution curve I has two lateral directed maxima, while the intensity drops sharply in an intermediate region. Such a distribution, often also referred to as a batwing light distribution, can be used, for example, to selectively illuminate two areas located laterally and obliquely below a luminaire, which may be necessary, for instance, in arrangements in shops with parallel rows of shelves or the like. As shown in Fig. As can be seen from section 6b, it may also be provided that the underside, i.e., the light-emitting side 41 of the light-emitting element 40, is slightly corrugated. However, this is not mandatory.

[0042] The Fig. Figures 7a to 7c show a further development of the light emission element 40 of the variant of Fig. 6a to 6c, wherein the light entry side 42 is now designed such that the resulting light distribution curve I has only a single, lateral wing. This represents the first time a deliberately induced asymmetrical light distribution is present, which may be desirable, for example, when the luminaire 100 is to illuminate a wall area located diagonally below it or a single row of shelves. It should still be noted, however, that in all embodiments the longitudinal distribution of light remains virtually unchanged. While its intensity may decrease slightly, as is the case, for example, in the variant of Fig. 6 is the case. However, the basic longitudinal distribution according to curve II remains unchanged.

[0043] The Fig. Figures 8 to 10 show further possibilities for implementing the modular lighting system. Here, however, a slightly differently designed primary optic 20 is provided, as it has an additional wedge-shaped projection 26 on its underside 23 compared to the primary optic 20 shown previously. This projection 26 requires that the primary optic 20 be positioned at a greater distance from the light emission element 40, which is achieved with the aid of a corresponding spacer 34. This spacer rests on the previously described projections 32 of the retaining elements 30 and can now be used to support the primary optic 20.

[0044] This alternative design of the primary optics 20 leads to an additional widening of the light in the perpendicular direction, as a comparison of the light distribution curves I of the Fig. 8c and Fig. 9c each with the corresponding curves I of the Fig. 2c and Fig. 3c shows that, again, no light-emitting element is used here ( Fig. 8) or the light emission element 40 of the Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b corresponds to that of the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, where it can be seen that the light distribution curves I are slightly broadened in the vertical direction in both cases.

[0045] In the last embodiment of the Fig. In 10a to 10c, the light entry side 42 of the light emission element 40 is provided with a pyramid-like structure, the distances between the two maxima being in comparison to the light emission element of the Fig. 9a to 9c are reduced. This results in an even greater widening of the light spectrum, as Fig. 10c shows.

[0046] Naturally, the structuring of the light emission element 40 on the top or bottom can be further modified in a wide variety of ways. The different variants shown are merely intended to illustrate that the light distribution of the luminaire can be specifically influenced very easily by appropriately designing the light emission element.

[0047] Thus, the modular system according to the invention actually makes it possible to realize luminaires with very different light emission characteristics in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Claims

[1] Modular system for forming an elongated luminaire (100), comprising: • featuring a lighting platform - light sources (10) arranged on a carrier (50) extending along a longitudinal direction, - a primary optic (20) following the light sources (10) in the direction of light emission, which consists of a transparent material and is designed to influence the light emitted by the light sources (10) by means of refraction and / or total internal reflection, as well as - Holding means (30) for holding the primary optics (20), • at least two plate-like light emission elements (40) which consist of a translucent material and can be optionally attached to the holding means (30), wherein the light emission elements (40) are illuminated by the light emitted by the primary optics (20) when attached to the holding means (30) and wherein the distribution of the light emitted by the luminaire (100) can be changed by selecting the light emission element (40). [2] Modular system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the light-emitting elements (40) are made of an identical material. [3] Modular system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the light emitting elements (40) are made of a different material. [4] Modular system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the light emission elements (40) have a light emission side (42) which, when attached to the holding means (30), faces the primary optics (20), and an opposite light emission side (41), wherein the light emission elements (40) differ in particular in the design of the light emission side (42). [5] Modular system according to claim 4, characterized by , that at least one of the light emission elements (40) is provided with a light-refracting structure on its light-in side (42), wherein the structure is preferably translationally invariant in the longitudinal direction. [6] Modular system according to claim 4, characterized by , that the structuring of at least one light emission element (40) results in a light emission that is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction and the structuring of at least one further light emission element (40) results in a light emission that is asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction. [7] Modular system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the light emission elements (40) can be detachably attached to the retaining means (30), in particular that they can be locked into place with the retaining means (30). [8] Modular system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the primary optics (20) form a collimator. [9] Modular system according to claim 8, characterized by, that the primary optics (20) is formed by a lens body extending in a longitudinal direction, which has a light entry surface (21) facing the light sources (10), a light exit surface (23) opposite the light entry surface (21) and two side walls (25) connecting the light entry surface (21) and the light exit surface (23), which are designed to reflect light which enters the lens body via the light entry surface (21) and hits one of the side walls (25) by means of total internal reflection in the direction of the light exit surface (23). [10] Modular system according to claim 9, characterized by that the lens body has a substantially truncated cone or truncated pyramid cross-section, which is preferably translationally invariant in the longitudinal direction. [11] Modular system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the retaining means (30) form two side walls (31) which extend from the carrier (50) for the light sources (10) to a holder for the light emission element (40), wherein the carrier (50) for the light sources (10), the side walls (31) of the retaining means (30) and the light emission element (40) enclose a receiving space in which the light sources (10) and the primary optics (20) are arranged. [12] Modular system according to claim 11, characterized by that the receiving space, starting from the support (50) for the light source (10), has a tapered cross-section. [13] Modular system according to claim 12, characterized by , that the side walls (31) are concave, in particular concavely curved. [14] Modular system according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized bythat the side walls (31) are at least partially transparent, in particular made of a material that is at least partially transparent, wherein some of the light emitted by the light sources (10) is emitted via the side walls (31). [15] Modular system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the carrier 50) for the light sources (10) is formed by a housing in which operating means (55) for operating the light sources (10) are arranged, wherein the light sources (10) are arranged on an outer side (51) of the housing and wherein the light sources (10) are preferably formed by an elongated LED arrangement.

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