Linear extruded diffuser for diffusing the light from a light source, reducing unwanted glare

Abstract

A linear diffuser body (1) for diffusing the light from a light source, comprising a diffusion plane (10) extending in a predominantly longitudinal direction and intended to diffuse the light from the light source, and two sides (14, 16) for mounting the diffuser body (1) on a support structure of the light source, the sides (14, 16) being provided in correspondence with the longitudinal edges of the diffusion plane (10) in a manner substantially perpendicular to said diffusion plane (10), characterized in that on the surface (18) of the diffusion plane (10) opposite the surface (12) intended, in use, to receive the light from the light source, a plurality of blades (20) made of opaque material are provided, arranged substantially perpendicular to the diffusion plane (10) and extending in the longitudinal direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to lighting elements for diffusing light emitted by a light source. In particular, it concerns a linear diffuser that can be mounted on support structures of elongated light sources.

[0002] Structures with profiles for lighting elements that support light sources, especially in the form of strips or elongated elements, are widespread. These profiles typically take the form of a channel on which the light source, such as LED strips, is mounted and housed.

[0003] LEDs offer several advantages over traditional fluorescent and incandescent lamps, including longer lifespans, better energy efficiency, smaller dimensions, lower heat generation, and reduced weight. However, one problem with LED light sources is that they consist of an array of many small diodes that produce intense but focused points of light. These LED "hotspots" also have poor aesthetic qualities, which can detract from the appearance of lighting elements in both residential and commercial settings, or in retail spaces.

[0004] Since these types of light sources emit light in a main direction, the support structures for the lighting elements have a diffuser that covers the opening of the channel in which the light source is mounted, so that the light from the source is emitted into the environment through the diffuser in different directions.

[0005] The primary purpose of diffusers is to evenly distribute the light emitted from the source while eliminating potential "hot spots." The diffuser bodies also help isolate the light source from potential external contaminants and direct sunlight.

[0006] For this purpose, the diffusers are made of transparent or semi-transparent (opal) material, which is better able to scatter the light, hide hotspots and create uniform light surfaces, while ensuring high light transmission values.

[0007] In particular, polycarbonate is a highly valued material in the sector due to its numerous applications and its mechanical properties such as hardness and impact resistance, but also due to its low weight, excellent transparency and flexibility.

[0008] To increase the light spread from the light source, the profiles of the diffuser bodies can have corrugated diffusion surfaces (also known as microprism or diamond surfaces).

[0009] However, this type of lighting element does not completely eliminate the risk of glare, which can be particularly unpleasant for people who are in close proximity to the lighting element, for example, directly next to the lighting element.

[0010] Furthermore, the known lighting solutions do not fully solve the aesthetic problems caused by the visibility of the light points, especially in elements that use LED strips.

[0011] The aim of the invention is to provide a diffuser body for diffusing light from a light source which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0012] In particular, the invention aims to provide a linear diffuser applied to a lighting element comprising an elongated or strip-shaped light source and capable of minimizing the risks of glare.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide such a linear diffuser that reduces the visibility of the light spots.

[0014] Another objective is to provide a lighting element consisting of a profile designed to accommodate an elongated light source and having a diffuser body that reduces the risks of glare.

[0015] These and other objects are achieved by a linear diffuser body having the features described in claim 1 and by a lighting element having the features described in claim 8.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0017] Essentially, the present invention relates to a linear diffuser body for diffusing light from a light source, comprising a diffusion plane extending in a predominantly longitudinal direction, intended to scatter the light from the light source, and two sides for attaching the diffuser to a support structure of the light source, said sides being arranged at the longitudinal edges of the diffusion plane so as to be substantially perpendicular to it. On the surface of the diffusion plane opposite the surface which, in use, receives the light from the light source, a plurality of lamellae of opaque material are provided, arranged substantially perpendicular to the diffusion plane and extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which refers to a purely exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which: Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a linear diffuser body for diffusing light from light sources according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the Fig. 1 shown diffuser body.

[0019] A diffuser body for light sources according to the invention is shown in the various figures and is generally designated by the reference numeral 1. The diffuser body 1 has the shape of a profile extending linearly and is intended to be conventionally connected to a support structure (not shown) of a light source, such as an LED strip. Although particular reference is made below to LED lighting, this is not to be understood as limiting.

[0020] The diffuser body 1 essentially consists of a diffusion plane 10 designed to diffuse the light from the light source. The diffusion plane 10 extends in a predominantly longitudinal direction and has a variable length, depending on the application. For illustrative and non-limiting purposes, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a diffuser body with a rectangular diffusion plane 10. The diffusion plane 10, which essentially has two dimensions (length and width) in relation to the third dimension (thickness), is preferably made of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and can be transparent or opal diffuse.

[0021] In correspondence with the longitudinal sides of the diffusion plane 10, two sides 14, 16 are provided, which are substantially perpendicular to the plane 10, for attaching the diffuser body 1 to a support structure of the light source. The sides 14, 16 may have shaped ends for snap-on connection to the support structure.

[0022] The support structure can conventionally consist of a profile (or rail) extending linearly and consisting of a base and two side walls defining a channel to receive and house the light source, such as an LED strip. The walls of the support structure typically have longitudinal grooves or slots for mounting the linear diffuser 1, preferably with a snap-fit ​​connection between the sides 14, 16 and the walls.

[0023] Once mounted to the support structure, the diffuser 1 receives the light from the light source on the "inner" surface 12 of the diffusion plane 10, defined by the sides 14, 16, and scatters it through the opposite "outer" surface. Advantageously, the inner surface 12, which receives the light from the light source, can be corrugated to promote scattering.

[0024] Compared to standard profiles, the linear diffuser 1 comprises, on the outer surface 18 opposite the surface 12 receiving the light from the source, a series of blades 20 made of opaque or substantially opaque material, arranged substantially perpendicular to the diffusion plane 10. The blades 20, preferably with a slender profile, i.e., with two dimensions predominant over the third, extend in the longitudinal direction of the diffusion plane, parallel to the lateral edges, over the entire length of the profile 1.

[0025] Even in the case of a curved or irregular development of the diffusion plane 10, which is not shown here, the lamellae 20 preferably follow the geometric development of the lateral edges of the same diffusion plane 10.

[0026] A diffuser profile 1 with such slats 20 significantly reduces the risk of glare for those in the immediate vicinity of the lamp, while allowing adequate concealment of the light point, thus also providing an aesthetically improved solution.

[0027] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a diffuser profile with eight louvres 20 arranged at regular intervals from one edge to the other of the diffusion plane. However, the number of louvres can vary depending on needs and applications. Likewise, the louvres 20 do not necessarily have to be evenly distributed.

[0028] In an embodiment not shown here, only two slats 20 can be arranged on the lateral edges of the outer surface 18.

[0029] The slats 20 arranged on the outer surface 18 facing the environment allow further scattering of the light emitted by the light source and spread by the diffusion plane 10 in order to prevent a light beam from being directed directly at a person who is, for example, in the immediate vicinity of the light source.

[0030] The slats 20 are preferably made of extrudable plastic and thermoplastic materials, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which are both diffusing and opaque. They can also be made of polyurethane with different Shore hardnesses and other materials suitable for co-extrusion with PC and PMMA.

[0031] Advantageously, the linear profile 1 according to the invention is designed to be manufactured by co-extrusion of PC or PMMA (materials constituting the diffusion plane 10 and the sides 14, 16) and the material constituting the slats 20.

[0032] A diffuser body 1 according to the present invention, innovatively equipped with additional light-diffusing elements in the form of louvres 20, overcomes the disadvantages of currently marketed products. The louvres 20, located on the outer surface of the diffusion plane 10, essentially direct and deflect the light from the light source, drastically reducing the glare for a potential observer located in close proximity to the light source, as it remains almost completely hidden from view.

[0033] Furthermore, the provision of slats 20 made of a plastic or thermoplastic material that can be co-extruded with the materials normally used for the diffusion plane 10 advantageously allows the production of a diffuser body that overcomes the disadvantages of the known products in a simple, versatile and cost-effective manner through a co-extrusion process.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a lighting element consisting of a support structure consisting of a profiled element housing a light source and comprising a diffuser profile having the features described above.

[0035] As highlighted above, the invention finds particular application in the field of LED lighting systems, in particular LED strips, but it is clear that it can also be applied to other equivalent light sources.

[0036] From the above, the advantages of a diffuser profile with the characteristics just described emerge, which, once applied to a linear lighting element, reduces the risk of glare and improves its aesthetic appearance by avoiding the visibility of the light points.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above and illustrated in the attached drawings, but numerous detailed changes can be made at the discretion of the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Linear diffuser body (1) for diffusing the light of a light source, comprising a diffusion plane (10) extending in a predominantly longitudinal direction and intended to scatter the light from the light source, and two sides (14, 16) for mounting the diffuser body (1) on a support structure of the light source, the sides (14, 16) being provided in correspondence with the longitudinal edges of the diffusion plane (10) in a manner substantially perpendicular to said diffusion plane (10), characterized by the fact that on the surface (18) of the diffusion plane (10) opposite the surface (12) intended, in use, to receive the light from the light source, there is provided a plurality of slats (20) of opaque material arranged substantially perpendicular to the diffusion plane (10) and extending in the longitudinal direction. [2] Linear diffuser body (1) according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion plane (10) has a substantially rectangular shape and the lamellae are arranged parallel to the edges of the diffusion plane (10). [3] Linear diffuser body (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lamellae are made of polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane or a material suitable for co-extrusion with polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylate. [4] Linear diffuser body (1) according to claim 3, wherein the diffusion plane (10) and the sides (14, 16) are made of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), characterized by the fact that the linear diffuser body (1) is made by co-extrusion of the material constituting the diffusion plane (10) and the material constituting the slats (20). [5] Linear diffuser body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the diffusion plane (10) is transparent or made of opal material for light scattering. [6] Linear diffuser body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamellae (20) extend at regular intervals from one longitudinal edge to the other of the diffusion plane (10). [7] Linear diffuser body (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface (12) intended, in use, to receive the light from the light source has a corrugated structure. [8] Linear diffuser body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sides (14, 16) have shaped ends to enable a click connection to the support structure of the lighting unit. [9] Lighting element comprising a support structure consisting of a linear profile with a base body and two side walls defining a channel in which a light source is housed, characterized by the fact that it comprises a linear diffuser body (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Lighting element according to claim 9, wherein the light source is in the form of an elongated body or a strip, in particular an LED strip.

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