Portable floor light

Abstract

Portable light (1) for the ground light zone (2), namely chest or head light with one or more light sources (3) that can be arranged in at least one housing (4), wherein the light sources (3) can be arranged so that the area on the floor (5) in front of a person carrying the light (1) can be illuminated, characterized by the fact that the light (6) emitted by the light source(s) (3) illuminates an area in front of the person, wherein the optical arrangement of the light source (1) is designed such that the luminous flux emitted by the light source (3) is transformed into a homogeneous floor light zone (2) in a first area (8) which extends in the longitudinal direction (7) and transversely thereto over a width which corresponds at least to the average walking width of an adult person.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a portable light for ground illumination, namely a chest or head light. Such lights are used particularly by joggers, hikers, and walkers, by people walking their dogs, and by elderly people or people with walking disabilities when they are out and about in the dark or at dusk. This is especially relevant outside of cities, such as on forest and field paths, but also in poorly lit alleys, tunnels, and underpasses.

[0002] It is known from industrial practice that portable lights for attachment to a person's head or upper body typically have a forward-facing front light that illuminates the area in the direction of gaze within a relatively narrow cone. Furthermore, headlamps and chest lamps are known where the user must laboriously tilt or adjust the lamp housing or lamp head to illuminate the area in front of their feet, with the floor area typically only illuminated in a narrow zone along the longitudinal direction of walking. Portable lights are also known where simple apertures or reflectors are not directed towards a specific, broadly extending floor light zone perpendicular to the direction of walking.

[0003] Furthermore, versions with tilting or swiveling housing parts are common. These exhibit increased mechanical complexity and, in practical use, lead to uneven illumination of the floor area because the light sources are not designed to illuminate a wider area of ​​the floor perpendicular to the direction of travel. This results in increased effort for the operator when handling such lights, as the housing must first be adjusted to illuminate the floor area in front of their feet. This typically requires a significant downward tilt of the head, which impairs the perception of the surroundings and makes tripping hazards visible only in a limited strip along the direction of travel.It is also known that with conventional luminaires, the formation of the ground light leads to an uneven and longitudinally overemphasized ground light zone, which only inadequately illuminates obstacles lying to the side of the walking path.

[0004] Headlamps are also known, but they have the disadvantage that they only illuminate a relatively distant area in the direction in which the person has moved their head and not the area directly in front of the person's foot or shoe tip.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a portable light that is easy to use and illuminates the area in the direction of travel well, starting from the area directly in front of the foot or toe of the shoe, and also to the left and right of the direction of travel. This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1, which are of particular importance as follows.

[0006] The portable ground-level luminaire comprises at least one light source in a housing, the light source being arranged such that an area on the ground in front of a person carrying the luminaire is illuminated. The optical arrangement of the luminaire (1) is designed such that the luminous flux emitted by the light source is transformed into a homogeneous ground-level luminaire in a first area, extending longitudinally and transversely over a width at least equal to the average walking width of an adult. While a width of approximately 60 cm is assumed for the narrowest "walking lane" in safety technology, a width of 80 cm to 100 cm is more suitable for comfortable, relaxed walking. Depending on the application, these values ​​can be achieved with the luminaire according to the invention.The plan is for the ground light zone to extend perpendicular to the direction of travel to the zones located to the side of the walking path, thus providing a broad and homogeneous ground light zone directly in front of the person's feet or toes. "Wearing" the light means that the person has worn it as a headlamp or chest lamp, leaving their hands free.

[0007] In the context of this invention, "longitudinal direction" refers to the direction in which a person moves, also called "direction of movement," and "perpendicular to the direction of movement" refers to a direction extending at 90° from the longitudinal direction. "Walking" refers to any movement of a person, including hiking, jogging, sprinting, running, etc.

[0008] Furthermore, the luminaire has at least one light source arranged in the housing, which emits light into a floor area in front of the person, wherein the illuminated floor area is wider transversely to the direction of walking than longitudinally, so that a lateral extension into the areas next to the walking path is achieved.

[0009] The luminaire described here is advantageous in that it achieves a wider and more homogeneous floor light zone compared to the state of the art, which makes tripping hazards and obstacles visible even to the side of the walking path, thus improving the safety of the person carrying the luminaire.

[0010] The light source(s) are arranged in the housing in such a way that an area on the floor in front of the person wearing the light is illuminated, and this area extends at a defined distance directly in front of the foot or toe of the shoe. The illuminated floor area is designed to run transversely to the direction of travel, so that the area in front of the person is covered in the section of the floor relevant for safe footing, making tripping hazards and unevenness in the area directly in front of the feet and to the sides visible.

[0011] The arrangement of the light sources within the housing is designed such that a main beam direction of the light sources relative to the carrying position of the portable lamp is fixed, so that the illuminated area in front of the person remains stable on the ground and does not follow head movements or a tilting of the upper body. In one embodiment, the light sources are arranged in a lower section of the housing such that a shallow beam angle relative to the ground is created and the illuminated area extends directly in front of the toe or toe of the shoe.

[0012] The light emitted by the light source(s) is directed in such a way that the area of ​​the floor in front of the person is homogeneously illuminated both transversely to the direction of travel and longitudinally, creating a wide strip of light extending across the walking path. It is proposed that the illuminated floor area extends into zones to the side of the walking path while simultaneously being limited longitudinally to a section relevant for safe footing. This ensures that tripping hazards and obstacles in the immediate vicinity of the footing are reliably visible, resulting in a uniform, evenly lit floor area.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the portable lamp, it is proposed that two areas in front of the person are illuminated: a first area immediately in front of the person's foot or shoe tip, and a second area extending forward from the first area in the longitudinal or walking direction.

[0014] The portable light has an arrangement of the light source and the housing by means of which two longitudinally arranged floor areas are illuminated in front of the person, namely a first area directly in front of the person in the section relevant for safe footing and a subsequent second area which extends further forward in a longitudinal direction and thus enables orientation of the user environment both close to the ground and ahead.

[0015] The luminaire according to the invention has the advantage that the division of the floor light zone into a first area located directly in front of the foot or shoe tip and a second area adjoining it to the front provides improved visibility of tripping hazards and obstacles both in the immediate stepping area and in the preceding section of the sidewalk, thus increasing the safety of the user when walking.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the portable lamp, it is proposed that the second area is less brightly illuminated than the first area.

[0017] The portable lamp features an arrangement of light sources such that the second zone extends further forward in a longitudinal direction in front of the user and is illuminated with a lower illuminance than the first zone located directly in front of the foot or shoe tip. This means that the second zone provides only a general orientation in the distance, while the brighter first zone ensures a secure footing. This results in improved perception of tripping hazards in the immediate walking area, while reducing glare for the user and overexposure of more distant ground surfaces, thus providing a balanced ground lighting zone adapted to actual visual needs.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the portable light, it is proposed that one or more LEDs serve as the light source, in particular as a strip with several LEDs.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, the portable light can incorporate one or more LEDs arranged as a strip of multiple LEDs as its light source. These LEDs are positioned within the housing in such a way that a broad, horizontal ground light zone is provided in the area immediately in front of the foot or toe of the shoe, with an extension that increases in the transverse direction to the walking direction. This enables a homogeneous brightness distribution across the entire width of the illuminated ground area, for example, with reduced shadow zones between individual light points, thus improving the visibility of uneven surfaces and obstacles throughout the entire section relevant for safe footing. Furthermore, LEDs are cost-effective, require little energy, and do not heat up to such an extent that wearing the light becomes uncomfortable for the user.

[0020] The light emitted by the light source(s) is particularly preferably redirected via one or more mirrors. In this process, the light emitted by the light source is redirected by means of one or more mirrors into a floor area in front of the person, so that a defined corridor of light is formed in the area in front of the foot or toe of the shoe, and an improved floor lighting zone is provided both longitudinally and perpendicular to the direction of travel.

[0021] The deflection of the light emitted by the light source(s) by means of at least one mirror enables a compact design of the luminaire and a particularly homogeneous floor lighting zone without mechanically adjustable lamp heads, so that, for example, tripping hazards and obstacles in the immediate walking area are reliably recognizable and the operator does not first have to try to adjust the luminaire or the light source precisely to their needs.

[0022] Alternatively, the light emitted by the light source(s) can also be deflected by one or more lenses. It is proposed here that at least one lens be designed as an optical element arranged within the housing, by means of which the light rays emanating from the light source are focused and simultaneously deflected towards the ground area in front of the person. This allows, for example, a compact design of the portable light without mechanically adjustable components and provides a uniform ground light zone directed at the immediate standing area, thus improving the visibility of tripping hazards and obstacles.

[0023] Of course, it is also possible to install a combination of one or more mirrors and one or more lenses in the housing to direct the light from the light source(s) to the desired location.

[0024] In a further embodiment, at least one additional light source is provided, which is arranged in the housing and shines forward. The portable lamp thus has at least one additional light source, designed as a front light arranged in the housing, whose main beam direction is directed forward in the direction of the person carrying the lamp, so that, in addition to the ground light zone, a section of the room located at a greater distance in front of the person is illuminated for orientation. This allows the person to recognize early on whether larger obstacles or other people are approaching at a distance, or in which direction the path continues, etc.

[0025] The luminaire designed in this way has the advantage that the additional forward-facing light source arranged in the housing provides combined illumination of the floor area directly in front of the foot or shoe tip and of the space ahead at a slightly greater distance, so that, for example, tripping hazards in the immediate vicinity and obstacles, people and landmarks at a greater distance are simultaneously recognizable, thus increasing the safety and user comfort of the luminaire.

[0026] Particularly preferably, the portable light has at least one accumulator arranged in or on the housing as a power supply for the light source(s), wherein the housing includes a charging socket electrically connected to the accumulator, by means of which the accumulator can be connected to an external power source and recharged. The integrated power supply via accumulator and the charging socket arranged in the housing enable convenient and reliable recharging, thus eliminating the need to change batteries, increasing the operational readiness of the light, and allowing the portable light to be used for extended periods in mobile applications.

[0027] Charging can occur both when the light is not in use and when the light is attached or worn on the body, for example via a portable battery, a power bank, etc.

[0028] Of course, it is also possible to provide rechargeable batteries that can be replaced and, if necessary, charged separately. The light can also be operated with conventional batteries. It can also be designed so that the light can be operated with either rechargeable batteries or regular batteries, depending on which the user has readily available.

[0029] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the further description, and the drawings. The invention is illustrated in four embodiments in the figures. They show: Fig. 1: Portable lamp according to the invention, perspective view from the front, bottom right; Fig. 2: turn off the light Fig. 1 in bottom view; Fig. 3: turn off the light Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, perspective view from the front, bottom left; Fig. 4: the light from the Fig. 1-3 in sectional view; Fig. 5: the light path in a first embodiment of the luminaire according to the invention; Fig. 6: the light path in a second embodiment of the lamp according to the invention; Fig. 7: the light path in a third embodiment of the lamp according to the invention and Fig. 8: the light path in a fourth embodiment of the luminaire according to the invention.

[0030] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show a luminaire 1. The luminaire 1 has a cuboid housing 4, shown in a front view, which has a substantially rectangular base with rounded upper corners. The housing 4 is cuboid in shape and has a vertical front in the assembled state and a side wall extending perpendicular to it. A recess is provided in the upper central area of ​​the housing 4, in which an LED 10 is arranged as a light source 3. The LED 10 is recessed within the recess and extends transversely over a portion of the width of the housing 4.

[0031] A mirror 11 is arranged in the recess above the LED 10. In this illustration, the mirror 11 is indicated by a hatched area and extends across the entire width of the recess in this embodiment. The mirror 11 has a reflective surface that is oriented relative to the LED 10 such that the light 6 emitted by the LED 10 is deflected by the mirror 11 to create a ground light zone 2 in front of the luminaire 1. The housing 4 forms a retaining frame that accommodates the mirror 11 and the LED 10 and shields them from external influences.

[0032] Alternative methods for attaching the mirror 11 to the housing 4 include screws, an adhesive connection, a clip connection, a weld or a solder joint, whereby, for example, one of the aforementioned fastening methods is used depending on the choice of material.

[0033] A rectangular cutout is provided in the front of the housing, in which an LED 10, designed as a strip, is arranged. The LED 10 is positioned in the cutout such that the light 6 emitted by the LED 10 is directed downwards and is deflected by means of a mirror 11 arranged in the area of ​​the cutout, thus enabling a homogeneous floor light zone 2 in front of the luminaire 1.

[0034] Above the cutout, an additional light source 3 is provided on the front, which is directed forward and serves to illuminate a more distant area in front of the light source 1. The side wall of the housing 4 has several circular openings in which a charging socket 15 is arranged, through which the power supply 14 of the LED 10 and the additional light source 3 can be charged by means of an external charger. The housing 4 contains an internal power supply 14, which is electrically connected to the charging socket 15 and supplies the light source 1 with electrical energy.

[0035] In Fig. 4 is light 1 off Fig. Figures 1-3 show a sectional view. The luminaire 1 has a one-piece, cup-shaped housing 4, which defines a rectangular interior space and is open at the bottom. An elongated light source 3, in the form of a planar body, is arranged in the housing 4 and extends essentially parallel to the front opening and the longitudinal direction 7 of the luminaire 1. A power supply 14, in the form of a battery, is positioned between the light source 3 and a rear wall of the housing 4 and is associated with the light source 3.

[0036] In a lower front area of ​​the housing 4, an LED 10 is arranged as an additional light source 3, its optical axis oriented obliquely downwards and forwards. A mirror 11 is positioned in front of the LED 10. In cross-section, this mirror is depicted as an obliquely sloping, essentially flat surface and is oriented such that the light 6 emitted by the LED 10 is deflected downwards and forwards. Behind or to the side of the mirror 11, an additional light source 3 is provided, which emits light forwards and serves to illuminate an area in front of the person. The power supply 14 is electrically connected to the LED 10, the flat light source 3, and the additional light source 3, so that all light sources 3 are supplied with power either together or separately.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 5 shows the light path in a first embodiment of the luminaire 1 according to the invention. The luminaire 1 is shown in whose housing 4 an LED 10 is arranged at an upper end as a light source 3, which emits light 6. The LED 10 is symbolically represented in a circular cross-section within the housing 4 and initially emits the light 6 essentially downwards. Above and to the side of the LED 10, several mirrors 11 are arranged, which deflect the light beam emitted by the LED 10 and reflect it obliquely forwards and downwards.

[0038] The light 6, deflected by the mirrors 11, exits the housing 4 downwards and forms a homogeneous ground light zone 2 above the ground 5, with the illuminated area directed forwards in the longitudinal direction 7 away from the luminaire 1. In the figure, the longitudinal direction 7 of the light 6 is represented by an arrow pointing forwards from the luminaire 1 across the ground 5. The ground 5 is indicated as a horizontal surface onto which the light cone strikes, thus creating a ground light zone 2 intended to allow a person walking forward to detect obstacles and tripping hazards. The housing 4 protects the light source 3 and the mirrors 11 and defines the position of the light source 3 relative to the mirrors 11, as well as the position of the mirrors 11 relative to each other.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 6 shows the light path in a second embodiment of the luminaire 1 according to the invention. This embodiment is shown solely for the sake of clarity. Reference is made in this respect to the description of the Fig. Reference is made to section 5, and here only the differences are discussed. In the illustrated embodiment, a light source 3 is arranged in the housing 4, which generates light 6 within the housing 4. This light is directed towards a lens 12 located at one end face of the housing 4. The lens 12 is positioned in front of the light source 3 such that the light 6 exiting the housing 4 is formed into a focused beam of light, directed obliquely downwards, forming a ground light zone 2. The ground light zone 2 extends along a section of the ground in front of the luminaire 1 and runs at an angle offset from the longitudinal axis of the housing 4. The beam of light is indicated by several approximately parallel light rays and illuminates the area well both in and across the direction of travel.

[0040] Unlike the one in Fig. In the first embodiment shown in Figure 5, the redirection and shaping of the light 6 emitted by the light source 3 is achieved here by means of the lens 12 and not by means of several mirrors 11, so that the focusing of the light 6 and the formation of the ground light zone 2 are achieved directly by refraction at the lens 12. The housing 4 protects the light source 3 and the lens 12 and defines the position of the light source 3 relative to the lens 12, thus predetermining the desired path of the light 6 and the position of the ground light zone 2. The ground light zone 2 is schematically depicted on the ground 5 and shows that the light 6 is guided essentially in a common direction and illuminates the ground 5 in a strip-shaped area in front of the luminaire 1.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 7 shows the light path in a third preferred embodiment of the luminaire 1 according to the invention. The illustration depicts a floor-level light zone 2 in which the light 6 originating from a light source 3 designed as an LED 10 is deflected by means of a mirror 11 arranged obliquely above the floor 5. The light 6 emanating from the LED 10 initially travels in a beam towards the mirror 11, is reflected there, and emitted in several reflected beams towards the floor 5. The reflected beams strike a surface designated as the floor 5 at different distances, thus creating a floor-level light zone 2 directed forward in the longitudinal direction 7.

[0042] In a section closer to the person, a first area 8 of the ground light zone 2 is indicated, in which the reflected light rays are closer together and consequently the ground 5 is more brightly illuminated. Adjoining this is a second area 9, in which the reflected light rays are further apart, since only the scattered light reflected from the mirror strikes this area, so that the ground 5 is less brightly illuminated at a greater distance than in the first area 8. The boundaries between the first area 8 and the second area 9 are schematically marked by imaginary lines, which show how the intensity of the ground light zone 2 decreases with increasing distance.

[0043] In Fig.Figure 8 shows the light path in a fourth embodiment of the luminaire 1 according to the invention. The luminaire 1 comprises a light source 3, which is held in a schematically indicated housing 4 and emits light 6 in the direction of an indicated exit point. The light 6 emitted by the light source 3 strikes a mirror 11, which is designed here as a parabolic mirror and is arranged above the light source 3, deflecting the light 6 downwards. A floor 5 is again indicated below the luminaire 1, onto which the light 6, deflected by means of the mirror 11, is directed, thus creating a floor light zone 2.

[0044] The floor lighting zone 2 extends from the luminaire 1 along the floor 5 to the right and is subdivided into a first area 8 immediately below and in front of the luminaire 1 and a subsequent second area 9. The first area 8 has a higher illuminance and is located closer to the luminaire 1, while the second area 9 extends further away from the luminaire 1 in the longitudinal direction 7 and is less brightly illuminated than the first area 8. The illustration demonstrates that the arrangement of the luminaire 3 and the mirror 11 creates a floor lighting zone 2 with two areas 8 and 9, which are graduated in the longitudinal direction 7, and the illumination of the floor lighting zone 2 is homogeneous.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments shown here are merely exemplary configurations of the invention. The invention is not limited to these. Further modifications and adaptations are possible. For example, more or fewer mirrors and / or lenses can be provided in a luminaire. These can also be arranged differently than shown in the figures. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide more than two illuminated areas, which can be located behind and / or next to each other. Instead of one or more mirrors or lenses, a mirrored or reflective aperture can also be used to reflect the light emitted by the light source and direct it in the desired direction. Reference symbol list: 1 light 2 floor light zone 3 light bulbs 4 cases 5 Floor 6 lights 7 Longitudinal direction 8 first area 9 second area 10 LED 11 mirrors 12 lenses 13 additional light bulbs 14 Energy supply 15 charging socket

Claims

[1] Portable light (1) for the ground light zone (2), namely chest or head light with one or more light sources (3) that can be arranged in at least one housing (4), wherein the light sources (3) can be arranged so that the area on the floor (5) in front of a person carrying the light (1) can be illuminated, characterized by , that the light (6) emitted by the light source(s) (3) illuminates an area in front of the person, wherein the optical arrangement of the light source (1) is designed such that the luminous flux emitted by the light source (3) is transformed into a homogeneous floor light zone (2) in a first area (8) which extends in the longitudinal direction (7) and transversely thereto over a width which corresponds at least to the average walking width of an adult person. [2] Portable lamp (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that two areas are illuminated in front of the person, namely a first area (8) immediately in front of the person and a second area (9) following the first area (8), which extends further forward in the longitudinal direction (7). [3] Portable lamp (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the second area (9) is less brightly illuminated than the first area (8). [4] Portable light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more LEDs (10) serve as the light source (3), in particular as a strip with several LEDs (10). [5] Portable lamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light (6) emitted by the lamp(s) (3) is deflected via one or more mirrors (11). [6] Portable lamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light (6) emitted by the lamp(s) (3) is deflected via one or more lenses (12). [7] Portable lamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one additional light source (13) is provided which is arranged in the housing (4) and shines forward. [8] Portable light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply (14) of the light source(s) (3) is provided by one or more accumulators and a charging socket (15) for charging the accumulators is provided in the housing (4).

Images