Corner deflection element for an LED lighting strip and associated lighting arrangement

Abstract

A corner deflection element (1) according to the invention for a lighting strip (15) comprises a lower side, which forms a flat base surface (2), and an in particular strip-shaped guide track (3) on an upper side for the lighting strip (15), which has two track legs (4), which are angled relative to the flat base surface (2) at an angle (α) between approximately 45° and approximately 135°, in particular at approximately 90°, and a corner deflection track section (5), located between the two track legs (4), which stands upright above the two track legs (4), wherein an outwardly downward sloping transverse inclination of the corner deflection track section (5) relative to the flat base surface (2) is greater than an outwardly downward sloping transverse inclination of the two track legs (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a corner deflection element for a light strip, in particular an LED strip, as well as to an associated lighting arrangement with such a corner deflection element.

[0002] Light strips (e.g., LED light strips) are used to illuminate the interiors of furniture. These strips are typically attached to the inside of the furniture, but their placement in inside corners is undefined and therefore inconsistent. This can lead to shadowing of the light strip or result in the side with the light elements not facing inwards as desired. In such cases, the inside corners become unlit or asymmetrically illuminated. Currently, this problem is solved by installing two light strips that are electrically connected in the inside corners using a separate connector. This connector must be positioned and secured in the inside corner.

[0003] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to lay a light strip in an inside corner without interrupting the light pattern and without separate coupling pieces in the simplest way possible and with minimal assembly effort.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a corner deflection element for a light strip, in particular an LED strip, comprising: a bottom surface forming a flat base, and a top surface, in particular a strip-shaped guide track for the light strip, comprising two track legs which are angled relative to each other at an angle of approximately 45° to approximately 135°, in particular approximately 90°, with respect to the flat base, and a corner deflection track section located between the two track legs which projects upwards above the two track legs, wherein an inwardly sloping transverse slope of the corner deflection track section relative to the flat base is greater than an inwardly sloping transverse slope of the two track legs, wherein the contour of the guide track is designed such that a light strip following the guide track rests on the guide track.

[0005] According to the invention, the guide track ensures that the light strip resting on it is always oriented with its side equipped with light elements facing outwards, thus preventing unlit or shadowed inside corners. The light strip is attached to the corner deflection element and held in contact with the guide track. The installation effort for light strips that change direction is significantly reduced and simplified.

[0006] From the publication "Free STL file Hot Wheel Track 90 deg Turn, 10 deg Bank w / Improved Joiner (100mm, 150mm, 200mm Radius)", September 1, 2020, XP093105186, found on the internet (URL: https: / / cults3d.com / en / 3d-model / game / hot-wheel-track-90-deg-turn-10-deg-bank-w-improved-joiner-100mm-150mm-200mm-radius), and from the publication "Amazon.com: Hot Wheels Compatible 90 Degree Banked Turn (Blue) : Handmade Products", March 1, 2022, XP093105191, found on the internet (URL:https: / / www.amazon.com / Wheels-Compatible-Degree-Banked-Turn / dp / B09W333D9D?th=1) Curve track deflection elements for a Hot Wheel racetrack are known in which the outer edge of the curve has a larger curve radius and the inner edge of the curve has a smaller curve radius. Further relevant prior art can be found in CN216388604 U, KR 20100129414 A and CN115013749 A.

[0007] Particularly advantageous is the upward slope of the outer edges of the two track legs, viewed longitudinally from the free track end towards the corner deflection section, due to the increasing cross slope relative to the flat ground surface. The inner edges of the two track legs can (but do not have to) remain unchanged at the original height of the free track end and gradually move further outwards to ensure a consistent width of the guideway along its entire length.

[0008] Preferably, the cross slope of the free track ends of the two track legs is between 0° and approximately 5°, in particular 0°, and the cross slope of the corner deflection track section is between approximately 80° and 90°, in particular 90°.

[0009] The corner deflection track section can, for example, have a rounded, in particular partially cylindrically curved, inside corner as a support surface for the light strip.

[0010] It is particularly preferred that, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the track from the free track end of the two track legs towards the corner deflection track section, the inwardly sloping transverse inclination of the two track legs increases continuously and, in particular steplessly, transitions into the outwardly sloping transverse inclination of the corner deflection track section in order to form a continuous support surface for the light strip.

[0011] The corner deflection element preferably has at least two first hooks that laterally overlap both track sections, and / or at least one second hook that laterally overlaps the corner deflection track section on the side facing away from the flat floor surface. The light strip is hooked into the corner deflection element by means of the first and / or second hooks and held in contact with the guide track. This significantly reduces and simplifies the installation effort for light strips that change direction.

[0012] Particularly advantageous is the upward slope of the increasing cross-incline, which causes the outer edges of the two track legs, viewed longitudinally from the free track end towards the corner deflection track section, to rise to the height of at least the second hook. The inner edges of the two track legs can (but do not have to) remain unchanged at the original height of the free track end and gradually move further outwards to ensure a consistent width of the guide track along its entire length.

[0013] The first hooks can laterally engage both track legs from the inside and / or outside of the two track legs, preferably at the free track ends of the two track legs.

[0014] To save material and facilitate the manufacturing process, the track legs and / or the corner deflection track section may have at least one recess.

[0015] Particularly preferred is at least the corner deflection track section, and especially the entire corner deflection element, being mirror-symmetrical about a plane that runs perpendicular to the flat floor surface and in which the angle bisector lies. This measure results in a correspondingly mirror-symmetrical illuminated pattern.

[0016] The corner deflection element can be particularly advantageously a one-piece injection-molded part made of plastic, especially transparent plastic.

[0017] Preferably, the flat base surface and / or the guide track are designed as a self-adhesive surface, e.g. by applying a double-sided adhesive film to the flat base surface or the guide track.

[0018] The invention also relates to a lighting arrangement with an inside corner angled at an angle between approximately 45° and approximately 135°, in particular approximately 90°, with a light strip, in particular an LED light strip, laid along the inside corner, and with a corner deflection element designed as described above, which is attached to the inside corner, in particular glued, wherein the light strip is attached to the corner deflection element and rests against the guide track. The upper side of the LED light strip, equipped with LEDs, faces inwards in the inside corner, so that a continuous light strip is formed which is not interrupted even in the inside corner.

[0019] Preferably, the light strip is hooked into the corner deflection element by means of the first and / or second hooks and / or glued onto the guide track.

[0020] In advantageous embodiments, the inside corner is formed by an angled profile groove with a groove base to which the corner deflection element is attached, in particular glued.

[0021] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the drawing. Likewise, the aforementioned and further listed features can be used individually or in any combination. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as an exhaustive list, but rather serve as examples for illustrating the invention.

[0022] They show: Figs. 1a-1c the corner deflection element according to the invention in a perspective view ( Fig. 1a ), in a top view ( Fig. 1b ) and in a side view ( Fig. 1c ); Figs. 2a, 2b the corner deflection element according to the invention with an LED strip guided thereon in a perspective view ( Fig. 2a ) and in a top view ( Fig. 2b ); and Figs. 3a-3ceine lighting arrangement with an LED strip which is laid in an inside corner by means of the corner deflection element according to the invention.

[0023] The in Fign. 1a-1c shown corner deflection element 1 It serves for the defined corner deflection of an LED light strip in an inside corner of a lighting arrangement and is preferably an injection-molded part made of transparent plastic.

[0024] The corner guide element 1, shown here only as an example of an angle body, has a bottom surface that is a flat base. 2 forms, and a top-side, here merely exemplary strip-shaped guide track 3 for the light strip. The guide track 3 comprises two track legs. 4,which with respect to the flat floor surface 2 against each other at an angle α are angled between approximately 45° and approximately 135°, here by 90°, and have an inner corner track section located between the two track legs 4. 5 exhibits a feature that extends above the two track legs 4. As shown, the corner deflection track section 5 can be rounded on the inside, i.e., curved around an axis of curvature. 6 The corner deflection track section 5 is curved inwards and runs perpendicular (or obliquely) to the flat base surface 2. Preferably, the corner deflection track section 5 is partially cylindrically rounded. The guide track 3 can optionally be defined by side edges of the corner guide element 1 or by a groove in the corner guide element 1.

[0025] The cross slope of the free track ends, relative to the flat ground surface 2 7The cross slope of the two track legs 4 is 0°, whereas the corner deflection track section 5 has an outward-sloping cross slope of approximately 90°. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the track from the free track end 7 of the two track legs 4 towards the corner deflection track section 5, the outward-sloping cross slope of the two track legs 4 increases continuously and transitions, in particular steplessly, into the cross slope of the corner deflection track section 5. In other words, it curves in Fig. 1 the guide track 3 from horizontal at one free track end 7 to vertical in the corner deflection track section 5 and back to horizontal at the other free track end 7.

[0026] The corner deflection element 1 has two first hooks. 8 on, which each overlap the free track ends 7 laterally, i.e. in a transverse direction, from the outer sides of the two track legs 4, at a distance d, which is slightly larger than the band thickness D ( Fig. 2a ) of the LED light strip to be guided. The corner deflection element 1 also has a second hook, arranged centrally here, on the side of the corner deflection track section 5 facing away from the flat floor surface 2. 9 The second hook 9 extends laterally over the corner deflection track section 5 at a distance d that is slightly greater than the thickness D of the LED light strip 15 to be guided. Preferably, the second hook 9 extends along the rounded corner deflection track section 5 and is rounded in accordance with the corner deflection track section 5.

[0027] As in Fig. 1a As shown, the outer edges rise. 10 of the two track legs 4, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the track from the free track end 7 towards the corner deflection track section 5, due to the increasing cross slope up to the height of the second hook 9. The inner edges 11The two track legs 4, however, remain unchanged at the original height of the free track end 7, but move increasingly further outwards to ensure a constant width along the entire guide track 3. b to ensure the guideway 3.

[0028] As in Fig. 1a Indicated by dashed lines, the corner deflection track section 5 can have a central recess. 12 They have these features to save material and simplify the manufacturing process. Alternatively or additionally, both track legs can also have 4 such recesses.

[0029] Preferably, the corner deflection track section 5, and in particular the entire corner deflection element 1, is mirror-symmetrical to a plane. 13, which runs perpendicular to the flat floor surface 2 and in which the angle bisector of angle α lies.

[0030] As in Fig. 1c As shown, a double-sided adhesive film can be applied to the flat floor surface 2.14 It should be glued on so that the flat floor surface 2 is self-adhesive.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the corner deflection element 1 is an angle body with two angle legs, the undersides of which form the flat bottom surface 2 and the tops of which form the guide track 3.

[0032] In Fign. 2a, 2b is an LED light strip 15,The LED light strip 15, which is equipped with LEDs (not shown) on its upper side, is placed on the guide track 3 and held in contact with the guide track 3 by means of the first and second hooks 8, 9. The contour of the guide track 3 corresponds to the contour of the LED light strip 15, into which the LED light strip 15 automatically twists due to its inherent rigidity when its two track legs 4, each with the LED-equipped upper side facing upwards, are aligned at the angle α. The LED light strip 15 is hooked into the corner deflection element 1 by means of the first and second hooks 8, 9 and rests with its underside, which is not equipped with LEDs, against the guide track 3.

[0033] Alternatively or in addition to being hooked in, the LED light strip 15 can also be glued onto the guide rail 3.

[0034] In Fign. 3a-3c is a lighting arrangement 20 with an inside corner angled at an angle α between approximately 45° and approximately 135°, here at 90°. 21,The diagram shows an LED light strip 15 laid along the inside corner 21 and a corner deflection element 1. The corner deflection element 1, together with the LED light strip 15 hooked into it, is attached to the inside corner 21, e.g. by means of the double-sided adhesive film 14.

[0035] The inside corner 21 can, for example, be formed by an angled profile groove, as shown in the embodiment. 22 a profile frame 23 (e.g., made of metal such as aluminum). For example, the LED light strip 15 has a width b of 8 mm and the profile groove 22 has an inner profile cross-section of at least 10 mm x 10 mm. The LED light strip 15, inserted into the profile groove 22 with the LED-equipped top side facing upwards, rests at the bottom of the groove. 24The LED light strip 15 is attached to the profile groove 22 and, for example, to the groove base 24 by means of the double-sided adhesive film 14. At the inside corner 21, the LED light strip 15 is deflected in a defined manner by means of the corner deflection element 1, which is also attached to the groove base 24. The upper side of the LED light strip 15, which is equipped with LEDs, faces upwards in the profile groove 22 and inwards in the inside corner 21, resulting in a continuous light strip that is uninterrupted even in the inside corner 21. Unlit inside corners are thus avoided in the lighting arrangement 20. The profile groove 22 can be closed with a translucent cover (not shown here).

Claims

1. A lighting strip corner deflection element (1) for a lighting strip (15), in particular an LED strip, comprising: - a lower side, which forms a flat base surface (2), and - an in particular strip-shaped, upper-side guide track (3) for the lighting strip (15), which has two track legs (4) that are angled against each other in relation to the flat base surface (2) by an angle (α) of between about 45° and about 135°, in particular by about 90°, and a corner deflection track section (5) which is located between the two track legs (4) and stands upright above the two track legs (4), wherein an outwardly downward sloping transverse inclination of the corner deflection track section (5) relative to the flat base surface (2) is greater than an outwardly downward sloping transverse inclination of the two track legs (4), wherein the contour of the guide track (3) is formed such that a lighting strip (15) which follows the guide track (3) bears on the guide track (3).

2. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the guide track (3) has an outer track edge and an inner track edge which have the same length.

3. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, as seen in the track length direction from the free track ends (7) of the two track legs (4) to the corner deflection track section (5), the outer edges (10) of the two track legs (4) rise in relation to the flat base surface (2) and the inner edges (11) of the two track legs (4) migrate increasingly further outward.

4. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse inclination of the free track ends (7) of the two track legs (4) is between 0° and about 5°, in particular 0°.

5. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse inclination of the corner deflection track section (5) is between about 80° and 90°, in particular 90°.

6. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corner deflection track section (5) has a rounded, in particular partially cylindrically curved inner corner.

7. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, as seen in the track length direction from the free track end (7) of the two track legs (4) to the corner deflection track section (5), the outwardly downward sloping transverse inclination of the two track legs (4) increases continuously and transitions, in particular steplessly, into the outwardly downward sloping transverse inclination of the corner deflection track section (5).

8. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two first hooks (8), which each engage laterally over the two track legs (4), and / or at least one second hook (9) which engages laterally over the corner deflection track section (5) on the side of the corner deflection track section (5) facing away from the flat base surface (2).

9. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the track legs (4) and / or the corner deflection track section (5) have at least one recess (12).

10. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the corner deflection track section (5), in particular the lighting strip corner deflection element (1), is mirror-symmetric with respect to a plane (13) that runs at a right angle with respect to the flat base surface (2) and in which the angle bisector of the angle (α) lies.

11. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting strip corner deflection element (1) is an injection-molded part made of plastic, in particular transparent plastic.

12. The lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat base surface (2) and / or the guide track (3) are formed as an adhesive surface.

13. A lighting arrangement (20) comprising an inner corner (21) angled by an angle (α) of between about 45° and about 135°, in particular by about 90°, a lighting strip (15), in particular an LED strip, laid along the inner corner (21), and a lighting strip corner deflection element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, which is fastened, in particular adhesively bonded, on the inner corner (21), wherein the lighting strip (15) is fastened on the lighting strip corner deflection element (1) and bears on the guide track (3).

14. The lighting arrangement (20) as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the lighting strip (15) is hooked into the lighting strip corner deflection element (1) by means of the first and / or second hooks (8, 9) and / or adhesively bonded onto the guide track (3).

15. The lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the inner corner (21) is formed by an angled profile groove (22) having a groove bottom (24) on which the lighting strip corner deflection element (1) is fastened, in particular adhesively bonded thereon.

Images