Diffuser profile, lighting system for an acoustic panel and acoustic panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a diffuser profile (1, 1') for a lighting system of an acoustic panel (2), comprising a profile body (10) which has a translucent, light-scattering profile end strip (11) and two profile legs (12, 13), wherein the profile legs (12, 13) are designed to clamp the diffuser profile (1, 1') within a receiving groove (20) of the acoustic panel (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a diffuser profile and a lighting system for an acoustic panel with a diffuser profile.

[0002] Acoustic panels in various designs are known from the prior art. These acoustic panels are primarily intended for improving room acoustics, but also serve decorative purposes. Additionally, acoustic panels can be equipped with lighting systems to create further lighting accents.

[0003] In existing lighting systems for acoustic panels, an aluminum or plastic profile is used, within which a strip-shaped lighting unit with multiple LEDs is arranged, and into which the diffuser profile is inserted. During installation, the aluminum or plastic profile, together with the lighting unit and the diffuser profile, is inserted into the mounting groove of an acoustic panel and secured. The problem here is that the acoustic panels do not have a uniform dimension for the spacing between the individual vertical struts, and thus for the width of the mounting grooves. Therefore, different widths of aluminum or plastic profiles must be available for the different mounting groove widths to ensure a flush installation of the lighting system in these grooves.This leads in particular to increased tooling, warehousing and logistics costs, as well as a significantly more complex planning situation.

[0004] The invention aims to provide a diffuser profile for a lighting system of an acoustic panel and a lighting system of an acoustic panel, which make it possible for the diffuser profile or the lighting system equipped with it to be installed, at least to a certain extent, in differently wide mounting grooves of acoustic panels.

[0005] The solution to this problem is provided by a diffuser profile for a lighting system of an acoustic panel with the features of claim 1 and a lighting system with the features of claim 12. The dependent claims relate to advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0006] A diffuser profile according to the invention for a lighting system of an acoustic panel comprises a profile body which has a translucent, light-scattering profile end strip and two profile legs which are designed to clamp the diffuser profile within a receiving groove of the acoustic panel.

[0007] It is possible that the profile legs are at least partially curved outwards and have retaining elements on their outer surface designed to clamp the diffuser profile within a receiving groove of the acoustic panel. The outward (convex) curvatures of the profile legs allow the diffuser profile to be clamped to a certain extent in receiving grooves of varying widths. When the receiving grooves become narrower, the profile legs bend slightly inwards upon insertion. The retaining elements on the outer surfaces of the profile legs ensure that the diffuser profile is always securely held within the receiving groove into which it is inserted. The invention offers several advantages over solutions known in the prior art.Since the diffuser profile can be inserted into differently sized mounting grooves to a certain extent, tooling costs are reduced, as are storage and logistics costs. A further, significant cost advantage arises from the fact that the diffuser profile can be fixed directly within the mounting groove, eliminating the need for an additional aluminum or plastic profile for the lighting system.

[0008] To ensure a secure hold of the diffuser profile in the receiving groove of the acoustic panel, an advantageous embodiment allows the retaining elements to be designed as retaining ribs. These retaining ribs, in particular, allow for interlocking with the inner wall of the receiving groove, thus ensuring a secure hold of the diffuser profile within the receiving groove.

[0009] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the retaining ribs extend over the entire length of the diffuser profile.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment, the retaining ribs can also extend section by section along the longitudinal direction of the diffuser profile. For example, the outer surfaces of the two profile legs can be designed to have alternating areas with retaining ribs and areas without retaining ribs.

[0011] In an advantageous further development, it can be provided that the profile end strip has a profile flank on both sides extending outwards over the entire length of the diffuser profile, wherein the profile flanks are designed in such a way that, after the installation of the diffuser profile in the receiving groove of the acoustic panel, they rest at least partially on the lateral edge areas of the receiving groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, the profile legs may be shaped in such a way that they each enclose an acute angle between 65° and 85°, in particular between 70° and 80°, preferably an angle of about 75°, with one of the two profile flanks and are designed to clamp the diffuser profile within the receiving groove of the acoustic panel.

[0013] The plastic from which the diffuser profile according to the invention is manufactured must be flexible to a certain degree. The material of the diffuser profile must not be too hard or too brittle, as otherwise there is a risk that the diffuser profile will be damaged when inserted into the receiving groove of the acoustic panel. However, the plastic must still possess sufficient internal stress to ensure that the diffuser profile can be securely held in the receiving groove of the acoustic panel. The profile legs of the diffuser profile must therefore be deformable within a defined range.

[0014] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the diffuser profile is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, it is proposed that the diffuser profile is made of polycarbonate (PC).

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the diffuser profile may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0017] Furthermore, it is possible that the diffuser profile is made from a bio-based or biodegradable plastic.

[0018] A lighting system according to the invention for an acoustic panel comprises a diffuser profile according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a strip-shaped lighting device with a plurality of LED light sources, wherein the strip-shaped lighting device can be attached to a groove base of a receiving groove in the acoustic panel and wherein the diffuser profile can be clamped in the receiving groove. The lighting system according to the invention has the advantage that the strip-shaped lighting device can be attached directly in the receiving groove and that the diffuser profile can also be fixed directly within the receiving groove, so that no additional aluminum or plastic profile is required for the lighting system. This leads in particular to considerable cost advantages and significantly reduced planning complexity. The elimination of an additional aluminum or plastic profile is also advantageous from a sustainability perspective.

[0019] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to an acoustic panel comprising a lighting system according to claim 11, wherein the ribbon-shaped lighting device is attached to a groove base of a receiving groove of the acoustic panel and wherein the diffuser profile is clamped in the receiving groove.

[0020] Further features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and for parts with identical or similar functions. The drawings show: Fig. 1 shows a representation of a diffuser profile for a lighting system of an acoustic panel according to a first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 shows an expanded view showing the assembly of the diffuser profile according to Fig. 1Illustrated in a photograph of the acoustic panel, Figs. 3a to 3c show the diffuser profile according to Fig. 1 Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the diffuser profile after installation in differently wide grooves of various acoustic panels. Fig. 1 After installation in the mounting groove of an acoustic panel, Fig. 5 shows a detail according to V in Fig. 4 Fig. 6 shows a representation of a diffuser profile for a lighting system of an acoustic panel according to a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7 shows a representation showing the diffuser profile according to Fig. 6 After installation in the receiving groove of the acoustic panel, Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the diffuser profile according to Fig. 6 After assembly in the receiving groove of the acoustic panel, Fig. 9 shows a detail according to IX in Fig. 8Fig. 10 shows a representation of a diffuser profile for a lighting system of an acoustic panel according to a third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 11 shows a perspective view showing the diffuser profile according to Fig. 10 After installation in the receiving groove of the acoustic panel, Fig. 12 shows a detail according to XII in Fig. 11 .

[0021] It is not necessary for a diffuser profile 1, 1' according to the invention to have all the features described below. It is also possible for a diffuser profile 1, 1' according to the invention to have only individual features of the embodiments described below.

[0022] With reference to Figs. 1 to 5 A first embodiment of a diffuser profile 1, suitable for installation in a receiving groove 20 of an acoustic panel 2, will be explained in more detail below. The diffuser profile 1 is part of a lighting system of the acoustic panel 2.

[0023] The diffuser profile 1 is made of plastic and comprises a profile body 10, which has a translucent, light-diffusing profile end strip 11 and two profile legs 12, 13, all of which extend over the entire length of the diffuser profile 1. The diffuser profile 1 can be made, for example, of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In addition to petroleum-based plastics, bio-based plastics produced from renewable raw materials or biodegradable plastics can also be used for the manufacture of the diffuser profile 1.

[0024] The two profile legs 12, 13 are curved outwards, at least in sections, and have retaining elements 120, 130 on their outer surface by means of which the diffuser profile 1 can be clamped within the receiving groove 20 of the acoustic panel 2. In both embodiments presented here, the retaining elements are designed as retaining ribs 121, 131, which preferably extend over the entire length of the diffuser profile 1. Embodiments are also conceivable in which the retaining ribs 121, 131 extend only in sections along the longitudinal direction of the diffuser profile 1. For example, the outer surfaces 120, 130 of the two profile legs 12, 13 can be designed such that they alternate between areas with retaining ribs 121, 131 and areas without retaining ribs 121, 131.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the profile end strip 11 has a profile flank 122, 132 on both sides, extending outwards over the entire length of the diffuser profile 1. These profile flanks 122, 132 are designed such that, after the diffuser profile 1 is mounted in the receiving groove 20 of the acoustic panel 2, they rest at least partially on the lateral edge regions of the receiving groove 20.

[0026] A lighting system for an acoustic panel 2 comprises, in addition to the diffuser profile 1 described above, a ribbon-shaped lighting device 3 with a plurality of LED light sources 30 which are arranged spaced apart from each other on a ribbon 31.

[0027] With reference to Fig. 2During the assembly of the lighting system, the strip-shaped lighting device 3 is first attached to a groove base 21 of the receiving groove 20. Preferably, the strip 31 of the lighting device 3 is bonded to the groove base 21 of the receiving groove 20. The diffuser profile 1 is then inserted into the receiving groove 20 until the profile flanks 122, 132 rest on the lateral edge regions of the receiving groove 20. The retaining ribs 121, 131, with their serrations, ensure a secure clamping hold of the diffuser profile 1 within the receiving groove 20.

[0028] As in Figs. 3a to 3cAs can be seen, the outwardly pointing (convex) curvatures of the profile legs 12, 13 of the profile body 10 allow the diffuser profile 1 to be fixed to a certain extent in receiving grooves 20 with different widths B1 > B2 > B3. As the receiving grooves 20 become narrower, the profile legs 12, 13 bend slightly inwards when inserted into the respective receiving groove 20.

[0029] During operation of the lighting device 3, the translucent, light-diffusing profile end strip 11 of the diffuser profile 1 forms a light emission surface on which the light emitted by the LED light sources 30 is diffusely scattered, so that a homogeneous light distribution is produced in which the LED light sources 30 are preferably no longer recognizable as light sources from the outside.

[0030] With reference to Figs. 6 to 9A second embodiment of a diffuser profile 1 will be explained in more detail below. The basic structural design of the diffuser profile 1 corresponds to that of the first embodiment, so only the differences will be discussed below.

[0031] In this second embodiment, the profile end strip 11, unlike in the first embodiment, has no outwardly extending profile flanks 122, 132 on either side. This makes it possible to fully recess the diffuser profile 1 into the receiving groove 20 of the acoustic panel 2, provided the lengths of the two profile legs 12, 13 are appropriately selected. This is particularly advantageous in Fig. 7 and 9 to recognize.

[0032] With reference to Figs. 10 to 12 A third embodiment of a diffuser profile 1' will be explained in more detail below. For the sake of simplicity, the lighting device 3 has not been shown in the drawing.

[0033] The diffuser profile 1' is also made of plastic and comprises a profile body 10', which has a translucent, light-diffusing profile end strip 11' and two profile legs 12', 13', all of which extend over the entire length of the diffuser profile 1'. The diffuser profile 1' can be made, for example, of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In addition to petroleum-based plastics, bio-based plastics produced from renewable raw materials or biodegradable plastics can also be used for the manufacture of the diffuser profile 1'.

[0034] In this embodiment, the profile end strip 11' has a profile flank 122', 132' on both sides, extending outwards over the entire length of the diffuser profile 1'. These profile flanks 122', 132' are designed such that, after the diffuser profile 1' has been mounted in the receiving groove 20 of the acoustic panel 2, they rest at least partially on the lateral edge regions of the receiving groove 20.

[0035] In this embodiment, the two profile legs 12', 13' are shaped such that they each form an acute angle α of approximately 75° with one of the two profile flanks 122', 132'. The two profile legs 12', 13' are designed to clamp the diffuser profile 1' in place within the receiving groove 20 of the acoustic panel 2 after installation.

[0036] In all embodiments described here, the plastic from which the diffuser profile 1, 1' is made must be flexible to a certain degree. The material of the diffuser profile 1, 1' must not be too hard or too brittle, as otherwise there is a risk that the diffuser profile 1, 1' may be damaged when inserted into the receiving groove 20 of the acoustic panel 2. However, the plastic must still possess sufficient internal stress to ensure that the diffuser profile 1, 1' is securely held in the receiving groove 20 of the acoustic panel 2. The profile legs 12, 12', 13, 13' of the diffuser profile 1, 1' must be deformable within a defined range.

Claims

1. Diffuser profile (1, 1') for a lighting system of an acoustic panel (2), comprising a profile body (10) having a translucent, light-diffusing profile end strip (11) and two profile legs (12, 13), wherein the profile legs (12, 13) are designed to clamp the diffuser profile (1, 1') within a receiving groove (20) of the acoustic panel (2).

2. Diffuser profile (1, 1') according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the profile legs (12, 13) are at least partially curved outwards and have retaining means on their outer side (120, 130) which are designed to clamp the diffuser profile (1, 1') within a receiving groove (20) of the acoustic panel (2).

3. Diffuser profile (1, 1') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the retaining means are designed as retaining ribs (121, 131).

4. Diffuser profile (1,1') according to claim 3, characterized by the fact thatthe retaining ribs (121, 131) extend over the entire length of the diffuser profile (1, 1').

5. Diffuser profile (1, 1') according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the retaining ribs (121, 131) extend section by section in the longitudinal direction of the diffuser profile (1, 1').

6. Diffuser profile (1,1') according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the profile end strip (11) has on both sides a profile flank (122, 122', 132, 132') extending outwards over the entire length of the diffuser profile (1 ,1'), wherein the profile flanks (122, 122', 132, 132') are designed such that, after the diffuser profile (1, 1') has been mounted in the receiving groove (20) of the acoustic panel (2), they rest at least partially on the lateral edge areas of the receiving groove (20).

7. Diffuser profile (1, 1') according to claim 1 or 6, characterized by the fact thatthe profile legs (12', 13') are shaped such that they each enclose an acute angle between 65° and 85°, in particular between 70° and 80°, preferably an angle of about 75°, with one of the two profile flanks (122', 132') and wherein the profile legs (12', 13') are designed to clamp the diffuser profile (1') within the receiving groove (20) of the acoustic panel (2).

8. Diffuser profile (1, 1') according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the diffuser profile (1, 1') is made of polymethyl methacrylate.

9. Diffuser profile (1, 1') according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the diffuser profile (1, 1') is made of polycarbonate.

10. Diffuser profile (1, 1') according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the diffuser profile (1, 1') is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

11. Diffuser profile (1, 1') according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact thatthe diffuser profile (1, 1') is made from a bio-based or biodegradable plastic.

12. Lighting system for an acoustic panel (2), comprising a diffuser profile (1, 1') according to one of claims 1 to 11 and a ribbon-shaped lighting device (3) with a plurality of LED light sources (30), wherein the ribbon-shaped lighting device (3) can be attached to a groove base (21) of a receiving groove (20) of the acoustic panel (2) and wherein the diffuser profile (1, 1') can be clamped in the receiving groove (20).

13. Acoustic panel (2) comprising a lighting system according to claim 12, wherein the ribbon-shaped lighting device (3) is attached to a groove base (21) of a receiving groove (20) of the acoustic panel (2) and wherein the diffuser profile (1, 1') is clamped in the receiving groove (20).

Images