Lighting device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting device (200) comprising a lighting structure (110), a diffusing casing (130) surrounding the lighting structure, and, inside the diffusing casing (130), a flexible attachment (250) attaching the diffusing casing to the lighting structure.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Lighting device This application is based on, and claims priority from, French patent application number FR2308451, filed on August 3, 2023, entitled "lighting device", the contents of which are incorporated by reference to the extent permitted by law. Technical field

[0001] This description relates generally to lighting devices, and more particularly to lighting balloon type lighting devices, comprising a diffusing envelope inside which an illuminating structure is arranged. Prior art

[0002] Various lighting balloon architectures have already been proposed.

[0003] However, it would be desirable to have a lighting balloon that overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of known lighting balloons.

[0004] In particular, it would be desirable to have a lighting balloon that is lighter, less bulky, and / or simpler to assemble than known lighting balloons. Summary of the invention

[0005] For this, one embodiment provides a lighting device comprising a lighting structure, a support element fixed to and mechanically secured to the lighting structure, a diffusing envelope surrounding the lighting structure, and, inside the diffusing envelope, a flexible attachment fixed on the one hand to the diffusing envelope and on the other hand to the structure illuminating and ensuring lateral support of the diffusing envelope in relation to the illuminating structure.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the flexible fastener comprises a piece of a woven or non-woven fabric or sheet of a flexible material.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the flexible material is a material from the group comprising plastic materials, polymer materials, rubber, leathers, foams, composite materials, and plant fiber-based materials.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the flexible attachment comprises one or more metallic or non-metallic ropes or cables.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the flexible attachment comprises at least one end attached to the lighting structure and at least one other end attached to the diffusing envelope.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the flexible attachment comprises at least three arms extending respectively in at least three non-parallel directions.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the flexible attachment has the shape of an octopus with at least three arms.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the flexible fastener is made from a single piece of a woven or non-woven fabric or sheet of a flexible material.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the flexible attachment has a conical or pyramidal shape.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the diffusing envelope is an inflatable envelope.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the device further comprises, inside the diffusing envelope, fixed to the lighting structure, a service floor including an inflation fan.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the diffusing envelope is a flexible envelope stretched over rigid or semi-rigid frames.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the diffusing envelope is a rigid shell.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the flexible attachment is fixed to an upper part of the lighting structure on the one hand and to an upper part of the diffusing envelope on the other hand.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a lower portion of the diffusing envelope is further attached to a lower portion of the lighting structure by means of another attachment means, preferably removable.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the attachment of the flexible clip to the diffusing envelope is removable and / or the attachment of the flexible clip to the lighting structure is removable. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] These and other features and advantages will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given without limitation in relation to the attached figures, among which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of the architecture of a lighting balloon;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of an illuminating balloon according to one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 3 is a top view schematically illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a flexible attachment of a lighting balloon according to one embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of an illuminating balloon of the type described in connection with Figures 2 and 3; and

[0026] Figure 5 schematically illustrates different variants of lighting balloon architectures according to one embodiment. Description of the embodiments

[0027] The same elements have been designated by the same references in the different figures. In particular, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0028] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the embodiments described have been shown and are detailed. In particular, the mechanical and electronic production of the illuminating structure of the lighting balloons described has not been detailed, the embodiments described being compatible with known embodiments of illuminating structures of lighting balloons, for example as described in patent application WO2022 / 106108 previously filed by the applicant, or the production of such an illuminating structure being within the reach of the person skilled in the art from the indications of the present description.

[0029] Unless otherwise specified, when referring to two elements connected together, this means directly connected without intermediate elements other than conductors, and when referring to two elements connected (in English "coupled") to each other, this means that these two elements can be connected or be linked through one or more other elements.

[0030] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or to a device in a normal position of use.

[0031] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "about", "approximately", "substantially", and "of the order of" mean to within 10%, preferably to within 5%.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lighting balloon 100.

[0033] The lighting balloon 100 comprises a lighting structure 110, for example a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting structure. The lighting structure 110 is for example a modular structure of the type described in patent application WO2022 / 106108. By way of example, the lighting structure 110 comprises several elementary lighting modules (not detailed in the figure) each having the shape of a lighting panel, for example square or rectangular, fixed on the same support structure, for example metallic, and mechanically secured to this support structure. The modules define luminous faces of the lighting structure. Each elementary module comprises for example a printed circuit board (not detailed in the figure), on which are mounted a set of one or more LEDs and an electronic circuit. power supply and control of the LED assembly (not detailed in the figure).

[0034] The number and arrangement of the elementary modules depends on the intended application and the desired total light output. For example, each elementary module has an emitted light output of between 1 and 10,000 lumens, for example between 10 and 5,000 lumens, for example between 100 and 1,000 lumens.

[0035] By way of non-limiting example, the lighting structure 110 comprises three superimposed stages each comprising several elementary modules, for example six elementary modules arranged in a hexagonal prism arrangement. The embodiments described are however not limited to this particular example.

[0036] The total luminous emission power of the lighting structure is for example between 50 and 1,000,000 lumens, for example between 5,000 and 500,000 lumens.

[0037] In the example shown, the lighting balloon 100 comprises, under the lighting structure 110, for example fixed on and mechanically secured to a lower plate of the lighting structure 110, a service stage 120 comprising for example electronic circuits for powering and controlling the lighting structure.

[0038] In this example, the lighting balloon 100 comprises an inflatable diffusing envelope 130, enveloping the lighting structure 100 and the service floor 120. The envelope 130 is a flexible envelope, for example a textile envelope. The envelope 130 is preferably watertight and airtight and makes it possible to protect all the mechanical and electronic components of the lighting structure and the service floor against external aggressions. The envelope 130 also contributes to the resistance to wind of the device. The casing 130 is particularly adapted to resist the force of the wind, and may also have the role of distributing the forces of the wind on the internal mechanical structure. The casing 130 may also act as an optical diffuser for the light emitted by the lighting structure. In other words, the casing 130 is adapted to transmit, by diffusing it, the light emitted by the lighting structure.

[0039] To enable the envelope to be inflated, the service stage comprises a fan (not detailed in the figure), called an inflation fan, adapted to suck air into the lower part of the device, to inject it into the envelope. The service stage 120 may further comprise an additional fan (not shown), called a thermal fan, intended to stir the air located inside the envelope in order to facilitate the evacuation of the heat generated by the LEDs.

[0040] In the example shown, the device further comprises a support mast 140 fixed to a lower plate of the service floor 120. Thus, the support mast 140, external to the casing 130, is fixed to and mechanically secured to the lighting structure 110. More generally, the support mast 140 can be replaced by any other rigid support element external to the casing 130 fixed to and mechanically secured to the lighting structure 110. For example, the support element can comprise a rigid tube intended to be secured to an external holding system, for example a coupling system with clamps or an articulated ball joint.

[0041] The envelope 130 has, for example, in the inflated state, a spherical or flattened spherical globe shape, or a generally cylindrical shape. In this example, the envelope 130 comprises a lower central opening through which can be inserted or extracted the assembly comprising the lighting structure 110 and the service stage 120. The lower opening of the casing 130 has, for example, lateral dimensions substantially equal to the largest lateral dimensions of the assembly comprising the lighting structure 110 and the service stage 120. The lower opening of the casing 130 is, for example, of generally circular shape. As a variant, the lower opening of the casing may have a rectangular, square, or any other shape suitable for allowing the insertion of the lighting structure inside the casing.

[0042] For example, the envelope is fixed, for example in a removable manner, in the lower part of the rigid structure formed by the assembly comprising the lighting structure 110 and the service floor 120.

[0043] More particularly, in the example shown, the envelope is fixed by the edge of its lower central opening, to a lower plate, for example of circular shape, of the service floor 120, by a fixing means 109, preferably removable, for example a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap fastener, nuts or screws, magnets, or any other suitable fixing mechanism.

[0044] The inflation of the envelope 130 is ensured by the inflation fan present in the service stage 120, when the lighting device is put into service. Before the inflation phase, the envelope is initially deflated, and the inflation fan is stopped. During commissioning, the fan is controlled at its inflation power, for example at its maximum power so as to obtain rapid inflation of the envelope. At the end of the inflation phase, that is to say when the envelope is filled with air, the air pressure inside the balloon is stabilizes at a value slightly higher than the external pressure. The fan can then be kept on but at a power lower than its inflation power, for the entire duration of use of the device, so as to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the balloon during the use phase, while limiting the electrical consumption and noise of the fan, for example as described in patent application WO2022 / 106108 previously filed by the applicant.

[0045] In use, the envelope is self-supporting due to the pressure maintained by the inflation fan. This makes it possible to permanently maintain a distance between the envelope and the side and upper walls of the lighting structure 110. This makes it possible in particular to avoid overheating of the envelope and degradation of the latter under the effect of the heat generated by the lighting structure 110. This also allows the envelope to ensure its function of optical diffusion of the light emitted by the lighting source, and thus to avoid any risk of dazzling users.

[0046] A lighting balloon of the type described above is particularly suitable for applications requiring a powerful, removable and transportable light source for occasional use, for example for lighting a construction site or an event, particularly in an outdoor environment.

[0047] In the example of Figure 1, to prevent the envelope 130 from tilting laterally under the effect of the wind, the envelope 130 is further fixed to an upper plate of the lighting structure 120 by means of a rigid attachment 150, for example rigid metal rods or blades or a rigid central mast. In the example shown, the attachment 150 comprises several rigid metal blades each having a lower end attached to the upper plate of the lighting structure 120 and an upper end attached to an upper central region of the casing 130.

[0048] The attachment of the rods of the attachment 150 to the upper plate of the lighting structure 110 may be a permanent attachment, for example by welding, or removable, for example by means of screws or nuts.

[0049] The attachment of the rods of the fastener 150 to the casing 130 is preferably a removable attachment, for example by means of screws or nuts.

[0050] The attachment 150 has the particular function of preventing the casing 130 from tilting laterally under the effect of the wind until it touches the lateral faces of the lighting structure 110.

[0051] A limitation of the attachment system 150 of FIG. 1, however, lies in the fact that it leads to an increase in the weight of the balloon, and the size of the structure in the deflated state of the balloon.

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of an illuminating balloon 200 according to one embodiment.

[0053] The balloon 200 of Figure 2 includes elements in common with the balloon 100 of Figure 1. For the sake of simplification, the common elements will not be described again below and only the differences with the balloon 100 will be highlighted below.

[0054] The balloon 200 of Figure 2 differs from the balloon 100 of Figure 1 primarily in that, in the balloon 200, the rigid tether 150 securing the upper central region of the envelope 130 to the lighting structure 110 is replaced by a flexible tether 250.

[0055] By flexible, we mean here that the attachment 250 bends and curves without breaking and reversibly, under the effect of its own weight or the weight of the envelope.

[0056] For example, the fastener 250 is made of a canvas or textile fabric, for example plastic, or a fastener based on flexible metal cables.

[0057] In the deflated state of the envelope, the flexible attachment 250 is collapsed on itself. The envelope 130 of the balloon is then, for example, in contact with the upper face of the lighting structure 110.

[0058] During inflation, the envelope 130 moves away from the upper face of the lighting structure 110 and the flexible tether 250 unfolds and becomes tensioned.

[0059] In the inflated state, the flexible attachment 250 is unfolded and taut and prevents the envelope from tilting laterally under the effect of the wind. In this example, the attachment 250 then has an octopus shape.

[0060] The provision of a flexible attachment to replace the rigid attachment 150 of FIG. 1 advantageously makes it possible to reduce the weight of the device.

[0061] In addition, this facilitates the storage and arrangement of the balloon, without having to disassemble the rigid elements of the attachment 150 of Figure 1. The flexible attachment 250 only takes on its full physical extent when tension is applied to it. The rest of the time, it can fold and be stored compactly inside the product.

[0062] This further increases resistance to drop impacts. By its nature, the flexible material of the clip 250 can conform / bend reversibly, unlike the rigid material of the clip 150 which can twist irreversibly and thus lose its physical properties.

[0063] The cost is also limited, as is the environmental impact, because the flexible 250 fastener requires less material and less processing for its manufacture than the rigid 150 fastener.

[0064] Figure 3 is a top view schematically illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the flexible attachment 250 of the lighting balloon of Figure 2.

[0065] In Figure 3, the tether 250 has been shown in an unfolded configuration on a flat surface, and not attached to the lighting structure and the balloon envelope.

[0066] In the example of Figure 3, the fastener 250 has the shape of a cross or a star with four branches or arms. More particularly, the fastener 250 comprises a central portion 251, and four branches 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d extending radially from the central portion 251 respectively in two-by-two orthogonal directions.

[0067] Each of the branches 253a, 253b, 253c, 253d, comprises, on the side of its end opposite the central part 251, one or more fixing eyelets 255 intended to allow the fixing of said end of the branch to the lighting structure 120. The provision of several fixing eyelets per branch advantageously makes it possible to adapt the same model of flexible attachment 250 to several sizes of envelope and / or lighting structure.

[0068] The attachment 250 further comprises a fixing eyelet 257 substantially in the center of its central portion 251, intended to allow the fixing of said central portion to an upper central portion of the envelope 120 of the balloon.

[0069] The eyelets 255 and 257 are in this example through openings which can be fixed respectively to the upper plate of the lighting structure 120 and to the balloon envelope by means of screws or nuts, or by any other suitable means of fixing.

[0070] Alternatively, the eyelets 255 and / or 257 may be replaced by any other suitable, preferably removable, fastening means, for example a self-gripping fastening, a snap fastener, a magnetic fastening, etc.

[0071] More generally, the attachment may have any other shape suitable for fulfilling the desired function of fixing the envelope 120 to the lighting structure 110 to prevent lateral tilting of the envelope under the effect of the wind.

[0072] For example, the flexible attachment 250 may comprise a number of arms other than four. Preferably, the flexible attachment 250 comprises at least three arms oriented in three different directions respectively starting from the center of the central portion 251 of the attachment, to allow the envelope to be held at 360°C relative to the lighting structure 110.

[0073] Preferably, the attachment points of the arms of the flexible attachment 250 to the lighting structure 110 are offset laterally relative to the vertical central axis of the balloon. In other words, in the inflated state of the balloon, the arms of the flexible attachment 250 are inclined, that is to say they form a non-zero angle with the vertical axis, which makes it possible to promote the maintenance of the envelope in all horizontal directions.

[0074] In the example shown in the figures, the attachment 250 is made of a single piece, which has the advantage of facilitating the assembly of the balloon. Alternatively, the attachment 250 may be made of several separate flexible parts, for example several straps, cables, ropes or fastening tapes each having one end attached to the lighting structure 110 and another end attached to the casing 120.

[0075] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of an illuminating balloon of the type described above in connection with Figures 2 and 3.

[0076] In the example of Figure 4, the lighting structure 110 comprises two stages each comprising four elementary lighting modules arranged respectively along the four lateral faces of a square-based prism.

[0077] Figure 5 schematically illustrates different possible configurations regarding the positioning of the attachment points of the flexible attachment 250, shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, to the illuminating structure 110 and to the envelope 120.

[0078] It will be noted in particular that the point(s) of attachment of the flexible attachment 250 to the casing 130 are not necessarily located in the center of the upper wall of the casing 130. As a variant, the flexible attachment 250 can be attached at several points of the casing 120, for example regularly distributed around the same horizontal section plane of the casing, for example as illustrated in views b), c) and d) of FIG. 5. View a) of FIG. 5 corresponds to a configuration of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

[0079] To increase the angle of the arms of the flexible clip 250 relative to the vertical, the arms of the clip 250 may be crossed as shown in view c) of Figure 5.

[0080] Various embodiments and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variations could be combined, and other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, although an exemplary embodiment applied to a lighting balloon with an inflatable envelope has been described above, the embodiments described are not limited to this particular case.

[0081] Alternatively, the diffusing envelope may be a flexible envelope held in tension, not by means of an inflation air flow as described above, but by means of semi-rigid hoops or rods adapted to exert on the envelope a pressure or tension force towards the outside of the balloon. Alternatively, the envelope may be stretched over rigid frames. Alternatively, the diffusing envelope may be a rigid shell.

[0082] Furthermore, the embodiments described are not limited to the examples described above of a flexible attachment having an octopus shape in the unfolded state. As a variant, the flexible attachment 250 may have a conical or pyramidal shape, or any other shape suitable for allowing 360° maintenance of the envelope relative to the lighting structure.

[0083] Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments have been described above in which the balloon is held by a support mast attached to a lower portion of the balloon, the embodiments are not limited to this particular case. Alternatively, the balloon may be suspended by a suspension ring attached to the flexible attachment 250. In other words, in addition to the function of 360°C lateral support of the envelope, the flexible attachment 250 may have a function of suspending the balloon.

[0084] Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of the person skilled in the art from the functional indications given above. In particular, with regard to the manufacturing the flexible fastener 250, the person skilled in the art will be able to apply various manufacturing methods known from the teachings of the present description. For example, it will be possible to use steps of cutting textile in the shape of a cross with three or more branches, in the shape of a rectangle sheared then deformed, and punched to be attached with screws, rods, nuts, etc., or sewn, or methods of stamping flexible sheets of polymer, rubber, leather, foam, composite, non-woven material, etc. Removable fasteners, for example quick fasteners, can be provided to be able to separate the envelope from the internal rigid structure.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Lighting device (200) comprising a lighting structure (110), a support element (140) fixed to and mechanically secured to the lighting structure (110), a diffusing envelope (130) surrounding the lighting structure, and, inside the diffusing envelope (130), a flexible attachment (250) fixed on the one hand to the diffusing envelope and on the other hand to the lighting structure and ensuring lateral support of the diffusing envelope relative to the lighting structure.

2. The device (200) of claim 1, wherein the flexible fastener (250) comprises a piece of woven or non-woven fabric or sheet of flexible material.

3. Device (200) according to claim 2, wherein said flexible material is a material from the group comprising plastic materials, polymer materials, rubber, leathers, foams, composite materials, and plant fiber-based materials.

4. Device (200) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible attachment (250) comprises one or more flexible parts.

5. Device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible attachment (250) comprises at least one end fixed to the lighting structure (110) and at least one other end fixed to the diffusing envelope (130).

6. Device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flexible attachment (250) comprises at least three arms extending respectively in at least three non-parallel directions.

7. Device (200) according to claim 6, wherein the flexible attachment (250) has the shape of an octopus with at least three arms.

8. A device (200) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the flexible fastener (250) is made from a single piece of woven or non-woven fabric or sheet of flexible material.

9. Device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flexible attachment (250) has a conical or pyramidal shape.

10. Device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the diffusing envelope (130) is an inflatable envelope.

11. Device (200) according to claim 10, further comprising, inside the diffusing envelope (130), fixed to the lighting structure (110), a service stage (120) comprising an inflation fan.

12. Device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the diffusing envelope (130) is a flexible envelope stretched over rigid or semi-rigid frames.

13. Device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the diffusing envelope (130) is a rigid shell.

14. Device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which the flexible attachment (250) is fixed to an upper part of the lighting structure (110) on the one hand and to an upper part of the diffusing envelope (130) on the other hand.

15. Device (200) according to claim 14, wherein a lower portion of the diffusing envelope is further attached to a lower portion of the lighting structure by means of another attachment means (109), preferably removable.

16. Device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the attachment of the flexible clip (250) to the diffusing envelope (130) is removable and / or the attachment of the flexible clip (250) to the lighting structure (120) is removable.

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