Lighting device

Abstract

To provide a lighting device dedicated to plants, which can be easily retrofitted to any shape of a plant pot, can manage plant as it is installed, and can effectively display plants.SOLUTION: A lighting device 1 installed in a plant cultivation pot 7, comprises: an LED line light source 2 in which a plurality of LED elements are arranged in a linear series arrangement, and a power cable 4 for power supply is connected to one end; and a transparent or translucent tube 3 with flexibility. The LED line light source is hermetically sealed in the tube, and the power cable is led out from one end of the tube.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device, and more particularly to a lighting device to be installed in a pot for growing plants. [Background technology]

[0002] Many lighting devices using LED line light sources have been proposed in the past. When using these lighting devices to display plants, etc., it is common to irradiate the plants from above or from the sides. However, to display plants more effectively, it is preferable to irradiate the plants from below. As such, lighting devices for irradiating plants from below have been proposed, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] The proposal in Patent Document 1 is a lighting fixture for displaying items such as potted plants, which has a mounting base for placing the item, a lamp holder containing a circular fluorescent lamp for illuminating the top, side, or bottom of the item placed on the mounting base, and multiple supports for holding the lamp holder on the mounting base, and the circular fluorescent lamps light up the potted plant or other item placed on the mounting base.

[0004] In addition, the proposal in Patent Document 2 is a plant light illumination ring structure that includes a main body and a lamp plate, is made of a hollow, annular, translucent material, and has an open positioning tank around the bottom, allowing the light emitted from the LED lamp to pass through the plant light illumination ring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4227839 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3192544 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Regarding lighting up plants, the lighting fixture for displaying items proposed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which items such as potted plants are placed on a mounting base of a predetermined size and shape, and the lamp housing shade containing a circular fluorescent lamp is held in place by multiple supports, which creates the problem of limitations on the size and height of the pots and plants that can be placed on it.

[0007] Furthermore, the plant lighting ring structure proposed in Patent Document 2 has a closed circular body and lamp plate, and the lower positioning tank is installed to cover the opening edge of the pot at the top of the pot, which has the problem that it can only be installed if the shape of the positioning tank perfectly matches the size and shape of the pot opening. Another problem is that it is very difficult to install it after the pot has grown large.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a lighting device exclusively for plants that can be easily installed afterwards in any shape of plant pot, that can manage the plants while installed, and that can effectively display the plants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features.

[0010] First, the lighting device of the present invention is a lighting device to be installed in a pot for plant cultivation, The LED line light source has a plurality of LED elements arranged in series in a straight line, and a power cable connected to one end of the LED line light source for power supply, and a flexible transparent or translucent tube. The LED line light source is sealed and enclosed within the tube, and the power cable is led out from one end of the tube. Secondly, in the lighting device of the first aspect of the invention, it is preferable that a light control device is provided. Thirdly, in the lighting device of the first or second invention, it is preferable that a linear spring member is provided along the tube. Fourth, in the lighting devices of the first to third aspects of the invention, it is preferable that a fixing member to be inserted into the cultivation material in the pot is provided on a side surface of the tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention described above, a lighting device for plants can be provided that is not limited to the shape or size of the pot for plant cultivation, can be easily installed as an after-market addition, and can be used to water plants in the same state after installation.

[0012] In addition, irradiating the plant from below allows light to reach the entire leaf, improving the efficiency of photosynthesis and nutrient absorption, helping to maintain plant health. In addition, irradiating the underside of the leaves with light helps to protect against pests, bacteria, and fungi. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a photograph showing an actual embodiment of a lighting device of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a partial photograph of an actual embodiment in which a band-shaped hardened ribbon steel is inserted into a tube as a linear spring member, and a cable tie is processed and attached to the end of the tube as a fixing member. [Figure 3] 1 is a photograph showing the state in which the lighting device of the present invention is installed along the inner wall surface above the opening of a pot. [Figure 4] 4 is a photograph showing the lighting device in the state of being installed as shown in FIG. 3 and turned on. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The lighting device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a photograph showing an embodiment of the lighting device of the present invention, Figure 3 shows the lighting device of the present invention installed along the inner wall surface above the opening of a pot, and Figure 4 is a photograph showing the lighting device of the present invention turned on in a dark place.

[0015] The lighting device 1 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is a lighting device to be installed in a pot 7 for growing plants, and is composed of an LED line light source 2 and a flexible tube 3, with the LED line light source 2 sealed and enclosed within the tube 3, and a power cable 4 extending from one end of the tube 3. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the lighting device 1 is disposed along an inner peripheral wall surface 72 of an upper opening 71 of the plant pot 7 so as to illuminate a plant 8 planted in the pot 7 from the periphery upward.

[0016] The LED line light source 2 used in the present invention has multiple LED elements arranged in series in a straight line, with electronic chip components such as resistors surface-mounted on the wiring pattern between the LED elements, and a power cable 4 for supplying power connected to one end.

[0017] The LED light color can be white (such as incandescent or daylight), or single colors such as red or blue, or multicolor RGB full-color LEDs. Dotless LED line light sources can also be used.

[0018] Furthermore, by connecting a microcomputer with a light emission pattern program written into it to a full-color LED line with a built-in microcomputer and executing the program, it can be made into an LED line light source that can change to a desired light emission pattern.

[0019] The LED line light source 2 can emit light by supplying electricity through a power cable 4 connected to one end of the power supply. The supplied electricity is usually a DC input voltage of 5V, 12V, etc., but is not limited to this and can be determined appropriately depending on the specifications of the LED line light source 2 to be used.

[0020] Specifically, for example, when a 12V LED line light source 2 is used, an AC adapter with a DC output of 12V is used, and power cable 4 of LED line light source 2 is connected to the AC adapter connected to a general household AC power source of 100V to emit light. Furthermore, when a 5V LED line light source 2 is used, for example, a USB connector 6 is provided at the end of power cable 4 from LED line light source 2, and the LED line light source 2 can be connected to a 5V AC adapter to which the USB connector 6 can be connected, or to a commonly used mobile battery with a USB 5V output to emit light. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , a 5V LED line light source 2 is used, and the USB connector 6 is provided at the end of power cable 4, and the LED line light source 2 is emitted by connecting to a mobile battery.

[0021] In the lighting device 1 of the present invention, the LED line light source 2 is sealed and enclosed in a flexible tube 3. The tube 3 used in the present invention is transparent or translucent, and is not particularly limited as long as it has appropriate flexibility while containing the LED line light source 2 and waterproof properties that prevent liquids such as water from entering inside, and examples thereof include a transparent hose made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and a translucent tube made of silicone. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, a transparent tube 3 is used.

[0022] When a translucent tube 3 is used, the material itself may be translucent, or translucent fibers such as Japanese paper, tracing paper, nonwoven fabric, or cotton may be placed inside the transparent tube 3, or these materials may be attached to the outside of the tube 3 to make the tube 3 translucent. The tube 3 may also be colored.

[0023] The inner diameter of tube 3 is determined according to the width of LED line light source 2 so that LED line light source 2 can be inserted longitudinally. Since the width of LED line light source 2 is usually about 8 to 10 mm, it is preferable that the inner diameter of tube 3 is equal to or larger than this. Furthermore, the length of tube 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can completely contain and enclose LED line light source 2.

[0024] In the present invention, the LED line light source 2 is sealed and enclosed in the tube 3, and the power cable 4 connected to one end of the LED line light source 2 is led out from the end of the tube 3. In other words, both ends of the tube 3 are completely waterproofed, and the led-out power cable 4 is also waterproof. Examples of waterproofing the end of the tube 3 include sealing by heat fusion, sealing with a waterproof bond, and sealing with a waterproof end cap 31. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the end of the tube 3 is sealed with a waterproof end cap 31.

[0025] Furthermore, the position where the power cable 4 is led out from the end of the tube 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is near the end of the tube 3, but from the standpoint of installation stability and handling of the power cable 4, it is more preferable to lead it out from the side of the end of the tube 3.

[0026] Furthermore, it is preferable that the lighting device 1 configured as described above is provided with a dimmer 5. The dimmer 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that can adjust the light intensity of the LED line light source 2, and examples thereof include an analog dimmer using a resistor and a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimmer. Among these, it is preferable to use a PWM dimmer that can stably adjust the light intensity in a stepless manner. The dimmer 5 can be installed anywhere between the power cables 4. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the PWM dimmer 5 is installed between the cables.

[0027] The lighting device 1 of the present invention is disposed along an inner peripheral wall surface 72 of an upper opening 71 of a pot 7 for a plant, with the light-emitting surface of the LED facing inward or upward of the pot 7. Specifically, for example, in the case of a normal pot 7 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lighting device 1 is disposed along the inner peripheral wall surface 72 of the area between the pot 7 and cultivation materials 9 such as soil inside the circular upper opening 71, i.e., the so-called water space, with a plant 8 planted in the pot 7, and illuminates the plant 8 from all around and upward.

[0028] The length of the lighting device 1 of the present invention is preferably adjusted to the peripheral dimensions of the upper inner wall surface 72 of the pot 7 in which it is installed, since this allows illumination from all sides; however, the illumination range can be determined by adjusting the installation position, so it is not limited to the peripheral dimensions of the upper inner wall surface 72 of the pot 7.

[0029] Furthermore, by preparing lighting devices 1 with various dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the inner peripheral wall surface 72 of various pots 7, the lighting device 1 of the present invention can be applied to pots 7 of any size and shape. Note that, in consideration of the case where the length of the lighting device 1 is made to match the dimensions of the upper inner peripheral wall surface 72 of the pot 7, a connecting member can be provided to simply connect the ends of the lighting device 1 together. Examples of connecting members include a hook, a lockable spring member, a magnet, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, in the lighting device 1 of the present invention, it is preferable to provide a linear spring member 32 along the tube 3. Examples of the linear spring member 32 include a long coil spring, a strip of hardened ribbon steel, wire, bamboo, wood, or other material that generally maintains a linear shape and has moderate elasticity. Methods for providing the linear spring member 32 along the tube 3 include connecting the linear spring member 32 to the outside of the tube 3, inserting the linear spring member 32 inside the tube 3, and connecting the linear spring member 32 to a portion of the LED line light source 2 and inserting it into the tube 3 together with the LED line light source 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , a strip of hardened ribbon steel is inserted into the tube 3 as the linear spring member 32.

[0031] By providing a linear spring member 32 along the tube 3, the entire lighting device 1 is provided with a linear spring force, so that when installed, it can be evenly adhered to the upper inner wall surface 72 of the pot 7 and stabilized.

[0032] Furthermore, in the lighting device 1 of the present invention, fixing members 33 that can be inserted into the cultivation material 9, such as soil, in the pot 7 can be provided on the side of the tube 3. Specifically, for example, fixing members 33 having pin-shaped protrusions can be provided on the side of both ends or the middle part of the lighting device 1. The fixing members 33 can be, for example, dedicated pin-shaped members, or can be formed by wrapping wire around it and processing it into a pin shape, or by processing a cable tie. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the fixing members 33 are formed by processing a cable tie. By providing the fixing members 33 on the side of the tube 3 and inserting them into the cultivation material 9, such as soil, in the pot 7, the lighting device 1 can be installed in a more stable state.

[0033] The lighting device 1 of the present invention can be installed by bending it around the upper inner wall surface 72 of the pot 7, so it can be easily installed after the pot 7 has already been planted with a plant 8, and since it is completely waterproof, maintenance such as watering can be performed in that state after installation.

[0034] 4, light is irradiated from below the plant 8, so that light reaches all of the leaves of the plant 8, improving the efficiency of photosynthesis and nutrient absorption and helping to maintain the health of the plant 8. Furthermore, light from the underside of the leaves makes it possible to check the health of the plant 8 from the state of the leaf veins, and also to protect against pests, bacteria, and fungi lurking on the underside of the leaves.

[0035] Although the lighting device of the present invention has been described above based on one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications and changes are possible.

[0036] For example, in the above embodiment, the installation of the dimmer 5 is illustrated, but an on / off timer for the power supply can also be installed in addition to or separately from this, which makes it possible to turn the light on and off at a desired time.

[0037] Furthermore, in the lighting device 1 of the above embodiment, the pot 7 is described as a pot 7 with a circular opening at the top 71, but the pot 7 is not limited to this and can also be applied to a transparent pot 7 for hydroponic cultivation, or a pot or planter with a rectangular opening at the top 71.

[0038] According to the lighting device of the present invention, the plants planted in the individual pots can be effectively illuminated. Therefore, when the lighting device is applied to plants with distinctive forms or leaf shapes, such as ornamental plants, shadows are projected onto the walls and ceiling, creating a fantastic effect. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Lighting equipment 2 LED line light sources 3 tubes 31 Waterproof end cap 32 Straight spring member (hardened ribbon steel) 33 Fixing member 4 Power Cable 5 Dimmer (PWM dimmer) 6 USB connector 7 pots 71 Upper opening 72 Inner wall (water space) 8 plants 9 Cultivation materials (soil)

Claims

1. A lighting device to be installed in a pot for plant cultivation, The LED line light source has a plurality of LED elements arranged in series in a straight line, and a power cable connected to one end of the LED line light source for supplying power; and a flexible transparent or translucent tube. The lighting device is characterized in that the LED line light source is sealed and enclosed within the tube, and the power cable is led out from one end of the tube.

2. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a dimming device.

3. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a linear spring member is provided along the tube.

4. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a fixing member is provided on a side surface of the tube to be inserted into the cultivation material in the pot.

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