Lighting modules, lighting fixtures, and lighting systems

Abstract

This lighting module enables the creation of linear light effects, resulting in superior lighting presentations. [Solution] The lighting module 20 comprises a plurality of light-emitting units 22, a substrate 21 having a rectangular first surface 21A on which the plurality of light-emitting units 22 are mounted in a line along the longitudinal direction of the first surface 21A, and a control circuit 23 that controls the light-emitting units 22 for each of a plurality of groups, each including a group of light-emitting units 22 that are arranged in a continuous line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting module, a lighting fixture, and a lighting system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, linear lighting fixtures are widely known. Linear lighting fixtures are installed indoors, for example, in offices, stores, houses, etc., but may also be installed outdoors, such as on the outer walls, ceilings of buildings, bridges, sidewalks, etc. Lighting fixtures installed outdoors require waterproofing measures to prevent water, such as rainwater, from entering the interior. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a linear lighting fixture having a waterproof structure that can be installed outdoors.

[0003] The lighting fixture of Patent Document 1 includes a light source unit, a frame, a panel, a lens, a body, and a power supply unit, and the outer shell of the lighting fixture is formed by the frame, the panel, and the body. The light source unit has a light source module including a light emitting portion and a substrate, a light source holding member which is a housing made of a translucent resin material, a heat sink, and a circuit board, and the light source unit and the power supply unit are arranged side by side above and below the lighting fixture.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By using a linear lighting fixture, it is possible to produce a linear light effect. However, there is a demand for further improvement in the effect of conventional linear lighting fixtures, including the lighting fixture of Patent Document 1.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The lighting module according to this disclosure is characterized by comprising a plurality of light-emitting units, a substrate having a rectangular first surface on which the plurality of light-emitting units are mounted in a line along the longitudinal direction of the first surface, and a control circuit for controlling the light-emitting units for each of a plurality of groups, each including a group of light-emitting units arranged in a continuous line.

[0007] The lighting fixture according to this disclosure comprises the above-mentioned lighting module and a housing having a rectangular opening in plan view, wherein the lighting module is housed in the housing with its longitudinal direction aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0008] The lighting system according to this disclosure is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned lighting fixture and a power supply device that supplies a DC voltage to the lighting fixture. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] Lighting fixtures using the lighting module described herein enable linear lighting effects, resulting in superior lighting effects. The lighting module described herein allows for the illumination of different colored lights in groups arranged along its longitudinal direction, providing greater flexibility in lighting effects and achieving high performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a lighting fixture, which is an example of an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of a lighting fixture, which is an example of an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a side view of a lighting module, which is an example of an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view of a lighting module, which is an example of an embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a lighting fixture, which is an example of an embodiment, showing a magnified view of a part of the fixture. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the light source module as seen from the second side of the circuit board. [Figure 7]It is a diagram showing a longitudinal cross section of a lighting fixture which is an example of an embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a widthwise cross section of a lighting fixture which is an example of an embodiment. [Figure 9] It is an exploded perspective view of a wire passing part. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of a longitudinal end of a lighting module which is an example of an embodiment, showing a state where the side cover is removed. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing a part of a widthwise cross section of a lighting module which is another example of an embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of the light-transmissive cover shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view of a housing and a heat dissipation member of a lighting module which is another example of an embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 13 as viewed from below. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view of a wire passing part of a lighting module which is another example of an embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a perspective view of a lighting fixture which is the second embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a perspective view showing a modified example of a lighting fixture which is the second embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a construction method. [Figure 18] It is a side view showing a modified example of a lighting fixture which is the second embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a construction method. [Figure 19] It is a side view showing a second modified example of a lighting fixture which is the second embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a construction method. [Figure 20] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting system which is an example of an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of a lighting module, a lighting fixture, and a lighting system according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, forms obtained by selectively combining a plurality of the following embodiments and modification examples are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture 10 including a lighting module 20 which is an example of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting fixture 10.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lighting fixture 10 includes an elongated housing 11 and a plurality of lighting modules 20 housed in the housing 11. The plurality of lighting modules 20 have a rectangular shape in plan view, and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11 with each longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction of the housing 11. The lighting fixture 10 is a line-type lighting fixture in which a plurality of lighting modules 20 are arranged linearly and adjacent to each other. By using the lighting fixture 10, it is possible to produce line-shaped light. Also, by changing the color and shade in the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10, a beautiful light gradation can be realized.

[0014] Although details will be described later, according to the lighting fixture 10, the length of the fixture can be easily changed by changing the length of the housing 11 and the number of lighting modules 20 housed in the housing 11. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a plurality of types of lighting modules 20 having different lengths, and a plurality of types of lighting fixtures 10 having different lengths can be manufactured using one type of lighting module 20. The lighting fixture 10 has a high degree of freedom in length adjustment and can easily change its length according to the installation target. As a result, the degree of freedom in production is also improved, and a high production effect can be obtained. In the present embodiment, two lighting modules 20 are housed in one housing 11. The length of the lighting module 20 is, for example, 250 mm or more and 350 mm or less.

[0015] The housing 11 is a long, rectangular member having a rectangular opening 11A in plan view, and forms the outer casing of the lighting fixture 10. The housing 11 is formed in a straight line without any bends. The length of the housing 11 is not limited to the length corresponding to two lighting modules 20, but may be the length corresponding to one module, or the length corresponding to three or more modules (see Figure 16 below). The housing 11 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section when cut perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is configured so that the lighting module 20 can be inserted through the opening 11A. In addition, since the housing 11 also has openings at both ends in the longitudinal direction, the lighting module 20 can also be inserted through the openings at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] The housing 11 has a flat, plate-shaped bottom 12 and a pair of side walls 13 erected at both ends of the bottom 12 in the width direction. The pair of side walls 13 are, for example, perpendicular to the bottom 12. The material of the housing 11 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of durability, it is preferably made of metal. The housing 11 is formed by bending a metal plate such as stainless steel. The bottom 12 is the part facing the opening 11A and is formed with a constant width along the entire length of the housing 11. As will be described in detail later, the lighting fixture 10 can be installed outdoors, and the housing 11 is fixed to a structure such as the exterior wall of a building or a bridge. The housing 11 has bolt insertion holes 14 (see Figure 7 described later) in the bottom 12 facing the opening 11A as attachment points to the structure.

[0017] The housing 11 has a pair of side walls 13 that are erected on the base 12 and sandwich the lighting module 20. That is, the lighting module 20 is positioned between the pair of side walls 13. The pair of side walls 13 are positioned facing each other and are formed at a constant height along the entire length of the housing 11. The height of the side walls 13 is, for example, the same as or slightly higher than the height of the lighting module 20, and the upper end of the side walls 13 and the upper end of the lighting module 20 are substantially flush. The side walls 13 have through holes 15 for bolts 18 as fixing parts for fixing the lighting module 20. The structure of fixing the lighting module 20 using bolts 18 attached to the side walls 13 achieves good workability and also contributes to miniaturization and improved design of the lighting fixture 10.

[0018] The through-hole 15 may be a circular through-hole when viewed from the side, but it is preferable that it be an elongated hole that extends along the longitudinal direction of the side wall 13. The bolt 18 passed through the through-hole 15 is fastened to the screw hole 63 of the frame 60 of the lighting module 20, and making the through-hole 15 an elongated shape makes it easier to attach the bolt 18. The length of the through-hole 15 along the longitudinal direction of the side wall 13 is, for example, 1.1 times or more and 3.0 times or less the length of the through-hole 15 along the height direction of the side wall 13. If this ratio of lengths becomes too large, it is expected that the position of the lighting module 20 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11 will deviate significantly from the intended location, which may make the fixing work of the lighting module 20 more difficult.

[0019] The installation target of the lighting fixture 10 is not particularly limited, and it may be fixed to a structure with the opening 11A of the housing 11 facing horizontally or vertically downward. However, for the sake of explanation, in this specification, the side with the opening 11A of the housing 11 is considered the top, and the side with the bottom 12 of the housing 11 is considered the bottom. Furthermore, the direction in which the opening 11A and the bottom 12 face each other is considered the vertical direction or height direction of the lighting fixture 10, etc.

[0020] It is preferable that the lighting module 20 is fixed at both longitudinal ends to a pair of side walls 13. That is, it is preferable that one lighting module 20 is fixed at two points on each side wall 13, for a total of four points. In this embodiment, since two lighting modules 20 are housed in the housing 11, four through holes 15 are formed in each side wall 13. The multiple through holes 15 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11 and are positioned opposite each other in the width direction of the housing 11 on the pair of side walls 13. The lighting module 20 is fixed to the pair of side walls 13 by bolts 18 that are passed through each through hole 15 from both sides in the width direction of the housing 11.

[0021] The lighting module 20 comprises a circuit board 21 on which multiple light-emitting units 22 are mounted, a housing 30 that houses the circuit board 21, and a light-transmitting cover 40. As will be described in more detail later, the circuit board 21 has a rectangular first surface 21A, on which multiple light-emitting units 22 are mounted in a line along its longitudinal direction (see Figure 5, etc., described later). The housing 30 has a light-emitting port, which is an opening that allows light emitted from the light-emitting units 22 to pass through, and houses the circuit board 21 with its first surface 21A facing the light-emitting port. The light-transmitting cover 40 covers the light-emitting port of the housing 30 to prevent water such as rainwater from entering the inside of the housing 30.

[0022] The lighting module 20 is housed in the housing 11 with its translucent cover 40 facing the opening 11A of the housing 11. Two lighting modules 20 are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10, with their respective translucent covers 40 at the same height. By arranging multiple lighting modules 20 side by side with virtually no gaps, continuous linear lighting in the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10 is possible. The length of the housing 11 is, for example, slightly longer than the length of two lighting modules 20, so that the lighting modules 20 do not protrude from either end of the housing 11 in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] The lighting module 20 comprises a frame 60 that holds the periphery of the translucent cover 40, and a pair of side covers 70 fixed to the frame 60 and covering both longitudinal ends of the housing 30. The frame 60 has a pressing portion 61 formed in a rectangular frame shape along the periphery of the translucent cover 40, and a fixing piece 62 which is fixed to the housing 11 and to which the side covers 70 are fixed. Bolts 18 attached to the side wall 13 of the housing 11 are fastened to screw holes 63 formed in the fixing piece 62 of the frame 60. The side covers 70 also have through holes 72 for passing wiring 90 through.

[0024] As will be described in detail later, the housing 30 of the lighting module 20 has a rectangular shape in plan view and includes a first part 31 that houses the circuit board 21 and a second part 32 that protrudes from the first part 31 toward the opposite side of the first surface 21A on which the light-emitting part 22 of the circuit board 21 is mounted. The second part 32 protrudes downward from the first part 31 and has a wiring section 33 through which wiring 90 connected to the circuit board 21 passes.

[0025] The first portion 31 of the housing 30 is formed in the shape of a tray capable of housing the circuit board 21 and has a length that extends substantially along the entire length of the lighting module 20. The second portion 32 is formed projecting downward from the longitudinal center of the first portion 31. Similar to the first portion 31, the second portion 32 is formed to be longer in the longitudinal direction of the lighting module 20 than in the width direction and height direction of the lighting module 20. Wiring passages 33 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the second portion 32 and are configured to allow wiring 90 to be pulled out from the second portion 32 along the longitudinal direction of the housing 30. In this case, wiring connections between lighting modules 20 arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10 are made easier.

[0026] The lighting module 20 has a space for storing wiring 90 below the first portion 31 of the housing 30. That is, a space for storing wiring 90 pulled out from the wiring section 33 of the second portion 32 is secured between the first portion 31 and the bottom 12 of the housing 11, and as a result, smooth wiring can be achieved while keeping the height of the lighting fixture 10 low. The wiring 90 includes, for example, a power line 91 and a communication line 92. The power line 91 and the communication line 92 each have connectors 95 and 96, respectively, and extend along the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10, electrically connecting the two lighting modules 20. The lighting module 20 makes it possible to miniaturize the fixture while securing sufficient space for storing wiring 90, and in particular makes it possible to lower the height of the lighting fixture 10.

[0027] The configuration of the lighting module 20 will be explained in detail below, with reference to Figures 3 to 10. Figure 3 is a side view of the lighting module 20. Note that the power supply line 91 at the back of the page is not shown in Figure 3.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the lighting module 20 has a structure in which the frame 60 and side cover 70 are attached to the first part 31 of the housing 30. As will be described in detail later, the frame 60 and the side cover 70 sandwich the housing 30 and the translucent cover 40 at both longitudinal ends of the lighting module 20, with the side cover 70 being fixed to the fixing piece 62 of the frame 60. As described above, the housing 30 has a second part 32 that protrudes downward from the longitudinal center of the first part 31. Below the first part 31, which is located between the second part 32 and the side cover 70, there is a space for storing wiring 90.

[0029] The length of the second portion 32 along the longitudinal direction of the housing 30 is, for example, 15% to 40% or 20% to 30% of the length of the first portion 31. The height of the second portion 32 is, for example, greater than or equal to the height of the first portion 31, and 1.5 to 3.0 times the height of the first portion 31. Wiring 90 is routed into the second portion 32, but as long as the length and height of the second portion 32 relative to the first portion 31 are within this range, sufficient space can be secured for, for example, the connection space of the wiring 90 to the circuit board 21, while also providing sufficient space below the first portion 31 for storing the wiring 90 and for installing the mounting part to the structure.

[0030] The second portion 32 of the housing 30 has two wiring sections 33. The wiring sections 33 are sections through which wiring 90 is passed while ensuring waterproofing. The wiring sections 33 include a first wiring section 33A for input wiring, provided at the first end of the second portion 32 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 30, and a second wiring section 33B for output wiring, provided at the second end of the second portion 32 opposite to the first end. The first wiring section 33A faces one side in the longitudinal direction of the lighting module 20, and the second wiring section 33B faces the other side in the longitudinal direction of the lighting module 20. That is, the first wiring section 33A and the second wiring section 33B are provided at two locations at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second portion 32, facing opposite directions, and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 30.

[0031] As will be described in detail later, the lighting fixture 10 does not have a power supply or control device inside the housing 11, and receives control signals from an externally located control device. For this reason, it is necessary to install each lighting module 20 into the housing 11 in a way that ensures the orientation of each wiring section 33A, 33B is correct. The housing 30 may be provided with information indicating the input and output sides of the lighting module 20, as shown in Figures 13 and 14 described later.

[0032] In the lighting module 20, power lines 91 (see Figure 2) are arranged on one side in the width direction, and communication lines 92 are arranged on the other side in the width direction. The power lines 91 of each lighting module 20 are connected by connectors 95 (see Figure 2) and extend in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10. Similarly, the communication lines 92 of each lighting module 20 are connected by connectors 96 and extend in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10. In other words, the power lines 91 and communication lines 92 are routed in a straight line without crossing each other. In this case, smooth routing can be achieved, improving ease of installation and contributing to the miniaturization of the lighting fixture 10.

[0033] The lighting module 20 is further equipped with a waterproof and ventilated filter 80 to prevent a decrease in pressure inside the housing 30. The light output port of the housing 30 is covered by a translucent cover 40, and the opening 32D through which the wiring 90 passes (see Figure 7 described later) is covered by a wiring section 33. Without the waterproof and ventilated filter 80, the inside of the housing 30 may experience a decrease in pressure when the light-emitting section 22 is turned off and the temperature inside the housing 30 drops. If the inside of the housing 30 becomes negatively pressurized, water present around the housing 30 may be drawn in and enter the housing 30. For this reason, it is preferable to provide the housing 30 with a waterproof and ventilated filter 80 that prevents a decrease in pressure inside the housing 30 while ensuring waterproofness.

[0034] The waterproof and breathable filter 80 is attached to an opening 32E (see Figure 7 below) formed in the bottom 32A of the second part 32. A recess 32C is formed on the outer surface of the bottom 32A of the second part 32, which is recessed higher than the other parts, and the opening 32E and the waterproof and breathable filter 80 are provided in this recess 32C. The waterproof and breathable filter 80 is entirely housed within the recess 32C without protruding downward from the recess 32C. In this case, for example, water flowing at the bottom 12 of the housing 11 can be prevented from coming into contact with the waterproof and breathable filter 80, and water can be effectively prevented from entering the interior of the housing 30 through the waterproof and breathable filter 80.

[0035] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting module 20. The wiring 90 is not shown in Figure 4.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the lighting module 20 comprises a plurality of light-emitting units 22 and a substrate 21 having a rectangular first surface 21A on which the plurality of light-emitting units 22 are mounted in a line along the longitudinal direction of the first surface 21A. The lighting module 20 also comprises a housing 30 for housing the substrate 21, a translucent cover 40, a frame 60, and a side cover 70. The housing 30 has a light-emitting port, which is an opening that transmits light emitted from the light-emitting units 22, and houses the substrate 21 with the first surface 21A facing the light-emitting port. The translucent cover 40 covers the entire light-emitting port of the housing 30 to prevent water from entering through the light-emitting port.

[0037] The lighting module 20 further includes a metal heat dissipation member 50 positioned opposite the second surface 21B of the substrate 21, and a heat dissipation sheet 55 interposed between the substrate 21 and the heat dissipation member 50. The heat dissipation member 50 is a member for dissipating heat generated by the light-emitting unit 22 mounted on the first surface 21A of the substrate 21 and the control circuit 23 (see Figure 6 below) mounted on the second surface 21B, and is housed in the first part 31 of the housing 30. Preferably, the heat dissipation member 50 extends long in the longitudinal direction of the lighting module 20 and has a length greater than or equal to the substrate 21. The heat dissipation sheet 55 is a flexible member that improves heat conduction from the substrate 21 to the heat dissipation member 50.

[0038] The lighting module 20 does not have a built-in power supply. The lighting module 20 is supplied with a DC voltage from a power supply located outside the module. In addition, a DC voltage is supplied from the first lighting module 20 to the second lighting module 20 via a power line 91. Because the lighting module 20 does not have a built-in power supply, its width and height can be reduced. In this embodiment, the lighting fixture 10 also does not have a built-in power supply; the power supply is located separately, and the lighting fixture 10 is made smaller, especially in height.

[0039] The substrate 21 is a long substrate on which a plurality of light-emitting units 22 are mounted on the first surface 21A and a plurality of control circuits 23 are mounted on the second surface 21B, and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The substrate 21 is housed in the first part 31 of the housing 30 with its longitudinal direction aligned with the longitudinal direction of the lighting module 20. In this specification, the substrate 21, light-emitting units 22, and control circuits 23 are collectively referred to as the light source module. For example, a printed circuit board with metal wiring formed in a predetermined pattern can be used for the substrate 21. A rigid substrate is preferred for the substrate 21, but a flexible substrate can also be used for the substrate 21.

[0040] The light-emitting section 22 preferably includes an LED element as a light-emitting element. The light-emitting section 22 is, for example, a surface-mount device (SMD) type that is individually packaged and has a square shape in plan view. The light-emitting section 22 may also be a chip-on-board (COB) type. The multiple light-emitting sections 22 include, for example, LED elements that emit red, green, blue, and white light, respectively. In this case, on the first surface 21A of the substrate 21, a predetermined number of light-emitting sections 22 that emit red light, light-emitting sections 22 that emit green light, light-emitting sections 22 that emit blue light, and light-emitting sections 22 that emit white light are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 21 in a predetermined order. The number of light-emitting sections 22 of each color may differ from one another.

[0041] In the lighting module 20, the light-emitting units 22 are controlled for each of several groups, each containing a group of consecutively arranged light-emitting units 22. That is, the lighting module 20 allows multiple light-emitting units 22 housed in a single housing 30 to emit light of different colors and brightness for each predetermined group. Furthermore, it is possible to turn the light-emitting units 22 on or off independently for each group, and for example, the timing of turning on or off can be arbitrarily changed for each group. The lighting module 20 offers a high degree of freedom in effects and can produce excellent effects.

[0042] As described above, the housing 30 has a first portion 31 for housing the circuit board 21 and a second portion 32 that protrudes downward from the longitudinal center of the first portion 31. It is possible for the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 to be separate parts and assembled to form the housing 30, but it is preferable that the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 are integrally molded. The housing 30 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate.

[0043] The first part 31 is formed in the shape of a tray capable of housing the substrate 21, the heat dissipation member 50, and the heat dissipation sheet 55, and has a bottom 31A which faces the light emission port, and a side wall 31B erected on the periphery of the bottom 31A. The bottom 31A is formed everywhere except in the longitudinal center of the first part 31 where the second part 32 is formed. That is, there is no bottom 31A in the longitudinal center of the first part 31, and the internal spaces of the first part 31 and the second part 32 are connected in the longitudinal center of the housing 30. This makes it possible to connect the wiring 90 that has been drawn into the interior of the second part 32 to the second surface 21B of the substrate 21. The side wall 31B is formed in the shape of a rectangular tube along the periphery of the bottom 31A, which is rectangular in plan view.

[0044] The heat dissipation member 50, the heat dissipation sheet 55, and the substrate 21 are placed on the bottom 31A of the first part 31 in this order. The substrate 21 and the heat dissipation member 50 are slightly shorter than the length of the first part 31 and are positioned across the bottom 31A formed on both sides of the longitudinal center of the first part 31. The heat dissipation member 50 is positioned to cover a portion of the upper part of the second part 32, but since an opening 53 is formed in the longitudinal center of the heat dissipation member 50, wiring 90 can be connected to the second surface 21B of the substrate 21 through the opening 53.

[0045] The first part 31 further has a flange portion 31C formed on the periphery of the light emission opening. The flange portion 31C is a portion that protrudes outward from the upper end of the side wall 31B and is formed in an annular shape along the entire length of the periphery of the light emission opening. The flange portion 31C has, for example, a constant width along its entire length, and its surface is flat and formed in the width direction of the housing 30. A translucent cover 40 is placed on the flange portion 31C, and the peripheral portion of the translucent cover 40 is supported by the flange portion 31C. The flange portion 31C does not extend inward from the light emission opening and is not formed above the substrate 21.

[0046] The second part 32 is formed in a tray shape, similar to the first part 31, and has a bottom 32A and side walls 32B. The second part 32 is formed deeper than the first part 31, and the wiring 90 that is pulled in through the wiring section 33 is housed in its internal space. The side walls 32B are formed in a rectangular tube shape along the periphery of the bottom 32A, and the wiring section 33 is provided on two sides of the side walls 32B that face each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing 30. In addition, a recess 32C is formed in the bottom 32A, and a waterproof and breathable filter 80 is attached while being housed in the recess 32C.

[0047] The translucent cover 40 is bonded to the flange portion 31C of the first portion 31 via an adhesive member 41. Preferably, the adhesive member 41 is provided in an annular shape along the entire length of the flange portion 31C. The adhesive member 41 firmly fixes the flange portion 31C and the translucent cover 40, and prevents water such as rainwater from entering the interior of the housing 30 through the gap between the flange portion 31C and the translucent cover 40. In other words, the adhesive member 41 functions as a sealing member. A liquid adhesive can be used for the adhesive member 41, but it is preferable to use double-sided tape. The double-sided tape is positioned, for example, so as not to protrude from the flange portion 31C.

[0048] The translucent cover 40 blocks the light emission opening of the housing 30, preventing water such as rainwater from entering the housing 30, while allowing light emitted from the light-emitting part 22 to pass through. A colorless, transparent resin cover can be applied to the translucent cover 40. The resin constituting the translucent cover 40 is not particularly limited, but polycarbonate is a preferred example. The translucent cover 40 is, for example, a rigid cover having a thickness of 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm. It is also possible to apply a glass cover to the translucent cover 40.

[0049] The translucent cover 40 is a substantially flat plate-like member that does not have large protrusions or depressions on its surface, but may include a lens portion having a light-gathering function, as shown in Figure 11 described later. Furthermore, at least one of the following is formed on the outer surface of the translucent cover 40 facing away from the housing 30: for example, fine irregularities having a light-diffusing function and a coating film having a light-diffusing function. By providing a light-diffusing function to the outer surface of the translucent cover 40, effects such as effectively suppressing color unevenness at the longitudinal end of the lighting module 20 can be obtained. The light-diffusing function of the outer surface of the translucent cover 40 can be provided, for example, by applying a coating film containing a light-diffusing material to the outer surface of the translucent cover 40, by textured processing the outer surface, or by applying a coating film to a textured outer surface.

[0050] The heat dissipation member 50 is a metal member having a substantially U-shaped cross-section when cut perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, and has locking portions 54 that protrude onto the first surface 21A of the substrate 21 and press against the substrate 21. The longitudinal directions of the substrate 21 and the heat dissipation member 50 coincide. The substrate 21 is housed in the housing 30 with the substrate 21 placed on the heat dissipation member 50 via a heat dissipation sheet 55. The heat dissipation member 50 includes a plate-shaped bottom 51 and side walls 52 erected on both sides of the width direction of the bottom 51. Multiple locking portions 54 are formed on each side wall 52. The locking portions 54 are claws formed by substantially U-shaped slits, and can be bent inward to protrude onto the first surface 21A of the substrate 21.

[0051] The heat dissipation sheet 55 is preferably an elastic material that has a higher thermal conductivity than general resins and is compressible. A suitable heat dissipation sheet 55 is a sheet made of a flexible resin, which may contain a thermally conductive filler dispersed in the resin. Examples of resins that make up the heat dissipation sheet 55 include silicone resin and urethane resin. Among these, silicone resin is preferred. The thermally conductive filler dispersed in the resin is preferably an insulating filler with high thermal conductivity, and examples include aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, and boron nitride. In this embodiment, two heat dissipation sheets 55 are arranged with the opening 53 of the heat dissipation member 50 separated by the opening 53 so as not to cover the opening 53.

[0052] The heat dissipation structure of the lighting module 20 is symmetrical on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 21, achieving good heat dissipation across the entire substrate 21. Furthermore, because it has a simple structure consisting of a heat dissipation member 50 and a heat dissipation sheet 55, it contributes to cost reduction and miniaturization of the lighting module 20.

[0053] The frame 60 is a component used to fix the lighting module 20 to the housing 11, and is preferably made of metal from the viewpoint of durability, etc. The frame 60 also presses down on the translucent cover 40 from above to prevent the translucent cover 40 from falling off. As described above, the frame 60 has a rectangular frame-shaped pressing portion 61 that presses down on the periphery of the translucent cover 40, and fixing pieces 62 that extend downward from both sides in the width direction at both longitudinal ends of the pressing portion 61. Four fixing pieces 62 are formed, each with a screw hole 63. The side cover 70 is fixed to the tip of the fixing piece 62 using bolts 76 and nuts 77.

[0054] The side cover 70 has a plate-shaped base portion 71, an extension portion 73, and a fixing portion 74. The extension portion 73 and the fixing portion 74 are formed on the inner surface of the base portion 71 facing the housing 30. The side cover 70 (base portion 71), together with the side wall 13 of the housing 11, forms the side surface of the lighting fixture 10 and conceals the wiring storage space 90 formed below the first portion 31 of the housing 30. However, in order to allow the wiring 90 to be pulled out from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the lighting module 20, an insertion hole 72 for passing the wiring 90 is formed in the lower part of the base portion 71. The extension portion 73, with the fixing portion 74 fixed to the fixing piece 62 of the frame 60, faces the bottom 31A of the first portion 31 and, together with the frame 60, sandwiches the housing 30 and the translucent cover 40.

[0055] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lighting fixture 10 from above, showing a magnified portion of the lighting fixture 10. In Figure 5, when the translucent cover 40 is transparent, the interior of the housing 30 visible through the translucent cover 40, particularly the first surface 21A of the substrate 21, is shown. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the light source module from the second surface 21B side of the substrate 21.

[0056] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the light source module includes a long substrate 21, a plurality of light-emitting units 22 mounted on the first surface 21A of the substrate 21, and a control circuit 23 mounted on the second surface 21B opposite to the first surface 21A of the substrate 21. By arranging the light-emitting units 22 and the control circuit 23 on both sides of a single substrate 21, the height of the lighting module 20 can be significantly reduced compared to, for example, using two substrates: one with the light-emitting units 22 mounted and another with the control circuit 23 mounted.

[0057] On the other hand, in this embodiment, since heat sources are present on both sides of the substrate 21, there is a problem that the amount of heat generated by the light source module will increase. To address this problem, the substrate 21 is placed on the heat dissipation member 50. In addition, a heat dissipation sheet 55 is present between the second surface 21B of the substrate 21 and the bottom 51 of the heat dissipation member 50. This ensures excellent heat dissipation and effectively suppresses heat generation in the light source module. As will be described in more detail later, the substrate 21 is pressed against the heat dissipation sheet 55 by a locking portion 54 of the heat dissipation member 50 that protrudes from the first surface 21A.

[0058] The light-emitting units 22 are arranged in a single row along the longitudinal direction of the first surface 21A of the substrate 21, in the widthwise center of the first surface 21A. The spacing between each light-emitting unit 22 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, multiple light-emitting units 22 are arranged along substantially the entire length of the first surface 21A at intervals shorter than the length of one side of the light-emitting unit 22, which is substantially square in plan view. An example of the spacing between each light-emitting unit 22 is 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

[0059] As described above, the light-emitting units 22 are classified into multiple groups, each containing a group of multiple light-emitting units 22 arranged in a continuous line. The light emission of each group containing multiple light-emitting units 22 is controlled independently of each other. The control circuit 23 controls the current supplied to each light-emitting unit 22 for each group under the control of a control device provided outside the lighting fixture 10, thereby achieving the desired light emission state. A control circuit 23 is provided for each of the multiple groups. In this embodiment, there are two groups, divided into a first group located on one end of the substrate 21 in the longitudinal direction and a second group located on the other end of the substrate 21 in the longitudinal direction, with the center of the substrate 21 as the boundary.

[0060] The number of light-emitting units 22 constituting each of the above groups is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the number of light-emitting units 22 in each group is set to be the same. Furthermore, the types and arrangement of light-emitting units 22 in each group are also the same. The multiple light-emitting units 22 include, for example, light-emitting units 22 that emit red, green, blue, and white light, but in each group, the number of light-emitting units 22 of each color is the same, and the order of arrangement is also the same. In other words, along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 21, there are two groups of multiple light-emitting units 22 mounted in the same pattern side by side. With the lighting module 20, a gradient can be set with different colors and brightness (shades) in each group, enabling a fine-pitch lighting effect.

[0061] The control circuit 23 includes, for example, a field-effect transistor such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). Multiple control circuits 23 are provided for each group of light-emitting units 22, and preferably, at least one control circuit 23 is provided for each group of light-emitting units 22 of each color. Each group of light-emitting units 22 is assigned, for example, an address for identifying the group, and the control signal output from the control device includes this address. This allows for flexible control of the light-emitting units 22 of the desired group, even when multiple lighting modules 20 are connected.

[0062] A connector 24 is provided in the longitudinal center of the substrate 21 (second surface 21B) to which a power line 91 is connected, serving as a wiring connection point for supplying power to the control circuit 23. The power supplied via connector 24 is then supplied to the light-emitting unit 22 via the control circuit 23. Additionally, a connector 25 is provided in the longitudinal center of the substrate 21 to which a communication line 92 is connected. Two connectors 25 are provided; one is an input connector for control signals, and the other is an output connector for control signals.

[0063] In this embodiment, as described above, the multiple light-emitting units 22 are classified into a first group and a second group with the longitudinal center of the substrate 21 as the boundary, and control circuits 23 are arranged on both sides of the longitudinal direction for each group. Power and control signals input from the longitudinal center of the substrate 21 are distributed to the control circuits 23 constituting the first group, which are located on one end of the substrate 21 in the longitudinal direction, and to the control circuits 23 constituting the second group, which are located on the other end of the substrate 21 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, for example, the wiring pattern of the substrate 21 can be simplified, and power and control signals can be supplied to each control circuit 23 efficiently.

[0064] Figure 7 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the lighting fixture 10. Figure 8 shows a widthwise cross-section of the lighting fixture 10.

[0065] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the two lighting modules 20 constituting the lighting fixture 10 are housed inside the housing 11, which is surrounded on three sides by the bottom 12 and the pair of side walls 13, without protruding from the upper ends of the pair of side walls 13 of the housing 11. As described above, the lighting modules 20 are fixed to the side walls 13 using the frame 60, but in this embodiment, the upper ends of the housing 11 (side walls 13) and the lighting modules 20 are substantially flush, and the lighting modules 20 are fixed to the housing 11 without contacting the bottom 12. That is, the housing 30 of the lighting modules 20 is slightly elevated from the bottom 12. This structure is preferable from the viewpoint of improving waterproofing, as it effectively prevents water such as rainwater flowing on the bottom 12 from coming into contact with the housing 30.

[0066] The housing 11 has through holes 14 through which bolts 16 provided in the structure pass, serving as mounting points to the structure. As described above, the structure refers to the object to which the lighting fixture 10 is mounted, and examples include the ceilings and walls of buildings, bridges, etc. The housing 11 may be fixed to the structure with the opening 11A facing horizontally, vertically downward, or vertically upward. Because the lighting fixture 10 has an excellent waterproof structure, rainwater and other water do not enter the housing 30 of the lighting module 20, and it can be used outdoors without any problems.

[0067] The through-hole 14 is located at the bottom 12 of the housing 11, in a position that does not overlap vertically with the second portion 32 of the housing 30 of the lighting module 20. The bolt 16 protrudes from the through-hole 14 into the interior of the housing 11, but by having the bolt 16 protrude into the space where the wiring 90 below the first portion 31 is housed, the height of the lighting fixture 10 can be kept low. In addition, to suppress interference between the bolt 16 and the wiring 90, the through-hole 14 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10, closer to the side cover 70 than to the second portion 32. A nut 17 is attached to the shaft portion of the bolt 16 that protrudes into the interior of the housing 11, thereby fixing the housing 11 to the structure.

[0068] As described above, the lighting module 20 has wiring sections 33 provided at both longitudinal ends of the second portion 32 of the housing 30, and is configured to allow wiring 90 to be pulled out along the longitudinal direction of the housing 30. That is, each lighting module 20 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10 has a wiring section 33 at a position opposite to each other and is electrically connected by wiring 90 extending in the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture 10. In this case, the connection of lighting modules 20 to each other is easy, improving ease of installation. In addition, bending of the wiring 90 does not occur, the space required for storing the wiring 90 can be reduced, and consequently the lighting fixture 10 can be made smaller.

[0069] A cable tie (not shown) is attached to the wiring 90, for example, inside the second section 32. The cable tie comes into contact with the wiring section 33 when tension is applied to the wiring 90 and functions as a tension stopper. Alternatively, the cable tie may be attached to a portion of the wiring 90 located near the side cover 70. The portion of the wiring 90 to which the cable tie is attached has a larger diameter than the insertion hole 72 of the side cover 70, and the cable tie catches on the side cover 70 when tension is applied to the wiring 90 and functions as a tension stopper.

[0070] The heat dissipation member 50 includes a plate-shaped bottom 51 with an opening 53 for passing wiring 90 through its longitudinal center, and a pair of side walls 52 formed along both ends of the bottom 51 in the width direction, and has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape in the width direction. The pair of side walls 52 are, for example, perpendicular to the bottom 51. The pair of side walls 52 have locking portions 54 formed on them that are bent inward in the width direction of the heat dissipation member 50 and protrude onto the first surface 21A of the substrate 21. Preferably, multiple locking portions 54 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the side walls 52. The substrate 21 is pressed against the heat dissipation sheet 55 by the locking portions 54, compressing the heat dissipation sheet 55 together with the bottom 51 of the heat dissipation member 50. In other words, the substrate 21 and the heat dissipation sheet 55 are sandwiched between the bottom 51 of the heat dissipation member 50 and the locking portions 54.

[0071] The heat dissipation sheet 55 is a flexible member that can be elastically deformed and contacts the second surface 21B of the substrate 21 and the bottom 51 of the heat dissipation member 50, improving heat conduction from the substrate 21 to the heat dissipation member 50. Preferably, the heat dissipation sheet 55 is thicker than the substrate 21 and the heat dissipation member 50, and the thickness of the heat dissipation sheet 55 is, for example, 1 mm or more and 6 mm or less. The control circuit 23 is mounted on the second surface 21B of the substrate 21, but the heat dissipation sheet 55 contacts the surface of the control circuit 23 and also contacts the portion of the second surface 21B where the control circuit 23 is not provided. As a result, a good heat conduction path is formed from the substrate 21 to the heat dissipation member 50.

[0072] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the wiring section 33, showing the state in which the first fixing member 35 and the elastic member 34 have been removed from the second part 32 of the housing 30.

[0073] As shown in Figure 9, the wiring section 33 includes an elastic member 34, a first fixing member 35, and a second fixing member 36. The elastic member 34 has a plurality of through holes 34D through which the wiring 90 passes and closes an opening 32D formed in the second portion 32 of the housing 30. The first fixing member 35 is located outside the second portion 32 of the housing 30 and has an opening 35A through which the wiring 90 passes. The second fixing member 36 is located inside the second portion 32 and has an opening 36A through which the wiring 90 passes. The wiring section 33 has a structure in which the elastic member 34 is sandwiched between the two fixing members 35 and 36.

[0074] Each component constituting the wiring section 33 is fixed using four bolts 37. The side wall 32B of the second section 32 of the housing 30 has an opening 32D that overlaps with the openings 35A and 36A of each fixing member, and four through holes 32F through which the bolts 37 pass. The openings 32D, 35A, and 36A are, for example, all circular in shape and have the same diameter. The first fixing member 35 and elastic member 34, which are located outside the second section 32, have a rectangular shape in side view, and bolts 37 are attached near their four corners.

[0075] The wiring section 33 (elastic member 34) has two or more through holes 34D through which power lines 91 are inserted. In this embodiment, two power lines 91 and three communication lines 92 are passed through the wiring section 33. Therefore, the elastic member 34 has two through holes 34D for the power lines 91 and three through holes 34D for the communication lines 92. The multiple through holes 34D are formed in the elastic member 34 in the portions that overlap with the openings 32D, 35A, and 36A. In addition, in the first wiring section 33A and the second wiring section 33B (see Figure 3), the through holes 34D for the power lines 91 are arranged to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the lighting module 20, and the through holes 34D for the communication lines 92 are also arranged to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the lighting module 20. To prevent water from entering the inside of the housing 30 from between the wiring 90 and the through holes 34D, the inner circumferential surface of the through holes 34D is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the wiring 90 without any gaps.

[0076] The elastic member 34 is a flexible rubber member that can be elastically deformed. The elastic member 34 has a base portion 34A formed in the shape of a rectangular plate when viewed from the side, a first projection 34B protruding from a first surface of the base portion 34A facing the first fixing member 35, and a second projection 34C protruding from a second surface of the base portion 34A facing the second fixing member 36. The first projection 34B and the second projection 34C are substantially cylindrical in shape, and the second projection 34C protrudes more from the base portion 34A than the first projection 34B. Through holes 34E for passing bolts 37 are formed near the four corners of the base portion 34A.

[0077] The base 34A of the elastic member 34 is pressed against the side wall 32B of the second portion 32 by the first fixing member 35. The first projection 34B has a shape and size that fits into the opening 35A of the first fixing member 35. The second projection 34C has a shape and size that fits into the opening 32D of the second portion 32 and the opening 36A of the second fixing member 36. Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface of the second projection 34C is in close contact with the inner circumferential surfaces of the openings 32D and 35B without any gaps. The elastic member 34 seals the opening 32D of the second portion 32, preventing water from entering through the opening 32D.

[0078] The first fixing member 35 is fixed to the second fixing member 36 by bolts 37. The first fixing member 35 is a metal member having a plate-like portion with an opening 35A and a side wall portion that is erected on the periphery of the plate-like portion and formed in a rectangular tube shape, and houses the base portion 34A and the first projection 34B of the elastic member 34. Through holes 35B for passing bolts 37 are formed near the four corners of the plate-like portion of the first fixing member 35.

[0079] The second fixing member 36 is a plate-shaped metal member with an opening 36A formed therein, and screw holes 36B are formed near its four corners. The bolts 37 are inserted through the insertion holes 35B, 34E, and 32E of the first fixing member 35, the elastic member 34, and the second portion 32, and fastened to the screw holes 36B of the second fixing member 36. As a result, the elastic member 34 is sandwiched between the two fixing members, ensuring excellent waterproofing of the wire passage portion 33.

[0080] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the longitudinal end of the lighting module 20, showing the side cover 70 removed from the frame 60.

[0081] As shown in Figure 10, the frame 60 has a pressing portion 61 and a fixing piece 62 that extends from the pressing portion 61 to a position beyond the bottom 31A of the first portion 31 of the housing 30. The pressing portion 61 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame as described above and presses the periphery of the translucent cover 40. The pressing portion 61, together with the flange portion 31C of the housing 30, clamps the periphery portion of the translucent cover 40 and the adhesive member 41 (see Figure 8). Four fixing pieces 62 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the frame 60, two on each side in the width direction. Each fixing piece 62 is arranged opposite to the frame 60 in the width direction, and its tip is bent inward to face the bottom 31A of the first portion 31. The tip of the fixing piece 62 has an insertion hole 64 through which a bolt 76 used to fix the side cover 70 passes.

[0082] The fixing piece 62 has a screw hole 63 through which a bolt 18 (see Figure 1, etc.) is fastened. The bolt 18 secures the housing 11 to the lighting module 20. The screw hole 63 is formed in a portion of the fixing piece 62 that extends downward beyond the bottom 31A of the first portion 31 of the housing 30, so that the bolt 18 does not interfere with the first portion 31 of the housing 30. In addition, the screw hole 63 is formed in a position in the width direction of the frame 60 that does not overlap with the bolt 76 that secures the side cover 70, so that the bolt 18 does not interfere with the bolt 76.

[0083] The side cover 70 has an extension portion 73, a fixing portion 74, and ribs 75 reinforcing them, formed on the inner surface of a plate-shaped base portion 71. The base portion 71 forms the side surface of the longitudinal end of the lighting fixture 10 and the lighting module 20. Two through holes 72 for passing wiring 90 are formed in the lower part of the base portion 71. The two through holes 72 are spaced apart in the width direction of the lighting module 20 (width direction of the side cover 70) and pass through the power line 91 and the communication line 92, respectively. The distance between the through holes 72 is greater than the length of each through hole 72 along the width direction of the lighting module 20. By forming the two through holes 72 spaced apart in the width direction, the bolts 16 and nuts 17 that attach to the bottom 12 of the housing 11 can be placed between the power line 91 and the communication line 92, and interference between them is suppressed.

[0084] The extension portion 73 and the fixing portion 74 are formed in a plate shape, protruding from the inner surface of the base portion 71. The surface direction of the extension portion 73 and the fixing portion 74 is aligned with the width direction of the side cover 70, with the extension portion 73 formed in the center in the width direction and the fixing portions 74 formed at two locations on both sides in the width direction. The fixing portion 74 has an insertion hole for passing a bolt 76, and is positioned below the extension portion 73 so that the bolt 76 does not interfere with the bottom 31A of the first portion 31. The extension portion 73 is positioned opposite the bottom 31A of the first portion 31 and abuts against the bottom 31A. In this embodiment, the extension portion 73 abuts against the bottom 31A via a cushioning material 78 provided on the extension portion 73. The fixing portion 74 is fixed to the tip portion of the fixing piece 62 of the frame 60 using a bolt 76 and a nut 77, so that the translucent cover 40 and the housing 30 are sandwiched between the frame 60 and the side cover 70.

[0085] Hereinafter, another example of the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 11 to 16. In the following, the same reference numerals will be used for components common to or similar to the above embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted. The differences from the above embodiment will be described in detail.

[0086] Figure 11 shows a portion of the widthwise cross-section of a lighting module 20x, which is another example of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the lighting module 20x differs from the lighting module 20 in that it includes a translucent cover 40x having a lens portion 45. The components of the lighting module 20x other than the translucent cover 40x are the same as those of the lighting module 20. The lens portion 45 has the function of concentrating the light emitted from the light-emitting portion 22 and is formed on the inner surface of the translucent cover 40x facing the substrate 21 side. It is preferable that at least one of fine irregularities having a light-diffusing function and a coating film having a light-diffusing function is formed on the outer surface of the translucent cover 40x, similar to the translucent cover 40 of the lighting module 20.

[0087] A preferred example of the lens portion 45 is a Fresnel lens having a plurality of protrusions 46. The plurality of protrusions 46 preferably have a triangular shape in a cross-sectional view in the width direction of the translucent cover 40x and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the width direction center of the translucent cover 40x. Furthermore, each protrusion 46 is continuous along the entire length of the translucent cover 40x. A gently curved surface is formed in the width direction center of the lens portion 45 so as to be convex toward the substrate 21 side, and the tallest of the plurality of protrusions 46, the protrusion 46a, is formed on both sides of this curved surface.

[0088] The lens portion 45 has a total of eight protrusions 46, four on each side of its curved surface. The protrusion 46b closest to the side wall 31B of the housing 30 is formed to be the second highest after protrusion 46a. The two protrusions 46c formed between protrusions 46a and 46b are the smallest protrusions among the multiple protrusions 46. The two protrusions 46c are of the same height. The curved surface of the lens portion 45 sandwiched between protrusions 46a overlaps vertically with the row of multiple light-emitting portions 22, and there are no protrusions 46 directly above the light-emitting portions 22.

[0089] The height difference of the multiple protrusions 46 of the lens portion 45 is smaller than the height of the smallest protrusion 46c, which is the shortest of the multiple protrusions 46. In this case, stress concentration at the tip of the protrusion 46 can be avoided, and the bending strength of the lens can be increased. Also, the height difference of each protrusion 46 of the lens portion 45 is smaller than the difference between the height of the center of the lens portion 45 and the height of protrusion 46c. In this embodiment, since a curved surface is formed in the center of the width direction of the lens portion 45, the height difference of each protrusion 46 is smaller than the difference between the height of the curved surface and the height of protrusion 46c. In this case, stress concentration at the tip of the protrusion 46 can be avoided, and the bending strength of the lens can be increased.

[0090] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the translucent cover 40x from the outer surface. As shown in Figure 12, no large protrusions 46 like the lens portion 45 are formed on the outer surface of the translucent cover 40x, but convex portions 47 are formed at both ends in the width direction that are sandwiched between the flange portion 31C of the housing 30 and the retaining portion 61 of the frame 60. The convex portions 47 are gently protruding portions that are convex toward the retaining portion 61 side, and their height gradually increases from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the translucent cover 40x toward the center.

[0091] By providing a protrusion 47 on the outer surface of the translucent cover 40x in the portion that overlaps with the pressing portion 61, a suitable load can be applied to the translucent cover 40x, the adhesive member 41, and the housing 30, thereby improving their adhesion. The height of the protrusion 47 is maximum at the longitudinal center of the translucent cover 40x, and is set to, for example, a maximum of about 0.5 mm. In this case, the load applied by the pressing portion 61 can be increased at the longitudinal center of the translucent cover 40x. It is preferable that the shape and dimensions of the protrusion 47 are the same on both sides in the width direction of the translucent cover 40x.

[0092] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a housing 30y and a heat dissipation member 50y, which is another example of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, the housing 30y and the heat dissipation member 50y are provided with ribs 38 and slits 56 to specify the orientation of the heat dissipation member 50y relative to the housing 30y and to prevent reverse mounting. The ribs 38 protrude from the inner surfaces of the bottom 31A and side wall 31B at one longitudinal end of the first portion 31y of the housing 30y. The height of the ribs 38 is not particularly limited, but as an example, it is 0.5 mm to 10 mm. The slits 56 are formed at one longitudinal end of the bottom 51 of the heat dissipation member 50y, with a size that allows the ribs 38 to fit.

[0093] When the heat dissipation member 50y is placed on the first portion 31 with the slit 56 facing the rib 38, the rib 38 fits into the slit 56, and the bottom 51 of the heat dissipation member 50y is aligned with the surface of the first portion 31. On the other hand, when the heat dissipation member 50y is placed with the slit 56 facing away from the rib 38, the rib 38 interferes with the bottom 51 of the heat dissipation member 50y, causing the heat dissipation member 50y to lift up. This prevents the heat dissipation member 50y from being installed upside down, and ensures that the heat dissipation member 50y is securely attached to the housing 30y in a predetermined orientation.

[0094] The substrate 21 is attached to the housing 30y while assembled to the heat dissipation member 50. In other words, the ribs 38 of the housing 30y and the slits 56 of the heat dissipation member 50y can be considered a structure to prevent the substrate 21 from being mounted upside down. In this embodiment, the group of multiple light-emitting units 22 is classified into two groups, and an address is set to identify each group. Therefore, if the substrate 21 is mounted upside down, the desired control of the light-emitting units 22 cannot be achieved. For this reason, it is preferable to provide such a structure to prevent mounting upside down.

[0095] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the housing 30y shown in Figure 13, viewed from below. As shown in Figure 14, the housing 30y is provided with markings 39 indicating the input and output sides of the lighting module, in order to identify the orientation of the lighting module relative to the housing of the lighting fixture and to prevent reverse installation. In this embodiment, on the outer surface of the bottom 31A of the first part 31 of the housing 30y, the letters "IN" indicating the input side are formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 30y, and the letters "OUT" indicating the output side are formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 30y. Installers can see these letters to confirm the correct orientation of the housing 30y (lighting module), thereby effectively preventing reverse installation of the lighting module.

[0096] Figure 15 shows a wiring section 33y, which is another example of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 15, the wiring section 33y has an elastic member 34y, a first fixing member 35y, and a second fixing member 36y, and the first fixing member 35y is fixed to the second fixing member 36y using a bolt 37, which is common to the wiring section 33 of the lighting module 20. The elastic member 34y, like the elastic member 34 of the wiring section 33, closes the opening 32D (see Figures 13 and 14) formed in the second portion 32 of the housing 30y, preventing water from entering the inside of the housing 30y while allowing the wiring 90 to pass through.

[0097] On the other hand, the wire routing section 33y differs from the wire routing section 33 which uses four bolts 37 in that each component is fixed using two bolts 37. The first fixing member 35y has two bolt insertion holes formed around the opening 35A, aligned radially to the opening, and these two locations are fixed to the second fixing member 36y. The first fixing member 35y has a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the side. The elastic member 34y has a shape corresponding to the first fixing member 35y and has two insertion holes for passing the bolts 37. Because the first fixing member 35y is fixed at only two locations aligned radially to the opening, the load pressing on the elastic member 34y becomes more uniform than when four bolts 37 are used, further improving the sealing performance of the wire routing section 33y.

[0098] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture 10z, which is a second embodiment. As shown in Figure 16, the lighting fixture 10z is similar to the lighting fixture 10 in that it includes lighting modules 20, but differs from the lighting fixture 10 in that it has a longer housing 11z than the housing 11, and four lighting modules 20 are housed in a single housing 11z. The housing 11z has a length that can accommodate four lighting modules 20. The linear lighting fixture 10z is constructed by arranging the four lighting modules 20 in a linear fashion adjacent to each other within the linearly formed metal housing 11z.

[0099] When there are three or more lighting modules 20, as in the lighting fixture 10z, the mounting portion of the housing to the structure is provided on the bottom surface of the housing in a portion covered by at least two lighting modules 20. It is preferable to have two or more mounting portions, as it is difficult to stably fix the housing if there is only one. With the lighting module 20, the mounting portion can be provided below the first portion 31 without interfering with the housing 30, thereby enabling miniaturization of the lighting fixture. The mounting portion can be provided below all lighting modules 20, but from the viewpoint of balancing ease of installation and fixing stability, it is preferable to provide a total of two, one below the first portion 31 of the lighting modules 20 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lighting fixture.

[0100] Figure 17 is a perspective view of a modified example of the lighting fixture 10z, showing how the lighting fixture 10z is attached to the mounting surface 200. As shown in Figure 17, the lighting fixture 10z is attached to the mounting surface 200 by passing a bolt 16 fixed to the mounting surface 200 through an insertion hole 14 in the bottom 12 of the housing 11z and fastening a nut 17 to the bolt 16. The insertion hole 14, which is the mounting part, is formed in a portion covered by the lighting modules 20 (hereinafter referred to as "end lighting modules 20") at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11z. Therefore, when attaching the lighting fixture 10z to the mounting surface 200, it is necessary to remove the bolts 18 that fix the end lighting modules 20 and expose the insertion hole 14. The lighting fixture 10z is transported to the construction site, for example, with each lighting module 20 assembled in the housing 11z.

[0101] In the lighting fixture 10z shown in Figure 17, the bolts 18 closest to both ends in the longitudinal direction of each side wall 13z of the housing 11z (hereinafter referred to as "end bolts 18") are removed, and the end lighting module 20 is fixed to each side wall 13z by only the bolt 18 on one side in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the end lighting module 20 can rotate around the bolt 18 as the axis of rotation until its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 11z. This allows the insertion hole 14 to be exposed without completely removing the end lighting module 20 from the housing 11z.

[0102] Figure 18 is a side view of a modified example of the lighting fixture 10z. In the housing 11z shown in Figures 17 and 18, the second through-hole 15z from each end in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 13z is an elongated hole that extends diagonally toward the opening 11A of the housing 11z from a position adjacent to the other through-holes 15. In each side wall 13z, multiple through-holes 15 and two through-holes 15z are formed in a line along the longitudinal direction of the side wall 13z, but the through-hole 15z differs from the other through-holes 15 in that it extends toward the opening 11A at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal and height directions of the side wall 13z. The predetermined angle is, for example, 40° to 60° with respect to the height direction of the side wall 13z, and a preferred example is 45°.

[0103] When the end bolt 18 that secures the end lighting module 20 to the side wall 13z is removed, the bolt 18, which acts as the axis of rotation, moves within the insertion hole 15z towards the opening 11A. This allows the end lighting module 20 to rotate until it is perpendicular to the housing 11z. If the insertion hole 15z has the same shape as the other insertion holes 15, attempting to rotate the end lighting module 20 would result in the end lighting module 20 contacting the bottom 12z of the housing 11z and the adjacent lighting module 20, making it impossible to rotate it enough to install the lighting fixture 10z onto the mounting surface 200. In this case, the end lighting module 20 would need to be completely removed from the housing 11z. By using the insertion hole 15z, only the end bolt 18 needs to be removed, greatly improving the ease of installation of the lighting fixture 10z.

[0104] After fastening a nut 17 to a bolt 16 passed through the insertion hole 14 to fix the housing 11z to the mounting surface 200, the end lighting module 20 is rotated to house it inside the housing 11z, as shown in Figure 18. Then, by attaching the end bolt 18, the installation of the lighting fixture 10z to the mounting surface 200 is completed. The bolt 18, which acts as the axis of rotation, is located at the end of the insertion hole 15z on the opening 11A side until, for example, the angle between the longitudinal direction of the housing 11z and the longitudinal direction of the end lighting module 20 changes from 90° to 45°. After that, when the angle becomes less than 45°, the bolt 18 moves toward the end of the insertion hole 15z on the bottom 12z side.

[0105] The through-hole 15z shown in Figure 18 is an elongated hole extending straight in a direction intersecting the longitudinal and height directions of the side wall 13z. However, as shown in Figure 19, the through-hole 15z may be an elongated hole formed in a substantially L-shape. The through-hole 15z shown in Figure 19 includes a first portion extending along the height direction of the side wall 13z and a second portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the side wall 13z. The first portion extends from a position adjacent to the other through-holes 15 toward the opening 11A of the housing 11z and connects with the second portion at the end on the opening 11A side. In this case as well, the end lighting module 20 can be rotated using the bolt 18 passed through the through-hole 15z as the axis of rotation. The through-hole 15z is an elongated hole extending from the final bolt 18 fixing position adjacent to the other through-holes 15 toward the opening 11A of the housing 11z and toward the adjacent lighting module 20.

[0106] Figure 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting system 100, which is an example of an embodiment. As shown in Figure 20, the lighting system 100 comprises a lighting fixture 10 and a power supply unit 101 that supplies a DC voltage to the lighting fixture 10. The lighting system 100 further comprises a control device 102 that controls the lighting fixture 10. The power supply unit 101 and the control device 102 are located away from the lighting fixture 10 and are electrically connected to the lighting fixture 10 via a power line 91 and a communication line 92. By not building the power supply unit 101 and the control device 102 into the lighting fixture 10 but providing them outside the lighting fixture 10, the lighting fixture 10 can be made smaller, and in particular, its height can be significantly reduced.

[0107] The power supply unit 101 has a power supply circuit that generates a DC voltage to illuminate the light-emitting part 22 of the lighting fixture 10, and converts an AC voltage supplied from an external power source such as a commercial power supply into a predetermined DC voltage. The control device 102 generates a control signal to control the illumination state of the light-emitting part 22. The DC voltage is supplied from the power supply unit 101 to the lighting module 20 via a power line 91, and the control signal is transmitted from the control device 102 to the lighting module 20 via a communication line 92. The power supply unit 101 and the control device 102 are installed in a control panel located away from the lighting fixture 10, within a range where wiring connections to the lighting fixture 10 are possible, for example, when the lighting fixture 10 is installed on the exterior wall of a building, a bridge, etc. The installation locations of the power supply unit 101 and the control device 102 are not particularly limited and may be installed in the same location or in different locations.

[0108] As described above, with a lighting fixture having the above configuration, the length of the fixture can be easily changed by changing the length of the housing and the number of lighting modules 20 housed in the housing. As described above, lighting fixtures 10, 10z of different lengths can be easily prepared using one type of lighting module 20, and the length can be easily changed to suit the installation target. As a result, the degree of freedom in lighting effects is improved, and excellent lighting effects can be obtained. In addition, the lighting module 20 is configured to emit light of different colors in each group containing multiple light-emitting parts 22 arranged in the longitudinal direction, further effectively improving the degree of freedom in lighting effects.

[0109] The lighting module 20 further comprises a housing 30 including a first part 31 for housing the circuit board 21 and a second part 32 having wire passages 33, 33y, and has a structure in which light-transmitting covers 40, 40x are bonded to the flange portion 31C of the housing 30 via adhesive members 41. A lighting fixture using the lighting module 20 can achieve excellent waterproofing despite its simple structure, and can be made smaller while ensuring sufficient space for housing the wiring 90, and in particular can be made significantly lower in height.

[0110] The above embodiments can be modified as appropriate without impairing the purpose of this disclosure. For example, the above embodiments illustrate a case where there are two groups of light-emitting units 22 that are controlled independently of each other in one lighting module 20, but the number of groups is not limited to two and may be three or more.

[0111] Furthermore, while the above embodiment described a lighting fixture in which multiple lighting modules are housed in a long, rectangular housing, another example of a lighting fixture in this embodiment comprises a long, rectangular housing and multiple light-emitting units arranged inside the housing in a line along the longitudinal direction of the housing. In this lighting fixture, the light-emitting units are controlled in groups, each including a group of continuously arranged light-emitting units. The specific control method for the light-emitting units in groups is the same as in the above embodiment. Note that the control circuit for controlling the light-emitting units may be provided outside the lighting fixture.

[0112] This disclosure is further illustrated by the following embodiments. Configuration 1: A lighting module comprising a plurality of light-emitting units, a substrate having a rectangular first surface on which the plurality of light-emitting units are mounted in a line along the longitudinal direction of the first surface, and a control circuit for controlling the light-emitting units for each of a plurality of groups, each including a group of continuously arranged light-emitting units. Configuration 2: The lighting module according to Configuration 1, wherein the plurality of groups consist of two groups, divided into a first group and a second group with the longitudinal center of the substrate as the boundary. Configuration 3: The lighting module according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the control circuit is mounted on the second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface. Configuration 4: A lighting module according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein a wiring connection portion for supplying power to the control circuit is provided in the longitudinal center of the substrate. Configuration 5: The control circuit is provided for each of the multiple groups, and is a lighting module according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4. Configuration 6: A lighting module according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5, further comprising a metal heat dissipation member disposed opposite to the second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, and a flexible heat dissipation sheet pressed by the second surface and the heat dissipation member. Configuration 7: The lighting module according to Configuration 6, wherein the heat dissipation member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section when cut perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and has a locking portion that protrudes onto the first surface of the substrate and holds the substrate in place. Configuration 8: A lighting fixture comprising a lighting module described in any one of Configurations 1 to 7 and a housing having a rectangular opening in plan view, wherein the lighting module is housed in the housing with its longitudinal direction aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing. Configuration 9: A lighting fixture comprising a long, rectangular housing and a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the housing inside the housing, wherein the light-emitting units are controlled for each of a plurality of groups, each including a group of light-emitting units arranged in a continuous line. Configuration 10: A lighting system comprising a lighting fixture as described in Configuration 8 or 9, and a power supply device that supplies a DC voltage to the lighting fixture. Configuration 11: The lighting system according to Configuration 10, further comprising a control device for controlling the lighting fixture. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 10,10z Lighting fixture, 11,11z Housing, 11A Opening, 12,12z Bottom, 13,13z Side wall, 14,15,15z Through hole, 16,18 Bolt, 17 Nut, 20,20x Lighting module, 21 Circuit board, 21A First side, 21B Second side, 22 Light-emitting part, 23 Control circuit, 24,25 Connector, 30 Housing, 31 First part, 31A Bottom, 31B Side wall, 31C Flange, 32 Second part, 32A Bottom, 32B Side wall, 32C Recess, 32D,32E Opening, 32F Through hole, 33,33y Wiring section, 33A First wiring section, 33B Second wiring section, 34,34y Elastic member, 34A Base, 34B 1st protrusion, 34C 2nd protrusion, 34D Through hole, 34E Insertion hole, 35, 35y 1st fixing member, 35A, 36A Opening, 35B Insertion hole, 36, 36y 2nd fixing member, 36B Screw hole, 37 Bolt, 38 Rib, 39 Marker, 40, 40x Translucent cover, 41 Adhesive member, 45 Lens part, 46, 46a, 46b, 46c Protrusion, 47 Convex part, 50, 50y Heat dissipation member, 51 Bottom, 52 Side wall, 53 Opening, 54 Locking part, 55 Heat dissipation sheet, 56 Slit, 60 Frame, 61 Pressing part, 62 Fixing piece, 63 Screw hole, 64 Insertion hole, 70 Side cover, 71 Base, 72 Insertion hole, 73 Extension part, 74 Fixing parts, 75 Ribs, 76 Bolts, 77 Nuts, 78 Cushioning material, 80 Waterproof and breathable filter, 90 Wiring, 91 Power lines, 92 Communication lines, 95, 96 Connectors, 100 Lighting system, 101 Power supply unit, 102 Control unit

Claims

1. Multiple light-emitting parts, A substrate having a rectangular first surface, on which the plurality of light-emitting units are mounted in the longitudinal direction of the first surface, Among the plurality of light-emitting units, each of the plurality of groups, each including a group of light-emitting units arranged in a continuous line, is provided with a control circuit for controlling the light-emitting units, A lighting module equipped with [specific features / features].

2. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of groups are two, and are divided into a first group and a second group with the longitudinal center of the substrate as the boundary.

3. The lighting module according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is mounted on the second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface.

4. The lighting module according to claim 2, wherein a wiring connection portion for supplying power to the control circuit is provided in the longitudinal center of the substrate.

5. The lighting module according to claim 3, wherein the control circuit is provided for each of the plurality of groups.

6. A metal heat dissipation member is positioned opposite the second surface of the substrate, A heat dissipation sheet having flexibility and being pressed by the second surface and the heat dissipation member, The lighting module according to claim 3, further comprising:

7. The heat dissipation member is The cross-section of the substrate, when cut perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, has a substantially U-shape. The lighting module according to claim 6, further comprising a locking portion that protrudes from the first surface of the substrate and holds the substrate in place.

8. A lighting module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A housing having a rectangular opening in plan view, Equipped with, The lighting fixture is housed in the housing such that the lighting module's longitudinal direction is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing.

9. A long, rectangular casing, Inside the housing, there are a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in line along the longitudinal direction of the housing, Equipped with, A lighting fixture in which the light-emitting units are controlled for each of several groups, each including a group of light-emitting units arranged in a continuous line.

10. A lighting fixture according to claim 8, A power supply device that supplies a DC voltage to the aforementioned lighting fixture, A lighting system equipped with [specific features / features].

11. The lighting system according to claim 10, further comprising a control device for controlling the aforementioned lighting fixture.

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