Lighting fixtures

Abstract

A lighting fixture includes a lamp tube unit, a support unit, and a light-emitting unit. The lamp tube unit includes a lamp tube portion extending along a length direction. The support unit includes at least one mounting track disposed on the inner wall of the lamp tube portion and defining a mounting space. The light-emitting unit includes at least one light strip disposed in the at least one mounting space. The number of light strips is less than or equal to the number of mounting tracks. Each light strip has a circuit board, a plurality of light-emitting elements mounted on the circuit board, and a plurality of encapsulations respectively covering the light-emitting elements. Each encapsulation abuts against the inner wall of the lamp tube portion. This significantly reduces the material required for the mounting tracks, increases the light intensity transmitted through the lamp tube portion, and reduces glare.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a lighting device, and more particularly to a solid-state lighting device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] A conventional lighting fixture includes a light-transmitting tube, a carrier plate disposed within the tube, and two LED light strips mounted on the carrier plate. The tube extends along a length direction and has a central axis. The carrier plate extends along the length direction, with its two sides engaging with the inner wall surface of the tube and overlapping the central axis of the tube. The LED light strips are respectively mounted on both sides of the carrier plate and are adjacent to the central axis of the tube.

[0003] However, since the carrier plate passes through the central axis of the lamp tube, the width of the carrier plate is roughly the same as the diameter of the lamp tube, and it extends along the length of the lamp tube, significantly increasing the overall weight of the lamp tube and also increasing the material cost of the carrier plate. Furthermore, since the carrier plate is made of metal, dark areas are easily formed at the junction of the carrier plate and the inner wall of the lamp tube on both sides. In addition, the LED light strips are positioned close to the central axis of the lamp tube, increasing the optical path of light reaching the inner wall of the lamp tube, thereby reducing the light intensity transmitted through the lamp tube. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a lamp tube that can overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0005] Therefore, the lamp of the present invention includes a lamp tube unit, a bracket unit, and a light-emitting unit.

[0006] The lamp unit includes a lamp section extending along a length direction, the lamp section defining a central axis. The support unit includes at least one mounting track disposed on the inner wall of the lamp section. The at least one mounting track defines a mounting space extending along the length direction. The support unit does not overlap with the central axis of the lamp section.

[0007] The light-emitting unit includes at least one light strip. The number of light strips is less than or equal to the number of mounting tracks. The at least one light strip is disposed in the at least one mounting space, with its light-emitting surface facing away from the central axis and toward the inner wall surface of the lamp tube portion. Each light strip has a circuit board, a plurality of light-emitting elements mounted on the circuit board, and a plurality of encapsulations respectively covering the light-emitting elements. Each encapsulation abuts against the inner wall surface of the lamp tube portion.

[0008] The advantages of this invention are: since the mounting rails do not penetrate the central axis, the material consumption is significantly reduced compared to the conventional configuration where the carrier plate penetrates the central axis, thus lowering the overall manufacturing cost. Furthermore, since the light strips are positioned far from the central axis and their light-emitting surfaces all face the inner wall of the lamp tube, the optical path of light reaching the inner wall of the lamp tube is significantly reduced, thereby increasing the light intensity transmitted through the lamp tube and reducing glare.

Implementation Method

[0019] Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0020] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the lamp tube of the present invention includes a lamp tube unit 1, a bracket unit 2, a light-emitting unit 3, and a clipping unit 4. This lamp tube is applicable, for example, to indoor lighting, table lamps, advertising light boxes, etc.

[0021] Referring to FIG3, the lamp tube unit 1 includes a lamp tube portion 11 extending along a length direction L and two end cap portions 12. The lamp tube portion 11 is cylindrical, with a circular cross-section, defining a central axis C, and having two opposing openings 101. The end cap portions 12 respectively cover the openings 101 of the lamp tube portion 11.

[0022] The bracket unit 2 includes four mounting rails 21 disposed on the inner wall of the lamp tube section 11. Each mounting rail 21 defines a mounting space 201 extending along the length direction L. Each mounting rail 21 has two spaced rails 211 extending along the length direction L, which are parallel to each other and facing each other. Each rail 211 has an L-shaped cross-section and has a protrusion 212 protruding from the inner wall of the lamp tube section 11 toward the central axis C, and an extension 213 connecting the protrusion 212. The extensions 213 extend facing each other.

[0023] The rails 211 of the bracket unit 2 can be made of transparent material. Therefore, it is not easy for dark areas to form at the junction of the lamp tube section 11 and the rails 211, so that the light emission of the lamp is more uniform.

[0024] In this first embodiment, with the central axis C as the axis, the included angle between adjacent mounting tracks 21 is approximately 90°. The mounting tracks 21 of the bracket unit 2 do not overlap with the central axis C of the lamp tube section 11. Specifically, the shortest distance between each mounting track 21 and the central axis C is less than or equal to 1 / 2 of the diameter of the lamp tube section 11, and greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the diameter of the lamp tube section 11. Since the mounting tracks 21 are not arranged through the central axis C, compared with the conventional configuration where the carrier plate passes through the central axis C, the material consumption is greatly reduced, and the overall manufacturing cost is lowered.

[0025] The light-emitting unit 3 includes four light strips 31 and a controller 32 electrically connected to the light strips 31. The light strips 31 are respectively disposed in the mounting spaces 201. Each light strip 31 abuts radially against the extensions 213 and is laterally limited by the protrusions 212, with its light-emitting surface 314 facing away from the central axis C and toward the inner wall of the lamp tube portion 11. By providing the protrusions 212 and the extensions 213, the light strips 31 can be more securely clamped in the mounting tracks 21.

[0026] Each light strip 31 has a circuit board 311, a plurality of light-emitting elements 312 mounted on the circuit board 311, and a plurality of encapsulations 313 respectively covering the light-emitting elements 312. Each encapsulation 313 abuts against the inner wall surface of the lamp tube portion 11, thus making each light strip 31 less prone to shaking. Since the light strips 31 are positioned away from the central axis C, and their light-emitting surfaces 314 all face the inner wall surface of the lamp tube portion 11, the optical path of light reaching the inner wall surface of the lamp tube portion 11 can be significantly reduced, thereby increasing the light intensity transmitted through the lamp tube portion 11 and reducing glare. In this embodiment, the light-emitting elements 312 are LEDs.

[0027] The clamping unit 4 includes two clamping members 41. For ease of explanation, only one of the clamping members 41 is shown in Figures 1 to 3. Each clamping member 41 includes a mounting bracket 411, two clamping pieces 412 connected to the mounting bracket 411, two mounting guide pieces 413, and a cushioning material 414. The mounting bracket 411 is provided with a screw hole 401. The clamping pieces 412 clamp the periphery of the lamp tube portion 11. The clamping pieces 412 hold the outer periphery of the lamp tube unit 1. The mounting guide pieces 413 extend from the clamping pieces 412 in a direction opposite to the mounting bracket 411, and the distance between them gradually widens in the direction opposite to the mounting bracket 411. The cushioning material 414 covers the outer surfaces of the clamping pieces 412 and the mounting guide pieces 413.

[0028] In this first embodiment, the number of light strips 31 and the number of mounting rails 21 are both four. However, in other embodiments, the number of light strips 31 can be one, two, or three, as long as the number of light strips 31 is less than or equal to the number of mounting rails 21. Therefore, the manufacturer can standardize the production specifications of the bracket unit 2, and users can use the same specification of lamps and install different numbers of light strips 31 according to the actual situation.

[0029] Figure 4 shows a variation of the first embodiment, the difference being that the lamp unit 1 further includes an outer tube 13 disposed on the lamp part 11. The outer tube 13 is a hollow cylinder and is made of glass. By adding the outer tube 13, the lamp of the present invention is less likely to deform due to heat when used in a higher temperature environment.

[0030] Figure 5 is a variation of the first embodiment. Each rail 211 has a straight cross-section and has a flat plate portion 214 and a stepped portion 215 protruding from the flat plate portion 214 into the inner wall of the lamp tube portion 11. The flat plate portions 214 extend opposite to each other. Each lamp strip 31 abuts radially against the flat plate portions 214 and is laterally limited by the stepped portions 215.

[0031] Referring to Figure 6, another variation of the first embodiment is shown. The bracket unit 2 includes three mounting rails 21 disposed on the inner wall of the lamp tube section 11. The cross-section of each rail 211 is straight, and its structure is the same as that in Figure 4, and will not be described again here. With the central axis C as the axis, the included angle between adjacent mounting rails 21 is approximately 120°.

[0032] Referring to Figure 7, a second embodiment of the lamp of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that: the lamp tube portion 11 is square tubular, its cross-section is rectangular, and it defines a central axis C. The following description only focuses on the differences, and the similarities will not be repeated.

[0033] The mounting tracks 21 are respectively installed on the four sides of the rectangle, and the light strips 31 are respectively disposed in the mounting spaces 201 of the mounting tracks 21. Specifically, the shortest distance between each mounting track 21 and the central axis C is less than or equal to 1 / 2 of the side length of the cross section of the lamp tube portion 11, and greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the side length of the cross section of the lamp tube portion 11.

[0034] Referring to Figure 8, a third embodiment of the lamp of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that: the light-emitting unit 3 includes two light strips 31. The cross-section of the lamp tube portion 11 is elliptical. The support unit 2 includes two mounting rails 21 disposed on the inner wall surface of the lamp tube unit 1. Each mounting rail 21 has two rails 211 protruding towards each other from the inner wall surface of the lamp tube unit 1. The cross-section of the rails 211 is straight, and the light strips 31 are respectively radially abutted against each other.

[0035] Referring to FIG9, another embodiment of the third embodiment differs in that: the cross-section of the lamp tube portion 11 is generally elongated elliptical, and has two parallel spaced planar segments 111 and two arcuate segments 112 connecting the planar segments 111. The arcuate segments 112 are respectively provided for the mounting rails 21.

[0036] The third embodiment is characterized in that, with the need for fewer light strips 31, the material required for manufacturing can be further reduced by the generally elliptical light tube portion 11, thereby achieving the effect of reducing costs.

[0037] In summary, the lighting fixture of the present invention, since the mounting rails 21 are not arranged to penetrate the central axis C, significantly reduces the material consumption and lowers the overall manufacturing cost compared to the conventional configuration where the carrier plate penetrates the central axis. Furthermore, since the light strips 31 are positioned away from the central axis C and their light-emitting surfaces 314 all face the inner wall of the lamp tube portion 11, the optical path of light reaching the inner wall of the lamp tube portion 11 is significantly reduced, thereby increasing the light intensity transmitted through the lamp tube portion 11 and reducing glare. Moreover, since the rails 211 of the bracket unit 2 are made of transparent material, it is less likely for dark areas to form at the junction of the lamp tube portion 11 and the rails 211, resulting in more uniform light emission of the lighting fixture, thus effectively achieving the objectives of the present invention.

[0038] However, the above description is only an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0009] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the lamp tube of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment with one end cap omitted.

[0012] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a variation of the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a variation of the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another variation of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the lamp tube of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the lamp tube of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of one of the variations of the third embodiment.

Claims

1. A luminaire comprising: a lamp tube unit including a lamp tube portion extending along a length direction, the lamp tube portion defining a central axis; a support unit including at least one mounting track disposed on an inner wall surface of the lamp tube portion, the at least one mounting track defining a mounting space extending along the length direction, the support unit not overlapping the central axis of the lamp tube portion; and a light-emitting unit including at least one light strip, the number of light strips being less than or equal to the number of mounting tracks, the at least one light strip being disposed in the at least one mounting space, its light-emitting surface facing away from the central axis and towards the inner wall surface of the lamp tube portion, each light strip having a circuit board, a plurality of light-emitting elements mounted on the circuit board, and a plurality of encapsulations respectively covering the light-emitting elements, each of the encapsulations abutting against the inner wall surface of the lamp tube portion.

2. The luminaire as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The at least one mounting rail of the support unit has two spaced rails extending along the length direction, the rails being parallel to each other and facing each other.

3. The luminaire as claimed in claim 2, wherein, Each of the at least one mounting rail has a protrusion extending from the inner wall of the lamp section toward the central axis, and an extension connecting the protrusion, the extensions extending opposite each other, the at least one lamp bar abutting radially against the extensions and being laterally limited by the protrusions.

4. The luminaire as claimed in claim 2, wherein, Each of the at least one mounting rail has a flat section that extends in opposite directions.

5. The luminaire as claimed in claim 4, wherein, Each of the rails also has a stepped portion that protrudes from the flat plate portion toward the inner wall of the lamp tube portion, and the at least one lamp strip abuts radially against the flat plate portion and is laterally limited by the stepped portion.

6. The luminaire as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, The cross-section of the lamp tube is circular.

7. The luminaire as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The cross-section of the lamp tube is rectangular.

8. The luminaire as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a clipping unit, wherein, The clamping unit includes a mounting bracket and two clips connected to the mounting bracket, which clamp the periphery of the lamp tube section.

9. The luminaire as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The support unit is made of transparent material.

10. The luminaire as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The cross-section of the lamp tube is generally elliptical.

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