Element for a lighting system and lighting system

Abstract

The present invention provides an element (1) for a lighting system. The element comprises a first part (2) and a second part (3). The first part (2) is made of at least a first material and a second material, the first material and the second material having different expansion coefficients with regard to one or more types of stimuli. The first material and second material are arranged such that a shape of the first part (2) changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material and second material caused by an exposure of the element (1) to the one or more types of stimuli. The second part (3) maintains its shape when the element (1) is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli.

Description

[0001] ELEMENT FOR A LIGHTING SYSTEM AND LIGHTING SYSTEM

[0002] The present invention relates to an element for a lighting system and a lighting system comprising such an element.

[0003] In the field of lighting, different elements are used in a luminaire or lighting means besides the light source for providing lighting. Lighting means maybe the component that is provided in a luminaire to provide a light source of the luminaire. The lighting means may be installed in the luminaire without the possibility of changing the lighting means or with the possibility to replace the lighting means in case the lighting means are defect. The lighting means may for example comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source. Lighting means comprising one or more LEDs that may be installed in sockets used for conventional lighting means, such as light bulbs, fluorescent lamps etc., maybe referred to as retrofit LED lighting means.

[0004] For example, a heat sink may be used in a luminaire or lighting means to deal with heat output by the light source emitting light. Another example of an element used in a luminaire or lighting means besides the light source may be a housing for protecting the light source and an electric circuit of the luminaire or lighting means. A furthermore example is a light guiding unit for guiding light emitted by the light source of the luminaire or lighting means.

[0005] Such additional elements add to the production costs of luminaires and lighting means. Namely, a certain shape of such an element, such as a heat sink, required for use in a lighting system, such as luminaire or lighting means, may be bulky for transport and storage and optionally difficult to install in the lighting system. That is, the geometry of the element desired in the installed state at the luminaire or lighting means may be disadvantageous during a manufacturing process and transport of the luminaire or lighting means.

[0006] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an element for a lighting system that overcomes the above-described disadvantages. It is in particular an object of the present invention to provide an improved element for a lighting system that is improved with regard to at least one of transport, storage and installment in the lighting system. These and other objects, which become apparent upon reading the following description, are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claim. The dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, an element for a lighting system is provided. The element comprises a first part and a second part. The first part is made of at least a first material and a second material. The first material and the second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to one or more types of stimuli. That is, with regard to one or more types of stimuli an expansion coefficient of the first material is different to an expansion coefficient of the second material. The first material and second material are arranged such that a shape of the first part changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material and second material caused by an exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli. The second part maintains its shape when the element is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli.

[0008] In contraiy to bimetallic sheets, the invention may be directed on the usage of additive manufacturing. This permits the realization of shape morphing optionally using single materials, only. Using different printing parameters for the first material and / or second material may be applied to bring well-oriented stress to the material. This may result in compression once the material transforms to the relaxed state (i.e. the first shape changes to the second shape) after exposing the element to a selected type of stimulus, such as heat.

[0009] Herein, the first material and second material may be a first layer and a second layer, respectively.

[0010] It is to be noted that the transition from the first shape to the second shape allows the second shape to provide a different or at least significantly improved function. For example a heat sink that has a large open surface in the second shape provides no or no reasonable surface for cooling as long as it has its first shape in which it is folded in order to require small space.

[0011] Since the first part of the element is configured, by comprising the first material and second material, to change its shape from the first shape to the second shape in response to the element being exposed to the one or more types of stimuli, the first shape maybe selected or designed to be advantageous with regard to at least one of transport, storage and installment in the lighting system, while the second shape may be selected or designed to be advantageous with regard to the intended function of the element in the lighting system.

[0012] For example, assuming that the lighting system is a luminaire and the element is a heat sink for the luminaire, the first shape of the first part of the element may have smaller dimensions compared to the second shape of the element. Namely, the element having smaller dimensions requires less space when being transported or stored in a shelf. Further, the smaller dimensions allows installing the element inside a housing of the luminaire via a smaller opening of the housing. The second shape of the first part of the element having grater dimensions allows increasing the surface of the element, which is advantageous with regard to absorbing heat inside the luminaire, when the element is installed in the luminaire. Thus, the first shape is advantageous with regard to transport, storage and installment in the luminaire, whereas the second shape is advantageous with regard to the intended function of the element (e.g. being a heat sink) in the luminaire.

[0013] The size, i.e. one or more dimensions, of the first shape of the first part of the element, maybe smaller than the size, i.e. the one or more dimensions, of the second shape of the first part of the element. The second shape of the first part of the element is determined by a function of the element in the lighting system. The first part of the element may be an integral part of the element or comprise two or more sections of the element.

[0014] The first material and second material experience different behavior with respect to expansion or contraction when being exposed to the one or more types of stimuli. That is, the first material and second material may differently expand or contract when being exposed to the one or more types of stimuli. Namely, the first material and second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to the one or more types of stimuli. Optionally, when the element is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli the first material expands or contracts while the second material preferably neither expands nor contracts due to the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli. At least, expansion and / or contraction characteristics of the second material differ from the respective characteristics of the first material and, thus, the reaction in response to the stimulus is less for the second material, “no expansion” and “no contraction in the context of the present invention means that the reaction of the second material is neglectable compared to the reaction of the first material. Consequently, the second material is configured to be deformed by forces that occur due to the expansion or contraction of the first material caused by the treatment of the element with the one or more types of stimuli. In other words, the first material and second material may be arranged such that the shape of the first part changes from the first shape to the second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material caused by the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli while the second material does not expand nor contract due to the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli.

[0015] The second part is configured to be mounted to the lighting system. That is, the second part maybe used for installing the element at the lighting system. Therefore it is advantageous that the second part does not structurally change when the element is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli, which means that the second part maintains its shape.

[0016] The first material and second material are arranged, preferably layered, such that a shape of the first part of the element changes from the first shape to the second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material relative to the second material caused by a treatment of the element with the one or more types of stimuli. Optionally, the first material and second material are arranged such that the shape of the first part of the element changes from the first shape to the second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material caused by a treatment of the element with the one or more types of stimuli while the second material neither expands nor contracts due to the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli. In this optional case, the second material is configured to be deformed by forces that occur due to the expansion or contraction of the first material caused by the treatment of the element with the one or more types of stimuli. The one or more types of stimuli may be referred to as “one or more dedicated types of stimuli”, because the one or more types of stimuli trigger an expansion or contraction of the first material and second material and, thus, cause the change of the shape of the first part of the element from the first shape to the second shape.

[0017] The first material and second material may be such that once the first material and second material have expanded or contracted due to the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli and, thus, the shape of the first part of the element has changed to the second shape, the shape of the first part does not change when the element is exposed again to the one or more types of stimuli. This and the following description is correspondingly valid in case the first material expands or contracts while the second material neither expands nor contracts in response to the element being exposed to the one or more types of stimuli. Optionally, this maybe the case when the element has been exposed to an amount of the one or more types of stimuli that is greater than a respective threshold.

[0018] The term “add-on element” or “extension element” for a lighting system may be used to refer to the element according to the first aspect for a lighting system.

[0019] Optionally, the first part of the element is or comprises one or more mounting components for mounting the element to one or more members of a lighting system, the one or more mounting components being in a folded shape in the first shape of the first part and in an unfolded shape in the second shape of the first part. The element may be configured to be mounted by the one or more mounting components to the one or more members of the lighting system when the first part has the second shape.

[0020] The one or more mounting components maybe mounting hook(s), such as detent(s), mounting edge(s), mounting protrusion(s) etc. The present invention is not limited to a specific type of mounting means. The term “mounting member” may be used instead of the term “mounting component”. The terms “one or more parts of a lighting system” and “one or more components of a lighting system” may be used instead of the term “one or more members of a lighting system”. The one or more members of the lighting system maybe at least one of a housing, housing part(s), a light source, electrical component(s) (such as control unit(s), lighting means driver(s), sensor(s) etc.), optical component(s) etc.

[0021] Herein, an element, such as the element of the first aspect or the element of the second aspect, having an unfolded shape may be understood as the element having a shape, with which it is configured for its function(s) or better configured for its function(s). Thus, when the shape of the first part of the element is the unfolded shape, the first part is configured for its function or better configured for its function. In case of the first part being or comprising the one or more mounting components the function of the first part may be mounting the element to one or more members of a lighting system. In case, the first part of the element is or comprises one or more mounting components, the second part may have a different function from the function of mounting the element. For example the second part may be or comprise optical component(s) (e.g. lense(s), aperture(s), optical filter(s) etc.). In this case the element may be an optical element and provide an optical function. Thus, the first part having the unfolded shape allows mounting the optical component(s) of the second part to one or more members (e.g. a housing) of the lighting system. The second part may be a housing or a part of a housing (such as a cover) and, thus, have the function of protecting member(s) of a lighting system, such as a light source, electrical components (e.g. sensor(s,) lighting means driver(s), control unit(s) etc.). The first part (being or comprising mounting component(s)) allows mounting the element when the first part has the unfolded shape and, thus, allows the second part to provide its function (e.g. optical function or protection function). Therefore, the first part of the element and, thus, the element having the unfolded shape is configured for its function(s) or better configured for its function(s).

[0022] Herein, an element, such as the element of the first aspect or the element of the second aspect, having a folded shape maybe understood as the element having a shape that is advantageous with regard to storage and / or transport. The element having the folded shape consumes less space in at least one dimension of the three dimension compared to the unfolded shape, which is advantageous with regard to storage and / or transport. For example, when the element has the folded shape, compared to the unfolded shape, less or no components of the element protrude away from the element and, thus, are less likely to be damaged (e.g. broken away).

[0023] The first part may be configured to be arranged, having the first shape, at a position of the lighting system for mounting the first part to the one or more members of the lighting system. The one or more mounting components may be configured to fix the first part to the one or more members of the lighting system as a result of the shape of the first part changing from the first shape to the second shape caused by an exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli when the first part is arranged at the position of the lighting system.

[0024] Optionally, the one or more mounting components are configured to irreversibly fix the first part to the one or more members of the lighting system as a result of the shape of the first part changing from the first shape to the second shape caused by an exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli when the first part is arranged at the position of the lighting system. According to a second aspect of the invention, an element for a lighting system is provided. The element is made of at least a first material and a second material, the first material and the second material having different expansion coefficients with regard to one or more types of stimuli. The first material and second material are arranged such that a shape of the element changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material caused by an exposure of the element to a type of stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli; and the shape of the element changes from the second shape to a third shape due to an expansion or contraction of the second material caused by a further exposure of the element to the type of stimulus or another type of stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli. That is, the further exposure of the element may be either to the same type of stimulus, to which the element was disposed already or to a different type of stimulus.

[0025] Herein, the first material and second material may be a first layer and a second layer, respectively.

[0026] The order of exposure may be different. That is, a first exposure may be such that the expansion or contraction of the first material is caused and a following exposure may be such that the expansion or contraction of the second material is caused. This may be differently. That is, the first exposure may be such that the expansion or contraction of the second material is caused and a following exposure maybe such that the expansion or contraction of the first material is caused.

[0027] When the element is exposed two times to the same type of stimulus to cause the first material to contract or expand and the second material to contract or expand after each other, the separate activation of the first material and second material by the same type of stimulus maybe achieved by exposing the element to different amounts of the stimulus and / or for different exposure times.

[0028] The above description with regard to the element of the first aspect may be correspondingly valid for the element of the second aspect, wherein a description with regard to the first part of the element of the first aspect is then valid for the element of the second aspect. The element of the second aspect achieves the same advantages as the element of the first aspect. Optionally, the first material has an expansion coefficient with regard to a first type of stimulus. For example, the first type of stimulus may be heat. The second material may have an expansion coefficient with regard to a second type of stimulus. For example, the second type of stimulus maybe ultra-violet radiation. The aforementioned types of stimuli may be vice versa. The first material and second material maybe arranged such that a shape of the element changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material caused by an exposure of the element to the first type of stimulus; and the shape of the element changes from the second shape to a third shape due to an expansion or contraction of the second material caused by a further exposure of the element to the second type of stimulus.

[0029] The element having the first shape may have a longitudinal extension. Optionally, the element having the second shape is bend at the longitudinal extension, and the third shape of the element is the second shape with the longitudinal extension being curved. That is, the element having the third shape is bend at the longitudinal extension, while the longitudinal extension is curved (i.e. the longitudinal extension may be bend to be curved).

[0030] For example, the element having the first shape is a strip with a longitudinal extension comprising a first layer of the first material and a second layer of the second material. The term “strip” may be used for referring to two or more layers formed on each other, e.g. the first layer, second layer and an optional substrate layer, that have extensions in two dimensions wherein the extension in the third dimension (in which the layers are arranged on each other) is negligible. The longitudinal extension is an extension in one of the aforementioned two dimensions. The first and second layer maybe formed on each other. Optionally, the strip may comprise a substrate layer on which the first and second layer may be arranged. In this case, the first and second layer may be arranged on opposite sides of the substrate layer or maybe formed on each other and arranged on one side of the substrate. The strip may have a rectangular shape. The first layer and second layer may be arranged such that the strip having the third shape may form a ring or cylinder with one edge of the ring / cylinder being bend inward.

[0031] The following description is valid for the element according to the first aspect and the element according to the second aspect unless otherwise specifically stated. When in the following description reference is made to the first part of the element (of the first aspect) then the description is correspondingly valid for the element of the second aspect. That is, a description with regard to the first part of the element is valid for the first part of the element of the first aspect and valid for the element of the second aspect.

[0032] The one or more types of stimuli may comprise at least one of heat, light, ultra-violet radiation, electric current and voltage.

[0033] Thus, the first material and the second material may have different expansion coefficients with regard to at least one of heat, light, ultra-violet radiation, electric current and voltage.

[0034] For example, in case the first material and the second material have different coefficients with regard to heat, the first material and the second material differently expand or contract when the element is being exposed to heat, e.g. to an amount of heat being greater than threshold. Heat is a form of energy. It may be understood as the thermal energy transferred to the element due to a temperature difference. That is, exposing the element to heat means transferring thermal energy to the element. In other words, this means heating the element, i.e. increasing the temperature of the element. The first material and second material may experience or have different thermal expansion coefficients leading to expansion or contraction depending on heating or cooling the element. The first material and second material may be for example one or more shape memory alloys or polymers. In case the first material and second material are one or more shape memory alloys or polymers, the element may be exposed to one or more temperatures that are greater than discrete threshold temperatures being specific to the first and second material. The one or more temperatures being greater than the discrete threshold temperatures trigger the shape memory effect and, thus, change of the shape of the first part of the element.

[0035] For example, in case the first material and the second material have different coefficients with regard to light, the first material and the second material differently expand or contract when the element is being exposed to light, e.g. to light having a light intensity greater than a threshold.

[0036] For example, in case the first material and the second material have different coefficients with regard to ultra-violet radiation, the first material and the second material differently expand or contract when the element is being exposed to ultra- IO violet radiation, e.g. to ultra-violet radiation having a radiant flux greater than a threshold. The term “ultra-violet” may be abbreviated by “UV”. The term “ultra-violet light” may be used as a synonym for the term “ultra-violet radiation”.

[0037] For example, in case the first material and the second material have different coefficients with regard to electric current and / or voltage, the first material and the second material differently expand or contract when the element is being exposed to electric current and / or voltage, e.g. to electric current and / or voltage being greater than a threshold.

[0038] The one or more types of stimuli may comprise at least one of heat, light, a radiant flux of ultra-violet radiation, electric current and voltage each being greater than a respective threshold.

[0039] Optionally, an exposure of the element to ultra-violet radiation for changing the shape of the first part of the element from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape may be achieved by exposing the element to daylight, e.g. unwrapping the element from a packaging. In this case, the first material and second material may have different expansion coefficients with regard to daylight, i.e. the ultra-violet radiation contained in day light.

[0040] The first material and the second material may be configured, due to their expansion coefficients, to expand or contract in response to the element being exposed to a dedicated amount of a respective stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli for a dedicated period of time. The expansion or contraction of the first material and the second material may be triggered by a respective stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli being greater than a threshold for the respective stimulus. This and the following description is correspondingly valid in case the first material expands or contracts while the second material neither expands nor contracts in response to the element being exposed to the respective stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli.

[0041] For example, in case the first material and the second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to heat, the first material and the second material maybe configured to expand or contract in response to the element being exposed to a dedicated amount of heat for a dedicated period of time. Thus, in the aforementioned case, the expansion or contraction of the first material and the second material may be triggered by heat being greater than a threshold for the heat. Optionally, the first material and second material may be one or more shape memory alloys or polymers. The first material and second material having different expansion coefficients with regard to heat maybe one or more shape memory polymer laminates. For example, the first material and second material may be two layers of polyurethane, wherein e.g. the first material has strain and the second material is in a normal state (e.g. has no strain). In the aforementioned case, the threshold for the heat may be for example 6o°C. That is, a temperature of 6o°C or greater may trigger the expansion or contraction of the first material and the second material. This temperature may be referred to as “activation temperature”. For example, the first material maybe an active layer from PHAG5000 based shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) with 100% strain and the second material may be a substrate layer from PBAG600 based polyurethane without deformation. Each of the aforementioned active layer and substrate layer may optionally be 1 mm thick. The threshold for the heat may be selected such that heat being greater than said threshold triggers a shape memory effect of at least one of the first and second material, e.g. of the first material. Exposing the element to a dedicated heat may mean exposing the element to a dedicated temperature, i.e. to a temperature greater than a threshold for the temperature.

[0042] For example, in case the first material and the second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to light, the first material and the second material maybe configured to expand or contract in response to the element being exposed to a dedicated amount of light for a dedicated period of time. Thus, in the aforementioned case, the expansion or contraction of the first material and the second material may be triggered by a light intensity being greater than a threshold for the light intensity. The first material and the second material having different expansion coefficients with regard to light may optionally be a first material and second material having different expansion coefficients with regard to an increase in temperature. The increase in temperature of the element maybe obtained by exposing the element to a light illumination. The first material and second material may be one or more shape memory alloys or polymers. Optionally, the first material and second are one or more shape memory polymer laminates. For example, the first material and second material maybe two layers of polyurethane, wherein e.g. the first material has strain and the second material is in a normal state (e.g. has no strain). In the aforementioned case, the threshold for the amount of light may be an amount of light causing an temperature of 6o°C or greater. The threshold for the light intensity maybe selected such that a light intensity being greater than said threshold triggers a shape memory effect of at least one of the first and second material, e.g. of the first material. Optionally, the first material may be one or more azobenzene groups in liquid crystalline polyurethane networks and the second material may be polyurethane without azobenzene.

[0043] For example, in case the first material and the second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to ultra-violet radiation, the first material and the second material may be configured to expand or contract in response to the element being exposed to a dedicated amount of ultra-violet radiation for a dedicated period of time. Thus, in the aforementioned case, the expansion or contraction of the first material and the second material may be triggered by a radiation flux of ultra-violet radiation being greater than a threshold for the radiation flux of ultra-violet radiation. For example, the first material and / or the second material maybe one or more liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) with azobenzene. The first material and / or the second material maybe an LCE film comprising azobenzene. In the aforementioned optional case, the ultra-violet radiation may be a 365 nm ultra-violet radiation for triggering the shape change of the first part of the element. The shape change of the first part of the element may be for example a bending or unbending. The first material and / or second material may be optionally one or more azobenzene groups in liquid crystalline polyurethane networks. Optionally, the first material maybe one or more azobenzene groups in liquid crystalline polyurethane networks and the second material may be polyurethane without azobenzene.

[0044] For example, in case the first material and the second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to electric current or voltage, the first material and the second material maybe configured to expand or contract in response to the element being exposed to a dedicated amount of electric current or voltage, respectively, for a dedicated period of time. Thus, in the aforementioned case, the expansion or contraction of the first material and the second material maybe triggered by an electric current or voltage being greater than a threshold for the electric current or voltage, respectively. Optionally, the first material and / or second material maybe one or more shape memory polymers filled with elements that heat up when a voltage is applied to the shape memory polymer. For example, the first material and / or second material may be one or more shape memory polymers with conductive fillers, such as at least one of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers and carbon black. Such shape memory polymers allow for electro-activation of the shape memory effect. In the aforementioned case, the material (s) allow using electricity for internal resistive Joule heating to trigger a shape change in the shape memory polymers and, thus, change of the shape of the first part of the element. The aforementioned materials may be referred to as “conductive shape memory polymers” or “polymer nanocomposites”. For example, the first material and / or second material maybe a shape memory polymer composite made of a carbon nanofiber (CNF) filled epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) and bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) resin. Optionally, the composite may have a CNF volume fraction of 5.6% and an electrical conductivity of 0.4 S cm-1. This allows an electrical stimulation of the shape memory effect. In the aforementioned case, the electric current and voltage for triggering the shape change of the first part of the element may optionally be 150 mA and 20 V, respectively. Exposing the element to the electric current or voltage allows for resistive heating of the element, which triggers the shape change of the first part of the element.

[0045] Optionally, the first shape of the first part is a folded shape, and the second shape of the first part is an unfolded shape. For example, the first material and second material may be arranged such that the shape of the first part of the element unfolds from a folded shape to an unfolded shape due to an expansion of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli.

[0046] Optionally, the first material and second material are arranged such that the first part expands according to a scissor jack when the shape of the first part changes from the first shape to the second shape due to an expansion of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli.

[0047] The first material and the second material may comprise at least one of one or more shape memory alloys, one or more shape memory polymers, and one or more phase change materials.

[0048] An example of a shape memory alloy is nitinol. Examples of shape memory polymers are elastic photopolymer, polylactide and polyurethane. Examples of phase change materials are ethanol in silicone matrix and methanol in silicone matrix.

[0049] Optionally, at least one of the first material and second material is adapted to expand or contract the more, the greater the one or more types of stimuli and vice versa. In other words, as soon as the one or more types of stimuli are greater than a threshold for triggering the expansion or contraction of the first and second material and, thus triggering the change of the shape of the first part of the element, the expansion or contraction of one or both of the first material and second material may be more the greater the one or more types of stimuli. This allows a gradually change from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape. For example, in case the change from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape comprises an extension of the first part in a direction, the greater the one or more types of stimuli the greater the extension in the direction may be.

[0050] Optionally, the first material and second material are adapted to reversibly expand or contract when the element is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli such that the expansion or contraction, respectively, exists while the element is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli, and the expansion or contraction, respectively, is reversed when the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli is stopped. This and the following description is correspondingly valid in case the first material expands or contracts while the second material neither expands nor contracts in response to the element being exposed to the one or more types of stimuli.

[0051] For example, the first material and second material maybe adapted to reversibly expand or contract when the element is exposed to ultra-violet radiation such that the expansion or contraction, respectively, exists while the element is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation, and the expansion or contraction, respectively, is reversed when the exposure of the element to the ultra-violet radiation is stopped. For example, the first material and second material may be adapted to reversibly expand or contract when the element is exposed to light having a light intensity greater than a respective threshold such that the expansion exists while the element is exposed to the light intensity being greater than the respective threshold, and the expansion or contraction, respectively, is reversed when the exposure of the element to the light intensity being greater than the respective threshold is stopped.

[0052] Optionally, the degree of expansion or contraction of the first material and second material may depend on the amount of the one or more types of stimuli, such as ultraviolet radiation or light. This and the following description is correspondingly valid in case the first material expands or contracts while the second material neither expands nor contracts in response to the element being exposed to the one or more types of stimuli. For example, when the first shape of the first part of the element is a folded shape and the second shape of the first part of the element is an unfolded shape, the degree of unfolding of the first part of the element from the folded shape to the unfolded shape may depend on the amount of the one or more types of stimuli, such as ultra-violet radiation or light, to which the element is exposed to. The greater the amount of the one or more types of stimuli, e.g. the greater the amount or radiant flux of the ultra-violet radiation or the greater the amount or light intensity of light, the more the first part may unfold from the folded shape to the unfolded shape.

[0053] In case the first material and second material comprise different expansion coefficients with regard to ultra-violet radiation, increasing the amount or radiant flux of the ultra-violet radiation may cause the first part of the element to unfold more from the folded to the unfolded shape. In case the first material and second material comprise different expansion coefficients with regard to light, increasing the amount or light intensity of the light may cause the first part of the element to unfold more from the folded to the unfolded shape. The unfolding may thus take gradually place. That is, this allows achieving different degrees of unfolding. Optionally, decreasing the amount or radiant flux of the ultra-violet radiation may cause the first part of the element to fold more from the unfolded to the folded shape. Optionally, decreasing the amount or light intensity of the light may cause the first part of the element to fold more from the unfolded to the folded shape. The folding may thus take gradually place. That is, this allows achieving different degrees of folding. This maybe advantageous in case the element is a light guiding unit, such as a lampshade. Namely, different degrees of folding or unfolding of the light guiding unit may result in different light guiding characteristics of the light guiding unit.

[0054] The first part of the element maybe generated by additive manufacturing.

[0055] Optionally the element is generated by additive manufacturing. For example, the first part and second part may be generated by additive manufacturing. The first part may be configured such that the different expansion coefficients of the first material and the second material cause tensions in the first part when the first part is generated by additive manufacturing using at least the first and second material. Thus, when the element is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli, the first and second materials expand or contract causing the shape of the first part of the element to change from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape. This and the following description is correspondingly valid in case the first material expands or contracts while the second material neither expands nor contracts in response to the element being exposed to the one or more types of stimuli. The element may be a heat sink, a light guiding unit or housing. The element may be an optical element, such as an optical aperture, optical filter, lens etc. The element maybe a part of a housing. For example, the element maybe a mounting element of a housing for attaching different components of a luminaire, such as a lighting means driver module and optical element(s) (e.g. lense(s), aperture(s), optical filter(s) etc.).

[0056] The light guiding unit may be or may comprise a reflector, e.g. in the form of a lampshade. The light guiding unit maybe a lampshade configured to soften and / or directing light.

[0057] The element maybe an element for a luminaire or an element for lighting means.

[0058] The luminaire may be an indoor or outdoor luminaire. For example, the luminaire may be a spot luminaire, a downlight luminaire etc. The lighting means may be LED lighting means comprising one or more LEDs. The lighting means maybe a retrofit LED lighting means, such as a retrofit bulb comprising one or more LEDs as light source.

[0059] The one or more types of stimuli for causing change of the shape of the element of the first aspect and the element of the second aspect by exposing the element to the one or more types of stimuli may be provided by the lighting system, as described with regard to the system of the third aspect, and / or by a separate device configured to provide the respective type of stimulus.

[0060] In order to achieve the element according to the first aspect of the present invention, some or all of the above-described optional features may be combined with each other. In order to achieve the element according to the second aspect of the present invention, some or all of the above-described optional features may be combined with each other.

[0061] The element of the first aspect and the element of the second aspect allows to provide replacement components for a lighting system, such as a luminaire or light source. This is advantageous, because due to the shape change(s) that are possible by the at least first and second material of the element of the first aspect and element of the second aspect, the respective element may be designed such that when having the first shape it is adapted to being stored and / or transported and when having the second shape or optionally the third shape it may provide its function(s) such as at least one of being an optical element, being a housing, being a heat sink, being a light guiding, providing mounting means etc. Hereby, the one or more different types of stimuli for triggering expansion or contraction of the first material and optionally second material of the element may be provided by the lighting system itself and / or by a separate device. The element of the first aspect and the element of the second aspect may either be exposed to the one or more types of stimuli before installation at the lighting system, when being installed at the lighting system and / or after having been installed at the lighting system. As described above, the exposure to the one or more types of stimuli may be done using the lighting system and / or a device configured for providing the one or more types of stimuli.

[0062] According to a third aspect of the invention, a lighting system is provided. The lighting system comprises a light source, and an element according to the first aspect or an element according to the second aspect, as described above. The lighting system is configured to cause a change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape (in case of the element of the second aspect) by exposing the element to the one or more types of stimuli. Optionally, the light source is configured to cause a change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape (in case of the element of the second aspect) by exposing the element to the one or more types of stimuli.

[0063] In the following a description with regard to the first part of the element and, thus, of the element of the first aspect is correspondingly valid for the element of the second aspect.

[0064] That is, the lighting system, optionally the light source, is configured to expose the element to the one or more types of stimuli in order to cause the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element according to the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element according to the second aspect) from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape (in case of the element of the second aspect). The lighting system may be a luminaire or lighting means. The lighting system maybe configured to expose the element to the one or more types of stimuli as described in the description of the element of the first aspect and element of the second aspect. For example, when the light source emits light, the light source outputs heat. The element may be arranged in the lighting system such that it is exposed to the heat output by the light source. Thus, the first part of the element (in case of the element according to the first aspect) or the element (in case of the element according to the second aspect) may be configured to change its shape from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape (in case of the element according to the second aspect) due to the expansion or contraction of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element to the heat output by the light source. In the aforementioned case, the first material and second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to heat. In the aforementioned case, the element may be a heat sink arranged in the lighting system for guiding the heat output by the light source away from the light source, e.g. to outside the lighting system, in order to counter a temperature rise in the lighting system and, e.g. preventing the light source from overheating.

[0065] For example, in case of the element of the second aspect, the element may be configured to change its shape from the first shape to the second shape due to the expansion or contraction of the first material caused by the exposure of the element to the heat output by the light source and change its shape from the second shape to the third shape due to the expansion or contraction of the second material caused by a continuing exposure of the element to the heat output by the light source. That is, expansion or contraction of the first material may be triggered by an exposure to the heat for a duration of time during which the expansion or contraction of the second material is not triggered. Thus, the expansion or contraction of the second material may be triggered after the one of the first material by continuing exposing the element to the heat output by the light source. Optionally, for triggering the expansion or contraction of the second material a greater amount of heat is to be applied, which may be achieved by increasing the light intensity of the light source, which thus will output more heat. The additional heat for triggering the expansion or contraction of the second material maybe provided by an optional heat element of the lighting system in addition to the light source, as described below.

[0066] Optionally, the first material and second material may have different expansion coefficients with regard to light. Thus, the element may be arranged at the lighting system such that it is exposed to light emitted by the light source. Therefore, the first part of the element (in case of the element according to the first aspect) or the element (in case of the element according to the second aspect) may be configured to change its shape from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape (in case of the element according to the second aspect) due to the expansion or contraction of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element to the light output by the light source. In the aforementioned case, the element may be a light guiding unit arranged at the lighting system for guiding light emitted by the light source to outside the lighting system in order to achieve a desired light emitting characteristic, e.g. main direction of light emission, of the lighting system. The above description with regard to the element of the second aspect and providing heat by the light source is correspondingly valid with regard to the element of the second aspect and providing light by the light source.

[0067] For example, the light source and / or an optional additional ultra-violet radiation source may radiate ultra-violet radiation. The element may be arranged in the lighting system such that it is exposed to the radiated ultra-violet radiation. Thus, the first part of the element (in case of the element according to the first aspect) or the element (in case of the element according to the second aspect) may be configured to change its shape from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape (in case of the element according to the second aspect) due to the expansion or contraction of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element to the radiated ultra-violet radiation. In the aforementioned case, the first material and second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to ultra-violet radiation. In the aforementioned case, the element may be a light guiding unit arranged at the lighting system for guiding light emitted by the light source to outside the lighting system in order to achieve a desired light emitting characteristic, e.g. main direction of light emission, of the lighting system. For example, in case of the element of the second aspect, the element may be configured to change its shape from the first shape to the second shape due to the expansion or contraction of the first material caused by an exposure of the element to heat output by the light source and change its shape from the second shape to the third shape due to the expansion or contraction of the second material caused by an exposure of the element to ultra-violet radiation radiated by the light source and / or an optional additional ultra-violet radiation source. In this case, optionally the radiation of ultra-violet radiation does not output heat sufficient for triggering the expansion or contraction of the first material. This may be vice versa true. That is, the element may be configured to change its shape from the first shape to the second shape due to the expansion or contraction of the first material caused by an exposure of the element to ultra-violet radiation radiated by the light source and / or an optional additional ultra-violet radiation source and change its shape from the second shape to the third shape due to the expansion or contraction of the second material caused by an exposure of the element to heat output by the light source. In this case, optionally the radiation of ultra-violet radiation does not output heat sufficient for triggering the expansion or contraction of the second material.

[0068] For example, the lighting system may comprise an electric current and / or voltage source. The electric current and / or voltage source may optionally comprise at least one converter, e.g. an actively switched converter. The electric current and / or voltage source maybe configured to electrically supply the light source by providing an electric current and / or voltage to the light source. Thus, light emission of the light source maybe controlled by controlling operation of the electric current and / or voltage source. The element may be arranged in the lighting system such that it is exposed to an electric current and / or voltage provided by the electric current and / or voltage source. Thus, the first part of the element (in case of the element according to the first aspect) or the element (in case of the element according to the second aspect) maybe configured to change its shape from the first shape to the second shape and optionally third shape (in case of the element according to the second aspect) due to the expansion or contraction of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element to the provided electric current and / or voltage. In the aforementioned case, the first material and second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to electric current and / or voltage. In the aforementioned case, the element may be a heat sink arranged in the lighting system or a light guiding unit arranged at the lighting system for guiding light emitted by the light source to outside the lighting system in order to achieve a desired light emitting characteristic, e.g. main direction of light emission, of the lighting system.

[0069] Optionally, the lighting system comprises a ultra-violet radiation source in addition to the light source for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) with heat and / or ultra-violet radiation. The light source maybe configured to radiate a spectrum comprising ultra-violet radiation in an amount greater than a threshold for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) with ultra-violet radiation.

[0070] The ultra-violet radiation source may be configured to be controlled to radiate the ultra-violet radiation for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) during an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system. For example, the initial start-up phase may be an operation mode of the lighting system that is performed by the lighting system at an initial placing into operation of the lighting system. The light source may be configured to be controlled to radiate the spectrum comprising ultra-violet radiation in an amount greater than a threshold for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element during an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system.

[0071] The light source may be configured to be controlled to emit light in an amount or with an light intensity greater than a threshold for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element(in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) during an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system.

[0072] Optionally, the lighting system comprises a heating element in addition to the light source for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) with heat.

[0073] That is, the lighting system may comprise a heating element for providing sufficient heat for causing the expansion or contraction of the first material and second material of the first part of the element and, thus, the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect). Optionally, the heating element may be controlled to output heat for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element during an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system.

[0074] Optionally, the lighting system comprises one or more electrical connectors for electrically connecting the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) and causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) with electric current and / or voltage.

[0075] The one or more electrical connectors maybe coupled to an electric current and / or voltage source. Thus, when the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) is connected to the electrical connectors, the electric current and / or voltage source may provide an electric current and / or voltage for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element(in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect). The above description of an electric current and / or voltage source is correspondingly valid for the aforementioned electric current and / or voltage source. Optionally, the electric current and / or voltage source maybe controlled to provide the electric current and / or voltage to the element for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) during an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system.

[0076] Optionally, the light source is configured to be controlled to radiate with a radiant flux greater than a threshold for triggering the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element(in case of the element of the second aspect) with at least one of heat, light and ultra-violet radiation. The light source may be configured to be controlled to radiate an amount of light and / or ultra-violet radiation greater than a respective threshold for causing the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) with light and / or ultra-violet radiation.

[0077] In other words, the light source may be configured to be controlled to emit with a light intensity greater than a threshold for triggering the change of the shape of the first part of the element (in case of the element of the first aspect) or the shape of the element (in case of the element of the second aspect) with at least one of heat, light and ultra-violet radiation.

[0078] The lighting system may comprise or maybe connectable to a control unit for controlling operation of the lighting system. The control unit may be configured to control the light source. The control unit may be configured to control components of the lighting system, such as the optional electric current and / or voltage source, the optional ultra-violet radiation source, and the optional heating element. The control unit may comprise at least one of a controller, a microcontroller, a processor, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). In addition or alternatively, the control unit may comprise any other control means known in the art.

[0079] The lighting system maybe a luminaire or lighting means.

[0080] The luminaire may be an indoor or outdoor luminaire. For example, the luminaire may be a spot luminaire, a downlight luminaire etc. The lighting means may be LED lighting means comprising one or more LEDs. The lighting means maybe a retrofit LED lighting means, such as a retrofit bulb comprising one or more LEDs as light source.

[0081] The above description with regard to the element according to the first aspect of the present invention and the element according to the second aspect of the present invention is correspondingly valid for the lighting system according to the third aspect. The description with regard to the lighting system according to the third aspect is correspondingly valid for the element according to the first aspect and the element according to the second aspect. The above description of how the lighting system of the third aspect may be used to cause changing of the shape of the element of the first aspect (i.e. of the first part of said element) and the shape of the element of the second aspect is correspondingly valid for a device that is configured for providing the one or more types of stimuli and, thus, for triggering the change in shape.

[0082] The element of the first aspect and the element of the second aspect may either be exposed to the one or more types of stimuli before installation at the lighting system, when being installed at the lighting system and / or after having been installed at the lighting system. As described above, the exposure to the one or more types of stimuli maybe done using the lighting system and / or a device configured for providing the one or more types of stimuli.

[0083] The lighting system according to the third aspect achieves the same advantages as the element according to the first aspect. In order to achieve the lighting system according to the third aspect of the present invention, some or all of the above-described optional features may be combined with each other.

[0084] All steps which are performed by the various entities described in the present application as well as the functionalities described to be performed by the various entities are intended to mean that the respective entity is adapted to or configured to perform the respective steps and functionalities.

[0085] In the following, the invention is described exemplarily with reference to the enclosed figures (FIGs.), in which

[0086] FIG. i schematically shows a first shape and second shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system;

[0087] FIG. 2 schematically shows a first shape and second shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system;

[0088] FIG. 3 schematically shows a first state and second state of an example of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0089] FIG. 4 schematically shows a first state and second state of an example of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0090] FIG. 5 schematically shows a first state and second state of an example of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0091] FIG. 6 schematically shows a first shape and second shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system;

[0092] FIG. 7 schematically shows a first shape and second shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system; and FIG. 8 schematically shows a first shape, second shape and third shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system.

[0093] In the figures (FIGs.), corresponding elements have the same reference signs. The proportions and dimensions of the components shown in the FIGs. do not represent the element for a lighting system or the lighting system to scale, but are merely chosen to describe the structure and function of the element for a lighting system or the lighting system, respectively.

[0094] FIG. i schematically shows a first shape and second shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system. The element i of FIG. i is an example of the element according to the first aspect of the present invention. Thus, the description of the element of the first aspect is correspondingly valid for the element 1 of FIG. 1.

[0095] The element 1 of FIG. 1 is an element for a lighting system. The lighting system maybe a luminaire or lighting means. The element 1 comprises a first part 2 and a second part 3. The first part 2 is made of at least a first material and a second material. The first material and the second material have different expansion coefficients with regard to one or more types of stimuli. The first material and second material are arranged such that a shape of the first part 2 changes from a first shape (shown on the left side of FIG. 1) to a second shape (shown on the right side of FIG. 1) due to an expansion or contraction of the first material and second material caused by an exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli. The exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli is indicated in FIG. 1 by the arrow. As shown in FIG. 1, the second part does not structurally change when the element is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli.

[0096] The one or more types of stimuli may comprise at least one of heat, light, ultra-violet radiation, electric current and voltage.

[0097] According to the example of FIG. 1, the first material and second material of the first part 2 of the element 1 are arranged such that the first part 2 expands according to a scissor jack (as indicated on the right side of FIG. 1) when the shape of the first part 2 changes from the first shape to the second shape due to an expansion of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element to the one or more types of stimuli. Thus, according to the example of FIG. 1, the first shape of the first part 2 of the element i is a folded shape, and the second shape of the first part 2 of the element i is an unfolded shape.

[0098] The kind of shape change shown in FIG. 1 is only by way of example and may be differently. A different example of how the shape of the first part 2 of the element i may change due to an expansion of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element 1 to the one or more types of stimuli is shown in FIG. 2. The shape of the first part 2 of the element i may change optionally due to a contraction of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element 1 to the one or more types of stimuli.

[0099] FIG. 2 schematically shows a first shape and second shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system. The element 1 of FIG. 2 corresponds to the element 1 of Figure 1, wherein the kind of material of the first material and / or second material of the first part 2 of the element i and / or the arrangement of the first and second material is different. As a result, the type of change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element i of FIG. 2 is different with regard to the element 1 of FIG. 1. The description with regard to FIG. 1 is correspondingly valid for the element 1 of FIG. 2 and in the following mainly the difference of the element i of FIG. 2 with regard to the element i of Figure i is described.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the first part 2 of the element i changes due to the expansion of the first material and second material caused by the one or more different types of stimuli in that the first part 2 is bended. Optionally, the shape of the first part 2 of the element i may change due to a contraction of the first material and second material caused by the one or more types of stimuli. That is, the first shape of the first part 2 of the element i of FIG. 2 is a non-bended straight shape (shown on the left side of FIG. 2), whereas the second shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 of FIG. 2 is a bended shape (shown on the right side of FIG. 2). The present invention is not limited to the shape changes shown in the examples of FIGs. 1 and 2 and, thus, the first and second material may be selected and arranged such that different shape changes of the first part 2 of the element 1 may be achieved by exposing the element 1 to the one or more respective types of stimuli.

[0101] FIG. 3 schematically shows a first state and second state of an example of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention. The lighting system 6 of FIG. 3 is an example of a lighting system according to the third aspect of the present invention. Thus, the description of the lighting system according to the third aspect is correspondingly valid for the lighting system 6 of FIG. 3.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 3, the lighting system 6 comprises a light source 4, and an element 1 according to an example of this invention. The element 1 of the lighting system 6 of FIG. 3 is the element 1 of FIG. 1. Therefore, the description with regard to FIG. 1 is valid for the element 1 of the lighting system 6 of FIG. 3.

[0103] The lighting system 6 is configured to cause a change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape by exposing the element 1 to the one or more types of stimuli. Optionally, the light source 4 is configured to cause a change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape by exposing the element to the one or more types of stimuli. On the left side of FIG. 3 the first shape of the element 1 of the lighting system 6 and on the right side of FIG. 3 the second shape of the element 1 of the lighting system 6 is shown.

[0104] The light source 4 may comprise one or more LEDs. The present disclosure is not limited to a specific type of LEDs.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 3, the light source 4 and the element 1 may be arranged on opposite sides of a printed circuit board 5 (PCB). The printed circuit board 5 maybe used for providing an electrical supply from an electrical energy supply unit, such as an electric current and / or voltage source, to the light source 4. The electrical energy supply unit, such as the electric current and / or voltage source, may be arranged on the PCB 5 (not shown in FIG. 3). A control unit of the lighting system 6 may be arranged on the PCB 5 for controlling operation of the lighting system 6 (not shown in FIG. 3), e.g. for controlling light emission by the light source 4. For example, the control unit maybe configured to control light emission of the light source 4 by controlling an electrical energy supply to the light source 4, e.g. by controlling the electrical energy supply unit. The second part 3 of the element 1 may be configured to be mounted to the PCB 5 for installing the element 1 in the lighting system 6.

[0106] The element 1 of Figure 3 may be a heat sink for absorbing heat output by the light source 4 and optionally other elements arranged on the PCB 5 and guiding the heat away from the light source 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the size of the first shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 (i.e. the folded shape), shown on the left side of FIG. 3, is smaller than the size of the second shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 (i.e. the unfolded shape), shown on the right side of FIG. 3. The first shape is therefore better suited for transport, storage and installing the element 1 in the lighting system 6 (e.g. via an opening of the lighting system 6) compared to the second shape. Assuming that the element 1 is a heat sink, the second shape is better suited for the function of the element 1, i.e. function of being a heat sink, compared to the first shape. The unfolded shape of the first part 2 of the element 1, where the first part 2 of the element 1 extends in a direction away from the light source 4 allows guiding heat output by the light source 4 further away from the light source 4 compared to the first part 2 having the first shape.

[0107] Optionally, the heat output by the light source 4, when the light source 4 emits light (as indicated on the right side of FIG. 3 by dashed lines) may cause the expansion of the first material and second material of the first part 2 of the element 1 and, thus, the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape. The lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the light source 4 to emit light with a light intensity greater than a threshold 1 in order to achieve an amount of heat greater than a threshold for changing the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1. Optionally, the lighting system 6, e.g. the control unit of the lighting system 6, may perform this control during a time during which the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape is to be performed. This time maybe an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system 6. Optionally, the lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the light source 4 to emit light having the aforementioned light intensity only for causing the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1. That is, during a normal operation mode of the lighting system 6 the lighting system 6 may control the light source 4 to emit light with a light intensity that is smaller than the aforementioned threshold. As a result, during the normal operation less heat is output by the light source 4 and, thus, there is less stress on the components of the lighting system 6.

[0108] In the aforementioned case, the lighting system 1 may comprise a heating element (not shown in FIG. 3) for causing the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 with heat. The lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the heating element to output heat during a time during which the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape is to be performed. This time may be an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system 6. In the aforementioned case, the first material and second material of the first part 2 of the element i have different expansion coefficients with regard to heat.

[0109] Optionally, the lighting system 1 comprises one or more electrical connectors for electrically connecting the first part 2 of the element i and causing the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element i with electric current and / or voltage. The one or more electrical connectors may be arranged in the lighting system 6 such that the first part 2 of the element i is electrically connected to the one or more electrical connectors when the element i is installed via the second part 3 of the element 1 in the lighting system 6. For example, the one or more electrical connectors maybe arranged on the PCB 5 such that the first part 2 of the element 1 is electrically connected to the one or more electrical connectors when the second part 3 of the element 1 is mounted to the PCB 5.

[0110] The one or more electrical connectors maybe coupled to an electric current and / or voltage source. The electric current and / or voltage source maybe an electrical energy supply unit of the lighting system 6 for electrically supplying the light source 4. In addition or alternatively, the electric current and / or voltage source may be an additional electric current and / or voltage source in addition to the electrical energy supply unit of the lighting system 6. The lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the electric current and / or voltage source to output an electric current and / or voltage via the one or more electrical connectors to the first part 2 of the element 1 for changing the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 with the electric current and / or voltage. Optionally, the lighting system 6, e.g. the control unit of the lighting system 6, may perform this control during a time during which the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape is to be performed. This time maybe an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system 6. In the aforementioned case, the first material and second material of the first part 2 of the element 1 have different expansion coefficients with regard to electric current and / or voltage.

[0111] Optionally, the lighting system 6 may be lighting means. In this case the components of the lighting system 6, such as the light source 4 and the PCB 5, may be arrange inside an enclosure of the lighting means. The light source 4 may comprise for example one or more LEDs. For example, the lighting means may be retrofit LED lighting means. The lighting means may be used as a light source in a luminaire. The element i being a heat sink is configured to be arranged inside the enclosure of the lighting means. The first shape of the first part 2 of the element i may be designed to be as compact as possible. This is advantageous with regard to transport and storage, because the element i with the first part 2 having the first shape will not consume a lot of space. In addition, this may be advantageous with regard to installing the element i inside the enclosure of the lighting means, i.e. when assembling the lighting means. Namely, the element 1 may easily be input through an opening of the enclosure inside the enclosure due to its compact size. The second shape of the first part 2 of the element i may be adapted to the shape of the enclosure of the lighting means and to be as large as possible with regard to the free space inside the enclosure. This is advantageous with regard to the function of a heat sink, because the larger the heat sink the more heat it may absorb.

[0112] Optionally, the lighting system 6 may be a luminaire. In this case, the components of the lighting system 6, such as the light source 4 and the PCB 5, maybe arranged inside a housing of the luminaire (i.e. inside the luminaire housing). The element 1 being a heat sink is configured to be arranged inside the housing of the luminaire. The first shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 may be designed to be as compact as possible. This has the above-mentioned advantages. The second shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 may be adapted to the shape of the housing of the luminaire and to be as large as possible with regard to the free space inside the housing. This is advantageous with regard to the function of a heat sink, because the larger the heat sink the more heat it may absorb.

[0113] The element 1 with the first shape and second shape shown in FIG. 3 maybe used for a different function, for example as a light guiding unit. This is exemplarily described with regard to FIG. 4.

[0114] FIG. 4 schematically shows a first state and second state of an example of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention. The lighting system 6 of FIG. 4 corresponds to the lighting system 6 of FIG. 3, where the element 1 is differently used. Thus, the description with regard to FIG. 3 is correspondingly valid for the lighting system 6 of FIG. 4 and in the following mainly the difference of the lighting system 6 of FIG. 4 with regard to the one of FIG. 3 is described.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 4, the element 1 may be used as a light guiding unit for the lighting system 6. In this case, the element 1 is configured to be arranged at a light emitting location, e.g. light emitting surface of a housing or enclosure, of the lighting system 6, through which the light emitted by the light source 4 travels in order to be emitted to the outside of the lighting system 6. Thus, the second part 3 of the element 1 may be configured to be installed or mounted to a light emitting location, such as light emitting surface of a housing or enclosure, of the lighting system 6. Since the element 1 is configured to be arranged at the light emitting location of the lighting system, the light emitted by the light source 4 may impinge on the element 1 and, thus, may be used to trigger the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape.

[0116] Optionally, the first material and second material of the first part 2 of the element 1 have different expansion coefficients with regard to light emitted by the light source 4.

[0117] The lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the light source 4 to emit light with a light intensity greater than a threshold 1 for changing the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 with the light. Optionally, the lighting system 6, e.g. the control unit of the lighting system 6, may perform this control during a time during which the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape is to be performed. This time may be an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system 6. Optionally, the lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the light source 4 to emit light having the aforementioned light intensity only for causing the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1. That is, during a normal operation mode of the lighting system 6 the lighting system 6 may control the light source 4 to emit light with a light intensity that is smaller than the aforementioned threshold.

[0118] Optionally, the first material and second material of the first part 2 of the element 1 have different expansion coefficients with regard to ultra-violet radiation.

[0119] Optionally, the light source 4 is configured to radiate a spectrum comprising ultraviolet radiation in an amount greater than a threshold for causing the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 with ultra-violet radiation. In addition or alternatively, the lighting system 6 may comprise a ultra-violet radiation source in addition to the light source 4 (not shown in FIG. 4) for causing the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 with ultra-violet radiation.

[0120] The lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the light source 4 to radiate the spectrum comprising ultra-violet radiation in an amount greater than a threshold i for changing the shape of the first part 2 of the element i. Optionally, the lighting system 6, e.g. the control unit of the lighting system 6, may perform this control during a time during which the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element i from the first shape to the second shape is to be performed. This time may be an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system 6. The lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the optional ultra-violet radiation source to radiate ultra-violet radiation for changing the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1. Optionally, the lighting system 6, e.g. the control unit of the lighting system 6, may perform this control during a time during which the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape is to be performed. This time may be an initial start-up phase or commissioning phase of the lighting system 6.

[0121] Optionally, the lighting system 6, e.g. a control unit of the lighting system 6, may control the light source 4 and the optional ultra-violet radiation source to radiate ultra-violet radiation only for causing the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1. That is, during a normal operation mode of the lighting system 6 the lighting system 6 may control the light source 4 to emit light desired for providing a lighting to an area, such as an indoor or outdoor area.

[0122] The first shape of the element 1 being a light guiding unit maybe designed to be as compact as possible. This has the above-mentioned advantages. The second shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 being a light guiding unit 1 may be designed to achieve a light guiding function. For example, the element 1 having the second shape (being an unfolded shape) may have the form of a lampshade for softening and / or directing light emitted by the light source 4.

[0123] The first shape and second shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 shown in FIGs. 3 and 4 is only by way of example and may be differently. FIG. 5 shows an example, where the element 1 is also used as a light guiding element, but the first part 2 of the element 1 has a different first and second shape.

[0124] FIG. 5 schematically shows a first state and second state of an example of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention. The lighting system 6 of FIG. 5 corresponds to the lighting system 6 of FIG. 4, where the first part 2 of the element 1 has a different first shape and second shape. Thus, the description with regard to FIGs. 3 and 4 is correspondingly valid for the lighting system 6 of FIG. 5 and in the following mainly the difference of the lighting system 6 of FIG. 5 with regard to the one of FIG. 4 is described.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 5, the element 1 of the lighting system 6 of FIG. 5 is the element 1 of FIG. 2. Thus, the description with regard to FIG. 2 is valid for the element 1 of the lighting system 6 of FIG. 5. Thus, the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 changes due to the expansion of the first material and second material e.g. caused by ultraviolet radiation, in that the first part 2 is bended. That is, the first shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 of FIG. 5 is a non-bended straight shape (shown on the left side of FIG. 5), whereas the second shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 of FIG. 5 is a bended shape (shown on the right side of FIG. 5).

[0126] In the lighting systems of FIGs. 3, 4 and 5, in addition or alternatively one or more different elements according to the invention may be used. For example, the element of FIG. 6, FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 maybe used in any one of the lighting system of FIGs. 3, 4 and 5. In such a case, the description of FIGs. 3, 4 and 5 and the description of the lighting system of the third aspect is correspondingly valid.

[0127] FIG. 6 schematically shows a first shape and second shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system. The element 1 of FIG. 6 corresponds to the element 1 of FIG. 1, wherein the kind of material of the first material and / or second material of the first part 2 of the element 1 and / or the arrangement of the first and second material is different. As a result, the type of change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 of FIG. 6 is different with regard to the element 1 of FIG. 1. The description with regard to FIG. 1 is correspondingly valid for the element 1 of FIG. 6 and in the following mainly the difference of the element 1 of FIG. 2 with regard to the element 1 of FIG. 1 is described.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 6, the first part 2 of the element 1 is or comprises two mounting components 7 for mounting the element 1 to one or more members of a lighting system (not shown in FIG. 6). The present invention is not limited to two mounting components 7. Thus, the first part 2 may be or comprise one mounting component 7 or more than two mounting components 7, i.e. one or more mounting components 7. The following description with regard to two mounting components 7 is correspondingly valid in case of a different number of mounting components.

[0129] According to the example of FIG. 6, the two mounting components 7 are mounting hooks. This is only by way of example and, thus, the two mounting components 7 may be differently implemented. An example of a different implementation of the mounting components 7 is shown in FIG. 7. The present invention is not limited to a specific type of mounting technique and, thus, not limited to a specific type of mounting components. The left side of FIG. 6 shows the first part 2 of the element 1 having the first shape and the right side of FIG. 6 shows the first part 2 of the element 1 having the second shape. The mounting components 7 are in a folded shape in the first shape of the first part 2 (as shown on the left) and in an unfolded shape in the second shape of the first part 2 (as shown on the right).

[0130] The element 1 is configured to be mounted by the mounting components 7 to the one or more members of the lighting system when the first part 1 has the second shape. Namely, as shown in FIG. 6, when the shape of the first part 2 and, thus, the mounting components 7 changes from the first shape to the second shape due to the exposure of the element 1 to one or more types of stimuli, the mounting component 7 unfold from the opening of the second part 3 such that they protrude away from the element 1 thereby allowing to be engaged with corresponding mounting means of one or more members of the lighting system for mounting the element 1 to said one or more members.

[0131] As may be derived from FIG. 6, when the shape of the mounting components 7 and, thus, the first part 2 of the element 1 is an unfolded shape, the mounting components are configured for their function, namely mounting the element 1 to the lighting system. Namely, in the unfolded shape the mounting components 7 are arranged such that they are configured to mount to one or more members of the lighting system. The one or more members maybe at least one of a housing, housing part(s), a light source, electrical component(s) (such as control unit(s), lighting means driver(s), sensor(s) etc.), optical component(s) etc. of the lighting system. In the folded shape the mounting components 7 are folded together (e.g. according to the example of FIG. 6 towards the inside of an opening of the second part 3 of the element 1) and, thus, the folded shape consumes less space in the dimension of the three dimension in which the mounting components 7 protrude away from the element in the unfolded shape.

[0132] According to the example of FIG. 6, the second part 3 of the element 1 may be an optical aperture. That is, the second part 3 maybe formed such that it constitutes an optical aperture. In this case, the element 1 is an optical element that provides the function of an optical aperture. In this case, the element 1 may be referred to as optical aperture. The present invention is not limited to such implementation and, thus, the second part 3 may be or comprise a different optical component, such as lense(s), optical filter(s) etc. Alternatively, the second part 3 may provide a different function, such as a protection function. For example, the second part maybe a housing or a part of a housing (such as a cover). An example of the second part 3 being a part of a housing, especially a cover, is shown in Figure 7. The present invention is not limited to a specific function of the second part 3 and, thus, any other function maybe provided by the second part 3. For example, the description of any other function herein, e.g. described with regard to the first part of the element of the invention or the element of the invention, may be valid for the second part 3 of the element 1.

[0133] For example, when the second part 3 of the element is an optical aperture, as exemplarily shown in Figure 6, then the first part 2 of the element 1 having the second shape may be mounted by the mounting components 7 to the lighting system, e.g. a housing of a luminaire or light source, such that it is configured to interact with light emitted by the lighting system.

[0134] Optionally, the first part 2 of the element 1 is configured to be arranged, having the first shape, at a position of the lighting system for mounting the first part 2 to the one or more members of the lighting system. The one or more mounting components 7 may be configured to fix the first part 2 to the one or more members of the lighting system as a result of the shape of the first part 2 changing from the first shape to the second shape caused by an exposure of the element 1 to the one or more types of stimuli when the first part 2 is arranged at the position of the lighting system.

[0135] For example, the element 1 of FIG. 6 being an aperture maybe arranged when having the first shape at a position in an opening of a luminaire’s housing, through which light emission of the luminaire occurs, for mounting the first part 2 to the housing. The mounting components 7 may be configured to fix the first part 2 to the housing of the luminaire as a result of the shape of the first part 2 changing from the first shape to the second shape caused by an exposure of the element 1 to the one or more types of stimuli when the first part 2 is arranged at the position in the opening of the housing. Namely, due to the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape, the mounting components 7 protrude away from the element 1 thereby fixing the element 1 to the housing of the luminaire. Optionally, the aforementioned fixing maybe an irreversibly fixing. FIG. 7 schematically shows a first shape and second shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system. The element 1 of FIG. 7 corresponds to the element 1 of Figure 6, wherein the kind of material of the first material and / or second material of the first part 2 of the element 1 and / or the arrangement of the first and second material is different. As a result, the type of change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 of FIG. 7 is different with regard to the element 1 of FIG. 6. The description with regard to FIG. 6 is correspondingly valid for the element 1 of FIG. 7 and in the following mainly the difference of the element 1 of FIG. 7 with regard to the element 1 of Figure 6 is described.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting components 7 of the element 1 are different compared to the mounting components of the element 1 of FIG. 6. Namely, according to Figure 7, the mounting components 7 are click-fastening components that allow clicking the second part 3 of the element 1 to a corresponding member of a lighting system. For example, in the example of FIG. 7 the element 1, especially the second part 3, is assumed to be a cover (i.e. part of a housing) that maybe mounted to a housing 8 of a luminaire in order to cover the lighting source 4 of the luminaire arranged in an cavity of the housing 8 and, thus, protect the light source 4 against external influences, such as water, dust etc. That is, the element 1 is configured to close an opening of a housing 8 to cover and, thus, protect the light source 4 arranged in an cavity of the housing 8 that may be reached from outside the housing via the opening 8. Thus, the element 1 is adapted for light emission, i.e. allows light to pass through it. The cover is not limited to a specific cover type. For this, when the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 has the second shape, the element 1 may be mounted by the mounting components 7 by clicking the element onto the housing 8, such that the mounting components 7 click in corresponding mounting means 9 of the housing 8.

[0137] The change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element from the first shape (shown on the left of FIG. 7) to the second shape (shown on the right of FIG 7) may be caused before installing the element 1 at the housing 8 or while installing the element 1 at the housing 8. In the second case, the first part 2 of the element 1 (with the second part 3 providing the function of a cover) may be arranged when having the first shape at a position in the opening of the housing 8, through which light emission by the light source 4 of the luminaire occurs, for mounting the first part 2 of the element 1 to the housing 8. The mounting components 7 maybe configured to fix the first part 2 to the housing 8 of the luminaire as a result of the shape of the first part 2 changing from the first shape to the second shape caused by an exposure of the element 1 to the one or more types of stimuli when the first part 2 is arranged at the position in the opening of the housing 8. Namely, due to the change of the shape of the first part 2 of the element 1 from the first shape to the second shape, the mounting components 7 protrude away from the element 1 and, thus, click in with the corresponding mounting means 9 of the housing 8, thereby fixing the element 1 to the housing 8. Optionally, the aforementioned fixing maybe an irreversibly fixing.

[0138] The left side of FIG. 7 shows the first part 2 of the element 1 having the first shape and the right side of FIG. 7 shows the first part 2 of the element 1 having the second shape. The mounting components 7 are in a folded shape in the first shape of the first part 2 (as shown on the left) and in an unfolded shape in the second shape of the first part 2 (as shown on the right). As shown in FIG. 7, when the shape of the first part 2 and, thus, the mounting components 7 changes from the first shape to the second shape, the mounting components 7 unfold from the second part 3 such that they protrude away from the element 1, especially the second part 3, thereby allowing to be engaged with corresponding mounting means 9 of the housing 8.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 7, in the folded shape the mounting components 7 are folded together (e.g. according to the example of FIG. 7 towards the second part 3 of the element 1) and, thus, the folded shape consumes less space in the dimension of the three dimension in which the mounting components 7 protrude away from the element in the unfolded shape. This allows storing and transport of the element 1 having the first shape with a smaller risk of the mounting components 7 being damaged (e.g. breaking off the element 1).

[0140] FIG. 8 schematically shows a first shape, second shape and third shape of an example of an element according to an embodiment of the invention for a lighting system. The element 1 of FIG. 8 is an example of the element according to the second aspect of the present invention. Thus, the description of the element of the second aspect is correspondingly valid for the element 1 of FIG. 8.

[0141] The element 1 of Figure 8 is an element for a lighting system, e.g. a luminaire or a light source. The element 1 is made of at least a first material Mi and a second material M2, the first material Ml and the second material M2 having different expansion coefficients with regard to one or more types of stimuli. The first material Ml and second material M2 are arranged such that a shape of the element i changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material Mi caused by an exposure of the element to a type of stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli; and the shape of the element i changes from the second shape to a third shape due to an expansion or contraction of the second material M2 caused by a further exposure of the element to the type of stimulus or another type of stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli. That is, the further exposure of the element may be either to the same type of stimulus, to which the element i was dispose already or to a different type of stimulus. The order of exposure may be different.

[0142] When the element i is exposed two times to the same type of stimulus to cause the first material Ml to contract or expand and the second material M2 to contract or expand after each other, the separate activation of the first material Mi and second material M2 by the same type of stimulus may be achieved by exposing the element i to different amounts of the stimulus and / or for different exposure times.

[0143] Optionally, the first material Ml has an expansion coefficient with regard to a first type of stimulus. For example, the first type of stimulus may be heat. The second material M2 may have an expansion coefficient with regard to a second type of stimulus. For example, the second type of stimulus maybe ultra-violet radiation. The first type of stimulus and second type of stimulus may be ultra-violet radiation and heat, respectively. The first material Mi and second material M2 may be arranged such that a shape of the element i changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material Mi caused by an exposure of the element to the first type of stimulus; and the shape of the element i changes from the second shape to a third shape due to an expansion or contraction of the second material M2 caused by a further exposure of the element to the second type of stimulus.

[0144] In the example of FIG. 8, the element i having the first shape may be a strip with a longitudinal extension LE comprising a first layer of the first material Ml and a second layer of the second material M2. The first and second layer maybe formed on each other, as shown in Figure 8. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 8, the strip may comprise a substrate layer Si on which the first and second layer maybe arranged. The substrate layer Si is implemented such that it allows the change of the shape of the element i. Optionally, not shown in FIG. 8, the first and second layer may be arranged on opposite sides of the substrate layer Si. As shown in FIG. 8, the strip may have a rectangular shape. The first layer and second layer maybe arranged such that the strip having the third shape may form a ring or cylinder with one edge of the ring / cylinder being bend inward, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0145] That is, according to the example of FIG. 8, the element 1 having the first shape may have a longitudinal extension LE. The element i having the second shape is bend at the longitudinal extension LE, and the third shape of the element is the second shape with the longitudinal extension LE being curved. That is, the element 1 having the third shape is bend at the longitudinal extension LE, while the longitudinal extension LE is curved.

[0146] At the bottom left of FIG. 8, the first shape of the element i is shown. As may be derived from this, the element 1 has a longitudinal extension LE in the first shape and is a strip, since the thickness of the first layer of the first material Mi, the second layer of the second Material M2 and the optional substrate layer Si is negligible with reagrd to the two dimensional extension of the element 1, wherein the longitudinal extension is an extension in one dimension of the two dimensional extension. The element 1, especially the strip, is formed or implemented such that the longitudinal extension LE may be curved to form a ring or cylinder with one edge of the ring / cylinder being bend inward.

[0147] At the bottom right, the bending at the longitudinal extension LE as a result of the shape of the element i changing from the first to the second shape due to e.g. a contraction of the first material Mi caused by an exposure of the element i to a respective type of stimulus is shown. For this, the element 1 is shown in the direction of the longitudinal extension LE. In addition, at the bottom right, the bending of the longitudinal extension LE in order to be curved as a result of the shape of the element i changing from the second to the third shape due to e.g. a contraction of the second material M2 caused by an exposure of the element i to the same or a different type of stimulus, compared to the first material Ml, is shown. At the top right of FIG. 8 the shape of the element i being in the third shape is shown.

[0148] In the example of Figure 8, the element i is exemplarily assumed to be a mounting element of a housing for attaching different components of a luminaire, such as a lighting means driver module 10a and an optical element iob(e.g. lens(s), aperture(s), optical filter(s) etc.). On the top left of Figure 8 the mounting element 1 mounting the lighting means driver 10a and the optical element lob is shown. The element i may be a different element for a lighting system such as an optical element (e.g. lens, aperture, optical filter etc.), a housing, heating element, any other element mentioned herein or any other known element for a lighting system.

[0149] The element of FIG. 8 may be generated by additive manufacturing. That is, the different layers may be formed on each other using additive manufacturing. The description with regard to additive manufacturing describe herein is correspondingly valid. The elements of the other FIGs. may also be formed using additive manufacturing. The term “3D printing” maybe used as a synonym for “additive manufacturing”.

[0150] As may be derived from FIG. 8, the first shape of the element is advantageous for storage and transport compared to the second and third shape of the element 1 as the element 1 having the first shape is flat and, thus, consumes less space compared to the element 1 when being in the second or third shape.

[0151] In the claims as well as in the description the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in the mutual different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in an advantageous implementation.

Claims

Claims i to 201. An element (1) for a lighting system comprising a first part (2) and a second part (3), wherein the first part (2) is made of at least a first material and a second material, the first material and the second material having different expansion coefficients with regard to one or more types of stimuli; the first material and second material are arranged such that a shape of the first part (2) changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material and second material caused by an exposure of the element (1) to the one or more types of stimuli; and the second part (3) maintains its shape when the element (1) is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli.

2. The element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first shape of the first part (2) is a folded shape, and the second shape of the first part (2) is an unfolded shape.

3. The element (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the first material and second material are arranged such that the first part (2) expands according to a scissor jack when the shape of the first part (2) changes from the first shape to the second shape due to an expansion of the first material and second material caused by the exposure of the element (1) to the one or more types of stimuli.

4. The element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part (2) of the element (1) is or comprises one or more mounting components (7) for mounting the element (1) to one or more members of a lighting system, the one or more mounting components (7) being in a folded shape in the first shape of the first part (2) and in an unfolded shape in the second shape of the first part (2), and the element is configured to be mounted by the one or more mounting components (7) to the one or more members of the lighting system when the first part (2) has the second shape.

5. The element (1) according to claim 4, whereinthe first part (2) is configured to be arranged, having the first shape, at a position of the lighting system for mounting the first part (2) to the one or more members of the lighting system, and the one or more mounting components (7) are configured to fix the first part (2) to the one or more members of the lighting system as a result of the shape of the first part (2) changing from the first shape to the second shape caused by an exposure of the element (1) to the one or more types of stimuli when the first part (2) is arranged at the position of the lighting system.

6. An element (1) for a lighting system,, wherein the element (1) is made of at least a first material (Mi) and a second material (M2), the first material (Mi) and the second material (M2) having different expansion coefficients with regard to one or more types of stimuli; the first material (Mi) and second material (M2) are arranged such that a shape of the element (1) changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material (Mi) caused by an exposure of the element (1) to a type of stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli; and the shape of the element (1) changes from the second shape to a third shape due to an expansion or contraction of the second material (M2) caused by a further exposure of the element (1) to the type of stimulus or another type of stimulus of the one or more types of stimuli.

7. The element (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first material (Ml) has an expansion coefficient with regard to a first type of stimulus, optionally heat; the second material (M2) has an expansion coefficient with regard to a second type of stimulus, optionally ultra-violet radiation; and the first material (Mi) and second material (M2) are arranged such that a shape of the element (1) changes from a first shape to a second shape due to an expansion or contraction of the first material (Mi) caused by an exposure of the element (1) to the first type of stimulus; and the shape of the element (1) changes from the second shape to a third shape due to an expansion or contraction of the second material (M2)caused by a further exposure of the element (i) to the second type of stimulus.

8. The element (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the element (1) having the first shape has a longitudinal extension (LE), the element having the second shape is bend at the longitudinal extension (LE), and the third shape of the element is the second shape with the longitudinal extension (LE) being curved.

9. The element (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more types of stimuli comprise at least one of heat, light, ultra-violet radiation, electric current and voltage.

10. The element (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the first material and the second material comprise at least one of one or more shape memory alloys, one or more shape memory polymers, and one or more phase change materials.

11. The element (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the first material and second material are adapted to reversibly expand or contract when the element (1) is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli such that the expansion or contraction, respectively, exists while the element (1) is exposed to the one or more types of stimuli, and the expansion or contraction, respectively, is reversed when the exposure of the element (1) to the one or more types of stimuli is stopped.

12. The element (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the first part (2) of the element (1) or the element (1) is generated by additive manufacturing.

13. The element (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the element (1) is a heat sink, a light guiding unit or housing.14- The element (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the element (1) is an element for a luminaire or lighting means.

15. A lighting system (6) comprising, a light source (4), and an element (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the lighting system (6), optionally the light source (4), is configured to cause a change of the shape of the first part (2) of the element (1) or the shape of the element (1) from the first shape to the second shape and optionally the third shape by exposing the element (1) to the one or more types of stimuli.

16. The lighting system (6) according to claim 15, wherein the lighting system (1) comprises an ultra-violet radiation source in addition to the light source (4) for causing the change of the shape of the first part (2) of the element (1) or the shape of the element (1) with heat and / or ultra-violet radiation; and / or the light source (1) is configured to radiate a spectrum comprising ultra-violet radiation in an amount greater than a threshold for causing the change of the shape of the first part (2) of the element (1) or the shape of the element (1) with ultra-violet radiation.

17. The lighting system (6) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the lighting system (6) comprises a heating element in addition to the light source (4) for causing the change of the shape of the first part (2) of the element (1) or the shape of the element (1) with heat.

18. The lighting system (6) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the lighting system (6) comprises one or more electrical connectors for electrically connecting the first part (2) of the element (1) or the element (1) and causing the change of the shape of the first part (2) of the element (1) or the shape of the element (1) with electric current and / or voltage.

19. The lighting system (6) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the light source (4) is configured to be controlled to radiate with a radiant flux greater than a threshold for triggering the change of the shape of the first part(2) of the element (i) or the shape of the element (i) with at least one of heat, light and ultra-violet radiation; and / or the light source (4) is configured to be controlled to radiate an amount of light and / or ultra-violet radiation greater than a respective threshold for causing the change of the shape of the first part (2) of the element (1) or the shape of the element (1) with light and / or ultra-violet radiation.

20. The lighting system (6) according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the lighting system (6) is a luminaire or lighting means.

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