LED light bar

The LED light bar addresses instability and non-uniform lighting issues by incorporating a U-shaped recessed profile with an intermediate transparent wall, enhancing rigidity and light diffusion for improved stability and illumination.

WO2025062290A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-03-27ITAL PEK SRL
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/IB2024/059025
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-09-19
Filing Date
2024-09-17
Publication Date
2025-03-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing LED light bars suffer from instability and susceptibility to stress due to their low rigidity, which can lead to damage during mounting and result in non-uniform lighting.

Method used

The LED light bar features a recessed profile with a U-shaped form, made of opaline polycarbonate, and includes an intermediate transparent wall that enhances rigidity and light diffusion, while positioning the lighting device flat for improved stability.

Benefits of technology

This configuration results in a more stable and rigid LED light bar with improved light diffusion, producing uniform and homogeneous illumination while protecting the lighting device from external stresses.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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    Figure IB2024059025_27032025_PF_FP_ABST
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Abstract

An LED light bar (1) is provided with a recessed profile (2) which is of elongate U-shaped form, has a base wall (5) made of opaline material and two side walls (6) which are substantially parallel with each other and which are provided with respective free ends (7) which are bent so as to define a support plane (P) opposite the base wall (5) and receives therein a lighting device (8) which is provided with a printed circuit board (9) which is arranged in the support plane (P) and a plurality of LEDs (10) which are mounted on the printed circuit board (9) itself. The recessed profile (2) further comprises an intermediate wall (11) which is made of transparent material, extends between the side walls (6) and is formed between the lighting device (8) and the base wall (5).
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Description

[0001] LED LIGHT BAR

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an LED light bar . In particular, the present invention relates to an LED light bar of the type comprising a recessed profile of elongate form which extends in a defined direction . Preferably, this recessed profile is configured to be mounted in a support wall , in particular a panel of a furniture item, and is made of opal ine material , in particular opaline polycarbonate .

[0004] Preferably, the recessed profile ( also referred to below as a "profile" for the sake of simplicity) has a U-shaped form, and comprises a base wall and two side walls which are substantially parallel with each other and which are provided with respective free ends which are bent so as to define a support plane opposite the base wall itsel f .

[0005] The LED light bar further comprises a lighting device which i s mounted inside the recessed profile . Preferably, this lighting device comprises in turn a printed circuit board which i s arranged in the support plane and a plurality of LEDs which are mounted on the printed circuit board itsel f .

[0006] Preferably, the printed circuit board is substantially parallel with the base wall and the LEDs are distributed along the printed circuit board and face the base wall of the recessed profile .

[0007] LED light bars ( also referred to as LED lamps ) can be used in furnishing elements , for example furniture items , household appliances , etc . The known LED light bars of the type described above have some disadvantages , mainly resulting from the fact that the recessed profile has , on the one hand, a relatively great length and, on the other hand, a relatively low rigidity which is not capable of ensuring the correct stability of the LED light bar .

[0008] The known LED light bars are generally inserted by interference- fit in a groove of the support wall in such a manner that a longitudinal direction of the profile of the LED light bar is parallel with a longitudinal direction of this groove . In a plane perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal direction of this groove , it is possible to de fine a determined width and a determined height of this groove ; in the same manner, in a plane perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal direction of this profile , it is possible to define a determined width and a determined height of this profile . Said profile generally has dimensions similar to those of the groove in order to ensure the recessing of the profile in the groove .

[0009] The known LED light bars of the type described above often have a lighting device "positioned sideways" in the profile in order to optimi ze the spatial requirement thereof because the height dimension is generally greater than the width dimension, particularly in the case in which the groove has limited dimensions , for example , with a width between 3 mm and 5 mm and a height between 8 mm and 9 mm . The term "positioned sideways" is intended to be understood to mean that the lighting device , particularly the printed circuit board thereof , is positioned along the height dimension, that is to say, substantially parallel with the side walls of the profile . The lighting device which i s positioned sideways in the profile has the disadvantage of being not very stable and particularly subj ect to stresses , particularly during the steps of mounting the LED light bar on the support wall , with the risk of damaging this lighting device . Furthermore, the profile would have to have a particularly open formation in order to be able to receive the lighting device which is positioned sideways . For this reason, the structure of the profile did not ensure a particularly high level of rigidity .

[0010] The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide an LED light bar which is structurally and functionally configured to at least partially overcome one or more of the disadvantages set out above with reference to the prior art .

[0011] In particular, an obj ect of the present invention is to provide an LED light bar which does not have any of the disadvantages described above and which is simple and economical to actuate .

[0012] Another obj ect of the present invention is to provide an LED light bar with a relatively high level of rigidity and with a low weight .

[0013] Another obj ect of the present invention is to provide an LED light bar which produces uni form and homogeneous lighting .

[0014] Another obj ect of the present invention is to provide an LED light bar in which the lighting device is positioned in a stable manner and is protected from the external stresses .

[0015] The problem and the obj ects indicated above are solved / achieved at least partially by the present invention by means of an LED light bar which comprises one or more of the features set out in the appended claims . In a first aspect thereof , the present invention is directed towards an LED light bar comprising a recessed profile and a lighting device which is mounted inside the recessed profile . Preferably, said recessed profile is of elongate form and extends in a direction . Preferably, said profile is configured to be mounted in a support wall , in particular a panel of a furniture item . Preferably, said profile has a U-shaped form and in turn comprises a base wall made of opaline material and two side walls . Preferably, said two side walls are substantially parallel with each other and are provided with respective free ends which are bent so as to define a support plane opposite the base wall itsel f . Preferably, said lighting device is mounted inside the recessed profile . Preferably, said lighting device comprises a printed circuit board which is arranged in the support plane and a plurality of LEDs which are mounted on the printed circuit board itsel f . Preferably, the recessed profile comprises an intermediate wall made of transparent material , which extends between the side walls and is formed between the lighting device and the base wall .

[0016] As a result of the above-mentioned features , there is obtained an increase in the overall rigidity of the LED light bar . Particularly the intermediate wall contributes to making the profile less susceptible to deformations resulting from flexion or torsion . The intermediate wall allows the profile to maintain a closed formation, avoiding the side walls moving apart from each other . Since it is made of transparent material , the intermediate wall contributes to improving the transmission of the light generated by the LEDs , increasing the luminosity of the LED light bar . Producing the base wall from opaline material allows an improvement in the quality of di f fusion of the light , reducing the glare and generating uni form and homogeneous illumination, avoiding light spots which are too intense or dark areas . The support plane obtained provides a planar and regular surface for supporting the lighting device , improving the ease of installation thereof .

[0017] In a second aspect thereof , the present invention is directed towards a method for obtaining the profile of the LED light bar, comprising a co— extrusion process , where , in the inj ection location, pure polymer material , for obtaining the intermediate wall and the transparent portion of each s ide wall , is alternated with an admixture of said polymer with an opaci fying additive , for obtaining the base wall and the opaline portion of each side wall .

[0018] This co-extrusion process is particularly ef ficient because it allows the simultaneous formation of sections with di f ferent optical properties , reducing the number of production steps and optimi zing the use of the materials . The alternation of pure polymer and polymer with an opaci fying additive allows an overall structure with diverse performance levels to be obtained without any need for additional processing or assembly operations , thereby improving the productivity and reducing operating costs .

[0019] In at least one of the above-mentioned aspects , the present invention may have at least one or more of the features described below .

[0020] Preferably, the profile extends in the longitudinal direction thereof . In some embodiments , the profile extends in a rectilinear longitudinal direction . In alternative embodiments , the profile extends in a curvilinear longitudinal direction, preferably with a radius of curvature not less than 400 mm . Preferably, the profile has a length dimension which is de fined in the longitudinal direction .

[0021] Preferably, the profile has a width dimension and a height dimension which are defined in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction .

[0022] Preferably, the LED light bar can be inserted in a groove of the support wall .

[0023] It is desirable for the longitudinal direction of the profile to be parallel with a longitudinal direction of this groove .

[0024] Preferably, the groove has a width dimension and a height dimension which are defined in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof .

[0025] Preferably, each side wall of the profile comprises a portion made of opaline material ( also referred to below as an "opaline portion" for the sake of simplicity) and a portion made o f transparent material ( also referred to below as a "transparent portion" for the sake of simplicity) .

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment , the intermediate wall is substantially perpendicular to the side walls of the profile .

[0027] As a result , it is possible to obtain an improvement o f the rigidity of the profile , increasing the flexural strength, the uni formity in the distribution of the stresses and the torsional rigidity, obtaining an optimi zation of the structural ef ficiency of the LED light bar . Preferably, the intermediate wall is substantially perpendicular to the transparent portion of each side wall .

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment , the free ends of the side walls are bent so that the support plane is substantial ly perpendicular to the side walls of the profile . In other words , each free end is bent at an angle of substantially 90 ° with respect to the respective side wall .

[0029] As a result , the lighting device can be readily "positioned flat" in the profile . The term "positioned flat" is intended to be understood to mean that the lighting device , particularly the printed circuit board thereof , is positioned along the width dimension of the groove , that is to say, substantial ly perpendicularly to the side walls of the profile . As a result , the lighting device is more stable with respect to the sideways positioning because the printed circuit board thereof i s supported along the width thereof on both bent ends of the side walls of the profile . As a result, the profile has more space for providing the intermediate wall because the lighting device which is positioned flat in the profile causes a lesser impediment with respect to the sideways positioning .

[0030] Preferably, the support plane is substantially perpendicular to the transparent portion of each side wall .

[0031] Preferably, a distance between the two side walls , measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the profile , is equal to approximately a width of the lighting device , particularly the printed circuit board thereof , measured in the perpendicular plane . This allows a pos itioning of the lighting device in the profile which is particularly stable to be obtained as a result of the abutment between the printed circuit board and the side walls of the profile .

[0032] Preferably, the width of the l ighting device , particularly the printed circuit board thereof , measured in the perpendicular plane , is between approximately 2 mm and 4 mm, even more preferably of approximately 3 mm . The distance between the two side walls may be substantially equal to the width or slightly greater .

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment , the base wall and the intermediate wall are substantially parallel with each other .

[0034] As a result of this configuration, it is possible to further improve the lighting ef ficiency of the LED light bar, avoiding the " light spot" ef fect and providing homogeneous and pleasant lighting .

[0035] Preferably, the base wall is substantially parallel with an external surface of the support wall on which the LED light bar is mounted .

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment , the side walls of the profile are at least partially made of opaline material .

[0037] As a result of this feature , there is obtained a di f fusion of the light which is further improved in the visible portion of the profile because the opaline portion involves both the base portion and the side walls of the profile .

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, each s ide wall comprises the portion made of opaline material which is connected to the base wall and the portion made of transparent material which is provided with the relevant free end .

[0039] There is thereby obtained improved lighting ef ficiency and a uni form di f fusion of the light because the portion made o f opaline material contributes to a uni form distribution of the light and the portion made o f transparent material facilitates the passage of the light .

[0040] Preferably, for each side wall , the portion made of opaline material and the portion made of transparent material are adj acent to each other . The term "adj acent" is intended to be understood to mean that the portion made of opaline material and the portion made of transparent material are placed beside each other without any intermediate space or separation between them .

[0041] This allows a gradual transition of the light di f fusion to be obtained, combining the ef fect o f soft lighting, as a result of the opaline portion, with a more direct transmission of the light , as a result of the transparent portion, improving the visual comfort .

[0042] Preferably, each side wall comprises an upper portion which extends from the intermediate wall to the base wall and a lower portion which extends from the intermediate wall to the respective free end .

[0043] Preferably, the opaline portion of each side wall partially comprises the upper portion of the respective side wall .

[0044] This allows di f fusion of the l ight which is further improved to be obtained in the visible portion of the profile . According to a preferred embodiment , the transparent portion of each side wall extends from the intermediate wall both along the upper portion as far as the opaline portion and along the lower portion as far as the free end . In other words , the portion made of transparent material of each side wall extends at opposite sides of the intermediate wall .

[0045] This allows the di f fusion o f the l ight which is emitted by the LEDs and which can pass through the transparent portions and reach the upper and lower zones of the support wall , to be improved . The transparent portions allow the light to be directed in a more selective and controlled manner .

[0046] Preferably, the lower portion of each side wall is made of transparent material . This allows a further improvement in the lighting supplied by the LED light bar .

[0047] Preferably, the opaline portion and the transparent portion occupy respective halves of the upper portion of each side wall .

[0048] The Applicant has noted that this configuration allows the best compromise to be obtained between lighting ef ficiency and uni form distribution of light .

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the lighting device is received in a housing of the profile, this housing being delimited by the intermediate wall , the side walls and the support plane . The housing protects the lighting device from possible impacts and stresses , extending the durability and reliability of the LED light bar .

[0050] Preferably, this housing is delimited by the intermediate wall , lower portions of the side walls and the support plane .

[0051] Preferably, this housing extends in the longitudinal direction of the profile .

[0052] Preferably, this housing is delimited by the intermediate wall , the transparent portion of the side walls and the support plane

[0053] The transparent walls of the profile which delimit the housing allow the light which is emitted by the LED lights to become di f fused in a controlled and uni form manner . The transparency of such walls allows the l ight to leave without any obstructions , improving the lighting ef ficiency .

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment , the base wall and the support plane are substantially parallel with each other .

[0055] This contributes to a better alignment of the lighting device in the profile , ensuring that the assembly is correct and reducing the risk of deviations or inclinations of the printed circuit board thereof . Another advantage is that of improving the lighting ef ficiency of the LED light bar, avoiding the " light spot" ef fect and providing homogeneous and pleasant lighting .

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment, the recessed profile is made of polycarbonate . The Applicant has found that using polycarbonate is particularly advantageous as a result of the mechanical strength thereof and the capacity thereof for absorbing impacts and vibrations without breaking . Another advantage i s connected with the good resistance of polycarbonate to high temperatures with respect to other polymers , which i s advantageous for managing the heat generated by the LEDs . This reduces the risk of deformations or damage to the material as a result of heat .

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the profile can be inserted in the groove of the support wall . Preferably, the profile has a shape which substantially complementary to the shape of the groove of the support wall .

[0058] This is found to be particularly advantageous i f the LED light bar is configured as a recessed lamp and allows the assembly thereof by interference- fit in the groove of the support wall to be facilitated .

[0059] Preferably, during the assembly of the LED light bar in the groove , each side wall of the profile rubs on a respective side wall of the groove, ensuring assembly by interference- fit .

[0060] Preferably, the bent free ends of the side walls both abut against a lower wall of the groove .

[0061] Preferably, the width of the groove is between 3 mm and 5 mm and the height of the groove is between 8 mm and 9 mm .

[0062] Preferably, the width of the profile is between 3 mm and 5 mm and the height of the profile is between 8 mm and 9 mm . In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the width of the profile, for example, of approximately 4.6 mm, is slightly greater than the width of the groove, for example, of 4.4 mm, in order to ensure the assembly by interference-fit.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the groove comprises an opening and the base wall is substantially at this opening when the LED light bar 1 is inserted in this groove 40.

[0064] As a result, it is possible to obtain continuity between the support wall and the base wall.

[0065] In some embodiments, the base wall projects slightly from the opening towards the exterior of the groove. In alternative embodiments, the base wall is flush with an external surface of the support wall, that is to say, does not project from the opening towards the exterior of the groove.

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment, the side walls of the profile have a convex portion. Preferably, the convex side walls are configured so as to abut the groove of the support wall in order to obtain an interference-fit connection between the profile and the support wall.

[0067] The convex shape of the side walls allows the insertion of the profile in the groove of the support wall to be assisted because the external curvature acts as a guide, reducing the risk of jamming or incorrect positioning. The convexity of the side walls allows better distribution of the pressure between the profile and the groove, reducing the local stress points which could damage the material of the profile or the groove itself . Preferably, the convex portion is at the upper portion of the profile . In this manner, the distance between the upper portions of the side walls is greater than the distance between the lower portions of the side walls , therefore the upper portion of the side walls of the profile laterally abuts the groove and the lower portion of the side walls does not abut the groove laterally . This allows the integrity of the lighting device which is placed in the housing of the profile to be safeguarded because this housing is delimited by the lower portion of the side walls of the profile , which does not laterally abut the groove .

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment , the thickness of the intermediate wall is between approximately 5% and 15% o f the width of the profile , preferably of approximately 10% of this width .

[0069] There is thereby obtained an advantageous compromise between an increase in the mechanical strength and containment of the weight and construction costs o f the profile . This further allows safety standards to be complied with, for example , with respect to the resistance to heat and the safety of the electric devices , and at the same time allows a satis factory increase in rigidity of the profile to be ensured .

[0070] The thickness can be measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the profile .

[0071] In a preferred embodiment , in which the profile has a width between approximately 4 . 4 mm and 4 . 8 mm, even more preferably of approximately 4 . 6 mm, the thickness of the intermediate wall is between approximately 0 . 3 mm and 0 . 7 mm, even more preferably of approximately 0 . 5 mm .

[0072] Preferably, the thickness of the intermediate wall i s substantially identical to the thickness of each side wall . In this manner, the co-extrusion process for obtaining the profile is facilitated .

[0073] The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is i llustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings , in which : Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of the LED light bar of the present invention inserted in a support wall ;

[0074] Figure 2 is a cross-section along the line I I- I I of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows the cross-section o f Figure 2 , in which the LED light bar is illustrated in a state separated from the support wall .

[0075] With reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3 , there is generally designated 1 an LED light bar comprising a recessed profile 2 which has an elongate shape and which extends in a direction 3 and is configured to be mounted in a support wall which i s defined in the present case by a panel 4 of a furniture item (not illustrated) . Preferably, the profile 2 extends in the longitudinal direction 3 thereof .

[0076] The exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 shows a cross-section of Figure 1 along the line I I- I I which represents a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 3 . The profile 2 has a U-shaped form and is limited by a substantially planar base wall 5 and by two substantially mutually parallel side walls 6 which are substantially perpendicular to the wall 5 itsel f .

[0077] Each wall 6 has a free end 7 which is bent at an angle of substantially 90 ° with respect to the wall 6 itsel f and so as to define , with the free end 7 of the other wall 6 , a support plane P which is substantially parallel with the wall 5 .

[0078] The wall 5 is made of opaline material , in the present instance opaline polycarbonate , and each wall 6 is at least partial ly made of opaline material , in the present instance opal ine polycarbonate .

[0079] The LED light bar 1 further comprises a lighting device 8 which is mounted inside the profile 2 and which in turn comprises a printed circuit board 9 , which is arranged on the plane P , extends along the profile 2 in the direction 3 , and supports a plurality of LEDs 10 which are distributed along the printed circuit board 9 in the direction 3 , and proj ect from the printed circuit board 9 towards the wall 5 .

[0080] The profile 2 is further provided with an intermediate wall 11 which extends between the walls 6 , is substantially parallel with the wall 5 and the plane P and is arranged between the lighting device 8 and the wall 5 itsel f .

[0081] Preferably, the intermediate wall 11 is substantially perpendicular to the side walls 6 of the profile 2 .

[0082] In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 , each side wall 6 comprises an upper portion 31 , which extends from the intermediate wall 11 to the base wall 5 , and a lower portion 32 which extends from the intermediate wall 11 to the respective free end 7 .

[0083] The intermediate wall 11 is made of a transparent material , in the present instance transparent polycarbonate ; and each wall 6 comprises an opaline portion 12 made of opaline material , in the present instance opaline polycarbonate , which is connected to the wall 5 and a transparent portion 13 made of transparent material , in the present instance transparent polycarbonate , which is provided with the relevant free end 7 and which extends at opposite sides of the wall 11 itsel f .

[0084] The intermediate wall 11 can be substantially perpendicular to the transparent portion 13 of each side wall 6 . The support plane P can be substantially perpendicular to the transparent portion 13 of each side wall 6 .

[0085] Preferably, a distance V between the two side walls 6 , measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 3 of the profile 2 , is equal to or slightly greater than a width of the printed circuit board 9 , measured in said perpendicular plane .

[0086] In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 , each side wall 6 comprises the opaline portion 12 which is connected to the base wall and the transparent portion 13 which is provided with the relevant free end 7 . The opaline portion 12 and the transparent portion 13 are adj acent to each other . The opaline portion 12 of each side wall 6 partially comprises the upper portion 31 of the respective side wall 6 . According to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 , the transparent portion 13 of each side wall 6 extends from the intermediate wall 11 both along the upper portion 31 as far as the opaline portion 12 and along the lower portion 32 as far as the free end 7 . The opaline portion 12 and the transparent portion 13 occupy respective halves of the upper portion 31 of each side wall 6 . In the example of Figure 2 , the lighting device 8 is received in a housing 14 of the profile 2 , this housing 14 being delimited by the intermediate wall 11 , the transparent portion 13 of the side walls 6 , in particular the lower transparent portions 32 of the side walls 6 and the support plane P . This housing 14 preferably extends in the longitudinal direction 3 of the profile 2 .

[0087] Preferably, the base wall 5 and the support plane P are substantially parallel with each other . It is advantageous for the intermediate wall to be parallel both with the base wall 5 and with the support plane P . The base wall 5 can be substantially parallel with an external surface 42 of the support wall 4 , on which the LED light bar 1 is mounted .

[0088] The LED light bar 1 can be inserted in a groove 40 o f the support wall 4 . In the example of Figure 2 , the profile 2 inserted in the groove 40 can be seen and in Figure 3 the profile 2 disconnected from the groove 40 can be seen .

[0089] The profile 2 may have a shape which substantially complementary to the shape of the groove 40 of the support wall 4 .

[0090] The longitudinal direction 3 of the profile 2 is parallel with a longitudinal direction X of this groove 40 . The exemplary embodiment of Figure 3 shows that the profile 2 has a width dimension L and a height dimension H which are defined in the plane of section, perpendicular to said longitudinal direction 3 of the profile 2 . In this example , it can also be seen that the groove 40 has a width dimension W and a height dimension K which are defined in the plane o f section, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X thereof

[0091] During the assembly of the LED light bar 1 in the groove 40 , each side wall 6 of the profile 2 rubs against a respective side wall 43 of the groove 40 , ensuring the assembly by interference- fit thereof .

[0092] The width W of the groove 40 may be between 3 mm and 5 mm and the height K of the groove 40 may be between 8 mm and 9 mm . The width L of the profile 2 may be between 3 mm and 5 mm and the height H of the profile 2 may be between 8 mm and 9 mm . In the example of Figure 3 , the width L of the profile 2 , equal to approximately 4 . 6 mm, is slightly greater than the width W of the groove 40 , equal to approximately 4 . 4 mm, in order to ensure the assembly by interference- fit .

[0093] Preferably, the free ends 7 of the side walls 6 both abut against a lower wall 44 of said groove 40 .

[0094] Preferably, the groove 40 comprises an opening 41 and the base wall 5 is substantially at this opening 41 when the LED light bar 1 is inserted in this groove 40 . In the example of Figure 2 , the base wall 5 proj ects slightly from the opening 41 towards the exterior of the groove 40 .

[0095] Preferably, the side walls 6 o f the profile 2 have a convex portion 61 . These convex portions 61 abut the side walls 43 o f the groove 40 of the support wall 4 , in order to obtain a connection by interference- fit between the profile 2 and the support wall 4 . In the example of Figure 2 , the convex portion 61 is at the upper portion 31 of the profile 2 .

[0096] Preferably, a thickness J of the intermediate wall 11 is approximately equal to 10% of the width L of the profile 2 .

[0097] The thickness J may be measured in the plane of section, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 3 of the profile 2 .

[0098] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the Figures , the profile 2 has a width L equal to approximately 4 . 6 mm and the thickness J of the intermediate wall 11 is approximately equal to 0 . 5 mm .

[0099] Preferably, the thickness J of the intermediate wall is substantially equal to the thickness of each side wall 6 .

[0100] The LED light bar 1 has some advantages which mainly result from the fact that the intermediate wall 11 ensures that the profile 2 has a rigidity which is relatively high without compromising the operation of the lighting device 8 .

[0101] The use of the opaline material and the transparent material allows to obtain an LED light bar 1 with a particularly high light di f fusion quality, reducing the glare and generating uni form and homogeneous lighting .

[0102] As a result of the support plane which is formed by means of the bent free ends 7 of the side walls 6 , the lighting device 8 can be readily positioned flat in the profile 2 .

Claims

Claims1. An LED light bar (1) comprising a recessed profile (2) of elongate form, which extends in a direction (3) , is configured to be mounted in a support wall (4) , in particular a panel of a furniture item, has a U-shaped form and in turn comprises a base wall (5) made of opaline material and two side walls (6) which are substantially parallel with each other and which are provided with respective free ends (7) which are bent so as to define a support plane (P) opposite the base wall (5) itself; and a lighting device (8) which is mounted inside the recessed profile (2) and which in turn comprises a printed circuit board(9) which is arranged on the support plane (P) and a plurality of LEDs (10) which are mounted on the printed circuit board (9) itself; and characterized in that the recessed profile (2) further comprises an intermediate wall (11) made of transparent material, which extends between the side walls (6) and is formed between the lighting device (8) and the base wall (5) .

2. The LED light bar (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the intermediate wall (11) is substantially perpendicular to the side walls (6) of the profile (2) .

3. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the free ends (7) of the side walls (6) are bent so that the support plane (P) is substantially perpendicular to the side walls (6) of the profile (2) .

4. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the base wall (5) and the intermediate wall(11) are substantially parallel with each other.

5. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (6) are at least partially made of opaline material.

6. The LED light bar (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein each side wall (6) comprises an opaline portion (12) which is connected to the base wall (5) and a transparent portion (13) which is provided with the relevant free end (7) .

7. The LED light bar (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, for each side wall (6) , the opaline portion (12) and the transparent portion (13) are adjacent to each other.

8. The LED light bar (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each side wall (6) comprises an upper portion (31) which extends from the intermediate wall (11) to the base wall (5) and a lower portion (32) which extends from the intermediate wall (11) to the respective free end (7) , and wherein the transparent portion (13) of each side wall (6) extends from the intermediate wall (11) both along the upper portion (31) as far as the opaline portion (12) and along the lower portion (32) as far as the free end (7) .

9. The LED light bar (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the opaline portion (12) and the transparent portion(13) occupy respective halves of the upper portion (31) of each side wall (6) .

10. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (8) is received in a housing (14) of the profile (2) , this housing (14) being delimited by the intermediate wall (11) , the side walls (6) and the support plane (P) .

11. The LED light bar (1) according to the preceding claim, when dependent on claim 6, wherein the housing (14) is delimited by the transparent portion (13) of the side walls (6) .

12. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base wall (5) and the support plane (P) are substantially parallel with each other.

13. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recessed profile (2) is made of polycarbonate .

14. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the profile (2) has a shape which is substantially complementary to the shape of a groove (40) of the support wall (4) , in which the LED light bar (1) can be inserted .

15. The LED light bar (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the base wall (5) is substantially at an opening (41) of the groove (40) of the support wall (4) when the LED light bar (1) is inserted in this groove (40) .

16. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (6) of the profile (2) have a convex portion (61) .

17. The LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the intermediate wall (11) is between approximately 5% and 15% of a width (L) of the profile (2) , preferably of approximately 10% of this width (L) .

18. A method for producing the recessed profile (2) of the LED light bar (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a co— extrusion process, wherein, in the injection location, pure polymer material, for obtaining the intermediate wall (11) and the transparent portion (13) of each side wall (6) , is alternated with an admixture of said polymer with an opacifying additive, for obtaining the base wall (5) and the opaline portion (12) of each side wall (6) .

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