Illumination unit and light panels for a helideck, and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an illumination unit for a helideck, comprising a mounting board, a light source attached to the mounting board, and a dome, and wherein a support structure comprises a separation wall air-tightly separating a first cavity under the dome from a second cavity receiving at least the mounting board and the light source. The separation wall further comprises a first wall portion forming an optical element, and wherein the optical element comprises one or more light entrance surfaces for receiving light from the light source and one or more light output surfaces for outputting light into the first cavity. The present disclosure also relates to light panels comprising a plurality of illumination units.

Description

[0001] Title: Illumination unit and light panels for a helideck, and method for manufacturing the same

[0002] Field of disclosure

[0003] The invention relates to an illumination unit for forming an illumination system for a helideck. The invention also relates to light panels comprising one or more illumination units and which can be arranged for forming an illumination system for the helideck. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an illumination unit.

[0004] Background

[0005] A heliport deck typically may be illuminated at least during night to provide for a safe landing area for a helicopter. The illuminated landing area typically comprises a touchdown circle with a helicopter H-identification marking inside of it.

[0006] An illumination unit generally comprises at least a light source, for example a LED, that is attached to a mounting board, an optical element for receiving light from the light source and for generating a specific light beam, and a dome covering the LED and the optical element. Generally, the illumination units are grouped for forming panels comprising a plurality of illumination units, for example four illumination units can be aligned and grouped together. A plurality of these panels can then further be arranged for forming for instance the touchdown circle or the H-identification mark.

[0007] The illumination units have to fulfill specific performance requirements as specified by international regulations. For example, performance requirements with respect to the intensity and angular distribution of the light beam that is to be emitted. The light beam intensity is generally defined in terms of elevation angles with respect to a reference plane, e.g. a horizontal plane, with 0° being at the reference plane and 90° being vertical to reference plane. Hence the light optical element together with the LED have to be designed to fulfill the requirements with respect to the specific light beam to be emitted.

[0008] Further, the illumination units, which are electronic devices, are subject to international standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC. An example of such a standard is IEC600079-X, which demands electrical equipment in an explosive atmosphere to be explosion proof. Explosion proof means that the electrical equipment and the surrounding atmosphere are shielded from each other, so that an explosion or spark in the electrical equipment does not propagate to the atmosphere.

[0009] In other words, to obtain a certification for an illumination unit, several standards of the IEC60079 series have to be fulfilled.

[0010] Further, in view of changes in the IEC60079 standards, changes and improvements in the design of the products construction are desirable.

[0011] Hence, there is room for improving illumination units and illumination systems for a helideck, in particular to make the illumination units and illumination systems more robust without affecting illumination performance.

[0012] Summary

[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an explosion proof illumination unit for a helideck that is more robust when compared to current illumination units, more specifically an illumination unit that is more resistant to aging.

[0014] The present disclosure is defined in the appended independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

[0015] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an illumination unit for an illumination system of a helideck is provided. The illumination unit comprises a light source, a mounting board supporting the light source, a dome and a support structure for supporting the mounting board and the dome. The illumination unit is characterized in that the support structure comprises a separation wall air-tightly separating a first cavity under the dome from a second cavity housing at least the mounting board and the light source. The illumination unit is further characterized in that the separation wall comprises a first wall portion forming an optical element, and wherein the optical element comprises one or more light entrance surfaces configured for receiving light from the light source and one or more light output surfaces configured for outputting light into the first cavity.

[0016] Advantageously, by providing a separation wall that air-tightly separates a first cavity under the dome from a second cavity receiving the mounting board, an increase or build-up of air pressure under the dome will not affect sealings and equipment located in the second cavity.

[0017] Advantageously, the volume that is surrounding the light source can strongly be reduced when compared to prior art illumination units wherein the volume under the dome and the volume receiving the mounting board and the light source is a single large volume.

[0018] Advantageously, by providing a support structure with a separation wall wherein a first wall portion of the separation wall is forming the light optical element, the number of components of the illumination unit is reduced, which not only facilitates the assembly of the illumination unit but also provides for a more robust assembly.

[0019] Preferably, in embodiments, the support structure comprising the integrated optical element, may be manufactured as a single body, for example by using an injection moulding manufacturing process.

[0020] Preferably, the support structure may be made of a transparent and / or translucent material.

[0021] The support structure may for example be made of any material selected from: polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polymethyl methacrylimide (PMMI), silicone or a combination thereof.

[0022] Generally, the dome may be made of or at least partly made of a transparent and / or a translucent material. In embodiments, the separation wall may comprise a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the first side is facing the dome, preferably facing a bottom side of the dome, and the second side is shaped for forming the second cavity.

[0023] In embodiments, the one or more light entrance surfaces of the optical element may be defining a recess receiving the light source. Advantageously, as the light source can be received in a dedicated recess, the remaining space between the mounting board and the separation wall can be minimized.

[0024] In embodiments, the dome may be air-tightly attached to the separation wall, preferably air-tightly attached to the first side of the separation wall. The dome may for example be air-tightly attached to the separation wall by using an ultrasonic welding process.

[0025] Preferably, the second cavity may, at least partly, be filled with a resin for sealingly closing off a bottom side of the second cavity.

[0026] In embodiments, the separation wall may comprise a second wall portion encircling the first wall portion, and wherein a first side of the second wall portion is facing the dome, preferably facing a bottom side of the dome, and a second side of the second wall portion, opposite the first side, has a planar surface forming a planar inner side of the second cavity. In this way, by providing the planar inner side of the second cavity, the mounting board may advantageously be positioned parallel with the planar inner side of the second cavity.

[0027] In embodiments, the mounting board may be attached to the planar inner side of the second cavity, for example with a double-sided tape or with a glue.

[0028] Advantageously, the mounting board can be coupled to the planar inner side of the second cavity such that after filling up the second cavity with resin, the only volume filled with air in the second cavity is the volume of the recess of the optical element, which is a small volume and hence the potential effect of a build-up of pressure in this volume is small. In embodiments, the separation wall may comprise a third wall portion forming a circumferential wall for the second cavity, preferably the third wall portion comprises a circumferential inner side forming a circumferential inner side of the second cavity.

[0029] In embodiments, a circumferential flange of the dome may be airtightly attached to the separation wall, preferably air-tightly attached to a corresponding circumferential flange of the separation wall.

[0030] The present disclosure also relates to a light panel comprising a plurality of illumination units that are aligned along an alignment line, and a shell supporting the illumination units. The shell comprises openings for receiving the illumination units. In embodiments, the light panel comprises for example four illumination units.

[0031] Generally, the light panels may be configured such that when the illumination units are received in the openings, the domes of the illumination units protrude from the openings.

[0032] Preferably, a bottom side of the shell may be provided with a resin so as to sealingly closing off a bottom side of the shell. In this way, the light panels are also provided with a flexible bottom side.

[0033] Advantageously, when the light panels are positioned on a helideck, the flexible bottom side allows to absorb irregularities of the helideck and divert forces towards the helideck.

[0034] The present disclosure further relates to an illumination system for a heliport comprising a plurality of light panels, and wherein the plurality of light panels are arranged to form at least one of: a touchdown circle of the heliport, a H-identification marking of the heliport and a medical-facility- indicating marking.

[0035] According to further aspect of the present disclosure a method for manufacturing an illumination unit for an illumination system for a heliport is provided, as specified by the appended claims. Short description of the drawings

[0036] Further aspects of the present disclosure will be explained in greater detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] Fig.l and Fig.2 show two perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of an illumination unit according to the present disclosure;

[0038] Fig.3 shows a an exploded view of the illumination unit shown on Fig.l and Fig.2;

[0039] Fig.4 shows a further exploded view of half of the illumination unit shown on Fig.l and Fig.2;

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the illumination unit shown on Fig.l and Fig.2;

[0041] Fig.6 and Fig.7 show perspective views of the support structure of the illumination unit shown on Fig.l and Fig.2;

[0042] Fig.8 is a cross-section of the support structure shown on Fig.6 and Fig.7;

[0043] Fig.9 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a light panel according to the present disclosure comprising four illumination units;

[0044] Fig.10 shows a further perspective view of half of the light panel shown on Fig.9;

[0045] Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a shell of the light panel shown on Fig.9 and Fig.10.

[0046] The drawings of the figures are neither drawn to scale nor proportioned. Generally, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0047] Detailed description of embodiments

[0048] An illumination unit according to the present disclosure is an assembly of components used for forming an illumination system for a helideck. With reference to Fig.l and Fig.2, perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a an illumination unit 1 are shown. As further illustrated on Fig.9 and Fig.10, by aligning a plurality of illumination units 1 along a line L, in this example four units are aligned, and supporting the illumination units with a shell 11, a light panel 10 can be formed. A plurality of these light panels 10 can then be further arranged to form an illumination system for a heliport wherein the light panels are attached to a deck of a heliport and grouped for expressing a specific geometrical light pattern, for example a touchdown circle of the heliport or a H-identification marking of the heliport.

[0049] With reference to Fig.3 and Fig.4, exploded views of the illumination unit 1 of Fig.l and Fig.2 are shown, illustrating the major components of the illumination unit 1. The illumination unit 1 for a helideck comprises at least a light source 4a, a mounting board 4 supporting the light source 4a, a dome 2 forming a protecting cover and a support structure 3 for supporting the mounting board 4 and the dome 2.

[0050] The light source 4a is for example a light emitting diode, LED, emitting, for instance yellow or green light, depending on the application the illumination unit 1 is used for.

[0051] The dome 2 is typically made of, or at least partly made of, a transparent and / or a translucent material to allow light rays from the light source 4a to pass through it. In embodiments, the top side 2b of the dome 2 may have a rounded or bulb shape. In other embodiments, the top side 2b of the dome may have another shape, such as for example a trapezoidal shape. The domes can for example be formed by injection moulding.

[0052] The mounting board 4 is for example a printed circuit board, PCB. In the embodiment shown on Fig.3 and Fig.4, the mounting board has for example a circular shape.

[0053] The support structure 3 generally has a plate shape or a rounded disk shape, as schematically illustrated on Fig.3.

[0054] As illustrated on Fig.4 and Fig.5, the illumination unit 1 of the present disclosure is characterized in that the support structure 3 comprises a separation wall 6 air-tightly separating a first cavity 5a under the dome 2 from a second cavity 5b receiving at least the mounting board 4 and the light source 4a attached to the mounting board 4. An air-tightly separated has to be construed as a separation that prohibits air to flow from the first cavity 5a to the second cavity 5b. In this way, when a high pressure is building up under the dome 2, e.g. as a result of aging, this increased pressure will not affect the pressure in the second cavity 5b and hence not affect the equipment and sealings installed in the second cavity 5b.

[0055] This first cavity 5a under the dome 2 may be filled up with air during the manufacturing process of the illumination unit 1. As the first cavity 5a under the dome 2 is air-tightly closed off, the air may remain in the first cavity 5a during the life time of the illumination unit 1.

[0056] As further illustrated on Fig.4 and Fig.5, the illumination unit of the present disclosure is further characterized in that a first wall portion 6a of the separation wall 6 is forming an optical element 8 for the light source 4a. In other words, the optical element 8 is integrated as a part of the support structure 3 supporting the mounting board 4 and the dome 2, more specifically the optical element 8 is integrated as part of the separation wall 6 of the support structure 3.

[0057] Generally, the first wall portion 6a is a central wall portion of the separation wall 6, as schematically illustrated on Fig.3, Fig.4 and Fig.8. In other words, the first wall portion 6a is located in a central area of the separation wall 6.

[0058] The light optical element 8 can be construed as a lens that is configured such that the light beam when exiting the dome 2, has a light profile fulfilling specific performance requirements defined by regulations, e.g. from aviation regulatory bodies. For instance the light profile of the beam emitted by an illumination unit of a helideck is defined in terms of elevation angles with respect to a reference plane, e.g. a horizontal plane, with 0° being at the reference plane and 90° being vertical to reference plane. For a helideck, the highest intensity of the beam is generally observed sideways, for example at angles between 2° and 12°.

[0059] The optical element 8 comprises at least one or more light entrance surfaces 8a for receiving light from the light source 4a and one or more light output surfaces 8b for outputting light into the first cavity 5a. In the embodiments shown on Fig.5 and Fig.8, the light optical element is bulb shaped and hence comprises a rounded entrance surface 8a and a rounded output surface 8b. In other embodiments, the optical element 8 may comprise multiple entrance surfaces 8a and / or multiple output surfaces 8b and the entrance and output surfaces may have different shapes, e.g. flat and rounded shapes. Designing optical elements 8 fulfilling requirements in terms of intensity and angular distribution of the light beam to be emitted are known to the person skilled in the art. The number and specific shapes of the entrance and output surfaces also depends on the specific application, the illumination unit is to be used for.

[0060] In embodiments, the light optic 8 may for example be a total internal reflection, TIR, type of optical element.

[0061] In embodiments, the light optic may be a solid body made of a transparent material such as for example polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polymethyl methacrylimide (PMMI), or silicone.

[0062] As further illustrated on Fig.8, the one or more light entrance surfaces 8a, in this example one rounded entrance surface 8a, may define a recess 9 for receiving the light source 4a. This recess 9 of the light optical element is generally filled with air during the manufacturing process, as further discussed below.

[0063] When the illumination unit 1 is in operation, light from the light source 4a enters the one or more light entrance surface 8a of the optical element 8 and the optical element 8 redirects the light and outputs light through the one or more light output surfaces 8b into the first cavity 5a. The outputted light further travels through the first cavity 5a before crossing the dome 2. Perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a support structure 3 comprising a separation wall 6 according to the present disclosure are shown on Fig.6 and Fig.7, illustrating respectively a top side and bottom side of the support structure 3. In Fig.8, a cross-section of the support structure 3 of Fig.6 and Fig.7 is shown.

[0064] As illustrated on Fig.5 and Fig.8, the separation wall 6 has a first side 7a and a second side 7b, opposite the first side. The first side 7a of the separation wall 6 can be interpreted as a top side of the separation wall 6 facing the dome 2, more specifically facing a bottom side 2a of the dome 2. The second side 7b of the separation wall 6 can be interpreted as a bottom side of the separation wall 6 facing for instance the mounting board 4.

[0065] As illustrated on Fig.4, Fig.5 and Fig.8, the second cavity 5b has a specific shape that is at least adapted for housing the mounting board 4 and the light source 4a supported by the mounting board. Hence, the second side 7b of the separation wall 6 is specifically shaped so as to form a second cavity 5b that can at least house the mounting board 4 and the light source 4a.

[0066] In embodiments, as illustrated on Fig.3, Fig.4 and Fig.8, besides the first wall portion 6a, the separation wall 6 further may comprise a second wall portion 6b encircling the first wall portion 6a. A first side 6b- 1 of the second wall portion 6b may be facing the dome 2, more specifically facing the bottom side 2a of the dome 2, and a second side 6b-2 of the second wall portion 6b, opposite the first side 6b- 1, may have a planar surface forming a planar inner side of the second cavity 5b. In this way, the mounting board 4 may be positioned parallel with the planar inner side of the second cavity, as schematically illustrated on Fig.5.

[0067] In embodiments, the mounting board 4 may be attached to the planar inner side of the second cavity 5b in order to keep the mounting board rigidly positioned within the cavity 5b. The attachment of the mounting board 4 to the planar inner side of the second cavity 5b may for example be made with a double-sided tape, a glue or any other suitable fixation means. In embodiments, as illustrated on Fig.8, the second cavity 5b may further be delimited by a circumferential wall. Therefore, the separation wall 6 of the support structure 3 may comprise a third wall portion 6c forming the circumferential wall of the second cavity 5b. The third wall portion 6c has generally a circumferential shape, for example an annular shape. In embodiments, as illustrated on Fig.8, a circumferential inner side 6c- 1 of the third wall portion 6c may be forming the circumferential inner side of the second cavity 5b.

[0068] As discussed above, the support structure 3 comprises at least the separation wall 6. In embodiments, the separation wall 6 is the only component of the support structure 3 and hence, in these embodiments, the separation wall 6 corresponds to the support structure 3. In other embodiments, the support structure may optionally comprise, besides the separation wall 6, one or more additional components such as for example supporting ribs 3a, wire clips 3b, or guiding elements 3c, such as for example guiding pins, for guiding the mounting board 4 to the support structure 3 during assembly.

[0069] In embodiments, to make the support structure 3 more robust, the support structure 3 may further comprises supporting ribs 3a, preferably the supporting ribs 3a are attached to the second side 7b of the separation wall 6. Supporting ribs 3a are schematically illustrated on Fig.2, Fig.5 and Fig.7. In embodiments, as shown for example on Fig.2, multiple supporting ribs 3a are placed in a circular configuration.

[0070] In embodiments, the supporting ribs 3a may be attached to the inner side 6c- 1 of the third wall portion 6c that is forming the circumferential inner side of the second cavity 5b, and / or attached to the second side 6b-2 of the second wall portion 6b that is forming the planar inner side of the second cavity 5b.

[0071] In embodiments, besides the mounting board 4 supporting the light source 4a, also cabling, such as electrical cabling for powering the light source 4a or data cabling for transmitting data, may be located in the second cavity 5b. Hence, the size of the second cavity 5b and hence the shape of the second side 7b of the separation wall 6 that is forming the second cavity 5b, may vary depending on what auxiliary equipment is to be installed in the second cavity 5b.

[0072] In embodiments, as illustrated on Fig.2, Fig.4, and Fig.7 the support structure 3 may comprise one or more wire clips 3b for guiding cables and reduce traction forces on the cables. In the example shown on the figures, two wire clips 3b are provided. The wire clips 3b may for example have a hook shape or a ring shape. In embodiments, the wire clips 3b may be attached to a circumferential flange 6d of the separation wall 6.

[0073] In embodiments, the support structure 3 is forming a single body, preferably made from the same material. Such a single-body support structure can be obtained by for example an injection moulding manufacturing process. This allows to obtain a robust support structure 3 having an integrated light optical element 8.

[0074] In embodiments, as the light optical element 8 is forming an integral part of the support structure 3, more specifically forming an integral part of the separation wall 6 of the support structure 3, the light optical element 8 and the remaining parts of the support structure 3 including the separation wall 6, may be made of the same material that is typically used for manufacturing the light optic. Hence, in embodiments, the entire support structure 3 may be made of a transparent and / or translucent material. The support structure 3 may for example be made of PC, PMMA, PMMI, silicone or a combination thereof.

[0075] Generally, the dome 2 may be air-tightly attached to the separation wall 6, more specifically to the first side 7a of the separation wall 6, such that the separation wall 6 is air-tightly separating the first cavity 5a under the dome 2 from the second cavity 5b housing the mounting board 4 and the light source 4a.

[0076] In embodiments, an ultrasonic welding process may be used for airtightly attaching the dome 2 to the separation wall 6 of the support structure 3. In other embodiments, a glue may be used for air-tightly attaching the dome to the separation wall 6.

[0077] In embodiments, as illustrated on Fig.4, the dome 2 may comprise a circumferential flange 2c. In these embodiments, when assembling the illumination unit 1, the dome 2 is mounted over the optical element 8 and the circumferential flange 2c of the dome is air-tightly attached to the separation wall 6, preferably to a corresponding circumferential flange 6d of the separation wall 6.

[0078] In embodiments, the flange 6d of the separation wall is provided with a welding ring defining the location for welding the flange 2c of the dome to the support structure 3. In embodiments, this welding ring is provided with grooves, which following an ultrasonic welding process, forms a rigid connection between the dome and the support structure.

[0079] In embodiments, when the mounting board 4 and auxiliary equipment such as cabling is installed in the second cavity 5b, the second cavity 5b may at least partly filled with a resin for sealingly closing off a bottom side of the second cavity 5b.

[0080] As shown on Fig.5, the illumination unit 1 may have a central axis Z that is normal to a reference plane P, and wherein the central axis Z is an axis that is crossing the light source 4a, the light optical element 8 and an apex of the dome 2. Generally, the angular light distribution of the light beam outputted by the illumination unit 1 is specified with respect to this reference plane P. The mounting board 4 may be positioned transverse with respect to the central axis Z, preferably the mounting board is positioned parallel with the reference plane P.

[0081] In embodiments, as further illustrated on Fig.5, the mounting board 4 and the optical element 8 may be configured such that when the mounting board 4 is mounted in the second cavity 5b, the light source 4a is received in the recess 9 of the optical element 8. More specifically, the mounting board 4 may be configured such that when received in the second cavity 5b, the light source 4a is aligned with respect to the light optical element 8.

[0082] With reference to Fig.9 and Fig.10, a light panel 10 is shown comprising a plurality of illumination units 1 aligned along an alignment line L. In this example four illumination units 1 are aligned along the line L. The light panel 10 comprises a shell 11 supporting and protecting the plurality of illumination units 1. The shell 11, further illustrated on Fig.11, is for example made of a plastic material or made of metal. The shell 11 comprises openings Ila configured for receiving the illumination units 1.

[0083] In embodiments, as illustrated on Fig. 9 and Fig.10, the light panel 10 may be configured such that when the illumination units 1 are received in the openings Ila, the domes 2 of the illumination units 1 protrude from the openings Ila such that light rays can be emitted at small angles.

[0084] The shell 11 not only supports the illumination units 1 but the shell is also forming a protection cover for the illumination units.

[0085] In embodiments, the bottom side of the shell may comprise additional recesses for accommodating further equipment such as connection cables connecting the multiple illumination units and power and / or data outlet connections.

[0086] Further, a bottom side of the shell 11 may be provided with a resin, which after hardening, forms a solid structure that sealingly closes off a bottom side of the shell 11. For instance, after mounting the illumination units 1 in the shell 11, the second cavity 5b of the illumination units 1 comprising the mounting boards 4 may, at least partly, be filled up with a resin so as to sealingly closing off the bottom side of the illumination units. In addition, the entire bottom side of the shell 11 may be provided with a layer of resin. In this way, after hardening of the resin, the light panels are also provided with a flexible bottom side. When the light panels are positioned on a helideck, the flexible bottom side allows to absorb irregularities of the helideck and divert forces towards the helideck. In embodiments, the dome 2 may optionally comprise attachment holes 2d, shown for example on Fig.3, configured to facilitate the attachment of the illumination units to the shell 11.

[0087] An illumination system for a heliport can be formed by arranging a plurality of light panels to form for example a touchdown circle of the heliport, a H-identification marking of the heliport or a medical-facility- indicating marking.

[0088] The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing an illumination unit for an illumination system for a heliport. The method comprises a number of steps as outlined below. The order of the steps is not limiting as the order of the steps may vary from embodiment to embodiment.

[0089] Generally the manufacturing method comprises steps of: attaching a light source 4a on a mounting board 4, providing a dome 2, manufacturing, preferably by injection moulding, a support structure 3 for supporting the dome 2 and the mounting board 4, and wherein the support structure 3 comprises a separation wall 6 for air-tightly closing off a bottom side of the dome 2 with a first side 7a of the separation wall 6 so as to form a first cavity 5a under the dome 2. The manufacturing method further comprises steps of: shaping a second side 7b of the separation wall 6, opposite the first side 7a, for forming a second cavity 5b for receiving at least the mounting board 4 and the light source 4a, and shaping a first wall portion 6a of the separation wall 6 so as to form an optical element 8 comprising one or more light entrance surfaces 8a for receiving light from the light source 4a and one or more light output surfaces 8b for outputting light into the first cavity 5a. Following the manufacturing of the support structure 3, the method further comprises steps of: sealingly attaching the dome 2 to the separation wall 6 of the support structure 3, preferably by ultrasonic welding, such that the separation wall 6 is air-tightly separating the first cavity 5a under the dome 2 from the second cavity 5b, preferably attaching the dome 2 to the first side 7a of the separation wall 6. Finally, positioning the mounting board 4 with the light source 4a in the second cavity 5b. In embodiments, as discussed above, the one or more light entrance surfaces 8a of the light optic 8 may define a recess 9 for receiving the light source 4a. In these embodiments, the positioning of the mounting board in the second cavity 5b is performed such that the light source 4a is received in the recess 9 of the optical element 8.

[0090] In embodiments, the method further comprises at least partly filling the second cavity 5b with a resin in order to sealingly closing off a bottom side of the illumination unit 1.

[0091] As discussed above, illumination units 1 can be grouped together to form a light panel 10. In embodiments, the filling of the second cavity 5b with a resin may be performed after having placed the illumination units 1 in the shell 11 of the light panel 10. In this way, by pouring the resin in the second cavities 5b of the illumination units, a further layer of resin can additionally be provided to the entire bottom side of the shell 11. This allows to make a rigid sealing at the bottom side of the light panel 11 covering the bottom sides of all of the illumination units 1 of the panel.

[0092] The present disclosure has been described in terms of specific embodiments, which are illustrative of the disclosure and not to be construed as limiting. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited by what has been particularly shown and / or described and that alternatives or modified embodiments could be developed in the light of the overall teaching of this disclosure. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting.

[0093] Use of the verb "to comprise", as well as the respective conjugations, does not exclude the presence of elements other than those stated. Use of the article "a", "an" or "the" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0094] Furthermore, the terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the disclosure described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0095] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in one or more embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Reference numbers

Claims

Claims1. An illumination unit (1) for an illumination system of a helideck, comprising a light source (4a), a mounting board (4) supporting said light source (4a), a dome (2) and a support structure (3) for supporting the mounting board and the dome, characterized in that said support structure (3) comprises a separation wall (6) air-tightly separating a first cavity (5a) under said dome (2) from a second cavity (5b) housing at least said mounting board (4) and said light source (4a), and in that said separation wall (6) comprises a first wall portion (6a) forming an optical element (8), and wherein said optical element (8) comprises one or more light entrance surfaces (8a) configured for receiving light from said light source (4a) and one or more light output surfaces (8b) configured for outputting light into the first cavity (5a).

2. The illumination unit according to claim 1 wherein said support structure (3) is forming a single body, preferably obtained by an injection moulding manufacturing process.

3. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein the support structure (3) is made of a transparent and / or translucent material.

4. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein the support structure (3) is made of any material selected from: polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polymethyl methacrylimide, silicone or a combination thereof.

5. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein a first side (7a) of the separation wall (6) is facing said dome (2), preferably facing a bottom side (2a) of the dome (2), and wherein a second side (7b) of theseparation wall (6), opposite the first side, is shaped for forming said second cavity (5b).

6. The illumination unit according claim 5 wherein the dome (2) is airtightly attached to the separation wall (6), preferably air-tightly attached to the first side (7a) of the separation wall (6).

7. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein the dome (2) is air-tightly attached to the separation wall (6) by using an ultrasonic welding process.

8. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein said separation wall (6) comprises a second wall portion (6b) encircling said first wall portion (6a), and wherein a first side (6b- 1) of said second wall portion (6b) is facing said dome (2), preferably facing a bottom side (2a) of the dome (2), and a second side (6b-2) of said second wall portion (6b), opposite the first side (6b- 1), has a planar surface forming a planar inner side of the second cavity (5b), preferably said mounting board (4) is positioned parallel with said planar inner side of the second cavity.

9. The illumination unit according to claim 8 wherein the mounting board (4) is attached to said planar inner side of the second cavity (5b), preferably with a double-sided tape or with a glue.

10. The illumination unit according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the separation wall (6) comprises a third wall portion (6c) forming a circumferential wall for the second cavity (5b), preferably the third wall portion (6c) comprises a circumferential inner side (6c- 1) forming a circumferential inner side of the second cavity (5b).

11. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein a circumferential flange (2c) of the dome (2) is air-tightly attached to the separation wall (6), preferably air-tightly attached to a corresponding circumferential flange (6d) of the separation wall (6).

12. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein said second cavity (5b) is at least partly filled with a resin for sealingly closing off a bottom side of the second cavity.

13. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein the dome (2) is made of or at least partly made of a transparent and / or a translucent material.

14. The illumination unit according to any of previous claims wherein the one or more light entrance surfaces (8a) are defining a recess (9) receiving the light source (4a).

15. A light panel (10) comprising a plurality of illumination units (1) according to any of previous claims aligned along an alignment line (L), and a shell (11) supporting the illumination units, and wherein the shell comprises openings (Ila) for receiving the illumination units, preferably the light panel (10) comprises four illumination units (1).

16. The light panel according to claim 15 configured such that when the illumination units 1 are received in the openings (Ila), the domes (2) of the illumination units 1 protrude from the openings (Ila).

17. The light panel according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein a bottom side of said shell (11) is provided with a resin so as to sealingly closing off a bottom side of the shell.

18. An illumination system for a heliport comprising a plurality of light panels according to any of claims 15 to 17 and wherein the plurality of hght panels are arranged to form at least one of: a touchdown circle of the heliport, a H -identification marking of the heliport and a medical-facility- indicating marking.

19. A method for manufacturing an illumination unit (1) for an illumination system for a hehport comprising:-attaching a light source (4a) to a mounting board (4),-providing a dome (2),-manufacturing, preferably by injection moulding, a support structure (3) for supporting the dome (2) and the mounting board (4), and wherein the support structure (3) comprises a separation (6) wall for air-tightly closing off a bottom (2a) side of the dome (2) with a first side (7a) of the separation wall so as to form a first cavity (5a) under the dome (2), and wherein manufacturing the support structure (3) further comprises: shaping a second side (7b) of the separation wall (6), opposite the first side, for forming a second cavity (5b) for receiving at least said mounting board (4) and said light source (4a), and shaping a first wall portion (6a) of the separation wall (6) so as to form an optical element (8) comprising one or more light entrance surfaces (8a) for receiving light from the light source and one or more light output surfaces (8b) for outputting hght into the first cavity (5a),- sealingly attaching the dome (2) to the separation wall (6), preferably by using an ultrasonic welding process, such that the separation wall (6) is airtightly separating the first cavity (5a) under the dome from the second cavity (5b), preferably attaching the dome (2) to the first side (7a) of the separation wall (6),- positioning the mounting board (4) with the light source (4a) in the second cavity (5b).

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said one or more light entrance surfaces (8a) are defining a recess (9) for receiving the hght source (4a), and wherein said positioning of the mounting board (4) in the second cavity (5b) is performed such that the hght source (4a) is received in the recess (9) of the optical element (8).

21. The method of claim 19 or claim 20 further comprising:-at least partly filling the second cavity (5b) with a resin.

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