MXPA06009415A - Lighting apparatus for creating a substantially homogenous lit appearance - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting apparatus for creating a substantially homogenous lit appearance along the length of the apparatus is provided. The lighting apparatus includes an elongated envelope, an LED mounted in the elongated envelope, and a reflector. The elongated envelope includes a translucent portion. The reflector is positioned in relation to the LED such that the light emitted from the LED is directed toward the translucent portion of the elongated envelope and dispersed along the length of the lighting apparatus.

Description

APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING, TO GIVE APPEARANCE OF LIGHTING CONSIDERABLY HOMOGENEOUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention, in general, refers to an apparatus for lighting. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for lighting, in order to give a considerably homogeneous lighting appearance throughout the apparatus. The lighting apparatus has application particularly in the simulation of neon light; however, it is understood that the invention can also be used in other applications.

Neon lights are widely used in architectural lighting systems to draw attention to a building. Neon lights are fragile, require high voltage, consume large amounts of energy and have an inconsistent lifespan pattern. Therefore, many attempts have been made to replace the neon lights with a more efficient and durable lighting system.

In the art, diodes that emit light ("LED") have been used to simulate neon light. These arrangements consist of mounting a plurality of LEDs linearly behind a lens to achieve a uniform lighting appearance. These products use a circuit board, with the space between the LEDs very close together, generally separated by less than 0.5 inch or less. These systems consume more energy due to the number of LEDs per foot, and are prone to fail due to environmental causes. The reason for the proximity of LEDs is to minimize dark spots or low intensity in the lens.

With the LEDs further apart, the distribution intensity of the LEDs does not overlap sufficiently and the dark spots are visible when viewed in the distance. Current sockets have been used for LEDs to alleviate environmental emissions by removing the circuit card. However, these systems generally have more space between LEDs, thus maximizing the size and appearance of dark spots on the lens.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an apparatus for lighting having LEDs that give a considerably homogeneous lighting appearance throughout the lighting apparatus, while overcoming the aforementioned deficiencies.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for lighting is provided, to give a considerably homogeneous lighting appearance throughout the apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes an elongated envelope, an LED mounted on the envelope and a reflector. The elongated envelope has a translucent part. The reflector is placed in relation to the LED so that the light emitted by the LED is directed towards the translucent part of the elongated envelope.

According to another aspect of the invention, the lighting apparatus includes an LED, an elongated lens cover for the LED, and a reflector. The reflector aligns the emitted light of the LED in an axis considerably perpendicular to the length of the lighting apparatus and disperses it along the lighting apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lighting apparatus according to the present invention, where a part of a support channel of the lighting apparatus is exposed.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the lighting apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevated view of the lighting apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the lighting apparatus according to an alternative embodiment, with the light source removed from the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will be described in relation to the preferred embodiment, it is understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to this embodiment. On the contrary, the invention covers all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and field of the invention, as defined in the appendix of claims.

As seen in Fig. 1, an apparatus for lighting to give a considerably homogeneous lighting appearance throughout the apparatus includes an elongated envelope or cover 12, an LED 14 mounted on the envelope, and a reflector also mounted on the envelope elongated The lighting apparatus further includes a channel support 18 to which an LED 14 or a plurality of the LEDs can be mounted.

With reference to Fig. 2, the elongated envelope includes a translucent portion 22 and two opaque posts 24 and 26 that are interconnected by the translucent portion. The wrapper may have a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped side configuration in the cross section. Preferably, the wrap can be made of an extruded plastic material. Moreover, the translucent part 22 will be colored to match the • color of light emitted by the LED and the opaque posts will match the color of the translucent part. A connector post 28 extends outwardly from a terminal of the opaque post 24 opposite the translucent portion 22. The connector post 28 and the opaque post 24 define a receiving channel 32. Similarly, the opaque post 26 includes a connector post 34 which it extends outward from the terminal opposite the translucent part. The connector post 34 and the opaque post 26 define a reception channel 36. The channels 32 and 36 are adapted to receive a portion of the channel support 18 / the connection will be described in detail later.

In continuous reference to Fig. 2, the channel support 18 includes a first post 38, a second post 42 spaced from the first post and a third interconnected post 44 which is generally perpendicular to the first post 38 and the second post 42. The support of channel is received at least partially within the elongated envelope 12. The first post 38 butts with a portion of the opaque post 24 and the second post 42 butts with a portion of the second opaque post 26.

Protruding from the interconnection post 44 towards the translucent part 22 are the extensions 46 and 48. The extensions are located approximately midway between the first post 38 and the second post 42 and protrude perpendicularly towards the interconnect post 44. The first extension 46 protrudes from the interconnection post slightly further towards the translucent part than the second extension 48. The extensions define a channel 50. A first terminal portion 52 of the reflector 16 is received in the channel 50. The first post 38 of the channel support 18 it includes a slot 54 in the terminal closest to the translucent part 22. The slot 54 receives a second end portion 56 of the reflector 16 opposite the first terminal part 52.

The second post 42 includes a projection 58 at the terminal closest to the translucent part 22. The projection 58 protrudes substantially perpendicular to the second post 42 towards the first post 38. The projection 58, the second post 42, the interconnecting wall 44 and the extension 48 defines a channel 62 that receives the LED 14 and its energy components.

The LED 14 shown in the figures is a conventional LED that is known in the art. The LED 14 receives power from an energy cord 64 that is connected to an external power source. The power cord is flexible, and is covered with a plastic line to protect it from the elements, however in an alternative mode the LEDs can also be mounted to a circuit board. As seen in Fig. 2, to mount the LED 14 to the channel bracket 18, a portion of the LED and the power cord is sandwiched between the second extension 48 and the second post 42 and the LED 14 and the power cord 64 are interposed between the projection 58 and the interconnecting wall 44. Mounting can be achieved by means of a friction fit, or an adhesive or fasteners for attaching the LED to the channel support.

The first post 38 of the channel support 18 includes a foot 66 in the terminal opposite the slot 54. The foot 66 is spaced apart from and substantially perpendicular to the interconnecting wall 44. The projection of a foot end 66 in the channel reception 32, an extension 68 includes a tab 72 that splices against a tongue 74 of the connector post 28 to secure the channel support 18 with the elongated housing 12. Also, the second post 42 includes a foot 76 and a terminal opposite the boss 58 An extension 78 protrudes out of the foot 76 and into the receiving channel 36, where the extension 78 includes a tongue 82 that splices against a tongue 84 so that the support channel 18 secures the elongated shell 12. The tabs provide a friction gear between the channel support 18 and the elongated envelope 12. Referring again to FIG. 1, the channel support 18 can be removed from the elongated envelope 12 by sliding the channel support in a longitudinal direction.

The feet 66 and 76 are also cantilevered over a portion of the interconnect post 44. The foot 66, the first post 38 and the interconnect post 44 define a channel 86. Likewise, the foot 76, the second post 42 and the interconnect post 44 define a channel 88. Feet 66 and 76 act as gear members and channels 86 and 88 have the dimension to receive connection members (not shown) that are fixed to an architectural structure. Channels 86 and 88 can also receive connecting members (not shown) that can attach an apparatus for lighting with an adjacent lighting apparatus.

The reflector 16 will now be described more particularly using the terms of horizontal and vertical axis. The horizontal axis runs along the length of the lighting apparatus 10 and the vertical axis is parallel to the interconnection post 44 of the channel support 18. These terms are used only to facilitate the description of the reflector as it appears in the figures, and it does not mean that they limit the invention to this configuration. The LED is in front of the reflector and perpendicular to the translucent part 22 so that the light emitted by the LED hits the reflector before hitting the translucent cover, which decreases the probability that the black spots are visible to an observer at a time. distance of the apparatus for lighting.

In Fig. 2, the reflector 16 has a shape that focuses light along the vertical axis of the lighting apparatus and spreads light on the horizontal axis. In the cross section of Fig. 2, the reflector 16 has an arched shape. As seen in Fig. 2, the arched shape focuses the light emitted by the LED 14 towards the translucent part 22. The reflector has no curve on the horizontal axis, and looks flat when seen from an elevated view (Fig. 3). ). Because the reflector has no curve in the horizontal plane, the reflector does not focus light in the horizontal direction. As seen in Fig. 3, the reflector 16 disperses the light along the length of the lighting apparatus 10. Consequently, the dark spots are not visible along the length of the lighting apparatus, although the LEDs they can be spaced from one another to achieve energy efficiency.

Although the cross section of the reflector 16 shown in Fig. 2 is arched, it may also have other shapes, such as linear or a more complex curved shape. The reflector can be made from 100% specular material to 100% diffuse material depending on the desired intensity and the required uniformity. The reflector can be made of diffuse white plastic, self-adhesive metal tape, a formed metal reflector, a vacuum metallized surface, as well as others. The more diffuse surfaces provide greater uniformity but lower the intensity emitted. The more specular surfaces increase the intensity with greater risk of showing intensity variations along the translucent part. The reflector can also be made from a commercially available material that has diffusion properties that are deferred along the vertical and horizontal axes. By selecting a material that has a greater diffusion on the horizontal axis while maintaining greater specularity on the vertical axis can provide greater uniformity of light along the length of the apparatus for lighting.

We also observe in Fig. 2, a collection of light in the vertical axis increases the intensity of the light by minimizing the lateral reflections. Observe how the reflector 16 is shaped and positioned so that the emitted light of the LED is directed from the LED to the reflector, which directs the light towards the translucent part 22 without the light hitting the opaque walls 24 and 26.

Also, the shape of the reflector increases the uniformity of the light, visible in Fig. 3, by overlapping the intensity distribution along the lighting apparatus.

With reference to Fig. 3, the plurality of the LEDs are separated from one another. With the use of the reflector 16, the LEDs can be spaced more from each other than the known devices that simulate neon light. For example, the distance X between the midpoints of the adjacent LEDs is greater than 0.5 inches. Preferably, the space X is about 2 inches.

Depending on the color of light that is desired to be emitted by the lighting apparatus 10, components or elements can be added to the apparatus. For example, if the appliance is going to emit a white light, phosphorus can be added to the appliance. Obviously, LEDs emitting white light can be used in the apparatus; however white LEDs have a shorter life and consume more energy than a standard blue LED. In an example where phosphor is added to the apparatus, a standard blue LED emitter reflects from a reflector that has been covered with an efficient phosphor layer to create a reflected white light. Phosphorus can be applied by dripping, spraying, incrustation, or by any other known method on or into the reflector to achieve the desired reflection output. In another example, the translucent part 22 of the apparatus 10 can be covered with phosphorus. Likewise, the phosphorus can be applied by dripping, spraying, incrustation, or any other known method on or within the translucent part, to achieve the desired reflection result.

In an alternative mode, shown in Fig. 4, a phosphor insert 92 is placed between the reflector 16 and the translucent part 22. The blue light emitted by the LED is seen as white light emitted from the translucent part after the light travels through the phosphor insert. .

This describes the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to those precise modalities. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (24)

1. An apparatus for lighting, to give a considerably homogeneous illumination appearance along the lighting apparatus, the apparatus consists of: an elongated envelope having a translucent part; an LED mounted on the casing; and a reflector placed in relation to the LED so that the light emitted by the LED is directed towards the translucent part of the elongated envelope.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprises a channel support attached to the elongated envelope opposite the translucent portion, wherein the LED is mounted to the channel holder and the channel holder includes gear members adapted to receive the associated connection members.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the reflector disperses the light emitted by the LED along a first axis of the apparatus.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, characterized in that the reflector focuses the light on a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the reflector consists of a material having greater diffusion properties of light along a first axis than along a second axis.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the reflector comprises a phosphor material.

The lighting apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the reflector is substantially flat in a cross section taken along a first axis of the apparatus.

The lighting apparatus of claim 7, characterized in that the reflector is arcuate in the cross section taken substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 8, characterized in that the first axis is aligned along the length and the second axis is aligned with the width of the lighting apparatus.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the LED faces a direction substantially perpendicular to the translucent portion of the elongated envelope.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprises a second LED, wherein the LEDs are more than 0.5 inches apart from one another.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprises a flexible energy cord, wherein the LED is attached to the flexible energy cord.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the elongated envelope includes a first opaque post and a second opaque post interconnected to the translucent part, and the reflector is adapted to direct the light towards the translucent part so that the light does not collide with the translucent part. at least the first or second opaque posts.

14. An apparatus for lighting consisting of: an LED; an elongated lens cover for the LED; and a reflector positioned adjacent to the LED, wherein the reflector is adapted to focus the emitted light of the LED along a first axis and scatters the emitted light of the LED along a second axis.

15. The lighting apparatus of claim 14, characterized in that the reflector is shaped to focus light along the first axis of the lens cover and scatter the light along the second axis of the lens cover.

16. The lighting apparatus of claim 14, characterized in that the reflector comprises a material that scatters more light along the second axis of the lens cover than along the first axis of the lens cover.

17. The lighting apparatus of claim 14, characterized in that the reflector includes a part that is positioned at an angle not perpendicular to the direction in which the LED remains.

18. The lighting apparatus of claim 17, characterized in that the reflector is curved in the cross section that is taken substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

19. The lighting apparatus of claim 18, characterized in that the reflector is not curved in the cross section that is taken substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

20. the lighting apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a second LED, wherein the LEDs are separated by more than 0.5 inches from each other.

21. An apparatus for lighting consisting of: an elongated envelope that includes a translucent part; an LED mounted on the casing; a reflector adapted to direct the light towards the translucent part; and a part of phosphorus placed so that the light emitted by the LED is reflected and / or passes through the phosphor part.

22. The lighting apparatus of claim 21, characterized in that the phosphor part is fixed or embedded in the translucent part.

23. The lighting apparatus of claim 21, characterized in that the phosphor part is fixed or embedded to the reflector.

24. The lighting apparatus of claim 21, characterized in that the phosphor part consists of a phosphor insert placed between the reflector and the translucent part.