AU2005203135B2

AU2005203135B2 - Illumination device

Info

Publication number: AU2005203135B2
Application number: AU2005203135A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Ernst; Robert Ochsenschlager
Original assignee: Aldi Einkauf GmbH and Co OHG
Current assignee: Aldi Einkauf GmbH and Co OHG
Priority date: 2004-08-18
Filing date: 2005-07-19
Publication date: 2010-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-19
Also published as: DE502005001041D1; ATE367555T1; AU2005203135A1; SI1628070T1; EP1628070A2; EP1628070B1; CY1106937T1; EP1628070A3; DE102004040130A1

Abstract

The lighting device has a housing (1) containing a light source (3). The reflector (4, 5) is made in at least two parts: a primary reflector (4) and a secondary reflector (5). The two reflectors are arranged with the light source between them. The light source has a louver (R), which carries the primary reflector, so that this reflector can be more easily changed.

Description

P/00/Ol Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: ALDI EINKAUF GMBH & CO. OHG Actual Inventors: Peter Ernst; and Robert Ochsenshlager Address for Service: CALLINAN LAWRIE, 711 High Street, Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia Invention Title: ILLUMINATION DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- -2 ILLUMINATION-DEVICE Description The invention relates to an illuminating-device, in particular, a ceiling light or suspended light, with a housing and a lighting-means arranged therein, and with a reflector for the lighting-means, said reflector consisting of at least two parts, i.e. a 5 primary reflector and a secondary reflector, with the two reflectors opposite each other and the lighting-means between them. Illuminating-devices with reflectors for the lighting-means are known in the art in numerous forms, and are also described in DE 196 09 262 C2, in which a specialized reflector, namely a rotationally symmetrical involute reflector for broad 10 beam light distribution, has already been used. Such illuminating-devices have essentially proven themselves, but have room for improvement when specialized lighting requirements are involved. In particular, when displaying goods in sales areas e.g. in stores, it is important to illuminate the shelves or stacks of goods, which are usually arranged 15 vertically, at least as much as the aisle located in between. Only in that way can uniform lighting be achieved throughout without any emphasizing, and without neglecting certain spaces or goods-areas. These requirements have not always been successfully met in the past, because, as regards lighting engineering, the white light radiation emitted by the lighting-means, which is generally designed to give the 20 impression of daylight, often favours the region located directly under the lamp in terms of illumination engineering, whereas the actual goods presentation areas or shelves do not receive sufficient light. Although the generic prior art according to US 3 009 054 or the corresponding FR 604 343 does already employ two-part reflectors consisting of a 25 primary reflector and a secondary reflector, nevertheless these prior-art illuminating devices are very expensive to make, particularly as regards the construction and mounting of the individual reflectors. In fact, they generally have complicated cross sectional shapes, and special fastening requirements. This also applies to the other generic prior art described in DE 15 97 992 A. In this regard, the present invention 30 offers an overall remedy. 16/03/10,va 15047 p2p3p3a speci.doc,2 -3 The invention is based on solving the problem of how to further develop, and at the same time simplify the design of, an illuminating-device of the above described type, so that, in particular, lateral regions and goods located there will receive better illumination. 5 To solve this technical problem, the invention provides an illumination device, in particular a ceiling light having a housing and a lighting means arranged therein, and having a reflector for the lighting means, wherein the reflector is composed of at least two parts, with a primary reflector and a secondary reflector, wherein furthermore the two reflectors lie opposite one another with respect to the 10 lighting means arranged therebetween, and wherein an anti-glare grille for the lighting means bears the primary reflector, the primary reflector is designed in an exchangeable manner and is pushed onto the anti-glare grille and held thereon by means of respective transverse slots. This anti-glare grille is generally required on any such illuminating-devices, and is located beneath the lighting-means, to conceal 15 the lighting-means from being seen freely, and to prevent glare therefrom. Generally the anti-glare grille has a multiplicity of blades arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the, usually rod-shaped, lighting means. Since the light mostly leaves such a rod-shaped lighting-means in a radial direction, the blades are positioned in mutually parallel radial planes, and thus offer 20 little or no obstacle to the radial emergence of light. On the other hand, light emitted at an angle to these radial planes, and the resultant glare, are effectively prevented. In the present invention, such an anti-glare grille, with its blades, serves to support the primary reflector, which can be designed to be exchangeable. It is, advantageously, provided with transverse slots, and is pushed onto the anti-glare 25 grille and the blades thereof, and is thus held in place on the anti-glare grille - i.e. the frictional forces created between the transverse slots and the blades are sufficient not only to hold the primary reflector in the desired position without any problem, but also to do so permanently. At the same time, such an arrangement makes it possible to replace the primary reflector, or to retrofit such a primary reflector to an 30 illuminating-device that has hitherto had only one reflector. The original, single, reflector then takes on the function of a secondary reflector in relation to a retrofitted primary reflector. The two reflectors then 16/03/10,va 15047 p2p3p3a speci.doc,3 -3a preferably surround the lighting-means but for the lateral free regions, and the primary reflector serves in addition to cover the lighting-means (when the whole illuminating-device is viewed straight on). The lighting-means is completely covered by the primary reflector, in conjunction with the blades of the anti-glare grille, and 5 therefore no undesired glare can occur. In addition, the reflectors normally have mutually opposite convex surfaces. Due to these features, light emitted from the lighting-means moves unchanged directly into the space to be illuminated, but only obliquely, through the at-most two lateral, free regions. This direct radiation therefore occurs essentially at 10 an obtuse angle, and the two beam cones leaving the lighting-means, and passing through the lateral free regions, define an angle of between approximately 900 and 1500 to 1600 - but preferably 16/03/10,va 15047 p 2 p 3 p 3 a spci.doc.a -4 1200 to 130. This, naturally, is not obligatory. All of the remaining radiation from the lighting-means that enters the illuminated space comes from either the primary reflector or the secondary reflector or both. This alone results in illumination of the lateral regions - as against the floor directly under the 5 illuminating-device - that is significantly improved, and desirable, from a light engineering viewpoint. In this regard, the illuminating-device is generally placed centrally in the longitudinal direction above an aisle between two sets of shelves, so that the emphasis on lateral light-radiation according to the present invention provides particularly effective 10 illumination of the shelves and the goods placed thereon. This is the case not only when the described illuminating-device is embodied as a light installed in the ceiling but also when a suspended light is preferred. Taking into account the above-mentioned preferred maximum obtuse angle of approximately 1500 to 160' for the direct radiation, it is possible, by simple trigonometric calculations, to determine the optimal height position for 15 the illuminating-device described that, while providing illumination of the lateral shelves, will nevertheless also provide proper illumination of the goods placed particularly high up. As a result, the described illuminating-device ensures particularly-well-balanced illumination of the lateral edge regions, and the floor, which positively affects buying behaviour. 20 For this purpose, the primary reflector and the secondary reflector are essentially mirror-symmetrical relative to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the housing of the illuminating-device. In this regard, the lighting-means may be disposed on the longitudinal plane of symmetry. The lighting-means is preferably a fluorescent tube, e.g. a neon tube, or an LED strip with a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) along its length. In this case, 25 "white light LEDs" will be used, preferably those matching a black-body radiator at a temperature of approximately 4000 Kelvin, producing a particularly warm white light. This is achieved by suitably mixing individual coloured LEDs emitting the primary colours green, blue, and red. It has proved beneficial to make the primary reflector essentially triangular, with 30 reflector legs that intersect at a vertex next to the lighting-means. Consequently, one also can speak of a V-shaped primary reflector with two reflector legs and, accordingly, a V point. In addition, the vertex or V-point may have a flat portion adapted to the transverse dimension of the lighting-means. Here, the invention takes into account that the lighting- -5 means used here, usually a fluorescent tube, is circular in cross section, with a finite dimension. Thus, the flat portion may correspond approximately to the radius of this fluorescent tube, so that, in the main, light emitted downwards from the lighting-means, at an acute angle, is cast directly onto the reflector leg of the primary reflector, and from 5 there, it leaves the housing at an increased oblique angle. The reflector legs of the primary reflector can extend a predetermined distance in the vertical direction, to a point below the lateral edge of the secondary reflector. Thus, a horizontal lateral light-emergence gap is defined, i.e. a gap enabling light to emerge horizontally. In addition, the reflector legs of the primary reflector, at their foot end, may 10 be a predetermined distance, in the horizontal direction, from the side edge of the secondary reflector; thus a vertical lateral light-emission gap is defined. In addition, this promotes vertical light-emergence. However, it is also possible to have only one light-emergence gap or two, one on either side, or only horizontal light-emergence gaps. Anyway, generally two light cones are 15 emitted in a direct path from the illuminating-device, which essentially define an obtuse angle and, as a result, mainly illuminate lateral vertical regions and the shelves generally provided there. The secondary reflector may be arched, double-arched, semi-circular, parabolic, or similarly-shaped in cross section. In addition, one or more through-holes can be provided, 20 in order to permit light to emerge from the housing not only downwards, but also upwards so that the ceiling is illuminated. Since it is ultimately by means of the primary reflector that the two main radiation cones and their angle to one another can be defined, the invention further proposes designing the primary reflector to be exchangeable and variable. In this way, different 25 requirements can be catered for. In the simplest case, the primary reflector is essentially V shaped in cross-section, is made of sheet metal, possibly coated, and is held, for example, on sheet-metal end-pieces of the housing, so that the exchange can be simply and quickly done. Likewise, the primary reflector can also be attached to an optional anti-glare grille, which further simplifies the exchange. 30 An embodiment-example of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. la and 1b show a first variant of the illuminating-device of the present invention in a perspective view and a diagrammatic cross section; and Fig. 2a and 2b show a second embodiment of the illuminating-device in a -6 perspective view and a diagrammatic section. The figures show an illuminating-device, which is embodied as a ceiling light in this example, but is not limited thereto. For this purpose, the illuminating-device has a housing 1, which is equipped with optional spring legs 2 at the top, which engage in 5 grooves (not shown) in a ceiling structure. In the housing 1, a lighting-means 3 is arranged, namely a tubular lamp or neon tube. Alternatively, a light strip with LEDs could be used. A reflector 4, 5 serves to give a desired deflection to the (white) light emitted radially (as viewed in cross section) from the rod-shaped lighting-means 3. For this purpose, the reflector 4, 5 is formed as two parts, with a primary reflector 4 and a 10 secondary reflector 5. The two reflectors 4, 5 are arranged mutually opposite relative to the lighting-means 3 arranged in between. The primary reflector 4 is designed to be exchangeable; and, in the variant shown Figs. la and lb, it is pushed onto an anti-glare grille R, and held in place by means of transverse slots. In fact, individual blades of this anti-glare grille R are fitted into the respective transverse slots, and the resultant frictional 15 forces hold the primary reflector 4 in the desired position. Said position is ultimately determined by the depth of the transverse slots, which determine how far the primary reflector 4 can be pushed onto the anti-glare grille R and the respective blades (see Fig. 1b). This feature defines a dimension M, which expresses how far the reflector-legs 4a, 4b of the primary reflector 4 can go, in the vertical direction, 20 towards a lateral edge of the secondary reflector 5, as will be explained in detail below. In any case, this design ensures problem-free retrofitting of the additional primary reflector 4 to existing illuminating-devices having only a secondary reflector 5. It will be recognized that - looking at the illuminating-device in the direction indicated by arrow A in Fig. lb - the primary reflector 4 covers the lighting-means 3, so 25 that the fluorescent tube 3 provided in this case cannot be seen from below when the illuminating-device is installed in the ceiling. The same is true when the illuminating device is embodied as a suspended light. Likewise, the same is true when the illuminating device is used as wall lighting. The two reflectors 4, 5 have mutually facing convex surfaces F. 30 The two reflectors 4, 5 enclose the lighting-means 3 almost completely, apart from the lateral free regions. By means of these free regions 6, the light emitted from the lighting-means can leave the housing 1 directly. In this way, two directly emitted light cones 7, 8 are defined, which are shown by solid lines in Figures lb and 2b. In the embodiment described, these two light cones 7, 8 enclose an obtuse or approximately right -7 angle 0, within which no direct radiation is emitted. The region covered by the two light cones 7, 8 (angle E) amounts to approximately 1600. As a result, the two light cones 7, 8 each have a beam angle D of approximately 350 to 400 respectively, which, however, is not mandatory. 5 The illuminating-device is generally arranged - above a thereby-illuminated aisle between sets of shelves 9, 10 (which are not shown in detail) - in such a way that the respective shelves 9, 10 are illuminated from bottom to the top primarily by means of the directly emitted light of the respective light cones 7, 8. On the other hand, the floor region receives only effectively-indirect illumination, in that radiation reflected from the primary 10 reflector 4 onto the secondary reflector 5 leaves the secondary reflector 5 almost vertically and provides the desired lighting conditions in this regard (see Fig. 2b). Due to this multiple reflection, however, slightly lower light intensity is to be expected compared with the light cones 7, 8, but, because of the smaller floor area to be illuminated, compared with the laterally illuminated areas of the shelves 9, 10, this is of no concern in practice. 15 The overall result is a desirable, uniform illumination-effect with emphasis on the shelves 9, 10 on either side; and the floor between the two shelves 9, 10 is additionally provided with light reflected by the goods on the shelves 9, 10 on either side. It is also possible for the floor to be only illuminated in this latter manner, and not through the above-mentioned multiple reflection as well. 20 It will be recognized that the primary reflector 4 and the secondary reflector 5 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry S of the housing I and hence the entire illuminating-device. The lighting-means 3 is also located on this longitudinal plane of symmetry S. The primary reflector 4 is essentially V-shaped or triangular, with reflector legs 4a, 25 4b, which intersect at a triangular vertex or V-point 11 next to the lighting-means 3. This triangular vertex or V-point 11 can also be flattened, with a flat portion 12 as can be seen in Fig. 2b. The flat portion 12 is arranged horizontally in the embodiment shown, and essentially corresponds in length to the radius of the lighting-means 3 (viewed in cross section), but this is-not mandatory. 30 The reflector legs 4a, 4b of the primary reflector 4 extend a predetermined distance M, in the vertical direction V, to a point below the lateral edge of the secondary reflector, with the result that there exists a horizontal, lateral, light-emission gap, in the form of a vertical component 6a of the lateral free region 6. In addition, a vertical, light-emission gap 6b may be achieved as a horizontal component of the lateral free region 6 (see Fig. lb).

-8 This is explained by the fact that, in addition, there is a given distance B, in the horizontal direction H, from the foot-end of the reflector legs 4a, 4b to the lateral edge of the secondary reflector 5. Basically, it is also possible to have only a vertical light-emission gap 6b, in which case the lateral free region 6 does not have the horizontal light-emission 5 gap 6a. The secondary reflector 5 has an approximately semi-circular shape in cross section in the embodiment according to Fig. lb, and the lighting-means 3 is arranged essentially in the center of this semi-circle and its convex surfaces F. In addition, a double-arch-shaped embodiment according to Fig. 2b is also possible. Also, other forms, such as, for example, 10 a pure arched or parabolic configuration are possible and are encompassed by the present invention. In that the lighting-means 3 is generally arranged centrally relative to the secondary reflector 5, the reflected light is primarily emitted vertically from the housing 1, whereas the non-reflected, directly-radiated light essentially leaves the housing obliquely. 15 The lighting-means used is a fluorescent tube 3, although, of course, a lighting strip with a plurality of LEDs can be used, which can be arranged advantageously on the longitudinal plane of symmetry S and/or on both sides thereof. The convex surfaces F of the primary reflector 4 are such that, in accordance with the beam-guidance indicated in Figure 2b, the light striking them mainly strikes the secondary reflector 5. This is achieved 20 in that the centre of the lighting-means is located above the V-point 11 or centrally with respect to the flat portion 12, and the reflector legs 4a, 4b increasingly open with perpendicular projection of the lighting-means 3 onto the primary reflector 4. Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated 25 features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof.

Claims

1. Illumination device, in particular a ceiling light, having a housing and a lighting means arranged therein, and having a reflector for the lighting means, wherein 5 the reflector is composed of at least two parts, with a primary reflector and a secondary reflector, wherein furthermore the two reflectors lie opposite one another with respect to the lighting means arranged therebetween, and wherein an anti-glare grille for the lighting means bears the primary reflector, wherein the primary reflector is to designed in an exchangeable manner and is pushed onto 10 the anti-glare grille and held thereon by means of transverse slots.

2. An illumination device as according to claim I wherein, as viewed when looking straight on at the housing, the primary reflector covers the lighting-means. 15

3. An illumination device according to claims I or 2, wherein the primary reflector and the secondary reflector enclose the lighting-means except for lateral free regions.

4. An illumination device according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the 20 primary reflector is essentially V-shaped, with reflector legs that intersect at the point of the V, next to the lighting-means.

5. An illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each reflector leg of the primary reflector extends a predetermined distance in the 25 vertical direction, to a point below the lateral edge of the secondary reflector, thus defining a horizontal, lateral, light-emission gap in each case.

6. An illumination device according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein the foot end of each reflector leg of the primary reflector is at a predetermined distance, in 30 the horizontal direction, from the lateral edge of the secondary reflector, thus defining vertical light-outlet gaps in each case. 16/03/1O,va 15047 claims.doc,9 -10

7. An illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the secondary reflector is arched, double-arched, semi-circular, parabolic, or comparably-shaped in cross section. 5

8. An illumination device according to any one of claims I to 7, wherein the lighting-means is arranged predominantly centrally relative to the secondary reflector.

9. An illumination device according to any one of claims I to 8, wherein the 10 lighting-means is a rod-shaped fluorescent tube, e.g. a neon tube, and/or an LED strip.

10. An illumination device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 16/03/10,va 15047 claims.doc.10