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WO2020069755A1 - Led beacon with light guiding device - Google Patents

Led beacon with light guiding device

Info

Publication number
WO2020069755A1
WO2020069755A1 PCT/EP2018/077142 EP2018077142W WO2020069755A1 WO 2020069755 A1 WO2020069755 A1 WO 2020069755A1 EP 2018077142 W EP2018077142 W EP 2018077142W WO 2020069755 A1 WO2020069755 A1 WO 2020069755A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
housing
beacon
coupling
led
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2018/077142
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ovidiu Petru BALAJ
Remus Pompiliu DINU
Marius Nicolae Dragomir
Adrian Ciprian Firu
Adrian Emanuel MAGHET
Florin Ovidiu MATEI
Ovidiu Cristian PARDUT
Gabriel SIRBU
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hella GmbH and Co KGaA
Original Assignee
Hella GmbH and Co KGaA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hella GmbH and Co KGaA filed Critical Hella GmbH and Co KGaA
Priority to PCT/EP2018/077142 priority Critical patent/WO2020069755A1/en
Publication of WO2020069755A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020069755A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
    • F21V5/04—Refractors for light sources of lens shape
    • F21V5/046—Refractors for light sources of lens shape the lens having a rotationally symmetrical shape about an axis for transmitting light in a direction mainly perpendicular to this axis, e.g. ring or annular lens with light source disposed inside the ring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/2611—Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/13—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S43/14—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/19—Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235—Light guides
    • F21S43/236—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide
    • F21S43/241—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide of complex shape
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235—Light guides
    • F21S43/242—Light guides characterised by the emission area
    • F21S43/243—Light guides characterised by the emission area emitting light from one or more of its extremities
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/26—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/27—Attachment thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B19/00—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics
    • G02B19/0033—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use
    • G02B19/0047—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use for use with a light source
    • G02B19/0061—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use for use with a light source the light source comprising a LED
    • G02B19/0066—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use for use with a light source the light source comprising a LED in the form of an LED array
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B19/00—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics
    • G02B19/0033—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use
    • G02B19/0047—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use for use with a light source
    • G02B19/0071—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use for use with a light source adapted to illuminate a complete hemisphere or a plane extending 360 degrees around the source
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0005—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type
    • G02B6/0008—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2105/00—Planar light sources
    • F21Y2105/10—Planar light sources comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
    • F21Y2105/14—Planar light sources comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements characterised by the overall shape of the two-dimensional array
    • F21Y2105/18—Planar light sources comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements characterised by the overall shape of the two-dimensional array annular; polygonal other than square or rectangular, e.g. for spotlights or for generating an axially symmetrical light beam
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a beacon, especially for being mounted to a roof of a vehicle, and in particular to a beacon, comprising a PCB, at least one LED, a housing with a top face, a side face and a bottom face and a light guiding device for guiding light emitted by the LED to an outside of the housing.
  • beacons are used in various technical fields, e. g. on vehicles, planes, ships, buildings or the like. Usually, beacons are determined to draw attention to an occurring event. Therefore, a main function of beacons is a special warning lamp, according to ECE R65 Regulation.
  • Modern beacons comprise a PCB (printed circuit board) on which at least one LED (light emitting diode) is mounted.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • LED light emitting diode
  • die PCB is attached parallel to a base of the beacon, wherein a main light emitting direction of the LED is perpendicular to the PCB.
  • the main light emitting direction of the LED is not the desired light emitting direction of the beacon.
  • beacons that are determined for roof mount require a substantial change of the direction of the light emitted by the LED. Consequently, such beacons comprise a light guiding device, such as a prism or a mirror for guiding the light emitted by the LED into the desired direction.
  • beacons with light guiding devices have the disadvantage that such light guiding devices are often hard to integrate within the beacon, quite expensive and difficult to adjust. Moreover, such light guiding devices are likely to produce a high amount of scattered light so that a desired light effect of the beacon is not easy to achieve and in worst case the intensity of the light, emitted into the desired direction, is not high enough at least with respect to the scattered light.
  • a beacon comprising a PCB, at least one LED, a housing with a top face, a side face and a bottom face and a light guiding device for guiding light emitted by the LED to an outside of the housing.
  • the light guiding device comprises an edge light lens with a light-coupling-in end for receiving light from the LED in a coupling-in direction and a light-coupling-out end for emitting light to the outside of the housing in a coupling-out direction, wherein the coupling-in direction is different from the coupling-out direction.
  • the PCB is advantageously a flat PCB, wherein the LED is preferably arranged at a surface of the PCB as a surface mount device (SMD).
  • the LED is a high performance LED. It is particularly preferred that the LED is configured to emit light in a focused beam or at least substantially in one direction or within a narrow emission angle of less than 20°, wherein at least 90% of the emitted light is within the emission angle.
  • the LED can have a wider emission angle, e. g. between 90° and 150°, wherein the beam is focused by collimator optics.
  • the LED is of a substantial flat design, especially compared with first generation LEDs that have a substantial cylindrical shape.
  • the beacon comprises a plurality of LED distributed over the surface of the PCB. It is further preferred that the LED can be activated independently from each other, in order to provide predefined light effects. Furthermore, it is preferred that the PCB comprises further electronic SMD, such as resistors and/or transistors or the like.
  • the housing comprises a plurality of housing segments, especially a bottom housing segment, comprising the bottom face, and a top housing segment, comprising the top face. It is preferred that at least part of the side face that is adjacent to the top face is part of the top housing segment as well. Another part of the side face can be part of the bottom housing segment, the top housing segment or can be an extra side housing segment of the housing. It is further preferred that there is a gap between a side face and the top face of the housing for emitted light to exit out.
  • the beacon comprises a heatsink for cooling the PCB and, especially, the LED.
  • the heatsink can be an extra part or an integral part of the housing, wherein the heatsink is preferably located near or at the bottom face of the housing.
  • the housing is preferably adapted to protect an interior of the housing, in which the electronic parts, such as the PCB, the LEDs and the light guiding device or at least an essential part of the light guiding device is hosted, from environmental impact, such as rain, snow, ice, heat, cold, sunrays or the like.
  • the light guiding device is constructed to guide light emitted by the LED or the plurality of LEDs to the outside of the housing, wherein a direction of the light emitted by the LED is changed by the light guiding device.
  • the light guiding device comprises the edge light lens.
  • the light-coupling-in end of the edge light lens is preferably located adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted by the LED.
  • the light-coupling-out end of the edge light lens is preferably located at or near the housing to emit light to the outside of the beacon.
  • the edge light lens is configured to change the direction of the light emitted by the LED, especially by total internal reflection. Therefore, it is preferred that the edge light lens is configured as optical fiber.
  • the edge light lens has a curved shape or a bent 90° shape or the like for guiding light.
  • the beacon has the advantage over beacons known from the state of the art that due to the edge light lens, it can have a more compact design, is easier to assemble, wherein production costs can be reduced significantly.
  • the PCB is arranged parallel or at least substantially parallel to the bottom face of the housing.
  • the PCB has a square base or a similar base than the bottom face of the housing.
  • the PCB can be fixed to the housing by screws, clips or the like.
  • This arrangement of the PCB has the advantage that the PCB can be assembled to the housing, especially a bottom housing segment of the housing in one assembly direction. Therefore, assembly speed can be increased and assembly costs lowered.
  • the PCB can be fully integrated within the bottom housing segment without protrude over the limits of the bottom housing segment. By these means, the PCB is better protected and the bottom housing segment together with the PCB can be better provided as a sub assembly module.
  • the LED is arranged on the PCB in a manner that light emitted by the LED is substantially emitted in direction of the top face of the housing.
  • This feature can be achieved by the design of the LED and the arrangement of the LED at the PCB. This has the advantage that a compact design of the beacon is supported.
  • assembly of the beacon can be improved as well, since arranging the light- coupling-in end of the light guiding device is easier, when an assembly direction is perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to the light-coupling-in end of the light guiding device. Thus, manufacturing costs of the beacon can be further reduced.
  • the housing is of a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the PCB is of a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical shape as well.
  • the bottom face and the top face of the housing are disc shaped with a circular base.
  • the bottom face is flat or concave.
  • the top face is flat, convex or the like.
  • a cylindrical shape has the advantage that the beacon is easy to arrange at a roof of a vehicle, a wall of a building or the like without the concern of a rotational adjustment of the beacon.
  • the light guiding device is configured for guiding light emitted by the LED to a side face of the housing.
  • the light guiding device is bent or comprises a bend for realizing the guiding of the light from the LED to the side face.
  • the bend has a constant or at least a substantially constant radius. This has the advantage that light of the LED is emitted by the beacon into an environment of the beacon in a desired direction, wherein the amount of light that is emitted into other directions is at least reduced significantly.
  • an angle between the light-coupling-in end and the light-coupling- out end of the light guiding device is between 120° and 70°, especially 90°. Such angle has the advantage that even with a very compact or flat design of the beacon, total internal reflection within the light guiding device is secured.
  • the housing comprises or is made of an opaque material.
  • the beacon is designed in a way that the light-coupling- out end of the light guiding device is not covered by an opaque material.
  • the housing covers the light-coupling-out end, at least the covering part of the housing is translucent.
  • the housing is interrupted at the light-coupling-out end to enable the emission of light into the environment of the beacon.
  • the light-coupling-out end of the light guiding device constitutes a part of the housing, and is preferably sealed against the housing to prevent environmental influences affect the interior of the housing.
  • An opaque material has the advantage that no scattered light can pass through the housing. By these means, desired light effect of the beacon can be improved in a cost efficient manner.
  • the light guiding device comprises or is made of a clear, especially transparent, thermoplastic material, especially clear PMMA 8N or clear polycarbonate.
  • Clear PMMA 8N is very suitable for light guidance by total internal reflection.
  • the light-coupling-out end of the light guiding device is arranged at a translucent window of the side face of the housing. It is preferred that the light- coupling-out end is in contact with the window.
  • a window has the advantage that the light guiding device is protected from environmental influences. Thus, an opal glass effect of the light-coupling-out end due to scratches can be avoided. Furthermore, a window is easy to assemble and easy to seal against the opaque part of the housing.
  • the light guiding device is mounted to a bottom section of the housing and/or a heatsink of the beacon and/or the PCB.
  • the light guiding device is fixed to the bottom section of the housing and/or the heatsink and/or the PCB by means of screws, glue, clips or the like. This has the advantage that a correct alignment between the light guiding device and the LED can be assured.
  • Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a preferred first embodiment of a beacon according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of a preferred second embodiment of a
  • Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of a preferred first embodiment of a beacon 1 according to the invention.
  • the beacon 1 comprises a PCB 2 with a plurality of LED 3 assembled onto. In this sectional view, only two LED 3 are visible.
  • the PCB 2 is arranged on a bottom section 13 of a housing 4 of the beacon 1 , wherein the bottom section 13 is configured as a heatsink 14 and comprises a bottom face 7.
  • the housing further comprises a side section 15 with a side face 6 and a top section 16 with a top face 5.
  • the housing 4 is made of an opaque material.
  • the beacon 1 further comprises a light guiding device 8 configured as an edge light lens with a light-coupling-in end 10 and a light-coupling-out end 11.
  • the light-coupling-in end 10 is facing the LED 3, wherein the light-coupling-out end 11 is located at an opening of the housing 4 for emitting light from the LED 3 to an outside O of the beacon.
  • a coupling-in direction Dl and a coupling out direction DO of the light guided by the light guiding device 8 show an angle A of 90° between each other.
  • Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of a preferred second embodiment of a beacon 1 according to the invention.
  • the housing 4 comprises a translucent window 12, wherein the light-coupling-in end 11 is facing the translucent window 12 to emit light through the translucent window 12 to the outside O of the beacon 1.
  • the other features of the beacon 1 of Fig. 2 are the same or at least similar with the features of the beacon 1 shown in Fig. 1.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

The invention is directed to a Beacon (1), comprising a PCB (2), at least one LED (3), a housing (4) with a top face (5), a side face (6) and a bottom face (7) and a light guiding device (8) for guiding light emitted by the LED (3) to an outside (O) of the housing (4). The light guiding device (8) comprises an edge light lens (9) with a light-coupling-in end (10) for receiving light from the LED (3) in a coupling-in direction (Dl) and a light-coupling-out end (11) for emitting light to the outside of the housing (4) in a coupling-out direction (DO), wherein the coupling-in direction (Dl) is different from the coupling-out direction (DO).

Description

LED Beacon with Light Guiding Device
Description
The present invention is directed to a beacon, especially for being mounted to a roof of a vehicle, and in particular to a beacon, comprising a PCB, at least one LED, a housing with a top face, a side face and a bottom face and a light guiding device for guiding light emitted by the LED to an outside of the housing.
Beacons are used in various technical fields, e. g. on vehicles, planes, ships, buildings or the like. Usually, beacons are determined to draw attention to an occurring event. Therefore, a main function of beacons is a special warning lamp, according to ECE R65 Regulation.
Modern beacons comprise a PCB (printed circuit board) on which at least one LED (light emitting diode) is mounted. Usually die PCB is attached parallel to a base of the beacon, wherein a main light emitting direction of the LED is perpendicular to the PCB. However, in many cases, the main light emitting direction of the LED is not the desired light emitting direction of the beacon. Especially beacons that are determined for roof mount require a substantial change of the direction of the light emitted by the LED. Consequently, such beacons comprise a light guiding device, such as a prism or a mirror for guiding the light emitted by the LED into the desired direction.
Known beacons with light guiding devices have the disadvantage that such light guiding devices are often hard to integrate within the beacon, quite expensive and difficult to adjust. Moreover, such light guiding devices are likely to produce a high amount of scattered light so that a desired light effect of the beacon is not easy to achieve and in worst case the intensity of the light, emitted into the desired direction, is not high enough at least with respect to the scattered light.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a beacon, especially for vehicles, planes, ships, buildings or the like, that does not show or at least improves the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide a beacon with an improved efficiency and/or less scattered light that is easy to manufacture at reduced or at least relatively moderate production costs.
This problem is solved by the claims. Therefore, this object is solved by a beacon according to independent claim 1. Further details of the invention unfold from the dependent claims as well as the description and the drawings.
According to the invention, the problem is solved by a beacon, comprising a PCB, at least one LED, a housing with a top face, a side face and a bottom face and a light guiding device for guiding light emitted by the LED to an outside of the housing.
According to the invention, the light guiding device comprises an edge light lens with a light-coupling-in end for receiving light from the LED in a coupling-in direction and a light-coupling-out end for emitting light to the outside of the housing in a coupling-out direction, wherein the coupling-in direction is different from the coupling-out direction.
The PCB is advantageously a flat PCB, wherein the LED is preferably arranged at a surface of the PCB as a surface mount device (SMD). Preferably, the LED is a high performance LED. It is particularly preferred that the LED is configured to emit light in a focused beam or at least substantially in one direction or within a narrow emission angle of less than 20°, wherein at least 90% of the emitted light is within the emission angle. Alternatively, the LED can have a wider emission angle, e. g. between 90° and 150°, wherein the beam is focused by collimator optics. Further preferred, the LED is of a substantial flat design, especially compared with first generation LEDs that have a substantial cylindrical shape. It is preferred that the beacon comprises a plurality of LED distributed over the surface of the PCB. It is further preferred that the LED can be activated independently from each other, in order to provide predefined light effects. Furthermore, it is preferred that the PCB comprises further electronic SMD, such as resistors and/or transistors or the like.
It is preferred that the housing comprises a plurality of housing segments, especially a bottom housing segment, comprising the bottom face, and a top housing segment, comprising the top face. It is preferred that at least part of the side face that is adjacent to the top face is part of the top housing segment as well. Another part of the side face can be part of the bottom housing segment, the top housing segment or can be an extra side housing segment of the housing. It is further preferred that there is a gap between a side face and the top face of the housing for emitted light to exit out. Preferably, the beacon comprises a heatsink for cooling the PCB and, especially, the LED. The heatsink can be an extra part or an integral part of the housing, wherein the heatsink is preferably located near or at the bottom face of the housing. This means as well that the heatsink can comprise the bottom face of the housing. The housing is preferably adapted to protect an interior of the housing, in which the electronic parts, such as the PCB, the LEDs and the light guiding device or at least an essential part of the light guiding device is hosted, from environmental impact, such as rain, snow, ice, heat, cold, sunrays or the like.
The light guiding device is constructed to guide light emitted by the LED or the plurality of LEDs to the outside of the housing, wherein a direction of the light emitted by the LED is changed by the light guiding device. According to the invention, the light guiding device comprises the edge light lens. The light-coupling-in end of the edge light lens is preferably located adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted by the LED. The light-coupling-out end of the edge light lens is preferably located at or near the housing to emit light to the outside of the beacon. The edge light lens is configured to change the direction of the light emitted by the LED, especially by total internal reflection. Therefore, it is preferred that the edge light lens is configured as optical fiber. Preferably, the edge light lens has a curved shape or a bent 90° shape or the like for guiding light.
The beacon, according to the invention, has the advantage over beacons known from the state of the art that due to the edge light lens, it can have a more compact design, is easier to assemble, wherein production costs can be reduced significantly.
It is preferred that the PCB is arranged parallel or at least substantially parallel to the bottom face of the housing. Preferably, the PCB has a square base or a similar base than the bottom face of the housing. The PCB can be fixed to the housing by screws, clips or the like. This arrangement of the PCB has the advantage that the PCB can be assembled to the housing, especially a bottom housing segment of the housing in one assembly direction. Therefore, assembly speed can be increased and assembly costs lowered. Furthermore, with this arrangement, the PCB can be fully integrated within the bottom housing segment without protrude over the limits of the bottom housing segment. By these means, the PCB is better protected and the bottom housing segment together with the PCB can be better provided as a sub assembly module.
Advantageously, the LED is arranged on the PCB in a manner that light emitted by the LED is substantially emitted in direction of the top face of the housing. This feature can be achieved by the design of the LED and the arrangement of the LED at the PCB. This has the advantage that a compact design of the beacon is supported.
Moreover, assembly of the beacon can be improved as well, since arranging the light- coupling-in end of the light guiding device is easier, when an assembly direction is perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to the light-coupling-in end of the light guiding device. Thus, manufacturing costs of the beacon can be further reduced.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is of a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical shape. In this case, it is preferred that the PCB is of a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical shape as well. Preferably, the bottom face and the top face of the housing are disc shaped with a circular base. Preferably, the bottom face is flat or concave. Moreover, the top face is flat, convex or the like. A cylindrical shape has the advantage that the beacon is easy to arrange at a roof of a vehicle, a wall of a building or the like without the concern of a rotational adjustment of the beacon.
It is preferred that the light guiding device is configured for guiding light emitted by the LED to a side face of the housing. Preferably, the light guiding device is bent or comprises a bend for realizing the guiding of the light from the LED to the side face. Further preferred, the bend has a constant or at least a substantially constant radius. This has the advantage that light of the LED is emitted by the beacon into an environment of the beacon in a desired direction, wherein the amount of light that is emitted into other directions is at least reduced significantly.
Further preferred, an angle between the light-coupling-in end and the light-coupling- out end of the light guiding device is between 120° and 70°, especially 90°. Such angle has the advantage that even with a very compact or flat design of the beacon, total internal reflection within the light guiding device is secured.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises or is made of an opaque material. However, the beacon is designed in a way that the light-coupling- out end of the light guiding device is not covered by an opaque material. In case the housing covers the light-coupling-out end, at least the covering part of the housing is translucent. Alternatively, the housing is interrupted at the light-coupling-out end to enable the emission of light into the environment of the beacon. In this case, it is preferred, that the light-coupling-out end of the light guiding device constitutes a part of the housing, and is preferably sealed against the housing to prevent environmental influences affect the interior of the housing. An opaque material has the advantage that no scattered light can pass through the housing. By these means, desired light effect of the beacon can be improved in a cost efficient manner.
It is preferred that the light guiding device comprises or is made of a clear, especially transparent, thermoplastic material, especially clear PMMA 8N or clear polycarbonate. Clear PMMA 8N is very suitable for light guidance by total internal reflection.
Moreover, it has a high availability at relatively low costs.
Preferably, the light-coupling-out end of the light guiding device is arranged at a translucent window of the side face of the housing. It is preferred that the light- coupling-out end is in contact with the window. A window has the advantage that the light guiding device is protected from environmental influences. Thus, an opal glass effect of the light-coupling-out end due to scratches can be avoided. Furthermore, a window is easy to assemble and easy to seal against the opaque part of the housing. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the light guiding device is mounted to a bottom section of the housing and/or a heatsink of the beacon and/or the PCB. Preferably, the light guiding device is fixed to the bottom section of the housing and/or the heatsink and/or the PCB by means of screws, glue, clips or the like. This has the advantage that a correct alignment between the light guiding device and the LED can be assured.
Further advantages, features and details of the invention unfold from the following description, in which by reference to drawings two working examples of the present invention are described in detail. Thereby, the features from the claims as well as the features mentioned in the description can be essential for the invention as taken alone or in an arbitrary combination.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a preferred first embodiment of a beacon according to the invention, and
Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of a preferred second embodiment of a
beacon according to the invention.
Features with same technical specification and or effect are denoted in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with the same reference marks.
Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of a preferred first embodiment of a beacon 1 according to the invention. The beacon 1 comprises a PCB 2 with a plurality of LED 3 assembled onto. In this sectional view, only two LED 3 are visible. The PCB 2 is arranged on a bottom section 13 of a housing 4 of the beacon 1 , wherein the bottom section 13 is configured as a heatsink 14 and comprises a bottom face 7. The housing further comprises a side section 15 with a side face 6 and a top section 16 with a top face 5. The housing 4 is made of an opaque material. The beacon 1 further comprises a light guiding device 8 configured as an edge light lens with a light-coupling-in end 10 and a light-coupling-out end 11. The light-coupling-in end 10 is facing the LED 3, wherein the light-coupling-out end 11 is located at an opening of the housing 4 for emitting light from the LED 3 to an outside O of the beacon. A coupling-in direction Dl and a coupling out direction DO of the light guided by the light guiding device 8 show an angle A of 90° between each other.
Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of a preferred second embodiment of a beacon 1 according to the invention. In this second embodiment, the housing 4 comprises a translucent window 12, wherein the light-coupling-in end 11 is facing the translucent window 12 to emit light through the translucent window 12 to the outside O of the beacon 1. The other features of the beacon 1 of Fig. 2 are the same or at least similar with the features of the beacon 1 shown in Fig. 1.
Reference list
1 Beacon
2 PCB
3 LED
4 housing
5 top face
6 side face
7 bottom face
8 light guiding device
9 edge light lens
10 light-coupling-in end
11 light-coupling-out end
12 translucent window
13 bottom section
14 heatsink
15 side section
16 top section
A Angle
Dl coupling-in direction
DO coupling-out direction
O outside

Claims

LED Beacon with Light Guiding Device Claims
1 . Beacon (1 ), comprising a PCB (2), at least one LED (3), a housing (4) with a top face (5), a side face (6) and a bottom face (7) and a light guiding device (8) for guiding light emitted by the LED (3) to an outside (O) of the housing (4),
characterized in that
the light guiding device (8) comprises an edge light lens (9) with a light- coupling-in end (10) for receiving light from the LED (3) in a coupling-in direction (Dl) and a light-coupling-out end (11 ) for emitting light to the outside of the housing (4) in a coupling-out direction (DO), wherein the coupling-in direction (Dl) is different from the coupling-out direction (DO).
2. Beacon (1 ) according to claim 1 ,
characterized in that
the PCB (2) is arranged parallel or at least substantially parallel to the bottom face (7) of the housing (4).
3. Beacon (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the LED (3) is arranged on the PCB (2) in a manner that light emitted by the LED (3) is substantially emitted in direction of the top face (5) of the housing (4).
4. Beacon (1 ) according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that
the housing (4) is of a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical shape.
5. Beacon (1 ) according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that the light guiding device (8) is configured for guiding light emitted by the LED
(3) to a side face (6) of the housing (4).
6. Beacon (1 ) according to claim 5,
characterized in that
that an angle (A) between the light-coupling-in end (10) and the light- coupling-out end (11 ) of the light guiding device (8) is between 120° and 70°, especially 90°.
7. Beacon (1 ) according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that
the housing (4) comprises or is made of an opaque material.
8. Beacon (1 ) according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that
the light guiding device (8) comprises or is made of a clear thermoplastic material, especially clear PMMA 8N or clear polycarbonate.
9. Beacon (1 ) according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that
the light-coupling-out end (11 ) of the light guiding device (8) is arranged at a translucent window (12) of the side face (6) of the housing (4).
10. Beacon (1 ) according to any of the previous claims,
characterized in that
the light guiding device (8) is mounted to a bottom section (13) of the housing
(4) and/or a heatsink (14) of the beacon (1 ) and/or the PCB (2).
PCT/EP2018/077142 2018-10-05 2018-10-05 Led beacon with light guiding device Ceased WO2020069755A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2018/077142 WO2020069755A1 (en) 2018-10-05 2018-10-05 Led beacon with light guiding device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2018/077142 WO2020069755A1 (en) 2018-10-05 2018-10-05 Led beacon with light guiding device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020069755A1 true WO2020069755A1 (en) 2020-04-09

Family

ID=63833999

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2018/077142 Ceased WO2020069755A1 (en) 2018-10-05 2018-10-05 Led beacon with light guiding device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020069755A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050068777A1 (en) * 2003-09-25 2005-03-31 Dragoslav Popovic Modular LED light and method
US20100123397A1 (en) * 2008-11-15 2010-05-20 Rongsheng Tian LED based omni-directional light engine
US20160116138A1 (en) * 2014-10-27 2016-04-28 Trimble Navigation Limited Two way omnidirectional lens
EP3330593A1 (en) * 2016-12-02 2018-06-06 Disruptive Marketing Limited Halo lighting unit

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050068777A1 (en) * 2003-09-25 2005-03-31 Dragoslav Popovic Modular LED light and method
US20100123397A1 (en) * 2008-11-15 2010-05-20 Rongsheng Tian LED based omni-directional light engine
US20160116138A1 (en) * 2014-10-27 2016-04-28 Trimble Navigation Limited Two way omnidirectional lens
EP3330593A1 (en) * 2016-12-02 2018-06-06 Disruptive Marketing Limited Halo lighting unit

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