EP2457015B1

EP2457015B1 - Lighting armature

Info

Publication number: EP2457015B1
Application number: EP10736849.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rudolf Lodewijk Teunissen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-24
Filing date: 2010-07-21
Publication date: 2015-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-21
Also published as: WO2011010919A1; EP2457015A1; NL1037317C2

Description

The invention refers to a lighting armature, comprising support means and one or more light sources. The invention also refers to a process to illuminate an object or an area and to a process to prepare a reflecting element suitable for the lighting armature. German design patent DE 20307350U discloses a lamppost having light processing modules, each having its own light source, which modules, including their own light sources, stacked one upon the other. German patent right DE 1069290 discloses a mushroom like lamppost comprising several lighting modules, each having its own light source. US patent 3218446 discloses another lamppost comprising lighting modules which can coupled together to form different compositions from those light modules.
One aim of the present invention is to provide such a lighting armature especially suitable for the illumination of public residential areas as for instance houses, footways, roads and of all kinds of other objects, generally surfaces thereof and/or areas as for instance footpaths, decors, walls in theatres etc.
Another aim of the present invention is to provide a sole armature which is arranged for illuminating different surfaces or areas in different light patterns and/or modes.
Still another aim is to provide an armature arranged to use a sole light source, e.g. a modem small low-energy daylight lamp, as its common light source for illuminating different objects, surfaces or areas in different light patterns.
Still another aim is to provide a modular structure of the armature, each module its own specific light transfer characteristic, i.e. including its specific illumination area or surface and its specific light effect, causing, in particular, its specific light pattern on that area or surface.
Yet another aim of this invention is to provide an armature which is suitable to be included in a novel public lighting concept, in particular in urban areas, comprising an array of such armatures, illuminating the façades of e.g. a row of connected houses etc. including the pavement, road etc.
It surprisingly appeared to be possible to construct such a lighting armature with all those characteristics.
According to the invention a lighting armature is provided, comprising support means and one or more light sources, said support means comprising one or more modules each with one or more of the properties chosen from being suitable for guiding and reflecting and patterning and diffusing light emitted when in operation by said one or more light sources towards either different light projection objects or areas mainly outside the lighting armature or towards both.
This causes emergence of different light patterns at said different light projection surfaces and/or areas. Usually one light source is used and suffices to feed all the modules of the lighting armature but also the use of more light sources belongs to the invention. Especially, such a lighting armature comprises one or more sockets for holding these one or more light sources. However, also a lighting armature comprising a light source that does not need electricity but for instance uses solar energy or gas belongs to the scope of the invention. Lighting sources yielding lights of all kinds of colours might be used, including by the application of colour filters etc, around the lighting source or elsewhere in the armature.
Such a lighting armature may advantageously have such a construction that one or more modules are arranged to project part of the light emitted by said one or more light sources generally towards one or more of mainly vertical objects and areas and/or horizontal objects and areas.
Preferably one or more of the modules of the lighting armature according to the invention are releasable mounted. This makes the exchange of modules with different functions easy. In a preferred embodiment one or more modules of the lighting armature comprise at least one grid element comprising openings, enabling part of the light emitted by said one or more light sources to pass through those openings.
In another preferred embodiment one or more modules of the lighting armature comprise at least one reflecting element which is shaped so as to reflect part of the light emitted by said one or more light sources. Preferably the reflecting element of said lighting armature comprises a mainly smooth reflection surface, which includes at least one slightly distorted or structured reflection area. This light generally causes a special luminance pattern in the projected light.
In another preferred embodiment the lighting armature according to the present invention comprises one or more modules which are movably mounted with respect to the light sources. Those modules are arranged to project part of the light emitted by one or more light sources in a dynamic and/or moving pattern. In still another preferred embodiment the lighting armature according to the present invention comprises one or more light sources which are movably mounted with respect to the modules.
In still another preferred embodiment the lighting armature comprises a grid element from which the openings also may be in a closed position or have any position between an open and closed position. The grid element may be exchangeable. Instead of stationary openings, as for instance slits, movable openings could be applied, e.g. driven by an electromotor. Also when applying this embodiment the light emitted by one or more light sources is projected in a dynamic and/or moving pattern.
According to another aspect of the invention a process to illuminate an object or an area by applying a lighting armature as described above is provided. Especially a process is provided to illuminate an object or an area with a dynamic pattern by applying a light armature comprising one or more modules which are movably mounted with respect to the light sources or wherein one or more light sources are movably mounted with respect to the modules and/or comprising a grid element from which the openings also may be in a closed position or have any position between an open and closed position.
According to still another aspect of the invention a process is provided to prepare a reflecting element suitable for the light armature comprising a reflection surface which comprises at least partly a structured area by impressing that area of the reflective material, preferably by impressing that area so that the depth of the structured area is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm, more preferably less than 1 mm, most preferably less than 0,5 mm. Besides this for some distortions or structures a depth of 1 - 5 mm may be preferred. The light emitted by the lighting armature is generally emitted towards one or more elevated objects and/or said at least one mainly horizontal area, but also any other direction of the light may be thought of as for instance at an angle of 45°.
Furthermore, the one or more modules of the lighting armature according to the invention may be arranged to project light emitted by the one or more light sources either mainly forwards or mainly upwards or mainly downwards.
Throughout the present invention the wording reflection, reflect, reflecting etc. will be considered in this disclosure to include deflection, deflect, deflecting etc.
It is further important to realize that by the wording modules are meant parts, or in other words components, of the support means of the lighting armature which either may have the same form and inherently function, indicated with the same reference number or may have a different form and inherently function.
Projecting means guiding and/or reflecting and/or patterning and/or diffusing light emitted by the light source via a light effect causing module - in other words a light effect causing component - towards light projection objects or areas.
One or more sources has to be understood as one or more source(s); one or more modules has to be read as one or more module(s); the same applies to other 'one or more' wording.
The invention will be elucidated further as follows:

The different light projection surfaces and/or areas outside the lighting armature may include all kinds of objects which can be illuminated by the lighting armature, like e.g. elevated objects as for instance outside or inside parts of buildings, shops, restaurants, theatres, and areas like gardens, landscapes etc. Also mainly horizontal objects and areas may be illuminated as for instance footpads, floors in general etc..

A light effect causing module comprises for instance one or more elements chosen from a mirror, grid, and a reflecting element with a distorted or structured reflection area.
The armature may comprise at least one socket for holding a light source generally mounted to the support means, which includes that the armature may comprise, if preferred, more than one socket and more than one light source, for instance lamp.
The novel armature according to the invention thus may comprise one or more modules arranged to radiate light from one or more lamps, via one or more grids, one or more reflection elements, deflection elements, by diffusion or directly, to any object or area or surface. This means that by applying only one lighting source (or if desired more lighting sources) in the novel armature and by choosing different modules there are numerous possibilities to cause projection patterns as mainly vertical and horizontal line pictures caused by one or more grids and optionally fantasy patterns caused by the optionally distorted reflection elements.
A preferred embodiment of the novel armature is arranged to be applied in a housing estate, including buildings, dwelling houses, pedestrian areas, roads, cycle tracks, pavements etc. For such illumination projects, the armature, according to a preferred exemplary embodiment, may be arranged to be mounted, e.g. to a lighting mast, wall or any supporting means, in an area comprising one or more buildings or any other elevated objects, as well as a pedestrian area or any other base area, wherein said various modules comprise:

one or more first modules, arranged to project part of the light emitted by the light source towards said one or more buildings or other elevated objects, and/or
one or more second modules, arranged to project part of the light emitted by the light source to the pedestrian area or other (first) base area.

The first modules may comprise at least one grid element, e.g. a "passe partout", comprising openings, enabling said part of the light emitted by the light source to pass through those openings and to be projected towards the building in a shape of stripes or other forms. Various shapes of the openings may be applied, causing correspondingly light shapes projected on the (front of) relevant elevated object (e.g. building).
The second modules may comprise at least one reflecting element or reflector, made of a highly reflective material, which is shaped so as to reflect said part of the light emitted by the light source towards the pedestrian area.
The reflecting elements of the second modules may comprise a mainly smooth reflection surface, which may include at least one slightly distorted or structured reflection area, causing an e.g. artistic luminance pattern in the light projected at the pedestrian area.
One or more third modules may be provided, arranged to project part of the light emitted by the light source to a neighbouring road or any other (second) base area, e.g. by means of further suitable reflectors e.g. made of a moderately reflective, e.g. diffuse material. Besides this, the lighting armature may comprise one or more fourth modules, arranged to project part of the light emitted by the light source upwards. Such modules could e.g. be formed by simply turning the second modules over 180°, causing that the light will be reflected upwards. This option could be used when the armature is installed in a roofed area, e.g. in a gate or tunnel. Each fourth module may likewise include a reflecting element comprising a mainly smooth reflection surface, which however, includes at least one slightly distorted or structured reflection area, causing a luminance pattern in the light projected upwards, e.g. to the area's roof.
Below the invention will be discussed more in detail using a not restrictive exemplary embodiment of the armature which can be used in a housing estate.

Figure 1: shows schematically the structure of an exemplary embodiment of the armature according to the invention;
Figure 2: shows schematically the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 1, installed as a lighting mast in an urban environment;
Figure 3: shows another exemplary embodiment of the armature according to the invention, in side view (a), side cross-section (b), top view (c) and front view (d) respectively;
Figure 4: shows, in top view, schematically the position of the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 3 in the urban environment shown in figure 2;
Figure 5: shows, in top view, an alternative arrangement, within the embodiment of the armature shown in figure 3, of the modules 4 and 5 (a), as well as cross-sectional views of three alternative embodiments of the modules 5 (b, c, d).

Figure 1 shows the main structure of an exemplary embodiment of the armature according to the invention. The armature comprises support means in the form of a housing or support frame 1 for supporting or holding a socket for a light source 2 as well as for supporting or holding various modules 3, 4, 5 which are arranged for guiding and/or reflecting and/or patterning and/or diffusing respectively light emitted by light source 2 towards different light projection surfaces and/or areas outside the lighting armature, thus causing the emergence of different light patterns at the different light projection surfaces and/or areas.
In the following discussion, reference is made to both figures 1 and 2, wherein figure 1 shows schematically the structure of a first exemplary embodiment of the armature more in detail, and figure 2 shows the same embodiment mounted in an urban environment, including buildings, for instance a row of houses 8, as well as a pedestrian area 9 and a road 18.
The lighting armature comprises a first module 3, which is arranged to project part 11 of the light, emitted by the light source 2, to the façade 10 of the buildings. The first module 3 includes a grid or "passe partout" element 13 which is impervious for light and which comprises narrow slits 14 between them, enabling the part 11 of the light emitted by the light source to pass through the narrow slits 14 in order to be projected to the façade in a shape of vertical or horizontal stripes 15. By using a modem small low-energy daylight lamp like e.g. the PHILIPS type Elite 70 Watt with a G12 fitting, the projected light stripes 15 can be well confined to the intended façade parts and by that it can be prevented that undesired light may enter into the houses via windows etc. Preferably, the back side of the grid element 13, i.e. the surface turned towards the lighting source, here lamp 2, is black, in order to prevent undesired internal reflections by the grid elements 13 not passing through the slits 14.
The optimum position of the lamp and the grid will depend on the light intensity diagram of the lamp. When the maximum light power is in the horizontal plane, then it will be preferred to mount the lamp in a socket holding the lamp in upright position. Further, the lighting armature comprises a number of second modules 4, which are arranged to project part 12 of the light emitted by the light source 2 to the pedestrian area 9. Each second module 4 comprises a reflecting element 16 which is shaped so as to reflect the part 12 of the light emitted by the light source towards the pedestrian area 9. Each reflecting element 16 comprises a mainly smooth reflection surface, which, however, preferably includes a slightly distorted or structured reflection area 17, causing a luminance pattern in the light projected at the pedestrian area 9, giving an artistic, however not too conspicuous effect to the lighted area. The distorted or structured area 17 may be provided at the reflecting elements 16 of all second modules 4 or at some of them, if desired. The distortion may e.g. comprise a circular irregularity or an irregularity having another shape, e.g. made by impressing the reflective material, e.g. Alanod© sheet (www.alanod.de), of the relevant reflecting element. The distortion can easily be applied e.g. by pressing a rigid object, e.g. an iron bar or tube, at one location, e.g. about the centre, to the reflecting element which may be made of a rather weak material, e.g. aluminium. This easy and cheap method results in minimum loss of light.
The lighting armature further comprises one or more third modules 5 which are arranged to project part 19 of the light emitted by the light source 2, via reflecting elements 20, to e.g. a neighbouring road 18.
Not shown explicitly in figure 1 is that the lighting armature may comprise one or more fourth modules which are arranged to project part of the light emitted by the light source upwards. Such fourth module could be equal to the second module 4, but could be mounted in the support frame or housing 1 at an angle of 180° with those modules 4. In other words, the second module 4 could be mounted upside down to form the fourth module. Thus the fourth modules may comprise at least one reflecting element which is shaped so as to reflect part of the light emitted by the light source to be reflected upwards. Moreover its reflecting element(s) may comprise a mainly smooth reflection surface, however, including at least one slightly distorted or structured reflection area, causing a luminance pattern in the light projected upwards, e.g. to a ceiling.
Turning now explicitly to figure 2, the armature shown there corresponding to the embodiment of figure 1 or especially the embodiment of figure 3, may be mounted on a lighting mast or any construction providing the armature to be located some meters above the ground level, standing before a row of houses 8 in a street, including a pedestrian area 9 and a road 18. Part 11 of the light emitted by the armature is projected on the façade 10 of the row of houses 8, forming vertical light stripes 15. Those light stripes 15 are rather narrow and can be rather sharply delimited due to the small dimensions of the lighting source, here lamp 2 inside the armature and the well chosen distance between the lighting source, here lamp 2 and the grid element 13 having the slits 14. This grid element 13 may have a curved surface, as shown in figure 1, or may have a plane surface which may be preferred in view of the flat façade 10, shown in the embodiment of figure 3. Part 12 of the light is deflected downwards, to the pedestrian area 9, performing a somewhat irregular and artistic light pattern there, due to the distortion in the reflecting element 16. Finally, part 19 of the light is deflected towards the road 18.
Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the lighting armature, comprising similar modules as the embodiment of figure 1. In a housing 1 several modules 3, 4 and 5 are accommodated, which are connected to each other and/or to the housing in any suitable way, like e.g. screwing, clicking, clamping etc. The housing 1 itself may be made from metal, e.g. aluminium, and/or synthetic material. The housing 1 shown in figure 3 includes an extension part 6 for mounting the armature at the top side of a lighting mast, as illustrated in figure 2.
The light emitted by a lighting source, here lamp 2 is radiated to three sides, 11, 12 and 19, each having its particular radiation characteristic, i.e. the light 11 is radiated via module 3 which includes a screen 13 having narrow slits 14 in it, via which slits part of the light is passed through in horizontal direction (3d). The light 12 is deflected via the reflecting elements 16 (module 4), causing, due to distortions 17, irregular light patterns at the pavement. The light 19 is reflected via reflecting elements 20 (module 5) having surfaces which cause rather diffuse light radiation to the road 18 (figure 2). Figure 3c clearly shows the arrangement of the various light processing modules 3, 4, and 5.
Figure 4 shows, in top view, the position of the embodiment of figure 3 in the urban environment shown in figure 2 including two trees 21.
An alternative arrangement of the various light processing modules constituting the lighting armature is shown in figure 5. In the embodiment shown in figure 5 two modules 5 are arranged at the armature's rear side instead of on both sides of module 2, as shown in figure 3. Different reflection elements 20 can be mounted in the modules 5 in order to reflect the light intended to lighten the road 18. The generally less preferred embodiment of applying two light sources has been depicted in figure 5d. Preferably, the material of the reflecting elements 16 of the modules 4 is made of aluminium sheet covered with a highly reflective coating, as the reflecting elements 20 are made of aluminium sheet which has a more diffuse surface; both types are for instance manufactured by Alanod Aluminium, Ennepetal, Germany.
Summarizing, some aspects of the novel lighting armature:

various modules having quite different illumination characteristics, are mounted in one frame or housing;
one common light source can be used;
a projecting module provides light stripes or other forms at a surface;
modules having slightly distorted or structured reflecting elements provide an irregular, regular and/or artistic "broken light" effect to the surface and/or area;
modules having reflectors made by a diffuse reflective surface provide deflection of the light to another location, without dazzling passers-by;
various modules can be arranged and combined at will around a sole light source within one armature, causing radiation of light in different directions in different modes and/or shapes.

Especially, the invention provides lighting armature, comprising support means (1) and preferably at least one socket for holding a light source (2), the support means being arranged to support the socket as well as various modules (3, 4, 5) for guiding and/or reflecting and/or patterning and/or diffusing light emitted by the light source towards different light projection areas and/or surfaces outside the lighting armature, thus causing the emergence of different light patterns at the different light projection areas and/or surfaces.
The lighting armature may be arranged to be mounted to a lighting mast or the like in an area comprising buildings (8) and a pedestrian area (9), wherein the various modules comprise a module (3) arranged to project part (11) of the light emitted by the light source (2) to the facade (10) of the one or more buildings, modules (4) arranged to project part (12) of the light emitted by the light source to the pedestrian area, modules (5) arranged to project part of the light emitted by the light source to a neighbouring road (18) and/or modules arranged to project part of the light emitted by the light source upwards.

Claims

Lighting armature, comprising support means (1) and one or more light sources (2), said support means comprising modules (3, 4, 5) each with one or more of the properties chosen from being suitable for
guiding and reflecting and patterning and diffusing light emitted when in operation characterized by the use of said one or more light sources common in said modules within said support means, the one or more light sources emitting light towards either different light projection objects or areas or towards both mainly outside the lighting armature.
Lighting armature according to claim 1, wherein said support means comprises one or more sockets for holding said one or more light sources (2).
Lighting armature according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more modules (3) are arranged to project part (11) of the light emitted by said one or more light sources (2) towards one or more of mainly vertical objects and areas (8).
Lighting armature according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more modules (4) are arranged to project part (12) of the light emitted by said one or more light sources (2) towards one or more of mainly horizontal objects and areas (9, 18).
Lighting armature according to any preceding claim wherein one or more of said modules are releasable mounted.
Lighting armature according to any preceding claim, wherein said one or more modules (3) comprise at least one grid element (13) comprising openings (14), enabling said part (11) of the light emitted by said one or more light sources to pass through those openings.
Lighting armature according to any preceding claim, wherein said one or more modules comprise at least one reflecting element (16) which is shaped so as to reflect part (12) of the light emitted by said one or more light sources.
Lighting armature according to claim 7, wherein said reflecting element comprises a mainly smooth reflection surface, which includes at least one slightly distorted or structured reflection area.
Lighting armature according to any preceding claim, comprising one or more modules which are movably mounted with respect to the light sources.
Lighting armature according to any preceding claim, comprising one or more light sources which are movably mounted with respect to the modules.
Lighting armature according claim 6 wherein said openings of the grid element also may be in a closed position or have any position between an open and closed position.
Process to illuminate an object or an area by applying a lighting armature as defined in any preceding claim.
Process to illuminate an object or an area with a dynamic and/or moving pattern by applying a light armature as defined in anyone of claims 9 - 11.
Process to prepare a reflecting element (16) suitable for the lighting armature as defined in claim 8 by impressing the area of the reflection surface to be slightly distorted or structured.
Process according to claim 14 characterized by impressing that area so that the depth of the slightly distorted or structured area is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm, more preferably less than 1 mm, most preferably less than 0,5 mm.