WO2014162298A1

WO2014162298A1 - Lighting system having asymmetrical modular optical elements

Info

Publication number: WO2014162298A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/060438
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlotta Francesca Isolina Maria de Bevilacqua
Original assignee: De Bevilacqua Carlotta Francesca Isolina Maria
Priority date: 2013-04-04
Filing date: 2014-04-04
Publication date: 2014-10-09
Also published as: ITMI20130509A1; EP2984394A1

Abstract

A lighting system (25), in particular for lighting offices and work places/stations, having asymmetric modular optical elements and comprising a plurality of modules (1) that may be combined according to various layouts, each module (1) extending along and around a main axis (Z) and comprising a support (2), an optical element (3) integrated in the support (2) and at least one LED (4); the optical element (3) has an asymmetrical shape with respect to a longitudinal axis (X) and a transverse axis (Y), perpendicular to each other and to the main axis (Z), so as to assume two different orientations, and the modules (1) are joined or connectable to one another with the respective optical elements (3) selectively oriented according to one or the other of said different orientations.

Description

"LIGHTING SYSTEM HAVING ASYMMETRICAL MODULAR OPTICAL ELEMENTS"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lighting system having asymmetric modular optical elements.

BACKGROUND ART

There are various known modular lighting systems, which however appear to have room for improvement, particularly in terms of constructional simplicity, efficiency, bulk and versatility .

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is therefore that of providing a lighting system, in particular for offices and work places, which is modular, extremely versatile, and therefore able to provide different lighting conditions according to needs, whilst at the same time being simple, compact and efficient .

The present invention therefore relates to a lighting system having asymmetric modular optical elements, in particular for offices and work places, as defined in basic terms in the appended claim 1 and by additional characteristics in the dependent claims.

The system of the invention is a modular system characterized by high flexibility, capable of being adapted to various lighting requirements, in particular for offices and work places in general, yet also for homes, guaranteeing appropriate lighting performance (also in compliance with existing laws) .

The flexibility of the system, achieved through the system' s unique modular structure, constitutes an entirely new approach with respect to traditional office lighting systems. The system of the invention is able to ensure adequate lighting values and uniformity for different installation situations with regard to heights and spacing distances, even with dark-type emission and therefore respecting regulations (specifically, respecting the UNI 12464 standard) .

The system of the invention is based on single asymmetric modular optical elements, each equipped with an individual LED light source; the optical elements work on two perpendicular axes by controlling the LEDs' emission according to two different angles of aperture.

The outline of the optical elements, having a rectangular shape in plan view, is embedded in a support that adjusts the dimensions to the uniformity of a square, enabling application in accordance with two different axis orientations and facilitating combination. By combining modules with differently oriented optical elements, it is possible to define and control the luminous fluxes emitted to meet different lighting requirements.

To optimize production processes, several modules may be grouped into pre -assembled or prefabricated modules, which are then in turn combined to reconstruct light output levels equivalent to the fluorescent lighting systems currently on the market. In this way, the system of the invention offers performance comparable to or better than traditional fluorescent systems, but with much smaller size and lower consumption .

In addition, with respect to traditional dark office systems, the system of the invention allows controlling and designing the lighting of space respecting the rhythms of light and shadow, guaranteeing situations that fluctuate and vary in their impact on the space and on its perception. The different configurations of the module actually induce emissions that define precise lighting areas based on real needs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the description that follows of a non- limitative embodiment, with reference to the attached Figures , where :

- Figure 1 is a plan view from above of a module forming part of a lighting system in accordance with the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are two cross-section views, respectively along a longitudinal plane and a transverse plane, indicated by lines II-II and III-III in Figure 1, of the module in Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, a perspective view from below and a perspective view from above, with parts removed for clarity, of the module in Figure 1;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, partial schematic plan views from below of three lighting systems in accordance with the invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective view from below of a modular unit that may be used to form lighting systems in accordance with the invention;

- Figures 10 and 11 are two perspective views from below of lighting systems formed by the modular units in Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a perspective view from below of a variant of the modular unit in Figure 9; and

Figure 13 is a perspective view from below of a lighting system according to a further embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figures 1-5 show a module 1 to use for forming a modular LED lighting system, in particular for lighting offices and work places/stations. The module 1 extends along and about a main axis Z, defining, in use, an optical axis of the module 1, and comprises a hollow support 2 having a square shape in plan view, an optical element 3 integrated in the support 2 and having an asymmetric shape, and at least one LED 4 supported by a board 5 in the support 2.

The support 2 extends along and about the Z-axis and preferably has a square-based prismatic body; the support 2 and the module 1 as a whole therefore has a square shape in plan view and in section perpendicular to the Z-axis.

The support 2 has four side walls 6 perpendicular to each other and substantially flat, having the same size and having respective contact surfaces 7, defined by respective faces of the support 2, substantially flat and parallel to the Z-axis.

The support 2 may include a housing 8 (shown by broken line in Figures 2-3, by way of example), which houses, for example, various components, known and not shown, for powering and/or controlling the LED 4.

A seat 9 is formed in the support 2 and houses or defines the optical element 3.

In turn, the optical element 3 is arranged along and about the Z-axis, which also defines an optical axis of the optical element 3, and has a generically concave optical surface 10, in particular a reflecting surface, delimiting an internal cavity 11 of the optical element 3.

In the example shown, the optical element 3 is a reflector and the surface 10 is a reflecting surface. The optical element 3 has an asymmetric shape,- in particular, the optical element 3 and, more specifically, its surface 10 extend along two axes X and Y perpendicular to each other and to the Z-axis and are asymmetric with respect to the two axes X and Y, having different lengths along the two axes X and Y. In other words, the optical element 3 extends along a longitudinal axis X (major axis) and along a transverse. axis Y (minor axis)^', perpendicular to the X-axis,· the optical element 3 has a length, measured along the longitudinal X-axis, greater than the width, measured along the transverse Y-axis, in each transverse section perpendicular to the Z-axis, i.e. to the optical axis.

In greater detail, the optical element 3 has, in plan view (perpendicular to the Z-axis) , a longitudinally elongated shape along the longitudinal X-axis; the optical element 3 therefore has a section perpendicular to the Z-axis that is longitudinally elongated along the X-axis.

In the non- limitative example shown, the optical element 3 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, i.e. it has a substantially ^' rectangular section perpendicular to the Z-axis (optical axis) .

The optical element 3 extends along the Z-axis between two axially opposite ends 13 and 14; the end 13 is delimited by a rear edge 15 that surrounds the LED 4, while the opposite end 14 has an emission aperture 16, formed on a front face 17 of the support 2 and delimited by a substantially rectangular aperture border 18. The surface 10 extends from the aperture border 18 inside the support 2.

The surface 10 comprises two pairs of surface portions 20 opposite to and facing each other, defining four sides of the cavity 11. The surface portions 20 are joined along the respective edges 21. Preferably, the surface 10 is faceted; in particular, each surface portion 20 is faceted, being formed by a plurality of surface sectors 22, for example, substantially flat and inclined at different angles with respect to the Z-axis and with respect to each other.

In any case, it is understood that the surface 10 could have a different shape and/or profile. The LED 4 is positioned at the end 13 of the optical element 3 along the Z-axis, in the cavity 11 and/or in such a way to emit light on the surface 10.

The optical element 3 is shaped so as to have different angles of aperture along the two axes X and Y, i.e. on respective planes perpendicular to each other and to the Z-axis.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the angle of aperture along an axis is the angle formed, on a plane parallel to that axis and to the optical axis (Z-axis) , by the optical axis (Z-axis) and the straight line joining the LED 4 (precisely, the centre of the LED 4) to the aperture border 18.

The angle al of aperture along the X-axis, i.e. on a longitudinal plane (plane parallel to the Z-axis and to the longitudinal X-axis) , is greater than the angle 2 of aperture along the Y-axis, i.e. on a transverse plane (plane parallel to the Z-axis and to the transverse Y-axis) . The angle of aperture along the two axes X and Y is chosen according to the specific applications. For example, for dark applications, the angle al of aperture along the longitudinal X-axis is less than approximately 45° and is preferably around 40+45°, and the angle a2 of aperture along the transverse Y- axis is preferably around 30÷35° . It is understood that the angles may be different for different applications; for example, the angle ocl of aperture along the X-axis may range between about 30° and about 60° and the angle 2 of aperture along the transverse Y-axis may range between about 20° and about 40° .

Optionally, each module 1 is equipped with assembly members 23 for fastening the module 1 on a support body; for example, the assembly members 23 could be feet or pegs that protrude from a lower edge of the support 2 to engage in seats formed in a support body (not shown in Figures 1-5) .

Each module 1 may also be fitted with electrical connectors (not shown in Figures 1-5) for connecting several modules 1 to one another.

The modules 1 may be combined to form different lighting systems, according to different layouts dependent on the lighting requirements. Examples of lighting systems 25 formed by the modules 1, and therefore by the asymmetric modular optical elements 3, are shown in Figures 6-8.

In the embodiment in Figure 6, a lighting system 25, in particular for offices or workstations, comprises a plurality of modules 1 arranged side-by-side and contacting one another via respective contact surfaces 7 (i.e. via the faces of the support 2) . The modules 1 are organized in a row and are aligned along an axis A of the system 25. The modules 1 are aligned along the respective longitudinal X-axes: that is to say, the modules 1 are oriented such that the respective optical elements 3 have all the longitudinal X-axes aligned with each other and parallel to axis A of the system 25, while the transverse Y-axes are perpendicular to axis A of the system 25. The modules 1 are thus arranged so that the respective optical elements 3 all have the same orientation, as they are all oriented in the same manner with all the longitudinal X-axes aligned with each other and the transverse Y-axes parallel, but not aligned.

Also in the embodiment in Figure 7 the system 25 comprises a plurality of modules 1 arranged side-by-side and contacting one another via respective contact surfaces 7 (or faces of the support 2) . The modules 1 are again organized in a row and aligned along an axis A of the system 25, but in this case the modules 1 are aligned along the respective transverse Y-axes : that is to say, the modules 1 are oriented such that the respective optical elements have the transverse Y-axes aligned with each other and with axis A of the system 25, and the longitudinal X-axes are all parallel to each other, but not aligned, and perpendicular to axis A of the system 25.

Also in this case, the modules 1 are arranged so that the respective optical elements 3 all have the same orientation, as they are all oriented in the same manner.

In the embodiment in Figure 8, the system 25 still comprises a plurality of modules 1 arranged side-by-side and contacting one another via respective contact surfaces 7 (or faces of the support 2) . The modules 1 are aligned along two axes A and B of the system 25 that are perpendicular to one another; in other words, the modules 1 are organized in rows and columns. The modules l are arranged such that the respective optical elements 3 have alternate orientation along at least one of the axes A and B of the system 25 or (as shown in Figure 8) along both axes A and B of the system 25.

In particular, the modules 1 are oriented such that adjacent modules 1 have the respective optical elements 3 staggered, i.e. the optical elements 3 of two adjacent modules 1 (along both of the axes A and B of the system 25) have the respective longitudinal X-axes perpendicular to one another. The modules 1 aligned in each row parallel to the axis A of the system 25 have the optical elements 3 oriented alternately, with the longitudinal X-axes alternately parallel to the axis A of the system 25 and perpendicular to the axis A of the system 25.

Similarly, the modules 1 aligned parallel to the axis B of the system 25, i.e. arranged on each column parallel to the axis B of the system 25, also have the optical elements 3 oriented alternately, with the longitudinal X-axes alternately parallel to the axis B of the system 25 and perpendicular to the axis B of the system 25.

Clearly, all of the layouts just described may be combined with one another in various ways .

Although in principle it is possible to produce single modules 1 to join together to form lighting devices of various shapes and sizes (possibly fitting the single modules 1 with electrical connectors for connecting them together) , from the production viewpoint, it may prove advantageous to provide instead for pre-assembled or prefabricated modular units, formed by several modules 1; each modular unit may be used on its own, constituting a single lighting device, or be combined with other modular units to form a larger device'.

For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, a group of modules 1 form a square- shaped pre-assembled or prefabricated modular unit 30 with a square shape (i.e. with square shape in plan view) .

The modular unit 30 comprises a plurality of modules 1 organized in rows and columns and arranged in equal numbers on the rows and columns, for example, nine modules 1 arranged in three rows and three columns, with alternate orientation along both the rows and the columns .

The modular unit 30 comprises a common support body 31, which supports the modules 1 and the respective LEDs 4 and houses the power supply and control components for the LEDs 4. The modular unit 30 may be used on its own to form a lighting system 25 (i.e. an autonomous lighting device) comprising just one modular unit 30, or be connected to other similar modular units to form a lighting system 25 comprising a plurality of modular units (i.e. a larger lighting device), as shown by way of example in Figures 10-11.

To this end, the support body 31 advantageously has electrical connectors 32, for example, electrical-magnetic and/or male- female ones, arranged on side walls 33 of the support body 31 for example, to connect several modular units 30 to one another .

The support body 31 may be fitted with pairs of connectors 32 on respective parallel and facing walls 33 to connect several modular units 30 in a row, and/or on perpendicular walls 33 to connect several modular units 30 sideways.

It is understood that modular units 30 may be provided having a different number and arrangement (orientation) of the modules 1.

For example, in the variant in Figure 12, the modular unit 30 is still square, but comprises 16 modules 1 arranged in four rows and four columns, always with alternate orientation along both the rows and the columns . In the variant in Figure 13, two linear modular units 30 are shown, each formed by a series of modules 1 aligned in a row, with the respective optical elements aligned along the X-axes (as shown in Figure 13) or along the Y-axes, or possible alternated (according to other variations that are not shown) .

The support body 31 of each modular unit 30 is provided with electrical connectors 32, placed, for example, at respective opposite longitudinal ends of the support body 31.

Finally, it is understood that modifications and variants may be made with respect to the lighting system set forth herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

1. A modular lighting system (25), in particular -for lighting offices and work places/stations, comprising a plurality of modules (1) that may be combined according to different patterns, each module (1) extending along and about a main axis (Z) and comprising a support (2) , an optical element (3) integrated in the support (2) and at least one LED (4); wherein the optical element (3) has a shape asymmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis (X) and a transverse axis (Y) , perpendicular to each other and to the main axis (Z) , so as to assume two different orientations, and the modules (1) ^" are joined or connectable to one another with the respective optical elements (3) selectively oriented according to one or the other of said different orientations.

2. A lighting system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of modules (1) arranged side-by- side and contacting one another via respective contact surfaces (7) defined by respective face^'s of the supports (2) .

3. A lighting system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the support (2) has a square shape in plan view.

4. A lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element (3) has, in plan view, perpendicular to the main axis (Z), a longitudinally elongated shape along the longitudinal axis (X) .

5. A lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element (3) has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view.

6. A lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element (3) is a reflector having a reflecting optical surface (10) that delimits an internal cavity (11) of the optical element (3) .

7. A lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the surface (10) is a faceted surface.

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8. A lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element (3) is shaped so as to have different angles of aperture along the longitudinal axis (X) and along the transverse axis (Y) , i.e. on respective planes perpendicular to each other and to the main axis (Z) .

9. A lighting system according to claim 8, wherein the optical element (3) is shaped so as to have an angle (al) of aperture along the longitudinal axis (X) ranging between about 30° and about 60° and preferably around 40÷45°; and an angle (a2) of aperture along the transverse axis (Y) ranging between about 20° and about 40° and preferably around 30÷35°.

10. A lighting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a group of modules (1) forms a pre-assembled or prefabricated modular unit (30) .

11. A lighting system according to claim 10, wherein the modular unit (30) comprises modules (1) arranged in rows and columns, with alternate orientation along both the rows and the columns.

12. A lighting system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the modular unit (30) comprises a support body (31) that supports the modules (1) and the respective LEDs (4) .

13. A lighting system according to claim 12, wherein the support body (31) has electrical connectors (32) , for example electrical-magnetic, for connecting several modular units (30) to one another.