EP2264356A1

EP2264356A1 - Lighting device

Info

Publication number: EP2264356A1
Application number: EP10166078A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vincenzo Di Giovine
Original assignee: Combustion and Energy Srl
Current assignee: Combustion and Energy Srl
Priority date: 2009-06-16
Filing date: 2010-06-15
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-15
Also published as: ITTV20090131A1; IT1394344B1; BRPI1004257A2; EP2264356B1; ES2415829T3

Abstract

Lighting device (1), which comprises: a support body (6) which is delimited along a main extension direction (X) thereof by a first front edge (8) and by a first rear edge (9), and is provided with an outer surface (11), on which a plurality of LEDs (12) are mounted, and an inner surface (20), which defines an inner channel (7) of the support body (6) in which heat dissipation means are housed (16).

The lighting device (1) also comprises: a reflecting body (25), which extends around the support body (6), having as generator a concave-shaped section turned towards the plurality of LEDs (12); a containment body (2) mounted outside the support body (6) and provided with a second front edge (30) substantially aligned with the first front edge (8) of the support body (6); a refraction plate (14) sealingly fixed in abutment against the first front edge (8) and against the second front edge (30), with the support body (6) and with the containment body (2) defining a sealed chamber (13) inside of which a plurality of LEDs (12) are mounted. In addition, the containment body (2) is provided with a second rear opening (17) and the refraction plate (14) is provided with a second front opening (18), whose openings (17) and (18) are aligned with the inner channel (7) of the support body (6) in order to allow the passage of a convective motion air flow through the inner channel (7) of the support body (6).

Description

Field of application

The present invention refers to a lighting device, according to the preamble of the independent claim.
The present lighting device is intended to be advantageously employed for lighting interior settings such as, for example, houses, cinemas, industrial plants, warehouses, rooms etc., and outside environments such as roads, squares, parking lots, parks, industrial areas, stadiums, external facades of buildings, external surfaces of shopping malls, tunnels/subways, etcetera.
More specifically, the invention falls within the industrial field of the production of lighting devices and plants provided with light sources of LED type, and can be advantageously employed for lighting design.

State of the art

Lighting devices are increasingly widespread on the market that are provided with light sources of LED type, since the latter demonstrate a greater light efficiency with respect to most of the conventional light sources (such as incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps and discharge lamps).
A lighting device of known type provided with light sources of LED type is, for example, the obstacle light signaler described in the patent EP 1698823 . Such light signaler comprises a horizontal support base; mounted thereon is a plurality of LEDs turned upward and arranged around a central reflector, which is peripherally equipped with a plurality of reflecting surfaces with conical section, e.g. parabolic section, extending above the LEDs with their concavity turned outside the device. More in detail, each reflecting surface of the aforesaid central reflector extends longitudinally in a linear manner above a corresponding LED line arranged along the focus line of the same reflecting surface. Operatively, the reflecting surfaces of the central reflector redirect and collimate the light emitted by the LEDs, projecting it horizontally towards the device exterior over a 360° angular distribution.
The main drawback of the light signaler briefly described above is tied with the fact that it does not provide for means to suitably dissipate the heat emitted by the LEDs during their functioning. Such heat causes a considerable increase in LED temperature, causing a considerable decrease in the efficiency of the LEDs themselves and a significant reduction of their average lifetime.
For the purpose of resolving this drawback, lighting devices were introduced on the market that are equipped with heat dissipation means adapted to transfer the heat generated by the LEDs to the outside environment, during LED functioning.
For example, patent application US 2009/0040759 describes a lighting device comprising a first metal tubular body, which is equipped with an outer surface on which a plurality of LEDs is mounted. The device is provided with an inner surface defining a channel in which heat dissipation means are housed that are connected to the first tubular body itself, in order to dissipate the heat generated by the LEDs.
More in detail, the heat dissipation means comprise a second metal tubular body, externally provided with a plurality of metal fins spaced from the inner surface of the first tubular body, and a plurality of heat ducts arranged to connect the first tubular body with the second tubular body.
More in detail, each heat duct has a substantially U-shaped form with a first leg, welded to the inner surface of the first tubular body, a second leg, welded to the second tubular body of the heat dissipation means, and a connection portion of the two legs extending above the metal fins of the second tubular body.
Operatively, the heat generated by the LEDs during their functioning is in part directly transferred to the environment by the first metal tubular body, and in part is transmitted by means of the heat ducts to the fins of the second tubular body, by means of which the heat is transferred to the air which crosses through the channel of the first tubular body. Nevertheless, this last lighting device has in practice also shown to be not free of drawbacks.
A first drawback is tied to the fact that this lighting device must comprise a high number of LEDs in order to emit a relatively high light intensity, since means are not provided for collimating and directing the light emitted by the LEDs towards the zones to be lit, with consequent poor lighting efficiency and high energy consumption.
A further drawback is tied to the fact that the lighting device described in US 2009/0040759 provides for the use of structurally complex heat dissipation means, with consequent high design and production costs.
A further drawback consists of the fact that the lighting device described in US 2009/0040759 is not adapted for being employed in outside environments since the LEDs are in direct contact with the environment and therefore are subjected to deterioration caused by weathering agents, such as rain, moisture, etc.

Presentation of the invention

In this situation, the main object of the present invention is therefore that of remedying the drawbacks manifested by the solutions of known type, by providing a lighting device capable of functioning in an entirely efficient manner in any setting, in particular in outside environments.
Further object of the present invention is that of providing a lighting device capable of ensuring high lighting efficiency and high lifetime duration of the light sources.
Further object of the present invention is that of providing a lighting device which is structurally simple and economical to produce.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a modular and versatile lighting device, in particular which allows orienting the projection of the light in different directions as required.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the finding, according to the aforesaid objects, can be clearly found in the contents of the claims reported below. The advantages of the same will be more evident from the following detailed description, made with reference to the drawing set, which represents a merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of the lighting device that is the object of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the lighting device that is the object of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a front view of the lighting device that is the object of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a section view of the lighting device illustrated in figure 3 along the trace IV - IV of the same figure 3;
Figure 5 shows a section view of the lighting device illustrated in figure 3 along the trace V - V of the same figure 3;
Figure 6 shows a front perspective view of the lighting device illustrated in figure 1 with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts;
Figure 7a shows a plan view of a detail of the lighting device, object of the present invention, related to the light refraction plate, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the device itself;
Figure 7b shows a side view of the refraction plate illustrated in figure 7a;
Figure 7c shows a section view of the refraction plate illustrated in figure 7a along the trace VII -VII of the same figure 7a;
Figures 8a and 8b respectively illustrate a top plan view and a side view of the present lighting device depicting the light beams emitted from the auxiliary light sources in accordance with a particular embodiment of the device itself;
Figure 9 illustrates a simplified block wiring diagram of the electronic control unit of the lighting device, object of the present invention;
Figure 10 illustrates a detail of the lighting device, object of the present invention, related to the auxiliary light sources.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to the drawings set, the lighting device that is the object of the present invention is indicated with 1 in its entirety. Such device is intended to be mounted on a support structure (not illustrated), such as, for example, the pole of lamp, or a box-like support that can be embedded in a ceiling, or a frame aimed to simultaneously bear multiple lighting devices close to each other, etc.
In accordance with the enclosed figures, the lighting device 1 comprises a support body 6 with tubular shape, which mainly extends along a main extension direction X and is delimited by a first front edge 8 at a front end thereof 59, and by a first rear edge 9 at a rear end thereof 60. In addition, the support body 6 is provided with an outer side surface 11 parallel to the main extension direction X, and an inner surface 20, which defines an inner channel 7 of the support body 6 communicating with the outside of the device 1 by means of a first front opening 8' defined by the first front edge 8 and by means of a first rear opening 9' defined by the first rear edge 9.
In addition, the lighting device 1 comprises a plurality of LEDs 12, mechanically connected to the outer surface 11 of the support body 6. More in detail, each LED 12 is oriented with its own light emission axis Y orthogonal to the main extension direction X of the support body 6 and is susceptible to transmitting via conduction the heat generated during its functioning to the support body 6.
In the inner channel 7 of the support body 6, heat dissipation means 16 are housed that are mechanically connected to the inner surface 20 of the support body 6, in order to transfer the heat generated by the LEDs 12 to a convective motion air flow passing through the inner channel 7 of the support body 6 itself.
In accordance with the idea underlying the present invention, the lighting device 1 comprises a reflection body 25 which is fixed to the outer surface 11 of the support body 6 and extends around the latter, having as generator a concave-shaped section turned towards the LEDs 12 and towards the front end 59 of the support body 6.
More in detail, with reference to figure 5, the reflection body 25 extends opposite the plurality of LEDs 12, intersecting the light emission axis Y of the LEDs 12 in order to reflect the light emitted by the latter towards the front end 59 of the support body 6, mainly along a light reflection axis Z substantially parallel to the main extension direction X of the support body 6 and orthogonal to the light emission axis Y of the LEDs 12.
In addition, the lighting device 1, object of the present invention, comprises a containment body 2 mounted outside the support body 6. In particular, the containment body 2 has substantially box-like shape, and is provided with a bottom 3 fixed to the rear end 60 of the support body 6 and several side walls 4 extending orthogonally from the bottom 3 and at the front defining a second front edge 30 substantially aligned with the first front edge 8 of the support body 6.
The containment body 2 is closed at the front by a refraction plate 14, preferably arranged in an orthogonal manner with respect to the reflection axis Z of the reflection body 25.
In addition, the refraction plate 14 is sealingly fixed in abutment against the first front edge 8 of the support body 6, by means of first fixing means 10, and against the second front edge 30 of the containment body 2, by means of second fixing means 24, in a manner such to define, with the support body 6 and with the containment body 2, a sealed chamber 13 inside of which the aforesaid plurality of LEDs 12 and an electronic control unit 47 of the LEDs 12 themselves are mounted.
Preferably, the first fixing means 10 comprise first screws 10' inserted in corresponding first threaded holes made in the thickness of the first front edge 8 of the support body 6, and the second fixing means 24 comprise second screws 24' inserted in corresponding second threaded holes made on a flange 37 externally extending from the second front edge 30 of the containment body 2.
In addition, with reference to figures 4 and 5, the containment body 2 is equipped with a second rear opening 17 aligned with the first rear opening 9' of the support body 6, and the refraction plate 14 is equipped with a second front opening 18 aligned with the first front opening 8' of the support body 6, in order to allow the passage through the inner channel 7 of the support body 6 of the air flow to which the heat dissipation means 16 transfer the LED 12 - generated heat.
With reference to the embodiment solution illustrated in the enclosed figures, the support body 6 of the lighting device 1 has prismatic shape, with preferably hexagonal section, with the outer surface 11 constituted by several flat surfaces 22, e.g. six, on which the LEDs 12 are mounted.
Preferably, the support body 6 is made of a metal material, in particular aluminum, in order to efficiently transmit, via conduction, the heat generated by the LEDs 12 to the heat dissipation means.
Advantageously, the reflection body 25 extends for 360° around the outer surface 11 of the support body 6 starting from a generator section substantially having the shape of a conical section, e.g. of a parabola section. In particular, the extension of the reflection body 25 around the support body 6 can have a linear-section progression or a curvilinear progression.
More in particular, the reflection body 25 has a substantially dome-shaped form with an upper opening 26, inside of which the support body 6 is arranged, and is fixed to the latter by means of third screws 27 screwed into third threaded holes made on the outer surface 11 of the support body 6. In particular, with reference to figure 5, the reflection body 25 is provided with U-shaped projections 28 extending from the profile of the upper opening 26 parallel to the external surface 11 of the outer body 6. On such projections 28, the heads of the third screws 27 operate in order to retain the reflection body 25 integral with the support body 6.
With reference to figures 4 and 5, the reflection body 25 extends along the main extension direction X, starting from a position situated at the rear of the LEDs 12. This in order to pass in front of the LEDs 12 themselves and be extended until the body 25 abuts against or is near the refraction plate 14, with a third front edge 61. Advantageously, the lighting body 25 comprises a plurality of linear- extension reflecting elements 15', 15", each of which having the generator section with conical shape. The elements 15 are arranged side-by-side each other around the support body 6 defining a polygonal profile of the third front edge 61 of the reflection body 25.
Each reflecting element 15', 15" of the reflection body 25 preferably has generator section of parabolic shape with the concavity turned towards the LEDs 12 and towards the front end 59 of the support body 6 in order to reflect the light emitted by the LEDs 12 towards the refraction plate 14.
In accordance with a particular, non-illustrated embodiment of the present finding, the generator section of the reflecting elements 15', 15" has a fairly linear progression which approximates the form of a cone, in particular that of a parabola. Advantageously, each reflecting element 15', 15" has at least one corresponding LED 12 positioned on its focus line, in a manner so as to redirect the light emitted by the corresponding LED 12 parallel to the reflection axis Z towards the refraction plate 14. With reference to figure 3, the reflecting elements 15', 15" of the reflection body 25 comprise first reflecting elements 15', each of which arranged with its concavity facing the corresponding flat surface 22 of the support body 6, and has its linear extension parallel to such flat surface 22. In addition, the reflecting elements 15', 15" comprise second reflecting elements 15", arranged alternately with the first elements 15' in connection of the latter, and positioned at respective corners 29 of the support body 6. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the LEDs 12 are organized in several rows 21, each of which arranged on the corresponding flat surface 22 of the support body 6. More in detail, the LEDs 12 of each row 21 are arranged with their light emission axis Y orthogonal to the corresponding flat surface 22, in a manner such that it emits the lights towards the reflection body 25.
Advantageously, each row 21 of LEDs 12 is arranged on the focus line of the corresponding first reflecting element 15' facing the flat surface 22 on which the row 21 itself is mounted. In accordance with the configuration illustrated in the enclosed figures, the focus line of each first reflecting element 15' lies on the corresponding flat surface 22 and is transversely oriented with respect to the main extension direction X of the support body 6.
Preferably, with reference to figures 5 and 6, the LEDs 12 of each row 21 are made on a printed circuit mounted on a support plate 23, which is fixed to the corresponding flat surface 22 of the support body 6 by means, for example, of fourth screws 36 screwed into corresponding fourth threaded holes made on the flat surface 22 itself.
More in detail, each support plate 23 is made of aluminum in order to efficiently transfer, via conduction, the LED 12 - generated heat of the corresponding row 21 to the support body 6 and then to the heat dissipation means 16.
Operatively, the LEDs 12 of each row 21 emit light rays towards the reflecting elements 15', 15" of the reflection body 25, for example with a light emission cone of about 120°.
Each first reflecting element 15' of the reflection body 25 reflects the light rays emitted by the LEDs 12 of the corresponding row 21 (positioned along its focus line) towards the refraction plate 14 and parallel to the reflection axis Z. More in detail, the first reflecting elements 15' collimate such light rays into narrow bands parallel to the reflection axis Z of the reflection body 25, in a manner such that the light rays themselves orthogonally hit the refraction plate 14.
A small part of the light rays emitted by the LEDs 12 of each row 21 hit two second first reflecting elements 15" adjacent to the corresponding first reflecting element 15'. Such second reflecting elements 15" also reflect the light rays towards the reflection plate 14, even if such rays are not oriented parallel to the reflection axis Z, since the LED 12 row 21 from which the light rays originate is not arranged on the focus line of the second reflecting elements 15".
Advantageously, the outer surface 11 of the support body 6 is made of reflecting or at least partially reflecting material, contributing to the reflection of the light rays along the reflection axis Z of the reflection body 25 towards the refraction plate 14. In particular, the outer surface 11 of the support body 6 contributes to reflecting along the reflection axis Z the light rays coming from the second reflecting elements 15" of the reflection body 25.
The refraction plate 14, along which the light rays coming from the reflection body 25 hit, is made of substantially transparent material, in order to allow the outflow of the light from the lighting device 1.
With the term "substantially transparent", it is intended that the refraction plate 14 will be made of perfectly transparent material, or of translucent material, or of a material provided with pigments that allow the passage of only some light color ranges. Advantageously, the refraction plate 14 is made of an optically homogeneous material. It is provided with a granular surface turned towards the exterior of the lighting device 1 in order to externally transmit, in a diffused manner, the light coming from the reflecting elements 15', 15", so as to light the setting in a uniform manner.
For example, the refraction plate 14 is made of glass, with the granular surface obtained by means of an acid etching.
Otherwise, the refraction plate 14 is constituted by an optically homogeneous, plastic material, in particular by an acrylic polymer, such as PMMA.
In addition, in accordance with a further different embodiment (not illustrated), the refraction plate 14 is processed with parallel grooves so as to form a collimator lens, for example a Fresnel lens, in order to increase the collimation of the light coming from the reflecting elements 15', 15".
In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the containment body 2 has, as previously indicated, box-like shape, preferably prismatic with polygonal base, in particular hexagonal base. More in detail, the containment body 2 is closed at the rear by the bottom 3 and on the side by the side walls 4 extending orthogonally to the bottom 3 and parallel to the main extension direction X of the support body 6. The side walls 4 at the front define the second front edge 30, on which the refraction plate 14 is fixed upon front closure of the containment body 2.
The bottom 3 of the containment body 2 is fixed on its inner side to the rear end 60 of the support body 6, by means of, for example, fifth screws 44 inserted in corresponding fifth threaded holes made in the thickness of the first rear hole 9 of the support body 6.
The side walls 4 of the containment body 2 extend along the main extension direction X with a length equal to that of the support body 6, in a manner such that the second front edge 30 of the containment body 2 is aligned with the first front edge 8 of the support body 6.
In this manner, the refraction plate 14 fixed to the support body 6 and to the containment body 2, respectively by means of the aforesaid first 10 and second 24 fixing means, sealingly abuts against both the first front edge 8 of the support body 6 and against the second front edge 30 of the containment body 2.
More in detail, with reference to figures 4 and 5, the refraction plate 14 sealingly abuts against the second front edge 30 of the containment body 2 at an external perimeter profile 31 thereof, and sealingly abuts against the first front edge 8 of the support body 6 at an internal perimeter profile 32 thereof defining the second front opening 18 of the refraction plate 14 itself.
Advantageously, the lighting device 1 comprises a first annular gasket 33, which is arranged between the first front edge 8 of the support body 6 and the refraction plate 14, and extends along the internal perimeter profile 32 of the refraction plate 14, maintaining the latter sealed with the first front edge 8 of the support body 6.
In addition, the lighting device 1 comprises a second annular gasket 34, which is arranged between the second front edge 30 of the containment body 2 and the refraction plate 14 and extends along the external perimeter profile 31 of the refraction plate 14, maintaining the latter sealed with the containment body 2.
Advantageously, the lighting device 1 comprises a third annular gasket 48, which is arranged between the first rear edge 9 of the support body 6 and the bottom 3 of the containment body 2, extending around the first rear opening 9' of the support body 6 and the second rear opening 17 of the containment body 2.
The annular gaskets 33, 34 and 48 have the function of making the sealed chamber 13 perfectly watertight; this is where the LEDs 12 and the electronic control unit 47 are arranged. In particular, such gaskets block the water and moisture infiltration, and thus make the lighting device 1 particularly adapted for operating in outside environments under any atmospheric condition.
In accordance with a different embodiment (not illustrated), the reflection body 25 also achieves the containment body 2 of the lighting device 1. In accordance with the latter embodiment, the third front edge 61 of the reflection body 25 sealingly abuts against the refraction plate 14, preferably by means of the interposition of a fourth annular gasket between the refraction plate 14 and the third front edge 61 of the reflection body 25. In this manner, the reflection body 25 delimits, together with the refraction plate 14 and the outer surface 11 of the support body 6, the sealed chamber 13 inside of which the LEDs 12 of the lighting device 1 are mounted.
Advantageously, the lighting device 1 comprises a perimeter edge 35, preferably made of metal material, which is fixed by means of the second screws 24' of the second fixing means 24 to the flange 37 of the containment body 2 and abuts against the refraction plate 14, along the external perimeter profile 31 of the latter, in order to retain the refraction plate 14 integral with the containment body 2.
More in detail, with reference to figure 5, on the side of the perimeter edge 35 turned towards the refraction plate 14, a groove 38 is made that is adapted to house the refraction plate 14 at its external perimeter profile 31 and the second annular gasket 34 in a manner such that the outer portion 39 of the perimeter edge 35 abuts against the flange 37 of the containment body 2, peripherally surrounding the refraction plate 14, and an inner portion 40 of the perimeter edge 35 abuts against the refraction plate 14 by pressing it against the flange 37.
Preferably, still with reference to figure 5, the second annular gasket 34 has substantially U-shaped cross section, with a first leg 41 interposed between the refraction plate and the flange 37 of the containment body 2, with a second leg 42 interposed between the refraction plate 14 and the perimeter edge 35 and with a connection portion 43 of the two legs 41, 42 abutted against the external perimeter profile 31 of the refraction plate 14. In this manner, the second annular gasket 34 ensures the seal between the containment body 2 and the refraction plate 14, and simultaneously prevents the refraction plate 14 from being ruined due, for example, to the pressure exerted by the perimeter edge 35 (made of particularly rigid metal material) on the refraction plate 14 itself.
Preferably, with reference to figure 1, the lighting device 1 comprises an annular cover 45 fixed in abutment against the outer surface of the refraction plate 14 around the second front opening 18 of the latter, by means of the second screws 24' of the second fixing means 24 of the refraction plate 14 itself. Such annular cover 45 allows distributing the pressure exerted by the heads of the second screws 24' in a uniform manner around the second front opening 18 of the refraction plate 14, ensuring an optimal fixing of the refraction plate 14 to the support body 6.
Advantageously, the heat dissipation means 16 of the LED 12 - generated heat comprise a plurality of first metal fins 19, which extend from the inner surface 20 of the support body 6. More in detail, with reference to figures 3, 4 and 5, the first metal fins 19 of the heat dissipation means 16 radially extend into the inner channel 7 of the support body 6, with long and narrow profiles whose greater side is arranged parallel to the main extension direction X of the support body 6.
Preferably, such first metal fins 19 are integrally made with the support body 6, for example by means of a molding process, allowing the manufacture of heat dissipation means 16 that are particularly simple and economical. In particular, the first metal fins 19 are made of aluminum in order to facilitate the transmission via conduction of the LED 12 - generated heat between the support body 6 and the first fins 19 and between the latter and the air flow that passes through the inner channel 7 of the support body 6. Operatively, the heat generated by the LEDs 12 is transferred via conduction through the support plates 23 of the LEDs 12 themselves to the support body 6, and then, still via conduction, to the first metal fins 19 of the heat dissipation means 16. The first metal fins 19 transfer heat to the air present in the inner channel 7 of the support body 6, and such air -being heated- tends to expand, giving rise to the convective motion air flow through the inner channel 7 itself. Such air flow transports, via convection, the heat coming from the first metal fins 19 from the inner channel 7 of the support body 6 to the lighting device 1 exterior, and simultaneously transports relatively low temperature air (e.g. room temperature) in contact with the first metal fins 19 of the heat dissipation means 16.
The reflection body 25 is advantageously obtained with metal material, in particular aluminum, and via conduction through the connection to the support body 6 it contributes to the dispersion of the heat generated by the LEDs 12.
Advantageously, with reference to figures 4 and 5, the containment body 2, the outer surface 11 of the support body 6 and the reflection body 25 define a seat 46 inside the sealed chamber 13 that is adapted to house the electronic control unit 47 of the LEDs 12. More in detail, the electronic control unit 47 is electrically connected to the LEDs 12 in order to command their driving, and is connected by means of electrical cables (not illustrated because of known type) to a electrical power source. In particular, with reference to figure 2, the containment body 2 is provided with an externally-shaped niche 57 on its bottom 3. At such niche 57, one or more connections 58 are installed of the power supply cables of the electronic control unit 47 and of the LEDs 12.
On a bottom wall 66 of the aforesaid niche 57, in a position protected from the light emitted by the lighting device 1, a brightness sensor 64 is advantageously provided for, which is electrically connected to the electronic control unit 47 of the lighting device 1 in order to signal the intensity of the environmental light and to consequently control the activation (or lack of activation) of the lighting device 1, or only of several light sources of the device (LEDs 12 or further auxiliary light sources 50 described below) in accordance with programmed operative modes.
Advantageously, the electronic control unit 47 comprises one or more printed electronic circuit boards 49 with semiannular shape, which are arranged inside the seat 46 around the external surface 11 of the support body 6 parallel to the bottom 3 of the containment body 2 and to the refraction plate 14.
In accordance with the particular embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures 4 and 5, two printed electronic circuit boards 49 are provided for, arranged on different levels that are parallel to each other and fixed to the bottom 3 of the containment body 2 by means of, for example, sixth screws (not illustrated) screwed into sixth holes of the printed electronic circuit boards 49.
In accordance with a different embodiment (not illustrated), it is possible to arrange two semiannular printed electronic circuit boards 49 lying on a same plane, one a continuation of the other with a consequent limited bulk occupied by the electronic control unit 47 in the seat 46.
Advantageously, the lighting device 1 comprises a plurality of auxiliary light sources 50, which are arranged inside the sealed chamber 13 of the containment body 2 along the second front edge 30 of the latter close to the refraction plate 14 and turned towards the latter in order to emit light beams 65 outside the lighting device 1, towards the refraction plate 14 itself. Such auxiliary light sources 50 are electrically connected to the electronic control unit 47, which commands its functioning.
More in detail, with reference to figures 1 and 3, each auxiliary light source 50 is arranged along a section of the second front profile 30 of the containment body 2 defined by a corresponding side wall 4 at one side of the refraction plate 14 defined by the external perimeter profile 31 of the latter.
Advantageously, the refraction plate 14 is provided with lens-shaped portions 63 arranged on the front at the auxiliary light sources 50 for orienting the light beams 65 emitted by the latter in pre-established emission directions 65. More in detail, with reference to figure 7, the refraction plate 14 is formed by a plastic material or glass material with the lenses 63 made integrally, advantageously by means of a molding process.
In particular, the emission directions W of the aforesaid auxiliary light sources 50 can be equivalent in a first case with reference to corresponding fields 100 defined between the sides of the refraction plate 14 and the center of the same plate 14, or in a second case they could be different.
More in detail, in the first case, the auxiliary light sources 50 produce a substantially radially symmetrical distribution with their own light beams 65, with reference to the sectors 100 of the refraction plate 14. Thus, by rotating the latter on the containment body 2, the distribution of the light is not modified. In the second case, however, the lenses 63 associated with the different sectors 100 of the refraction plate 14 have different shapes, and consequently different emission directions W, so that by rotating the refraction plate 14 on the containment body 2, the distribution of the light at the side walls 4 of the containment body 2 varies.
The possibility of orienting the emission directions W of the light beams 65 emitted by the auxiliary light sources 50 associated with the side walls 4 of the containment body 2, in particular allows distributing the light beams 65 without components oriented in the opposite direction with respect to a pre-established advancement direction A. More clearly, with reference to figures 8a and 8b, the light beams 65 extend with components projected in the advancement direction A, or without blinding components oriented against subjects who advance in the aforesaid advancement direction A.
Such embodiment advantageously lends itself for street lighting applications, for example in tunnels, in order to prevent blinding motorists.
Advantageously, in order to adjust the intensity and the distribution of the lighting in the desired manner, only some of the LEDs 12 and/or only some of the auxiliary light sources 50 of each lighting device 1 can be activated.
For such purpose, the electronic control unit 47 comprises a CPU 70, which is programmed for controlling the functioning of the single LEDs 12 and the single auxiliary light sources 50 by means of the corresponding current controller modules 71. The latter adjust the intensity of the current sent to the LEDs 12 and to the auxiliary light sources 50 in order to vary the intensity of the emitted light.
More in detail, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in figure 9, the electronic unit 47 comprises an AC/DC converter 72, which receives an alternating current (e.g. at 220 V) in input from the power supply source 75 of the lighting device 1, in order to provide a direct current in output (e.g. at 48 V) for supplying the CPU 70 and the current controller modules 71.
Each current controller module 71 is connected in input to the AC/DC converter 72 and is connected in output to the corresponding LED 12 or to the corresponding auxiliary light source 50 by means of a corresponding independent electrical channel 73.
The CPU 70 is connected to each current controller module 71 by means of a corresponding control line 74 for adjusting the current intensity sent to the corresponding LEDs 12 or to the corresponding auxiliary light source 50, in an automated manner.
In addition, the CPU 70 is connected, by means of a serial interface board, to a remote control unit 76 for supervisory control and data acquisition (known as SCADA in technical jargon), for example constituted by a PLC or by a computer, by means of which the user can send instructions to the control unit 47 for directly commanding the functioning of the LEDs 12 and the auxiliary light sources 50, or for varying the settings of the electronic control unit 47.
Advantageously, the auxiliary light source 50 comprises LEDs of the four base chromatic tonalities, i.e. red, green, amber and white, which are separately controlled with respect to intensity by the aforesaid electronic control unit 47 in order to emit light with pre-established color temperature. Such temperature can vary during the course of a day, e.g. in an interval comprised between 2700 and 5600 Kelvin.
In accordance with a further embodiment, the auxiliary light sources 50 comprise infrared LEDs advantageously connected to a telecamera (not illustrated), preferably installed in the inner channel 7 of the support body 6 in order to allow, for example, the nighttime monitoring of the environment.
Otherwise, other objects could be advantageously housed in the inner channel 7 of the support body 6, such as a loudspeaker, or anti-fire sprays, or passage sensors, etc.
In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 - 6, the auxiliary light sources 50 are mounted on shaped support portions 51 fixed by means of third fixing means 52 to projecting portions 52 extending from the containment body 2. In particular, the third fixing means comprise seventh screws 52' screwed in seventh holes made on the projecting portions 53, which extend into the chamber 13 sealed by the side walls 4 of the containment body 2.
More in detail, with reference to figures 5 and 6, the shaped support portions 51 of the auxiliary light sources 50 have elongated shape and C-shaped cross section, with a first flat appendage 54, on which the auxiliary light sources 50 are mounted, and a second flat appendage 55 parallel to the first 54 and provided with eighth holes in which the seventh screws 52' screwed into the projecting portions 53 of the containment body 2 are inserted.
With reference to figure 5, the shaped support portions 51 are preferably made of metal material, in particular aluminum, and are provided with second metal fins 56 projecting from the first flat appendage 54 on the side opposite that where the auxiliary light sources 50 are mounted, in order to efficiently disperse the heat generated by the latter during their functioning.
Advantageously, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figure 10, at least one of the auxiliary light sources 50 is mechanically connected to the containment body 2 by means of a mobile hinge 80, in order to change the orientation of the light beams 65 emitted by the auxiliary light source 50.
More in detail, the aforesaid hinge 80 comprises a first wing 81, which is fixed to the wall 4 of the containment body 2 by means of screws 82, for example, inserted in corresponding threaded holes made on the wall 4 itself, and a second wing 83, which is connected to the first 81 by means of a pin 84 and is fixed to the shaped support portion 51 of the corresponding auxiliary light source 50.
Advantageously, motorized means 85 are provided for, operating on the hinge 80 in order to rotate the latter in a controlled manner and to vary therewith the orientation of the light beams 65 emitted by the auxiliary light source 50.
More in detail, the motorized means 85 comprise an actuator 86 mounted on the containment body 2 and operating on the second wing 83 of the hinge 80 in order to make the latter rotate around the pin 84 of the hinge 80.
For example, still with reference to the particular embodiment illustrated in figure 10, the actuator 86 has a cylindrical body 87, which is hinged to the side wall 4 of the containment body 2 and houses an electric motor adapted to drive an extensible arm 88 hinged to the second wing 83 of the hinge 80.
In particular, the motor of the actuator 86 is commanded by the electronic control unit 47 for orienting the light beams 65 emitted by the corresponding auxiliary light source 50 in accordance with programmed operating modes, or in accordance with instructions directly commanded by the user via the remote unit 76 connected to the CPU 70 of the electronic control unit 47.
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit 47 is provided with a software capable of processing the images acquired from a telecamera (not illustrated), for identifying the movements of an object or a person filmed by the telecamera and commanding the motorized means 85 for orienting the light beams 65 emitted by the auxiliary light sources 50 towards the aforesaid object or person.
In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the containment body 2 has an external profile, defined by its lateral walls 4, with hexagonal shape. In accordance with such embodiment, the lighting device 1, object of the present invention, can be electromechanically connected to any number of other identical devices, in a honeycomb configuration adapted to make a projection system with high optical power.
More in detail, the lighting device 1 can be mounted on a support frame aimed to simultaneously bring several devices close to each other, with the side walls of their containment body facing, forming the honeycomb arrangement.
The support structure of the lighting device 1 is connected to the containment body 2 by means of support means provided in central position, transversely bridging the first rear opening 9' of the support body 6, or provided at a side wall 4 of the containment body 2. In the latter case, the support means could provide for a plate fixed with screws into holes 69 made on the aforesaid side wall 4. On the other hand, if bridge support means are provided for, these are advantageously constituted by a support hinge 5, which is fixed on the bottom 3 of the containment body 2 and allows connecting the lighting device 1 to the support structure in an adjustable manner.
The finding thus conceived therefore attains the pre-established objects.
Of course, it could also assume, in its practical achievement, shapes and configurations different from that illustrated above, without departing from the present protective scope. In addition, all the details can be substituted with technically equivalent ones and the shapes, sizes and materials employed can be of any type according to requirements.

Claims

Lighting device (1), which comprises:
- a support body (6) of tubular form, which mainly extends along a main extension direction (X) and is delimited, at a front end (59) thereof, by a first front edge (8), and at a rear end (60) thereof, by a first rear edge (9); said support body (6) being provided with an outer surface (11) and an inner surface (20), which defines an inner channel (7) of said support body (6) communicating with the outside by means of a first front opening (8') defined by said first front edge (8) and by means of a first rear opening (9') defined by said first rear edge (9);

- a plurality of LEDs (12) mechanically connected to the outer surface (11) of said support body (6), each of such LEDs (12) arranged with a light emission axis (Y) thereof substantially orthogonal to the main extension direction (X) of said support body (6) and susceptible for transmitting, via conduction, the heat generated during its functioning to said support body (6);

- heat dissipation means (16) housed in the inner channel (7) of said support body (6) and mechanically connected to the inner surface (20) of said support body (6) for transferring the heat generated by said plurality of LEDs (12) to a convective motion air flow passing through the inner channel (7) of said support body (6);
said lighting device (1) being characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one reflection body (25), which is fixed to the outer surface (11) of said support body (6) and extends around the latter, having as generator a concave-shaped section turned towards said LED plurality (12); said reflection body (25) reflecting the light emitted by said LEDs (12) towards the front end (59) of said support body (6) mainly along a light reflection axis (Z) substantially parallel to the main extension direction (X) of said support body (6);

- a containment body (2) mounted outside said support body (6), provided with a bottom (3) fixed to the rear end (60) of said support body (6) and provided with a second front edge (30) substantially aligned with the first front edge (8) of said support body (6);

- at least one refraction plate (14) sealingly fixed in abutment against said first front edge (8), by means of first fixing means (10), and against said second front edge (30), by means of second fixing means (24), defining with said support body (6) and with said containment body (2) a sealed chamber (13), inside of which said plurality of LEDs (12) are mounted;

- said containment body (2) being provided with a second rear opening (17) aligned with the first rear opening (9') of said support body (6), and said refraction plate (14) being provided with a second front opening (18) aligned with the first front opening (8') of said support body (6), in order to allow the passage of said convective motion air flow through the inner channel (7) of said support body (6).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said reflection body (25) extends around the outer surface (11) of said support body (6) starting from a generator section substantially having the shape of a conical section.
Lighting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said reflection body (25) comprises a plurality of linear-extension reflecting elements (15', 15") with a conical section, arranged side-by-side each other around said support body (6); each said reflecting element (15', 15") having at least one corresponding said LED (12) positioned on the focus line.
Lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said reflection body (25) achieves said containment body (2); said reflection body (25) being provided with a third front edge (61) which sealingly abuts against said refraction plate (14).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first annular gasket (33) arranged between the first front edge (8) of said support body (6) and said refraction plate (14), and it comprises a second annular gasket (34) extending between the second front edge (30) of said containment body (2) and said refraction plate (14).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one electronic control unit (47) of said LEDs (12) housed in said sealed chamber (13); said at least one electronic control unit (47) comprising at least one printed electronic circuit board (49), substantially semiannular and extending around the outer surface (11) of said support body (6) parallel to said refraction plate (14).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said refraction plate (14) is made of optically homogeneous material and is provided with a granular surface turned towards the exterior of said lighting device (1) for externally transmitting, in a diffused manner, the light coming from said reflection body (25).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one perimeter edge (35) which is fixed, by means of said second fixing means (24), to a flange (37) extending outside the second front edge (30) of said containment body (2) and operates in abutment against said refraction plate (14) in order to retain the latter integral with the containment body (2).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said heat dissipation means (16) comprise a plurality of said first metal fins (19), which extend from the inner surface (20) of said support body (6) and are made integrally with said support body (6).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of auxiliary light sources (50), which are positioned in said sealed chamber (13) along the second front edge (30) of said containment body (2) in order to emit light beams (65) towards said refraction plate (14).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said refraction plate (14) is provided with lens-shaped portions (63) frontally arranged at said auxiliary light sources (50) for orienting the light beams (65) emitted by said auxiliary light sources (50) in corresponding pre-established emission directions (W).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the emission directions (W) of said auxiliary light sources (50) have different orientations with reference to corresponding sectors (100) defined between the sides of said refraction plate (14) and the center of said refraction plate (14).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of said auxiliary light sources (50) is mechanically connected to said containment body (2) by means of at least one movable hinge (80), in order to change the orientation of the light beams (65) emitted by said auxiliary light source (50).
Lighting device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises motorized means (85) connected to said hinge (80) and adapted to move the latter in order to change, in a controlled manner, the orientation of the light beams (65) emitted by said auxiliary light source (50).