DE102021117897A1 - luminous sign - Google Patents

Abstract

Illuminated sign (1), in particular an illuminated letter or illuminated number (2), comprising an illuminated element (3) made of a light-conducting material in the form of a three-dimensional symbol, in particular a letter or number, with an outer side (4), at least one electrical illuminant (8) for illumination of the luminous element (3), so that the outside (4) can be illuminated with the at least one luminous means (8) by means of light transmission through the luminous element (3), the luminous element (3) having at least one recess (11 ) and the at least one light source (8) is arranged in the recess (11).

Description

The present invention relates to an illuminated sign according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating an illuminated sign according to claim 9.

Illuminated signs are used for a wide variety of applications. For example, luminous signs are attached to the facades of buildings in order to make the name of a company visible, for example for advertising, or to indicate the house number of the building. Illuminated signs are illuminated by an electric light source, so that the illuminated signs are also clearly visible at night. The illuminated signs are designed as illuminated letters, illuminated numbers or in another form, for example as a logo.

The illuminated signs are exposed to environmental influences, for example storms or hail, and other high mechanical forces can also act on the illuminated signs, for example vandalism.

the DE 95 15 477 U1 shows a luminous body for neon signs with a box-shaped housing. The housing is open at the front and covered by a translucent cover. Inside the housing, a light source is arranged as a fluorescent tube. The housing is made in one piece by milling.

the WO 2009/002197 A1 shows illuminated letters which are formed from a translucent tube which is essentially circular in cross-section. The tube is made of plastic with an inner layer and an outer layer. The tube has the shape of the illuminated letters. A large number of LEDs are arranged inside the tube, which illuminate the luminous letters from the tube.

the AT 296 095 B shows a light advertising device from a relief body housing. The relief body housing is composed of several relief bodies. A fluorescent tube and ballasts for voltage and power supply are installed inside the relief body housing. The relief body housing consists at least partially of a light-transmitting material

the CN 211906862 U shows illuminated signs as illuminated numbers and illuminated letters for indoor and outdoor use. LED lamps are arranged in a translucent plastic housing. The LED lamps are protected from raindrops and rainwater with a protective device.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a luminous sign and a method for operating a luminous sign in which the luminous sign is simple and inexpensive to produce and also withstands large mechanical forces acting on the outside.

This object is achieved with a luminous sign, in particular a luminous letter or luminous number, comprising a luminous element made of a light-conducting material in the form of a three-dimensional character, in particular a letter or number, with an outer side, at least one electrical luminous means for illuminating the luminous element, so that the outer side can be connected to the at least one illuminant can be illuminated by means of light conduction through the illuminating element, the illuminating element having at least one recess delimited from the outside and the at least one illuminant being arranged in the recess. The depth of the at least one recess, in particular the entire at least one recess, is preferably greater than 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% or 70% of the depth of the illuminated sign.

In a supplementary embodiment, the outside of the at least one recess is essentially in contact with ambient air. Essentially in contact with ambient air preferably means that at least 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 98% of the outside of the lighting element is in contact with ambient air at the at least one cutout. In the at least recess there is preferably no filler, in particular no casting compound.

In a further variant, the at least one recess, in particular at least one groove, is formed on a rear side of the lighting element, preferably exclusively.

In a supplementary embodiment, the volume of the recess or the sum of the volumes of the recesses is greater than 20%, 30% or 40% of the volume of the lighting element.

In a further embodiment, the light-conducting material is glass or plastic, in particular PMMA plastic.

The volume of the light-conducting material preferably corresponds to at least 70%, 80% or 90%, in particular completely, to the volume of the lighting element and/or the lighting element is designed essentially without a cavity. Essentially without a cavity preferably means that at least 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% of the volume of the luminous element is without a cavity space, in particular completely without a cavity, is formed. The light-emitting element is thus preferably designed as a solid profile.

In a supplementary variant, the outside of the lighting element can be illuminated to at least 70%, 80% or 90%, in particular completely, by means of the at least one lighting means and/or the lighting element is designed in one piece. Due to the formation of the lighting element essentially from the light-conducting material, essentially the entire outside of the lighting element can also be illuminated by means of the at least one lighting means.

In an additional embodiment, the at least one light source is an LED and the at least one LED is or are arranged on a power cable in the at least one recess.

Method according to the invention for operating a luminous sign with at least one recess, in particular a luminous sign described in this property right application, with the steps: conducting electrical current through at least one power cable, which is arranged within the at least one recess of a luminous element of the luminous sign, operating luminous means, in particular LEDs, which are arranged in the at least one recess by means of the electrical current conducted through the at least one power cable, so that light, in particular light in different colors, is emitted by the lighting means, conducting the light from the lighting means through the light-conducting material of the lighting element, so that the outside, in particular essentially the entire outside of the light-emitting element, is illuminated, preferably in different colors.

In a further variant, the method is carried out simultaneously with several luminous signs and the luminous means in the luminous signs are electrically connected in series by the luminous means in the recesses of the luminous signs being electrically connected to one another with a power cable outside of the recesses.

Expediently, no lighting element is arranged on the power cable outside of the at least one recess.

In a supplementary embodiment, the light sources are operated with a low voltage of less than 60 V or 40 V or 15 V.

In an additional configuration, part of the light emitted by the at least one illuminant is introduced through the outside of the at least one recess into the light-conducting material of the lighting element, then through the light-conducting material to the outside of the lighting element, apart from the outside of the at least one recess, and exits through the outside, apart from the outside at the at least recess, into the environment and/or part of the light emitted by the at least one illuminant is emitted into the environment without being passed through the light-conducting material, in particular into a Environment in the area of a rear side of the lighting element.

In a further configuration, the at least one lighting element is designed in multiple parts. In the case of a multi-part design of the at least one light-emitting element, this is made up of several parts and these parts are connected to one another in a material-to-material and/or non-positive and/or positive-locking manner and/or the parts are connected to one another in a light-conducting manner, in particular at contact surfaces where the parts lie on top of one another.

Illuminated sign system according to the invention comprising several illuminated signs described in this patent application.

In an additional variant, lighting means of the illuminated signs of the illuminated sign system are electrically connected in series.

The light sources of the lighted signs of the lighted sign system are expediently electrically connected to one another with a power cable, in particular a power cable without light sources, in particular outside the recesses.

In an additional embodiment, the luminous sign includes a fastening means for fastening the luminous sign to a building, in particular to a facade of the building. After it has been attached to the facade of the building, the illuminated sign is at a distance from the outside of the building, for example on the back of the illuminated sign, or the rear is integrated into the facade, for example by having a part of the illuminated sign on the back covered by masonry plaster and /or enclosed in insulation.

In a further variant, the lighting unit is essentially formed from the light-conducting material, in particular to an extent of at least 70% by volume, 80% by volume or 90% by volume.

In an additional variant, the lighting unit is light-conducting in all directions, so that the lighting unit is active on the outside, in particular essentially the entire outside can be illuminated with the at least one electric light source. Substantially preferably means that at least 90%, 95% or 98% of the outside, in particular the entire outside, can be illuminated.

In an additional configuration, the lighting element is formed exclusively from the light-conducting material, in particular glass or plastic, in particular PMMA plastic, and/or to at least 70% by weight or volume, 80% by weight or volume or 90% by weight. % or % by volume, in particular completely, formed from the light-conducting material.

In an additional embodiment, the lighting means are attached to the power cable, preferably a flexible power cable.

In an additional configuration, no lighting means is formed outside of the at least one cutout and/or in the lighting element.

In an additional embodiment, the height h of the at least one illuminated sign is between 10 cm and 70 cm, in particular between 15 cm and 50 cm.

In an additional embodiment, the length l of the at least one illuminated sign is between 3 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 40 cm.

In a further embodiment, the depth t of the at least one illuminated sign is between 3 cm and 30 cm, in particular between 4 cm and 15 cm.

The lighting element is expediently transparent or diffusely translucent.

In a further embodiment, the light-emitting element is transparent or diffusely translucent, i. H. translucent, trained. The light-emitting element is preferably light-transmitting in a scattering manner due to a matt or rough outside property, at least partially on the outside, in particular on the at least one recess in the light-emitting sign.

Preferably, the luminous sign is transparent due to a clear outside property, at least partially on the outside, in particular at a recess in the luminous sign. The clear exterior is achieved, for example, by treating the glass luminous sign with acid.

In a further embodiment, the light-conducting material glass of the at least one illuminated sign has a density between 1 kg/l and 5 kg/l, preferably between 2 kg/l and 3 kg/l.

In an additional variant, the at least one recess has a U-shaped, V-shaped and/or rectangular, in particular square, cross-section.

In an additional embodiment, the luminous sign is illuminated with the illuminants in different light intensities and/or different colors; in particular, the different light intensities and/or different colors can be set manually by means of an actuator, in particular a rotary knob or slide, and/or the different light intensities and/or or different colors can be controlled and/or regulated one after the other on the basis of a program sequence.

The at least one illuminant is expediently designed as an LED and/or halogen lamp and/or incandescent bulb and/or fluorescent tube and/or fluorescent lamp.

• 1 eine Vorderansicht eines Leuchtzeichens als Leuchtzahl,
• 2 eine Rückansicht des Leuchtzeichens gemäß 1,
• 3 eine Schnitt A-A des Leuchtzeichens gemäß 2,
• 4 eine Vorderansicht eine Leuchtzeichensystems mit zwei Leuchtzeichen,
• 5 einen vertikalen Schnitt durch ein an einer Wand oder Mauer befestigtes Leuchtzeichen in einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Befestigung und
• 6 einen vertikalen Schnitt durch ein an einer Wand oder Mauer befestigtes Leuchtzeichen in einem zweien Ausführungsbeispiel der Befestigung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
It shows:

• 1 a front view of a luminous sign as a luminous number,
• 2 a rear view of the luminous sign according to FIG 1 ,
• 3 according to a section AA of the illuminated sign 2 ,
• 4 a front view of a luminous sign system with two luminous signs,
• 5 a vertical section through a wall or wall mounted luminous sign in a first embodiment of the attachment and
• 6 a vertical section through a wall or wall mounted luminous sign in a second embodiment of the attachment.

A luminous sign 1 essentially comprises a luminous element 3 and luminous means 8. The luminous element 3 is made entirely of a light-conducting material, in particular glass or plastic. The light-emitting element 3 has the shape of a number, so that the light-emitting sign 1 is designed as a light-emitting number 2 ( 1-3 ). The one-piece lighting element 3 in the form of a number, made entirely of the light-conducting material, has an outside 4 . The outside 4 is divided into a front side 5, a back side 6 and a lateral side 7. Another part of the outside 4 delimits a recess 11 as a groove 12. The recess 11 is formed exclusively on the back side 6. The luminous element 3 has a height h of 20 cm, a length l of 10 cm and a depth t of 4 cm. The depth of the recess 11 corresponds approximately to half the depth t of the light-emitting element 3, so that the depth of the recess 11 corresponds to 2 cm.

In the recess 11 a power cable 10 for low voltage of 12 V is arranged. A multiplicity of light sources 8 as LEDs 9 are fastened to the power cable 10 . The lighting means 8 are supplied with electrical energy via the power cable 10 . The power cable 10 is fixed within the recess 11 with at least one fixing means (not shown). The at least one fixing means is designed, for example, as a local or linear adhesive connection, or mechanical fixing means, for example clips or eyelets, are fastened to the lighting element 3 in the recess 11 (not shown).

The power cable 10 with a large number of LEDs 9 as illuminants 8 is arranged in the recess 11 in each case. The LEDs 9 are attached to the fluid-tight power cable 10 in a watertight manner, so that rainwater, for example, has no negative effects. A transformer 14 is fitted with a 220 volt power cord 15 and with a power plug 16 ( 4 ) is connected to the electrical network of a building and supplies the power cable 10 with low voltage of 12 V or 6 V, preferably in direct voltage. As a result, the lamps 8 can be operated and illuminated on the power cable 10 without any risk. The transformer 14 and the lighting means 8 are designed with a corresponding control unit (not shown) in such a way that the LEDs 9 can also light up alternately in different colors due to a program sequence and the lighting element 3 can therefore light up in different colors, for example green, yellow, red or blue , can be illuminated. This change in the color or the luminosity can be set on the transformer 14 or a corresponding program can be stored, by means of which the transformer 14 with an integrated control unit can carry out a corresponding change in the colors and/or the luminosity of the lamps 8. The transformer 14 is electrically connected to a 220 V power cable 15 by means of a power plug 16 with the power supply of a building. A connector 17 is used to detachably connect the power cable 10 to the transformer 14.

When the recess 11 is treated with acid in a light-emitting element 3 made of glass, the inside of the recess 12, formed by the outside 4 of the light-emitting element 3, is particularly clear, so that the light is only targeted essentially at an area with a small distance between the light sources 8 and light-emitting element 3 penetrates into the light-emitting element 3, so that the outside 4 of the light-emitting element 3 is illuminated in a substantially non-uniform manner. If the recess 4 is not treated with acid, the inside of the recess 4 is matt, so that the light emerging from the lamps 8 is refracted during the transition from the air in the recess 4 into the glass of the lighting element 3 and the outside 4 of the Luminous element 3 is illuminated essentially with a constant light intensity.

The light-emitting element 3 is preferably designed to be polished or shiny on the front side 5 and matt on the side 7 .

In a luminous sign system 18 ( 4 ) With several illuminated signs 1, the lamps 8 are electrically connected to each other in the recesses 11 by means of the power cable 10 after installation on the facade of the building. Optionally, the plug-in connector 17 can be arranged in the power cable 10 for connecting the lamps 8 electrically to one another, so that the individual illuminated signs 1 can be easily installed and fastened separately. The power cable 10 with the LEDs 9 can be cut off at any point according to the length of the cutout 11, so that a power cable 10 corresponding to the individual length of the cutout 11 for a lighting element 3 can be easily made available during assembly.

The luminous signs 1 of the luminous sign system 18 are fastened in a wall 19 of a building with a fastening means 21, for example a rod 22 or a screw and a dowel. Each illuminated sign 1 is fixed with one fastening means 21 each on a luminous sign system 18 with several illuminated signs 1, the number of fastening means 21 is smaller than the number of illuminated signs 1. The rear side 6 of the illuminated sign 1 can have a distance to a plaster 20 ( 5 ) or the back 6 is integrated into the plaster 20 ( 6 ),

Overall, significant advantages are associated with the luminous sign 1 according to the invention and the method according to the invention for operating the luminous sign 1 . The luminous sign 1 with the one-piece luminous element 3 made of plastic or glass is particularly stable and inexpensive to manufacture, so that this even large forces acting on the outside 4 of the lighting element 3, for example due to impacts from vandalism or hail, do not cause any damage to the lighting element 3. The large forces can also be absorbed by the light-emitting element 3 without damage, in particular because the light-emitting element 3 has no cavities. Different colors and/or luminous intensities of the light sources 8 can also be implemented or can be implemented and/or this is also possible automatically with a corresponding programming of the transformer 14 with an integrated control unit, so that the visual design of facades on buildings with the Wall 19 with the illuminated sign 1 results in completely new and innovative aspects for the light management of illuminated signs. The illuminated sign system 18 can thus be easily adapted to building facades, house numbers, company names and logos according to the individual wishes of a light management system.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 9515477 U1 [0004]
• WO 2009002197 A1 [0005]
• AT 296095 B [0006]
• CN 211906862 U [0007]

Claims (10)

Illuminated signs (1), in particular illuminated letters or illuminated numbers (2), comprising - an illuminated element (3) made of a light-conducting material in the form of a three-dimensional symbol, in particular a letter or number, with an outer side (4), - at least one electrical illuminant (8) for illuminating the luminous element (3), so that the outside (4) can be illuminated with the at least one illuminant (8) by means of light transmission through the luminous element (3), characterized in that the luminous element (3) has at least one of the outside (4th ) has limited recess (11) and the at least one light source (8) is arranged in the recess (11). lights after claim 1 , characterized in that the outside (4) of the at least one recess (11) is contacted essentially by ambient air. lights after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least one recess (11), in particular at least one groove (12), is formed on a rear side of the lighting element (3). Luminous sign according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the recess (11) or the sum of the volumes of the recesses (11) is greater than 20%, 30% or 40% of the volume of the luminous element (3). Luminous sign according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-conducting material is glass or plastic, in particular PMMA plastic. Luminous sign according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the light-conducting material corresponds to at least 70%, 80% or 90%, in particular completely, to the volume of the luminous element (3) and/or the luminous element (3) essentially is designed without a cavity. Luminous sign according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outside (4) of the luminous element (3) can be illuminated to at least 70%, 80% or 90%, in particular completely, by means of the at least one luminous means (8) and/or the lighting element (3) is formed in one piece. Illuminated sign according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one illuminant (8) is an LED (9) and the at least one LED (9) is arranged on a power cable (10) in the at least one recess (11). or are. Method for operating a luminous sign (1) with at least one recess (11), in particular a luminous sign (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, with the steps: - conducting electric current through at least one power cable (10), which is arranged within the at least one recess (11) of a luminous element (3) of the luminous sign (1), - Operation of lamps (8), in particular LEDs (9), which are arranged in the at least one recess (11) by means of the at least one power cable (10) conducted electrical current, so that the lamps (8) light, in particular light of different colors, is emitted, - Conducting the light from the lighting means (8) through the light-conducting material of the lighting element (3), so that the outside (4), in particular essentially the entire outside (4) of the lighting element (3), is illuminated, preferably in different colors . procedure after claim 9 , characterized in that the method is carried out simultaneously with several luminous signs (1) and the luminous means (8) in the luminous signs (1) are electrically connected in series by the luminous means (8) in the recesses (11) of the luminous signs (1) are electrically connected to each other with a power cable outside the recesses (11).

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