EP1586810A2

EP1586810A2 - Modular lighting system including high-powered LED lighting modules

Info

Publication number: EP1586810A2
Application number: EP05007370A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francesco Iannone
Original assignee: VLM SpA
Current assignee: VLM SpA
Priority date: 2004-04-16
Filing date: 2005-04-05
Publication date: 2005-10-19
Also published as: CN1683819A; EP1586810A3; ITMI20040756A1

Abstract

Modular lighting system (10) includes lighting modules (11) with each module including in turn a casing containing a high-powered LED light source and an electronic circuit for regulation of the power supply. The modules have at the rear a through seat (34) that receives an insulated bifilar twin-lead (12) for power-supply connected to an external power source. The seat is openable for reception of the twin lead through it and in the seat there are electrical contact members (28, 29) connected to the internal electronic power supply and have points for perforation of the twin-lead insulation received in the seat. In this manner, upon closing of the seat, electrical contact is established between the wires in the twin lead and the electronic power supply circuit.

Description

This invention relates to a modular lighting system including high-powered LED modules. By high-powered LED is usually meant a LED or set of LEDs having power at least near half a watt and in particular around 1 W.

The general purpose of this invention is to make available a modular lighting system flexible and easy to use and utilizing the undeniable advantages of the use of high-powered LEDs while obviating the difficulties of use deriving from the need peculiar to high-powered LEDs of using for each lighting fixture its own power circuit with particular characteristics.

In view of this purpose it was sought to provide in accordance with this invention a modular lighting system including lighting modules with each including in turn a casing containing a high-powered LED light source and an electronic circuit for regulation of the power for said light source beginning from an external voltage source with the modules having at the rear a through seat that receives an insulated bifilar twin-lead for power supply connected to said external source with the seat being openable to receive through it the twin lead with there being in the seat electrical contact members connected to the electronic circuit for internal power supply and having points for perforation of the insulation of the twin lead received in the seat to establish electrical contact between the wires in the twin lead and the electronic power supply circuit upon closing of a seat cover.

A module for said system is also claimed.

To clarify the explanation of the innovative principles of this invention and its advantages compared with the prior art there are described below with the aid of the annexed drawings possible embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting examples applying said principles. In the drawings:

FIG 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a lighting system in accordance with this invention,

FIG 2 shows a rear view of the lighting modules of FIG 1,

FIG 3 shows a partially exploded longitudinal cross section view of two modules of the system of FIG 1,

FIG 4 shows a partially exploded cross section view along plane of cut IV-IV of FIG 3 of two modules of the system of FIG 1, and

FIG 5 shows a bottom perspective view similar to the one of FIG 2 showing a variant embodiment of the system in accordance with this invention.

With reference to the figures, FIG 1 shows a modular lighting system designated as a whole by reference number 10 and realized in accordance with this invention.

The system includes lighting modules 11 having at the rear a through seat 34 to receive an insulated bifilar twin-lead 12 for power supply. The modules can be arranged at not necessarily constant intervals along a twin lead and multiple twin leads can be placed side by side to realize a system of lighting modules arranged in rows and columns. The twin leads are connected electrically to an outside power supply source by a connection member 13. The connection member can be a simple connection terminal-board or can include a known power supply device (even a simple transformer) receiving for example a mains voltage through an appropriate connection 14 and supplying a low voltage to the twin leads. Various types of connection can be provided between the various twin leads, for example to be able to control lighting of individual columns or groups of module columns.

Each module includes at the rear a cover 19 for connection to the twin lead as clarified below. Advantageously the modules can have a generally parallelepiped form with a light-emission parabola 20 that faces from one face of the parallelepiped and the cover 19 that engages on the opposite face.

As may be seen in the figures, advantageously the twin lead that makes up the system consists of two parallel insulated wires 15 spaced by a thin plastic interconnection membrane 16. This gives good flexibility to the row of modules so that they can follow any course and good support for the modules.

To easily fasten and hold the alignment and the distance between the modules and when desired increase the rigidity of the modules in the plane the system can advantageously include a mechanical interconnection by means of bridge members 17 engaged between neighboring modules. In the preferred embodiment shown, the bridge members 17 engage in purposeful seats made behind the casings and advantageously on the cover 19.

To have modularity along two orthogonal axes there are four seats, that is two arranged parallel to the direction of passage of the twin lead in the module and two arranged transversely to that passage direction. This way, modules can be easily engaged side-by-side on the same twin lead or different side-by-side twin-lead modules.

As may be seen in FIG 2, the bridge members 17 are made of plastic with an elongated member having at each end a dovetail engagement that engages in a corresponding seat 18 near the edge toward the back of the module. The seats 18 follow the negative of the dovetail so as to act as dovetail grooves. This avoids mutual rotation of the modules around the connection. Advantageously, the connection member 17 does not protrude from the plane identified by the rear surface of the modules. The modules can thus be easily assembled on a surface.

As may be seen in the cross section of FIG 3, each lighting module 11 includes an outside casing 24 containing the LED light source 25 and an appropriate electronic power supply circuit for that light source beginning from the external voltage source connected through the twin lead. To optimize the spaces, the electronic circuit can be arranged advantageously on two superimposed printed

circuits

26, 27. This circuit receives the voltage (for example unstabilized and, if desired, not direct current either) and supplies to the LED the right power supply with the predetermined constant currents for the particular high-powered LED used. As each module has its own internal power supply circuit, it is not required that all modules have the same power and light emission characteristics neither as to intensity nor as to color.

The circuit will have for example a known rectifier bridge at the input so that the voltage supplied by the twin leads will not need to have a predetermined polarity but the direct-current supply voltage will be taken from the rectifier bridge and leveled by an electric condenser of appropriate capacity to then be supplied to a control device that feeds the LED with current.

The circuit itself is easily imaginable to those skilled in the art on the basis of the description given and is not further described or shown.

As may be seen better in FIG 4, each module has the through seat for the twin lead that is openable in two

halves

34a, 34b and has

electrical contact members

28, 29 connected to the internal electronic power supply circuit and has points for perforation of the insulation of the twin lead received in the seat. Upon closing of the seat by affixing of the cover 19, the points of the contact members are thrust to perforate the insulation of the twin lead until they enter into firm contact with the wires inside the twin lead. The point of contact between the points and the wires is virtually sealed by the perforated insulation and deterioration in time of the electrical characteristics of the contact is avoided.

Advantageously, the cover 19 engages by snapping onto the module body. This is obtained with elastic tabs 30 that protrude from opposite side-edges of the cover to fit into purposeful engagement seats 31 along the side walls of the module body (the engagement is shown in broken lines in FIG 4).

In this manner, once the cover is arranged in the desired position along the twin lead (position predetermined for example by the mechanical connection member 17) it suffices to apply the top body of the module to fasten it to the body and obtain the electrical connection.

FIG 5 shows an embodiment variant. For the sake of clarity, parts similar to those of the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numbers as those of the previous embodiment but increased by 100.

In this variant, the modules (indicated generally by reference number 111) always include a body 124 on which fits (by means of elastic arms 130) a rear cover 119 to confine the twin lead 12 so that the contacts of the module perforate the insulation. The internal structure of the modules is similar to that of the first embodiment described and therefore is not further shown nor described here.

The covers can also include through seats or holes 32 for their screwed fastening before engagement with the twin lead by affixing the rest of the module so as to make a mechanical support for the module. By way of example, FIG 5 shows in broken lines a screw 33 inserted in the seat 32 of a module.

A screw can be used every few modules to fastened the entire set of modules to a surface with the modules not having screws remaining solidly constrained through the twin lead and if desired through the mechanical connections 117.

In this variant, the bridge members 117 are made of plastic with an elongated member having at each end a transverse projection 121 that engages in a corresponding seat 118 on the back of a module. The end can also be widened transversely, for example to form a disc-shaped space.

Each of the seats 118 can include a groove 122 extending on the rear face of the module from the edge to a hole 123 for engagement of the transversal projection 121. In this manner, in addition to blocking rotation around the projection, protrusion of the connection member 117 from the plane identified by the rear surface of the modules is avoided. The modules can thus be assembled easily on a surface.

It is now clear that the preset purposes have been achieved.

Naturally the above description of an embodiment applying the innovative principles of this invention is given by way of non-limiting example of said principles within the scope of the exclusive right claimed here. For example, the form of the individual modules can be different from the one shown in the drawings. In addition, the final module for connection of the twin leads to the power supply can also be made with a snap-on cover and contact points for perforation of the insulation.

Claims

Modular lighting system including lighting modules each including in turn a casing containing a high-powered LED light source and an electronic circuit for regulation of the power for said light source beginning from an external voltage source with the modules having at the rear a through seat that receives an insulated bifilar twin-lead for power supply connected to said external source with the seat being openable for reception through it of the twin lead with there being in the seat electrical contact members connected to the internal electronic power supply and having points for perforation of the insulation of the twin lead received in the seat to establish electrical contact between the wires in the twin lead and the electronic power supply circuit upon closing of a seat cover.
Modular lighting system characterized in that the twin lead is made up of two parallel insulated wires separated by a thin plastic membrane for interconnection.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that adjacent modules are interconnected mechanically by bridge members engaged between the respective casings.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 3 characterized in that the bridge members are engaged at the rear of the modules.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 4 characterized in that the bridge members are made of a plastic member having at both ends a dovetailed projection that engages in a corresponding seat on the rear of a module.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 4 characterized in that the bridge members are made with an elongated plastic member having at both ends a transversal projection that engages in a corresponding seat on the rear of a module.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 5 or 6 characterized in that the seats are made on the external face of said cover.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 5 or 6 characterized in that the seats are four in number with two arranged parallel to the direction of passage of the twin lead in the module and two are arranged transversally to said passage direction.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 6 characterized in that each of the seats includes a groove extending on the rear face of the module from the edge to an engagement hole.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 7 characterized in that each of the seats includes a groove extending on the rear face of the module near the edges.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the modules have a generally parallelepiped shape with a light-emitting parabola facing from one face of the parallelepiped and said cover that engages on the opposite face.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the cover engages by snapping onto the module body.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 12 characterized in that for the snap-on engagement the cover has elastic tabs projecting from its opposing side edges to be arranged in purposeful engagement seats along side-walls of the module body.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the cover has seats for its screwed fastening before engagement with the twin lead so as to constitute mechanical support for the module.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that said source supplies the twin lead with low voltage taken from a mains power supply.
Lighting system in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the modules can be brought near in rows and columns.
Lighting module including a casing containing a high-powered LED light source and an electronic circuit for regulation of said light source power supply beginning from an external voltage source and characterized in that it has at the rear a through seat for receiving an insulated bifilar twin-lead for power-supply connected to said external source with the seat being openable for receiving the twin lead through it and with there being in the seat electric contact members connected to the internal electronic power supply circuit and having points for perforation of the insulation of the twin lead received in the seat to establish electrical contact between the wires in the twin lead and the electronic power supply circuit upon closing of a cover of the seat after insertion of the through twin-lead.
Module in accordance with claim 17 characterized in that it has a generally parallelepiped shape with a light-emitting parabola that faces from one face of the parallelepiped and said cover that engages on the opposite face.
Module in accordance with claim 17 characterized in that the cover engages by snapping onto the module body.
Module in accordance with claim 19 characterized in that for the snap engagement the cover has elastic tabs protruding from its opposite side edges to be arranged in purposeful engagement seats along side walls of the module body.
Module in accordance with claim 17 characterized in that the cover has seats for its screwed fastening before engagement with the twin lead so as to constitute mechanical support for the module.
Module in accordance with claim 17 characterized in that it includes engagement seats at the rear for interconnection members between side-by-side modules.