This application is the U.S. national phase of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2014/054061 filed on Mar. 3, 2014, which claims priority to DE Patent Application No. 10 2013 203 912.3 filed on Mar. 7, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
The invention relates to an LED lighting module (LED: light-emitting diode) comprising a plurality of LEDs for generating light, and comprising an optical element for influencing the light. The invention furthermore concerns a luminaire comprising at least one such LED lighting module.
DE 10 2010 003 805 A1 discloses a corresponding arrangement for emitting light. The optical element in this case comprises lens regions, precisely one of the lens regions being assigned to each LED. The lens regions are used to collimate the light emitted by the LEDs.
In the known arrangement, it may happen that a nonuniform light appearance is formed on a surface which is illuminated with the arrangement. This is because precisely one lens element is assigned to each of the LEDs, so that a light beam is formed by each of the lens elements and the individual light beams formed in this way in effect do not merge fully with one another.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved LED lighting module. In particular, the LED lighting module is intended to allow particularly uniform illumination. The LED lighting module is furthermore intended to allow a simple structure as well as good thermal dissipation of the heat generated by the LEDs during operation. A further object is to provide a luminaire comprising such an LED lighting module.
These objects are achieved according to the invention by the subject-matter in the independent claims. Particular embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.
The invention provides an LED lighting module, which comprises a plurality of first LEDs for generating first light, as well as a first optical element for influencing the first light, the first optical element being configured in order to influence the first light in such a way that it is emitted collimated from the LED lighting module in a direction. The luminaire furthermore comprises at least one second LED for generating second light, as well as a second optical element for influencing the second light, the second optical element being configured in order to influence the second light in such a way that it is emitted diffusely from the LED lighting module in the direction.
The effect achievable by the diffuse light generated in this way is that the light beams generated by the first optical element are no longer perceived separately from one another as such. In this way, particularly homogeneous illumination can be achieved. In other words, by virtue of the at least one second LED and the second optical element, multiple shadows which are induced per se by the first light can be suppressed, or masked.
Preferably, the first LEDs and the at least one second LED are arranged in such a way that—as observed counter to the direction—the first LEDs are arranged in a central region and the at least one second LED is arranged in an outer region following on from the central region. In this way, the described effect can be achieved in a particularly suitable way.
To this end, furthermore, a plurality of second LEDs are preferably provided, at least two of the second LEDs being arranged on two opposite sides in relation to the central region. Particularly preferably, the LED lighting module comprises at least four second LEDs, in particular at least eight second LEDs.
One configuration which is particularly simple and at the same suitable in terms of production technology, is made possible when the first LEDs and/or the at least one second LED are arranged in the manner of a matrix, preferably arranged in the manner of a matrix on a printed circuit board.
Preferably, the first optical element comprises a plurality of lens elements, precisely one of the plurality of lens elements being assigned to each of the plurality of first LEDs.
A particularly compact configuration of the LED lighting module is made possible when the first optical element forms a first housing part of the LED lighting module.
Particularly suitable light emission by the LED lighting module is made possible when the first optical element is configured in order to influence the first light in such a way that it is emitted without glare from the LED lighting module.
It is advantageous in terms of production technology for the second optical element to consist of a plastic, in particular of an opal or colored plastic.
Preferably, the second optical element comprises a structured surface region, in particular a surface region structured in a wave-like manner. In this way, the second light generated by the at least one second LED can be influenced by the second optical element in such a way that, when the LED lighting module is observed counter to the direction, the second LEDs are essentially no longer discernible as such.
In particular, to this end the structured surface region may advantageously be configured in such a way that the second optical element has, in a subregion which is described by a projection of the at least one LED in the direction, a thickness which decreases from the subregion toward at least one side.
Particularly simple assembly of the LED lighting module is made possible when the second optical element is arranged inlaid in the first optical element.
Preferably, the LED lighting module furthermore comprises electronic components for operation of the first LEDs and of the at least one second LED.
Light emission which can be adjusted in a particularly versatile way is made possible when the first LEDs on the one hand, and the at least one second LED on the other hand, can be driven independently of one another.
Preferably, the first LEDs and/or the at least one second LED are arranged on a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board forming a second housing part of the LED lighting module. In this way, the LED lighting module can be constructed particularly simply; in addition, particularly simple assembly of the LED lighting module is made possible in this way. It is furthermore advantageous with a view to simple assembly that the configuration is such that the first optical element and the printed circuit board are connected to one another by means of a latch connection.
Particularly suitable removal of heat which is generated by the LEDs during operation of the LED lighting module is made possible when the LED lighting module furthermore comprises a metal plate, in particular an aluminum plate, the first LEDs and the at least one second LED being arranged thermally conductively connected to the metal plate. Preferably, the metal plate in this case forms a second housing part of the LED lighting module. Removal of the heat into an external region of the LED module is reinforced by means of this.
For a particularly suitable electrical connection between the first LEDs and the at least one second LED on the one hand, and a carrier element of a luminaire on the other hand, the LED lighting module furthermore preferably comprises a plug element. Particularly simple establishment of the electrical connection is made possible by means of this.
Another aspect of the invention provides a luminaire comprising at least one LED lighting module according to the invention. Preferably, the luminaire in this case furthermore comprises an operating device for the electricity supply of the at least one LED lighting module.
The invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings, in which:
The LED lighting module 1 comprises a plurality of first LEDs 2, which are preferably arranged on the LED printed circuit board 6. The first LEDs 2 are configured in order to generate first light. Preferably, the first LEDs 2 are arranged in the manner of a matrix on the LED printed circuit board 6, in particular equidistantly.
As shown by way of example in
To this end, the first optical element 3 preferably comprises lens elements 31, and is preferably configured in such a way that precisely one of the lens elements 31 is assigned to each of the first LEDs 2.
As is furthermore indicated in
In the example shown, the optical element 3 comprises a light emission surface 32, configured to be planar and which forms a light emission surface of the LED lighting module 1, the lens elements 31 preferably being configured extending to the light emission surface 32 to within a wall thickness d of the optical element 3. The lens elements 31 and the rest of the first optical element 3 may, in particular, be configured in one piece.
The configuration is furthermore preferably such that the first light emitted by the first LEDs 2 is optically influenced only by the lens elements 31, i.e. no other optical influencing elements are provided for the first light.
Preferably, the first optical element 3 is furthermore configured in order to influence the first light in such a way that it is emitted without glare from the LED lighting module 1. This can be achieved by suitable selection of the geometrical properties of the lens elements 31.
As shown in the figures, the lens elements 31 may be configured symmetrically. As an alternative, for example, provision may be made for the lens elements to be configured in such a way that—in relation to the vertical—they respectively lead to asymmetric light emission; if these lens elements are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to one another, overall observed symmetrical light emission may again be achieved.
As an alternative to the lens elements 31, for example, in order to influence the first light the first optical element may be provided with a prism structure.
As shown by
The LED lighting module 1 furthermore comprises at least one second LED 4 for generating second light, as well as a second optical element 5 for influencing the second light. The at least one second LED 4 is preferably likewise arranged on the LED printed circuit board 6, specifically on the same side as the first LEDs 2.
The second optical element 5 is in this case configured in order to influence the second light in such a way that it is emitted diffusely from the LED lighting module 1 in the direction R, or in a solid angle around the direction R.
The effect achievable by the emission of the diffuse second light is that inhomogeneities of the directionally emitted first light on a surface illuminated by the LED lighting module 1 are reduced or entirely suppressed, so that they are no longer perceptible as such. Particularly uniform illumination can therefore be achieved with the LED lighting module 1.
As shown in
Preferably, a plurality of second LEDs 4 are provided, at least two of the second LEDs 4 being arranged on two opposite sides in relation to the central region B1. In particular, the LED lighting module 1 preferably comprises at least four second LEDs 4, and particularly preferably at least eight second LEDs 4. A particularly suitable effect can be achieved when the second LEDs 4 are arranged in such a way that they are arranged extending on all sides in a uniform way around the central region B1. For example, the second LEDs 6 may also be arranged in the manner of a matrix on the LED printed circuit board 6. In the case of a rectangular LED printed circuit board 6, for example, provision may be made to arrange at least two, in particular at least three second LEDs 4 on each of the correspondingly formed four sides.
In the example shown, the LED printed circuit board 6 is rectangularly shaped and a total of twenty-four second LEDs 4 are arranged on it. In this case, twenty-eight first LEDs 2 are provided. The following—formulated generally—preferably applies for the ratio between the number n2 of second LEDs 4 and the number n1 of first LEDs 2:
½n1<n2<2n1.
The second optical element 5 preferably consists of an optically transmissive but diffusely acting plastic, in particular of an opal or colored plastic.
As shown by
As shown by
In the example shown, the first optical element 3 is shaped in such a way that it approximately defines a cuboid shape with its outer surfaces, the lens elements 31 being formed in a central region of the bottom or base surface of the cuboid. In other words, the first optical element 3 is preferably essentially pot-shaped, the lens elements 31 being formed in a central region of the bottom of the pot shape. As shown in particular by way of example by
As described, the first optical element 3 and the second optical element 5 thus may be formed consisting of two pieces. As an alternative, the two optical elements 3, 5 may also be produced, for example, integrally in a two-component injection molding method.
In this case, the second optical element 5′, to the extent mentioned, may be configured in the form of a channel extending continuously around in a ring with a U-shaped cross section, but with the bottom of the channel not being shaped in a planar fashion here, but instead comprising the structured surface region 51, or with the structured surface region 51 forming the bottom of the channel.
As shown in particular by the sectional representations of
In particular, the effect achievable by the structured surface region 51 is that the second light is influenced in such a way that, when observing the LED module counter to the direction R, the at least one second LED 4 is almost no longer discernible as such, or a corresponding light point nevertheless appears at least significantly reduced.
In the variant shown, the structured surface region 51 is furthermore preferably configured in such a way that the second optical element 5′ has, in a subregion 52 which—as indicated in
In other words, the bottom of the channel may comprise elevations or “hillocks” or wave crests, such that one of the second LEDs 4 is assigned to each of these elevations.
In the case of a wave structure, the wave shape of the channel bottom may, in particular, be configured in such a way that wave crests extend outward relative to the ring shape of the channel, the height of the wave crests preferably respectively decreasing outward.
Furthermore, in the configuration according to the variant, provision is made for the printed circuit board 6 to form a second housing part of the LED lighting module. Preferably, a housing, closed on all sides, of the module is in this case formed by the first housing part in the form of the first optical element 3 and the second housing part in the form of the printed circuit board 6. In order to allow particularly simple assembly of the module, the printed circuit board 6 may be connected to the first optical element 3 by a latch connection. In the exemplary embodiment shown, to this end the printed circuit board 6—as can be seen from
Again with reference to the embodiment shown in
Preferably, the metal plate 7 forms a second housing part of the LED lighting module 1, in particular a cover element. In this case, the configuration is furthermore preferably such that the metal plate 7 is arranged immediately adjacent to the first optical element 3, as likewise shown by way of example in particular by
The LED lighting module 1 furthermore preferably comprises a plug element 8 for electrical connection between the first LEDs 2 and the at least one second LED 4 on the one hand, and a carrier element of a luminaire on the other hand, the plug element 8 preferably being arranged projecting above the metal plate 7. As indicated in
The luminaire 9 comprises a carrier element 10, which may in particular form a base body of the luminaire, or a luminaire base.
For the electrical connection between the LED lighting module 1 and the contacting element 11, a plug connection may in particular be provided. To this end, the contacting element 11 may comprise a socket 111, into which the plug element 8 of the LED lighting module 1 is inserted.
In the example shown, the carrier element 10 of luminaire 9 is configured as a profiled section, comprising a horizontal branch 101 and—in the state connected ready for operation—the metal plate 7 of the LED lighting module 1 contacts the horizontal branch 101 in a planar fashion from below. In this way, a particularly good thermal dissipation is made possible. The contacting element 11 is advantageously at least predominantly arranged above the horizontal branch 101 of the carrier element 10.
For the mechanical connection to the carrier element 10 of the luminaire 9, the LED lighting module 1 preferably comprises a holding element, for example in the form of a magnet 12. In the example shown, the magnet 12 is arranged on the upper side of the metal plate 7 in such a way that it extends projecting upward out beyond the metal plate 11. Preferably, at the correspondingly matching position of the carrier element 10, i.e. in particular on the horizontal branch 101, a corresponding recess (not shown in the figures) is provided, in which the magnet 12 engages in such a way that the planar surface of the metal plate 7 can contact in a planar fashion the likewise planar lower side of the horizontal branch 101 of the carrier element 10.
As an alternative to magnetic holding, a holder comprising a spring element or the like may for example be provided.
The LED lighting module 1 can therefore be electrically and mechanically connected particularly simply to the rest of the luminaire 9, or the carrier element 10. To this extent, the LED lighting module 1 forms a modular component, or an “LED light component”.
In the example shown, the carrier element 10 of the luminaire 9 is configured to be longer than the LED lighting module 1 along the longitudinal axis L. In particular, the configuration is such that the luminaire 9 in total comprises a plurality of LED lighting modules 1, 1′, for example of the same design, which are arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis L while respectively being held in a similar way on the carrier element 10 and being respectively connected electrically to a corresponding contacting element.
As shown by
Furthermore, the LED lighting module 1 preferably also comprises electronic components for operation of the first LEDs 2 and the at least one second LED 4. The electronic components may in this case be arranged on the LED printed circuit board 6.
The LED lighting module 1 is preferably configured in such a way that the first LEDs 2 on the one hand, and the at least one second LED 4 on the other hand, can be driven independently of one another, and in particular can be switched and dimmed independently of one another. In this way, different lighting atmospheres can be generated in a versatile way with the luminaire. As already mentioned, the electrical connection between the LED lighting module 1 and the contacting element 11 is preferably such that control signals can also be transmitted by means of this. In the case of a corresponding plurality of contacting element, the latter are preferably electrically connected to one another while running along the upper side of the horizontal branch 101 of the carrier element 2, and are for example combined in order to form a cable harness.
An operating device for the LED lighting module 1, or for the LED lighting modules 1, 1″, is preferably arranged on the carrier element 10 of the luminaire. The effect achievable in this way is that the weight and the overall size of the LED lighting module 1 can be kept small and handling is thus furthermore facilitated.
By virtue of its structure, the LED lighting module 1 is particularly suitable for being configured in different shapes and sizes. It is therefore suitable particularly for modular construction of a luminaire. In this case, the shape of the luminaire is not restricted to the elongate embodiment, or long-field luminaire, described above by way of example. As an alternative, the luminaire may for example have a rectangular or square or even round base shape. The luminaire is also not restricted to a hanging luminaire. As an alternative, it may for example be a luminaire fitted into or onto a ceiling, or a wall luminaire or a downlight or a standard luminaire. In the case of a ceiling or wall luminaire, the LED lighting module 1 is also particularly suitable as a single module. With the aid of the LED lighting module 1, very different luminaires can correspondingly be configured particularly suitably. In this case, the LED lighting module 1 can be produced particularly economically.
The structure of the luminaire allows particularly simple replacement of the LED lighting module 1. Provision may also be made for the luminaire to comprise a dummy piece or a sensor element, or even another element, instead of an LED lighting module 1.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2013 203 912 | Mar 2013 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2014/054061 | 3/3/2014 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2014/135492 | 9/12/2014 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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