Patent Application
20140218905
The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-021867 filed on Feb. 7, 2013. The content of the application is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a light-emitting module including an inter-module connection part, a straight tube lamp using the light-emitting module, and a luminaire using the straight tube lamp.
Hitherto, there is a straight tube lamp using a light-emitting element such as an LED element. In this straight tube lamp, plural light-emitting modules linearly arranged side by side are contained in a straight tube cover, and caps are attached to both ends of the cover.
The light-emitting module includes a longitudinal substrate. Plural light-emitting elements are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and one light-emitting circuit to connect these plural light-emitting elements in series is formed. An inter-module connection part including a pair of electrodes to which the light-emitting circuit is connected is formed at an end of the substrate. When the light-emitting modules are arranged side by side, a connection member connects the electrodes of the light-emitting modules arranged side by side.
In the light-emitting module of the related art, the one light-emitting circuit is mounted on the substrate. Accordingly, the inter-module connection part arranged at the end of the substrate includes only two electrodes, and it is not considered that more than two electrodes are arranged and the light-emitting modules are connected.
When more than two electrodes are arranged at the end of the substrate and the light-emitting modules are connected, many electrodes are arranged along the end of the substrate. When electrodes must be arranged also in the arrangement area of the plural light-emitting elements in the longitudinal direction of the substrate, the arrangement pitch of the light-emitting elements between the light-emitting modules is increased. Accordingly, a dark part occurs between the light-emitting modules, and a uniform light-emitting distribution can not be obtained between the light-emitting modules.
In general, according to one embodiment, a light-emitting module includes a rectangular substrate, at least two light-emitting circuits and inter-module connection parts. The light-emitting circuit connects plural light-emitting elements in a longitudinal direction of the substrate. The inter-module connection parts include respective pairs of electrodes connected with the respective light-emitting circuits at an end of the substrate in the longitudinal direction. The respective pairs of electrodes are arranged to be closer to side parts of the substrate in a short direction thereof than an arrangement area of the light-emitting elements and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.
Even when the light-emitting module includes at least the two light-emitting circuits, the inter-module connection part is formed such that the respective pairs of electrodes connected with the respective light-emitting circuits are arranged to be closer to the side parts of the substrate in the short direction thereof than the arrangement area of the light-emitting elements and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. Accordingly, at least the two light-emitting circuits can be connected between the light-emitting modules by using the inter-module connection part. Further, the arrangement of the light-emitting elements toward an end side of the substrate is not restricted by the electrodes, and a uniform light-emitting distribution can be obtained between the light-emitting modules.
Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to
As shown in
The first light-emitting circuit 21a includes plural first light-emitting elements 22a (see “A” of
The second light-emitting circuit 21b includes plural second light-emitting elements 22b (see “B” of
The first light-emitting elements 22a and the second light-emitting elements 22b are arranged at the center in the short direction of the substrate 20, and the first light-emitting elements 22a and the second light-emitting elements 22b are linearly alternately arranged one by one at a constant inter-element pitch in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 20. The first wiring part 23a is arranged on one side of the substrate 20 in the short direction, and the second wiring part 23b is arranged on the other side. By this structure, the insulation state of the first light-emitting circuit 21a and the second light-emitting circuit 21b is ensured. Besides, a distance between each of the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b positioned at both ends of the substrate 20 and an end of the substrate 20 is ½ of the inter-element pitch.
The light-emitting elements 22a and 22b include, for example, LED elements or EL elements. In the case of the LED elements, for example, an SMD (Surface Mount Device) package of surface mount type or the like is used.
A first inter-module connection part 26a and a second inter-module connection part 26b are formed on the mount surface of the substrate 20. The first inter-module connection part 26a and the second inter-module connection part 26b are inter-module connection parts for electrically connecting the first light-emitting circuits 21a of the adjacent light-emitting modules 11 and the second light-emitting circuits 21b thereof when the plural light-emitting modules 11 are linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction and are connected. The inter-module connection parts 26a and 26b are respectively formed at both ends of the substrate 20 in the longitudinal direction and at both sides of the substrate 20 in the short direction, which are separate from a mount area (center area of the substrate 20 in the short direction) where the plural light-emitting elements 22a and 22b are linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 20. The inter-module connection parts 26a and 26b respectively include electrodes 27 to which ends of the inter-element wiring parts 24a and 24b are respectively connected, and electrodes 28 to which ends of the return wiring parts 25a and 25b are respectively connected. The electrodes 27 and 28 of these pairs are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 20. The electrodes 27 and 28 are formed of pads of wiring patterns. In this embodiment, the electrode 27 is arranged to be closer to the end side of the substrate 20 than the electrode 28. However, the electrode 28 may be arranged to be closer to the end side of the substrate 20 than the electrode 27, or the arrangement of the electrode 27 and the electrode 28 may change between one end side of the substrate 20 and the other end side.
In the respective inter-module connection parts 26a and 26b of the light-emitting modules 11 connected to each other, the corresponding electrodes 27 and the electrodes 28 are respectively electrically connected by a connection unit 29. As the connection unit 29, for example, a covered electric wire in which a conductive wire is covered with insulation is used. Both ends of the covered electric wire are connected to the electrodes 27 and 28 by soldering or welding. Incidentally, as the connection unit 29, a connector connected to the electrodes 27 and 28 and mounted on the substrate 20 may be used.
As shown in
The cover 13 has translucency in at least a light irradiation direction, and has a light diffusion property so that color mixture of lights of plural color temperatures becomes excellent.
The caps 14 at both ends are, for example, GX16t-5 caps. A pair of L-shaped lamp pins 32 protrudes from an end face. Incidentally, the caps 14 at both ends may be existing fluorescent lamp caps such as G13 caps. The lamp pins 32 of the cap 14 are used for attachment to a luminaire 40. However, the lamp pins are not used for electrical connection and are insulated from the light-emitting module 11.
A first power receiving connector 33a and a second power receiving connector 33b as power receiving connectors are provided at the caps 14 at both ends or both ends of the cover 13 and on the opposite side to the light irradiation direction from the cover 13. The power receiving connectors 33a and 33b are of a two-pin type, and the +side and −side of DC power are distinguished. The power receiving connectors are constructed so that connector connection is possible only when the polarities are matched.
Incidentally, a rectifier may be used for circuit protection in a DC power input part of the straight tube lamp 10. However, if the polarities of the +side and the −side of DC power inputted to the straight tube lamp 10 can be certainly distinguished by the connector connection, the rectifier may not be used.
The power supply device 43a, 43b converts inputted AC power into specified DC power to dim and light the light-emitting element 22a, 22b of the light-emitting circuit 21a, 21b and outputs the DC power. A first feeding cable 45a having an end provided with a first feeding connector 44a as a feeding connector is connected to an output part of the first power supply device 43a. The first feeding cable 45a is pulled out to the outside from one end side of the luminaire main body 41. A second feeding cable 45b having an end provided with a second feeding connector 44b as a feeding connector is connected to an output part of the second power supply device 43b. The second feeding cable 45b is pulled out to the outside from the other end side of the luminaire main body 41. The feeding connectors 44a and 44b are of a two-pin type, and the +side and −side of DC power are distinguished. The feeding connectors 44a and 44b can be connected to the power receiving connectors 33a and 33b of the straight tube lamp 10 mounted to the sockets 42 only when the polarities are matched. Accordingly, the first power supply device 43a is connected to the first light-emitting circuits 21a and power can be supplied. The second power supply device 43b is connected to the second light-emitting circuits 21b and power can be supplied.
Each of the power supply devices 43a and 43b has an intrinsic address, and receives a control signal transmitted from the outside by a signal line or power line communication system and including a dimming signal corresponding to its own address. The power supply device controls conversion into the DC power according to the received control signal, and dims and lights the light-emitting element 22a, 22b of the light-emitting circuit 21a, 21b.
When the straight tube lamp 10 is mounted to the luminaire 40, the caps 14 of the straight tube lamp 10 are mounted and attached to the sockets 42. Then, the feeding connectors 44a and 44b at the ends of the feeding cables 45a and 45b pulled out from the luminaire main body 41 are connected to the power receiving connectors 33a and 33b of the straight tube lamp 10.
The lighting control system 50 includes a main control device 51, and power supply devices 43a and 43b of the plural luminaires 40 are connected to the main control device 51 by, for example, a signal line 52 or power line communication system to be capable of communicating. The main control device 51 transmits control signals correlated to addresses of the power supply devices 43a and 43b of the luminaire 40 to be controlled.
The first power supply device 43a supplies DC power to the first light-emitting circuit 21a of the straight tube lamp 10, so that the plural first light-emitting elements 22a connected in series to the first light-emitting circuit 21a are lit. The light of the first color temperature generated by the first light-emitting elements 22a passes through the cover 13 and is emitted to the lighting space. Besides, the second power supply device 43b supplies DC power to the second light-emitting circuit 21b of the straight tube lamp 10, so that the plural second light-emitting elements 22b connected in series to the second light-emitting circuit 21b are lit. The light of the second color temperature generated by the second light-emitting elements 22b passes through the cover 13 and is emitted to the lighting space.
In the state where both the first light-emitting elements 22a and the second light-emitting elements 22b are lit, the light of the first color temperature generated by the first light-emitting elements 22a and the light of the second color temperature generated by the second light-emitting elements 22b are mixed, and the thus obtained light passes through the cover 13 and is emitted to the lighting space. At this time, in the plural light-emitting modules 11 arranged linearly, the first light-emitting elements 22a and the second light-emitting elements 22b are linearly alternately arranged one by one at a constant inter-element pitch in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 20 and in the center area of the substrate 20 in the short direction. Thus, color mixing of the light of the first color temperature and the light of the second color temperature is excellently performed. Further, since the cover 13 has the sufficient light diffusion property, the color mixing is more excellently performed.
Besides, in the lighting control system 50, the main control device 51 dims and controls the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b of the straight tube lamp 10 mounted to the luminaire 40. The main control device 51 transmits the control signals correlated to the addresses of the power supply devices 43a and 43b of the luminaire 40. The power supply devices 43a and 43b of the luminaire 40 receive the control signals having their own address, control the conversion into DC power according to the received control signals, and dim the light of the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b of the light-emitting circuits 21a and 21b. That is, the first power supply device 43a changes the DC power supplied to the first light-emitting circuit 21a, and the light output of the first light-emitting elements 22a is changed. The second power supply device 43b changes the DC power supplied to the second light-emitting circuit 21b, and the light output of the second light-emitting elements 22b is changed.
For example, the light flux from the straight tube lamp 10 is made constant, and the dimming ratio of the first light-emitting element 22a and the second light-emitting element 22b is changed. In this case, for example, the light output from the first light-emitting element 22a is made high, and the light output from the second light-emitting element 22b is made low. As a result, the color temperature of the straight tube lamp 10 can be changed to the color temperature including more light of the first color temperature. On the other hand, the light output from the first light-emitting element 22a is made low, and the light output from the second light-emitting element 22b is made high. As a result, the color temperature of the straight tube lamp 10 can be changed to the color temperature including more light of the second color temperature.
Alternatively, the dimming ratio of the first light-emitting element 22a and the second light-emitting element 22b of the straight tube lamp 10 is changed. In this case, for example, the light output from the second light-emitting element 22b is changed while the light output from the first light-emitting element 22a is constant. Alternatively, the light output from the first light-emitting element 22a is changed while the light output from the second light-emitting element 22b is constant. As a result, the color temperature of the straight tube lamp 10 can be changed to include more light of the first color temperature or more light of the second color temperature. Further, the light output of the combined light can also be changed.
As described above, the color temperature of the light emitted from the one straight tube lamp 10 can be easily changed.
The light-emitting module 11 includes the two light-emitting circuits 21a and 21b. The inter-module connection parts 26a and 26b are formed such that the respective pairs of electrodes 27 and 28 connected with the respective light-emitting circuits 21a and 21b are arranged to be closer to the side parts of the substrate 20 in the short direction than the arrangement area of the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 20. Thus, when the plural light-emitting modules 11 are linearly arranged and are connected, the respective light-emitting circuits 21a and 21b between the light-emitting modules 11 can be connected by using the inter-module connection parts 26a and 26b. Further, since the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b toward the end side of the substrate 20 is not restricted by the electrodes 27 and 28, the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b can be arranged at the constant inter-element pitch between the light-emitting modifies 11. Accordingly, a dark part does not occur between the light-emitting modifies 11, and a uniform light-emitting distribution can be obtained between the light-emitting modifies 11.
Further, since the electrodes 27 and 28 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 20, the width size of the substrate 20 in the short direction can be reduced.
In the straight tube lamp 10 using the light-emitting modules 11, the uniform light-emitting distribution can be obtained in the tube axial direction of the cover 13. Even when the color temperature of the light-emitting color of the straight tube lamp 10 is changed, the uniform color temperature distribution can be obtained in the tube axial direction of the cover 13.
Since the straight tube lamp 10 and the power supply devices 43a and 43b are connected through the connector, the +side and −side polarities of DC power are certainly distinguished, and power can be supplied to the straight tube lamp 10.
A straight tube lamp 10 includes one power receiving connector 33 only on one end side. The power receiving connector 33 is of a four-pin type, and the +side and −side of DC power of two systems are respectively distinguished. The connector connection can be performed only when the polarities of the systems are matched.
As shown in
A two-sided mount substrate is used as a substrate 20. Through holes 60 are formed in the substrate 20 correspondingly to positions of respective electrodes 28 to which return wiring parts 25a and 25b are connected. The return wiring parts 25a and 25b to connect between the through holes 60 are formed on a back surface side of the substrate 20.
By the structure as stated above, even when two or three or more light-emitting circuits are disposed on the substrate 20, the light-emitting circuits can be disposed while the insulation therebetween is secured.
In this case, an insulation sheet is disposed on the back surface side of the substrate 20 and is attached to a metal support body 12, so that the insulation is secured.
Incidentally, the number of the light-emitting circuits formed on the substrate is not limited to two, and may be three or more. Also in this case, electrodes of the respective light-emitting circuits have only to be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.
Besides, the respective light-emitting circuits are not limited to the case of different color temperatures, and may have the same color temperature.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-021867 | Feb 2013 | JP | national |
