Patent Application
20140340895
The invention relates to a light comprising a housing with at least one illuminant and an illuminant holder.
Lights are required for a variety of purposes. As an example, lights are used in automotive workshops to light up part of the engine compartment so that the work environment can be adequately illuminated. Lights of that type consist of a round hand-held light with a short design containing a number of illuminants, for instance. Furthermore, lights for illuminating public traffic areas are known, which usually consist of a housing mounted on a pole with a light opening. Lights of that type are arranged in fixed locations in the area of a pedestrian zone or along a road as a preference.
In addition, a multitude of lights exist that are used to light up construction or accident sites. Lights that are roughly round are preferably used for this purpose; they have a balloon cover filled with gas or a screen held in a ready-to-operate position with the aid of clamping devices. The advantage of this design is that the screen can be folded up after use by releasing the tension in the clamping devices, similar to an umbrella, and substantially simplified transport possibilities consequently exist. In contrast, balloon lights are filled with an inert gas and no possibility exists to reuse the inert gas. This means that the balloon covers are used in the blow-up form over a fairly long period of time as a rule, and they can therefore only be transported under certain circumstances.
It turned out that a disadvantage of the two lights mentioned above was that all-round lighting over a lit-up field of 360° is not necessary in all cases. Radiation downwards and upwards cannot be avoided in the specific case of balloon lights, whereas, in contrast, the upper area of the screen can be designed to be a reflector in the case of the opened screen lights while the lower area is designed to be translucent; this will consequently bring about light diffusion that prevents a blinding effect to a very great extent. There will be a natural limit to the application in so far as lights of that type are to be used to illuminate certain narrowly defined boundaries.
The present invention is based on the problem of providing a new type of light that avoids the drawbacks of the prior art and that makes targeted illumination of a specific subsection of an area possible.
The invention envisages that the housing of the light has a light-transmitting housing element that can at least partially be covered by a movable screen. Further advantageous design forms of the invention follow from the subordinate claims.
If a light is comprised of a housing with a housing element that is at least partially translucent, the light radiated by the illuminant can be limited to a specified area. The possibility exists to influence the area that is illuminated because of the use of a movable screen that at least partially covers the light-transmitting housing element. The area to be illuminated can consequently be restricted with the aid of the movable screen; the versatility of a light of that type can be substantially increased because of that. The screen itself can be made of a translucent material to obtain a diffused light effect, for instance. The possibility likewise exists for the screen to be designed in part as a reflector so that the light radiated from the illuminants is partially reflected and can only be emitted from the area of the light-transmitting housing element that is approved by the user via the reversibly adjustable screen.
The light as per the invention distinguishes itself as far as this is concerned by the fact that it can be converted without much effort via two pull-out roller blinds, for instance, from an all-round light over 360 degrees without any influence on the light effect to an all-round diffuser light over a range of 360 degrees by pulling out a diffuser blind. A reduced blinding effect similar to that of a diffused balloon lamp can be obtained with the aid of the diffuser here. If a diffuser is not used and an opaque reflector screen is used, for instance in the form of a roller blind, the vertical radiation angle can be adjusted on a step-by-step basis so that a floodlight arises with a directional light field. The light as per the invention consequently has several functions that can be optionally selected by the user in conformity with the intended use in each case. The special advantage here is that the user does not have to take along several different types of lights or keep them available, but can instead freely choose to select an all-round light, a floodlight or a diffuser light in accordance with the required lighting situation. Thus, a three-in-one concept is involved, meaning three different illumination concepts that can be fulfilled with a single light.
A housing element is provided here that has one or more openings from which light can shine for the light to be emitted. Alternatively, there is a possibility for the housing element to be comprised of one or more transparent housing sections from which light can be emitted; it is simultaneously ensured via the use of at least one screen that the emission of the light will only bring about illumination in a desired area.
A preferred design form envisages that the housing has at least upper and lower housing parts that are connected to one another by a light-transmitting housing element and that at least one screen is arranged between two housing elements. The screen serves the purpose of at least partially covering the existing, light-transmitting housing element in the form of a reflector screen or, in the case of a translucent screen design, bringing about light scattering in order to influence the light radiation.
The possibility exists with a combination of a translucent screen and a reflector screen to not only illuminate a narrowly defined area but, on top of that, to also achieve a sufficiently optimal scattering effect to rule out a blinding effect.
The light as per the invention in the form of a halogen light or a HQI light (halogen quartz iodide lamp) is normally equipped with the corresponding illuminants. A special design form of the light envisages that the upper and lower housing parts have a central through-hole. This through-hole serves to cool the light, creating an air flow that can flow from the bottom, through the entire light and out of the upper housing part. The possibility exists here to equip an inner hollow cylinder with LEDs in the form of an LED light tube; this hollow cylinder is mounted inside of the light in correspondence with the through-hole of the two housing parts. The air required to cool the LEDs can consequently flow through the hollow cylinder and the upper and lower through-holes of the housing parts and provide for adequate cooling of the LED light tube. The LEDs are fastened to the outside of the inner hollow cylinder in this case, whereas the cooling tube for support can be equipped on the inside with cooling ribs that make an additional contribution to the cooling based on the air flow. The inner cooling tube can be manufactured completely separately from the luminous element with this solution. An assembly arises made up of an LED light tube that is equipped on the outside with LEDs. The hollow cylinder used here as a tube element, made of a metal tube for instance, is hermetically sealed vis-a-vis the LEDs so that a good seal against moisture and water can be achieved. The interior of the hollow cylinder can, in contrast, unconditionally come into contact with a wet and moist environment and it only serves to bring about the necessary cooling, whereas the electrical components, LEDs and wiring are arranged on the outside of the hollow cylinder in the interior of the light with protection against moisture. The hollow cylinder with LEDs and wiring is, moreover, shielded by the housing element in a protective way; it could be comprised of a protective glass bulb or translucent polymer plastic, for example, so that the entire interior of the light as per the invention is sealed up airtight. The LED light tube is installed in the light in such a way that the hollow cylinder is in alignment with the through-holes of the two housing parts and the air can consequently flow through without hindrance. The possibility exists here to additionally arrange at least one fan that brings about greater air flow, as an example, in the opening of the hollow cylinder. The fan can be controlled in connection with this in such a way that it continually runs or, if applicable, is only switched on when a temperature limit is exceeded, so that the normal cooling via the air flow can preferably be exploited.
Furthermore, the design of a special embodiment envisages that the housing element is comprised of a cylindrical glass or plastic cover, which is seated directly or via a guide element attached to it in an annular groove or a corresponding guide element of the housing parts. This embodiment is comprised here of a lower housing part and an upper housing part, between which the light-transmitting housing element is located. As an example, this could involve another transparent, hollow cylinder made of glass or a translucent plastic material, the ends of which are inserted in available annular grooves of the housing parts and/or are connected to the housing parts. If necessary, the end faces of the transparent housing element can be equipped with a reinforcing ring or transition into a metal ring that makes a direct connection to the housing parts possible; as an example, the housing parts could be screwed to the metal ring.
In the transparent housing element, there is at least one illuminant that is either inserted into a holding base and capable of having an electrical voltage applied or, in the case of the use of an LED light tube, centrally seated between the two housing parts and therefore likewise arranged behind the transparent housing element.
Another design form of the invention envisages that at least one screen is arranged between the two housing parts in the axial direction or in the direction of the circumference so as to be capable of reversible motion, in particular capable of being pulled out or rolled out. In the first case, a screen could be involved that can be moved in the direction of the circumference of the transparent housing element, meaning along the circumference; the height of the screen is adapted to the axial extension of the transparent housing element. Alternatively, there is a possibility for a tube-shaped screen to be pulled down in the axial direction of the light, preferably from the upper housing part, so that light can only escape from a section of the transparent housing element. The outlet window can consequently be reduced by a screen that is capable of moving from the top to the bottom. The outlet angle can be influenced with the aid of the screen capable of moving around the circumference in the above-mentioned embodiment, on the other hand, so light can only radiate over a range of 45°, 90° or 180°, even over 270° if necessary; in an extreme case, depending on the intended use, radiation over nearly 360° is naturally also possible. The light as per the invention is consequently very suitable for filming and for illuminating construction sites or accident sites, because a spatial section can be selected as desired for illumination via the reflector.
The possibility exists here without further ado to use two screens that are attached in the direction of the circumference and capable of reversible movement or at least one screen that can move in the axial direction, so a combination of different screens is possible. The screens themselves can be designed to be translucent or reflecting depending on the intended use, so the light-transmitting opening of the light can be covered by the translucent screen, for instance, whereas the light outlet opening can be restricted with the reflecting screen. The two or possibly more screens can preferably be designed in such a way that they slide over one another and can be moved with a spacing vis-a-vis one another, so that there is no dependency in the movement of the individual screens.
If two screens are provided, one screen can be arranged behind the transparent housing element and another screen can be arranged in front of the housing element so as to improve the mobility of the two screens.
A special design form of the invention envisages that a radially interior screen is designed as a diffuser in the light and a radially exterior screen is designed as a reflector; it has a reflector layer on the side turned towards the illuminant. The inner screen as the diffuser brings about a translucent scattering of light, so freedom from blinding glare can be ensured, whereas the radially exterior screen with the reflector layer makes a bundling of the light possible in the direction of the outlet.
A further design form envisages that the reflector can be comprised of a textile material that is designed to transmit light and that has highly reflecting foil or mirror foil on the inside facing towards the illuminant. A design form of the reflector of that type consequently makes a reflection of the outgoing light possible in the desired direction; the reflector can be latched in several latching steps distributed over the circumference of the light, so a radiation angle of 360 degrees, 270 degrees or 180 degrees can be set, for example.
If floodlight radiation is to be avoided because of the blinding effect, a diffuser can be used instead that is comprised of a light-transmitting material, preferably a textile material, or a translucent foil, for instance PVC foil. Both of the materials can be rolled up in the form of a roller blind, so this diffuser foil can also be latched in various positions over the circumference of the light if that is desired. Latching is preferably done after the diffuser has been pulled over 360 degrees of the circumference of the light so that it emits diffuse light without much of a blinding effect over the entire angle of radiation. If one of the two screens is arranged between the illuminant and the transparent housing element and the inner screen is therefore behind the housing element, whereas the outer screen is arranged outside of the housing element, damage to the screens because of mutual friction when they are adjusted can be ruled out. Furthermore, it is conceivable for both screens to also be arranged behind the housing element and for a corresponding, spaced guide to be provided for both screens with an adjustment possibility in the upper and lower housing parts.
Another design form of the invention envisages that at least one, preferably every, screen has a handgrip or finger eyelet to ensure that there is a simple possibility for adjustment and, moreover, to rule out a situation in which the screens can get dirty when they are touched.
The housing and/or the screens can have latching means to hold the screens; they are correspondingly designed for one another and make it possible to fixed the screens in place in any desired position or in latching steps. If the screens have to be pulled over the circumference of a light or its housing as the case may be, an unrolling mechanism of the screens can be used here; the extractable end of the screen can be equipped with latching means comprised of a rod, for instance, that can in turn be hung up in a corresponding way in existing projections or latching positions of the housing parts. The number of latching means determines the possibilities for adjustment and therefore the size of the gap for the emitted light.
A special design form of the invention envisages that at least one, preferably two, corresponding housing parts have at least one holder for seating at least one screen; the holder is designed in the form of a lateral projection. A projection of that type can be created in one piece with the upper and lower housing parts; the projection for the seating of the screen is provided in such a way that an unrolling function is ensured. The possibility exists here without further ado to provide a projection of that type to seat at least two screens that can be fixed in place over the circumference of the housing parts by unrolling them in the same direction or in the opposite direction. The screens can be mounted here so as to be capable of being rotated and rolled up in the holder that is used, similar to a roller blind, and they can consequently be pulled out of the holder like a blind and engage with the existing projections or latching positions of the housing parts via the handgrips and the latching means that are provided so that it is possible to firmly fix the screens in place over the circumference. The two screens can be designed to roll out and roll up, similar to well known roller blinds in the living room, to simplify return movement, for instance. To this end, tension can be put on either a spring or an elastic rubber element when the screens are pulled out so that a rewinding of the screen is made possible with the aid of the spring or the elastic elements.
In the simplest form, the light is provided with a holder in which the screens are supported so as to be capable of rotating and being rolled up. As far as that is concerned, the screens can be pulled out of the holder like roller blinds and fixed in place along the circumference of the light. A further special design form envisages that at least one, preferably two, screens can be moved through a gearing stage in each case via a Bowden cable, a pull chain or a pull rope. If a gearing stage is provided, it can be operated by hand with a manually actuated knob that directly acts on the adjustment mechanism of the screens via the gearing stage. A spindle with an upper and/or lower gear ring that meshes with the gearing of a ring element is a possibility for being the adjustment mechanism, as an example. The spindle can consequently be rotated via the knob, and the ring element can therefore be adjusted; the ring element itself is directly connected to a screen. Alternatively there is even a possibility for an electric-motor drive to be provided that is operated from the outside, meaning via control elements on the light, and that provides for the transport of at least one screen. If multiple screens are provided, each individual screen can be moved via a gearing stage of that type so that the screens can be adjusted in an individual way vis-a-vis one another. The special advantage of this design form is, moreover, that the screens can be held in any desired position without additional latching elements. The gearing stages are preferably located above and/or below the housing elements to make even transport of the screens possible.
If the gearing stages can be moved manually or via an electric motor, the screens can consequently be rolled up or rolled out via the gearing stages. To this end, there can be further provisions for tension to simultaneously be put on a spring mechanism that supports the roll-out of the screens when the screens are rolled out.
A further design form of the invention envisages that at least one housing part has fastening means; they are intended to be used for a stand, a cable, a chain, wall-fastening means and/or ceiling-fastening means. The fastening means serve to anchor the housing parts in a fixed position so that a particular, specified area can be illuminated either outdoors or in a building, depending on the application, with the aid of the light as per the invention. The possibility exists here to arrange the light to be hanging or to be standing. The housing itself can be designed here to have the shape of a hollow cylinder, a sphere, or an ellipsoid; this design form partially refers to the housing parts and partially refers to the transparent housing element.
To increase the light intensity, there can also be provisions for at least one housing part to be provided with a reflector layer on the inside and/or for at least one housing part, preferably the lower housing part, to have a translucent design so that the scattered light that may exist can likewise be used. In particular, in the case of a light with the shape of a hollow cylinder, there are provisions for the holder for seating the screens to be designed to the effect that the reflector screen and or the diffuser screen will only engage with small areas on the edge of the housing parts and a large radiation area can consequently be achieved.
The special advantage of this invention is that with an appropriate preselection of the housing shape, whether cylindrical, spherical or ellipsoidal, a light is created that has at least one illuminant in the center that is located behind a transparent housing part so that light can be radiated. Furthermore, depending on the application, the possibility exists in the light as per the invention to push or pull a reflector screen or diffuser screen in front of the illuminant, in order to restrict the radiation angle, on the one hand, and to bring about a diffused light effect, on the other hand. The use of a reflector screen and a diffuser screen around a cylindrical housing shape is especially advantageous here; the radiation angle can be adjusted via the reflector screen over a desired range because of that, for instance 180°, 270° or 360°. The light can be guided to a specific work area in a systematic way with this measure. A diffuser screen that can preferably be spread over 360° of the light and, moreover, that has a high light intensity available to it can be used to avoid a blinding effect.
The light can be equipped with a halogen light emitter or an HQI light emitter that is arranged centrally in the light and that can be used to create a floodlight or a glare-free, diffused light with the aid of a reflector or a diffuser depending on the intended use. The special alternative of the solution that has been pointed out is, however, that an LED light tube is used as the illuminant; the outside is equipped with LEDs and the inside can be additionally equipped with cooling elements for cooling purposes. The LED light tube is mounted in the light in correspondence with the through-holes of the upper and lower housing parts here so that an air flow arises inside of the LED light tube for cooling. In addition, the possibility exists to increase the air flow with the aid of a fan.
The invention will be explained once again below with the aid of the figures.
The upper and lower housing parts 6, 7 each have a holder 10, 11 molded in one piece. Screens 4, 5 that can be wound up in the form of a roller blind in this example and that can consequently be unwound by pulling on a handgrip 12 are arranged between the holders 10, 11. A second handgrip is concealed behind the transparent housing element 3. The screens 4, 5 can therefore by fixed in place with the aid of latching means along the circumference of the light-transmitting housing element 3. The latching means are comprised, on the one hand, of a rod 13 that can be formed in one piece with the handgrip 12, as an example; the rod 13 projects over the breadth of the screens 4, 5 and can consequently be hung in a latching position 14, 15, 16, 17 as further latching means. The latching positions 14, 15, 16, 17 can molded in one piece onto the housing parts 6, 7 over the circumference and spread out with a fairly large spacing between angles over a range of up to 360°. This measure will ensure that the screens 4, 5 can be hung in different positions to at least partially cover the light-transmitting housing element 3. The inner screen 5 could preferably be made of a translucent material here so that a scattering effect is achieved, whereas, on the other hand, the radially external screen 4 could be designed to be a reflector screen to cover certain areas of the light-transmitting housing element 3 and to consequently achieve a directional light effect. To this end, the entire light 1 will preferably be mounted so as to be capable of rotation, in addition, either in a suspended form or in the form of a standing mount, for instance on a tripod, so that the direction in which the light is to be emitted can be preselected. The latching means for the screen 4, for instance, are only provided at an angle of 180° by a latching position 14, 15 in the example that is shown. Several latching positions could be provided for the screen 4, of course, in order to likewise create a reflector effect at an angle of 270°, for instance. There is a similar situation with regard to the screen 5 that is designed to be a diffuser. Several latching steps could also be provided for it, depending on the intended use; the screen will preferably be extended over 360° of the light 1 so that all-round illumination can be effected with the aid of the diffuser screen without causing a blinding effect. Only one latching position 16 and a concealed latching position 17 of the inner housing part 7 are provided in the example. If only the outer screen 4 is used as a reflector screen, on the other hand, floodlight illumination can extend over an angle of 270° or 180°, for instance, so that there can be targeted illumination of a particular area.
The screen 5 can likewise be pulled out of the holder 10, 11 via the handgrip 21 with the rod 18 and spread over the circumference of the light-transmitting housing element 3. A latching position 14, 15 is provided diametrically opposite to the holder 10, 11 here to spread the second screen 5 so that the screen 5 can be latched in place over an angle of 180°. There is also the alternative possibility here of providing various latching positions 14, 15 at different angle intervals so that the screen 5, which is preferably designed to be a reflector screen, can be used to select a certain angular range of the light 1 in accordance with the invention, in order to restrict the illumination field.
The lower housing part 7 is designed to have a hollow wall for the most part here, and it has radial reinforcement struts 26 and axial reinforcement struts 27. Similar reinforcement struts are provided for the upper housing part 6.
The special advantage of the second design variant in accordance with the light 50 therefore constitutes the use of energy-saving LED illuminants; it is simultaneously ensured that adequate cooling and therefore a long service life of the individual LEDs is guaranteed.
In a further design form of the invention, there can be provisions for both screens 105 and 109 to be arranged inside of and/or outside of the housing element 103 and to be mounted so as to be capable of rotation independently of one another via two spindles 114 with gear rings 112, 113 so that both of the screens 105, 109 can be adjusted with two external knobs 115.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102011119042.6 | Nov 2011 | DE | national |
This application is the U.S. national stage of International Application No. PCT/DE2012/001096 filed on Nov. 19, 2012, and claims the benefit thereof. The international application claims the benefit of German Application DE 102011119042.6 filed on Nov. 22, 2011; all applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DE2012/001096 | 11/19/2012 | WO | 00 | 5/20/2014 |
