|
(11) | EP 3 647 649 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | A MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR LIGHTING DEVICES, CORRESPONDING LIGHTING DEVICE AND METHOD |
| (57) A mounting structure (11, 12) for lighting devices (10), for instance, for lamps
or retrofit bulbs (10) for vehicle applications, comprises a light generator (L) carrier
portion (11) comprising an elongated body (110) extending along a longitudinal axis
(X10) and a ring portion (12) fitted on the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion
(11). Either the elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11) or the ring portion
(12) carries one or more tooth members (111) protruding towards the other of the elongated
body (110) of the carrier portion (11) or the ring portion (12). The other of the
elongated body (110) of the carrier portion (11) or the ring portion (12) comprises
one or more arch-shaped engagement formations for the tooth member(s) (111), wherein
the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12) are restrained from mutual displacement
along the aforesaid longitudinal axis (X10) by engagement of the tooth member(s) (111)
with the arch-shaped engagement formation(s) with the at least one tooth member (111)
displaceable along the arch-shaped engagement formation(s) (121) so that the elongated
body (110) of the carrier portion (11) can be rotated relative to the ring portion
(12) about the longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongated body (110) of the carrier
portion (11).
|
Technical field
[0002] One or more embodiments may be applied to lighting devices using electrically-powered light radiation sources, such as solid-state sources, for instance, LED sources.
Technological background
[0004] The growing diffusion of LED light radiation sources has led to conceiving and developing light radiation sources - in short, "lamps" or light bulbs - that can be used (for instance, at the retrofit level) instead of conventionallight radiation sources, for instance, of the filament type, being able to provide performance similar to conventional sources, for instance, regarding the distribution of the light radiation emitted.
[0005] The automotive sector is a sector for which this application has proved to be of particular interest, first in relation to auxiliary light bulbs and then to bulbs for headlamps (H-type bulbs), usable, for instance, for low-beam headlights, high-beam headlights and/or fog lights.
[0006] In such a possible application context, the use of a reference cap or ring may be envisaged, for instance, as specified in reference texts such as IEC Publication 60061. Such a reference ring can be fixed to the body of the headlight using an element such as a spring clip or a mechanical coupling.
[0007] The emission pattern of the light radiation of these lamps or light bulbs may present directionality characteristics, being oriented in a lateral direction, for instance. The possibility of rotating the light radiation generator with respect to the mounting ring can therefore be envisaged, in order to obtain a desired orientation with respect to a surface of a reflector, for instance.
[0008] In the case of conventional light radiation sources, for instance, halogen lamps, this problem may not exist since such conventional sources have a uniform overall light emission over an angle of 360°. In the case of light radiation generators, such as LED generators, it is instead desirable to be able to create the aforesaid rotation so as to achieve an overall emission configuration at least approximately similar to that obtained with conventional sources. To this end, solutions have already been proposed based on the use of screws or threads, or rather, on assemblies comprising a spring and a screw so as to be able to remove the ring and fix it in a desired (angular) position.
[0009] In this regard, it is desirable to be able to carry out these operations (and, more generally, the assembly of the "lamp" or bulb in the desired position) without this involving carrying out complex operations and/or the use of specific tools.
Object and summary
[0010] One or more embodiments aim to contribute to provide improved solutions according to the criteria outlined above.
[0011] According to one or more embodiments, this object can be achieved thanks to a mounting structure having the features recited in the following claims.
[0012] One or more embodiments may relate to a corresponding lighting device (for instance, a lamp or bulb usable as a retrofit source in the automotive sector).
[0014] The claims form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided here in relation to the embodiments.
[0015] One or more embodiments facilitate producing LED lamps or light bulbs (for instance, H-type) that can be mounted and rotated in a desired position without having to resort to specific tools and/or particular complex operations.
[0016] One or more embodiments may allow the orientation operation to be carried out with the light radiation sources already mounted, for instance, already mounted in the projector of a reflector or spotlight.
[0017] One or more embodiments facilitate adjusting the angular position of the light radiation source by means of a pressure/rotation action that can be carried out without having to disassemble the assembly, for instance, without having to remove the lamp or bulb from the projector body.
[0018] It is thus possible to avoid having to intervene with a tool, with a screwdriver, for instance, to remove, rotate and fix the ring into a new position and then proceed with mounting in the body of the reflector. This all involves a sequence of operations that runs the risk of having to be repeated until the desired angular position is reached.
Brief description of the figures
[0019] One or more embodiments will be now described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:
- Figures 1 and 2 are two perspective views illustrating possible ways of using embodiments,
- Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a part of the assembly exemplified in Figures 1 and 2, represented in its own right, with Figure 4 substantially corresponding to a perspective view broken at a diametral plane of the element shown in Figure 3,
- Figures 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D exemplify possible ways of using embodiments as exemplified in Figures 1 to 4,
- Figures 6 and 7 are two perspective views which exemplify further possible embodiments and the relative methods of use,
- Figures 8 and 9 are views of a part of the device exemplified in Figures 6 and 7, also shown here in its own right, and viewed in perspective according to two different observation points,
- Figures 10A and 10B exemplify possible ways of using embodiments as exemplified in Figures 6 to 9,
- Figures 11 and 12 are two perspective views which exemplify further possible embodiments and the relative methods of use, and
- Figures 13A, 13B and 13C exemplify possible ways of using embodiments as exemplified in Figures 11 and 12.
[0020] It will be appreciated that, for clarity and simplicity of illustration, the various views may not be reproduced on the same scale.
[0021] It will also be appreciated that elements and characteristics presented here, individually or in combination with one another, with reference to embodiments exemplified in one or more of the figures attached herein can also be applied, individually or in combination, to embodiments exemplified in other figures.
[0022] In other words, the fact that a given element or characteristic is exemplified here with reference to a certain figure is not to be understood, even only indirectly, as indicative of the fact that this element or characteristic is constrained to be used only in the embodiments exemplified in the Figure(s) in which this element or characteristic is represented here.
Detailed description of examples of embodiments
[0023] The following description illustrates various specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of various examples of embodiments. The embodiments can be obtained without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures materials or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that the various aspects of the embodiments and not rendered unclear.
[0024] The reference to "an embodiment" in the context of the present description indicates that a particular configuration, structure or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, sentences such as "in an embodiment", which may be present at various points in the present description, do not necessarily refer to exactly the same embodiment. Moreover, particular configurations, structures or characteristics can be combined in any suitable way in one or more embodiments.
[0025] The references used here are provided simply for convenience and therefore do not define the field of protection or scope of the embodiments.
[0026] In the figures, reference number 10 indicates - as a whole - a lighting device such as, for instance, a device that can be used as a lamp or a bulb usable (for instance, as a retro-fitting or "retrofit" element) instead of a conventional-type lamp or bulb, for instance, in the automotive sector.
[0027] Of course, referring to this possible application sector, as well as referring to a retrofit application, have a purely illustrative value and are not to be understood in any way, even indirectly, in a limiting sense of the embodiments.
[0028] For instance, in one or more embodiments as exemplified herein, the device 10 may comprise a mounting structure comprising a bearing or supporting part or portion (hereinafter "carrier portion") 11 on which one or more electrically-powered light radiation generators can be mounted. These can be electrically-powered light radiation generators L (see the power cable indicated with C), such as solid-state light radiation generators, LEDs, for instance.
[0029] In one or more embodiments as exemplified herein, the carrier portion 11 comprises an elongated body 110, for instance, with a finger-like shape, having a ring portion 12 (in the examples illustrated here, a circular annular portion with an closed ring) fitted thereon.
[0030] In one or more embodiments, the elongated body 110 can extend along a longitudinal axis X10 between:
- a first (proximal) end 110a, which can be configured as a heat sink, for instance of heat-dissipative material and/or with a finned structure, and
- a second (distal) end 110b on which one or more light radiation generators L can be mounted.
[0031] According to known criteria, in one or more embodiments, the or each of the generators L may comprise a support plate or board substantially similar to a printed circuit board (PCB) having a planar shape having a bearing surface having one or more light radiation generators mounted thereon.
[0032] For instance, in one or more embodiments as exemplified here, the distal end 110b of the elongated body 110 may present a narrowing (a sort of "flattened" part) with two mutually opposite and parallel planar faces, each of which carries a generator L mounted thereon (only one of these is visible in the figures).
[0033] The elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 may comprise thermally-conductive material and extend at the end 110b at the light radiation generator(s) L, for instance, according to a sandwich structure between two generators L arranged on the opposite faces of the flattened portion of the end 110b.
[0034] In one or more embodiments, the generators L can be placed at the same distance with respect to a median reference plane of the emission volume of the light radiation at the axis X10.
[0035] Such a solution facilitates obtaining a emission configuration of the light radiation starting from the device 10 similar to that obtainable with a lamp or incandescent bulb.
[0036] Thanks to the presence of the ring portion 12, the portion 11 can be mounted in a reflector R (the outline of which is represented with dotted lines in Figures 1, 6 and 11), with the light radiation generator(s) L able to be placed in a position at least approximately focal with respect to this reflector R, which can have a general vat-like shape, for instance parabolic.
[0037] Such a structure facilitates fixing of the generator (s) with respect to the reflector R (or, in general, with respect to a light or projector in which this is included), as well as the dissipation of the heat produced during operation (thanks to propagation of the heat produced from the generator(s) L along the elongated body 110 towards the heat sink at the end 110a).
[0038] The relative positioning (axial and angular) of the carrier portion 11 and of the ring portion 12 (which can be fixed to the reflector R according to known criteria) facilitates achieving a condition in which the light radiation of the generator(s) L can be emitted by the reflector R according to a desired radiation configuration, for instance, a configuration similar to that obtainable with a conventional incandescent light radiation source. This can take place in accordance with specifications that establish (for instance, for category-H lamps) the presence of certain cut-off angles at which it no light radiation emission is desired.
[0039] One or more embodiments exemplified here thus allow:
- a) achieving (and maintaining) a certain relative axial position of the carrier portion 11 (and therefore of the light radiation generator(s) L) and of the ring portion 12 - along the axis X10, and
- b) selectively varying the relative angular position of the carrier portion 11 (and therefore of the light radiation generator (s) L) and of the ring portion 12 - about the axis X10: see as an example the arrows in Figure 2 and in Figure 4.
[0040] Various methods will be illustrated below of coupling the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 and the ring portion 12 fitted thereon such as to facilitate:
- i) on the one hand, restraining, at least in one direction (for instance in the direction of movement away from the ring portion 12 with respect to the end 110a of the body 110) the relative movement of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 along axis X10, and
- ii) on the other hand, a relative rotation movement - possibly step-wise - of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 about the axis X10.
[0041] The aforesaid containment or restraint action facilitates the (firm) mounting of the device 10 on the reflector R, for instance.
[0042] The aforesaid rotation movement (which may be actuated in discrete steps of equal or different values that can be determined precisely) facilitates the orientation of the generator (s) with respect to the reflector R.
[0043] As stated, in one or more embodiments, the carrier portion 11 can perform, for instance, at the end 110a, a heat dissipation function, with the elongated body capable of facilitating heat conduction starting from or the generator(s) L.
[0044] In one or more embodiments, the carrier portion 11 may comprise thermally-conductive material, such as metal material (e.g. aluminum or light alloys) or thermally-conductive plastic material.
[0045] In one or more embodiments, the ring portion 12 may comprise plastic material - e.g. polymers - or metal materials - e.g. aluminum or light alloys.
[0046] In both cases (carrier portion 11, ring portion 12), these can either be a single material, or different materials, for instance, coupled by means of over-molding.
[0047] Figures 3 and 4 exemplify possible implementation methods wherein the ring portion 12 may have, on the inner surface of the axial orifice of the ring (which should be centered with respect to the axis X10) a step-like formation comprising, e.g. two or more arch-shaped engagement elements 121 (for instance step-shaped, which can assume one piece with the ring-shaped body) separated by one or more channels 122 extending in an axial direction with respect to the ring-shaped portion 12 (therefore along the axis X10).
[0048] The or each of the channels 122 can, therefore, form a passage through which (with the ring portion 12 fitted on the elongated body 110 and made to advance axially on the elongated body with respect to the axis X10, e.g. towards the end 110a) a respective pin or tooth 111 can pass, which projects radially with respect to the elongated body 110.
[0049] Even if in Figures 1, 2 and 4, only one channel 122 and only one tooth or pin 111 that can slide along the channel axially are visible, in one or more embodiments two or more pins or teeth 111 can be provided, for instance (diametrically opposite, for instance), which can slide along corresponding channels 122, which are also diametrically opposite: see in this respect Figures 5A to 5D - which can be considered, at least approximately, as end views of the device 10 observed starting from the end 110b of the carrier portion 11.
[0050] As can be appreciated from observing Figures 5A to 5D, one or more embodiments as exemplified in Figures 1 and 4 can provide a coupling configuration of the ring portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 to a certain extent similar to a bayonet coupling wherein, when the pin or pins 111 are not aligned with the channel (s) 122 (which can occur in a range of angular positions substantially identified by the circumferential extension of the step formations 121), the ring portion 12 can be retained on the elongated body 110, counteracting its moving away with respect to the end 110a, since the pins or teeth 111 abut against an engagement surface 1210 of the step formations 121 which extends in a transverse direction with respect to the axis X10.
[0051] In one or more embodiments as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the step formation(s) 121 can have a surface 1210 (facing away from the end 110a, in the examples presented here, which are such) having a sculptured pattern given by a wavy or a tooth-shaped profile.
[0052] This pattern can give rise to a plurality of different possible positions of coupling or abutment of the tooth or teeth 111 against the formation(s) 121 (see the arrow festoon half-way up Figure 4). These different possible positions of coupling or abutment can correspond to different relative angular positions of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 (therefore with respect to the carrier portion 11) about the axis X10, within an angular adjustment range exemplified by the angles α in Figure 5D.
[0053] For instance, in one or more embodiments, the profiles of the wavy or toothed surface 1210 can be defined to correspond to angular adjustment steps of about 15°. The aforesaid adjustment steps can therefore identify corresponding adjustment positions of the orientation of the light radiation generator(s) L with respect to the surface of the reflector R, so as to achieve a desired adjustment condition.
[0054] In one or more embodiments, an elastic member such as an elastic ring (O-ring) 102 can be fitted on the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 (for instance, between the end with heat sink 110a and the ring portion 12), configured to generating an elastic preload or bias (see for instance the arrows at the bottom of Figure 4), which urges the surface 1210 of the formations 121 and the tooth or teeth 111 into a condition of mutual contrast or abutment, so as to firmly maintain the coupling condition between the carrier portion 11 and the ring portion 12 at the desired (angular) adjustment value.
[0055] In one or more embodiments, in view of the possible presence of this elastic biasing force, the tooth or teeth 111 can be made of metal material capable of adequately withstanding this stress.
[0056] Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the coupling configuration between the ring portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 can be carried out in a complementary manner with respect to the embodiments presented herein by way of example.
[0057] In particular, in one or more embodiments, it is possible to "reverse" this coupling configuration:
- by placing on the ring portion 12, protruding inwards, the coupling formations (for instance, the tooth or teeth or pins 111) here exemplified as placed on the elongated body 110, protruding outwards, and, in a complementary manner,
- by providing on the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 (protruding outwards and with a possible different axial orientation of the surface 1210, for instance) the formation(s) 121, with corresponding channel parts 122 of the toothed/wavy surface 1210 (here exemplified as provided on the ring portion 12) protruding inwards.
[0058] Such a complementary coupling configuration (with possible embodiment variants) is exemplified here with reference to Figures 6 to 9 and again 10A, 10B.
[0059] In Figures 6 to 9 and again 10A and 10B, parts or elements similar like parts or elements already presented in connection with Figures 1 to 4 and 5A-5D are indicated with like references, which makes it unnecessary to repeat a corresponding detailed description here.
[0060] In one or more embodiments as exemplified in Figures 6 to 9 and again 10A and 10B, the ring portion 12 is provided with a crown of springing teeth 123 (also in this case a centered condition with respect to the axis X10 is assumed) extending distally in the axial direction from the ring portion 12 with terminal ends protruding inwardly of the ring portion 12.
[0061] The teeth 123, directed towards the end 110a (heat sink) of the elongated body 110, for instance, are capable of engaging (for instance, by snap-engagement, thanks to the elasticity of the respective root parts 1230) a groove 124 that extends around the axis X10 on the surface of the elongated body 110 in a plane transverse to the axis X10.
[0062] In that way, when the teeth 123 engage the groove 124 (see the sequence of Figures 6 and 7), the engagement of the teeth 123 in the groove 124 counters the relative movement of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11.
[0063] By imparting a hook-shaped conformation (see Figures 8 and 9) to the teeth 123, this action can occur mainly in the direction of countering the movement of the ring portion 12 away from the end 110a.
[0064] At the same time, the ring portion 12 can retain a certain rotational capacity with respect to the elongated body 110 about the axis X10 given by the possibility of the teeth 123 to slide circumferentially inside the groove 124.
[0065] This sliding movement (and angular orientation of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11) can be adjustable in steps as a result of the possible sculptured configuration of the groove 124, given for instance by the presence of raised teeth 1240 emerging from the bottom wall of the groove 124 itself.
[0066] In that way, the relative angular position of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 can be adjusted by discrete steps (for instance, with an angular value of 22.5°) taking advantage of the fact that as a result of relative rotation imparted to the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110, the teeth 123 are at least slightly elastically spread out so as to be able to overcome the projections 1240.
[0067] Once again, Figure 10B exemplifies the possibility of adjusting the angular position of the ring portion 12 with respect to the elongated body 110 about the axis X10 within an adjustment range α which may correspond to one, two, or three times the step of angular adjustment of 22.5° (this is, of course, a purely exemplary value) identified by the mounting positions of the teeth 123.
[0068] Also in embodiments as illustrated in Figures 6 to 9 and 10A, 10B it is possible to envisage the presence of an elastic member 102 such as, for instance, an elastic ring (O-ring) which can provide an elastic biasing force (for instance, in the direction of moving the ring portion 12 away from the end 110a) capable of reinforcing (also thanks to the hook shape of the teeth 123) the coupling condition and the relative angular position between the ring portion 12 and the carrier portion 11.
[0069] Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the coupling configuration between the ring portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 as exemplified in Figures 6 to 9, 10A and 10B can be carried out in a complementary manner with respect to the embodiments presented herein by way of example.
[0070] In particular, in one or more embodiments, it is possible to "reverse" this coupling configuration:
- by providing on the ring portion 12 the groove 124, here exemplified as provided on the elongated body 110, and, in a complementary manner,
- by placing on the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11, protruding outwards, the springing teeth 123, here exemplified as placed on the ring portion 12, protruding inwards.
[0071] Figures 11, 12 and 13A-13C (in which, once again, parts or elements similar like parts or elements already presented in connection with the previous figures are indicated with like references, thus making it unnecessary to repeat herein corresponding detailed description superfluous) can be seen as representing a simplification of the solution exemplified in Figures 6 to 9 and 10A, 10B.
[0072] One or more embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13A-13C, for instance, can provide for the presence of only two springing teeth 123 placed at diametrically opposite positions with respect to the development of the ring portion 12 around the axis X10.
[0073] In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13A-13C it is envisaged that the groove 124 may have a wall - for instance, the bottom wall 1240 - sculptured with a comb-like wavy serrated profile, in substantial analogy with the surface 1210 visible in Figures 3 and 4.
[0074] As exemplified, for instance, in Figures 13A, 13B and 13C, the relative angular position of the ring portion 12 and of the elongated body 110 around the axis X10 can be adjusted within an angular range α operating in steps corresponding to different possible angular coupling positions of the teeth 123 (see, for instance, Figures 11 and 12) with successive undulations/teeth of the bottom wall 1240 of the groove 124.
[0075] One or more embodiments, as exemplified in Figures 11, 12 and 13A, 13B and 13C envisage providing the aforesaid discretization by steps of the range of possible angular adjustment by acting on the profile of the groove 124 instead of on the pitch of angular distribution of the teeth 123 as is the case of the solution exemplified in Figures 6 to 9 and 10A, 10B.
[0076] As in the case of the coupling configuration between the ring portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 exemplified in Figures 6 to 9 and 10A, 10B, also the coupling configuration between the ring portion 12 and the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11 exemplified in Figures 11, 12 and 13A-13C lends itself to be carried out in a complementary manner with respect to the embodiment solutions presented herein by way of example.
[0077] In particular, in one or more embodiments, it is possible to "reverse" this coupling configuration:
- by providing on the ring portion 12 the groove 124, here exemplified as provided on the elongated body 110, and, in a complementary manner,
- by placing on the elongated body 110 of the carrier portion 11, protruding outwards, the springing teeth 123 here exemplified as placed on the ring portion 12, protruding inwards.
[0078] Again, as already said at the beginning of the present detailed description, elements and characteristics presented here, individually or in combination with one another, with reference to embodiments exemplified in one or more of the figures attached herein can also be applied, individually or in combination, in embodiments exemplified in other figures.
[0079] Moreover, the fact that a given element or characteristic have been exemplified here with reference to a certain figure is not to be understood, even only indirectly, as indicative of the fact that this element or characteristic is constrained to use only in the embodiments exemplified in the Figure(s) in which this element or characteristic is represented here.
[0080] Thus, as exemplified herein, a mounting structure (e.g. 11, 12) for lighting devices (e.g. L) may comprise:
- a carrier portion (e.g. 11) of a light generator (e.g. L, which in itself can be a distinct element with respect to the mounting structure) comprising an elongated body (e.g. 110), which extends along a longitudinal axis (e.g. X10), and
- a ring portion (e.g. 12) fitted onto the elongated body of the carrier portion,
- one of the elongated body of the carrier portion or the ring portion (i.e. the elongated body or, respectively, the ring portion) carries at least one tooth element (e.g. the teeth 111, carried by the elongated body 110 in the Figures 1 to 4 and 5A to 5D or the teeth 123, carried by the ring portion 12 in Figures 6 to 9 and 10A-10B and again in Figures 11, 12 and 13A-13C), which extends towards the other of the elongated body of the carrier portion or the ring portion (i.e. towards the ring portion or, respectively, the elongated body,
- the other of the elongated body of the carrier portion or the ring portion comprises at least one arch-shaped engagement formation (e.g. the step formations 121 in the ring portions 12 in Figures 1 to 4 and 5A to 5D or the groove 124 in the elongated body 110 in Figures 6 to 9 and 10A-10B and again in Figures 11, 12 and 13A-13C) for said at least one tooth member, wherein the carrier portion and the ring portion are restrained from mutual displacement along said longitudinal axis by the at least one tooth member engaging the at least one arch-shaped engagement formation with the at least one tooth member displaceable along the at least one arch-shaped engagement formation so that the elongated body of the carrier portion is rotatable relative to the ring portion around said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.
[0081] In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one arch-shaped engagement formation may comprise a sculptured surface (e.g. 1210 in Figures 1 to 4 and 5A to 5D or 1240 in Figures 6 to 9 and 10A-10B and again in Figures 11, 12 and 13A-13C), providing a plurality of engagement positions for the at least one tooth member, the engagement positions in said plurality of engagement positions being angularly spaced around said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion so that the ring portion is rotatable step-wise relative to the elongated body of the carrier portion around said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.
[0082] A mounting structure as exemplified herein may comprise at least one elastic member (e.g. 102; 1230) which elastically forces the at least one tooth element and the at least one arch-shaped engagement formation into a condition of mutual engagement.
[0083] In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one elastic member may comprise an elastic ring (e.g. 102) that is fitted onto the elongated body of the carrier portion and applies an axial biasing force on the ring portion along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.
[0084] In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one elastic member may comprise at least one elastic arm (e.g. 1230) that carries the at least one tooth member and applies a radial biasing force on the tooth member transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.
[0085] In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one arch-shaped engagement formation may comprise a step-like formation (e.g. 121) having an engagement surface for the at least one tooth member to abut thereagainst, the engagement surface extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.
[0086] In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the at least one elastic member may comprise at least one axial channel (e.g. 122) which extends along said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion, the at least one axial channel providing a path for advancing the at least one tooth element towards said engagement surface.
[0087] In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, said one of the elongated body of the carrier portion or the ring portion may carry a plurality of tooth members (e.g. 123) protruding towards the other of the elongated body of the carrier portion or the ring portion, the tooth members in the plurality of tooth members being angularly distributed around said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.
[0088] In a mounting structure as exemplified herein, the elongated body of the carrier portion can extend along said longitudinal axis between a heat-dissipative proximal end (for instance, the dissipater 110a) and a distal end (e.g. the flattened portion 110b) of the light generator support, with the annular portion which can be arranged between said proximal end and said distal end.
[0089] A lighting device (e.g. 10) as exemplified herein may comprise:
- a mounting structure (e.g. 11, 12) as exemplified herein, and
- at least one electrically-powered (see cable C) light radiation generator (L), optionally an LED generator, carried by the elongated body of the carrier portion in said mounting structure.
[0090] A method as exemplified herein, may comprise:
- providing a mounting structure as exemplified herein,
- mounting at least one electrically-powered light radiation generator, optionally an LED generator, on the carrier portion of said mounting structure, and
- varying the orientation (see the arrows in Figure 2 and Figure 4) of the at least one light radiation generator mounted on said carrier portion with respect to said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of said carrier portion by causing the relative rotation of the elongated body of the carrier portion with respect to the ring portion of the mounting structure around said longitudinal axis of the elongated body of the carrier portion.
[0091] Without prejudice to the underlying principles the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to those described herein, purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0092] The extent of protection is determined by the annexed claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
| Lighting device | 10 |
| Carrier portion | 11 |
| Elongated body | 110 |
| Longitudinal axis | X10 |
| Ring portion | 12 |
| Tooth member | 111 |
| Tooth member | 123 |
| Engagement formation | 121 |
| Engagement formation | 124 |
| Engagement surface | 1210 |
| Engagement surface | 1240 |
| Elastic member | 102 |
| Elastic member | 1230 |
| Axial channel | 122 |
| Proximal end | 110a |
| Distal end | 110b |
| Light radiation generator | L |
| Electrically-powered cable | C |
1. A mounting structure (11, 12) for lighting devices (10), the structure comprising:
- a light generator (L) carrier portion (11) comprising an elongate body (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (X10), and
- a ring portion (12) fitted onto the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11),
wherein:- one of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12) carries at least one tooth member (111; 123) protruding towards the other of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12),
- the other of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12) comprises at least one arch-shaped engagement formation (121; 124) for said at least one tooth member (111; 123), wherein the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12) are restrained from mutual displacement along said longitudinal axis (X10) by the at least one tooth member (111; 123) engaging the at least one arch-shaped engagement formation (121; 124) with the at least one tooth member (111; 123) displaceable along the at least one arch-shaped engagement formation (121; 124) wherein the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11) is rotatable relative to the ring portion (12) around said longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11).
2. The mounting structure (11, 12) of claim 1, wherein the at least one arch-shaped engagement
formation (121; 124) comprises a sculptured surface (1210; 1240) providing a plurality
of engagement positions for the at least one tooth member (111; 123), the engagement
positions in said plurality of engagement positions angularly spaced around said longitudinal
axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11) wherein the ring
portion (12) is rotatable step-wise relative to the elongate body (110) of the carrier
portion (11) around said longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of the
carrier portion (11).
3. The mounting structure (11, 12) of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising at least one elastic
member (102; 1230) elastically urging the at least one tooth member (111; 123) and
the at least one arch-shaped engagement formation (121; 124) into mutual engagement.
4. The mounting structure (11, 12) of claim 3, wherein the at least one elastic member
comprises an elastic ring (102) fitted onto the elongate body (110) of the carrier
portion (11) and applying an axial biasing force on the ring portion (12) along the
longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11).
5. The mounting structure (11, 12) of claim 3, wherein the at least one elastic member
comprises at least one elastic arm (1230) carrying the at least one tooth member (123)
and applying a radial biasing force on the tooth member (123) transverse the longitudinal
axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11).
6. The mounting structure (11, 12) of any of the previous claims, wherein the at least
one arch-shaped engagement formation comprises a step-like formation (121) having
an engagement surface (1210) for the at least one tooth member (111) to abut thereagainst,
the engagement surface (1210) extending transverse the longitudinal axis (X10) of
the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11).
7. The mounting structure (11, 12) of claim 6, wherein the at least one arch-shaped engagement
formation (121) comprises at least one axial channel (122) extending along said longitudinal
axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11), the at least one
axial channel (122) providing an advance path for the at least one tooth member (111)
towards said engagement surface (1210).
8. The mounting structure (11, 12) of any of the previous claims, wherein said one of
the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12) carries
a plurality of tooth members (123) protruding towards the other of the elongate body
(110) of the carrier portion (11) and the ring portion (12), the tooth members in
the plurality of tooth members (123) angularly distributed around said longitudinal
axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11).
9. The mounting structure (11, 12) of any of the previous claims, wherein the elongate
body (110) of the carrier portion (11) extends along said longitudinal axis (X10)
between a thermally dissipative proximal end (110a) and a light generator carrier
distal end (110b), the ring portion (12) arranged between said proximal end (110a)
and said distal end (110b).
10. A lighting device (10), comprising:
- a mounting structure (11, 12) according to any of the previous claims, and
- at least one electrically-powered (C) light radiation generator (L), preferably a LED generator, carried by the carrier portion (11) in said mounting structure (11, 12).
11. A method, comprising:
- providing a mounting structure (11, 12) according to any of claims 1 to 9,
- mounting at least one electrically-powered (C) light radiation generator (L), preferably a LED generator, on the carrier portion (11) of said mounting structure (11, 12), and
- varying the orientation of the at least one light radiation generator (L) mounted on said carrier portion (11) with respect to said longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of said carrier portion (11) by causing relative rotation of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11) with respect to the ring portion (12) of the mounting structure (11, 12) around said longitudinal axis (X10) of the elongate body (110) of the carrier portion (11).