This invention relates to lighting devices for use in motor vehicles, for example for illuminating the passenger compartment, or in homes or offices and public working premises.

This invention particularly relates to a lighting device of the type indicated in the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1. A device of this type is known from DE 3 702 236. Other lighting devices are known from GB 1 021 159 and EP 0 766 037.

The purpose of this invention is to realise a lighting device presenting high efficiency and a simple, cost-effective, small sized structure.

In order to attain this purpose, this invention relates to a lighting device having all the features indicated in claim 1.

The device according to this invention can be equipped with a lens arranged in front of the primary reflector and the secondary reflector with an internal surface which may be partially or totally equipped with micro prisms.

This invention will be better explained by the following detailed descriptions with reference to the accompanying figure as non-limiting example, whereas:

• figure 1 is a prospective schematic view of an example of embodiment of the lighting device,
• figure 2 is a cross-section view according to the line II-II in figure 1,
• figure 3 is a variation of figure 2 and
• figures from 4 to 6 illustrate two additional variations of figure 2.

With reference to figures 1, 2, and 5 numeral 1 generally indicates a lighting device comprising a pair of light sources 2 in the shape of fluorescent tubes, with an extended longitudinal direction. A reflecting structure, indicated generally with reference numeral 3, is associated to the two light sources. As clearly visible in figure 2, which does not form part of the present invention, the reflecting structure presents a primary reflector 4 and a secondary reflector 5, associated to each light source 2, Each primary reflector 4 presents, on a plane with is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light sources 2 (see figure 2) a profile consisting of two volute sections 6, 7, presenting concave surfaces facing the source 2 and joined together to form a cusp 8, located in immediately adjacent to the source 2. The axis 4a of the double cusp is slanted towards the secondary reflector 5. Each secondary reflector 5 presents a plurality of active reflecting sectors 9 corresponding, for example, to portions of a parabola or presenting a complex geometry of any type. Slots 13 are made between the active portions 9 of the secondary reflector and each active portion 9 is equipped with an additional tab 14 for reflecting the light rays hitting its rear surface (with reference to the main output direction of the light beam) in the opposite direction to said main direction.

During operation, the secondary reflectors 5 reflect the light rays directly from the light source 2 either associated to it or reflected by the primary reflector 4 outwards (i.e. rightwards with reference to figure 2) .

Thanks to the particular geometry described above, the light device presents high efficiency (in the order of 80%) of extraction of the light in the output direction of the light flow with respect to the total output energy. At the same time, the dimension of the device in the direction of output of the light beam is extremely reduced, which makes the device suitable, for example, also to illuminate rooms in homes or working premises fitted to the ceiling or the wall with the two secondary reflectors 5 both adjacent to the ceiling, because, in this position, the device will only slightly project from the surface on which it is fastened.

Figure 3 illustrates a variation, which does not form part of the present invention, with a single source 2, presenting a profile which essentially corresponds to one half of the profile in figure 2.

Figure 4 illustrates a variation, which does not form part of the present invention, which differs from the solution in figure 2 only for the fact that it is provided with a lens 11 which closes the front of the device and which has an internal surface partially or totally provided with micro prisms 12.

The solution in figure 5 can be used, for example, for illuminating the inside of vertical light panels visible on both sides, such as the case, for example, of light panels which indicate fire exits in public venues or working premises.

In the variant in figure 6, which does not form part of the present invention, the central part of the device is more extended outwards, over the edge of the wall or ceiling. This solution is particularly suitable for ceiling applications in which the depth of the device must be reduced and good beam direction control is required at the same time.

Naturally, numerous changes can be implemented to the construction and forms of embodiment of the invention herein envisaged, all comprised within the scope of the following claims.