Lighting device

Abstract

 Disclosed is a lighting device (1). In particular, the present invention relates to an LED surface lighting device having a plurality of LEDs arranged therein. The lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case (100) comprising a bottom plate (110); a side wall (120) substantially vertically extending from both ends of the bottom plate (110); and a louver (130) inclined from both ends of the side wall with respect to a surface of the side wall; a light emitter (200) seated on the bottom plate (110); and a diffuser plate (300) being spaced apart from and in parallel with the light emitter (200) and having its both ends arranged at the both ends of the side wall (120).

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device, and more particularly to an LED surface lighting device having a plurality of LEDs arranged therein.

Prior art

[0002] A light emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor element for converting electric energy into light. An electric bulb has a short life span. A longer time for use of the electric bulb allows the life span to be shorter. For this reason, the electric bulb is required to check and change cyclically. Therefore, there has been a problem of paying for the additional cost of changing and managing the electric bulb. As compared with existing light sources such as a fluorescent lamp and an incandescent electric lamp and so on, the LED has advantages of low power consumption, a semi-permanent span of life, a rapid response speed, safety and an environment-friendliness. Therefore, the LED is used as a light source for lighting devices, for example, various lamps used interiorly and exteriorly, a liquid crystal display device, an electric sign and a street lamp and the like, as a result, is now increasingly taking the place of the electric bulb.

Summary of the invention

[0003] One aspect of this invention is a lighting device. The lighting device includes:

a case comprising

a bottom plate;

a side wall substantially vertically extending from both ends of the bottom plate; and

a louver inclined from both ends of the side wall with respect to a surface of the side wall;

a light emitter seated on the bottom plate; and

a diffuser plate being spaced apart from and in parallel with the light emitter and having its both ends arranged at the both ends of the side wall.

Brief description of the drawings

[0004] 

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a first single lighting module 10A.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a second single lighting module 10B.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a third single lighting module 10C.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a lighting device 1A according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of a lighting device 1A according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1A according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device 1A according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of two cases 100 of a lighting device 1A according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a light emitter 200 and a reflector 400 are coupled to each other.

Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a light emitter 200 and a reflector 400.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1B according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 12 shows another example of a lighting device 1B according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a lighting device 1C according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1C according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1D according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1E according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 17 shows another example of a lighting device 1E according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 18 shows further another example of a lighting device 1E according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device 1F according to a sixth embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a lighting device 1F according to a sixth embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1F according to a sixth embodiment.

Fig. 22 shows another example of a reflector 400.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a power supply controller 20.

Fig. 24 is a front view of a power supply controller 20.

Fig. 25 is a view showing an embodiment 300A of a diffuser plate.

Fig. 26 is a view showing another embodiment 300B of a diffuser plate.

Fig. 27 is a view showing further another embodiment 300C of a diffuser plate.

Fig. 28 is a view showing yet another embodiment 300D of a diffuser plate.

Fig. 29 shows an embodiment of a side cover 40.

Fig. 30 shows another embodiment of a side cover 40.

Fig. 31 is a perspective view showing an embodiment 30A of a bracket 30.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing another embodiment 30B of a bracket 30.

Fig. 33 is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment of a lighting device to which a single lighting module is coupled by using the bracket 30A.

Fig. 34 is a cross sectional view showing further another embodiment of a lighting device to which a single lighting module is coupled by using the bracket 30A.

Fig. 35 is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment of a lighting device to which a single lighting module is coupled by using the bracket 30B.

Fig. 36 is a cross sectional view showing further another embodiment of a lighting device to which a single lighting module is coupled by using the bracket 30B.

Fig. 37 shows further another embodiment 30C of a bracket 30.

Fig. 38 shows a structure in which the bracket 30C interconnects the single lighting modules 10.

Fig. 39 is a cross sectional view of a lighting module including louvers 130 having different shapes from each other.

Fig. 40 is a cross sectional view of a lighting module including a louver 130 having another different shape.

Fig. 41 is a view for describing a louver cut-off angle "θ" and a cover angle α of a cover angle.

Fig. 42 is a perspective view of a support frame 50.

Fig. 43 is a cross sectional view of a support frame 50.

Fig. 44 is a cross sectional view showing a support frame 50 and an M-BAR of a ceiling are coupled to each other.

Fig. 45 is a cross sectional view showing a support frame 50 and a T-BAR of a ceiling are coupled to each other.

Detailed Description

[0005] In description of embodiments, if there is no particular criterion for an upper surface and a lower surface of each component layer, drawings are regarded as the criterion. Here, on the basis of the drawings, it is generally assumed that a surface on which a bottom plate of a case is located is a lower surface, and a surface on which a diffuser plate is located is an upper surface. However, in Figs. 7, 13, 19 and 41, it is assumed that a surface on which a bottom plate of a case is located is an upper surface, and a surface on which a diffuser plate is located is a lower surface. The top and bottom of each component layer will be described on the basis of the drawings. A thickness or size of each component is magnified, omitted or schematically shown for the purpose of convenience of description and clearness. The size of each component does not necessarily mean its actual size. In the case where a reference numeral is not added to a term of "a lighting device", it means that the lighting device includes lighting devices according to a first to a sixth embodiment.

[0006] Hereinafter, a first single lighting module, a second single lighting module, a third single lighting module and a lighting device according to embodiments will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 41.

Single lighting module

[0007] Unlike a usual lighting device, a lighting device 1 to be described in the following embodiments is formed in a particular manner. That is, the lighting device 1 is formed to include one single lighting module 10 and one power supply controller 20 or is formed to include a plurality of the single lighting modules 10 and at least one power supply controller 20. Since the lighting device 1 having various sizes is formed of one single lighting module 10 or is formed through combination of a plurality of the single lighting modules 10, a lighting device 1 having a desired size is not limited to be formed.

[0008] In the single lighting module 10, a first single lighting module 10A, a second single lighting module 10B and a third single lighting module 10C will be described. There may be also a single lighting module having another shape.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a first single lighting module 10A. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a second single lighting module 10B. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a third single lighting module 10C. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 and 8, the single lighting module 10 may include a case 100, a light emitter 200 seated on the bottom plate 110 of the case 100, a reflector 400 which is in contact with and disposed on the top surface of the light emitter 200 and a diffuser plate 300 spaced from and disposed over the light emitter 200.

[0010] The first single lighting module 10A is used to form a lighting device of a first embodiment in which the two first single lighting modules 10A are coupled to each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction "a" in Fig. 7. Otherwise, when a lighting device of a third embodiment is formed by coupling the three single lighting modules 10 having respectively one light emitter 200 in a direction perpendicular to the direction "a" in Fig. 13, the first single lighting modules 10A are arranged at both sides of the three single lighting modules 10. Otherwise, when a lighting device of another embodiment (not shown) is formed by coupling four or more single lighting modules 10 having respectively one light emitter 200 in a direction perpendicular to the direction "a" in Fig. 13, the first single lighting modules 10A are arranged at both sides of the single lighting modules 10.

[0011] Referring to Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 8, the case 100 of the first single lighting module 10A includes the bottom plate 110, a side wall 120 vertically extending from the both ends of the bottom plate 110, a louver 130 extending from the end of the side wall 120 and inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the surface of the diffuser plate 300. Like a lighting device 1B of a second embodiment shown in Figs. 11 and 12, a top plate 140 may be included instead of the louver 130.

[0012] A first bracket coupler 151 for interconnecting the single lighting modules 10 is formed at the end of the louver 130 on one side of the case 100 of the first single lighting module 10A. A ceiling fixed type frame 160 is formed at the end of the louver 130 on the other side of the case 100. Here, while the first bracket coupler 151 is avoidably formed at the end of the louver 130 on one side of the case 100 of the first single lighting module 10A, the ceiling fixed type frame 160 is not necessarily formed at the end of the louver 130 on the other side of the case 100. Accordingly, the first single lighting module 10A has the first bracket coupler 151 formed at the end of the louver 130 on only one side of the case 100. Here, from this point of view, the first single lighting module 10 is different from the second single lighting module to be later described.

[0013] The second lighting module 10B is used to form a lighting device of a fourth embodiment. The lighting device of the fourth embodiment includes only one single lighting module having one light emitter 200. Otherwise, when a lighting device of the third embodiment is formed by coupling the three single lighting modules having respectively one light emitter 200 in a direction perpendicular to the direction "a" in Fig. 13, the second single lighting modules 10B may be arranged in the middle or at both sides of the three single lighting modules 10. Otherwise, when a lighting device of another embodiment (not shown) is formed by coupling four or more single lighting modules having respectively one light emitter 200 in a direction perpendicular to the direction "a" in Fig. 13, the second single lighting modules 10B may be arranged in the middle or at both sides of the single lighting modules 10.

[0014] Referring Figs. 2, 13 and 14, the case 100 of the second single lighting module 10B includes the bottom plate 110, the side wall 120 vertically extending from the both ends of the bottom plate 110, the louver 130 extending from the end of the side wall 120 and inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the surface of the diffuser plate. The top plate 140 may be included instead of the louver 130. The first bracket couplers 151 for interconnecting the single lighting modules 10 is formed at the ends of both louvers 130 of the case 100 of the second single lighting module 10B.

[0015] The third single lighting module 10C is used to form a lighting device of a fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 16. The lighting device of the fifth embodiment includes only one single lighting module having two light emitters 200. Otherwise, the third single lighting module 10C is used to form a lighting device of a sixth embodiment in which the two third single lighting modules 10C having respectively two light emitters 200 are coupled to each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction "a" of Fig. 19. Otherwise, the third single lighting module 10C is used to form a lighting device of another embodiment (not shown) in which three or more two third single lighting modules 10C having respectively two light emitters 200 are coupled to each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction "a" of Fig. 19.

[0016] The case 100 of the third single lighting module 10C will be described in the following description of the fifth embodiment.

First embodiment

[0017] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a lighting device 1A according to a first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of a lighting device 1A according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1A according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device 1A according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of two cases 100 of a lighting device 1A according to the first embodiment. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a light emitter 200 and a reflector 400 are coupled to each other. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a light emitter 200 and a reflector 400.

[0018] Referring to Figs. 4 to 8, the lighting device 1 may include two first single lighting modules 10A, a power supply controller 20 located in a space 170 between the two first single lighting modules 10A, a bracket 30 for interconnecting the two first single lighting modules 10A, and additionally a side cover 40. In Fig. 1, the first single lighting module 10A used in the first embodiment may include the case 100, the light emitter 200 received by the case 100, and the diffuser plate 300 spaced from the light emitter 200, and additionally the reflector 400.

[0019] Referring to Figs. 4 to 8, while the two first single lighting modules 10A are included in the first embodiment, the two second single lighting modules 10B may be also used to construct the first embodiment. The second single lighting module 10B has the first bracket couplers 151 formed at the ends of both louvers 130. Therefore, in forming the overall external appearance shown in the first embodiment, the appearance and function of the lighting device formed by coupling the two second single lighting modules 10B are little different from those of the lighting device formed by coupling the two first single lighting modules 10A.

[0020] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the light emitter 200 may be arranged on the bottom plate 110 of the case 100. The power supply controller 20 may be arranged in a space 170 between the two first single lighting modules 10A. That is, the space is formed by the louver 130 in which the first bracket coupler 151 are formed and by the side wall 120 connected to the louver 130. In this case, since the power supply controller 20 is stacked under the bottom plate 110 and arranged in a horizontal direction to the bottom plate 110 instead of in a vertical direction, the lighting device 1 has a thickness smaller than that of a usual lighting device.

[0021] The ceiling of a building in which a ceiling buried type lighting device is disposed has generally a concrete structure. A structure called an M-BAR or a T-BAR is provided in a direction from the ceiling to the bottom surface of the building. Tex and the like are added to the M-BAR or T-BAR. Generally, in a directly downward type lighting device provided on the ceiling of the building, the power supply controller 20 is stacked under the bottom plate 110 and arranged in a vertical direction, so that the thickness of the lighting device is often greater than 70 mm. However, since electrical wiring and an air conditioning pipe and the like are arranged between the ceiling of the concrete structure and the M-BAR or T-BAR, it is often that a space for disposing a lighting device is very small. Therefore, when a usual directly downward type lighting device is buried and disposed on the ceiling due to the space constraint, it is required that the M-BAR be partly truncated or the lighting device be provided at an undesired position.

[0022] On the other hand, since the lighting device 1A according to the first embodiment has desirably a thickness of about 45 mm, it is possible to freely arrange the lighting device on the ceiling regardless of a narrow space and to easily and simply install the lighting device. The thickness of 45 mm is provided for illustration only in order to compare with a conventional lighting device. Therefore, the size of the lighting device 1A according to the first embodiment can be variously changed depending on numerical values of the thickness of the power supply controller 20 and/or the case 100 and the like.

[0023] While the lighting device 1 may have a rectangular shape extending in the first direction "a", the lighting device 1 may have various shapes in accordance with its installation position and its installation environment.

[0024] Both louvers 130 of the light emitter 200 is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the surface of the diffuser plate 300 for the purpose of allowing light emitted from the light emitter 200 to be emitted and to have a desired light distribution angle and of alleviating glare from the light. If it is not possible to specify an angle based on the diffuser plate 300 due to no diffuser plate 300, the louver 130 may be specified to be extended from the end of the side wall 120 and to be inclined more outward than the side wall 120.

[0025] The inclination of the louver 130 may be diversely changed according to the design of the lighting device 1. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the light emitter 200 may include LEDs 210, a substrate 220 on which the LEDs 210 are mounted, and a heat radiating sheet 240 arranged under the substrate 220. The substrate 220 may have a coupling hole 230 for coupling the case 100 to the substrate 220.

[0026] The lighting device may further include the reflector 400. The reflector 400 reflects light emitted from the LED 210 to the outside of the lighting device 1 and covers the inner surface of the side wall 120 of the case 100. It is preferable that the reflector 400 covers not only the inner surface of the side wall 120 but the surface of the substrate 220 of the light emitter 200 other than an area on which the LEDs 210 are arranged.

[0027] The power supply controller 20 may include a power supply unit (PSU) (not shown) and a driving part (not shown). The power supply unit (PSU) supplies electric power to the lighting device 1. The driving part controls, starts and operates the light emitter 200.

[0028] Referring to Fig. 5, the diffuser plate 300 is disposed apart from the light emitter 200 in the direction in which light is irradiated from the LED 210. The diffuser plate 300 allows the light emitted from the LEDs 210 each of which functions as a point light source to actually function as a surface light source such that the light emitted from the light emitter 200 obtains a uniform luminance with respect to the surface of the diffuser plate 300.

[0029] The light emitter 200 is arranged on the bottom plate 110 of the case 100 instead of on the entire surface of the lighting device 1. Accordingly, when a predetermined number of the LEDs 210 are used, an interval between the LEDs 210 arranged on the bottom plate 110 of the case 100 is less than an interval between the LEDs 210 arranged on the entire surface of the lighting device. Moreover, the amount of the substrate 220 used may be also reduced.

[0030] Meanwhile, in order that the light emitted from the LED 210 functioning as a point light source can actually function as a surface light source by passing through the diffuser plate 300, it is necessary to form a diffuse plate surface area in which the light emitted from LED 210 adjacent to the aforesaid LED 210 is superposed on the light emitted from the aforesaid LED 210. This means that the LED 210 should be sufficiently spaced from the diffuser plate 300. However, as the spaced distance is increased, the thickness of the lighting device 1 is increased. Therefore, this is not preferable. The distance between the LEDs 210 is required to be reduced in order to reduce the spaced distance. As described above, since the light emitter 200 is arranged on the bottom plate 110 of the case 100 instead of on the entire surface of the lighting device 1, the width of the substrate 220 of the light emitter 200 is limited to the width of the bottom plate 110 of the case 100. Eventually, the interval between the LEDs 210 arranged on the substrate 220 is naturally reduced, so that the interval between the LED 210 and the diffuser plate 300 is also reduced. The interval between the LED 210 and the diffuser plate 300 is required to form the surface light source.

[0031] Accordingly, thanks to the structural benefits as mentioned above, a slim lighting device 1 can be provided. In a state where there is no diffuser plate 300, if light is irradiated from each of the LEDs to the irradiated area, a hot spot occurs. When the shape of a light source itself is directly irradiated to the irradiated area, an area onto which light is illuminated is more clearly distinct than an area onto which light is not illuminated. Here, an area onto which light is irradiated such that the boundary between the surrounding dark area and the area onto which light is illuminated is clearly formed is referred to as a hot spot. When the hot spot occurs to a general indoor lighting or an outdoor lighting such as a street lamp and the like instead of a spot light, the uniformity of the irradiated area is reduced. This is not preferable. However, when a surface lighting device is used as shown in the embodiment, the hot spot is reduced more than that of a general point lighting device. Therefore, there are advantages that it is possible to obtain a uniform illuminance distribution of the irradiated area and to reduce the fatigue of the eyes.

Second embodiment

[0032] Hereinafter, a lighting device 1B according to a second embodiment will be described in detailed focusing on its components. In description of the second embodiment, the first embodiment will be applied with respect to the same parts as those of the first embodiment. The repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1B according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 shows another example of the lighting device 1B according to the second embodiment.

[0034] The biggest difference between the lighting device according to the second embodiment and the lighting device according to the first embodiment is that the case 100 includes the top plate 140 instead of the louver 130.

[0035] Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, while the two first single lighting modules 10A are included in the second embodiment, it is also possible to construct the lighting device according to the second embodiment by using the two second single lighting modules 10B. The second single lighting module 10B has the first bracket couplers 151 formed at the ends of both top plates 140. Therefore, in forming the overall external appearance shown in the first embodiment, the appearance and function of the lighting device formed by coupling the two second single lighting modules 10B are little different from those of the lighting device formed by coupling the two first single lighting modules 10A.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 12, in a state where a distance between the diffuser plate 300 and the light emitter 200 is maintained to be equal to that of Fig. 11, the side wall 120 extends higher than that of Fig. 11, so that a diffuser plate coupling groove 180 is formed in the middle of the side wall 120. In this case, since the side wall 120 is perpendicular to the bottom plate 110 and/or the diffuser plate 300 and extends higher than the side wall of the first embodiment, the glare may be prevented more effectively than that of the first embodiment. However, the extent of the area of the bottom surface onto which light is irradiated becomes less than that of the first embodiment. Otherwise, the uniformity of the illuminance distribution of the irradiated area is reduced more than that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, it is desirable to install and use the lighting device 1B of the second embodiment in a condition where glare prevention is required prior to both the extent of the area onto which light is irradiated and the illuminance distribution of the irradiated area.

Third embodiment

[0037] Hereinafter, a lighting device 1C according to a third embodiment will be described in detailed focusing on its components. In description of the third embodiment, the first embodiment will be applied with respect to the same parts as those of the first embodiment. The repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a lighting device 1 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view of the lighting device 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0039] Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the lighting device 1C may include two first single lighting modules 10A, the one second single lighting module 10B located between the two first single lighting modules 10A, the power supply controller 20 located in one or two spaces 170 formed between the first single lighting module 10A and the second single lighting module 10B, the bracket 130 for interconnecting the single lighting modules, and additionally the side cover 40. Here, the single lighting modules may include the case 100, the light emitter 200 received by the case 100, and the diffuser plate 300 spaced from the light emitter 200, and additionally the reflector 400. Since the case 100 of the first single lighting module 10A has been already described in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, while the two first single lighting modules 10A and the one second single lighting module 10B are included in the third embodiment, the three second single lighting modules 10B may be also used to construct the third embodiment. In forming the lighting device by coupling a plurality of the single lighting modules, the first single lighting module 10A includes only one first bracket coupler 151, so that the first single lighting module 10A can be used only on both sides of the lighting device. On the contrary to this, the second single lighting module 10B includes the first bracket couplers 151 at the ends of both louvers 130, so that the single lighting module 10B can be used on both sides or in the middle of the lighting device. In addition, the appearance and function of the lighting device formed by coupling the three second single lighting modules 10B are little different from those of the lighting device formed by coupling the two first single lighting modules 10A to the one second single lighting module 10B.

[0041] In the third embodiment, at least one power supply controller 20 is required to start and operate the three light emitters 200. While the drawings show that two power supply controllers 20 controls the three light emitters 200, one power supply controller 20 is able to control the three light emitters 200. The position of one or more power supply controllers 20 has been already described above.

[0042] Though not shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the lighting device according to the third embodiment may include the top plate 140 instead of the louver 130, like the lighting device according to the second embodiment. Since the embodiment in which the top plate 140 is included instead of the louver 130 has been already described in the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Fourth embodiment

[0043] Hereinafter, a lighting device 1D according to a fourth embodiment will be described in detailed focusing on its components. In description of the fourth embodiment, the first embodiment will be applied with respect to the same parts as those of the first embodiment. The repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1 according to a fourth embodiment.

[0045] Referring to Fig. 15, the lighting device 1 may include one second single lighting module 10B, the power supply controller 20 located on the outer lateral surface of one side wall 120 among two side walls 120 of the case 100 of the second single lighting module 10B, and additionally the side cover 40. Here, the case 100 of the second single lighting module 10B includes the bottom plate 110, the side wall 120 vertically extending from the both ends of the bottom plate 110, the louver 130 extending from the end of the side wall 120 and inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the surface of the diffuser plate. The first bracket couplers 151 for interconnecting the single lighting modules 10 is formed at the ends of both louvers 130 of the case 100 of the second single lighting module 10B.

[0046] In the fourth embodiment, unlike the first, second and third embodiments, since only one single lighting module 10 is provided, there is no space 170 formed by the two louvers 130 and the side wall 120 connected to the louvers 130. Therefore, the power supply controller 20 is located on the outer lateral surface of one side wall 120 among two side walls 120 of the case 100 of the second single lighting module 10B. Here, unlike the first, second and third embodiments, the power supply controller 20 may be unstably fixed. For this reason, after holes are formed through the side wall 120 and holes are also formed through the power supply controller 20, the holes of the side wall 120 and the holes the power supply controller 20 are aligned with each other. Subsequently, the case 100 is coupled to the power supply controller 20 by allowing a screw or a pin to pass through the holes formed both in the side wall 120 and in the power supply controller 20. However, a separate bracket (not shown) for coupling the power supply controller 20 to the side wall 120 is formed without forming the hole in the side wall 120 of the case 100, so that the case 100 is coupled to the power supply controller 20.

[0047] Though not shown in Fig. 15, the lighting device according to the fourth embodiment may include the top plate 140 instead of the louver 130, like the lighting device according to the second embodiment. Since the embodiment in which the top plate 140 is included instead of the louver 130 has been already described in the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Fifth embodiment

[0048] Hereinafter, a lighting device 1E according to a fifth embodiment will be described in detailed focusing on its components. In description of the fifth embodiment, the first embodiment will be applied with respect to the same parts as those of the first embodiment. The repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view of a lighting device 1 according to a fifth embodiment. Fig. 17 shows another example of the lighting device 1 according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 18 shows further another example of the lighting device 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0050] The biggest difference between the lighting device according to the fifth embodiment and the aforesaid lighting devices according to the first, the second and the third embodiments is that the fifth embodiment uses the third single lighting module 10C including two light emitters 200 instead of the first and the second single lighting modules 10A and 10B which include one light emitter.

[0051] Referring to Figs. 16 to 18, the width of the third single lighting module 10C used in the lighting device according to the fifth embodiment is approximately twice as large as widths of the first and the second single lighting modules 10A and 10B used in the lighting device according to the first to the fourth embodiments. The fifth embodiment includes only one single lighting module and a space for receiving the power supply controller 20 without interconnecting the single lighting modules.

[0052] Compared with Fig. 17, Fig. 18 shows that the case 100 may further include a cover part formed therein for covering the space 170 for receiving the power supply controller 20. The power supply controller 20 is surrounded by the case 100, so that the power supply controller 20 cannot be seen when the case 100 is viewed from the top thereof and the bottom thereof.

[0053] Referring to Fig. 16, even though the first bracket coupler 151 for interconnecting the single lighting modules 10 is formed at the ends of both louvers 130 of the case 100 of the third single lighting module 10C, the first bracket coupler 151 may be formed at the end of only one louver 130 among both the outer louvers 130.

[0054] Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, unlike the case 100 used in Fig. 16, the case 100 includes a closed space formed therein by the outermost louver 130, the outermost side wall 120 and an additional member spaced apart from the outermost louver 130 and the outermost side wall 120. With respect to the additional member, heat generated by the operation and the like of the lighting device is transferred to the additional member, so that the whole case is able to function as a heat radiation body. As a result, the surface area of the heat radiation body is increased, thereby improving the heat radiating effect thereof. It is desirable that the case 100 is formed through an extruding molding method in order to more enhance the heat radiating effect by using the additional member.

[0055] Referring to Fig. 16, the lighting device 1E may include one third single lighting module 10C, the power supply controller 20 located in the space 170 formed by the two inner side walls 120 and the two louvers 130 of the third single lighting module 10C, and additionally the side cover 40. Here, the third single lighting module 10C may include the case 100, two light emitters 200 received by the case 100, and two diffuser plates 300 spaced from the two light emitters 200, and additionally the reflector 400.

[0056] The case 100 of the third single lighting module 10C includes two bottom plates 110, four side walls 120 vertically extending from the both ends of each of the two bottom plates 110, the louvers 130 extending from the end of the side wall 120 and inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the surface of the diffuser plate 300. The ends of the two inner louvers 130 are connected to each other. If there is no diffuser plate 300, the louver 130 may be specified to be extended from the ends of the two outermost side walls 120 and to be inclined more outward than the side wall 120.

[0057] Though not shown in Figs. 16 to 18, the lighting device according to the fifth embodiment may include the top plate 140 instead of the louver 130, like the lighting device according to the second embodiment.

Sixth embodiment

[0058] Hereinafter, a lighting device 1F according to a sixth embodiment will be described in detailed focusing on its components. In description of the sixth embodiment, the fifth embodiment will be applied with respect to the same parts as those of the fifth embodiment. The repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device 1F according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the lighting device 1F according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view of the lighting device 1F according to a sixth embodiment.

[0060] Like the lighting device 1E according to the fifth embodiment, the lighting device 1F according to the sixth embodiment uses the third single lighting module 10C including two light emitters 200. Therefore, the lighting device 1F according to the sixth embodiment may use the cases 100 of Figs. 17 and 18.

[0061] Referring to Figs. 19 to 21, the lighting device 1F may include two third single lighting modules 10C, the power supply controller 20 located in the space 170 formed by the two inner side walls 120 and the two louvers 130 of each of the third single lighting modules 10C, and additionally the side cover 40. Here, unlike the lighting device shown in Figs. 19 to 21, the lighting device may include only one power supply controller 20 instead of two power supply controllers 20. In this case, the one power supply controller 20 controls the total of four light emitters 200. The power supply controller 20 may be located either in the space 170 formed by the two louvers 130 and the two inner side walls 120 of the third single lighting module 10C or in a space formed by coupling the two third single lighting modules through the bracket 30 in Fig. 21.

[0062] The lighting device 1F according to the sixth embodiment may include the top plate 140 instead of the louver 130, just like the lighting device according to the fifth embodiment. Since the embodiment in which the top plate 140 is included instead of the louver 130 has been already described in the fifth embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] Unlike the cases 100 of the third single lighting module shown in Figs. 3 and 16, the first bracket coupler 151 may formed at the end of only one louver 130 among both the outer louvers 130. In this case, only two third single lighting modules 10C can be coupled to each other. Three or more third single lighting modules 10C cannot be coupled to each other. Therefore, there is no problem in implementing the sixth embodiment. However, it is not possible to create a lighting device having a size larger than that of the sixth embodiment.

[0064] Hereinafter, the components of the lighting device 1 will be described.

Case 100

[0065] Since the structure of the case 100 has been already described in the first to the sixth embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] Referring to Figs. 6 and 8, when the single lighting modules are coupled adjacently to each other, the power supply controller 20 is arranged in the space 170 formed by the louver 130 and the side wall 120. When a second projection 22 formed in the lower end of the power supply controller 20 is pushed in a sliding way into a power supply controller coupling groove 152 formed at the boundary between the side wall 120 and the bottom plate 110 of the case 100, the case 100 can be strongly coupled to the power supply controller 20.

[0067] Meanwhile, the power supply controller coupling groove 152 is not necessarily formed extending as much as the length of the case 100 in the first direction "a" shown in Fig. 7. For example, the power supply controller coupling groove 152 may be extended relatively extremely short and be a thin plate having a shape of alphabet letter "C" or "O". In addition, without the power supply controller coupling groove 152, after holes are formed through the side wall 120 of the case 100 and holes are also formed through the power supply controller 20, the holes of the side wall 120 and the power supply controller 20 are aligned with each other. Subsequently, the case 100 is coupled to the power supply controller 20 by allowing a screw or a pin to pass through the holes formed both in the side wall 120 and in the power supply controller 20. However, if the power supply controller coupling groove 152 is formed in the case 100, it is easier to produce the case 100 by using an extruding molding method and it is simple to couple the case 100 to the power supply controller 20 without an additional screw or a pin.

[0068] The bracket coupler includes the first bracket coupler 151 and a second bracket coupler 153. The first and the second bracket couplers 151 and 153 may be formed in the case 100. The first and the second bracket couplers 151 and 153 are connected to the bracket 30, so that the single lighting modules are securely interconnected to each other. A side cover coupling groove 154 may be formed in the case 100. The side cover coupling groove 154 is used to couple the side cover 40 to the case 100. A method by which the side cover coupling groove 154 are coupled to the side cover 40 will be described in another part of this application.

[0069] The case 100 is formed of a metallic material or a resin material and the like which has a good heat radiating characteristic. An aluminum (Al) oxide film or silver (Ag) oxide film is formed on the surface of the case 100, so that the abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance and endurance of the case 100 can be obtained and a good appearance of the lighting device 1 can be obtained. The louver 130 performs an essential function of preventing the glare. Additionally, the surface of the louver 130 is surface treated to be well reflective or includes a reflective member attached thereto, so that the louver 130 is able to improve a luminous efficiency by functioning as a reflector, as well as to prevent the glare.

[0070] The case 100 may be produced by integrally assembling separately produced bottom plate 110, side wall 120 and louver 130 or may be entirely integrally produced. For example, the case 100 may be formed by using an extruding molding method. It is preferable that the case 100 is simultaneously integrally formed with the bottom plate 110, the side wall 120, the louver 130, the diffuser plate coupling groove 180, the first and the second bracket coupler 151 and 153, the power supply controller coupling groove 152 and the side cover coupling groove 154. The case 100 is generally integrally formed in the direction of length thereof. If the case 100 is integrally formed by using the extruding molding method and the like, the cross section formed by cutting the case 100 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof has a uniform shape. For example, the shape of the cross section formed by cutting the middle part of the case 100 is the same as the shape of the cross section formed by cutting a part close to the end of the case 100. When the case 100 is integrally produced, it is possible to reduce the efforts to assemble the various members and to simplify the manufacturing process.

[0071] In producing the case 100, it is not necessary that the described diffuser plate coupling groove 180, the first and the second bracket coupler 151 and 153, the power supply controller coupling groove 152 and the side cover coupling groove 154 and the like are simultaneously produced. It is also possible to allow at least one member to be integrally produced with the case 100. For example, if necessary, the case 100 may be produced to include only the bottom plate 110, the side wall 120, the louver 130 and the diffuser plate coupling groove 180 formed therein. Otherwise, the case 100 may be produced to include only the bottom plate 110, the side wall 120, the louver 130 and the first and the second bracket coupler 151 and 153 formed therein.

[0072] Referring to Fig. 8, the diffuser plate coupling groove 180 may be formed at the boundary between the inner surface of the side wall 120 and the upper surface of the louver 130. Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, when the top plate 140 is provided instead of the louver 130, the diffuser plate coupling groove 180 may be formed in the middle of the inner surface of the side wall 120 or at the point, which is close to the top plate 140, of the inner surface of the side wall 120.

[0073] Referring to Fig. 8, at least one of the first and the second bracket coupler 151 and 153, the power supply controller coupling groove 152 and the side cover coupling groove 154 may be formed on the outer surface of the side wall 120 of the case 100 or on the bottom surface of the louver 130. Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, when the top plate 140 is provided instead of the louver 130, at least one of the first and the second bracket coupler 151 and 153, the power supply controller coupling groove 152 and the side cover coupling groove 154 may be formed on the outer surface of the side wall 120 of the case 100 or on the bottom surface of the top plate 140.

[0074] The case 100 is integrally formed. Therefore, since heat can be effectively transferred to the entire case 100 and be radiated, the lighting device can have a good heat radiating characteristic. Based on an embodiment, the louver 130 may be replaced by the top plate 140. In more detail, when the case 100 is formed by assembling separately produced members, the members do not come in complete contact with each other but come in partial point contact with each other. As a result, heat transferred from the light emitter 200 to the bottom plate 110 is not sufficiently transferred to the side wall 120, and the heat of the side wall 120 is not sufficiently transferred to the louver 130, either. Therefore, all members of the case 100 cannot be sufficiently used as a heat radiating body. However, when the case 100 is integrally formed by using an extruding molding method, the entire case 100 corresponds to a single member. Therefore, heat generated by the light emitter 200 or the power supply controller 20 is uniformly transferred from the bottom plate 110 through the side wall 120 to the louver 130, so that an excellent heat radiating effect is obtained.

[0075] The heat radiating effect will be additionally described. As described in the fifth embodiment, an additional member forming the case 100 may be formed in the lower part of the outermost louver 130. The additional member is intended to improve the heat radiating effect by increasing the surface area of the case 100. For this reason, the case 100 may have any shape capable of enhancing the heat radiating effect by enlarging the surface area thereof. Accordingly, the additional member is able to form a closed surface with the louver 130 and the side wall 120. The closed surface may have heat radiating holes formed therein. Also, the louver 130 or the side wall 120 may have an uneven structure formed thereon and function as a heat radiating fin.

[0076] Fig. 39 is a cross sectional view of a lighting module including louvers 130 having different shapes from each other. Fig. 40 is a cross sectional view of a lighting module including a louver 130 having another different shape. Referring to Figs. 39 and 40, the louver 130 may have a cross section having various shapes such as a rectilinear shape, a parabolic shape or a circular arc shape and the like. However, how much louver cut-off angle "θ" the louver 130 has is more meaningful than what shape itself the louver 130 has.

[0077] The lighting device including the louver 130 formed therein has its specific louver cut-off angle "θ". It is the most important objective that the glare is prevented by allowing the diffuser plate 300 not to directly come into sight at the specific louver cut-off angle "θ". Therefore, the lighting device is required to have an appropriate louver cut-off angle "θ".

[0078] Fig. 41 is a view for describing a louver cut-off angle "θ" and a cover angle α of a cover angle. Referring to Fig. 41, unlike the louver 130 of Fig. 41, when the louver 130 is formed to be almost aligned with the side wall 120 so as to reduce the glare, the louver cut-off angle "θ" is reduced, and the cover angle α is increased. This means that the glare does not occur at an angle larger than the louver cut-off angle "θ". Therefore, the fatigue of the eyes caused by the glare can be reduced by being away at even a short distance from the lighting device. However, a light diffusion range is excessively reduced, so that the irradiated area becomes smaller.

[0079] On the contrary, unlike the louver 130 of Fig. 41, when the louver 130 is formed almost parallel with the side wall 120, the louver cut-off angle "θ" is increased, and the cover angle α is reduced. This means that the glare does not occur at an angle larger than the louver cut-off angle "θ". However, since the louver cut-off angle "θ" has been already excessively enlarged, the fatigue of the eyes caused by the glare may occur. Meanwhile, a light diffusion range is sufficiently increased, so that the irradiated area becomes larger.

[0080] Accordingly, a lighting device giving a priority to the increase of the area to which light is irradiated is required to enlarge the louver cut-off angle "θ". A lighting device giving a priority to the prevention of the glare is required to reduce the louver cut-off angle "θ".

[0081] It is desirable that the louver cut-off angle "θ" has a value between 0° and 90°. When the louver cut-off angle "θ" has a value within the aforementioned range, direct light from the diffuser plate 300 cannot be seen as the lighting device is viewed from one side to the other side of the diffuser plate 300.

[0082] Since the light emitter 200 is arranged on the bottom plate 110 of the case 100, the bottom plate 110 has a width and a length for arranging the light emitter 200. The diffuser plate coupling groove 180 may be formed at a position where the side wall 120 and the louver 130 are in contact with each other. The diffuser plate 300 and/or a fixing protrusion 430 of the reflector 400 may be inserted and fixed into the diffuser plate coupling groove 180. The diffuser plate coupling groove 180 may have a shape extending in the first direction "a" shown in Figs. 7, 13 and 19.

[0083] The diffuser plate 300 and/or a fixing protrusion 430 of the reflector 400 are pushed in a sliding way into the diffuser plate coupling groove 180. The side cover 40 is coupled to at least one end of the case 100. Then, the diffuser plate 300 and/or the reflector 400 are sufficiently securely fixed. As a result, when the lighting device is installed and operated or transported, the diffuser plate 300 and/or the reflector 400 are not expected to be separated from the lighting device.

[0084] Though Figs. 1 to 3 show that the side wall 120 of the case 100 extends perpendicular to the bottom plate 110, the side wall 120 is not necessarily required to extend perpendicularly and may extend in a direction which is substantially close to perpendicular to the bottom plate 110. The farther it is from the bottom plate 110, the more outward the side wall 120 may be inclined. Though not shown, an uneven structure is formed on the bottom surface of the case 100, so that the surface area of the case 100 is increased and the heat radiating characteristic of the lighting device can be improved.

A plurality of light emitters 200

[0085] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a light emitter 200 and a reflector 400 are coupled to each other. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a light emitter 200 and a reflector 400.

[0086] Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the light emitter 200 may include a plurality of LEDs 210, the substrate 220 on which a plurality of the LEDs 210 are mounted, and the heat radiating sheet 240 arranged under and in contact with the substrate 220.

[0087] A plurality of the LEDs 210 may include at least one LED emitting red, green, blue, white and yellow light and the like. For example, a plurality of the LEDs 210 include a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED. Also, a plurality of the LEDs 210 may be formed through combination of LEDs emitting various colored lights.

[0088] A plurality of the LEDs 210 may be mounted on the substrate 220. A printed circuit board (PCB) may be used as the substrate 220. The PCB is fabricated by printing a circuit pattern on an insulator and includes an aluminum substrate, a ceramic substrate, a metal core PCB and a usual PCB and the like. The surface of the substrate 220 may be coated with or painted with white or silver color in order to increase reflection efficiency.

[0089] The substrate 220 includes a circuit capable of starting and operating a plurality of the LEDs 210. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, a plurality of the LEDs 210 may be arranged along the rows and columns on the substrate 220 or arranged in various ways. The number of the LEDs may be greater or less than that of the LEDs 210 shown in the drawings. However, if the number of the LEDs is exceedingly small, the lighting device has a difficulty in functioning as a surface lighting device. Therefore, an appropriate number of the LEDs 210 is required to be arranged in consideration of the function of a surface lighting device.

[0090] A coupling hole 230 may be formed on the substrate 220. The substrate 220 may be coupled to the case 100 by inserting a screw or a pin into the coupling hole 230. The heat radiating sheet 240 is arranged contacting with the bottom surface of the substrate 220. The heat radiating sheet 240 receives heat generated from a plurality of the LEDs 210 through the substrate 220 and radiates the heat or transfers the heat to the entire case 100. The heat radiating sheet 240 may be made of a material capable of effectively radiating heat, such as a resin material or a metallic material. Also, the heat radiating sheet 240 may be made of a viscous material and easily adhered to the bottom surface of the substrate 220.

Reflector

[0091] Fig. 22 shows another example of a reflector 400. The reflector 400 will be described with reference to Figs. 9, 10 and 22.

[0092] The reflector 400 may be made of a resin material or a metallic material which has high reflexibility. The reflector 400 is located on the substrate 220 and covers the side wall 120 of the case 100. The resin material includes, for example, a pet resin, a PC resin and a PVC resin and the like. The metallic material includes, for example, Ag or an alloy including Ag, Al or an alloy including Al, a stainless material and the like. The reflector 400 includes a bottom reflector 410, a side reflector 420 extending from the both sides of the bottom reflector 410, and a fixing protrusion 430 extending outward from the end of the side reflector 420.

[0093] An LED hole 411 is formed in the bottom reflector 410 of the reflector 400. A plurality of the LEDs 210 are inserted into the LED holes 411 and shown. Therefore, the LED holes 411 are formed corresponding to the number and position of the LEDs 210. The LED hole 411 may be formed by a punching process and also may be formed by various methods capable of forming a hole, such as an etching process and the like. The side reflector 420 may be formed perpendicular to the bottom reflector 410. However, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, it is preferable that the side reflector 420 is inclined outward. When the side reflector 420 is inclined, light generated from a plurality of the LEDs 210 is effectively reflected and emitted.

[0094] Since the thickness of the fixing protrusion 430 of the reflector 400 is less than the width of the diffuser plate coupling groove 180 of the case 100, the fixing protrusion 430 can be pushed in a sliding way into the diffuser plate coupling groove 180. Accordingly, the reflector 400 can be fixed to the case 100.

[0095] The side reflector 420 may be formed extending from the bottom reflector 410 to the diffuser plate coupling groove 180 of the case 100. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 22, the side reflector 420 may extend to pass through the diffuser plate coupling groove 180 of the case 100 and even the side wall 120 of the case 100.

[0096] Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, a first electrical connection hole 421 may be formed in the lower part of the side reflector 420 of the reflector 400. The light emitter 200 is electrically connected to the power supply controller 20 through the first electrical connection hole 421, so that electric power is supplied to the light emitter 200. A second electrical connection hole (not shown) is formed at a location of the lower part of the side wall 120 of the case 100. The location corresponds to the location of the first electrical connection hole 421 of the reflector 400. Consequently, the light emitter 200 can be electrically connected to the power supply controller 20 through the first electrical connection hole 421 and the second electrical connection hole.

Power supply controller 20

[0097] Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a power supply controller 20. Fig. 24 is a front view of a power supply controller 20.

[0098] Referring to Figs. 23 and 24, the power supply controller 20 includes a body 21 and a second protrusion 22 formed in the lower end of the body 21. The body 21 may include a power supply unit (PSU, not shown) and a driving part (not shown) and the like. The driving part starts, operates and controls the light emitter 200. Since a sliding way by which the second projection 22 of the power supply controller 20 is coupled to the power supply controller coupling groove 152 of the case 100 has been already described, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] A third coupling hole 23 may be formed in the second projection 22. After the second projection 22 is inserted into the power supply controller coupling groove 152, a coupling screw or a pin and the like is inserted into the third coupling hole 23, so that the power supply controller 20 can be fixed to the case 100. But for the third coupling hole 23, the second projection 22 may be coupled to power supply controller coupling groove 152 by using an interference fit. The power supply controller 20 also includes a connection line 24. The connection line 24 allows the power supply controller 20 to be electrically connected to the light emitter 200. Therefore, the power supply controller 20 is able to supply electric power and a driving signal to the light emitter 200. The connection line 24 connects the light emitter 200 with the power supply controller 20 through the first electrical connection hole 421 and the second electrical connection hole. The power supply controller 20 may be formed of a material having a good heat radiating characteristic, such as a metallic material or a resin material.

[0100] Since various components such as the PSU and a driving part and the like are included in the body 21 of the power supply controller 20, it is possible to effectively protect the components from an external impact, moisture and the like. The power supply controller 20 is easily coupled to or separated from the case 100, thereby easily changing the power supply controller 20.

Diffuser plate 300

[0101] Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 and 5, the diffuser plate 300 is formed over the light emitter 200. The diffuser plate 300 allows light emitted from the LED 210 functioning as a point light source to be emitted through the diffuser plate 300. The surface of the diffuser plate 300 may actually function as a surface light source such that the emitted light obtains a uniform luminance.

[0102] Both sides of the diffuser plate 300 is inserted in a sliding way into the diffuser plate coupling groove 180 of the case 100 in the first direction "a" shown in Fig. 5, so that the diffuser plate 300 is coupled to the case 100. The material of the diffuser plate 300 may be, for example, a glass material, PMMA and PC and the like.

[0103] Since the diffuser plate 300 is arranged over the light emitter 200 instead of on the entire surface of the lighting device 1, the amount of the used diffuser plate 300 can be reduced. The width of the diffuser plate 300 is considerably less than the length thereof. Both sides of the diffuser plate 300 is supported in the longitudinal direction thereof by the case 100. Therefore, the diffuser plate 300 is insignificantly bent or drooped, so that there is no problem in commonly using the lighting device 1.

[0104] Fig. 25 is a view showing an embodiment 300A of a diffuser plate. Fig. 26 is a view showing another embodiment 300B of a diffuser plate. Fig. 27 is a view showing further another embodiment 300C of a diffuser plate. Fig. 28 is a view showing yet another embodiment 300D of a diffuser plate.

[0105] Referring to Figs. 25 to 28, it is understood that the diffuser plate 300 may have various shapes for diversely controlling the light distribution of the emitted light of the light emitter 200. For example, in Fig. 25, the diffuser plate 300A may have a flat shape. In Fig. 26, the diffuser plate 300B may have a shape having two paraboloids. In Fig. 27, the diffuser plate 300C may have a convex paraboloid and also have a concave paraboloid. In Fig. 28, the light incident surface of the diffuser plate 300D is flat and the light emitting surface of the diffuser plate 00D is convex.

[0106] While it is preferable that the diffuser plate 300 has a rectangular shape extending in the first direction "a", this is not necessarily required. It is often that the diffuser plate 300 usually has a flat shape. However, the diffuser plate 300 may have various shapes capable of controlling the light distribution of the light emitter 200.

Side cover 40

[0107] Fig. 29 shows an embodiment of a side cover 40. Fig. 30 shows another embodiment of a side cover 40.

[0108] Referring to Figs. 4, 7, 13 and 19, at least one end of the case 100 may include the side cover 40. It is desirable that the side cover 40 is formed on both ends of the case 100. The side cover 40 is able to prevent moisture and filth, etc., from penetrating into the case 100, to improve the rigidity of the lighting device and to fix the light emitter 200 and the power supply controller 20 which are received by the case 100. The side cover 40 may include a plurality of coupling holes 41. The case 100 may also include a plurality of side cover coupling grooves 154.

[0109] After the side cover coupling groove 154 of the case 100 and the coupling hole 41 of the side cover 40 are aligned with each other, the case 100 is coupled to the side cover 40 by allowing a screw or a pin to pass through the side cover coupling groove 154 and the coupling hole 41. The side cover 40 is able to prevent dust or filth from penetrating into the case 100 and to more improve the rigidity of the case 100. After a plurality of the coupling holes 41 are arranged such that a plurality of the side cover coupling grooves 154 can be seen, the side cover 40 is coupled to the case 100 by allowing a screw or a pin to pass through a plurality of the coupling holes 41 and a plurality of the side cover coupling grooves 154. The coupling hole 41 of the side cover 40 is not necessarily formed at a location corresponding to the location of the side cover coupling groove 154. The coupling hole 41 of the side cover 40 may be formed at a location corresponding to the first bracket coupler 151, the power supply controller coupling groove 152 and the second bracket coupler 153, which are formed in the case 100. In this case, more screws or pins are inserted into the first bracket coupler 151, the power supply controller coupling groove 152 and the second bracket coupler 153, so that the side cover 40 and the case 100 are coupled to each other.

[0110] Since the height and width of the side cover 40 may be formed to be equivalent to those of the case 100, the shape of the side cover 40 may be varied as shown in Figs. 29 and 30. In addition, since the material of the side cover 40 may be the same as that of the case 100, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Bracket 30

[0111] Fig. 31 is a perspective view showing an embodiment 30A of a bracket 30. Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing another embodiment 30B of a bracket 30. Fig. 33 is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment of a lighting device to which a single lighting module is coupled by using the bracket 30A. Fig. 34 is a cross sectional view showing further another embodiment of a lighting device to which a single lighting module is coupled by using the bracket 30A. Fig. 35 is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment of a lighting device to which a single lighting module is coupled by using the bracket 30B. Fig. is a cross sectional view showing further another embodiment of a lighting device to which a single lighting module is coupled by using the bracket 30B.

[0112] Referring to Figs. 31 and 32, the brackets 30A and 30B include a fixed plate 31, a lighting module coupling member 32 which extends from one end of the fixed plate 30 and is coupled to the first bracket coupler 151 of the case 100, and a safety ring 38 extending from one end of the fixed plate 30. The lighting module coupling member 32 and/or the safety ring 38 may be formed not only at one end of the fixed plate 30, but at the other end of the fixed plate 30.

[0113] Referring to Figs. 6 and 11, it can be seen that how the case 100 is coupled to the bracket 30 in the first embodiment and that how the case 100 is coupled to the bracket 30 in the second embodiment. The fixed plate 30 is pushed in a sliding way into the second bracket coupler 153 of the case 100. As the lighting module coupling member 32 has a through hole, the lighting module coupling member 32 is coupled to the first bracket coupler 151 of the case 100 by allowing a screw or a pin to pass through the through hole.

[0114] Referring to Figs. 33 and 34, the first bracket coupler 151 of the case 100 has a shape different from that of Figs. 6 and 11. However, a method by which the case 100 is coupled to the bracket 30 is the same as that of Figs. 6 and 11. That is, the fixed plate 30 is pushed in a sliding way into the second bracket coupler 153 of the case 100. As the lighting module coupling member 32 has a through hole, the lighting module coupling member 32 is coupled to the first bracket coupler 151 of the case 100 by allowing a screw or a pin to pass through the through hole.

[0115] Referring to Figs. 35 and 36, as compared with the bracket 30A shown in Figs. 33 and 34, the bracket 30B also includes the fixed plate 30 and the safety ring 38. However, the shape of the lighting module coupling member 32 and a method by which the lighting module coupling member 32 is coupled to the first bracket coupler 151 of the case 100 are different from those of Figs. 33 and 34. The lighting module coupling member 32 does not include a through hole through which a screw or a pin passes. Instead, the lighting module coupling member 32 has a shape capable of hanging over and being fixed to the first bracket coupler 151. The first bracket coupler 151 used in this case has a shape different from that of the first bracket coupler 151 shown in Figs. 6, 11, 33 and 34. Unlike the bracket 30A shown in Figs. 31, 33 and 34, the bracket 30B shown in Figs. 32, 35 and 36 can be coupled in a sliding way to the first bracket coupler without a screw or a pin.

[0116] The first bracket coupler 151 is formed at one end of the louver 130 of the case 100. The second bracket coupler 153 is formed in the louver 130 or in the side wall 120. Meanwhile, when the top plate 140 is provided instead of the louver 130, like the second embodiment shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the first bracket coupler 151 is formed at one end of the top plate 140 of the case 100, and second bracket coupler 153 is formed in the side wall 120.

[0117] The safety ring 38 prevents the provided lighting device 1 from being separated from the provided position or being damaged by falling down to the ground due to earthquake or other impacts, or prevents a person who is under the lighting device 1 from being hurt. A rope passing through the safety ring 38 is fixed within the ceiling. In this case, even though the lighting device 1 is separated from its provided position by impact, the rope fixed within the ceiling holds the safety ring 38 and prevents the lighting device 1 from falling down to the bottom surface. Therefore, the bracket 30 having the safety ring 38 includes not only an original function of connecting the single lighting modules, but an additional function of obtaining safety.

[0118] It is not necessary that only one bracket 30 is coupled to the case 100 in the longitudinal direction of the case 100. A plurality of the brackets 30 may be coupled to the case 100 so as to improve the coupling rigidity between the single lighting modules or so as to obtain safety.

[0119] Fig. 37 shows further another embodiment 30C of a bracket 30. Fig. 38 shows a structure in which the bracket 30C interconnects the single lighting modules 10.

[0120] Referring to Fig. 38, a plurality of the brackets 30C may be arranged on the lighting device 1, that is, the outer lateral surface of the case 100. The bracket 30C having such a shape is used to interconnect the cases 100 having no separate first bracket coupler 151, like the case 100 shown in Figs. 17 and 18 or the case 100 shown in Fig. 38. The bracket 30C includes two planes which are in contact with each other at a right angle. The two planes include a first plane 33 coupled to the outer lateral surface of the case 100, and a second plane 35 coupled to an outer support member such as a ceiling or a wall surface, etc., or to the outer lateral surface of the case 100. The first plane 33 includes a first coupling hole 34. The second plane 35 includes a second coupling hole 36. The single lighting modules are interconnected by inserting a coupling screw, etc., into the first and the second coupling holes 34 and 36. Also, the lighting device 1 may be coupled to an outer support member by inserting a coupling screw, etc., into the first and the second coupling holes 34 and 36. The bracket 30C may be integrally formed with the case 100.

Support frame 50

[0121] Fig. 42 is a perspective view of a support frame 50. Fig. 43 is a cross sectional view of a support frame 50. Fig. 44 is a cross sectional view showing a support frame 50 and an M-BAR of a ceiling are coupled to each other. Fig. 45 is a cross sectional view showing a support frame 50 and a T-BAR of a ceiling are coupled to each other.

[0122] Referring to Figs. 42 to 45, a support frame 50 includes a frame body 51 surrounding the outer lateral surface of the case 100, a case support 53 extending from the inner lateral surface of the frame body 51 and supporting the weight of the case 100, a ceiling fixed part 52 extending from the outer lateral surface of the frame body 51 and being fixed to the ceiling. As shown in Fig. 43, the frame body 51 may have an inner empty space in order to reduce its weight.

[0123] The case support 53 comes in contact with the end of the louver 130 of the case 100 and supports the weight of a member including the case 100 and forming a lighting device. It is required that a distance between the case supports 53 located at a position corresponding to the side cover 40 should be somewhat shorter than a distance between the outermost louvers 130 of the lighting device so as to prevent the members of the lighting device other than the support frame 50 from dropping through an opening of the support frame 50. If the distance between the between the case supports 53 is shorter than necessary, the inclined plane of the louver 130 is hidden. This is not preferable. Therefore, the distance between the case supports 53 should be formed in such a manner that the inclined plane of the louver 130 is not hidden.

[0124] The ceiling fixed part 52 fixes the lighting device to the ceiling. Moreover, if there is a space between the case 100 and the ceiling on which the case 100 is installed, the ceiling fixed part 52 hides the space and allows the lighting device to have a beautiful appearance. The ceiling fixed part 52 may have a ceiling coupling groove 54.

[0125] Referring to Figs. 43 and 44, the lighting device may be fixed to the ceiling by allowing a screw to pass through the ceiling coupling groove 54, TEX and an M-BAR.

[0126] Referring to Figs. 43 and 45, due to the weight of the lighting device itself, the lower surface of the ceiling fixed part 52 contacts with T-BAR. Under this condition, the lighting device is fixed to the ceiling. In this case, the ceiling fixed part 52 does not necessarily include the ceiling coupling groove 54. However, considering that the lighting device is installed in the M-BAR as well as the T-BAR, it is desirable that the ceiling fixed part 52 includes the ceiling coupling groove 54.

[0127] In particular, the support frame 50 can be flexibly used for various installation environments. The area of a ceiling on which lighting devices are installed are changed according to countries or a ceiling structure. In the embodiments described above, a lighting device having various sizes is created through combination of the single lighting modules 10. However, if the lighting device fixed to the ceiling has an empty space formed between the ceiling and the lighting device, the lighting device has a bad appearance and is unstably fixed. In this case, if several tens of to hundreds of the standards of the single lighting module 10 are provided to overcome the problems in order to be securely fixed and to obtain a beautiful appearance, there occur problems, for example, an increase of a manufacturing cost, and the like. Therefore, as described in the aforementioned embodiments, when the several single lighting modules 10 having a predetermined size are used, and when the support frame 50 having various sizes is applied with respect to the empty space between the lighting device and the ceiling, the lighting device is able to have a beautiful appearance and be stably fixed. A member used to form the support frame 50 extends in a longitudinal direction thereof. The cross section formed by cutting the member in a direction parallel with the longitudinal direction thereof has a uniform shape. When a rectangular shape is formed by dividing the member into four pieces and connecting the edges of the pieces, the support frame 50 having a necessary size can be obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the production process of the support frame 50 to be very simple and to allow the support frame 50 to be used for various ceilings. Particularly, if the member has a fixed standard except the length of the ceiling fixed part 52, the support frame 50 can be almost completely used for various ceilings.

[0128] The features, structures, effects and the like described in the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects and the like provided in each embodiment can be combined or modified by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, contents related to the combination and modification should be construed to be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0129] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the foregoing embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

a case comprising
a bottom plate;
a side wall substantially vertically extending from both ends of the bottom plate; and
a louver inclined from both ends of the side wall with respect to a surface of the side wall;

a light emitter seated on the bottom plate; and

a diffuser plate being spaced apart from and in parallel with the light emitter and having its both ends arranged at the both ends of the side wall.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a reflector being arranged on inner surface of the side wall of the case and reflecting light emitted from the light emitter and emitting the reflected light to the outside through the diffuser plate.

3. The lighting device of claim 2, wherein a surface of the reflector is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the inner surface of the side wall.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a support frame comprising:

a frame body surrounding outer lateral surface of the case;

a case support extending from inner lateral surface of the frame body and supporting the weight of the case; and

a ceiling fixed part extending from outer lateral surface of the frame body and being fixed to the ceiling.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the side wall of the case comprises a coupling groove being formed at both ends thereof and allowing the both ends thereof to be coupled to the diffuser plate.

6. The lighting device of claim 5, wherein the diffuser plate is coupled to the coupling groove in a sliding way.

7. The lighting device of any one claim among claims 1 to 6, wherein the case has a cross section formed by cutting the case in a direction perpendicular to one direction of the case, and wherein the cross section has a uniform shape in the one direction.

8. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the case comprises:

a first case and a second case being coupled to each other and having a predetermined space formed therebetween;

a first light emitter and a second light emitter, each of which is arranged on the bottom plates of the first case and the second case respectively; and

an electric power controller arranged on a line extending from the bottom surfaces of the first light emitter and the second light emitter to the space between the first light emitter and the second light emitter.

9. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein a bracket allows the louver of the first case and the louver of the second case to be coupled to each other, so that the first case and the second case are coupled to each other.

10. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein a member is disposed on the side walls of the first case and the second case, the member allowing the first case and the second case to be coupled to each other by a bracket.

11. The lighting device of claim 8, further comprising a support plate for supporting the electric power controller, wherein ends of the support plate is inserted into a coupling groove formed in the lower parts of the side walls of the first case and the second case adjacent to the first case respectively.

Drawing