Lighting system

Abstract

 The invention is a modular lighting system (20) comprising connectable profile parts and one or more mounting places for lighting elements. The lighting system further comprises a central profile (10). Two of profile parts are wing profiles (21, 32) that are releasably connectable to both sides of the central profile (10) and one or more mounting places for lighting elements are arranged to the central profile (10). The modular lighting system (20) may further be made of aluminum and act as cooling means for lightning elements. The central profile (10) further forms a cable rack.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular lighting system comprising mutually connectable profile parts for different lighting purposes and for cooling a lighting element.

Background of the Invention

[0002] In office spaces or public spaces, it has been common to hang elongated lighting devices from the ceiling. These devices usually have a profile form, that is, a constant cross-section over their length. By this construction, shapes that act as reflectors, mountings for lighting elements, and spaces for tables can be created.

[0003] Prior art lighting systems are known from various documents. For example, EP1302717 discloses an elongated lamp assembly comprising two side profiles attached together, each having an integral cable tray. The light assembly further comprises a removable horizontal profile between side profiles, wherein lights may be mounted when the horizontal profile is removed from the lamp assembly.

[0004] EP720264 relates to a modular lighting display system comprising an outlet track, i.e. a profile for carrying wires and having a possibility to mount a ceiling fan or light fixtures thereto. In addition, it is disclosed that the modular lighting systems may comprise outlet tracks for supporting ceiling plates.

[0005] However, there is a problem with such designs since their profiles are not suitable for producing different kinds of lightings, for offering different cooling capacities for different lighting elements or lighting environments, or for supporting cables or ceiling plates just by changing profile parts that are connected to a profile.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a lighting system with variability, i.e. a convertible lighting system comprising a profile that can be modified for different purposes and for different cooling capacities by connecting profile parts suitable for the purpose.

Summary

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a modular lighting system comprising connectable profile parts and at least one mounting place for a lighting element, wherein the modular lighting system comprises a central profile and wherein said at least two of the profile parts are wing profiles that are releasably connectable to both sides of the central profile and wherein said at least one mounting place for a lighting element is arranged to the central profile.

[0008] In other words, the purpose of the invention is to provide an improved modular lighting system with variability. For achieving this purpose, the lighting system according to the invention is mainly characterized in that the lighting system comprises a central profile and that the lighting system comprises two profile parts that are wing profiles that are releasably connectable to both sides of the central profile and that said at least one mounting place for a lighting element is arranged to the central profile.

[0009] The profile parts may be wing profiles that can be identical in cross-section on both sides (with the exception that when connected to both sides of the central profile, they are mirror-symmetrical in shape), or their cross-sections can be different, in which case they may have different functions. The wing profile may be a concave wing portion, a reflectable wing portion comprising a light pocket or a support flange profile having a support flange extending away from the central profile for supporting ceiling plates.

[0010] Wing portions can be attached to two different positions on the side of the central profile. In one position they can be attached so that the main wing is directed obliquely upwards or in a position which is "upside down" with respect to this position, that is, the main wing is directed obliquely downwards. Such wing portions can exist on both sides of the central profile or on only one side thereof, a support flange profile being attached on the opposite side for supporting ceiling plates.

[0011] In addition to a wing portion, a reflectable wing portion and a support flange profile, the profile part may further be a lid or a covering plate that is releasably connected to the central profile.

[0012] The connections between the central profile and the profile parts can be carried out using, for example, snap-in connections.

[0013] The central profile and the profile parts, such as wing parts, are preferably manufactured from aluminum by extrusion. They can be manufactured as long profiles, which can be cut to suitable lengths at the factory or at the location of installation.

[0014] The lighting elements are preferably lead elements.

[0015] The aluminum central profile and aluminum profile parts of the lighting system may also function as cooling means, cooling plates, for at least one LED that is connected to the lighting system. It is possible to connect as many profile parts to the central profile as are needed to arrange adequate cooling for the at least one LED, for example add a lid to the central profile in addition to two wing portions. The need of adequate cooling depends on power of at least one LED and an environment of use of the lighting system. Therefore, there is no need to arrange a separate heat absorbing member, such as a cooling plate, for LEDs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] In the following, various embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

shows a cross-sectional end view of a central profile of a lighting system according to an example embodiment;

Fig. 2

shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a second example embodiment;

Fig. 3

shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a third example embodiment;

Fig. 4

shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a fourth example embodiment;

Fig. 5

shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a fifth example embodiment;

Fig. 6

shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system according to a sixth example embodiment;

Fig. 7

shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system with a hanger according to an example embodiment; and

Fig.8

shows two lighting systems with ceiling hangers that are connected to each other according to an example embodiment.

Detailed Description of Some Embodiments

[0017] 

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional end view of a central profile 10 of a lighting system according to an example embodiment. The central profile 10 has an upper portion 11 and a lower portion 12. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 includes a pair of sidewalls 13 which, along with a horizontal dividing wall 14, define the upper portion 11 and the lower portion 12. The central profile has the general cross-section of letter H. In addition, a carrying rail 15 is provided on each of the sidewalls 13. The carrying rail 15 may be used to support, for example, a ceiling hanger disclosed in context with Fig. 8 and 9 or an adaptor disclosed in context with Fig. 3. It is also possible that the central profile 10 comprises two notches 17 arranged to the upper portion 11. The notches 17 enable connecting a lid to the central profile 10 for preventing the dirt from getting to the upper portion 11. One example of a lid is disclosed in context with Fig. 5. The material of the central profile 10 may be aluminum.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 20 according to a second example embodiment. The central profile 10 comprises three profile parts, two wing portions 21 that are releasably connected to both sides of the central profile 10 and a lid 25 that is releasably connected to the upper portion of the central profile 10.

[0018] The wing portions 21 are identical in cross-section on both sides and they are mirror-symmetrical in shape. The wing portions 21 may act as cooling plate for one or several mounted lighting elements 22. This lighting element 22 may be a light emitting diode, LED, or a LED stick comprising several LEDs as a unit. The lighting element 22 is connected to a mounting support 23 that is connected to the lower part of the central profile 10 acting as a mounting place 26 for one or several lighting elements 22. The mounting support 23 snaps-in to the central profile 10. However, it is also possible to connect lighting elements directly to the central profile 10 without the mounting support 23.

[0019] In all cases there is a direct heat-transmitting contact in conduction from a lighting element 22 to the central profile 10, directly or through a separate mounting support 23. For example the mounting support in Fig. 2, 4, 5 or 6 is in contact over a large area with the inner surfaces of the lower part of the central profile 10.

[0020] The outer surface of wing portions 21 is concave having so-called S-shape, which is preferable, because in addition to adding cooling capacity it prevents access of dust from getting to the lighting element 20 and the S-shape also directs airflows. Upper part 24 of the central profile 10 provides storage capacity for the plurality of wires and/or cables 25. So the upper part 24 of the central profile 10 is an integrated cable rack. Wires and/or cables 25 can be covered by the lid 27 that may prevent access of dust from getting to wires and/or cables 25, but also adds cooling capacity.

[0021] So-called H-shape of the central profile 10 is also preferable, because it is easy to fix to a ceiling. Releasable connections of profile parts are advantageous, because they can be connected to the central profile 10 after the fixing to the ceiling and thus, they cannot be damaged or scratched during the fixing. In addition, an amount of connected profile parts may be altered depending on the need of current cooling capacity, for example, if the light emitting element is changed to a light emitting element with different power or if the temperature of the environment of the lighting system changes.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 30 according to a third example embodiment. The central profile 10 comprises two profile parts; one is a wing portion 31 that is releasably connected to one side of the central profile 10 and the other is a support flange profile 32 extending away from the central profile 10 and being releasably connectable to the other side of the central profile 10. The support flange profile 32 may be used to support a ceiling plate 34. The lighting system 30 further comprises an adaptor 33 fixed in place by carrying rails 15. The adaptor 33 may be used for connecting two separate central profiles sequentially and to arrange electrical connection between two sequential lighting systems for grounding purpose.

[0023] In figure 3, there is also disclosed a rail 35, for example, a conductor rail or a contact rail, for example, for connecting LEDs. The central profile 10 may further comprise a housing 36 that prevents a tip of a fixing element 37, for example, a screw, from penetrating to upper end of the central profile 10 when the rail 35 is connected to the central profile 10 by the fixing element 37, for example by a screw. The housing 36, which is arranged on top of the dividing wall 14, is advantageous, for example, when there are cables stored in upper part of the central profile 10, and the head of the fixing element 37 cannot damage the cables. The rail 35 is connected to the profile parts acting also as a cooling element for LEDs.

[0024] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 40 according to a fourth example embodiment. The central profile 10 comprises three profile parts, two support flange profiles 41 and a covering plate 43. The support flange profiles 41 are releasably connected to both sides of the central profile 10. The support flange profiles 41 are used to support ceiling plates on both sides of the lighting system 40. The lighting system 40 may further comprise mounted lighting elements, for example light emitting diodes, LEDs (only one lighting element 42 is shown in figure 4). The covering plate 43 is arranged to the lower part 44 of the central profile 10, for example, for smoothing or guiding the lighting of LEDs. The covering plate 43 is at least partially translucent, for example, an acrylic lens or a micro prism lens.

[0025] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 50 according to a fifth example embodiment. The central profile 10 comprises two releasably connected profile parts, wing portions 51, which are connected to both sides of the central profile 10. The upper portion of the central profile 10 provides storage capacity for a plurality of wires and/or cables 52.

[0026] The wing portions 51 comprise an alignment opening 53. The alignment openings may assure that sequential wing portions, support flange profiles or reflectable wing portions comprising light pockets are aligned correctly by pushing a pin or the like throw sequential alignment openings. There can be more than one alignment openings in one wing portion, support flange profile or reflectable wing portion.

[0027] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 60 according to a sixth example embodiment. Wing portions 61 are releasably connected to both sides of the central profile 10. The wing portions 61 may be reflectable. The wing portions 61 comprise light pockets 63 arranged in such a way that the reflectable wing portions 61 may reflect light illuminated by light emitting elements 64, for example, LEDs or LED sticks, arranged on the light pockets 63. The lighting system 60 further comprises a mounted lighting element 62, in addition, to LEDs 64 on the light pockets 63. These kinds of reflectable wing portions 61 offer also cooling capacity for light emitting elements 62 and 64. In addition, it is possible to connect a plate 65 to the central profile 10, the plate 65 may be a lens reflecting light of the light emitting elements 64 or it may be an aluminum covering plate. The covering plate may also act as a cooling element. The plate 65 may be connected to lower end of the central profile 10, for example, by using snap-in connection.

[0028] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lighting system 70 with a ceiling hanger 71 according to an example embodiment. A carrying rail 15 is provided on each of the sidewalls of the central profile 10. Carrying rails 15 are arranged to support the ceiling hanger 71 so that it is possible to hang the lighting system 70 from the ceiling via the ceiling hanger 71.

[0029] Figure 8 shows two elongated lighting systems 80 and 81 with ceiling hangers 82. The lighting systems 80 and 81 are connected to each other according to an example embodiment. Lighting systems 80 and 81 are connected sequentially to each other by using an adaptor 83, wherein the adaptor 83 has a corner angle form. The adaptor 83 is arranged to be fitted inside the central profile and wing profiles of both lightning systems 80 and 81.

[0030] However, the adaptor 83 may also have such a form that it connects lighting systems 80 and 81 in other different orientations, such as longitudinally or in any other angle. In addition, it should be noted that there could be more than one or only one ceiling hanger for hanging a lighting system from the ceiling and the length of ceiling hangers may vary.

[0031] All connectable profiles of the above-described lighting system, especially the central profile and the wing profiles, can be manufactured from aluminium by a process known as extrusion.

[0032] However, the invention and its embodiments are not limited to those presented above. Embodiments can be combined and the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in a variety of ways. Thus, the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above-described examples and they may vary within the scope of the claims. For example the amount of sequential lighting elements or profile parts connected to one central profile is not restricted to any count.

Claims

1. Modular lighting system comprising connectable profile parts and at least one mounting place for a lighting element, characterized in that the lighting system further comprises a central profile (10) and that there are two profile parts that are wing profiles (21, 32) that are releasably connectable to both sides of the central profile (10) and that said at least one mounting place for a lighting element is arranged to the central profile (10).

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting system further comprises at least one lighting element (22) that is releasably connected to the central profile (10).

3. The lighting system according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one lighting element (22) is a LED or a LED stick.

4. The lighting system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said profile parts are made from aluminum and act as cooling means for said at least one lighting element.

5. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the wing profiles (21, 32) is a wing portion (21) having a concave outer surface.

6. The lighting system according to claim 5, characterized in that the wing portion (21) can be attached to two different positions on the side of the central profile (10), in one position where the main wing is directed obliquely upwards or in another position where the main wing is directed obliquely downwards.

7. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said two wing profiles (21, 32) are identical in cross-section. (Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7)

8. The lighting system according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said two wing profiles (31, 32) are different in cross-section.

9. The lighting system according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the wing profiles (21, 32) is a reflectable wing portion (61) comprising a light pocket (63) for at least one lighting element (64).

10. The lighting system according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the wing profiles (21, 32) is a support flange profile (32, 41) having a support flange extending away from the central profile (10) for supporting ceiling plates.

11. The lighting system according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lighting system comprises at least one further profile part that is a lid (25) or a covering plate (43).

12. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection between the central profile (10) and at least one profile part is snap-in connection.

13. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central profile (10) and the profile parts are extruded aluminum profiles.

14. The lighting system according to any of the claims 2 to 13, characterized in that said at least one lighting element (22) is connected directly to the central profile (10).

15. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that upper part (24) of the central profile (10) is an integrated cable rack.

Drawing