Linear lighting device

Abstract

 Linear lighting device, of the type that comprises a general U-shaped section support profile, which houses an elongated luminous element, and a transparent or translucent diffuser frontally coupled to said profile. The diffuser has in its rear face two longitudinal nerves provided with a plurality of longitudinal teeth in their lateral surfaces. In the front surfaces of the profile some longitudinal grooves for the coupling of the respective nerves of the diffuser are defined. The longitudinal grooves are provided with longitudinal teeth complementary to the longitudinal teeth of the nerves of the diffuser. The lighting device guarantees the watertight assembly of the diffuser with respect to the support profile.

Description

Object of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a linear lighting device, of the type that comprises a general U-shaped section support profile, which houses an elongated luminous element, and a transparent or translucent diffuser frontally coupled to said profile. This lighting device has some characteristics aimed at guaranteeing the watertight assembly of the diffuser with respect to the support profile.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is applicable in the field of electric lighting, and more specifically in the lighting with luminous elements such as LED strips, micro bulbs or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently, linear lighting devices, provided with elongated lighting elements, such as led stripes, of micro bulbs and the like, are known.

[0004] It is known the Spanish utility model document ES1060692 "Linear lighting device", which describes a device comprising a translucent tubular profile with an elongated luminous element inside, formed by a printed circuit board which has some lighting elements; with the ends of the profile being provided with some closing plugs.

[0005] This device also comprises a general U-shaped configuration fixing profile for the assembly and retention of the translucent tubular profile on a support surface. Said tubular profile and the support profile have some complementary means for their frontal coupling by press fit, or for their sliding assembly in a longitudinal direction.

[0006] The tubular profile acts as a diffuser and as housing for the luminous element which must be introduced by an end of the tubular profile, which is a complicated and difficult operation. In turn, the tubular profile is less rigid than the support profile, because of its preferably plastic nature, so it is exposed to shocks and breakage.

[0007] Also known are linear lighting devices in which the inner recess for the accommodation of the elongated luminous element is formed by a general U-shaped section support profile, frontally open and by a transparent or translucent light output diffuser, which is coupled over the open front of the U-shaped profile, establishing its closing.

[0008] The diffuser has elongated pins in its rear face so that in the mounting position, said diffuser leans with its rear face on the front ends of the wings of the U-shaped profile and the elongated pins are tightly arranged between the two wings of the U-shaped section, in the inner recess of the profile.

[0009] Even though the diffuser fits very well on the profile, the rear face of the diffuser and the profile define some L-shaped contact areas among themselves, through which water can easily enter from the outside to the inner recess of the profile, with the subsequent risk of short circuit or electrocution for people.

[0010] The technical problem that arises is the development of a linear lighting device, of the type formed by a general U-shaped section profile and a diffuser attachable to said profile; to ensure greater watertightness in the assembly and to prevent the access of water towards the inner recess of the profile through the coupling area between the diffuser and the profile.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The linear lighting device, object of this invention, has some technical particularities designed to provide an effective seal against moisture and water for its use out in the open and in places where it may get wet, preventing the entry of water through the coupling area of the diffuser and the profile towards the inner recess, which houses the luminous element.

[0012] The device is of the type that comprises a general U-shaped section support profile, for the housing of an elongated luminous element in an inner recess; and a transparent or translucent light output diffuser, arranged on the open front of the U-shaped profile. The diffuser has its rear face leaning on the front surfaces of the profile, on both sides of the recess.

[0013] According to the invention, the diffuser has two longitudinal nerves in its rear face, provided with a plurality of longitudinal teeth in its lateral surfaces; being defined in the front surfaces of the profile some longitudinal grooves arranged on both sides of the inner recess, for the coupling of the respective nerves of the diffuser; being said longitudinal grooves provided, on their sides, with longitudinal teeth complementary to the longitudinal teeth of the diffuser's nerves.

[0014] Thus, when the linear lighting device is exposed to the weather or to wet environments, the moisture or water that tries to penetrate through the coupling area of the diffuser and the profile has to make a "U" route, provided with a plurality of consecutive closings defined by the contact areas of the longitudinal teeth of the diffuser's nerves and the profile's grooves.

[0015] In an example of embodiment, the profile is made of aluminium and the diffuser is made of polycarbonate, so the introduction of the longitudinal nerves in the grooves is easy, but the tightness is enough to prevent the entry of the water.

[0016] This device has great ease for placing the luminous element, for example a led strip, on its front face.

[0017] In addition, the most fragile component of the device, corresponding to the diffuser, is very small in relation to the exposed surface of the aluminium profile, more resistant and also of a light reflective nature.

[0018] In an embodiment, the profile has longitudinal inserts for the coupling of closing lids on the ends of the profile. These longitudinal inserts are also suitable to facilitate fixing the lighting device on any structural element, using adequate attachment means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification, wherein the following is shown as way of illustration but not limited to:

• Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a device of the invention, showing the layout of a LED strip as a luminous element.
• Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the device with the diffuser disassembled.
• Figure 3 shows a magnified detail of figure 2 in which the lateral teeth of the diffuser's nerves and the grooves of the profile may be seen.
• Figure 4 shows a profile view of the device with the diffuser mounted on the profile, frontally closing the inner recess that houses the luminous element.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0020] As shown in the figures mentioned above, the linear lighting device comprises a support profile (1) of a general quadrangular shape, with an inner recess (11) open towards a corner where a translucent diffuser (2), of the light emitted by a luminous element (3) housed in said recess (11), is arranged.

[0021] On both sides of the opening of the recess (11) there are front surfaces (12), on which the rear face (21) of said diffuser (2) is applied, provided with longitudinal nerves (22), and provided with a plurality of longitudinal teeth (23) on their lateral surfaces, for its attachment on the profile (1).

[0022] In the above-mentioned front surfaces (12) of the profile (1), on both sides of the inner recess (11), longitudinal grooves (13) are defined for the coupling of the respective nerves (22) of the diffuser (2).

[0023] Said grooves (13) are provided with longitudinal teeth (14) on their sides, complementary to the longitudinal teeth (23) of the nerves (22) of the diffuser (2) for their mutual coupling and to guarantee the watertightness of the assembly of the diffuser (2) in the profile (1).

[0024] The profile (1) has both inner and outer longitudinal inserts (15), for the coupling of closing lids (not shown) in the ends of the profile (1).

[0025] These inserts (15) also facilitate the assembly of the lighting device on any structural element, using adequate attachment means, such as clamps, brackets or the like.

[0026] Once the nature of the invention, as well as an example of a preferred embodiment have been sufficiently described, it is hereby stated that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described herein may be modified, provided that this does not alter the essential characteristics of the invention which are claimed below.

Claims

1. Linear lighting device, of the type that comprises a general U-shaped section support profile (1), which houses an elongated luminous element (3) in an inner recess (11); and a transparent or translucent light output diffuser (2), arranged on the open portion of the profile (1), with its rear face (21) leaning on front surfaces (12) of said profile (1), on both sides of the recess (11), characterized in that the diffuser (2) has in its rear face (21) two longitudinal nerves (22) provided with a plurality of longitudinal teeth (23) in their lateral surfaces, being defined in the front surfaces (12) of the profile (1), on both sides of the inner recess (11), some longitudinal grooves (13) for the coupling of the respective nerves (22) of the diffuser (2); being said longitudinal grooves (13) provided, on their sides, with longitudinal teeth (14) complementary to the longitudinal teeth (23) of the nerves (22) of the diffuser (2).

2. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile (1) has longitudinal inserts (15) for the coupling of closing lids on the ends of the profile (1).

Drawing