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(11) | EP 2 711 621 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Optical assembly for lighting sources |
| (57) An optical assembly (12) for lighting sources (L) includes a cup-shaped reflector
(14) having a bottom portion (14a) for mounting a light radiation source and a mouth
portion (14b) for projecting the light radiation, the mouth portion (14b) having a
peripheral rim (140). A light-permeable screen (16) peripherally rests on the rim
(140) of the mouth portion (14b) of the reflector (14). Provision is made of a front
ring (18) forming a receiving frame for the screen (16) to arrange the screen (16)
sandwiched between the reflector (14) and an annular inner side (18a) of the front
ring (18). The front ring (18) has a plurality of cusp formations (18b) protruding
from the annular inner side (18a) to surround the reflector (14). An annular assembly
spring (20) is coupleable to the front ring (18) to urge the reflector (14) and the
screen (16) towards the annular inner side (18a) of the front ring (18); the assembly
spring (20) has a plurality of cusps having distal ends (200) coupled to the cusp
formations (18b) of the front ring (18).
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Technical field
[0002] Various embodiments can relate to optical assemblies which can be used in association with solid-state lighting sources, for example of the LED type.
Technical background
[0003] In various fields of application of lighting sources, by way of example "spotlight" lighting sources, there is a need to be able to couple reflectors and/or screens (for example protective panes, chromatic filters, etc.) of varying types to a given lighting source.
[0004] In these application contexts, the replacement of the reflector and/or of the screen can involve the use of various tools and fixing devices.
Object and summary
[0005] It is felt that there is a need for solutions which make it possible to couple reflectors and screens of varying types to the lighting source by means of simple operations, which can be carried out easily without necessarily having to have special tools.
[0006] It is an object of various embodiments to satisfy this need. Various embodiments make it possible to achieve this object owing to an optical assembly having the features indicated in the claims which follow. The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching provided here in relation to the invention.
[0007] Various embodiments also make it possible to achieve an improvement in the ventilation action, and therefore the cooling action, of the lighting source.
Brief description of the figures
[0008] Various embodiments will now be described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
- figure 1 is a general perspective view of a lighting device which can incorporate embodiments,
- figure 2 corresponds to figure 1, shown in an exploded view,
- figure 3 shows an enlarged view of embodiments, and
- figure 4 is a partial view, shown on an enlarged scale, corresponding to the arrow IV shown in figure 3.
Detailed description
[0009] In the following description, various specific details aimed at providing a fuller understanding of various exemplary embodiments are explained. The embodiments may be implemented without one or more of the specific details or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail so that the various aspects of the embodiments may be understood more clearly.
[0010] The reference to "an embodiment" in the context of this description indicates that a particular configuration, structure or feature described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment", which may occur at various points in this description, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, particular forms, structures or features may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0011] The reference signs used here are provided solely for the sake of convenience and therefore do not define the scope of protection or ambit of the embodiments.
[0013] In the exemplary embodiment under consideration here, which is so designed, the device L can be present in the form of what is termed a "spotlight", which can use, as the light radiation source, an LED source.
[0014] In various embodiments, the device L can include a body 10, for example a tubular and cylindrical body, on which an optical assembly 12 can be mounted.
[0015] The optical assembly 12 is intended to make it possible for a light radiation source, for example an LED source, to be mounted on the device L.
[0016] As a result, the light radiation source can be mounted on the embodiments even only with a view to the installation, and the optical assembly 12 can be used in association with light radiation sources of varying types.
[0017] In various embodiments, the optical assembly 12 can include a reflector 14 having a cup-shaped general form (for example a paraboloid shape), with a bottom portion (identified for example by an opening 14a), where it is possible to mount (in accordance with known parameters) a light radiation source, for example of the LED type, and a mouth portion 14b, through which the light radiation produced by the source located at the portion 14a is projected towards the outside of the reflector.
[0018] The mouth part 14b of the reflector is delimited by a peripheral rim, along which, in various embodiments, a flange 140 protruding towards the outside of the mouth rim of the reflector 14 can extend.
[0019] Reflectors of the type described are known in the art, and it is therefore not necessary to provide a detailed description at this point.
[0020] Similar considerations on the whole also apply concerning a screen 16, which rests peripherally on the rim of the mouth part 14b of the reflector 14.
[0024] In various embodiments, the screen 16 can perform optical functions of varying types, for example as a filter which has an effect on the chromatic features of the radiation emitted by the light source L (for example to produce radiations with defined color or color temperature features).
[0025] In various embodiments, the screen 16 can be configured in the form of a lens, for example a Fresnel lens.
[0026] In the examples under consideration here, the reflector 14 and the screen 16 have a generally circular shape, this feature also being identifiable in the body 10 of the lighting device L and in the overall shape of the other elements which will be described hereinbelow. It is moreover clear that this circular shape does not have a binding character for the embodiments.
[0027] In various embodiments, the screen 16 (which can be defined, whatever its function, as a totally or partially light-permeable screen) can rest peripherally on the mouth portion 14b of the reflector 14, for example on the flange 140 (if present), and be kept in this position by being arranged sandwiched between the reflector 14 and a front ring 18, which can constitute, in various embodiments, a receiving frame for the screen 16.
[0028] In various embodiments, the front ring 18 can have an annular inner surface 18a, on which the screen 16 rests peripherally and is hence interposed between the inner surface 18a and the mouth portion 14b of the reflector 14.
[0029] In various embodiments, the front ring 18 can have a plurality of cusp formations 18b (for example, in the embodiments shown here, three cusp formations, although the number may be different).
[0030] In various embodiments, the cusp formations 18b can be arranged at regular angular intervals along the outline of the ring 18. For example, in the example under consideration here, which is so designed, there are three cusp formations 18b spaced apart angularly by 120° with respect to one another.
[0031] In various embodiments, the cusp formations 18b can extend starting from the inner surface 18a of the ring 18 in such a way as to surround the reflector 14, while moreover surrounding the screen 16 interposed between the mouth part 14b of the reflector 14 and the inner surface 18a of the front ring 18.
[0032] The reference numeral 20 denotes a spring which can be coupled to the front ring 18 in such a way as to elastically urge the reflector 14 and the screen 16 to rest against the inner surface 18a of the front ring 18 so as to "keep together" the various elements which make up the optical assembly 12.
[0033] In various embodiments, the spring 20 can be formed by a single wire-like element (for example a continuous metallic wire) which is closed like a ring and has a cusped shape which, as a whole, reproduces the likewise cusped shape of the side of the front ring 18 which faces towards the reflector 14.
[0034] In various embodiments, the spring 20 can thus have three cusps 20a which are also spaced apart at regular intervals angularly by 120° with respect to one another.
[0035] As already mentioned in relation to the cusp formations 18b of the front ring 18, in various embodiments the number of cusps 20a of the spring 20 may also differ from three.
[0036] In various embodiments, the front ring 18 and the spring 20 can have differing numbers of cusp formations 18b and of cusps 20a.
[0037] Whatever the choice made, in various embodiments at least some of the cusps 20a of the spring 20 can be aligned with cusp formations 18b of the front ring 18. This as a whole so as to realize a coupling between the spring 20 and the front ring 18 so as to ensure that the spring 20 performs the action of urging the reflector 14 and the screen 16 towards the front ring 18.
[0038] In various embodiments, this coupling can be realized by virtue of the fact that the cusps 20a of the spring 20 have distal portions 200 which are folded towards the outside of the spring 20 (which can have a general annular shape) in such a way that the distal ends 200 of the cusps 20a of the spring 20 can be inserted into corresponding receiving cavities 180 provided in the cusp parts 18b of the front ring 18, for example in the vicinity of the distal ends thereof.
[0039] In various embodiments, the general elasticity of the spring 20 can ensure that the distal ends 200 engage in the cavities 180 by means of a snap-like coupling, with the distal ends 200 of the spring 20 advancing radially within the cavities 120 until a coupled state is reached, said distal ends then being able to be disengaged with respect to said position by means of a recall action in a radially inner direction of the respective cusp 20a.
[0040] In various embodiments, the spring 20 can include a plurality of loop parts 20b, each of which extends festoon-like (this fact can be appreciated for example in figure 3) so as to act on the reflector 14 (for example on the flange 140) so as to urge it (together with the screen 16) towards the inner surface 18a of the front ring 18.
[0041] In various embodiments, as shown by way of example in figures 1 and 2, the front ring 18 can have a peripheral opening 22 (of a generally annular shape, for example distributed in a number of adjacent openings in an arcuate form) which surrounds the inner surface 18a, allowing for the flow of ventilation air through the ring 18.
[0042] In various embodiments, as it is realized in such a way as to surround the inner surface 18a of the ring 18, the ventilation opening 22 is radially on the outside with respect to the outline both of the screen 16 and of the reflector 14 (in particular with respect to the flange 140), and can thus allow for a flow of ventilation air with respect to the inside of the lighting device L.
[0043] In various embodiments, the coupling of the optical assembly 12 to the body 10 of the lighting device L can be effected by exploiting the cusp formations 18b.
[0044] In various embodiments, this can be achieved by providing, at the distal ends of the cusp formations 18b, recesses or notches 24 directed axially away from the surface 18a. This is done in such a way as to form, at the ends of the cusp formations 18b, pincer-like elements (which can have features of spring-like pincers, for example when the front ring 18 is made of an elastic material such as a plastic material) which can be coupled, for example in a gripping relationship, to nuclei or beads 24a mounted on the body 10 of the lighting device.
[0045] In various embodiments, the nuclei or beads 24a can be inserted/screwed into the ends of channel-like ribs 10a provided in the body 10.
[0046] Of course, without affecting the principle of the invention, the constructional details and embodiments may vary, also significantly, with respect to that illustrated here purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of protection. This scope of protection is defined by the accompanying claims.
1. An optical assembly (12) for lighting sources (L), including:
- a cup-shaped reflector (14) having a bottom portion (14a) for mounting a light radiation source and a mouth portion (14b) for projecting the light radiation, the mouth portion (14b) having a peripheral rim (140),
- a light-permeable screen (16) peripherally resting on the rim (140) of the mouth portion (14b) of the reflector (14),
- a front ring (18) forming a receiving frame for the screen (16) to arrange the screen (16) sandwiched between the reflector (14) and an annular inner side (18a) of the front ring (18), the front ring (18) having a plurality of cusp formations (18b) protruding from said annular inner side (18a) to surround the reflector (14), and
- an annular assembly spring (20) coupleable to the front ring (18) to urge the reflector (14) and the screen (16) towards the annular inner side (18a) of the front ring (18), the assembly spring (20) having a plurality of cusps (20a) having distal ends (200) coupleable to the cusp formations (18b) of the front ring (18).
2. The optical assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly spring (20) has loop
portions (20b) extending, preferably festoon-like, between pairs of cusps (20a) of
the assembly spring (20) to urge the reflector (14) and the screen (16) towards the
annular inner side (18a) of the front ring (18).
3. The optical assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the distal ends (200)
of the cusps (20a) of the assembly spring (20) are bent radially outwardly to engage
respective cavities (180) in the cusp formations (18b) of the front ring (18).
4. The optical assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly
spring (20) includes a wire-like body shaped to include a plurality of cusps (20a)
and loop portions (20b) each extending festoon-like between a pair of cusps (20a).
5. The optical assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector
(14) has an outwardly protruding flange (140) extending along the peripheral rim of
the mouth portion (14b) with the assembly spring (20) acting on said flange (140)
to urge the reflector (14) and the screen (16) towards the annular inner side (18a)
of the front ring (18).
6. The optical assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the screen
(16) is a planar screen.
7. The optical assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cusp formations
(18b) of the front ring (18) have coupling notches (24) for coupling to a body (10)
of the lighting device (L).
8. The optical assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coupling notches (24) are
directed axially away from the annular inner side (18a) of the front ring (18).
9. The optical assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the front
ring (18) has a peripheral annular ventilation opening (22) surrounding said annular
inner side (18a).