FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In the first place, the invention relates to a light emitting device, comprising
light emitting units being arranged in a plane filling pattern for covering at least
a substantial portion of a surface, wherein individual light emitting units comprise
an internal electrical circuit and at least two connection areas providing electrical
access to the internal electrical circuit from outside of the light emitting units,
and wherein the light emitting units are electrically interconnected through the connection
areas thereof.
[0002] In the second place, the invention relates to an assembly of a marine object and
the light emitting device as mentioned, the marine object comprising at least one
surface that is intended to be at least partially submersed in a fouling liquid containing
biofouling organisms during at least a part of the lifetime of the marine object,
and the light emitting device being arranged on the at least one surface.
[0003] In the third place, the invention relates to a light emitting unit comprising an
internal electrical circuit and at least two connection areas providing electrical
access to the internal electrical circuit from outside of the light emitting unit.
[0004] In the fourth place, the invention relates to a method for assembling a light emitting
device, comprising the steps of providing light emitting units comprising an internal
electrical circuit and at least two connection areas providing electrical access to
the internal electrical circuit from outside of the light emitting units, arranging
the light emitting units in a plane filling pattern for covering at least a substantial
portion of a surface, and electrically interconnecting the light emitting units through
the connection areas thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In general, the invention is in the field of realizing a light emission effect by
using a number of light emitting units arranged in a plane filling pattern. One possible
specific application of the invention is an application for the purpose of anti-fouling
of surfaces. The background of the invention will now be explained in the context
of that specific application, which should not be understood so as to imply that the
invention is limited to that application.
[0006] Fouling of surfaces that are exposed to water, during at least a part of their lifetime,
is a well-known phenomenon that causes substantial problems in many fields. For example,
in the field of shipping, biofouling on the hull of ships is known to cause a severe
increase in drag of the ships, and thus increased fuel consumption of the ships. In
this respect, it is estimated that an increase of up to 40% in fuel consumption can
be attributed to biofouling.
[0007] In general, biofouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, small
animals and the like on surfaces. According to some estimates, over 1,800 species
comprising over 4,000 organisms are responsible for biofouling. Hence, biofouling
is caused by a wide variety of organisms, and involves much more than an attachment
of barnacles and seaweeds to surfaces. Biofouling is divided into micro fouling which
includes biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion, and macro fouling which includes
the attachment of larger organisms. Due to the distinct chemistry and biology that
determine what prevents them from settling, organisms are also classified as being
hard or soft. Hard fouling organisms include calcareous organisms such as barnacles,
encrusting bryozoans, mollusks, polychaetes and other tube worms, and zebra mussels.
Soft fouling organisms include non-calcareous organisms such as seaweed, hydroids,
algae and biofilm "slime". Together, these organisms form a fouling community.
[0008] Biofouling can cause machinery to stop working and water inlets to get clogged, to
mention only two other negative consequences than the above-mentioned increase of
drag of ships. In any case, the topic of anti-biofouling, i.e. the process of removing
and/or preventing biofouling, is well-known.
[0009] WO 2014/188347 A1 discloses a method of anti-fouling of a surface while said surface is at least partially
submersed in a liquid environment, in particular an aqueous or oily environment. The
method involves providing an anti-fouling light and providing an optical medium in
close proximity to such a protected surface, the optical medium having a substantially
planar emission surface. At least part of the light is distributed through the optical
medium in a direction substantially parallel to the protected surface, and the anti-fouling
light is emitted from the emission surface of the optical medium, in a direction away
from the protected surface. The anti-fouling light may be ultraviolet light, and the
optical medium may comprise ultraviolet transparent silicone, i.e. silicone that is
substantially transparent to ultraviolet light, and/or ultraviolet grade fused silica,
in particular quartz.
[0010] By applying the method known from
WO 2014/188347 A1, it is possible to cover a protected surface to be kept clean from biofouling, at
least to a significant extent, with a layer that emits germicidal light. The protected
surface can be the hull of a ship, as mentioned earlier, but the method is equally
applicable to other types of surface.
[0011] WO 2014/188347 A1 further discloses a lighting module that is suitable to be used for putting the above-mentioned
method to practice. Thus, the lighting module comprises at least one light source
for generating anti-fouling light and an optical medium for distributing the anti-fouling
light from the light source. The at least one light source and/or the optical medium
may be at least partially arranged in, on and/or near the protected surface so as
to emit the anti-fouling light in a direction away from the protected surface.
[0012] The lighting module known from
WO 2014/188347 A1 may be provided as a foil that is suitable for application to the protected surface.
The foil may be substantially size-limited in two orthogonal directions perpendicular
to a thickness direction of the foil, so as to provide a tile-shaped anti-fouling
unit; in another embodiment, the foil is substantially size-limited in only one direction
perpendicular to the thickness direction of the foil, so as to provide an elongated
strip of anti-fouling foil.
[0013] The concept of having tile-shaped anti-fouling units is particularly interesting
when it comes to subjecting large surfaces to an anti-fouling action, which may be
surfaces being as large as up to more than 10,000 m
2. Anti-fouling units can be of any suitable shape and size. For example, square units
may be used and arranged in a regular pattern on a ship's hull for forming an anti-fouling
light emitting device on the hull, wherein each unit may be dimensioned so as to cover
about 1 m
2 of the hull. For the purpose of proper operation of the anti-fouling light emitting
device, the units need to be electrically interconnected, and the whole of the units
needs to be connected to an electric power source as well. However, the costs of the
light emitting device are directly related to the number of connections to the units.
Further, in some cases, connections to the units are quite vulnerable to water ingress,
and thus electrical shorts may occur when at least a part of the anti-fouling light
emitting device is actually under the waterline. It would be easy to reduce the risk
of malfunctions, namely by limiting the amount of connections, if it was not for the
fact that it is also important for the device to have a certain level of electrical
redundancy. For the sake of completeness, it is noted that the term "redundancy" as
used in the present text should be understood so as to relate to alternative paths
for the power in case of failure of a unit or a connection between units. The more
alternative paths are available, the less likely it is for the units to be cut off
from a power source in case of damage to the light emitting device, and the higher
the electrical redundancy. In fact, electrical redundancy of a light emitting device
is high if a layout is chosen such that functioning of the device is not affected
by damage to the layout, even if damage occurs at many different positions, and if
malfunctioning of one or more units does not cause other units to be inoperative as
well, whereas electrical redundancy of a light emitting device is low if a layout
is chosen such that functioning of the device is affected by damage to the layout
at only one or a few positions and/or by malfunctioning of only one or a few units.
[0014] In a light emitting device, all of the light emitting units that are included in
the device need to be connected to the electric power source somehow. For obvious
reasons, it is desirable to only have one electric power source for powering a large
number of light emitting units. In order to prevent a situation in which as many electric
wires or other electrically conductive elements as light emitting units would be needed
for electrically interconnecting each of the light emitting units and the power source,
it is practical to daisy chain light emitting units, which implies that light emitting
units are connected in a successive arrangement, wherein one end of the daisy chain
is connected to the power source. However, a long series of daisy chained light emitting
units has no redundancy and is quite vulnerable to damage of a single connection between
light emitting units and/or of a light emitting unit. When one connection or light
emitting unit fails, all light emitting units down the line of that connection or
light emitting unit cannot be powered. Introducing redundancy would require using
more than a minimum of two electrical connections per light emitting unit so as to
have additional connections allowing for alternative routes of the electric power.
It is an object of the invention to provide a practical solution to the situation
of the conflicting requirements of limiting the number of connections on the one hand
and having a sufficient level of electrical redundancy on the other hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] According to the invention, a light emitting device is provided, that comprises light
emitting units being arranged in a plane filling pattern for covering at least a substantial
portion of a surface, wherein individual light emitting units comprise an internal
electrical circuit and at least two connection areas providing electrical access to
the internal electrical circuit from outside of the light emitting units, wherein
the light emitting units are electrically interconnected through the connection areas
thereof, and wherein at least one of the connection areas of individual light emitting
units is electrically connected simultaneously to respective connection areas of at
least two adjacent light emitting units.
[0016] As explained in the foregoing, connecting an electrically conductive element to each
light emitting unit for enabling each light emitting unit to be directly connected
to an electric power source would yield a high level of electrical redundancy, but
would result in an unacceptable amount of electrically conductive elements and an
associated risk of failures/electrical shorts. Daisy chaining light emitting units
does not offer a practical solution to the problem, as doing so involves a risk of
a number of light emitting units being rendered inoperable when only one connection
in a chain of light emitting units fails. Making a structure of connections in order
to have each light emitting unit in a daisy chain of light emitting units and to also
allow for an alternative power route through an adjacent daisy chain would increase
the level of electrical redundancy without a need for providing a way of enabling
each light emitting unit to be directly connected to an electric power source, but
would involve a large number of electrical connections between the light emitting
units.
[0017] The invention proposes another approach and relies on making electrical connections
between at least three light emitting units at one position, namely a position where
respective connection areas of the at least three light emitting units come together,
at least in a functional sense, so that the connection areas can be interconnected.
In that way, it appears to be possible to reduce the number of physical connections
between light emitting units while maintaining an acceptable level of electrical redundancy.
In particular, it appears that by making connections between at least three light
emitting units at one position, which will hereinafter be referred to as combined
connections, an effective structure is obtained in which individual light emitting
units are at a position for receiving power through alternative connection routes,
so that failure of a light emitting unit or a connection to a light emitting unit
does not affect the functioning of the other light emitting units, and in which the
number of physical connections that is needed for realizing the structure is reduced.
[0018] For example, it is possible for the light emitting device to comprise combined connections
of four adjacent light emitting units. In such a case, compared to a conventional
situation in which each connection is only between two adjacent light emitting units,
it is achieved that the total number of connections between light emitting units in
the light emitting device can be reduced by roughly 50% while still having the same
level of electrical redundancy. Further, in such a case, it may be practical for the
light emitting units to be arranged in a regular pattern of rows and columns of light
emitting units, and for the combined connections of four light emitting units to be
located at positions where four light emitting units meet, i.e. positions both between
two rows and between two columns, which will hereinafter be referred to as nodal positions.
In such a pattern, in order to have the sufficient level of electrical redundancy
as desired, it is not necessary for all nodal positions between the light emitting
units as present in the pattern to be positions where four light emitting units are
interconnected. Instead, it may suffice if combined connections are provided at every
other nodal position, both in the direction of the rows and the direction of the columns
of the pattern.
[0019] For the sake of completeness, it is noted that the term "a plane filling pattern"
should be understood in a practical sense, i.e. so as to cover various options which
would normally be denoted by a skilled person by means of the term, including an option
according to which light emitting units are arranged in a closely adjoining fashion,
with practically no space between the light emitting units, and an option according
to which light emitting units are arranged beside each other with only a narrow space
between them. In general, the term is applicable to both a pattern in which the light
emitting units are arranged so as to form a continuous cover of a surface and a pattern
in which the light emitting units are arranged so as to form a cover of a surface
that is provided with interruptions, the interruptions being no more than small areas
between the light emitting units, wherein the larger part of the total area of the
pattern is occupied by the light emitting units. In general, the light emitting units
may be provided as tiles, panels or the like suitable for arrangement on a surface
to be covered.
[0020] In practical situations, it may be so that the light emitting device comprises a
number of light emitting units that cannot be typified as being light emitting units
of which at least one of the connection areas is involved in a combined connection,
especially light emitting units having a corner position or a side position in a pattern
of light emitting units, which does not alter the fact that the invention is realized
in the other light emitting units, which will normally be the majority of the total
number of light emitting units of a light emitting device.
[0021] As mentioned in the foregoing, the light emitting units comprise at least two connection
areas for providing electrical access to the internal electrical circuit of the light
emitting units from outside of the light emitting units. Within the framework of the
invention, it may be so that at least two of the connection areas of individual light
emitting units are electrically connected simultaneously to respective connection
areas of at least two adjacent light emitting units, i.e. are involved in a combined
connection. In such a case, considering the option as mentioned at the level of an
arbitrary light emitting unit from the pattern, it is most practical if one of the
at least two of the connection areas of the light emitting unit is involved in a combined
connection between the light emitting unit and a first set of at least two adjacent
light emitting units, and another of the at least two of the connection areas of the
light emitting unit is involved in a combined connection between the light emitting
unit and a second set of at least two adjacent light emitting units, different from
the first set of at least two adjacent light emitting units, so that the light emitting
unit is connected to as many other light emitting units as possible.
[0022] Alternatively or additionally, it may be so that at least one other of the connection
areas of the light emitting units is electrically connected to a connection area of
only one adjacent light emitting unit. In other words, the invention is already put
to practice if not all of the connection areas of the light emitting units are involved
in a combined connection, wherein it is possible for the light emitting device to
comprise both combined connections and conventional, single connections between light
emitting units.
[0023] It may be very practical for the light emitting units to be arranged so as to overlap
at the positions of at least portions of the connection areas where individual light
emitting units are electrically connected simultaneously to respective connection
areas of at least two adjacent light emitting units, i.e. at the positions of at least
the connection areas that are involved in combined connections between light emitting
units. For example, it may be so that individual light emitting units comprise at
least one recessed portion, wherein at least one connection area of the light emitting
units comprises at least one electrically conductive connection member that is arranged
on the light emitting units at the position of their at least one recessed portion,
and that is in electrical connection with the internal electrical circuit of the light
emitting units, and wherein the light emitting units partially overlap at the positions
of their recessed portions. The electrically conductive connection member of the at
least one connection area may be realized in the form of an electrically conductive
strip extending on an external surface portion of the light emitting unit, for example.
[0024] Letting the light emitting units partially overlap at the positions of recessed portions
of the light emitting units allows for having an arrangement in which the light emitting
units are located at a single level, especially when a height of the light emitting
units at the positions of the recessed portions is chosen to be no more than half
of a general height of the light emitting units, and the light emitting units are
alternately arranged with the recessed portion up and the recessed portion down so
that the recessed portions of the light emitting units can face each other whereas,
apart from the recessed portions, the light emitting units are arranged beside each
other.
[0025] As is the case in conventional situations, the light emitting device may comprise
electrically conductive wiring for establishing the necessary electrical connections
between the light emitting units. For example, wire assemblies of electrically interconnected
wires may be provided for establishing combined connections between at least three
light emitting units, wherein each of the at least three light emitting units is connected
to a respective wire end of the wire assemblies. However, it may be more practical
if another type of electrically conductive element is used, such as an electrically
conductive bump or track. In any case, the connection areas of the light emitting
units may comprise an electrically conductive strip or the like, as already suggested
in the foregoing, in which case something like an electric wire, or an electrically
conductive bump or track may be provided so as to interconnect the electrically conductive
strips or the like. In general, any connector known for making electrically conductive
connections at a relatively small scale will do. Alternatively, the electrically conductive
strips or the like may be pressed against each other so as to contact each other,
may be interconnected through soldering or another suitable attaching technique, or
may be allowed to face each other at a certain small distance so as to enable transfer
of electric power on the basis of capacitive effects.
[0026] The light emitting units may have any appropriate shape and size. For the sake of
completeness, it is noted that the term "light emitting unit" as used in the present
text should be understood so as to cover any possible unit having a light emitting
functionality, including a light emitting tile, panel, block, blanket, etc. In a practical
embodiment of the light emitting device according to the invention, the light emitting
units may have a periphery with a number of sides and corners interconnecting the
sides. For example, it is possible for the light emitting units to have a generally
rectangular or square periphery, a triangular periphery, or a hexagonal periphery.
In such a case, the at least one of the connection areas of individual light emitting
units that is electrically connected simultaneously to respective connection areas
of at least two adjacent light emitting units may be located at a corner position
on the light emitting units. When the light emitting units have a generally quadrilateral
periphery, such as a generally rectangular or square periphery as mentioned, and at
least two of the connection areas of individual light emitting units are involved
in a combined connection, it may be so that those connection areas are located at
opposite corner positions of the light emitting units so as to have optimal reachability
of the connection areas. It is noted that the term "corner position" as used in the
present text should be understood so as to cover a position in a corner area of a
light emitting unit, i.e. a position exactly at a corner of the light emitting unit
or a position near a corner of the light emitting unit that would be indicated by
a skilled person as being a corner position rather than a position at a side of the
light emitting unit.
[0027] As suggested in the foregoing, one of the possible fields of use of the invention
is the field of anti-fouling of surfaces. In this respect, it is noted that individual
light emitting units may comprise at least one light source that is configured to
emit anti-fouling light during operation thereof. For example, the at least one light
source may comprise at least one light emitting diode (LED), which does not alter
the fact that an application of one or more other types of light source is possible
within the framework of the invention. In any case, it may be so that the at least
one light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light during operation thereof,
so that the light emitting device is suitable to be used for anti-biofouling purposes.
In general, the light emitting units may be of any suitable design, and may comprise
an optical medium in which the at least one light source is embedded, or a kind of
casing accommodating the at least one light source, for example. Advantageously, when
the light emitting device is intended to be used underwater, the light emitting units
are electrically interconnected in a liquid-tight fashion.
[0028] It is practical for the light emitting device according to the invention to comprise
a single electric power source that is configured to power all of the light emitting
units. Such an electric power source may be electrically connected to just one light
emitting unit, or only a limited number of the light emitting units, such as two or
three, or a larger number of the light emitting units, such as a number in a range
of 10-50, whatever may be applicable in an actual case. As all light emitting units
are electrically interconnected, it suffices for an electric power source to be electrically
connected to just a single light emitting unit. However, in order to avoid total failure
of the light emitting device when the connection between the electric power source
and the single light emitting unit fails, it may be practical for the electric power
source to be connected to more than one light emitting unit. Alternatively or additionally,
it may be so that an electric power source is connected to a light emitting unit through
more than one electrically conductive element, so that if one electrically conductive
element fails for some reason, power supply to the light emitting units through the
light emitting unit in question is still guaranteed through the at least one other
electrically conductive element.
[0029] The light emitting device according to the invention may be designed so as to be
suitable for use with a marine object, particularly a marine object comprising at
least one surface that is intended to be at least partially submersed in a fouling
liquid containing biofouling organisms during at least a part of the lifetime of the
marine object. In an assembly of such a light emitting device and marine object, the
light emitting device is arranged on the at least one surface of the marine object.
In the context of the present text, the term "marine object" is not limited to objects
for use in salt water, but is to be understood so as to include objects for use in
fresh water as well. Examples of marine objects include ships and other vessels, marine
stations, sea-based oil or gas installations, buoyancy devices, support structures
for wind turbines at sea, structures for harvesting wave/tidal energy, sea chests,
underwater tools, etc. A marine object is only one example of the many objects that
may be equipped with the light emitting device according to the invention.
[0030] The invention also relates to a light emitting unit for use in a light emitting device,
particularly a light emitting unit comprising an internal electrical circuit and at
least two connection areas providing electrical access to the internal electrical
circuit from outside of the light emitting unit. In conformity with that which has
already been explained in the foregoing, in view of the fact that it may be desirable
to have the light emitting units arranged in a partially overlapping fashion, it may
be practical for the light emitting unit to comprise at least one recessed portion,
wherein at least one connection area comprises at least one electrically conductive
member that is arranged on the light emitting unit at the position of the at least
one recessed portion, and that is in electrical connection with the internal electrical
circuit. Alternatively or additionally, the light emitting unit may have a periphery
with a number of sides and corners interconnecting the sides, wherein at least one
of the connection areas is located at a corner position on the light emitting unit.
For example, as explained earlier, the light emitting unit may have a generally quadrilateral
periphery and may be electrically connectable at two opposite corner positions thereof.
[0031] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a light emitting device,
comprising the steps of providing light emitting units comprising an internal electrical
circuit and at least two connection areas providing electrical access to the internal
electrical circuit from outside of the light emitting units, arranging the light emitting
units in a plane filling pattern for covering at least a substantial portion of a
surface, and electrically interconnecting the light emitting units through the connection
areas thereof, particularly realizing an arrangement in which at least one of the
connection areas of individual light emitting units is electrically connected simultaneously
to respective connection areas of at least two adjacent light emitting units, i.e.
is involved in a combined connection. As explained earlier, the number of light emitting
units involved in a combined connection may be any practical number higher than two.
[0032] Further, in conformity with the above explanation of the various options relating
to the light emitting device according to the invention, at least the following options
are available in the context of the method:
(1a) arranging the light emitting units in a partially overlapping fashion, wherein
the light emitting units are particularly made to overlap at the positions of at least
portions of the connection areas where individual light emitting units are to be involved
in a combined connection,
(1b) providing light emitting units comprising at least one recessed portion, wherein
at least one connection area of the light emitting units comprises at least one electrically
conductive member that is arranged on the light emitting units at the position of
their at least one recessed portion, and that is in electrical connection with the
internal electrical circuit of the light emitting units, and wherein arranging the
light emitting units in a partially overlapping fashion involves making the light
emitting units partially overlap at the positions of their recessed portions,
(2a) providing light emitting units having a periphery with a number of sides and
corners interconnecting the sides, and making combined connections at corner positions
on the light emitting units,
(2b) providing light emitting units having a generally quadrilateral periphery, and
making combined connections at opposite corner positions on the light emitting units,
(3a) arranging the light emitting units in a regular pattern comprising rows and columns,
and making combined connections of four light emitting units at positions where four
light emitting units meet, i.e. nodal positions both between two rows and between
two columns, and
(3b) in the case of the previous option (3a), providing combined connections at every
other nodal position only, both in the direction of the rows and the direction of
the columns of the pattern.
[0033] It is to be noted that the concept of arranging light emitting units in a partially
overlapping fashion is independent of the concept of providing combined connections
between at least three light emitting units. Hence, the invention also relates to
a light emitting device, comprising light emitting units being arranged in a plane
filling pattern for covering at least a substantial portion of a surface, wherein
individual light emitting units comprise an internal electrical circuit and at least
two connection areas providing electrical access to the internal electrical circuit
from outside of the light emitting units, wherein the light emitting units are electrically
interconnected through the connection areas thereof, and wherein the light emitting
units overlap at the positions of at least portions of the connection areas thereof.
In particular, individual light emitting units may comprise at least two recessed
portions, wherein the connection areas of the light emitting units comprise at least
one electrically conductive member that is arranged on the light emitting units at
the position of their at least two recessed portions, and that is in contact with
the internal electrical circuit of the light emitting units, and wherein the light
emitting units partially overlap at the positions of their at least two recessed portions.
[0034] Many of the options discussed in the foregoing in the context of the combined connections
are equally applicable to the light emitting device as now defined with an emphasis
on the partially overlapping arrangement of the light emitting units. In particular,
it may be so that the light emitting units have a periphery with a number of sides
and corners interconnecting the sides, wherein at least one of the connection areas
of the light emitting units is located at a corner position on the light emitting
units. In case the light emitting units have a generally quadrilateral periphery,
the light emitting units may comprise two connection areas that are located at opposite
corner positions on the light emitting units. Further, individual light emitting units
may comprise at least one light source that is configured to emit anti-fouling light
during operation thereof and/or the light emitting device may comprise a single electric
power source that is configured to power all of the light emitting units.
[0035] The light emitting device as now defined may be part of an assembly further comprising
a marine object, the marine object comprising at least one surface that is intended
to be at least partially submersed in a fouling liquid containing biofouling organisms
during at least a part of the lifetime of the marine object, and the light emitting
device being arranged on the at least one surface.
[0036] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a light emitting device,
comprising the steps of providing light emitting units comprising an internal electrical
circuit and at least two connection areas providing electrical access to the internal
electrical circuit from outside of the light emitting units, arranging the light emitting
units in a plane filling pattern for covering at least a substantial portion of a
surface, and electrically interconnecting the light emitting units through the connection
areas thereof, wherein the light emitting units are made to overlap at the positions
of at least portions of the connection areas thereof. As explained earlier, it may
be so that individual light emitting units comprise at least two recessed portions,
wherein the connection areas of the light emitting units comprise at least one electrically
conductive connection member that is arranged on the light emitting units at the position
of their at least two recessed portions, and that is in electrical connection with
the internal electrical circuit of the light emitting units. In that case, the method
may comprise a step of making the light emitting units partially overlap at the positions
of their at least two recessed portions.
[0037] The concept of arranging light emitting units in a partially overlapping fashion
does not necessarily need to be limited to arranging the light emitting units in a
plane filling pattern for covering at least a substantial portion of a surface. Hence,
the invention further relates to a light emitting device, comprising light emitting
units being arranged in a pattern, wherein individual light emitting units comprise
an internal electrical circuit and at least two connection areas providing electrical
access to the internal electrical circuit from outside of the light emitting units,
wherein the light emitting units are electrically interconnected through the connection
areas thereof, and wherein the light emitting units overlap at the positions of at
least portions of the connection areas thereof. The options mentioned in the preceding
paragraphs in respect of the light emitting device that is the subject of those paragraphs
are equally applicable. Also, the invention relates to a method for assembling a light
emitting device, comprising the steps of providing light emitting units comprising
an internal electrical circuit and at least two connection areas providing electrical
access to the internal electrical circuit from outside of the light emitting units,
arranging the light emitting units in a pattern, and electrically interconnecting
the light emitting units through the connection areas thereof, wherein the light emitting
units are made to overlap at the positions of at least portions of the connection
areas thereof. The above-mentioned option of the light emitting units being provided
with at least two recessed portions is equally applicable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures,
in which equal or similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs, and in
which:
Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a number of light emitting units of a light emitting
device according to a first embodiment of the invention, and also an electric power
source of the light emitting device;
Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a number of light emitting units of a first conventional
light emitting device;
Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows a number of light emitting units of a second conventional
light emitting device;
Fig. 4 diagrammatically shows a number of light emitting units of a third conventional
light emitting device;
Fig. 5 diagrammatically shows a number of light emitting units of a light emitting
device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6 diagrammatically shows a number of light emitting units of a light emitting
device according to a third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 diagrammatically shows a number of light emitting units of a light emitting
device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 diagrammatically shows a number of light emitting units of a light emitting
device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 9 diagrammatically shows a light emitting unit having recessed portions where
connection areas of the light emitting unit are located;
Figs. 10-17 illustrate how four light emitting units as shown in Fig. 9 are put together
for the purpose of making a combined connection between the light emitting units;
Fig. 18 illustrates an alternative configuration of a connection area on a recessed
portion of a light emitting unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Fig. 1 relates to a light emitting device 1 according to a first embodiment of the
invention, comprising light emitting units 10 being arranged in a plane filling pattern
20, so that the light emitting device 1 is suitable to be used for covering at least
a substantial portion of a surface. The light emitting units 10 are generally shaped
like a tile, panel or the like, and comprise an internal electrical circuit 11 as
diagrammatically indicated by means of dashed lines crossing the light emitting units
10. Also, in the shown embodiment, the light emitting units 10 comprise two connection
areas 12, 13 providing electrical access to the internal electrical circuit 11 from
outside of the light emitting units 10. The internal electrical circuit 11 may be
configured in any appropriate way. For example, it may be so that the light emitting
units 10 are equipped with at least one light source, and that the internal electrical
circuit 11 comprises a plus wire and a minus wire for powering the at least one light
source, wherein the at least one light source is arranged between the wires. Also,
the connection areas 12, 13 may be configured in any appropriate way, as long as the
function of providing a position where a light emitting unit 10 can be electrically
interconnected to at least one other light emitting unit 10 is fulfilled. In this
respect, it is noted that it is practical for the connection areas 12, 13 to comprise
at least one electrically conductive member of some sort. In any case, in the light
emitting device 1, the light emitting units 10 are electrically interconnected through
the connection areas 12, 13 thereof.
[0040] In the shown embodiment, the light emitting units 10 have a generally square periphery,
wherein the light emitting units 10 have four sides 14 and four corners 15 interconnecting
the sides 14. It is to be noted that this particular shape of the light emitting units
10 is shown for illustration purposes only, and that the present disclosure is not
limited to such a shape in any way. Other possible shapes are shown in Figs. 5-7,
as will be explained later. Fig. 1 illustrates the option of providing the light emitting
units 10 with rounded corners 15, which does not alter the fact that within the framework
of the invention, the corners 15 may as well be sharp. Further, in the shown example,
the pattern 20 of light emitting units 10 is of a regular character, the light emitting
units 10 being arranged in columns and rows at a certain small mutual distance. These
features of the pattern 20 are not essential; particularly, the light emitting units
10 may as well be arranged in an abutting fashion. As far as the positioning of the
connection areas 12, 13 on the light emitting units 10 is concerned, it is noted that
the connection areas 12, 13 are situated at two opposite corners 15 of the light emitting
unit 10 in the shown example.
[0041] In Fig. 1, only a few of a total number of light emitting units 10 of the light emitting
device 1 are shown. Within the framework of the invention, the light emitting device
1 may comprise any suitable number of light emitting units 10, wherein it is possible
for the number of light emitting units 10 to be as high as 10,000, or even (far) more.
The light emitting units 10 may have any suitable dimensions. In view of a practical
possibility of using the light emitting device 1 for the purpose of covering a ship's
hull and performing an anti-fouling action by emitting anti-fouling light in a direction
away from the hull, an example of such dimensions are dimensions in the order of 1
m when it comes to a length of the sides 14 of the light emitting units 10.
[0042] The light emitting units 10 may be of any suitable design and may comprise any suitable
components, depending on the intended use of the light emitting device 1. An example
of intended use of the light emitting device 1 is use for the purpose of performing
an anti-fouling action on surfaces, as mentioned, wherein it is advantageous if the
device 1 is designed to emit ultraviolet light during operation thereof. In such a
case, it may be practical for the device 1 to be designed to specifically emit ultraviolet
light of the c type, which is also known as UVC light, and even more specifically,
light with a wavelength roughly between 250 nm and 300 nm. It has been found that
most fouling organisms are killed, rendered inactive, or rendered unable to reproduce
by exposing them to a certain dose of ultraviolet light having such characteristics.
The light may be applied continuously or at a suitable frequency, whatever is appropriate
in a given situation, especially at a given light intensity. Also, in such a case,
it may be practical for the light emitting units 10 to comprise silicone material.
[0043] In general, the light emitting units 10 may comprise at least one light source (not
shown) for emitting the light that is envisaged, and further an internal electric
track and/or internal electric wiring as part of the internal electrical circuit 11,
to which the at least one light source is connected. For the purpose of powering the
at least one light source of the light emitting units 10, the light emitting device
1 comprises an electric power source 30, and the light emitting units 10, particularly
the internal electrical circuit 11 thereof, are connected to that power source 30.
As mentioned in the foregoing, the light emitting units 10 are electrically interconnected
through the connection areas 12, 13 thereof. The light emitting device 1 comprises
at least one electrically conductive element 40 for electrically interconnecting at
least one of the light emitting units 10 and the power source 30. As the other light
emitting units 10 are electrically connected to the at least one of the light emitting
units 10 that is directly connected to the power source 30, all other light emitting
units 10 are indirectly connected to the power source 30 as well, so that only one
power source 30 is needed for powering a large number of light emitting units 10.
[0044] In the light emitting device 1 shown in Fig. 1, electrical connections are provided
between four light emitting units 10 at one position. In the present text, in view
of the fact that the electrical connections involve more than a conventional number
of two light emitting units 10, the electrical connections are referred to as combined
connections. Positions where the combined connections are provided are positions where
four light emitting units 10 meet, i.e. positions both between two rows and between
two columns, which will hereinafter be referred to as nodal positions 21. Not all
nodal positions 21 between the light emitting units 10 as present in the pattern 20
are positions where four light emitting units 10 are interconnected. The combined
connections are only provided at the nodal positions 21 where connection areas 12,
13 of four light emitting units 10 come together. As a consequence, in the shown example,
the combined connections are provided at every other nodal position 21, both in the
direction of the rows and the direction of the columns of the pattern 20.
[0045] The combined connections between four light emitting units 10 at respective nodal
positions 21 can be realized in any suitable way. In the first place, it is possible
to have at least one actual conductive element interconnecting the connection areas
12, 13 of the respective light emitting units 10. Such an electrically conductive
element may be provided as wiring, but other possibilities exist within the framework
of the invention as well, including a possibility of the electrically conductive element
being provided as a bump or track of an electrically conductive material. In the case
of wiring, it may be practical for the wiring to be of the twin type, providing a
plus wire and a minus wire for powering the at least one light source of the light
emitting units 10, although it is also possible to have separate plus wires and minus
wires. If the light emitting device 1 is intended to be used underwater, it is practical
if measures are taken for having a liquid-tight seal at the positions where the electrically
conductive elements are connected to the light emitting units 10, i.e. the positions
where electric wires enter/exit the light emitting units 10 in case the electrically
conductive elements are provided as wiring. The electrically conductive elements arranged
at a nodal position 21 between four light emitting units 10 may comprise a wire assembly
of two electric wires in a crosswise arrangement, for example, wherein the electric
wires are electrically connected to each other at the cross-over position, and wherein
each of the light emitting units 10 is connected to a respective wire end of the wire
assembly, which does not alter the fact that other embodiments of those electrically
conductive elements are also feasible. A practical alternative to using wiring for
electrically interconnecting the light emitting units 10 will be explained later on
the basis of Figs. 9-18.
[0046] By providing combined connections between the light emitting units 10, it is achieved
that the number of physical connections between the light emitting units 10 can be
kept to a minimum while at the same time maintaining an acceptable level of electrical
redundancy in the light emitting device 1. In the case as illustrated in Fig. 1, compared
to a conventional situation in which each connection is only between two adjacent
light emitting units 10, it is achieved that the total number of connections between
light emitting units 10 in the light emitting device 1 can be reduced by roughly 50%
while still having the same level of electrical redundancy, so that it is guaranteed
that each of the light emitting units 10 is at a position for receiving power through
alternative connection routes, as a result of which failure of a light emitting unit
10 or a connection to a light emitting unit 10 does not affect the functioning of
the other light emitting units 10. In other words, it is possible to have quite a
number of failing light emitting units 10 and/or failing connections to light emitting
units 10 and still have a maximum number of operative light emitting units 10. The
fact is that in the light emitting device 1, individual light emitting units 10 can
be reached by electric power at two positions on the light emitting unit 10, namely
at two opposite corner positions. When one of the connections to a light emitting
unit 10 fails, the light emitting unit 10 can still be powered through an alternative
route. In Fig. 1, the routing of the electric power through the pattern 20 of light
emitting units 10 is through the internal electrical circuit 11 of the respective
light emitting units 10 and the combined connections between the light emitting units
10 at nodal positions 21 in the pattern 20. In general, it is to be noted that in
the light emitting device 1, the power is provided through a grid-shaped routing structure
offering many different alternative routes.
[0047] The suggestion that according to the invention, the amount of connections between
light emitting unit 10 can be kept to a minimum, while still an acceptable level of
electrical redundancy is maintained, can be further understood by making a comparison
between the light emitting device 1 as shown in Fig. 1 and respective conventional
light emitting devices 200, 300, 400 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.
[0048] In Fig. 2, a conventional light emitting device 200 is shown in which every light
emitting unit 10 is individually connected to an electric power source 30 (not shown
in Fig. 2) through an electrically conductive element 40 in the form of an electric
wire. In this layout, when a connection to one of the light emitting units 10 fails,
that particular unit 10 cannot be powered through an alternative route and is no longer
useful. On the other hand, the power supply to the other light emitting units 10 is
not affected. However, it takes a large amount of electric wires to achieve this level
of electrical redundancy, wherein most of those electric wires need to cover relatively
large distances and are extra susceptible to damage as a result thereof.
[0049] In Fig. 3, a conventional light emitting device 300 is shown in which the light emitting
units 10 are connected in daisy chain fashion, wherein the light emitting units 10
are electrically connected one after another, and wherein connections need to be made
at two sides of each of the light emitting units 10. In conformity with Fig. 1, the
internal electrical circuits 11 of the respective light emitting units 10 are diagrammatically
indicated by means of dashed lines in Fig. 3, thereby indicating how the electric
power is routed through the pattern 20 of light emitting units 10. The layout shown
in Fig. 3 is extremely vulnerable to damage. The fact is that if one light emitting
unit 10 or connection to a light emitting unit 10 fails, all of the light emitting
units 10 further down the daisy chain cannot be supplied with power.
[0050] In Fig. 4, a conventional light emitting device 400 is shown in which the level of
electrical redundancy is improved in comparison to the option of daisy chaining the
light emitting units 10 as illustrated in Fig. 3. However, this is at the cost of
an increase of the number of electrical connections that are necessary. As can be
seen in Fig. 4, individual light emitting units 10 that are at an edge position of
the light emitting device 400 are connected to three other light emitting units 10,
with the exception of a light emitting unit 10 that is at a corner position of the
light emitting device 400, and individual light emitting units 10 that are not at
an edge position of the light emitting device 400 are connected to four other light
emitting units 10. Particularly, connections between two adjacent light emitting units
10 are provided at a position where sides 14 of the light emitting units 10 face each
other. By making electrical connections between light emitting units 10 at nodal positions
21 between as many as four light emitting units 10, rather than at positions between
sides 14 of only two light emitting units 10, the same level of electrical redundancy
can be realized while reducing the amount of connections between light emitting units
10 by 50%.
[0051] In conformity with Fig. 1, the internal electrical circuits 11 of the respective
light emitting units 10 are diagrammatically indicated by means of dashed lines in
Fig. 4, thereby indicating how the electric power is routed through the pattern 20
of light emitting units 10. As can be seen in Fig. 1, in the layout according to the
invention, the routing of the electric power is still grid-shaped, with square basic
elements, as is the case in the conventional option illustrated in Fig. 4, which is
a further explanation as to why it is possible to have the same level of electrical
redundancy. The difference is that in the layout according to the invention, the routing
is through nodal positions 21 between the light emitting units 10 and is thereby tilted
over an angle of 45° with respect to a conventional routing through the sides 14 of
the light emitting units 10.
[0052] Fig. 5 relates to a light emitting device 2 according to a second embodiment of the
invention. In this light emitting device 2, the light emitting units 10 are diamond-shaped,
and combined connections are provided between three light emitting units 10. The light
emitting units 10 are shown as being arranged in an abutting fashion, whereas in practical
cases, the light emitting units 10 may be arranged with some space between the sides
14 thereof.
[0053] As is the case with the configuration shown in Fig. 1, the light emitting units 10
do not need to comprise more than two connection areas 12, 13, wherein the connection
areas 12, 13 are located at opposite corner positions on the light emitting units
10, although the latter is not essential. Fig. 5 further illustrates the fact that
the electric routing through the light emitting device 2 can be depicted as a grid
comprising hexagonal basic elements, wherein, in a number of light emitting units
10, the two connection areas 12, 13 of the light emitting units 10 are shown as being
interconnected through a straight line crossing the light emitting units 10 from one
connection area 12 to the other connection area 13, representing the internal electrical
circuit 11 of the light emitting units 10. Thus, the electrical redundancy is at a
level as desired, wherein a light emitting unit 10 can still be used when a connection
to that light emitting unit 10 fails, and the functioning of the other light emitting
units 10 is not affected either, while the number of connections to each of the light
emitting units 10 is minimal.
[0054] Fig. 6 relates to a light emitting device 3 according to a third embodiment of the
invention. In this light emitting device 3, the light emitting units 10 are generally
square-shaped, having a cut-out at two opposite corner positions, and a connection
area 12, 13 at each of the cut-outs. The light emitting units 10 are shown as being
arranged in an abutting fashion, which does not alter the fact that the light emitting
units 10 may be arranged with some space between the sides 14 thereof. In the pattern
20, the light emitting units 10 are arranged such that square spaces 22 are obtained
between the light emitting units 10 at the position of the cut-outs of the light emitting
units 10. Four light emitting units 10 are electrically interconnected at the position
of the spaces 22. In particular, the spaces 22 may be used for accommodating electrically
conductive elements 40 such as electric wires as may be used for electrically interconnecting
four light emitting units 10.
[0055] In fact, the light emitting device 3 according to the third embodiment of the invention
resembles the light emitting device 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention
to a large extent, a difference pertaining to the shape of the light emitting units
10 at the opposite corner positions where the connection areas 12, 13 of the light
emitting units 10 are located. On the basis of the fact that the light emitting units
10 are provided with cut-outs, it is possible, but not necessary, to arrange the light
emitting units 10 in a closely adjoining fashion and still have sufficient room for
accommodating electrically conductive elements 40 between the light emitting units
10, namely at the positions of the square spaces 22. According to one possibility
existing within the context of the light emitting device 3 according to the third
embodiment of the invention, such electrically conductive elements 40 may comprise
a length of electric wire having split ends for connection to two light emitting units
10 at each of the ends. In Fig. 6, this possibility is diagrammatically depicted,
whereas, in conformity with Fig. 1, the way in which the connection areas 12, 13 of
the light emitting units 10 are electrically interconnected through the internal electrical
circuit 11 of the light emitting units 10 is indicated by means of dashed lines, as
a result of which the grid-like structure of the electric routing through the pattern
20 is clearly visible in Fig. 6.
[0056] Fig. 7 relates to a light emitting device 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention. In this light emitting device 4, the light emitting units 10 are triangular-shaped.
It is noted that in Fig. 7, the light emitting units 10 are shown as being arranged
in an abutting fashion, whereas in practical cases, the light emitting units 10 may
be arranged with some space between the sides 14 thereof.
[0057] The pattern 20 shown in Fig. 7 is an example of a pattern 20 in which the light emitting
units 10 are electrically interconnected both through conventional connections between
two light emitting units 10 and through combined connections between more than two
light emitting units 10, namely between as many as six light emitting units 10 in
this particular case. In particular, each of the light emitting units 10 is connected
to five adjacent light emitting units 10 at a corner 15 thereof, and to one adjacent
light emitting unit 10 at a position on a side 14 opposite to the corner 15 as mentioned.
The grid-like structure of the electric routing through the pattern 20 is also shown
in Fig. 7, comprising triangular basic elements having sides extending between the
positions of the combined connections. In accordance with the features of the invention,
also in the layout shown in Fig. 7, each of the light emitting units 10 does not comprise
more than two connection areas 12, 13, while sufficient electrical redundancy is still
guaranteed through combined connections between more than two light emitting units
10, namely six light emitting units 10 in this particular case.
[0058] Fig. 8 relates to a light emitting device 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the
invention. In this light emitting device 5, the light emitting units 10 are generally
square-shaped. The light emitting units 10 are shown as being arranged at a short
mutual distance, which does not alter the fact that the light emitting units 10 may
as well be arranged in an abutting fashion.
[0059] In fact, the light emitting device 5 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention
resembles the light emitting device 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention
to a large extent, a difference pertaining to the positioning of the connection areas
12, 13 on the light emitting units 10. Fig. 8 serves to illustrate the fact that it
is not necessary for the connection areas 12, 13 to be located at corner positions
on the light emitting units 10, showing a pattern 20 of light emitting units 10 in
which combined connections are provided between four light emitting units 10, in a
similar manner as is the case in the light emitting device 1 according to the first
embodiment of the invention, but in which light emitting units 10 are used that have
their connection areas 12, 13 positioned at opposite sides 14 thereof. In this embodiment,
it may be practical for the light emitting units 10 to be electrically interconnected
through electric wiring or electrically conductive tracks, for example. In any case,
this embodiment also has the feature of no more than two connection areas 12, 13 per
light emitting unit 10 and an arrangement of combined connections at (or near) every
other nodal position 21 only, while still having the same level of electrical redundancy
as the conventional option illustrated in Fig. 4 that needs twice as many connections.
It is noted that in the case of generally square-shaped light emitting units 10, in
which combined connections of four light emitting units 10 are provided, it appears
to be sufficient for the number of combined connections to be 50% of the number of
light emitting units 10.
[0060] Figs. 9-17 relate to a light emitting unit 10 having recessed portions 16 where connection
areas 12, 13 of the light emitting unit 10 are located, and Fig. 18 relates to an
alternative configuration of a connection area 12, 13 on a recessed portion 16 of
a light emitting unit 10.
[0061] In Fig. 9, a single light emitting unit 10 having a generally square periphery is
shown. In this embodiment, the light emitting unit 10 has two recessed portions 16,
located at two opposite corner positions on the light emitting unit 10. The connection
areas 12, 13 are provided at the position of the recessed portions 16 in the form
of an electrically conductive strip 17 that is in electrical connection with the internal
electrical circuit 11 of the light emitting unit 10. The two recessed portions 16
are located at different levels, the electrically conductive strip 17 of one of the
recessed portions 16 facing upward, and the electrically conductive strip 17 of the
other of the recessed portions 16 facing downward. The recessed portions 16 partially
extend from the generally square periphery of the light emitting unit 10 so as to
enable a partially overlapping arrangement of the light emitting units 10 at the very
positions of the recessed portions 16 thereof as will now be explained with reference
to Figs. 10-17, which serve to illustrate a process of putting four identical light
emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d together for the purpose of making a combined connection
between the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d.
[0062] In Fig. 10, a first light emitting unit 10a is partially shown, with one of the recessed
portions 16 extending forward as seen in the figure.
[0063] In Fig. 11, it is illustrated how a second light emitting unit 10b is positioned
with respect to the first light emitting unit 10a, namely with a recessed portion
16 extending backward as seen in the figure, at a position beside the recessed portion
16 of the first light emitting unit 10a, wherein the electrically conductive strips
17 as present on the recessed portions 16 of the light emitting units 10a, 10b extend
substantially parallel to each other.
[0064] Figs. 12 and 13 show how a third light emitting unit 10c is positioned with respect
to both the first light emitting unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b,
wherein it is noted that in these figures, hidden parts of the electrically conductive
strips 17 and tracks 31 of the internal electrical circuit 11 of the light emitting
units 10a, 10b, 10c, leading from the strips 17 to inside the light emitting units
10a, 10b, 10c, are indicated by means of dotted lines. Fig. 12 shows the third light
emitting unit 10c approaching the first light emitting unit 10a and the second light
emitting unit 10b, and Fig. 13 shows the third 1 light emitting unit 10c (almost)
in place with respect to the first light emitting unit 10a and the second light emitting
unit 10b.
[0065] With respect to the recessed portions 16 of the first light emitting unit 10a and
the second light emitting unit 10b, the recessed portion 16 of the third light emitting
unit 10c is oriented upside down, with the electrically conductive strip 17 thereof
extending at an angle of substantially 90° with respect to the respective strips 17
of the first light emitting unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b. As a
result, it is achieved that the recessed portion 16 of the third light emitting unit
10c overlaps half of the respective recessed portions 16 of the first light emitting
unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b, wherein the electrically conductive
strip 17 of the third light emitting unit 10c faces the respective strips 17 of the
first light emitting unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b, and wherein
the portions of the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c outside of the recessed portions
16 extend in one and the same plane, so that a light emitting device having an even
overall surface can be realized.
[0066] Figs. 14-17 show how a fourth light emitting unit 10d is positioned with respect
to the first light emitting unit 10a, the second light emitting unit 10b and the third
light emitting unit 10c. Figs. 14 and 15 show the fourth light emitting unit 10d approaching
the first light emitting unit 10a, the second light emitting unit 10b and the third
light emitting unit 10c, and Figs. 16 and 17 show the fourth light emitting unit 10d
in place with respect to the first light emitting unit 10a, the second light emitting
unit 10b and the third light emitting unit 10c. In Figs. 14 and 16, hidden parts of
the electrically conductive strips 17 and the tracks 31 of the internal electrical
circuit 11 of the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are indicated by means of
dotted lines, whereas Figs. 15 and 17 illustrate the actual view on the light emitting
units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d.
[0067] As is the case with the recessed portion 16 of the third light emitting unit 10c,
the recessed portion 16 of the fourth light emitting unit 10d is oriented upside down
with respect to the recessed portions 16 of the first light emitting unit 10a and
the second light emitting unit 10b, with the electrically conductive strip 17 thereof
extending at an angle of substantially 90° with respect to the respective strips 17
of the first light emitting unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b, and extending
substantially parallel to the strip 17 of the third light emitting unit 10c. In fact,
a space that remains on the combination of the recessed portions 16 of the first light
emitting unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b after the third light emitting
unit 10c has been put in place, is filled and closed by means of the recessed portion
16 of the fourth light emitting unit 10d, wherein the fourth light emitting unit 10d
is made to approach from an opposite side than the third light emitting unit 10c.
[0068] By putting the four light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d together in the way as
described in the foregoing and as illustrated in Figs. 10-17, it is achieved that
the closed configuration as shown Figs. 16 and 17 is obtained as an end result. In
the process, the recessed portions 16 of the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d
are made to overlap, in such orientations that a crosswise configuration of two substantially
parallel electrically conductive strips 17 at a bottom level and two substantially
parallel electrically conductive strips 17 at a top level is obtained, the strips
17 of the two levels facing each other. In this way, a combined connection of the
four light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d is realized. In the shown example, the
recessed portions 16 of the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are about half
as high as the larger portions of the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, i.e.
the portions of the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d outside of the recessed
portions 16, so that a light emitting device having an even overall surface is realized,
as mentioned earlier.
[0069] In the combined connection of the four light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, the
electrically conductive strip 17 of the first light emitting unit 10a faces parts
of the strips 17 of the third light emitting unit 10c and the fourth light emitting
unit 10d, and is associated with the strip 17 of the second light emitting unit 10b
through the strips 17 of the third light emitting unit 10c and the fourth light emitting
unit 10d. Likewise, the electrically conductive strip 17 of the second light emitting
unit 10b faces parts of the strips 17 of the third light emitting unit 10c and the
fourth light emitting unit 10d, and is associated with the strip 17 of the first light
emitting unit 10a through the strips 17 of the third light emitting unit 10c and the
fourth light emitting unit 10d, the electrically conductive strip 17 of the third
light emitting unit 10c faces parts of the strips 17 of the first light emitting unit
10a and the second light emitting unit 10b, and is associated with the strip 17 of
the fourth light emitting unit 10d through the strips 17 of the first light emitting
unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b, and the electrically conductive strip
17 of the fourth light emitting unit 10d faces parts of the strips 17 of the first
light emitting unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b, and is associated
with the strip 17 of the third light emitting unit 10c through the strips 17 of the
first light emitting unit 10a and the second light emitting unit 10b.
[0070] It may be so that the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are designed such that
all it takes for having an effective combined connection, through which an electrical
interconnection of the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d is established, is
putting the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d together in the way as described
in the foregoing. This is the case when the electrically conductive strips 17 of the
light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are made to contact each other in the process,
or are made to extend sufficiently close to each other so that transfer of electric
power between the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d can take place on the basis
of capacitive effects, for example. On the other hand, it may be so that the process
of putting the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d together is followed by an
action of pressing the light emitting units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d together at the position
where their recessed portions 16 overlap, an action of supplying heat to that position,
etc. Optionally, as an intermediate step, glue or solder may be added to the electrically
conductive strips 17, etc.
[0071] It may be practical for the connection areas 12, 13 to comprise two electrically
conductive strips 17, 18, wherein one of the strips 17, 18 is associated with a plus
side of the internal electrical circuit 11, and wherein the other of the strips 17,
18 is associated with a minus side of the internal electrical circuit 11. Fig. 18
illustrates this option, particularly by showing a connection area 12 comprising two
electrically conductive strips 17, 18, as arranged on a recessed portion 16 of a light
emitting unit 10. The light emitting unit 10 in question is intended to be combined
with four other identical light emitting units 10, in the same manner as described
in the foregoing and illustrated in Figs. 10-17, the difference following from the
design of the connection areas 12, 13 being a realization of separate plus and minus
circuits in the combined connections. In order to avoid interconnection of the plus
and minus circuits, an electrically insulating cover plate 19 is arranged at an appropriate
position on one of the electrically conductive strips 17, 18. Further, in the shown
example, the electrically conductive strips 17, 18 are provided with solder areas
32 at ends thereof.
[0072] As explained, the option of having recessed portions 16 and connection areas 12,
13 located on the recessed portions 16 is advantageous in the context of realizing
combined connections between at least three light emitting units 10. However, that
does not imply that this option is limited to such a context. In particular, this
option is also applicable in a conventional context of realizing connections between
no more than two light emitting units 10. Further, it is to be noted that the option
of having a design of the light emitting units 10 including recessed portions 16 is
independent of the general shape of the light emitting units 10.
[0073] Within the framework of the invention, a feasible alternative to the option of having
recessed portions 16 and connection areas 12, 13 located on the recessed portions
16 is an arrangement in which the connection areas 12, 13 are arranged on portions
protruding from the general shape of light emitting units 10, wherein the combined
connections are made by positioning all protruding portions of the light emitting
units 10 involved in the combined connections beside each other, at the same level,
and interconnecting the respective connection areas 12, 13 by means of an electrically
conductive plate or the like that is made to contact all of the connection areas 12,
13, for example.
[0074] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is
not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments
and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention
as defined in the attached claims. It is intended that the invention be construed
as including all such amendments and modifications insofar they come within the scope
of the claims or the equivalents thereof. While the invention has been illustrated
and described in detail in the figures and the description, such an illustration and
such a description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive.
The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic,
wherein details that are not required for understanding the invention may have been
omitted, and not necessarily to scale. As the invention is not particularly about
the connection of a pattern 20 of light emitting units 10 to an electric power source
30 of a light emitting device 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, but rather relates to a clever way for
electrically interconnecting the light emitting units 10, a depiction of an electric
power source 30 is only provided in Fig. 1. For the sake of completeness, it is noted
that this fact should not be understood so as to mean that the other embodiments of
the invention do not include an electric power source 30 as well.
[0075] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person
skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures,
the description and the attached claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does
not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not
exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention.
[0076] Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may
be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly
stated otherwise. Thus, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually
different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures
cannot be used to advantage.
[0077] The term "comprise" as used in this text will be understood by a person skilled in
the art as covering the term "consist of". Hence, the term "comprise" may in respect
of an embodiment mean "consist of", but may in another embodiment mean "contain/include
at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species".
[0078] A possible summary of the invention reads as follows. A light emitting device 1,
2, 3, 4, 5 is provided that can be used in various contexts, including the context
of realizing an anti-fouling action on surfaces. The light emitting device 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 comprises light emitting units 10 being arranged in a plane filling pattern 20
for covering at least a substantial portion of a surface. Individual light emitting
units 10 are electrically interconnected through connection areas 12, 13 as present
on the light emitting units 10 for providing electrical access to an internal electrical
circuit 11 thereof, wherein at least one of the connection areas 12, 13 of the individual
light emitting units 10 is electrically connected simultaneously to respective connection
areas 12, 13 of at least two adjacent light emitting units 10, so as to have an acceptable,
practical level of electrical redundancy in the light emitting device 1, 2, 3, 4,
5 at only a minimum of electrical connections in the light emitting device 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
1. A light emitting device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), comprising light emitting units (10) being
arranged in a plane filling pattern (20) for covering at least a substantial portion
of a surface, wherein individual light emitting units (10) comprise an internal electrical
circuit (11) and at least two connection areas (12, 13) providing electrical access
to the internal electrical circuit (11) from outside of the light emitting units (10),
wherein the light emitting units (10) are electrically interconnected through the
connection areas (12, 13) thereof, and wherein at least one of the connection areas
(12, 13) of individual light emitting units (10) is electrically connected simultaneously
to respective connection areas (12, 13) of at least two adjacent light emitting units
(10).
2. The light emitting device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to claim 1, wherein at least two
of the connection areas (12, 13) of individual light emitting units (10) are electrically
connected simultaneously to respective connection areas (12, 13) of at least two adjacent
light emitting units (10).
3. The light emitting device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one other
of the connection areas (12, 13) of individual light emitting units (10) is electrically
connected to a connection area (12, 13) of only one adjacent light emitting unit (10).
4. The light emitting device (1, 2, 4, 5) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the
light emitting units (10) overlap at the positions of at least portions of the connection
areas (12, 13) where individual light emitting units (10) are electrically connected
simultaneously to respective connection areas (12, 13) of at least two adjacent light
emitting units (10).
5. The light emitting device (1, 2, 4, 5) according to claim 4, wherein individual light
emitting units (10) comprise at least one recessed portion (16), wherein at least
one connection area (12, 13) of the light emitting units (10) comprises at least one
electrically conductive connection member (17) that is arranged on the light emitting
units (10) at the position of their at least one recessed portion (16), and that is
in electrical connection with the internal electrical circuit (11) of the light emitting
units (10), and wherein the light emitting units (10) partially overlap at the positions
of their recessed portions (16).
6. The light emitting device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein
the light emitting units (10) have a periphery with a number of sides (14) and corners
(15) interconnecting the sides (14), and wherein the at least one of the connection
areas (12, 13) of individual light emitting units (10) that is electrically connected
simultaneously to respective connection areas (12, 13) of at least two adjacent light
emitting units (10) is located at a corner position on the light emitting units (10).
7. The light emitting device (1, 2, 3) according to claim 6 insofar as dependent on claim
2, wherein the light emitting units (10) have a generally quadrilateral periphery,
and wherein the at least two of the connection areas (12, 13) of individual light
emitting units (10) that are electrically connected simultaneously to respective connection
areas (12, 13) of at least two adjacent light emitting units (10) are located at opposite
corner positions on the light emitting units (10).
8. The light emitting device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein
individual light emitting units (10) comprise at least one light source that is configured
to emit anti-fouling light during operation thereof.
9. The light emitting device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to any of claims 1-8, comprising
a single electric power source (30) that is configured to power all of the light emitting
units (10).
10. An assembly of a marine object and the light emitting device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according
to any of claims 1-9, the marine object comprising at least one surface that is intended
to be at least partially submersed in a fouling liquid containing biofouling organisms
during at least a part of the lifetime of the marine object, and the light emitting
device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) being arranged on the at least one surface.
11. A light emitting unit (10) comprising an internal electrical circuit (11) and at least
two connection areas (12, 13) providing electrical access to the internal electrical
circuit (11) from outside of the light emitting unit (10), and further comprising
at least one recessed portion (16), wherein at least one connection area (12, 13)
comprises at least one electrically conductive connection member (17) that is arranged
on the light emitting unit (10) at the position of the at least one recessed portion
(16), and that is in electrical connection with the internal electrical circuit (11).
12. A light emitting unit (10) comprising an internal electrical circuit (11) and at least
two connection areas (12, 13) providing electrical access to the internal electrical
circuit (11) from outside of the light emitting unit (10), wherein the light emitting
unit (10) has a periphery with a number of sides (14) and corners (15) interconnecting
the sides (14), and wherein at least one of the connection areas (12, 13) is located
at a corner position on the light emitting unit (10).
13. A method for assembling a light emitting device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), comprising the steps
of
- providing light emitting units (10) comprising an internal electrical circuit (11)
and at least two connection areas (12, 13) providing electrical access to the internal
electrical circuit (11) from outside of the light emitting units (10),
- arranging the light emitting units (30) in a plane filling pattern (20) for covering
at least a substantial portion of a surface, and
- electrically interconnecting the light emitting units (10) through the connection
areas thereof, particularly realizing an arrangement in which at least one of the
connection areas (12, 13) of individual light emitting units (10) is electrically
connected simultaneously to respective connection areas (12, 13) of at least two adjacent
light emitting units (10).
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the light emitting units (10) are made to
overlap at the positions of at least portions of the connection areas (12, 13) where
individual light emitting units (10) are to be electrically connected simultaneously
to respective connection areas (12, 13) of at least two adjacent light emitting units
(10).
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein individual light emitting units (10) comprise
at least one recessed portion (16), wherein at least one connection area (12, 13)
of the light emitting units (10) comprises at least one electrically conductive connection
member (17) that is arranged on the light emitting units (10) at the position of their
at least one recessed portion (16), and that is in electrical connection with the
internal electrical circuit (11) of the light emitting units (10), and wherein the
light emitting units (10) are made to partially overlap at the positions of their
recessed portions (16).