(19)
(11) EP 1 710 495 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
11.07.2012 Bulletin 2012/28

(21) Application number: 06111601.8

(22) Date of filing: 23.03.2006
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F21V 7/00(2006.01)
F21V 11/00(2006.01)

(54)

Antidazzle device for led light sources

Blendschutzeinrichtung für LED-Lichtquellen

Dispositif anti-éblouissant pour source lumineuse à LED


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 08.04.2005 IT MI20050122 U

(43) Date of publication of application:
11.10.2006 Bulletin 2006/41

(73) Proprietor: iGUZZINI ILLUMINAZIONE S.p.A.
62019 Recanati-Macerata (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Guzzini, Giannunzio
    62019, RECANATI (Macerata) (IT)

(74) Representative: Branca, Emanuela et al
Barzanò & Zanardo Milano S.p.A. Via Borgonuovo, 10
20121 Milano
20121 Milano (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 683 355
EP-A- 1 355 108
DE-A1- 10 213 536
US-A1- 2003 161 137
EP-A- 1 300 626
CA-A1- 2 482 610
DE-A1- 10 308 704
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to lighting systems with a led light source, and in particular antidazzle devices for led light sources, capable of limiting the possibility of the light of said sources excessively illuminating areas of the visual field of an observer causing him discomfort or a reduction in his visual perception.

    [0002] In the field of lighting devices, it is known that the use of led (light emission diodes) light sources, in particular of the most recently developed led sources, called power leds, is becoming more and more widespread.

    [0003] Due to the increased quantity of light that these sources are capable of emitting, combined with the fact that the source from which it derives has an extremely reduced surface (miniaturized to such an extent as to be considered practically punctiform), the luminance of led sources has now reached extremely high levels. In addition to this, but bearing in mind the luminance standards which are currently requested for professional lighting appliances, power led sources should be considered as having exceeded the visual comfort levels normally accepted. In short, although the last generation of led lighting devices have reached a high photometric performance, they very often generate a "visual discomfort".

    [0004] Lighting devices are currently available which have faced this problem by applying a glazed and/or embossed finishing on the front glass of the devices, which, by diverting and attenuating the light beam emitted, contributes to reducing the dazzle generated by the single light sources. These solutions, on the contrary, considerably reduce the maximum intensity emitted along the optical axis. This means that the greatest visual comfort has been reached to the detriment of the photometric performances of the lighting device.

    [0005] Document EP 0 683 355 describes a car lamp having a prism which bends back the incident light beams emitted by a light source and reflected by a main reflector towards additional reflectors. The additional reflectors re-transmit the light beams forwards through a lens so as to achieve a uniform illumination of the lens. The sides of the prism that do the bending are silvered reflective surfaces.

    [0006] A main objective of the present invention is therefore to provide an antidazzle device for led light sources which does not limit their photometric performances.

    [0007] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an antidazzle device for led light sources wherein the objective is reached simply and economically, without requiring substantial modifications of the structure of the lighting system, with respect to the solutions already present on the market.

    [0008] These objectives according to the present invention are achieved by providing an antidazzle device for led light sources, which has the characteristics specified in claim 1.

    [0009] Further characteristics of the antidazzle device of the present invention are indicated in the subsequent dependent claims.

    [0010] The characteristics and advantages of an antidazzle device according to the present invention will appear more evident from the following illustrative and non-limiting description, referring to the enclosed schematic drawings, in which:

    figure 1 shows a perspective view of the components of a led lighting system to which an antidazzle device is applied according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

    figure 2 shows a sectional view of the lighting system of figure 1, and

    figure 3 shows a perspective view of the components of a led lighting system to which an antidazzle device is applied according to a second embodiment of the present invention.



    [0011] With reference to figures 1 and 2, an antidazzle device 1 according to the present invention is applied to a led source 2, above which there is a lens 3 whose function is to converge the light beam generated by the led 2 in a defined direction.

    [0012] The antidazzle device 1 comprises a main shielding body 4, made of an opaque material, preferably black. In the specific case shown in the figure, the shielding body 4 assists in ensuring the coupling between the led source 2 and the lens 3, as it is equipped in its lower part with a taper seat 5 for the housing of the led source 2, and with its side wall 6, it defines a seat for the lens 3.

    [0013] The main function of the side wall 6, however, is to shield the light emitted from the led light source and directed along directions whose angle with respect to the axis A-A is perpendicular or in any case higher than a certain value. The higher the side wall 6, the greater the side shielding of the light emitted will be. This function is particularly important in cases in which the lens 3 is not applied on the led source 2 for converging the light in a defined direction.

    [0014] The figure also shows that a second shielding body 7, made of an opaque material, preferably black, is assembled above the lens 3. The shielding body 7 shown has a side wall 8, which forms an extension and consequently a further lateral shielding with respect to that of the side wall 6 of the main shielding body 4, and which prevents the light coming from the peripheral portions of the lens 3 from directly striking the eyes of an observer standing to the side of the lighting system. The shielding body 7 shown in the figure is further equipped with median walls and in particular with a tubular element 9, arranged in a central position, whose diameter has reduced dimensions with respect to the perimeter of the shielding body 7.

    [0015] In particular, the dimensions of the tubular element 9 are such as to adapt themselves to an indentation 10 of the lens 3, corresponding to the upper portion of the led source 2. The function of the cylindrical element 9 is, in particular, to adequately shield the portion of the lens 3 in which there is the greatest concentration of luminous flow emitted from the led light source 2.

    [0016] The tubular element 9 is made integral with the side wall 8 of the shielding body 7 by means of two arms 11.

    [0017] More generally, the median walls can consist of one or more concentric rings, circular or polygonal, and can also have a honeycomb shape and their distance, in a plan or raised view, from the led light source 2, as also their height, depend on the shielding angle to be obtained.

    [0018] The shielding body 7 is completed by two tongues 12, at whose ends there is a tooth 13, for the clip-on coupling with a taper seat 14 of the main shielding body 4.

    [0019] With reference to figure 3, this shows a different embodiment of the led lighting system with an antidazzle device according to the present invention.

    [0020] In particular, a lighting system is shown, equipped with three led light sources 2, each of which has a lens 3. In this case, it is particularly convenient to have a mask 15, in the place of three separate shielding bodies 7 and completely similar to those shown with reference to figures 1 and 2. The particular embodiment shown in figure 3, can make it convenient to resort to shielding and coupling systems between the components of the lighting system which are different from those shown in figures 1 and 2. In particular, a single main shielding body can be envisaged, or various shielding bodies of the same type as those shown in figures 1 and 2, in any case also capable of coupling the remaining components of the lighting system to the mask 15.

    [0021] It is evident that the antidazzle device for led light sources of the present invention is capable of effectively limiting the possibility of dazzling an observer, without having any unnecessary limitation of its photometric performances.

    [0022] Furthermore, the antidazzle device of the present invention forms a solution for a simple and economical production and handling.

    [0023] The present invention is described for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, according to its preferred embodiments but it is understood that variations and/or modifications can be applied by experts in the field, all included in the protection scope, as defined in the enclosed claims.

    [0024] In particular, the forms, as also the materials, of the lighting system and antidazzle device of the invention can differ from those shown for purely illustrative purposes in the drawings.


    Claims

    1. An antidazzle device (1) for led light sources (2), comprising a shielding body (4) made of an opaque material, characterized in that the shielding body (4) in its lower part defines a taper seat (5) for the housing of at least one led light source (2), to the side it has side walls (6) which surround said at least one led light source (2) and it is open at the top.
     
    2. The antidazzle device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second shielding body (7) made of an opaque material, equipped with side walls (8), situated above said main shielding body (4).
     
    3. The antidazzle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it also comprises one or more median walls, connected to said side walls (6) of said main shielding body (4) or to said side walls (8) of said second shielding body (7), and whose distance, in a plan or raised view, from the led light source (2) and also the height are in relation to the shielding angle.
     
    4. The antidazzle device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said median walls, in plan view, define one or more circular or polygonal concentric rings.
     
    5. The antidazzle device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said median walls, in plan view, define a honeycomb form.
     
    6. The antidazzle device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said main shielding body (4) and said second shielding body (7) are coupled by means of at least one tongue (12) of said second shielding body (7) which is housed in a taper seat (14) of said shielding body (4).
     
    7. The antidazzle device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said side walls (6) of said shielding body (4) define a housing for a concentration lens (3) of the light beam emitted from said led light source (2).
     
    8. The antidazzle device according to claim 3 and 7, characterized in that said median walls of said shielding body (4) or of said second shielding body (7) cover a portion of said lens (3), which in turn covers the upper portion of said led light source (2).
     
    9. The antidazzle device according to claim 8, characterized in that said median walls of said shielding body (4) or of said second shielding body (7) are conformed so as to adapt themselves to an indentation (10) of said lens (3) which substantially has the same dimensions as the upper portion of said led light source (2).
     
    10. The antidazzle device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a second shielding body (7) for each led light source, said shielding bodies (7) essentially arranged on a mask (15) which covers the whole lighting system.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Blendschutzeinrichtung (1) für LED-Lichtquellen (2), die einen Abschirmkörper (4) umfasst, der aus einem undurchsichtigen Material besteht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Abschirmkörper (4) auf seiner Unterseite einen Kegelsitz (5) zum Aufnehmen von mindestens einer LED-Lichtquelle (2) definiert, auf der Seite Seitenwände (6) aufweist, welche die mindestens eine LED-Lichtquelle (2) umgeben, und auf der Oberseite offen ist.
     
    2. Blendschutzeinrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie einen aus einem undurchsichtigen Material bestehenden und mit Seitenwänden (8) versehenen zweiten Abschirmkörper (7) umfasst, der über dem Hauptabschirmkörper (4) angeordnet ist.
     
    3. Blendschutzeinrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie außerdem eine oder mehrere Mittelwände umfasst, die mit den Seitenwänden (6) des Hauptabschirmkörpers (4) oder den Seitenwänden (8) des zweiten Abschirmkörpers (7) verbunden sind und deren Abstand zur LED-Lichtquelle (2) in einer Draufsicht oder erhöhten Ansicht und auch deren Höhe in einer Beziehung zum Abschirmwinkel stehen.
     
    4. Blendschutzeinrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittelwände in der Draufsicht einen oder mehrere kreisrunde oder vieleckige konzentrische Ringe definieren.
     
    5. Blendschutzeinrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittelwände in der Draufsicht eine Wabenform definieren.
     
    6. Blendschutzeinrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Hauptabschirmkörper (4) und der zweite Abschirmkörper (7) mit Hilfe von mindestens einer Zunge (12) des zweiten Abschirmkörpers (7) verbunden sind, die in einem Kegelsitz (14) des Abschirmkörpers (4) untergebracht ist.
     
    7. Blendschutzeinrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Seitenwände (6) des Abschirmkörpers (4) eine Aufnahme für eine Linse (3) zum Bündeln des von der LED-Lichtquelle (2) emittierten Lichtstrahls definieren.
     
    8. Blendschutzeinrichtung nach Anspruch 3 und 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittelwände des Abschirmkörpers (4) oder des zweiten Abschirmkörpers (7) einen Bereich der Linse (3) überdecken, die ihrerseits den oberen Bereich der LED-Lichtquelle (2) überdeckt.
     
    9. Blendschutzeinrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittelwände des Abschirmkörpers (4) oder des zweiten Abschirmkörpers (7) so gestaltet sind, dass sie sich selbst an eine Vertiefung (10) der Linse (3) anpassen, die im Wesentlichen die gleichen Abmessungen wie der obere Bereich der LED-Lichtquelle (2) hat.
     
    10. Blendschutzeinrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie einen zweiten Abschirmkörper (7) für jede LED-Lichtquelle umfasst, wobei diese Abschirmkörper (7) im Wesentlichen auf einer Maske (15) angeordnet sind, die das gesamte Beleuchtungssystem überdeckt.
     


    Revendications

    1. Dispositif anti-éblouissant (1) pour sources lumineuses à LED (2), comprenant un corps de blindage (4) fait d'un matériau opaque, caractérisé en ce que le corps de blindage (4) dans sa partie inférieure définit un siège conique (5) pour le logement d'au moins une source lumineuse à LED (2), comporte des parois latérales (6) sur le côté lesquelles entourent ladite au moins une source lumineuse à LED (2) et est ouvert au sommet.
     
    2. Dispositif anti-éblouissant (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un second corps de blindage (7) fait d'un matériau opaque, équipé de parois latérales (8), situées au-dessus dudit corps de blindage principal (4).
     
    3. Dispositif anti-éblouissant (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend également une ou plusieurs parois médianes, reliées auxdites parois latérales (6) dudit corps de blindage principal (4) or auxdites parois latérales (8) dudit second corps de blindage (7), et dont la distance, dans une vue en plan ou en relief, à partir de la source lumineuse à LED (2) et également la hauteur sont en rapport avec l'angle de blindage.
     
    4. Dispositif anti-éblouissant (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdites parois médianes, en vue en plan, définissent un ou plusieurs anneaux concentriques circulaires ou polygonaux.
     
    5. Dispositif anti-éblouissant (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdites parois médianes, en vue en plan, définissent une forme en nid d'abeille.
     
    6. Dispositif anti-éblouissant (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit corps de blindage principal (4) et ledit second corps de blindage (7) sont couplés au moyen d'au moins une languette (12) dudit second corps de blindage (7) qui est logée dans un siège conique (14) dudit corps de blindage (4).
     
    7. Dispositif anti-éblouissant (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdites parois latérales (6) dudit corps de blindage (4) définissent un boîtier pour une lentille de concentration (3) du faisceau lumineux émis à partir de ladite source lumineuse à LED (2).
     
    8. Dispositif anti-éblouissant selon la revendication 3 et 7, caractérisé en ce que lesdites parois médianes dudit corps de blindage (4) ou dudit second corps de blindage (7) recouvrent une partie de ladite lentille (3), qui, à son tour, recouvre la partie supérieure de ladite source lumineuse à LED (2).
     
    9. Dispositif anti-éblouissant selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdites parois médianes dudit corps de blindage (4) ou dudit second corps de blindage (7) sont conformées de manière à s'adapter à une échancrure (10) de ladite lentille (3) qui a pratiquement les mêmes dimensions que la partie supérieure de ladite source lumineuse à LED (2).
     
    10. Dispositif anti-éblouissant selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un second corps de blindage (7) pour chaque source lumineuse à LED, lesdits corps de blindage (7) disposés essentiellement sur un masque (15) qui recouvre le système d'éclairage tout entier.
     




    Drawing














    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description