BASEBOARD LUMINAIRE FOR AMBIENT LIGHTING

Abstract

The invention provides an elongated lighting element (200) for attachment to a building part (10) selected from the group consisting of a wall (11), a ceiling (12) and a floor (13), wherein the building part (10) comprises a first attachment unit (131) and a first electrical power connector (141), wherein the elongated lighting element has a front side (210) and at the other side of the front side (210) (i) a second attachment unit (231) for forming with the first attachment unit (131) said attachment to said building part (10), (ii) a second electrical power connector (241) for forming an electrical connection with the first electrical power connector (141), and (iii) a plurality of solid state based light sources (250) configured to provide light source light (251) and functionally connected with the second electrical power connector (241).

Claims

1. An elongated lighting element for attachment to a building part selected from the group consisting of a wall, a ceiling and a floor, wherein the building part comprises a first attachment unit and a first electrical power connector wherein the elongated lighting element has an elongated front side and at the other side of the front side (i) a second attachment unit for forming with the first attachment unit said attachment to said building part, (ii) a second electrical power connector for forming an electrical connection with the first electrical power connector, and (iii) a plurality of solid state based light sources configured to provide light source light and functionally connected with the second electrical power connector, wherein the element comprises a virtual element plane, which, when the element is attached to the building part, will be configured parallel to the building part, wherein the plurality of solid state based light sources further comprise additional optics, rendering the lighting element to be configured to provide at least 50% of said light source light within a space defined by said virtual element plane parallel to the elongated front side and a second virtual plane in which edge of lighting element lies and which is perpendicular to said virtual element plane.

2. The lighting element according to claim 1, wherein the lighting element is an element selected from the group consisting of a baseboard, a base molding and a ceiling molding.

3. The lighting element according to claim 1, wherein the lighting element further comprises a lighting element control unit configured to control the solid state based light sources in dependence of an external signal.

4. The lighting element according to claim 3, wherein the lighting element comprises a plurality of subsets of solid state based light sources, wherein the lighting element control unit is configured to control the plurality of subsets of solid state based light sources independently.

5. The lighting element according to claim 3, wherein the lighting element control unit is configured to provide information about the solid state based light sources to an external control unit.

6. The lighting element according to claim 1, wherein the solid state based light sources are arranged next to each other in a row in a length direction of the elongated lighting element and the additional optics ensure that a beam angle of the light emitted by each light source element is greater in said length direction than a beam angle transverse to said length direction.

7. The lighting element according to claim 1, wherein the front side comprises a transmissive window, and wherein one or more solid state based light sources are configured to provide said light source light downstream from said transmissive window.

8. A kit of parts comprising (i) the elongated lighting element according to claim 1 and (ii) a building element, wherein the building element comprises a first attachment unit and a first electrical power connector for a functional attachment and electrical connection of the building element and the elongated lighting element.

9. The kit of parts according to claim 8, wherein the building element comprises a building element control unit, and wherein the lighting element further comprises a lighting element control unit configured to control the solid state based light sources in dependence of signal from the building element control unit.

10. The kit of parts according to claim 8, wherein one or more of lighting element control unit and the building element control unit are configured to communicate with one or more of a lighting element control unit and a building element control unit of another lighting element and building element, respectively.

11. A lighting system comprising a plurality of elongated lighting elements as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated lighting elements and the one or more building elements are functionally coupled.

12. The lighting system according to claim 11, wherein neighboring lighting elements are functionally connected to each other, and wherein the lighting system further comprises a communication line configured to provide instructions to each lighting element.

13. A method to provide information to a user, the method comprising using the lighting system according to claim 11, wherein the light source light is used to provide said information.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the lighting system is used to guide a user in a specific direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

[0043] FIGS. 1a-1g schematically depict some basic aspects of the invention;

[0044] FIGS. 2a-2f schematically depict some aspects of the invention;

[0045] FIGS. 3a-3d schematically depict some further aspects of the invention;

[0046] The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0047] FIG. 1a schematically depicts (in side view) a building part 10, here a wall 11, comprising a first attachment unit 131 and a first electrical power connector 141. The power lines are drawn with dashes, to indicate that these lines may be within the building part. Reference 12 indicates a ceiling and reference 13 indicates a floor.

[0048] FIG. 1b schematically depicts such first attachment unit 131 and electrical power connector 141 integrated in a (elongated) building element 100. Such building element may be attached to a wall or ceiling, in principle anywhere. Here, two options are indicated, with the lower e.g. suitable to arrange a lighting element in the form of a flour molding, and with the higher one e.g. suitable to attach as strip like lighting element. Reference 160 indicates a building element control unit. Note that the electrical connectors are provided as line connectors, providing a lot of freedom where to arrange a lighting element. Of course, the electrical connection may be protected. However, for the sake of understanding they clearly are shown.

[0049] FIG. 1c schematically depicts in a side view an embodiment of an (elongated) lighting element 200 for attachment to a building part 10, here again wall 11. The lighting element 200 is show in the attached state. The elongated lighting element has a front side 210 and at the other side of the front side 210, a second attachment unit 231 for forming with the first attachment unit 131 said attachment to said building part 10 is provided. Further, a second electrical power connector 241 for forming an electrical connection with the first electrical power connector 141 is provided. In this way the building element 100 and the lighting element 200 may be functionally coupled. In side view, only a single (solid state based) light source 250 is depicted. The light source 250 is configured to provide light source light 251. Further, this light source 250 is functionally connected with the second electrical power connector 241. Thereby, electrical power can be received from an external power source. Reference 270 indicate additional optional optics, e.g. the shape the light source light (beam), in the figure a reflector body, but which alternatively could be, for example, a refractive lens or a TIR body.

[0050] References 202, 203, 204, and also 210 indicated edges. Note that the lighting element does not necessarily have a beam like shape (here in FIG. 1c a cross-section is shown). Reference 300 indicates the kit of parts, including in general at least one lighting element and at least one building element. Further, reference 2000 indicates a lighting system. Reference 260 indicates a lighting element control unit, for control of the light source(s) 250 (especially the light 251 thereof). The lighting element 200 as schematically depicted here may e.g. comprise a hollow body, with the indicated edges 202, 203, 204, 210 (and 205,206; see below).

[0051] FIG. 1d schematically depicts an (application) embodiment, wherein the element comprises a virtual element plane 201, which, when the element is attached to the building part 10, will be configured parallel to the building part 10, wherein the lighting element 200 is configured to provide at least 50% of said light source light 251 within a space defined by said virtual element plane 201 and a second virtual plane (202) perpendicular to said virtual element plane 201. Here, by way of example two of such spaces are indicated with the respective angles α1 and α2. Note that as part of the light may thus also be outside this space. With this definition, it is indicated that especially at least part of the light, even more especially at least a substantial part of the light may be provided in grazing way (“washing” of the wall or ceiling (or floor)). The term wall washing is known in the art and especially refers to a lighting design technique for illumination of large surfaces. Herein, the terms ceiling washing and/or floor washing is only used to indicate different building parts that are illuminated. In principle this illumination may also be indicated as “wall washing”.

[0052] FIG. 1e schematically depicts a front view of a lighting element 200, with four light source at the back side, but for the sake of argument made visible as if the front side would be transparent. References 205 and 206 indicate edges. This may e.g. the front view of the embodiments schematically depicted in FIGS. 1a-1d. Further, these drawings 1a-1e show embodiments wherein the thickness and height of the lighting element are at least 5 times, smaller than the length. The length of the element(s) (and the front side) may be in the range of 0.5-5 meters, such as 1-3 meters. Reference 252 indicate subsets of the solid state light sources 250 which are independently controllable by a (external) lighting element control unit 260 (not shown in FIG. 1e).

[0053] FIG. 1f schematically depicts an embodiment of the lighting element with a transmissive window 255 at the front side 210. This might e.g. be used for floor washing or ceiling washing, dependent upon where the lighting element will be configured. However, other applications may also be possible. By way of example, this lighting element 200 may be configured to provide light source light 251 in two different directions.

[0054] FIG. 1g very schematically depicts a lighting system 2000 comprising a plurality of lighting elements 200. These lighting elements may be functionally coupled and controlled by one or more control units (not indicated). The front sides are elongated panels, which may conceal the building part as well as the electronics and optics of the lighting element to a viewer.

[0055] In an embodiment, a relevant feature is a tilted LED board plus collimating optics behind a baseboard. Components may especially include a LED module, an optical element and a baseboard. The LED module may contain a collection of LEDs in a row with a pitch in the range of 0.5 to 15 cm. For instance, modules with modular length of one foot (=30.5 cm) that can be connected in series can be chosen. Other well-known examples for linear spaced LEDs are LED lines on a roll. One should bear in mind that additional cooling elements may not be necessary, but may be included. The optical element could have extrusion symmetry and its degree of collimation should e.g. be in the range of e.g. 5 to 35° FWHM. The typical shape of a collimator may be a wedge. Its exit window may have a frosted or diffusing appearance as to facilitate intensity smoothing and/or color mixing. The baseboard itself can be customized. FIG. 2a schematically shows a LED module with an extruded collimator and baseboard. Not shown is a transparent cover on top of the optical element to prevent the baseboard from collecting dust and for facilitating cleaning. This cover may have an optical function.

[0056] FIG. 2b schematically a linear spot using an optical element behind the baseboard, with here a geometric layout in a room. References IA indicate illuminated areas (by way of example).

[0057] A baseboard installed onto the wall on eye level is typically applied in (student) rooms, where the baseboard is used as mounting element for clothes hangers, posters, painting, mirror etc. In this way the wall and its plaster is protected from customization, while the baseboard itself can be easily replaced.

[0058] Lighting adapters and even the power socket(s) can be masked behind the baseboard (or other type of element), especially behind its frond side. Further, in an additional embodiment the baseboard can also provide power, such that power sockets are no longer mounted onto the wall.

[0059] The above (and below) embodiments may provide unobtrusive ambient lighting for e.g. homes, hotel rooms, meeting rooms, and student rooms, hospitality areas, etc. At present, there are no solutions yet that provide ambient lighting such as wall washing or floor washing across a room and in such a way that the means for creating such effect are unobtrusive, especially in the off-state. Herein, we present a method to create such ambient lighting effects by unobtrusive means, while still making it relatively easy to install.

[0060] Below, some specific features are indicated, of which one or more may be used in the herein described embodiments: [0061] 1. A hollow baseboard (as example of the lighting element) equipped with a linear array of LEDs on a printed circuit board in combination with an extruded optical element, located inside a baseboard. The baseboard has a window that has a transparent cover through which the light can exit and illuminate a floor or a wall. [0062] 2. For ease of installation and ease of powering, the baseboards are clicked onto a power rail (an embodiment of the building element). [0063] 3. The power rail consists of a number of power-rail modules in series. Each power rail module has at least 1 controller (herein also indicated as building element control unit). [0064] 4. Each baseboard is equipped with at least 1 controller (herein also indicated as lighting element control unit). [0065] 5. The individual baseboards and groups of LEDs in each baseboard are addressable in order to create dynamic effects along the length of all connected baseboards. [0066] 6. For illuminating the wall and the floor, the same LEDs may be used.

[0067] Amongst others, with one or more of the above features a method to determine the order of the baseboards, based on the aforementioned controllers, is also provided.

[0068] Referring to e.g. FIGS. 1c, 2a, 2b, but also some of the other schematic drawings, the light sources are concealed from normal view (of a viewer).

[0069] FIG. 2c schematically depicts a hollow baseboard located in the corner of a floor and a wall. Inside the baseboard is a LED array on e.g. a PCB with an extruded optical element in front. The optical element has the function of collimating the light emitted by the LEDs. The light emitted by the LEDs shines through a transmissive window 255 onto the floor, the beam having a relatively small beam angle of about 55° in a direction transverse to the elongated lighting element, attained by additional lens optics 270. The window may have an optical function (e.g. redirecting the light or further collimating the light). The light source and window are arranged such that one cannot look directly into the light source while still a considerable part of a floor or wall can be illuminated in a fairly homogeneous manner.

[0070] FIGS. 2d and 2e show similar embodiments. In FIG. 2d a mirror as an additional optics is used to re-direct the light emitted by the combination of LEDs and optical element towards the floor. In addition, in FIG. 2e a second LED array and optical element are used to also provide a wall washing functionality via a transparent window 255. FIG. 2f shows an embodiment in which the light from a single linear array of LEDs is split into a downward directed beam of light as well as an upward directed beam of light. This is done by means of an extruded additional TIR optics that serves the function of beam splitting and collimation. Amongst others, a functional prototype of the first of one of the embodiments discussed above was built. An image of this prototype is shown in 3a. Here the electrical power connectors and attachment units are integrated in male-female construction.

[0071] Referring to e.g. FIGS. 2c-3a, the lighting element 200 comprises a (hollow) body, with the elongated) front side, and the light source(s) and optionally other elements integrated in the body. Optionally, the front side may include a light transmissive part (see amongst others also above). The light transmissive part includes a light transmissive material, like (translucent) glass or polymer.

[0072] FIG. 3a shows an example of a baseboard 200 with ease of installation and ease of powering. The baseboard is to be clicked onto a building part 10, i.e. wall 11. The building part comprises a female first attachment unit 131 in one piece with, or integral with a first electrical power connector 141 with. The baseboard comprises a male second attachment unit 231 integral with, or in one piece with a second electrical power connector 241. Hence, with one simple click the baseboard is both mechanically and electrically connected.

[0073] A further embodiment will be discussed next with reference to 3b. FIG. 3b shows is a method of powering the baseboard. In this method, from a powering point of view, the baseboard system is divided into two basic elements. One element is a DC power rail that is mounted on the wall or integrated in a building element. At a central location, the power rail is connected to the mains. The power rail can be cut to the required length and, with connecting elements, guided around corners. An AC-DC convertor converts AC mains voltage to DC voltage. It can be located near a mains outlet or be integrated in (a part of) the power rail. The baseboard or other type of lighting element 200 can be clicked onto the power rail via a power receptacle or electrical power connections. Preferably, the DC voltage provided by the power rail is a low-voltage (preferably below 50V).

[0074] For reasons of safety and reasons of practicality, the AC-DC convertor can provide a limited current only. This implies that each AC-DC convertor can deliver the required current only for a limited length of the power rail. Once this length is exceeded, a next convertor is used. See also FIG. 3b. As shown in the figure, a power rail can consist of a number of power rail modules (disconnected or connected in series). A baseboard can overlap more than one power rail module (in the figure, the baseboard overlaps power rails). Electronics for dimming can be located inside the baseboard or close to the AC-DC convertor. The same holds for wireless communication modules.

[0075] A further embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. 3c. In this embodiment the LEDs or groups of LEDs are individually addressable. This allows one to provide dynamic light effects. For example, color gradients across the length of the baseboard. Also, the lighting effects can be changed from an ambient lighting mode to an emergency lighting mode. In the emergency lighting mode, a moving pattern of light (cf. FIG. 3c top) can be offered to guide people away from a hazard (e.g. fire or smoke). In addition, patterns such as arrows ((cf. 3c bottom) can be shown or projected to guide people away from a hazard.

[0076] For this to function in practice, a problem has to be solved. To illustrate the problem, as an example, assume we want to implement a feature as shown in FIG. 3c bottom: an arrow that moves from the beginning of a corridor in an office building to the end of the corridor. Upon reaching the end of a baseboard, the arrow has to continue on the next baseboard. For this to happen, it is required that we can individually address each baseboard and that we know the order of the baseboards. This poses a problem since we do not know this order in advance (and we wish to avoid a complicated manual commissioning process). Herein, it is proposed to solve this problem, in a generic way. We propose a power rail layout as sketched in FIG. 3d. In this figure, it is shown that apart from two wires providing power (ref 141), there are controllers 160 (for instance for each building element 100) and additional wires: a serial data line (Ref 417) and a baseboard communication line (Ref 217). Refs. 117 and 317 indicate respective connectors; the former may be used to electrically connect the building elements (for DC mains); the latte may be used to connect the respective baseboard or building element communication lines 217. Elements 517 indicate connections to provide instructions to each respective lighting element (not shown in detail; but indicated as line). Note that optionally the base board communication lines may also be connected, instead of or in addition to connectors 317.

[0077] The complete power rail consists of a number of power rail modules connected in series. Each power rail module has a controller. The controllers of different power rail modules are connected in series. The beginning of the serial line C is connected to a master controller. Optionally, an AC-DC convertor may be co-located with a (master) controller. The master controller and/or AC-DC converter may be embedded in a first building element, or may be arranged outside from the building elements. This master controller sends a signal along the serial line (Ref. 417). Suppose the signal offered by the master controller to the receiving end of the serial data line (Ref. 417) is the number 1 (in binary code). The first controller intercepts this signal and reads it as being number 1. On its turn, it increases this number by 1, thereby sending the number 2 further along the serial line. The next controller will intercept the number 2 and will send the number 3 along the line, etc. In this manner each controller will know its relative location with respect to the other controllers.

[0078] Each baseboard will be attached to the power rail and connected to wires A and B for power and wire 217 for communication (note that for wire 217 there is no connecting bridge between neighboring power rail modules). Wire 217 is a line for communication with the baseboard: via this wire, the baseboard attached to this wire gets instructions.

[0079] Suppose, as an example, that each baseboard has 10 individually addressable groups of LEDs (each group representing an arrow as shown in FIG. 3c). With the system described above, implementing a moving arrow is now straightforward. Assume for the sake of the argument that every power rail module is attached to exactly one baseboard. Via the serial line, the master-controller can now simply send commands like “switch on LED group n of baseboard m”. The controllers in the power rail can identify baseboard m, while a controller in the baseboard can identify LED group n. In case there can be more than one baseboard connected to a power rail module, the power rail modules have to be equipped with at least as many controllers as the maximum number of baseboards that might be connected to a single power rail module.

[0080] The power rail controllers can interrogate the baseboards they are connected to and vice versa. When there is no connection, this can be communicated to the master controller. Note that the power rail can also be integrated into the baseboards altogether. In that case the ends of the baseboards have to be connected together via a coupling element 317 that bridges the line 417 and, optionally, lines 141 (with connector(s) 117).

[0081] When installing baseboards, some need to be cut to fit. This is especially the case near corners. In our case, the baseboards are equipped with a linear LED array. Typically, the LEDs are grouped. In each group, LEDs are put in series. Each group represents a certain length along the baseboard. It is allowed to cut the baseboard in between groups. We propose to add markers (at the back of the baseboard) to indicate locations were the baseboard can be cut. Note that, after cutting, the baseboard will in general be too short to exactly fit the space near corners. The remaining space can be occupied with a dummy baseboard that has no lighting functionality. Note that it is also possible to have cut-to-measure electronics for LEDs on a PCB. In this case, the PCB can be cut to any length. This implies that in this case also the baseboard can be cut to any length.

[0082] Referring to the embodiments described above and schematically depicted, an impressive lighting effect may be created within a space, with minimally visible elements. Further, by integrating in e.g. a baseboard or ceiling board, etc., such lighting element may be substantially unobtrusively installed.