Luminaire system with movable modules

Abstract

Example embodiments relate to luminaire systems with movable modules. One example luminaire system includes a support structure. The luminaire system also includes a plurality of light sources arranged on the support structure. Additionally, the luminaire system includes at least a first and second optical module. The first optical module is provided with at least one first optical element and the second optical module is provided with at least one second optical element. The first and second optical module are configured for being interlocked with respected to each other in a moving direction. Further, the luminaire system includes a moving means configured to move the first optical module relative to the support structure in the moving direction, such that a position of the first and second optical module with respect to the support structure is changed.

Claims

1. A luminaire system comprising: a support structure; a plurality of light sources arranged on the support structure; at least a first and second optical module, said first optical module being provided with at least one first optical element and said second optical module being provided with at least one second optical element, said first and second optical module being configured for being interlocked with respect to each other along a moving direction such as to move together in any direction along the moving direction; and one of one or more actuators configured to move the first optical module relative to the support structure in any direction along the moving direction, such that a position of the first and second optical module with respect to the support structure is changed.

2. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the first optical module is an integrally formed element in which the at least one first optical element is integrally formed, and the second optical module is an integrally formed element in which the at least one second optical element is integrally formed.

3. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein an edge of the first optical module has a shape which is complementary to an edge of the second optical module, such that said edges can cooperate in an interlocking manner.

4. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second optical module are configured to cause an interlocking in two dimensions in a plane parallel to the support structure and/or wherein the first and the second optical module are configured to cause an interlocking in three dimensions.

5. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the first optical module is connected to the second optical module through a dovetail connection.

6. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second optical module are interlocked with a frame portion such that said first and second optical module are interlocked with respect to each other in a moving direction through said frame portion, and wherein the one or more actuators are connected to the frame portion in order to move the first and second optical module.

7. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more actuators are directly connected to the first or second optical module; or wherein the first optical module is connected to a frame portion, and wherein the one or more actuators are connected to the frame portion in order to move the first and second optical module.

8. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the first optical module and/or the second optical module is an optical plate integrating one or more of optical elements.

9. The luminaire system according to claim 8, wherein each optical element is associated with a light source of the plurality of light sources.

10. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises at least one PCB.

11. The luminaire system according to claim 10, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of PCBs which are interlocked with respect to each other.

12. The luminaire system according to claim 10, wherein the first and the second optical module are arranged to move while staying in contact with the at least one PCB; or wherein the first and the second optical module are arranged to move while staying at a distance above the at least one PCB.

13. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first optical element is different from the at least one second optical element.

14. The luminaire system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one further optical module provided with at least one further optical element, and further one or more actuators configured to move the at least one further optical module relative to the support structure.

15. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are arranged in a two dimensional array of at least two rows and at least two columns.

16. The luminaire system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first optical element consists of at least four optical elements arranged in a two dimensional array of at least two rows and at least two columns, and/or wherein the at least one second optical element consists of at least four optical elements arranged in a two dimensional array of at least two rows and at least two columns.

17. The luminaire system according to claim 1, further comprising a driver configured to drive the plurality of light sources.

18. A luminaire system comprising: a support structure; a plurality of light sources arranged on the support structure; and at least a first and second optical module, said first optical module being provided with at least one first optical element and said second optical module being provided with at least one second optical element, said first and second optical module being configured for being interlocked with respect to each other and when interlocked, said first and second optical module being configured for translating together relative to the support structure in a translation direction, said translation direction being in a plane parallel to the support structure, wherein the support structure comprises at least one PCB, and wherein the first and the second optical module are arranged to translate while staying in contact with the at least one PCB.

19. A luminaire system comprising: a support structure; a plurality of light sources arranged on the support structure; and at least a first and second optical module, said first optical module being provided with at least one first optical element and said second optical module being provided with at least one second optical element, said first and second optical module being configured for being interlocked with respect to each other and when interlocked, said first and second optical module being configured for moving together relative to the support structure in a moving direction, said moving direction being in a plane parallel to the support structure, wherein the first optical module and/or the second optical module is an optical plate integrating a plurality of optical elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of systems of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system;

(3) FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the luminaire system of FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an optical module for use in a luminaire system;

(5) FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate schematically interlocking edges of exemplary embodiments of optical modules;

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system, wherein for reasons of simplicity only one optical module is shown;

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a support structure comprising a plurality of PCBs;

(8) FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system;

(9) FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate three exemplary embodiments illustrating possible connections between the moving means and the optical modules;

(10) FIG. 8A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a lens element for use in an optical module;

(11) FIG. 8B shows a schematic top view of the lens element of FIG. 8A; and

(12) FIGS. 8C, 8D, 8E are schematic cross-sectional views of the lens element along lines 8C-8C, 8D-8D, 8E-8E shown in FIG. 8B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(13) Aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing currently preferred embodiments of the invention. Like numbers refer to like features throughout the drawings.

(14) Embodiments of a luminaire system of the invention comprise a support structure, a plurality of light sources arranged on the support structure, a plurality of optical modules, and a moving means configured to move the optical modules relative to the support structure. Preferably, the optical modules are movable in a plane which is substantially parallel to the support structure.

(15) The luminaire system typically comprises a luminaire head with a luminaire housing and optionally a luminaire pole. The luminaire head may comprise the support structure, e.g. a PCB and the optical modules, e.g. lens plates. The luminaire head may be connected in any manner known to the skilled person to the luminaire pole. Typical examples of such systems are street lights. In other embodiments, a luminaire head may be connected to a wall or a surface, e.g. for illuminating buildings or tunnels. A luminaire driver may be provided in or on the luminaire head, or in or on a luminaire pole, and more generally anywhere in the luminaire system. The moving means may also be provided in the luminaire head. Also a driver for feeding the moving means may be provided in or on the luminaire head, or in or on a luminaire pole, and more generally anywhere in the luminaire system. The luminaire driver and the driver for the moving means may be the same or distinct.

(16) The support structure may comprise a supporting substrate, e.g. a PCB, and a heat sink onto which the supporting substrate may be mounted, said heat sink being made of a thermally conductive material, e.g. aluminium. Alternatively, the PCB may be mounted directly on the luminaire housing functioning as heat sink. The plurality of light sources may comprise a plurality of LEDs.

(17) Further, each light source may comprise a plurality of LEDs, more particularly a multi-chip of LEDs. The plurality of light sources may be arranged without a determined pattern or in an array with at least two rows of light sources and at least two columns of light sources, typically an array of more than two rows and more than two columns. The surface onto which the plurality of light sources is mounted on can be made reflective or white to improve the light emission. The plurality of light sources could also be light sources other than LEDs, e.g. halogen, incandescent, or fluorescent lamps.

(18) Each optical module may comprise one or more optical elements, typically lens elements, associated with the plurality of light sources. Indeed, lens elements may be typically encountered in outdoor luminaire systems, although other types of optical elements may be additionally or alternatively present in such luminaires, such as reflectors, backlights, prisms, collimators, diffusors, and the like. The plurality of optical elements may be mounted such that each of the plurality of light sources is arranged opposite an optical element. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the optical elements are lens elements which are similar in size and shape and there is one lens element for each light source. In another exemplary embodiment, some or all of the optical elements may be different from each other. In a further exemplary embodiment, there may be more optical elements than light sources, and the optical modules may be movable such that a light source can be moved from a position opposite a first optical element to a position opposite a second optical element. In other embodiments, there may be provided a plurality of LEDs opposite some or all of the optical elements. The lens elements may be in a transparent or translucent material. They may be in optical grade silicone, glass, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

(19) FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system comprising a support structure 100 and a plurality of optical modules 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. As shown in FIG. 1B, a plurality of light sources 110 is arranged on the support structure 100. The support structure 100 may comprise one or more PCBs. For convenience, the support structure 100 is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B as a single plate, but the skilled person understands that the support structure 100 may also be formed with a plurality of PCBs. Each optical module 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d is provided with a plurality of optical elements 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d, here four optical elements arranged in an array of two columns and two rows. The optical modules 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d are configured for being interlocked with respect to each other. As shown in FIG. 1B, the luminaire system further comprises a moving means 300 configured to move the optical module 200b in a moving direction M. The moving can be any translation, e.g. along a straight and/or along curved line, optionally combined with a rotation. In that manner, a position of the optical module 200b with respect to the support structure 100 is changed. Because all optical modules 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d are interlocked, the movement of the optical module 200b in the moving direction M will cause a movement of the other optical modules 200a, 200c, 200d in the moving direction M. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the optical modules 200a-d may be arranged to be in contact with the support structure 100 during the moving.

(20) Each optical module 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d is an integrally formed element in the form of a plate with the optical elements 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d, two protrusions 220, 230 and two recesses 240, 250 being integrally formed in the plate. It is noted that more or less protrusions and recesses may be provided depending on the desired interlocking. For example, if the optical modules are positioned in a single row or column, only one protrusion and recess may be provided. Preferably, each optical module 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d is moulded in one piece, preferably of the same material. The optical elements may be lens elements. Further, it should be clear for the skilled person that the one or more optical elements 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d may additionally or alternatively comprise other elements than lens elements, such as, reflectors, backlight elements, collimators, diffusors, and the like. A lens element may be free form in the sense that it is not rotation symmetric. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the lens elements 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d have a symmetry axis. In another embodiment, the lens elements 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d may have no symmetry plane/axis. Each optical module 200a-d including the one or more optical elements 210a-d and the one or more interlocking elements 220, 230, 240, 250 may be moulded in a transparent or translucent material. The optical module 200a-d may be e.g. in optical grade silicone, glass, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Optionally a reflective coating may be provided on a portion of the optical module.

(21) An edge 225 of an optical module 200a has a shape which is complementary to an edge 245 of an adjacent optical module 200b, such that said edges 225, 245 can cooperate in an interlocking manner. An optical module 200a-d may have one, two, three or more edges which are provided with an interlocking element. In the illustrated embodiment, each optical module 200a-d has a first edge 225 with a first interlocking element in the form of a protrusion 220, a second edge 235 with a second interlocking element in the form of a protrusion 230, a third edge 245 with a third interlocking element in the form of a recess 240, and a fourth edge 255 with a fourth interlocking element in the form of a recess 250. The optical modules 200a-d are configured to cause an interlocking in two dimensions in a plane parallel to the support structure 100. An optical module 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d is connected to an adjacent optical module through one or more dovetail connections 220, 240; 230, 250. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the optical elements 210a-d are identical but in other embodiments the optical elements 210a-d may be different. Also, a plurality of different optical elements 210a could be combined within the same optical module 200a.

(22) FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an optical module 200a-b for use in a luminaire system. In this embodiment, the optical modules 200a-b are configured to cause an interlocking in three dimensions. To that end an edge 225 of optical module 200a has a shape which is complementary to a shape of an edge 245 of optical module 200b, and the shape is such that an interlocking in three dimensions is achieved. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the edges 225, 245 are formed with complementary steps 223, 243. Step 223 is provided with protrusions 221, 222 configured to be received in recesses 241, 242 provided in step 243. It is noted that many variants exist and that more or less protrusions/recesses/steps may be provided depending on the desired degree of interlocking.

(23) FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate schematically interlocking edges of exemplary embodiments of optical modules. As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C many different shapes are possible for the interlocking edges 225, 245 of adjacent optical modules 200a, 200b.

(24) FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system, wherein for reasons of simplicity only one optical module 200 is shown. The optical modules 200 are arranged to move at a distance of the support structure 100, e.g. a PCB. The support structure 100 is provided with a plurality of distance elements 400 on which the optical modules 200 are movably supported. Optionally, a surface 265 of the optical modules 200 facing the support structure 100 may be provided with one or more tracks or guides 260 cooperating with the distance elements 400. Such tracks or guides 260 may be formed integrally with the rest of the optical module 200. Optionally, the distance elements 400 may be adjustable in order to adjust the distance between the support structure 100 and the optical module 200. For example, the distance elements 400 may comprise a screw thread cooperating with a bore arranged in/on the support structure 100.

(25) FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a support structure 100 comprising a plurality of PCB's 100a, 100b, 100c. The plurality of PCB's 100a, 100b, 100c are interlocked with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the moving direction. The PCB's may be interlocked in the same manner as described above for the optical modules 200, e.g. using dovetail connections as illustrated in FIG. 5.

(26) In the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B one moving means 300 is provided for four optical modules 200a-d. It is also possible to provide one moving means 300 for two, three or more than four optical modules. Further, it is possible to add one or more further optical modules, and a further moving means configured to move the one or more further optical modules relative to the support structure.

(27) FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate three possibilities for connecting the moving means 300 to the optical modules 200a, 200b, etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, the moving means 300 are directly connected to one of the optical modules, here optical module 200c. By moving optical module 200c in a movement direction M, also the other optical modules 200a, 200b, 200d are moved in the movement direction M.

(28) In the embodiment of FIG. 7B, the first and the second optical module 200a, 200c are interlocked with a frame portion 500a, such that said first and second optical module are interlocked with respect to each other in a moving direction M. A moving means 300 is connected to the frame portion 500a in order to move the interconnected optical modules 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, 200e, 200f. The optical modules 200a, 200b, 200e are arranged in a first row, and the optical modules 200c, 200d, 200f are arranged in a second row, such that an array of optical modules is formed. The frame portion 500a connects a first row of optical modules 200a, 200b, 200e to a second row of optical modules 200c, 200d, 200f. Further, there may be provided a second frame portion 500b connecting the first row to the second row at another end of the rows. The skilled person understands that the frame portions 500a, 500b could also interconnect more than two optical modules.

(29) In the embodiment of FIG. 7C, a first optical module 200a and a second optical module 200b are arranged in a frame 500, and a moving means 300 is connected to the frame 500 in order to move the first and second optical module 200a, 200b in a moving direction M. The skilled person understands that also more than two optical modules may be arranged in a frame 500.

(30) FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of another exemplary luminaire system. The luminaire system comprises a support structure 100′, a plurality of light sources 110′ arranged on the support structure 100′, and an optical structure 200′ provided with a plurality of optical elements 210′. In this embodiment, the support structure 100′ is an integral plate-like structure comprising a plurality of plate-like elements 100a′-b′ having adjacent edges 115′, 125′ which are interconnected with each other via one or more integral interconnecting elements 120′. The one or more integral interconnecting elements 120′ are configured for allowing and guiding a separating of adjacent plate-like elements 100a′, 100b′. Also, the optical structure 200′ is an integral plate-like structure comprising a plurality of plate-like elements 200a′-d′ having adjacent edges 225′, 245′; 235′, 255′ which are interconnected with each other via one or more integral interconnecting elements 220′; 230′. The one or more integral interconnecting elements 220′, 230′ are configured for allowing and guiding a separating of adjacent plate-like elements 200a′-d′. It is noted that it is also possible to combine the support structure 100′ with any one of the previously described optical modules 200a-d, 200 instead of with the optical structure 200′. Also, it is possible to combine the optical structure 200′ with any one of the support structures 100 described above instead of with the support structure 100′.

(31) Although not illustrated, in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 1B, the system of FIG. 6 may further comprise a moving means configured to move the optical structure 200′ relative to the support structure 100′, such that a position of the optical structure 200′ with respect to the support structure 100′ can be changed. It is noted that either the optical structure 200′ or the support structure 100′ or both may be moved to realize the relative movement of the optical structure 200′ relative to the support structure 100′.

(32) The support structure 100′ may be manufactured by cutting a PCB such as a PCBA, into a plurality of plate-like elements 100a′-b′ such that adjacent edges 115′, 125′ of the plate-like elements are interconnected with each other via one or more integral interconnecting elements 120′. This may be achieved by cutting away a plurality of rectangular portions to form the blanks 260′ and one or more bar-shaped interconnecting elements 120′ between the adjacent edges 115′, 125′ of the plate-like elements 100a′-b′. Alternatively, grooves may be arranged between adjacent edges 115′, 125′ of the plate-like elements 100a′-b′ such that thin interconnecting plates are formed. Optionally, one or more plate-like elements 100a′ may be removed by breaking one or more interconnecting elements 120′ in order to obtain a support structure 100′ with a desired number of plate-like elements 100a′-b′. In FIG. 6 only two plate-like elements 100a′-b′ are shown, but the skilled person understands that the support structure may comprise many more plate-like elements.

(33) The optical structure 200′ may be manufactured by cutting an optical base structure into a plurality of plate-like elements 200a′-d′ or moulding an integral optical base structure with a plurality of plate-like elements 200a′-d′, such that adjacent edges 225′, 245′; 235′, 255′ of the plate-like elements 200a′-d′ are interconnected with each other via one or more integral interconnecting elements 220′; 230′, and optionally removing one or more plate-like elements 200a′-d′ from the optical base structure by breaking one or more interconnecting elements 220′, 230′ in order to obtain an optical structure 200′ with a desired number of plate-like elements.

(34) FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate in more detail another embodiment of a “double bulged” lens element suitable for use in embodiments of the invention. For example, such lens element may be included in an optical module. The lens element 210 of FIGS. 8A-8E has an internal surface 210i facing a light source 110 and an external surface 210e. The internal surface 210I comprises a first curved surface 211b in the form of a first outwardly bulging surface and a second curved surface 212b in the form of a second outwardly bulging surface. The first curved surface 211b is connected to the second curved surface 212b through an internal connecting surface or line 213b comprising a saddle point or discontinuity. The external surface 210e comprises a first curved surface 211a in the form of a first outwardly bulging surface and a second curved surface 212 in the form of a second outwardly bulging surface. The first curved surface 211a is connected to the second curved surface 212a through an external connecting surface or line 213a comprising a saddle point or discontinuity. The second support 200 is movable relative to said first support 100 such that the light source 110 can be in at least a first position P1 facing the first curved surfaces 211a, 211b or in at least a second position P2 facing the second curved surfaces 212a, 212b. The lens element 210 has a circumferential edge 218 in contact with the first support 100, and the internal connecting surface or line 213b is at a distance of the first support 100. In other words the lens element 210 moves in contact with the first support 100, and the distance between the internal connecting surface or line 213b and the first support allows the light source to pass underneath the connecting surface or line 213b when the second support 200 is moved from a first position where the light source 110 faces the first curved surfaces 211a, 211b to a second position where the light source 110 faces the second curved surfaces 212a, 212b. As is best visible in FIG. 8B, the external connecting surface 213a comprises a “line” portion in a central part, and two “surface” portions on either side of the “line” portion. Optionally, the external connecting surface 213b may be covered partially with a reflective coating, e.g. the hatched “surface” portions in the top view of FIG. 8B may be provided with a reflective coating.

(35) The first outwardly bulging surface 211b and the first support 100 delimit a first internal cavity 215, the second outwardly bulging surface 212b and the first support 100 delimit a second internal cavity 216, and the internal connecting surface or line 213b and the first support 100 delimit a connecting passage 217 between the first and second internal cavity. FIG. 8C shows a cross section along line 8C-8C in FIG. 8B, and illustrates that the first internal cavity 215 has a first maximal width w1, said first maximal width extending in a direction perpendicular on the moving direction M and measured in an upper plane of the first support 100. Similarly, FIG. 8D shows a cross section along line 8D-8D in FIG. 8B, and illustrates that the second internal cavity 216 has a second maximal width w2. FIG. 8E shows a cross section along line 8E-8E in FIG. 8B, and illustrates that the connecting passage 217 has a third minimal width w3. The first maximal width w1 and the second maximal width w2 are preferably larger than the third width w3. Also, the first maximal width w1 and the second maximal width w2 may be different. The first outwardly bulging surface 211b is at a first maximal distance d1 of the first support 100, the second outwardly bulging surface 212b is at a second maximal distance d2 of the first support 100, and the internal saddle point or discontinuity is at a third minimal distance d3 of the first support 100. The third minimal distance d3 may be lower than said first and second maximal distance d1, d2. Preferably, the first and second maximal distance d1, d2 are different. Similarly, the first outwardly bulging surface 211a is at a first maximal distance d1′ of the first support 100, the second outwardly bulging surface 212a is at a second maximal distance d2′ of the first support 100, and the external saddle point or discontinuity is at a third minimal distance d3′ of the first support 100. The third minimal distance d3′ may be lower than the first and second maximal distance d1′, d2′. Preferably, the first and second maximal distance d1′, d2′ are different.

(36) Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.