Squeezed profile to support lighting

Abstract

The invention provides a lighting system (1) comprising a lighting unit (100) and a monolithic support element (200) for supporting the lighting unit (100), wherein the monolithic support element (200) comprises: —a support part (210) for supporting the lighting unit (100), wherein the support part (210) has a first length (L1), wherein the support part (210) has a support part outer shape and support part outer dimensions, wherein the support part (210) optionally includes a support part channel (211) over at least part of the first length (L1) having a first cross-sectional area (A1); —a first duct (220) having second length (L2), wherein the first duct (220) has a first duct outer shape and first duct outer dimensions, wherein the first duct (220) comprises a duct channel (221) over at least part of the second length (L2) having a second cross-sectional area (A2); —a transition part (230) bridging the support part (210) and the first duct (220); wherein one or mote of (i) the support part outer shape and the first duct outer shape differ, and (ii) the support part outer dimensions and the first duct outer dimensions differ.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising a lighting unit and a monolithic support element, formed from a monolithic starting duct, for supporting the lighting unit, wherein the monolithic support element comprises: a support part for supporting the lighting unit, wherein the support part has a first length (L1), wherein the support part has a support part outer shape and support part outer dimensions, wherein the support part optionally includes a support part channel over at least part of the first length (L1) having a first cross-sectional area (A1); a first duct having second length (L2), wherein the first duct has a first duct outer shape and first duct outer dimensions, wherein the first duct comprises a duct channel over at least part of the second length (L2) having a second cross-sectional area (A2); a transition part bridging the support part and the first duct; wherein one or more of (i) the support part outer shape and the first duct outer shape differ, and (ii) the support part outer dimensions and the first duct outer dimensions differ; wherein the first duct comprises electronics functionally coupled with the lighting unit; and wherein the transition part comprises a cable transit for transit of an electrical cable for a functional coupling to the lighting unit.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein, when the support part comprises the support element channel, then a ratio of the first cross- sectional area (A1) to the second cross-sectional area (A2) is equal to or smaller than 0.5, and wherein the transition part defines a gradual change from the first duct outer shape to the support part outer shape.

3. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the support part comprises a compressed part of the monolithic starting duct.

4. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the duct channel has a channel axis, wherein the support part and the channel axis are configured parallel.

5. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the duct channel has a channel axis, wherein the support part and the channel axis are configured non-parallel.

6. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the support part comprises a flat face for supporting the lighting unit, and wherein the first duct outer shape is circular.

7. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein (i) when the support part includes the support part channel over at least part of the first length (L1), then the support part channel is filled with a thermally conductive material, or (ii) the support part comprises two wall parts of a wall, wherein the wall parts are configured parallel and touch each other.

8. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the monolithic support element comprises a metal.

9. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the support part comprises a flat face for supporting the lighting unit, wherein the lighting unit is arranged on the outer surface of a flattened area.

10. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the lighting unit is asymmetrically arranged with respect to a channel axis.

11. A method of making a lighting system, the method comprising: providing a monolithic starting duct having a third length (L3), wherein the starting duct comprises a duct channel over at least part of the third length (L3) having a second cross-sectional area (A2), and deforming the starting duct over part of the third length (L3), thereby providing a support part and a transition part bridging the support part and the remainder of the starting duct, wherein one or more of (i) a support part outer shape and a first duct outer shape differ, and (ii) support part outer dimensions and first duct outer dimensions differ; providing a cable transit in the transition part for transit of an electrical cable for a functional coupling to a lighting unit; coupling the lighting unit to the support part; and further comprising introducing electronics in at least part of the remainder of the starting duct, and functionally coupling the electronics with the lighting unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein deforming comprises compressing the starting duct over part of the third length (L3) together, until over part of the third length (L3) the duct channel has a cross-sectional area (A1) in compliance with a ratio of the first cross-sectional area (A1) to the second cross-sectional area (A2) of 0≤A1/A2≤0.5.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising creating a cable transit in the transition part, guiding an electrical cable through the cable transit, wherein the electrical cable is functionally coupled to the lighting system.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the starting duct comprises a metal, wherein the support part comprises a flat face for supporting the lighting unit, and wherein the first duct outer shape is circular.

15. A pole comprising the lighting system according to claim 1.

16. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the transition part defines a gradual change from the first duct outer shape to the support part outer shape.

17. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the monolithic support element is composed of material without having joints or seams.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of a method of making the support element and/or the lighting system; and

(3) FIGS. 2a-2f schematically depict a non-limiting number of embodiments and variants.

(4) The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIG. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of a method of making a support element 200 and/or a lighting system 1. The method of making comprises providing a starting duct 1220 having a third length L3. The starting duct 1220 may be of metal. The term “starting duct” is applied, as a duct may be used to start with and transform into the support element 200 and lighting system, respectively. The starting duct is monolithic.

(6) The starting duct 1220 comprises a duct channel 221 over at least part of the third length L3. This duct channel 221 has a second cross-sectional area A2.

(7) To provide the support part, which may e.g. support a lighting unit 100, in embodiments the starting duct 1220 over part of the third length L3 together, until over part of the third length L3 the duct channel 221 has a cross-sectional area A1 in compliance with a ratio of the first cross-sectional area A1 to the second cross-sectional area A2 of 0≤A1/A2≤0.8. In this way the support part 210 is provided. Further, also a transition part 230 bridging the support part 210 and the remainder of the starting duct 1220 may be provided. The remainder of the starting duct is herein also indicated as duct or first duct 220. Note that the first cross-sectional area may practically be zero (square centimeter). This implies that the wall of the (starting) duct, which is indicated with reference 218, is compressed to such an extent that wall parts that were opposite of each other before compression, now touch each other.

(8) Hence, in this way the support element 200 is provided. As shown, the support part 210 may thus comprise a pinched part 212 of the duct 210. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the support part 210 comprises a flat face 213 for supporting the lighting unit 100; a plurality of such faces may be available. Instead of the terms “face” or “flat face” also the terms “section” or “flat section” may be applied. The flatness may especially be macroscopic, as known to a person skilled in the art, allowing a lighting unit to be supported by the support part.

(9) After producing the support element 200, the lighting system 1 may functionally be coupled to the support part 210, e.g. with screws, in a tray, etc. etc. Reference 10 indicates a light source, such as a solid state light source, and reference 11 indicates light source light. The solid state light source may comprise optics to redirect e.g. collimate the light source light. The light source light 11 may have a major light direction perpendicular to the flat surface. The light source light 11 may have a major light direction non perpendicular to the channel axis 222.

(10) FIG. 1 thus also shows an embodiment of a (monolithic) support element 200. This support element 200 comprises a support part 210 for supporting a lighting unit 100, wherein the support part 210 has a first length L1, wherein the support part 210 optionally includes a support part channel 211 over at least part of the first length L1 having a first cross-sectional area A1. Further, the support element 200 comprises the first duct 220 having second length L2, wherein the first duct 220 comprises the duct channel 221 over at least part of the second length L2 having the second cross-sectional area A2. Yet further, the support element 200 comprises the transition part 230 bridging the support part 210 and the first duct 220.

(11) In the lowest part of FIG. 1, A1 is practically zero (square centimeter). With respect to such embodiments, one can indicate that the support part includes a support part channel with a first cross-sectional area A1 of (essentially) zero (square centimeter) or one can indicate that there is no support part channel, as the first cross-sectional area A1 is (essentially) zero (square centimeter).

(12) FIG. 1 also schematically depicts an embodiment wherein the starting duct comprises a circular outer shape. The first duct outer shape is here (thus) also circular.

(13) The method may also include creating a cable transit 233 in the transition part 230, guiding an electrical cable 103 through the cable transit 233, wherein the electrical cable 103 is functionally coupled to the lighting system 1. The cable 103 may also functionally be coupled to electronics 300. For instance, the method may also comprise introducing electronics 300 in at least part of the remainder of the starting duct 1220, and functionally coupling the electronics 300 with the lighting unit 100.

(14) Note that the support part 210 is not necessarily configured at an end of the starting duct 1220. In other embodiments, the support part 210 may also be created such that at both sides of the support part 210 there is a first duct 220. In such embodiments, there may thus also be two transition parts 230, each between the first duct 220 and the support part 210 at each side of the support 210. Further, a plurality of support parts may be provided by deformation(s) of the starting duct 1220.

(15) FIGS. 2a-2f schematically depict a non-limiting number of embodiments and variants.

(16) FIGS. 2a-2c schematically depict cross-sectional views of a non-limiting number of support parts 210.

(17) In FIG. 2a the pinching was essentially complete, leading to an embodiment of the support part 210 comprises two wall parts 217 of the wall 218 (of the starting duct), wherein the wall parts 217 are configured essentially parallel and touch each other. Hence, there is essentially no support part channel 211; the first cross-sectional area A1 is essentially zero (square centimeter).

(18) Both FIGS. 2a-2b schematically shows two (parallel) flat faces 213 which may support lighting units 100 (not shown).

(19) FIGS. 2b and 2c schematically depict embodiments wherein the support part 210 includes the support part channel 211 with a ratio of the first cross-sectional area A1/A2>0 (A2 is not shown in this schematic, but see e.g. FIG. 2d). By way of example, the support part channel 211 in the embodiment of FIG. 2b is filled with a thermally conductive material 215 (but this might also apply to other embodiments wherein A1/A2>0 (but A1/A2≤0.8).

(20) By way of example, FIG. 2c schematically depicts a support element 210 having a triangular cross-sectional shape. This may provide three flat faces 213. Of course, other embodiments, like square, may also be possible. Hence, in embodiments the support element 210 includes multiple light source flattened areas. This may enable a better light distribution because multiple areas allow lighting in different directions.

(21) FIG. 2d schematically depicts a cross-section view of the first duct 220. Note that for all embodiments 2a-2c, the duct 220 may have an essentially circular shape. However, for one or more of these, the cross-sectional shape of the first duct 220 may also be square or hexagonal. Such embodiments are herein not further depicted.

(22) FIG. 2e very schematically depicts an embodiment of a pole 1000 comprising the lighting system 1 as described herein. Further, in contrast to the embodiment schematically depicted in FIG. 1, here the duct channel 221 has a channel axis 222, wherein the support part 210 and the channel axis 222 are configured non-parallel. The second cross-sectional area may especially be defined perpendicular to a duct channel axis. The first cross-sectional area may especially be defined relative to a plane, especially a flat face 213, of the support part to which the lighting unit may be associated. The cross-sectional area may be perpendicular to such flat face 213, see e.g. also FIG. 2b. The pole 1000 or luminaire may comprise a luminaire pole 220′ or second duct 220′. As indicated in FIG. 2e the support part 210 comprises a flat face 213 for supporting the lighting unit 100, wherein the lighting unit 100 is arranged on the outer surface of a flattened area. As indicated in FIG. 2e, the lighting unit is asymmetrically arranged with respect to the channel axis. A luminaire such as for example a street light may comprise the lighting system 1.

(23) FIG. 2f schematically shows a further embodiment. Here, the method that led to this support element 200 included providing a channel for an electrical cable 103 as well as providing features 219 to the support part 210. Such features may include elements facilitating functional coupling of the lighting unit (cap) to the support part. Other features than shows, such as holes, may also be provided.

(24) The term “plurality” refers to two or more. The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially all light” or in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”. The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term “comprising” may in an embodiment refer to “consisting of” but may in another embodiment also refer to “containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”.

(25) Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

(26) The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

(27) It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. 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.

(28) The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

(29) The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.