Abstract
Disclosed is a LED strip for providing indirect light emission. The LED strip comprises a plurality of LEDs arranged on an upper surface, wherein the LED strip has an unfolded state and a folded state, the LED strip being substantially planar in the unfolded state. The LED strip comprises a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the first and second side being parallel to a central longitudinal axis in the unfolded state. The LED strip in the folded state has a plurality of first loops comprising at least one opening and being provided with at least one of the plurality of LEDs, which is configured to emit light towards a reflective interior surface of the loop, whereby at least a portion of the light reflected from the reflective interior surface may exit the at least one opening of each loop.
Claims
1. A LED strip for providing indirect light emission having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, the LED strip comprising a plurality of LEDs arranged on the upper surface, wherein the LED strip has an unfolded state and a folded state, the LED strip being substantially planar in the unfolded state and extending along a central longitudinal axis, the LED strip comprising a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the first and second side being parallel to the central longitudinal axis (L) in the unfolded state, wherein the LED strip in the folded state has a plurality of first loops, each of the plurality of first loops comprising at least one opening and being provided with at least one of the plurality of LEDs, which is configured to emit light towards a reflective interior surface of the loop, whereby at least a portion of the light reflected from the reflective interior surface may exit the at least one opening of each loop of the plurality of first loops, thereby providing indirect light emission; wherein a part of the lower surface of the LED strip is for attaching the LED strip to a surface, wherein the LED strip for each loop of the plurality of first loops is provided with a first cut extending from the first side and configured to receive the second side in the folded state, such that a loop is created with the upper surface forming the reflective interior surface.
2. The LED strip according to claim 1, wherein the LED strip for each loop of the plurality of first loops is provided with a second cut extending from the second side, the first cut is configured to receive the second cut in the folded state such that a loop is created with the upper surface forming the reflective interior surface.
3. The LED strip according to claim 1, wherein at least one loop has a starting portion and an ending portion, the first side of the starting portion being arranged adjacent to the second side of the ending portion in the folded state, such that a loop is created with the upper surface forming the reflective interior surface.
4. The LED strip according to claim 1, wherein the LED strip comprises a plurality of adhesive portions, on the upper or lower surface.
5. The LED strip according to claim 1, wherein at least one loop of the plurality of first loops has a plurality of LEDs.
6. The LED strip according to claim 1, wherein a part of the upper surface of the LED strip is for attaching the LED strip to a surface, each loop of the plurality of first loops is provided with at least two pre-bended portions, the at least two pre-bended portions being spaced apart by a distance d3 in an unfolded state and with a distance d4 in a folded state, wherein d4 is less than 25% of d3, such that a loop is created with the upper surface forming the reflective interior surface.
7. A luminaire or light fitting comprising a LED strip or system according to claim 1 being arranged in the folded state, such that the luminaire or light fitting provides indirect light emission.
8. The LED strip according to claim 2, wherein the LED strip has a width W perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, wherein the first cut extends in the direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis a distance d1 into the LED strip, and the second cut extends in the direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis a distance d2 into the LED strip, wherein the sum of d1 and d2 substantially equals W.
9. The LED strip according to claim 3, wherein each loop of the plurality of first loops has a starting portion and an ending portion, wherein for each loop the first side of the starting portion is being arranged adjacent to the second side of the ending portion in the folded state, such that a loop is created with the upper surface forming the reflective interior surface.
10. The LED strip according to claim 3, wherein each loop of the plurality of first loops has a starting portion and an ending portion, wherein for every second loop the first side of the starting portion is being arranged adjacent to the second side of the ending portion in the folded state, and for the remaining loops the second side of the starting portion is being arranged adjacent to the first side of the ending portion in the folded state, such that a central axis of the LED strip in the folded state, is parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the LED strip in the unfolded state.
11. The LED strip according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive portions are equally distributed over at least a part of the LED strip with a distance d5 between two neighboring adhesive portions in the unfolded state.
12. A system comprising a first LED strip according to claim 6 and a second strip for attaching to a part of the upper surface of the first LED strip, when the first LED strip is in folded state, for stabilizing the first LED strip.
13. The LED strip according to claim 11, wherein the distance d5 is larger or equal to the circumference of one loop in the folded state, and/or is smaller or equal to the distance between the middle of two neighboring LEDs in the unfolded state.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the second strip is a second LED strip, comprising a plurality of LEDs, for each loop of the plurality of first loops of the first LED strip, the first pre-bended portion and the second pre-bended portion abut a LED of the plurality of LEDs of the second LED strip.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.
(2) FIG. 1a shows a top-side view of a LED strip in an embodiment according to the invention in the unfolded state with a plurality of LEDs, where the central longitudinal axis is shown.
(3) FIG. 1b shows a side-view of the LED strip shown in FIG. 1.
(4) FIG. 2a shows a side-view of a LED strip according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops, each loop having at least one opening and being provided with a plurality of LEDs.
(5) FIG. 2b shows a top-side view of the LED strip shown in FIG. 2a, in an embodiment where light exits the openings on each side of the loops.
(6) FIG. 3 shows a top-side view of a LED strip according to the invention in the unfolded state with a plurality of LEDs, in an embodiment comprising first and second cuts extending respectively from the first and second sides.
(7) FIG. 4 shows a top-side view of a LED strip according to the invention in the unfolded state with a plurality of LEDs, in an embodiment comprising another type of first and second cuts extending respectively from the first and second sides.
(8) FIG. 5 shows a top-side view of a portion of the LED strip shown in FIG. 3, showing dimensions of the strip.
(9) FIG. 6 shows a side-view of a LED strip according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops of different shapes.
(10) FIG. 7 shows a side-view of a LED strip according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops having LEDs positioned at different places inside the loops.
(11) FIG. 8a shows a side-view of a LED strip according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops comprising side emitting LEDs.
(12) FIG. 8b shows a top-side view of the LED strip shown in FIG. 8a, in an embodiment where the light emitted from the side emitting LEDs exits different openings of the loops.
(13) FIG. 9 shows a side-view of a LED strip according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops comprising a plurality of LEDs in each loop.
(14) FIG. 10 shows the LED strip shown in FIG. 9, in an embodiment where the plurality of LEDs in each first loop are of different colors.
(15) FIG. 11 shows a side-view of a LED strip according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops where the loops are arranged with varying pitch.
(16) FIG. 12 shows a side-view of a LED strip according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops where the loops are arranged with varying pitch, such that the loops are in contact with eachother.
(17) FIG. 13 shows a top-side view of a portion of a LED strip in an embodiment according to the invention in the unfolded state, where the pre-bended portions are shown.
(18) FIG. 14 shows a side-view of a LED strip according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising pre-bended portions, where a part of the upper surface of the LED strip is for attaching the LED strip.
(19) FIG. 15 shows a side-view of the system according to a second aspect of the invention, in an embodiment comprising a first LED strip according to the first aspect of the invention and a second strip attached to a part of the upper surface of the first LED strip, for stabilizing the first LED strip.
(20) FIG. 16 shows the system shown in FIG. 9, in an embodiment where the second strip comprises a plurality of LEDs, and for each loop of the plurality of first loops of the first LED strip, the first pre-bended portion and the second pre-bended portion abut a LED of the plurality of LEDs of the second LED strip.
(21) FIG. 17 shows a top-side view of a LED strip in an embodiment according to the invention in the folded state with a plurality of loops, where each first loop of the plurality of first loops has a starting portion and an ending portion, wherein for each loop the first side of the starting portion is being arranged adjacent to the second side of the ending portion in the folded state, such that a loop is created with the upper surface forming the reflective interior surface. Thereby a LED strip having loops that are shifted a width W for each loop is provided, such that the LED strip is substantially slanted with respect the central longitudinal axis L.
(22) FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a portion from A to B of the LED strip shown in FIG. 17, where the starting portion and the ending portion of a loop are shown.
(23) FIG. 19 shows a top-side view of a LED strip in an embodiment according to the invention in the folded state with a plurality of first loops having a starting portion and an ending portion, wherein for every second loop the first side of the starting portion is arranged adjacent to the second side of the ending portion in the folded state, and for the remaining loops the second side of the starting portion is arranged adjacent to the first side of the ending portion in the folded state, such that a central axis of the LED strip in the folded state, is parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the LED strip in the unfolded state.
(24) FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of a portion from A to B of the LED strip shown in FIG. 19, where the starting portion and the ending portion of a loop are shown.
(25) FIG. 21 shows a schematic view of a light bulb comprising a LED strip according to an embodiment of the invention.
(26) FIG. 22 shows a schematic view of a light engine comprising a LED strip according to an embodiment of the invention.
(27) FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of a luminaire comprising a LED strip according to an embodiment of the invention.
(28) FIG. 24a shows a top-side view of the upper surface of a LED strip according to an embodiment of the invention in the unfolded state with a plurality of LEDs.
(29) FIG. 24b shows a top-side view of the lower surface of a LED strip according to an embodiment of the invention in the unfolded state with a plurality of adhesive portions.
(30) FIG. 24c shows a side-view of the LED strip shown in FIG. 24b.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(31) The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.
(32) FIG. 1a shows a top-side view of an embodiment of a LED strip 100 according to the invention in the unfolded state with a plurality of LEDs 120, where the central longitudinal axis L is shown. The LED strip 100 for providing indirect light emission according to the invention generally comprises an upper surface 102 and a lower surface 104 opposite to the upper surface 102. The LED strip 100 further comprises a plurality of LEDs 120 arranged on the upper surface 102. The LED strip 100 has an unfolded state shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b and a folded state shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The LED strip 100 is substantially planar in the unfolded state and extends along a central longitudinal axis L. The LED strip has a first side 108 and a second side 110 opposite to the first side 108, the first and second side 108 and 110 being parallel to the central longitudinal axis L in the unfolded state.
(33) The LED strip 100 comprises in the folded state a plurality of first loops 230, as can be seen in FIG. 2a. Each loop 230 of the plurality of loops have at least one opening 232 and is provided with at least one of the plurality of LEDs 120, which is configured to emit light towards a reflective interior surface 234 of the loop 230. At least a portion of the light reflected from the reflective interior surface 234 may exit the at least one opening 232 of each loop 230. Thereby, indirect light emission is provided.
(34) In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 a part of the lower surface 104 of the LED strip 100 is for attaching the LED strip to a surface (not shown). The LED strip 100 is provided for each loop of the plurality of first loops 230 with a first cut 340 extending from the first side 108 and configured to receive the second side 110 in the folded state, such that a loop 230 is created with the upper surface 102 forming the reflective interior surface 234.
(35) In an embodiment the LED strip 100 is provided for each loop 230 of the plurality of first loops 230 with a second cut 342 extending from the second side 110. The first cut 340 is configured to receive the second cut 342 in the folded state such that a loop 230 is created with the upper surface 102 forming the reflective interior surface 232.
(36) In an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 5 shows a top-side view of a portion of the LED strip shown in FIG. 3, showing dimensions of the strip. The LED strip 100 has a width W perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis L. The first cut 340 extends in the direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis L a distance d1 into the LED strip 100, and the second cut 342 extends in the direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis L a distance d2 into the LED strip 100. The sum of d1 and d2 equals W.
(37) FIG. 6 shows a side-view of a LED strip 100 according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops 230 of different shapes. The shape of the loops 230 can be circular, oval, squared or hexagonal.
(38) FIG. 7 shows a side-view of a LED strip 100 according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops 230 having a plurality of LEDs 120 positioned at different places inside the loops. The different positions of the LEDs 120 makes it possible to reflect the light in different angles and create a different illumination.
(39) FIG. 8a shows a side-view of a LED strip 100 according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops 230 comprising side emitting LEDs 120.
(40) In FIG. 8b a top-side view of the LED strip 100 shown in FIG. 8a is shown, in an embodiment where the light emitted from the side emitting LEDs 120 exits different openings 232 of the loops 230.
(41) In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9 at least one loop of the plurality of first loops 230 has a plurality of LEDs.
(42) Thereby more light may be reflected by the reflective interior surface 234 of the loops 230, and it may be reflected in different directions and with different angles.
(43) In an embodiment shown in FIG. 10 the LED strip 100 shown in FIG. 9 the plurality of LEDs 120 in each first loop 230 are of different colors or color temperatures.
(44) The plurality of LEDs may be RGB LEDs, such that by blending different colors any color combination may be provided.
(45) FIG. 11 shows a side-view of a LED strip 100 according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops 230, where the loops 230 are arranged with a varying pitch.
(46) FIG. 12 shows a side-view of a LED strip 100 according to the invention in the folded state, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of first loops 230 where the loops 230 are arranged with a pitch, such that the loops 230 are in contact with each other.
(47) In an embodiment, a part of the upper surface 102 of the LED strip 100 is for attaching the LED strip 100 to a surface (not shown). Each loop 230 of the plurality of first loops is provided with two pre-bended portions 350 that are spaced apart by a distance d3 in an unfolded state, shown in FIG. 13 and with a distance d4 in a folded state, shown in FIG. 14. d4 is less than 25% of d3, preferably less than 10%, such that a loop 230 is created with the upper surface 102 forming the reflective interior surface 234 as can be seen in FIG. 14.
(48) In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, each loop 230 of the plurality of first loops 230 has a starting portion S and an ending portion E. For each loop 230, the first side 108 of the starting portion S is arranged adjacent to the second side 110 of the ending portion E in the folded state, such that a loop 230 is created with the upper surface 102 forming the reflective interior surface 234.
(49) Thereby a LED strip 100 having loops 230 that are shifted a width W for each loop 230 is provided, such that the LED strip 100 is substantially slanted with respect the central longitudinal axis L.
(50) In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, each loop 230 of the plurality of first loops 230 has a starting portion S and an ending portion E. For every second loop, the first side 108 of the starting portion S is arranged adjacent to the second side 110 of the ending portion E in the folded state, and for the remaining loops the second side 110 of the starting portion S is arranged adjacent to the first side 108 of the ending portion E in the folded state, such that a central axis of the LED strip in the folded state, is parallel with the central longitudinal axis L of the LED strip 100 in the unfolded state.
(51) Thereby a LED strip 100 having loops 230 that are shifted a width W is provided, such that the LED strip is substantially straight.
(52) According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, there is provided a system 300 comprising a first LED strip 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, and a second strip 460 attached to a part of the upper surface 102 of the first LED strip 100, when the first LED strip 100 is in folded state, for stabilizing the first LED strip 100.
(53) In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 16 the second strip 460 is a second LED strip 460, comprising a plurality of LEDs 120. The first pre-bended portion 350 and the second pre-bended portion 350 abut a LED 120 of the plurality of LEDs of the second LED strip 460.
(54) Thereby a plurality of LEDs 120 is provided in each first loop, whereby more light may be reflected by the reflective interior surface 234 of the loops 230. Furthermore, light may be reflected in different directions and with different angles.
(55) In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 24a, 24b, and 24c the LED strip 100 comprises a plurality of adhesive portions 280, on the lower surface 104.
(56) FIG. 24a shows the upper surface 102 of a LED strip 100 according to an embodiment of the invention in the unfolded state with a plurality of LEDs 120.
(57) FIG. 24b shows the lower surface 104 of a LED strip 100 according to an embodiment of the invention in the unfolded state with a plurality of adhesive portions 280.
(58) FIG. 24c shows a side-view of the LED strip 100 shown in FIGS. 24a and 24b, where both the LEDs 120 and the adhesive portions 280 can be seen.
(59) In an embodiment of the invention the adhesive portions 280 are equally distributed over at least a part of the LED strip 100, with a distance d5 between two neighboring adhesive portions 280 in the unfolded state. The distance d5 is defined as the shortest distance between two neighboring adhesive portions 280, as shown in FIG. 24b.
(60) In an embodiment of the invention the distance d5 is larger or equal to the circumference of one loop 230 in the folded state.
(61) In an embodiment of the invention the distance d5 is smaller or equal to the distance between the middle of two neighbouring LEDs 120 in the unfolded state.
(62) In an embodiment of the invention the plurality of adhesive portions 280 are protected by a removable film (not shown), arranged to be removed to unveal the adhesive portions 280.
(63) In an embodiment shown in FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23 a luminaire or light fitting 800 is provided with a LED strip 100 according to the invention, that is arranged in the folded state, such that the luminaire 800 provides indirect light emission.
