Luminaire Assembly with Reduced Light Pollution
20230016010 · 2023-01-19
Inventors
- Vincent Lang (Grâce-Hollogne, BE)
- Roxane Caprara (Neupré, BE)
- Benoit Kerff (Liége, BE)
- Paul Smets (Liége, BE)
Cpc classification
F21S8/085
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V13/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21S2/005
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21S8/088
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V3/062
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21Y2115/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F21V15/01
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21S8/08
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
Example embodiments relate to luminaire assemblies with reduced light pollution. One embodiment includes a luminaire assembly that includes a light source. The luminaire assembly also includes a support for carrying the light source. Additionally, the luminaire assembly includes a protector for protecting the light source from external environmental influences. The protector has an open top for accommodating the support, a bottom facing the light source, and a peripheral wall between the open top and the bottom. The peripheral wall includes a transparent or translucent portion. The light source is configured to send light in use through the portion of the peripheral wall. The protector is provided with a light absorbing surface arranged inside of the protector and facing the light source. The light absorbing surface is configured such that in use part of the light emitted from the light source is absorbed by the light absorbing surface.
Claims
1. A luminaire assembly comprising: a light source; a support for carrying the light source; and a protector for protecting the light source from external environmental influences, the protector having an open top for accommodating the support, a bottom facing the light source, and a peripheral wall between the open top and the bottom, the peripheral wall comprising a transparent or translucent portion, and the light source being configured to send light in use through said portion of the peripheral wall, wherein the protector is provided with a light absorbing surface arranged inside of the protector and facing the light source, the light absorbing surface being configured such that in use part of the light emitted from the light source is absorbed by the light absorbing surface to reduce upward light pollution.
2. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing surface is configured to absorb more than 80% of visible light that is emitted on the surface thereof, preferably more than 95%, wherein optionally the light absorbing surface is a surface of a black layer.
3. (canceled)
4. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing surface is part of a separate element located in an inner area delimited by the peripheral wall of the protector.
5. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing surface extends over at least 90% of a surface of a section through the peripheral wall of the protector.
6. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing surface is in a lower half of the protector and/or wherein the light absorbing surface is on or near the bottom.
7. (canceled)
8. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second light source and a second support with the second light source arranged on a lower surface thereof, said second support being arranged between the bottom and the support, wherein the light absorbing surface is arranged above the second support, preferably a second light absorbing surface is arranged inside the protector and facing the second light source.
9. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing surface is mounted tight inside the inner area delimited by the peripheral wall of the protector.
10. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the protector is made of plastic and the light absorbing surface is made of metal or plastic, and/or wherein the rigidity of the material of the light absorbing surface is higher than the rigidity of the material of the protector.
11. (canceled)
12. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing surface is adhered to a surface located in an inner area delimited by the peripheral wall of the protector.
13. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the protector is substantially flat, and/or wherein the bottom of the protector is closed or wherein the bottom of the protector has apertures for electrical or mechanical connections.
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing surface is provided with a collar extending adjacent the peripheral wall of the protector, and/or wherein a surface area delimited by the open top of the protector is larger than a surface area of the bottom of the protector, preferably at least 10% larger, more preferably at least 50% larger.
17. (canceled)
18. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall has one of a conical shape and a cylindrical shape, and/or wherein the light absorbing surface is part of a light absorbing coating located in an inner area delimited by the peripheral wall of the protector, and/or wherein the light absorbing surface is a surface of the protector.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein a height of the peripheral wall of the protector is at least 25 cm, preferably at least 30 cm, more preferably at least 40 cm, and/or wherein the light source is configured to send light in use through the peripheral wall downwards towards ground, and the protector is configured such that in use part of the light from the light source is absorbed at the bottom of the protector to reduce light reflected upwards, and/or wherein the light sources comprises at least 4 LEDs. preferably at least 8 LEDs, more preferably at least 16 LEDs. and/or wherein the luminaire assembly further comprises an upper cover for closing the open top of the protector, wherein preferably the dimensions of the cover are bigger than the ones of the open top, and/or wherein the luminaire assembly further comprises a diffuser for diffusing the light from the light source, the diffuser being interposed between the light source and the light absorbing surface.
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, comprising at least two brackets extending between the support and the bottom, preferably along an outer surface of the peripheral wall and preferably arranged for carrying the protector, wherein preferably the bottom of the protector is provided with at least two recesses for housing a portion of the at least two brackets, wherein preferably the light absorbing surface is shaped with at least two recesses corresponding with the at least two recesses of the bottom, and/or wherein the luminaire assembly comprises at least one hollow rod extending inside the protector between the support and the bottom, wherein preferably the light absorbing surface is shaped with at least a recess for the at least one hollow rod.
29. (canceled)
30. (canceled)
31. (canceled)
32. The luminaire assembly according to claim 1, wherein a light absorbing circumferential wall, such as a cylindrical light absorbing ring, is provided in the protector, around the light source, wherein preferably the light absorbing circumferential wall is configured to absorb light emitted at large incident angles above a predetermined value, wherein said predetermined value is preferably between 70° and 95°, wherein the light absorbing circumferential wall is preferably arranged adjacent the peripheral wall of the protector.
33. A lamp post comprising a luminaire assembly according to claim 28, further comprising a support pole arranged below the protector, wherein the at least two brackets have a lower end connected to the support pole, optionally via connecting means.
34. A modular lamp post comprising a plurality of pole modules arranged one above the other along a central axis, wherein said plurality of pole modules comprise a light module comprising a luminaire assembly according to claim 1.
35. The modular lamp post according to claim 34, said light module comprising: a housing comprising a lower section, a middle section, and an upper section, wherein the middle section comprises the protector. wherein the support carrying the light source is arranged in an upper part of the housing, near said upper section; wherein the lower section comprises a connection interface configured to connect the light pole module to a lower pole module of said plurality of pole modules, wherein optionally the middle section is a transparent or translucent section.
36. (canceled)
37. The modular lamp post according to claim 35, further comprising a second support carrying a second light source, said second support being arranged at a distance of the support, in a middle part of the housing between the upper and lower section, wherein preferably the light absorbing surface is provided in said housing, on or near the second support facing the first light source, wherein optionally a second light absorbing surface is provided in said housing on or near the lower section facing the second light source.
38. The modular lamp post according to claim 34, further comprising at least two rods connecting the lower section to the upper section, wherein the at least two rods preferably have a black outer surface, wherein optionally the second support is fixed to the at least two rods, and/or wherein a cylindrical light absorbing ring is provided in the protector, around the light source and/or around the second light source, wherein the ring is preferably arranged adjacent the peripheral wall of the protector.
39. (canceled)
40. (canceled)
41. (canceled)
42. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0092] This and other 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.
[0093]
[0094]
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[0102]
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DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0105] The luminaire head assembly of
[0106]
[0107] The luminaire assembly 1 comprises a light source 100. The light source 100 comprises a plurality of LEDs. Optionally, one or more optical elements, such as lenses and/or reflectors, may be arranged over the plurality of LEDs. The optical elements may be integrated in a plate comprising a plurality of optical elements, e.g. a lens plate. Typically, the light source comprises at least 4 LEDs, at least 8 LEDs, preferably at least 16 LEDs.
[0108] The luminaire assembly further comprises a support 200 for carrying the light source 100. The support 200 comprises one or more PCB's 210 and the LEDs 110 are arranged on a lower side of the one or more PCB's 210. Optionally the support 200 may further comprise a heat sink (not illustrated).
[0109] The luminaire assembly further comprises a protector 300 serving as cover for the light source 100 against external influences like dirt and rain. The protector 300 is protruding away from the light sources and has an open top 310 for accommodating the light source 100 carried on the support 200, a closed bottom 320, and a peripheral wall 330, see
[0110] As is best visible in
[0111] It is noted that the taper angle of the protector has an influence on the amount of light reflected towards the bottom 320 such that a substantially conical protector represents the situation where the invention is especially advantageous. Alternatively the shape of the protector may be substantially of a cylindrical shape, a stepped shape, a conical shape or a combination thereof.
[0112] Preferably, the peripheral wall 330 and the closed bottom 320 are formed as one integral protector casing, e.g. a transparent or translucent plastic casing.
[0113] Preferably the protector may be releasably attached to the support 200 and/or to further connection parts by means of any one or more of the following elements: screws, locks, clamps, clips.
[0114] The configuration illustrated in
[0115] Alternatively the luminaire head may be arranged in side-entry configuration where a support pole is arranged adjacent the protector 300 and the support 200 or the upper cover 600 is connected to the support pole via a side arm. For example, a side arm or bracket may connect the upper cover 600 to a support pole. Alternatively, the bottom of the protector 300 may be connected with a side arm or bracket to the support pole.
[0116] The luminaire assembly of
[0117] In
[0118] Typically the light source 100 is configured to send light in use through the peripheral wall 330 downwards towards the ground, e.g. a street or a pavement, and the light absorbing surface 340 is configured such that in use part of the light from the light source 100 is absorbed at the bottom 320 of the protector to reduce light reflected upwards.
[0119] The light absorbing element has a light absorbing surface 340 facing the light source and is made of a material configured to absorb more than 80% of visible light that is emitted on the surface thereof, preferably more than 95%. Typically the light absorbing element comprises a black layer, preferably a matt black layer. Alternatively other colours with suitable light absorbing properties may be used as long as more than 80% of the light beams reaching the light absorbing surface are absorbed.
[0120]
[0121] The bottom 320 of the protector illustrated in
[0122] The light absorbing surface 340 as illustrated in
[0123] The light absorbing element comprising the light absorbing surface may be mounted tight inside the protector bottom or adhered to it by glue or any other known means. In the case of a plastic protector, a light absorbing element made of metal or plastic may be used in combination with a tight mechanical mounting. Preferably the rigidity of the material of the light absorbing element is higher than the one of the protector. More generally other materials for the protector and the light absorbing element may be chosen taking into account the difference in rigidity between them providing benefits for a tight mounting.
[0124] As illustrated the bottom of the protector 320 is provided with at least two recesses 321, 322 for housing a portion of the at least two brackets 410, 420 and the separate element forming the light absorbing surface 340 is shaped with at least two recesses 341,342 corresponding with the at least two recesses 321, 322 of the bottom 320. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 321, 322 are “double bulged”, but this is merely an example. Other shapes of recesses for mounting purposes may be considered, and more generally the shape of the light absorbing surface may be adapted to the shape of the protector in which it is fitted in, such that a tight fit is realised.
[0125] In addition, although represented here as having a closed bottom, other luminaires according to the invention may have a protector with an open bottom, or with a bottom comprising apertures for electrical and/or electronic and/or mechanical connections. The apertures may be provided for wires.
[0126] Some luminaires may by construction comprise at least one hollow rod extending inside the protector between the support and the bottom. In that case preferably the light absorbing surface is shaped with at least a recess for the at least one hollow rod .The hollow rods may serve as guide for electrical and/or electronic and/or mechanical connections going through the protector towards the light source or its support. Additionally, the light absorbing surface may preferably be located at a distance from the bottom of the protector, by resting on legs or by anchoring on the peripheral wall to cover the connections and avoid light reflections in all directions due to the incidence of the light on the electrical and/or electronic and/or mechanical connections.
[0127] Optionally, a light absorbing circumferential wall (not shown) may be provided around the light source and extending downward from the support 200, in order to absorb a portion of the light emitted at large incident angles. The light absorbing circumferential wall may extend over a small distance into the protector 300. The light absorbing circumferential wall may be provided around the one or more PCB's 210. For example, the one or more PCB's 210 may be arranged on a mounting plate, preferably a light absorbing mounting plate, and the light absorbing circumferential wall may protrude downward around the one or more PCB's 210 to absorb a portion of the light emitted at large incident angles. The one or more PCB's 210 may have any shape. For example one rectangular or polygonal PCB 210 may be provided. In a particular example the PCB 210 may have the shape of a house (combination of a rectangle and a trapezoid), and the light absorbing circumferential wall may then also have the shape of a house.
[0128]
[0129] For incidence angles greater than the taper angle of the cone, it has been identified that beams are not reflected upwards. On the contrary for incidence angles smaller than the taper angle of the cone, the light absorbing surface plays an important role and allows reducing significantly second and higher order reflections and more generally upward light pollution. In particular for street lighting any light emitted above the horizontal plane of the support 200 is subjected to strict regulations and norms. Preferably the proportion of light emitted upwards versus light emitted downwards should be less than 1%.
[0130]
[0131]
[0132]
[0133] The electronic gear unit 700 is arranged in or on the base module 500 and comprises one or more electronic components, such as a LED driver, a controller, a surge protection device such as a varistor, a connector for wiring , a dimmer (not shown), etc. Typically at least the LED driver will be present in the electronic gear unit 700. The other components are optional and depend on the desired functionalities of the luminaire It is noted that this is merely an example of a number of electronic components that may be arranged in the electronic gear unit 700. In other embodiments more or less electronic components may be present, and the components may be different depending on the desired functionalities.
[0134] The support 200 with the plurality of light sources 110 is arranged to emit light through the protector casing 300 and is connected to one or more electronic components of the electronic gear unit 700. The electronic gear unit 700 comprises a frame having a bottom, two uprights and an upper cover with a surface 710. The bottom of the frame carries the electronic and other components.
[0135] The absorbing surface 340 may be provided on top of the electronic gear unit 700, above the upper cover surface 710 as a separate element or integrated into the upper cover surface 710 itself, such that part of the light from the light sources 110 directed to the electronic gear unit 700 is absorbed and not reflected upwards. Where possible, this embodiment may be combined with previous embodiments.
[0136]
[0137] The light pole module of
[0138] The lower section 500 comprises a connection interface configured to connect the light pole module to a lower pole module of said plurality of pole modules and may extend partially inside the protector 300. The middle section 300 is a transparent or translucent cylindrical section. Similarly, the upper section 600 may comprise a connection interface configured to connect the light pole module to a higher pole module of said plurality of pole modules and may extend partially inside the protector 300. Alternatively, the upper section 600 may comprise a top cover to close the light pole module (if no other module is added on top of it).
[0139] As illustrated in
[0140] The light module may further comprise for the first and/or second light source 100, 100′ inside the protector 300 and in the vicinity of the respective light source 100, 100′, one or more optical elements, such as a diffuser 120, 120′ for diffusing the light emitted by the respective light source 100, 100′, and/or so-called Louver elements 130, 130′ and/or backlight elements for directing the light. The diffuser 120, 120′may have recesses for housing the rods 701 and 702, such that the diffuser 120, 120′ may be slid into place. Louver elements may comprise a light shielding structure configured for cutting off or reflecting light rays having a large incident angle, thereby reducing the light intensities at large angles and improving the G/G* classification of the light module. Examples of louver elements are disclosed in PCT patent applications PCT/EP2020/066221 and PCT/EP2019/074894 and Dutch application N2025168 in the name of the applicant, which are included herein by reference. Further, a spacer layer may be disposed between the carrier and the one or more optical elements. The spacer layer is provided with one or more holes through which one or more light emitting element of the light source extend. Examples of spacer layers are disclosed in Dutch patent application N2025166 in the name of the applicant, which is included herein by reference.
[0141] The first light absorbing surface 340 may be provided in said housing, on or near the second support 200′ facing the first light source 100. The first light absorbing surface 340 is provided on top of the second support 200′, such that part of the light from the first light source 100 carried by the first support 200 and directed to the top surface of the second support 200′ is absorbed and not reflected upwards. The upper half of the protector 300 defines the inner area where the light absorbing surface 340 serves the purpose of reducing upward light pollution. Light beams from the first light source 100 directly or indirectly reaching said first light absorbing surface 340 will be substantially absorbed reducing or avoiding upward reflection.
[0142] A second light absorbing surface 340′ may be provided in said housing on or near the lower section 500 facing the second light source 100′. The lower half of the protector 300 defines the inner area where the second light absorbing surface 340′ serves the purpose of reducing upward light pollution. Light beams from the second light source 100′ directly or indirectly reaching the second light absorbing surface 340′ will be substantially absorbed reducing or avoiding upward reflection.
[0143] It is noted that in other non-illustrated embodiments, the second light source 100′, the second support 200′ and the second light absorbing surface 340′ may be omitted, and the first light absorbing surface 340 may then be arranged on or near the lower section 500.
[0144] Additionally, a light absorbing circumferential wall shaped as a cylindrical light absorbing ring 350 and/or 350′ may be provided in said housing, around the first light source 100 and/or around the second light source 100′. In other embodiments, the light absorbing circumferential wall may have a different shape, e.g. a prism shape. The further absorbing surfaces 350 and/or 350′ are in the shape of cylindrical rings and may be used around the first and/or second light source 100 and/or 100′ to absorb lateral light emissions. The first and second supports 200 and 200′ may not cover the complete section of the protector 300 leaving a small gap between the support 200, 200′ and the protector 300 such that light may travel from the lower half of the protector 300 towards the upper half of the protector 300 through said gap. The cylindrical light absorbing rings 350, 350′ may reduce that phenomenon by surrounding the supports 200, 200′, and/or the light sources 100, 100′, and/or the diffusers 120, 120′, and/or the Louver elements 130, 130′, and/or the rods 701, 702, and/or the light absorbing element 340 in case of light absorbing ring 350′. The cylindrical light absorbing rings 350, 350′ may have a black inner surface facing the light sources 100, 100′ and an outer surface of a similar or different colour.
[0145] The rings 350, 350′ may enclose the rods 701 and 702, such that the rings can be slid into place around the rods 701 and 702. The rings 350, 350′ may be further fixed to the two rods 701 and 702 directly or indirectly via their respective support 200, 200′. In particular the ring 350′ may comprise connecting means 351′ and 352′ in the form of connecting tabs for fixing the ring 350′ to the support 200′ using for instance screws or other appropriate means. A similar arrangement may be used for connecting the ring 350 to the support 200.
[0146] The diffuser 120, 120′ may also be provided with apertures for mechanical connection to the respective support 200, 200′. The diffuser 120, 120′ may be a substantially flat plate. The diffuser 120, 120′ and the ring 350, 350′ may be fixed to the respective support 200, 200′ together using for instance a spacer and appropriate connecting elements interconnecting the respective support 200, 200′, the ring 350, 350′ and the diffuser 120, 120′ in a stacked manner
[0147] Where possible, the embodiment of
[0148] According to a further embodiment, the light absorbing surface 340 may be a light absorbing coating arranged on an internal surface of the protector 300. Such an arrangement may be used on its own or combined with any of the previous embodiments.
[0149] According to a further embodiment the light absorbing surface 340 is part of the protector self. The protector may be made of a material with two light absorbing characteristics by addition of pigments for instance, or may be made of two materials with different light absorbing characteristics. Such an arrangement may also be used on its own or combined with any of the previous embodiments.
[0150] Optionally, a light absorbing circumferential wall (not shown) may be provided around the light source, in order to absorb a portion of the light emitted at large incident angles. The light absorbing circumferential wall may extend over a small distance into the protector 300. The light absorbing circumferential wall may be provided around one or more PCB's with LEDs. For example, the one or more PCB's may be arranged on the support 200, 200′, preferably a light absorbing support 200, 200′, and the light absorbing circumferential wall may protrude downward around the one or more PCB's to absorb a portion of the light emitted at large incident angles. The one or more PCB's may have any shape. For example a single rectangular or polygonal PCB may be provided. In a particular example the PCB may have the shape of a house (combination of a rectangle and a trapezoid), and the light absorbing circumferential wall may then also have the shape of a house.
[0151] Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is 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.