Abstract
A lighting device (1000), which is arranged to be attached to a mounting surface of an object, comprises an LED strip (100). The LED strip (100) comprises (i) an elongated carrier (1100) with an upper surface (1110) having a first upper surface portion (1111), (ii) a plurality of light-emitting diodes (1200) arranged on the first upper surface portion (1111), and (iii) an attachment component (1300) for attaching the lighting device (1000) to the mounting surface. The attachment component (1300) comprises an adhesive surface (1301) that faces in at least one of a first direction (1121) and a second direction (1122), the first direction (1121) being parallel to the normal of the upper surface (1110), and the second direction (1122) being perpendicular to the normal of the upper surface (1110) and to the direction of elongation (1120) of the elongated carrier (1100).
Claims
1. A lighting device arranged to be attached to a mounting surface of an object, the lighting device comprising an LED strip, the LED strip comprising: an elongated carrier with an upper surface having a first upper surface portion and a second upper surface portion located next to the first upper surface portion in the direction of elongation of the elongated carrier, a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged on the first upper surface portion, the plurality of light-emitting diodes being encapsulated with a light-transmissive encapsulant, the light-transmissive encapsulant being arranged to provide an optical effect chosen from the group consisting of refraction, diffraction, reflection, diffusion and conversion, and an attachment component for attaching the lighting device to the mounting surface, wherein the attachment component is provided on the second upper surface portion, wherein the attachment component comprises an adhesive surface that faces in at least one of a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being parallel to the normal of the upper surface, and the second direction being perpendicular to the normal of the upper surface and to the direction of elongation of the elongated carrier, wherein the attachment component has a first attachment component part with a first adhesive surface portion facing the first direction, the first adhesive surface portion being located at a first height (h) from the upper surface in the first direction, and wherein the light-transmissive encapsulant has a side surface parallel to the first direction and facing the second upper surface portion, the side surface having a side surface dimension (d) in the first direction, and wherein the side surface dimension (d) is larger than the first height (h).
2. (canceled)
3. The lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment component has a second attachment component part provided on the side surface of the light-transmissive encapsulant, the second attachment component part having a second adhesive surface portion facing the second direction.
4. The lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated carrier has an F-profile with first profile part and a second profile part oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to a third profile part, the first profile part and the second profile part being separated from each other by a non-zero separation distance, and wherein the first upper surface portion is located between the first profile part and the second profile part.
5. The lighting device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a cover over the first upper surface portion, the cover closing the separation distance between the first profile part and the second profile part.
6. The lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated carrier is flexible.
7. The lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of light-emitting diodes are arranged in a linear array, and wherein the attachment component has a linear shape.
8. The lighting device as claimed claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface is covered with a release liner.
9. A constructional element comprising: a mounting surface, and the lighting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lighting device is attached to the mounting surface via the attachment component.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a top view of an elongated carrier;
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a lighting device comprising the elongated carrier of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIGS. 3(a) to 3(e) show several lighting devices in a cross-sectional view;
[0046] FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c) show several lighting devices in a cross-sectional view;
[0047] FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) show several lighting devices in a cross-sectional view;
[0048] FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f) show several lighting devices in a cross-sectional view;
[0049] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a panel; and
[0050] FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c) show a side view of the panel of FIG. 7.
[0051] The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0052] FIG. 1 shows a top view of an elongated carrier 1100 having an upper surface with a first upper surface portion 1111 and a second upper surface portion 1112. The first upper surface portion 1111 is located next to the second upper surface portion 1112 in the direction of elongation 1120 of the elongated carrier 1100. Also indicated in FIG. 1 is direction 1122, which is perpendicular to the normal of the upper surface and to the direction of elongation 1120 of the elongated carrier 1100.
[0053] FIG. 2 shows a lighting device 1000 that comprises the elongated carrier 1100 of FIG. 1. The lighting device 1000 is shown in a side view (upper portion of FIG. 2) and a top view (lower portion of FIG. 2).
[0054] The elongated carrier 1100 has an upper surface 1110 on which a plurality of light-emitting diodes 1200 is arranged. In particular, the light-emitting diodes 1200 are arranged on the first upper surface portion 1111 of the upper surface 1110.
[0055] Also arranged on the upper surface 1110 is an attachment component 1300. In particular, the attachment component 1300 is arranged on the second upper surface portion 1112 of the upper surface 1110.
[0056] The attachment component 1300 has an adhesive surface 1301 that faces in direction 1121. The direction 1121 is parallel to the normal of the upper surface 1110. The directions 1121 and 1122 will hereinafter be referred to as the first direction 1121 and the second direction 1122, respectively.
[0057] In the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 2, the light-emitting diodes 1200 are arranged in a linear array, and the attachment component 1300 has a linear shape. Alternatively, the arrangement of light-emitting diodes may have any configuration, and the attachment component may have any shape.
[0058] FIG. 3 shows several lighting devices 1000 in a cross-sectional view.
[0059] In the lighting devices 1000 shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(e), the adhesive surface 1301 is covered with a release liner 1330.
[0060] In the lighting devices 1000 shown in FIGS. 3(b) to 3(e), the light-emitting diodes 1200 are encapsulated with a light-transmissive encapsulant 1210. The light-transmissive encapsulant 1210 comprises a diffusive material. In other words, the light-transmissive encapsulant 1210 is arranged to provide the optical effect of diffraction. Other materials may alternatively be used for the light-transmissive encapsulant, such as a refractive material, a diffractive material, a reflective material or a converting material, so that the light-transmissive encapsulant is arranged to provide the optical effect of refraction, diffraction, reflection or conversion, respectively.
[0061] In the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 3(b), the light-transmissive encapsulant 1210 and the attachment component 1300 have substantially the same height.
[0062] In the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 3(c), the first adhesive surface portion 1311 is located at a first height h from the upper surface 1110 in the first direction 1121. The light-transmissive encapsulant 1210 has a side surface 1211 parallel to the first direction 1121 and facing the second upper surface portion 1112. The side surface 1211 has a side surface dimension d in the first direction 1121. The side surface dimension d is larger than the first height h. In other words, the light-transmissive encapsulant 1200 has a height that is more than that of the adhesive component 1300. This results in the light-transmissive encapsulant 1200 having a side surface 1211 that faces the adhesive component 1300.
[0063] In the lighting devices 1000 of FIGS. 3(d) and 3(e), the elongated carrier 1100 has an F-profile. The F-profile has a first profile part 1131, a second profile part 1132, and a third profile part 1133. The first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132 are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to the third profile part 1133. The first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132 are separated from each other by a non-zero separation distance.
[0064] In line with the terminology commonly used for structural beam profiles, each of the first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132 can be referred to as a flange, the third profile part 1133 can be referred to as a web, and the space enclosed by the first profile part 1131, the second profile part 1132, and the third profile part 1133 can be referred to as a channel.
[0065] The first upper surface portion 1111 is located between the first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132. In other words, in the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 3(d), the light-emitting diodes 1200 are arranged in the channel between the flanges of the F-profile.
[0066] In the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 3(e), a cover 1134 is provided over the first upper surface portion 1111. The cover 1134 closes the separation distance between the first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132. The cover 1134 is shown as a separate component, but it may alternatively be an integral part of the profile of the elongated carrier. In the latter case, the elongated carrier would essentially have a P-profile. In the context of the present invention, a P-profile is considered an F-profile with a closed channel.
[0067] FIG. 4 shows several lighting devices 1000 in a cross-sectional view.
[0068] The lighting devices 1000 shown in FIGS. 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) are similar to those shown in FIGS. 3(c), 3(d) and 3(e), respectively, but now the attachment component 1300 has a first attachment component part 1310 with a first adhesive surface portion 1311 facing the first direction 1121, and a second attachment component part 1320 with a second adhesive surface portion 1321 facing the second direction 1122.
[0069] In the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 4(a), the second attachment component part 1320 is provided on the side surface 1211 of the light-transmissive encapsulant 1210.
[0070] In the lighting devices 1000 of FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c), the second attachment component part 1320 is provided on the first profile part 1131 of the F-profile.
[0071] FIG. 5 shows several lighting devices 1000 in a cross-sectional view.
[0072] In the lighting devices 1000 shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), the elongated carrier 1100 has an upper surface 1110 on which a plurality of light-emitting diodes 1200 is arranged on a first upper surface portion 1111. The upper surface portion 1111 substantially coincides with the upper surface 1110.
[0073] In the lighting devices 1000 shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), the light-emitting diodes 1200 are encapsulated with a light-transmissive encapsulant 1210.
[0074] In the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 5(a), the attachment component 1300 is provided on a side surface of the light-transmissive encapsulant 1210. This side surface faces the second direction 1122.
[0075] In the lighting devices 1000 of FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), the elongated carrier 1100 has a U-profile. The U-profile has a first profile part 1131, a second profile part 1132, and a third profile part 1133. The first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132 are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to the third profile part 1133. The first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132 are separated from each other by a non-zero separation distance. The first upper surface portion 1111 is located between the first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132.
[0076] In the lighting devices 1000 of FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), the attachment component 1300 is provided on the first profile part 1131 of the U-profile.
[0077] In the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 5(c), a cover 1134 is provided over the first upper surface portion 1111. The cover 1134 closes the separation distance between the first profile part 1131 and the second profile part 1132. The cover 1134 is shown as a separate component, but it may alternatively be an integral part of the profile of the elongated carrier. In the latter case, the elongated carrier would essentially be a rectangular tubing.
[0078] FIG. 6 shows several lighting devices 1000 in a cross-sectional view.
[0079] In the lighting devices 1000 of FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f), the elongated carrier 1100 has an upper surface 1110. The light-emitting diodes 1200 are arranged on a first upper surface portion 1111 of the upper surface 1110, and the attachment component 1300 is arranged on a second upper surface portion 1112 of the upper surface 1110, wherein the first upper surface portion 1111 is located next to the second upper surface portion 1112 in the direction of elongation 1120 of the elongated carrier 1100. It is noted that, for the sake of clarity, the reference numerals 1111, 1112 and 1120 are not included in FIG. 6. The features that these reference numerals refer to are analogous to the features with the same reference numerals as shown in the other figures.
[0080] The lighting device 1000 shown in FIG. 6(a) is similar to the lighting device 1000 shown in FIG. 3(a). From the perspective of manufacturability, the lighting device 1000 of FIG. 6(a) will be easiest to manufacture. It also has a layout that easily allows the elongated carrier 1100 to be flexible.
[0081] The lighting device 1000 shown in FIG. 6(b) has a configuration wherein the normal of the first surface part 1111 is not parallel to the normal of the second surface part 1112. In other words, it has a configuration wherein the first surface part 1111 is inclined with respect to the second surface part 1112. In the lighting device 1000 shown in FIG. 6(b), the elongated carrier 1100 is rigid. Alternatively, the elongated carrier may be such that it can be deformed from a planar configuration into the configuration shown in FIG. 6(b).
[0082] In the lighting devices 1000 shown in FIGS. 6(c), 6(d), 6(e) and 6(f), the elongated carrier 1100 has an L-profile, a T-profile, an F-profile and a P-profile, respectively. Such profiles result in an increased mechanical rigidity, with the P-profile providing the highest mechanical rigidity
[0083] The lighting devices 1000 of FIGS. 6(c) to 6(f) all have a profile part that is oriented perpendicular to the first surface part 1111 on which the light-emitting diodes 1200 are arranged. These profile parts may be arranged to provide an optical effect chosen from the group consisting of refraction, diffraction, reflection, diffusion and conversion. The more profile parts, the more freedom to provide a variety of optical effects.
[0084] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a panel 2010, that may be used as a tabletop or a shelf. In the context of the present invention, tabletops and shelves and any other applications of a panel are considered examples of constructional elements.
[0085] The panel 2010 has an upper surface and a lower surface. In the configuration shown FIG. 7, the lower surface of the panel 2010 represents a mounting surface for the lighting device 1000, which is similar to the lighting devices 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a). The lighting device 1000 can be attached to the lower surface of the panel 2010 via the attachment component 1300. For an observer that looks at the panel 2010 from a side that is opposite to the side where the lighting device 1000 is attached, the lighting device 1000 is not in plain sight, but it is still capable of providing the same illumination output as a lighting device with an adhesive backing that would be attached to the upper surface of the panel 2010.
[0086] In an alternative configuration, the upper surface of the panel 2010 represents a mounting surface to which the lighting device 1000 may be attached via the attachment component 1300.
[0087] Each of FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c) shows a side view of the panel 2010 also shown in FIG. 7. The upper and lower surfaces of the panel 2010 are now indicated with reference numerals 2011 and 2012, respectively. The panel 2010 also has an edge surface 2013, which for the sake of clarity is only indicated in FIG. 8(a).
[0088] In the configuration shown in FIG. 8(a), lighting device 1000, which is similar to the lighting device 1000 shown in FIG. 3(c), is attached to the lower surface 2012 of the panel 2010 via the attachment component 1300. The side surface of the encapsulant 1210 is used to align the lighting device 1000 to the edge surface 2013 of the panel 2010.
[0089] In the configuration shown in FIG. 8(b), lighting device 1000, which is similar to the lighting device 1000 shown in FIG. 4(a), is attached to the edge surface 2013 of the panel 2010 via the first attachment component part 1310, and to the upper surface 2011 via the second attachment component part 1320.
[0090] In the configuration shown in FIG. 8(c), lighting device 1000, which is similar to the lighting device 1000 shown in FIG. 5(a), is attached to the edge surface 2013 of the panel 2010 via the attachment component 1300.
[0091] 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. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
[0092] The mere fact that certain features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used to advantage. The various aspects discussed above can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that two or more embodiments may be combined.
