EP3460321B1 - Lighting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting device.

Known lighting devices, which have at least one light-emitting diode or preferably a plurality of light-emitting diodes, mostly serve to replace the fluorescent tube that has long been known. Depending on the design, one speaks of LED linear lights in this context. Such lighting devices are for example from DE 20 2012 101 571 U1 and the DE 10 2013 213 767 A1 known. The DE 10 2013 017 141 A1 discloses a lighting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

There is a need to further develop these known lighting devices and, in particular, to improve them with regard to their functionality and operational safety, especially with regard to their suitability for applications where there may be fire and explosion hazards.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a lighting device which, compared to prior art devices, has a simpler and safer structure and has increased functionality and operational reliability.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a lighting device with the features of independent claim 1.

The lighting device according to the invention is characterized in particular in that it has a base element and a light guide element connected to the base element, the lighting device having at least one light-emitting diode, at least one area of the wall of the light-guide element with an inner surface facing the light-emitting diode being transparent, with in the lighting device at least one chamber is formed, wherein the at least one chamber is at least partially bounded by a base element wall, and wherein the at least one chamber contains an inert gas, wherein the chamber has two open ends and each end of the chamber is at least partially closed by a cap and wherein the closure cap comprises a valve in order to supply inert gas to the chamber which closes the closure cap at one end or to adjust the pressure of the inert gas in the chamber.

The lighting device according to the invention with the features mentioned above completely solves the problem of the invention. The lighting device is compared to those of the

State-of-the-art construction is more secure and has increased functionality and operational reliability.

In a preferred development of the invention, the lighting device according to the invention also ensures an improved dissipation of the heat generated by the light-emitting diodes.

In a very preferred embodiment of the present invention it can be provided that the lighting device is formed such that the inert gas is selected from carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, sulfur hexafluoride, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane , Pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, trifluoromethane and mixtures of the foregoing.

The selection of the above-mentioned inert gases for filling the chamber of the lighting device ensures that in the event of a technical malfunction of the lighting device, the gas or gas mixture that is present in the vicinity of the lighting device or that is in the chamber of the lighting device cannot ignite is located or has penetrated there.

The above-mentioned inert gases are particularly advantageously suitable for extinguishing an ignition spark or arc, which may arise from the electrical components of the lighting device due to a malfunction of the lighting device, without any ignitable gas or gas mixture in the vicinity of the Lighting device or is ignited inside.

The concentration of the inert gas can be selected so that the proportion of oxygen in the chamber, which comes from the air when the chamber of the lighting device is still open during construction, is very low. An oxygen concentration in the range from 0.01 to 0.5% by volume is preferred here.

In order to achieve or set this oxygen concentration in the chamber of the lighting device, it can advantageously be provided that the chamber is flushed with the inert gas for a sufficient time, thereby displacing the air contained therein and the oxygen contained in the air. In an alternative, likewise very favorable technique, it can be provided that the chamber of the lighting device is at least partially pumped out and then the inert gas flows into the chamber up to the desired pressure.

The pressure of the inert gas can advantageously be selected so that it is greater or increased in the chamber compared to the pressure in the external environment of the lighting device.

A typical value for the pressure of the inert gas in the chamber of the lighting device is 1.05 to 3.0 bar.

Therefore, in the event of a leak, the inert gas can flow out of the chamber of the lighting device, so that in such a case there is no danger from the electrical components of the lighting device for the atmosphere in the external environment of the lighting device in the event of a malfunction.

As a result, the external environment, in which - as previously reported - there may be fire and explosion hazards, is effectively sealed off from the electrical components of the lighting device.

Such a lighting device according to the invention can thus be used and operated in so-called "explosion-protected areas".

In a very advantageous further development of the present invention, it can be provided that the lighting device comprises at least one sensor which is arranged in the chamber of the lighting device.

In a favorable embodiment, this at least one sensor can be a gas sensor that detects and forwards parameters of the inert gas. Such parameters can include the concentration, the temperature, the pressure, gas-specific properties such as the density or the thermal conductivity or others, and others more. The parameters can be fed to an evaluation logic which uses these parameters to determine and display the correct operation of the lighting device.

Such monitoring can be carried out permanently or in rapid succession, for example once or several times per minute.

When one or more parameters of the inert gas are changed, especially in a short time, the evaluation logic responds and switches the lighting device off using means connected to it in order to counter any danger emanating from the electrical components of the lighting device.

The sensor in the chamber of the lighting device can, however, also be set up in such a way that it detects and forwards parameters of a gas that has penetrated into the chamber from the external environment.

When a gas penetrates into the chamber of the lighting device from the outside environment, there is a risk of an ignitable mixture occurring in the chamber, with the lighting device thus emanating a considerable risk if the ignitable gas mixture is ignited.

Here too, the evaluation logic recognizes that the lighting device is not operating properly and switches it to a currentless state.

It can of course advantageously be provided that the sensor detects and forwards both parameters of the inert gas and parameters of a gas that has entered the chamber from the external environment.

In a very preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the sensor is designed to be self-monitoring.

Such a self-monitoring sensor is able to permanently monitor its proper function and in the event of a deviation, for example because the sensor becomes defective or its properties change due to aging phenomena or the like, to become active by switching the lighting device off and this prevents any damage caused by the lighting device.

In a very favorable preferred embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention it can be provided that the sensor is arranged on a closure cap.

However, the sensor can also be arranged elsewhere in the lighting device.

It goes without saying that the sensor has supply lines for energy and lines for the signals or lines that are used both for energy transmission and for signal forwarding, or is connected to them.

At least one chamber is formed in the lighting device according to the invention.

However, it can also be provided that two, three or more chambers are formed in the lighting device, the two, three or more chambers being connected or not connected to one another in the lighting device.

In a very preferred embodiment of the present invention it can be provided that the lighting device is formed in such a way that two or three chambers are formed in the base element.

As a result of the formation of two or three chambers in the lighting device according to the invention, this is made very particularly stable, in particular with regard to the rigidity and the torsional rigidity.

Furthermore, the formation of two or three chambers improves the thermal management of such a lighting device, since a more favorable distribution and release of the heat generated by the light-emitting diodes can take place.

In order to increase the rigidity or the thermal management, these chambers can also be filled with foam or have a different filling.

Finally, such a lighting device according to the invention with two or three chambers also has increased functionality, since in the chambers, for example, ballasts, drivers, cables, in particular power cables for the energy to operate the light-emitting diodes and ballasts and drivers, data cables to the light-emitting diodes and sensors, as well as Sensors and other electrotechnical components, in particular also busbars, for example for making contact with an adjacent lighting device, can be accommodated.

Insofar as these themselves give off heat, the heat can easily be absorbed, passed on and given off through the base element wall delimiting the chambers, which at least partially has a metal reinforcement.

It is particularly advantageous in the present invention that two of the three chambers of such a lighting device according to the invention with three chambers are designed symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane.

This results in a particularly high stability of the lighting device. This measure also simplifies the tool required for the manufacture of the base element and the manufacture of the base element itself.

In the context of the present invention it is provided that a base element wall is formed which at least partially delimits the chamber or chambers.

The base element wall has at least partially a metal reinforcement.

The metal of the metal reinforcement of the base element wall can be selected from iron, steel, copper, aluminum, magnesium, brass, bronze, and the mixed composition of the aforementioned.

The metal reinforcement can be designed with great advantage in the form of a foil or a tape or by deposition in an electroplating process or by sputtering or by centrifugation or in a high vacuum process or in a 3D printing process.

For this purpose, the metal reinforcement can be arranged on a surface of a wall of the base element made of polymer material or in a wall of the base element made of polymer material, so that in the latter case the metal in the wall, i.e. at least on both sides, preferably on all sides, is surrounded by polymer material.

It can advantageously be provided that metal is formed on the surface of a wall of the base element in the area of the light-emitting diode, since a particularly effective heat transfer to the metal can then take place in this area.

It is particularly advantageous if a metal foil or a metal strip is first brought into the desired three-dimensional shape, for example by a roll forming process, and this correspondingly shaped metal is then coated with polymer material in a coextrusion process or polymer material is injected onto this. In this way, a base element of any length can easily be produced, which can be cut to the required dimensions.

The thickness of the metal reinforcement can advantageously be 50 μm to 500 μm.

A base element wall designed in this way, which at least partially has a metal reinforcement, is particularly advantageously suitable for absorbing, transmitting and releasing heat generated by the light-emitting diodes of the lighting device during operation.

This ensures particularly advantageous heat management of the lighting device according to the invention, which has a positive effect on the service life and the properties of the light-emitting diodes of the lighting device.

The lighting device according to the invention has a base element and a light guide element connected to the base element.

The base element of the lighting device, like the light guide element, can consist of a polymer material with flame-retardant properties or high fire resistance, so that effective protection can be provided in the event of fire. In particular, this can prevent parts of the lighting device from dripping down from the ceiling as melt droplets (for example made of polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate), which would also be a disadvantage from a safety point of view.

Because the wall of the light guide element is a closed wall made of a polymer material, this wall is a very effective barrier between the lighting device and the environment, and thus protects against the penetration of media that would reduce the functionality and / or the service life of the lighting device .

It goes without saying that at least one area of the wall of the light guide element with an inner surface facing the light emitting diode light exit surface is designed to be transparent or consists of a transparent polymer material, so that light generated by the lighting device or the light emitting diode (s) is emitted into the vicinity of the lighting device can be.

The wall of the light guide element particularly preferably consists entirely of a light-permeable polymer material. As a result of the restriction to a single type of material, such a light guide element can be produced particularly advantageously in a simple and practical manner by extrusion, extrusion blow molding and / or coextrusion or injection molding or deep drawing.

The light guide element can particularly preferably be an injection molded or extruded light guide element. By injection molding or extrusion, a variety of Light guide elements can be produced in a simple and practical manner as part of a series production.

As an alternative to producing the light guide element in one of the above-mentioned methods, it is also possible for the light guide element to be produced using a generative manufacturing method, in particular in one piece, for example by a 3-D printing method.

For this purpose, a data processing machine-readable three-dimensional model can advantageously be used for the production.

The invention also comprises a method for generating a data processing machine-readable three-dimensional model for use in a manufacturing method for a light guide element. In this case, the method also includes, in particular, the input of data representing a light guide element into a data processing machine and the use of the data to represent a light guide element as a three-dimensional model, the three-dimensional model being suitable for use in the production of a light guide element.

The method also includes a technique in which the input data of one or more 3D scanners, which function either by touch or without contact, with the latter energy being emitted onto a light-guiding element and the reflected energy being received, and with a virtual three-dimensional Model of a light guide element is generated using computer-aided design software.

The light guide element according to the invention can be produced entirely or partially using a line-building or layer-building manufacturing process. In particular, the light guide element according to the invention can be produced entirely or partially in lines or in layers by applying material.

A 3D data set can be used to great advantage during construction or production.

The above naturally also applies in its entirety to the basic element of the present invention.

The manufacturing process can be a generative powder bed process, in particular selective laser melting (SLM), selective laser sintering (SLS), selective heat sintering (SHS), selective electron beam melting (electron beam melting - EBM / Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing - EBAM) or solidification of Include powder material by means of binder (binder jetting). The manufacturing process can be a generative free space process, in particular build-up welding, wax deposition modeling (WDM), contour crafting, metal powder application process (MPA), plastic powder application process, cold gas spraying, electron beam melting (Electron Beam Welding - EBW) or melt coating processes such as fused deposition Modeling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The manufacturing method can include a generative liquid material method, in particular stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), multi jet modeling (MJM), polyjet modeling or liquid composite molding (LCM). Furthermore, the manufacturing method can include other generative layer construction methods, in particular laminated object modeling (LOM), 3D screen printing or light-controlled electrophoretic deposition.

It goes without saying that the light-guiding element - in particular also for realizing simple producibility by injection molding or extrusion - can particularly advantageously be designed in one piece.

The light guide element can be formed in one piece and transparent.

The polymer material of which the light-guiding element is made or which contains it can comprise homo- and / or copolymers and / or mixtures thereof.

This polymer material can preferably also be uncrosslinked, partially crosslinked or completely crosslinked.

The polymer material of which the light guide element is made or which contains this can preferably be selected from fluoropolymers, fluorine-containing polyurethane, silicones, polyolefin homo- and / or polyolefin copolymers, cyclic polyolefin copolymers (COC, COP), poly-alpha-olefin copolymers, polyolefin elastomers, ionomers, polyesters, polyester copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polystyrene, polystyrene copolymer, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, acrylic ester-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, polycarbonate, Acrylate resin, acrylate copolymer (EBA, EMA), polymethyl (meth) acrylate, poly (meth) acrylate, polyacetate, polyacetate copolymer, polyacetal (POM), polyphenylene sulfone, polysulfone, Polyether sulfone, polyether, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystalline polymer, polyurethane, polyether imide, polyamide imide, polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyphthalamide, polyketone, polyether ketone, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketone ketone, polyaryl ether ketone, polymer made from renewable elastomers and / or as a thermoplastic homoplastic, high-performance thermoplastic or copolymer is present, selected from TPO (thermoplastic elastomers based on olefin), TPV (crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers based on olefin) TPU (thermoplastic elastomers based on urethane), TPE-E (thermoplastic polyester elastomers), TPE-S (styrene block copolymers such as SBS, SEBS , SEPS, SEEPS and MBS), TPE-A (thermoplastic copolyamides, for example PEBAX), and can contain fillers (such as fire and flame retardant additives, fillers, pigments).

The light-permeable polymer material from which the light-guiding element or the wall of the light-guiding element is composed comprises partially or entirely homopolymers and / or copolymers and / or mixtures thereof. The translucent polymer material can be uncrosslinked, partially crosslinked or completely crosslinked.

The translucent polymer material can be selected from fluoropolymers, silicones, polyolefins, polystyrenes (SMMA, SAN), polyamides, acrylate copolymers, polyacetates, polyphenylene sulfone, polyether sulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polymethyl (meth) acrylates, poly (carbon meth) acrylates, poly (carbon meth) acrylates, and can contain fillers (such as fire and flame retardant additives).

In another advantageous development of the invention, the wall of the light guide element can consist of glass at least in sections.

If the wall of the light guide element or the light guide element consists of the light-permeable material or consists entirely or contains such a material, the light generated by the lighting device can advantageously radiate or be transmitted without significant deflections to the outside or into the vicinity of the lighting device.

When in the above and the following statements of the "light permeability" or of a "translucent design" is meant that this translucency or translucent design at least for part of the spectrum of visible light or for the whole Visible light spectrum is present.

The base element of the lighting device of the present invention can likewise comprise a polymer material according to the aforementioned list, or contain such or consist of such.

It is not necessary for the polymer material of the base element to be translucent. It is preferred if the polymer material is colored. A partial light permeability of the base element can be desirable for various reasons.

The lighting device has at least one light emitting diode, the lighting device preferably having a plurality of at least five or at least ten or at least twenty light emitting diodes.

“Light-emitting diodes” are also understood below to mean so-called “LED chips” and so-called “pixelated LEDs”.

To implement a lighting device in the manner of an LED linear light, the light-emitting diodes of the lighting device can, for example, be arranged one after the other in rows or be arranged in one or more rows.

In the case of a single-row arrangement, the lighting device is preferably between 10 cm and 10 m long and has preferably between three and thirty light-emitting diodes on a longitudinal section of 10 cm, depending on the design and the requirements for luminous flux and light distribution.

According to the invention, it is provided in the lighting device that the light guide element is releasably or non-releasably connected to the base element.

For this purpose, the lighting device can be designed in such a way that the light guide element is connected to the base element by a plug connection or a latching connection or a welded connection or an adhesive connection or a combination of the aforementioned.

In a very advantageous embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the light guide element can be connected to the base element by means of a plug connection.

In a practical embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the light guide element can be connected to the base element by means of a latching connection.

In another very practical embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the light guide element can be connected to the base element by means of a welded connection.

Finally, in a favorable embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the light guide element can be connected to the base element by means of an adhesive connection.

A combination of the aforementioned connection techniques can also be used to advantage.

Sealing means such as sealing cords or sealing lips or sealing compounds can advantageously be used for the gas-tight connection of the light guide element and the base element. These can be arranged on the corresponding connection sections of the light guide element and / or the base element.

The base element can in particular be a base element that can be fastened to a building wall - in particular also to a ceiling.

By simply connecting the light guide element to the base element by means of a plug connection or a snap connection or a welded connection or an adhesive connection or a combination of the above, the entire lighting device can be held on the building wall via the base element or connected to the building wall. The base element can be set up in a manner known to a person skilled in the art to be attached to the building wall. In particular, the base element can, for example, be screwable to the building wall or, for example, can be glued to the building wall or, for example, can be fastened to the building wall on a latching device.

It can also be provided within the scope of the invention that the light guide element and the base element are manufactured in one piece, connected by a coextrusion process.

The production of a lighting device designed in this way is particularly simple, since a plug-in or snap-in or welding or gluing process does not have to be carried out in order to to connect the light guide element and the base element to one another. Rather, the lighting device with the integrally interconnected light guide and base element is formed in a coextrusion process, with a particularly high level of tightness against the ingress or escape of gases between the light guide element and the base element.

Due to the one-piece construction of the composite of light guide element and base element, a not insignificant weight saving can be achieved in the lighting device according to the invention; at the same time, this measure increases the safety of the connection of the light guide element and the base element. Finally, a lighting device designed in this way has increased stability with respect to mechanical stress due to the one-piece connection of the light guide element to the base element.

In a preferred development of the invention it can be provided that the material of the wall of the light guide element and / or of the base element contains additives that improve the barrier properties of the wall with regard to a diffusion of oxygen and / or hydrogen and / or a combustible gas and / or one of the Increase combustion of maintaining or favoring gas. Such additives can be selected from sheet silicates, such as, for example, synthetic sheet silicates.

A multilayer structure of the wall can also be useful in this regard. The multilayered layers of the wall can contain polymer material and / or metal and / or glass.

In a very preferred development of the present invention it can be provided that the lighting device is covered with a protective element, in particular with a shrink tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the protective element can advantageously be designed in the form of a sleeve, a tube or tubular and / or tubular or preferably have a tubular and / or tubular section. The protective element can particularly preferably be designed in the form of a straight tube. A tubular protective element with a circumferential wall that the chamber or the Chambers of the tubular protective element delimited or limited can be produced in a very simple and practical manner by extrusion or injection molding.

The lighting device can also be coated with a protective element in the form of a protective lacquer.

As an alternative to this, vapor deposition and / or coating of the surface of the lighting device offers itself.

The protective element can particularly preferably also consist of a shrink tube material shrunk onto the lighting device or consist entirely or be designed in the form of a shrink tube shrunk onto the lighting device, whereby a very tight, tight connection between the protective element and the lighting device can advantageously be realized.

It can also be provided here that the protective element is selected such that it limits or prevents the diffusion of the inert gas from the chamber or the lighting device through the wall of the light guide element and the base element.

In a further development of the invention, the protective element or the wall of the protective element can comprise a translucent element and a base element or consist of a translucent element and a base element, the translucent element being detachably connected to the base element, and the base element being connected to the base element. for example latching - is connectable.

In this embodiment, the lighting device according to the invention is completely encapsulated.

The lighting device according to the invention can therefore also be used in a completely encapsulated version in environments with ammoniacal gases, which have a highly corrosive effect, without the ammoniacal gases having a damaging influence on the lighting device accommodated in the protective element or that accommodated in the protective element Have section or longitudinal section of the lighting device.

It can also be used in damp rooms, cold stores, in the area of industrial plants (in the chemical, mining and steel industries). The protective element is advantageously an effective barrier for protection against chemicals, gases, vapors, liquids and moisture.

The light-emitting diode of the lighting device is preferably completely or completely encapsulated in that it is received in the chamber which is formed by the base element and the light guide element connected to the base element.

1. a) nicht nur ein Schutz gegen das Eindringen von Feuchtigkeit / Gasen / Flüssigkeiten / Dämpfen in das Innere der Leuchtvorrichtung erfolgt, sondern dass auch
2. b) die gesamte Leuchtvorrichtung gegen das Einwirken von Feuchtigkeit / Gasen / Flüssigkeiten / Dämpfen geschützt werden kann, so dass es beispielsweise nicht zu einem chemischen Abbau und / oder einer Schädigung des Lichtleitungselements und / oder ggf. zur einer Trübung und / oder Reduktion der Lichttransmission kommen kann, und
3. c) die Leuchtvorrichtung einfach gereinigt werden kann, wobei das Schutzelement einen Schutz gegen das Eindringen von Reinigungsmitteln darstellt.

This has the advantage that

1. a) there is not only protection against the penetration of moisture / gases / liquids / vapors into the interior of the lighting device, but that too
2. b) the entire lighting device can be protected against the effects of moisture / gases / liquids / vapors so that, for example, there is no chemical degradation and / or damage to the light guide element and / or possibly clouding and / or reduction of light transmission can come, and
3. c) the lighting device can be cleaned easily, the protective element representing protection against the penetration of cleaning agents.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the chamber of the lighting device designed in this way has two open ends, each end of the chamber being closed at least in some areas by a closure cap, which consists for example of a polymer material or contains one.

In this way, the extent of the contact of the lighting device or the contact of the chamber with a possibly ignitable gas or gas mixture in the vicinity of the lighting device or in its interior can be very effectively reduced or prevented by the closure caps.

Particularly preferably, each end of the chamber is completely or completely closed by the respective closure cap, whereby contact of the lighting device with a possibly ignitable gas or gas mixture in the vicinity of the lighting device or in its interior can be excluded or almost excluded.

At least one of the closure caps can be at least partially or completely transparent or at least partially or entirely from one made of translucent polymer material. Depending on the application, a translucent design of at least one of the closure caps may be desired in order to allow light generated by the lighting device to pass through the closure cap to the outside. In order to close the ends of the chamber, each of the closure caps can be materially connected, in particular welded or glued, to a section of the base element and a section of the light guide element, preferably at the circumferential edge.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the chamber of the base element has two open ends, each end being closed at least in some areas by a closure cap, which consists for example of a polymer material or contains one.

In this particularly preferred embodiment, the extent of the contact of the lighting device or the contact of the chamber with a possibly ignitable gas or gas mixture in the vicinity of the lighting device or in its interior can be very effectively reduced by the closure caps.

Particularly preferably, each end of the chamber is completely or completely closed by the respective closure cap, whereby contact of the lighting device with a possibly ignitable gas or gas mixture in the vicinity of the lighting device or in its interior of the lighting device can advantageously be excluded or almost excluded .

At least one of the closure caps can be at least partially or completely opaque or consist of an opaque polymer material at least partially or entirely. Depending on the application, an opaque design of at least one of the closure caps may be desired in order not to allow light generated by the lighting device to escape through the closure cap. In order to close the ends of the chamber, each of the closure caps can preferably be materially connected to a section of the base element on the circumferential edge, in particular welded or glued.

In a practical embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the lighting device has at least one electrical cable or an electrical line that or which is set up for the power supply of the lighting device and / or for the transmission of control signals to the lighting device.

The electrical cable can also serve to forward monitoring signals from the lighting device.

Such an electrical cable can also advantageously be used for the through-connection of a lighting device to an adjacent lighting device, in order in this way to connect several adjacent lighting devices to a power source with only one electrical cable.

The electrical cable can be connected to a plug so that the lighting device is made ready for connection.

The electrical cable can be a connection cable which is set up for the power supply of the lighting device and / or for the transmission of control signals to the lighting device.

In another preferred embodiment, the electrical contacting of the lighting device can be carried out by means of plug contacts.

It is also possible to supply the lighting device with energy by means of a wireless power supply, with no cable or no line leading through the wall or closure cap of the lighting device, in that the energy is supplied to the lighting device inductively and / or by means of radio frequency.

In particular, the lighting device according to the invention can be designed in such a way that it is ready for connection and has a connection cable that is set up for the power supply of the lighting device and / or for the transmission of control signals to the lighting device,

The closure caps of the chamber of the base element can be designed in such a way that the cable from the plug is inserted continuously through the closure cap into the chamber.

The closure caps can also have holding devices, for example to hold drivers and other electrotechnical components.

A lighting device designed according to this practical embodiment can be assembled in a simple and practical manner. Thus, only the cap with the plug and the cable with the lighting device have to be connected to close the respective end of the chamber or at least partially close, with the plug on the end of the cable facing the lighting device when connecting or closing can be connected to the mating connector on the lighting device or the connector and the mating connector can be plugged into one another.

Thus, by a simple connection process for connecting the closure cap to the end of the chamber or to the lighting device, the connection to the electrical cable for the power supply and / or control signal supply of the lighting device can also be achieved.

Particularly preferably, a seal or a liquid seal is provided to prevent liquid exposure to the plug or to seal the plug against ingress of liquid, which is clamped between the cap and the section of the cable received in the cap and extends circumferentially around the section . By means of such a clamped liquid seal, a very effective protection of the connector and thus also of the mating connector and the lighting device against a possibly ignitable gas or gas mixture in the vicinity of the lighting device or in its interior and also against damaging or corrosive liquid or moisture will be realized.

Furthermore, it is provided in a special embodiment of the invention that a strain relief is provided for the electrical cable in order to avoid that the electrical cable transmits this in an undesired manner to other components in the event of tensile stress.

Alternatively, the use of an above-mentioned seal can also be dispensed with, namely in that the section of the cable received in the closure cap has a circumferential outer surface which has at least one material connection to the closure cap for sealing against ingress of liquid. By at least one material connection, which preferably extends circumferentially around the circumferential outer surface of the cable section or which preferably extends circumferentially and coherently around the circumferential outer surface, the Contact of the chamber with liquid or moisture in the external environment can advantageously be excluded or virtually excluded.

In a special embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the base element and the light guide element, which can be connected to one another in a plug-in and / or latching manner, are tightly connected to one another by gluing and / or welding after the plug-in and / or latching connection has been established.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that at least one sealing element is arranged on the base element and / or on the light guide element in the area of the plug-in or latching connection with which the two elements are sealed when the plug-in or latching connection is made after the plug-in or latching connection has been established are connected to each other.

It goes without saying that when a closed wall or a closed wall of the light guide element is mentioned above and below, a wall is to be understood that does not have a single breakthrough or a single opening or a single passage that extends into the from the wall bounded or limited chamber extends. With a closed or tight wall, the advantageous protection against liquid and / or gaseous media that have a corrosive effect and / or damage the electronics of the lighting device, as well as protection against the ingress of gases to form an ignitable atmosphere, can be realized .

It also goes without saying that when a closed wall or a closed wall of the light guide element is mentioned above and below, this is not to be understood as a wall that necessarily forms a closed chamber or that necessarily forms a closed chamber of the light guide element . The closed wall only delimits or delimits a chamber which of course can also have at least one open end via which the chamber is connected to the outside environment or via which the chamber is accessible from outside the chamber or from outside the light guide element.

Due to the detachable connectability provided for the base element and light guide element, the lighting device can be designed in a simple and practical manner to be media-tight will. Furthermore, the detachable connectability provided for the base element and light guide element can also simplify the effort required to implement the latching connection between the base element and the light guide element.

The detachable connection of the light guide element to the base element can be implemented in any manner known to a person skilled in the art. For example, the releasable connection can comprise at least one releasable latching connection or at least one releasable snap connection or at least one releasable clip connection or at least one releasable positive connection or at least one releasable screw connection. It goes without saying that the at least one area of the wall of the light guide element which has the inner surface facing the light emitting diode light exit surface is a region of the light guide element or that this area is provided on the light guide element.

The chamber can be at least partially filled, in particular poured, to improve the barrier properties and / or the media resistance and / or the thermal conductivity. This improves the electrical insulation and the risk of short circuits. Pouring can be done, for example, with acrylate resin or with casting resins.

The lighting device according to the invention is used in a variety of ways for illuminating rooms and outdoor facilities. Due to the operational reliability and high functionality of the lighting device according to the present invention, it can preferably be used in so-called "explosion-protected areas". In this way, the lighting device can be used in a variety of ways in industry, trade, craft, hospitals and laboratories, as well as in private households.

Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the figures and from the associated description of the figures.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures.

Fig. 1

eine Leuchtvorrichtung gemäß vorliegender Erfindung in einer schematischen Querschnittsansicht;

Fig. 2

ein Basiselement einer Leuchtvorrichtung in einer schematischen Querschnittsansicht;

Fig. 3

ein Lichtleitungselement einer Leuchtvorrichtung in einer schematischen Querschnittsansicht;

This shows:

Fig. 1

a lighting device according to the present invention in a schematic cross-sectional view;

Fig. 2

a base element of a lighting device in a schematic cross-sectional view;

Fig. 3

a light guide element of a lighting device in a schematic cross-sectional view;

In Fig. 1 a lighting device 10 according to the present invention is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view.

The linearly extending lighting device 10 comprises an elongated and linearly extending base element 11 and an elongated and linearly extending light guide element 18 made of a polymer material.

The lighting device 10, which extends in a straight line, has a plurality of light-emitting diodes 13 arranged one after the other in a row, of which the sectional illustration shows Fig. 1 only one is illustrated.

Three elongate chambers 17 ′, 17 ″ and 17 ″ ′ are formed in the lighting device 10 between the base element 11 and the light guide element 18.

The lighting device 10 also has an in Fig. 1 Not illustrated electrical cable, which is set up for the power supply of the lighting device 10 and for the transmission of control signals to the lighting device 10, namely from an external power source and control signal source, not illustrated.

The electrical cable is connected to a plug of the lighting device 10, which is not illustrated, and is led out of the lighting device 10, which is also not illustrated.

The light guide element 18 has a wall 19 which delimits the chamber 17 ′. The wall 19 is a closed wall 19 made of a polymer material. Because the wall 19 is a closed wall 19 made of a polymer material, this wall 19 is a very effective barrier against the ingress of gas from the surroundings of the lighting device 10, in particular when the light guide element 18 is tightly connected to the base element 11.

The lighting device 10 comprises a base element 11 with a base element wall 14, which consists of a polymer material 15 and a metal reinforcement 16 provided in sections. The light-emitting diodes 13 are attached to a carrier element 12, which is fixed in the base element 11 by holding elements 33. The support element 12 is also provided to accommodate at least part of an electronics unit and a plug (both not illustrated).

The lighting device 10 has a light guide element 18 made of a light-permeable polymer material.

In particular, the area 20 of the wall 19 of the light-guiding element 18, which has an inner surface 21 facing the light-emitting diode light exit surface, is transparent so that light generated by the light-emitting diodes 13 can be emitted into the surroundings of the lighting device 10.

The light guide element 18 is designed in cross section in the form of a segment of a circle. As an alternative, the light guide element 18 can also be designed, for example, at least in some areas as rectangular or polyhedral or elliptical or concave or in a mixed form thereof.

The light-emitting diode light exit surface of the light-emitting diode 13 is shown in the exemplary embodiment Fig. 1 at a distance from the inner surface 21 of the wall 19 of the light-guiding element 18, but in an alternative embodiment it can also rest or lie flat against the inner surface 21 of the wall 19 of the light-guiding element 18 and be firmly connected to the inner surface 21 of the wall 19.

It goes without saying that the lighting device 10 can also have any other design.

An inert gas 40 is contained in the chambers 17 ', 17 "and 17"'.

In the Fig. 1 it is not shown that the chambers 17 ', 17 "and 17'" are connected to one another, so that an equal concentration of the inert gas 40 is present in all the chambers 17 ', 17 "and 17'".

In the two chambers 17 ″ and 17 ′ ″ arranged symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane that runs perpendicularly into the plane of the drawing and bisects the base element 10, a ballast 22 for operating the light emitting diode 13 and cable 23 for supplying power to the light emitting diode 13 or added to further electrical components of the lighting device 10.

The base element wall 14 delimiting the chambers 17 ′, 17 ″ and 17 ′ ″ consists of polymer material 15 into which a metal reinforcement 16 is introduced at least in some areas.

The arrangement of the metal reinforcement 16 in the base element wall 14 delimiting the chambers 17 ', 17 "and 17'" is shown in FIG Fig. 1 only illustrated as an example. It goes without saying that, depending on the prevailing requirements, the metal reinforcement 16 of the base element wall 14 can also be arranged differently, so in another embodiment of the invention the entire base element wall 14 delimiting the chambers 17 ″ and 17 ′ ″ can also have a metal reinforcement 16 .

The metal reinforcement 16 can be arranged on the surface of the base element wall 14 and / or in the polymer material 15 of the base element wall 14.

The metal reinforcement 16 in and / or the base element wall 14 delimiting the chamber 17 ′, 17 ″ and 17 ′ ″ results in a high degree of rigidity and strength of the base element 11.

The base element 11 and the light guide element 18 are connected to one another in the lighting device 10 according to the invention.

A welded connection 26 can be implemented as a connection technique, the polymer material 15 of a section of the base element 11 being connected to the polymer material of a section of the light guide element 18 by welding.

By welding, the polymer material 15 of a section of the base element 11 can be connected to the polymer material of a section of the light guide element 18 in sections, at points or over the entire length of the base element 11 or light guide element 18.

For the simple implementation of the connection of the base element 11 to the light guide element 18, it is provided that a projection 32 is formed on the base element 11, which can interact with an end section 30 on the light guide element 18.

In particular, a welded connection 26 can be formed between an end section inner surface 31 on the end section 30 of the light guide element 18 and the surface opposite the end section inner surface 31 on the projection 32 of the base element 11.

In addition, a protective element in the form of a shrink tube 28 can be drawn over the lighting device 10, which is only shown as a section and only in principle; it is understood that the gap between the shrink tube 28 and the outside of the lighting device 10 is not formed in this way, but is shown here only for the sake of clarity.

The shrink tube 28 lying tightly on the outside of the lighting device 10 thus causes an increased permeation tightness.

In Fig. 2 a base element 11 of a lighting device 10 is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view.

The reference symbols in Fig. 2 correspond to those from Fig. 1 .

The lighting device 10 has a sensor 45 which is attached to a closure cap - which is in the Fig. 2 is not shown further - is arranged.

For its operation, the sensor 45 requires lines which are not shown, but which can be routed together with the connecting cable 29 and the cable 23, both of which are explained in more detail below.

It is also shown that a connection cable 29, which has a plug for connection to a power and / or data or signal source, is connected to a cable 23 in the chamber 17 ″ ′ of the base element 11.

The cable 23 can be guided laterally through an opening in the end caps or in the area of the base element 11.

The connection cable 29 is in contact with the cable 23 in the chamber 17 "'of the base element 11, so that the light-emitting diode 13, not shown here, can be supplied with power and / or data or signals through the cable 23 connected to it.

In Fig. 3 a light guide element 18 of a lighting device 10 is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view.

The reference symbols in Fig. 3 correspond to those from Fig. 1 .

The light guide element 18 consists of a polymer material. The wall 19 of the light guide element 18 is at least partially translucent.

The light guide element 18 is designed in cross section in the form of a segment of a circle.

At both ends of the light guide element 18, end sections 30 are provided which have end section inner surfaces 31.

The light guide element 18 is symmetrical in relation to a mirror plane which runs perpendicularly into the plane of the drawing and bisects the light guide element 18.

The thickness of the wall 19 of the light guide element 18 is approximately the same at all points.

List of reference symbols

10

Lighting device

11

Base element

12

Support element

13

light emitting diode

14th

Base element wall

15th

Polymer material

16

Metal reinforcement

17 ', 17 ", 17"'

chamber

18th

Light guide element

19th

Wall

20th

Area

21st

Inner surface

22nd

Ballast

23

electric wire

26th

Welded joint

28

Shrink tubing

29

Connection cable

30th

End section

31

End section inner surface

32

head Start

33

Retaining element

40

Inert gas

45

sensor

Claims (10)

1. A lighting device (10) having a base element (11) and a light-guiding element (18) connected to the base element (11),
   wherein the lighting device (10) has at least one LED (13),
   wherein at least one region (20) of the wall (19) of the light-guiding element (18) with an inner surface (21) facing the LED (13) is configured so as to be transparent,
   wherein at least one chamber (17', 17", 17"') is configured in the lighting device (10),
   wherein the at least one chamber (17', 17", 17"') is at least sectionally limited by a base element wall (14),
   wherein the at least one chamber (17', 17", 17'") contains an inert gas (40),
   wherein the chamber (17', 17", 17'") has two open ends and wherein each end of the chamber (17', 17", 17'") is sealed by a sealing cap at least in part,
   characterised in that
   the sealing cap comprises a valve for feeding inert gas (40) to the chamber (17', 17", 17'") that the sealing cap seals at one end, and/or for adjusting the pressure of the inert gas (40) in the chamber (17', 17", 17'").
2. The lighting device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the inert gas (40) is selected from carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, sulfur hexafluoride, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, trifluoromethane and mixtures of the above.
3. The lighting device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the inert gas (40) in the chamber (17', 17", 17"') has an elevated pressure compared with the external environment.
4. The lighting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one sensor (45) is arranged in the chamber (17', 17", 17"'), which sensor (45) detects and transmits parameters of the inert gas (40) and/or parameters of a gas that has penetrated into the chamber (17', 17", 17"') from the external environment.
5. The lighting device (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that the at least one sensor (45) is configured so as to be self-monitoring.
6. The lighting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the at least one sensor (45) is arranged on a sealing cap.
7. The lighting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light-guiding element (18) is releasably or non-releasably connected to the base element (11).
8. The lighting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is covered with a protective element, in particular with a shrink tube (28).
9. The lighting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base element (11) and the light-guiding element (18) contain or consist of a polymer material, the polymer material being selected from fluoropolymers, fluorinated polyurethane, silicones, polyolefin homopolymers and/or polyolefin copolymers, cyclic polyolefin copolymers (COC, COP), poly-alpha-olefin copolymers, polyolefin elastomers, ionomers, polyesters, polyester copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polystyrene, polystyrene copolymer, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, polycarbonate, acrylate resin, acrylate copolymer (EBA, EMA), polymethyl (meth)acrylate, poly(meth)acrylate, polyacetate, polyacetate copolymer, polyacetal (POM), polyphenylene sulfone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyether, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystal polymers, polyurethane, polyether imide, polyamide imide, polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyphthalamide, polyketone, polyether ketone, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketone ketone, polyaryl ether ketone, polymers made from sustainable raw materials, high-performance thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers, which are present as homopolymers and/or copolymers, such as TPO (olefinic thermoplastic elastomers), TPV (crosslinked olefinic thermoplastic elastomers), TPU (urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers), TPE-E (thermoplastic polyester elastomers), TPE-S (styrene block copolymers) (SBS, SEBS, SEPS, SEEPS and MBS) and TPE-A (thermoplastic copolyamides).
10. The lighting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is designed such that it is ready for connection and has a connection cable (29) and/or a plug connection and/or a wireless power supply element, which is equipped for supplying power to the lighting device (10) and/or for transmitting control signals to the lighting device (10) and/or for supplying power and/or for transmitting control signals to the at least one sensor (45).

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