Lighting device

A lighting device comprising at least one light source (4) adapted for, in operation, emitting light, a heat sink element (3) comprising a first part (31) on which the at least one light source is arranged and a second part (32), the second part comprising a plurality of ribs (341, 342, 343, 344) extending from the first part, and a cover element (2) comprising an outer surface (21) adapted for forming a light exit surface of the lighting device, the cover element (2) comprising a first plurality of grooves (231, 232, 233) comprising a V-shaped cross-section and being provided in the outer surface of the cover element, the cover element being arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element in such a way that the first plurality of grooves extends over the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/077668, filed on Nov. 15, 2016, which claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 15196494.7, filed on Nov. 26, 2015. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lighting device comprising at least one light source adapted for, in operation, emitting light, a heat sink element and a cover element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many different applications the visual appearance of such a lighting device is of high importance. This is especially the case in applications where the lighting devices are directly visible such as is often the case with for example chandeliers where the lighting devices are provided in the form of light bulbs. Therefore the construction and design of lighting devices is a very important issue within the field of luminaire design.

A side effect in such lighting devices is that excess heat is produced, especially in high lumen lighting devices. This excess heat must be removed to avoid adverse effects on the lighting device. To remove the excess heat a heat sink is provided. The larger the lumen output of the lighting device the larger the heat sink necessarily becomes. This has the drawback that at least a part, and most often a major part, of the heat sink is visible, which from a user's point of view gives the impression that the lighting device emits light from only a limited part of the surface of the cover element. This is neither practically nor aesthetically satisfactory.

US 2012/0307498 A2 describes one attempt at solving the above problems by providing a LED lighting device comprising a plurality of light sources, a primary heat sink and a secondary heat sink and a globe portion made of glass. The secondary heat sink, which is a metal conductor, is provided in association with the glass globe. The glass globe may be frosted or otherwise light diffusive.

Even if this construction in the case the glass globe is actually frosted or otherwise light diffusive to some extend provides a hiding effect with respect to the secondary heat sink, the secondary heat sink will still be at the least partially visible from a user's point of view.

Therefore, there is a desire and need for providing a lighting device which from a user's point of view emits light from the major part of or even the entire surface of the cover element, in which the excess heat produced is nevertheless removed, even in case of high lumen lighting devices, and which is furthermore versatile in terms of design options.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome this problem, and to provide a lighting device in which the invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use is improved such that when seen from a user's point of view the lighting device emits light from the major part of or even the entire surface of the cover element, in which the excess heat produced is nevertheless removed, even in case of high lumen lighting devices, and which is furthermore versatile in terms of design options.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved by means of a lighting device comprising at least one light source adapted for, in operation, emitting light, a heat sink element comprising a first part on which the at least one light source is arranged and a second part, the second part comprising a plurality of ribs extending from the first part, and a cover element comprising an outer surface adapted for forming a light exit surface of the lighting device, the cover element comprising a first plurality of grooves comprising a V-shaped cross-section and being provided in the outer surface of the cover element, the cover element being arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element in such a way that the first plurality of grooves extends over the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element.

Providing a cover element comprising a first plurality of grooves comprising a V-shaped cross-section and being provided in an outer surface of the cover element provides for a lighting device with which it becomes possible to visually remove at least a part of the heat sink, i.e. to make at least a part of the heat sink invisible seen from a user's point of view, and which is furthermore highly versatile in terms of design options.

Especially, everything arranged directly below such grooves will be hidden when seen from the outside. Therefore, combining the provision of such grooves with the provision of a heat sink element comprising a second part with a plurality of ribs extending from the first part and arranging the cover element such as to extend over the heat sink element in such a way that the first plurality of grooves extends over the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element, provides for a lighting device that will give the appearance of emitting light from the entire part of the outer surface of the cover element extending over the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element, or at least from a very large part of this part of the outer surface, and in which the excess heat produced by the light sources is nevertheless removed, even in case of high lumen lighting devices.

Thus, in virtue of the above-mentioned features a lighting device is provided in which the invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use is improved to the point where the heat sink element is barely visible from the outside such that when seen from a user's point of view the lighting device emits light from the major part of or even the entire surface of the cover element, but in which the excess heat produced is nevertheless removed, even in case of high lumen lighting devices, thus avoiding the adverse effects on the lighting device otherwise caused by heating.

In an embodiment the cover element further comprises a second plurality of grooves comprising a V-shaped cross-section and being provided in the outer surface of the cover element and arranged such that the grooves of the second plurality of grooves intersect the grooves of the first plurality of grooves in an angle being different from zero, the cover element being arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element in such a way that the first plurality of grooves and the second plurality of grooves extends over the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element.

In an embodiment the grooves of the second plurality of grooves intersect the grooves of the first plurality of grooves in an angle of 90°. Thereby, a particularly thorough coverage of the outer surface of the cover element with the grooves of the first and second plurality of grooves is obtained.

In any event the provision of a second plurality of grooves provides for a lighting device in which the invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use is improved even further, especially in the case where the grooves do not necessarily extend in parallel with the ribs of the heat sink element, but in which the excess heat produced is nevertheless removed, even in case of high lumen lighting devices, thus avoiding the adverse effects on the lighting device otherwise caused by heating.

In an embodiment the first part of the heat sink element comprises a plurality of indentations provided in such a way as to extend between the ribs.

Providing a heat sink element comprising a first part with a plurality of indentations provided in such a way as to extend between the ribs provides for a lighting device that will furthermore give the appearance of emitting light from the entire part of the outer surface of the cover element extending over these indentations without compromising the heat conducting effect of the heat sink element.

In an embodiment the V-shaped cross section of each groove of the first and/or second plurality of grooves comprises two legs joined in an apex, and wherein the first and/or second plurality of grooves are arranged such that the apex points towards the heat sink element.

Such an orientation of the grooves provided in the outer surface of the cover element has proved to provide a particularly high degree of invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use.

In an embodiment the ribs of the plurality of ribs of the heat sink element are spaced apart with a distance being in the order of 8 mm.

Placing adjacent ribs of the heat sink element with a mutual spacing of 8 mm has been shown to provide the optimal combination of a heat sink element with as few ribs as possible and allowing for the provision of the plurality of indentations in the first part of the heat sink element while still providing the necessary amount of cooling of the lighting device. The ideal magnitude of the spacing between adjacent ribs does, however, depend on the thermal conductivity of the material used for the cover element. Thus, the said spacing of 8 mm has been shown to be particularly suitable in combination with cover elements made of transparent plastics of types normally used for light bulbs.

In an embodiment the cover element is arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element in such a way that each groove of the first plurality of grooves extends in parallel with and directly over a rib of the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element.

Thereby a lighting device is provided in which the invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use is virtually total. The result is a lighting device which has the visual impression of emitting light from virtually all of the outer surface and simultaneously being sufficiently cooled.

In an embodiment the cover element is arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element in such a way that each groove of the first plurality of grooves extends in an angle of 45° with and over the ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element and that each groove of the second plurality of grooves extends in an angle being different from zero with and over the ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element.

Thereby a lighting device is provided in which the invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use is very high and which furthermore provides for a variety of possible lighting device designs obtainable by choice of the orientation of the first plurality of grooves and in particular the second plurality of grooves with respect to the plurality of ribs.

In an embodiment the cover element comprises a bottom and a top and wherein at least one of the grooves of the first or second plurality of grooves are extending from the bottom or a position near the bottom to the top or a position near the top.

Thereby a lighting device is provided in which the invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use is improved even further as it is in this way ensured that the grooves extend over the ribs of the plurality of ribs of the second part of the heat sink element in the whole length thereof.

In an embodiment the cover element comprises a bottom and a top and wherein at least one of the ribs of the plurality of ribs and the grooves of the first and/or second plurality of grooves are extending along the shortest path from the bottom or a position near the bottom to the top or a position near the top.

Thereby a lighting device is provided which has a very simple construction, and which is very simple and cheap to produce.

In an embodiment the cover element comprises a bottom and a top and wherein at least one of the ribs of the plurality of ribs and the grooves of the first and/or second plurality of grooves are extending along a curved or winding path from the bottom or a position near the bottom to the top or a position near the top.

Thereby a lighting device is provided which has a very simple construction, and which is very simple and cheap to produce and which simultaneously provides for a variety of possible lighting device designs obtainable by choice of the particular path along which at least one of the ribs of the plurality of ribs and the grooves of the first and/or second plurality of grooves are extending.

In an embodiment the cover element further comprises a plurality of surface structures arranged on the outer surface of the cover element.

Thereby a lighting device is provided in which the invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use is improved even further due to the diffusing and/or glittering or sparkling effect obtained by such surface structures, and which simultaneously provides for a variety of possible lighting device designs obtainable by choice of the particular shape and properties of the surface structures.

In an embodiment the plurality of surface structures are shaped as a pyramid or a truncated pyramid.

Such a shape of the surface structures provided on the outer surface of the cover element has proved to provide a particularly high degree of invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use.

In an embodiment the plurality of surface structures being shaped as a pyramid or a truncated pyramid comprise a top angle of between 60° and 120°.

A top angle of between 60° and 120° of surface structures shaped as a pyramid or truncated pyramid has proved to provide an optimized degree of invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use.

In an embodiment the plurality of surface structures being shaped as a pyramid or a truncated pyramid comprise a top angle being in the order of 90°.

A top angle being in the order of 90° has further proved to provide the very best and most effective hiding of the heat sink element from the outside during use.

In an embodiment the plurality of surface structures taper in a direction towards an inner surface of the cover element.

Such an orientation of the surface structures provided on the outer surface of the cover element has proved to provide a particularly high degree of invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use.

In an alternative embodiment the plurality of surface structures taper in a direction away from an inner surface of the cover element.

Such an orientation of the surface structures provided on the outer surface of the cover element has proved to provide a very high degree of invisibility of the heat sink element from the outside during use.

In an embodiment the second part of the heat sink element further comprises a top element joining at least some of the ribs of the plurality of ribs at an end opposite to the first part.

Thereby a lighting device and in particular a heat sink element with a robust structure is provided for.

In an embodiment the minimal thickness of the cover element is 0.8 mm. Thereby the necessary safety requirements applicable for light bulbs are met.

In an embodiment the cover element is made of a plastic material or of glass.

In an embodiment the heat sink element is made of a heat conducting material such as a metal or an alloy.

In a further embodiment the heat sink element is a solid metal heat sink element.

It is noted that the aim of the particular construction of the heat sink element is to ensure that the heat generated by the light sources is spread over the whole surface of at least the cover element and for lighting devices of the light bulb type possibly also the metal socket element.

By way of example for a cover element made of a plastic material having moderate heat conducting properties, such a spreading of the heat requires a heat sink element with good heat conducting properties and with ribs having a cross-sectional surface area of 2 mm2or more.

It is furthermore noted that even though all lighting devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings are shown as candle-type lighting devices or more precisely candle-type light bulbs, the invention nevertheless is not limited to lighting devices of this type. Rather, lighting devices according to the invention may also be provided with any other suitable rounded shape commonly known in connection with light bulbs, or may indeed be any other suitable type of lighting devices.

As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of embodiments of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an exploded view of a lighting device1according to a first embodiment of the invention.FIGS. 2 and 3show the lighting device1in an assembled state in a horizontal perspective cross sectional view, respectively.

The lighting device1comprises a plurality of light sources4, a cover element2and a heat sink element3. While not being limited thereto, inFIG. 1both the cover element2and the heat sink element3is shown split along a longitudinal or vertical axis L in two halves adapted for being joined when assembling the lighting device1. Advantages of splitting the cover element2and the heat sink element3in this way include that the lighting device1may be assembled easily in a simple sandwich-like manner and it allows ultrasonic welding to join the halves.

The plurality of light sources4are adapted for, in operation, emitting light. The light sources4are surface emitting light sources such as LEDs. The light sources4are arranged on a base7, such as a printed circuit board, in a horizontal position, i.e. in parallel with a horizontal or transversal axis T (cf.FIG. 1). In an alternative embodiment the light sources4may be arranged on a base, such as a printed circuit board, in a vertical position, i.e. in parallel with a vertical or longitudinal axis L.

The heat sink element3comprises a lower part or first part31and an upper part or second part32. The first part31and the second part32are provided in one piece.

The second part32comprises a plurality of ribs341,342,343,344extending from the first part31. More particularly, the plurality of ribs341,342,343,344extend in a vertical or longitudinal direction L from the first part31. Furthermore, and irrespective of the embodiment, the plurality of ribs341,342,343,344are adapted to follow the curvature of the cover element2.

With reference toFIG. 3, the ribs341,342,343,344are arranged spaced apart with a distance d between adjacent ribs. The distance d is in one particular embodiment in the order of 8 mm.

It is noted that in other embodiments the plurality of ribs341,342,343,344may extend in another direction from the first part31of the heat sink element3, such as in a horizontal or transversal direction T, or even in a direction being inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L and/or the transversal direction T.

The first part31comprises a plurality of indentations of which only indentations331and332are visible onFIG. 1. The plurality of indentations331,332are provided in such a way as to extend between the ribs341,342,343,344. In alternative embodiments the plurality of indentations331,332may be omitted.

Optionally, the heat sink element3may further comprise a top element35joining the plurality of ribs341,342,343,344at an end opposite to the first part31of the heat sink element3.

Irrespective of the embodiment the heat sink element3is made of a material with good heat conducting properties, such as a metal or an alloy, an example being aluminum.

The cover element2comprises an outer surface21, an inner surface22, a top26and a bottom27. The cover element2further comprises a first plurality of grooves231,232comprising a V-shaped cross-section and being provided in the outer surface21of the cover element2and a second plurality of grooves241,242comprising a V-shaped cross-section and being provided in the outer surface21of the cover element2. For further clarity the first and second plurality of grooves231,232,241,242are shown on the enlarged view of a section of the cover element inserted inFIG. 1. The grooves of the first plurality of grooves231,232and the grooves of the second plurality of grooves241,242intersect each other in an angle of 90°. In alternative embodiments the angle of intersection between the grooves of the first and second plurality of grooves may be different from 90°.

As will be apparent from the below, the second plurality of grooves may in other embodiments be omitted.

The depth of the grooves of the first plurality of grooves, and where present the second plurality of grooves, may be varied, thus providing an extra design parameter for a lighting device according to the invention.

Generally and irrespective of the embodiment, the cover element2is arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element3in such a way that the first plurality of grooves231,232and where present the second plurality of grooves241,242extends over the plurality of ribs341,342,343,344of the second part32of the heat sink element3.

Also, generally and irrespective of the embodiment, the first plurality of grooves231,232and where present the second plurality of grooves241,242extends from the bottom27or a position near the bottom27of the cover element2to the top26or a position near the top26of the cover element2.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the cover element2is more specifically arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element3in such a way that both each groove of the first plurality of grooves231,232and each groove of the second plurality of grooves241,242extends in an angle of 45° with and over the ribs341,342,343,344of the plurality of ribs of the second part32of the heat sink element3.

This is in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1made possible as both each groove of the first plurality of grooves231,232and each groove of the second plurality of grooves241,242extend along a curved or winding path from the bottom27of the cover element2to a position near the top26of the cover element2.

The cover element2of the lighting device1furthermore comprises surface structures25in the form of truncated pyramids formed between adjacent pairs of the first and second plurality of grooves. Furthermore, the surface structures25are tapering in a direction away from the inner surface22of the cover element2.

In alternative or additional embodiments the surface structures25may be in the form of pyramids and/or be provided separately from the first and/or second plurality of grooves. In a particular embodiment at least the surface structures provided in places where the metal cage is not present, i.e. not being provided directly over a rib341,342,343of the heat sink element3, are truncated, e.g. in the form of truncated pyramids.

In further alternative or additional embodiments the surface structures25may be tapering in a direction towards the inner surface22of the cover element2.

The surface structures25have the effect of hiding the direct view to the components directly behind it. The surface structures25have proved to do so most effectively when the angle between the surface structure walls, e.g. pyramid walls, and the surface of the cover element2is close to 90°.

In an embodiment the cover element2is made of a suitable plastic material or in an alternative of glass. In an embodiment the cover element2has a minimum thickness of 1 mm.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the lighting device1further comprises a socket element5, an electronic element6for providing electric power to the light sources4and a waveguide element8. The heat sink element3, and more specifically the first part31of the heat sink element3, further comprises a space36adapted for accommodating at least a part of the electronic element6as well as a surface37adapted for receiving the light sources4and, where present, the base7. The bottom27of the cover element2is adapted for insertion into the socket element5. All of these features are optional.

As is apparent fromFIGS. 2 and 3, the second part32of the heat sink element3with its ribs341,342,343,344forms in the assembled state a cage-like structure adapted for enclosing the light sources4, and where provided also the base7and the waveguide element8.

The waveguide element8is provided because it enables arranging the light sources4in horizontal position with consequential ease of assembly and lowered costs while still achieving a good light distribution. Furthermore the waveguide element8maintains the high intensity of direct light sources, which is a requirement for the perception of sparkle effects, it improves the mixing for dimmed tones of the light emitted by the lighting device and it prevents direct view of the light sources4.

Turning now toFIGS. 4 and 5a side view and a top view, respectively, of a lighting device100according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The lighting device100shown inFIGS. 4 and 5is very similar to that described above in relation toFIGS. 1 to 3, but differs in the following respects.

The cover element2of the lighting device100is only provided with a first plurality of grooves231,232,233comprising a V-shaped cross-section and being provided in the outer surface21of the cover element2. The first plurality of grooves231,232,233are provided as straight grooves extending along the shortest path from the bottom (not visible onFIGS. 2 and 3) of the cover element2to a position near the top26of the cover element2.

The cover element2of the lighting device100is arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element3in such a way that each groove of the first plurality of grooves231,232,233extends in parallel with and directly over a rib of the plurality of ribs341,342,343of the second part32of the heat sink element3.

Furthermore, the cover element2of the lighting device100is provided with a further set of grooves28provided near and/or at the top26of the cover element2. The grooves28may comprise a V-shaped cross-section. The further set of grooves28have the effect of providing further hiding of the heat sink3and in particular of the top element35of the heat sink in case such a top element35is provided.

With reference toFIG. 5, and as is illustrated in connection with the groove233shown therein, the V-shaped cross-section of the groove233comprises two legs2331,2332joined in an apex2333in such a way that the two legs2331,2332form an angle α between them. In one embodiment the angle α is 90°. As may also be seen the groove233is arranged such that the apex2333points towards the heat sink element3. The groove233furthermore comprises a depth measured as the distance from the apex2333to a point straight above the apex2333and level with the outer surface21of the cover element2.

In fact, and irrespective of the embodiment, each groove of the first plurality of grooves, and where present each groove of the second plurality of grooves, comprises a V-shaped cross-section comprising two legs joined in an apex as well as a depth as described above with reference to the groove233shown onFIG. 5, and are also arranged such that their respective apex points towards the heat sink element.

The angle α between the two legs of the V-shaped cross section of the grooves may be varied along the length of a groove and/or between grooves and/or between each of the two pluralities of grooves.

In an embodiment the depth of each groove of the first plurality of grooves, and where present each groove of the second plurality of grooves is at least 0.5 mm.

Turning now toFIG. 6a side view of a lighting device101according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown. InFIG. 6the cover element2is shown separately for the sake of simplicity, and an enlarged view of a section of the cover element2is added for further clarity. The lighting device101shown inFIG. 6is similar to that described above in relation toFIG. 1, but differs at least in the following respects.

The cover element2of the lighting device101is provided with a first plurality of ridges231,232and a second plurality of ridges241,242comprising a V-shaped cross-section. The height of the ridges of the first and second plurality of ridges is, however, smaller than the depth of the grooves for the previous embodiments described in relation toFIGS. 1 to 5. In alternative embodiments the second plurality of ridges241,242may be omitted.

The provision of a first and optionally also a second plurality of ridges with a V-shaped cross-section and being provided on or in an outer surface of the cover element provides for a lighting device with which it becomes possible to visually remove at least a part of the heat sink, i.e. to make at least a part of the heat sink invisible seen from a user's point of view, and which is furthermore highly versatile in terms of design options. This effect is for a first and optionally also a second plurality of ridges with a V-shaped cross-section, however, less profound than for grooves.

Furthermore, the cover element2comprises a plurality of surface structures25shaped as pyramids. In this embodiment the surface structures25taper in a direction towards the inner surface22of the cover element2.

Turning now toFIG. 7a side view of a lighting device102according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown. The lighting device102shown inFIG. 7is very similar to that described above in relation toFIG. 2, but differs at least in the following respects.

The cover element2comprises a first plurality of grooves231,232,233comprising a V-shaped cross-section. In this embodiment both the grooves of the first plurality of grooves231,232,233and the ribs341,342,343of the heat sink element3extend along a curved or winding path. The grooves of the first plurality of grooves231,232,233extend from the bottom or a position near the bottom of the cover element2to a position near the top of the cover element2. Likewise, the ribs341,342,343extend from the first part to the top element of the heat sink element3.

Furthermore, the cover element2of the lighting device102is arranged such as to extend over the heat sink element3in such a way that each groove of the first plurality of grooves231,232,233extends in parallel with and directly over a rib of the plurality of ribs341,342,343of the second part32of the heat sink element3.

Turning now toFIG. 8a side view of a lighting device103according to a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown. The lighting device103shown inFIG. 8is very similar to that described above in relation toFIG. 1, but differs at least in the following respects.

The cover element2of the lighting device101is provided with a first plurality of grooves comprising a V-shaped cross-section represented by groove231and a second plurality of grooves241,242comprising a V-shaped cross-section.

In this embodiment both the grooves of the first plurality of grooves231and the ribs341of the heat sink element3extend along a curved or winding path. The grooves of the first plurality of grooves231extend from the bottom or a position near the bottom of the cover element2to a position near the top of the cover element2. Likewise, the ribs341extend from the first part to the top element of the heat sink element3.

The grooves of the second plurality of grooves241,242, however, are straight and extend along the periphery of the cover element2in a horizontal or transversal direction T.