Light-Emitting Module, Straight Tube Lamp and Luminaire

According to one embodiment, a light-emitting module includes a rectangular substrate, at least two light-emitting circuits and inter-module connection part. The light-emitting circuit connects plural light-emitting elements in a longitudinal direction of the substrate. The inter-module connection parts include respective pairs of electrodes connected with the respective light-emitting circuits on an end of the substrate in the longitudinal direction. The respective pairs of electrodes are arranged to be closer to side parts of the substrate in a short direction thereof than an arrangement area of the light-emitting elements and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a light-emitting module includes a rectangular substrate, at least two light-emitting circuits and inter-module connection parts. The light-emitting circuit connects plural light-emitting elements in a longitudinal direction of the substrate. The inter-module connection parts include respective pairs of electrodes connected with the respective light-emitting circuits at an end of the substrate in the longitudinal direction. The respective pairs of electrodes are arranged to be closer to side parts of the substrate in a short direction thereof than an arrangement area of the light-emitting elements and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

Even when the light-emitting module includes at least the two light-emitting circuits, the inter-module connection part is formed such that the respective pairs of electrodes connected with the respective light-emitting circuits are arranged to be closer to the side parts of the substrate in the short direction thereof than the arrangement area of the light-emitting elements and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. Accordingly, at least the two light-emitting circuits can be connected between the light-emitting modules by using the inter-module connection part. Further, the arrangement of the light-emitting elements toward an end side of the substrate is not restricted by the electrodes, and a uniform light-emitting distribution can be obtained between the light-emitting modules.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 5.

FIG. 3shows a straight tube lamp10. The straight tube lamp10includes plural light-emitting modules11, a longitudinal support body12on which the plural light-emitting modules11are linearly arranged and are supported, a straight tube cover13to contain the plural light-emitting modules11and the support body12, and caps14attached to both ends of the cover13.

As shown inFIG. 1, the light-emitting module11includes a substrate20formed into a rectangle and made of a metal, for example, aluminum or a material such as a ceramic or a resin. A first light-emitting circuit21aand a second light-emitting element21bas light-emitting circuits are formed on a mount surface as one main surface of the substrate20and are insulated from each other. The first light-emitting circuit21aand the second light-emitting circuit21bare constructed such that for example, different color lights are emitted in total, and for example, lights of color temperatures different from each other are emitted.

The first light-emitting circuit21aincludes plural first light-emitting elements22a(see “A” ofFIG. 1) which are light-emitting elements to emit light of a first color temperature and are mounted on the mount surface of the substrate20at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction of the substrate20, and a first wiring part23awhich is a wiring pattern formed on the mount surface of the substrate20and connects the plural light-emitting elements22ain series. The first wiring part23aincludes an inter-element wiring part24ato connect the plural first light-emitting elements22ain series from one end side of the substrate20to the other end side, and a return wiring part25awired from the other end side of the substrate20to the one end side.

The second light-emitting circuit21bincludes plural second light-emitting elements22b(see “B” ofFIG. 1) which are light-emitting elements to emit light of a second color temperature different from the first color temperature and are mounted on the mount surface of the substrate20at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction of the substrate20, and a second wiring part23bwhich is a wiring pattern formed on the mount surface of the substrate20and connects the plural second light-emitting elements22bin series. The second wiring part23bincludes an inter-element wiring part24bto connect the second light-emitting elements22bin series from the one end side of the substrate20to the other end side, and a return wiring part25bwired from the other end side of the substrate20to the one end side. Incidentally, for example, the second color temperature is 6500 K, and the first color temperature is 3000 K. The second color temperature may be higher than the first color temperature, or the second color temperature may be lower than the first color temperature.

The first light-emitting elements22aand the second light-emitting elements22bare arranged at the center in the short direction of the substrate20, and the first light-emitting elements22aand the second light-emitting elements22bare linearly alternately arranged one by one at a constant inter-element pitch in the longitudinal direction of the substrate20. The first wiring part23ais arranged on one side of the substrate20in the short direction, and the second wiring part23bis arranged on the other side. By this structure, the insulation state of the first light-emitting circuit21aand the second light-emitting circuit21bis ensured. Besides, a distance between each of the light-emitting elements22aand22bpositioned at both ends of the substrate20and an end of the substrate20is ½ of the inter-element pitch.

The light-emitting elements22aand22binclude, for example, LED elements or EL elements. In the case of the LED elements, for example, an SMD (Surface Mount Device) package of surface mount type or the like is used.

A first inter-module connection part26aand a second inter-module connection part26bare formed on the mount surface of the substrate20. The first inter-module connection part26aand the second inter-module connection part26bare inter-module connection parts for electrically connecting the first light-emitting circuits21aof the adjacent light-emitting modules11and the second light-emitting circuits21bthereof when the plural light-emitting modules11are linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction and are connected. The inter-module connection parts26aand26bare respectively formed at both ends of the substrate20in the longitudinal direction and at both sides of the substrate20in the short direction, which are separate from a mount area (center area of the substrate20in the short direction) where the plural light-emitting elements22aand22bare linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction of the substrate20. The inter-module connection parts26aand26brespectively include electrodes27to which ends of the inter-element wiring parts24aand24bare respectively connected, and electrodes28to which ends of the return wiring parts25aand25bare respectively connected. The electrodes27and28of these pairs are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate20. The electrodes27and28are formed of pads of wiring patterns. In this embodiment, the electrode27is arranged to be closer to the end side of the substrate20than the electrode28. However, the electrode28may be arranged to be closer to the end side of the substrate20than the electrode27, or the arrangement of the electrode27and the electrode28may change between one end side of the substrate20and the other end side.

In the respective inter-module connection parts26aand26bof the light-emitting modules11connected to each other, the corresponding electrodes27and the electrodes28are respectively electrically connected by a connection unit29. As the connection unit29, for example, a covered electric wire in which a conductive wire is covered with insulation is used. Both ends of the covered electric wire are connected to the electrodes27and28by soldering or welding. Incidentally, as the connection unit29, a connector connected to the electrodes27and28and mounted on the substrate20may be used.

As shown inFIG. 3, the support body12is made of a material such as aluminum and formed in a longitudinal shape. A back surface on the opposite side to the mount surface of the substrate20of the light-emitting module11contacts the support body and is fixed by screwing or the like.

The cover13has translucency in at least a light irradiation direction, and has a light diffusion property so that color mixture of lights of plural color temperatures becomes excellent.

The caps14at both ends are, for example, GX16t-5 caps. A pair of L-shaped lamp pins32protrudes from an end face. Incidentally, the caps14at both ends may be existing fluorescent lamp caps such as G13 caps. The lamp pins32of the cap14are used for attachment to a luminaire40. However, the lamp pins are not used for electrical connection and are insulated from the light-emitting module11.

A first power receiving connector33aand a second power receiving connector33bas power receiving connectors are provided at the caps14at both ends or both ends of the cover13and on the opposite side to the light irradiation direction from the cover13. The power receiving connectors33aand33bare of a two-pin type, and the +side and −side of DC power are distinguished. The power receiving connectors are constructed so that connector connection is possible only when the polarities are matched.

FIG. 2is a wiring view of the straight tube lamp10. The first light-emitting circuits21aof the plural light-emitting modules11are respectively sequentially connected by the connection units29. The first power receiving connector33ais connected to the electrodes27and28on one end side of the first light-emitting circuits21a.The electrodes27and28on the other end side are short-circuited by a short-circuit unit34such as, for example, a covered electric wire or a connector. The first light-emitting circuits21aconstitute a flat circuit with respect to the first power receiving connector33a.Similarly, the second light-emitting circuits21bof the plural light-emitting modules11are respectively sequentially connected by the connection units29. The second power receiving connector33bis connected to the electrodes27and28on the other end side of the second light-emitting circuits21b.The electrodes27and28on one end side are short-circuited by the short-circuit unit34. The second light-emitting circuits21bconstitute a flat circuit with respect to the second power receiving connector33b.

Incidentally, a rectifier may be used for circuit protection in a DC power input part of the straight tube lamp10. However, if the polarities of the +side and the −side of DC power inputted to the straight tube lamp10can be certainly distinguished by the connector connection, the rectifier may not be used.

FIG. 4shows the luminaire40using the straight tube lamp10. The luminaire40includes a longitudinal luminaire main body41installed on a ceiling or the like, a pair of sockets42attached to both ends of the luminaire main body41in the longitudinal direction and facing each other, a first power supply device43aand a second power supply device43bas power supply devices installed in the luminaire main body41.

The power supply device43a,43bconverts inputted AC power into specified DC power to dim and light the light-emitting element22a,22bof the light-emitting circuit21a,21band outputs the DC power. A first feeding cable45ahaving an end provided with a first feeding connector44aas a feeding connector is connected to an output part of the first power supply device43a.The first feeding cable45ais pulled out to the outside from one end side of the luminaire main body41. A second feeding cable45bhaving an end provided with a second feeding connector44bas a feeding connector is connected to an output part of the second power supply device43b.The second feeding cable45bis pulled out to the outside from the other end side of the luminaire main body41. The feeding connectors44aand44bare of a two-pin type, and the +side and −side of DC power are distinguished. The feeding connectors44aand44bcan be connected to the power receiving connectors33aand33bof the straight tube lamp10mounted to the sockets42only when the polarities are matched. Accordingly, the first power supply device43ais connected to the first light-emitting circuits21aand power can be supplied. The second power supply device43bis connected to the second light-emitting circuits21band power can be supplied.

Each of the power supply devices43aand43bhas an intrinsic address, and receives a control signal transmitted from the outside by a signal line or power line communication system and including a dimming signal corresponding to its own address. The power supply device controls conversion into the DC power according to the received control signal, and dims and lights the light-emitting element22a,22bof the light-emitting circuit21a,21b.

When the straight tube lamp10is mounted to the luminaire40, the caps14of the straight tube lamp10are mounted and attached to the sockets42. Then, the feeding connectors44aand44bat the ends of the feeding cables45aand45bpulled out from the luminaire main body41are connected to the power receiving connectors33aand33bof the straight tube lamp10.

FIG. 5shows a lighting control system50using plural luminaires40. In the lighting control system50, for example, in a facility such as an office or a store, the plural luminaires40installed in the facility are divided into some groups, and the luminaires40in each of the groups are collectively controlled, monitored and managed.

The lighting control system50includes a main control device51, and power supply devices43aand43bof the plural luminaires40are connected to the main control device51by, for example, a signal line52or power line communication system to be capable of communicating. The main control device51transmits control signals correlated to addresses of the power supply devices43aand43bof the luminaire40to be controlled.

The first power supply device43asupplies DC power to the first light-emitting circuit21aof the straight tube lamp10, so that the plural first light-emitting elements22aconnected in series to the first light-emitting circuit21aare lit. The light of the first color temperature generated by the first light-emitting elements22apasses through the cover13and is emitted to the lighting space. Besides, the second power supply device43bsupplies DC power to the second light-emitting circuit21bof the straight tube lamp10, so that the plural second light-emitting elements22bconnected in series to the second light-emitting circuit21bare lit. The light of the second color temperature generated by the second light-emitting elements22bpasses through the cover13and is emitted to the lighting space.

In the state where both the first light-emitting elements22aand the second light-emitting elements22bare lit, the light of the first color temperature generated by the first light-emitting elements22aand the light of the second color temperature generated by the second light-emitting elements22bare mixed, and the thus obtained light passes through the cover13and is emitted to the lighting space. At this time, in the plural light-emitting modules11arranged linearly, the first light-emitting elements22aand the second light-emitting elements22bare linearly alternately arranged one by one at a constant inter-element pitch in the longitudinal direction of the substrate20and in the center area of the substrate20in the short direction. Thus, color mixing of the light of the first color temperature and the light of the second color temperature is excellently performed. Further, since the cover13has the sufficient light diffusion property, the color mixing is more excellently performed.

Besides, in the lighting control system50, the main control device51dims and controls the light-emitting elements22aand22bof the straight tube lamp10mounted to the luminaire40. The main control device51transmits the control signals correlated to the addresses of the power supply devices43aand43bof the luminaire40. The power supply devices43aand43bof the luminaire40receive the control signals having their own address, control the conversion into DC power according to the received control signals, and dim the light of the light-emitting elements22aand22bof the light-emitting circuits21aand21b.That is, the first power supply device43achanges the DC power supplied to the first light-emitting circuit21a,and the light output of the first light-emitting elements22ais changed. The second power supply device43bchanges the DC power supplied to the second light-emitting circuit21b,and the light output of the second light-emitting elements22bis changed.

For example, the light flux from the straight tube lamp10is made constant, and the dimming ratio of the first light-emitting element22aand the second light-emitting element22bis changed. In this case, for example, the light output from the first light-emitting element22ais made high, and the light output from the second light-emitting element22bis made low. As a result, the color temperature of the straight tube lamp10can be changed to the color temperature including more light of the first color temperature. On the other hand, the light output from the first light-emitting element22ais made low, and the light output from the second light-emitting element22bis made high. As a result, the color temperature of the straight tube lamp10can be changed to the color temperature including more light of the second color temperature.

Alternatively, the dimming ratio of the first light-emitting element22aand the second light-emitting element22bof the straight tube lamp10is changed. In this case, for example, the light output from the second light-emitting element22bis changed while the light output from the first light-emitting element22ais constant. Alternatively, the light output from the first light-emitting element22ais changed while the light output from the second light-emitting element22bis constant. As a result, the color temperature of the straight tube lamp10can be changed to include more light of the first color temperature or more light of the second color temperature. Further, the light output of the combined light can also be changed.

As described above, the color temperature of the light emitted from the one straight tube lamp10can be easily changed.

The light-emitting module11includes the two light-emitting circuits21aand21b.The inter-module connection parts26aand26bare formed such that the respective pairs of electrodes27and28connected with the respective light-emitting circuits21aand21bare arranged to be closer to the side parts of the substrate20in the short direction than the arrangement area of the light-emitting elements22aand22band are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate20. Thus, when the plural light-emitting modules11are linearly arranged and are connected, the respective light-emitting circuits21aand21bbetween the light-emitting modules11can be connected by using the inter-module connection parts26aand26b.Further, since the arrangement of the light-emitting elements22aand22btoward the end side of the substrate20is not restricted by the electrodes27and28, the light-emitting elements22aand22bcan be arranged at the constant inter-element pitch between the light-emitting modifies11. Accordingly, a dark part does not occur between the light-emitting modifies11, and a uniform light-emitting distribution can be obtained between the light-emitting modifies11.

Further, since the electrodes27and28are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate20, the width size of the substrate20in the short direction can be reduced.

In the straight tube lamp10using the light-emitting modules11, the uniform light-emitting distribution can be obtained in the tube axial direction of the cover13. Even when the color temperature of the light-emitting color of the straight tube lamp10is changed, the uniform color temperature distribution can be obtained in the tube axial direction of the cover13.

Since the straight tube lamp10and the power supply devices43aand43bare connected through the connector, the +side and −side polarities of DC power are certainly distinguished, and power can be supplied to the straight tube lamp10.

FIG. 6andFIG. 7show a second embodiment. Incidentally, with respect to the same components and effects as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted.

A straight tube lamp10includes one power receiving connector33only on one end side. The power receiving connector33is of a four-pin type, and the +side and −side of DC power of two systems are respectively distinguished. The connector connection can be performed only when the polarities of the systems are matched.

FIG. 6is a wiring view of the straight tube lamp10. First light-emitting circuits21aof plural light-emitting modules11are respectively sequentially connected by connection units29. The power receiving connector33is connected to electrodes27and28on one end side of the first light-emitting circuit21a.Electrodes27and28on the other end side are short-circuited by a short-circuit unit34. The first light-emitting circuits21aconstitute a flat circuit with respect to the power receiving connector33. Similarly, second light-emitting circuits21bof the plural light-emitting modules11are respectively sequentially connected by connection units29. The power receiving connector33is connected to electrodes27and28on one end side of the second light-emitting circuit21b.Electrodes27and28on the other end side are short-circuited by a short-circuit unit34. The second light-emitting circuits21bconstitute a flat circuit with respect to the power receiving connector33.

As shown inFIG. 7, feeding cables45aand45bconnected to output parts of power supply devices43aand43bare connected to one feeding cable44. The feeding cable44is of a four-pin type, and the +side and −side of DC power of two systems are respectively distinguished. The feeding connector can be connected to the power receiving connector33of the straight tube lamp10mounted to sockets42only when the polarities of the systems are matched. Accordingly, the first power supply device43ais connected to the first light-emitting circuits21aand power can be supplied. The second power supply device43bis connected to the second light-emitting circuits21band power can be supplied.

FIG. 8shows a third embodiment. Incidentally, with respect to the same components and effects as those of the foregoing respective embodiments, the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted.

A two-sided mount substrate is used as a substrate20. Through holes60are formed in the substrate20correspondingly to positions of respective electrodes28to which return wiring parts25aand25bare connected. The return wiring parts25aand25bto connect between the through holes60are formed on a back surface side of the substrate20.

By the structure as stated above, even when two or three or more light-emitting circuits are disposed on the substrate20, the light-emitting circuits can be disposed while the insulation therebetween is secured.

In this case, an insulation sheet is disposed on the back surface side of the substrate20and is attached to a metal support body12, so that the insulation is secured.

Incidentally, the number of the light-emitting circuits formed on the substrate is not limited to two, and may be three or more. Also in this case, electrodes of the respective light-emitting circuits have only to be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

Besides, the respective light-emitting circuits are not limited to the case of different color temperatures, and may have the same color temperature.