Patent Publication Number: US-8974084-B2

Title: Illuminating system of flexible shape

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/306,966, filed on May 19, 2009, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/DE2007/001139, filed on Jun. 27, 2007, which claims priority to German Patent Application Serial No. 10 2006 031 345.3, filed on Jul. 6, 2006. The content of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application is directed to an illuminating system of flexible shape and comprising at least one light-emitting diode (LED) disposed on a flexible carrier material. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is an object to create an illuminating system which, compared to conventional solutions, permits glare-free illumination combined with flexible construction and compact dimensions. 
     An illuminating system of flexible shape comprising at least one LED is specified. The LED is disposed on a flexible carrier material, an optic being provided that permits uniform, directed and/or glare-free light emission. 
     Compared to the prior art, the illuminating system is of flexible shape, i.e., bendable, and by virtue of the optic emits directed light with no glare effect, while at the same time, individual points of light are substantially undiscernible. The illuminating system additionally features high integration of the LEDs and variability in terms of its lighting capabilities. In particular, drops in emitted radiation intensity between adjacent LEDs are eliminated or at least greatly reduced. In other words, the individual points of light represented by the LEDs are converted into a glare-free light line or light area. Radiation is able to emerge particularly uniformly along this light line or from this light area. Novel light-emitting devices are thereby obtained that are suitable not only for illumination, but also for display, for example of information on monitors, traffic signs or advertising spaces, or for highlighting (backlighting). Its very small dimensions also make the illuminating system a natural choice for recessed lighting. Due to its flexibility, the illuminating system can be used on curved surfaces or can be deformed in open space through the addition of suitable mechanisms or motion devices (rods, ropes, tires, etc.). 
     It is especially advantageous under these circumstances if the optic is configured as a separate component, particularly one that is separate from the LED. In particular, the separate optic can be distinct from an encapsulant for a semiconductor chip of the LED. By virtue of the replaceable optics, the illuminating system can be variably adapted to different lighting and illumination tasks by changing said optics. 
     Several preferred embodiments of the optics are feasible, and can advantageously be combined with one another. For example, the collimation, guidance and equalization of the light is effected by means of a lens and/or an optically active medium (film, glass, fluid, etc.), which can be mounted spacedly or non-spacedly with respect to the LED. Thus, the optic can be embodied, for example, by a lens optic, particularly by Fresnel lenses. Fresnel lenses are distinguished in particular by their flat construction. This facilitates the design of an illuminating system with a very small overall height. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the overall height of the illuminating system is 10 mm or less, particularly 5 mm or less. The overall height can also be reduced further, and can be 4 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or less, particularly preferably 2 mm or less, for example 1.5 mm or less. 
     The lens optic can also be made of a rigid material, such as glass, for example. Also advantageous, however, are other exemplary embodiments in which the optic is formed by a nano- or microstructured film or by macrostructures in the film, such as convexities, corrugations or knobs. The film variant notably has the advantage of enabling the overall size of the illuminating system to be kept particularly small, while at the same time permitting high flexibility, especially mechanical flexibility. Rigid components (LEDs, lenses, etc.) can be incorporated by giving them a suitable structural shape and linking them together in a quasi-flexible arrangement (“chain line”). 
     In a preferred embodiment, a microstructured film has in a lateral direction, i.e., along a main direction of extension of the film, a structure having structure sizes of 500 μm or less, preferably 100 μm or less, particularly preferably 10 μm or less. The radiation emitted by the at least one LED during the operation of the illuminating system can thus be shaped in a simple and reproducible manner. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a nanostructured film has in a lateral direction a structure having structure sizes of 1000 nm or less. Further preferably, the structure size can be in the range of the emission wavelength of the associated LED in the material of the film, particularly between 0.2 times and five times the emission wavelength in the material of the film. Such a film makes it possible to influence the radiation characteristic of the illuminating system, for example by diffraction effects, and adapt it to a predetermined radiation characteristic of the illuminating system. 
     Such a particularly microstructured or nanostructured film can be regularly structured, particularly periodically and recurrently in one or more spatial directions, or it can be irregularly structured. 
     A fluid can also be used, however, in which case uniform, directed and glare-free light action is obtained as a result of the refractive index differential between air and fluid. The use of fluids is advantageous particularly in achieving broad flexibility. 
     The use of rigid materials can also be advantageous, however. Particularly in cases where the optic is implemented as a lens system, glass lenses or lenses made of similar materials are advantageous due to their ease of fabrication. In this case, the flexibility is preferably furnished by having the rigid optic consist of a plurality of individual parts whose position in relation to the LEDs nevertheless remains unchanged, even, notably, on deformation of the illuminating system. 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments of the illuminating system can further comprise a holder for the optic and/or at least one lamp envelope, particularly a tube, a (deep-drawn) film or a molded part, the holder and the envelope being so configured as not to present an obstacle to deformation of the illuminating system. 
     In a preferred improvement, the lamp envelope is formed by at least one element from the group consisting of molded part, tube, film and deep-drawn film. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the holder comprises at least two support elements, which are preferably disposed diametrically opposite each other. The optic is supported on the carrier material by means of these elements. 
     It has been found to be particularly advantageous if the optic is mounted in such a way that its position in relation to the LED remains substantially unchanged during deformation of the illuminating system. 
     The illuminating system preferably employs flat LEDs, particularly DRAGON®, TOPLED®, PointLED® and/or SIDELED® type LEDs, which give the illuminating system the preferred flatness. DRAGON type LEDs manufactured by Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH are characterized in particular by high radiant power at an electric power consumption of 100 mW or more. These are consequently high-power LEDs. TOPLED type LEDs manufactured by Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH notably have a preferred direction of emission that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a mounting plane of the LED. In the case of a SIDELED type LED manufactured by Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH, emission by the LED preferentially occurs primarily along the mounting plane. PointLED type LEDs manufactured by Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH are notable in particular for their compact construction. The radiation characteristic of these LEDs is comparable to that of a punctiform light source. 
     Further preferably, the LEDs of the illuminating system are implemented as surface-mountable components. Surface-mountable components are also known as SMD components (SMD=Surface Mountable Device). Such components are easier to mount. 
     It is generally advantageous if the LEDs are implemented as colored and/or color-changing. Such LEDs make it possible to emit radiation that produces a colored, for instance red, blue, green or mixed-color, impression to the human eye. In particular, the LEDs can comprise plural, for instance three, LED chips that emit radiation in mutually different regions of the spectrum, for instance in the green, blue and red spectral regions. The illuminating system can further be equipped with a combination of different LEDs, for example ones that differ as to spectral characteristic. 
     In a preferred variant embodiment, the carrier material used is a film conductor and/or a flexboard, thus yielding a flexible illuminating system with an extremely small overall height. It is further advantageous to mount the LEDs on the carrier material directly, i.e., without a housing (COF: Chip on Flexboard). The overall size can be further minimized, according to another variant embodiment, through the use of height-optimized, particularly active or passive electronic, components, for example height-minimized resistors and/or drivers, particularly film resistors, hybrid resistors or the like. 
     To improve heat dissipation from the LEDs, preferably at least one thin cooling element, particularly a cooling plate, of high thermal conductivity is provided. The dissipation of heat can further be improved by filling the lamp envelope or the molded part with a high thermal conductivity material (metal, filled plastic, ceramic platelets, etc.). In the case of LEDs having a high power density, the dissipation of heat by the integrated cooling plate preferably takes place directly on an external heat sink, i.e., without an insulating plastic lamp housing. In this case, the external, for example rigid, heat sink can also be only partially formed and magnetically attached to the cooling plate. In particular, the heat sink can be formed from flexible corrugated sheet metal and attached directly to the plate, thus bringing about functional unification with regard to the tasks of holding and cooling by the cooling plate. Through this optimization of thermal management, the light output of the illuminating system can be improved further without altering its reduced installation space. 
     The flat and flexible implementation makes it possible to configure the illuminating system as a flexible, flat light strip. To this end, it is particularly preferred if a lamp housing is configured as a hollow profile bar of substantially rectangular cross section, in which the LEDs are adjacently disposed and form a common light-emitting area. In terms of production engineering, such a bar can advantageously be produced for example as an extruded profile made of a plastic, for example PMMA. The light strip is preferably extendable in segments (according to the arrangement of the electrical circuits) as the application requires. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the hollow profile bar has an interior space that is designed to receive the LEDs and is closed endwise, preferably sealingly, by an end piece or by a plug-type electrical connector system (plug or socket). It is preferred, in this case, for this element to be configured such that in the state of being mounted on the hollow profile bar, at least one lateral face extends flush with at least one lateral face of the hollow profile bar. After the light strip has been extended to suit the application, the strip can thus be closed off, preferably sealingly, by means of the end piece or the plug-type electrical connector system. The illuminating system can thus be adapted particularly easily to specific requirements within broad limits. 
     To mount the illuminating system, for example on a ceiling, the floor, the wall or a piece of furniture, the hollow profile bar, in a preferred exemplary embodiment, is insertable form-lockingly into a mounting profile. It is advantageous in this case if the hollow profile bar comprises at least one projection that engages in at least one guide channel of the mounting profile, or if the hollow profile bar comprises at least one guide channel in which the at least one projection of the mounting profile engages. 
     In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the cooling plate or the mounting surface is magnetically configured for the purpose of mounting the illuminating system. 
     According to a further alternative exemplary embodiment, the side walls of the mounting profile comprise at least one channel in which a roughly U-shaped, fixedly disposable holder for mounting the illuminating system form-lockingly engages. 
     The flat and flexible implementation further makes it possible to configure the illuminating system as a flexible, pixel-type flat lamp equipped with a multiplicity of LEDs. For example, the flat lamp can be implemented as a preferably active display, particularly for moving images. Such a flat lamp or flat display is suitable for placement on curved surfaces having potentially multiple, mutually parallel or obliquely convergent axes of curvature with different, potentially negative, bending radii. 
     The flat lamp can be cut into individual rectangles and the electrical connections re-established by means of a connecting element (X connector). In terms of production engineering, the manufacture of the illuminating system can easily be automated and is suitable for large-volume runs, e.g., for the production of light-emitting wallpaper, advertising spaces and large-area displays. For example, the illuminating system can include one LED for each pixel, in which case the emitted radiant power in the red, green and blue regions of the spectrum can be controlled mutually separately by means of the LEDs. Alternatively, a plurality of LEDs emitting radiation in different regions of the spectrum can be provided for each pixel. A display capable of full color reproduction can be produced in a simplified manner in this way. 
     The illuminating system can be freely focused by varying the curvature. An extremely broad range of emission angles can also be obtained. 
     According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the LEDs are controllable individually via a control device, particularly a bus, making it possible to obtain varied light effects, for example colors of light, accents or light dynamics and optical displays, for example of still or moving images. 
     Further advantages, preferred embodiments and utilities of the illuminating system will emerge from the exemplary embodiments described hereinafter in conjunction with the figures. Therein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective representation of an illuminating system of flexible shape according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective representation of the illuminating system according to the first exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 1 ) without the hollow profile bar; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective representation of an illuminating system of flexible shape according to a second exemplary embodiment, comprising a flexboard and a housing of deep-drawn laminated film; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective representation of an illuminating system of flexible shape according to a third exemplary embodiment that employs COF technology; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective representation of an illuminating system of flexible shape according to a fourth exemplary embodiment comprising a Fresnel lens; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic detail representation of the light bar according to the fourth exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 5 ), without the connector system; 
         FIG. 7  is an illuminating system according to a fifth exemplary embodiment in the state of being inserted in a mounting profile, in schematic perspective representation; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of an illuminating system according to a sixth exemplary embodiment, in which the hollow profile bar for mounting the illuminating system is mounted directly in a holding bracket; 
         FIG. 9  shows an illuminating system according to a seventh exemplary embodiment, comprising LEDs that emit laterally in the direction of the narrow side of the illuminating system, in schematic representation; 
         FIG. 10  shows the illuminating system according to the seventh exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 9 ) in the state of being inserted in a mounting profile, and 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of an eighth exemplary embodiment of an illuminating system, configured as a flexible, pixel-type flat lamp equipped with a multiplicity of LEDs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an illuminating system  1  of flexible shape according to a first exemplary embodiment, comprising a multiplicity of TOPLED® type LEDs  2 . The LEDs are implemented as surface-emitting components and in operation emit radiation from a side facing away from the mounting surface. The LEDs are disposed one after the other on a flexible carrier material  4 , an optic  6  being provided that permits uniform, directed and/or glare-free light emission. The illuminating system  1  is configured to be of flexible shape and emits light directedly but with no glare effect, while at the same time the individual points of light constituted by the LEDs  2  are substantially undiscernible. The radiant power emitted by the illuminating system thus does not drop, or at least drops only slightly, in the region between two adjacent LEDs  2 . The illuminating system  1  is further distinguished by high integration of the LEDs  2  and variability in terms of its lighting capabilities. Novel light-emitting devices are thereby obtained that are suitable not only for illumination, but also for display (e.g., of information on monitors, traffic signs, advertising spaces, etc.), and for highlighting (backlighting). Its very small dimensions also make the illuminating system  1  a natural choice for recessed lighting. Due to its flexibility, the illuminating system  1  can be used even on curved surfaces or can be deformed in open space through the addition of suitable mechanisms or motion devices (rods, ropes, tires, etc.) (not shown). The flat and flexible implementation makes it possible to configure the illuminating system  1  according to  FIG. 1  as a flexible, flat light strip  8  (light bar). For this purpose, the lamp housing is configured as a flexible hollow profile bar  10  having a substantially rectangular cross section and designed to receive the LEDs  2 , and in which the LEDs  2  are adjacently disposed and form a common light-emitting area  12 . It is generally advantageous in this case if the LEDs  2  are configured as colored and/or color-changing. In particular, the LEDs can comprise plural, for instance three, LED chips emitting radiation in mutually different regions of the spectrum, for example in the green, blue and red spectral regions. The illuminating system  1  can further be equipped with a combination of different LEDs  2 . In terms of production engineering, a light bar  8  of this kind can be produced, for example, as an extruded profile made of a flexible plastic, for example of PMMA. The light bar  8  is extendable in segments (according to the arrangement of the electrical circuits) as the application requires. To mount the illuminating system  1 , for example on a ceiling, the floor, the wall or a piece of furniture, the hollow profile bar  10  is insertable form-lockingly into a mounting profile or another holder (not shown), in which case projections on the mounting profile or holder engage in two guide channels  18 ,  20  configured on preferably opposite lateral faces  14 ,  16  of the hollow profile bar  10 . The carrier material  4  used for the LEDs  2  in the exemplary embodiment shown is a flexboard provided with conductive traces  22 , thus resulting in a flexible illuminating system  1  with an extremely small overall height of about 6 mm. To improve the dissipation of heat from the LEDs  2 , two thin cooling plates  24  of high thermal conductivity are provided on the underside of the flexboard  4 . Deviating from the illustrated first exemplary embodiment, the mounting can be done on magnetizable surfaces, by means of cooling plates  24  configured as magnets or through the use of a magnetic subsurface. 
     In the illustrated first exemplary embodiment, hollow profile bar  10  has an interior space  26  for receiving the LEDs  2 , which is closable at both ends by an end piece  28  and/or a plug-in electrical contact  30 ,  32  (plug  30  or socket  32 ). By means of plug-in contacts  30 ,  32 , the illuminating system  1  can be expanded in a simple manner into a light bar of any desired length. The length of the illuminating system  1  thus can be adjusted in a simple and variable manner by stringing together and electrically connecting a plurality of hollow profile bars  10  by means of the plug-in contacts. The end piece  28  or the plug-in contacts  30 ,  32  are then configured such that in the state of being mounted on said hollow profile bar  10 , their lateral faces extend flush with its lateral faces. The end piece  28  and/or the plug-in contacts  30 ,  32  are inserted in the bar  8  from either end and are releasably held therein for example by means of a latch connection (not shown). 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , which is a detail representation of the illuminating system  1  from  FIG. 1  without hollow profile bar  10 , the optic  6  in this exemplary embodiment is formed by a lens optic  34  made of glass or plastic and placed on top of each LED  2 . It is particularly advantageous in this case if said lens optic  34  is configured as a separate component, so the illuminating system  1  can be variably adapted to different lighting and illumination tasks by changing the optics  34 . The flexibility is provided in this case by the fact that the rigid optic  6  is made up of a plurality of individual parts whose position in relation to the LEDs  2  nevertheless remains substantially unchanged during deformation of the illuminating system  1 . For this purpose, the lenses  32  are supported on the flexboard  4  by respective holders  36  each comprising two diametrically oppositely disposed support elements  38 ,  40 , and are fixed on the LED  2  by means of a lamp envelope  42  made of sealed films  44 ,  46  that are laminated together and form-lockingly surround the lens, the holder  36  and the lamp envelope  42  being so configured as not to present an obstacle to deformation of the illuminating system  1 . The illuminating system  1  can be freely oriented and focused by varying the curvature. In addition to or instead of the lenses  32 , an optically active fluid can be used, in which case uniform, directed and/or glare-free light action is obtained as a result of the refractive index differential between air and fluid. The use of fluids is advantageous particularly in achieving broad flexibility. The hollow profile bar  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) and the lamp envelope  42  serve to protect the LEDs  2  and other electronic components against environmental influences (water, dust, radiation, chemicals, and to some extent also the action of external forces) (Protection Class IP65). In this case, the cooling plates  24  are also fixed in the lamp envelope  42 . The plug connector system  30 ,  32  (see  FIG. 1 ) preferably also conforms to Protection Class IP65. An illuminating system implemented in this manner can also be used out of doors. 
       FIG. 3  shows a second exemplary embodiment of an illuminating system, in which the light bar  8  is implemented as further height-optimized. The overall height is preferably 5 mm or less, particularly preferably 4 mm or less, for example approximately 3 mm. This variant employs height-minimized POINTLED® type LEDs  2 , which are disposed on a flexboard  4  and are embedded in a housing  48  of deep-drawn laminated film. This solution is distinguished in particular by an optic  6  that is integrated into the film housing  48  in the form of a micro- and/or macrostructure, thus rendering additional lens systems unnecessary. The microstructured film preferably has a structure with structure sizes of 500 μm or less, preferably 100 μm or less, particularly preferably 10 μm or less. 
     It is also possible to use a nanostructured film, particularly with structure sizes of 1000 nm or less. The structure size can, in particular, be in the range of preferably between 0.2 times and five times the emission wavelength of the associated LED in the material of the film. In this way, the radiation characteristic can be adjusted for example by means of diffraction effects. 
     Such structuring of the film can be regularly configured, particularly periodically and recurrently in one or more spatial directions, or it can be irregularly configured. 
     Further minimization of overall size is achieved through the use of height-optimized, particularly passive or active electronic, components, especially height-minimized resistors and/or drivers, particularly film resistors, hybrid resistors or the like. 
       FIG. 4  shows a third exemplary embodiment of an illuminating system  1  which again is configured so as to minimize its overall size. The overall height is preferably 3 mm or less, particularly preferably 2 mm or less, for example 1.5 mm. This exemplary embodiment differs from the previously described exemplary embodiment essentially by the fact that in this variant the LEDs  2  are mounted directly—i.e., without a housing—on the flexboard  4  (COF, Chip on Flexboard). Chip on flexboard technology is a production technology used in the microelectronics industry, in which the unhoused semiconductors, for example LED chips, are adhesively bonded directly to the circuit board  4  and are then electrically contacted by means of microwires. Alternatively, the LED chips can also be attached directly to the circuit board and electrically contacted by means of at least one contact. This can be done by soldering, for example. 
     In the fourth exemplary embodiment, depicted schematically in  FIG. 5 , a light bar  8  is shown in which a five-pin plug connector system  30 ,  32 , consisting of a plug  30  and a socket  32 , is inserted in the approximately rectangular hollow profile bar  10  at each end and is fixed in place by means of fasteners  50 , for example rivets, screws or clip mechanisms. To fix them in the socket  32 , the plugs  30  are provided with latching projections  52  that are insertable into and fixable in mating latching recesses  54  in the socket  32  of an adjacent light bar  8 . A flexible light strip composed of multiple light bars  8  can thus be built up in a simple manner (Plug &amp; Play), as dictated by the lighting situation. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , which is a detail representation of the light bar  8  from  FIG. 5  without the plug connector system  30 ,  32 , this fourth exemplary embodiment differs from that shown in  FIG. 1  essentially in that the optic  6  associated with the LEDs  2  is configured as an essentially U-shaped, flexible Fresnel lens  56 . This is supported by its narrow sides on the flexboard  4  and is fixed in the interior space  26  of the hollow profile bar  10 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, a cooling plate  24  of high thermal conductivity is disposed under the flexboard  4  to dissipate the waste heat developed by the LEDs  2 . Through this optimization of thermal management, the light output of the illuminating system  1  can be improved further without altering its reduced installation space. To mount the illuminating system  1 , for example on a ceiling, the floor, the wall or a piece of furniture, the hollow profile bar  10  comprises, on lateral faces  58 ,  60 , two projections  62 ,  64  that engage in respective guide channels  66 ,  68  of a mounting profile  70  (see  FIG. 7 ), such that the hollow profile bar  10  is insertable form-lockingly into the mounting profile  70 . In an alternative exemplary embodiment (not shown), the cooling plate  24  or the mounting surface is implemented as magnetic in order to mount the illuminating system  1  on magnetizable surfaces. 
     According to  FIG. 7 , which shows an illuminating system  1  according to a fifth exemplary embodiment in the state of being inserted in the mounting profile  70 , the mounting profile  70  is configured as essentially U-shaped and is provided on each of its narrow sides with a respective channel  72 ,  74 , in which a roughly U-shaped, fixedly disposable holder  76  for mounting the illuminating system  1  form-lockingly engages. In the illuminating system  1  shown, the plug connector system is provided with a connecting cable  78 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a sixth exemplary embodiment, in which the hollow profile bar  10  for mounting the illuminating system  1 , for example on a ceiling, the floor, the wall or a piece of furniture, is fixed directly, i.e., without a mounting profile  70 , and in a longitudinally slidable and flexibly bendable manner, in a holding bracket  82  provided with a shackle  80 . A plurality of spaced-apart holding brackets  82  are preferably used to mount the illuminating system  1 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of a light bar  8  employing SIDELED® type LEDs  2  that emit laterally, in the direction of a narrow side  84  of the illuminating system  1 . Such light bars  8  need very little installation space and in order to mount the illuminating system  1 , for example on a ceiling, the floor, the wall or a piece of furniture, are insertable form-lockingly into the mounting profile  98  via two projections  90 ,  92 , which are provided on lateral faces  86 ,  88  of hollow profile bar  10  and which, as per  FIG. 10 , each engage in a respective guide channel  94 ,  96  of a mounting profile  98 . The mounting profile  98  of essentially U-shaped cross section is provided on each of its broad sides with a respective channel  100 ,  102  in which an approximately U-shaped, fixedly disposable holder  76  for mounting the illuminating system  1  form-lockingly engages. 
     The flat and flexible implementation makes it possible to configure the illuminating system  1 , according to an eighth exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 11 ), as a flexible, pixel-type flat lamp  104  comprising a multiplicity of LEDs  2 . The flat lamp  104  notably can be configured as a display, for example for moving images, or as a flat lamp  104  for a spherically curved lamp or a roof liner in automotive technology. In this eighth exemplary embodiment, the LEDs  2  are disposed matrix-like on a highly flexible film conductor  106  and are electrically contacted by means of conductive traces  108 . The LEDs  2  are preferably controllable individually via a control device (not shown), particularly a bus, making it possible to obtain varied light effects, for example colors of light, accents, light dynamics or optical displays. It is generally advantageous in this case if the LEDs  2  are configured as colored and/or color-changing. For example, the LEDs can comprise diverse LED chips that emit radiation in mutually different regions of the spectrum. Using LEDs with which the intensity of the emitted radiation in the red, green and blue spectral regions can be adjusted separately, a full-color, active display device can be configured in a simplified manner. Further, the illuminating system  1  can be equipped with a combination of different LEDs  2 . The optic  6  is formed by a rigid lens optic  34  made of glass, configured as a separate component and placed in front of each LED  2 , such that the illuminating system  1  can be variably adapted to different lighting and illumination tasks by changing the optics  34 . The flexibility is provided in this case by the fact that the lenses  32  are supported on the film conductor  106  by respective holders  36  each composed of two diametrically oppositely disposed support elements  38 ,  40  and are fixed, knob-like, on the film conductor  106  by means of a film  110  that form-lockingly surrounds them, the holder  36  and the film conductor  106  being so configured as not to present an obstacle to deformation of the illuminating system  1 . The illuminating system  1  can be freely oriented and focused by varying the curvature. The film  110  and the film conductor  106  serve to protect the LEDs  2  against environmental influences (water, dust, radiation, chemicals, and to some extent also the action of external forces) (Protection Class IP65). Such a flat lamp  104  or flat display is suitable for placement on curved surfaces having potentially multiple, mutually parallel or obliquely convergent axes of curvature with different, potentially negative, bending radii. The flat lamp  104  can be cut into individual rectangles and the electrical connections re-established by means of a connecting element (not shown), for example an X connector. The individual lenses  34  can also be connected to one another quasi-elastically, for example via a web or an expanded metal mesh. In this way, the lens system can also be used in an LED array in which the pitch of the LEDs varies. 
     The illuminating system  1  is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown; rather, the illuminating system  1  can be given a variety of forms. As noted at the outset, the described light bars  8  and flat lamps  104  can be varied and combined in any desired manner, by virtue of the flexible shape and modular nature of the illuminating system  1 . 
     Disclosed is an illuminating system  1  of flexible shape comprising at least one LED  2  disposed on a flexible carrier material  4 , an optic  6  being provided that permits uniform, directed and/or glare-free light emission. 
     The invention is not limited by the description made with reference to the exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses any novel feature and any combination of features contained in the claims, even if that feature or combination itself is not explicitly mentioned in the claims or exemplary embodiments.