Patent Description:
One or more embodiments can be applied to lighting devices using electrically-powered light radiation sources, for example, solid-state light radiation sources such as LED sources.

In the art, lighting devices are known in the form of linear modules comprising an elongated substrate (for example, a flexible strip-like substrate) along which light radiation sources are distributed lengthwise.

The strip-like substrate can be produced with a structure substantially similar to that of a printed circuit board (PCB) with the possibility of embedding the assembly formed by the substrate and the light radiation sources in a flexible casing, for example, of polymeric material.

In this way it is possible to offer protection against external agents to the device, for example, with an IPx degree of protection.

These modules have intrinsic limitations regarding the possibility of bending due to the strip-like conformation of the substrate. These limitations may be undesirably reflected on the possibilities of use of the device, both regarding the assembly and the configuration of light radiation emission.

Document <CIT> discloses an optical fiber holding structure which includes a light-transmitting tube configured to cover a surface-light-emitting optical fiber and a fixture configured to fix the tube to a building material. The tube is made of a material having such rigidity that the tube is not bent even when the tube is horizontally fixed by the fixture. The tube has a notch through which the optical fiber is introduced into the tube. The fixture includes an engaging portion, a mounting portion and a leg portion. The engaging portion is inserted into the tube through the notch to engage with an inner circumference of the tube. The mounting portion is mounted to the building material. The leg portion is configured to interconnect the engaging portion and the mounting portion with a predetermined gap left therebetween.

Document <CIT> discloses a product display member which includes an attachment portion, an elongated portion, a light source, and an information display portion. The attachment portion is configured to engage a portion of a shelf. The elongated portion is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the attachment portion. The elongated portion defines a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The light source is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lumen. The information display portion is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the elongated portion.

Document <CIT> discloses a flexible tubular neon light comprising a flexible core formed of flexible plastic, a reflective layer with the effect of a mirror surface disposed on the sides and the bottom of the core along the longitudinal direction thereof, at least two conducting wires electrically connected to a power source or a signal controller and holes for holding the bulbs disposed along the longitudinal direction of the core, a transparent flexible refracting layer disposed above the top of the flexible core along the longitudinal direction thereof, and a diffusing layer disposed on the surface of the transparent flexible refracting layer.

Document <CIT> discloses a device for mounting a strip of light emitting diodes, comprising a first portion and a second portion arranged substantially perpendicular to the first portion, the first portion having a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the second side of the first portion is provided with a flexible first projection, and the second portion having a first side and an opposite second side (possibly comprising a light reflective surface), wherein the second side of the second portion is provided with a second projection, the first and second portions and the first and second projections forming a space for receiving the strip, wherein the first and second projections are arranged for engaging the strip to retain the strip.

Document <CIT>, which is comprised in the state of the art under the provision of Art. <NUM>(<NUM>) EPC, discloses a method for producing an LED tape, comprising: producing an elastic base profile and rolling up the elastic base profile onto a first roll; producing an LED strip comprising a flexible conductor tape (flexible PCB) populated with LED chips and rolling up the LED strip (<NUM>) onto a second roll; unrolling the base profile from the first roll; unrolling the LED strip from the second roll and inserting the LED strip into the base profile and covering the LED strip in the base profile with a potting compound and/or with a covering profile providing a reflector portion.

<CIT> discloses a lighting device produced:.

One or more embodiments intend to contribute to overcoming these limitations.

According to one or more embodiments, this object is achieved thanks to an accessory having the characteristics referred to in following claim <NUM>.

One or more embodiments may concern a lighting device using such an accessory, as well as a corresponding method.

The claims form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided here in relation to the embodiments.

One or more embodiments may offer one or more of the following advantages:.

One or more embodiments will be now described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:.

It will be appreciated that, for clarity and simplicity of illustration, the various figures may not be reproduced on the same scale.

Likewise, it will be appreciated that exemplified characteristics (singly or in combination) in any of the attached figures can be applied (singly or in combination) to embodiments exemplified in any of the attached figures.

The following description illustrates various specific details, in order to provide a thorough understanding of various examples of embodiments according to the description. The embodiments can be obtained without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that the various aspects of the embodiments and not rendered unclear.

In the Figures, the numerical reference <NUM> indicates - in its entirety - a lighting device of the type currently referred to as a flexible linear module (or, briefly, "flex").

Such a lighting device may comprise a so-called light engine comprising, in turn, an elongated substrate (e.g. strip-like) <NUM>, substantially similar to a flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB) on which light radiation sources are distributed lengthwise, with electrical power supply <NUM>. These can be, for example, solid state light radiation sources such as LED sources.

The light engine <NUM>, <NUM> can be inserted into a housing or casing <NUM> capable of presenting, for example, a channel-like transverse profile.

The inner space of the casing <NUM> may possibly receive a sealing or potting mass <NUM> in order to give the light engine characteristics of protection against external agents, for example, with a degree of protection IPx.

Lighting devices as described above (both unprotected types - without a potting mass <NUM>, and protected types - with a potting mass <NUM>) are well known in the art, which makes it unnecessary to provide a more detailed description herein.

As far as it is concerned here, the device <NUM> (and the parts that compose it) can be seen as elements of indefinite length (shown here in cross-section), possibly susceptible to being cut to length according to the requirements of application and use.

<FIG> exemplifies the possibility of arranging the light engine (substrate <NUM> and sources <NUM>), so to speak, "horizontally" in the casing <NUM> (for example, resting on the bottom wall of the channel-shaped profile). In this way, the device <NUM> lends itself to being folded (taking advantage of the flexibility characteristics of the component parts) in a "vertical" direction (see the double arrow indicated by B in <FIG>), or rather, in the same direction in which the light radiation of the sources <NUM> is emitted starting from the front surface (i.e. from the open side of the casing <NUM>), as schematically indicated by the arrow L in <FIG>.

<FIG> refers, by way of example, to the use of front-emitting or top-emitting light radiation sources <NUM>, or rather with the radiation emitted by the sources <NUM> which are located on the substrate <NUM> directed towards the front surface of the device <NUM>.

<FIG> exemplifies the possibility of arranging the light engine <NUM>, <NUM> at one of the side walls of the casing <NUM>, i.e. with the light engine arranged, so to speak, "vertically" with respect to the device <NUM>.

In this case, it is possible to make the device <NUM> flexible in a direction transverse to the direction of emission of the light radiation (see also in this case the arrow indicated with L), as schematically represented by the double arrow B in <FIG>.

Both <FIG> refer to lighting devices <NUM> in which the casing <NUM> is easily flexible (for example, being made of polymeric material, for example, silicone material), so that the flexibility characteristics of the device <NUM> are substantially dictated by the flexibility characteristics of the strip-like substrate <NUM>, which bends more easily - as can be appreciated in both <FIG> - in a perpendicular direction with respect to its general extension plane.

In order for the light radiation emitted by the sources <NUM> to be directed towards the front surface of the device <NUM>, solutions such as the one exemplified in <FIG> may envisage that the sources <NUM> (for example, LEDs) are of the side-emitting type and not front-emitting or top-emitting.

From the implementation point of view (these considerations are almost equally valid for both the solutions exemplified in <FIG>), production of a device <NUM> of the type considered here can envisage the co-extrusion of the flexible light engine <NUM>, <NUM> in the casing <NUM>, or rather lamination of the flexible light engine in the casing <NUM> (with possible subsequent application, in both cases, of the potting mass <NUM>).

It is also possible to integrally produce or coat the casing <NUM> (for example, on the inner surface) with light-reflective material (for example, white silicone material) and/or to use light-diffusive material (for example, silicone with light-diffusion characteristics) for filling the inner volume of the casing <NUM> (e.g. at the potting mass <NUM> level).

This manner of proceeding may also possibly allow (by exploiting the reflection/diffusion of the light radiation in the inner volume of the casing <NUM>) implementation of a solution, as exemplified in <FIG>, by using front-emitting or top-emitting light radiation sources.

In the case of unprotected modules, referring to the solution of <FIG> (to be clear, consider the solution of <FIG>, assuming that there is no potting mass <NUM>), resorting to side-emitting light radiation sources, directed towards the front surface of the casing <NUM> may end up being an almost imperative solution, since it must also be considered that the side-emitting sources, for example LEDs, may have a higher cost compared to those with front-emitting sources, also considering the lower availability on the market.

One or more embodiments, as exemplified in <FIG> and subsequent figures, are able to allow the use of a lighting device <NUM> of the type shown in <FIG> (in which, by itself, the - main - flexibility direction B is parallel, or substantially parallel, to the main light emission direction L) achieving conditions of possible use substantially similar to those represented in <FIG>, i.e. conditions in which the (main) flexibility direction B is oriented in a direction transverse to the (main) direction of light radiation emission L. This can be done without using side-emitting light radiation sources <NUM> and/or without having to use potting masses <NUM> with diffusivity characteristics.

The invention can make it possible to achieve this result by using an accessory <NUM> which can be applied (fitted) on a module <NUM> such as, for example, a module <NUM> (of the protected or unprotected type) as exemplified in <FIG>, i.e. using standard front- or top-emitting light radiation sources, for example LEDs.

According to the invention, the accessory <NUM> comprises a body portion <NUM> which can be fitted (according to different methods, as discussed below) on the device <NUM>, and comprising a (frontal) portion permeable to the light 102a (for example, a continuous or discontinuous window or a continuous or discontinuous transparent portion) and a screen <NUM> e.g. curved, which can act as a reflector in such a way that the light radiation, emitted from the module <NUM> in a front direction through the front surface of the casing <NUM> and the light-permeable portion 102a, is reflected (on the intrados surface 104a, concave, of the screen <NUM>) sideways with respect to the accessory <NUM> and to the module <NUM> received therein (see, for example, <FIG> discussed below) in the direction (see arrow L) at least approximately perpendicular to the (main) bending direction represented by the double arrow B.

The light-permeable portion 102a has opposite sides <NUM> and <NUM> (see, for example, <FIG>) that extend along the elongated body <NUM> and the reflector screen <NUM> extends (distally, that is, projecting) starting from one of the opposite sides (for example, starting from the side <NUM>, in the examples presented here) of the light-permeable portion 102a.

The accessory <NUM> is made with body <NUM> and screen <NUM> made of a piece, e.g. of flexible material, for example, elastic (with the use of materials such as silicone materials, rubber, etc.) with the consequent possibility of following the bending movement imparted to the module <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, the accessory <NUM> can be made (in its entirety, or limited to the screen <NUM>, for example, at the surface 104a able to reflect the light) of material with light-reflective characteristics.

For example, in one or more embodiments, the accessory <NUM> can be made (in its entirety, or limited to a part of it, for example, the screen <NUM>, for example, at the surface 104a able to reflect the light) with colored material and/or fluorescent characteristics.

This can be, for example, a material containing pigmented and/or fluorescent particles (e.g. coextruded particles).

In this way, it is possible, for example, to cause the light radiation emitted by the device equipped with the accessory <NUM> to be colored accordingly.

This can be, for example, light-colored material, for example white, such as silicone, with general light reflection/diffusion effects.

In one or more embodiments the light reflection characteristics can be achieved - just to give some possible examples, without limiting intentions - with a strip of metal material, such as aluminum, applied to the reflective surface of the screen <NUM>, with the application of a light-reflective coating layer (e.g. white paint) or with an aluminizing treatment.

In one or more embodiments, the use of material with fluorescence characteristics facilitates the achievement of a gradual turnoff of the device, because, thanks to the presence of the fluorescent material, the device also emits light radiation for a (short) period of time after the light radiation sources <NUM> have been turned off.

It will be appreciated that the characteristics described above in relation to the accessory <NUM> (in its entirety or limited to part of it) can be identically applied to the sealing mass <NUM> which will be discussed below with reference to <FIG>.

The connotation of the element <NUM> as an accessory highlights the fact that it can be made, in one or more embodiments, as an element distinct from the module <NUM> (whatever the structure of the module itself, according to various possible known solutions, such as, for example, those shown in <FIG>) with subsequent coupling to the module <NUM>, which can be implemented either at the manufacturing stage or with a coupling operation carried out at the moment of use, for example, by the end user, without special equipment being required for this purpose.

For example, the sequence of the two parts a) and b) of <FIG> exemplifies the possibility of inserting a module <NUM> inside the body <NUM> of an accessory <NUM>, by a (relative) sliding movement in the longitudinal direction, as exemplified in part a) of <FIG>.

<FIG> exemplifies the possibility of creating the aforesaid coupling by exploiting the flexibility characteristics (of the body <NUM>) of the accessory <NUM>, which is able to be slightly spread apart at the light-permeable portion 102a, so as to allow the module <NUM> to be inserted (for example, according to snap-coupling) in such a way as to be able to achieve, in this case as well, a coupling condition (which can be seen in the portion b) of <FIG> and the portion c) of <FIG>) in which the body part <NUM> of the accessory <NUM> surrounds the module <NUM> with the reflective screen <NUM> placed in front of the light-permeable portion 102a, so as to be able to produce the desired "side" reflection effect of the light radiation.

It will also be appreciated that the modalities for producing the coupling between the module <NUM> and accessory <NUM> exemplified in <FIG> and <FIG> can also be implemented in a combined manner (sliding plus deformation).

The choice, in one or more embodiments, of using deformable (flexible) material for the accessory <NUM>, such as silicone or rubber, facilitates the insertion of the module <NUM> inside the accessory <NUM>, also being able to achieve a holding (elastic) force of the module <NUM> inside the accessory <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, the coupling condition between the module <NUM> and accessory <NUM> can be reinforced, for example, by applying adhesive material (in the form of tape or glue) at facing portions of the module <NUM> and the accessory <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, it is possible to produce the accessory <NUM> (or even just the reflective screen <NUM>, or even just the reflective surface 104a) with materials having different reflectivity and/or color characteristics, using, for example, materials with specular reflection or diffusive-type characteristics.

In one or more embodiments, it is possible to adopt different configurations for the screen <NUM> compared to the general basin shape exemplified here, with a reflective surface with convexity directed towards the portion 102a, in order to give a G-shaped cross-sectional profile to the accessory <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, by adopting different conformations for the screen <NUM>, it is possible to modify the emission angles and/or the dimensions of the emission area of light radiation (see, for example, the arrow L in <FIG> and <FIG>).

The comparison between <FIG> exemplifies the fact that, in one or more embodiments, the accessory <NUM> can be coupled with a non-protected module <NUM> (i.e. of the type in which the light engine <NUM>, <NUM> does not have a potting mass, such as that indicated by <NUM> in <FIG>), instead providing the application of such a mass <NUM> (for example, based on silicone, glue, polyurethane or other known potting materials) within the volume defined by the screen <NUM> with respect to the module <NUM>, which is in the body part <NUM> of the accessory.

As already mentioned, the previous considerations relating to the possible use of colored material and/or fluorescent material can be applied to the accessory <NUM> in its entirety, limited to part of it, to the sealing mass <NUM>.

<FIG> also exemplify the fact that the body part <NUM> of the accessory <NUM> does not need to be channel-shaped, instead being able to present an open bottom wall or opening with formations 102a, which can create a mechanical coupling with the casing <NUM> of the module <NUM> (e.g. with a combination of ribs and grooves provided, respectively, on either side of the body part <NUM> of the accessory <NUM> and the casing <NUM> of the module <NUM>).

In particular, it will be appreciated that the various solutions presented in figures such as <FIG> (as well as the combinations of characteristics exemplified with reference to the preceding figures) should not be interpreted as strictly limited, regarding their possibilities of use, to the solution in which they were presented.

As already said, in one or more embodiments, characteristics exemplified individually or in combination in any one of the attached figures can be applied, singly or in combination, to embodiments exemplified in any other of the attached figures.

For example (without this listing being intended in a limiting sense) in one or more embodiments, the accessory <NUM>, here exemplified as comprising a single material, may comprise several materials (for example, with different characteristics of light propagation/reflection/diffusion).

Similarly, the coupling configurations exemplified in <FIG> with complementary ribs/grooves are merely exemplary of a wide range of possible mechanical coupling modes between the casing <NUM> and the module <NUM> (with the possible use of intermediate elements as well).

For example, the space indicated by <NUM> in <FIG> is an example of the possible presence, once the accessory <NUM> (in any case produced and configured) is coupled with the module <NUM>, of a space which can receive (possibly masking them with respect to the outside) elements such as connectors, wires, cables or electrically conductive tracks, which can facilitate the operation of the device <NUM>.

For example, this may be the case of a module <NUM> coupled with the casing <NUM>, for example by gluing, for example, with silicone glue.

<FIG> exemplify modes that can be used to assemble an assembly comprising the module <NUM> and the accessory <NUM> on a supporting structure (not shown in the figures).

For example, <FIG> illustrates the possibility of using a bi-adhesive tape <NUM> for fastening, applied for example, to the bottom wall of the body part <NUM> of the accessory <NUM>.

<FIG>, instead, exemplifies the possibility of using fastening formations for this purpose, such as screws or pegs <NUM>, which can extend through the aforesaid bottom wall or, more generally, through the wall of the accessory <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the accessory <NUM> may comprise, as seen, a flexible material which can be easily perforated by said fastening formations <NUM>, even without the need to provide holes - designed for this purpose -beforehand.

Other modalities of possible use for fastening may include, for example, studs or clips, fastening rails, etc..

It will be appreciated that assembly modes as exemplified in <FIG> are suitable to be implemented both with the module <NUM> (already) inserted in the accessory <NUM>, and operating on the accessory <NUM> before placing it inside (for example, according to modalities exemplified in <FIG> and <FIG>) the module <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, an accessory for lighting devices (e.g. <NUM>) comprises:.

According to the invention, the body and the reflector are in one piece with each other.

According to the invention, the reflector comprises a concave light-reflective surface with a concavity directed towards the light-permeable portion.

According to the invention, the light-permeable portion has opposite sides (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>) extending along the body, and the reflector extends (e.g. protruding) from one (e.g. <NUM>) of opposite sides of the light-permeable portion.

According to the invention, the body is channel-shaped, with the light-permeable portion at the open side of the channel shape wherein the accessory has a substantially G-shaped cross-sectional profile.

In one or more embodiments, the body may have an open side opposite to the light-permeable portion.

In one or more embodiments, the body may present formations (e.g. 102b) for mechanical coupling with the lighting device.

In one or more embodiments, at least part of the accessory may comprise colored material and/or fluorescent material.

In one or more embodiments, an assembly may comprise:.

One or more embodiments may comprise a light-permeable sealing mass (e.g. <NUM>) between the light-emitting surface of the lighting device and the reflective surface of the at least one reflector.

In one or more embodiments, said sealing mass may comprise colored material and/or fluorescent material.

In one or more embodiments, a method may comprise:.

Without prejudice to the underlying principles of the invention, the details of implementation and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to those illustrated here, purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the field of protection.

This field of protection is defined by the attached claims.

Claim 1:
A lighting device accessory (<NUM>), comprising:
- a flexible elongated body (<NUM>) configured for fitting on and receiving therein an elongated, strip-like lighting device (<NUM>), the elongated body (<NUM>) having a light-permeable light propagation portion (102a) extending lengthwise of the elongated body (<NUM>), and
- a flexible reflector (<NUM>) extending lengthwise of the elongated body (<NUM>), the reflector (<NUM>) having a light-reflective surface (104a) facing the light-permeable portion (102a) to reflect light radiation propagated therethrough,
wherein:
the elongated body (<NUM>) and the reflector (<NUM>) are one-piece with each other,
the light-permeable portion (102a) has opposed sides (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending lengthwise of the body (<NUM>) and the reflector (<NUM>) extends projecting from one (<NUM>) of the opposed sides of the light-permeable portion (102a), characterized in that
the reflector (<NUM>) comprises a concave light-reflective surface (<NUM>) with a concavity facing the light-permeable portion (102a), and
the accessory (<NUM>) comprises a channel-shaped elongated body (<NUM>) with the light-permeable portion (102a) at the open side of the channel shape, wherein the accessory (<NUM>) has a substantially G-shaped cross-sectional profile.