Patent Description:
In the current lighting devices, some lighting devices have a light source module configured in a housing, and the light guide module is suspended below the housing. However, the suspended lighting devices often causes the light guide module to disengage from the housing due to shaking or collision during transportation.

In order to avoid the above situation, some lighting devices have a plurality of openings on the light source module, so that positioning posts can pass through the housing and the plurality of openings to prevent the light guide module from falling. However, this configuration will cause shadows in the area adjacent to the positioning posts, and additional openings on the light source module will also increase manufacturing time and costs.

Therefore, it is desirable to design a lighting device that is easy to assemble, can be fastened securely, low cost, and does not affect the light shape.

The Document <CIT> discloses a kit for retrofitting a lighting fixture housing, the kit includes: a light guide; a plurality of light emitting diodes; a mounting system including a member configured for connecting to the lighting fixture housing and to dispose the plurality of light emitting diodes for coupling light edgewise into the light guide so that the coupled light emits from the light guide to provide illumination; and a light emitting diode driver configured for attaching to the lighting fixture housing to power the plurality of light emitting diodes while an existing ballast remains mounted to the lighting fixture frame.

The Document <CIT> discloses a hoisted fire-fighting indicator, including: a bin box, a line-locking buckle, end cover plates, a circuit board, a pin shaft and a light guide plate; wherein a flanging groove is formed in the bin box, the upper portion of the bin box is provided with a line-cross hole, and the line-locking buckle is installed in the line-cross hole of the bin box; the circuit board is arranged in a middle groove in the bin box; the light guide plate is hung on a turn-up edge in the bin box through the pin shaft, and the light guide plate is printed with an indication pattern; the two ends of the bin box are provided with the end cover plates, the end cover plates are fixed in internally-curled semicircular holes in the bin box, and hoisting holes are formed in the end cover plates.

The Document <CIT> discloses a ceiling lamp including an appearance profile, wherein a wing is provide on each of two sides om top of the appearance profile, a sliding chute is provided on an inner side of the wing, a fitting I and a fitting II are clamped within the sliding chute, and the light guide plate are inserted into the lower surface of the wings on the two sides of the appearance profile.

To address the deficiencies of conventional products, the invention provides a lighting device according the appended claims, that is easy to assemble.

The lighting device comprises a housing, a light source module, a light guiding module, and a positioning member. The housing includes an accommodating space. The accommodating space elongates along a length direction of the housing and has an opening facing downwardly. The light source module is disposed in the accommodating space. The light guiding module is configured to receive the light emitted from the light source module, and the light guiding module includes at least two light guide plates extending along a downward direction to outside of the opening. The positioning member is slidably disposed in the accommodating space of the housing. The two light guide plates are inserted into the accommodating space of the housing from opposite sides of the housing along the length direction of the housing and are coupled to the opposite sides of the positioning member, so that the positioning member supports and positions the two light guide plates.

In some embodiments, the accommodating space of the housing has a first passage and a second passage. The second passage is located between the first passage and the opening and communicates with each other. The light source module is disposed in the first passage of the accommodating space. The positioning member is located in the second passage of the accommodating space.

In some embodiments, the housing has a first section, a second section, and a third section. The second section is connected between the first section and the third section, and the first section and the second section restrict the movement of the positioning member along the second passage. The first section surrounds and defines the opening of the accommodating space. The second section surrounds and defines the second passage of the accommodating space, and the third section surrounds and defines the first passage of the accommodating space.

In some embodiments, the positioning member further includes at least two first convex portions for abutting against the first section.

In some embodiments, the positioning member further includes at least two second convex portions for abutting against the third section.

In some embodiments, the first convex portion and the second convex portion are extended in the opposite directions.

In some embodiments, the housing is extended along a long axis to form a length and forms a width along a short axis. The short axis and the long axis are perpendicular to each other. The positioning member is formed with two first notches. The two first notches are symmetrical to the short axis, and each of the two light guide plates has a depression portion to be engaged with the corresponding first notch.

In some embodiments, the housing forms a height along a central axis. The central axis is perpendicular to the short axis and the long axis, and the dimension of the depression portion along the central axis is greater than a thickness of the positioning member.

In some embodiments, the depression portion has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface abuts against a top surface of the positioning member, and the bottom surface of the positioning member does not abut against the lower surface.

In some embodiments, the positioning member further includes two first guiding inclined surfaces which guide each of the light guide plates into the corresponding first notch.

In some embodiments, the housing is extended along a long axis to form a length and forms a width along a short axis. The short axis and the long axis are perpendicular to each other. The positioning member is formed with two first notches and two second notches. The two second notches communicate with the first notches. Each of the two light guide plates has a depression portion to be engaged with the corresponding second notch. The dimension of the light guide plates along the short axis is greater than the dimension of the first notch along the short axis.

In some embodiments, the positioning member further includes two second guiding inclined surfaces, which guide each of the light guide plates into the corresponding second notch.

In some embodiments, the lighting device further includes two fixing elements. Each of the fixing elements pass through the housing and the corresponding light guide plate, so that the light guide plates are fixed to the housing.

The lighting device comprises a housing, a positioning member, and two light guide plate. The positioning member can be made of metal materials, and is slidably disposed in the accommodating space. The light guide plate can engage with the opposite sides of the positioning member. Since the light guide plate abuts against the top surface of the positioning member at the same time, the distance between the light guide plate and the light source module is equal, so that the lighting device can have better optical efficiency.

In addition, when the light guide plate expands due to environmental factors, the positioning member can move accordingly with its expansion. Therefore, the design of the invention can prevent from deformation or affecting optical characteristics caused by the collision of the expanded light guide plates.

Furthermore, due to the design of the positioning member of the invention, the components for fixing the light guide plates can be greatly reduced, so that reducing costs is achievable.

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows. It should be noted that, in accordance with industry standard practices, the components are not drawn to scale and are used for illustrative purposes only. In fact, for the sake of clarity, the dimension of components may be arbitrarily shown.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be introduced with reference to appended figures as follows to demonstrate that the invention may be implemented. The configuration of each component in the specific embodiments discussed are merely for illustrative purpose, and do not limit the scope of the invention. The repetition of the reference numerals in the appended figures is for simplifying the explanation, and does not indicate the correlation between different embodiments. Direction terms mentioned by the invention, for example "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc. are merely directions in the appended figures for only explaining and illustrating the invention but not to limit the protection scope of the invention.

The ordinal numbers in the invention, for example "first", "second", "third", etc. do not have a sequential relationship, and they are only used to distinguish two different components with the same name.

In addition, the relative terms, such as "lower" or "bottom" and "higher" or "top" may be used in the invention to describe the relative relationship of one component to another component in the appended figures. It can be understood that if the illustrated device is turned upside down, the components described on the "lower" side will become the components on the "higher" side.

The terms "about" and "approximately" usually indicate within <NUM>% of a given value or range, preferably within <NUM>%, and more preferably within <NUM>%. The quantity given here is, in general, which means that the meaning of "about" and "approximately" can still be implied without specific explanations.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram showing a lighting device <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of this invention, and <FIG> is a schematic exploded view showing the lighting device <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the lighting device <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>, a light source module <NUM>, a light guiding module <NUM>, a positioning member <NUM>, and two covers <NUM>, <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is extended along the X-axis to form a length, and is extended along the Y-axis to form a width. The housing <NUM> has an accommodating space <NUM>, and the light source module <NUM> is disposed in the accommodating space <NUM> to emit light. The light guide module <NUM> is configured to receive the light emitted from the light source module <NUM>, and the light guide module <NUM> includes at least two light guide plates (light guide plate <NUM> and light guide plate <NUM>).

In this embodiment, the positioning member <NUM> slidably enters the housing <NUM> from one side of the housing <NUM>, and is disposed in the accommodating space <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Then, the light guide plates <NUM>, <NUM> enter the housing <NUM> from the opposite sides of the housing <NUM>, so that the light guide plate <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> can be disposed in the accommodating space <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The light guide plate <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> are coupled to the opposite sides of the positioning member <NUM>, so that the positioning member <NUM> supports and positions the two light guide plates <NUM>, <NUM>. In addition to the above-mentioned assembly method, it is also possible to install one side of the positioning member <NUM> on either the light guide plate <NUM> or the light guide plate <NUM>, so that the positioning member <NUM> can enter into the accommodation space <NUM> along with the light guide plate. Then, the other light guide plate <NUM> or the light guide plate <NUM> is coupled to the other side of the positioning member <NUM>, and the positioning member <NUM> can also be used to support and positions the light guide plate <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM>.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, the two covers <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to cover the opposite sides of the housing <NUM>, and are engaged with the light guide plate <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> to prevent the light guide plate <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> from disengaging from the housing <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic partial structural diagram showing a positioning member <NUM>, a light guide plate <NUM>, and a light guide plate <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. <FIG> is a partial top view showing the housing <NUM>, the positioning member <NUM>, and a light guiding module <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the light guide plate <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> are engaged with the opposite sides of the positioning member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the positioning member <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, two first convex portions <NUM>, and two second convex portions <NUM>. The body <NUM> has a generally H-shaped structure, and the two first convex portions <NUM> and the two second convex portions <NUM> are extended from the body <NUM> along the Z-axis.

In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> can be extended along a long axis AX1 (parallel to the X-axis), and can be extended along a short axis AX2 (parallel to the Y-axis). The short axis AX2 and the long axis AX1 are perpendicular to each other. Through the above-mentioned configuration, the two first convex portions <NUM> and the two second convex portions <NUM> are extended in the opposite directions. When viewed along the Z-axis (the short axis AX2 is regarded as the X-axis, and the long axis AX1 is regarded as the Y-axis), the positioning member <NUM> is formed with four supporting points, in which the upper left corner (second quadrant) faces down, the lower left corner (third quadrant) faces up, the upper right corner (first quadrant) faces up, and the lower right corner (fourth quadrant) faces down.

As shown in <FIG>, the positioning member <NUM> can be formed with two first notches <NUM>. The two first notches <NUM> are symmetrical to the short axis AX2, and as shown in <FIG>, the light guide plate <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> have a depression portion <NUM> and a depression portion <NUM> respectively. The depression portion <NUM> and the depression portion <NUM> are configured to be engaged with the corresponding first notches <NUM>.

Furthermore, the positioning member <NUM> may further include at least two first guiding inclined surfaces GS1 which are configured to guide the light guide plate <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> into the corresponding first notches <NUM>.

The positioning member <NUM> of the invention can match the light guide modules of different sizes. Specifically, the positioning member <NUM> may be further formed with two second notches <NUM> and two third notches <NUM>. The second notches <NUM> communicate with the first notches <NUM>, and the third notches <NUM> communicate with the second notches <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second notches <NUM> may correspond to two light guide plates 107A, 108A with larger dimension, so that the light guide plates 107A, 108A can be engaged with the corresponding second notches <NUM>. Since the dimension of the light guide plates 107A, 108A along the short axis AX2 is greater than the dimension of the first notch <NUM> along the short axis AX2, it can prevent a thicker light guide plate from being inserted into the smaller first notch <NUM>. Therefore, the goal of the error proofing can be achieved in the invention. Furthermore, the positioning member <NUM> further includes at least two second guiding inclined surfaces GS2 which are configured to guide the light plates 107A, 108A into the corresponding second notches <NUM>.

Similarly, the third notches <NUM> may correspond to the two light guide plates 107B and 108B with more larger dimension, so that the light guide plates 107B and 108B can be engaged with the corresponding third notches <NUM>. The positioning member <NUM> further includes at least two third guiding inclined surfaces GS3 which are configured to guide the light plates 107B and 108B into the corresponding third notches <NUM>. With the design of the first notches <NUM>, the second notches <NUM>, and the third notches <NUM>, the lighting device <NUM> of the embodiment of the invention can use light guide plates of various sizes and thicknesses. With the design of the first guiding inclined surfaces GS1, the second guiding inclined surfaces GS2 and the third guiding inclined surfaces GS3, the light guide plates can be smoothly slid into the first notches <NUM>, the second notches <NUM>, and the third notches <NUM> according to their thickness of the various light guide plates, so that it can prevent the light guide plates from collision on the corner, and no damages will occur during the sliding process.

Referring to <FIG>, which is an enlarged perspective view showing partial structure of the lighting device <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. The housing <NUM> forms a height along a central axis AX3. The central axis AX3 is perpendicular to the short axis AX2 and the long axis AX1, and the dimension of the depression portions <NUM>, <NUM> along the central axis AX3 is greater than a thickness of the positioning member <NUM>.

The depression portion <NUM> has an upper surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> abuts against a top surface 200U of the positioning member <NUM>, and a bottom surface <NUM> of the positioning member <NUM> does not abut against the lower surface <NUM> of the positioning member <NUM>. Similarly, the upper surface <NUM> of the depression portion <NUM> abuts against the top surface 200U of the positioning member <NUM>, and the bottom surface <NUM> of the positioning member <NUM> does not abut against the lower surface <NUM> of the depression portion <NUM>. Since the weight of the light guide plates <NUM>, <NUM> are in the downward direction, the upper surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the corresponding depression portions <NUM> and <NUM> serve as supporting surfaces to support the light guide plates <NUM>, <NUM> when the light guide plates <NUM>, <NUM> hang in the corresponding depression portions <NUM>, <NUM>. By the aforementioned design, the supporting stability of the light guide plates <NUM>, <NUM> can be improved.

Since the light guide plates <NUM> and <NUM> abut against the top surface 200U of the positioning member <NUM> at the same time, the distance between the light guide plate <NUM> and the light-emitting elements <NUM> of the light source module <NUM> along the central axis AX3 is equal to the distance between the light guide plate <NUM> and the light-emitting elements <NUM> of the light source module <NUM> along the central axis AX3. Therefore, the light emitted from the lighting device <NUM> can have a uniform brightness effect.

Referring to <FIG>, which is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in <FIG> in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. As shown in <FIG>, the accommodating space <NUM> of the housing <NUM> has a first passage <NUM>, a second passage <NUM>, and an opening <NUM>. The second passage <NUM> is located between the first passage <NUM> and the opening <NUM>, and communicates with each other. The light source module <NUM> is disposed in the first passage <NUM> of the accommodating space <NUM>, and the positioning member <NUM> is located in the second passage <NUM> of the accommodating space <NUM>. The light guide plate <NUM> is extended outside of the opening <NUM>. Since the positioning member <NUM> and the light source module <NUM> are located in different passages, the positioning member <NUM> will not affect or collide with the light source module <NUM> located in the first passage <NUM> when the positioning member <NUM> is shifted in the second passage <NUM>. By the aforementioned design, it will help to prevent the damage of the light source module <NUM>.

Furthermore, the housing <NUM> has a first section <NUM>, a second section <NUM>, and a third section <NUM>. The second section <NUM> is connected between the first section <NUM> and the third section <NUM>. Moreover, the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> are configured to restrict the movement of the positioning member <NUM> along the second passage <NUM>. The first section <NUM> surrounds and defines the opening <NUM> of the accommodating space <NUM>, the second section <NUM> surrounds and defines the second passage <NUM> of the accommodating space <NUM>, and the third section <NUM> surrounds and defines the first passage <NUM> of the accommodating space <NUM>. Since the first passage <NUM> and the second passage <NUM> are separated by the third section <NUM>, the movement of the positioning member <NUM> in the second passage <NUM> will not affect or collide with the light source module <NUM> located in the first passage <NUM>.

It is worth noting that the first convex portion <NUM> is configured to abut against the first section <NUM>, and the second convex portion <NUM> is configured to abut against the third section <NUM>. In such way, the first convex portions <NUM> and the second convex portions <NUM> serve as four support points at four positions of left, right, up and down, and the positioning member <NUM> in the second passage <NUM> can be firmly held by the first section <NUM> and the third section <NUM>. Since the positioning member <NUM> can maintain a stable position in the second passage <NUM>, no deviation will occur. Therefore, one side of the positioning member <NUM> can be installed on either the light guide plate <NUM> or the light guide plate <NUM>, and is inserted into the accommodating space <NUM>, and then the other light guide plate <NUM> or the light guide plate <NUM> is coupled to the other side of the positioning member <NUM>. At this time, even if the assembly positions of the other light guide plate and the positioning member <NUM> are hidden in the accommodating space <NUM>, and cannot be seen during the assembly process, the positioning member <NUM> still can be inserted into the depression portions <NUM>, <NUM> smoothly due to the dimension of depression portions <NUM>, <NUM> along the central axis AX3 is greater than a thickness of the positioning member <NUM>. In such way, the light guide plate can be easily installed into the depression portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and there is no need for precise alignment and visual observation. Besides, since the positioning member <NUM> maintains a stable position in the second passage <NUM> without deviations, the light guide plate can be assembled with the positioning member <NUM> in the correct position to avoid the misalignment of the light guide plate during assembling. Therefore, it can facilitate assembly accuracy and assembly efficiency.

Referring to <FIG>, which is a schematic structural diagram showing a lighting device <NUM> in accordance with another embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the lighting device 100A may further comprise two fixing elements <NUM>. Each of the fixing elements <NUM> passes through the housing <NUM> and the corresponding light guide plate, so that the light guide plates <NUM>, <NUM> are more securely fixed to the housing <NUM>.

The lighting device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a positioning member <NUM>, and two light guide plates <NUM> and <NUM>. The positioning member <NUM> can be made of metal materials and slidably disposed in the housing <NUM>, and the light guide plates <NUM> and <NUM> can be clamped on the opposite sides of the positioning member <NUM>. Since the light guide plates <NUM> and <NUM> abut against the top surface 200U of the positioning member <NUM> at the same time, the distance between the light guide plates <NUM> and <NUM> and the light source module <NUM> can be equal and well optical coupling, so that the lighting device <NUM> can have better optical efficiency.

In addition, when the light guide plates <NUM>, <NUM> expand due to environmental factors, the positioning member <NUM> can move accordingly in accordance with the expansion. Therefore, the design of the invention can prevent from deformation or bad optical properties when the light guide plates <NUM> and <NUM> are expanded to squeeze and collide with each other.

Furthermore, due to the design of the positioning member <NUM> of the invention, the components for fixing the light guide plates <NUM> and <NUM> can be greatly reduced to keep costs down.

Claim 1:
A lighting device (<NUM>, 100A), comprising:
a housing extended along a length direction (X) and including an accommodating space (<NUM>) with an opening (<NUM>) facing downwardly;
a light source module (<NUM>), disposed in the accommodating space (<NUM>);
a light guiding module (<NUM>), configured to receive the light emitted from the light source module (<NUM>), and the light guiding module (<NUM>) including two light guide plates (<NUM>, <NUM>; 107A, 108A; 107B, 108B) extending along a downward direction to outside of the opening (<NUM>); and
a positioning member (<NUM>);
wherein the two light guide plates (<NUM>, <NUM>; 107A, 108A; 107B, 108B) are inserted into the accommodating space (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>) from opposite sides of the housing (<NUM>) along the length direction (X) of the housing (<NUM>) and are coupled to the opposite sides of the positioning member (<NUM>), so that the positioning member (<NUM>) supports and positions the two light guide plates (<NUM>, <NUM>; 107A, 108A; 107B, 108B);
characterised in that
the positioning member (<NUM>) is slidably disposed in the accommodating space (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>).