Low-tension lighting device

Details Low-tension lighting device Low-tension lighting device

1999-03-19

2001-04-17

Wong, Don (Department: 2821)

Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems

Plural series connected load devices

Christmas lights

C315S057000, C315S20000A, C313S634000, C362S307000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06218785

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
1. Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to a low-tension illumination device. Specifically, though not exclusively, it is useful in cemetery-type or other monument lighting, where illumination has a symbolic value and should be able to continue at length but with low consumption.
2. Prior Art
Various types of incandescent lamps are already in use for this type of application, all of which have limits and drawbacks. Firstly, they are of limited duration, in the region of a few thousand hours, and give a fairly low-level performance. Secondly, they are of poor reliability, especially due to the delicate nature of the filament.
In particular the invention relates to a low-tension lighting device comprising a LED and a control circuit governing LED functioning.
Various types of LED lighting device are known, all of which can be improved. Firstly, they have the problem of scattering the light from the LED in a wide area around it. Secondly, they have the problem of protecting the LED from voltage and current transients is and the problem of stabilising the LED light output.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,258 discloses a LED lamp device comprising an adapter for mounting on one end thereof a LED emitter, a base being fixed to the other end of the adapter. The lighting parts, such as a constant-voltage diode, are contained inside the adapter and the base.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,271 a lamp assembly includes a multifaceted prismatic diffuser to which a number of LEDs are fitted. When the LEDs are energized, the light emitted thereby is initially diffused throughout all of the diffuser. It is then emitted from facets forming the outer portion of the diffuser such that it can be seen over a wide viewing angle.
The light string system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,575 has a plurality of LEDs electrically connected thereto. Each LED has a generally elongate, hollow envelope mounted over it, and the envelope is substantially filled with light-conducting optical spheres or fragments.
DE 3832109 discloses a light fitting for rear lamp of bicycle including a series regulating unit for switching LEDs on and off according to fluctuating supply voltage. A light fitting housing encloses the light source and its holder. At least one wall of the housing is transparent and with a connection for coupling the light source to the electric power source, usually the bicycle dynamo. A LED array is provided as the light source. At least one single colour LED is used for the array. The transparent wall is designed neutrally transparent and between the electric power source and the arrangement of LEDs a voltage responsive regulating unit is arranged. The regulating unit includes a current regulator connected in the circuit of the LED array. The rear lamp has a pure red light so that no filter is necessary.
The light string system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,147 includes a plurality of LEDs connected in parallel and a regulated power supply for providing a constant current and a constant voltage to the LEDs.
FR 2586844 discloses a traffic signal lamp wherein an array of LEDs are mounted on a plate in the form of a printed circuit board which is mounted with its plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lamp. The diodes are supplied from a mains rectifier mounted in the base of the lamp beneath the printed circuit board. The assembly is housed in a transparent shell serving as a diffuser, and the shell is fed to a base terminating in a conventional Edison screw or bayonet contact lamp base.
In DE 2925692 an illuminated road sign has symbols formed of clusters of LEDs with several series groups connected in parallel to provide low power consumption and high reliability. The diodes are connected as diodes groups in series, with the groups coupled in parallel. The circuit operates with current limiting and a rectifier stage for the supply. WO 96/02970 discloses an inductively powered lamp unit using an inductive power pick up comprising a resonant circuit The induced current circulating in the resonant circuit is limited to a maximum value by a shorting switch controlled by a comparator that compares the sensed current with a reference value. Power is supplied to LEDs.
The main aim of the present invention is to provide an illumination device which is able to obviate the limits and drawbacks in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A low-tension lighting device according to the present invention comprises a control circuit governing functioning of the LED, and a coupling element which is connected to the control circuit and by means of which the device is couplable to a lamp holder.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a device which can substitute for those lamps currently in use without having substantially to modify the lampholders and illumination plants in use in cemeteries.
Further advantages are that consumption is relatively low, duration and efficiency and reliability are much improved, and there is a significant energy saving with respect to the amount of light emitted.
These aims and advantages are all attained by the invention as it is characterised in the claims that follow.


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