EP1470999A2 - Lantern, preferably for use on board of ships, in particular on sports ships - Google Patents

Abstract

A lantern (10) for use on ships, especially sports boats, comprises a housing (11), light source and a transparent cover (14). The light source comprises at least one light diode (2) and there is a beam refractor unit. Preferably there is a shutter and the main beam is perpendicular to the housing back wall.

Description

The invention relates to a lantern, preferably for use on board Ships, in particular on pleasure boats, with a housing, at least one Illuminant and a translucent cover.

Lanterns of the type mentioned are for the most varied Applications used, such as marking, hazard, obstacle, position and / or Navigation lights, lanterns or lights. The invention is concerned in general with lanterns and in particular with navigation lanterns on board ships or Sport boats. A preferred area of application are lanterns, which are the strict in the USA applicable regulations "A-16 Electric Navigaton Lights" in the version 7/97, issued by the American Boat and Yacht Council Inc. The light of the Lantern must have a certain minimum range in a substantially horizontal direction exhibit. For example, defined colors must also be observed.

a) als Leuchtmittel ist mindestens eine LED (Licht emittierende Diode) vorgesehen,

b) dem Leuchtmittel ist eine Strahlablenkeinrichtung zugeordnet.

A major problem, especially for sports shipping, is the reliability of the lanterns on board. Lanterns are rarely switched on regularly. Most trips take place in daylight. The existing illuminants have a very limited lifespan and are sensitive to moisture and vibrations. Luminaires often turn out to be surprising, even though the theoretical lifespan of the lamps used is far from being reached. The present invention is intended to provide a particularly reliable lantern. To this end, the lantern according to the invention is characterized by the following features:

a) at least one LED (light-emitting diode) is provided as the illuminant,

b) a beam deflection device is assigned to the illuminant.

A disadvantage of LEDs is their low light intensity with good efficiency. The beam deflection device bundles or focuses the light of the LED, so that the available light is optimally used for the application. In the In most cases, a light emission is essentially in the area of a horizontal plane desired. The beam deflection device bundles the light in one Level. A limitation or bundling to one is also preferred defined area, such as a limited sector of a horizontal Level, as specified in the aforementioned US regulation.

The beam deflection device can be provided as a mirror or as a solid prism. An essentially symmetrical design of the beam deflection device is preferred with an arrangement of the illuminant in a plane of symmetry or Main axis of the beam deflection device.

a) die Hauptachse - bezogen auf das austretende Licht - der Strahlablenkeinrichtung wird geschnitten von einer hierzu senkrechten Krümmungsachse,

b) eine Außenfläche der Strahlablenkeinrichtung erstreckt sich teilzylindrisch um die genannte Krümmungsachse hierfür,

c) die genannte Krümmungsachse ist zugleich Krümmungsachse für eine teilzylindrische Innenfläche der Strahlablenkeinrichtung,

d) die teilzylindrische Außenfläche und die teilzylindrische Innenfläche verlaufen im Wesentlichen parallel zueinander und werden vorzugsweise mittig von der Hauptachse der Strahlablenkeinrichtung geschnitten,

e) zwischen der Außenfläche und der Innenfläche ist die Strahlablenkeinrichtung massiv,

f) bei Abstrahlung des Lichts in einer möglichst horizontalen Ebene erstreckt sich die Krümmungsachse im Wesentlichen in vertikaler Richtung,

g) Außenfläche und Innenfläche erstrecken sich bis zu einer Wandung, die im Wesentlichen quer zur Hauptachse verläuft,

h) in der quer zur Hauptachse verlaufenden Wandung ist eine Ausnehmung vorgesehen, in die das Leuchtmittel zumindest teilweise eintritt,

i) die Ausnehmung ist durch die teilzylindrische Innenfläche, eine hierzu quergerichtete plane Oberwand und eine ebensolche Unterwand begrenzt,

j) in Richtung der Krümmungsachse liegt außerhalb der Oberwand eine Oberseite und außerhalb der Unterwand eine Unterseite der Strahlablenkeinrichtung,

k) Oberseite und Unterseite erstrecken sich jeweils zwischen der teilzylindrischen Außenfläche und der quer zur Hauptachse verlaufenden Wandung,

l) Oberseite und Unterseite sind im Wesentlichen jeweils teilkegelförmig ausgebildet, so dass diese zusammen im Wesentlichen V-förmige Querschnitte aufweisen, mit einem weiten Abstand voneinander im Bereich der Außenfläche und einem geringsten Abstand voneinander nahe dem Leuchtmittel.

The beam deflection device is preferably a substantially partially cylindrical, prism-like, solid lens with several or all of the following properties:

a) the main axis - based on the emerging light - of the beam deflection device is cut by a perpendicular axis of curvature,

b) an outer surface of the beam deflection device extends partially cylindrical about the said axis of curvature for this purpose,

c) the said axis of curvature is also the axis of curvature for a partially cylindrical inner surface of the beam deflection device,

d) the partially cylindrical outer surface and the partially cylindrical inner surface run essentially parallel to one another and are preferably cut centrally from the main axis of the beam deflection device,

e) the beam deflection device is solid between the outer surface and the inner surface,

f) when the light is emitted in a plane that is as horizontal as possible, the axis of curvature extends essentially in the vertical direction,

g) the outer surface and the inner surface extend up to a wall which runs essentially transversely to the main axis,

h) a recess is provided in the wall running transversely to the main axis, into which the illuminant at least partially enters,

i) the recess is delimited by the partially cylindrical inner surface, a flat upper wall directed transversely thereto and a similar lower wall,

j) in the direction of the axis of curvature there is an upper side of the beam deflection device outside the upper wall and a lower side outside the lower wall,

k) top and bottom each extend between the partially cylindrical outer surface and the wall running transversely to the main axis,

l) The top and bottom are each essentially conical, so that together they have essentially V-shaped cross sections, with a large distance from one another in the area of the outer surface and a slightest distance from each other near the lamp.

The LED can be white or colored. According to the application are white, red or green LEDs preferred. The white LEDs can be used to filter out blue light components provided a filter layer, in particular be vapor-coated. The colors you want but can also by coloring the beam deflector or translucent coverage can be achieved.

LEDs have a much longer lifespan than conventional lamps (Incandescent lamps, halogen lamps) and can therefore also be used without an exchange option be installed in the housing. The construction of the lantern can be done as a whole turn out to be cheaper. It is also a protection against special climatic conditions better possible.

Advantageously, exactly one LED is provided as the illuminant. Are first time sufficiently bright LEDs developed and available. In particular, LEDs are from Type LXHL-PD01 Luxeon Emitter (hemispherical dome) from the manufacturer LUMILEDS Lighting, LLC, San Jose, California, USA. With only one LED as illuminant the case can be particularly small and compact. The same applies to the any necessary control electronics.

According to a further concept of the invention, the illuminant has a Main radiation direction aligned perpendicular to a rear wall of the housing. LEDs usually emit a cone of light. Whose center axis or The taper axis runs perpendicular to the rear wall of the housing. Preferably extends also the beam deflecting device with a main direction or plane of symmetry perpendicular to the back wall. The beam deflection device preferably effects a bundling of the Light in a plane perpendicular to the back wall. Another limitation of emerging light on a defined sector is preferably carried out by Aperture devices for limiting and shading the illuminant radiated light. The diaphragm device can be the beam deflection device assigned, may be applied to the outside of this. The housing can also be opaque areas shade the emitted light.

According to a further concept of the invention, the illuminant is a heat sink assigned. The at least one LED is preferably arranged on a heat sink, about a good heat-conducting plate, especially made of metal. Between the An intermediate layer can be provided for the heat sink and the illuminant is preferably also well heat-conducting and electronic components can have for control. The heat sink is in particular flat with an extension perpendicular to the main emission direction of the lamp. He can also Place the heat sink on the rear wall of the housing.

An electronic circuit for controlling the at least one is advantageous LED arranged in an additional housing. The additional housing is on the outside Housing attached and pot-shaped. A pan base extends parallel to the rear wall of the housing. The bottom of the pot can accommodate holes Have screws for connecting the housing and the additional housing.

The possibility of fastening the lantern to a wall on board is preferred of a ship. A central screw connection is provided for this. Housing and Additional housings have aligned, continuous holes, so that with one Screw the additional housing (pot base) to the wall and the housing to Additional housing is held. The special advantage of the additional housing is that Possibility of using conventional lantern housings as used in connection with conventional lamps are known. It also remains in the area of electronic circuitry, the heat loss is spatially separated from the LED. The electrical circuit is preferably completely potted in the additional housing.

According to a further idea of the invention, the translucent cover is as Fresnel lens formed with stepped areas. The levels can change at the Outside of the cover, preferably with an upper stepped area, a middle, essentially flat area and a lower stepped area. The planes formed by the steps extend essentially vertically to the back wall. The surfaces within each stage run parallel to an axis Back wall around. When desired light radiation extends in a horizontal plane the axis in the vertical direction. The tiered areas will Light compressed parallel to the axis mentioned, so that above and below defined angle no light or only a little light emerges.

The translucent cover advantageously dips at least with edge areas into the housing. The latter is close to the cover on its outer contour customized. With a stepped outer surface of the translucent cover, this can Housing in the area of the transition to the translucent cover as a negative form the same be formed.

According to a further alternative of the invention, the translucent cover is included smooth inner and outer surface. Especially the smooth outer surface enables a maintenance-friendly design of the lantern and can be easily cleaned become.

According to a further concept of the invention, an electronic circuit for Equalization of different supply voltages is provided, such that any Supply voltages between a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage the lantern can be put on, the maximum voltage being at least 1.5 times that Minimum voltage is. The supply voltage can be adjusted to a Setpoint can be transferred or converted. Alternatively, an im Essentially the same current, regardless of the actual voltage, for the LED Provided. This enables the lantern to be used independently different supply voltages. For example, on board pleasure boats 12 volts or 24 volts are provided as supply voltage.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Laterne, mit asymmetrischem Gehäuse und lichtdurchlässiger Abdeckung mit gestufter Außenfläche,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch die Laterne gemäß Fig. 1 entlang der Linie II-II,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch die Laterne gemäß Fig. 1 entlang der Linie III-III,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Laterne gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht der Laterne gemäß Fig. 1, mit einer Bildebene parallel zur Bildebene der Fig. 3,

Fig. 6

eine auseinandergezogene Darstellung der Einzelteile der Laterne gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig.7

eine etwas andere Bauart der Laterne in auseinandergezogener Darstellung analog Fig. 6, jedoch mit symmetrischem Gehäuse und einer lichtdurchlässigen Abdeckung mit glatter Außenfläche.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims and the description of the rest. Advantageous exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of a lantern according to the invention, with an asymmetrical housing and translucent cover with a stepped outer surface,

Fig. 2

2 shows a section through the lantern according to FIG. 1 along the line II-II,

Fig. 3

2 shows a section through the lantern according to FIG. 1 along the line III-III,

Fig. 4

2 shows a plan view of the lantern according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 5

2 shows a side view of the lantern according to FIG. 1, with an image plane parallel to the image plane of FIG. 3,

Fig. 6

2 shows an exploded view of the individual parts of the lantern according to FIG. 1,

Figure 7

a somewhat different construction of the lantern in an exploded view analogous to FIG. 6, but with a symmetrical housing and a translucent cover with a smooth outer surface.

A lantern 10 is shown as a navigation lantern for the FIG Port side of a pleasure boat according to the regulations "A-16 Electric Navigation Lights ", issue 7/97, published by American Boat and Yacht Councel Inc. In particular, the regulation relates to the range of the lantern and the Beam guidance and the colors to be used.

The lantern 10 has a housing consisting of tub-like or pot-like Front housing part 11 and rear wall 12. The front part of the housing is the rear wall 12 Opposite with an opening 13 into which a translucent cover 14 is inserted.

On the rear wall 12, a pot-like additional housing 15 is placed on the outside Pot bottom 16 parallel to the rear wall 12. The one formed by the additional housing 15 Cavity between the rear wall 12 and the bottom 16 of the pot is at least partially by a electronic circuit 17 for controlling at least one illuminant filled. The Cavity and / or the circuit can be potted. Stability and protection against This increases moisture.

The translucent cover 14 forms a cavity open on one side and consists of Plastic or glass and has a semicircular circumferential wall 18 and one semicircular top wall 19. The cavity thus formed is on the back of the Rear wall 12 and the bottom of an underside 20 of the front housing part 11 locked.

The outside of the wall 18 is designed in the manner of a Fresnel lens, namely with a stepped upper section 18a, a stepped lower section 18b and one plan middle area 18c.

Within the cover 14 is a flat, here rectangular on the rear wall 12 Heat sink 21 provided. There is a single LED on the heat sink 21 as the illuminant 22 arranged. Their main emission direction - arrow 23 - runs perpendicular to the rear wall 12 and divides the semicircular cross section of the circumferential wall 18 into the middle two quarters, see in particular in FIG. 2.

A beam deflection device is arranged between the LED 22 and the cover 14 In the present example, a prism-like solid lens 24. The one of the LED 22 Outer surface 25 facing away is partially cylindrical, in particular semi-cylindrical and in Essentially parallel to the cover 14, namely to the smooth inner surface 26 and / or Outer surface 27 of the peripheral wall 18.

One runs parallel or at least substantially parallel to the outer surface 25 Inner surface 28 of the lens 24, ie also with a semicircular cross section. At a Arrangement of the lantern 10 with a substantially vertical rear wall 12 and An underside 20 runs essentially horizontally and has an axis of curvature 29 for the outer surface 25 (and inner surface 28) of the lens 24 (analogously for the cover 14) in the vertical direction. In fact, the back wall 12 is slightly opposite one inclined vertical direction, as well as the bottom 20 with respect to a horizontal Direction. The axis of curvature 29 runs parallel to the rear wall 12, see FIG. 3.

The beam guidance through the lens 24 essentially results from two creative measures. Top 30 and bottom 31 of lens 24 each have one Concave 32, 33 (recess), with a semi-conical cross-section, the recess starting from the outer surface 25, its deepest and thus the main emission direction - Arrow 23 - next point in the area of the axis of curvature 29 or at a short distance to this in an area closest to the LED. The top 30 (or the Concave 32) forms an interface for the light and breaks it, so that one Bundling essentially parallel to a (here horizontal) plane along the Main radiation direction 23 and perpendicular to the axis of curvature 29 is effected. The same applies this for the interface of the underside 31.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment there is a lens 24 near the LED 22 Recess 34 is provided, which is delimited by a semicircular, flat Upper wall 35, a lower wall 36 parallel thereto and a transverse one circumferential wall that runs parallel to the outer surface 25 and with the above mentioned inner surface 28 is identical. Much of the light emerging from the LED is reflected from the top wall 35 and bottom wall 36 towards the inner surface 26. Unreflected portions are on the top 30 and bottom 31 of the concaves 32, 33 reflected. The lens 24 bundles the light in a particularly suitable manner to achieve this the highest possible light intensity or range in the area of a plane perpendicular to Axis of curvature 29.

To avoid heat build-up between LED 22 and lens 24, the latter has in the Area of a rear wall 37 on four spacers on the heat sink 21st abut or even with a small part of their length in corresponding bores 39 are inserted in the heat sink 21, see in particular Fig. 6. In the wall 37 is the already mentioned recess 34 incorporated.

The LED 22 comes from the manufacturer Lumiled Lighting LLC, San Jose, California, USA and is type LXHL-PD01 Luxeon Emitter in the color white. The one Red navigation light required on a port side is achieved by red Coloring the cover 14. Alternatively, the LED 22 or the lens 24 can be red.

The lantern 10 is for attachment to a side wall by means of only one screw 40 intended. The screw 40 extends through corresponding holes in the Front housing part 11, the rear wall 12 and the pot base 16. The screw 40 is used thus at the same time for establishing a firm connection between the additional housing 15 and the rear wall 12. To prevent moisture from entering the housing or the To prevent additional housing 15, the front housing part 11 and the bottom of the pot 16 pot-like depressions 41, 42, the end sides 43, 44 of which on the rear wall 12 issue. This can have recesses for sealants in the area of the end sides 43, 44 exhibit.

To ensure an immovable position of the lantern 10 on a side wall the lantern 10 has a pin 45 on the outside of the pot base 16 parallel to the screw 40 on. The pin 45 enters a prepared hole in a side wall, not shown and thus prevents the lantern 10 from rotating about the screw 40, see FIGS. 4 and 5.

Additional ones can be used to limit the emitted light Aperture devices may be provided. 2 are on the lens 24 in the area the wall 37 each in the area of the transition to the outer surface 25 like an angle profile Apertures 46, 47 are provided. Instead of the screens 46, 47 can also be used accordingly trained opaque, e.g. Evaporated coatings on lens 24 be provided.

The housing front part 11 is designed asymmetrically with a laterally offset opening 13, see in particular in Fig. 4 and 6, with a symmetrical shape of the cover 14. Die Suitability as a navigation lantern on the port side is therefore only by the outer Form of the housing causes. For use as a starboard lantern is a correspondingly mirror-image housing (with additional housing).

Fig. 7 shows a symmetrical housing. This is a housing for one Navigation lantern at the stern of a boat. Heatsink 21, LED 22, lens 24 and Cover 14 can be identical to the previously described embodiment of a Port navigation lantern be designed. Because of the symmetrical Housing design, two screws can be provided here, in the side wall of a boat are screwed. Another special feature in FIG. 7 is an additional one Board 48 between the LED 22 and the heat sink 21 can be seen. Preferably there is the board 48 made of a good heat-conducting material. Additional ones could be on the board Components for controlling the LED may be provided.

The translucent cover shown in Fig. 7 is provided with the number 49, because a semicircular outer surface 50 is smooth. It is about a Alternative to the cover 14 stepped on the outside in the manner of a Fresnel lens according to FIG Fig. 6. In fact, both types of covers 14, 49 are for all those mentioned Lantern types can be used. The concrete selection is based on the range, Light beam, light intensity, etc. hit.

A special feature can still be seen in FIG. 6. There is a screw 51 that can be seen the rear wall 12 fixed on the pot-like additional housing 15. A corresponding Threaded receptacle 52 extends from the bottom of the pot 16 to the rear wall 12, analogous to the recess 42 in FIG. 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Lantern

11

Front housing

12

rear wall

13

opening

14

cover

15

additional housing

16

pot base

17

circuit

18

circumferential wall

18a

upper area

18b

lower area

18c

middle area

19

upper wall

20

bottom

21

heatsink

22

LED

23

arrow

24

lens

25

outer surface

26

Inner surface

27

outer surface

28

Inner surface

29

axis of curvature

30

top

31

bottom

32

concave

33

concave

34

recess

35

upper wall

36

under wall

37

wall

38

spacer

39

drilling

40

screw

41

deepening

42

deepening

43

end side

44

end side

45

spigot

46

cover

47

cover

48

circuit board

49

cover

50

outer surface

51

screw

52

admission

Claims (11)

Lantern (10) preferably for use on board ships, in particular on pleasure boats, with a housing, at least one lamp and a translucent cover (14), characterized by the following features: a) at least one LED (22) is provided as the illuminant, b) a beam deflection device is assigned to the illuminant. Lantern according to claim 1, characterized in that exactly one LED (22) is provided as the illuminant. Lantern according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the illuminant is aligned with a main emission direction (arrow 23) perpendicular to a rear wall (12) of the housing. Lantern according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized by a diaphragm device for limiting and shading the light emitted by the illuminant. Lantern according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that a heat sink (21) is associated with the illuminant. Lantern according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that an electronic circuit (17) for controlling the LED (22) is arranged in an additional housing (15). Lantern according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the translucent cover (14) is designed as a Fresnel lens with stepped areas. Lantern according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the translucent cover (14) is formed with a smooth inner and outer surface. Lantern according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the translucent cover (14) dips into the housing and the latter is adapted to the outer contour near the cover. Lantern according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized by an electronic circuit (17) for compensating for different supply voltages, such that any supply voltages between a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage can be applied, the maximum voltage being at least 1.5 times the minimum voltage. Lantern according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the beam deflection device has a substantially partially cylindrical, prism-like, solid lens with several or all of the following properties: a) the main axis - based on the emerging light - of the beam deflection device is cut by a perpendicular axis of curvature, b) an outer surface of the beam deflection device extends partially cylindrical about the said axis of curvature for this purpose, c) the said axis of curvature is also the axis of curvature for a partially cylindrical inner surface of the beam deflection device, d) the partially cylindrical outer surface and the partially cylindrical inner surface run essentially parallel to one another and are preferably cut centrally from the main axis of the beam deflection device, e) the beam deflection device is solid between the outer surface and the inner surface, f) when the light is emitted in a plane that is as horizontal as possible, the axis of curvature extends essentially in the vertical direction, g) the outer surface and the inner surface extend up to a wall which runs essentially transversely to the main axis, h) a recess is provided in the wall running transversely to the main axis, into which the illuminant at least partially enters, i) the recess is delimited by the partially cylindrical inner surface, a flat upper wall directed transversely thereto and a similar lower wall, j) in the direction of the axis of curvature there is an upper side of the beam deflection device outside the upper wall and a lower side outside the lower wall, k) top and bottom each extend between the partially cylindrical outer surface and the wall running transversely to the main axis, l) The top and bottom are each essentially conical, so that together they have essentially V-shaped cross sections, with a large distance from one another in the area of the outer surface and a slightest distance from each other near the lamp.

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