Apparatus for lighting spaces, bodies or surfaces

• US 6,520,666 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diehl Luftfahrt Electronik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Diehl Luftfahrt Electronik GmbH
• Inventors: Krummer, Thomas, Beyerlein, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US09/495,990
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 362/244, 362/245, 362/246, 362/545, 362/551, 362/555, 362/559, 362/581, 362/470, 362/471, 362/472, 362/494, 362/248, 362/511, 362/512, 362/520-522, 362/490, 359/618, 359/619, 359/626, 359/628
• US Class Current: 362/471
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/02 Combinations of only two kinds of elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2106/00 Interior vehicle lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/30 for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298

Abstract

An apparatus for lighting or illuminating spaces, bodies or surfaces, which is formed from a plurality of light emitting diodes (1). The light emitting diodes (1) are radially enclosed by a casing body (14) which is adjoined at the end by a tubular element (15) which bears against a lens (4). A set spacing is thereby established between the light emitting diode (1) and the lens (4). All light spots issuing from the light emitting diode (1) are projected to form a single light spot of a high level of brightness by virtue of the superimposed relationship at a spacing in front of the lens (4).

Claims

1. An overhead reading light (17) for lighting or illuminating of spaces, bodies or surfaces, said reading light being mounted in a ceiling structure of an aircraft;

comprising a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed light-emitting diodes each being connected to a power supply;

a body (14, 15) radially enclosing each of the plurality of said light-emitting diodes (1), said body having a free front end opening for the exit of light emitted by said plurality of diodes, and at least one lens element (4) being inserted in said opening.

2. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light-emitting diodes (1) comprise white light-emitting diodes.

3. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said body (14, 15) radially enclosing said plurality of light-emitting diodes (1) possesses a non-reflecting surface.

4. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (14, 15) comprises a tubular casing having inner walls extending in parallel with a longitudinal axis of said tubular casing.

5. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (14, 15) comprises a tubular casing having inner walls extending in parallel with an optical axis (6) of said lens element (4).

6. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (14, 15) comprises a tubular casing having inner walls which deviate from a longitudinal axis of said tubular casing.

7. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 6, wherein said inner walls deviate conically from said longitudinal axis of the tubular casing.

8. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 6, wherein said inner walls deviate curvedly from said longitudinal axis of the tubular casing.

9. An overhead-reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (14, 15) is of a hexagonal area in transverse cross-section.

10. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (14, 15) is of a circular area in transverse cross-section.

11. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (14, 15) is of a square area in transverse cross-section.

12. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (14, 15) comprises a centering portion (14) at a foot end, and an aperture portion (15) at a head end which bears against said at least one lens element (4).

13. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of light-emitting diodes (1 produce a light (17) with a plurality of said bodies (14, 15) each being hexagonal in transverse cross-section and which are adjoiningly disposed in a honeycomb arrangement.

14. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said lens elements (4) are formed from a common carrier member.

15. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 14, wherein each said lens element (4) has a hexagonal configuration.

16. An overhead reading light as claimed in claim 12, wherein the centering portion (14) of said body (14, 15) for each respective said light-emitting diode comprises a coupling element for light guides (23).

17. An overhead reading light (17) for lighting or illuminating of spaces, bodies or surfaces, said reading light being mounted in a ceiling structure of an aircraft;

comprising a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed light-emitting diodes each being connected to a power supply;

a body (14, 15) possessing a non-reflective light-absorbing internal surface facing and radially enclosing each of the plurality of said light-emitting diodes (1), said body having a free front end opening for the exit of light emitted by said plurality of diodes, and at least one lens element (4) being inserted in said opening.