LED lighting apparatus with first and second cover portions
An LED lamp includes a plurality of LED modules arranged in direction x, a tubular enclosure for housing the LED modules that is open at ends spaced from each other in direction x, and end caps respectively closing the ends of the tubular enclosure in direction x. Each of the end caps is configured to diffuse light from the LED modules while transmitting the light, and includes an emission surface for emitting light in a direction z perpendicular to direction x. This arrangement ensures that the LED lamp has a good appearance even when it is made long.
1. An LED lighting apparatus comprising:
a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface;
a plurality of LED modules arranged on the first surface of the substrate and along a first direction parallel to the first surface; and
a translucent cover configured to allow passage of light emitted from the LED modules;
wherein the translucent cover includes a first cover portion and a second cover portion, the first cover portion being elongated in the first direction and facing the first surface of the substrate to cover the LED modules, the second cover portion being connected to the first cover portion and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first surface of the substrate, and the second cover portion together with the first cover portion covers the LED modules.
2. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a power supplying unit for supplying power to the LED modules, wherein the power supplying unit is disposed closer to the second surface of the substrate than is the first surface of the substrate.
3. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a support member for supporting the substrate, wherein the support member has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite to the outer surface, the outer surface being, at least partially, held in contact with the second surface of the substrate, the inner surface being closer to the power supplying unit than is the outer surface.
4. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a fixing member brought into engagement with the support member for detachably fixing the support member to a ceiling or a wall.
5. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the fixing member, when in engagement with the support member, covers at least a part of the power supplying unit as viewed in the second direction.
6. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the fixing member includes a base held in contact with the ceiling or the wall, and a holder attached to the base, the base being formed with a hole for passing a screw, the holder having a pair of engagement pieces for holding the support member.
7. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the hole formed in the base has a T-shape.
8. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the translucent cover diffuses light emitted from the LED modules.
9. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the translucent cover is made of a polycarbonate resin added with mercury chloride.
10. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the first cover portion is curved with respect to the first surface of the substrate.
11. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the second cover portion has an outer edge corresponding in shape to the curved part of the first cover portion.
12. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the second cover portion has a pair of connection plates each of which is elongated in the first direction and formed with a screw hole for fixing the second cover portion to the support member.
13. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the LED modules are grouped into at least a first row and a second row each extending in the first direction.
14. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein LED modules in the first row are in staggered arrangement with LED modules in the second row.
15. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first cover portion is different in length measured in the first direction from the support member.
16. An LED lighting system comprising at least two LED lighting apparatuses in accordance with claim 1 ,
wherein the two LED lighting apparatuses are aligned along the first direction, the second cover portions of the respective LED lighting apparatuses are arranged to face each other.
17. The LED lighting system according to claim 16 , wherein the second cover portions of the respective LED lighting apparatuses are in direct contact with each other.
18. The LED lighting system according to claim 16 , further comprising a translucent plate member disposed between the second cover portions of the respective LED lighting apparatuses.
19. The LED lighting system according to claim 18 , wherein the plate member is made of a same material as the second cover portions.
20. The LED lighting system according to claim 18 , wherein the plate member is different in thickness from the second cover portions.