Flexible lighting device

A linear lighting arrangement comprising:

• a flexible chip-on-board (COB) light-emitting diode (LED) string formed on a flexible substrate;
• a polymer jacket enclosing the flexible COB LED string, the polymer jacket is light-diffusing;
• a rigid outer tube positioned over the polymer jacket, the rigid outer tube formed of a UV-stabilized polymer and configured to resist radial impact and abrasion, the rigid outer tube extending from a proximal end to a free distal end;
• a tension spring positioned between a mounting end of the linear lighting arrangement and the proximal end, the tension spring configured to act as a semi-rigid mechanical bridge between the mounting end and rigid outer tube;
• the tension spring is configured to absorb mechanical loads and enable flexure of the linear lighting arrangement without permanent deformation of the flexible COB LED string or the rigid outer tube.

A flexible multi-layered linear light-emitting diode (LED) lighting device with uniform radial illumination, comprising:

• a flexible chip-on-board (COB) LED string comprising a plurality of closely spaced LEDs mounted on a clear flexible polymer substrate having a photo-etched copper cladding, wherein the flexible COB LED string is over-molded with a clear silicone coating;
• a polymer jacket tightly enveloping the flexible COB LED string and an associated thin-gauge electrical return wire, wherein the polymer jacket is formed from a light-diffusing material and configured to transmit at least 75 percent of light emitted from the LEDs;
• a rigid outer cylindrical sleeve formed from a UV-stabilized polymer material and positioned over the polymer jacket with a loose clearance, wherein the rigid outer cylindrical sleeve comprises an outer diameter and wall thickness selected to provide mechanical protection against abrasion and impact while permitting axial movement of the flexible COB LED string under external forces;
• a mounting assembly located at one longitudinal end of the flexible multi-layered linear LED lighting device and comprising a base cap electrically and mechanically coupled with the flexible COB LED string, and a stainless-steel tension spring having a predetermined outer diameter, length, and wire cross-section, the stainless-steel tension spring forming a semi-rigid mechanical bridge between the base cap and a mounting end cap;
• a set of input wiring comprising a pair of stranded wires for positive and negative voltage supply, and terminating at an input connector;
• and
• a DC-DC buck regulator electrically coupled in-line with the set of input wiring configured to step down an input voltage in a range from approximately 4.0 VDC to 15 VDC to a regulated voltage required by the flexible COB LED string.