DE102021114478A1 - System for a continuous line luminaire with additional data line and function module for this - Google Patents

Abstract

A light line system (1) for a light line luminaire (2) with a data line is proposed. The system has support profiles (3; 3A, 3B) for attaching light modules (4) and for mounting on a structure. It also has a number of light modules (4), preferably with LED light sources, which can be attached to the support profile and an electrical supply (23) with a number of conductors, which is provided in the support profile for the power supply. A data line (10) for user data is also provided. According to the invention, it is provided - that the data line (10) comprises at least one optical waveguide, namely a POF (polymeric optical fibre) optical waveguide (10A, 10B) in or on the supporting profile; - that an active data coupling unit (12) with data interface (121 , 122) for optical data transmission via POF optical fibers (10A, 10B) is mounted in or on the support profile; and - that the electrical supply (23) of the light line system (1) supplies the active data coupling unit (12). A function module (60) for a light line system (1) for data transmission via POF data line is also proposed. It has an active data coupling unit (12) and fastening means for a support profile (3; 3A, 3B) of a continuous-row luminaire. The active data coupling unit (12) has data interfaces (121, 122) for POF optical fibers (10A, 10B).

Description

The invention generally relates to a system for an elongated light band or for a light band luminaire according to the preamble of claim 1 and a functional module, in particular for such a system, according to the preamble of claim 7. The invention relates in particular to a light band system or a light line that is equipped with a data line and a function module for data transmission for a light line system.

Lighting devices for large areas, in particular in industrial or commercial applications, for example in production halls in industry or warehouses in logistics, are often implemented in the form of light strip systems. In this case, a plurality of elongated lights are typically provided, mostly in the form of a continuous band of elongated modules, typically in several parallel rows next to one another, corresponding to the desired room lighting. Depending on the height of the room and the ceiling, such light strips are typically suspended from the ceiling of the room or mounted directly on the ceiling.

Due to their modularity, light line systems enable a high degree of flexibility in the arrangement and selection of the lamps and components used, so that a wide variety of lighting tasks can be implemented according to customer requirements. In addition, modular light line systems can also be adapted relatively easily to changed requirements, e.g. if the room is used differently. In addition to modular adaptation to the lighting requirements, light strips offer other advantages, e.g. in terms of safety and economy.

A typical light line system comprises at least one light line luminaire, usually with a number of elongated support profiles for attaching light modules to the support profiles. The support profile (also called carrier profile) is used for mounting using suitable mounting means on a structure, typically ceiling-mounted or hanging at a predetermined vertical distance from the ceiling. The support profiles can be designed as support rails and are usually offered in different lengths, usually with a profile cross section that remains the same throughout the system. The desired modules or modules selected from the modular system, in particular light modules, are attached to the support profiles. Light modules with LED light sources, for example, are common today.

An electrical supply with a plurality of conductors for the power supply of the components of the system, in particular the light modules, as well as any other components that may be present, typically runs in the support profile. The multi-wire supply is typically a multi-phase supply with at least three phase conductors for load balancing, the neutral conductor and the protective earth conductor. If necessary, additional conductors, e.g. for the emergency power supply and/or lines for lighting control, e.g. according to the DALI protocol, can be provided in the support profile.

Basically independent of lighting systems, there is currently an increasing need for data networks for IT infrastructure, for example in connection with the intelligent networking of systems and machines in industry with the help of information and communication technology ("Industry 4.0") and/or the generally increasing networking, e.g. towards the so-called Internet of Things (also: "Allesnetz") in English: "Internet of Things", short form: IoT or Industrial IoT ("IIoT"), in almost all areas, especially industrial areas. Data networks are also part of the basic equipment for non-manufacturing businesses, such as in open-plan offices.

Against this background, it seems desirable to offer or expand light line systems with functionality for data transmission.

In WO 2021/043921 A1 a light line system with a data transmission function was proposed, which primarily transmits data between components of the light line system, but can also provide a WLAN access point, for example. In addition to the features from the preamble according to claim 1, this system has a data connection for receiving data and an adapter connected thereto, which is designed to transmit the data to a second adapter using a modulation method via electrical conductors of the supply. For this beats WO 2021/043921 A1 suggests the use of a powerline adapter (also called PLC - Powerline Communications), which modulates data on existing power lines and demodulates them again. In this system, the electrical supply itself is used for data transmission. One with the lesson out WO 2021/043921 A1 A comparable solution for using PLC in a light trunking system was published in EP 3 800 792 A1 suggested.

Although the PLC or Powerline principle reduces the number of lines required, ie lowers costs, it is associated with disadvantages. The data transmission is, for example, partially prone to interference or even generates electromagnetic interference in surrounding lines. On the other hand, possible bandwidth is inherently limited because electri cal supplies are not designed for data transmission with high bandwidth.

A function module for WLAN data transmission is known from patent EP 2 512 209 B1. In principle, this is suitable for mounting on a light strip and can provide a WLAN access point as an adapter and for this purpose be integrated into an existing LAN network, for example.

A first object of the present invention is therefore to propose an alternative, future-proof solution for data transmission in a light line system, which allows the installation effort to be kept low, but which enables reliable and robust information technology (IT). This object is achieved by a system according to claim 1 or, independently thereof, also by a functional module according to claim 7.

In particular, a future-proof, IT-capable or IoT-capable light line system should be proposed. According to other goals, the system should provide high or sustainable data transmission capacity, be able to be implemented comparatively inexpensively and/or be comparatively easy to install. Furthermore, the proposed solution should preferably also enable existing light strips to be retrofitted with sustainable data transmission technology.

In a generic system according to the preamble of claim 1, the main feature, according to which at least one optical fiber optic cable (LWL) is used as the data line, contributes to the solution of the first-mentioned object. In particular, a POF (polymeric optical fiber) optical fiber can be used as the optical fiber optic cable. The abbreviation POF in this case means a plastic fiber optic cable for data transmission, i.e. a data line with an optical fiber core comprising or consisting of plastic or a so-called "polymer optical fiber". The POF fiber-optic cable can be designed in accordance with IEC 60793-2-40, e.g. type IEC 60793-2-40 subclass A4a.2. A large core POF line is particularly preferred, with a typical core diameter of approx. 980 μm to 1000 μm or 1 mm core diameter of the optical fiber.

The data line can in particular comprise at least one pair of conductors made from two polymer optical fibers as an optical waveguide, in particular as a duplex POF data line or in particular for duplex data transmission. If necessary, several pairs of conductors made of optical waveguides can be provided, depending on requirements. Instead of a pair of fibers with one fiber each for the sending and receiving direction, a single fiber or single POF fiber-optic cable can also be used as a data line, on which e.g. sending and receiving direction can be realized via two different wavelengths, e.g. using optical wavelength multiplex technology ( Wavelength Division Multiplex, WDM or Wavelength Division Multiple Access, WDMA).

Furthermore, according to the invention, in combination with an optical fiber data line, it is proposed as a further main feature for solving the first-mentioned object that at least one active data coupling unit, e.g. an active data network device, with at least one data interface for optical data transmission via optical fibers, in particular via the POF -LWL or the POF conductor pair, is provided and can be mounted in or on the at least one support profile or is mounted. On the one hand, the data coupling unit can compensate for the attenuation behavior of a POF data line and/or provide flexibility through additional interfaces to other wired or wireless data lines, in particular to any IoT devices in the broadest sense.

In a preferred embodiment, optical waveguides and data coupling units according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802, in particular according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-ands3:2017/Amd.9:2018(E) and/or for implementing a data connection in Gigabit ETHERNET technology, are preferred be of the 1000BASE-RHx type, particularly preferably 1000BASE-RHA or possibly also 1000BASE-RHB.

Finally, as a preferred third main feature of the system, it is proposed that the system is set up so that it can also provide or cause the required power supply of the active data coupling unit during operation or in the intended installed state by means of the supply provided or present in the support profile.

The combination of the first two main features mentioned above thus enables or realizes--as an essential core idea of the invention--the provision of a type of active optical network or AON (Active Optical Network) in or with a light band. Briefly summarized or in other words, the invention relates to a light band or light band system with an active optical data network, preferably with POF as the optical waveguide, and the individual system components that are essential for this.

In particular, several data coupling units, which are designed as active network devices, can be connected by line segments each consisting of at least one fiber optic cable, in particular POF fiber optic cable be connected, especially in line or daisy chain topology. The power supply for the active network devices is preferably provided by the light strip itself.

The synergy of the aforementioned three main features allows noticeable savings in material costs and installation effort compared to the previously customary, separate installation of lighting on the one hand and a data network on the other.

The system can supply power to the active data coupling unit in particular using a suitable contact device and predetermined conductors of the supply in the support profile or using a supply connection of a component of the continuous-row system that is supplied via the supply. In this case, the system can thus achieve the power supply of the active data coupling unit directly through the supply inherent in the support profile, in particular through predetermined conductors of this. Particularly in the case of direct feeding from the supply, the active data coupling unit preferably has its own power supply unit, in particular a switched-mode power supply unit (also referred to as SMPS). A switched-mode power supply with a DC voltage converter is particularly preferably provided for providing different operating voltages. The term electrical supply is understood here to mean a supply device which has at least conductors for the power supply or is used for the power supply. In principle, the supply can be of any design suitable for a light band and is preferably arranged in the support profile. The supply can also include a data line, e.g. a pair of DALI lines.

Alternatively, the system can also indirectly provide or effect the power supply of the active data coupling unit from the supply, in particular via a supply connection intended for this purpose of a component provided in the light strip system, which is intended to be supplied from the supply. For example, a supply connection of an operating device for light sources, in particular a D4i™ connection according to the DALI-2 specification (cf. https://www.dali-alliance.org/d4i/), can be considered for this. It is also conceivable to design the active data coupling unit in such a way that it is supplied by the actual supply connections of an operating device, e.g. with 48V direct current for LED modules. An indirect supply can noticeably reduce hardware expenditure for the supply in the active data coupling unit, e.g. operating voltages required for suitable DC-DC converters. A cheaper and more compact data coupling unit can thereby be made possible.

The use of POF fiber optic cables as a data line offers a number of advantages. POF fiber-optic cables are generally not susceptible to electromagnetic interference and, conversely, do not cause any electromagnetic interference in surrounding electrical lines, e.g. for lighting control, or sensitive components, e.g. the LED driver or control gear. Compared to CAT-7 copper data lines, POF data lines have a noticeably smaller cross-section. In addition, POF fiber optics have a significantly lower length-specific weight than copper data cables. The POF fiber optics can thus be routed more simply, easily and space-savingly at any point of the cross-section, in particular in the mounting rail, or also on the outside of the mounting rail. This is particularly advantageous if several data lines may have to be laid.

POF fiber optic cables are inexpensive, especially compared to fiber optic data lines, and still offer comparatively high bandwidths and data transmission rates. In contrast to glass fiber optics, POF optics are comparatively easy to handle and can be installed with simple tools without any additional effort during the manufacture or installation of the light strip. POF-LWL, in particular of the ETHERNETE 1000BASE-RHA type, can be processed and installed by fitters using comparatively simple tools and without special knowledge.

Thanks to the use of the light band, additional material costs can be omitted. By using the existing supply of the light strip, no separate power lines are required for network devices. In this way, the installation effort for the data network can be significantly reduced, especially with long cable lengths, without any noticeable additional effort on the light line system.

State-of-the-art POF data lines can achieve data rates of 1Gbps or more over distances of up to 50m. The length can also be further increased by means of suitably arranged data coupling units, e.g. Thanks to one or more data coupling units, longer distances with a high data rate are possible, possibly despite connections or couplings with increased attenuation between individual line segments and/or with devices.

Furthermore, it is to be expected that material costs for copper lines will continue to rise in the future, while for POF data lines they will tend to fall as they become more widespread. The data line is therefore preferably a non-wired, in particular non-copper-wired, line, in particular an optical waveguide (LWL) and very particularly preferably a POF optical waveguide.

The proposed data coupling unit can, for example, comprise an active network device, such as a POF switch or the like, or form such or be designed as such. The data coupling unit can be installed in the continuous-row system and supplied with power from it with comparatively little effort. This applies in particular to a correspondingly adapted design of the data coupling unit, in particular the shape of the housing, and can be implemented, for example, with the functional module for data transmission according to claim 7. The data coupling unit can be designed in particular as a communication device for the transmission or exchange of network data or user data.

The housing design of the data coupling unit is preferably suitable for integration, installation or embedding in a light strip.

The supply (=power supply device) can be designed, for example, as an electrical supply line or through-wiring, busbar, current-conducting profile, or the like. The supply is typically multi-wire, i.e. it includes several conductors, in particular conductor wires, at least for the power supply of the light modules of the light strip. If the support profile, e.g. as a conductor rail, is itself used as a protective conductor, the supply always has at least two conductors or wires for the power supply.

Typically existing multi-wire supplies, for example a multi-wire power rail or a multi-wire current conducting profile or the like, can offer an inherently suitable power supply that is available at any desired longitudinal position along a light strip. Existing, predetermined conductors can be used for this purpose, which only supply devices of the data network, in particular also the one or more data coupling units, in a dedicated manner in the sense of an IT supply. The individual conductors of the supply are preferably wires, in particular copper wires, in particular with a cross section in the range from ≧0.5 mm ² to ≦2.5 mm ² .

The or each data coupling unit preferably has its own switching power supply, preferably with suitable connection means for connection to selected conductors of the supply of the light strip. Switching power supplies have, among other things, a low no-load power loss. In particular, an electronic SELV switching power supply with a transformer for galvanic isolation of the secondary side from the primary supply is preferably provided. The switched-mode power supply is preferably designed as an integrated assembly and part of the data-coupling unit, in particular accommodated in the housing of the data-coupling unit. However, within the scope of the invention there are also separate or external switched-mode power supplies, e.g. supply by commercially available LED drivers, e.g. with 48V direct current, which are already specially designed for installation and operation in the light strip.

The data coupling unit, in particular the switched-mode power supply that may be integrated, is preferably designed specifically in accordance with one or more relevant standards for lighting devices, similar to drivers for lighting means. The data coupling unit, in particular the switched-mode power supply, can in particular be generally compliant with EN/IEC 60598-1:2018.9 or DIN EN 60598-1:2018-09 (corresponds to VDE 0711-1). The data coupling unit and in particular the switched-mode power supply should have a suitable rated service life, among other things. The integrated switching power supply of the data coupling unit preferably conforms to EN/IEC 55015:2019-08 (corresponds to VDE 0875-15-1) and/or EN/IEC 61000-3-2:2014 (corresponds to VDE 0838-2) and/or EN /IEC 61547:2009 (corresponds to VDE 0875-15-2). The switched-mode power supply of the data coupling unit can preferably be designed specifically for a lighting application or lighting devices, particularly with regard to radio interference, undesired harmonic currents and/or EMC immunity.

The switched-mode power supply of the data coupling unit can in particular be designed with means for power factor correction, e.g. a PFC circuit or PFC stage (English for power factor correction). The switched-mode power supply can be multi-stage or single-stage. It can advantageously include an input-side EMC filter stage. The switched-mode power supply includes in particular a DC-DC converter, which can preferably be designed as a flyback converter or flyback converter (also step-up/step-down converter).

In addition to the required voltages for network components or the integrated circuits and interfaces required for this purpose, the switched-mode power supply preferably also provides a 48 V DC supply voltage for a PSE unit, in particular for a PoE unit provided in a preferred embodiment in the data coupling unit.

Selected components of the switched-mode power supply have a rated service life that is sufficiently dimensioned for lighting equipment, e.g. according to EN/IEC 60598-1:2018.9 or DIN EN 60598-1 (VDE 0711-1):2018-09.

The switched-mode power supply preferably has a converter circuit, e.g. a DC-DC converter, with at least one power transistor, a rectifier diode and at least one storage capacitor, in particular an electrolytic capacitor. In particular, the at least one electrolytic capacitor of the switched-mode power supply, which acts as an energy store, e.g. as an intermediate circuit buffer or output buffer, depending on the architecture, preferably has a nominal service life of at least 8000 operating hours, preferably at least 10000 operating hours, each at an operating temperature of 105°, or at least one high temperature is preferred -Electrolytic capacitor used. As tests on operating devices for lamps have shown, such electrolytic capacitors usually determine the service life of switched-mode power supplies. With an appropriate design, the nominal service life of the data coupling unit can be sufficient at typical application temperatures in the light strip to avoid its premature replacement or, during maintenance, to enable replacement together with light modules, in particular LED modules, which usually have a nominal service life of 50,000 hours.

The data coupling unit as a whole, in particular the integrated switched-mode power supply, is preferably designed with exclusively passive cooling or passively cooled, in particular without its own fan or without a fan and/or without active cooling components that consume electricity. This minimizes the power consumption or the power consumption of the switched-mode power supply. As a rule, a continuous row offers suitable conditions for passive cooling, e.g. by using the support profile as a heat sink. Accordingly, the data coupling unit is preferably designed in such a way that, when installed as intended, a sufficiently thermally heat-conducting connection with the support profile can be implemented, if necessary by means of a corresponding support element or equipment carrier that is to be attached to the support profile.

The housing of the active data coupling unit preferably has a tc point on its outside which is marked in a visually recognizable manner. At this measuring point, compliance with the nominal maximum housing temperature (=t _c according to IEC/EN 61347) can be determined in a test setup in the desired continuous-row system or the planned application, i.e. the highest permissible temperature that can occur on the outer surface (if necessary on the marked point) may occur under normal operating conditions. Accordingly, the tc point is placed, for example, directly above components, for example the storage capacitor mentioned above, which are critical for temperature and service life. A suitable way of measuring the temperature is advantageous for qualifying for continuous-row systems or for determining the service life of the data coupling unit, particularly in the case of passively cooled data coupling units, in order to ensure that there is no risk of premature failure of the data network, ie maintenance costs.

The fiber optic data line itself can be arranged as a separate line, e.g. independently of the supply on or in the support profile and can also be easily retrofitted if necessary. The fiber optic data line can also be installed together with the power supply, e.g. pre-installed in a so-called current conducting profile or laid in it later.

Due to the main features proposed above, the light strip itself can also be used as a protective or mounting device for the optical fiber optics, so that the material and time required to produce the data infrastructure is reduced overall because, for example, significantly fewer cable ducts or the like are required.

The spatial position of the light bands also offers advantages, including additional security against mechanical damage, e.g. from mobile equipment in a warehouse. Also with regard to antenna positioning for wireless networks, e.g. via WLAN, WiFi or promising standards such as WiFi 6 or IEEE standard 802.11ax, light strips mounted or mountable at a suitable height already allow good network coverage of large areas, without additional installation work for antenna positioning. Although the light distribution curve and antenna characteristics are basically independent, it is comparatively easy to achieve relatively good wireless coverage in a large area from the position of the light strip, without any additional effort for mounting and wiring the wireless network devices.

The proposed solution thus offers a cost-effective and yet future-proof option for providing data networks, in particular mixed wireless data networks and fiber-optic data networks, in large areas, both for new installations and for retrofitting.

Data lines integrated into the light line system allow numerous other advantages, e.g. the integration of control and analysis functions and components, such as sensors for heat mapping, asset tracking, indoor positioning, etc. or Sensors and actuators for building management in general and specifically for lighting control. This means that the light line system, which has been expanded with a data line, can also be easily and cost-effectively integrated into future-oriented IoT or Industry 4.0 applications via suitable interfaces, e.g. Ethernet-to-DALI adapters, and/or provide the relevant infrastructure for this at low cost.

The fiber optic data line, in particular POF data line, can be used in particular for the transmission of non-system data (user data), e.g. for any IT or IoT application, IIoT application or the like. The data line can optionally additionally transmit measurement and/or control data from the lighting system itself, possibly together with data from other building automation devices. However, the fiber optic data line according to the invention is preferably intended and suitable for a network installation for data transmission, i.e. primarily for external user data, i.e. data that is not system-related to the light strip.

The data coupling unit preferably comprises at least one component, e.g. an integrated circuit, for digital signal processing.

The data coupling unit can in particular be designed as an active network device which forwards data (e.g. frames), preferably based on information from the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. The data coupling unit can e.g Data coupling unit enables data communication in particular via the POF data line. In this case, the data coupling unit preferably comprises a suitable, known switch unit or switch hardware, preferably an ETHERNET switch. The switch unit can in particular be a corresponding integrated circuit, switch processor, switch engine or switch ASIC or the like. The data coupling unit can be designed as a digital repeater, which regenerates and forwards data. However, a data coupling unit with switch functionality is preferred. Switch hardware, e.g. a switch processor or switch engine, can preferably be used for this purpose, which can be configured or set up in particular port-specifically for latency-optimized forwarding of data, in particular data packets.

The switch of the data coupling unit is preferably configurable such that it is set up for latency-optimized data forwarding between selected or all data interfaces for optical data transmission, in particular for cut-through switching, preferably fast-forward cut-through switching.

Alternatively, forwarding to network layer 1 (Layer 1) in the sense of a (repeater) hub can also be port-specifically configurable between the data interfaces for optical data transmission. The coupling therefore does not have to take place via the data link layer. A data coupling unit with a simplified repeater function, e.g. as an (OSI) layer 1 repeater hub, would also be conceivable, although less preferred. A link to digital data communication with corresponding digital signal processing is preferred. Digital processing and regeneration of the signals of the POF data line is advantageous compared to a theoretically conceivable purely analog signal amplification of optical signals. In any case, the data coupling unit is preferably supplied with power directly or indirectly from the supply of the light strip.

At least two POF data line segments that are or can be laid in the light strip are preferably provided, which can be or are coupled to one another by the active data coupling unit for the purpose of data transmission. In particular, data line segments with at least one optical fiber pair, in particular a pair of duplex POF optical fibers, come into consideration. Insofar as used in connection with the data coupling unit, the term "coupled" or "coupling" is to be understood in terms of data technology, i.e. related to the establishment of a connection for data transmission, and typically includes signal conversion and electronic data processing in the data coupling unit, e.g. for packet switching, signal refreshment etc..

In a preferred embodiment, the optical data line comprises at least one duplex conductor pair made of POF optical fibers for a half-duplex or full-duplex data connection between two nodes, in particular between data coupling units, which are correspondingly preferred for half- or full-duplex data transmission via duplex POF are designed.

With regard to the network topology in which the fiber optic data line is integrated, a preferred embodiment provides that several fiber optic data line segments and active data coupling units are connected or can be connected in the light band to form a line or daisy chain topology. In this case, the data coupling units are connected in series, preferably via a POF-LWL pair. Each segment of the data line can carry two data cop connect the planning units as network nodes. A bus topology or, in particular, a ring topology is also within the scope of the invention, but a line or daisy chain topology, which minimizes the installation effort, is particularly preferred. Compared to the star topology typical of ETHERNET networks, these topologies require a significantly smaller number of data lines or reduced line lengths and are therefore cost-reducing. In particular, a daisy chain topology (also line topology) or a bus topology are particularly compatible with the compact, long design of light strips and/or with their typical assembly work. In order to implement a daisy chain, bus or ring topology in particular, the system can include multiple data line segments made from POF optical fibers and multiple active data coupling units. Here, two consecutive data line segments made of POF optical fibers can be coupled or connected to one another in series by a data coupling unit, so that the POF fiber optic data line(s) in light bands can cover typical lengths, e.g. several 10m, with a high bandwidth.

Depending on the application, light strips can have considerable overall lengths and are then typically made up of several support profiles that are connected in the longitudinal direction and, among other things, the desired light modules. Particularly in the case of a large overall length, a plurality of POF data line segments laid or capable of being laid in the light strip and a plurality of data coupling units for coupling them are preferably provided. As a result, a high data rate can also be achieved over any length.

A data coupling unit can be provided on or in every nth support profile with n≧2, in particular with regard to the installed state of the light strip. The optical data line then preferably runs continuously and uninterruptedly through intermediate supporting profiles, or at least uninterrupted in each intermediate supporting profile. If the optical data line is installed in the factory, it may need to be connected to optical couplings at the front ends or connections between two adjacent support profiles.

The POF optical waveguides and/or the data coupling units are preferably arranged in the light strip or mounted on it, in particular in or on the support profile of the light strip.

Supporting profiles of the continuous-row system can be provided in different modular lengths, and each can be connected in a modular manner, in the longitudinal direction and possibly also via T-connectors, L-connectors or cross-connectors. The support profile itself has a cross-section that is essentially constant throughout in the longitudinal direction and is preferably designed as a trough-shaped hollow profile that is open on one side and/or has a cross-section in the manner of a U-shape. The open side or access opening is used to attach and partially accommodate the modules and allows access to the supplies, among other things. When assembled or ready for operation, the profile is oriented with the access opening vertically downwards, towards the floor of the room.

With regard to the construction of the support profile and the light modules, all suitable solutions can be considered, in particular solutions that are known per se, e.g. the construction of the light line system of the E-Line or E-Line Next series from TRILUX GmbH & Co. KG (D -59759 Arnsberg) or comparable light line systems available on the market. The support profile can also be part of a so-called conductor rail, e.g. of the EUTRAC® type or the like, or e.g. formed by the metal profile of a conductor rail.

The support profile can also be referred to or designed as a support rail. It typically has a profiled bottom which is opposite the open side or access opening and is vertically overhead when assembled. Two opposite side walls run vertically away or downwards from the profile base. Between the profile base and the side walls, the support profile or the support rail defines the usable interior space, e.g. for protected contacting and accommodating the components. On the narrow side of the side walls toward the access opening, the support profiles or the support rail preferably provide a device for attaching the modules of the continuous-row system, which have corresponding attachment means. For this purpose, all common or suitable solutions are within the scope of the invention, e.g. a suitable connection profile as part of the support profile.

There are various options for realizing the electrical supply in the support profile.

The electrical supply can be implemented using a current-conducting profile with the desired number of cores or wires. The supply can be or comprise, in particular, a current-conducting profile, preferably made of plastic, running in the longitudinal direction on the floor side of the interior, with a plurality of conductors held therein. The conductors can preferably be contacted as required by means of freely positionable contact devices. The Stromleitprofil can in particular on the profile base, ie when mounted horizontally or the Access opening be arranged opposite, for example, to allow contact by plugging in from vertically below. At least one current-conducting profile can also be aligned laterally on one or on both side walls of the support profile, in particular vertically, with the contacting preferably taking place in the horizontal (plug-in) direction.

The electrical supply can be provided by a power rail, e.g. of the EUTRAC® type or of a similar design. The supply can be designed in particular in the form of at least one lateral conductor rail, or two opposite rails, with a plurality of conductors or wires running laterally along the side walls in the longitudinal direction. The wires can be contacted as required, in particular by means of freely positionable rotary contact devices. Two opposite busbars can be provided on the side walls or vertically.

Mechanics for making contact with the side busbar(s) can optionally also mechanically attach the module to the support profile or vice versa, but both can also be done separately.

Alternatively and at low cost, the electrical supply can also be provided as a permanently laid line or wiring, e.g. by means of ribbon cabling or similar through-wiring. In this case, this is preferably designed as multi-core through-wiring with insulated conductors laid firmly in the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail, in particular on the bottom side or on the profile bottom. The through-wiring can be equipped with contact devices, in particular pick-offs, preferably plug connector sockets, at predetermined longitudinal positions in order to enable the supply at different points of the profile. The connector sockets can preferably be designed in the form of insulation displacement cable holders with an upper part with sockets and a lower part as a counterpart for attachment to the profile base, e.g. by snap-in connection. The distances between the pre-assembled contact devices are preferably specified according to a regular grid, in particular according to a modular basic dimension, e.g. corresponding to the shortest module length or corresponding to half the length of a selected module, e.g. at least 375mm in each case if the shortest module of the system is 750mm or e.g. 1000mm or 1500mm in length, or an n-fold of a modular basic dimension. The through-wiring can be continuous over the length of the respective support profile.

Typically, the length of an individual support profile is a multiple of the modular basic dimension of the luminaire modules (module length), e.g. 3000mm or 4500mm, with a basic dimension of 750mm.

By means of suitable current taps (in short: tap) on the supply, preferably plug connector sockets or tap sockets, a plug connection can then be made through a corresponding or cooperating counterpart provided on the component, e.g. a tap plug, for the electrical connection, in particular for the Power supply can be achieved in a simple manner and possibly without tools. Suitable, known plug-socket couplings, e.g. with so-called line holders, can be used as contact devices. The contact devices, in particular tap sockets, can be connected to the through-wiring using insulation displacement technology and enable detachable contacting by means of corresponding plug connectors. The tap connector can be designed in such a way that a phase selection or contacting with the desired predetermined conductor can also be set by adjusting a connector pin. Any existing, system-compatible tapping plugs can also be used for an independent power supply for the data coupling unit.

The at least one POF optical waveguide, in particular a pair of conductors made of POF optical waveguides, can be routed in particular in the support profile or in the inner receiving space of the support profile, which is made possible, among other things, by the comparatively small cross-section of the optical waveguides. The POF optical waveguide(s) thus runs essentially in the longitudinal direction of the support profile.

Depending on the selected design of the support profile, in particular the design of the supply, the data line can be arranged differently, either pre-installed at the factory or retrofitted. One of the following types of construction is particularly suitable here.

In a design that is particularly suitable for retrofitting or subsequent installation of the data line, the at least one POF optical waveguide can be detachably held or detachably held next to the supply by means of a number, ie one or more, suitable holder elements. In this case, the optical fiber can be attached in particular in an area along a side wall or the profile base by means of one or more holder elements arranged in the support profile and distributed in the longitudinal direction and, for example, can also be correspondingly easily retrofitted. Here, the holder elements for holding the POF optical waveguide can be form and/or force be conclusively fastened in the support profile or be designed to match this for form-fitting and/or non-positive fastening. The holder elements can be latched in particular in the support profile. The holder elements can be designed as separate components, in particular as plastic molded parts, for example as tongue-shaped tabs with a holding area for the POF optical waveguide(s) and a connecting area for attachment to the support profile. With the help of suitable holder elements, POF optical fibers can be retrofitted in almost all known light strips. Holders are also conceivable, which are produced together with an already existing component, eg holders on a current-conducting profile, so that the assembly work is further reduced.

In a second design, the at least one POF optical waveguide is laid on the floor next to the supply, in particular in the form of through-wiring. In this case, the LWL can be held together with the supply in the support profile, in particular by appropriately designed means.

In particular, but not exclusively, with this second design, at least one contact device can preferably have at least two optical connections for coupling to POF optical fibers, so that the contact device, e.g. a tap for the power supply, also provides a connection to the data line to which the data coupling unit is connected .

In a further, third design, it can be provided that the at least one POF optical waveguide is integrated in the current-conducting profile, in particular in a current-conducting profile made of plastic. In this case, an optical fiber, in particular POF optical waveguide, or several optical waveguides or POF optical waveguides can be provided, in particular on a web of a current-conducting profile made of plastic, which can preferably be separated via a predetermined breaking point. This allows the fiber optics to be released as required, e.g. for the purpose of coupling to a device, in particular a data coupling unit, or for connection to a subsequent fiber optic section in the next adjacent support profile. With this type of construction, the or each POF fiber optic cable can be integrated or included in the current conducting profile together with the wire lines of the supplies during production, e.g. in an extrusion process or in another suitable way.

In an easy-to-install embodiment, at least one contact device suitable for the type of supply is provided in the light strip for the data coupling unit, which is provided for connecting, in particular for detachable plug-in connection, the data coupling unit with the supply conductors predetermined for this purpose in the support profile. In this case, the contact device can be selected in such a way that it allows and achieves contacting exclusively with the conductors that are predetermined or selected for supply.

The fastening means and contact device are preferably designed in such a way or interact with the support profile of the light strip in such a way that electrical contact is also made at the same time as mechanical fastening or assembly. Suitable fastening means can be designed in particular for attaching or plugging modules onto or onto the support profile in the transverse direction to the longitudinal direction of the light strip and can be detachable, e.g. using a snap-in connection with a profile area of the support profile, in particular two opposite profile areas on the side of the access opening.

For a power supply that is independent of the lighting, it is advantageous if the supply has at least seven (7) electrical conductors, in particular at least nine (9) electrical conductors. The typical mains supply conductors of a 5-wire line, i.e. the 3-phase conductors L1, L2, L3, in particular for the phase-selectable supply of the light modules, as well as N and PE, are predetermined and reserved for the luminaire supply or marked accordingly. Two more or the two more conductors can then be used or reserved for the supply of the network devices, in particular the data coupling units. For example, conductors already provided in the system for an emergency power supply or a pair of conductors for the DALI control can be used. A supply with at least 9 conductors is advantageous, so that a control line that may already be planned or is present, in particular for DALI control, can continue to be used or remains available without any impairment. A supply with at least 11 conductors is particularly advantageous, so that in addition to the typical 5-wire supply for the light modules, a pair of conductors for DALI, a pair of conductors for emergency power supply and also a pair of conductors, namely with their own phase and neutral conductors, for the independent IT supply of the Network devices, in particular the data coupling units, can be used in the light band.

Two separate conductors for the independent supply of the data coupling unit(s) and preferably suitable contact device(s) are thus advantageously provided in the supply.

Provision is preferably made to avoid undesired failures of the network technology hen that the system provides or causes the power supply of the active data coupling unit by means of conductors of the supply, which are not used to supply the light modules. In this way, it is also possible to avoid having to switch off the supply to the network devices, in particular the data coupling units, in the light strip during maintenance work or adjustments to light modules, which may lead to loss of data or loss of productivity. In addition, supplying power from an independent phase and neutral pair allows the installation of a separate residual current circuit breaker for the network devices in the light run, thus reducing unwanted failures in this respect as well. In addition, the independent supply can be coupled to a UPS device that may be provided for the supply of the IT system if required.

In terms of construction, it is advantageous if each support profile is designed as a support rail made of metal, in particular as a formed, in particular roll-formed, sheet steel profile or extruded aluminum profile. Thus, a robust protective enclosure for the data conductors is inherently achieved with the light strip without the need to install separate cable ducts or conduits.

The support profiles preferably have suitable means for fastening, in particular releasable mounting, of modules of the system on an open underside or access opening, e.g. a suitable profile area for engaging, reaching behind, snapping in or the like by means of corresponding fastening means on the functional module, e.g. on the equipment carrier or on the housing the data coupling unit.

The support profiles of the system can already be provided or offered with a given profile cross-section in several module lengths, e.g. easily transportable support profile lengths of 750mm, 1500mm, 3000mm and 4500mm. Each support profile therefore advantageously has a certain minimum length of e.g. at least 750mm or 1500mm in order to enable modular adaptation or lighting planning. The length of the support profile is preferably in the range from 500mm to 6000mm.

According to an independent aspect of the invention, a functional module according to claim 7 is also proposed, which is particularly suitable for a light band according to one of the above exemplary embodiments.

The functional module has at least one active data coupling unit for transmitting useful data via a data line and fastening means for mounting the functional module on or in an elongated support profile of a continuous-row luminaire, in particular on the underside of an access opening of the support profile or at least partially in the support profile. In the case of embodiments for accommodation in the interior of the support profile, a correspondingly compact, suitably dimensioned housing design of the functional module is preferably provided.

According to the invention, the active data coupling unit of the functional module has at least one first data interface for optical data transmission via a POF optical waveguide, in particular via a pair of POF optical waveguides, and also at least one second data interface. This additional second data interface can also be designed and set up in particular for optical data transmission via POF fiber optics, in particular via a pair of conductors made from POF fiber optics, but a pure media converter is also conceivable as a data coupling unit, e.g. for conversion between fiber optic data lines and a wireless data network.

The function module preferably has a connection that is compatible with the light line system for connection to an electrical supply running in the support profile of the light line light. For this purpose, it can in particular comprise a contact device for connecting to predetermined conductors of an electrical supply running in the supporting profile of the continuous-row luminaire.

For the purpose of power supply, the active data coupling unit can be connected to the supply, in particular using a suitable contact device, so that no separate power supply is required.

The above preferred features of the system can be used individually or in an advantageous combination on the functional module and vice versa. In particular, the following embodiments or features also relate to features that are suitable or preferred for the continuous-row system.

The data coupling unit preferably has a first data interface for optical data transmission via a POF fiber optic cable and a second data interface for optical data transmission via a POF fiber optic cable for connecting LWL segments. Each interface is preferably suitable for data transmission via a pair of POF fiber optic cables. A duplex connection, in particular a full duplex data connection, can thus be implemented between two nodes in a technically simple manner and with a high bandwidth.

The data coupling unit is preferably used as an active network device for connecting two successive segments of a data line with POF optical fibers.

The data coupling unit can be designed for digital data transmission, in particular in a packet-switching manner, e.g. acting as a switch or repeater for the POF-LWL.

The data coupling unit is preferably, in particular additionally, designed as a media converter, in particular as a switched media converter and/or media converter with a bridge function on OSI layer 2. In this case, the data coupling unit and/or at least one third interface for data transmission via another wired or wireless signal format, in particular via an ETHERNET copper data line or e.g. via WLAN or WiFi. In the present case, ETHERNET is used to describe a conventional wired (copper) data line in general and in short, e.g. using a Cat 5 or Cat 7 UTP cable or the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the data coupling unit can also be designed as a power source or power sourcing equipment (PSE), and e.g. have a PoE-capable ETHERNET connection to serve as a supply source in Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) applications. Accordingly, the data coupling unit preferably has at least one wired data interface.

The data coupling unit may comprise a power sourcing equipment (PSE) unit. The data coupling unit can thus have a supply connection for supplying external consumers and a correspondingly designed power supply unit, which is to be supplied with mains voltage, in particular by supplying the support profile. This allows various devices to be supplied directly, such as wireless access points (WAP), simple IP cameras or devices for time recording and access control, etc. For this purpose, the data coupling unit can in particular be PoE-capable or have a PoE injector. The supply connection for one or more external consumers can be integrated into a connection of the third interface, e.g. an ETHERNET/UTP port. The PSE unit, in particular the PoE injector, can preferably be switched on or off as required.

In addition or as an alternative to the wired third interface for data transmission, the data coupling unit itself can have a WLAN interface, in particular provide a WLAN access point. Furthermore, it can also have an ETHERNET connection, e.g. as a third interface, and can be connected via this to a WLAN device, for example. The WLAN device can be supplied with power directly from the data coupling unit via PoE, so that no additional cable or contact set-up is required.

In principle, any type of device or data source or data sink, in particular any type of IoT equipment, can be connected to the data coupling unit via the second or third interface. However, the fiber optic connection preferably serves as the main network connection, i.e. the data coupling unit uses the fiber optic data line or interfaces for optical data transmission as a backbone.

Other interfaces are optional, e.g. a third and fourth interface for ETHERNET lines or UTP network cables or WLAN as optional local data connections, and can preferably be switched off, so that the data coupling unit can be used in a modular and energy-saving manner. Further or non-optical interfaces can be connected to the optical data line or integrated into the data network via a suitable media converter in the data coupling unit.

Furthermore, the data coupling unit itself can have a DALI interface for the purpose of controlling light modules via the useful data line, in particular the POF data line. In addition or as an alternative, the data coupling unit can be connected to an ETHERNET-to-DALI adapter via Ethernet connection, so that light modules can also be controlled via the integrated or retrofitted fiber optic or POF user data line.

In preferred embodiments, it is provided that the data line for data transmission, which can be arranged or is arranged on or in the support profile, is an optical data line with a duplex conductor pair made of large-core POF optical fibers. The POW optical waveguide can in particular be a multimode POF of the step index type.

Preferably, the first and second data interfaces for optical data transmission can each have at least one optical connection, designed for large-core POF optical fibers. In the present case, this means POF-LWL with a core diameter > 500 µm, in particular in the range of 800-1200 µm, e.g. 980 µm or for a core diameter of approx. 1 mm.

Double connections for a duplex pair of POF fiber optic cables, e.g. appropriate optical front ends (OFE), are particularly suitable.

The data coupling unit is preferably designed for POF optical waveguides with an optical duplex conductor pair with a bandwidth >200 Mbps, preferably at least ≥1 Gbps. Currently POF solutions with bandwidths ≥2Gbps are already available.

The POF-LWL can, for example, be of the stepped index or step index (SI), double step index (DSI) or gradient index or graded index (GI) type, depending on the desired requirements. A solution with a step index - large core POF-LWL (large core SI-POF), e.g. with a core diameter of 980 µm, is particularly inexpensive and easy to use. Furthermore, the use of MC-POF or PCS (Plastic Clad Silica) as POF LWL is also within the scope of the invention.

The at least one or each data interface for optical data transmission accordingly preferably comprises at least one transceiver and an OFE (Optical Front End) for POF optical waveguides, in particular Large Core POF. Transceivers and an OFE are especially designed for gigabit data rates.

The optical connections of the data coupling unit can be designed as active OFE and particularly preferably for manual or tool-free connection with connectorless fiber ends, in particular as a duplex OFE with a transmission connection (Tx) and a reception connection (Rx). This permits a simple connection to one optical fiber-optic cable each of a duplex conductor pair made of POF fiber-optic cables, in particular large-core POF fiber-optic cables. A suitable solution for this is e.g. from Firecomms Ltd. (2200 Airport Business Park, Cork, Ireland) under the trademark OptoLock®. Connectorless LWL-OFE enable the direct connection of bare (connectorless) Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) in order to enable the connection of devices significantly faster, easier and more cost-effectively. This particularly advantageous solution can be achieved with large-core POF optical fibers. A technology of the ETHERNET 1000BASE-RHx type, in particular 1000BASE-RHA, is preferred.

According to a further aspect that is independently relevant to the invention, at least one data interface, in particular an optical data interface, can be implemented in the data coupling unit in the form of a modularly exchangeable interface unit, in particular with an optical-electrical converter function. The interface unit can be inserted into an electrical base interface of the data coupling unit or connected to it, in particular, for example, to convert it into an optical data interface. For this purpose, optical interfaces can be used, e.g. in the form of a unit of the type GBIC (gigabit interface converter) or the like, preferably in a compact format, in particular in the SFP format (small form-factor pluggable), or e.g. SFP+, XFP or the like, and be implemented for a bandwidth of at least 1 Gbps. At least one of the interface units in the or each data coupling unit preferably includes an optical front end (OFE) for POF LWL.

Such interface units are intended to be interchangeable, in particular installed by means of a plug connection, e.g. by means of plug-in card connectors or other suitable electrical connectors. In this way, the sustainability and/or modularity of the data coupling unit in the light band can be further increased. By means of a modular, interchangeable interface unit with converter function, another interface to other media, e.g. With the help of modularly interchangeable interface units, network devices can be easily switched to other media, if necessary repaired more quickly during operation (so-called "hot swap") or in the event of an interface defect.

For integration into the support profile, it is advantageous if the data coupling unit has a light strip-compatible housing design or external dimensions. For this purpose, the housing can preferably be designed with cross-sectional dimensions height x width less than or equal to 50mm x 60mm, preferably less than 42mm x 53mm, in particular less than or equal to 25mm x 40mm, whereby the length can be significantly greater depending on the requirements, even by a multiple of the Height or width, e.g. > 120mm, preferably in the range of 100mm to 300mm and less than half (<50%) of the basic dimension (length of the modules). The data coupling unit can thus in particular have an elongate housing which can be accommodated in the support profile.

The optical connections of the first and second interfaces, in particular all optical POF connections, are preferably provided exclusively on one of the two end faces of the housing pointing in the longitudinal direction. Optical connections can advantageously be provided opposite one another on the two opposite end faces. This simplifies the laying and connection of the POF fiber optics considerably, especially when retrofitting, due to the spatial conditions and accessibility in the interior of the support profile and its extension in the longitudinal direction.

Further additional connections, e.g. for an Ethernet interface, can also be arranged on the larger side surfaces, which preferably run parallel to the longitudinal direction, e.g. on the underside for direct user access from below through an access opening in the module cover, or alternatively on the side walls or also be provided on the top. In this way, for example, a connection can also be made to one or more separately mounted connector sockets, for example on the module cover, in particular to one or more RJ45 socket(s) for ETHERNET cabling. A corresponding arrangement of the connections allows a particularly slim design for installation in compact light strips or busbars.

The data coupling unit preferably has at least one interface for or at least one connection for ETHERNET or UTP cabling, in particular comprising an RJ45 socket. This allows the connection of common, freely selectable IoT devices in a cost-effective design.

In a preferred development, the data coupling unit can comprise a configurable unit, in particular a configurable switch unit, e.g. for administration and security functions, and in particular can be designed as a managed switch. Among other things, this enables simple and secure integration of the building's internal POF network into a larger broadband network. In particular, a multilayer switch engine with configurable functionalities on the network layer (OSI Layer 3 and higher) can be provided. In the present case, the term switch unit is understood to be equivalent to any suitable switch hardware, which can be implemented in the form of exactly one integrated circuit, or also as a unit made up of a number of ICs.

The data coupling unit can, in particular, be remotely configurable via one of its data interfaces, or possibly also via a further or additional interface provided specifically for this purpose to the processor or control unit or to the switch unit. For this purpose, an additional interface, in particular a wireless interface, e.g. via Bluetooth®, can be provided, which is not integrated as a data port in the intended function of the data coupling unit, in particular in a data coupling unit with a switch, or no data coupling from or into the fiber optic cable -Data line allowed. This can increase access security and still simplify maintenance.

The data coupling unit preferably supports basic management functions for configuring the device by remote maintenance, in particular without distinction via at least all optical interfaces. The configuration can be done both via an embedded web application (which can be operated via any standard browser) or remotely via a cloud-based management system. The data coupling unit is preferably set up in such a way that each interface or each port can be managed independently. In particular, local additional interfaces, which are provided in addition to the optical interfaces, such as RJ-45 ports for ETHERNET lines, can each be switched on and off individually, preferably via configuration. In an embodiment with a function as a local supply or PSE (English for power-sourcing-equipment), this functionality can preferably be switched on and off selectively, e.g. for the purpose of saving energy, device control and/or restarting. In particular, an optional PoE function is preferably implemented such that it can be switched on and off, in particular independently of the corresponding data interface and/or via remote maintenance.

Furthermore, general control functions such as restart (reboot), reinitialization (reset), or even a firmware update can be triggered via remote maintenance. Furthermore, functions such as prioritization, in particular packet prioritization, VLAN or connection or data-specific bandwidth restrictions can be set.

Remote configuration or remote maintenance can be enabled, for example, via a programmable or configurable switch processor or switch ASIC. In one embodiment, the switch can have a number of pre-programmed or pre-stored function modes for typical applications, which can be selected or switched over via an interface with a low data rate, e.g. via an optional DALI interface of the data coupling unit.

Mechanically advantageous, the housing can also have latching or snap-in means, by means of which the housing can be fastened to a device carrier corresponding to the support profile, in particular without tools. In particular, a plurality of protective grounding claws are particularly preferably provided, so that the contact device of the data coupling unit only contacts the phase conductor and neutral conductor for the supply.

In one embodiment, the active data coupling unit is fastened to a device mount which is designed to be fastened to the support profile of the continuous-row luminaire, in particular on the underside of the support profile or its access opening. The device carrier can serve as a cover, preferably in such a way that the device carrier has an open underside of the profile when it is fastened closes in sections. The open underside of the support profile is usually covered flat and flush with the module supports for a closed appearance. A corresponding device carrier preferably has means for detachable attachment, eg several retaining springs or the like, which are designed to engage, engage behind and/or detachably engage with a corresponding profile area of the support profile, in particular on or to the side of the access opening.

If the function module includes a device carrier, this is preferably designed to correspond to the support profile and is designed to be fastenable to the access opening of the support profile. A device carrier can be designed in particular as a formed sheet metal part, or as an extruded aluminum part or as an extruded or extruded plastic part. The housing is preferably designed for tool-free connection, in particular latching, with such a device carrier, in particular a device carrier that is compatible with the light line system or is already present in its modular system.

In particular, a number of elongated structurally identical support profiles can be provided for the realization of a light band and mounted in alignment with one another in the longitudinal direction, e.g. suspended from the ceiling via pendulums and/or directly on a ceiling. Depending on the overall length of the light strip and the requirements for the POF data line, at least two data coupling units are preferably provided, which couple at least three segments of the data line, each with POF optical fibers, preferably a duplex conductor pair made of POF optical fibers. In this case, the data coupling units and POF optical waveguides can preferably be connected to one another in accordance with a bus topology, in particular in the form of a daisy chain topology. In principle, depending on the length of the light strip, a number of n≧3 data coupling units can be provided, which connect n+1 segments of the optical data line. Light strips of any length can thus be supplied with the maximum bandwidth of the POF data line or full bandwidth can also be provided at the ends on both sides.

As an alternative to using a device carrier, the active data coupling unit itself, in particular on its housing, can include fastening means for detachable mounting on or in the support profile, in particular on a power rail.

In one embodiment, fastening means for mounting the function module or the data coupling unit can be provided, which comprise at least one bolt that can be adjusted into a locking position transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support profile, in which the bolt engages or engages behind lockingly in the support profile. In this case, a contact device can be provided, for example on the function module, which comprises movably mounted, extendable or deliverable electrical contacts for contacting the supply. The adjustment of the latch and the delivery of the contacts are preferably designed to be mechanically coupled to one another, so that fastening and contacting can be carried out in one step. The contacts of the contact device can be inserted, for example, into at least one laterally arranged guide profile of the supply or also into two laterally opposite guide profiles. For example, eccentrically adjustable contacts and locking elements can be provided on the contact device by turning, which are coupled via a turning mechanism. In this way, the locking elements can engage in or behind the support profile when the contacts are twisted. In this way, both electrical contacting and mechanical attachment can be carried out with the aid of a simple movement. A suitable solution for this is e.g WO 01/91249 A1 described.

The support profile can also form part of a conductor rail or include such a conductor. In this case, the active data coupling unit can have a housing which is designed as an adapter for a busbar and can be accommodated at least partially in the busbar, in particular between lateral guide profiles. With a busbar, the housing can be fastened to the busbar, preferably via a rotary mechanism. In addition or as an alternative, the module can have a contact device which interacts with conductors in laterally arranged guide profiles of the busbar. Fastening and contacting can in particular take place jointly by means of a mechanism or the rotary mechanism.

In practice, a number of support profiles are often mounted to form a continuous-row luminaire with a total length of more than 10m, in particular often more than 13.5m, in particular >15m.

Finally, the invention also relates to a data coupling unit that is specifically suitable for a light strip, with the features relating to this unit according to one of the above or following embodiments or examples.

The proposed functional module or the proposed data coupling unit is particularly suitable for the use of POF optical fibers, in particular duplex conductor pairs made from large core POF optical fibers, in a light band. In particular, it allows retrofitting a continuous-row luminaire with a POF-based data connection, in particular for a data connection in accordance with ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-3:2017/Amd 9-2018 or a comparable standard or norm for fiber optic data lines.

All of the features described above and below are also disclosed independently of one another in general within the scope of the invention and may also be considered to be relevant to the invention in their own right. Accordingly, the features can be claimed independently of the combination of features of the attached independent claims, e.g. in the context of a divisional application. If technically compatible, individual features of an embodiment or an exemplary embodiment can also be combined with those of other embodiments or examples. Individual features are to be understood as being combinable with each other.

• 1: ein Prinzipschema einer Lichtband-Leuchte mit optischer Datenleitung und deren Einbindung in ein Datennetzwerk;
• 2A-2B: ein erstes erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Lichtband-Leuchte mit einer aktiven Datenkopplungseinheit zur Datenübertragung über ein Leiterpaar aus zwei POF-Lichtwellenleitern, in schematischer Frontansicht (2A) in Längsrichtung des Lichtbands betrachtet und in Perspektivansicht (2B) von schräg oben;
• 3A-3B: einen Abschnitt eines konventionellen Geräteträgers für ein bekanntes Lichtband, mit mehreren LED-Lichtmodulen in Seitenansicht (3A) und in Untersicht (3B);
• 4A-4B: ein zweites erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel, mit einer aktiven Datenkopplungseinheit und POF-Lichtwellenleitern, sowie einem an die Datenkopplungseinheit angeschlossenen IoT-Gerät, in Seitenansicht (4A) und in Untersicht (4B);
• 5A-5B: ein drittes erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Lichtband-Leuchte mit POF-Lichtwellenleitern zur Veranschaulichung einer möglichen Verlegeart der POF-Lichtwellenleitern, in Frontansicht (5A) in Längsrichtung des Lichtbands betrachtet und in Perspektivansicht etwa entlang der Längsrichtung (5B);
• 6A-6D: ein erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Funktionsmoduls mit einem Geräteträger zur Montage an einem Tragprofil eines Lichtbands, z.B. nach 2A-2B, mit einer Datenkopplungseinheit, sowie eines an diese angeschlossenen WLAN-Geräts, sowie Befestigungsmitteln zum Montieren des Funktionsmoduls, in zwei Perspektivansichten (6A-6B) von beiden Längsseiten auf die Innenseite des Geräteträgers, zur Darstellung einer Bauform der Datenkopplungseinheit, in eiem vergrößerten Teilquerschnitt (6C) und einer Variante im Querschnitt (6D) senkrecht zur Längsrichtung;
• 7A-7C: ein weiteres erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Funktionsmoduls mit einem Geräteträger zur Montage an einem Lichtband, z.B. nach 5A-5B, mit einer Datenkopplungseinheit und einer Kontakteinrichtung in Form eines Abgriff-Steckers, in Perspektivansicht (7A) auf die Innenseite bzw. in Frontansicht in Längsrichtung des Lichtbands, im nicht montierten Zustand (7B), mit einer Geräteträgervariante aus Metall, und im montierten Zustand (7C), mit einer Geräteträgervariante aus Kunststoff;
• 8A-8B: ein weiteres erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Lichtband-Systems mit einer alternativen, vorgefertigten Verlegung der POF-Lichtwellenleiter, hier mit zwei in das Stromleitprofil integrierten Leiterpaaren aus POF-Lichtwellenleitern, in Frontansicht in Längsrichtung und in Seitenansicht (8B) zur Veranschaulichung einer Lösung zur Verbindung der POF-Lichtwellenleiter zwischen zwei Tragprofilen;
• 9A-9D: ein weiteres erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Lichtband-Systems, hier mit einer Stromschiene, welche als Tragprofil dient, in Frontansichten in Längsrichtung, ohne Datenkopplungseinheit (9A), mit montierter Datenkopplungseinheit (9B) und mit an ein Paar POF-Lichtwellenleiter angeschlossener Datenkopplungseinheit (9C), sowie in nicht montierter Perspektivdarstellung (9D) zur Veranschaulichung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel eines Funktionsmoduls, hier für eine Stromschiene.
• 10: ein Prinzipschema einer Daisy-Chain-Netztopologie mit Duplex-Datenübertragung über eine Datenleitung mit Leitungssegmenten aus zwei POF-Lichtwellenleitern;
• 11: ein weiteres erfindungsgemäßes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Lichtband-Systems mit Kontakteinrichtungen in Form von Abgriff-Buchsen an festen, vorbestimmten Längspositionen des Lichtbands und einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform einer Datenkopplungseinheit, die als Repeater bzw. Verstärker für POF-Lichtwellenleiter ausgeführt ist;
• 12: ein Prinzipschema der Architektur eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Datenkopplungseinheit für Systeme nach 1-9, welche als Switch, mit Medienkonverter und mit eigenem, integriertem Schaltnetzteil zur Stromversorgung aus dem Lichtband ausgeführt ist und optische Schnittstellen für POF-Lichtwellenleiter sowie weitere Schnittstellen, z.B. für UTP-Datenkabel aufweist;
• 13: ein Prinzipschema der Architektur eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Datenkopplungseinheit für Systeme nach 1-9, die als Power-Sourcing-Equipment (PSE), mit einer PSE-Einheit zur Stromversorgung eines an die Datenkopplungseinheit angeschlossenen Geräts, ausgeführt ist, zur Darstellung weiterer Einzelheiten zum Schaltnetzteil;
• 14: ein Prinzipschema der Architektur eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Datenkopplungseinheit für Systeme nach 1-9, mit einem externen Schaltnetzteil zur Stromversorgung aus dem Lichtband; und
• 15: ein Prinzipschema der Architektur eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Datenkopplungseinheit für Systeme nach 1-9, hier mit optischen Schnittstellen für mehrere Leiterpaare aus POF-Lichtwellenleitern, z.B. vier optischen Schnittstellen, sowie mit u.a. einer DALI-Schnittstelle und einer WLAN-Schnittstelle.

Further details, advantages and preferred features of the invention result from the following description of some preferred exemplary embodiments, without limitation of the above, with reference to the figures. The following figures show this in a schematic manner and for explanation purposes:

• 1 : a schematic diagram of a continuous-row luminaire with an optical data line and its integration into a data network;
• 2A-2B : a first exemplary embodiment of a continuous-row luminaire with an active data coupling unit for data transmission via a pair of conductors made of two POF optical fibers, in a schematic front view ( 2A) seen in the longitudinal direction of the light band and in a perspective view ( 2 B) from diagonally above;
• 3A-3B : a section of a conventional gear tray for a known light line, with several LED light modules in side view ( 3A) and in bottom view ( 3B) ;
• 4A-4B : a second exemplary embodiment according to the invention, with an active data coupling unit and POF optical fibers, as well as an IoT device connected to the data coupling unit, in side view ( 4A) and in bottom view ( 4B) ;
• 5A-5B : a third exemplary embodiment of a continuous-row luminaire with POF optical fibers according to the invention to illustrate a possible way of laying the POF optical fibers, in front view ( 5A) viewed in the longitudinal direction of the light band and in a perspective view approximately along the longitudinal direction ( 5B) ;
• 6A-6D : An inventive embodiment of a functional module with a device mount for mounting on a support profile of a light strip, for example 2A-2B , with a data coupling unit and a WLAN device connected to it, as well as fastening means for mounting the function module, in two perspective views ( 6A-6B) from both long sides on the inside of the device carrier, to show a design of the data coupling unit, in an enlarged partial cross section ( 6C ) and a variant in cross-section ( 6D ) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
• 7A-7C : Another inventive embodiment of a functional module with a device mount for mounting on a light line, for example 5A-5B , with a data coupling unit and a contact device in the form of a tap connector, in a perspective view ( 7A) on the inside or in the front view in the longitudinal direction of the light band, when not installed ( 7B) , with a device carrier variant made of metal, and in the assembled state ( 7C ), with a device mount version made of plastic;
• 8A-8B : Another exemplary embodiment of a light band system according to the invention with an alternative, prefabricated laying of the POF optical fibers, here with two conductor pairs made of POF optical fibers integrated into the current conducting profile, in a front view in the longitudinal direction and in a side view ( 8B) to illustrate a solution for connecting the POF fiber optic cables between two support profiles;
• 9A-9D : Another inventive embodiment of a light line system, here with a conductor rail, which serves as a support profile, in front views in the longitudinal direction, without data coupling unit ( 9A) , with mounted data coupling unit ( 9B) and with data coupling unit ( 9C ), as well as in non-mounted perspective view ( 9D ) to illustrate another embodiment of a function module, here for a busbar.
• 10 : A basic diagram of a daisy chain network topology with duplex data transmission via a data line with line segments made of two POF fiber optic cables;
• 11 : a further exemplary embodiment of a light band system according to the invention with contact devices in the form of tap sockets at fixed, predetermined longitudinal positions of the light band and a further alternative embodiment of a data coupling unit, which is designed as a repeater or amplifier for POF fiber optic cables;
• 12 : a schematic diagram of the architecture of an embodiment of a data coupling unit for systems according to FIG 1-9 , which is designed as a switch, with a media converter and with its own integrated switching power supply for power supply from the light strip and has optical interfaces for POF fiber optic cables and other interfaces, e.g. for UTP data cables;
• 13 : a basic diagram of the architecture of a further exemplary embodiment of a data coupling unit for systems 1-9 , which is designed as Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE), with a PSE unit for powering a device connected to the data coupling unit, to show further details of the switched-mode power supply;
• 14 : a basic diagram of the architecture of a further exemplary embodiment of a data coupling unit for systems 1-9 , with an external switching power supply for power supply from the light strip; and
• 15 : a basic diagram of the architecture of a further exemplary embodiment of a data coupling unit for systems 1-9 , here with optical interfaces for several pairs of conductors made of POF fiber-optic cables, eg four optical interfaces, as well as with a DALI interface and a WLAN interface, among other things.

1 shows schematically a light band system 1 with an elongated light band light 2, referred to below as light band for short, which is only partially shown and can typically have a length> 10 m, possibly several 10 m.

The light band 2 has several consecutive, elongated supporting profiles 3 for fastening light modules 4. In a suitable construction known per se, the supporting profile 3 is designed for mounting or installing the light band 2 on a structure or in the interior of a building using appropriate mounting means. e.g., directly on a ceiling, or suspended from the ceiling, e.g., by means of pendants or the like (not shown).

The light strip 2 has several light modules 4, selected and arranged depending on the application, for example with LED light sources. Each light module 4 is attached to one of the support profiles 3 and covers this from the underside. The light strip 2 also has an electrical supply for the power supply of system components, in particular the light modules 4, the supply being of a type known per se, for example as below, for example 2A-2B , 5A-5B or 7-8 explained in more detail.

1 also shows a data line 10 for data transmission of user data, e.g. according to the TCP/IP reference model (IP for short), which has at least one optical waveguide (LWL for short), here in the form of a polymer optical fiber (POF for short), here a conductor pair made of two POF -FO. At least one line segment of the data line 10 with POF LWL is arranged in or on the support profile, as described further below.

The system 1 off 1 also has an active data coupling unit 12 (cf. "POF switch"), with, among other things, a data interface for optical data transmission via the POF LWL 10. The data coupling unit 12 is on one of the support profiles 3 and is equipped accordingly, e.g. with a system-compatible one Equipment carrier (see below). Using the data coupling unit 12, hereinafter referred to as DKE for short, any desired IP-based device or IoT device 14, which is mounted on the light strip 2, can be connected to a higher-level data network 15, in particular a local network or LAN, eg for implementing Industry 4.0 solutions, for building automation, or the like cloud solution or similar 1 1 also shows an IP converter 17 which connects the POF-LWL of the data line 10 of the light strip to the LAN 15. The LAN 15 is preferably designed as an ETHERNET network or according to IEEE-802.3. The LAN 15 can be implemented outside of the light band 2, for example predominantly with UTP lines in a conventional star topology, or also, for example, with fiber optic cables.

As in 10 shown, the optical data line 10 is preferably designed with a conductor pair of two POF-LWL 10A, 10B. The optical data line 10 in the light strip 2 is preferably designed for full-duplex optical data communication or for simultaneous transmission and reception without multiplex technology, via one of the POF optical fibers 10A, 10B between consecutive DKE 12 in the light strip 2 that are directly connected to one another. Alternatively, however, it would also be possible to use a single optical fiber (not shown) between the nodes, in particular POF optical fibers with, for example, WDM or WDMA technology for duplex transmission. 10 also shows the preferred arrangement of the fiber optic data line segments 10A, 10B and active DKE 12, e.g. as IP hosts, to form a daisy chain topology (also line topology), in contrast to the typical star topology in an ETHERNET LAN . Optionally, however, the daisy chain topology can also be extended to a ring topology, as in 1 through the dashed, optional return line 18 to the IP converter 17 is indicated, in particular if only an optical fiber is used between the nodes or DKE 12 as a data line 10 (not shown). For this purpose, a return line 18 may then have to be laid on or in the light strip 2, preferably of the same design as the data line 10, in particular with at least one POF fiber optic cable.

One or more data coupling unit(s) 12 (DKE) on or in the light band 2 basically enable a large number of applications from information technology (IT) and correspondingly expand the light band 2 with IT functionality. Purely by way of example, a number of light strips 2 according to the invention can be used in a logistics warehouse, for example, to provide IT infrastructure for wireless, IP-based logistics devices (handheld scanners) and/or automation devices, e.g. AGVs or the like.

With the POF data line 10 and the DKE 12, the light band comprises a type of integrated AON (Active Optical Network) as the core aspect of the invention. Its components are preferably designed for Gigabit Ethernet or for data transmission at 1,000/100 Mbit/s via standard SI-POF, MC-POF or PCS according to 1000BASE-RH (IEEE 802.3bv) or comparable.

The POF data line 10 and the DKE 12 can mainly be used for non-system user data relating to the light strip 2 itself or the lighting, but can also use the DKE 12 to enable or support IP-based building automation, in particular IP-based light management . As explained in more detail below, the light strip 2 is set up in such a way that during operation the electrical supply to the support profile 3, which is originally intended to supply the LED modules 4, is also used to supply the active DKE 12 with power.

2A-2B show, as an embodiment of the support profile 3, a support rail 20 of a light strip 2, with a support rail base 21 and two side walls 22 which extend downwards away from the support rail base 21 along the vertical direction. Extrusion profile arranged in which channels are provided. In the canals are in 2A-2B arranged not shown wires of the supply. The channels of the current conducting rail 23 are open on their side facing the interior and on the side facing away from the support rail base 21 along the vertical direction, so that the line wires are accessible from the interior. The system or light band 2 according to the invention also has a mounting body in the form of a device carrier 30, with a floor 31 and two side walls 32 running upwards in the vertical direction. The device carrier 30 has a modular basic dimension as an overall length, for example 750 mm, and the individual mounting rail 20 has a total length corresponding to an integer multiple of the basic dimension, eg 3000mm or 4500mm. The equipment rack 30 is dimensioned such that its side walls 32 are substantially flush with the side walls 22 of the support rail 20 for flush coverage of the open underside.

A contact device is arranged on the mounting body or equipment carrier 30 (cf. 7A-7C ), for example as an insulation displacement device for contacting selected conductors in the conductor rail 23. In 2A-2B the mounted state is shown, in which the device carrier 30 has been mechanically latched to the mounting rail 20, for example by means of suitable retaining springs on the device carrier 30, as shown in more detail in 7B-7C shown. Depending on the module, the equipment carrier 30 can be produced as a formed sheet metal part, for example as a roll-formed sheet steel profile, or as a plastic extrusion. The support rail 20 is preferably made of metal, here, for example, as a roll-formed sheet steel profile, but it can also be designed, for example, as an extruded aluminum profile (e.g. in the case of a conductor rail as in 9A-9C ).

As 2A-2B 1, the DKE 12 is arranged in the interior of the light band 2 or on the upper side of the equipment carrier 30, and is connected to the power supply rail 23 via a suitable contact device for the power supply. The DKE 12 has a housing with correspondingly compact dimensions, which are particularly suitable for a light band, with cross-sectional dimensions of height x width less than or equal to 50mm x 60mm, and a predominantly elongated design, for example with approx. 25mm x 40mm x 260mm (HxWxL).

2A-2B also show an exemplary arrangement or routing of a pair of conductors made of POF optical fibers 10A, 10B (cf. cross section in 10 ), which is in a lateral bracket 26, for example a suitable plastic holding profile for the detachable latching of the POF optical waveguides 10A, 10B. The holder 26 is here arranged laterally next to the current-conducting rail 23, along a side wall 22, and can, for example, be produced in one piece with the current-conducting rail 23 or separately.

Also schematic in 2 B You can see an optical connection 25 on the face side for the POF data line 10 on the DKE 12, as well as other connections for UTP data cables, which, however, do not have to be on the face side.

3A-3B show, schematically and by way of example, a single conventional light module 4 with a device mount 30, on the underside of which a plurality of LED modules 40 are attached, which are supplied by an LED driver or an LED operating device 34. For the electrical connection of the LED operating device 34, a contact device 33 known per se, for example an insulation displacement pick-off, for contacting the conductor wires (not shown) of the supply in the conductor rail 23 ( 2A-2B) intended. The LED operating device 34 is connected to the contact device 33 via supply terminals and is supplied as intended by the supply of the light band 2 .

4A-4B show an inventive extension of a light module 4 with DKE 12 in the form of an active network device for data connection with the POF data line 10. Instead of one of the LED modules 40, an IP-based data device 45, e.g. for IoT applications, is mounted on the underside of the device carrier 30 . The data device 45 is connected here via a UTP-CAT7 line to an RJ-45 socket 46 on the equipment carrier 30 which is accessible from below. The RJ-45 socket 46 is either integrated into the underside of the DKE 12 housing or connected to a corresponding connection on the DKE 12 via a short UTP patch cable, for example. The DKE 12 establishes the data connection between the data device 45 and the LAN 15 via the data line 10 . For this purpose, the DKE 12 is designed, for example, as an ETHERNET switch with media converter. Furthermore, the DKE 12 can advantageously be designed as a PSE and can therefore also be used to supply power to the data device 45 . This can be done, for example, using integrated PoE technology with a corresponding PoE (ETHERNET) interface on the DKE 12 (see below for 13 ). Thanks to the POF data line 10, a high transmission rate is provided for a large number of corresponding data devices 45 or for the LAN 15 in general. Optionally, a POF connection 47 for corresponding POF-capable data devices 45 that is accessible from the outside, in particular on the underside of the device carrier 30, can also be provided, which is connected to the DKE 12 or is integrated into it (cf. 12-15 ).

5A-5B show a variant of the bracket 26 2A-2B , i.e .H. an alternative solution for laying the POF data line 10 in the support profile 3. This is in 5A-5B a mounting rail 20 in the top too 2A-2B described construction. At the lower edge area, the parallel, vertical side walls 22 form an access opening 27. In this area, the side walls 22 have a recess, for example in the form of a flange 22A of the roll-formed sheet metal profile. A narrow gap 22B is formed between the recess or flange 22A and the respective side wall 22, which gap is accessible from the interior of the mounting rail 20, here from above. This gap 22B can be used to mount special holder elements 50 for holding or fastening the POF data line 10 in the support profile 3 . The holder elements 50 have in 5A-5B a tongue 51, which is designed in such a way that it can be fixed in one of the two gaps 22B of the mounting rail 20 in a positive and/or non-positive manner. At least one retaining projection 52 is provided in the transverse direction on the upper end region, which carries and holds one or possibly also several (not shown) POF data lines 10 . The elongate body 54 of the holder element 50 is optionally--as shown--dimensioned such that a clamping effect can be achieved with its upper end 55 on a lateral edge region of the mounting rail base 21. The holder elements 50 can be manufactured in one piece as inexpensive injection molded parts.

As 5B best shown are thus laterally offset next to the current conducting rail 23 or supply, along one of the two side walls 21 at a longitudinal distance from one another, releasably attached holding elements 50 which hold the POF data lines 10 . This solution is particularly advantageous for the additional initial fitting of existing trunking systems and also for retrofitting existing installations with one or more POF data lines 10. A trunking 2 typically has a number of support profiles 3 that follow one another in the longitudinal direction and are aligned with one another, corresponding to the desired overall length. Suitable holder elements 50 allow POF data lines 10 to be attached quickly and without tools over the entire length of a light band 2, for example during maintenance or new installation. Also in 5A-5B the support profile 3 is designed as a trough-shaped hollow profile open on one side in the form of a support rail 20, with a U-shaped cross section, i.e. with a support rail base 21 and two side walls 22 running vertically away from it, between which the interior space is defined and which on the underside the access opening 27 form. Other types of construction of a support profile 3 are also within the scope of the invention, cf 9A-9D , to which holder elements can be produced to match accordingly.

As an alternative to the arrangement in the inner receiving space of the support profile 3, the POF data cable(s) 10 can also be routed outside of the support profile 3, e.g. using suitable cable holders, on the upper side of the continuous-row support profile 3. Cable holders on the outside of the support profile are advantageous for this 3 can be snapped in, e.g. cable holder of type 07690LHA from TRILUX GmbH & Co. KG (D-59759 Arnsberg) or comparable available or adapted cable holders.

6A-6D show an example of a functional module 60 comprising, among other things, a DKE 12 for POF fiber optics, a device mount 30 for mounting on a support profile 3 of a light strip 2, fastening means 36 and an electrical contact device 66. 6A-6B show details of a preferred design of the DKE 12. This has an elongated housing 61 that can be accommodated, for example with dimensions of approx end-side corner areas locking or snapping means 62, which are also designed here as protective earthing claws and enlarged in 6C are shown in cross section. With the protective grounding claws 62, the housing snaps onto the device carrier 30 and can thus be attached to the device carrier 30 without tools and at the same time be electrically connected to the device carrier 30. As shown in the enlargement, the protective grounding claws 62 engage the edge of an inward recess, such as a bead 32A, on each of the parallel side walls 32 of the equipment carrier 30 to secure the DKE 12 to the equipment carrier 30. The device carrier 30 in turn has several retaining springs 36 of a suitable design, which are designed for detachably fastening the device carrier 30 to the support profile 3. The retaining springs 36 are particularly designed to grip behind the flange 22A (only in the enlargement in 6A shown) performed on both side walls 22 of the support rail 20. The retaining springs 36 can have slides 37 for easier manual release, as in FIG 6A-6B shown. The retaining springs 36 can be designed, for example, preferably according to the teaching from EP 3 608 588 A1, the teaching of which is included here by reference for the sake of brevity. Other assembly solutions are also possible, e.g. using a rotary mechanism as in 9A-9D or similar

The device carrier 30 closes when fastened (cf. 2A) Over its overall length, eg 750mm, an open profile underside or the access opening 27 of the support rail 20 in sections and is designed to correspond to the support profile 3 or to the support rail 20, for example as a formed sheet metal part. In the assembled state, the side walls 32 of the equipment carrier 30 are approximately flush with the side walls 22 of the mounting rail 20, cf. 2A-2B .

6A-6B also show two optical connections 121, 122, a first and second optical data interface, for a pair of POF fiber-optic cables 10A, 10B, each on the end faces of the housing 61, for easy access with little curvature of the POF data line 10 ( not shown here) during installation. Due to the overall length of the housing 61, when the POF-LWL is cut open, 10 is available, see 2 B or 5B , approximately in the middle of the mounting position of the DKE 12, sufficient length to shorten and connect the POF-LWL 10 to one of the two front-side optical connections 121, 122.

The optical connections 121, 122 are preferably optical front ends (OFE) for manual or tool-free connection directly to connectorless fiber ends, in particular as a duplex OFE with a transmission connection (Tx) and a reception connection (Rx), e.g. of the OptoLock® type from Firecomms Ltd or as in EP2035874B1 described. This enables connection without special tools during on-site installation. Here, the ends of the two fibers 10A, 1B of the conductor pair of the POF LWL 10 ( 6D ) is plugged in and secured with a catch. On the appropriate lesson out EP2035874B1 with regard to suitable OFE, reference is made to the abbreviation.

Two RJ45 sockets 131, 132 for UTP data cables (not shown) are also provided on one end face in the housing 61 of the DKE 12. A WLAN access point 600, for example, which is mounted on the underside of the equipment carrier 30, can be connected to the DKE 12 via one of the connections, e.g. via a bushing in the floor 31, for the purpose of data communication via the POF data line 10 A data device on the underside of the device carrier 30 can be connected to one of the RJ45 sockets 131, 132 via a bushing 63 in the device carrier 30. Instead of the implementation 63 in the bottom 31 of the device carrier 30, the variant can 6D be used.

6D shows a variant with two ETHERNET connections, here in the form of RJ-45 sockets 64, 65, which are mounted on corresponding recesses in the base 31 of the equipment rack 30, so that 30 UTP connections are provided directly on the underside of the equipment rack. The ETHERNET connections can, for example, be RJ-45 sockets 64, 65, eg common RJ45 keystone jack modules, preferably with PoE function (see below), or be designed according to another common standard and provide a different number, such as also in 4B shown. Both RJ-45 sockets 64, 65 are connected to the RJ45 sockets 131, 132 of the DKE12 via short patch cables (not shown). With this variant 6D no dismantling of the device carrier 30 is required to connect a data device 600, especially if the DKE 12 and RJ45 sockets 131, 132 and 64, 65 are PoE-capable, as explained further below.

Other IoT devices or the like can also be connected accordingly. In the case of device mounts 30 made of metal, an external installation on the underside is at least possible with wireless devices such as eg a WLAN access point 600 is preferred. In the case of device carriers 30 made of plastic and with a corresponding design, wirelessly transmitting data devices, e.g. Bluetooth® beacons or the like, can also be mounted on the inside, e.g. offset longitudinally in accordance with the housing 61.

6A-6B also show an electrical contact device in the form of a plug connector, here in particular a tapping plug 66 for a corresponding tapping socket 67 on a through-wiring 69 (cf. 6D ) for electrical supply, such as in 11 shown in more detail.

Tap-off sockets 67 for plug-in connection as contact devices are advantageous for through-wiring 69 as a supply, with insulated conductors laid in the longitudinal direction, in particular on the bottom side on the profile bottom 21, as in 11 eg the conductors L1, N, PE, as well as IT(N) and IT(L). In this case, tap sockets 67 are provided at fixed, predetermined longitudinal positions of the supply in the support profile 3 ( 11 ). The contacts on the tap connector 66 are preferably variable in position, or adjustable, so that it can be selected with which phase conductor a contact is to be made for the function module 60. For example, the supply of the DKE 12 and optionally also the data device 600 connected to it can be supplied via separately assigned leaders, cf. IT(N) and IT(L) in 11 , the supply take place. The DKE 12 is wired to the pick-off plug 66 via front-side connection terminals 68 for the power supply (wiring not shown).

The tap-off plug 66 and the retaining springs 36 are dimensioned to match one another and are arranged on the device carrier 30 so that with the mechanical attachment by snapping in vertically upwards, contact is also made by plugging the tap-off plug 66 into the tap-off socket 67 (similar to 7C ). The DKE 12 itself and the function module 60 as a whole are designed to be passively cooled, i.e. without fans or the like, in particular without a fan in the housing 60 of the DKE 12.

6A-6B also show a visually recognizable tc point 61A on the easily accessible upper side of the housing 60, as a measuring point according to IEC/EN 61347. The tc point 61A is arranged above one or more critical electronic components, eg an integrated switched-mode power supply.

7A-7C show an embodiment of a functional module 700, which is mainly in the type of supply and current tapping of 6A-6B differs. The DKE 12 is also mounted on a device carrier 30 made of sheet metal ( 7B) or plastic ( 7C ) can be produced. As in 7B shown, the POF data line 10 can, for example, by means of holder elements 50, as in 5A-5B be installed. The electrical supply will be in 7A-7C by a conductor rail 23, as in 2A-2B , Provided, which is also arranged on the bottom or horizontally in the mounting rail 20 and includes a number of wires 24 as a supply conductor. The supply or current conducting rail 23 consists of a plastic profile, which is latched to a receptacle in the base 21 of the support rail 20, and the conductor wires 24. The conductor wires 24 each run in a channel of the current conducting rail 23 that is open at the bottom or accessible from below.

For electrical contacting, a tap connector 70 is provided as the contact device, the contacts 71, 71A of which are designed, for example, using insulation displacement technology. When mounting the equipment carrier 30 on the mounting rail 20, the contacts 71, 71A engage in channels of the current-carrying rail 23 and contact the selected conductor wires 24, as in FIG 7C illustrated.

To facilitate assembly, the tap connector 70 can have a housing which, by means of a latching connector unit 72 with suitable latching elements, is similar to that shown in FIG 6C described above, is latched to the opposite projections 32A of the side walls 32 of the equipment carrier 30.

One or more contacts 71A are mounted in the tap connector 70 so that they can be displaced in the transverse direction for phase selection and are mounted adjustably via an adjusting device with a slide 73, so that the fitter can set the phase conductor of the conductor wires 24 via which the power supply of the DKE 12 and, if necessary, other devices takes place on the device carrier 30. For example, a separate IT supply for the DKE 12 can be implemented. The mechanical attachment of the device carrier 30. Not shown in 7 the wiring of the connection terminals of the DKE 12 with the tap connector 70.

The attachment of the device carrier 30 after 7A-7B on the support profile 3 or the support rail 20 can, for example, as to 6A-6D described by means of retaining springs. 7C shows a variant with a device carrier 300 made of plastic for easy installation on the support profile 3. On the device carrier 300, snap hooks 76 are provided on both sides on the longitudinal sides, e.g. formed during extrusion, which engage with inwardly protruding areas of the side walls 22 of the support profile 20, e.g Flare 22A ( 6C ) of a roll-formed support rail 20 made of sheet steel.

In 7A-7C are in particular pick-off plug 70, current conduction rail 23 and support profile 3 total together dimensioned in such a coordinated way that with the mechanical attachment by snapping vertically upwards ( 7C ) the contact is also made by plugging the pick-off plug 70 into the conductor rail 23, ie the selected conductors 24 are contacted at the same time. The electrical power supply of the function module 700 can thus also be established very easily, with just a few steps when the light band 2 is installed.

8A shows an embodiment of a continuous-row system in which the fiber optics, here in particular and by way of example two conductor pairs made of POF fiber optics 81, 82, are already integrated during production in a current-carrying rail 83 specially designed for optical data transmission. Such a current-conducting rail 83 can be produced by pulling in the conductor pairs made of POF-LWL 81, 82 together with the conductor wires 24 during the extrusion of the current-conducting rail 83 from plastic. The carrier profile 3 or the carrier rail 20 can be equipped with POF-LWL 81, 82 at the factory. It is advantageous here if the conductor rail 83 is designed to match an existing mounting rail 20, for example is designed to be latchable with a corresponding receptacle in the base 21, as in 8A shown so that it can be pre-assembled or retrofitted if necessary.

The POF LWL 81, 82 are each embedded in a web 84, 85, which can be easily separated by hand via a predetermined breaking point 84A, 85A for connection to network devices, in particular the DKE 12, as required. The function module 600; 700 can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting device 73, e.g. as in 7A-7B or also as in 6A-6D be executed.

In embodiments with fiber optics integrated into the current conducting rail 83, in particular POF fiber optics 81, 82 accordingly 8A can be attached to the face joints of successive support profiles 3A, 3B - as in 8B shown schematically - a connection can be provided via an intermediate piece 87 with suitable optical couplings 86, which optically connect the POF-LWL 81, 82 of each support profile 3A, 3B to those of the other. Suitable optical plug-in couplings 86 can be used for this, with this in 8B is shown by way of example using just one pair of POF optical fibers 10A, 10B.

8B also shows, purely schematically, a support profile connector 88 for mechanically coupling and electrically connecting the supply or conductor of the conductor rail 23; 83 at the joints of successive support profiles 3A, 3B. Irrespective of the way in which the fiber optic data line 10 is laid, mechanical-electrical strip light or support profile connectors 88 are preferably used to connect current-carrying rails 23 .

If the POF data line 10 is laid separately (cf. 5A-5B) , this can be laid continuously or uninterruptedly at the joints without a special connection, ie without loss, eg from one DKE 12 to the next DKE 12, in particular in accordance with a daisy-chain topology 10 . Alternatively, the POF data line 10 can also, in particular in the case of through-wiring, be laid forward in segments in each support profile and be connected to the next segment at the end by optical couplings, as further below 11 explained.

In principle, it can be advantageous to provide several fiber optic data lines, in particular POF data lines 10, in a light strip, for example if an independent line is to supply another, different light strip. This is due to the small cross-sectional dimensions (cf. 10 ) with POF data lines 10 easily possible.

9A-9D show another exemplary embodiment of a continuous-row system with a functional module 90 that is specially adapted for a power rail 93 of the EUTRAC® type or the like. The conductor rail 93, e.g. a EUTRAC® 5-conductor 3-phase mounting rail type standard from EUTRAC Strombahnen GmbH (D-12277 Berlin), has two laterally opposite conductor profiles 93A, 93B in the interior, which are arranged vertically, each with several embedded conductors 94 that lie vertically on top of each other. Each current-conducting profile 93A, 93B runs continuously along one of the side walls in the longitudinal direction. The conductors 94 of the conductor rail 93 can be contacted by means of contact devices 96, which are inserted through the lower passage opening 97, as needed and can be freely positioned in the longitudinal direction.

As in 9A-9C two POF optical fibers 910A, 910B are guided separately in the lower separate receiving areas of the conductor rail 93, laid and held by means of suitable holder elements. The functional module 90 has an active data coupling unit 12 with a housing 91, which is specifically designed here as an adapter for the busbar 93, in the manner of a so-called in-track adapter, for partial accommodation in the interior of the busbar 93 (cf. 9B-9C ). An OFE 121, 122 is provided at both ends of the front ends of the housing 91, for example in the construction as shown in FIG 6A-6D described. Furthermore, the function module 90 can also have two RJ45 sockets 131, 132 for UTP data cables, which are connected to the DKE 12 in the housing 91.

Mounting units 96A, 96B are provided at both ends of the housing 91 and serve as fastening means for mounting the functional module 90 on the support profile or the busbar 93 . A mounting unit 96A, shown schematically in 9B-9C shown in section also serves as a contact device which interacts with selected conductors 94 of the current-conducting profiles 93A, 93B to supply power to the DKE 12. For this purpose, the assembly unit 96A has, for example, a rotary mechanism which turns contacts 96C into the current-conducting profiles 93A, 93B and electrically with the conductors 94 connects. At the same time, the turning mechanism exposes locking elements 92, which secure the functional module on the conductor rail 93 by reaching behind the lower area of the profile. The second mounting unit 96B can be constructed identically, but does not necessarily require contacts 96C, but should in particular also be locked to the busbar 93 with locking elements 92 . 9C illustrates the optical connection of a POF-LWL 910A with the function module 90 on the OFE 121. Other features of the function module 90 or the housing can, for example, those from 6A-6D correspond to.

10 shows the preferred daisy-chain topology of the active optical data network in light band 2, as explained above. In 10 is a cross section through a preferred POF line 10 with a pair of 2.2mm PMMA POF conductors 10A, 10B, with a 980 μm fiber core and a common plastic sheathing, eg made of PE with corresponding dimensions, in the dashed enlargement. Other POFs, especially those that are suitable for 1 Gbps data rates, can also be considered. POF according to IEC 60793-2-40 subclass A4a.2 is preferred as POF-LWL 10A, 10B. or similar, or large-core POF conductors with a core diameter of approx. 980µm-1000µm, in particular PMMA-POF of the step index (SI POF) type.

11 shows schematically another embodiment with a function module 110, which is specially designed for support profiles 3 with through-wiring 69 as a supply. The through-wiring 69 comprises several conductors for the power supply, here for example L1, N, PE, as well as IT(N) and IT(L). If necessary, the conductors IT(N) and IT(L) enable a separate power supply for the network devices, in particular DKE 12 and/or function modules 110, independently of the power supply for the light modules 4.

In function module 110 after 11 a DKE 112 is provided, which is designed as a simple optical repeater or amplifier. The DKE 112 thus makes it possible to compensate for attenuation losses in the POF data line 10, which here comprises a pair of conductors made up of two POF optical fibers 10A, 10B (analogous to 10 ). The DKE 112 in 11 however, has no switch functionality and does not offer media conversion. The POF LWL 10A, 10B are routed together with the through-wiring 69 in a corresponding manner as continuous segments from one end of the mounting rail 3 to the other. Conventional tapping sockets 67 are connected to the conductors L1, N, PE and IT(N) and IT(L) for the power supply and allow electrical contact to be made using tapping plugs 66, preferably with adjustable contacts, as shown in FIG 6A-6B described.

Furthermore shows 11 specially adapted tap sockets 167, which are pre-installed in the support profile at predetermined intervals and correspond to the construction of the tap sockets 67 with regard to the electrical contacts. The tapping sockets 167 also have optical connector sockets 167A, each with two optical coupling sockets 167B for connection to Large Core POF, as in 10 shown. The POF conductors 10A, 10B are interrupted in the longitudinal direction approximately in the middle below the optical tap sockets 167 and the separate ends are each connected to a coupling socket 167B.

A specially adapted optical tapping plug 166, which has two corresponding optical plug connectors 166A, here each with two optical coupling plugs 166B for large core POF, interacts with the optical tap socket 167, as in 10 shown. The tap connector 166 connects both ends of the pair of POF conductors 10A, 10B via the tap socket 167 to the DKE 112, in 11 designed as a POF repeater or amplifier. With regard to the electrical contacts, the optical tap connector 166 is similar to the tap connector 66 (cf. 6A-6B) executed, and can selectively contact selected conductors L1, N, PE, as well as IT(N) and IT(L) of the through-wiring 69, eg IT(N) and IT(L) for a separate IT supply. The DKE 112 is thus integrated into the POF data line 10 in line or daisy chain topology and is used for signal refreshment or as a digital data repeater. The tap sockets 67, 167 are provided at fixed, predetermined longitudinal positions of the supply in the support profile 3.

As an alternative to an electrical supply directly via the optical tap connector 166, the DKE 112 can also be connected to a supply output of an LED driver 34, which is provided for supplying an LED module 4, cf 14 further down.

11 FIG. 12 further shows end connectors 118A, 118B for connection to the joint len of two consecutive support profiles 3, which as a plug 118A and socket 118B connect the through-wiring 69 of two support profiles 3 to each other and can be connected with a simple movement. Optical couplings 118C, 118C are also integrated into the plug 118A and socket 118B in order to connect the segment of the POF data line 10 in a support profile 3 to the next one, as in FIG 11 illustrated.

Details on the hardware architecture of preferred DKE with ETHERNET switch functionality are based on the 12-15 explained in more detail.

12 shows a preferred architecture of a DKE 12, eg for a function module according to the invention, eg a function module 60 according to FIG 6A-6D or a functional module 90 according to FIG 9A-9D . A core component of the DKE 12 is an ETHERNET switch engine 120, which is connected via POF transceivers 121A, 121B to the OFE 121, 122 to connect both POF LWL 10A, 10B of the POF data line 10 via a suitable internal Bus, e.g. RGMII/GMII/MII/RMII. The switch engine 120 is preferably implemented as a managed SWITCH and can, for example, be in the form of a suitable integrated circuit (IC) from Microsemi Corp. (e.g. KSZ9896CTXI-T), from Broadcom/Avago (e.g. BCM56160 series) or similar. The switch engine 120 preferably has at least 4 ports for 1 Gbps (IGE) data rates or higher. An IC of the type “Gigabit Ethernet POF Transceiver” of the KD10x1 series from KDPOF (ES-28760 Tres Cantos), for example, can be used as a suitable transceiver 121A, 121B, which are designed for gigabit data rates. For optical-electrical conversion, gigabit OFE 121, 121 suitable for POF, e.g. of the OptoLock® type from Firecomms Ltd or as in EP2035874B1 described, to which the POF conductors 10A, 10B can be connected without tools. Using the OFE 121, 122 and POF transceivers 121A, 122A, the ETHERNET switch engine 120 communicates data in IP format via the POF data lines in full duplex technology, in particular at 1 Gbps or higher, preferably at least 250 Mbps. The DKE 12 is therefore also used to refresh the signal in the case of long light strips 2 and is mounted in a suitable longitudinal position on the support profile 3, for example using a suitable device mount 30, cf. 6A-6D . OFE 121, 122 and POF transceivers 121A, 122A form a first and second optical data interface. Optionally, another optical interface with an additional POF-OFE 123 and transceiver 123A can be provided for connecting a suitable IT data device via POF, as in 4A-4B shown.

The switch engine 120 is also preferably set up or configured as a media converter and has two wired UTP interfaces, each comprising an RJ45 socket 131, 132 for UTP data cables. Each RJ45 socket 131, 132 is part of a suitable, preferably passive 10/100/1000 BaseT LAN transformer, which is connected to one of the ETHERNETS ports of the switch engine 120, such as 12 indicates. In this way, common data devices or IoT devices can be connected to the LAN 15 ( 1 ) to be included.

12 12 also shows a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) 130 integrated into the DKE 12 to provide the required operating voltages, eg 1.8V 3.3V and 5V DC voltage for supplying the switch engine 120, the OFE 121, 122, 123, the transceiver 121A , 122A, 123A, as well as further circuit components and ICs, not shown, of the DKE 12 (via printed conductors, not shown). The switched-mode power supply 130 is supplied with mains voltage from the supply in the support profile 3, for example via a pick-off plug 66 on a pick-off socket 67, it being possible for a separate IT supply to be provided (see above).

13 shows a particularly preferred architecture of a DKE 12 as a further development of the architecture 12 . For the sake of brevity, only the essential differences or additional details are explained. For components with the same reference numbers, refer to the description 12 referred.

In 13 further details of a preferred integrated switched-mode power supply 130 are first illustrated. This is done in accordance with the typical standards for lighting equipment, as explained above. The switched-mode power supply 130 has an input-side EMC filter stage 130A and is designed as an electronic SELV switched-mode power supply with a transformer 130B for electrical isolation. Furthermore, means for power factor correction, for example a suitable PFC stage, are provided or integrated into the switching converter. The switched-mode power supply 130 includes a converter circuit 130C for providing the necessary DC voltages for the components of the DKE 12. The converter circuit 130C is designed as a DC voltage converter, e.g. flyback converter or flyback converter (also buck converter), and has a suitable converter for this purpose -Topology, typically with at least one power transistor, one rectifier diode and one storage capacitor. In particular, a high-temperature electrolytic capacitor with a rated service life of >8000 operating hours at 105° is used as the storage capacitor in order to ensure a long service life for the switched-mode power supply 130 .

The DC-DC converter 130C provides in 13 ia also a 48V supply voltage for a PSE unit ready, in 13 a PoE unit to supply power via the ETHERNET port 131.

For this purpose, the ETHERNET connection 131 of the DKE 12 includes, as in 12 shown, a suitable LAN transformer 131A with decoupling transformer, for example of the type WE-RJ45LAN 10/100/1000 BaseT PoE+ from Würth Elektronik eiSos GmbH & Co.KG (D-74638 Waldenburg). This is controlled via a PSE PoE controller 131B, eg type PD69101ILQ from Microsemi Corp. CA 92656, USA, with the desired supply voltage. In terms of data technology, the PSE PoE controller 131B also connects the LAN transformer 131A to the switch engine 120 via a suitable internal bus, so that the ETHERNET interface 131 is connected to the optical data line 10 .

The PoE function can preferably be switched on and off optionally or as required via a switching and supply unit 131C. This can be controlled either directly via the switch engine 120, which is then correspondingly connected to the switching and supply unit 131C, or indirectly via activation by the PoE controller 131B. The ETHERNET connection 131 can also have automatic load detection, which, for example, determines the power consumption of the connected device by measuring the voltage drop and then sets the desired power supply or, if necessary, switches off the PoE function automatically.

The power supply for the PSE unit or the PoE injector 131D is provided via the switching and supply unit 131C, which is connected to the 48V supply output of the DC voltage converter 130C for this purpose. If necessary, the PoE function can also be controlled by switching off the 48V supply in the DC/DC converter 130C, e.g. controlled via remote configuration of the managed switch engine 120 for the purpose of additional power savings.

The additional ETHERNET interface 132 or the second RJ45 port can likewise be equipped with PoE functionality (not shown, cf. 15 ).

13 also shows a DALI interface which is integrated in the DKE 12 and can be connected via DALI conductors 141, 142, the tapping plug 66 and a tapping socket 66 to corresponding DALI conductors DA+, DA- in the supply in the support profile (cf. 15 ). A DALI converter ASIC, which is connected to a PORT, for example an ETHERNET port, of the switch engine 120, is provided to implement the DALI interface. A possible ASIC is, for example, an ASIC from a commercially available ETHERNET-to-DALI converter (not shown), which is integrated into the active optical DKE 12 here. Thus the DKE 12 can be switched off 13 also provide light control via IP protocol using the POF line 10.

Further preferred functionalities of the DKE 12, in particular for remote configuration, using the managed switch engine 120 are explained above in the introductory part of the description, which is also referred to here for brevity.

14 shows a modification of the DKE 12 13 , which differs in that it does not have an integrated switched-mode power supply, but is supplied via a conventional lamp operating device 34, for example with 48V direct current as the supply voltage. For this purpose, the DKE 12 has a DC voltage supply connection 34A instead of the mains connection terminals. This is connected to an integrated DC-DC converter 134, which supplies the components of the DKE 12 with power. The PoE injector 131D, on the other hand, is supplied with the 48 V DC voltage required for PoE directly via the supply connection 34A by the external operating device 34 . advantage of the design 14 is a significantly more compact design of the DKE 12, without an integrated switched-mode power supply, and correspondingly less heat loss in the housing 61 of the DKE 12. Lamp operating devices 34 are also inherently suitable for the required power consumption of a DKE 12 with PoE function, and are already for common light strips designed and qualified. Another advantage is that they can be replaced separately in the event of a defect or failure of the switched-mode power supply.

Other features of the DKE 12 in 14 correspond to the 13 described and will not be repeated for the sake of brevity.

15 shows another variant of a DKE 1512, which differs from those 12-14 differs essentially in that a total of four optical data interfaces 121, 122, 123, 124 are provided for pairs of conductors 10A, 10B and are coupled via the switch engine 120 in terms of data technology. In this way, the DKE 1512 can be connected to two separate POF LWL 10 if, for example, two POF data lines are provided, for example for physically separate subnets in the LAN 15. Two POF-capable IoT devices 14 can also be connected to the two additional interfaces 123 , 124 if only one POF data line 10 is connected to the data interfaces 121, 122 as a backbone.

Furthermore shows 15 an integrated WLAN module 150 in the DKA 1512, which is connected to the LAN 15 ( 1 ) can be integrated, whereby the POF data line 10 can also serve as a broadband backbone here. Thus, the DKE 1512 can also provide a wireless interface. Alternatively or additionally, a radio interface for Bluetooth, or LORA-WAN or the like can also be provided.

An integrated WLAN module 150 or similar radio data module in the DKE 1512 is particularly advantageous for connecting wirelessly transmitting IoT devices to the LAN 15 and further reduces the effort involved in installing the light strip. The power supply of the DKE 1512 can, for example, according to 13 or 14 be executed.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2021043921 A1 [0008]
• EP 3800792 A1 [0008]
• WO 0191249 A1 [0119]
• EP 2035874 B1 [0148, 0179]

Claims (25)

Light line system for an elongated light line luminaire with data line, the system comprising: - at least one elongated support profile for attaching light modules to the support profile, the support profile being designed for installation using appropriate installation means on a structure, in particular ceiling-mounted or suspended from the ceiling, - at least one Light module, in particular a number of light modules, each with one or more light sources, preferably LED light sources, wherein the light module can be fastened or is fastened to the at least one support profile, - an electrical supply with several conductors, which are in the support profile and for the power supply of components of the Light modules and possibly existing function modules are provided; - A data line for data transmission of user data; characterized in that the data line comprises at least one POF optical waveguide, in particular at least one pair of conductors made up of two POF optical waveguides, which can be or is arranged in or on the support profile; - that at least one active data coupling unit with a data interface for optical data transmission via the POF optical waveguide, in particular via the pair of conductors made of POF optical waveguides, is provided and mounted or designed to be mountable in or on the at least one support profile; - that the system is set up in such a way that, during operation, the electrical supply of the support profile provides or causes the power supply of the active data coupling unit. light line system claim 1 , characterized in that the data line comprises at least two segments of POF optical waveguides that are or can be laid in the light strip, which can be or are coupled to one another by the active data coupling unit for the purpose of data transmission, and/or that the data line preferably has at least one duplex conductor pair made of POF -Fiber optics included. light line system claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the system comprises several data line segments made of POF optical fibers and several active data coupling units, which are arranged in particular in the light strip, which preferably comprises several support profiles which are connected in the longitudinal direction, with two data line segments each made of POF optical fibers are coupled by a data coupling unit and the data line segments and active data coupling units are connected or can be connected to form a line or daisy chain topology. light line system claim 1 , 2 or 3 , characterized in that the support profile is designed as a trough-shaped hollow profile open on one side and/or has a U-shaped cross-section, with a profile base and two side walls running vertically away from it, which define an interior space, with the electrical supply: - as multi-core through-wiring with insulated conductors laid in the longitudinal direction, in particular on the bottom side of the profile base, with contact devices, in particular plug-in connector sockets, at fixed, predetermined longitudinal positions; or - a current-conducting profile running in the interior on the floor in the longitudinal direction with a plurality of conductors held therein, which can be contacted as required, in particular by means of contact devices that can be freely positioned in the longitudinal direction; or - is designed in the form of a conductor rail, in particular with two laterally opposite guide or carrier profiles, each with a plurality of embedded conductors and each running along one of the side walls in the longitudinal direction, with the conductors of the conductor rail being contactable as required, in particular by means of contact devices that can be freely positioned in the longitudinal direction . Light line system according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , especially after claim 4 , characterized in that at least one POF optical waveguide, in particular a pair of conductors made of POF optical waveguides, can be laid or laid in the support profile running in the longitudinal direction; in particular: - the at least one POF optical fiber is held in a detachable or detachable manner next to the supply in an area along a side wall or the profile base by means of a number of holder elements arranged in the supporting profile, the holder elements preferably being shaped to hold the POF optical waveguide - and/or can be fastened in the support profile with a non-positive fit, in particular can be latched in the support profile; or - the at least one POF optical fiber is laid on the floor next to the through-wiring, in particular is held together with the supply in the support profile by contact devices designed as cable holders, with at least one contact device preferably having at least two optical connections each for coupling to POF optical fibers; or - the at least one POF optical waveguide is integrated or accommodated in the current-conducting profile, in particular on a web of a current-conducting profile Plastic is provided, which is preferably separable via a predetermined breaking point. Light line system according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , especially after claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that - at least one contact device for connecting the data coupling unit to the predetermined electrical conductors of the supply is provided in the support profile; and/or the supply has at least 7 electrical conductors, in particular at least 9 electrical conductors, with preferably 5 mains supply conductors, comprising 3-phase conductors for phase selection of the supply of the light modules, and two further conductors for the independent supply of the data coupling unit using a contact device; and/or - the system provides or effects the power supply of the active data coupling unit by means of supply conductors which are not used to supply the light modules; and/or wherein the underside of the support profile is preferably closed by light modules and possibly function modules and/or covers. Functional module for data transmission for an elongated light line luminaire, in particular for a light line system with a data line according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , the function module comprising: - an active data coupling unit for the transmission of useful data via a data line; - Fastening means for mounting the functional module on or in an elongate support profile of a light line luminaire, in particular on the underside of an access opening of the support profile and/or at least partially in the support profile; characterized in that the active data coupling unit has at least one first data interface for optical data transmission via a POF optical fiber, in particular via a pair of conductors made of POF optical fibers, and at least one second data interface, in particular for optical data transmission via POF optical fibers, in particular via a conductor pair made of POF optical fibers. function module claim 7 , characterized in that the functional module has a connection for connecting to an electrical supply running in the supporting profile of the continuous-row luminaire, in particular comprising a contact device for connecting to predetermined conductors of an electrical supply running in the supporting profile of the continuous-row luminaire, and the active data coupling unit for the purpose of power supply , In particular using the contact device, can be connected to the supply. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active data coupling unit has its own, in particular integrated switched-mode power supply, which is preferably equipped or connected to suitable connection means for connection to the supply of the light strip, the switched-mode power supply in particular: is designed in accordance with one or more standards for lighting equipment; and/or - is designed as an electronic SELV switching power supply with a transformer for electrical isolation; and/or - means for power factor correction and/or an input-side EMC filter stage; and/or - provides a 48V supply voltage for a PSE unit, in particular a PoE unit; and/or a converter circuit with at least one power transistor, a rectifier diode and a storage capacitor, in particular a high-temperature electrolytic capacitor, preferably with a rated service life of at least 8000 operating hours at 105°. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active data coupling unit, in particular the switching power supply, is designed for passive cooling, the data coupling unit being designed in particular without a fan. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the active data coupling unit has a first data interface for optical data transmission via a POF optical fiber and a second data interface for optical data transmission via a POF optical fiber, in particular via a pair of conductors made of POF optical waveguides; and/or that the data coupling unit is preferably designed as a network device for connecting segments of a data line with POF optical fibers, in particular as a packet-switching switch or as a repeater; and/or that the data coupling unit is preferably and in particular additionally designed as a media converter or comprises a data converter and/or has at least one third interface for data transmission via a different wired or wireless signal format, in particular via an ETHERNET data line. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 11 , characterized in that the data coupling unit is a PSE unit with a Versor has a supply connection for supplying external consumers and a correspondingly designed power supply unit, wherein the PSE unit of the data coupling unit is in particular PoE-capable or comprises a PoE injector and the supply connection is integrated into an ETHERNET connection of the third interface; and/or - the PSE unit, in particular the PoE injector, can be switched on or off. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 12 , characterized in that the data coupling unit has a configurable unit, in particular a configurable switch unit, in particular an ETHERNET switch, the data coupling unit being remotely configurable in particular via one of its data interfaces, and/or the data coupling unit is preferably provided for optional switching on or off. Switching off the PSE unit, in particular the PoE injector, and/or optionally switching on or off at least the third interface, in particular at least one or all ETHERNET interfaces, in particular by remote configuration. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the data coupling unit has a WLAN interface and / or has an Ethernet connection, and is connected via this to a WLAN device, the WLAN device preferably via PoE is to be supplied or is supplied by the data coupling unit; and/or the data coupling unit has a DALI interface and/or has an ETHERNET connection via which it can be or is connected to an ETHERNET-to-DALI adapter for the purpose of controlling light modules via the user data line. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the data line for data transmission, which can be arranged or is arranged on or in the supporting profile, is an optical data line with a duplex conductor pair made of large-core POF optical fibers; and/or - the first and second data interface for optical data transmission have optical connections for large-core POF optical fibers with a core diameter > 500 µm, in particular in the range of 800-1200 µm, preferably for a core diameter of 1 mm, preferably double connections for a duplex -pair of POF fiber optic cables; and/or - the data coupling unit is designed for POF optical fibers with an optical duplex conductor pair with a bandwidth >200Mbps, preferably ≥1Gbps. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical connections are designed as OFE (optical front end) for manual connection with connectorless fiber ends, in particular as a duplex OFE with a transmission connection (Tx) and a reception connection ( Rx) for connection to one optical fiber-optic cable each of a duplex conductor pair made of POF fiber-optic cables, in particular large-core POF fiber-optic cables. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data coupling unit has an elongate housing which can be accommodated in the support profile, - which is preferably designed with cross-sectional dimensions of height x width less than or equal to 50mm x 60mm, in particular less than or equal to 25mm x 40mm; and/or - the connections of the first and second interface, in particular all optical connections for POF optical waveguides, are provided on the end faces of the housing; and/or the housing has latching or snap-in means, in particular a plurality of protective earthing claws, by means of which the housing can be fastened to an equipment carrier corresponding to the support profile; and/or that the housing has a tc point on its outside, which is marked in a visually recognizable manner. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, in particular Claim 17 , characterized in that the active data coupling unit is fastened to a device carrier which is designed for detachable fastening to the supporting profile of the continuous-row luminaire, in particular on the underside of the supporting profile. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, in particular Claim 18 , - wherein the device carrier preferably has several retaining springs for attachment for engaging behind and releasably engaging with a corresponding profile area of the supporting profile, and/or - wherein the device carrier is designed to correspond to the supporting profile and in particular as a formed sheet metal part or as an extruded aluminum part or as an extruded or extruded plastic part is executed. System or module according to any of the above Claims 1 until 17 , characterized in that the active data coupling unit has a housing which includes fastening means for detachable mounting on or in the support profile. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fastening means are provided for mounting the functional module or the data coupling unit, which comprise at least one bolt which can be adjusted into a locking position transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support profile, in which the bolt engages in the support profile in a locking manner or , and the contact device comprises movably mounted, deliverable electrical contacts for contacting the supply, which can preferably be inserted into at least one laterally arranged guide profile of the supply, the adjustment of the bolt and delivery of the contacts preferably being mechanically coupled to one another. System or module according to one of the preceding claims, in particular claim 20 , characterized in that the active data coupling unit has a housing which is designed as an adapter for a busbar and can be at least partially accommodated in the busbar, the housing being able to be fastened to the busbar, preferably via a rotary mechanism, and/or the module having a contact device has, which interacts with conductors in at least one lateral guide profile of the conductor rail, with fastening and contacting taking place in particular jointly by an operable mechanism, in particular a rotary mechanism. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a number of elongated structurally identical support profiles are provided and are mounted in alignment with one another in the longitudinal direction, in particular hanging from the ceiling via pendulums and/or directly on a ceiling, with at least two data coupling units being provided which connect at least three segments of the data line , each with POF optical waveguides, preferably a duplex conductor pair made of POF optical waveguides, with one another, the data coupling units and POF optical waveguides preferably being connected to one another in accordance with a bus topology, in particular in the form of a daisy-chain topology. Data coupling unit for a system or module according to one of the preceding claims, in particular for a module according to one of Claims 7 until 22 . Use of a function module or a data coupling unit according to one of Claims 7 until 24 and of POF optical fibers, in particular duplex conductor pairs made from large core POF optical fibers, for retrofitting a light strip with a POF-based data connection, in particular for a data connection in accordance with ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-3:2017/Amd 9- 2018

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