EP0755494A1

EP0755494A1 - Signalling column

Info

Publication number: EP0755494A1
Application number: EP95915787A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erich Marquardt; Udo GÖTZ
Original assignee: Werma-Signalgerate & Co GmbH; Werma Signalgeraete GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Werma-Signalgerate & Co GmbH; Werma Signalgeraete GmbH and Co
Priority date: 1994-04-15
Filing date: 1995-04-13
Publication date: 1997-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-13
Also published as: EP0755494B1; DE59501106D1; US5952915A; DE19513983A1; WO1995028598A1; ATE161083T1; DE19513983B4

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/DE95/00521 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 10, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 10, 1996 PCT Filed Apr. 13, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/28598 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 26, 1995A signal pillar includes a plurality of signal elements (2, 2') which are identical in their design and are arranged one on top of the other. In order to achieve simple and effective mechanical and electrical connection, a bayonet closure arrangement (13) is provided between the signal elements (2, 2') and an electrical connection base (3), and connection between respectively adjacent components are made by connecting wires having L-shaped legs (31) and U-shaped connecting bridges (27).

Description

"Signal tower"

The invention relates to a signal tower according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art;

From the German design specification 22 11 801 a generic signal tower has become known, which consists of several light elements with the same structure, which can be assembled without the use of special tools. The known signal tower can be taken apart at any point, so that a replacement of light bulbs is easy to carry out.

The known signal tower has an electrical coupling device in order to electrically connect adjacent lighting elements to one another by means of a relative, limited rotation. During this rotation, there is also a mechanical connection of the two lighting elements through the interaction of two connecting devices. In doing so the partition between two lighting elements and the transparent hood rotated against each other, wherein a screw closure, a bayonet closure or other types of closure are mentioned as connecting devices. The electrical connection between adjacent lighting elements takes place via an electrical coupling which has complementary coupling areas such as sockets and plugs, so that the stacking of two lighting elements leads to a connection of the feed lines of the lighting elements.

This known device has the disadvantage that the partition between the lighting elements and the transparent hood have to be formed in several parts and screwed or connected together. The connection between the partition and the hood must simultaneously make the connection of the electrical connections, for which purpose a complicated electrical connection element is provided as the feed line. In particular, the elastic socket for receiving the plug of the feed line has two legs which are only resilient against one another and which cannot ensure reliable contact between the plug and socket.

Object and advantages of the invention;

The invention is based on the object of proposing a signal or light column which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above and which in particular has a highly efficient electrical contacting of the signal elements which are lined up with one another. The signal elements should also be easily separable at any point on the signal tower, so that an exchange of signal transmitters or an exchange of individual signal elements with different colors is possible. The task is continue to achieve a variety of uses for the signal tower. Furthermore, a simple and expedient housing connection between the individual signal elements is to be achieved.

This object is achieved on the basis of a signal tower according to the preamble of claim 1 by the characterizing features of claim 1. In addition to the advantageous electrical connection according to claim 1, an optimal mechanical connection according to claim 10 or 11 is achieved.

Further advantageous and expedient refinements of the invention are specified in the associated subclaims.

The signal tower according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1 has the advantage that a very efficient electrical connection between the individual signal elements can be established. The individual electrical feed lines are in particular made from simple round wires, which are U-shaped at one end as a connecting bridge, while the other end of the electrical connecting line designed as a round wire is only preferably angled L-shaped and for electrical contacting with the U- shaped connecting bridge of the adjacent signal element is used. This creates an electrical connection between the individual signal elements that is very simple in structure but highly efficient in its effect. The U-shaped connecting bridge ensures a high stability of the electrical connecting member, but in the simplest version an only pin-shaped connecting bridge can be used.

The formation of each signaling element for producing a signaling column by a pot-shaped arrangement of a cylinder part is hereby particularly advantageous connected base plate, the cylindrical parts being set one inside the other with a corresponding inner and outer flange and rotatably connected to one another via a bayonet catch. In this case, axial bracing occurs through a special seal according to the invention and through corresponding run-on bevels and a latching through corresponding latching lugs with form-fitting depressions. This results in a secure and targeted non-positive and positive mechanical connection between two adjacent signal elements. At the same time as the mechanical connection, there is also an electrical connection of the U-shaped connecting bridges to the associated wire ends, the contacting parts sliding non-positively and resiliently against one another.

Further details of the invention and in particular additional information on preferred embodiments of the invention result from the following description and the accompanying drawing. It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in another combination or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, different types of signal elements can be used.

In the exemplary embodiments shown:

1 shows a longitudinal section through a first

Embodiment with lighting element with additional lighting element attached in a partial view and base attached below, Fig. 2a shows a section along the section line A-A in Fig. 1 and

Fig. 2b shows a section along the section lines B-B in Fig. 1;

3a - 3d a detailed representation of a

Sealing arrangement between two signal elements;

4a, 4b a second embodiment with LED display as an all-round light.

Description;

The signal column shown in FIG. 1 in longitudinal section and in cross section in FIG. 2 is designed as a light column 1 and consists of a plurality of light elements 2 arranged one above the other and having the same mechanical structure. In FIG. 1 there is in particular a lower light element 2 connected to an overlying light element 2 '. Any number of such lighting elements can be arranged one above the other. As the lower end in FIG. 1, a cable connection base 3 is used, which has a central bore 4 for receiving a connection cable (not shown in more detail), the individual wires of which are attached to screw terminals 5.

Each lighting element 2, 2 'etc. consists of a pot-shaped housing, each with a transparent, that is to say translucent, cylinder part 6, which can have different colors. The cylinder part 6 is closed by an integrally connected base plate 7 on one side, which has a socket 8 for receiving z. B. carries an incandescent lamp 9 with lamp base 25. Instead of one Incandescent lamp 9, the socket 8 can also have a variety of other optical or acoustic signal generators, such as. B. flashing light, flashing light, buzzer, horn or the like.

The lower part of the cylinder part 6 is provided with an opening 10, which extends over the entire inner diameter d ^, with radially inwardly directed support webs 11 projecting into the opening 10 for fixing the electrical connecting lines 12 at individual points. These electrical connecting lines 12 consist of an approximately 1 to 1.5 mm thick round wire, which is bent and guided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as will be explained later.

The connection of the signal or lighting elements 2, 2 'to each other and the connection of the power connection base 3 is done via a bayonet connection 13, 13' with corresponding connecting flanges. For this purpose, each lighting element 2 has in the area of its base plate 7 a cylindrical outer flange 14 with an outer diameter d2, which cooperates with a cylindrical inner flange 15 with an inner diameter d ^ in the opening area 10 of the adjacent part 2 '. The inner diameter d3 is the same or only slightly larger than the outer diameter d2, so that the lighting elements 2, 2 'can be pushed into one another in a form-fitting manner over a height section h ^. Since the inner diameter d ^ of the lighting elements 2, 2 'is smaller than the outer diameter & 2 of the outer flange 14, the outer flange 14 is supported on a circumferential, radial annular shoulder 16 with the diameter d2 minus d- ^. Furthermore, the outer flange 14 can be partially supported on the mounting webs 11. Likewise, the lower part of the inner flange 15 can also be supported on a lower annular shoulder 16 'of the outer flange 14, the sealing arrangement 46 described for FIG. 3 preferably being used. The bayonet lock 13, 13 'between the lighting elements 2, 2' and between the lighting element 2 and the lower base 3 is formed by a conventional radially projecting guide lug 17 on the cylindrical outer flange 14 for the lighting element 2 and on the outer flange 14 'for the electrical connection base 3, which is initially inserted axially into an axial groove 18 'on the inner flange 15 and then engages in a tangential groove 18 which extends over an angle of rotation range α 30 °. The tangential groove 18 is designed to rise slightly towards its closed end, so that there is an axial contraction during the rotational movement of the bayonet connection. The sealing arrangement 46 described in relation to FIG. 3 counteracts this axial pressure. On the circumference of the connecting flanges 14, 15 are z. B. three such bayonet catches.

In order to avoid an unwanted opening of the bayonet catches, the flange connection 14, 15 furthermore has a combined positive and non-positive connection element as a special and additional bayonet catch 13 '. In this bayonet lock 13 'is provided, which extends over approximately the entire height h of the bayonet connection and extends radially inward curvature section 19, which has an oblique Auflaufra pe 20. These parts 19, 20 are arranged on the inner flange 15 of the respective lighting element 2, 2 '. This ramp-like surface section 19, 20 interacts with a radially outwardly directed, V-shaped cam 21 in plan view, which is located on the outer flange 14 or 14 '. So that the cam 21 can move radially inward and then outward again into the position according to FIG. 2a via the ramp, the cam 21 is delimited in the upper and lower region by two horizontal tangential slots 45, which cover the entire wall thickness s of the outer flange 14 so that the cam 21 can spring radially inwards and outwards. In Fig. 2 a is shown with position 21 'of the cam in its initial position when the parts are axially pushed together. This cam 21 'runs over the run-up ramp 20 and moves radially inward over the curvature 19 and then reaches the radially outer position 21. This results in a positive locking of the bayonet connection with a positive locking. The bayonet catches 13, 13 'connect the lighting elements 2, 2' etc. with each other, as well as the last lighting element 2 with the associated cable connection base 3.

The electrical connecting lines 12 are formed as follows:

In the area of the inner wall 22 of the cylinder part 6 there are, for. B. six electrical connection lines 12 at an angular distance of 60 °, which serve as feed lines. Two of these connecting lines 12 ', 12' 'are used in each lighting element 2, 2' for connection to the conductor tabs 23, 24, which lead to the socket 8 and thus to the lamp base 25 of the incandescent lamp 9 or the like.

The remaining electrical connection lines 12 are used for the electrical power connection of the subsequent switchable lighting elements or for the electrical connection of the cable connection base 3.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, each electrical connecting line 12 consists of a round wire with a first length section 26 with the length 1 ^, which extends over almost the entire height I13 of the interior of the cylinder part 6. The total height of the lighting element 2, 2 'is h_ _j designated. The difference h _* minus I13 gives the thickness or thickness of the base plate 7.

In the lower region, the length section 26 is bent over to form a U-shaped connecting bridge 27 with a lower horizontal, somewhat tangentially oriented connecting leg 28 with a width of 5 mm, which is followed by the upwardly bent wire leg 29 with a length I2. The length 1 is about l ^ -fcöO mm, the length I2 is about 1 ₂ 5 »12 mm. The upper end of the wire leg 29 is firmly embedded in the mounting web 11. The section 30 of the length section 26 lying parallel to this lies with radial play within this mounting web 11.

The electrical connecting line 12 is bent at a right angle (corner 44) at its other end located at the top in FIG. 1 and forms an L-shaped leg 31 with a length I3 t 20 mm. This leg 31 bent at a right angle runs approximately tangentially within the inner wall 22 and is clamped in a form-fitting manner with a support web 32 between the wall 22 and the support web 32. Furthermore, the L-shaped leg 31 is bent at a right angle in an end section 33 and fixed in the base plate 7.

The lighting elements 2, 2 'are joined together by axially pushing the bayonet connection together with subsequent rotation. During the axial pushing together, the U-shaped connecting bridge 27 comes into a position 27 ', as is shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 1 between the lighting elements 2, 2'. In this case, the connecting bridge 27 'with its length section 26 is located close to the corner 44 of the L-shaped leg 31 bent at right angles and slides on the L-shaped leg 31 in the direction of arrow 34 due to the rotational movement of the bayonet catch, as shown in FIG. 1 is shown. Here, the L-shaped leg 31 through the radially outward the .Apressing force of the U-shaped connecting bridge 27 pressed outward in the direction of the inner wall 22, so that the position of the longitudinal section 26 is slightly inclined in FIG. 1. The U-shaped bracket 27 also bends radially inward, so that there is a non-positive connection between the two support legs of the connecting bridge 27 with the wire leg 31.

As can be seen from FIG. 2 a, the U-shaped connecting bridge 27 always lies radially inside on the L-shaped leg 31. In the starting position 27 ', the lower connecting leg 28 is not exactly aligned with the L-shaped leg 31, but in a slight angular position inward so that this part can slide onto the L-shaped leg 31 without problems.

The base plate 7 has cutouts 34 for the passage of the U-shaped connecting bridges 27 ', which are followed laterally by tangential slots 35 for carrying out the pivoting movement or rotary movement when the parts are closed.

The electrical connection of the conductor lug 23 (see FIG. 2 a) takes place via the electrical connecting line 12 ′ coming from below (in each case from the base 3) in FIG 36 leads to a fastening claw 37. The fastening claw 37 is electrically connected to the conductor lug 23. The horizontal section 36 is continued via a Z-shaped deflection section 38 on the inner wall up to the U-shaped connecting bridge 27 ', which leads to the associated or corresponding lamp connection of the subsequent lighting element 2'. The conductor lugs 23 are consequently electrically connected in series, there being an offset by the angle of rotation α 1 in each case. The end of this section of wire 39 is in turn held by means of a support web 32 and an embedded end section 33.

The second conductor tab 24 is also connected via a fastening claw 37 to a horizontal wire section 40, which in FIG. 1 leads downward in a length section 26 ″ to a U-shaped connecting bridge 27 ″. The conductor lug 24 of the subsequent lighting element is then supplied with current by the electrical connecting line 12, which is offset by the angle of rotation α 1.

The structure of the electrical cable connection base 3 is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 b. First of all, the light element 2 is connected to the base 3 with the same bayonet lock connection 13 ', the U-shaped connecting bridges 27 projecting downwards into the inner flange of the light element 2 sliding towards horizontally and tangentially oriented L-shaped legs 31'. This also results in a flat and non-positive contact of the two U-shaped legs of the connecting bridge 27 with the connecting wire 31 '.

The screw terminals 5 are reached via the wire section 43 via a wire section 41 leading downward and a U-shaped configuration of this power connection wire 42. From there, an electrical connection wire, not shown, to z. B. six screw terminals 5 attached.

The sealing arrangement between two lighting elements 2, 2 'is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3a-3d. 3a shows the annular shoulder 16 'on the outer lateral surface of the lighting elements 2, 2'. An annular seal 46 made of a thin plastic film is placed on this annular shoulder. This film is selected according to optimal sliding properties, ie by using a plastic such. B. Teflon or the like can be the front The counter flange 47 of the upper lighting element 2 ′ shown in FIG. 3 a slides easily on the seal 46 when the rotary movement is carried out in the bayonet fitting.

In Fig. 3b the plastic seal 46 is shown in side view, in Fig. 3c in plan view. The detail X of the seal 46 from FIG. 3b is shown in FIG. 3d, i. H. a section along the section line I-I in Fig. 3c.

In order to impart a certain pretension to the sealing arrangement 46, it is profiled as shown in FIG. 3d or formed with a slight embossing, which improves the sealing properties. This embossing 48 consists of a V-shaped recess 49 with an angle f ^ 13 ° decreasing towards the outer end and an angle 7 2 ₄ f 27 ° increasing again in the outer region, each measured relative to the horizontal as shown in FIG. 3d. In the embodiment for a seal 46 is z. B. the inner diameter di _Q = 63.5 mm, the outer diameter dii Ä2 67.9 mm. The radially inner kink 50 of the embossing 48 lies in a diameter range dη ^ ft- 65 mm. The lower inflection point 51 of the V-shaped recess 49 is 66.9 mm in diameter.

Of course, these diameter ranges can vary depending on the embodiment. The decisive factor is the V-shaped embossing 48, by means of which the seal has a certain pretension which must be overcome when the two lighting elements 2, 2 'are pressed together. In the assembled state, the seal 46 is consequently pressed into an almost flat surface, i. H. the angles f, 2 go to zero.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b. As indicated above, the flashing light, flashing light, buzzer, horn or even voice output elements can not be used as signaling devices

REPLACEMENT LEAF be used. A so-called LED column 52 can in particular also be used as the illuminant in order to produce a kind of rotating beacon. Here, for. B. four LEDs 53 arranged vertically one above the other to z. B. to form six LED columns 52. LEDs with a small beam angle are used so that a bundled light beam is generated. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the arrangement of six columns in a hexagon has proven to be expedient. Of course, other arrangements of columns can also be selected in order to produce an effect of a rotating beacon. The columns are controlled cyclically one after the other so that an apparently rotating light is created for the viewer. So that the movement appears to be "round", when moving from one column to the other, both adjacent columns are activated on the short side.

The advantage of such an LED arrangement is the fact that the size can be kept very small, which is not easily possible with a motor drive. There are no parts that are subject to wear. In addition, high vibration resistance can be achieved.

It is also conceivable that incandescent lamps are used instead of the LEDs, insofar as they show the required stability.

The arrangement according to the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown or described. Rather, it also encompasses all professional modifications in the context of property rights claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. Signal tower with several, in terms of their construction essentially the same, one above the other signal elements (2, 2 '), which by means of a

Closure connection (13, 13 ') or the like are connected to one another, each consisting of a cylinder part (6) for receiving an optical, acoustic signal transmitter (9) or the like and of electrical connecting lines

(12), which are used for the individual power supply of the signal elements (2, 2 '), characterized in that the electrical connecting lines (12) are designed as wires, each of which has an approximately U-shaped, approximately tangential orientation at one end Level connecting bridge (27) and at its other end an angled connecting web (31), the connecting bridge (27) of one signal element (2) when assembling two adjacent signal elements (2, 2 ') with the connecting web (31) of the adjacent one Luminous element acts together by a spring wire connection.

2. Signal tower according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical or acoustic signal transmitter (9) z. B. bulbs such as incandescent, flashing light, flash tube, flashing light, etc. and / or buzzer or horns and / or language modules.

3. Signal tower according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a rotating beacon is preferably used as a signal generator (9) made of LED columns. - 15 -

4. Signal tower according to claim 1, characterized in that a cup-shaped cylinder part (6) is provided, which preferably has at its open end (10) a cylindrical inner flange (15) with an inner diameter d and a height h ^, which over a in Diameter d2 adapted cylindrical outer flange (14) placed on the closed end of the cylinder part (6) and can be locked by means of a bayonet lock connection (13, 13 ') by a rotary movement.

5. Signal tower according to claim 4, characterized in that the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) in the region of the cylindrical inner flange (15) of the cylinder part (6) over approximately its height h ^ is freely movable.

6. Signal tower according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a base plate (7) is provided on the cylinder part (6), the recesses (34) and tangential slots (35) for the axial passage and the in its radially outer region has tangential displacement of the U-shaped connecting bridges (27).

7. Signal tower according to claim 1, characterized in that the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) is mounted in a radially inwardly facing support bearing (11), in particular the shorter leg (29) fixed and the longer, electrical connecting leg (26) is loosely supported with radial play.

8. Signal tower according to claim 1, characterized in that when axially joining two adjacent lighting elements (2, 2 ') the lower connecting leg (28) of the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) approximately next to the corner region (44) of an L-shaped connecting web ( 31) comes to rest and that when performing the rotary movement by an angle of rotation α 1 the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) with both legs on the L-shaped connecting web (31) is non-positively.

9. Signal tower according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the connecting web (31) is held at its free end in a bearing point (32) and / or is fixed by means of an angled section (33) in a base plate (7).

10. Signal tower in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that to form a bayonet lock connection between a cylindrical inner flange (15) and a cylindrical outer flange (14) on the inner surface of the inner flange (15) axial insertion grooves (18 ') for radially projecting guide lugs

(17) are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the outer flange (14) of the adjacent lighting element and that the guide nose (17) can be inserted into tangential grooves (18) over an angle of rotation range α 1 after insertion into the axial insertion grooves, in particular due to an axially increasing tangential groove

(18) there is an axial bracing of the lighting elements (2, 2 ').

11. Signal tower in particular according to claim 1 or 10, characterized in that an annular, radial mounting shoulder (16, 16 ') is provided on a bayonet lock (13, 13') or the like of two flange-like connections (14, 15), which with a annular profile seal (46) is provided, which consists of a slidable plastic with low tangential friction and that the profile seal (46) preferably has a cross-sectionally V-shaped impression (48, 49) for producing an axial projection (51) in the unloaded state .

12. Signal tower according to .Anspruch 10, characterized in that at least one tangential groove (18 ') of the bayonet lock 13' has a radial ramp-rising and falling surface portion (19), via which a radially flexible cam (21) on the outer flange (14) of the adjacent lighting element slides to produce a locking device, the cam (21) being designed to be radially movable, in particular by means of two slots (45) which penetrate the wall thickness of the outer flange (14) and are oriented parallel and tangentially to one another.

13. Signal tower according to claim 6, characterized in that on the base plate (7) of the lighting element (2, 2 ') two conductor tabs (23, 24) are attached, which lead to the connection of the signal transmitter (9), a first of the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) coming electrical

Connection line (12 ') to the first conductor lug (23) and from there to the adjacent U-shaped connecting bridge (27'), offset by the angle of rotation α 1, of the adjoining lighting element and from there to the same conductor lug 23 of this adjoining lighting element and an electrical connecting line (40) leads from the U-shaped connecting bridge (27 '') of the first lighting element (2) adjacent to the connecting bridge (27) to the second conductor lug (24).

14. Signal tower according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection between a signal element (2) and a subsequent electrical base (3) via a bayonet connection (13, 13 ') analogous to the connection of two signal elements (2, 2') and that the electrical connection is made by means of U-shaped connecting bridges (27) on tangential, L-shaped connecting webs (31 ').

15. Signal tower according to claim 3, characterized in that the signal transmitter (9) to form a kind of rotating beacon consist of LED columns (52) which are arranged in a plurality of vertical columns and which are controlled cyclically in succession.