EP1114570B1 - Lighting device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a lighting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Discharge lamps have the advantage over incandescent lamps a significantly higher light output or economy. There is a ballast for the operation of discharge lamps and an ignitor is required, of which the Ignitor the necessary for starting the gas discharge Provides ignition voltage while the ballast the lamp current after the discharge lamp has been ignited their operation is limited.

The ignition voltage must match the resistance in the discharge lamp overcome and is proportional to the prevailing gas pressure is. It can be up to 50 kV, but it only has to are briefly present as a high-voltage pulse.

After the discharge lamp is ignited, the resistance increases within the discharge lamp and the previously very low one Lamp current may change due to the negative resistance characteristics of the ionized gas to impermissibly high values increase. A ballast is therefore used to limit the current with a positive current-voltage characteristic is required. Ballasts can be used as choke ballasts or be designed as electronic ballasts, with choke ballasts a robust construction, high operational reliability and easy handling can be achieved. However, they do need relatively large installation space, the lamp tolerances and changes in mains voltage do not compensate and are relative heavy.

Electronic ballasts are the same as mains voltage and -frequency fluctuations over a certain range, are less robust and also require space, appropriate cooling devices and cause additional Weight.

Operation of a discharge lamp using ballast and Ignitor is general state of the art and for example described in DE 43 01 184 C2.

Ballast and ignitor are usually in the housing the lighting device, i.e. in the vicinity of the discharge lamp housed because of a long cable length too large from ballast and ignitor to discharge lamp Losses occur or an excessive voltage drop occurs, so that no safe operation of the discharge lamp is guaranteed. When connecting the ballast and Ignitor with the discharge lamp becomes the lighting device however very large and unwieldy.

Another disadvantage of the known lighting devices is that there is a separate one for each discharge lamp Ballast or ignitor is what is required during use several discharge lamps leads to considerable costs.

From US-A-5 691 603 is the connection of several lighting units known to a central power supply, the one connected to a voltage source Rectifier with downstream smoothing circuit to which an inverter bridge circuit as an ignition circuit for several lighting units is connected, known. One plug of the central power supply is over Fuses to an output transformer of the inverter bridge circuit connected and with a plug connectable, the electrical via a connecting line Connection to the plug socket of a first lighting unit manufactures. This first lighting unit contains a ballast transformer and a series choke and a fluorescent lamp.

Furthermore, a through line is provided, which Socket of the first lighting unit via one on the output socket attached to the first lighting unit connects to another lighting unit that also a ballast transformer, a series choke and contains a fluorescent lamp.

This document does not show how a compact structural unit between the discharge lamp and one external igniter on the one hand and the discharge lamp and a ballast and basic ignitor on the other hand can be.

DE 33 23 930 A1 is a ballast and ignition device for gas discharge lamps fed from an AC circuit known, the power-independent switching elements, namely a rectifier bridge circuit, a current limiting capacitor, a rectifier multiplier circuit and a double-pole, electromagnetic impulse changeover switch in an igniter housing and performance-based Switching elements, namely series-connected Capacities with smoothing capacitor connected in parallel and discharge resistance in one from the igniter housing separate nominal power unit housing united. The ignition part housing and the power section housing can over Plug contacts connected electrically and mechanically be, the discharge lamp with upstream Smoothing inductance at DC voltage outputs of the ignition part housing can be connected.

The object of the present invention is a lighting device to create that versatile and also at limited space can be used, if necessary has low weight and volume, a compact, closed design guaranteed, inexpensive to manufacture is and ensures stable, failure-prone operation.

This object is achieved by a lighting device solved with the features of claim 1.

Operation of the lighting device in various Constellations of a discharge lamp with a ballast Ignitor extends the area of application as well as the manageability such lighting devices and enables an inexpensive manufacture and an inexpensive Operation of lighting equipment.

Because the discharge lamps are mechanically and electrically detachable are connected to the ballast and ignitor, different and also several discharge lamps at the same time can be operated with a ballast and ignitor.

Through the mechanical and electrical coupling of the discharge lamp with an external ignitor that has a Connection cable with the current limiting circuit of a Ballast and basic ignitor bypassing the The ignition circuit of this device is connected to a discharge lamp created with small dimensions, which also difficult to access places.

Since the discharge lamp is physically separate from the ballast Basic ignitor is operated, the discharge lamp regardless of the relatively large and heavy ballast be started and thus has a low weight on and is particularly in confined spaces can be used advantageously. Because of the short distance and the associated short conduction paths between the discharge lamp and external igniter are the transmission and Voltage losses are minimized, so that safe operation of the Discharge lamp is guaranteed.

It is advisable that when the discharge lamp is in operation with an external ignitor via the adapter a direct connection bypassing the basic ignitor to the ballast by bridging the current limiting circuit of the basic ignitor is manufactured. This can for example via a corresponding electrical or electronic circuitry, a switch or over a contact assignment of the adapter happen. To next to low electrical losses and a closed structural Unit between the external ignitor and the discharge lamp the external ignitor is direct, without further spacers on the discharge lamp or on attachable to the discharge lamp housing.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the Connection of discharge lamp and housing of the ballast Basic ignitor realized via an adapter, whereby a fixed and applicable for multiple units Interface between ballast and basic ignitor and Discharge lamp is manufactured. The adapter can be used as a separate Component or in one of the assemblies to be connected be integrated.

In a variant of the invention are on the ignitor Several adapter connections are provided, so that several discharge lamps can be started with an ignitor. It is particularly the case with electronic ballasts possible to use the lamp current of several discharge lamps to regulate a single ballast.

For reasons of easy installation and quick Lamp replacement, because there are also different discharge lamps can be operated on an external ignitor, it is appropriate that the external ignitor has an adapter connection has, which is advantageously compatible with the adapter connection of the ballast and Bsis ignitor is. In this way, an adapter connection the discharge lamp on both the ballast and Bsis igniter as well as being operated on the external igniter, without structural changes or intermediate pieces required are.

For the most variable use of the discharge lamp in the disconnected operation, it is convenient to use the connecting cable to the ballast at different points of the to be able to connect an external ignitor. For this Basically, the connecting cable has a plug that several sockets of the external ignitor connected can be.

An advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention is characterized in that the sockets of the external ignitor different orientations or Have orientations. For example, is an orientation towards the direction of light of the lamp and a attached at right angles to the direction of light of the lamp in connection with the possible connector shapes, e.g. straight- Angled plug, as large a number of combination and to have arrangement options. Of course are other orientations to the direction of light or a main direction of expansion of the lamp housing possible.

Again, for reasons of variability, it is advantageous that the sockets and the adapter connections are compatible are so that, for example, several discharge lamps of the external ignitors in different lighting directions can be connected to a ballast.

In one embodiment of the invention is the adapter connection or the plug socket is designed as a bayonet lock, advantageously the bayonet lock a has rotatable contact plate to the mechanical Interlock not to damage the electrical contacts.

Figur 1 -

eine schematische Darstellung einer Entladungslampe mit angekoppeltem Vorschalt- und Basiszündgerät;

Figur 2 -

eine schematische Darstellung einer Entladungslampe mit angekoppeltem externen Zündgerät;

Figur 3 -

eine schematische Darstellung des Betriebs mehrerer mit einem externen Zündgerät verbundener Entladungslampen an einem Vorschalt- und Basiszündgerät;

Figur 4 -

eine Front- und Seitenansicht einer mechanisch und elektrisch mit einem Vorschalt- und Basiszündgerät verbundenen Entladungslampe;

Figur 5 -

eine Front- und Seitenansicht einer mechanisch und elektrisch mit einem externen Zündgerät und elektrisch mit einem Vorschalt- und Basiszündgerät verbundenen Entladungslampe;

Figur 6 -

eine Vorder- und Rückseitenansicht sowie einen Schnitt durch eine Kontaktplatte eines Adapters oder Adapteranschlusses und

Figur 7 -

eine Vorder- und Rückseitenansicht sowie einen Schnitt durch eine Trägerplatte eines Adapters oder Adapteranschlusses.

The idea on which the invention is based will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1 -

a schematic representation of a discharge lamp with a coupled ballast and basic igniter;

Figure 2 -

a schematic representation of a discharge lamp with a coupled external igniter;

Figure 3 -

a schematic representation of the operation of a plurality of discharge lamps connected to an external igniter on a ballast and basic igniter;

Figure 4 -

a front and side view of a discharge lamp mechanically and electrically connected to a ballast and basic ignitor;

Figure 5 -

a front and side view of a discharge lamp mechanically and electrically connected to an external ignition device and electrically connected to a ballast and basic ignition device;

Figure 6 -

a front and back view and a section through a contact plate of an adapter or adapter connection and

Figure 7 -

a front and back view and a section through a carrier plate of an adapter or adapter connection.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an illumination device B with a ballast and basic ignitor 1, to which a discharge lamp 7 is attached. Although the ballast and the basic igniter are electrical form two separate components, these are called together Ballast and basic igniter 1. Will on one of the two components are referred to separately referred to as ballast 1a and basic igniter 1b.

An adapter or is on the ballast and basic igniter 1 Adapter port 2 arranged, which is conveniently in the Housing is integrated, here for reasons of clarity but was shown separately.

The fastening of the discharge lamp 7 together with the lamp housing takes place via the adapter connection 2 such that a structural unit with the ballast and basic ignitor 1 will be produced. In this way, the lighting device differs B by conventional lights a modular structure through which different discharge lamps 7 on a single ballast and basic ignitor 1 can be operated.

The adapter or adapter connection 2 2 is such trained that the discharge lamp 7 mechanically fixed the ballast and basic igniter 1 is connected so that an arrangement of the lighting device B on a Tripod or the like is possible. The electrical connection the discharge lamp 7 with the ballast and basic igniter 1 is also done via the adapter or adapter connection 2 by means of integrated electrical contact sockets or plugs with corresponding counter sockets or mating connector on the discharge lamp 7 or on the ballast and basic igniter 1 in the mechanical connection of discharge lamp 7 and ballast and basic igniter 1 can be contacted.

FIG. 2 shows a variant of the lighting device B, at the on the adapter connection 2 of the ballast and ignitor 1 an adapter 3 3 is connected via a Connection cable 4 connected to an external igniter 5 is. The external igniter 5 in turn has an adapter or adapter connection 6, which is connected to an adapter Discharge lamp 7 can be coupled mechanically and via which Discharge lamp 7 electrically with the external ignitor 5 is connectable.

Because an ignitor is relatively small and lightweight can be achieved by combining the external ignitor 5 with the discharge lamp 7 mobility or The area of application of the discharge lamp 7 is only insignificant limited. In Figure 2, the direction of light of the discharge lamp 7 indicated by the arrow, which means that the external igniter 5 on the back of the discharge lamp 7 is connected. With this arrangement, a very narrow construction can be achieved. However, it is also possible, the external ignitor 5 on the side of the discharge lamp 7 or to be placed on the lamp housing.

It is expedient when operating via an external ignition device 5 a direct connection to the current limiting circuit of the ballast 1a of the ballast and Base ignitor 1 manufactured because the ignition circuit of the base ignitor 1b is not required. Alternatively, too only the capacitor of the basic ignition device 1b is bridged become.

Since according to a further feature of the invention the adapter or adapter connection to the discharge lamp 7 also directly with an adapter or adapter connection of the connecting cable 4 can be coupled, a direct connection of the Discharge lamp 7 with the adapter 3 of the ballast and Base igniter 1 are made without the ignition circuit of the ballast and basic ignitor 1 bridges becomes.

Figure 3 shows the arrangement of several with external Ignitors 5, 5 'connected discharge lamps 7, 7' Cable 4, 4 'and adapter 3, 3' and adapter connections 2, 2 ' on a ballast and ignitor 1. The structure corresponds in principle the structure shown in Figure 2, wherein here on the external ignitors 5, 5 'two plug sockets 8, 8 'are arranged, on each of which a connecting cable 4, 4 'can be connected. These sockets 8, 8 'can be in different angular positions to the direction of light or to the lamp housing or to the external Ignitors 5, 5 'are arranged.

Basically, all socket shapes are suitable; for reasons of the modular structure, however, it offers itself, the plug sockets 8 to be compatible with the adapter connections 2, because of this, a variety of arrangement options be created.

Figure 4 shows a front and side view with a ballast and basic igniter 1 mechanically and electrically directly coupled discharge lamp 7. The coupling done via an adapter with mechanical and electrical Connecting elements on the ballast and basic ignitor 1 and on the discharge lamp 7. In this embodiment the ballast and basic igniter 1 has a joint for connection with a tripod or with a suspension the lighting device.

Figure 5 shows a front and side view with an external igniter 5 mechanically and electrically connected Discharge lamp 7 and a ballast and basic igniter 1, which is electrically connected via a connecting cable 4 the external ignitor 5 is connected. The length of the Connection cable 4 is in a preferred embodiment 3.5 or 7 meters.

While in Figure 4, for example, the total length of the Ballast and basic igniter 1 and discharge lamp 7 formed lighting device is about 200mm, has that in Figure 5 from discharge lamp 7 and external ignitor 5 assembled lighting device only one length from approx. 96 mm.

The connection of the individual components of the lighting device (Ballast and basic ignitor 1, connecting cable 4, external ignitor 5 and discharge lamp 7) can over Different types of sockets and adapters or Adapter connections are made depending on whether one is pure. electrical or an electrical and mechanical Connection provided according to the subject of the invention is. An education of the plug sockets 8 or adapter connections 2, 6 is the bayonet catch, especially with a rotatable contact plate, because in this way a safe and fast mechanical and electrical connection is created without endangering the electrical contacts are.

In Figures 6 and 7 are different views of as Bayonet locks designed adapter connections 2, 6 shown to connect the discharge lamp 7 with the external igniter 5, the ballast and basic igniter 1 or the connecting cable 4 or the connecting cable 4 with the external ignitor 5 or the ballast and basic igniter 1 serve.

In addition to the electrical contacts 9 are on the adapter connection 2, 6 receptacles 10 for mechanical locking intended. The mechanical locking takes place on known way of introducing not shown Fastening pins in the receptacles 10 and a subsequent one Twist by a certain angle.

When inserting the mounting pins into the Recordings 10 are the respective electrical Contacts 9 closed. In order to damage the Avoiding contacts when twisting is the contact or Carrier plate 11 as a rotatable contact or carrier plate 11 designed to rotate.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 -

Ballast and ignitor

1a -

ballast

1b -

basic starting

2 -

adapter connection

3 -

adapter

4 -

connection cable

5 -

external ignitor

6 -

adapter connection

7 -

discharge lamp

8th -

socket

9

- electrical contacts

10 -

Recordings

11 -

rotatable contact or carrier plate

B -

lighting device

Claims (11)

1. Modular lighting device for theatre, film and studio lighting devices, having

   a discharge lamp (7) which is arranged in a lamp housing on whose rear side an adapter connection is arranged,

   a ballast and basic starting device (1) having a housing with an adapter or adapter connection (2), and

   an external starting device (5) which is arranged in a housing with an adapter or adapter connection (6),
   a structural unit being produced by mechanically coupling the adapter or adapter connection of the lamp housing both to the adapter or adapter connection (2) on the housing of the ballast and basic starting device (1) and to the adapter or adapter connection (6) on the housing of the external starting device (5), and

   an electric connection of the discharge lamp (7) to the ballast and basic starting device (1) being produced upon coupling of the lamp housing to the housing of the ballast and basic starting device (1),
      and

   an electric connection of the discharge lamp (7) is produced, upon coupling of the lamp housing to the housing of the external starting device (5), to the [sic] the starting circuit of the external starting device (5), and to the current-limiting circuit of the ballast and basic starting unit (1) via a connecting cable (4) connecting the external starting device (5) to the ballast and basic starting device (1).
2. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting cable (4) is connected to the adapter or adapter connection (2) of the ballast and basic starting device (1) via an adapter (3).
3. Lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the discharge lamp (7) is connected to the starting and current-limiting circuit of the ballast and basic starting device (1) via the adapter or adapter connection on the lamp housing and an adapter or adapter connection on the connecting cable (4).
4. Lighting device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ballast and basic starting device (1) has a plurality of adapter connections (2) for various discharge lamps (7).
5. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that during operation of the discharge lamp (7) the starting circuit of the ballast and basic starting device (1) is bridged by the external starting device (5), and the current-limiting circuit of the ballast and basic starting device (1) is connected to the discharge lamp (7) via the external starting device (5).
6. Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter connections (2) of the ballast and basic starting device housing (1) and of the external starting device (5) are compatible.
7. Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external starting device (5) has at least two sockets (8) for connecting the connecting cable (4).
8. Lighting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the sockets (8) are variously aligned and preferably arranged on the lateral surface and on the rear surface, averted from a discharge lamp (7), of the external starting device (5) connected to the discharge lamp (7).
9. Lighting device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the sockets (8) and the adapter terminal (2) are compatible.
10. Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the adapter connections (2, 6) have a rotatable contact plate (11) and receptacles (10) for mechanical connection to fastening pins of a mating adapter.
11. Lighting device according to claim 10, characterized in that the receptacles (10) for mechanical connection to fastening pins are constructed as a bayonet lock.

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