EP1528577A1 - Supply unit for lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The operating device (1) for an illuminating device (3), comprises an electrical circuit (6) with at least one heat developing ballast choke coil (L) having at least two opposite-lying heat-emitting surfaces, and an electrically insulating housing (14). The housing has a number of walls, at least two of these walls lie on the two opposite-lying surfaces of the choke coil.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical equipment, such as a ballast, a transformer or a ballast ignition unit, as required for operation the corresponding bulbs are provided.

The mentioned resources usually contain one voluminous coil component, such as a ballast choke or a transformer, this coil component generates a considerable power loss. These leads to heating of the coil component and adjacent Parts. The heat must be dissipated to an excessive Heating the coil component and the other parts to prevent.

On the other hand, electrical equipment must be as possible be stored safely. This requires a coil component or other electronic or electrical components enclosing insulating arrangement, such as an insulating material housing. Such insulating material tend to heat dissipation from the housing interior to hinder. This is especially true when the housing for stability reasons thick-walled is formed. vents while in the case may occasionally be regarding the heat accumulation remedy - they worsen but the electrical safety.

On this basis, it is an object of the invention to provide a in In this regard, to provide improved equipment.

This object is achieved with the equipment according to claim 1 solved:

The electrical equipment contains at least one heat developing coil component with at least two each other opposite heat-emitting surfaces. These Surfaces are in direct contact with walls of the electrically insulating housing, whereby on the one hand a good transmission of emanating from the coil component Heat on the wall and from this to the environment safely can be made. On the other hand, the direct investment the wall on the coil element to a support of the wall, so that lower demands are placed on their rigidity are as with free and self-supporting housing walls. Corresponding can be the thickness of the walls of the electrically insulating Housing be reduced, which in turn the heat transfer and benefits the heat dissipation to the environment. The Inventive equipment thus requires no ventilation openings. It can with good electrical safety and good mechanical stability, the heat dissipation in the Environment to be improved. The coil component becomes to some extent as a stiffness or strength-giving component integrated into the housing.

It is considered beneficial if the walls of the Housing on their inner sides have flat contact surfaces. This can be a surface investment between the coil component and the housing walls are realized, which in turn the Cooling of the coil component facilitates. In an optimized Embodiment, the walls of the housing at their Inner sides slightly curved, e.g. by the side walls one not yet equipped with the coil component Housing are bent inwards. The cross section The housing is thus quadrangular, with the edges of this Hang rectangles towards the center of the housing. The deflection is so small that the walls under elastic deformation can be converted into a planar configuration, if the coil component is inserted into the housing. The However, bending is so great that it does Pressing or pressing the contact surfaces of the coil component he follows. This can be an improved surface Contact between the housing walls and the coil component come to a stand, which benefits the heat dissipation. In This course, it is also advantageous, the housing of a form dark, preferably black plastic.

The housing has at least two, but preferably several, e.g. three or four, walls on, at different Abut surfaces of the coil component. To this Way is a safe storage of the usually heavy Coil component in a thin-walled or at least not reached too thick-walled plastic housing. In addition, can the iron body of the coil component cooled over a large area become. This effect is especially supported, if the walls are under tension on the surfaces of the Abut the coil component. The rigidity of the walls is preferably set so that introduced at their edges Preload forces to a flat pressing the Lead walls to the coil component. At the edges can the walls of the housing connected to each other elastically be. These can be integrally connected to the housing or separately applied spring means that hold the walls together. The spring means can, if they are with a sufficient Federhub are provided, a tolerance compensation cause. Instructs the coil component as an iron core Laminated on, can in this way as a result of manufacturing tolerances and resulting size differences between individual coil components are compensated. Furthermore can the coil components from the grouting ago with a covered more or less thick cured resin layer be. Even such tolerances can by the spring means be compensated. The spring means can also be separated or integrally formed with the housing elements formed by foreign influence, e.g. by heat, can be activated. So can thermally at the housing edges activatable shrinking or shrinking provided become. The advantage lies in the good placement of the widened housing and the good fit of the shrunken, adjacent housing.

In addition, in the edge regions of the housing a Broadening, for example in the form of channel-shaped receiving spaces be provided to adhere to the coil component Include Vergussmassewulste. These are preferably formed on the after dipping the coil component bottom or hanging edge. Appropriate Open spaces in the housing, at least on one of the existing Longitudinal edges then allows the planar installation of the walls on the coil component, even if corresponding drip noses or beads of potting compound of the coil component have not been removed. This means a manufacturing simplification.

The walls of the housing are preferably ribbed provided the stiffening of the walls and the improved Serve heat dissipation. The ribs are preferably oriented at right angles to such edges of the walls where Spring means are arranged. This stiffens the ribs the walls between the spring means, without the thermal resistance to increase the walls. On the contrary, they contribute to Improvement of heat dissipation and thus reduction of the Thermal resistance of the walls at.

Instead of the ribs can also pimples, pips or other projections may be formed, if desired becomes. Preferably, the walls are on their inner sides with provided a heat transfer material. One such material is in particular a gap-bridging Material that is the formation of air gaps between the Coil component and the adjacent wall prevented. For example the material may be a thermal grease. It It is possible to do this before or after fitting the housing to insert with the coil component in the housing. In the simplest Case becomes the thermal paste with the coil component entered in the housing. Alternatively, the housing previously coated on its walls with thermal grease be. However, it is also possible to dry the coil component in the housing and then introduce the thermal paste through suitable injection openings that penetrate the walls, in the joint between the coil component and the inject the adjacent wall.

A heat-transferring gap-filling material can also arranged on the inside of the walls or the Be coil component surrounding film. This one can by Heat fusible, one creeping under pressure, one plastic or elastic film. For example come silicone films in question. It is also possible to liquid or mushy materials to be used by heat or Radiation are crosslinkable. For example, can be radiation-crosslinkable Silicone to be used. In addition, Einoder Two-component mixtures are used, the cure after application in a given time. curing however, is not necessarily required. It can also uses gap-filling or joint-bridging materials that will not harden.

The walls of the preferably cup-shaped housing are preferably provided with an insertion bevel, the insertion of the coil component in the housing with disassembly the then under bias voltage adjacent walls allowed. The second housing part can be one or more parts be formed and is attached to the cup-shaped housing part preferably connected via a latching connection. He can an electronic circuit, such as an ignition circuit, take up. In addition, other electronic Circuits such as interference suppression circuits, safety circuits, Dimmer, remotely controllable switch and the like in the equipment to get integrated. By their spacing of the coil component and the housing in another Housing part can emanating from the coil component Heat from these components are reasonably kept away.

It is also possible, both housing parts first to equip separately and that the cup-shaped housing part with the coil component and the other housing part with the other electrical or electronic components. When merging the housing parts, the required electrical connections automatically, for example be made by plug connection.

Figur 1 und 2

jeweils ein elektrisches Betriebsmittel zum Betrieb einer Gasentladungslampe als aufs Äußerste schematisiertes elektrisches Schaltbild,

Figur 3

ein elektrisches Betriebsmittel zum Betrieb einer Glühlampe als aufs Äußerste schematisiertes elektrisches Schaltbild,

Figur 4

das Betriebsmittel nach einer der Figuren 1 bis 3 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht seines Gehäuses,

Figur 5

das Betriebsmittel nach Figur 4 in einer Draufsicht,

Figur 6

das Betriebsmittel nach Figur 4 in längs geschnittener Darstellung,

Figur 7

einen Teil des Gehäuses des Betriebsmittels nach Figur 4 in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 8

den Gehäuseteil nach Figur 7 in einer Seitenansicht,

Figur 9

den Gehäuseteil nach Figur 7 in einer ausschnittsweisen, perspektivischen Darstellung,

Figur 10

das Gehäuse nach Figur 7 in einer weiteren ausschnittsweisen, perspektivischen Darstellung in einem anderen Maßstab und

Figur 11

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform des Gehäuses nach Figur 7 in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Further details of advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the drawings, the description or claims. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Show it:

FIGS. 1 and 2

in each case an electrical operating means for operating a gas discharge lamp as an extremely schematized electrical circuit diagram,

FIG. 3

an electrical device for operating an incandescent lamp as an extremely schematized electrical circuit diagram,

FIG. 4

the operating means according to one of the figures 1 to 3 in a perspective view of its housing,

FIG. 5

the equipment of Figure 4 in a plan view,

FIG. 6

the equipment of Figure 4 in longitudinal section,

FIG. 7

a part of the housing of the equipment of Figure 4 in perspective view,

FIG. 8

the housing part of Figure 7 in a side view,

FIG. 9

7 shows the housing part according to FIG. 7 in a fragmentary perspective view,

FIG. 10

the housing of Figure 7 in a further fragmentary, perspective view in a different scale and

FIG. 11

a modified embodiment of the housing of Figure 7 in a perspective view.

In Figure 1 is an electrical equipment 1 in Form of a combined ballast and ignitor 2 for Power and voltage supply of a gas discharge lamp 3 illustrated as a circuit diagram. The gas discharge lamp 3 is For example, a high-pressure sodium vapor lamp or a Metal halide lamp. The ballast and ignitor 2 contains a series choke L, which is in the supply line 4 of the Gas discharge lamp 3 is located and with a tap 5 for Connection of an ignition circuit 6 is provided. The ignition circuit 6 is only schematically illustrated. she serves in addition, by means of the series choke L high voltage pulses to generate the gas discharge lamp 3, if this does not burn.

The series choke L is a voluminous coil component with an iron core formed of many sheets. Their outer shape can be seen in FIG. she has an outside approximately cuboidal laminated iron core. 7 on, from the two end faces, for example, by Plastic caps protrude 8, 9 covered bobbins. Either the coil, the current flowing in accordance with Figure 1 in operation is, as well as the iron core 7 generate during operation of the Ballast and ignitor 2 Loss of heat for heating the series reactor L leads.

The iron core 7 has four substantially in the right Angled surfaces to each other, through the front edges the individual sheets of the iron core 7 are formed. From Figure 6, two such surfaces 11, 12 can be seen. They are oriented parallel to each other and point from each other path. In Figure 6, they are perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. It is understood that the iron core 7 parallel to Drawing plane above and below the same corresponding another, essentially flat surfaces, which also through the edges of the stacked individual sheets of the Iron core 7 are formed. The series reactor L is preferably potted, i. she is with her after manufacture a casting compound soaked. This is not absolutely necessary.

The ballast and ignitor 2 has, in particular From Figure 4 shows, a housing 14, which consists of a Insulating material, for example, a good electrical insulation Plastic exists. It is preferably constructed in two parts and thus in a cup-shaped, essentially only the ballast L receiving section 15 and subdivides another component receiving section 16. You will come across the overall elongated case approximately centrally surrounding annular joint 17 to each other. Of the Section 16 has a cross in the section 15 Edge on, which is provided with locking lugs. These latches are in substantially planar walls 18 (Figure 4), 19 (Figure 6) formed openings 21, 22, 23, 24 (Figure 8) assigned. The locking lugs engage latching in these openings 21, 22, 23, 24 (Figure 8) and lock while the sections 15, 16 together. The cup-shaped portion 15 has, as Figure 7 reveals a total of four a substantially cuboid interior enclosing walls 18, 19 and 25, 26, which have newly formed inner sides. The four plate-like walls 18, 19, 25, 26 are on their outside with projections 27, for example in the form of ribs 28, 29, 30, 31, provided (Figure 7 and 8), the cooling and the stiffening of the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 serve. The ribs 28, 29, 30, 31 extend parallel to the Front edge of the section 15, which adjoins the joint 17. In addition, the ribs 28, 29, 30, 31 extend approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal edges 32, 33, 34, 35 of the walls 18, 19, 25, 26, in which the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 with each other are connected. The ribs 28, 29, 30, 31 can between delimit each other in the form of grooves or grooves, at their respective bottom the relevant wall 18, 19, 25, 26 is particularly thin. This is for example from FIG 6 can be seen. The thin spots facilitate heat transfer through the respective wall 18, 19, 25, 26.

At the longitudinal edges 32, 33, 34, 35 are the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 respectively connected by a spring means 36, 37, 38, 39, that, as FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate, through a thin example, u-shaped or Ω-shaped curved wall section is formed, whose two legs in one piece into the adjacent walls. From seen inside, form the spring means 36, 37, 38, 39 narrow Gutters. They can be regarded as bending springs and use an inherent elasticity of the housing material, for example a suitable plastic.

As Figures 6 and 7 illustrate, the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 on its inside at its the cup opening facing end provided with an insertion bevel 41, 42, 43, the insertion of the previously with a terminal device 45 provided coil component (ballast L). The terminal device 45 is for example a plug-in terminal with spring terminal contacts or another contact device. The walls 18, 19, 25, 26 may, as Figure 7 with a dashed Line Li illustrates something arched inwards be to a solid, flat contact with the coil component to make sure. The deflection is inside relatively small, so that the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 elastic can be deformed to flat walls. The housing plastic then acts like a spring means that blocks the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 presses areally to the coil component.

As further apparent from Figures 7 and 9, the Walls 18, 19, 25, 26 at their respective from the cup opening overlying edge over a ridge-like or even film hinge-like connecting portion 46 with an end cap-like Housing end piece connected, which closes the housing. The connection region 46 is preferably designed something yielding, so that the individual walls 18, 19, 25, 26 can escape slightly to the outside, without thereby housing end piece 47, walls 18, 19, 25, 26 itself or the connection area 46 is damaged. This is facilitated by the corner opening 46a.

While the section 15 only the inclusion of Series choke L is the section 16, in particular 6 shows, for receiving other components, such as the ignition circuit 6 according to FIG. 1 or even a modified, own ignition transformer 48 having ignition circuit 49 shown in FIG 2 provided. This ignition circuit 49 is preferably on a printed circuit board 51 constructed in the terminal device 45th can be contacted. She is also one of the Figures 5 and 6 apparent connection terminal device 52nd for external contacting, i. for connecting external lines Mistake. The two sections 15, 16 of the housing 14 are preferably at their four corners with feet 53, 54, 55, 56 (Figure 5) for mounting the housing 14 on a base provided with screws or rivets. Furthermore can in an upstream plate-like portion 57 Means be provided for fixing lines.

The resource 1 described so far is like follows assembled and works as follows:

For equipping the housing 14 with the corresponding electronic components is first section 15 provided with the series choke L by these in the between the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 limited interior space introduced becomes. The iron core of the choke L and the Dimensions of section 15 are coordinated with each other, that the series reactor L initially low Game can be introduced into the interior until it's up the chamfers 41, 42 meets. The one behind the chamfers 41, 42 existing cross-section is slightly lower as the cross section of the series choke L, so this on further insertion now the walls 18, 19, 25, 26th must push apart. The spring means 36, 37, 38, 39 allow it to evade the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 after outside, where they stretch and an inward facing Force on the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 exercise. These will thereby to the outer surfaces of the iron core of the choke L pressed. When the series choke L is complete inserted into the interior are the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 under bias on the outer surfaces of the series reactor at.

The insertion can be done dry or by a Thermal compound, which also acts lubricating, be relieved. This can previously on the insides of the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 or applied to the outer surfaces of the choke become. It later facilitates the heat transfer from the coil component to the walls 18, 19, 25, 26. Next it is possible, the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 complementary or alternatively on its inside with a coating too provided, the plastic or viscoplastic or elastic is not to be complete without it completely flat outside of the coil component L or its Iron core adapt.

In the next step, the section 16 with the circuit board 51 and the components mounted thereon and then the sections 15, 16 are joined together and latched together, bringing the installation of the equipment 1 is completed.

In operation, this stiffens all around the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 abutting coil component L from the section 15. By The area plant will also heat directly on the Walls 18, 19, 25, 26 transferred. Through the between the ribs 28, 29, 30, 31 existing thin wall areas, the Heat penetrate particularly well to the outside and be dissipated. Overheating of the coil component L is thus well ruled out.

The same housing 14 or at least in the area of section 15 same housing 14 may be at a circuit be used according to Figure 3, as a coil component a transformer T and if necessary and if necessary an upstream, electronic or electrical circuit 61 and / or a downstream electrical or electronic Circuit 62 has. These circuits 61, 62 can be accommodated in the section 16. For example serves such as shown in Figure 3 apparent resources the operation of a light bulb 63.

In all the above-described embodiments of the resource 1 can instead of from FIGS. 9 and 10 apparent spring means 36, 37 and in place of the other Spring means 38, 39 separate elements are provided, as shown in Figure 11 based on an approximately tubular longitudinally slotted spring 64 are illustrated. In this Case are the longitudinal edges of the respective walls 18, 19, 25, 26 (in Figure 11, the walls 25, 19) angled outwards Provided edge regions which are engaged behind by the spring 64 are. In this embodiment, it is both possible, the springs 64 to the corresponding edges of the walls 18, 19, 25, 26 to set before the coil component in the interior is introduced as well as later Time. For example, the coil component without Preload be introduced into the interior, if still no springs 64 at the edges of section 15 of the housing to sit. The springs 64 can be attached subsequently, then the desired bias of the walls 18, 19, 25, 26th to generate against the coil component.

Further alternatively, it is possible to replace the springs 64 separate or integral with the walls 18, 19, 25, 26th to use connected elements that are external, For example, by heat or by irradiation or by other means, shrink or tighten, around the walls 25, 26, 18, 19 towards the coil component to press. This can have assembly advantages.

A resource 1 is preferably as independent Supply unit for high pressure sodium lamps and / or Metal halide lamps or as a transformer for Halogen lamps formed. It has a plastic housing, for example, the protection class II, IP 20, temperature protected, with F marking for mounting on normal flammable Materials on. The plastic housing is like this procure that this housing in all manufacturing tolerances always on the iron package of the coil component used in each case (Transformer or choke), to allow a good heat dissipation. The supply unit, consisting of housing, ballast, possibly ignition device, capacitor and terminals are that the ignitor and the capacitor and the terminals on a printed circuit board are constructed. This supply unit can thus be manufactured inexpensively and efficiently. A single wiring of different operating devices is not necessary anymore.

Claims (21)

Operating means (1), in particular for the operation of lighting means (3, 63), an electrical circuit (6, 49, 61, 62) comprising at least one heat-developing coil component (L, T) with at least two opposing heat-emitting surfaces (11, 12), and with an electrically insulating housing (14), the walls (18, 19, 25, 26), of which at least two on the two opposite surfaces (11, 12) of the coil component (L) abut. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls (18, 19, 25, 26) on their respective inner side, which faces the coil component (L), planar contact surfaces. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil component (L) has three heat-emitting surfaces and that the housing (14) has at least three walls (18, 19, 25, 26) which abut at least three surfaces of the coil component (L) , Equipment according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the walls (18, 19, 25, 26) bear against the surfaces of the coil component (L) under prestress. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that on the coil component (L) adjacent walls (15, 16, 25, 26) of the housing (14) are each formed stiff. Equipment according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that on the coil component (L) adjacent walls (18, 19, 25, 26) of the housing (14) are mutually elastically connected. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls (18, 19, 25, 26) of the housing (14) abutting the coil component (L) are rigid plates which are mutually joined at their edges (32, 33, 34, 35) by a spring means (36, 37, 38, 39, 64). Equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that the spring means (36, 37, 38, 39) is integrally formed with the plates. Operating means according to Claim 7, characterized in that the spring means (36, 37, 8, 39, 64) as a whole have a stroke which is at least as great as the maximum size difference of coil components (L) to be used in the production tolerance. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that on the coil component (L) adjacent walls (28, 29, 25, 26) are provided on their respective outer side with projections (27). Equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that the projections (27) are formed by ribs (28, 29, 30, 31). Operating means according to claim 11, characterized in that the ribs (28, 29, 30, 31) are oriented at right angles to such edges (32, 33, 34, 35) of the walls (18, 19, 25, 26) against which spring means (36, 37, 38, 39, 64) are arranged. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the projections (27) are formed by knobs, serrations or sting. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls (18, 19, 25, 26) are formed closed and connect without interruption to a Gehäuseabschlussstück (47). Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls (18, 19, 25, 26) are provided on their inner sides with a heat transfer promoting material. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls (18, 19, 25, 26) are provided on their inside with an insertion bevel (41, 42). Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (14) has a first cup-shaped portion (15) for receiving the coil component (L, T) and a second portion (16) for receiving an electronic circuit (6, 49, 61, 62 ) having. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil component (L) is a series reactor. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil component (T) is a transformer. Equipment according to claim 17, characterized in that the electronic circuit (6, 49) is an ignition circuit. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the sections (15, 16) of the housing (14) are held together by means of a latching connection.

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