EP1717911A2 - Lamp, operating device, bus bar, circuit arrangement and bus bar adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

The lighting device includes a connector (17) for coupling with a voltage supply line for a light source, and another connector (18) for coupling with a signal line to receive control information. A replaceable or adjustable safety device (25) is coupled to one connector (18) for ensuring protection against overvoltage. The connectors are arranged in the ballast (15) which operates the lighting device. The connector (18) includes input ports (22a,22b,24a,24b) connected to the signal lines and connected to a resistor (26) which short-circuits when large current flows through the input ports. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) Ballast for operating the lighting device; (2) Busbar; (3) Switching configuration of the lighting device; and (4) Busbar adapter.

Description

The invention initially relates to a luminaire according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such lights are known and widely used. They have also been manufactured by the Applicant for decades. By way of example, reference is made to a Focalflood luminaire described in the current catalog of Applicant Edition 2004/2005 on page 486 ff., Which has a plurality of differently colored illuminants. The bulbs are connected to power supply lines that provide the supply or operating voltage for the bulbs. In addition, the lamp has three electronic ballasts, so that the three bulbs are individually controlled. The ballast may for example be a working according to the DALI protocol ballast, which is individually addressable and connected to a signal line. The luminaire can be integrated into a network of luminaires and receive control information via the signal line via a central control. For example, the information may be transmitted from the central controller to one of the lamps of the luminaire to enter a certain dimming state, e.g. also for the purpose of color mixing, to flash, to turn on, to turn off or the like.

The power supply line, which usually includes a phase conductor and a neutral conductor, is typically connected to the luminaire via a first connection and transmits, for example, an operating voltage AC of 230 V or 110 V. For connecting the signal line to the luminaire or to the Luminaire associated operating device, so for example the electronic ballast, a second connection provided. The signal line is typically one two-core cable, via which voltages up to 25 V, for example, are transmitted. The signal line is normally laid separately from the power supply lines.

Starting from a lamp according to the preamble of claim 1, the object of the invention is to provide a lamp that offers greater security against assembly errors.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 1, in particular with those of the characterizing part, and is accordingly characterized in that the second connection is associated with a fuse against overvoltage, which is formed exchangeable or switchable.

The principle of the invention thus consists essentially in providing a fuse which can be triggered when a nominal voltage is exceeded. If there is a faulty mounting, that is to say a faulty connection of the lines, so that the significantly higher operating voltage is inadvertently applied to the second connection for the signal line, the fuse can be tripped. If the fuse is advantageously designed as a fuse, the melted thread can melt as a result of heating and thus protect the downstream of the fuse arranged light or the operating device of the lamp and the electronics located there against overvoltage by interrupting the circuit. Otherwise, if the high operating voltage of 230 V, for example, would affect a 12 V low-voltage transformer, for example, copper vapor could develop, which, in addition to direct health damage to the fitters, could also adversely affect the electrical and electronic parts of the luminaire if insulating parts or surfaces are made conductive by a precipitate of the copper vapor, which can cause further consequential damage. Other damage to parts of the lamp or the control gear are possible.

The fuse is interchangeable in the event of destructive tripping, such as a fuse. For this purpose, a fuse is advantageously arranged at an easily accessible location of the lamp and can be supported, for example, by conventional spring clips and replaced after release by a new fuse. Alternatively, however, the fuse may also be designed to be switchable, so that it triggers automatically upon detection of a nominal voltage exceeding overvoltage, and subsequently either manually switched from its tripped, the power line interrupting state in a current-conducting state or automatically switches back, for example, after a certain period of time.

Of crucial importance is that the fuse triggers very quickly and safely and permanently disconnects even high voltages of up to 400 V in the tripped state. This high breakdown strength of the tripped fuse is required in the event that instead of two signal lines, two phase conductors of different potential are connected to the second terminal.

Particularly advantageous is the fuse when the lamp is to be connected to a power rail. The fuse can safely trip in the event of faulty mounting and a faulty assignment of the conductor in the busbar and protect the lamp or the operating device of the lamp.

The arrangement of the replaceable fuse or a manually switchable fuse in an easily accessible place, for example, mean that only a housing part of the lamp or an operating device of the lamp must be removed, wherein After removal of the housing part, for example, a mounting device for the fuse is accessible, so that the fuse can be removed and replaced by a new fuse.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lamp is associated with a control gear on which the first and / or the second terminal is arranged. As the operating device of the lamp, for example, an electronic ballast, a transformer or another, the lamp directly associated device is referred to, with which the function of the lamp is controlled. The operating device is typically arranged directly next to the luminaire and may be located, for example, in the housing of the luminaire or in a separate operating device housing. In the event that the lamp is connected via a busbar adapter to the busbar, the operating device may also be located within a housing of the busbar adapter.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, two inputs for signal lines are assigned to the second terminal, which are short-circuited with each other via an electronic component, in particular via a varistor, that causes a large current flow through the fuse when a desired voltage between the two inputs is exceeded becomes. This current flow can trigger the fuse.

While at lower voltages, so in the case of a proper connection, the electronic component practically does not appear, for example, because its electrical resistance is very high, so that flows through the electronic component normally no current, can exceed a target voltage , namely, in the case of a faulty mounting, through the electronic component through a current flow, because due to the large voltage, for example, above a threshold voltage of 60 V, the electrical resistance through the Component through reduced. Such a per se known device is for example a varistor (variable resistor).

If a pair of phase conductors are inadvertently connected to the second terminal instead of the signal line in the event of a faulty mounting, a corresponding current flow through the fuse is also caused as a result of the large current flow through the electronic component. In the case of a fuse, this large current flow due to the ohmic heat leads to melting of the fusible conductor and to a triggering of the fuse. As soon as the fuse has tripped and the circuit is interrupted, the electronics of the operating device and the luminaire arranged in the current direction behind the fuse are protected against overvoltage, so that no damage is caused to these components. After triggering the fuse only the fuse must be replaced or switched back, but not the much higher quality equipment or the much higher quality lamp.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fuse is triggered only above a voltage of 30 V or 50 V, in particular above 230 V, further in particular above 300V. This embodiment of the invention initially takes into account that the control information transmitted via the signal line as signals typically have only lower voltages of less than 30 V, but in any case of less than 230 V. In the event that instead of two signal lines to the second terminal by mistake two phase conductors are connected, voltage amplitudes of more than 400 V may occur, so that the fuse and the varistor must be designed accordingly. The voltage above which the fuse is triggered should, according to the invention, be selected such that it exceeds the voltage used to transmit the control information plus a certain surcharge to compensate for tolerances, for example, on the order of a few volts or a few tens of volts.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control information corresponds to the DALI protocol (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). This protocol, which was developed by the DALI working group at the Central Association of the German Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry (ZVEI), is, for example, described in detail in the pre-published Handbook DALI of DALI AG, 2nd edition, 2001, publisher Richard Pflaum Verlag Münch en, described.

The invention further relates to an operating device for a luminaire, in particular an electronic ballast, according to the preamble of claim 6.

Such an operating device may be part of a lamp or separately from the lamp, preferably immediately adjacent to the lamp, arranged. In addition to electronic ballasts are also other devices for a lamp as operating equipment into consideration, with which the lamp can be dimmed, switched on or off or with which the radiation behavior or the color of the lamp can be influenced in any other way or a light source of the lamp can be addressed ,

A control gear of the prior art typically has a first terminal for connection to a power supply line, with which the supply voltage for the operation of a light source of the lamp is transmitted. The operating device furthermore has a second connection for a signal line, with which control information for controlling the luminaire is transmitted. The control information may be formed, for example, according to the DALI protocol.

An output of the operating device is typically connected to the lighting means, so that depending on the control information or control commands received, the operating device can perform a corresponding control of the lighting means or of the lighting means.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to develop the well-known by public prior use operating device of the preamble of claim 6 such that a greater security against assembly errors is achieved.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 6, in particular with those of the characterizing part, and is accordingly characterized in that the second terminal is associated with a fuse against overvoltage, which is formed exchangeable or switchable.

To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above statements to the claims 1 to 5, wherein the references, descriptions and advantages that relate there to a lamp, apply now in an analogous manner to the operating device for the lamp.

The fuse corresponds to the fuse previously described in connection with a lamp. This is again designed exchangeable or switchable. The fuse can be incorporated directly into the operating device or upstream of the operating device.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a busbar according to the preamble of claim 10.

Such a busbar is for example from the DE 100 25 646 A1 known. The known busbar has power supply lines (standard phases 1, 2 and 3), ie phase conductors, which serve to supply a lamp with operating voltage. Furthermore, the known busbar and control lines, which can serve for light control and thus represent signal lines in the sense of the preamble of claim 10, can be passed through the control information to the light.

The luminaire has a first connection, via which it can be connected to the phase conductor of the busbar, and via at least one second connection, by means of which it can be connected to the signal line of the busbar. Naturally, the two connections on the luminaire correspond to tapping points in the conductor rails of the busbar. The luminaire may in turn have an operating device which, as a result of receiving control information, can control the luminous means accordingly. As an alternative to an arrangement of the operating device in the luminaire, the operating device may also only be associated with the two terminals of the luminaire.

Based on the previously known busbar, the object of the invention is to further develop a busbar according to the preamble of claim 10 such that it better protects the lamp or a control gear for the lamp against consequences of incorrect installation or misconnection to the busbar.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 10, in particular with those of the characterizing part, and is accordingly characterized in that the second terminal is assigned a fuse against overvoltage, which is designed to be interchangeable or switchable.

To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above statements, which relate to the appraisal of claims 1 to 5, it being noted that the covers, the descriptions and the advantages, as far as they relate to a luminaire, in an analogous manner with application find the busbar according to the invention, to which a lamp or a control gear is connected.

An essential advantage of the busbar according to the invention is that a conventional busbar, which has, for example, three phase conductors and a neutral conductor, now also a luminaire, which receives control information via a signal line, can be connected without causing assembly errors serious consequences. The arrangement of a fuse against overvoltage, which is designed to be interchangeable or switchable, allows protection of the high-quality equipment or the lamp in the event of overvoltage due to a mounting error. By replacing the fuse or by switching back the fuse from the tripped state in a state of rest in which it passes, the operability of the lamp or the operating device can be restored after a great effort to correct installation.

The fuse can be arranged, for example, on the busbar or od directly or indirectly fixed to an adapter. The like. Be arranged, which is attached to the power rail.

The invention further relates to a circuit arrangement according to the preamble of claim 14.

The object of this invention is a circuit arrangement for a lamp or for a control gear or to design for a busbar less prone to incorrect assembly.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 14, in particular with those of the characterizing part, and is accordingly characterized in that the second connection is associated with a fuse against overvoltage, which is formed exchangeable or switchable.

The principle and the. Advantages of this invention are best understood with regard to the principle of the invention described with reference to a luminaire and with reference to the appended claims 1 to 5, so that reference is made to avoid repetition of the above statements, which apply analogously to a circuit arrangement ,

The circuit arrangement according to the invention can also be produced separately from a luminaire or an operating device or a busbar and connected as a separate component to a lamp or to a control gear or to a power rail.

The invention further relates to a busbar according to the preamble of claim 18.

The known busbar is manufactured, for example, under the name 3-phase busbar for decades by the applicant. It typically comprises three phase conductors and a neutral conductor, via which one or more lamps can be supplied with operating voltage. For this purpose, a busbar adapter is typically used in the formed in the manner of a U-profile busbar and mechanically and electrically locked to the busbar. The different phase conductors can optionally be contacted to the lamp, for example to connect to a group of luminaires, which can be controlled as lighting group.

The object of the invention is to develop the known busbar such that the control of the lights is simplified.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 18, in particular with those of the characterizing part, and is accordingly characterized in that a circuit is provided which is one of the two. Conductor as signal line for supplying the luminaire with control information switches.

The principle of the invention consists essentially in a conventional busbar, e.g. a 3-phase busbar to be connected by a circuit such that one or more of the existing conductors, preferably two conductors, are used in a conventional manner to power the luminaire, wherein at least one, advantageously two, of the existing conductors, in a novel way Signal line to supply the lamp with control information can be used.

By arranging the circuit also existing, permanently installed in a building tracks can be used to control lights that have, for example, a DALI ballast or DALI control gear. The DALI luminaires can receive their control information via the existing busbar without having to install additional cables. The installation effort is thus very low, it only requires a modified wiring of the busbar. Existing 3-phase busbars are thus easily retrofitted.

The newly provided circuit may preferably comprise a circuit part connecting one end of the bus bar to a central controller for a network of lights.

The invention makes it possible to use existing busbar systems, which need only be connected in a different way than the conventional one, the busbar not having three phase conductors and a neutral, but a neutral conductor, a phase conductor and a control unit of the DALI network or another Network is connected.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a marking element is arranged on the busbar, which indicates that one of the conductors is used for the transmission of control information.

This allows a particularly simple indication of the mode in which the busbar is located or how the busbar is currently connected. The person who wants to attach a lamp to the busbar, can quickly and safely determine in this way, whether the busbar is connected as a conventional 3-phase busbar or in accordance with the invention in the manner of a 1-phase busbar having two control lines , is switched.

The marking element can further advantageously be detachably fastened to the busbar, so that it can be used as an additional element or accessory. Further advantageously, the marking element is clipped to the busbar, so that without special aids a mounting of the marking element can be made on the busbar.

Finally, the invention relates to a busbar adapter according to the preamble of claim 25.

Such a busbar adapter is for example from the DE 103 12 012 A1 the applicant, to which reference is made for the purpose of avoiding repetition hereof and the content of which is hereby included for the purpose of recourse to individual features or groups of features in the content of the present patent application.

The known busbar adapter serves for the mechanical and electrical connection of a lamp with a busbar. Similarly, the adapter, if an operating device is present, and the mechanical and electrical connection of the operating device, and possibly also at the same time also serve the light with the busbar. In the housing of the busbar adapter can also be incorporated, for example, the operating device with.

The known busbar adapter of the applicant comes in an advantageous manner already with a very small number of components and allows a particularly simple installation. The known busbar adapter has for this purpose a first and a second switching shaft, on the one hand via a phase conductor contact tongue and on the other hand have a neutral contact tongue, with which the conductor rails in the busbar are contacted.

Based on this prior art, the object of this invention is to develop a busbar adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 such that in a simple design, a light having a first terminal for connection to a power supply line and a second terminal for connection a signal line, with the busbar is connectable.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 25, in particular with those of the characterizing part, and is accordingly characterized in that each switching shaft has two rotatably connected to the switching shaft contact elements.

The principle of the invention consists essentially in assigning two switching elements each two contact elements. All contact elements can be accommodated by skillful arrangement despite the very tight space in the switching shafts. Each contact element has a plug-in element, preferably a tongue. The plug element can be connected to a connection conductor which has a mating plug element. The mating plug element may for example be a flat plug sleeve.

The plug element, preferably each plug element, is arranged in the vicinity of the pivot axis of the switching shaft. In addition, the plug-in element, preferably each plug element, aligned substantially along the pivot axis of the associated switching shaft, that is parallel to the pivot axis. By this arrangement, the bending stress of the connecting conductors can be kept very low due to a pivoting or rotational movement of the switching shaft. Damage to the connecting conductors is thus practically excluded.

Due to the fact that each switching shaft is assigned in each case two contact elements, the conventional construction of the in the DE 103 12 012 A1 recourse to the adapter described. Each switching shaft has an axis of rotation, which is aligned in the assembled state substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the busbar. The actuating surfaces for carrying out a rotational movement of the respective shift shaft are accordingly located outside the interior of the bus bar and allow a comfortable attack by a user, with the ability to transmit large torques. Typically, the Actuating surfaces arranged on a widened axial portion of the respective shift shaft or on a separate operating lever.

The pairwise division of the total four required contact elements for contacting a neutral conductor, a phase conductor and two signal lines on two separate switching shafts allows low operating forces to carry out a rotational movement of the switching shafts. In contrast to a well-known by public prior art busbar adapter of the applicant, in which by means of an actuating roller which is rotatable about an axis extending in the longitudinal extension of the busbar rotation axis and in which four contacts could be extended simultaneously due to the rotation of the actuating roller, are with the construction according to the invention, which provides two switching shafts for each two contact elements, the operating forces halved, so to speak, which facilitates the operation. In addition, with two switching shafts, the possibility to lock the switching shafts against each other, so that a first switching shaft can only be operated when previously a second switching shaft has been operated, as in the known busbar adapter according to the DE 103 12 012 A1 the applicant is already the case.

Advantageously, the busbar adapter has a common outlet for all four or more connection conductors. In this case, it is also advantageous if a switching shaft, on which two contact elements are arranged, has a passage for at least two further connecting conductors, wherein these two connecting conductors contact the plug-in elements of the contact elements of the respective other switching shaft.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the plug-in elements of a switching shaft, for example the switching shaft, which has the contact elements for contacting the signal lines, executed in the assembled state of the bus bar adapter to the bottom of the busbar are, whereas the plug-in elements of the contact elements of the other switching shaft are directed away from the bottom of the busbar. This allows a particularly advantageous leadership of connecting conductors within the busbar adapter and the easy way to provide a common outlet for all connecting cables to the busbar adapter.

The arrangement of plug-in elements on the contact elements, the mounting of the busbar adapter can be done in a simple manner. In addition, the busbar adapter can be manufactured with only a very small number of components. The fact that an arrangement of two contact elements on a switching shaft is possible despite the tight contact conditions in the switching shaft due to the predetermined by the insertion slot in the busbar dimensions is surprising. Advantageously, the two contact elements are each separated by a plastic or other electrically insulating material.

Fig. 1

in einer schematischen, teilgeschnittenen Ansicht eine herkömmliche 3-Phasen-Stromschiene des Standes der Technik, die auf erfindungsgemäße Weise auch zur Übertragung von Steuerinformationen schaltbar ist,

Fig. 2

in schematischer Ansicht eine Skizze eines erfindungsgemäßen Markierungselementes,

Fig. 3

in einer sehr schematischen, blockschaltbildartigen Darstellung ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Leuchte,

Fig. 4

in einer schematischen, blockschaltbildartigen Darstellung eine erfindungsgemäße Schaltung, die eingangsseitig eines herkömmlichen Betriebsgerätes angeordnet ist,

Fig. 5

in perspektivischer, schematischer Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Stromschienen-Adapters mit zwei Gehäuseschalen in geöffneter Darstellung,

Fig. 6

in perspektivischer Explosionsansicht den Stromschienen-Adapter gemäß Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

eine geänderte perspektivische Explosionsansicht in einer Darstellung gemäß Fig. 6 mit anderen Einzelteilen,

Fig. 8

in einer Schnittansicht ein Kontaktelement für eine Schaltwelle,

Fig. 9

das Kontaktelement der Fig. 8 in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 10

die bezüglich Fig. 6 rechte Schaltwelle in Unteransicht, etwa gemäß Ansichtspfeil A in Fig. 6,

Fig. 11

die Schaltwelle gemäß Fig. 10 in einer schematischen, teilgeschnittenen Ansicht etwa gemäß Schnittlinie XI-XI in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

die Schaltwelle gemäß den Figuren 10 und 11 in einer perspektivischen Schrägansicht, und

Fig. 13

die bezüglich Fig. 6 linke Schaltwelle in einer schematischen Schnittansicht in einer Darstellung gemäß Fig. 11.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the non-cited subclaims and: with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show:

Fig. 1

in a schematic, partially sectional view of a conventional 3-phase bus bar of the prior art, which is switchable in the inventive manner also for the transmission of control information,

Fig. 2

a schematic view of a sketch of a marking element according to the invention,

Fig. 3

in a very schematic, block diagram-like representation of a first embodiment of a lamp according to the invention,

Fig. 4

in a schematic, block diagram representation of a circuit according to the invention, which is arranged on the input side of a conventional operating device,

Fig. 5

in perspective, schematic view of an embodiment of a bus bar adapter according to the invention with two housing shells in an open view,

Fig. 6

in a perspective exploded view of the busbar adapter according to FIG. 5,

Fig. 7

an amended perspective exploded view in a representation according to FIG. 6 with other individual parts,

Fig. 8

in a sectional view, a contact element for a switching shaft,

Fig. 9

the contact element of Fig. 8 in a perspective view,

Fig. 10

6 with respect to FIG. 6 right control shaft in a bottom view, approximately in accordance with arrow A in FIG. 6,

Fig. 11

10 in a schematic, partially sectioned view approximately along section line XI-XI in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

the shift shaft according to Figures 10 and 11 in a perspective oblique view, and

Fig. 13

6 with reference to FIG. 6 left switching shaft in a schematic sectional view in a representation according to FIG. 11.

First, starting from FIG. 3, an embodiment of a luminaire according to the invention, designated in its entirety by 10, will be explained. It should be noted that in the following Description of the description identical or comparable parts or elements for the sake of clarity with the same reference numerals, partially with the addition of small letters are called.

The luminaire 10 according to the invention comprises in a conventional construction a housing 11, in the interior 12 of which a luminous means 13 is fixedly arranged. The light source, for example an incandescent lamp, is supplied with operating voltage via two schematically indicated supply lines 14a, 14b. The leads connect the lighting means 13 with a schematically indicated operating device 15 for the lighting means, for example in the manner of an electronic ballast. For this purpose, the electronic ballast 15 has, in addition to the output 16 for connecting the supply lines 14a and 14b, a first connection 17 for connection to power supply lines 19a and 19b and a second connection 18 for connecting the operating device 15 and thus the light 10 with signal lines 20a and 20b. The second terminal 18 thus belongs both to the operating device 15 and to the lamp 10.

The indicated in Fig. 3 lamp corresponds to the basic structure of the prior art, however, contains a replaceable fuse explained below. For the invention it does not matter how many lamps 13 or how many operating devices 15 of the lamp 10 are assigned. It is also conceivable, for example, that different or differently colored lamps are arranged in a luminaire and can be addressed by one or more operating devices. Likewise, the luminaire 10 according to the invention or the operating device 15 according to the invention can also have a plurality of first connections 17 and a plurality of second connections 18.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a conventional operating device 15 ', in the manner of an electronic Ballast, which supplemented by an indicated circuit 21 can be used as inventive operating device 15 in the lamp 10 of FIG. 3 application. The operating device designated 15 'in FIG. 4 is thus a prior art operating device which has an output 16 for the supply lines 14a, 14b to the lighting device 13, a first connection 17 with two connection points 23a and 23b for connection to the voltage supply lines 19a and 19b and a second terminal 18 'with two connection points 22a and 22b, which serve in the conventional operating device 15' for connection to the signal lines 20a and 20b. The connection points 22a, 22b thus represent the inputs of a conventional electronic ballast 15 '.

The second terminal 18 'of the conventional ballast 15' upstream of the circuit 21, which has a replaceable fuse 25 between the connection points 24b and 22b and to the two connection points 22a and 22b in parallel varistor 26, that is, a variable resistor. At the connection points 24a and 24b of the circuit 21, the signal lines 20a and 20b are connected in the luminaire 10 according to the invention or in an operating device 15 according to the invention.

While operating voltage, for example 230 V AC, is supplied via the voltage supply lines 19a and 19b of the luminaire 10, the control information is modulated as signals onto the signal lines 20a and 20b with lower voltage amplitudes, for example up to 20 or 30 V. In the normal case, that is, when the lamp 10 or the operating device 15 is properly connected via the second terminal 18 to the signal lines 20a and 20b, is located at the connection points 24a and 24b only the lower voltage that transmits the control information to. Also at the connection points 22a and 22b is correspondingly only the lower voltage.

If, as a result of a faulty assembly whose possible occurrence will be discussed below, a higher voltage is applied to the connection points 24a and 24b, for example the operating voltage transmitted by the voltage supply lines 19a and 19b is, for example, equal to e.g. 230 V or in the case of a faulty connection to two phase conductors, a voltage in the order of 400 V, the normally a current flow between the connection points 22a and 22b blocking varistor 26 can switch to a conductive state. Namely, a varistor 26 has the peculiarity that it is not current-conducting below a threshold voltage and becomes current-conducting above a threshold voltage. If the threshold voltage is chosen, e.g. 60 V, that the voltage range for transmitting the control information is below the threshold voltage and the voltage range, which is conventionally the voltage supply of the lamp 10, is above the threshold voltage, in the event of a mismatch of the varistor 26 is electrically conductive, so that through the varistor 26 a large Electricity flows. This large current also flows through the fuse 25 and triggers it.

Advantageously, the fuse 25 is designed as a fuse and has a, for example in a sand-filled quartz glass tube arranged on metal thread, which melts when a threshold current is exceeded and after the melting through the connection points 24b and 22b sure, i. impact resistant, and permanently electrically separated from each other.

If, in the event of incorrect connection of the connection points 24a and 24b, the fuse 25 is triggered, the electronics 27 of the operating device 15, which are arranged only incompletely in FIG. 4 and are arranged behind the connection points 22a and 22b, as well as the subsequently arranged lighting means, are protected from the overvoltage. After triggering the fuse 25, it is sufficient after correction of the connection of the signal lines 20a, 20b and the Power supply lines 19a, 19b to replace the fuse 25 with a new fuse, without it being necessary to replace the operating device 15 or parts of the electronics 27. Also, the varistor 26 may remain in the circuit 21.

Instead of a conventional fuse, as it is often used in electrical equipment, and is held for example by means of metal spring legs, so that it can be solved by manual attack, also a switchable, not shown fuse can be used. This can be formed either manually resettable, so that after triggering the fuse 25 and correcting the connection lines, a user can reset a switch. Alternatively, the fuse may also be automatically reset and, for example, after a certain period of time, for example 10 or 20 minutes, return to its conducting state.

It is important that in the event of concern about an overvoltage at the connection points 24a and 24b, the selected fuse 25 triggers very quickly, so that any damage to the subsequent electronics is prevented. For example, as fuse 25 is a FF315mA 700 V fuse into consideration. The varistor may be, for example, a S05K60 varistor from Siemens. The operating device designated 15 'in FIG. 4 may be a conventional DALI ballast which can process control information corresponding to the DALI protocol. The circuit 21 with the fuse 25 and the varistor 26 may in this way be connected upstream of the conventional DALI ballast 15 'and, for example, also be connected via plug connections or other electrical connections to the input 18' of the conventional operating device 15 '.

Alternatively, it is also possible to incorporate the circuit 21 in an inventive operating device 15. Fig. 3 indicates this is and represents the conventional operating device 15 with the second terminal 18 together with the circuit 21 as a unit.

The second connection 18 of the operating device 15 according to FIGS. 3 and 4 also corresponds to the second connection 18 of the luminaire 10 according to the invention, since the operating device 15 is part of the luminaire 10 or belongs to the luminaire 10.

As an operating device is in addition to an electronic ballast and any other device of a lamp 10 into consideration, which can address at least one lamp 13 and is preferably addressable.

The fuse 25 and / or the circuit 21 may be arranged separately from an operating device 15 to a lamp 10 and, for example, form a separate component. Alternatively, however, an immediate assignment of the fuse 15 or the circuit 21 in or on the housing of the operating device 15 or in or on the housing of the lamp 10 done. Similarly, the fuse 25 and / or the circuit 21 may be disposed in or on a bus bar adapter described later.

For the sake of clarity, the operating principle of an operating device 15 will not be discussed further, and in FIG. 4 the structure of the conventional operating device 15 'with respect to the electronics and the circuit is shown only schematically and incompletely. Significantly, the operating device 15 typically has a first connection 17 for power supply lines, a second connection 18 for signal lines and an output 16 for connection to at least one light source 13, the control information obtained via the signal lines 20a, 20b addressing the at least one light source , for example, dimming or switching.

In addition, it should be noted, which is not shown in the figures, that it is also possible to assign the fuse 25 and / or the circuit 21 to a busbar and to arrange, for example, on the busbar.

In the following, a conventional 3-phase bus bar 28 will be explained with reference to FIG. 1, which can be used in the inventive manner as a busbar for transmitting the operating voltage of a lamp and for transmitting control information.

The known 3-phase busbar 28 consists of a, in particular made of aluminum, substantially U-shaped profile 29, which has an insertion slot 30 for the head region 72 of a busbar adapter 39 (FIG. 5). With regard to the basic function of a busbar 28 and the mechanical and electrical connection with a busbar adapter 39 or with a lamp 10 is hereby on the German patent application DE 103 12 012 A1 the applicant, the content of which is hereby included in the content of the present patent application, also for the purpose of reference to individual features.

In the side walls of the profile 28, electrically insulated from each other, four conductor rails 31, 32, 33 and 34 are arranged. The prior art bus bar 28 includes a neutral and 3-phase conductors. With a conventional busbar adapter, for example according to the DE 103 12 012 A1 , a user can choose to which of the 3-phase conductor the respective lamp is to be connected. In this way, three groups of lights can be fixed to a power rail and controlled in groups in a conventional manner.

According to the invention, the conventional 3-phase busbar can be switched such that two of the four conductors, eg the conductors 33 and 34, are connected as a signal line can be transmitted via the control information to the light 10. The other two conductors 31 and 32 are still used as power supply lines for the luminaire and are respectively switched as a phase conductor and as a neutral. While the power supply lines 31 and 32, thus corresponding to the power supply lines 19a and 19b of FIG. 3, transmit a high operating voltage of, for example, 230V, only the conductors 33 and 34 corresponding to the signal lines 20a and 20b of FIG Control information of a lower voltage, for example 25 V transmitted.

The circuit according to the invention of the known busbar provides, on the one hand, that the signal lines 33 and 34 of the busbar 28 are connected to a control, not shown, of a network of the luminaires, the control, not shown, coupling the control information to the signal lines 33 and 34. If a bidirectional transmission of control information is provided, the information may also be decoupled from the signal line 33, 34.

The circuit according to the invention of the known busbar 28 further provides that the lamp 10 to be connected to the busbar 28 and / or an operating device 15 assigned to the luminaire for the luminaire and / or a busbar adapter 39 for connecting the luminaire 10 to the busbar 28 a second terminal 18 or corresponding connection points 24a, 24b provides that can be connected to the conductors 33, 34 of the bus bar 28, being transmitted via this terminal 18 or via these connection points 24a, 24b control information.

Fig. 2 shows only schematically indicated a marking element 35 in the manner of a clip, which has a cover plate 37 and two spring legs 36a and 36b. The Marking element 35 is inserted in the insertion direction of the arrow E in the receptacle 30 of the bus bar 28 and clipped there, with the insertion of the marking element 35, the two free ends of the spring legs 36a, 36b to move toward each other and slightly after reaching a preferably locked by latching means detent position can expand, so that a secure hold of the marking element 35 is achieved in the busbar 28.

The cover plate 37 is provided on its underside with a signal surface 38 which may be labeled and may include, for example, a marker indicating that the bus bar 28 is switched to a particular state. Preferably, the marker 35 indicates that the conventional bus bar 28 is in a state where the conductors 33 and 34 are shaded as signal lines due to the circuit of the present invention.

As a result of the marking element 35, the user is shown the peeling state of the bus bar 28 in a simple manner, whereby a very simple display option is provided by the clipable design of the marking element 35.

A user can in this way be informed, by the marking element 35, whether he has received e.g. or not equipped with a DALI ballast can use this luminaire in this busbar.

In the following, the conductor rail adapter according to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 13:

Fig. 5 shows the busbar adapter according to the invention, which is designated in its entirety by 39, in a perspective view. The two housing halves 40a and 40b are unfolded. The housing corresponds in terms of its basic structure substantially to the housing of the busbar adapter according to the DE 103 12 012 A1 , the contents of which are hereby included in the content of the present application in order to avoid repetition and for the purpose of reference to individual features.

As in the known busbar adapter are in one of the two housing halves, namely in the left with respect to FIG. 5 housing half 40a, two switching shafts 41 and 42 about their respective longitudinal axis, which is indicated in Fig. 6 and designated there with 43 and 44 respectively , rotatably arranged. The first shift shaft 41 can be actuated by a manual attack on an operating lever 70, and the second shift shaft 42 can be actuated by attack on a widened, provided with a knurled edge 71 in a simple manner.

For mounting the busbar adapter 39, the two housing halves 40a and 40b are pivoted about a film-hinge-like axis against each other and clipped together. The flat portion of the busbar adapter 39, designated in FIG. 5 by 72, is inserted into the insertion opening 30 of the busbar 28 according to FIG. 1 for mounting on the busbar 28.

In the inserted state, first the first shift shaft 41 can be rotated by 90 °, wherein later to be described contact tongues 73a and 73b, retaining tongues 65a, 65b and an optionally provided Kodierzunge 66 from slots in the half-casings 40a, 40b emerge and into the corresponding grooves in the Busbar can occur. Subsequently, the second switching shaft 42 can be pivoted by 90 °, with corresponding contact tongues 73c and 73d emerge from corresponding slots or openings in the housing and the conductors 33, 34 can contact.

As a result of a rotation of the first switching shaft 41 takes place at the same time a mechanical and an electrical contact. By rotation of the second switching shaft 42 takes place an electrical contact.

The two switching shafts 41, 42 may, as is also the case with the known busbar adapter, be locked together via a locking arrangement, so that the second switching shaft 42 can only be turned into its contacting state when the first switching shaft 41 is in a contacting state. Under certain circumstances, such an arrangement may also be dispensed with in the busbar adapter according to the invention.

Fig. 7 indicates in an exploded view that the second Schalfinrelle 42 two contact elements 48 a and 48 b are assigned, which are inserted in the insertion direction x in the hollow switching shaft 42. The selector shaft 42 is shown in a longitudinal section in FIG. 11 and comprises a head section 51, an axial section 50 and a foot section 52, which is significantly widened in relation to the head section 51. The switching shaft 42 is hollow overall, and includes two chambers 54 a and 54 b, which are separated by a partition 53 from each other. The partition wall 53 and the switching shaft 42 are made of an electrically insulating material, preferably made of plastic, and are manufactured as an injection molded part. The foot portion 52 has a plate 55 which is provided with two apertures 56a and 56b, so that the switching shaft 42 is provided over its entire axial length with a through opening.

A to be introduced into the second switching shaft 42 contact element 48 is shown in Fig. 8 in cross section. It comprises a section 58 for forming the contact tongue, which contacts the corresponding conductor rail (eg conductor 33 according to FIG. 1) in the bus bar 28, and that from a central section 59 substantially at right angles is bent. An end portion 60 of the contact element is bent over and comprises at its free end a plug-in element 61 in the form of a tongue. As a result of a bend 62, that is, a step, the plug 61 is slightly offset parallel to the end portion 60. A nose 64 are located on the side facing away from the plug 61 side of the central portion 59th

Two contact elements 48a, 48b are now inserted with respect to Fig. 11 from the left, in the insertion direction x, in the two chambers 54a and 54b of the second switching shaft 42 until the respective locking lug 64 engages behind the back 57 of the plate 55 and in this way the contact element 48th , 48a, 48b axially fixed to the second shift shaft 42. During the insertion movement, the free end 61 of the end portion 60 is biased toward the central portion 59 of the contact element 48, so that a locking, resilient latching seat holder of the contact element 48 can be achieved on the shift shaft 42. When the locking lug 64 engages behind the plate 55, the contact portion 58 rests on the corresponding retaining tongue 49a or 49b of the switching shaft 42, whereby a high stability is achieved.

In the assembled state, the two contact elements 48 a, 48 b are electrically separated from each other by the partition 53. The connecting conductors for the two contact elements 48a, 48b, which are not shown in FIG. 11 and lead to the second terminal 18 of the operating device 15 or the luminaire 10, each have a blade receptacle at its end, which can be connected to the plug 61. An assembly of the blade receptacle on the tongue 61 can also be done before the contact element 48 is inserted into the second switching shaft 42. In this case, the contact element 48 and the blade receptacle with the end of the connecting conductor is fastened together on the switching shaft 42.

In the assembled state, the tongue 61 is slightly spaced from the partition wall 53 due to the bend 62, so that there is sufficient space for the flat receptacle, not shown. In principle, this also allows the mounting of the connection conductor with the blade receptacle on the contact element 48 or 48a or 48b, if the contact element is already fixed to the switching shaft 42.

It is important that the tongue 61 extends both substantially along the pivot axis 44 of the second switching shaft 42, and is directed toward the base of the profile 29 of the conductor rail 28 in the assembled state of the contact element 48. A contacting of the tongue 61 through the connecting conductor thus takes place with respect to FIG. 8 from above. This allows, as shown in FIG. 5 only hinted, a supply of the two associated connecting conductors 69c and 69d from above into the switching shaft 42. This leads to a very space-saving overall design of the busbar adapter 39, which is not externally at all from the busbars Adapter of the prior art must be different.

It should be noted that, as is apparent in particular from Fig. 7, a cover member 63 is provided which closes the foot portion 52 of the second switching shaft 42 and thus completely covers the contact elements 48a and 48b.

Hereinafter, the first shift shaft 41 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 13. Fig. 6 shows that the contact elements 45a and 45b are formed substantially at right angles and have at their lower free end in each case a plug-in element 47a and 47b in the manner of a tongue. The tongue is used for connection to a mating plug element arranged at one end of a connection conductor 69a, 69b in the manner of a flat plug-in sleeve. At the opposite end of the contact element 45a, 45b there is a contact tongue 73a, 73b, which in turn serves for connection to the conductor rails (eg conductors 32 and 31 according to FIG. 1) of the bus bar 28.

The contact element 45a or 45b corresponds to virtually identical to that in Figures 9 to 12 in the DE 103 12 012 A1 described contact element. The attachment of such a contact element 45a and 45b is described in this patent application, so that reference is made to avoid repetition.

A special feature of the arrangement is shown in FIG. 5, from which it can be seen that the two connecting conductors 69c and 69d for the second switching shaft 42 are passed through the first switching shaft 41. In addition, an earth conductor not shown in FIG. 5 can be passed as a further connection conductor through the switching shaft, as shown for example in FIG DE 103 12 012 A1 is shown.

Thus, the first switching shaft 41 is now provided with a first passageway 68a and a second passageway 68b for at least two connection conductors 69c and 69d. The connection conductors 69a and 69b associated with the contact elements 45a and 45b leave the foot portion 52 of the first switching shaft 41 together with the connection conductors 69c and 69d, so that the busbar adapter 39 has a common outlet 74 for all four connection conductors, or taking into account a ground conductor, a common outlet for five connection conductors. This common outlet facilitates the connection of the connecting cables with the lamp to be connected to the busbar adapter.

As indicated in FIG. 13 and in FIG. 7, a partition 46 can be arranged in the interior of the hollow, first control shaft 41. Under certain circumstances, however, these can also be dispensed with if the connecting conductors 69c and 69d are sufficiently insulated and have double insulation, for example.

Incidentally, the first shift shaft 41 differs from the second shift shaft 42 still by retaining tongues 65a, 65b and a Kodierzunge 66. Overall, the first shift shaft 41 has a structure which basically in Fig. 8 of DE 103 12 012 A1 shown construction of a switching shaft identical. An additional Kodierzunge 66 is provided, but will not be further discussed in terms of their function at this point.

It should be noted that the contact elements 45a and 45b are inserted into corresponding chambers 67a and 67b in the first shift shaft 41 and can be secured axially by means of corresponding locking lugs 75 (FIG. 6), which engage behind corresponding wall regions 76 of the first shift shaft 41.

The busbar adapter 39 according to the invention has on the first switching shaft 41 two contact elements 45a and 45b, which can be brought into contact with the neutral conductor 31 of the busbar 28 and the phase conductor 32 of the busbar.

The second switching shaft 42 has two contact elements 48 a and 48 b, which can be brought into contact with the signal lines 33, 34 of the bus bar 28. In this way, a lamp 10 can be connected as shown in FIG. 3 with a single busbar adapter 39 to the bus bar 28. The contact tongue 73a thus corresponds, for example, to a neutral contact tongue, the contact tongue 73b corresponds to a phase conductor contact tongue, and the contact tongues 73c and 73d correspond to the signal line contact tongues.

Claims (27)

Luminaire (10) with at least one first connection (17) for a voltage supply line (19a, 19b), in particular for operating a luminous means (13), and with at least one second connection (18) for a signal line (20a, 20b) for receiving Control information, characterized in that the second terminal (18) is associated with a fuse (25) against overvoltage, which is formed exchangeable or switchable. Luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that the lamp is associated with an operating device (15) on which the first and / or the second terminal (17, 18) is arranged. Luminaire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second terminal (18) has two inputs (22a, 22b; 24a, 24b) are assigned for signal lines which via an electronic component (26), in particular via a varistor, so shorted together are that when a set voltage between the two inputs (22a, 22b) is exceeded, a large current flow through the fuse (25) is caused. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuse (25) only above a voltage of 30 V, in particular above 50 V, in particular above 230 V, further in particular above 300 V, is triggered. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control information corresponds to the DALI protocol. Operating device (15) for a luminaire (10), in particular electronic ballast, with at least one first connection (17) for a voltage supply line (19a, 19b), in particular for operating a luminous means (13) of the luminaire, and having at least one second terminal (18) for a signal line (20a, 20b) for receiving control information, characterized in that the second terminal (18) is assigned a fuse (25) against overvoltage is formed, which is exchangeable or switchable. Operating device according to Claim 6, characterized in that two inputs (22a, 22b; 24a, 24b) are assigned to the second connection (18) for signal lines which are so short-circuited to one another via an electronic component (26), in particular via a varistor. If a setpoint voltage is exceeded between the two inputs, a large current flow through the fuse (25) is caused. Operating device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the fuse is triggered only above a voltage of 30 V, in particular above 50 V, in particular above 230 V, further in particular above 300 V. Operating device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the control information corresponds to the DALI protocol. Busbar (28) for supplying a luminaire (10) via at least one phase conductor (31, 32, 19a, 19b) with operating voltage and for supplying the luminaire (10) via at least one signal line (33, 34, 20a, 20b) with control information, wherein the lamp (10) is connected to the bus bar (28) via at least one first terminal (17) to the phase conductor (19a, 19b, 31, 32) and via at least one second terminal (18) to the signal line (20a, 20b, 33rd , 34) is connectable, characterized in that the second connection (18) is associated with a fuse (25) against overvoltage, which is formed exchangeable or switchable. A busbar according to claim 10, characterized in that the second terminal (18) has two inputs (22a, 22b) for signal lines (20a, 20b, 33, 34), which are connected via an electronic component (26), in particular via a varistor, are shorted together so that when a nominal voltage between the two inputs is exceeded, a large current flow through the fuse (25) is caused. Conductor rail according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the fuse (25) is triggered only above a voltage of 30 V, in particular above 50 V, in particular above 230 V, further in particular above 300 V. Busbar according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the control information corresponds to the DALI protocol. Circuit arrangement (21) for a luminaire (10) according to the preamble of claim 1 or for an operating device (15) according to the preamble of claim 6 or for a busbar (28) according to the preamble of claim 10, characterized in that the second connection (18) is associated with a fuse (25) against overvoltage, which is formed exchangeable or switchable. Circuit arrangement according to Claim 14, characterized in that the second terminal (18) has two inputs (22a, 22b; 24a, 24b) associated therewith for signal lines which are short-circuited to one another via an electronic component (26), in particular via a varistor. If a setpoint voltage is exceeded between the two inputs, a large current flow through the fuse (25) is caused. Circuit arrangement according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the fuse (25) only above a voltage of 30 V, in particular above 50 V, in particular above 230 V, further in particular above 300 V, is triggered. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the control information corresponds to the DALI protocol. Conductor rail (28), comprising at least a first conductor (31, 32) and at least one second conductor (33, 34), both with one or two lights (10) are connectable to the supply of operating voltage, characterized in that a Circuit is provided which switches one of the two conductors (33, 34) as a signal line (20a, 20b) for supplying the lamp (10) with control information. Busbar according to claim 18, characterized in that the busbar (28) is designed as a conventional busbar, in particular as a 3-phase busbar. Busbar according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the lamp (10) with the busbar (28) via at least one first terminal (17) with the phase conductor (31, 32, 19a, 19b) and at least one second terminal (18 ) is connectable to the signal line (33, 34, 20a, 20b). Busbar according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the second terminal (18) is associated with a fuse (25) against overvoltage, which is formed exchangeable or switchable. Busbar according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that on the busbar (28) a marking element (35) is arranged, which indicates that a the conductor (33, 34) is used to transmit control information. Conductor rail according to claim 22, characterized in that the marking element (35) is detachably fastened to the busbar (28). Busbar according to Claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the marking element (35) can be clipped onto the busbar (28). Busbar adapter (39) for mechanically and electrically connecting a luminaire (10) or / and an operating device (15) of the luminaire (10) to a busbar (28), comprising a first selector shaft (41) and a second selector shaft (42) , characterized in that each switching shaft each having two rotatably connected to the switching shaft contact elements (48, 48a, 48b, 45a, 45b). Busbar adapter according to claim 25, characterized in that the first switching shaft (41) is associated with a neutral contact tongue (73a,) and a phase conductor contact tongue (73b). Busbar adapter according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the second switching shaft (42) has two signal line contact tongues (73c, 73d) associated therewith.

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